Fish and Chips

Well, Chris was at it in the kitchen again last night. Cooked up a good mess of fish, oysters and chips. I can't eat like that all the time, but it sure is yummy every now and again!

Noodles and Prunes

I remember as a child, growing up, my dear sweet mother would often cook us a special dish we loved: Noodles and Prunes! Well tonight, as I was driving home, I just had a huge craving for noodles and prunes. Now the secret to this yummy dish is the noodles. They must be "egg" noodles. Simply stew up some prunes, cook your egg noodles as per the directions on the package, and then fry up bread crumbs. The bread crumbs need to be fried in butter until they are browned and a bit crispy! Drain the noodles, sprinkle a few bread crumbs and toss, then put the prunes on top, and then the rest of the bread crumbs.. toss it around a bit. I served it with caesar salad which I made with extra garlic cloves. If you click on the photo to enlarge, you will have a better idea of those wonderful fried bread crumbs. My dinner was perfect, and as delicious as I remember my mom making it. Chris, true to his own self.. made french fries in his new fryer.

"With Glowing Hearts"

  Yes - Canada just won its first gold medal!! Alexandre Bilodeau you rock!!! Go-Canada-Go! Angie you should have come to Vancouver for this. I hope you are watching some of the coverage!!

Spring is Here in My GARDEN !!!!!!!!!!!

Oh what a wonderful valentine gift I received this morning as I wandered around my post-winter garden. My heart jumped as I noticed the Armandi Clematis... loaded with buds. I have tried to grow this wonderfully fragrant evergreen clematis since we bought the property. The first year I tried 3 of them, and none seemed to like their new homes. Last year I thought I was doing well with 2 of them on an arbor, but the cold winter we had killed them both off. So last summer I thought I would give it one more try. I planted one that was already about a foot high, in a sheltered sunny spot along the carport. It took off right away and I was pleased. The thing is, I haven't looked at it so far this year... and bingo, it is full of buds waiting to bloom. I know this is a good sign that it is happy, and so if it doubles in size this summer... then next springs blooms will really do my heart good. I took these to photos, and also gave you a web link to the plant- just click on the title above.

Saturday Night Pre-Valentine Dinner

 

Tonight we enjoyed the company of my sister Pat and her hubby Terry, and our birding friend Randy. We watched Olympic speed skating while Chris and I cooked a roast chicken with fried brussel sprouts and prosciutto. Pat made an awesome Valentine lava cake with granache and raspberry coulis. Oh my gosh - it was wonderful. Click on the collage to see bigger pics.

2010 Olympics Are Here

 

The games have begun! We are very excited on this end,there is so much energy here. Go Canada, Go!!! If you didn't catch the awesome opening ceremonies, here is a link to some photos from the event. http://www.upi.com/News_Photos/gallery/2010-Winter-Olympics-opening-ceremony/2901/

Croutons !

As you have probably guessed by now, I am not the best cook! In fact, if I had my druthers I would never cook again. I would only be "cooked for". I have tried the Julia recipes, and yes, I can pull them off.. but I really don't "ENJOY" it. I really want to, but it always seems like too much work. The truth is, it's the eating part that I enjoy, not the preparations. That said, I think I have mastered the art of making "croutons". Oh yeah! Chris buys a loaf of Terra French bread every day. When I get home from work, there is always a small piece left, so I cut it up and make croutons in the evening. Perfect amount! Olive oil and Hy's seasoning is all it takes. Like I said, I think I have perfected them: the right amount of time, the right temperature, and the right amount of oil and seasoning. This is one thing I think I can do right, and I enjoy doing it almost as much as I enjoy eating it. Home made croutons make a great and healthy snack (as opposed to chips or whatnot). This pictures is tonight's batch. It's almost gone. Try it - you will find a new snack you can't resist!

A Frog by Any Other Name is Still a Frog

I have always liked frogs. When I was a kid, I remember catching a big brown toad and bringing him home. I named him Barnabas David (yes, for those of you who remember, the name did have something to do with Dark Shadows). Well he hopped away one night, and I never caught another toad after that. I used to try for tadpoles instead. You can't find tadpoles anymore, not like you used to - in little ponds or freshwater streams, they're all gone now, the ponds and streams that is. We had one mature in our pond last summer...so obviously something went one in there. I wonder if he will still be around this year. Anyway, just take a look at this little guy above. He is one of my special garden friends.. just waiting to get his spot at the pond this spring. He is just crying out to have a name and so far he his nameless. He is just plain Frog. Take a good long look at Frog and tell me what you would call him if he lived in your garden.

Passive Agressive?

Well I am really not sure if you can label a human trait onto an animal.. but I am convinced that Smoke, the laid-back, gentle, purr-fect one of my 2 norwegian forest cats, is actually quite passive aggressive. I've suspected this an a few occasions in the past, but this morning I am convinced. This is an adorable 12 pound bundle of hair with a wonder purr you can hear a room away. So laid back you can do anything with him - he is just a gentle lug of a 3 year old male cat. Ha!!! as long as you are constantly in tune with what he wants - like open the door!. Gypsy on the other hand, is a bit of a feline bitch with an attitude, but has never pulled the stunts that Smoke does. Now don't get me wrong, his passive aggression is never directed towards me.. oh never,.... it is always directed at Gypsy. Here is an example... if I need to keep the cats in for some reason, like a vet appointment, and Smoke decides he wants to go outside... well.. first there are a few meows.. if after 10 minutes I don't let him out.. he attacks Gypsy. He'll smack her, he'll bite her, he'll pin her to the ground. I break it up.. he turns sweet again and asks to go out.. I say no,,, and whammo - he is back smacking Gyps and pinning her to the ground. Then comes the time out in a separate room, all purrs.. then... meow can I go out now? No. Bang - Gypsy gets the attack again. It's passive aggressive behaviour for sure. I know some of you who know Smoke will find this behaviour hard to believe because he is always so wonderful.... but he really isn't. Trust me. He needs therapy!