 |
| Roast almond, chicken salad and garlic chive sandwich |
 |
| Picnicking on the outfield with goldfish pretzels and baby carrots |
 |
| Incollables (unbeatable) quiz cards and mixed weather |
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
PICNIC IN THE PARK
JUNE FLOWERS AND MY WILD YARD BOUQUET
 |
| Something borrowed, something blue, something old and something new |
 |
shared flowers from a friend |
 |
| a little worse for wear, but still beautiful fragrant honeysuckle |
 |
| Spirea or Bridal Wreath |
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
BIWEEKLY GROCERY MUSTS AND INDULGENCES $135
 |
| Flour, gemilli and macaroni, oatmeal, sugar, tuna, radishes, conditioner, sunflower seeds, soya milk, 1% cow milk, vine leaves, tzatziki, eggs, tahini, Romano beans, maple beans, chick peas, cheese curds, bread, green grapes, cauliflower, lettuce, cucumber, red pepper, rice, carrots, cantaloupe, parmesan |
 |
| jalapeño chips (for company), cookie wafers (to make grad snacks for grade six), vanilla coffee, drip and instant (to be fair, it's been weeks, and should last for a month), KD (?necessity!), chocolate milk (for lunches), goodies (for me), wasabi peas (to make a snack mix for the ER crew next week), my favourite Ritter sport on sale! (milk chocolate with raisins and hazelnuts) |
Monday, May 29, 2017
BOY I LOVE SPRING FLOWERS
 |
| Incredible tulip bouquet from an amazing gardener |
 |
| Artistic arrangement from that same incredible gardener artist! |
 |
| Canada 150 year birthday tulips! |
 |
| Trout lillies on the forest floor |
 |
| Demure trilliums hiding! |
 |
| Blossoms on |
 |
| Blossoms off |
 |
| Early dandelions? |
 |
| Crapapple blossoms |
 |
| Forsythia always reminds me of mountaintops in China |
REISLING AND GADO GADO
 |
| INSTAGRAM WORTHY (CREDIT CINDY) |
One of my favourite people on the planet is a also an amazing cook, and when she finds a crack in her schedule (and sometimes she just makes one!), she is the best hostess! This meal was arranged under the guise of a movie night, which we actually watched this time (Bridget Jones' Baby, not recommended unless free and commentated by irreverent friend!). Indonesian inspired Gado Gado, accompanied with a specially saved, perfectly chilled German Reisling Moscato. A side of shrimp chips, and even a vegetarian broke her rules to taste the Satay chicken. Delicious, and such great company. Thanks for making this happen, dearest!
 |
| Light and fruity Reisling Moscato |
 |
| Satay chicken, sweet potato, boiled eggs, potatoes and cabbage, chopped coarsely cucumber, bean sprouts, green beans, fried tofu, chopped peanuts and peanut drizzling sauce |
 |
| Stacking the plate. Yum! |
For other inspiration, see this review for the Satay brothers
 |
| HOME CARE XOXOXO |
HOW TO SURVIVE: MODERN COLES NOTES
I was googling a few books, and amazon gives an incredible summary on even pretty obscure books. I was reminded of the old Cole's notes versions that people used to read if they ran out of time to actually read the assigned book. Perusing the details of a book called Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzales, I feel like I read it.
1. Stay calm.
2. Be decisive (training, experience, stoicism, and a capacity for their logical neocortex to override the primitive amygdala portion of your brain are essential)
3. Don't give up.
See, now you read it too!
1. Stay calm.
2. Be decisive (training, experience, stoicism, and a capacity for their logical neocortex to override the primitive amygdala portion of your brain are essential)
3. Don't give up.
See, now you read it too!
Monday, May 22, 2017
BOOKCLUB: BORN TO RUN
This book is a work of art, crafted by a talented journalist who found a story and tells it in a spellbinding manner. It starts with an almost mythical tribe of "Natural Born Runners", the Tarahumara of Mexico. It explains how ultraraces began, and gives you a sense of why men and women keep turning up, with these fantastic stories of running distances when the marathon just wasn't long enough.
There are so many aspects that I want to repeat to you, but I want you to read this book in the same enraptured way I have read it. This is nonfiction, as inspiring as you would imagine, and as page turning as a great suspense novel. If you never run, it is still a great story. But if you run, prepare to never run the same again.
This is a sample of the observations made during a crazy mountain race called Leadville, in the mountains of Colorado, in one of the most riveting races I have ever read. The sense of the competition needs your investment, but this epiphany is worth sharing.
"How do you flip the internal switch that changes us all back into Natural Born Runners we once were? Not just in history, but in our own lifetimes. Remember? Back when you were a kid and you had to be yelled at to slow down? Every game you played, you played at top speed, sprinting like crazy as you kicked cans, freed all, and attacked jungle outposts in your neighbors' backyards . Half the fun of doing anything was doing it at record pace, making it probably the last time in your life you'd ever be hassled for going too fast.
That was the real secret of the Tarahumara: they'd never forgotten what it was like to love running. They remembered that running was mankind's first fine art, our original act of inspired creation. Way before we were scratching pictures on caves or beating rhythms on hollow trees, we were perfecting the art of combining our breath and mind and muscles into fluid self-propulsion over wild terrain. And when our ancestors finally did make their first cave paintings, what were the first designs? A downward slash, lightening bolts through the bottom and middle -- behold, the Running Man."
There are so many aspects that I want to repeat to you, but I want you to read this book in the same enraptured way I have read it. This is nonfiction, as inspiring as you would imagine, and as page turning as a great suspense novel. If you never run, it is still a great story. But if you run, prepare to never run the same again.
This is a sample of the observations made during a crazy mountain race called Leadville, in the mountains of Colorado, in one of the most riveting races I have ever read. The sense of the competition needs your investment, but this epiphany is worth sharing.
"How do you flip the internal switch that changes us all back into Natural Born Runners we once were? Not just in history, but in our own lifetimes. Remember? Back when you were a kid and you had to be yelled at to slow down? Every game you played, you played at top speed, sprinting like crazy as you kicked cans, freed all, and attacked jungle outposts in your neighbors' backyards . Half the fun of doing anything was doing it at record pace, making it probably the last time in your life you'd ever be hassled for going too fast.
That was the real secret of the Tarahumara: they'd never forgotten what it was like to love running. They remembered that running was mankind's first fine art, our original act of inspired creation. Way before we were scratching pictures on caves or beating rhythms on hollow trees, we were perfecting the art of combining our breath and mind and muscles into fluid self-propulsion over wild terrain. And when our ancestors finally did make their first cave paintings, what were the first designs? A downward slash, lightening bolts through the bottom and middle -- behold, the Running Man."
Friday, May 19, 2017
ADRIEN ( A Poem, not for the faint of heart)
You had such a gorgeous grin.
What your parents did was such a sin.
Kissable cheeks. Mischief in your eyes.
Kissable cheeks. Mischief in your eyes.
You should have been loved. Protected by the skies.
I couldn't hear your screams.
Now I wake up and you are in my dreams.
Swollen ankles, bleeding cuts.
Scrawny body attached to bars.
Out in the country where there were so few cars.
Tortured, hated, all alone.
How I wish you could reach a phone.
Kept inside a plywood door,
I am sure you deserved so much more.
Precious child, you should have laughed,
And played free, like a baby calf.
Why did they send you home with them? Someone should have known.
But no one helped you and now you're gone.
I'm sorry, little one, for your loss.
I can't say why your parents didn't give a toss.
You were worth so much more.
I hope there is is peace on the other shore.
They would have seen the light gone from your eyes. Your body failing.
Cold in the dark. They caused your ailing.
Your tiny frame. Your gaunt little arm.
Should have protected you, not done you harm.
I will remember you, good and bad.
I will remember you, good and bad.
Forever wish you had another mom and dad.
And I will look for you, in my neighbourhood,
Look. Listen. Intervene. Make it understood.
You deserve a safe life, as all humans do.
How I wish someone had loved you.
You'd be alive today. Laughing. Running. Bringing so much joy.
You were a beautiful little boy.
Friday, May 12, 2017
THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE
From Manfred by Lord Byron
"In my heart there is a vigil, and these eyes but close to look within; and yet I live, and bear the aspect and the form of breathing men. But grief should be the instructor of the wise; Sorrow is knowledge, they who know the most must mourn the deepest o'er the fatal truth, The Tree of Knowledge is not The Tree of Life. Philosophy and science, and the springs of wonder, and the wisdom of the world, I have essay'd, and in my mind there is a power to make these subject to itself--but they avail not: I have done men good, and I have met with good even among men-- but this avail'd not:--Good, or evil, life, powers, passion, all I see in other beings, have been to me as rain unto the sands, since that all--nameless hour. I have no dread, and feel the curse to have no natural fear, nor fluttering throb, that beats with hopes or wishes, or lurking love of something on the earth."
"In my heart there is a vigil, and these eyes but close to look within; and yet I live, and bear the aspect and the form of breathing men. But grief should be the instructor of the wise; Sorrow is knowledge, they who know the most must mourn the deepest o'er the fatal truth, The Tree of Knowledge is not The Tree of Life. Philosophy and science, and the springs of wonder, and the wisdom of the world, I have essay'd, and in my mind there is a power to make these subject to itself--but they avail not: I have done men good, and I have met with good even among men-- but this avail'd not:--Good, or evil, life, powers, passion, all I see in other beings, have been to me as rain unto the sands, since that all--nameless hour. I have no dread, and feel the curse to have no natural fear, nor fluttering throb, that beats with hopes or wishes, or lurking love of something on the earth."
THE TRAVELLER'S CURSE
"Travelling... makes men wiser, but less happy." Thomas Jefferson, August 10, 1787, written to his nephew
The more complete excerpt:
"Travelling. This makes men wiser, but less happy. When men of sober age travel, they gather knowledge, which they may apply usefully for their country; but they are subject ever after to recollections mixed with regret; their affections are weakened by being extended over more objects; & they learn new habits which cannot be gratified when they return home. Young men, who travel, are exposed to all these inconveniences in a higher degree, to others still more serious, and do not acquire that wisdom for which a previous foundation is requisite, by repeated and just observations at home. The glare of pomp and pleasure is analogous to the motion of the blood; it absorbs all their affection and attention, they are torn from it as from the only good in this world, and return to their home as to a place of exile & condemnation. Their eyes are forever turned back to the object they have lost, & its recollection poisons the residue of their lives. Their first & most delicate passions are hackneyed on unworthy objects here, & they carry home the dregs, insufficient to make themselves or anybody else happy. Add to this, that a habit of idleness, an inability to apply themselves to business is acquired, & renders them useless to themselves & their country. These observations are founded in experience. There is no place where your pursuit of knowledge will be so little obstructed by foreign objects, as in your own country, nor any, wherein the virtues of the heart will be less exposed to be weakened. Be good, be learned, & be industrious, & you will not want the aid of travelling, to render you precious to your country, dear to your friends, happy within yourself. I repeat my advice, to take a great deal of exercise, & on foot. Health is the first requisite after morality. Write to me often, & be assured of the interest I take in your success, as well as the warmth of those sentiments of attachment with which I am, dear Peter, your affectionate friend."
This curse is beautifully laid out in an article that admits to getting the idea from a Reddit "thread" that lays it out even more succinctly. The Shangri-la Effect, of places and people.
Here is the curse, explained:
"The more places you see, the more things you see that appeal to you, but no one place has them all. In fact, each place has a smaller and smaller percentage of the things you love, the more things you see. It drives you, even subconsciously, to keep looking, for a place not that's perfect (we all know there's no Shangri-La), but just for a place that's "just right for you." But the curse is that the odds of finding "just right" get smaller, not larger, the more you experience. So you keep looking even more, but it always gets worse the more you see. This is Part A of the Curse.
Part B is relationships. The more you travel, the more numerous and profoundly varied the relationships you will have. But the more people you meet, the more diffused your time is with any of them. Since all these people can't travel with you, it becomes more and more difficult to cultivate long term relationships the more you travel. Yet you keep traveling, and keep meeting amazing people, so it feels fulfilling, but eventually, you miss them all, and many have all but forgotten who you are. And then you make up for it by staying put somewhere long enough to develop roots and cultivate stronger relationships, but these people will never know what you know or see what you've seen, and you will always feel a tinge of loneliness, and you will want to tell your stories just a little bit more than they will want to hear them. The reason this is part of the Curse is that it gets worse the more you travel, yet travel seems to be a cure for a while.
None of this is to suggest that one should ever reduce travel. It's just a warning to young Travelers, to expect, as part of the price, a rich life tinged with a bit of sadness and loneliness, and angst that's like the same nostalgia everyone feels for special parts of their past, except multiplied by a thousand."
Part B dovetails back into what are called Antevastins, a group of people I identify with. Although travel may be a type of materialism, I think it is still more than the average purchase. So keep seeking experiences, and travel more! But know when to keep it simple, and how to travel in your own backyard, taking advantage of the people and imports around you that can give you a taste of another culture without needing to leave your hometown.
The more complete excerpt:
"Travelling. This makes men wiser, but less happy. When men of sober age travel, they gather knowledge, which they may apply usefully for their country; but they are subject ever after to recollections mixed with regret; their affections are weakened by being extended over more objects; & they learn new habits which cannot be gratified when they return home. Young men, who travel, are exposed to all these inconveniences in a higher degree, to others still more serious, and do not acquire that wisdom for which a previous foundation is requisite, by repeated and just observations at home. The glare of pomp and pleasure is analogous to the motion of the blood; it absorbs all their affection and attention, they are torn from it as from the only good in this world, and return to their home as to a place of exile & condemnation. Their eyes are forever turned back to the object they have lost, & its recollection poisons the residue of their lives. Their first & most delicate passions are hackneyed on unworthy objects here, & they carry home the dregs, insufficient to make themselves or anybody else happy. Add to this, that a habit of idleness, an inability to apply themselves to business is acquired, & renders them useless to themselves & their country. These observations are founded in experience. There is no place where your pursuit of knowledge will be so little obstructed by foreign objects, as in your own country, nor any, wherein the virtues of the heart will be less exposed to be weakened. Be good, be learned, & be industrious, & you will not want the aid of travelling, to render you precious to your country, dear to your friends, happy within yourself. I repeat my advice, to take a great deal of exercise, & on foot. Health is the first requisite after morality. Write to me often, & be assured of the interest I take in your success, as well as the warmth of those sentiments of attachment with which I am, dear Peter, your affectionate friend."
This curse is beautifully laid out in an article that admits to getting the idea from a Reddit "thread" that lays it out even more succinctly. The Shangri-la Effect, of places and people.
Here is the curse, explained:
"The more places you see, the more things you see that appeal to you, but no one place has them all. In fact, each place has a smaller and smaller percentage of the things you love, the more things you see. It drives you, even subconsciously, to keep looking, for a place not that's perfect (we all know there's no Shangri-La), but just for a place that's "just right for you." But the curse is that the odds of finding "just right" get smaller, not larger, the more you experience. So you keep looking even more, but it always gets worse the more you see. This is Part A of the Curse.
Part B is relationships. The more you travel, the more numerous and profoundly varied the relationships you will have. But the more people you meet, the more diffused your time is with any of them. Since all these people can't travel with you, it becomes more and more difficult to cultivate long term relationships the more you travel. Yet you keep traveling, and keep meeting amazing people, so it feels fulfilling, but eventually, you miss them all, and many have all but forgotten who you are. And then you make up for it by staying put somewhere long enough to develop roots and cultivate stronger relationships, but these people will never know what you know or see what you've seen, and you will always feel a tinge of loneliness, and you will want to tell your stories just a little bit more than they will want to hear them. The reason this is part of the Curse is that it gets worse the more you travel, yet travel seems to be a cure for a while.
None of this is to suggest that one should ever reduce travel. It's just a warning to young Travelers, to expect, as part of the price, a rich life tinged with a bit of sadness and loneliness, and angst that's like the same nostalgia everyone feels for special parts of their past, except multiplied by a thousand."
Part B dovetails back into what are called Antevastins, a group of people I identify with. Although travel may be a type of materialism, I think it is still more than the average purchase. So keep seeking experiences, and travel more! But know when to keep it simple, and how to travel in your own backyard, taking advantage of the people and imports around you that can give you a taste of another culture without needing to leave your hometown.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Sunday, May 7, 2017
FUN RUN 5K IN COSGRAVE PARK
I am obsessed with running. I dream of trail running. I listen to a podcast about ultra running (distances greater than 42.2 km, often 100 to 160 km). I talk about running. I think about running. I blog about running. I even put a hold on a book about running . What I do least of is actually run! But I have run a little, and I guess it's time to confess to how the plan to run a marathon is shaping up.
In short, the chances of me running a marathon this year is exceedingly unlikely. I don't even know if I can run the half marathon, or even a 10K without worrying about paying for it. I should be able to finish a 10K run for sure by September, barring no injuries, but running on pavement results in me getting out of bed the next morning unable to put my heel down without a spike running up through it, resulting in a pretty big limp!
My personal story of injury, this time, is a typical one, I think. Plantar fasciitis has plagued me for months, preventing me from running on road, which was why winter running was so liberating because snow cushioned it all.
I really was discouraged since the snow melted and had only been running the 3-4 k route in Terra Cotta, when my daughter, who is more of a sprinter, asked to sign up for the fun run. There were two distances, 2 and 5 k. I thought we would run the shorter, but she really wanted to run the 5k, and since it was in a local park I knew, I was happy that it was all on gravel or trail, and figured we'd both be walking for big parts of it.
I was happily surprised. The morning 2 k was in pouring rain and cold (we wore 3 layers which was ridiculous but the sunny afternoon), but we started just as the clouds parted and the sun came out. There were a few puddles to run around, and we had some delays registering so we missed most of the warmup, and then we were off.
There were cadets marking the way, and the first lap they were so enthusiastic that they encouraged us to sprint, when really we were only 2 k into the 5 k run that was two loops and then a very long leg, before heading back to the finish line for the third and final time!
There were some itchy legs, peeling of layers, meeting up with friend, walking and running. It was a great way to spend some time, and the longest run Princess Pirate had ever done. When I think about cross country running in high school, I think I only ran 3 km! Quite an impressive feat for someone who doesn't "like to run". Thanks Baby Girl! Let's do it again soon!
In short, the chances of me running a marathon this year is exceedingly unlikely. I don't even know if I can run the half marathon, or even a 10K without worrying about paying for it. I should be able to finish a 10K run for sure by September, barring no injuries, but running on pavement results in me getting out of bed the next morning unable to put my heel down without a spike running up through it, resulting in a pretty big limp!
My personal story of injury, this time, is a typical one, I think. Plantar fasciitis has plagued me for months, preventing me from running on road, which was why winter running was so liberating because snow cushioned it all.
I really was discouraged since the snow melted and had only been running the 3-4 k route in Terra Cotta, when my daughter, who is more of a sprinter, asked to sign up for the fun run. There were two distances, 2 and 5 k. I thought we would run the shorter, but she really wanted to run the 5k, and since it was in a local park I knew, I was happy that it was all on gravel or trail, and figured we'd both be walking for big parts of it.
I was happily surprised. The morning 2 k was in pouring rain and cold (we wore 3 layers which was ridiculous but the sunny afternoon), but we started just as the clouds parted and the sun came out. There were a few puddles to run around, and we had some delays registering so we missed most of the warmup, and then we were off.
There were cadets marking the way, and the first lap they were so enthusiastic that they encouraged us to sprint, when really we were only 2 k into the 5 k run that was two loops and then a very long leg, before heading back to the finish line for the third and final time!
There were some itchy legs, peeling of layers, meeting up with friend, walking and running. It was a great way to spend some time, and the longest run Princess Pirate had ever done. When I think about cross country running in high school, I think I only ran 3 km! Quite an impressive feat for someone who doesn't "like to run". Thanks Baby Girl! Let's do it again soon!
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
BEING OUTDOORS IS LIFE SUSTAINING
I have been sitting on my behind for 8 days straight, finishing taxes, preparing a clinical pathology presentation, and finally getting my phone back to function. I felt weak and unfit and tired. But I had something to look forward today, so after I gave my presentation, I met a friend and went for a walk on the mountain. It was cold and cloudy, and it went so fast, but it was a boost to my physical body, my mental state and my spirit!
There were giant tree trunks to touch, tiny spring flowers poking through the fall leaves, poplar groves and lookouts. The trail led up and down, and along the way, views of the city were spectacular.
Forget the gym. Find a park and go for a walk today! You won't regret it! Keep your eyes peeled for trillium and trout lillies!
There were giant tree trunks to touch, tiny spring flowers poking through the fall leaves, poplar groves and lookouts. The trail led up and down, and along the way, views of the city were spectacular.
Forget the gym. Find a park and go for a walk today! You won't regret it! Keep your eyes peeled for trillium and trout lillies!
 |
| Memories of Buchenwald |
 |
| Metamorphic rock? |
Saturday, April 22, 2017
IRONY ON EARTH DAY
My daughter and I woke up early today (I was up late, and slept through my alarm, but still made it up for 8:30) to pick up a beloved Saskatoon berry bush that our borough was giving away in limited quantities today. We arrived on foot, to be greeted by the longest line of idling cars in the community. How sad that this was billed as an Earth event! I expected most people would not be on foot, but I did expect them to park, or at least organize people without the pollution!
I had a 2.5 km walk home, interrupted by garbage picking through my favourite park with a manual claw that is so fun to use, we were fighting to find the winter collection of refuse and recycling! It felt like Halloweening, with really gross candy! My arms were feeling pretty tired but I thought that it was a good workout, and switching sides, I got home with only a few breaks.
Next was a walk to our local cultural centre, Stewart Hall, with only garbage collecting to distract. We were able to fill a garbage bag on the way, and were almost the only ones doing the map activities. We spent a few minutes doing puppets (kid) and admiring the art exhibit (mom) in the mutually loved library. Parallel play works after infancy sometimes! Our way home was a lot faster, with a full bag of garbage/recycling. We didn't have many stops, and the white pine branches my daughter had collected were a source of fun, and a great midge fly swatter, that by the afternoon was a necessity as we walked along through swarms of the first insects of the year.
On our way home, we went straight to our neighbours for a playdate. My friend and I wanted to explore a new route we plan to eventually run, and we walked another 8.5 km while hashing out life. Time to go home, and eat, with one last return trip left. I walked (how could I drive now on earth day!) my daughter to her dad's and slowly home, with a total of 32,683 steps and 22. 3 km. I wish that was enough to make up for the dozens of cars idling today, but I know that can't be. Still, it was a great day celebrating simple life, and a joy to be outside with my daughter.
Here's hoping for some Saskatoons, outside of Saskatchewan!
I had a 2.5 km walk home, interrupted by garbage picking through my favourite park with a manual claw that is so fun to use, we were fighting to find the winter collection of refuse and recycling! It felt like Halloweening, with really gross candy! My arms were feeling pretty tired but I thought that it was a good workout, and switching sides, I got home with only a few breaks.
Next was a walk to our local cultural centre, Stewart Hall, with only garbage collecting to distract. We were able to fill a garbage bag on the way, and were almost the only ones doing the map activities. We spent a few minutes doing puppets (kid) and admiring the art exhibit (mom) in the mutually loved library. Parallel play works after infancy sometimes! Our way home was a lot faster, with a full bag of garbage/recycling. We didn't have many stops, and the white pine branches my daughter had collected were a source of fun, and a great midge fly swatter, that by the afternoon was a necessity as we walked along through swarms of the first insects of the year.
On our way home, we went straight to our neighbours for a playdate. My friend and I wanted to explore a new route we plan to eventually run, and we walked another 8.5 km while hashing out life. Time to go home, and eat, with one last return trip left. I walked (how could I drive now on earth day!) my daughter to her dad's and slowly home, with a total of 32,683 steps and 22. 3 km. I wish that was enough to make up for the dozens of cars idling today, but I know that can't be. Still, it was a great day celebrating simple life, and a joy to be outside with my daughter.
Here's hoping for some Saskatoons, outside of Saskatchewan!
EASTER EGG HUNTS
I have always thought that it would be great to celebrate holidays the day after everyone else does. Boxing Day sales as Christmas shopping. Discounted valentine's and easter chocolates.
Fast forward to today. Yet another Easter worked, but my daughter had the Easter Bunny come while I was there. So after the holiday passes, I buy discounted candy, and I set up an Easter egg hunt for when my daughter returns. A few of the chocolate eggs are displaced by my Calico in the night, but for the most part, it is a fun event, doubly challenging amongst the tax papers and unfolded laundry, but just as exciting as an original hunt! This makes me very happy, and we don't even talk about the fact that neither of us have talked about the Easter Bunny's involvement. So I go to kitchen to make lunch, and am told not to come out of the kitchen until I'm told. Nancy Drew isn't allowed out either, but five cans of her cat food disappear. When it's time to leave the kitchen, I find my daughter has reversed roles, and made an Easter egg hunt for me, and my cat!
What a delight to have such an amazing kid, who gave me her leftover Christmas candy, candy melts and marshmallows, to make an adventure I haven't had since I was a kid! Merci ma poule!
Fast forward to today. Yet another Easter worked, but my daughter had the Easter Bunny come while I was there. So after the holiday passes, I buy discounted candy, and I set up an Easter egg hunt for when my daughter returns. A few of the chocolate eggs are displaced by my Calico in the night, but for the most part, it is a fun event, doubly challenging amongst the tax papers and unfolded laundry, but just as exciting as an original hunt! This makes me very happy, and we don't even talk about the fact that neither of us have talked about the Easter Bunny's involvement. So I go to kitchen to make lunch, and am told not to come out of the kitchen until I'm told. Nancy Drew isn't allowed out either, but five cans of her cat food disappear. When it's time to leave the kitchen, I find my daughter has reversed roles, and made an Easter egg hunt for me, and my cat!
What a delight to have such an amazing kid, who gave me her leftover Christmas candy, candy melts and marshmallows, to make an adventure I haven't had since I was a kid! Merci ma poule!
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
APPLE CABBAGE RAMEN SALAD
 |
| Adle's asian salad, revised |
 |
| Chopped red and green Québec cabbage with sliced apple and green onions in vinegar, canola oil, soya sauce, and sugar dressing |
 |
| Golden ramen, almonds, sesame seeds fried in margarine |
Yield 6 - 10 servings
1-2 (3 ounce) package chicken flavored ramen noodles 1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sesame seeds, toasted
1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds
1 large head napa cabbage, shredded (about 2 pounds) 6 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar or regular white vinegar
1(or 2) tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil (may omit)
1/8 cup white sugar (up to 1/4 cup)
Crush noodles, place them in a medium skillet and brown in butter over medium heat. Add almonds and sesame seeds. Stir often to prevent burning. Add seasoning mix from noodles and cool. Toss in a large bowl with cabbage and onions.
Prepare the dressing by whisking together the vegetable oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil and sugar. Pour over salad, toss and serve.
1-2 (3 ounce) package chicken flavored ramen noodles 1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sesame seeds, toasted
1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds
1 large head napa cabbage, shredded (about 2 pounds) 6 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar or regular white vinegar
1(or 2) tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil (may omit)
1/8 cup white sugar (up to 1/4 cup)
Crush noodles, place them in a medium skillet and brown in butter over medium heat. Add almonds and sesame seeds. Stir often to prevent burning. Add seasoning mix from noodles and cool. Toss in a large bowl with cabbage and onions.
Prepare the dressing by whisking together the vegetable oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil and sugar. Pour over salad, toss and serve.
2 package ramen noodles (remove the stock packages)
1/4 cup margarine
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup sliced almonds
half a green cabbage and half a purple cabbage , chopped
3 green onions, sliced
1 large apple, sliced
Dressing
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tablespoon soya sauce
1/4 cup white sugar
Break up dry ramen and brown in melted margarine in saucepan. Add almonds and sesame seeds. Stir often. Cool.
Toss cabbage, onion and apple together with dressing. Serve cold. Consider setting aside noodle mixture for leftovers for best serving crispness, but holds up well next day even tossed together.
DITALI CARROT CHICKEN SOUP
 |
| I love to use the carcass of a roasted chicken for broth. As a guilty vegetarian sharing meat, at least I feel like I used the bird completely. A few carrots, tiny ditali pasta that plumps up and a Peter Rabbit bowl. |
MOTHER DAUGHTER VARIATIONS ON A THEME
 |
| Sweet ruby grapefruit, pasta with lentil bolognese sauce and parmesan, orzo feta chick pea salad, apple celery pecan salad, baby corn |
 |
| Mango, apple celery, baby corn, orzo feta chickpea salad, osso and melted cheese |
THREE INGREDIENT PARTY MARSHMALLOWS
 |
| Melt chocolate chips (if you use the microwave, try ten seconds at a time, or you might burn them) and dip a marshmallow, and then press into sprinkles. Cool on a silicone plate |
Sunday, April 16, 2017
A MESSY DELICIOUS BREAKFAST
 |
| I had a container of chopped red pepper brought home from school uneaten, so I blew out an egg (my eyes hurt, but Easter decorations rule) and scrambled it, threw in the red pepper, toasted an English muffin, buttered it. It looked a mess, but it was delicious! |
Monday, April 10, 2017
A BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY
It's a great day when it finally starts and ends above zero, and the forecast predicted rain yesterday, but it was clear and sunny all day. The birds were chirping at 4 am and when we left the house, it was the first time I didn't need gloves. The ground is mostly free of snow, and the day was easy to garden in. By the time I had returned home, the perennial beds were calling, and it was fun to uncover the new growth under the dried stems I had left for winter interest.
I filled the compost bin with last year's leaves and branches, and put it out for pick-up. When I went out later for a run, the forest was nearly clear of snow, and the stairs were dry. It was a warm breeze and it was lovely to be wearing short pants and a light shirt with only a hat on my head for sun protection.
The cats were crazy, trying ten ways to get out. When my daughter got home, she was immediately busy collecting rocks and elaborately washing them for some specific purpose that I failed to grasp but she was certain of it. I swept off the deck and we took the cats outside. It was a glorious day, and just as we planned to eat our supper out, a dark cloud blew overhead and we got inside just before the rain started! It was fun to see lightening when it was still light out, and tomorrow is the pink full moon, and the rest of the week is above zero. Spring has really sprung!
I filled the compost bin with last year's leaves and branches, and put it out for pick-up. When I went out later for a run, the forest was nearly clear of snow, and the stairs were dry. It was a warm breeze and it was lovely to be wearing short pants and a light shirt with only a hat on my head for sun protection.
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Friday, March 31, 2017
COMFORT FOOD ON A COLD SPRING DAY
 |
| RÖSTI and MAPLE SWEET POTATOES |
 |
| A pan of delicious potato pancake, or rösti |
 |
| Betty Crocker recipe |
 |
| Sweet Potatoes in maple syrup |
 |
| Betty Crocker recipe |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)