Thursday, August 30, 2012

A Project for my Peas

What do you do with all those little paint pot samples?
Well if you are anything like me and have lots and I mean lots around that is a good question.

 
 
My Peas are coming in October.
Of course they will need their own table and chairs.
Guess what I had hanging around my house.
One little chair from my own girls table and chair set.
A wee chair I picked up at a thrift store.
And a table that belonged to my in laws that has had many lives.
So I got to work with paint and brushes.
I finished off the top with chalkboard paint!
 
 

Dinner with Deb and her Retired guy

We had a couple of special people for dinner last night.
Do you recognise them?



Yup you got it!!
Its Deb from Just Cats and her hubby.
And look at what she brought me (um err us) .




I got caught up in the converstion and eating and drinking that I forgot to take pics of our meal!
Here was the menu!
 
Grillled lemon thyme chicken
Stuffed portobello mushroom (for Deb)
Roasted baby tats
Watermelon, feta ,mint, salad
Chick pea and veg salad
Peach pie with vanilla ice cream
 
I will post recipes later.
 
Deb's daughter wasn't feeling very well -- flu they think!
Good thing she lives in the same town only a few blocks from us.
Deb and hubby left to see if she was okay. 
Feel better soon Allie!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Someone's Birthday

Last week was my bitrthday.
My HB took me for a wander around the Central Experimental Farm http://friendsofthefarm.ca/aboutthefarm.htm
in Ottawa,
Of course it is late in the season and we have a had a long, hot, and dry summer.
It was nice to see what had been and there were still some loveliness around.
 




 


 
After our tour of the farm HB took me to dinner at Flipper's in a part of Ottawa called the Glebe.
Neat shops and wonderfully old homes!
Had calamari with crispy Italian Pinot Grigio.
Then grilled Salmon with a balsamic reduction and spinach salad.
Leaving room for a luscious piece of Lemon mousse Cake!
 
 
 

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

An Apology

I have a huge apology to impart this afternoon.
To


I am so sorry I forgot to put a link to you as you are part of this wonderful Sisterhood of the Travelling Apron!.
Check her out!
She has wonderful recipes for a terrific afternoon tea!

Again sorry Scarlet!

Happy Trails New Friend



My time with the travelling apron is at an end.
It has been sent on its way to


Drop in and meet her.
She loves photography, as she says "junkin", lots of collections, and her grandson!

It has certainly been an inspiration to me to get in touch with my kitchen
even though it has been terribly hot and humid here .
Now that the weather has taken a decidely end of summer turn 
I will start letting those inspirations fly.
It also helped me reconnect with my mother and grandmother.
I have discovered a few recipes that both these ladies were known for.
My mother passed away when I was quite young and my grandmother helped raise myself and two sisters.
My grandmother (Nana) passed away about 15 years ago but was baking up to the end!
She made the best damn coconut cream pie!!!!
I have always felt they were quite an inspiration to me and even in my short time with my mother she instilled in me all the importance of raising happy children and having a happy home!


For this opportunity!
Drop by and meet all these wonderful people!


I have been asked about that peach salsa recipe.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Had to Share -- Very Yummy



Chicken and Pineapple Kebobs

1/4 cup BBQ Sauce (Make your own or store bought)
1 lb. (450 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 16 pieces *
three quarters of a whole pineapple cut in rings about 1 inch thick then each ring cut into 6 pieces
8 slices bacon, cut crosswise in half      
If using wooden skewers soak at least a couple hours before grilling

HEAT barbecue to medium-high heat. Reserve 2 Tbsp. barbecue sauce. Wrap each chicken piece with 1 bacon piece. Repeat with remaining chicken and bacon. Thread alternately with pineapple pieces onto 4 skewers. Brush with remaining barbecue sauce. 
    
GRILL 12 to 14 min. or until chicken is done, brushing with reserved sauce the last 2 min.

I served this with whole grain rice with red pepper and peas and green onions!

*I haven't tried this but for the vegetarian in the family using firm tofu minas the bacon wrapping(LOL) should work well. I will be trying this on my vegetarian soon!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Surprise

Every summer I put my amaryllis outside in a well protected corner of the garden.
Same corner every year.
They get some sun and whatever water Mama Nature gives them.
This has NEVER happened to them before.
I was puttering around after supper and noticed THIS redness in That corner.
Too bad I hadn't been paying closer attention or I would have rescued them before the earwigs made a feast of their lovely blooms.
There are four others but I see no evidence of budding.
I will be more diligent!!



Have an amazing day!!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Looky Looky



I have been waiting all summer long for my passionflower.
And look what I found this morning!
Lots of fat buds so I am looking forward to lots more flowers.
Wishing you all a passionate weekend!!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Getting caught up on the week

Last Sunday was HB's brthday so we had a few friends in for dinner.



What was on the menu??

crudite with lots of dips


steak tenderloin with basil butter
roasted tats with garlic and rosemary


caprese (with a few tomatoes from the garden) salad with balsamic vinegar
panzanella salad (who doesn't like crunchy bread)
HB's Vienna loaf


chocolate lava cakes
my friend is eating gluten free these days so I found a GF recipe
 with
homemade coffee ice cream cream



Monday was a holiday here so Siobhan and Will came out for supper.


Spent time in the garden.
After over 2 months we are finally getting rain!
The next 3 or 4 days there is some rain forcasted.
Yesterday and last night it rained.
I can almost hear the grass and gardens gulping it down.







I spent yesterday morning making peach salsa


My time with the "travelling Susan apron" is coming to an end.


It will be heading outside of Ontario and Canada.
Will keep you posted.
It certainly has inspired recipes and talk amongst my non blogging friends too.

My ladies are enjoying having the windows open altho the squirrels keep them on their toes.


Have a great weekend.


Friday, August 3, 2012

Feelin Poopy

Anyone else ever get "one of those days"
I did just yesterday.
Felt not right!
I am blaming it on stupid hormones.
HB brought me some pretty carnations to brighten my day.


Feeling much better today.
This is a long weekend here so
planting Hostas and celebrating a birthday.
Today I am making coffee ice cream to serve with chocolate lava cakes.
Pics will be posted next week!
Have a great weekend -- long or not!!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Travelling Apron Friends



As promised here are the links to the bloggers who have come before me in the "travelling Susan apron"adventure.
Meggie is the blogger who started it all.
Check her blog to discover how this all came to be!


Meggie on the Prairie
Pear Tree Log
The Maple Syrup Mob
Just cats


We are privileged to have the apron for two weeks or so and then it gets passed on.
If you are interested in being part of this leave a comment.
What a terrific idea to get acquainted with other bloggers

Why Not............

Margarita Recipe