Thursday, February 25, 2016

away for a bit .....

Away for awhile...
 
 
Check me on Instagram
 
 
@zazanona
 
 
 
 

Friday, February 19, 2016

Amherst Island

Last week HB and I go the itchys to take a drive somewhere.
It had been a fabulous week --- lots of sun and the temp hovering around the 0 C mark
We decided to take a trip to Amherst Island
Its a really small island that you have to take a ferry to.




We try and make the trip there in the fall and spring.
It is well known in birding circles for owls and raptors
We were not disappointed.



Saw 5 snowy owls and lots of hawks  -- red tail, rough wing, kestrel
And to round out the day a couple of mute swans

There is a fantastic woods there too called Owl Woods
Unfortunately way too many people are aware of this wood so no birder ever reports of seeing any owls here,
Some who visit the woods have no respect for these creatures.
We were there one year and heard of some photographers seeing  a saw whet ---- marched right up to the tree ---- break off branches and proceed to bombard this poor thing with shot after shot.
Being a photographer myself I understand how tempting it is to get that "perfect" shot.
However we have to respect nature and know that it is NOT there for us to do with what we wish
Well now that I have spouted my displeasure I shall continue .....

There are lots of opportunities to get nice pics of these fabulous birds as well as others in the open fields on the rest of the Island.





Of course there are others on the island





As you will notice some of my shots have a bit of a blur to them.
I only noticed this once back on the ferry looking at the pictures.
We took the lens off the camera and there it was a nice big ole thumb print on the inside lens ......
DAMN ---

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Wooly Wednesday

As I have said in previous posts ---- lots of  G
babies being welcomed into this crazy ass world in February thru my lil circle of friends.

My sewing machine and knitting needles and crochet hooks are hot hot hot

..... And so it begins
Two lil G baby boys have arrived 10 weeks early to friends Betty and Don
Babies are doing well and have been discharged and headed home last week
I found this great WEBSITE  that has a ton of preemie knitting in it
So I made little hats and mittens for them


And also these sock babies that are becoming a signature gift for babies ...


 
 Here's how I make them


I use a child's size sock
 
 
Cut just below the heel
 
 
Stuff the foot of the sock with fiberfill. Not to overfill but make it feel sqishy.
 
 
Using another sock ---- I like to use white socks for the head. 
Cut just past the heel towards the toe.
Stuff the head

 
 
Pin head to body and whip stitch them together.
 
 
 Using the top of your body sock cut to make the hat.
 
 
Sew around top and secure. Turn right side out and whip stitch to head.
 
 
Sew as shown for legs and arms.
Attach a ribbon.
Using a fine sharpie make wee eyes.
 
 

Had a huge storm yesterday -- about 30 cm of snow.
Hoping That is our winter ---- DONE and DONE.....
Spent the day tidying the house - knitting - and keeping the bird feeders cleaned off....
 

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Its Tea O'clock Somewhere

Join me for a cup of tea
 

And a couple of the bestest Brownies.


Recipe::


Bestest Brownies

1/3 cup butter

4 ounces semi sweet chocolate (chopped)

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate (chopped)

Melt together and let cool 10 minutes.

¾ cup sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

4 tsp coffee

½ cup white flour

Pinch of salt

Whisk sugar into chocolate mixture.  Whisk in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla and coffee. Stir in the flour and salt.

Stir in addition of your choice---- ¼ cup nuts, ½ cup chocolate chips.

Scrape into greased 8 x8 inch square pan. Bake in centre of oven at 350 for 25 or 30 minutes.

If desired sprinkle top with ½ cup toffee bits, 1 cup chocolate chips, or peanut butter chips, or white chocolate chips spreading when melted.

Makes about 16 squares

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Happy Heart Day

Wishing you all Lots of
Hugs --- Kisses --- Chocolate --- and
LOVE
 






 

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Photo Nature Challenge

Last week I was nominated by Deb to a photo nature challenge on Facebook.
As I have mentioned before I don't do Facebook very often but remain connected
 because of friends and family who do not use Instagram or Twitter.

Anyway .....  Here are my contributions to the challenge ....



 
What's Up with this weather Doc?

Somewhere in the Lanark Highlands
 
 
 
                                                   Farm in Snow
 
 
Lonely Sunflower 

 
 
Snowy owl on Light Standard


 
Tractor in Snow
 
 
 
Mourning Cloak Butterfly on Passion Flower plant

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Happy Mardi Gras to Y'all



Chicken Gumbo

 1 Tbsp olive oil
0.454kg (1 pound) boneless chicken thighs -- cut in strips
salt and pepper
170 gm (6 ounces) andouille or smoked sausage -- cut in half then into 1/4 inch pieces
1 medium onion diced
1 medium green pepper -- ribs and seeds removed -- diced
2 stalks celery diced
1 large zucchini diced
1 Tbsp tomatoe paste
2 tsp dried thyme
2 vine ripened tomatoes diced
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 Tbsp white flour
1800 ml (2 quarts) chicken broth

In a 5 qt saucepan warm oil over high heat. Season chicken with S and P. Brown both sides about 10 minutes.transfer to a bowl.
Reduce heat to medium. Cook sausage til browned. Add onion, pepper, and celery. Cook til onion is translucent  about 6 minutes. Stir in flour. Cook til light brown, stirring constantly about 1 minute. Stir in tomatoe paste, zucchini, tomatoes, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. return to simmer. Stir in chicken and juices. Cover and cook til thickened about 30 minutes.
Remove lid. Simmer another 30 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasonings.
Stir in parsley.
Serve with plain rice or crusty bread.

My husband likes a bit of heat so I sit the hot sauce bottle in front of him at the table. If everyone likes a bit of heat add a couple dashes of hot sauce to the whole stew.



Saturday, February 6, 2016

A Few Finished Yarny Projects

Finished off some mitts for Miss D
They keep her lil hands toasty
I think a couple more pairs are in order
I have lots of endling yarns in my stash
So thinking of doing "crazy" mitts


 
 
Cowls are done for Miles and Riley and have been shipped off.
Here is the one I did for Miss R being modeled .. a wee bit reluctantly by Addy
 










Sparty is a bit more of a cooperative model.





 Another reluctant modeling job.............


This one is for Mr. M

Thursday, February 4, 2016

A Hike with Miss D

Another terrific sleepover with our Miss D
A great afternoon of reading. Chalking. Having tea parties.
A little nap and then a yummy spaghetti dinner.


End the evening with a bath and off to dream land.

Next day after breakfast we all bundled up ---- it was a very chilly wind whipping day
And head to a local Conservation area  Mill of Kintail.

She loved it. Traipsing down the road.


I don't think she minded the cold one bit.
The girl just loves being outside.



She would have stayed out longer I'm sure.





What do you think?
Do these look like a very happy
Nona and Bapa?
That's good ... cuz we are.
Love spending this time with our Miss D...