January 28, 2010

This Weeks Crafts


Winters Gift



Winter here in NS is cold and long and snow filled, so a day of five above zero, blue sky and no wind is truely a gift.

January 26, 2010

A Treat


My bathroom is in desperate need of some renovations, it is SUPER ugly at the moment so I treated it to a new soap pump and a soap dish.

Auntie Jo's Upside Down Cake















3 Tbsp butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 apples
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp ginger
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup soft butter
1/4 cup molasses

1. Preheat oven to 350. Melt butter in cake pan in preheating oven.
2. When butter has melted mix in brown sugar and coat bottom of the pan.
3. Slice apples and arrange on bottom of pan.
4. Mix all other ingredients and beat for 2 min.
5. Pour batter over apples.
6. Bake on a cookie pan, to catch overflow, for 45 min.
7. Run knife around edges and flip out right away.

January 25, 2010

Snow Babies




We had the perfect Sunday. We took the boys (Ian and Nash) skating and crazy carpeting then came home for a dinner of local haddock mashed potatoes, turnip, and salad.

January 23, 2010

Quote of the Day

"No mom, my train is a not a girl. It's a boy. Girls just boss Dads around all the time because they can't do anything right!"

January 21, 2010

Veggie Stew with Dumplings


Recipe submitted (to vegweb.com) by Susan

Ingredients:

2 teaspoon vegetable stock concentrate
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon Herbs de Provence*
1 teaspoon Oregano
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup turnip, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced carrot
1/2 cup sliced celery
1 clove garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon rosemary, and basil
2 cups water
5 teaspoon tamari
2-3 potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoon water
(I use what ever vegetables I have on hand, mushrooms are a super add).

Directions:

Blend first four ingredients and set aside.

Sauté turnip, onion, carrot, celery, bay leaves, rosemary, basil, garlic and parsley in oil for 8 minutes.

Add water, broth mixture, tamari and potatoes. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Add peas, continue cooking another few minutes.

Remove bay leaves. Combine cornstarch and water, add to stew, and stir until thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Dumplings:
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup chopped parsley (or dried herbs)
1/2 cup soy milk
2 tbsp. vegetable oil

Sift dry ingredients together then add parsley.

Mix milk with oil and add to dry ingredients (just stir until moistened).

Drop mixture by tablespoonfuls onto stew.

Cover and cook for 15 minutes (Do NOT lift the lid!)

*Herbs de Provence is a French herb blend of rosemary, thyme, marjoram, summer savory, basil, sage & tarragon. Of course you can always just add these individually if your grocery store doesn't carry it. : )

I should have warned you guys that it (this recipe) has a lot of ingredients and looks lengthy. But I swear it a snap to make!


(I omit the tamari and cornstarch with water and use a package or two of Clubhouse gravy. Mix the gravy powder with a bit of cold water and add to stew just before dumplings. This is a staple in my house, a no fail recipe that even meat eaters love).

Quote of the Day

"Mom which of these do you NOT like; a gun, a hen or a hairclip?"

January 15, 2010

Transform


I have never really been able to wear earrings. Over the years however I have acquired some that hold special meaning, and so I have turned them into pendants. The gold triangle with the pearl was my great grandmothers, the opal is my birthstone, and the black triangle was a pair of earrings my mother wore quite frequently, in the 80's!

Sister


Bless you, my darling, and remember you are always in the heart - oh tucked so close there is no chance of escape - of your sister. ~Katherine Mansfield

January 13, 2010

Banana Crunch Bread Recipe

Topping
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Batter
1/3 cup canola oil
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2 large)
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 pinch salt
1 cup white chocolate chips, divided

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Grease an 8" by 4" loaf pan.

Topping : Combine all ingredients in small bowl;s et aside.

Batter:. Mix oil, sugar, vanilla and eggs in large bowl. Add bananas and stir until thoroughly combined. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until flour is incorporated. Add 3/4 cup white chocolate chips and pour into prepared pan. Top with remaining 1/4 cup white chocolate chips and cover with topping mixture. Bake in centre of preheated oven for about 65-70 minutes until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack.

January 12, 2010

Quote of the Day

"Dad, since it's just us boys wanna go find some dykes?"
(As in a one way valve)

January 7, 2010

I.....


Playing


Isn't it amazing how children can take and inanimate object and give it life?

Bath Time




I have discovered the many uses of a deep sink!


January 2, 2010

Quote of the Day


"I know a lot of things! I'm a genius!"

January 1, 2010

Accidental Tradition


Every year on New Years day we go for a long walk. Being out in the fresh air seems like such a cleansing way to start another chapter.



Raggedy Ann


When I was a baby my Grandmother had someone made me a Raggedy Ann. She has been my companion for as long as I can remember. I have never seen another like her, until my good friend found her a companion!

Quote of the Day


"This is a friggin' game. Do you know why it's a friggin' game? Because this won't stay together."

Quote of the Day


"That's a friggin' place for a park!"