I am almost done….

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Deborah

With the Christmas chaos that is. This time of year requires strength, stamina and fortitude. Pretty much equal to running a marathon. Marathons have an official distance of 42.195 kms (26 miles and 385 yards, bizarrely, neither number is rounded), I bet that is how much mileage people put on their feet doing their Christmas shopping. People train for years to run a marathon. Some do it only once, but others do it religiously every year, sometimes running several in one year.

Can you imagine going through all the hoopla and hullabaloo of Christmas multiple times in a year? Call … Read more...

Carmelized Onion and Mushroom Pizza

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Deborah

I was stag for dinner one day last week (which is fun, cause sometimes I crave stuff that hubby doesn’t like, like mushrooms) and tossing up a couple of choices for dinner…perogies…or the above named pizza. Mushrooms will be a clear winner any day of the week. This pizza is simple, with few ingredients, and oh so flippin’ tasty.

Start off by carmelizing half an onion, thinly sliced, in Olive Oil. Keep the heat between medium and low and slowly sauté for about 30 minutes; stirring often. Remove onions to a bowl and set aside.

Toss 2 cups of sliced … Read more...

DIY Christmas Greenery

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Deborah

For those that know me, know that I am cheap (um…frugal). The holidays bring out all kinds of over-priced Christmas decorations with every grocery store or nursery displaying row upon row of urns filled with various plant materials topped off with a bow.

They want a minimum of $40.00 for one of these decorative planters.

Sure, they look fabulous, but I am not parting with 40 bucks on something I can make myself for nothing. Seriously, at home as well as the Homestead, there are tons of trees and shrubbery around to make use of (and think of it as … Read more...

The Manly Scarf

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Deborah

Every time I start a new knitting project, the following conversation happens between hubby and myself.

Hubby: What are you making?

Me: Socks

Hubby: Great! But I don’t like that colour.

Me: They are not for you sweetie.

Hubby: (Big pout) You never make me anything!

Me: I made you the gigantic Homestead afghan.

Hubby: And it took you long enough to finish it too….

Me: Pfft! Would you like to be stabbed with a knitting needle?

Hubby: Ouch! What did I do to deserve such animosity?! You are so mean!

Me: You haven’t seen anything yet…

Me: So what … Read more...

Next Weeks Menu….

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Deborah

Is on vacation.

Probably until after the New Year. This is a hectic time of year and with hubby away 2-3 days working in the States, I don’t feel like making a regular meal just for myself.

I am opting for reheated leftovers, perogies or anything Mexican that I can whip up in between baking batches of cookies and finishing up sewing, knitting and weaving projects.

Tonight will be the standard Friday night Pizza, as hubby would disown me if I tried to make anything else. He loves his pizza!

Have a good weekend everyone. If you are heading to … Read more...

How To Make Rye Bread

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Deborah

Who hasn’t seen the Seinfeld episode about the marble rye where Jerry tries to swipe the very last coveted loaf from an old lady? “Stop thief! Stop him! He’s got my marble rye!”

Instead of mugging an old lady for her loaf of rye bread, here is a recipe to make your very own. One that would make you proud if Seinfeld tried to pilfer it from you. I have plans for my rye bread. Reuben sammies are on the menu for tomorrow’s dinner and I can’t wait to give them a try.

Dark Rye Bread

Ingredients
1 cup … Read more...

Staying Healthy During The Holidays

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Deborah

What is the Hardest Part of the Holidays?

Staying Healthy of course…

As we head into a very stressful time of year with a very hectic schedule ahead. Make sure you and your family stay healthy over the holiday season by being mindful of holiday stressors that can suddenly creep in to kill the holiday mood.

Fatigue: Most adults can attest to not getting enough sleep all year long, but throw the madness of holiday time into the mix and you have a good chance of being downright miserable and cranky come December 25th. So do what I do – … Read more...

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Deborah

Let the annual Christmas baking season commence! These buttery cookies were a part of our holiday table when I was little. A Ukrainian Holiday staple that been made every year since. If I don’t make them, hubby will pout. The kids will pout. My brother will pout. Everyone will pout and refuse to acknowledge that Christmas is here.

I best get into the kitchen then. I will share the recipe with you all though, cause it’s Christmas time and I am in a nice, giving mood.

Enjoy!

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Ingredients

4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 … Read more...

Christmas Cards…

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Deborah

I enjoy sending and receiving Christmas cards. I display them in my living room by attaching them to a long length of 3″ wide decorator ribbon and pinning it on the wall. Cards make a room look festive all on their own. I am one of the diehards that still hand writes notes inside Christmas cards every year, and this past weekend I sat down and completed 44 cards to send to family and friends.

I still don’t know how I know all these people…some are family, but the rest must be looking for an invite to my Christmas Eve … Read more...

Next Weeks Menu

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Deborah

BRRRR!!!

Last week we were steadfastly sticking to grilling (after all, we are supposed to be hardy Canadians), but waking up this morning to -14C (8F) and looking out over a frozen expanse of lake has me tossing out all BBQ plans and opting for a week of hot oven meals.

This week will see everything cooked in the oven, although I am still trying to figure out how to cook a Reuben in the oven. I may have to settle for the stove top method. Speaking of Reuben’s, this will be my first attempt at making them. Hubby loves … Read more...