Summer 2013 GangUp Results

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Deborah

I have issues. BIG issues. Like announcing a GangUp Challenge at the start of summer when everyone and their brother, mother, father, uncle and cousin-twice-removed goes on vacation and doesn’t have time or isn’t here to participate.

DUH.

Mental Note To Self; Do Not Hold GangUp Challenges in the Summer.

Many thanks to my sweet son-in-law who was eagerly awaiting this next challenge and had oodles of time to devote to it. Lucky him! He has way too much fun with these challenges and obviously needs to get out more.

I split mine over a 2 week period, lord knows … Read more...

My ‘UnPlanned’ Summer Vacation

Posted on July 20, 2013 by Deborah

Unplanned? Yes, totally unplanned… Ok, part of that statement up there is a fib. I do admit, I DID announce I was going on a ‘Gone Fishin’ trip back on June something or other and it’s been so long since I last posted that I actually forget the date (please don’t remind me either, I feel bad enough already), but that post was more for a ‘planned event’ as there was an upcoming web server technical issue that I knew was going to put a kink in my well laid summer blog plans.

Well….this so-called ‘issue’ turned into a full … Read more...

Gone Fishin’

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Deborah

It is time for vacation here at The Homestead 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

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Deborah

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?

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Deborah

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..

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

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Deborah

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

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Deborah

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?

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Deborah

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

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Deborah

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

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Deborah

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...