Monday, 5 May 2025

Books and a very Expensive House

 

 

Good Morning.  Another week begins with the usual laundry. In between loads I'll see if I can get some reading done....out on the porch with another cup of coffee.

I'm reading three books these days.  The Miss Read is a recent Amazon purchase, the other 3 are from the library.


 I like to look at what's available on FB Marketplace ( where I found my rhubarb) and I came upon this house for sale. It has 11 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms....all for a mere  $1,899,999

When I posted about rhubarb a fellow blogger, Norma, commented that rhubarb leaves are a rich source of calcium. I believe she lives in Spain; her blog is very informative especially about nutrition. However, rhubarb leaves  that we know of are not edible and are in fact very toxic.  The stems, of course, are good to eat. I just wanted to clarify that.

Have a Happy Week.   Thanks for visiting.



 

 

Saturday, 3 May 2025

Rhubarb

 

 


 

I saw that rhubarb was for sale on FB Marketplace so I ordered 10 lbs. There was a choice of grade A and grade B. I can't remember what we got last year ( we;ve bought rhubarb at that farm before) so I asked for 5 lbs of each.  Now I see that there's very little difference. I washed it and DH chopped it. We ended up with 7 bags 4 cups of rhubarb in each bag.  Along with what our small patch produces we will have enough for the coming year.


 

On the way home we stopped at a garage sale where I found this set of mixing bowls in such lively colours. Aside from their looks they are a type of  Melamine I think. In any case, they're not as heavy as my ceramic (?) ones.  I also got 2 more muffin pans for .50 each. I already had one. I like these bigger ones although for cupcakes I use my regular 12 hole ones.

That's my Saturday so far. The sun that was hidden all morning has now appeared and I'm on my way out!!

Thanks for coming by.

 


 


Thursday, 1 May 2025

May Day, Geese, and Fridge Wraps

 

 

This new month has arrived with summer-like temperatures. I can hardly believe how lovely it is..
Years ago when my girls were in elementary school May Day was celebrated with a May pole. By the time the boys were that age it was no longer a thing.  Sheila sent me this picture. Obviously she remembers those days.
 


 We skipped walking this morning because we had the weekly shopping to do and a doctor's appointment. ( Just a routine appt.  Seems when you get to a certain age you need to be seen by your doctor every year or even more often!)

We did walk yesterday and although we still haven't seen the ducklings we found 2 goose families just waking up to a new day.


 


  On a totally different subject....I have been seeing different fridge wraps on Pinterest. I didn't even know that they existed but they do.  How about being greeted by a cow when you come into the kitchen in the morning?  Or maybe something a little less in-your-face.



 


 This last one is just so out of place  If forced to choose one what I think I'd have to choose the second one in muted shades. More restful.

 

Thanks for visiting

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, 29 April 2025

Busy Monday

 Monday was a busy day, as Mondays always seem to be. Besides the usual laundry I sowed some flower seeds in peat pots just to give them a head start once the earth has warmed and I can put them in the ground. I don't imagine the Sweet Williams will bloom this year but the Nasturtiums and Morning Glories most certainly will.

 

Our Lilacs are blooming and DH brought some in. I also have a Hyacinth in a vase in the kitchen and the scent of these two old favourites is almost overpowering.


 I made another of my Impossible Pies. This time with rhubarb that was from our own garden. It is delicious and if you want the recipe just look for Impossible Rhubarb Cake and you will find it.

picture is from the internet.


 That was  yesterday and now a new day waits for me to decide what I'll do next.  I hope your day is a good one!!

 

Thanks for coming by.

 Leave a comment so I know that you did💗 




 

Sunday, 27 April 2025

Sunday Chit Chat

 It has happened again. We went to Walmart and I got out of the truck, looked down at  my feet and behold!!  I was still wearing my slippers.  Fortunately they are black suede and with my black slacks they were not terribly noticeable, but really!  Dear Husband  asked me what I would have done if I'd been wearing my pink slippers with fur. My answer?  I'd go straight to the shoe department and buy some shoes, pay for them, then wear them as I continued my shopping. 


A pretty bouquet of flowers for the table.




 What do you think of the trend of having open shelving in the kitchen?

pictures from the internet.


 



In my opinion this trend makes a lot more work because you'd have to keep it very neat and orderly not to mention how dusty the dishes would get.  That said, I do like the look of the second kitchen. The cupboards in pale green and the white counter top make it seem very calm and peaceful. Let me know what you think.

It's a little less sunny today and the furnace ran for a while first thing in the morning.  Lovely for walking ( if you were wearing a jacket).

 

Thanks for coming by.

 

 

 

Thursday, 24 April 2025

Walk in the Park

 Another beautiful sunny morning.  When we went for our walk we were looking for a goose family. M said when he walked yesterday he saw a mother goose and her babies but we didn't find her. Maybe she already had them on the lake seeing as they can swim almost right after hatching.
The tulips are at their finest.


 Looking across the lake you can just make out the top of Mt Baker ( middle of the photo.)


 I'm not sure what kind of tree this is. Maybe an ornamental cherry?


 These folks put up this skeleton last Halloween and now they change "her" outfit from time to time.


 Last of all I have to show you the scones  I made from the recipe in my last post. They are very good and hardly more work than my old recipe. The glaze/icing enhances the orange flavour.


 That's it for today.

 Thanks for visiting.

 


 

Tuesday, 22 April 2025

Easter food and a recipe

 

 

Easter was lovely. We gathered at Sheila's in the afternoon. Some couldn't make it but the thing about a big family....there are always some that can. Sheila had put on a spread for us to enjoy. IF you want to see photos here they are...




Continuing on with the subject of food I received this picture of one of my sister's Jello creations.


 I'm not nearly as creative as she is.  Today I plan on making scones. I've got a recipe I've been meaning to try.

 

Starbucks Cranberry Orange Scones Copycat Recipe

 

Ingredients

2 and 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small cubes

1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped (I used dried cranberries)

Zest from one orange, divided (reserve 2 teaspoons for glaze)

1 cup buttermilk ( I used milk plus lemon juice)

1 large egg, lightly beaten ( not really necessary. It's only to brush on before baking)

Glaze

2 teaspoon orange zest

1 cup powdered sugar

2 Tablespoons orange juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: all purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and orange zest. (Note: set aside 2 teaspoons of orange zest to use in the glaze).

  3. Using a pastry blender, cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

  4. Add buttermilk and stir with a fork until a soft dough forms.

  5. Fold in the cranberries. Lightly flour your hands and press dough into a ball. 

  6. Sprinkle work surface with a little all purpose flour and knead dough 6 to 8 times.
  7. Pat dough into a ten inch circle and cut into wedges using a pastry cutter, sharp knife or a pizza cutter will work as well. 

  8. Separate wedges and place on prepared baking sheet. Brush with lightly beaten egg. 

  9. Bake in 425°F for 13 to 16 minutes. Move to wire cooling rack and cool for a few minutes before glazing.

  10. For glaze: In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, orange juice and 2 teaspoons of orange zest. 

  11. You might need to add a little more powdered sugar or and little more orange juice to get the right drizzling consistency. Use a spoon to drizzle glaze on each scone.

     

    Thanks for visiting. Let me know if you try the scone recipe.