Watch Out Ontario, here I come!

Mom and I in July of 2007

It's true! I'm going to fly to Ontario this Friday. Mostly to get a visit with my mother, Jane.  Mom's been living in a retirement home almost a year now and I haven't been to visit her there, not yet. Not until this weekend. 

Too bad it's so darn cold out there right now!  My Gortex raincoat just isn't going to cut it for warmth. I may have to layer up on my regular amount layering.  And think warm thoughts.

Zen and the Art of Ironing

A quick glance along the ironing board cover.

There I was, minding my own business while ironing a couple of shirts that dearly needed the touch of an iron.  I guess I'm just too cheap to send them to the dry or wet cleaners. Anyway, like I said, there I was ironing away, pondering the wonder of a hot steam iron (on clothes, not me) and thinking about how many times I've ironed in my life, and how much of a routine I have developed for shirts.

All of a sudden, I noticed the print on the ironing board cover.  While I know it was me who purchased the cover a number of years ago, I don't remember taking any time to really look at the drawings on the fabric.  I remember thinking it was clean looking and that suited me fine. 

Tonight was different. This evening I took a good close look at those simple, clean drawings on my ironing board cover.  And, they're ... well, weird-ish.  I don't really understand what they have to do with ironing clothes.  Perhaps the designer was trying to make ironing a fun accessory or toy.  Or something.

You be the judge. Any ideas?

Is she dancing? Or is she going to shoot that thing in the air?

Uh-uh.

Hanging from a clothes line, or twirling a baton with flags on it?

This is my fav. Shielding herself from a flying iron with a ...
a thing. What IS that thing she's holding?

For all you duck enthusiasts!

Just stuff!

Even the poor can afford hot tubs! I tried to talk Judith into putting this in our living room.

This person was kayaking off Ogden Point this afternoon while you where working!

Nice day to include the breakwater in my walkabout!

Makes me wonder several things!

16:00 at the breakwater!

Dallas Road Motel. Only the cool kids stay here!

This needs to become a project soon! Anyone want to make a donation to bring the lookout at Beacon Hill back to it former glory?

Look close, you will see Christmas ornaments (silver plastic bells) someone left behind!

My wife gave me flowers today, not bad huh!

Super sound tube. Just for fun!

Squash Night Cupcakes

This one was tested and confirmed this evening on Judith's squash league and came out a winner!

PeJu Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 380 F

Ingredients:

• 5 cups rolled oats
• 3 tbsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp nutmeg
• 1 cup (or more) chopped nuts ( including hemp hearts if you like)
• 1 cup (or more) dried fruit
•  1 tsp salt
• 3 cups mashed banana (good use of over-rip ones)
• 5 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 3 tsp vanilla

In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients and then stir in wet ingredients. Pour into the cupcake liners (fill to top) and bake 25 minutes.

Note: They can be frozen and warmed up if you're looking for a grab and go option in your freezer for ski days (that means you Doug).

All that was left out of 20 cupcakes.!

Saturday Walkabout

I joined Pete on his daily walkabout today.  It was a bit grey, and no rain when we started out. I didn't even notice the wind until we got into Beacon Hill Park, and then I was glad I'd brought my tuque to protect my ears.  It was very, very windy down at the water!  Makes for good waves, though.

The sun was shining over the water giving us a good view of the snow
Olympic Mountains across the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn't it nice of Victoria to build an elaborate staircase so we citizens can walk
right into the water?

Lussi Family Cheese Fondue

Ingredients (per person):
100 gr Gruyere
80 gr Vacharin (Raclette will do in a pinch)
20 gr Appenzeller
75 ml White Wine
25 ml Champagne
1 TBS Kirsch (Cherry Schnapps)
1 tsp Corn Starch
1 tsp Lemon Juice
3 cloves Garlic
1 dash Paprika
1 dash Nutmeg
1 dash Black Pepper
Crusty bread (cubed)

Directions: 
Grade cheeses
Rub a garlic clove in the Fondue pot for good luck
Slowly warm white wine, paprika, nutmeg, pepper and garlic
Slowly add the cheese stirring in a figure eight pattern on low heat until cheese is melted
slowly add Kirsch, Corn Starch and Lemon Juice
Add Champagne
Serve immediately with crusty bread cubes

Best enjoy with friends, after a day of cold outdoor physical activity.

Note: White wine or hot tea and an ounce of kirsch to sip on will prevent from cheese clumping in your tummy.

Happy New Year! 2013

Just another island day!

Judith trimming our tree

Judith's Smoker, thanks to Andy!

December 23 2012. Peter's 45th Birthday Party, thanks to Judith, Amanda and Rob!

Judith in her natural habitat!

Life is good!

Judith's homemade door wreath

Nice view!

Christmas Eve Tourtiere from Chez Rachelle

Christmas Eve Fresh Clams picked off the beach in front of the house from Chez Judith

Christmas Eve Brain Trust!

This was the most amazing moon rise I have seen from this view in 45 years! Had to be there.

Happy New Year! Thanks Doug for the show.

Polar Bears waiting for the fire to warm up the ocean.