Five Forty at Home

New Earrings

2012-02-01T20:29:00.000-05:00

Copper Heart Earrings

Light Emerald Green Hollow Glass and Silver Earrings

Circles Copper and Silver Earrings

Green Glass and Sterling Silver Earrings

Pale Peach Trio Pearl and Silver Earrings

February 1st

2012-02-01T17:06:00.000-05:00

otter tracks sliding into the river

Lake Superior

Terrace Bay beach

Chocolate Amaretti Torte

2012-01-31T20:20:00.000-05:00

I baked this cake today, in remembrance of my sisters birthday.

It is delicious, a simple little cake!

Chocolate Amaretti Torte

6 large double amaretti cookies

3/4 cup almonds

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

3 large eggs

4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled

For the Glaze:

4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 tbsp. sugar

2 tbsp. water

For the Almond Whipped Cream:

3/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 tsp. pure almond extract

1 1/2 tsp. confectioners sugar

Centre a rack in the oven and preheat to 350° F. Butter an 8" round cake pan, line with parchment or waxed paper and dust the inside of the pan with flour. Tap out the excess flour. Place the prepared pan on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Put the amaretti and almonds in a food processor and pulse to grind them finely and evenly.

Put the butter, sugar and eggs into the processor and process until the batter is smooth and satiny. Add the melted chocolate, and pulse until it is thoroughly incorporated.

Turn the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a thin knife inserted into the centre of the cake comes out almost clean. Transfer the cake to a rack to cool for 15 minutes.

Run a knife around the sides of the cake pan and unfold the cake onto the rack, The cake will be very thin. Peel off the paper liner, invert the cake and cool to room temperature. When you are ready to glaze the cake, put the cake still on the rack over a sheet of waxed paper to catch the drips

To make the glaze:

Put the chopped chocolate into a bowl.

Stir the cream, sugar an dater together in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Pour the cream over the chocolate and wait 1 minute, then, using a small rubber spatula, gently stir until the glaze is smooth, blended and shiny. Pour the glaze over the top of the cake and with a long metal spatula, spread it over the top, allowing it to spill over the sides of the cake; then smooth the glaze over the sides. Refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes to set the glaze.

( I found the glaze much too runny, I would let it cool before glazing the cake)

To make the almond whipped cream:

Working with a hand mixer in a medium bowl, whip the cream on medium low speed until it holds soft peaks,. Beat in the almond extract and sifted confectioners sugar.

Slice the cake and top each slice with a spoonful of almond whipped cream and fresh raspberries. Enjoy!

I found this recipe in Baking From My Home to Yours, by Dorie Greenspan.

January 31st

2012-01-31T16:16:00.000-05:00

thinking of Debbie on her birthday

I miss her very much

New Jewelry

2012-01-31T12:02:00.000-05:00

Topaz Glass and Copper Vintage Drop Earrings

Salmon Orange Glass and Copper Earrings

Silver Grey Amber Pearl, Glass and Silver Necklace

Copper Oval Rope Chain Bracelet

Green Teal Glass and Oxidized Silver Necklace

New Earrings

2012-01-29T17:06:00.000-05:00

Pink Black Swirl Hollow Glass Silver Earrings

Alabaster Pink Bubble Glass and Silver Earrings

Pale Grey Hollow Glass and Silver Earrings

Ivory Streaky Glass and Copper Earrings

Finally! New work in my Etsy shop!

2012-01-29T11:25:00.000-05:00

Ivory Brown Glass and Copper Bracelet

Brass Trout, Glass and Copper Earrings

Copper Hearts with Salmon Red Glass, Triple Strand Necklace

Parsnip Chive Gnocchi

2012-01-26T20:40:00.000-05:00

I am taking part in a bi-weekly food challenge with a group of friends. I chose parsnips for this challenge.

I found this recipe online here: http://www.nooschi.com/2009/07/parsnip-and-chive-gnocchi.html

I followed the recipe pretty much exactly but added mushrooms to the garlic butter sauce.

Parsnip and Chive Gnocchi

1 lb of parsnips
1 1/2 cups of sifted flour
1/4 cup of fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
1 Tbsp chives, finely chopped (I used dehydrated chives)
salt and pepper to taste

Method
1. Peel the parsnips and cook in a large pot of boiling water until tender (approx 25-35 minutes). Drain and allow the parsnips to cool and dry.

2. In a large bowl, mash the parsnips. Slowly add in the flour and mix thoroughly. Add in the chives, Parmesan cheese, and a dash of salt and pepper. Mix well.

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll the gnocchi mixture into a thick snake-like shape (about 1 inch diameter). Cut the snake-like gnocchi mixture into small 3/4 inch pieces. Roll each small 3/4 inch piece into an oval shape. With your thumb, press the gnocchi, into the back of the tines of a fork, creating a ribbed imprint.

4. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Place the gnocchi into the pot of boiling water.

The gnocchi is ready when it floats to the surface. Drain and serve.

Because this gnocchi has such a nice flavour on its own, I served it with a simple garlic mushroom butter sauce. To garnish, I used freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Yum!! This recipe is a keeper, one that I will make again and again!

This recipe yields 4 servings.

mashing the flour into the parsnips

the dough is ready to work with

rolling the gnocchi on the back of a fork

sliced mushrooms for the sauce

yum, ready to eat!

Cool!

2011-11-28T16:12:00.001-05:00

Recycled Wool Rug

Farewell Cali Coco Bean

2011-11-26T13:28:00.001-05:00

Miss Bean left us on my birthday, Sunday November 20th.

The saddest birthday I have ever had.

We miss her very much

Beanie's New Toy

2011-11-12T00:51:00.001-05:00

Beanie's New Toy a video by fiveforty on Flickr.

Pumpkin Gnocchi

2011-10-08T10:37:00.004-04:00

Pumpkin Gnocchi

By The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

Preparation time: 20 minutes.

Cooking time: 10 minutes.

This recipe makes 8 serving(s)

Pumpkin Gnocchi
Photography by Edward Pond

Nutritional information available online.

Ingredients

1/3

cup

(75 mL)

butter

1/4

cup

(50 mL)

pine nuts

fresh sage leaves

Gnocchi:

cups

(500 mL)

roasted pumpkin purée

squash

1/2

cup

(125 mL)

Parmesan cheese

egg

tsp

(5 mL)

salt

1/4

tsp

(1 mL)

ground nutmeg

cups

(750 mL)

all-purpose flour

Preparation:

Gnocchi: In large bowl, stir together pumpkin purée, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt and nutmeg. Using wooden spoon, stir in 2 cups (500 mL) of the flour. Stir in enough of the remaining flour, 1/4 cup (60 mL) at a time, to make soft, sticky dough that pulls away from bowl but still sticks to spoon and fingers.

On well-floured surface and with floured hands, roll dough into log; divide into quarters. Gently roll and shape each quarter into 3/4-inch (2 cm) diameter rope. With sharp knife, cut each rope diagonally into 3/4-inch (2 cm) pieces.

In large pot of boiling salted water, cook gnocchi, in 2 batches and stirring gently, until floating; about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, scoop onto large serving platter.

Meanwhile, in large skillet, melt butter over medium heat; cook pine nuts until lightly toasted and butter just begins to brown, about 2 minutes.

Add sage leaves; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Scrape over gnocchi; toss to coat.

Additional Information:

Perfect Puree
When choosing a cooking pumpkin, look for sugar pumpkins. These little gourds are firmer and sweeter than those grown for jack-o'-lanterns. The roasting time will vary depending on the size and age of the pumpkin or squash.

Halve and seed pumpkin or squash. Prick skin all over with fork. Roast, cut side down, on rack on foil-lined baking sheet in 350°F (180°C) oven until flesh is browned and tender, 60 to 75 minutes. Let cool. Scoop out flesh and puree in food processor. Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 48 hours or freeze for up to 3 weeks.

2 lb (1 kg) sugar pumpkin yields about 1-3/4 cups (425 mL) puree.

2 lb (1 kg) butternut squash yields about 2-1/2 cups (625 mL) puree.

The Last week of Summer

2011-09-17T18:59:00.001-04:00

Saturday afternoon at the Aguasabon River

My Girl Bean

2011-08-14T11:00:00.003-04:00

Two weeks ago we brought Miss Bean to the traveling vet here. We were concerned about her breathing. He examined her and said with confidence that she was in tip top shape for a dog her age.

She had a very bad day Wednesday, she was in considerable pain. After a few calls to our vet in the city, we brought her there early early Thursday morning.

The vet discovered a growth on her thyroid and after further testing it was determined that she has thyroid cancer and it has spread to her lungs. She is home with us, for her last weeks or months. It is such heartbreaking news.

She's the last of our Inuit team.

She's such a good old girl.

wiky, miss bean, kinoje

11 years ago

Painted Turtle

2011-07-27T09:25:00.002-04:00

we saw this painted turtle

a couple of weeks ago

while we were wading with Miss Bean

it is the first time I have seen a turtle around here

very cool!

Mmm look what is starting to ripen!!

2011-07-26T22:30:00.004-04:00

our fave, the black blueberry

equally delicious, the blue blueberry

27 Years Ago Today ...

2011-07-23T11:31:00.002-04:00

...Megan Willow came into our lives,

I am thankful for her!

I like her, she's a keeper!

Happy Birthday to Megan!!

Minnows

2011-07-22T12:08:00.002-04:00

I have been watching these

minnows grow this past month

while we wade with Miss bean

in the river

minnows

July has been foggy and cool

2011-07-20T15:52:00.004-04:00

fog on the Aguasabon River

swimming in the Aguasabon on one of our hot days

Miss Bean wading to cool herself down

she didn't enjoy the heat at all.

Foggy July

2011-07-20T15:52:00.003-04:00

Fog on the Aguasabon River

swimming in the Aguasabon on one of our hot days

Miss Bean wading to cool herself down

she didn't enjoy the heat at all.

Smartweed

2011-07-20T12:40:00.003-04:00

I found a patch of this wild flower while we were walking Miss Bean on the weekend. It is smartweed, from what we have read, it is gorgeous!

I have been trying for days to upload a photo to blogger, very happy I was finally able to!

Wild Strawberries

2011-07-18T08:00:00.003-04:00

the yummy wild strawberries are ripe

Sticky Oven Ribs

2011-07-12T20:52:00.002-04:00

sticky oven ribs, from food and drink magazine

(I made these ribs at Easter, they were very delicious)

braise
2 racks meaty pork ribs (4 to 5 lbs)
1 cup chicken stock

preheat oven to 375°

cut ribs into halves and fit into a single layer in a large roasting pan, meaty side down. pour broth over and tightly cover pan with tin foil. bake for 1 hour. ( I increased the amount of ribs, so I cooked them for 2 hours, my pan was double layered)

rub
1 tbsp onion powder
2 tsp paprika and garlic powder ( I used smoked paprika)
1 to 2 tsp cayenne
1tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt

remove ribs from pan to cool. line a big baking pan with sides with tin foil. increase oven temperature to 425°
stir rub ingredients together.
dry ribs with paper towels. sprinkle and press the rub onto the meaty areas and put only a slight amount on the bony side. cut into single ribs.
Prop meaty side up single ribs against each other in the foil lined pan. bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until browned and sizzling. drain fat from pan.

slather
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup chili sauce or ketchup
1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp cider vinegar

mix slather ingredients. slather meaty tops with 1/3 of the sauce. bake uncovered for 5 minutes. then turn ribs on their side and slather with 1/3 of the sauce, bake 5 minutes. finally turn ribs to the other side and slather one more time, bake 5 minutes or until glazed.
serves 6.

Camp

2011-06-16T09:17:00.003-04:00

Last week Jay had to go to town for a medical appointment and when she got back to camp the next day she discovered a pipe under the bathroom sink had let go and the pump kept pumping water into the camp. It was a flood. The insurance company is taking care of the damages but in the process an infestation of carpenter ants was found. Thank goodness they found the ants, that would have been disastrous.

This little video is to show family who live away what we saw when we got there.

Let's hope they can get the camp back up and running quickly so Jay can get back out to camp.

My Sister Debbie

2011-05-15T09:25:00.004-04:00

Debbie

My sister Debbie passed away on May 2nd

after a three year battle with cancer.

I miss her.

I was going to write a lot about her,

but can't seem to do it.

She will live long in my heart.

Snow Buntings

2011-04-17T23:16:00.004-04:00

My mom spied these birds this afternoon, there were four of them. I have never seen a snow bunting with its white plumage before, I usually see them in their brown plumage. It was a thrill watching them, in the snow.

My Spring Tonic

2011-04-17T18:21:00.002-04:00

Canadian geese winging their way north

love love love

hearing them

seeing them

welcome home babies!!

Craving the Summer Sun

2011-02-23T09:15:00.002-05:00

late summer sunflower

I'm dreaming of summer

as we have a snow storm

Roasted Yam and Garlic Soup

2011-02-20T18:27:00.004-05:00

yum!

a favourite soup from the rebar cookbook

Roasted Yam and Garlic with Smoked Chilies and Lime

6 cups vegetable stock

2 large yams

2 garlic bulbs, roasted

4 tomatoes

2 red peppers

2 tbsp oil

1 medium onion, diced

2 tsp salt

2 garlic cloves minced

2 tbsp minced sage

2 tbsp minced oregano

2 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp ancho chili powder

pinch allspice

2 tsp chipotle puree

1 tbsp maple syrup

juice of a lime

salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Using a fork, poke a few holes in each yam. Place on a baking tray and roast until soft and collapsed, about 45 minutes. You can roast the garlic bulbs at the same time. When the yams are tender, cool slightly and remove skins. Squeeze flash from the roasted garlic bulbs.

2. Halve and seed peppers. Place peppers and whole tomatoes on an oiled baking tray and roast until skins begin to puff and brown, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap for 10 minutes. Peel away the skins and set aside.

3. Heat oil a large soup pot. Add onions and saute until transparent. Add garlic, spices and herbs and cook until garlic is golden. Stir in peeled, roasted vegetables, the stock and chipotle chilies. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

4. Puree soup until smooth. Whisk in maple syrup, lime juice and season to taste with salt and pepper and more chipotles if desired. Serve hot.

Serves 6. Yum!

(I made a few changes to the recipe, there was a couple of ingredients I didn't have so I made do..sometimes you have to in a small town)

Late afternoon walk

2011-02-20T13:03:00.002-05:00

here I am

don't I look thin

hehe

love these long shadows of winter!

New Work in my Shop

2011-02-20T12:57:00.003-05:00

pale grey glass and silver earrings

I love love love these hollow beads!

aqua rectangle copper and silver earrings

ice blue green recycled glass and copper necklace

Fine Feathered Friend

2011-02-18T22:17:00.001-05:00

the ravens, and other birds enjoy Miss beans leftovers

love ravens!

February Fog

2011-02-17T11:01:00.002-05:00

I took this photo out my front door,

a few minutes ago,

fog thicker than pea soup

Miss Beans Breath ...

2011-02-16T21:01:00.002-05:00

makes fabulous frost patterns

on the inside

of the porch windows

Enough Snow

2011-02-15T19:40:00.001-05:00

the greenhouse is slowly being buried

Background Noise

2011-02-15T19:34:00.000-05:00

I will admit that I will be more than happy when the construction is finished on the long term care wing at the hospital, in our backyard. I am not sure what this contractor is doing but they have really noisy trailers, a constant drone in our day.

Late Afternoon ...

2011-02-12T21:22:00.001-05:00

... at the beach

Spring Colours

2011-02-12T13:30:00.004-05:00

New in my Etsy shop,

lovely cheery spring colours to brighten up a winters day!

blue green concentric glass and silver necklace

lemon lime glass and copper earrings

pink orange rubber and copper earrings

Beach Days

2011-02-03T21:52:00.002-05:00

hanging out at the beach with Mark!

My New Best Friend??

2011-02-03T14:44:00.003-05:00

I asked Mark to get me a recumbent exercise bike for my belated birthday and Christmas present. I did quite a bit of research, and chose the Tunturi F30R. It came this week, and Mark set it up for me yesterday.

The surgeon said this would be about the only exercise I can do. I only rode for about 5 minutes yesterday, my left knee is very sore even to the touch today. I am hoping it is the weather affecting the osteoarthritis and not the teeny bit of exercise I gave it yesterday. I am starting off slow and will gradually build time.

Fingers crossed that the bike and I will get along famously!

Tunturi F30R, my new best friend!

Waves in Ice

2011-01-31T21:41:00.003-05:00

We went to the beach yesterday, it was so cold, not at all pleasant on bare fingers taking photos. I loved the wave patterns in the ice on the sandy shore.

Suet Eater

2011-01-31T21:31:00.003-05:00

I was lucky enough to get a shot of this woodpecker having lunch at the suet Mark put out for the birds. The birds are very hungry birds in this cold weather we have been having.

I am not sure if it is a downey or a hairy woodpecker.

January winds down.

2011-01-30T12:28:00.006-05:00

Time is flying, even in these cold grey days of January!

Here is a sampling of new jewelry added to my Etsy shop this month.

Lake Superior Beach Pebble Necklace with Silver

Snow White Vintage Glass, Pearl and Silver Necklace

Planetary Swirls Glass Copper Earrings

Sea Anemone Glass Copper Earrings

Sunset on Lakeview

2011-01-29T12:11:00.003-05:00

My trusty old camera died a couple of weeks ago, I ordered a new one, a Canon Powershot G12. It came last Friday, it will take me awhile to learn how to use it. My college photography studies have faded into my memory, I am hoping to revive some of that knowledge.

sunset down Lakeview Dr.

soft light at sunset

The Snow did Blow...

2011-01-29T09:14:00.002-05:00

The weather this January has been in extremes,

either brutally cold, we registered -41° C on our

north side thermometer last week, or warm and

with the warmth comes snow. Lots of it!

clearing snow

is not one of Marks most favourite jobs.

Me..

2011-01-17T19:07:00.003-05:00

I just looked back at my blog posts, I didn't blog much last year. It was a hard year for me, adjusting to this new body of mine. This body that seems to have betrayed me. I am not that old, only half way through my life. My knees seem to be older. I walk like my gram did.

I had two surgeries for injuries due to degeneration. They are both arthritic, and I have lost the ability to pick up and go walking. I hardly leave the house unless Mark drives me somewhere. I walk Miss Bean to the edge of the property and am fearful of falling on the ice and tearing the meniscus again.

I am sure I will adjust to this new me in time but truly it sucks a big one.

I know I am not dying, I do not have a terrible disease, but big changes like this out of the blue are challenging.

I have not wove a rug since before my first surgery in the summer. I have been working at finishing a memory rug for a friend since the spring. I am starting to desire textile, to start cutting and then weaving again, I know it will come.

The surgeon said I will have to wait 10 years for new knees, how depressing is that, ten years. To live this way so limited in my movement. I do understand my left knee is still healing. It will get better than this!

I will search for treatments other than surgery for arthritis... and will anxiously await spring and dry non slippery sidewalks.

I will be making jewelry, and will soon be weaving.

This is what has kept me from blogging, my mind has to adjust to this new life.

I have gained a pile of weight, hard to shed when you don't move about much. I have been researching recumbent exercise bikes, I think I have it narrowed down and will soon order one. I'll take a photo of it when it arrives!

Happy trails!

Lake Boats in the Winter

2011-01-17T18:10:00.005-05:00

It has always been a thrill for us to catch glimpses of the freighters out on the Lake. We really do miss our old view, we have to be quick these days, our window of opportunity has been diminished.

The boats are miles away.. photo quality is not all that it should be.

this was last Tuesday, the day Thomas left

we really liked this one,

the lake was so clear, no mist

I think this was the last boat

the last boat we saw anyway

the locks in the Sault are now closed for the season

Happy New Year, a little late...

2011-01-17T17:43:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year, I am a little behind in my wishes!

Our two children, well young adult children were home for Christmas. Neither of them had been home since last Christmas so it was a special treat to have them home.

I will admit to not doing much besides enjoying their company and cooking for them.

Megan left just after New Years, and Thomas left about a week ago. We are adjusting to our own lives again. I really miss them alot.

Here are a few photos from the holidays.

Megan with her Juicebox (milk box) camera at the beach

she took some fabulous photos with it!

beach shadows

look how long our legs are!!

Thomas Christmas morning

playing with a plastic bag

the whirly swirly Christmas tree

we bought a tree this Christmas,

we will never buy one again,

it was crispy hard..

must have been cut in the summer

it smelled fabulous,

but very strongly,

I do wonder if it had been sprayed

with a artificial tree scent.

Do they do that?

30 Seconds at the Beach

2010-12-29T11:09:00.003-05:00

We went to the beach yesterday afternoon with Miss Bean. I love the colour of the water and the sound of the waves!

Sweet Beanie!

2010-11-10T14:55:00.004-05:00

Early this morning I was uncomfortable as I have slept on the couch since my surgery so I moved to my beading studio aka Thomas's bedroom. Miss Bean was delighted to find me there when she came in this morning and decided to join me. She is sure turning into a house dog!

she was much too warm

but would not budge from this cozy new bed!

My Left Knee

2010-11-10T12:19:00.005-05:00

On Halloween night I had a scheduled follow up appointment with the surgeon who operated on my right knee in July. Two weeks earlier I hurt my left knee at my physio appointment. My family doctor sent a note to the surgeon to examine my left knee. Turns out, I torn the meniscus in it to. Lucky for me, the surgeon had a cancellation here in Terrace and fit me in. I had surgery last Tuesday.

I am still hobbling about, still housebound, actually still trapped on the main floor of our house, I am not yet doing stairs. This is the first day I actually feel human again. Yay my knee is healing!!!

Dr. Porter did say that the injuries in both knees were from degeneration and I do have a bigger issue, arthritis in both knees. I will never walk for fitness again, and will only go for short strolls. What a dismal thing to say, truly I am not that old, only at midlife. I will have to figure this out once my knee heals. I will deal with the arthritis and find a way that I can get some exercise.

Life does go on!

Happy Halloween!!

2010-10-31T17:47:00.002-04:00

mr. pumpkinhead

quickly carved,

I am nursing two sore knees...

Primarily Pretty

2010-10-28T19:46:00.006-04:00

New in my Etsy shop, fabulous jewelry made with enameled copper pieces and oxidized sterling silver! Simply pretty in primary colours!

Drop of Golden Sun Copper Silver Earrings

Rectangular Red Copper Silver Necklace

Indigo Blue Dot Silver Necklace

Inland Hurricane- Superior Style

2010-10-27T16:23:00.003-04:00

We are experiencing an inland hurricane, or so the weather channel called it, category 3 hurricane. The wind is howling, the rain pelting, it was hard standing on the beach this aft.

main beach, Lake Superior, Terrace Bay

pump house beach, Terrace Bay

this driftwood is up on the beach, where people sit in the summer

looking east

Miss Bean, free - no leash

the waves are spectacular, hard to capture their size with my camera

grey grey day, but the colour of the water was so pretty

aqua green

taken from up above at the pump house

the waves at the next beach over looked huge,

they were hitting directly over there.

A Little Raven

2010-09-18T19:52:00.005-04:00

This little raven has been hanging around our yard for about a month. It no longer flies, it walks everywhere. It seems to be having some sort of respiratory distress, very noisy laboured breathing. It eats dog food and sometimes bread, and is drinking lots. I think it may have west nile. I am trying to keep it safe from predators. Poor little creature, nature can be so cruel.

up close and personal

its little head seems squished down, not much neck.

maybe it is just how ravens are

it is one of this years young

it seems very little.

Five minutes after I posted this, the young raven passed away in its sleep. It was in one of our compost bins. So sad. We will bury it tomorrow, so not to spread whatever illness it had.

Surprise!!

2010-08-29T16:53:00.003-04:00

Yesterday we joined a group of friends to celebrate our mutual friends 25th wedding anniversary. It was surprise party, and they were surprised, yay!

The setting of the party couldn't have been more perfect, a fabulous Lake Superior beach party! It was great fun!

Eleanor and Paul cutting the cake!

(they popped by on Friday when I was baking it)

3 men, 2 dogs, Hydro Bay

anniversary guests

the happy couple mingling with friends

playing in the icy cold creek

a little cutie pie

waiting for the happy couple to arrive

Garlic Harvest

2010-08-29T14:18:00.003-04:00

There is nothing like homegrown, fresh garlic, yum!!

Mark harvested ours this week and it has been drying in the sun. It is ready to eat, yippee!!

We'll get the garlic bed ready to plant in September/ October.

Garlic is one of our most favourite crops!

Dominiques Medical Alert Necklace

2010-08-29T11:02:00.006-04:00

The reason for my great nieces visit last week was to create a necklace for her with her medical alert tag. She had a bracelet and it broke, she has a new bracelet but wanted me to create a new piece with her old tag.

She picked out the beads, and planned the pattern, she was more than pleased with the result!

Cute earrings too!!

How to entertain children on a cold wet day in Terrace Bay!

2010-08-24T17:30:00.003-04:00

Mark with our great niece and nephew, plus two friends

they were in their clothes

totally wet

and cold

having fun, looking for the big waves

Superior fun!

they all had to change into their bathing suits for the ride back to the city, brrr.

I hope they had fun, it seemed like they did.

Summer Garden

2010-08-21T13:52:00.004-04:00

I have been neglecting my blog for months now, life keeps getting in the way.

We took Miss Bean to the vet in the city yesterday. I found a growth on the back of one of her legs a couple of weeks ago, it started to bleed a few nights ago.

It's a tumor, and it is vascular. She will need to have it removed, the appointment was for Monday morning, I changed it this morning. She is on an antibiotic for 10 days and I would like the infection cleared up before her surgery. We will be watching her closely, if it grows she will be going back to the vets sooner than later. What a stressful month, losing Kinoje and now having Cali sick. Dog stuff is family stuff to Mark and I.

I took a few photos around the gardens and greenhouse in an attempt to relax a little. I must say even though we have been plagued with chipmunks and bugs, the gardens are doing pretty good.

giant sunflower with a bee

yum, we had a fabulous raspberry season

lettuce

oh joy, my first attempt at fennel, who knew it would grow so well here!

I will be planting it again next year, yum baked fennel salad!

green tomatoes will soon turn yellow or orange

gorgeous pink hollyhocks

green jalapeno peppers

gorgeous purple calypso peppers

New and Blue!

2010-08-15T11:50:00.004-04:00

lapis blue raku copper necklace

ice blue cobalt copper necklace

Dogwood Berries

2010-08-15T11:43:00.003-04:00

love these gorgeous white and black berries

New Work in my Shop

2010-08-13T19:49:00.004-04:00

Blue Green Brown Glass and Copper Necklace

Azure Blue Copper Earrings

Teal Green Yellow Glass Copper Earrings

Green Pea Copper Earrings

Pumphouse Beach

2010-08-07T23:06:00.004-04:00

We went to the beach this past week, just for a little while, so strange (but very nice) we were the only ones there.

me at the beach

pumphouse beach, lake superior

partially submerged rock

empty beach

nice place to relax with a coffee

the slate islands in the distance

Kinoje

2010-07-26T08:27:00.006-04:00

Our beloved gentle giant, Kinoje left us on Friday evening.

With great sorrow and sadness he is being missed.

He will live long in our hearts and memories.

Raspberry Cupcakes

2010-07-21T12:06:00.005-04:00

Raspberry Cupcakes

For the cupcakes:

1 1/4 cup unbleached flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

6 tbsp butter, room temperature

3/4 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries (approx.)

For the icing:

4 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1/4 cup butter, room temperature

the juice from 1/4 cup raspberries, pressed through a sieve

1/3 cup icing sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Mix together flour, baking powder and the salt.

Stir together milk and vanilla in a separate bowl.

2. Beat the butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. With mixer running, add the eggs, one at a time. Beat in flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating twice with the milk mixture.

3. Line a standard muffin tin with baking cups. Fill each with 1 tbsp of batter, add about 8 or 9 raspberries, and 2 tbsp of additional batter. Bake until edges begin to turn golden, about 25 minutes. Let cool in tin, on a rack.

4. Make the frosting: Beat the cream cheese together with the butter until smooth and fluffy, slowly add the raspberry juice, beat until smooth. Slowly add the icing sugar and continue to beat until smooth.

You may have to refrigerate the buttercream until it is thick enough to ice the cupcakes.

Top the cooled cupcakes with the buttercream and a few fresh raspberries, and enjoy! Yum!!

Makes 12 cupcakes.

FP Love

2010-07-19T13:13:00.003-04:00

I was very pleased and excited when I woke up this morning to find that one of my treasuries had graced the front page of Etsy early this morning. What a fabulous treat, perfect way to start the week!! Thank you Etsy admin and congratulations to all the amazing artisans in my collection!

love

up on the fp!

love

the whole collection

My Knee

2010-07-11T10:28:00.004-04:00

Last August I almost fell off of our back step. My toe got caught in the other pant leg as I stepped off the top step, amazingly I was able to right myself and didn't fall, but I damaged my right knee in that process. I didn't realize until April the extent of the damage after an MRI.

Mark and I traveled to Fort Frances on Monday, had to take a long detour as the highway to Atikokan was closed due to a large sink hole. We arrived at the hospital in Fort Frances just before my appointment, it was a long drive. I met with Dr. Porter Monday night, went through what he was going to do on Tuesday.

Fort Frances is a gorgeous community, I am impressed!

I was to be at the hospital at 12:30 on Tuesday for my 1:30 surgery. Unfortunately there were complications with the surgery before mine, so I was around 3 hours late going in. My surgery went well, I was a little nauseous afterwards but at the doctors urging we finally left Fort Frances at 6:30 and drove to my sisters in Thunder Bay. I was lucky there was so much freezing injected into my knee that I didn't have pain until after we got home on Wednesday.

I am slowly healing, starting to get bored and impatient, that must be a good sign!

I am not up to much, laying on the couch, reading and watching the Tour.

I'll be back in the swing of things before I know it.

my knees on Wednesday afternoon

my knees this morning

the swelling is going down

Note my gorgeous jammie pants, I love them, so comfy. They are made by paisleybaby, I highly recommend them!

The Handmade in Canada Party!!!

2010-06-23T20:14:00.003-04:00

Have you heard the exciting news?

The TransCanada Etsy team is hosting the Handmade in Canada Party, which runs from June 24-July 1. TWO great prizes are up for grabs.

First, is a handwoven t-shirt rug crafted by me, team member, fiveforty. Simply make any purchase from my shop, and for every $10 spent (excluding shipping) you will earn a ballot for the draw.

The second prize is a very generous goodie bag. To win, find a hidden Canadian symbol in one of my shop listings. In the same listing, you will find a clue leading you to the next shop.

Please visit the team blog for full details on how to win and to see photos of the prizes: transcanadaetsyteam.blogspot.com/

*** Here is my PARTY FAVOUR to you!! Enjoy 10% off all items in my shop before shipping!! Offer is good until 12:01am EST, on July 2. I will refund the discount through paypal.

Happy Canada Day!

handwoven t-shirt rug, one of the fabulous prizes!

gorgeous goodie bag, another of the fabulous prizes

Eco Friendly Jewelry

2010-06-10T09:09:00.002-04:00

I am slowly adding some of the eco friendly jewelry I made for the Green Tradeshow into my Etsy shop.

recycled glass, wood and hemp necklace

recycled rubber tire beads, hemp and copper earrings

recycled rubber tire beads, surgical tubing beads, and hemp necklace

Purple, Aqua, Lime, Indigo

2010-06-07T19:53:00.003-04:00

I haven't posted in a while, we have been so busy in the gardens and greenhouse. I am almost finished planting in the greenhouse, then will finish planting my little flower seedlings. They are calling for frost tonight, fingers crossed that it is warm enough not to have frost. I would hate to lose plants at this point.

I have been working making jewelry, listing in my shop. Here are a few of my newest listings.

clearly purple

teal lime

aqua indigo

Mothman Re-invented

2010-05-29T19:41:00.003-04:00

These two beauties were on my back step this morning when I got up. I am not overly fond of moths, but they sure are beautiful. Look at their furry little heads, almost like a puppy. Ok, I know not quite. I haven't researched to see what kinds they are.

moth on the wall

moth on the back step

New Sun Catchers

2010-05-24T11:27:00.002-04:00

I will admit I have a huge passion for transparent glass, almost obsessive. I feel the same way about copper. My sun catchers combine both the transparent glass and copper, I think they are gorgeous!

tree of life sun catcher

dragonfly sun catcher

Two Weekends in May

2010-05-24T09:20:00.007-04:00

We rarely have company, but this May we have had overnight guests three weekends in a row. What a nice treat!

love this happy photo, Kinoje loves kids!

Hannah, Parker & Mark, dog walking

dog walk

Hannah & the dogs

Parker and Hannah at the foggy beach

Parker

Hannah

Lee, Hannah, & Parker

Trisha

foggy evening at the beach

Parker flips for our beaches!

Karen at the pumphouse beach

Mom & Marcy

Mark, Marcy & Karen at Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach

pebble gazing!

Clear Blue, Green and Amber Brown

2010-05-18T09:33:00.003-04:00

These two necklaces are from my eco friendly line of jewelry. Recycled glass beads from Africa and recyclable copper. Simply beautiful!

clear blue amber

blue green amber

Morel Hunting

2010-05-17T11:58:00.002-04:00

Yesterday Mark went out morel hunting, he found enough for us to have morel, spinach and cheddar omelets for dinner last night. I was a little sad and a lot envious that he went out without me. So , when he got home this morning from walking the dogs we went out. Sadly we only found 11 of the elusive mushrooms, but we did spy a mom partridge sitting on her nest.

I zoomed in, it is not very in focus, but I didn't want to get very close or disturb her. She is camouflaged very well to the forest floor. A rare treat!

mom partridge sitting on her nest

an elusive morel

Daddy Dear

2010-05-12T22:43:00.004-04:00

I am so excited that this Father's Day treasury that I curated yesterday, made it to the front page on Etsy, late this afternoon! Yahoo!!

Congratulations to everyone, I hope you had lots of views, hearts and sales!

daddy dear

Spring Compilation

2010-05-11T10:53:00.003-04:00

Kinoje at the river

fireman putting out fire construction started out back

cali

pussy willows

trailing arbutus

Mark getting firewood up crossman road

love trailing arbutus

Plum Violet Mossy Grape

2010-05-11T09:31:00.004-04:00

Quite a while ago, I put some lampwork glass beads in one of my treasuries. I became obsessed by their beauty, and finally broke down and ordered some. I am very pleased by radiantmind's beautiful work!

plum violet

mossy grape

Pump House Beach

2010-05-10T14:37:00.002-04:00

It isn't really the pump house beach, it is just down the shore from the beach.

We are lucky to live so close to Lake Superior!

Lake Superior, down the shore from the pump house beach

New Work in my Shop

2010-05-10T14:20:00.002-04:00

We have been busy out in the yard, cleaning up after winter, and planting a lot of trees out back. I have been neglecting this blog. I will try harder to post regularly!

New work in my Etsy shop.

turquoise drops

Lake Superior beach pebble

copper rose

periwinkle green

dove brown

Apple Almond Puddings

2010-05-07T11:56:00.005-04:00

Yesterday we had an overnight guest, my cousin stopped in on his drive from B.C. to visit his daughter in southern Ontario.

I haven't been baking much, as I really don't need any extra calories. I am waiting to have knee surgery to repair a tear. I have put on quite a few unneeded pounds.

I did make dessert however, and it was a huge hit, yum! This recipe is a keeper!

it comes from Bill's Open Kitchen, by Bill Granger.

apple almond puddings, just out of the oven

apple almond pudding on my plate surrounded with cream, yummy!

Apple Almond Puddings

150 g (5 1/2 oz) unsalted butter

150 g (5 1/2 oz) superfine sugar (I used brown sugar)

3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1 tsp natural vanilla extract

Batter

175 g (6 oz) unsalted butter, cubed

175 g (6 oz) castor (superfine sugar)

3 eggs

100 g (3 1/2 oz) almond meal

100 g (3 1/2 oz) plain flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

To serve

cream

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas 4). Place a saucepan over medium to high heat and add butter and sugar. Stir until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Add the apple and vanilla and cook for 10 minutes, or until soft and caramelized.

To make the batter, cream the butter and sugar until pale and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, stirring until well combined. Fold in the almond meal, flour, baking powder and cinnamon and mix until combined.

Lightly grease six 250 ml (1 cup) oven proof ramekins. Arrange the caramelized apples on the bottom. Divide the batter evenly between the ramekins and smooth over with the back of a spoon. Cook for about 25 minutes or until lightly golden.

Run a knife around the edge of each ramekin then invert onto a serving dish. Serve with cream.

Serves 6.

(My ramekins are smaller, about 3/4 of a cup, I used 8 and it filled them perfectly.)

Enjoy!

My Friend, the Raven!

2010-04-29T23:29:00.003-04:00

We have had a pair of ravens hanging around our backyard for years, they know when it is the dogs dinner time. The pair get the dogs leftovers.

This beauty, who I call Bird, or Biggie, came for a close up visit while I was out this afternoon photographing my new corduroy rug. Wow what a treat! They are such magnificent birds!!

raven

biggie..bird

Blue Birds and Blue Corduroy

2010-04-29T22:44:00.003-04:00

I have been working on this blue, grey and black corduroy rug for a week or so. I was sidetracked by the Green Tradeshow here in town last weekend. I happily got back to my loom earlier this week.

I was not pleased with my first cord rug from this loom, it lies in my back hallway. It is a gorgeous rug, but it is woven too loose for my liking. It is two years old and is very durable, and stands up to abuse.

This is my third corduroy rug on this loom, I packed in the warp threads, maybe a few too many, as it is a warp faced weave, but I do like how dense and tight it is, It is such a thick rug, so cushy underfoot!! I am very very pleased with it.

I am not pleased with how many hours it takes to weave and finish a cord or denim rug. I will have to work on a different finishing technique, it's a challenge for me.

I got a new packet of enameled beads in yesterday,

I love these little blue birds!

blue birds .. enameled copper and silver earrings

handwoven recycled corduroy rag rug

blue bird .. enameled copper and silver necklace

I've been drilling pebbles!

2010-04-26T10:28:00.003-04:00

It's been a long while since I drilled pebbles, I had run out of bits, and when I bought more I couldn't get into the room my drill press is in, as Mark was insulating. Yay for getting back to it, I must say I am a little obsessed with beach pebbles! They're so beautiful each and every one!