In My World

I finally made my first journey to Mackies'   in 2010.  Cameron took us out for lunch.  Here he is getting ready to go. Mackies' food is hot and fresh and service is amazingly quick, especially considering the lineups that exist from May to September.  But there really isn't anything special about it . . . it's just good.  What really cracks me up is that we buy this food so we have something to put all the fabulous condiments on . . . mustard slaw, Mackie's sauce, onions for the hot dogs . . . Mackie's sauce, malt vinegar and salt for the fries.  And, of course, an Orangeade to wash it all down. We went out to the beach after lunch and Hal & Cameron noticed the sea gulls all lined up along the edge of Mackies' roof like Toronto riot police . . . . . . and then they all took flight at once.  I stood in fear as I heard plops hitting the ground all around me . . . I didn't get even one plop on me, than...

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Sea-Shell-Planter-Fine-China-/220628680164?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item335e7e7de4#ht_500wt_1154 http://cgi.ebay.ca/Woods-Ivory-Ware-bowl-/220628693007?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item335e7eb00f#ht_500wt_1154 http://cgi.ebay.ca/Foley-Bone-China-Tea-Cup-and-Saucer-/220628691086?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item335e7ea88e#ht_500wt_1154 http://cgi.ebay.ca/Westbrook-Bone-China-Tea-Cup-and-Saucer-/220628690283?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item335e7ea56b#ht_500wt_1154 http://cgi.ebay.ca/Liling-Fine-China-Tea-Cup-and-Saucer-/220628688858?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item335e7e9fda#ht_500wt_1154 http://cgi.ebay.ca/Castle-China-Tea-Cup-and-Saucer-/220628682809?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item335e7e8839#ht_500wt_1154 http://cgi.ebay.ca/Stanley-Fine-Bone-China-Tea-Cup-and-Saucer-/220628684870?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item335e...

This meal went over so well that Cameron cleaned his plate and Hal actually went back for seconds.  If you know Cameron and Hal you will know that this is nothing short of a miracle. Swedish Meatballs "Kottbullar" (meatballs) is a Swedish dish, traditionally served with boiled potatoes and a "lingonberry sauce", similar to a cranberry sauce.  The spice used here is the berry of a pimiento tree.  It is aptly named "allspice" because it tastes like a combination of spices, mostly cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. 1/2 potato, peeled 2 tsp Italian parsley, fresh, minced 1/4 onion, finely chopped 1 large egg 400 g ground beef, lean 1-1/2 tbsp milk, 2% 1/4 tsp allspice powder 1/4 tsp salt ground pepper to taste 2-1/2 tbsp brown sugar 2 tbsp Dijon mustard 2 tsp apple cider 2 tsp canola oil 2 tsp olive oil Peel the potatoes, boil them until very tender, 20-25 minutes.  Drain well, then put them in a bowl and mash. Mince parsley, add half to t...

Supper was delicious tonight -- we both LOVED it . . . and I love trying new recipes.  Can you tell? Lettuce and Tomato Salad 1 tomato 2/3 curly leaf lettuce 2 radishes 1 green onion Salt and pepper Cut the tomatoes into segments and place them in a salad bowl.  Add lettuce leaves.  Finely slice radish and green onion then add them to the bowl.  Pour in 2 tbsp Classic Vinaigrette.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Toss and serve. Pasta with Sausage and Cauliflower ½ onion, coarsely chopped 1-1/4 cups cauliflower, cut into small florets 1/2 tbsp olive oil 2 Italian sausages ¼ dried chilli peppers, minced ¾ cup chicken broth, warm 2 cups penne rigate or other short pasta Salt and pepper 2 tbsp parmesan Keep the serving dishes in the oven at the lowest setting so they are warm when you serve.  Put a colander in the sink to drain the cooked pasta so that it will be ready when needed.  Prepare vegetables...

I  LOVED, LOVED, LOVED  these recipes and I was sure Hal would too.  Wrong again.  The man likes tomatoes, fruit, rice, curry and he has unwittingly eaten tofu many, many times in Thai food.  But apparently I'm wrong.  He liked the rice and the strawberries . . . sigh . . . well I won't give up!! Tomato Salad with Oregano 2 tomatoes cut into quarters 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Salt & pepper to taste ¾ tsp dried oregano Put all ingredients into a bowl and toss well. Makes 2 servings. Tofu Curry with Fruit ½ onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced ½ apple, peeled and cut into quarters 2 slices canned pineapple, cut into bit-size pieces 1 banana, cut into bite-size pieces 150 g watermelon, cut into bit-size pieces 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp curry powder ½ cup vegetable broth 220 g firm tofu, cut into 1.5 cm cubes ½ tbsp canola oil ¼ cup cream 15% Salt and pepper to taste Heat half of th...

Cam stayed for a sleepover last night so he would be on time for an appointment at the pediatric dentist in London this morning.  He sleeps so well on our little pull-out couch . . . sometimes a little too well.  I had a heck of a time waking him up this morning.  But we managed.  Breakfast was dry cereal eaten as we drove to London. This kid has a mind like a steel trap.  Not only did he point out the building we were going to, he told me I wasn't parking in the right place.  I assured him it was okay to park where I was and that I really did not like parking garages.  That's just one of my eccentricities. The appointment went well, sort of.  The dental assistant installed the spacer without too much fuss from my little friend.  But when she took it out and said she was going to put glue on it and put it back in again, there was a lot of fuss.  When reasoning didn't work, I did my tough grandma routine.  "Now cut that...

When it is warm I want to be outside.  When it is hot I want to stay in the air conditioning.  The humidity of the past couple of days has kept me inside.  But this has also meant I've knocked quite a few chores off my list. I've been working on my family tree and the pile of information to be entered into the family tree program on my computer is beginning to shrink. I've been working on a writing project or two and made great headway there as well. I still have 3 UFO's from years gone by that are coming close to completion -- a tablecloth, a knitting project that must remain nameless because it is going to be a Christmas present, and a cross-stitch of a Thomas Kinkaide painting.  I have taken a vow that I will not start another needlework project until all my UFO's are no longer.  Considering a year ago when I took this pledge I had a closet full of projects, I'm rather pleased with myself.  I have some great yarn purloined from my cousin Kim and...

I spent today madly scratching chores off my list.  I love lists.  I especially love crossing things off the list.  It makes me feel like I've accomplished something. Do you recognize the layout, Mom?  This is one of your Thirty-Minute Layout classes.  I love how it turned out. Believe it or not, scrapbooking is on my list.  Otherwise there are a lot of days I might not make time for it . . , and scrapbooking is what keeps me sane some days.  I'm really quite far behind . . . I'm scrapping July 2008 photos.  I haven't even printed off any photos since January 2009.  I just keep taking photos and storing them for some future date. Don't faint, Connie, but I'm gonna try and make my Chia pet work.  For those of you who haven't heard, I do not have a green thumb.  I killed my Chia pet the first time I tried to make it grow.  Wish me luck with attempt #2.

Two years ago we packed up a borrowed motorhome with 4 children and lots of food and hit the road . . . The photos in this layout are of Hal & the kids playing in the splash pad at Mitchell's Bay, ON. Everything but the background cardstock came from a page kit swap hosted by Melissa L.  I loved every kit I received and immediately signed up for the next swap.

Yes, amongst other things, I actually scrapbooked a layout today.  Okay, so it is from a kit.  But it was a lot of work.  The photos are some random snapshots, mostly taken by my grandsons, Austin and Taylor.  Thanks for looking.

I made this recipe for Judy's 13th birthday party.  Deb is actually tossing the salad in this photo.  The only change I made to the recipe is that I added the cooked rhubarb into the salad dressing rather than on the salad greens and the greens I used was baby spinach. 4 stalks rhubarb, cut diagonally into thin slices 1/4 cup sugar 2 tbsp red wine vinegar salt and pepper to taste 16-20 spinach leaves 6 tbsp. vegetable oil Place the rhubarb in a wide saucepan.  Sprinkle on the sugar and add enough water to cover by 1".  Place over high heat and bring to a boil.  Cook, uncovered, for exactly 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and pour through a large sieve into a bowl.  Return the liquid to the pan.  Stir in the vinegar, salt and pepper, and place over high heat.  Cook, uncovered, until the mixture is reduced to 1/2 cup.  Meanwhile, divide the spinach among 4 salad plates.  Arrange the rhubarb over the spinach.  Wh...

I spent this afternoon at Pinafore park with a long lost friend . . . we figured out that the last time we saw each other was about 25 years ago . . . We talked and talked and talked and talked . . . it was wonderful . . .

. . . it breaks up the boredom of loooooooooong car rides. My youngest son was home for the weekend to see his nephews (my grandsons) win GOLD in each of their divisions at the Ashley & Stephanie Daubs Memorial 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. We drove him back to Toronto on Monday (2-1/2 hours each way). To break up the trip we decided to pick up 401 Eastbound - Cambridge: Sniff or Quack? on the way to Toronto. My son, Tim . . . found a lake and trails where we never would have expected . . . and found the box . . . after a serious debate about willows . . . Our friend, Cailyn . . . playing Camera War!! After taking Tim home to Toronto, unloading the van, having supper (canned spaghetti and honey combs for dessert), installing an air conditioner, watching Tim wash dishes and clean (yes, I am still recovering from the shock), we headed for home. We wanted to pick up another Cambridge box before dark -- 401 Westbound - Cambridge: Dawn of the Commute . Unfortunately, canned s...