Rosemary's Blog Spot

Sun

2012-01-22T13:40:00.000-05:00

Sun every day !
Okay, maybe there as been the odd day with rain, 2, but by evening the sky had cleared.... rain is needed here, region hasn't had the usual rainfall . At first grass was brown greening up now. how can one mind a bit of rain.. but as a Northerner I so appreciate the sun and blue sky on nearly every day.
Warm today about 75.
Been very busy,
exploring Weeki Wachee area ,a different direction each day .
We are staying an area that is vacation homes for Floridians, not a snowbird haven , have not seen any other Canadians at all nor even many licence plates from out of state.........
The home is situated in a quite forested area near a mangrove swamp seeing lots of birds and lots of fish in the canal ....fishermen and ladies...... people kayaking......

Muscovey ducks paddling by. Fish jumping tho try to get a photo of that.

Even had a first sighting of a manatee in the canal just off the dock... maybe 25 feet away.. not fast enough to get a picture Yet!

The house is surrounded by grapefruit,

orange trees, kumquats,
Home came with a juicer so fresh orange , tangerine or grapefruit juice every day.... Heavenly flavour.
Some lovely shade trees; camphor trees which are very messy but the robins love the fruit.

sweep steps every day

very straight tall camphor trees but oh so messy is the fruit!

Egrets come for a visit as do

herons.......Friendly and not scared of humans..

Never seen a flower on an Aloe plant but here it is!

up close

Bottlebush tree

out front,

palms ..More of my exploring later! time to enjoy the warm day...

Quiet on this blog cause I MOVED-------------------------------------further south!

2012-01-04T16:44:00.000-05:00

Moved to the sunny climes of Florida!
But only for 3 months!
Decided to become a snowbird and miss all the lovely snow and ice of the Great White North.
Any Northerner can attest to the brutal and oh so long winter last year. Did not want to face any more shovelling this winter ..........
Needless to say this blog has been very quiet while I was busy getting ready for the big move..but I missed everyone.....
Back to my story ; we found a place to rent on VRBO web site in Weeki Wachee Florida.
Basically sight unseen.. yes, the owner Phil sent lots of photos but it was with some trepidation that we drove up to the place wondering what we had gotten ourselves into......

First the temperature on the first day 75 ! Can you say heaven?.

Second the place is everything and more that the photos showed.
Dock overlooking the intracoastal waterway........

Where DH will be spending time as the song says " Sitting on the dock of the bay,Watching the tide roll away,
I'm just sitting on the dock of the bay, Wasting time"

View from great room out onto deck and then the waterway.

The garden is lovely , will post more about that later...still settling in...

Will be getting around to every one's blog and catching up on the news.......

Belated Happy New Year!

PS brought the cold with us only high of 50 today......... LOL.

Wishing all a Very Merry Christmas

2011-12-21T12:19:00.000-05:00

To all a Very Merry Christmas Season and Happy New Year!

Fun busy!

2011-12-17T07:53:00.000-05:00

At this time of the year hours seems to fly by....... Thank goodness shopping and wrapping is done.... just some baking remains on my to do list ........ This week has been busy with fun times.......

O Christmas Tree

Parties !
First do was a Garden Club Christmas Social.........held at the clubhouse.

Garden Club members

Centerpieces used for the tables..

love the roses mixed with the evergreen

Garden club Executive Group

Thursday evening a Red Hat Get together

We held a festive party at a members home...Joan the hostess has a flare for seasonal decorating.......... Every room had touches of Christmas from the front door with wooden snowmen to the fireplace flanked with 4 foot Nutcracker soldiers to poinsettia topiary...... I so wanted to take more photos......... Joan's home should be on a Christmas Home Tour it was so beautifully decorated.

soft candle light

One of my favs was in the kitchen, a bit of whimsy

When pigs fly!

Tonight Christmas dinner at a local golf course for the    Port Rowan Good News newspaper.
A perk of being a reporter for this local   paper.
.I am so glad I have been ahead on my Christmas organization.
Makes this busy party week so much more fun!

Christmas Cards

2011-12-15T14:44:00.000-05:00

Wanted to share several of the Christmas cards I have received from friends in my card making class.
They are each unique ,
one is simple yet traditional;

Simple but classic with embossing Swiss dots and embossed Xmas trees on red band.

one elegant; Black tie look,

Black and white with a touch of sparkling snow

and one that is amazing in details.... love the velvet poinsettia;

The saying is embossed in gold and sparkle in red and gold dot the wreath..

Thanks Sandie, Louise and Cathy lovely cards!

First Snow

2011-12-10T06:30:00.000-05:00

Friday woke up to a light dusting of fluffy snow.............only about half and inch.
There is something so pretty about the first snowfall............

Mother Nature has decorated seed pods of the Rose of Sharon.

Applied icing to the Buddleia........

Holly berries peeking out .

Puts one in the festive Holiday mood........

LRW-Vintage Christmas Card

2011-12-08T05:05:00.000-05:00

Vintage Christmas is the challenge this week at Little Red Wagon ....... Is this card vintage?

doubled some of the snowflakes and even a red snowflake!

Perhaps in the colour combo Cherry Cobbler and Vanilla. White embossed snowflakes, a few punched snowflakes, a rhinestone or 2 and satin organza ribbon with an antiqued tag......

Interior
Added a rhinestone inside as well as a few more snowflakes.

Sugared Pecans

2011-12-06T11:19:00.001-05:00

Yesterday my neighbour Karen popped over for a few minutes with an early Christmas gift
.... Home made treats.

Karen and her hubby John are heading to Florida next week for 4 months so she was spreading holiday cheer earlier than usual this year...to all the neighbours
Inside a cheery Christmas Santa tin 4 selections from Buckeyes, Pecan shortbread, toffee bark and my newest rave fav sugared pecans.....Sensational!

This recipe has been around for years but I have never tried it..... I am this year with a bag of pecans my Mom brought back from Florida......
Karen has kindly shared her recipe.. in fact she just rhymed it off from memory.. as Karen said ..

1 egg white
1 tablespoon water
1 pound pecan halves
1 cup white sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Grease one baking sheet.

.In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
Add pecans to egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet. .Bake at 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes.

`` Can you believe they are so easy to make``Karen found the recipe at Allrecipes.

Won`t these be a nice treat to go with my afternoon tea

Such nice neighbours........

Checking my Lists!

2011-12-02T09:32:00.000-05:00

Can you believe it is only 23 days until Christmas day?
Ready?
I am checking my lists!
Home decorated? Yes . With that in mind here
are a few more Christmasy touches sprinkled thru the house. .
On the bathroom vanity just a simple touch , saw something similar at Bowrings and came home and made my version.
Lacey tray with hand towels , a few glass beads, mercury glass votive holders with red votives ....

so simple but so effective

Decorated several trays,this one sits on kitchen island.....

apothecary jars filled with Xmas ornaments also sit on tray

Glass candle stick with ornament dangling .......

looks so cute

Each room has a touch of Xmas...
Tree is up !
Home is decorated!
Check.
As Martha says it is a good thing to take a break from all the hustle and bustle.......

I find each afternoon I take a mini break and have a Chai latte, while I check my lists of to do things .
Found a great product by David Rio , makes the best packaged Chai I have had... plus low calorie...

with Christmas mug!favourite flavour Orca Spice

add a little milk then boiling water Yum!

So what is left on my To- do list :
Finish knitting hat, halfway there!
Gift shopping is done . Check number 2!
Christmas cards made check #3 .
Addressing cards , started!
Baking plans made , not started!
Still to do, a big one, wrapping!
I see a lot of mid afternoon tea breaks in my future.....

Please don`t tell me you are done!

Homemade!

2011-11-30T08:32:00.000-05:00

A homemade gift can be the best kind of gift.
There are those that scoff, remembering the misshapen clay ash tray given . The fact still remains that a lot of love goes into the creation of a homemade gift..It's become very fashionable to make home-made gifts to give away at Christmas or take to parties. Sometimes it can be a cellophane bag of Xmas cookies , sometimes a knitted hat, mitts or socks perhaps even a personal luxury item....
This season I have tried to add these special touches with a few home made gifts.They will be used for hostess gifts , to neighbours who have done little favours for us , a little extra tuck in for broughten gifts..
First of my homemade gifts:
Lavender Oatmeal Milk bath.

pretty aren't they and oh how nice the scent!

oatmeal ends up very finely ground

I chose lavender essential oil for its many benefits, sleep aid, ease anxiety,improve circulation reduce blood pressure,relieve muscle pain.......... the oatmeal soothes irriated and itchy skin and the dry mlk powder soothes and moisturizes dry skin.
The oatmeal was pulverized in a small grinder so hopefully won't leave residue in the bath... Dry milk powder and a bit of baking soda which also eases itchy skin are all the other ingredients needed.

Candy Cane Bath salts.

For these jars I used sea salt , epsom salt, a touch of baking soda and cranberry scent.... a little red food colouring to tint half of mixture.tilted jars and layered white and red coloured salts....Soaking in Epsom salts is said to help magnesium deficiency which account for high rates of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis and joint pain, digestive maladies, and stress-related illnesses. Sea salt is a purifier that is soothing, relaxing, and energizing.

finished

Finished up with organza ribbon, silk flowers a little scoop for milk bath and fancy tags from a web site.
Do you make gifts?

2012 Milk Calender Macaroni and Cheese

2011-11-28T09:28:00.000-05:00

Just last week received the 2012 Milk Calender .
Always look forward to this calender arriving with so many yummy recipes..
Link to recipes here....
Browsing the recipes on a rainy wet Saturday.

Comfort food....needed to brighten up the day..
Chose March's dish.
Stove top Macaroni and cheese.........
Wondered how this would turn out as I have always done Baked Macaroni and Cheese ......
Raves for this dish
It is quite cheesy in flavour, bonus is the ease of prep and it has the dry mustard I love to add.....
This is a lightened up version from 1995. Even so over 500 calories per serving.... Does serve 4 more than adequately.

Added a bit of extra cheddar sprinkled over the top

Don't think I will be going back to the oven version....Wonder what I will make next?
If you have tried something out of this calender do let me know.....

Wrapping up the garden

2011-11-25T09:06:00.000-05:00

See the holly bright with berries

Weather for the month of November has been exceptionally mild even so some jobs can't be avoided any longer.... Burlapping some shrubs is the last job in the garden for me.....
Rather like getting ready for all the wrapping of Christmas presents.... I still wrap boxes, not bag everything.....
There is not a lot of plants to burlap but last winter a very big bunny ate my Chinese azalea almost to the ground from 4 feet.. nary a bloom last spring........ so this is a priority this fall. No more feeding hungry bunnies...

Bring on the bunny

The Japanese maple has been in the ground for 3 years so this year just the trunk gets a wrap , so hope I am right on this step ; it is a lovely tree do not want to lose it.
Lastly a viburnum needs a bit of protection. I did not do it last winter and because of that not a flower to be seen, frosted off........ me and the flowers...
Also leaving the dogwood tree to the elements this year.. . So hoping I won't regret next spring leaving the maple and dogwood to the harsh winds of winter.
Is your garden bundled up for winter yet?

LRW- Christmas project

2011-11-24T07:41:00.000-05:00

Not really a Christmas project but I just finished this card on the weekend , so pleased with the results just had to share.

Inspired by one similar I had seen on the Internet...
Used Cherry Cobbler ,Pear pizazz and Very vanilla for colours. Designer paper cut into 1 1/4 inc squares then edged the one end with decorative scissors.. Stamped using Inkadinkadoo swirl stamp with more Cherry cobbler .Popped up crackers and saying. Saying is a rub- on called Holly Jolly. Find rub-ons not easy to use.....

Inside sentiment and swirl dabbed off to lighten.........on cream parchment paper.

Is there any scent nicer at Christmas than pine?

2011-11-18T09:57:00.000-05:00

I was in pine heaven yesterday, Hubby's friend who works in the Christmas Tree business brought me 4 bundles of greens..... Scotch pine, Norfolk pine, cedar and spruce....... just trimmings from his trees....

With this abundance of pine boughs I got busy decorating the front porch , colour scheme red, a touch of silver , green and white.

Bare front porch

See the lanterns from thrift store .

Such a pleasure to use fresh scented greens instead of the usual artificial ............

urn with wired red ornaments and silver butterflies

Cheery and welcoming

Used a old family favourite, antiqued snowman post and some green mesh ribbon ......some faux poinsettias and a black iron flower urn to raise the greens up on the front window..

white branches are led lights

Up close to urn..

silver butterflies add to the sparkle

So enjoyable to use and add the variety of greens to each window and urn.
Did end up smelling of pine and hands covered in pitch.....

Hidden in green a black iron urn

Berries and Butterflies Wreath

Nightime look

Twinkling lights

Even enough to make a welcoming arrangement on front hall table.

Finished off by adding some holly from shrub in back garden to fresh arrangement. to link front porch to interior....what a wonderful scent when entering the house.
Have you decorated your outside yet?

Little Red Wagon- paper piecing.

2011-11-17T07:50:00.000-05:00

Made a cute little card for a birthday. Used Chocolate chip for the back ground of card then Whisper white embossed with a Happy Birthday sayings, colours pear pizazz, pretty in pink and marina blue and strip of designer paper.. Stamped using pennant stamp for cone shape then used cupcake punch for the layers of ice
cream scoops.. Sprinkles made with dots stamp. Popped up cherry with dimensionals....
Do check out this fun challenge at LRW.

LRW - Congratulations

2011-11-10T12:02:00.000-05:00

Here is the card I made for this weeks challenge.
Using soft suede and marina mist colours... Embossed the butterfly , overlaid with word stamp , sponged with the soft suede and marina mist. Brayered the letterpress folder fancy fan with marina mist . used scalloped trim border punch on the one edge. Added ribbon , popped up the Congrats sign on dimensionals.....doesn't show well in picture.

Is it too early to be thinking Christmas Decor?

2011-11-06T13:53:00.000-05:00

Perhaps it seems early to be thinking Christmas decor but a few things had me thinking......
At Hobby Lobby on Tuesday with 3 girlfriends , Christmas carols were playing; usually so soon after Halloween I find that annoying but this time found I enjoyed it ,
and this weekend , a big Fall chore; clean up the basement and re organize my seasonal items.
While sorting thru the Xmas ornaments and rearranging shelves started thinking of how to decorate this Christmas.
Final encouragement received an email from Better Homes and Gardens with Holiday ideas .
Here are some that caught my eye.

like the mitten instead of the usual stockings

this looks so elegant

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such a simple mantle treatment

These last photos from Martha Stewart.

very festive

little touches of green

I did get the basement cleaned !

LRW- Purple People Eater

2011-11-04T08:38:00.000-04:00

Little Red Wagon has posted an interesting challenge this week. Purple People Eater..
Do check out the sample card, so cute.
Thank goodness any card with purple is acceptable.

just for you is crooked so will be redone.,

Used Concord Crush ,white and Wisteria Wonder papers. Dry embossed with the tulip folder and Nestibilities accent to hold saying..White was stamped with Sahara Sand and sponged accented flowers with a blush of Pretty in Pink..

Planting bulbs

2011-11-02T13:35:00.000-04:00

It is almost a tradition for me to plant a few new bulbs every fall.
Perhaps I need the anticipation of seeing them blossom in the spring that helps me get thru the dark cold days of winter......
Is it me or does it seem winters are longer and longer?
I have planted snowdrops, silverbells,

Candy apple Delight tulips,

won't these be a bright accent in the garden ?

King Alfred Daffodils and more anemones........

But the ones I will be most watching for next spring are the 3 foxtail lilies .

Foxtail flowers

flowers to anticipate next spring.

Do you have Autumn traditions in the garden?

Happy Halloween-Pumpkin Cupcakes

2011-10-31T01:55:00.001-04:00

Happy Spook Night.

Don't think this face will scare anyone.

Front porch table vignette

Scarecrows hiding in lanterns

Treats for supper tonight- Pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese icing.Printable recipe here..decorations by Wilton...This is a 5 star recipe from Southern Food.........

Already sampled , Yum,

These cupcakes are very moist.

LRW #104

2011-10-29T12:45:00.001-04:00

Challenge by Regs this week is use this picture of a wedding cake for inspiration..
A tough one but this is what I came up with. Used similar colours and a flower.......

Several layers but simple. Used so safffron paper with touches of white and black paper .

Stamp set is Fifth Avenue Floral , sponged center of flower with so saffron again mirrored black outlines of flowers on under layer..... 2 strips of black and small border punch with a bit of bling with rhinestone.... completes this card......

The Show is Hot!

2011-10-27T13:48:00.000-04:00

Girlfriend Wendy and I had a play day on Tuesday,
it was a bright sunny day when we started out ...... rained later in the afternoon.....still we managed to take in Hamilton's Mum show at Gage Park...... |This Chrysanthemum show started in 1920 and each year has a theme , this year fire!

Welcoming walkway

A salute to firemen.
With Volunteer firemen in the family certainly could not miss this show.

See the hose pouring water onto the bright red fire...

Cute Dalmatian doggie!

Helmets almost hidden in the mums

Fire Mountain

Even a firebreathing dragon.

Spider mum are my fav.So many shapes and colours!

Mt Shasta is this big white pompom.Always a show stopper.

Lovely bicolour

Mauve, ruby red , pink, purple and white combos

Isn't this an amazing colour this is a single stem mum with many flowers at the top I believe it is called a drumstick mum

Accenting the mums are coleus... some most interesting colour combos......

Who wouldn't want to cozy up in this spot...

carpet of mums too!

Have to mentioned the intoxicating fragrance..walk into the greenhouse and it is a heart melting scent..
Wonder if I can add some of these beauties to my tiny garden...........Yummmmm..

Bloomin Tuesday-----It has Happened!

2011-10-25T08:15:00.000-04:00

First light frost!

on top of my car.........quite late for this area frost is usually the first week of October.
It is also dark at 7:30 in the morning........... See how dark it is !

Another week before time change....... I want daylight saving going back to an earlier stop date....do not like dark mornings.........

I have left my planters at the front step but I am thinking for only 1 or 2 more weeks, until I can do a winter (dare I say the Christmas word) theme ?

front porch planter looking rather sad.

The one nice day last week was Sunday wasn't raining so cleaned out flower beds ,

dug out canna roots.......

No more early coffee on the patio!

Everything is looking rather bare!

Have you put your gardens to bed?

Kidnapped!

2011-10-22T15:28:00.001-04:00

On Thursday my daughters Sherry and Rosanne kidnapped me........ Why you say?

Need I say more; I am now officially the wrinkley age........

When Sherry picked me up I had NO idea where we were going , told to pack an overnight bag.....
First stop New Dundee Tea Room and Emporium built in 1887

where Rosanne was waiting..
We enjoyed High Tea...

.... scones and jam and clotted cream , dainty sandwiches , teas and sweet treats...So good, we could not eat all the 3 tier of goodies.........

Doggy box of treats

We browsed the emporium side ohing and ahing over some beautiful clothes and jewellery..
Sherry found a few things!
Next stop Meadow Acres Garden Center In St. Petersburg On. which is decorated for Halloween and also Christmas has arrived there. So many unique ideas for Xmas decor, a couple you may see on this blog later in Nov....

Off we drove to Stratford where we strolled the main street visiting many cute shops there, Bradshaws Kitchen store, Rhea Thompson chocolate shop....

... and cute gift shops.....

Back into the vehicles and a short drive later to, as it is called Stone Town, St. Marys. and the Westover Inn..........St Marys is called stone town because many of the churches and buildings are built with limestone which was quarried there......so picturesque.

The Westover Inn a lovely 1867 Victorian home located on 19 landscaped acres, well known for their award winning cuisine........

My cosy room was decorated with Birthday touches from banners , birthday balloons and buttons

to a floral arrangement from the grandchildren, Thanks so much to Brianne Brock Brittany and Brayden!

to wine and appetizers........

We sipped wine and ate our nibbles......

being shown the lovely charms and told the meaning.

I opened my present tho after the day I was more than happy with just the time with my daughters........A lovely Pandora bracelet with charms.....

Girls made me put on all the 65 touches,

they were certainly chuckling!
Dressed for the 7 PM dinner ,
it is a lovely dining room, we had the table in the bay window!

dinner was delicious as was the wine...... Westover certainly can boast about their award winning cuisine...
and yes they even acknowledged my birthday......... candles all aglow on ginger cake with pumpkin ice cream........

After our late dinner back in the room where we changed again..... into jamas...

and a rather scary cape!

Witch Rosanne

.. to sip more wine!
Crowding on the bed

having many laughs............Next day after a most filling breakfast we were off to the spa.....
Pedicures, manicures, brow waxing........ fun time!

Explored the main street of St Marys visiting McPherson's Craft store, Castle Garden store and even another chocolate shop.....
Late afternoon lunch and then home............ What a way to celebrate a birthday!

Thanks to my most amazing daughters for the fabulous surprise... thanks for all the considerate planning and all the fun and laughs we had....
You are both terrific women!
Thanks for the wonderful memories of this birthday .. making me feel special and well loved..........
Thanks so very much ! Kisses and Hugs to both of you!

Bloomin Tuesday- Last of the Flowers?

2011-10-18T11:31:00.000-04:00

Here it is the 18th of October and this area has not had a frost yet. Usually by now a frost tho not a killing frost has made an appearance...... any date from Oct 6 to 10 is average for the first frosty night.

gazania

yellow daylily

A few purple buddleia flowers still attracting butterflies.,

Betty Boop rose still showing some buds and blossoms

Japanese anemone flowering with some gone, some to come yet

Hydrangea showing late fall pink.

Geraniums , orange and bright always last until a hard frost..

Orange marigolds, the colour really suits this time of the year.

We have sun this morning but rain is forecast for the rest of the week.

Zinnas still showing some wonderful colour as well

This rose colour is a favourite....

Will I have this much colour next week?? Will frost soon take these last few flowers ?

Pumpkins pumpkins and the odd witch!

2011-10-17T08:51:00.000-04:00

Halloween is just around the corner, looking forward to all the spooks and goblins that are sure to visit.... For each season I try to have little touches sprinkled thru the house.

Candy jar ready! tho with hubby robbing the goodies may have to refill.

This was stuffed full to top until Hubby got to it , okay I took a few too..Shame on me!

Found this mercury glass pumpkin at Pier One on sale regular $ 39 picked it up for $8 at the end of last Nov. It has a flicker candle inside and makes a lovely light on the dining table..Red maple placemat from Kohl's. What more does one need?

flicker light glowing inside.

Fitz and Floyd pumpkin and black cat salt and pepper given to me years ago by my granddaughter.Love this cute set.

Cute set love the napkins too!

Cornocupia on front door.

Zelda the witch platter graces front hall table

Pumpkin and black cat along for the ride

and right beside on a stack of books a small vignette of a mini pumpkin and just 5 stocks of wheat........ simple but effective.

Would you believe not one pumpkin outside?
Maybe next October..

Snowbird Appetizer....

2011-10-15T08:30:00.000-04:00

Our street block had a casual goodbye party for all the Snowbirds heading out to warm climes over the next few weeks..It would be the last time we would all be together for what we call garage happy hours
( men seem to congregate in the garages while the ladies are on the porch or patios) until next April......
Some Snowbirds are heading to Texas this week, some are heading to Florida in the middle of November, some heading out the first of December and some the first of January.. scattering to different parts of Florida , Arizona.
In keeping with the casual , all appetizers was the menu... tho some desserts appeared to...
I took jalapeno poppers.......about 30, they were gone is seconds...

seeds and pith removed and oh yes I wore gloves for this job

There are a ton of recipes for these treats but this one is so good so fast to make ...... some recipes have lots of ingredients...this one

ready to bake

3 ingredients only, how easy is that!
Prep time about 10 minutes....

Peppers cut in half, stuffed with plain cream cheese , wrapped in prosciutto....
Baking time at 400 degrees 20 minutes or so .Until golden brown.....

Yummy

One could easily gussy up these treats but using a bit of cheddar cheese mixed with the cream cheese or use an herb garlic cream cheese but the flavour really doesn't need it.
These are so good just plain.

Garden Club- Mini Wine Tour

2011-10-13T12:23:00.000-04:00

Wouldn't you know after all the lovely Autumn weather we have had for the last 2 weeks the one day the Garden Club is touring local boutique wineries the weather changed to a rather windy drizzly day....... Regardless we had fun, we stopped first at Florence Estates Winery , met the new owners , a couple who have lived in Nova Scotia where the husband was the vintner for the Jost Winery...

Florence Estate Winery Pressing area

They are so excited to own this small winery and put their own stamp on it. Andrew is looking forward to making his own wine..... while Michelle is tackling the tasting room and restaurant part . They have many plans for next year from musical days on the outdoor patio to artisan / crafter days ..... First we toured the pressing area and then the bottle and vat room then on to the tasting room

Sipping

..........where we sipped , swirled, and sniffed 5 different wines....then had lunch in the bright pleasant dining room that was decorated for the Fall season...... wonderful dining experience.

Such a simple idea to place tea lights in pumpkins but so cute .

After a short drive we stopped at a new winery that just opened this spring called Burning Kiln which has already won awards for a couple of their wines...... Burning Kiln is an ultra modern facility built on an old tobacco farm , the main building is partly an old hanging kiln........

Burning Kiln

With this tour we saw the oak barrel room , the vines which are hand picked instead of machine picked and the high end equipment from Italy and Germany...
More swirling, sniffing and sipping.
Everyone loved this mini winery tour, rain or no rain ,was a great day.

Bloomin Tuesday- October 11

2011-10-11T07:31:00.000-04:00

I am finding in my garden this week;
Autumn has well and truly arrived
Maple leaf fallen from tree

Golden leaves on the fringe tree

2 black eyed susan flowers left

Will leave the seeds for the birds and maybe new plants next spring.

Sad looking Nicotiania

All these sad flowers are now gone

A bright spot of colour Mums and pink geranium .

So happy with this colour combo Endless Summer Hydrangea adds reddish blooms as well as some herbs still a bright green

Making a new garden for an over crowded hosta /fern garden.....this corner is awkward with the water tap , downspout and minimal sun.

Dug up moved a blue hosta into that spot...leaving more room for the lady fern......hoping this will make a prettier corner....next spring!

Hosta leaves changing colour too

Dug and edged garden bed ready for dare I say it ,Winter!

Crispy air and azure skies,

                                                         High above, a white cloud flies,

                                                              Bright as newly fallen snow.

                                                    Oh the joy to those who know October!

Inspiration or lack of!

2011-10-09T07:48:00.002-04:00

Inspiration ! one is told it is everywhere!
My spark has disappeared, vanished .....
Is it a case of ennui? ( I have always wanted to use that word, )
It isn't that I haven't been busy...... been doing lots of things!

Stagnant is what I am feeling like a swamp... Ugh!
I admit I am a creature of routine but does that mean my mind has become cold, rigid and oh no! DULL?
Life Dull? Never!
Could the comfort of routine be stifling my creative juices? Do I even have creative juices?
I looked up inspiration on the Internet( isn't the answer to every question out on the world wide web) in an effort to  get past this sparkless bump in the road of blogland.....
Apparently it is very easy to overcome ,   just 5 things to do to get back my spark........
They are :
#1.Take up a new hobby
#2.Read a book and take notes
#3.Discover new music
#4.Take a road trip
#5.Learn about history

So you ask " have I tried these  5 easy things ?"
Maybe you did not really ask, but I will share anyway.
Some of the 5 things I have been doing are;
#5 -Red Hat visit to Annandale House Museum in Tillsonburg...a Victorian house in the Oscar Wilde Aesthetic style .
Wonderful inlaid wood floors , painted ceilings and beautiful stained glass , only problem would not let pictures be taken inside the home. History now covered!

Celebrated 2 of my Grandchildrens Birthdays , young adults they are now! Where oh where did the time go? Doesn't every parent, grandparent ask that same question?
Brock and Brianne.....

Brianne

Brock

Happy Birthday Kids( they will always be kids to me)

Celebrated Thanksgiving at Rosanne's

with a delicious turkey......so good. Best part the family all together....

Rosa nne cooked the most delicious turkey

I contributed pumpkin pie, a sour cream dutch apple pie ( here is a printable link)

One of the best pies I have ever made.

and a broccoli corn casserole...(printable recipe link)

That was # 4 a road trip, Rosanne lives an hour away...
And-
#1- An Autumn floral arrangement seminar at the local flower shop called Pretty Flowers..A very modern table centerpiece, something I haven't done before ,always very traditional arrangements for me.....
Here it is step by step.
taro leaf in brown rectangle ceramic container

sunflowers, Proteus, anthuriums, calla lilies,

wheat, bright green button mums , mini gourds, leather fern and snake grass.

all very happy with this seminar

Still working on # 2 Reading a book and taking notes for inspiration ; currently reading Sandra Brown -Smoke Screen.... wonder what reading and taking notes of murder mysteries, will inspire me to do ? Hum!

# 3 New music,  would watching So You Think You Can Dance hip hop routines   count? I now can appreciate hip hop, bboy and grunge where I did not before..... see even at my advanced age I have opened my mind to a new genre.....I am getting down with it. Still I doubt I will rush out to buy a CD of this music.
So   back to my deserted inspiration to blog... someone pointed out that perhaps......it is .....
need for perfection( at over 60 given up on perfection what you see is what you get),
fear of failure( failed so many times at so many different things doesn't bother me anymore),
exhaustion(I have been working at work and at home doing the dreaded fall   cleaning and turfing out of too much stuff),
distraction( I have been gallivanting a LOT but isn't that part of finding inspiration #4)
It could be any of the above I suppose but    truth be told the weather has been so lovely,    warm sunny days with summer time temperatures , cool window open nights ,

a bit of rain now and then to keep the grass green and growing ,

gardens with the last of the flowers putting on a lovely show....

...I have found myself away from the computer enjoying these gorgeous autumn days ..
Putzing around.........

part of Rosanne's delightful table scape

Wishing all a Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

LRW -Thanks

2011-10-07T09:02:00.000-04:00

It is the Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend...... with that in mind Little Red Wagon challenge is a card of Thanks......I used a stamp set called Harvest Home ,embossed watercolour paper with scene , then water coloured the picture . Other papers used Chocolate Chip and Pumpkin Pie , added a matching ribbon from my stash . Words are embossed as well.
Wishing all who are celebrating this weekend Happy Thanksgiving.!

LRW- #100 Postage stamp

2011-09-29T07:54:00.001-04:00

Another interesting challenge at Little Red Wagon. Use a postage stamp.. This is their 100th challenge . Congrats....
Soft Fern coloured card scored, water coloured seasonal stamps cut with nestibilities, satin yellow ribbon...a quick simple card...

Bloomin Tuesday- last week in September

2011-09-27T05:41:00.000-04:00

In the garden, Autumn is, indeed the crowning glory of the year, bringing us the fruition of months of thought and care and toil.

And at no season, safe perhaps in Daffodil time, do we get such superb colour effects as from August to November."
- Rose G. Kingsley, The Autumn Garden, 1905
This quote says so much about this wonderful time of the year,,,
weather has been mild, warm days , cool nights, some rain, just starting to show some colour , white button mums...

small but mightly blooms

The holly bush is heavy with berries.

Wonder if all the berries mean a snowy winter?

Mauve asters are in bloom, a favourite fall flower .

See the bee busy working!

Bees are filling up on nectar.... on the Frosty Morn sedum as well..

Tho heucheras have been a plant I struggle with I could not resist this beauty with its wine red leaves, it has red leaves in the spring taupe in summer then ruby red in the fall, best of all it was on sale........ so apropos called. Autumn Leaves..

white icicle pansies planted beside and see the mushrooms on the right

Rose buds,will they open before a frost?

hope these last few buds open.

And ending with a short quote about Autumn:

Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.

~William Cullen Bryant

LRW- Repeat

2011-09-26T07:40:00.000-04:00

Little Red Wagon's challenge this past week is repeat.

Here is a card I made that fits. The background is embossed with swiss dots.. Rose red card stock and ribbon punch. make this a very simple card..

LRW- Use Twine

2011-09-16T11:44:00.000-04:00

The challenge this week at Little Red Wagon use twine.

It just so happened at card making class this week we did an Autumn card that used twine.
The stamp set is French Foliage, versamarked then clear embossing powder....... using daubers to add the shading , pear pizazz, cherry cobbler and daffodil yellow for the colours behind the leaves.

Garden Club- Making Fall planter

2011-09-15T13:07:00.001-04:00

It seems almost without warning, the cool days and colder nights of early autumn are beginning to take their toll on my once brilliant summer blooming container displays.
Yesterday the Garden Club travelled to Courtland Garden Center to make fall planters.......

Amber the seminar leader gave us tips on using a thriller a filler and a spiller to make attractive planters.....

Amber giving instructions

We came away with creatively inspired containers to brighten front porches before Ol Man Winter arrives with cold, snow and chilly winds..

Hum what to do!

pink gaura

Some used orange mums and mauve asters others used pink gaura , some black eyed susans.... heucheras .. multi coloured icicle pansies........

busy planting

showing off our creations.

Fun afternoon....

Bloomin Tuesday- Sept. 13th

2011-09-13T12:48:00.000-04:00

This japanese anemone is aptly named September Morn.........

It is loaded with flower buds this autumn....

Adds a lovely freshness to the garden at this time of the year.....

LRW Challenge - Use die cut

2011-09-09T08:16:00.000-04:00

I used Stampin Up's Butterfly die cut... The square with large butterfly is popped up on dimensonals.
Black , grey , white papers , Satin black ribbon, pearls and some twine accents complete the card. .

The last of the Roses?

2011-09-06T08:33:00.000-04:00

It has turned from over 32C on Saturday to 13 C this morning....Brrrr.
Autumn is definitely in the air.....Much as I love Autumn I miss the riot of summer colour. The flower I decided to highlight this week . Charles Austin Rose showing off what might be the last of its blooms.....

These lovely apricot coloured. roses love the cooler weather .The many petals and lovely scent make this a favourite of mine. It is resistant to black spot.....
It is a tall rose some of the stems 4 feet tall.....
What plant is showing its last blooms in your garden?

Buddleia, Butterflies, Bees and Moths.

2011-09-02T18:39:00.000-04:00

I love having buddleia in my garden .
It has so many lovely blooms that last and last at a time when the garden is starting to wane.
This busy week I did find a moment to stop and enjoy it.
While sitting quietly sipping a glass of iced tea....enjoying the sunshine,
I noticed all the activity on and around the buddleia, one very busy spot .

Butterflies- Monarch and Black Morpho

A yellow that I think is a butterfly but it might be a moth...

Love the colour so soft a yellow.

Fat bee , almost hidden. and a

Can you see him, on the right side.

White moth.

I am not sure what insect this is!

What is it, I wonder.

That is why I love having this easy hardy plant in my garden.

Little Red Wagon - Border Punch

2011-08-31T18:45:00.001-04:00

The challenge this week, use a border punch. One of my favourites is Fiskars Lace...
I made this card following one similar on Sandi MacIver 's blog.

The stamp set is called French Foliage, colours used Pear Pizazz, Cherry Cobbler , Early Espresso and white. I popped up the bottom leaf and also embossed with clear embossing powder it tho the camera doesn't show it clearly..The green is dry embossed using the branch folder.

Roasted Corn Cherry Tomato Salad

2011-08-31T12:09:00.002-04:00

It has been a busy week
A little bit of gainful employment then some gallivanting.
The Garden Club went for a hay wagon ride at the Penner Farm seeing all the waste farm land being returned to Carolinian Forest.Shades of youth riding the hay wagon up and down the hilly farm.

climbing up

comfortably seated on hay bales.

Yesterday Red Hats toured Burning Kiln winery , a new winery that just opened this spring....strolled the vines seeing the grapes maturing on the vines then the production house all the while sampling several wines . Lunch on the open air patio with a view of Lake Erie in the distance. .. This part of SW Ontario was a huge tobacco growing region called the Tobacco Belt, with that industry waning wine growing is coming to fore...Hence the name of the winery and style of the building . Some of the wines have names like Strip Room , a Merlot,
Cureman's Chardonnay, and Kiln Hanger, acknowledging the history of the area.

Barrel Room

Tasting room

Building is modelled after a tobacco kiln

I had a Roasted Corn Tomato salad to go with the prosciutto, roasted red pepper mini sandwiches..
The salad was so good I made it first thing this morning with some leftover roasted corn, fresh mini tomatoes from the more than abundant crop in my garden, a little red onion and chopped parsley from my herb pot.

The Chef had given me the recipe sort of......
Basically however much roasted corn you want
Cherry Tomatoes cut in half
Chopped Parsley
Chopped Shallots ( used red onion)
A splash of vinegar
A splash of olive oil
Salt and Pepper.
She said!

Prepped ready for olive oil and vinegar

With just the 2 of us I used 2 cobs of corn,1 cup cherry tomatoes , 1./2 cup red onion, 2 TBSP chopped parsley , 1 Tbsp. vinegar to 2 Tbsp. olive oil . That has made about 2 cups of salad....

This simple salad lets the fresh veggies shine thru. It is not over dressed... .

A busy fun week.

Bloomin Tuesday - End of August

2011-08-30T15:23:00.000-04:00

Planter on the front step is putting on quite the show now that the purple grass is showing plumes...

At this time of summer I notice how the light has changed clearer, pictures crisper..colours brighter....

.

Sedum in full colour.

Coleus putting on a lovely colour.......one I loved and saved over winter... Mocha Rose......

The promise of things to come
Japanese Anemone ,pink; ready to open in the next week.

Mums tightly budded yet.

Gardener Gripe -Startle

2011-08-26T12:25:00.000-04:00

Pretty isn't it? Love the ruffles.......
Startle Daylily is startling . I will say it lives up to the name ! I am startled!....
Startle let down! might be a new gardeners disease..

It has only 1 scape.This is the second season for this plant.
This is a tetraploid which means it should be more branching.. no branching..Shouldn't a tetraploid be more showy?

About 8 buds on the scape.
Bloom size about 6 inches across, which is excellent..
Notice the washed out centers and tips of some of the petals. More of a magenta red with a yellow green throat. A much more washed out look than expected ...

The tag certainly showed   a much redder colour with none of the faded look to the petals  , don't you hate misleading tags...bane of a gardeners existence.....
It is the last of all my daylilies to flower which is not a bad thing, tho it is considered a mid season .... .

Should I never believe plant tags? Could it be I am too picky?
Question is should I keep this daylily hoping for better   results another year?
Isn't that what a gardener does hope for better   the next year.....

What do you call a grumpy and short tempered gardener?

A SnapDragon.

LRW -Use Newsprint

2011-08-25T14:45:00.002-04:00

The challenge at Little Red Wagon use newsprint....

Made this card using Stampin Up Artistic Etchings stamp set
Black,Vanilla, and Newsprint Designer Paper, crumpled ,torn and antiqued..Embossed Eiffel Tower , key and Amour.

Wordless Wednesday-Butterfly

2011-08-24T08:30:00.000-04:00

Bloomin Tuesday-Drying Hydrangea

2011-08-23T08:04:00.000-04:00

My Limelight Hydrangea drooping after a rain..

Limelight

Yes we finally had a nice thunderstorm and rain....My rain dance worked!
The size of the blooms this year are exceptionally large.

Huge blooms

I have dried Hydrangea a couple of years ago and they are now sad looking.... with a few very dark brown spots... banged around and a bit crushed........Time to try drying new ones..

Old dried hydrangea

Taking some of the giant blooms on the Limelight Hydrangea ...... the following method has worked for me..before ..
Picked when they are almost fully open, last few buds remain on top of head. Try to pick them as pristine as possible, no brown spots .

just a few buds on top left to open

Stripped leaves off.
Into vase half full of water.

Half full vase of water

Then leave them , water will evaporate. The Hydrangea gradually dries.
They stay full and lush...... and end up a light gold colour...not crushed , retain the shape of the blossom..
I am also trying to dry some of my pink Endless Summer Hydrangea ..

Endless Summer

They are a greeny pink colour right now and I wonder if I have left them too long ...... Can't hurt to try , I do wonder what colour they will dry to.

Yard Sale Find!

2011-08-22T07:30:00.001-04:00

Saturday on the way to visit the Farmers market stand to pick up some fresh corn on the cob for supper passed a Yard Sale sign...
The yard sale was at the Green Valley B&B farm . They just closed the business after many years welcoming visitors to their home farm
To stop or not to stop that is the question... ...rarely find anything that appeals if and when I do stop.
Kept on driving on to the corn....Thought "maybe stop on way back"
Peaches and Cream corn purchased,
Driving home still undecided as to stopping in at the yard sale on a whim decided "what the heck nothing else on my retirement agenda"
Sondra the owner of the B&B was cleaning out many items from the business.
No need this time to talk myself into purchasing a set of 4 glasses
.My everyday glasses were getting etched from the dishwasher and it had been on my mind to get a new set.
These glasses had never been used. Sticker still on them. Nautica.
Only 50 cents each. Hum , thought "these are an expensive glassware"

Island Flower

Checked on line to find replacement value 19.99 each... What a sense of satisfaction that my guess was right.

Smug I am!

Well worth the stop!

Finished my purchases with a bottle of their own home made maple syrup made from the huge old sugar maple trees that line the property...... the label shows the farm house as it was from 1890

Does give one pause, perhaps should become a yard saler up early every Saturday finding that one bargain ,start up a little business...reselling on EBay, make a fortune , gave myself a shake , sanity returned ...
Lucky I found these glasses....

Looking for Signs of Autumn !

2011-08-19T13:25:00.000-04:00

It must be wishful thinking on my part..but........ It is August summer time weather here, hot and humid and dry ., summer thunderstorms have missed this area..

No, it is not as hot as July . The A/C hasn't been on as much, nights lovely and warm for patio sitting....but........... in August I start to yearn for the fallish weather days, crystal clear air , warm breezes , leaves starting to change colour, cool nights that need a sweater..
Maybe it is the Canadian in me as much as I love summer and all it brings.. I love the change of seasons.. I even like the first few flakes of snow....(Not that you have ever heard that from me)
This time of the year I start to look for signs..
Yesterday at the local Farmers fruit and veggie stand the first crop of this season's apples have appeared , Ginger Gold. A fav.

Great for eating and baking

Down the road; next stop, the flower stand where I purchased a large bouquet of flowers.........
What kind of flowers.... Mums! Mixed bundle with all the bright colours of autumn.......

Love the combo of plain yellow and rust with the yellow center.

Mauve

Tho she usually has all types of bouquets Thursday only mums....Cut and placed on hall table.

5 weeks of summertime left......still I can't help but look for signs.......

Chocolate Zucchini Pecan Cake

2011-08-18T09:42:00.003-04:00

Who ever was the smart woman who thought to add zucchini to a quick bread I applaud you. Perhaps the same smartie who added carrot to cake.......

Zucchini Cake decorated with whipped cream and fresh peaches.

This type of recipe is called a loaf but to me it is more of a cake...

One of the great things about this recipe it uses 3 cups of grated zucchini, the other it makes 3 loaves ....... some for the freezer or the neighbours.
This cake has a rich chocolate taste. I opted to use Dutch Process Cocoa,which is darker with a mellow intense flavour .This cake is moist similar in texture to carrot cake..
Printable Recipe;click on link!
3 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder(use 3 tsp if using Dutch Process Cocoa)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda(LEAVE OUT IF USING DP COCOA)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 eggs
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
3 cups grated zucchini
1 cup chopped pecans
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients.
Combine the eggs, oil, butter and extracts; mix well.

Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Fold in zucchini and pecans A rather thick batter.
Pour into three greased 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from the pans to wire racks.
I used 6 small foil loaf pans as several are gifts for the
neighbours Some will go into the freezer......I will be dusting with icing sugar tho a cream cheese icing would gild the lily..

Also used a fancy Wilton pan that looks like mini angel food cakes..these will be turned into mini desserts dusted with icing sugar and the center filled with chopped peaches for a corn roast we are going to.

A Cake or a Loaf what would you call these yummy treats? https://sites.google.com/site/rosemarysprintablerecipes/chocolate-zucchini-pecan-cake

Zucchini Provencal

2011-08-17T08:26:00.000-04:00

Zucchini Provencal

Daughter Sherry's best friend Lisa grows zucchini .
As anyone knows they grow and they grow.. overnight they turn into gargantuan veggies...
I was" gifted" with several......

I kindly "gifted' one to my next door neighbour Barb.
She thanked me, she really did.

The largest one I turned into grated zucchini for mid winter baking, removing the spongy center and seeds....

Into the freezer they go!

I also peeled some local peaches and into the freezer they went   , won't they make a great pie in February.
The baby zucchini of the group was turned into a    veggie dish that is more than filling. Used it as a side dish for supper last night and the left overs today will be added to some cooked pasta for another meal.
This recipe is based on   an Italian   recipe.....
Ingredients:
1 tsp. oil
1 med. onion, sliced or chopped ( used red onion)
1 medium zucchini, about 3- 4cups chopped
2 tomatoes, peeled, chopped( added 1 cup of cherry tomatoes as well)
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

In a skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add the zucchini, tomatoes, green pepper, garlic, salt and pepper. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for10-12 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley.

Aren't the colours fantastic?

I used beefsteak tomatoes from my garden instead of roma tomatoes. Thinking roma would have given a richer taste.
This was a good dish but in future would add more garlic, perhaps some oregano and more cheese......maybe even more green pepper .

I do thank Lisa I really do,
come mid winter when I use one of the bags of grated zucchini it will be with fond memories of the hot sunny warm days that grew this giant veggie.
Tomorrow Chocolate Zucchini Pecan Bread.

Bloomin Tuesday- Yellows and Reds

2011-08-16T08:08:00.000-04:00

Does your garden have hints of fall coming?
Frosty Morn sedum flowers

Black eyed Susans always make me think autumn.........

Cherry Tomatoes -bushes are loaded with these bright red fruits more than one can eat... will share!

Beefsteak Tomatoes just starting to ripen, even tho watered the dry summer has affected their size.
The taste is still fantastic.

Sunflowers putting on a good show..

Holly has red berries showing!

The bright red and yellow colours, the tomatoes ripening, the reddening of the holly berries , flowers on the sedums, all signal that too soon summer is coming to an end......
Are you seeing signs?

A Find!

2011-08-15T11:55:00.002-04:00

Do you love browsing thrift stores and antique shops? I do. Wandering thru the aisles looking for that one item that fits that one spot .. or maybe speaks to you for the memories it brings.
I am drawn to coloured glass and milk glass especially hobnail, first . . Then antique dish sets from England, would love to have many sets of dishes from plain white to bright Christmas. Only 3 sets so far Wedgewood , Black and white ,   Royal Doulton , green and white, and a blue clear glass . Working on collecting a few of the new bright Fiesta ware pieces   , so cheery ..
But   most of all , candle holders and candles...
...I am always telling myself "You don't need  any more candle holders"
So what did I find when wandering the aisles of a local thrift store Value Village ?

Aren't they pretty?

A pair  ! a matching pair! of   copper   hurricane lanterns with bevelled glass each about 12 inches high and each side 6 inches so they are substantial..  Notice the    loops for hanging..
I did try to talk myself out of   this purchase.Yes, I really did.
After all did I really need more candle holders?
" Yes but they do match the copper bird house just purchased.!"
"It is a pair!"
" They will look fabulous hanging in the trees by the patio, once the tree branches are big enough to hold them!"
" Lit with   red votives sitting on the front porch
for the Christmas season won't they will be   a nice welcome for guests"
."Price couldn't get any better at $4 each".
I could not come up with any negatives...I tried really I did
.... So won't they be lovely at Christmas!

It's Rained

2011-08-11T12:57:00.021-04:00

We have had rain twice once thru the day and once with a wild thunderstorm thru the night ....
Thank you Mother Nature! My apology must have worked!

See the rain!

See this lovely little goldfinch , loves the sunflowers.

I had a gift certificate Rosanne gave me so I used part of it to buy this lovely feeder in an effort to encourage more birds to the garden.......

Now filled and at the ready. .

Here Birdie! Here Birdie!.

PS NO SQUIRRELS ALLOWED!

LRW #93- Bird

2011-08-10T12:52:00.000-04:00

Little Red Wagon's challenge this week is a bird card. It just so happened at card making class yesterday , this is the card we made. Owls are sort of birds I think..
This card inspiration came from the Internet . Do want to say thanks to the creative person who inspired this card , was a fun card to make..

Bloomin Tuesday- Limelight Hydrangea with friends

2011-08-09T07:04:00.004-04:00

Isn't she lovely? song runs thru my head when I look at this Lime light Hydrangea 3 years old now and even with the dry hot summer it is a standout in the garden....The molina grass in background is suffering this summer from the dryness . Sedums right besdie are unaffected.

Up close and personal. Blooms are huge this year, I will be drying some of these.

Autumn Joy Sedum putting on colour, just a hint of soft pink showing.

1 Rose of Sharon bush with 2 colurs on it... a bonus! was supposed to be only rose and white blooms.Lovely mauve has also shown up..

Summer Hibiscus is positioned by the patio table , for ease of appreciating the many large tissue like flowers....

I started Zinnias indoors in the spring 2 new colours Zahara Rose and Zahara Orange... They are bright and cheerful.

They are smallish plants covered with lots of buds and blooms opening to about 1 1/2 inch but I think I like larger blossoms .

I swore I wouldn't complain-BUT!

2011-08-08T13:58:00.001-04:00

I did I swore I would not complain once summer weather finally arrived after the very snowy and cold winter followed by the very wet and cool spring.
I did I said " You won't hear me complain the year , bring on the summer" ..Well Mother Nature finally let summer arrive in the middle of June
What has followed is summer with all the 3 H's . .
July, with very hot days , nights warm and tropical..Sunny days made for great beaching . . BUT and here is the first but , DRY more than that VERY DRY!. My back yard grass looks like a hay field, golden brown , not a pretty golden brown....

See the tiny bit of moisture on the concrete that was our rainstorm.

Even the trees drooped and needed watering.
In comes August, the heat and humidity continues.. The daytime temps are somewhat better so far no more days of 36C. Nights warm and still.. BUT(note 2nd But) I live in Canada I should not be living my summer in A/C. When I do venture out I sweat even sitting, reading I sweat, let alone trying to do any gardening Sweat runs into my eyes. . I do not like to sweat.!
Rain has been forecast just about every 2nd day...Cheering I am..rain is coming .. for the garden , trees and lawn. Perhaps a cooler day? Each day with rain forecast I cast my eye to the sky.. Praying for the relief of a good old fashioned thunder storm to quench the earth.
The sky looks promising..

Can you say sprinkle?

Drops I see drops.

Teased, here comes the sun! again!

Mother Nature I say "Uncle" I give in! I am officially complaining , whining.... BUT(#3) know come February I will be remembering these wonderful warm summer days and complaining and whining about how cold and snowy it is...Never fool with Mother Nature !

Blueberry Spiced Freezer Jam and Upside Down Blueberry Peach Raspberry Cake

2011-08-06T14:22:00.000-04:00

Early this spring decided to try to freeze fruits and make jam as each fruit came into season. It is now mid summer and so far have rhubarb, strawberries , raspberries, cherries in
the freezer  and batches of different jams , ready for those cold winter days when a taste of summer is a necessity.
Won't it be nice to   have a summer taste on those cold  days.
Blueberries and Peaches are mid summer fruits   in season right now. Last pint of fresh raspberries too.

Packages ready for the freezer.

Love making batches of freezer jam which in my opinion has the best fresh flavour.

Doesn't heat up the kitchen either which is a good thing this summer. I do have some black currants which require cooking, in the freezer ready to be made into jam on a cool fall day.
I have been making 1 batch of each fruit as it comes in season seems to suit , only the 2 of us in the family now. This is the first time I have spices to Blueberry Jam. Purist that I am.

4 cups prepared blueberries
3 1/4 cups sugar,
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg and cinnamon
1 pkg light CERTO Fruit Pectin
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
RINSE clean jars and lids with boiling water. Dry thoroughly.
Clean, stem , and crush blueberries thoroughly, one layer at a time. Measure exactly 4 cups prepared fruit into large bowl.Stir 1/4 cup sugar and pectin together Add to fruit, stir   let stand 30 minutes , stirring occasionally.
Add remaining sugar , spices and lemon juice , stir for 3 minutes.
FILL jars immediately to within 1/4inch of tops. Wipe off top edges of containers; immediately cover with lids. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours. Jam is now ready to use. Store in refrigerator up to 3 weeks or freeze extra containers up to 1 year.
Click here for Printable Recipe.

A favourite dessert from childhood has always been Pineapple Upside Down cake .
I found a version using blueberries and peaches ( a fabulous pairing)  from Foodland Ontario web site. Had to try it.. I had one last basket of fresh raspberries so included some of them in the recipe..

Topping;
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp each of cinnamon and ground ginger (used nutmeg and cinnamon)
2 Peaches, peeled,cut into1/2 inch wedges (Used 3)
1/2 cup   Blueberries
1/2 cup Raspberries

Cake,
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar
Finely grated rind of 1 lemon
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup milk
Prep,
Butter 8 inch square pan.Preheat oven to 350.
In small bowl, stir together butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and ginger; spread pan. Top with circles of peach wedges, leaving a little space between peaches. Sprinkle blueberries and raspberries between peach slices.

Cake:

In small bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt until well combined. In large bowl and using electric mixer, beat butter with sugar and lemon rind until light and creamy.

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour, until well blended. Spoon batter over fruit, spreading to edges.

Bake in centre of 350°F oven 50to 55 minutes /until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean. Run knife around edge of cake, then carefully invert onto platter. Click Here for Printable Recipe.
Serve with ice cream or whipping cream.
My cake is not so pretty as I used more fruit than original recipe.

However the cake is light, moist and lightly lemon flavoured.
Next time I would not "over "add on the fruit.
Tastes great anyway..especially with some whipped cream.......

Blueberry Crumble topped Tarts

2011-08-04T13:34:00.000-04:00

Blueberries are in season !

I have a large basket to turn into freezer jam , fill some small bags of berries for a mid winter treat and enough left over to make some tarts.Of course making the tarts was the first priority.
Following a recipe from Oprah's show.
1 pie crust rolled out ( I use tenderflake lard recipe that way always have frozen piecrust in freezer ready to use)
I have just purchased 6 large fluted tart tins as I seem to prefer to make tarts now more than large pies.....
Otherwise this recipe could make a 9 inch pie or about 12 small tarts.
Printable Recipe
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup cold butter , cut into pieces
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups fresh blueberries cleaned and washed
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter
To make crumb topping: Preheat oven to 400°. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon until well mixed. Work butter in with your fingertips until mixture resembles small crumbs. Set aside.
To make filling: In a large bowl, stir together sugar and flour until well mixed. Gently stir in blueberries, lemon rind and lemon juice.Fill tart tins with filling , with last 2 Tbsp. butter dot each tart with small amount of butter.
Sprinkle crumb topping evenly over top of tarts. Reduce oven temperature to 350°; place tarts in oven and bake until topping is golden brown, 25-35 minutes.
Serve with more fresh blueberries, a dab of whipped cream or ice cream.

LRW-Critters

2011-08-03T11:21:00.001-04:00

Little Red Wagon's challenge is critters this week.

Made 2 similar cards one for a boy one for a girl
Saying is Happy Thoughts.
Could be used for birthdays or for a birth...

Bloomin Tuesday- Lilies, Sunflowers and Butterflies

2011-08-02T06:17:00.000-04:00

Mid summer garden when all the hard work one does in early spring hopefully comes to fulfilment. one hopes .It certainly has been a challenge with the wet cold spring and dry very hot July. Because we live so closely to the neighbours and are not allowed to have fences I have been trying to enclose the patio .The shrubs planted have yet to reach the height needed for that so I planted sunflowers... They are certainly doing their job, up over the eaves.

Shielding the gazebo along with the Black Knight buddleia.

Stargazer lilies are in full blossom. The fragrance intoxicating.

Love the way they bring both colour and fragrance to the patio table area.....

This one is supposed to be Stargazer but is lighter still it is lovely.

Hanging basket filling out with pink and purple wave .

Buddleia is positioned close to the patio table gazebo area makes it easier to appreciate the rich colour and an up close view of the monarch butterflies it draws.I was lucky enough to capture a few photos of this one filling up on nectar...

These are 3 different photos as the butterfly works up the bloom.
Time to sit back with a tall iced glass of lemon tea and enjoy the garden..

Cooking And Baking Sunday

2011-08-01T07:49:00.000-04:00

One request Brittany made over the last few weeks, to learn to make pie crust.

Sunday we got busy, Brittany followed the recipe on Tenderflake Lard box ending up with 6 single pie crusts made. We used a combo of all purpose flour and whole wheat flour.

Brittany wanted to make tart type desserts.
Decided to try a cute idea een on Stone Gable blog using jam jars instead of tart tins
First, Brittany made peach tarts using small local peaches , the beginning of peach season here. These peaches were so sweet all was needed a minimal of sugar and some minut tapioca....

In canning jar ready to bake.

and lemon pie tarts.

The lemon pie filling was made from scratch .. We used some ramakins for the lemon tarts..

While Brittany was busy baking I made 2 salads ,
Rustic potato salad using yellow flesh baby potatoes and green beans in a red wine vinegar vinaigrette,

Pasta salad with lemon vinaigrette.

There is a printable recipe for the potato salad if you click on this link. Thanks to Yvonne at Stone Gable for the tutorial.

Finished peach tarts and lemon tarts...
Tested all and they are yummy.

Earrings by Brittany

2011-07-30T06:59:00.000-04:00

Granddaughter Brittany spent Friday afternoon making earrings.
She used mostly lampwork glass beads, pearls and seed beads.

Brittay also remade the bracelet into one that more resembles Pandora braceletss.

Little Red Wagon-Heat Embossing

2011-07-29T11:40:00.000-04:00

The Tim Holtz man with umbrella is heat embossed, nice and shiny..
The old fashioned clock is Tim Holtz stamp as well.
Papers are some I have had and crumb cake for the card itself.
Antiqued the edges of papers .

Chocolate no bake Macaroons by Brittany

2011-07-28T09:45:00.000-04:00

This cookie was the first cookie I ever made... It remains a favourite til today.
At this time of year with the heat and humidity who wants to turn on the oven. Still it is nice to fill the cookie jar.
This cooks on the stovetop in just 2 minutes.....
Brittany measuring out ingredients.

Rolling boil on stovetop.

Brittany likes a large cookie.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 1/2 cup coconut
1 1/2 cup rolled oats\
pinch of salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine butter, milk, sugar and cocoa, over medium heat stirring constantly bring to a rolling boil .
Boil hard for 2 minutes , remove from heat.
Add remaining ingredients.
Drop by teaspoons or larger if like onto waxed paper .
Chill in fridge. Store in airtight container. Makes about 2 to 3 dozen.
This cookie had a nice chocolately taste almost candylike.. great for a summer treat when the heat is on .

Brittany's Beading!

2011-07-27T19:35:00.001-04:00

Brittany and I started out to make some beaded bookmarks loosely following Better Homes and Gardens Xmas in July crafts .Some gifts for readers in the family and for Brittany's girlfriends ....
Brianne Brittany's sister had done some jewellery making a few years ago and had some leftover supplies and tools she let us use .

About 2 hours later we had made 4 bookmarks; each is 14 inches long, with a 7 - 9 beads on one end , the other end had 5 - 7. These bookmarks will fit almost any book size .

Mauve, the first one Brittany made and I think her favorite.

Green my favourite colour,

Blue Brittany's colour favourite.

Pearls

A nice simple easy craft it was that made .. rather elegant   looking bookmarks ..

Did we had stopped there? No.

Brittany and I got looking at the pretty beads and the findings , minds started to work .
What about making a necklace?
What about a bracelet ?
What about earrings?
Decided we needed a few extra beads and   some findings. A run to Michael's was in order.
Brittany and I are both attracted to  bright shiny objects.
A day later :
Necklace and Bracelet. Necklace is a velvet necklace with a glass pendant. Bracelet is  glass beads with spacers similar to Pandora .

2 sets of earrings. Modelled by Brittany.One set blue green iridescent one set millefleur glass.

Temptation is a slippery slope.But so much fun.

We now have more beads to make into treasures.

Bloomin Tuesday - Mid Summer

2011-07-26T07:28:00.000-04:00

Sunflowers are coming into full flower.........they love the heat.

Such a sense of satisfaction when bulbs planted

Start their show!

Movies , and more Movies

2011-07-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

One thing about having a 16 year old around I see movies I might not necessarily chose, still it is good to keep my mind open....in tune with the "youngsters". ... Over the last week and a half.
3. Good way to stay cool......
First up Harry Potter which I was looking forward too, It was excellent, a a wonderful ending to the series....tho I think Harry will be back...some way.

The Zookeeper, Brittany wanted to see , we both love Kevin James . Not the best script and certainly not as funny as Mall Cop.Some very funny laugh out loud moments, unfortunately too few..... which is a shame.

Top box office over the weekend,
Captain America was very stylized, based in the 40's , and for a comic book hero movie quite enjoyable. Wonderful acting by Tommy Lee Jones, who I love and a great evil villain Hugo Weaving.Cameo appearance by Samuel L. Jackson would have been nice to see more of him.
Brittany's comment "not really like the 40's tho was it Gramma?"
I had to remind her I wasn't born yet in the year this movie was based ..not that long after but still ...... Grandchildren! :-) Now if she asks about the 50's/60's.
I thought it was rather astute of Brittany to realize that is was a rather glorified look at the 40's.

Next up this week , Bridesmaids , which we hear is very funny. Will critique it later this week.

Culver Daylily Farm -Garden Club Visit

2011-07-23T03:25:00.082-04:00

I love daylilies... their bright colours, ease of care and the length of bloom all make it a wonderful plant to have in the garden . It was with great anticipation on a very hot , dry and sunny July day the Garden Club visited the Culver Daylily Farm. Do check out the link. Mr Culver is a hybridizer specializing in tetraploid daylilies for the North,daylilies that are hardy, vigorous and healthy plants for our northern climate.

Bryan Culver worked as the 7th generation on the family dairy farm which was an original land grant from the Canadian Government until 23 years ago

when he became the manager of one of Canada's largest charities.
In the 80's, while commuting to the farm to help his aging mother with her many flower beds and gardens, he bought a few daylilies with the first being old STELLA DE ORO.
In 1993, a little test to see how to hybridize some of these daylilies became addictive and he continued to grow more and more seedlings.
Bryan registered his first daylilies in 1999 and he received his first AHS Honorable Mention Award for one of those earlier introductions, JADE PRINCESS.

All the daylilies are grown in field conditions without the aid of any artificial benefits to enhance daylily growth.

Bryan educated us on how hybridizing is done, what to look for in a daylily, how to care for a daylily.....

We toured the 4 garden plots early in the morning and even tho the day became very hot were reluctant to leave it was such an imformative tour....
.....some of us were smart and brought water ,umbrellas and summer hats.
3 daylilies were my favs, tho I loved them all .
Leandra Hockridge

love the purple eye and ruffles

Spirit Fox

bright orange

Sunshine Canyon

much more yellow than appears here.

We all came away with a wealth of information and admiration for the zeal Bryan has for dayliles.
Now where in my tiny garden can I find room for a few of these beauties?

Christmas in July - making Christmas Ornaments

2011-07-22T06:50:00.000-04:00

With the 3 H's in this area it was too hot to even go to the beach even for a couple of hours....Brittany and I spent a couple of hours thinking of snow and cold......... making Christmas ornaments..
Using Pledge floor finish, several sizes of glass ornaments and many colours of glitter.

Shaking pledge to cover interior

Brittany pouring glitter into ornament after adding pledge floor finish.

Shaking glitter to cover interior.

Purple and turquoise glitter by Martha Stewart

Florentine Gold , Smokey Quartz, White gold and silver used as well.

Brittany combined fine smoky quartz and purple in this one.

We ended up covered in glitter thank goodness we did this on shade covered back patio... Was a fun way to spend a morning....if you want to try this craft found it on You Tube seems it has been around for several years.

Hot enough for you?

2011-07-22T05:48:00.000-04:00

Brittany's Hokey Pokey Ice Cream Pie with Skor

2011-07-21T07:06:00.000-04:00

On one of the hottest days of the summer and after a refreshing early morning dip in the lake what to do with the rest of the day ?

Perhaps ice cream pie ? Faux baking it is!
Brittany making the sugar waffle cone crust in food processor.

With the melted butter mixed with cone crumbs, pressing mixture into pie plate.

Hokey pokey ice cream, toffee ice cream streaked with chocolate and dotted with milk chocolate sponge toffee bits scooped into crust. Topped with crushed Skor bars.......scooped into crust.(Brittany's hair is still wet from shower getting all the sand off , Sand Sand and more Sand LOL)

Frozen and looking Delicious! Brittany.

Gilded the lily with some whipped cream.

Yummy it is!

Certainly having the oven on is not an option.

LRW- Music Notes Challenge

2011-07-20T08:36:00.001-04:00

Little Red Wagon's challenge, use music notes in a card.
Materials used ;
Stampin Up , chocolate chip, crumb cake and vanilla papers.
Tim Holtz's Flights of Fancy stamp set and Stampabilites Composer Dream stamp.
Buttons and ribbon from my stash.
Glitter pen for faux stitches.
Distressed edges with crumb cake ink.
Followed a card from Stampers Sampler Take Ten magazine.

Bloomin Tuesday-July 19th

2011-07-19T06:11:00.001-04:00

What is happening in the garden this week? With the extreme heat August flowers are making an appearance.
Sunflowers just starting,

Purple Buddleia,note how brown the grass is in the background, so dry here!

Black eyed Susan,

Lincoln Star Clematis instead of the usual soft pink with rose striping it is this washed out white with pale pink stripe, thinking it is because of the bright sun is making the colour fade badly.

Last fall fellow blogger and gardenere Shady sent me some seeds , I planted them and followed her suggestion re using my version of cloches ( Shady uses milk jugs, I used plastic containers) in November last year ....
Here is the Blackberry lily baby,

Goldstrum Rudbeckia,

the other plants coming could be Joe Pye Weed, Monarda or Purple Cornflower not able to identify it yet.....
So excited to see these babies coming along.....

Beachin It!

2011-07-18T06:09:00.000-04:00

Sweltering weather . High's of 35 C. Extreme weather continues in the area.

We have had a very snowy cold winter ,an unusually wet and cool spring and now extreme heat and no rain......
Have my 16 year old granddaughter visiting for a couple of weeks .

What can one do to amuse a teenager?
Head for the beach about 5 minutes away.

It was lovely , gentle breeze , cool gentle waves , hot sun. blue sky, suntan lotion , and oh yes sand too.....

Wave jumping.

Sitting in the cool water. Hours are easily spent at the beach..... the heat is staying around for the next week in fact getting hotter , see lots of beachin over the next while !

Saturday smile

2011-07-16T07:14:00.001-04:00

Happy Saturday hope you have a great weekend and get a smile out of this video as much as I did...

Clivia -reflowering

2011-07-15T08:25:00.021-04:00

I re potted my clivia earlier this spring and have been rewarded with another bloom. It is obviously somewhat happier as this blossom is larger and fuller than the winter one......
One mistake I made I set the plant outside in the shade for a couple of days thinking I would keep the mess of re potting out doors.... Re potted it and left it shaded for another day.

What happened to my dismay a week or so later, the clivias leaves started to show browning from, I am thinking sun scorch..
Hoping this does not kill my plant and can see more re potting and
TLC ahead for this houseplant.
Lesson learned.

TomatoCaprese Appetizer

2011-07-14T08:02:00.000-04:00

In the summertime isn't it nice to find quick and easy recipes .
Here is another appetizer that daughter Sherry made for Canada Day, super quick to make, lots of flavour, looks so good , tastes so good and looks like one spent a lot of time making....

30 grape or cherry tomatoes

30 fresh basil leaves

4 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, cut into 30 (1/2-inch) cubes

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cut tomatoes in half. Thread tomatoes, basil leaves, and mozzarella cheese cubes alternately onto 10 (5 inch) wooden skewers. Place skewers on a serving platter.

Combine vinegar and oil in a small bowl; stir well with a whisk. Drizzle vinegar mixture evenly over skewers, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.Chill until ready to serve.
Easily made in the morning of the event, in fact I think the flavour is better .
One could use Italian salad dressing for the marinade as well.

Sweet Cherry Frangipane Tarts

2011-07-13T08:29:00.001-04:00

Cherry season is just starting. Sweet cherries are in abundance. As good as they are eating them out of hand wanted to make some tarts. Cherries and almonds are a great combo.
In winter I make a frangipane crepe that everyone loves, the frangipane filling is sinful. Using part of that recipe and these fresh cherries .....these are the tarts I made .
Similar in texture to a bakewell or maid of honor tart.

pie dough crust, line tart pan

2/3 cup ground almonds
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup icing sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 1/2 cup s sweet cherries, pitted
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line tart pan with pie dough..

Mix together til light and fluffy,ground almonds, butter, flour and powdered sugar. Add egg and almond extract.

Scoop mixture into tarts.

Place whole cherries in mixture and bake until firm, about 20 -25 minutes. Til light golden. Let cool .

Dressed up with whipped cream and more fresh sweet cherries.. These are good!

Bloomin Tuesday July 12th

2011-07-12T13:49:00.002-04:00

July is the month of a riot of Summer colour.. showing off.

Roses, daylilies and nicotiana put on quite the display.

Nicotiana is a modest plant but I love it for the evening fragrance and in the daytime adds lots of colour.

Many shades of nicotiana make it interesting.

Daylilies are just starting.. Fragrant Teasures in a lovely soft apricot colour with a lot of perfume.

This spider daylily was a gift one that I do appreciate unlike my tiger lily. :-) It is unnamed. It certainly is a standout in the garden , still I think I lean to the frilly large blossoms. Spiders tho unique do not have the appeal of the others.

Sweet peas are really starting to produce flowers and oh the scent. I like scent in the garden.........

|Sherry's Super simple appetizer

2011-07-11T07:41:00.000-04:00

These look good don't they?

At Sherry's on July 1st this is one of the appetizers she served .
This is so easy to make, the taste rich and flavourful......
3 ingredients is all it takes!
Black olives or you could use green
Pepperoni or salami
Cubes of Mozzarella or cheddar
Pierce with a skewer.
Yummy !

LRW-Christmas in July

2011-07-07T11:54:00.000-04:00

Little Red Wagon's challenge this week-Christmas in July.
First thought, who on earth wants to even begin to think of Christmas 6 months away .
But on further consideration , ..I start picking up and stashing away Xmas gifts as I see them , so why not get started on making some cards so there will be less pressure come December.
Great idea ,Avril!

Posting 2 pictures it is hard to take a picture of white dry embossing and the glittered trees ......

Used a round scalloped nestibilities to cut the off center hole in the dry embossed white card stock. Glittered the separate stamped trees. Added Merry Christmas Stamp and glittered a bit of it.The green used is Pear Pizazz.

Cocktail Hour-Cherry Tropic

2011-07-06T13:20:00.000-04:00

Cherry Tropic cocktail was made by Sherry on Canada Day.

1 1/2 cups Bacardi Torched Cherry
2 cups Cranberry Juice
2 cups Pineapple chunks packed in own juice
40 mint leaves
Mix together above ingredients in large pitcher .... Chill
Pour over ice in a tall highball glass add a splash of Club Soda
Garnish with cherries ,pineapple , and mint on a pic.

Light and refreshing.....

Think this is my new summer fav.

Bloomin Tuesday-July 4th

2011-07-05T01:51:00.000-04:00

Zahara Zinna just starting to flower. Bright orange it is.

Fushia -- always have in the garden to draw the hummingbirds..

You know when someone offers you a daylily but they don't know the name or the colour or even where or when they got it..and you can't refuse their generous offer ....

..... can some one tell me how to gracefully decline these kind offers?.......
I have wasted 2 years waiting for a tiny daylily to grow large enough to flower so I could identify it...
It has turned out to be this giant common tiger lily..... which in it place is a lovely flower but not in my limited garden space......where I want daylilies of longer flowering periods and more spectacular colours.
This guy will be moved to a gravel area that is more apropos...

Celebration Weekend -Canada Day and a Birthday!

2011-07-04T01:08:00.001-04:00

On Canada Day daughter
Sherry hosted a BBQ Pool party Celebration
in honor of Canada's 144 th birthday and her own birthday( but I won't say how old she is) .
The table was set in red and white with red and white flowers and treats....

Lots of fancy drinks,appetizers....and sweets.

Will be posting some of the recipes for the appetizers and the torched cherry cocktail later this week.

Lounged around the pool on a warm sunny afternoon.......some were brave and made it into the pool too...

What are they looking at? Oh my, an I Pad video...

Birthday cake that carried on the red and white theme,.

The finale of a great day, Fireworks ! Set off by the now old enough to do it Grandsons..

What a fun day and evening.

Canada Day - Blog Candy Winner

2011-07-01T06:16:00.000-04:00

Ta Da ! on this Canada Day the winner of the blog candy is
Karen from Quarry Garden Stained Glass....

Here they are boxed and ready to be mailed out.
Thanks to all that entered....
Have a great Canada Day..

Sweet Peas

2011-06-30T14:03:00.000-04:00

The first of the sweet peas are flowering. Sreamers is the name of this variety.. Blossoms are streaked with white and come in mauve,chocolate,orange , blue , pink ,purple and red......so far only the mauve but there is a bud that looks like deep red.... This sweet pea is considered a trailer but it is climbing my trellis with only a little help from twine...

Made a little arrangement to sit by my bedside. Added white astilbe and some of the astilbe leaves.

The fragrance is filling the room.......so strongly scented.

I was so worried about planting too early I can see by all the buds it was the right time.

Magnum Ice Cream Bars

2011-06-29T10:42:00.001-04:00

We've all seen the advertisements touting these decadent ice cream bars..... Magnum is an ice cream brand owned by the British/Dutch Unilever company.Well loved world wide. Just brought to Canada recently.
Big with the Trumps.
I had a coupon , buy one get one free ....
At 6.99 each for only 3 bars rather pricey. size of each bar approximately 3 oz. each.
Decided not too bad using the coupon. Tried 2 flavours , classic and dark.
The Belgian chocolate coating was very good ....The ice cream vanilla bean flecked part was just okay.
I did enjoy them but for price do not think I will purchase them again.
Will stick to my Chapman's Fudgesticks.

Bloomin Tuesday- June 28th

2011-06-28T06:56:00.000-04:00

At the end of June the garden is starting to fill out..
Stella D'oro lily

The yellow of Stella Combined with the Nicotiana, purple perfume and orange crush marigold is quite a striking look.

This combo says serene to me ,the pink Endless Summer Hydrangea and the Pink Pirouette lily.

Sun lit White Bridal Astilbe....

Newly planted Hosta called Northern Exposure (so apropos for this area of Canada) I purchased on the garden club tour at Shades of Green hosta garden .Love hostas with deeply quilted and ribbed leaves..
This hosta gets quite large might end up being the hosta that ate my garden...

Wonder what next weeks blooms will bring?

Garden Club Tour-June

2011-06-27T07:32:00.000-04:00

The Garden Club toured Lavender Blue Lavender Farm-- check the link to see the picturesque shop and read the history of the area....

Fields of lavender.....

Owner Susan giving a lesson in pruning and benefits of lavender........

Wonderful little shop filled with unique items . Did I get anything ? Oh yes, I purchased linen spray and lavender balsamic salad dressing .

The second stop was Shades of Green Hosta Garden. Do check this link to see the many varieties offered and the lovely garden views..
We wondered thru the paths finding wonderful hostas , so many colours and textures.
How impressive in size when hostas are left to develop over many years.

Interesting signs , what gardener hasn't said this?

I think this might be my new mantra!

Statues.

As we wove thru the paths Ivory Silk Tree blossoms scented the air.

The owner Lisa spoke on the hybridizing of hostas , tissue culture and seed culture... we certainly got a better understanding of the cost of hostas from this talk. ...
With every garden event find I am learning something new or seeing a plant combination want to try in my own garden.