Spring Gardening

Over Easter weekend I got out & had a chance to begin yard clean-up.

Full yard bags & green bin waiting to go out on garbage day

3 leaf piles [still] waiting to be picked up

first crocuses!

Only yellow crocus in the entire yard

Front garden cleared of leaves, cultivated, and anemone bulbs planted

Seeds sown for an indoor start!

Then today, I finally got up the courage to plant my early spring flowers (because I saw a greenhouse up the mountain planting theirs!)

crocuses in the front bed

Blueberry bush in the front is newly planted, the larger one in back was already there. (I did plant the blueberry bush a couple of weeks ago.)

Planter by the front door!

Mums by the base of the front steps

Mums planted by existing bush near sidewalk

A front flower bed full of spring colour!

Seeds are sprouting!

Marigold on left (one of 13) and edible violet on right (the only one so far)

I love gardening - can't wait to get the veggie garden started!

Out with the Old!

In an earlier post about the refinished floors, I showed you another remodel we did -   minor one that I hinted at, and which was visible in the photos. Here's the close up of before & after!

Old chandelier - this photo makes it look almost glamorous. It was not.

New, beautiful pendant from Ikea! (Now for a new set of dining room table & chairs!)

Refinishing the Floors

We had a super-duper exciting Easter weekend this year.

1. I got outside and did some yard work (post coming soon) AND......

2. Ed refinished the floors in our dining & living areas:

Step 1: Remove vents (find dust)

Step 2: Remove corner-round trim (blurry action shot)

Step 3: Ensure that all items are removed from floors...(work in progress here)

Step 4: Stare at the worn-out, scarred floor for the very last time

Step 5: tape plastic over all large openings (note clean-ness of shop vac, and very large sander)

Step 6: Navigate crowded hallways while Ed sands

Step 7: Note that brand-new shop vac no longer looks new

Step 8: Clean (this is after 1/3 of a room)

Step 9: Clean cleaning rag....again (this is after only 2 swipes...!!!)

Step 10: Admire sanded floor

Step 11: Take picture of Ed cleaning walls, to prove to his mum that he has grown up (p.s. this is staged - after this picture, he quickly found something else to do... :P)

Step 12: Nearly done first clear coat!

Step 13: Enjoy the newly finished, beautiful floor! Ed also hung the new curtains.

More new floor - notice anything else new?

So proud of Ed for all the hard work he did - and REALLY enjoying our new floors. They look amazing!!!

An Ode ( I think?)

oh...! Hello Winter.

You made it.

Negative twenty-six degrees Celsius (-14.8F for any USies out there.)

Snow

Windchill

Nasty roadsalt kickback on the windshield (windscreen for the Aussies out there.)

Not wanting to use much windshield washer fluid, because using it all up means pouring more in. And did I mention that it's -26C out there? With a windchill?

AND, my personal favourite: nose hairs freezing together with every breath.

Thank you for appearing, Winter. And for dispelling any 'fear' I had of the existence of global warming.

Also, my crocuses are dead now.

Lovely fickle January.

Eggnog Cream Pie

Yum!!!!!!!!!!!

You will never need another dessert around the Christmas season, when eggnog is available in stores.

Plus, it's so easy you can whip it up in 15 minutes (plus 2hr wait time for it to set up.)

I got the idea off of the internet, and found it here.

I didn't bother putting the extra whipped cream or chocolate shavings on top, cuz I was eating it for breakfast (as dessert....and appetizer. Quiche was at least the main course!)

Some pictures, you say? Of course :)

Quiche!

I love quiche: it's versatile, easy to prepare, and delicious.

It also reheats well. And freezes well.

Here was today's combo (for two deep-dish pies):

Ingredients:

• 2 pie shells (I used store bought, even though I have a wonderful recipe for making my own. It was quicker & time is an important commodity right now.)

Filling:

• 12 eggs
• 3/4-1 c cream (I guesstimated as I poured it in.)
• 2 leeks, cut into thin rounds & rinsed
• 4 large mushrooms, chopped
• 1/2 red pepper, diced
• 1/2 medium white onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 sprig worth of fresh thyme
• 3-4 sprigs of fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 c. cheddar, shredded
• 1/2 lb bacon, medium cooked in small 'bits'

Directions: 

Mixed it  all up.
Poured it into the thawed pie shells.
Baked at 350C for 55 min.

Done. Yum.

(Quiche # 1 has been sampled. # 2 went into the freezer for later!)

The Year We Get Married

Well, last year proved that while making a list of goals is fine and all, things can get off track very quickly! Thankfully, 2012 was a year full of God's unexpected blessings. To summarize: I started the year single & in an apartment in Guelph, and finished the year engaged and in a home of my own in Hamilton.

2012 in another summary: three moves, one wonderful boyfriend --> fiance, same job, and a whole lot of upended blogging goals.

2013 plans/goals:

1. Get married!
2. Plan a wedding...
3. ...when I'm done not letting it get me off track of teaching, that is.
4. Read the Bible in it's entirety (Got a one-year reading Bible for my devos for this year!)
5. Travel to Australia!!!!
6. "Let go & let God" - as in, stop worrying so much - especially about what the future holds.
7. Complete 2 sizeable house projects (we have lists and lists and lists...)
8. Try a minimum of 12 new recipes.


That's it. Never mind all the little things. We'll go with this list for now, and I'm sure more will be accomplished.

The Year That Was Before the Year We Get Married

I set a bunch of goals for 2012.

I'm not even sure I accomplished half of them, because I accomplished one of them.

Let me re-paste the list here.I'll cross off the ones I didn't accomplish.

2012 goals:

1. Pray more.
2. Re-design this blog to be awesome.
3. Average 15 blog posts every month, again. That's 180 posts this year. It'll probably be closer to 200 by the time January 2013 rolls around.
4. Post 366 days of Scripture readings. There'll be a tab for that!
5. Buy a sea kayak.
6. Read/finish reading 3 devotional books.
7. Finish paying off my student loan.
8. Learn to snowboard well.
9. Lead the 2012 Kentucky SALTeam well.
10. Visit at least 3 national parks.
11. Move to Hamilton.
12. Paint my huge canvas.
13. Share one awesome recipe each month. There'll be a tab for that too!
14. Try 26 new recipes this year. (um, I probably did do this one, but not sure.)
15. Buy Settlers of Catan from change I've saved.
16. Finish two DIY projects.
17. Donate to an 'extra' charitable cause.
18. Let you a little more into my life.

Reflections on the goals:

1. I prayed, but more on average? Sadly, I don't think so.
2. Still same-old blog. See # 11.
3. I did even worse than 2011 (which is on an old blog.) See # 11
4. I got somewhere, but was interrupted, and never got caught up. See # 11
5. I did it! And used it! And loved it!
6. Nope. See # 11
7. Yep! Yay!
8. Learned to snowboard, yes. Learned to board well? Nada. There wasn't enough snow.
9. Someone said I did. It was my favourite trip of all time, I think (though the year before was also good.)
10. I got two (Pukaskwa, and Bruce Peninsula - twice.)
11. Did it. That's what got in the way of accomplishing most of the others.
12. Nope. See # 11.
13. Nope. See # 11
14. I can remember making: chicken parm, guacamole, chipotle mayo, quinoa salad, oriental noodle salad, roast in the crockpot, ham & swiss poppyseed sliders, creamy chicken taquitos, campfire pizza, several varieties of squash soup, falafel, my own pasta sauce, broccoli soup, but yeah. Not 26.
15. Didn't do it.
16. Did it - repainted bookshelf, nightstand, repurposed old frames into mini pin boards, repainted chalkboard...
17. Niagara Life Centre
18. Kinda disappeared around August, and missed out on a lot of important happenings.

So let's summarise what DID happen in 2012:

The highlights:
1. I started dating Ed
2. Kentucky 2012!!!
3. Ziplining
4. Moved to Hamilton (the Ricebox)
5. Kayaked Pukaskwa
6. Met most of Ed's family
7. Got engaged!
8. Bought a house.
9. Moved into the new house.

Kind of a big year. Lots of things changed since I made my "To-Do 2012" list. Good things. I can't complain that I didn't get things done from the "To-Do 2012" list, because I got lots done of the "Life" list.

God amazes me every year again with his plans! They are SO MUCH GREATER than mine ever were.

If you need proof, please review the above lists.

Here's to a wonderful and blessed 2013!

On the Lack Thereof

I miss, miss, MISS my blogging. Really miss it.

To the point that right now, I am resisting resentment towards the things that keep me too busy to blog.

I took a "career quiz" today to prep for my last class of the day, where I am having my students take a series of quizzes to determine which careers might suit them.

The career topping my list? High school teacher.
Followed closely by middle school teacher and a host of other teaching-related professions.

Homemaking was listed 8th. Writer was listed somewhere down at the bottom, in the 20s. (Those are the two areas my future "job" lies in....)

So clearly, my job as a high school teacher suits me. And yet, on days like today, when I miss my blogging, and feel guilty for posting anyways (because you know, I should be marking or lesson-prepping) - days like today I struggle to not resent my job for the time it takes up.

It doesn't make me teach any differently than last year, when I had time for both; I don't love my students any less, I just wish I could stretch the day.

It really is "my fault" for moving to a new place, with a much longer commute.
But I can't resent the commute when it means I get to be closer to family, friends, and the love of my life each evening and weekend.

So, for now, I keep not blogging, and instead go to planning and marking. (Getting there!) And when I'm not working, I try to keep up on cooking and laundry and sleeping and seeing the people that mean much to me. (And buying a house, moving again, planning a wedding....you know. The other things that have changed since last year that take more from my spare time...)

And, by the way, I love my life. All of it. The work, the people, the multiple blessings.

God is so good to me. And now, after reflecting on it in writing, I don't resent any more. Phewf! 
















Plus, I've learned to say 'no'!!! (Good, right? Could still be better....)

Long Overdue

Wow. Life has taken over, and I've stayed true to my promise not to blog as often. There's so much to blog about, but with a commute that's been extended by an extra 2 hours every day, there's just no chance to sit down & write it out.

I started this on the Teacher Convention days, and now, a few weeks later, report cards are done and I'm treating myself to a blog post.

Because I miss it. I really do.

But I hardly ever take out my computer after I get home from school. Most often, it's dinner, shower, bed. With a little time for meetings or wedding business or family/friend functions.

Nearly all school work needs to be done at school. Before school, after school, during prep or break. It's good that I'm teaching some very familiar courses, and that I've got a great co-teacher for the new course. I've also been getting some help with my 'easy' marking.

And, planning a wedding. Speaking of which, Ed & I got engaged! You knew that already, because I'm so slow that everyone knows despite the fact that my blog didn't, til now. You want some details? Okay:

• Engagement date: September 8th.
• Morning gift: Beautiful yellow flowers
• Place: Port Dalhousie (fave childhood spot of mine - Ed's first time :)
• Carousel
• Walk on the pier
• Walk on the beach
• Ring! "Will you marry me?"
• "Yes!"
• "Are you sure?" (ha!)
• Then I might have tooted. Elegant, right?

And then we went for dinner with both sets of parents = awesome! The waitress discovered that we'd just been engaged, so we got free champagne as well.The pictures should be coming, because I can't find them (thought I had them!)

And we started planning.
The wedding date: August 2nd, 2013. See the wedding page for any other details, as they come.

We had our engagement party on October 6th - it was so wonderful to see all the family & friends who came out to support us - probably about 75, and that wasn't even all who were invited! Thanks for coming out, everyone!

Gift table/Guest book signing

Where the party started...

Just a few great desserts :)

The whole party...!

New Comfort-food Recipes from Lately

Acorn Squash Soup - new ingredient, my own recipe

• 1 acorn squash, microwaved whole for 8-10 minutes, then cut in half, remove seeds, and scoop out the flesh.
• leftover celery, chopped (about half a bundle, leaves & all)
• 1/2 large onion, chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• 250 mL chicken stock
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp ground thyme
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 c. milk

Directions: 

1. Chop onion, garlic & celery while acorn squash is microwaving
2. Toss with olive oil & let it saute while scooping out acorn squash. (Careful, it's hot!)
3. Toss squash in pan, along with everything but lemon juice & milk.
4. Heat until all is soft.
5. Remove bay leaf
6. Blend using immersion blender
7. Stir in milk & lemon juice.
8. Serve

Grilled Brie Sandwiches w/ homemade chili ketchup - my own take on something I'd had elsewhere, and paid $5 for half the size!

Ingredients:

• 2 thin slices flax-seed rye or some other rye-style bread
• sliced brie cheese
• butter

• 1/2 c regular ketchup
• 1/4 c diced tomato (homemade canned or fresh)
• 1/2 tsp chili pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp paprika

Directions:

1. Spread one side of each slice bread with butter
2. Put brie cheese between slices, buttered side out.
3. Place on parchment-paper lined baking sheet & place in 350 degree oven.
4. Check & flip when browned on bottom (about 5 min.) 
5. Pull out when browned on both sides.
6. Meanwhile, stir ketchup, diced tomato, chili pepper flakes & paprika in small sauce pan. Heat over med-low heat, until hot through.
7. Blend
8. Serve with grilled brie sandwich.

Vehicular Milestone!

150,000. I added 50,000 km to my car in just over a year. Pretty good, no? Ed was driving when the odometer clicked over, so photo is courtesy of his skills (and my camera.)

A first!

The end of this summer marked the very first time that I have ever put up canned preserves by myself.

Tomato juice was the start!

My first batch! Food mill, jar lifter & other tools on the left.

Simply take your tomatoes & boil them so that they are thoroughly cooked through. You want them soft.
Then, throw them in the food mill, a few at a time, and crank the handle over a large bowl.
Ta-da! Juice.
If you're not interested in seeds or pulp, find yourself a strainer. I didn't have a decent strainer or the time for this, so mine is seedy & pulpy, but deeeee-lish!

Then, use a funnel to pour the juice into the pre-warmed & sterilized jars. Leave a 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of the jars. Top with a new tin top that has been heated in hot water for approx. 5 minutes.

Finally, boil in a water bath for 25-30 minutes.

Take out using a jar lifter, and set on a towel on the counter. As they cool, you'll hear the lid "snap" shut as it seals.

For the next batch of juice, I added one hot banana pepper, 1/2 onion, and some garlic. It was spicy! (Means I got a good hot banana pepper!)

Enjoy!

Cottage friend

On my last day at the cottage with Ed's family, we saw this little guy sleeping on my car. He gets an award: "First Canadian Tree Frog I Have Ever Seen."

Seeing Triple?

The other day, I got stuck behind this sight on the way home from work. Not as bad as being stuck behind a group of bikers taking up two thirds of the road. That was just bad manners. These guys were moving faster than the bikers. And from all I could see, they were cuter too. (I'm not seeing the people weren't cute - I wasn't really checking. It's more of a statement on spandex. Not. Cute.)

Hiatus :(

Sadly...this blog is gonna be taking a spot on the back burner as I figure out my new schedule. Living an hour's drive away from work means two less hours a day to get things done.

And waking up at 5:15 every morning means going to bed a few hours earlier than last year. I'm finding it absolutely necessary. My body never was impressed with such early mornings and it doesn't take the switch over very well.

So...blog posts will come, but fewer and far-er between. And every other page and goal is being let go...for now.

Campfire Biscuits

One of our very favourite foods on this camping trip was the biscuits.

I don't have a recipe, because I discovered tea biscuit mix at Bulk Barn and all you had to do was add water. Perfect for kayak camping!

(Though, if you need to add milk to your recipe: skim milk powder mixed with water makes a great milk - even for drinking!)

There's a few ways you can cook these. In the pan (over a stove or fire) or...wrapped around a stick & cooked kinda like a marshmallow!

YUM! You can see our methods of cooking them (in a pan over the fire can be a bit tricky = burnt bottoms.)

Pukaskwa - Day 4, Part 2

Old Dave's Harbour....

The Harbour

The old lighthouse keeper's house

The lighthouse keeper left now that the light is automated, and this is now emergency use in the park.

And - fun to explore :) Living area

Kitchen (apparently they have a problem with "wee beasties."

Even though we hadn't seen a toilet in days...this one did not appeal. Hole in the ground = still a better option.

Million dollar view...in TO. Free for us!

Upstairs hallway

Guestbook

Back entrance

Basement

The sign by the door is one labeling the building "emergency use" by the National Park

Other side of the harbour

Ed taking a picture...

...Ed's picture :)

SUPER clear water!