Fall into the Season

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Deborah

What a fabulous Summer we have had here on the Homestead. Lots of fun things (and not so fun things…i.e. ROOFING) were done over the past few months but we definitely also took some time to enjoy the great weather and good times with family.

Now that Fall is officially here tomorrow, it’s time to clear out the summer T’s and unpack the three S’s – Sweaters, Sweatshirts & Socks (I hate socks by the way, nothing but toe smotherers they are, evil things). But I do love to put on a cozy sweater, grab a cup of hot … Read more...

Easy as Apple Pie

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Deborah

One of the best things about Fall are Apples. Apple season is now in full swing with lots and lots and lots of fresh, crisp apples ready for picking, eating, canning, juicing and baking. I am an Apple Snob though, only liking a few specific varieties to eat fresh. I do venture into other varieties for baking, as long as they stand up well to the cooking process.

Canadian Thanksgiving is approaching quickly and I am usually pressed for time in getting dessert ready in the days leading up to the annual food-a-thon. So this year I decided to venture … Read more...

Sugar Rush

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Deborah

Seeing as yesterday’s post was disappointing in the fact that it didn’t include a sweet, yummy dessert recipe….I have decided to make it up to you and include one. Aren’t I nice? By the way – for those looking for a waist-line friendly recipe….look elsewhere!

This one is aptly named in the post title too.

Sugar Rush indeed. These little beauties will make your teeth scream from all the sugar. Hands down, probably my hubby’s favourite dessert item. This recipe comes from his Aunt Eileen, who made the best Butter Tarts….EVER.

Aunt Eileen’s Butter Tarts

Ingredients

2 Eggs

1 Cup … Read more...

Blueberry Surprise

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Deborah

I bet you think this is a post about a yummy, delicious, ooey-gooey-sugary Blueberry Dessert…. Nope. Sorry to burst your bubble. Maybe tomorrow I will post one….

Today’s post is about Mother Nature being thoroughly confused. As I write this, the date is September 17, 2012 and as I headed out for my daily walk, I didn’t get very far when I came upon this sight….

Yep….blueberry plants with flowers on them. Loco. Muy Loco even. It has been a weird and stressful summer for the native plants on the Homestead. May was dry, dry, dry. June gave us a … Read more...

Smelly Washer Syndrome

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Deborah

What is that awful smell eminating from my washing machine??? It’s kinda sour, kinda musty and making my clothes smell the same way. EEEWWWW. GROSS.

I have never encountered this before at home in all my 35+ yrs of owning a washing machine. Even when I washed the kids diapers it never smelled this bad…and you know what kind of nasties happen in diapers…. p-u, glad those days are over. Back to the present though… we have no basement here at the Homestead, so the washer and dryer are located in the bathroom, which has to be about the most … Read more...

Critters around the Homestead

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Deborah

Every day is different here on the Homestead. You just never know what you will encounter at any given moment. Sometimes I am lucky to have my camera with me, sometimes not (like when we were driving in one day and a young bear cub was in the middle of the dirt road as we rounded a bend, missed that photo op), but the majority of time I have been able to drop whatever I was doing to snap a shot or two…or three…or….

Well…..You get the idea.

Here in no particular order, are various critters taken over the course … Read more...

Healthy Blueberry Muffins?

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Deborah

Believe me, it is possible to make healthy, low fat, low sugar muffins. I know you may love your Timmy’s Muffin in the morning, but they are so full of fat (even the so-called ‘low-fat’ ones are not what they are cracked up to be) and sugar, you can literally watch the scale move up after you eat one. After eating one every day for a week, you are pretty much guaranteed to see the ‘Wide Load’ appear on your backside….

I must admit, I had a good time this past summer. Lots of fun in the sun, good food … Read more...

Tomatoes by the BOATLOAD….

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Deborah

I think. Just maybe. I planted too many tomato plants. For one person. Me.

NAH……Impossible….

I have just cleaned off everything from all the plants (both regular and cherry toms) and sorted them by level of ripeness…..

A nice, pretty rainbow of tomatoes gracing my countertop.

The Cherry Tomatoes are representing the colours of Italy…or Mexico even.

I now have lots, and lots, and lots of tomato recipes to look through…. and use.

First up, roasting some more cherry tomatoes for the freezer (they are great as a topping on pizza, or tossed into an omelet).

Once the larger tomatoes … Read more...

A Biscotti Tutorial

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Deborah

Apparently, there is a rumour going around that some people are actually AFRAID to make these wonderful Italian Cookies… Pfft! The word “Biscotti” need not strike fear into the heart of a fledgling or even seasoned Baker. These luscious cookies are so easy to make you will be on your way to becoming a Biscotti Queen (or King) in no time.

The actual making of biscotti cookies is only just a wee bit more time consuming than making regular cookies, and believe me, I have made plenty of “regular cookies” that are HARDER to make than Biscotti (Belgian Cookies come … Read more...

The Incredible Mr. Limpet

Posted on September 6, 2012 by Deborah

Who remembers this movie from 1964? Yes, I am showing my age going back that far….but this was one of Don Knotts best film roles…..even if he does turn into a fish after the first 10 minutes of the movie….

With the assistance of Crusty the Crab, ‘Das Limpet’ (as the Germans named him) seeks out Nazi U-boats for the American Navy to sink in the months leading up to Pearl Harbour. One of Warner Bros. best Live Action/Animation films and is a close second on my all-time list of favourite movies.

I have always liked the live action/animation films … Read more...