Monday, August 31, 2015

Six Word Saturday Even Though It Is Monday

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2014

Six Word Saturday

Describe your life or current situation using exactly six words.


I know I'm alive.  Everything hurts.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Baby Deer

I am playing with the Creative Sketches August Sketch challenge 2015. I really had fun working this amazing sketch.


The Corny Conductor

The conductor on the Port Stanley Terminal Rail train was very amusing . . . unless you are a very grown up 7-year-old.  I used these funny photos on a layout created using a sketch from ScrapMuch?


A two-page sketch challenge . . .

Three sketch challenges in one blog post!  What could be better than that?  I chose to do the two page layout posted on the Stick It Down Blog.  Here's my interpretation of this excellent but simple sketch . . . 


Friday, August 28, 2015

Shoes

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2014

One Word Wednesday: Shoes

Yeah, I'm playing around with some different kinds of weekly prompts.  That's your prompt for today.  Shoes.


I really don't think I have too many shoes.  In fact, I think I don't have enough.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Stuck Sketch Challenge for August

It has been a great week for sketch challenges in my studio.  Sketch challenges equal lots of scrapbooking going on.  Scrapbooking makes me happy.  This August 15 challenge sketch on the Stuck blog also makes me happy.

Here is my take on the challenge:


Creating with Paper & More Word Challenge

Creating with Paper & More blog had an August Word Challenge and here is what I came up with using the word brothers . . . 


Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Voting

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2014

Today's Writing Prompt: Voting

We're getting into voting season, judging by the number of fliers and door knockers showing up on my porch.

Why do you think it is that some people don't vote?



I just don't understand it . . . but here is why I believe people do not vote . . . 

1.  Lazy or apathetic or they don't believe their vote matters.
2.  Would rather watch The Bachelorette than learn what the issues are.
3.  They believe that not voting is a form of protest.
4.  Don't understand that it is a matter of civic responsibility.

That's all I got . . . and they are all dumb excuses.

Sketch Challenge from ScrapMuch?

No you are not seeing double.  The colour scheme and theme for this layout was from Scrap Around the World . . . 

But the sketch is from the ScrapMuch? blog.  I have not seen a sketch from them that I haven't loved yet.

So here is my Paradise layout again.


Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Mood Board Inspiration by Scrap Around the World

The minute I saw the mood board on Scrap Around the World's blog this month, I knew what photos I was going to scrapbook.


You can't go on the beach with your shoes and socks on . . . LOL . . . 

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Sketch-y Friday with a great sketch from ScrapMuch?

I really enjoyed working with the sketch from the ScrapMuch? blog.  

I also loved this day and spending time with two of my favourite grandsons.


Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Grated Carrot Salad

Grated Carrot Salad



2 servings

Preparation 5 min
100 calories per serving

2 carrots 200 g
** 4 tsp Classic Vinaigrette (Recipe) 20 mL
2 tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed 1/4 lemon
1 pinch salt [optional] 0.1 g
ground pepper to taste

Method

Peel the carrots, then shred them using a large-holed grater. Put them in a third bowl. Pour the Classic Vinaigrette over the carrots, add the lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
Serve.
** I substituted a low-calorie balsamic dressing.

Warm Quinoa and Arugula Salad

Warm Quinoa and Arugula Salad



2 servings

Preparation 10 min 
Cooking 15 min
420 calories per serving 

3/4 cup quinoa 140 g 
1 1/2 cup water 375 mL 
1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 23 mL 
2 tsp lemon 1/4 lemon 
2/3 bunch arugula 100 g 
3 tbsp fresh mint, chopped 9 g 
1 pinch salt [optional] 0.1 g 
ground pepper to taste 
60 g feta cheese, light, cut into small cubes 

You may serve this salad warm or at room temperature.

Method

Cook the quinoa in the water.
Meanwhile, clean the arugula, chop the mint, then put them in a salad bowl. Pour the oil and lemon juice in a small bowl, add salt and pepper, then beat using a fork until the mixture is well emulsified.
Add the quinoa to the salad bowl. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad then toss well. Add the Feta cheese,adjust the seasoning, then serve.

Japanese-Style Chicken Skewers

Japanese-Style Chicken Skewers



2 servings

Marinade 1 h
Preparation 15 min
Cooking 10 min
190 calories per serving

1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 dried chili peppers, minced 0.4 g
1/2 tsp coriander seeds, coarsely ground 1 g
1/2 tsp ground cumin 2 g
ground pepper to taste
1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce, low-sodium 23 mL
2 tbsp white wine 30 mL
1/2 tsp sesame seed oil 2.5 mL
2 tsp honey 14 g
1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed 1/2 lemon
4 chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into 2-2,5 cm pieces 260 g
1 3/4 tsp sesame seeds 5 g

Metal skewers are needed for cooking.

Marinate
Mince the garlic and chili pepper, then put them in a bowl. Coarsely grind the coriander seeds and add them to the bowl. Add the cumin, ground pepper, soy sauce, white wine, sesame oil, honey, and lemon juice. Cut the chicken into 2 to 2,5 cm pieces and put them in the marinade, mix well, cover, and let stand in the refrigerator at least 1 h.

Grill outdoor or in the oven
When ready to cook, place the chicken pieces on to metal skewers. Cook on a medium grill for about 6-8 min until the pieces are nicely coloured, turning the skewers a couple of times. Alternatively, put the skewers on a baking sheet under a preheated broiler 7-10 cm from the heat for about 6-8 min, turning the skewers a few times.
Meanwhile, put the sesame seeds in a small pan and heat over medium heat a few minutes, with some stirring, until lightly coloured.
When the chicken is ready, sprinkle with the grilled sesame seeds, then serve.

Monday, August 17, 2015

Recipe: Red Pepper Ratatouille

Red Pepper Ratatouille



2 servings

Preparation 10 min
Cooking 20 min
120 calories per serving

1 yellow or red sweet peppers, cut into 2 cm-wide strips
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 onions, finely chopped
3/4 cup canned tomatoes (diced)
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 pinch salt [optional]
ground pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook the garlic and onion 4-5 min until lightly coloured and soft, paying attention not to let them burn.

Prepare the peppers: Cut them lengthwise into 2 cm strips. Sauté 4-5 min, then add the tomatoes.
Cook over low heat, covered, 15-20 min until the peppers are soft. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Sunday, August 16, 2015

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) ~m

A while back I took a "quiz" on Facebook to determine how many of the top 250 movies of all time. I had actually seen. I scored 100 out of the 250 movies that were listed. If I was unsure about seeing a movie I didn't check it off so my score could possibly be much higher.

And then I started thinking that perhaps instead of binge watching old TV series I should binge watch movies. I decided just to take on the top 100 movies for a starter. Now I'm very sure I am going to agree with quite a few of the entries on this list but I already know I'm going to argue about a few as well.

So here is #21 of the top 100 Movies of all time according to IMDB:

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)



This is one of my favourite scenes from the movie.  I had seen One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest many many many years ago so I decided to give it another go.  I think even more of it now than I originally did.  



Jack Nicholson plays McMurphy, who wrangled a trip from the prison farm to a mental institution for an assesment.  McMurphy was sure he would have an easier time finishing out his sentence at the hospital.  I'm not going to state that McMurphy was or was not mentally ill when he arrived but, because of his rebellious behaviour, he was treated as ill.  The end of the movie was so sad and yet so powerful.  It does not surprise me that this movie won so many awards.

Academy Awards, USA 1976

Won
Oscar
Best Picture
Saul Zaentz
Michael Douglas
'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' became the first film in 41 years to sweep the major categories ... More
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Jack Nicholson 
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Louise Fletcher 
Best Director
Milos Forman 
Best Writing, Screenplay Adapted From Other Material
Lawrence Hauben
Bo Goldman 
Nominated
Oscar
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Brad Dourif 
Best Cinematography
Haskell Wexler
Bill Butler 
Best Film Editing
Richard Chew
Lynzee Klingman
Sheldon Kahn 
Best Music, Original Dramatic Score
Jack Nitzsche 

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Six Word Saturday

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2014

Six Word Saturday

Describe your life or current situation using exactly six words.


Sometime you have to let go.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Stuck?! August 1st scrapbooking challenge . . .

You know how much I love to do challenges.  I took this challenge from Stuck?! and ended up with a two page layout of my "niece's" birthday in 2012.

Here is the original challenge:  http://stucksketches.blogspot.ca/2015/08/august-1-2015-sketch-challenge.html

And here is my layout:


I like that I was able to keep so many photos in a simple style and used two of my paper piecings for embellishment.  You can see the birthday cake at http://inmyworld-pam.blogspot.ca/2015/06/paper-piecing-birthday-cake-2.html and the bow at http://inmyworld-pam.blogspot.ca/2015/07/paper-piecing-bow-1.html

Coupons

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

Today's Writing Prompt: Coupons

Have you ever purchased a deal online, like via Groupon? What was it for?


I've actually used Groupon a few times and have always had a very positive experience with them.  Here are a few of our experiences:





Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Scars

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

Today's Writing Prompt: Scars

What sorts of serious injuries did you ever do to yourself as a child? Do you carry any scars from your childhood adventures today?



Saturday, August 8, 2015

Six Word Saturday . . . on Saturday.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2014

Six Word Saturday

Describe your life or current situation using exactly six words.


It's Saturday and Hal's finally home.

Friday, August 7, 2015

Books

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2014

Today's Writing Prompt: Books

What was the last book you read?



I love to read.  If I'm going to be waiting anywhere I tuck my Kobo mini in my purse.  I read every night before I go to bed.  I find that really relaxing . . . unless the book is too exciting or mysterious or whatever and then I end up reading half the night.

I just finished reading Black Silk by Judith Ivory.  I will, obviously, be blogging a book review about it at some point.  In the mean time, let me just say it was light reading.  Perfect summer on the deck reading.  A little far fetched characters.  But fun and a happy ending!  And isn't that all that matters.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Letters

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

Today's Writing Prompt: Letters

When was the last time you sent (or received) a hand-written letter?


I actually send and receive handwritten letters all the time.  I've always had at least one pen pal since I was in elementary school.  I really enjoy receiving something in the mail that isn't a bill.  Right now I write to several women all over the world and enjoying the process of reading their letter, learning about their world and writing back and sharing a bit of My World with them.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Six Word Saturday . . . on Tuesday

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

Six Word Saturday

Describe your life or current situation using exactly six words.





Very busy for the foreseeable future

Monday, August 3, 2015

Religion

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

Today's Writing Prompt: Religion

Do you feel that religion has a place in today's society?


I'm not going to answer this question.  I have some thoughts but I'm sure enough to share them.  If you would like to have a discussion on this topic you should check out this site.  http://www.debate.org/opinions/does-religion-play-a-vital-role-in-modern-societies

Sunday, August 2, 2015

GrandDiva's sketch challenge . . .

I decided my next sketch challenge would be the August 2015 sketch at GrandDiva's Creative Corner.  It seemed a little tricky . . . but what's a challenge if there isn't a little bit of tricky?

You can see the original sketch here.

And here is my finished layout . . . 


Saturday, August 1, 2015

ARTastic Challenge . . .

This is the first time I've visited the ARTastic blog and I have to say I really like it.  Check it out.  

The challenge:  "this month our CRITERIA is all about the background - use stencils, gesso, paint, ink, texture ... whatever you want to make those backgrounds a feature of your page."

And here is my page:


ARTastic Challenge . . .

This is the first time I've visited the ARTastic blog and I have to say I really like it.  Check it out.  

The challenge:  "this month our CRITERIA is all about the background - use stencils, gesso, paint, ink, texture ... whatever you want to make those backgrounds a feature of your page."

And here is my page:


Boys Rule Scrapbook Kits . . . sketch challenge.

Every year at Scrapfest Kitchener I ask Boys Rule Scrapbook Kits for basketball themed products and they never disappoint.  You would be amazed how hard it is to find good boy-themed products especially basketball.

I love their July 15 sketch challenge.

And here is my take on that sketch . . .