Gone Fishin’

It is time for vacation here at The HomesteadGone Fishin_July From Sunday, June 30th to Sunday, July 7th I will be incommunicado.

There will be no posts, no pictures, no stories,
no gardens, no critters, no yummy recipes.

Nothing. Nada. Zip.

So enjoy the virtual peace and quiet for the next week
and I will be back bright and early on July 8th to hound you all
about the GangUp Challenge… which will be due that evening!

Adios!… Read more...

Next Weeks Menu

WooHoo!

It is time for another Long Weekend in Canada!
This coming Monday marks our Country’s 146th Birthday.

Pretty much half the population of Southern Ontario will jam the 3 major highways heading north on Friday afternoon, all desperate to escape the city and relax in their quiet, lakeside settings with plenty of food, fun and frivolity (and beer too).

We are no different, except we will be leaving at the crack of dawn Friday to avoid the ‘Indianapolis 400’….better known as Highway 400 heading north from Toronto to Barrie.  The worst stretch of highway for traffic in the summertime … Read more...

How Does My Garden Grow?

Pretty darn good actually.

At home and at the Homestead, both of my gardens are bursting out all over.

In no particular order, here are some random shots taken over the weekend..

Tomatoes Beets Carrots Serrano Chile Romaine Romaine Lettuce Radishes Radishes & Carrots Peas Oregano & Thyme Mesclun Lettuce Lettuce & Carrots Herbs Duckies Cottage Peas Cottage Herbs clematis Cherry Tomatoes Beets Beefsteak Toms Basil

I hope you enjoyed a walk through my gardens,
sorry there wasn’t anything for you to pick yet (except for the herbs),
but soon enough there will be produce busting out all over!… Read more...

Battle Of The HeadBands

Summer is finally here and as I cruise the highways and country roads on my way to various destinations, with the sunroof and windows wide open, tunes cranked and my sunglasses on…. I soon find the wind whipping my hair into my eyes, instantly making me curse my long locks, swearing when I get home I will grab the scissors and lop 8 inches off.  I spend more time driving with one hand while my other is constantly pushing hair from my face.

Major pita.

I have had many types of headbands over the years, and nothing seems to stay … Read more...

Rejuvenated Flip Flops Project

Last weeks Flip Flop Fashion Fad post was a teaser, like those trailers for every blockbuster movie that ever comes out touting it as THE must-see movie of the year.

My Flip Flop Project is no different.

I bet you were impatiently waiting all weekend for it too.

After Beta testing the flip flops fashion fad last week, I decided there had to be a better way to make these straps.  The on-line tutorial I found called for way too much fabric and the straps and knots ended up too bulky.  I like thin and streamlined straps.  Plus, there were … Read more...

Guess What Time It Is?

It is GangUp Challenge Time!

It has been far too long since we have done one of our cooking competitions.  Almost 6 months to be exact, (view last posted GangUp here) and I have been asked by a few folks in the last little while wondering WHEN the next one was going to be.

Well, wait no further.  The time has come to flex your culinary muscles and come up with a unique dish from the list of ingredients below.

The rules are the same, and for any newbies to the Challenge out there, here is how it works:… Read more...

Next Weeks Menu

WooHoo!

Do You Know What Day it is TODAY?

Today is the FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!

I am so excited.  Maybe the nice weather is finally here to stay for oh…say the next 3 months.  My garden depends on it, my pool depends on it…and I depend on it.  I savour the short respite from Old Man Winter, who is getting awfully cranky in his old age (like me lately – oh wait, that’s the menopause).

Next weeks menu below highlights a Surf & Turf Week at The Homestead.  Deliciousness all around it will … Read more...

Flip Flop Fashion Fad

I think I just started a new name for a new craze.  I will be RICH! People will fall all over themselves offering me their abandoned flip flops to remodel for them, paying me mega bucks for the privilege too!

A girl can dream can’t she?

OK, so maybe not the outcome I was looking for, but, practicality and comfort go along way with me.  I love the idea of flip flops, and even don’t mind the thingie between the toes, but I do get annoyed very quickly with blisters caused by the plastic straps rubbing on my feet, especially … Read more...

Pancakes Or Waffles?

It is Wednesday and inquiring minds want to know…

Do you prefer…

pancakeclipartPancakes?

Or

waffle clipartWaffles?

Secondly…WHY do you prefer one to the other?

Please write your comments below as I am putting together an unscientific study to be compiled into a post at a later date.

Many thanks for your cooperation!… Read more...

I’m Shrinking….

I feel like the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz…..

Wicked Witch_Oz

Last week I went for my annual checkup…you know, that place you go once a year to be told to lose weight, eat more veggies, exercise more and stop drinking so much.  After sitting in the waiting room for 26 hours (I know why they call it a waiting room, I take my knitting with me to pass the time), the nurse takes me into teeny cube room #1 for weighing and measuring…like your a trophy Bass or Muskie.

Weight was ok, exact same as a year ago – … Read more...