Happy Halloween 2021!

Wishing you a Happy Halloween! This is a neighbourhood house all decorated. 

 

Uh Oh

 Every year at this time these wild mushrooms sprout in my backyard.  My sister had gone on a day trip to a conservation park and commented on the wild mushrooms she saw there.  I told her there were plenty in our yards!  We never eat them of course.

And uh oh, I have started on the Halloween candy!

Paint Party Friday - Fall Vignette

Welcome to Paint Party Friday.  Sharing a Fall Vignette ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") inspired by a photo I saw on a McDonald's ad.  It was for a french vanilla latte.  Happy Halloween when it comes! 

Rain's Thursday Art Date- Villains

 Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date's 'Villains' theme.  I chose to do an evil and 'wicked witch' ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2").  Although the older I get, she doesn't seem quite so villainous these days, haha.

So maybe this evil snake would be a better villain:

Happy Halloween when it comes!

Meme Wednesday

 

Chinese Turnips

My neighbour plucked these Chinese turnips out of his garden and gave them to me the other day.  They don't come fresher than that!  His small grandchildren told husband M they would be stopping by for candy on Halloween.  It made me realize I should have some handy.  They will just be going to a friend's place as well, not too many stops this year.

I see that I have made pickles out of these turnips in the past, but they can be cooked as a vegetable too.
 

Annual Flowers

 

These annual flowers I got from a free packet of seeds this spring have done so well in my planters.

I will have to get another packet next spring, or at least some Cosmos and Zinnias.  Over the years I have just used care free perennials but annual flowers do have their charm.  You just have to ensure they are kept well watered, in the pots anyway.  My cousin suggested that these flowers may even reseed themselves too.

In other news we turned the heater on a few days ago, it is getting cold.

Mexican Street Corn

 I am sharing my version of Mexican Street Corn with you.  It is a out very flavourful dish.  One of my sisters was raving about it when she tried it, so I had to try it myself.  There are many recipes on the web.  

2 tbs canola oil and/or butter

1 can corn drained or frozen or kernels scraped off cobs

1/4c parmesan or feta

1 tbs hot sauce (I used Mexican Valentina)

1 scallion diced

1/2 tsp garlic powder or minced cloves

1 tbs mayonnaise

1 tbs sour cream or greek yogurt

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tbs lemon juice

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp dried cilantro or fresh

drain corn if necessary, heat oil/butter. add garlic, salt. add corn toss 10-15 mins until charred add green onion in last 5 mins. meanwhile mix dressing mayo, sour cream, chili powder, hot sauce, lemon juice cheese cilantro

once corn is charred remove from heat and toss with dressing.

Blueberry Cake

 I made this moist blueberry cake thanks to a recipe Nicole shared.  Her recipes never disappoint.  I just used 3/4c sugar and all whole wheat flour to accommodate my diabetic husband's requirements. The cake was a 50 minute bake in my new oven.

Paint Party Friday - Blue Poppies

Welcome to Kristin and Eva's Paint Party Friday!  I did a 'blue poppies' ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2").  I am happy with the way it turned out, makes me think of a Van Gogh, haha.

 

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Broomsticks

I had to turn on comment moderation full time as I received some rude filthy comments yesterday, I wish to spare my visitors.

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date's 'Broomsticks' theme!  Here is my ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") interpretation of the theme. It is based on a photo I saw on allrecipes for a pretzel broomstick recipe.  The recipe uses cheesestrings, pretzel sticks and spinach leaves.

 

Meme Wednesday

 

Pink Pineapple

 My sister sent me this photo of the new pink pineapples.  It apparently tastes sweeter and less acidic.  It seems they are available in Toronto according to this link.  Have you heard about them?

An Ant's Face

 Isn't this incredible?

It was a sunny, blustery day outside yesterday, it discouraged us from walking!  It is time to bring the windbreakers and warm clothes out although we are promised a few more warm days midweek.  

On Determination

 I like the center piece how about you?

My neighbour has 3 young children. The little 3 year old boy was looking very upset.  His mom said his older sisters (ages 6 and 8) kept beating him in their bicycle race.  I thought they could let him win sometimes but their mom didn't think it was a good idea.  She said when he goes to school the other kids will not favour him like that, he has to learn the reality.  

So the past few days I have seen the little boy on his bike speeding down the sidewalk, so focused with his grandpa watching from behind.  I would say he is determined to win a race on his own!  This gives me such a chuckle too!

Autumn

I pick A, how about you?

And sharing some photos of some early fall colour that I took about 3 weeks ago.
 

Paint Party Friday - Flowers

 Welcome to Kristin and Eva's Paint Party Friday!  I have no idea what this flower is called, but I saw a photo of them so here is my ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 /12").

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Being Watched

 Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date's 'Being Watched' theme!  Here is my ACEO (2/12" x 3 1/2") interpretation!  Halloween is coming closer!

Meme Wednesday

 

Nicole's Pizza recipe

 Nicole recently posted her pizza recipe and I immediately tried it.  It is delicious and baked up exactly as she said it would.  I copied this bit from her post so you can see the recipe easily here.  I did substitute a cup of whole wheat flour for one of the 4 cups required in the recipe.  I did also use  1 1/2 tsp salt instead of the 2 tsp that Nicole uses but it is delicious as is.  This will be my pizza recipe from now on, thanks Nicole!

 This makes 2. One can be frozen for later.

You will need

2 packets (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast 

and 1 1/2 C warm water.

2 Tbs sugar

1/4 C  oil plus a little more to brush the bowl.

2 tsp salt

4 C all-purpose flour. Plus a little for the work surface.

Pour 1 1/2 C warm water into large bowl: sprinkle with yeast and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.

Wish sugar, oil, and salt into yeast mixture. Add flour and stir until a sticky dough forms. Transfer dough to an oiled bowl the turn over so both top and bottom are oiled. Cover bowl with plastic or a T towel and set aside in a warm draft-free place until dough has doubled. This should take about an hour. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently kneed 1 or 2 times. Roll out and place on pan to be cook on. Add your pizza ingredients and bake in 450°F (233°C) Bake until dough is brown around the edges and ingredients are hot. In my oven this takes about 15 minutes.

You can also use this dough for rolls and braided bread.

Enjoy!

Keep or Sell

 What would you do for this one while we are dreaming?  It doesn't appeal to the practical side of me, but is it you?  Cottages are a lot of work, they need a lot of maintenance, but it is lovely especially if it is by the water.

Peanut Butter Blondies

 Daughter L gave me the idea to make these peanut butter blondies that she had made a version of.  Well she said she just mixed all the ingredients together and her photo looked really good.  But here is  my recipe (and I will be making it again it is so chewy and delicious):

1/3 c honey

tsp baking powder

1c flour

1/2 c whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/3c brown sugar (tempted to try just 1c sugar next time but this is so chewy and good as is!)

1/3 c honey

1/2 c (8 Tbs butter)

1 egg

1  tsp vanilla extract

1/2c peanuts

grease and flour  a 9 x 9" baking pan

Mix flours, salt, baking powder in a bowl

In another bowl cream butter and sugar.  Add egg, vanilla and honey.

Add the flour mixture then add the peanuts

spread this into a baking pan

bake in a preheated 350F oven for 25 minutes.

cool for 10-15 mins then cut into squares and enjoy!

BOGO Poke Bowls

 We enjoyed these poke bowl leftovers the other day, so flavourful and delicious!  It was a buy one get one free offer from Uber Eats.  One of the bowls was so spicy but it is just a matter of picking off the jalapenos to make it edible for me.

Unfortunately husband M realized the rice is no good for his sugar readings, they don't use the Japanese sushi rice.

Paint Party Friday - Pumpkin

 

Welcome to Kristin and Eva's Paint Party Friday!  I did a pumpkin ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") for you today.  It is done on orange cardstock with acrylic paints,

It is my 33rd wedding anniversary today, how quickly the years go by! 

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Alien Worlds

 

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date.  The theme is 'Alien Worlds' and this is my take on it in ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") format.  My character has landed on a purple planet, walking amongst some strange looking trees.  Are those eyes on those trees?  Could there be some other forms of life here?  There are some other alien worlds in the background. 

Meme Wednesday

It was overcast yesterday but summery temperatures.  I met a friend for a walk and enjoyed the beautiful fall colours which have suddenly appeared all over.  It was quite beautiful out there.

Enjoy the memes I collected for you this week!

 

The Rapid Covid Test

 

Daughter L had flown in from Calgary for a brief visit as her good friend was getting married.  During this visit, we planned a dress fitting at the bridal salon where she got her dress.  The day before the fitting L got an email containing the Covid screening questions required prior to entering the salon.  Wouldn't you know that one of the questions was 'have  you travelled in the past 14 days?'  

We did some soul searching.  Should she lie, she really wanted to get this fitting done.  She felt fine.  Son K and I were inclined that way.  L decided to call the salon to explain her predicament.  The owner said if she was willing to do a rapid Covid test when she got there and if she tested  negative we could do the fitting.  

I was impressed at my daughter's integrity and the salon appreciated her honesty.  So fortunately she tested negative and all was well.