Thursday, December 31, 2020

101 Interesting Facts About Canada ~ Canada Has More Donut Shops Per Capita Than Any Other Country

 Canada has the highest number of donut shops per capita in the world followed by Japan. Canada has about five times more donut shops per capita than the United States. The industry started expanding during the early 1990s when various franchise chains started opening branches all over the country.

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/which-country-has-the-most-donut-shops-per-capita.html#:~:text=Canada%20has%20the%20highest%20number,branches%20all%20over%20the%20country.

Journal Prompt 31 Dec 2020 ~ 3 things to save

 If you had to evacuate your home because of a natural disaster, what three things would you take with you?


1.  my external hard drive with all my photos on it

2.  my purse with all my id

3.  the cats (technically 2 things but they are hard to tell apart)


https://daringtolivefully.com/journal-prompts

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Food Food Food ~ Pickles

 Who doesn't love a delicious briny salty crunchy pickle?



My cousin Kim sent me this recipe a few years ago.  https://inmyworld-pam.blogspot.com/2016/07/pickled-asparagus.html

I'm not really sure what happened to the rest of my pickle recipes.  I used to make so many kinds in my younger days.  There would be jars and crock pots lined up along the countertop.  With just the two of us now it is just easier to buy a jar at the grocery store.

Journal Prompt 30 Dec 2020 ~ Relationship 3s

 Three things you want in a relationship.





Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Monday, December 28, 2020

Book Review: Clutter Rehab by Laura Wittman


I read this book recently and have to say it was rather fun.  The tips and tricks are pretty much common sense but I suppose not everyone has that.  What enjoyed most about the book was the kick start she gave me to step up my organizing and get rid of even more clutter.  I recommend this book highly for the unmotivated or beginning organizer.

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Canadian Music ~ Andy Shauf



Andy Shauf is a Canadian singer-songwriter from Regina, Saskatchewan. He plays several instruments, including clarinet.  

Shauf was a drummer in the Christian pop punk band Captain until 2006.  He released his debut album, Darker Days, in 2009, and followed up with the EPs Waiting for the Sun to Leave (2010) and Sam Jones Feeds His Demons (2012).  He released the album The Bearer of Bad News independently in 2012. The album was re-released in 2015 on Tender Loving Empire and Party Damage Records.  

In 2015, Shauf signed to Arts & Crafts Productions in Canada and ANTI- internationally, releasing the non-album single "Jenny Come Home" as his first release on both labels. "Jenny Come Home" was Shauf's breakthrough on Canadian radio, charting on both CBC Radio 2's Radio 2 Top 20 and CBC Radio 3.

In 2018 Shauf recorded an album with D.A. Kissick, Avery Kissick and Dallas Bryson, under the band name Foxwarren. The album was released on 30 November 2018, and received a Juno Award nomination for Alternative Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2020.

On 23 October 2019, Shauf announced that a new album, The Neon Skyline, would be released 24 January 2020. A single, "Things I Do," was released the same day. After the release of The Neon Skyline, President Barack Obama featured the title track on his 2020 summer playlist. Commenting on this honor, Shauf stated, "It’s cool to think that Obama, or the Obamas together, have listened to my music. It’s a really nice feeling to think my music has gone that far."





Saturday, December 26, 2020

Scrapbooking Challenge ~ Everything Old is New Again

Here's a new challenge for you.  My friend and I were going through some old magazines and reminiscing about some older tools and techniques that we just don't seem to do any more.  Embossing, chalking, eyelets, deco squares were just a few of the things we saw and remembered fondly.  I'm planning on having some fun with some old techniques.  I challenge you to do the same . . . and I'd love to see what you come up with.



Friday, December 25, 2020

Thursday, December 24, 2020

101 Interesting Facts About Canada ~ Coastline

Did you know that Canada has the longest coastline of any country in the world?




According to Stats Canada:   Canada's coastline is the world's longest, measuring 243,042 km (includes the mainland coast and the coasts of offshore islands). This compares with Indonesia (54,716 km), Russia (37,653 km), the United States (19,924 km) and China (14,500 km).

Measuring coastlines can be quite controversial.  "Calculating an accurate coastline measurement can be difficult for researchers. This phenomenon is known as the coastline paradox, which posits that coastlines are difficult to measure due to their irregular shapes. In other words, a coastline length will vary based on the manner in which it was measured. When measuring irregular shapes, most researchers use a straight line from one point to the next. If that straight line is longer, the final measurement will be shorter because it does not take into account certain physical characteristics of the coastline. In contrast, the shorter the straight line, the longer the final measurement. This phenomenon is perhaps best illustrated with the measurement of the British Columbia province in Canada. Because of its many inlets and jutting coastal features, this coastline alone technically makes up 10% of the entire coast of Canada at 15,985 miles in length.

"The coastline paradox also serves to explain why two major sources of global information, the World Resources Institute, and the World Factbook, have such varied measurements of the coastline of Canada. The World Resources Institute reports a length of 164,988 miles, while the World Factbook reports a measurement of 125,566 miles." World Atlas


Journal Prompt 24 Dec 2020 ~ Three Things

Three things you can’t go without.


Idea from https://daringtolivefully.com/journal-prompts

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Journal Prompt 22 Dec 2020 ~ Little Memories

Write about, think about, share if you wish, a few little memories from this week that made you smile that you might have otherwise forgotten.









Sunday, December 20, 2020

Canadian Music ~ Andy Kim

 Yay!  A Canadian musician I know . . . 



Andrew Youakim, performing as Andy Kim, is a Canadian pop rock singer and songwriter. He grew up in Montreal, Quebec. He is known for hits that he released in the late 1960s and 1970s: the international hit "Baby, I Love You" in 1969, and "Rock Me Gently", which topped the US singles chart in 1974. He co-wrote "Sugar, Sugar" in 1968 and sang on the recording as part of the Archies; it was #1 for four weeks and was "Record of the Year" for 1969.

He has recorded under the stage name Baron Longfellow since the mid-1980s or just as Longfellow in the early 1990s. He continues to perform under his original recording name of Andy Kim.





Saturday, December 19, 2020

Album in an Afternoon

Since I began scrapbooking 20+ years ago I have often been asked to make an album for someone as if I could just whip one together at a moments notice.

Now I can . . .


Get your copy at https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/afreshstart.  Also available is a black & white edition.

Friday, December 18, 2020

Journal Prompt 18 Dec 2020 ~ Hobbies?

 We all love to talk about our favourite hobbies but I have a bit of a different hobby-related prompt today.

What hobbies do you wish you wanted to do more often?



Thursday, December 17, 2020

101 Interesting Facts About Canada ~ Ogopogo

 Did you know that Canada has a Lake Monster called Ogopogo?


And here's an article that will tell you pretty much everything you've ever wanted to know about our Canadian "monster".



Monday, December 14, 2020

Journal Prompt 14 Dec 2020 ~ Nicknames

What nicknames have people called you that did not offend you?


Duchess of Design and Anything for a Party Pam . . . LOL . . . 

Scrapbooking Sketches for that ONE PERFECT PHOTO

I began scrapbooking soon after the birth of my first grandson 22 years ago. I've been teaching scrapbooking for 15 years. And for the past 10 years I have been designing sketches . . . 

. . . and my newest sketch book is ready to purchase.

I'm particularly pleased with this sketchbook because I've left room on each sketch for notes and measurements AND I've even left some room for your own favourite sketches to be drawn out.

INTRODUCING . . . 


Every once in a while you take that perfect photo. The lighting is perfect. The subject is perfect. It tells the whole wonderful story you were trying to capture. This special photo needs to be scrapbooked with special care. It deserves a thoughtful and appropriate frame and embellishment. This workbook is filled with single photo layouts you can use them for inspiration. If you like the entire layout idea than copy it. But perhaps just one or two things about a layout inspire you. Use those ideas to showcase your special photo. I’m leaving you lots of room to scribble notes and measurements and ideas all over these pages. Enjoy!

https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/pam-hedden/scrapbooking-sketches-for-that-one-perfect-photo/paperback/product-g9jw8k.html

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Canadian Music ~ Andrea Menard




From https://andreamenard.com/thesinger

Andrea Menard is a versatile, powerhouse performer who bridges cultural and language boundaries by speaking from her heart. Andrea’s voice is lyrical, raw, and reminiscent of the jazz and blues singers of the 1940's, yet captures the depth, humour and wisdom of her ancestors. She has released four award-winning albums and two made-for-television programs, debuted her own symphony show, spearheaded a positive music initiative called the Music Messengers, and has performed all over the world. This Métis Song Keeper has created life-long fans with her songs, her stories, and her message of hope.

Most of Andrea’s work can be described as a collection of uplifting songs about beauty, unity, love and remembrance. Honouring her lineage as a Song Keeper, Andrea uses her music to bring a positive message to the world. Music truly is a universal messenger that translates love into any language. With long-time producer and co-writer, Robert Walsh, Andrea creates music this is relevant to her Indigenous community and inspiring to all the tribes of humanity.



Saturday, December 12, 2020

Scrapbook Album in One Day



Creating a 20-page album may seem like an intimidating proposition but it is possible . . .
. . . and I'm going to show you how. By using the instructions in this book you will be able to make a 20 page 12" x 12" scrapbooking album that will be perfect for whatever you need it to be.

Also available in Large Print and Black & White versions.  

Thursday, December 10, 2020

101 Interesting Facts About Canada ~ The Olympics

Did you know that Canada has hosted the Olympics THREE times?



Canada hosted the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, and the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Here's an interesting news article from 2015 . . . Canada's History of Hosting Olympic Games.

If you would like to learn more check out The Canada Guide: Canada and the Olympics.

Journal Prompt 10 Dec 2020 ~ I Spy

 Who would you watch if you could legally spy on one person for a day?



Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Journal Prompt 9 Dec 2020 ~ Gifts

 What gifts would you appreciate more than expensive jewelry?



Food Food Food ~ Spaghetti Pie ???

What the heck is spaghetti pie? I better Google it.


"Spaghetti pie is the perfect dish for a kid friendly weeknight dinner or to serve to a group of hungry guests. This spaghetti pie recipe pulls together all of the best aspects of a comforting Italian classic – pasta – cheese, a zesty meat sauce, and more cheese! Serve with a green salad tossed with Italian vinaigrette dressing and a loaf of warm garlic bread. After all, when it comes to spaghetti pie, it’s all about no fuss basics!"

Spaghetti Pie

PREP TIME 30 minutes
COOK TIME 30 minutes
TOTAL TIME 1 hour
SERVINGS 6 servings
AUTHOR Holly Nilsson

This spaghetti pie recipe pulls together all of the best aspects of this Italian classic - pasta - cheese, meat sauce, and more cheese!

Ingredients

1 cup mozzarella cheese

Spaghetti Crust
6 ounces spaghetti
2 tablespoons butter
2 eggs
½ cup Parmesan cheese

Cheese Layer
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons parsley
½ teaspoon dried basil or 1 tablespoon fresh

Meat Sauce
1 pound ground beef
½ small onion diced
14 ounces tomatoes diced, drained
2 cups pasta sauce

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cook spaghetti and drain. Toss with butter. Stir in eggs and parmesan cheese.
Place spaghetti in a greased deep dish pie plate. Press to form a crust.
Combine ricotta cheese, parsley and basil. Spread mixture over spaghetti.
Brown beef and onion until no pink remains. Drain any fat. Add tomatoes and pasta sauce. Simmer 10 minutes or until thickened. Spread over ricotta cheese.
Bake 20-25 minutes. Top with mozzarella and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cool 10 minutes before serving.


Monday, December 7, 2020

Journal Prompt 7 Dec 2020 ~ Game Show Prizes

 What prizes would you most like to win on a game show . . . besides money?


I would like an motorhome . . . just a small one.  And the money.

Book Review: Deadly Women of Ontario (2011)



The first woman hanged in Upper Canada was Mary Osborn, was executed for poisoning her disappointing husband because she was in love with another man.

Angelina Napolitano, an Italian immigrant living in Sault Ste. Marie, hacked her abusive husband to death with an axe.

Carrie Davis, a young English servant in World War I Toronto, shot her employer because she was convinced he had “ruined” her.

Deadly Women of Ontario recalls eight notorious women from Ontario’s past.  Author Cheryl MacDonald presents eight dramatic cases, sharing the details of everyday life in another time, a time when justice was actually quite chivalrous. During this gentler time some women were actually able to get away with murder and escape the hangman’s noose. Not always, but sometimes.

The writing in this book is a little dry but never boring.  Of course, it could just be the tales themselves that are never boring.

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Canadian Music ~ Andrea Lewis

 


According to Wikipedia, Andrea Desiree Lewis (born August 15, 1985) is a Canadian actress and singer best known for her portrayal of Hazel Aden in the long-running TV series Degrassi: The Next Generation.  On September 20, 2005, her first album, Float Away, was released in Canada only. On October 10, 2010, Lewis released a second album, 5-4-3-2-1, free via her website.



Friday, December 4, 2020

Journal Prompt 4 Dec 2020 ~ Six Words

Describe your life or current situation using exactly six words. 


I'm only 18 days behind schedule.

Thursday, December 3, 2020

101 Interesting Facts About Canada ~ Canada's Renewable Water Supply

I knew we had a lot of water but I did not know that Canada has 9% of the world's renewable water supply.  


Overall, Canada may be considered a freshwater-rich country: on an average annual basis, Canadian rivers discharge close to 9% of the world's renewable water supply, while Canada has less than 1% of the world's population. Water is also highly visible in Canada: probably no country in the world has as much of its surface area covered by freshwater as does Canada. Of particular note are the Great Lakes. This set of lakes, which is shared with the United States, makes up the largest surface area of freshwater found in one place anywhere in the world.

https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/maps-tools-publications/tools/geodetic-reference-systems/water/16888

Canada is richly endowed with non-renewable and renewable freshwater resources. With 563 large lakes across the country, Canada has more lakes than any other country in the world, giving us an impressive non-renewable water supply. The Great Lakes, which are shared between Canada and the United States, are the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world and account for 18 per cent of the global stock of fresh surface water.

Canada has the third-largest renewable freshwater supply in the world, with an average annual flow of 3,478 cubic kilometres (km3) between 1971 and 2013. This works out to more than 100,000 cubic metres (m3) per person, the second-largest amount among developed countries behind only Iceland.

However, while abundant, Canada’s freshwater resources are not evenly distributed across the country. Much of Canada’s fresh water drains northward into the Arctic Ocean and Hudson Bay, limiting its availability along the country’s southern border where the majority of the population resides. Specifically, only 38 per cent of Canada’s renewable freshwater supply is located in the southern portion of the country. Nonetheless, Canadians consume only a small fraction (about one per cent) of the water supply annually available.


https://www.fraserinstitute.org/blogs/canada-is-richly-endowed-with-freshwater-resources

Journal Prompt 3 Dec 2020 ~ Christmas Wish List

A few years ago my dear friend Deb shared this little questionnaire with me. I've used it for several years now and it has been so handy when I am trying to think of Christmas presents for everyone.  I actually take all the answers and put them into an Excel Chart and tuck it in my purse when I'm shopping.

So here are the questions . . . 

Name:

My favourite colour is
My favourite flavour of pop is
My favourite cookie is
My favourite chocolate bar is
My favourite candy is
My favourite kool-aid is
My favourite music is
My favourite store is
My favourite animal is
In my spare time I like to
My favourite author/book is
If I could have any magazine
When I do crafts I always run out of
From the dollar store I want
When I am outside I like to
I would like to replace my broken
If someone had $1 million I would like
Christmas is not Christmas without me getting
My favourite meal is
My favourite restaurant is
My favourite homemade dessert
My favourite cereal is
A gift from a grocery or corner store
A gift for the bathroom
A gift for the bedroom
A gift for the kitchen
A gift for the vehicle
A gift for the closet
Homemade things I would like
I like gift cards from
Make a donation to

I bribe everyone to get them to fill out these forms at Thanksgiving.  No dessert until your wish list is done!!





How would you fill out this wish list?

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Journal Prompt 2 Dec 2020 ~ It's No Picnic!



The last places in the world you would want to have a romantic picnic are . . .

Food Food Food ~ Quiche

 You may have heard me mention that my husband is a VERY fussy eater . . . sigh.  Quiche was on his no try list until the day I made a couple for a brunch and he found out it was just fancy scrambled eggs . . . cue more sighing.



I love quiche because they are so versatile.  You can add basically whatever you have in the fridge, bake it, and enjoy.

Here are a few of my favourite recipes:

Simplified No-crust Quiche

Mini Veggie Quiches

Quiche Lorraine

Crustless Spinach, Onion, and Feta Quiche

Worried about a fussy eater?  Hal will eat all of these . . . 

Enjoy!!

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Journal Prompt 1 Dec 2020 ~ Money

What would you do if money were no object?




If money were no object, I know exactly what I would do.  TRAVEL!!!  Everywhere!!!

I want to go to Europe, Australia, Iceland . . . 

I want to travel by plane, train, ship . . . 

And I would write stories about my adventures.