Happy Halloween 2022!

 

The photos above were taken on a walk through the area.

Daughter L, hubby, son K and friends went to a Halloween party on the weekend.  Here was the snack table, the host did a wonderful job.  They wore costumes and there was fun and games too.

Happy Halloween!  I don't know if we will get any kids tonight but I have candy just in case.

Baked (actually microwaved) Apples 2022

ready to bake or microwave

after being microwaved

topped with whipped cream

yummy dessert/fruit serving

 These are my baked (actually microwaved) apples.  They were delicious, I treated it as both a dessert and a fruit serving!

4 baking apples, cored but leave 1/2" at the bottom

1/4c brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1/4 c chopped pecans (optional)

1/4c raisins

1 tbs butter

3/4c boiling water

whipped cream for topping

Cut/core holes in 4 apples for stuffing.  Leave 1/2" at the bottom.  In a bowl mix together sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and raisins.  Nuts are optional.  Place apples in a microwavable baking dish.  Stuff them, dot with butter.  Add 3/4c boiling water to the bottom of the pan.  Microwave for 10 minutes.

Top the apples with whipped cream and serve as a delicious dessert!

Alternatively, you can bake at 375F for 30-45 minutes.

So pretty outside

 This article explains why the fall colours have been more stunning than usual this year.

'lower temperatures  — but not frost — combined with sufficient rainfall typically bring vibrant fall colours, whereas drier and warmer weather results in dull colours.'

Friday Art - Pumpkin Face

 Welcome to Friday Art!  This is an ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2') that I am calling 'Pumpkin Face'.  Have a Happy Halloween when it comes!

Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off and to Gillena's Art For Fun Fridays.

Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date - Trick or Treat and Mexican Red Rice

 Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date.  I chose to do a treat.  Here is my ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in acrylic pens.  I hope you like my ghostly cupcake!

For the Dinner date I did a Mexican Red Rice, seems to go with the Halloween theme doesn't it?  It has a tomato flavour, one of my sisters had shared the recipe with me.

Happy Halloween when it comes!

Wednesday Memes

 

Face Cream allergy and other news

 Well we turned our indoor heating on October 15th this year.  A few friends did that 3 weeks before us.  It felt great waking up that morning.  

I developed a face rash using those CBD face creams I blogged about the other day.  Luckily daughter L  noticed the rash so I stopped using the creams immediately.  Within a couple of weeks  the somewhat itchy red rash noticeably subsided.  What a relief that was.  It was probably an allergic reaction.  Be careful using new face creams.  In fact I stopped using the CBD body oil as well.  It seemed to help my feet but I am taking no chances.  Another body oil will likely be as good but normal lotions help too.

One of my sisters suggested I take note of the ingredients in those CBD Creams.  I found the ingredient 'phytocannabinoid rich hemp'.  So it is something for me to avoid.

In other news my niece in California announced her wedding engagement to her long time partner.  The family is very happy.  The next generation weddings in our family are well underway.  

 

A new word for me - Bougie

 I just learned a new (to me) word and thought I would share it with you in case it is also new to you?

'Bougie' pronounced 'boo-gee'  'relating to or characteristic of a person who aspires to the upper middle class, especially when regarded as being elitist or snobbish'

It is derived from the old and similar term 'Bourgeois.'

  So for example you may come from  humble beginnings but you have done well in the world and start to act and show  your newfound wealth and aspire to socialize with the wealthy.  Your behaviour could be seen as 'bougie'.  

Pretty Zinnia and Keeping in Touch

 My zinnia flower finally bloomed from seed in the garden!  

I called one of my uncles recently.  His wife is my departed mom's sister.  He is her caretaker since she was diagnosed in 2011.  My aunt had fallen and hit her head weeks ago and she has deteriorated since then.  She is lucky to have him as a caretaker he is very devoted.  He has coped admirably with the changes brought on by the disease over the years.  Their children and grandchildren being nearby have helped them cope.  He also benefits from being a member of an Alzheimer help group.  It was nice talking to my uncle, it had been awhile.  I have memories of him since I was a little girl.

The fall festival

 We were invited to a fall festival last weekend.  It was pouring rain when it got there unfortunately so we did not stay long.  It was at nice small farm with a corn maze and a store.  We did get to take a pumpkin of our choosing home as a part of the promotion. I enjoyed the drive over, the trees were at a peak of gorgeous colour.  

Friday Art- Great Niece Portrait

 Welcome to Friday Art!  This is a 3" x 4" portrait of my 4 year old great niece in her flower girl dress.

Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off and Gillena's Art For Fun Friday.   

Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date - Haunted House and Lemon Kale Ricotta Pasta

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date!  Here is my 'Haunted House' ACEO(2 1/2" x 3 1/2") for the art theme.  I used acrylic markers.

 For the dinner date, I made a lemon kale ricotta pasta.

Recipe:

8 oz spaghetti

2 tbs olive oil

1 tbs unsalted butter

2 cloves garlic minced

1/3c grated parmesan cheese

280g ricotta cheese

salt, pepper to taste

pinch red pepper flakes

bunch kale

juice of half lemon

Tear kale into 1-2" pieces, rinse and drain

In a medium bowl combine ricotta, lemon juice, parmesan

While pasta is cooking,

saute garlic in olive oil and butter, salt, pepper, red pepper.

Add kale and saute another 5-10 mins until kale is bright green and wilted.

Add cooked pasta and ricotta and mix together.  

Enjoy!

Wednesday Memes

 

Jupiter at perigee

 Jupiter has been very close to earth the past few weeks, at perigee they call it.  Have you seen it?  My sister took this photo in California where she lives, it was a clear night.  You can see it just to the upper right of the moon.

A lovely brunch

Husband M and I along with daughter L, her husband and two of our good friends went to a lovely brunch buffet at the Ancaster Mill a few weeks ago. It was the young couple's August wedding venue so our return brought back pleasant memories.  It was a gorgeous fall day and we had a wonderful time. It was great to see our friends who we had not seen for many months.  They had been unable to attend the wedding. 

Pictured below is some of the food. The oysters were from Prince Edward Island (PEI), I am an oyster fan and they were delicious with just lime. There were optional dressings. I chose a delicious lemon meringue tart as one of my desserts. I also had bread pudding, fruit and ice cream.

Daughter L's plate

 

My Oyster Plate and Dessert plate

My yummy lemon meringue tart

Poppy From Seed

 I saw this poppy that I had sown from seed in full bloom outside a few weeks ago.  It was a pleasant surprise.  I hope it comes back next year.

Some fall colour and a tragedy

 Spotted some fall colour on a recent walk.

And here is one from daughter L's husband's family cottage up north.

We learned last night that the boyfriend of the daughter of good friends was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident the day after Canadian Thanksgiving.  It is shocking and so sad.  He was just 33 years old.  May the young man rest in peace.

Friday Art - More on Great Nieces

 Welcome to Friday Art, here is more of my great niece art.  It is a 3" x 4" pieces.

Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off and Gillena's Art for Fun Friday.

Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date - 'Lost' and a Stir Fry Dish

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date.  Her art theme today is 'Lost'.

Here is my ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") showing a girl lost in the forest.

Bean Thread Vermicelli Stir Fry

For the dinner date, I made this bean thread vermicelli stir fry with ground beef, green beans and garlic chives.  The bean thread vermicelli is low in carbs and calories, great for my diabetic husband.
 

bean thread vermicelli

nutrition facts 300g or 10.5 oz pkg

Here is the recipe:

150g (5.25 oz) or 4 small pkgs bean thread vermicelli

3-4 tbs canola oil

2-3 cloves garlic minced

.69 kg (1.5 lbs) green beans 

small bunch of Chinese garlic chives cut into 2"lengths, can substitute green onions

.454 kg (1 lb) ground beef (can use chicken or pork)

Sauce:

2 tbs oyster sauce

2 tbs light soy sauce

1 tbs dark soy sauce

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp hot sauce or chili flakes

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp ginger powder

Soak vermicelli in hot water for 5 minutes until softened

drain and cut into shorter lengths, set aside.

Saute garlic in oil, add ground beef and brown it.  Add trimmed green beans and stir fry for about 3 minutes.  Cover and simmer for 6 more minutes.  Mix in prepared vermicelli noodles, the sauce, and chives.  Cover and simmer 3 more minutes.

Enjoy!

Wednesday Memes

 

I got the one above from Grannie Annie.

Spookuterie

Google Lens

Brazilian Jasmine

 

Red Mulberry

I wanted to identify these plants and a friend suggested trying Google Lens which is in the Google app.

It told me the names of the above plants.  I was happy indeed.  I saw the beautiful Brazilian Jasmine plant at hubby's sister's house the other day.  We were invited for a delicious home cooked lunch.  His sister is an excellent cook.

The Red Mulberry seeded in my yard and I was wondering how big it could get.  Either way, we will cut it back as it doesn't really fit where it seeded itself.

Have you tried Google Lens?