This is gonna hurt….

Posted on October 16, 2013 by Deborah

While the gardens kept me busy throughout the summer, it is time to get back into an exercise routine now that the last of my canning/gardening chores are behind me. I need to focus on getting my beach bod in shape for my January trip to sunny Mexico, not to mention build some upper body strength to deal with the impending white stuff.

So I pulled my exercise runners and Pilates DVD’s out of mothballed storage and got to work first thing this morning. After 45 minutes of huffing, puffing and feeling like a bloated cow wearing a size x-small … Read more...

Ukrainian Vushka

Posted on October 15, 2013 by Deborah

One of my all time favourite Ukrainian meal items are Vushka (although we call them Oushka, pronounced ‘oosh-ka’).

These plump, mushroom filled dumplings are usually served with Borscht, placed right into the bowl of soup served with smetana (sour cream) on top. They are little mushroom filled pillows from heaven and I could eat a plateful (and have been known to) all to myself.

A couple weeks ago my daughter, her husband and myself headed up to visit my Aunt and Uncle who live over 2 hours farther north than the Homestead. Hence why we made the trip from the … Read more...

No Time For…

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Deborah

POSTS

I am cleaning out the garden, cleaning up the house, knitting up a storm, making tomatillo salsa, drying herbs, doing laundry, catching up on my accounting (dang HST return), packing for our trip on Thursday AND working in between.

So…. I am officially on vacation until at least October 16th. Adios. Hasta Luego, Catch y’all later!

For my Canadian family and friends ~ Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

Next Weeks Menu

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Deborah

This will only be a partial weeks menu as hubby and I are going on a weekend jaunt to the States next week.

Woo-Hoo! No cooking for me for 5 whole days!!

We are leaving Thursday and will not return until Monday, so restaurant fare will be had every night (there goes all the diet restraint out the window). As we return on Monday evening (Canadian Thanksgiving Day), we will not be having our usual turkey day either, but hope to squeeze it in over the next week or so.

I bet you are wondering where we are off to….the … Read more...

When Is Garlic Planting Time?

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Deborah

Unless you have Vampires pestering you nightly, now is the optimum time to plant your garlic for harvesting next summer. There is a relatively short window of opportunity to get the job done. Usually Mid-September to Mid-October is when to plant the cloves in the ground, thus giving them the opportunity to set roots before winter comes.

Garlic is a perennial (hence the bulb type root), but we treat it as an annual by planting it in the Fall to be harvested the following summer. It is also very easy to grow and is one of the garden staples that … Read more...

The Results Are In…

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Deborah

This year I expanded my garden repertoire not only in produce, but in size and location. Hubby built a raised garden bed last Fall up at the Homestead and this year was it’s first year in use…to a resounding success. Along with the main garden bed at home, I had some pretty good bounty….and some downright failures.

We’ll start with the failures…

Peas

I had such hopes for these tasty little green balls, but the local rabbit population thought otherwise. Twice they grew to about 2″ in height, then they were promptly mowed down to the roots. After their 2nd … Read more...

Quinoa Stuffed White Swan Squash

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Deborah

That is a mouthful. Figuratively as well as satiatingly…is that even a word? I must call Webster’s to confirm, but since I made it up and I like it, I am going to use it anyway. Basically, you will feel just as stuffed from all the stuff stuffed in the squash.

The White Swan Squash is actually an Acorn Squash (aka Pepper Squash) wearing a ghost costume and is only available up until Halloween, then it mysteriously vanishes into the misty night until next Fall. Ok, major fib there, but it sounded spooky didn’t it? The only difference from a … Read more...