I went on Vacation! A Technology Vacation!

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Deborah

I hate technology. Yes, a lot of good things have come from the technological era that has blossomed the past 20+ years. But with that technology comes unexpected, without warning ISSUES that are of course, a major PITA that you have ZERO control over. And for a control freak, that is NOT good news.

Last Friday, I was minding my own business, creating a new blog post and my son (who is my web master) was busy creating and building an email interface for the site when all of sudden….poof….we were no longer able to access the site (on his … Read more...

Chiles Rellenos….Meets a Jalapeño Popper

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Deborah

How many things have been invented over the years that have actually come about from either a mistake, or the crazy notion that putting two seemingly oddball things together just might be the next best thing since the day someone dunked a hunk of chocolate in a jar of peanut butter.

I had that revelation today after heading out to the garden and picking the first 2 Poblano Peppers that were ready, and as I looked at the Poblanos, dinner popped into mind.

Chiles Rellenos – Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Chiles Rellenos (pronounced Chi-leys Rey-yeh-nos) are an extremely popular Mexican … Read more...

If I could raise chickens…..

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Deborah

I would have plenty of fresh eggs every day. Fresh eggs are amazing. You know where they came from and exactly how old they are. Something you have no idea about with the ones purchased in the store.

I would have fresh eggs for breakfast, eggs for baking my world famous chocolate chip cookies, or cakes and breads, making egg salad sandwiches, quiches and custards and of course, eggs for dying at Easter time.

But I don’t have any chickens. Mainly because the city where I live would most certainly throw a hissy fit and demand their removal. They … Read more...

Garden Harvest # 1…Peppers, Tomatoes, Garlic…and what is that in my pool?

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Deborah

I arrived home yesterday to a mini-bounty of vegetable goodies after being up at the Homestead for almost 2 weeks. Usually when I have to leave the Homestead, I drag myself to my car kicking and screaming (not easy to do and the neighbours look at me funny) and then I proceed to pout for the entire 3+ hour drive. I am not kidding, its true. Happens every week. I can’t help myself.

But yesterday I was actually a little… just a *little* excited about coming home. Because I knew after such a long absence, there would be beautiful, colourful … Read more...

Heirloom Pickerel Dinner

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Deborah

Our family loves to eat this tasty freshwater fish. So much so that we eagerly await opening season in May and head out to *try* and catch dinner. Sometimes we come back empty handed and therefore resort to cooking hamburgers for dinner, and of course sulk the entire time we are eating.

But when we are able to bring back some of these tasty morsels of the fish world, we are like kids at Christmas time. Absolutely and positively excited about the dinner that is soon to hit the table.

This recipe is from my husband’s grandmother. I was introduced … Read more...

Pickerel or Walleye….

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Deborah

They are called by either name depending on what side of the border you are on. Canadians call them Pickerel. Americans call them Walleye. I call them DEE-LISH on my plate. With a squeeze of lemon for good measure.

They are a freshwater fish with firm, white flesh and have been made famous by many a fishing show shorelunch excursion. Italo…eat your heart out.

Catching a stringer full of pickerel is THE BOMB.

Yummy. Yummy. In my Tummy.

Depending on what lakes you visit in Ontario, there are limits as to how many you can catch/have in your possession at … Read more...

Summer in the North

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Deborah

Always a beautiful day at the Homestead.

Wishing everyone a safe and fun summer!

Organizing a Home Office

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Deborah

Is organizing your home office space high on your Resolutions List for this year? Yes, I know that we are well into July, but it is even more imperative that you stop procrastinating (or lounging pool-side) and get the job done now before it’s time to make next Year’s Resolutions.

Organizing a home office isn’t as daunting when you have the tools and know-how to overcome your clutter.

Did you know that 50% of all households have at least one member of the family that works from home or has a home office space? and that being productive is a

Orzo….ORZO….

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Deborah

OOOORRRZZZOOOO…. I love saying the word ORZO. It kinda rolls off the tongue and sounds cool. Maybe Ferrari should create a new car and call it Orzo. I would buy one. I bet a lot of people would.

Orzo is a small pasta. The word Orzo is actually Italian for ‘Barley’. It is shaped like a grain of Rice or kernel of Barley, only larger. It has gained it’s fame over the years from being included in numerous Italian soup, casserole and side dish recipes.

It is the star of an Orzo with Parmesan and Sun-Dried Tomatoes. It has … Read more...

Drying Herbs

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Deborah

Herbs….Herbage…Herbaciousness….are fantastic for livening up your culinary experiments in the kitchen, whether they are fresh, dried or even fresh/frozen.

Most people use dried herbs purchased in dusty little glass bottles that have been sitting on a store shelf since at least 1982 and cost as much as a small car. These are *ok*, if you like blandness in your food that is. As opposed to the smack-in-the-face whiff of fresh or freshly dried herbs that makes your nose happy to be first in line to smell the wonderful aromas coming from your stockpot.

I have been growing and using fresh … Read more...