Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Family

One week ago, we received a phone call in the middle of the night. My father in law passed away unexpectedly.
Everyone in the family traveled to Manitoulin Island for his funeral. Such a sad visit to the Island and to camp. It still feels unreal to me.

all of the Campbell cousins!
I am so glad that everyone made it to the Island.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Judy's Pasta Salad

Many many years ago, I got this recipe from a neighbour, my good friend Judy. She has moved far away, but we still love this pasta salad, it has a Greek twist to it, delicious! I highly recommend it!

Judy’s Pasta Salad

-2 cups pasta (your choice of kind), cook 8 minutes, or to package directions
-add 1 tbsp. olive oil to cooked, drained pasta, mix well
-in a small bowl combine 1/3 cup, diced sweet red pepper, 1/4 cup chopped green onion, 1/4 cup slivered black olives
-add this to pasta

Dressing:
3 tbsp. white wine vinegar
1/2 cup feta cheese
2 tbsp. minced fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/3 cup olive oil
Combine everything in a blender and blend well.
Add to pasta mixture. Dressing is good when made the day before as well. Just before serving, add to salad: 1 cup cherry tomatoes - cut in half, (any tomatoes will do), and 1/2 cup chopped cucumber. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

I have been known to double the salad dressing to give the salad more flavour!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Soft Pale and Pretty Yellow Opals...

Last summer when I went to London to visit Megan, I bought these gorgeous African yellow opals while out with Gillian. They are a gorgeous, pale, creamy soft yellow. 
I am also playing with my staging again.. always trying new things. Nice to keep things fresh!

lemon meringue lilac

African yellow opal, sandalwood, lilac freshwater pearl necklace

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Hollow Glass Beads

I am not sure why but I love hollow glass beads. Love the transparent delicacy of them. I received a new packet of them in the mail this past week. Such a treat to work with them.

glass & copper earrings

glass & sterling silver earrings

glass & sterling silver earrings


Wednesday, July 8, 2009

A Two Blanket Rug

In the winter, someone asked me if I would weave a blanket for her daughter from two old wool blankets. Some friends dropped the blankets off here and I finally got around to tackling it. The edges of one of the blankets was threadbare so it did not felt as much as I had hoped. 
Even so I am very pleased with the result, very excited actually. Processing and cutting a blanket is a tad easier than processing and cutting a dozen or two sweaters.

cutting, or scissoring as I like to call it

two blankets, one pale green, the other, yellow, beige and green

the finished rug, I have left the blanket tags on, but will remove them for the customer. I want her daughter to see what the rug was made from

whole rug
27 1/2" x 48"

lengthwise view

close up

felted wool blanket rug

Monday, July 6, 2009

Blue Eyed Grass

One of our favourite wild summer plants is blue eyes grass. It is not a true grass but a member of the iris family. Last summer Mark planted some in a pot, and overwintered them in the garden. They are blooming now!! Such gorgeous little flowers.
blue eyed grass, on our back step

blue eyed grass, sisyrinchium

Crispy Potato Salad

Last week I made this salad for part of our dinner. It is from Issue 43 of the Donna Hay magazine. I will give the recipe as it is in the magazine, though I didn't have all the ingredients and substituted. I used greens from the garden instead of just spinach, and I didn't have lemon so I made my own dressing with an avocado, garlic, white wine vinegar and olive oil. It was delicious and I will make it again.

Crispy Potato Salad

1 kg potatoes, thinly sliced
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp celery salt
100 g baby spinach
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan

Creamy Lemon Dressing
2 tbsp. sour cream
2 tbsp whole egg mayonnaise
1 tbsp lemon juice

Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F). To make the creamy lemon dressing, place the sour cream, mayonnaise and lemon juice in a non metallic bowl and stir to combine, and set aside.
Place the potato, oil and celery salt in a baking dish, toss to coat. Roast for 20 - 30 minutes or until golden and crisp. Cool and place in a bowl with the spinach and Parmesan and toss to combine. Spoon the dressing over to serve.
Serves 4.

I used a 400° F oven and it took quite a bit longer to roast the potatoes to a golden crisp.
Yummy! Enjoy! 

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Wild Strawberries

Yum, the wild strawberries are ripening! We took the dogs out and munched on some delicious berries.
wild strawberries