Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Martinis
Daughter L made us these martinis from a mix she received as a gift. They were so good, with lots of ice, some watermelon, and strawberries in a blender. She dipped the edges in sugar and salt. This is not the drink for diabetics but husband M had a small glass.
Monday, July 29, 2024
Big Mac Tacos
I had a package of tortillas and decided to make some Big Mac Tacos using this Instagram video.
They were quick, easy and delicious!
Sunday, July 28, 2024
Sunday Smiles - Tzatziki
I made a quick Tzatziki mix using this link. It was great with crackers. I didn't grate the cucumbers, just chopped them finely and lightly squeezed them out in a paper towel.
Linking to Gillena's Sunday Smiles.
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Roses
These are some roses from daughter L's garden. The previous owner left a wonderful garden behind. They do their best to maintain it. The photo was taken last month, the flowers have done so well with all the rain this summer.
Friday, July 26, 2024
Friday Art - Cicada
Welcome to Friday Art. This is my Cicada ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in watercolour pencil outlined with a fine point marker.
Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off and to Gillena's Friday Face Off.
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date - Mouse and Salmon
For the Dinner date, I have some roasted salmon with mustard microgreens, dijon mustard and lime. This cut baked up at 400F for 23 minutes. You can see where I kept cutting the salmon to test for doneness, this works for me as opposed to a meat thermometer. It was delicious nonetheless. It was a nice cut on sale.
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Vitamin K2
I get these vitamin K2 + D3 pills from Costco and take it daily. It seems Vitamins K2 and D3 adds to our bone health as stated in the photo. I don't take calcium pills.
Monday, July 22, 2024
My Coaster Art
I had these coasters made from a splatter art piece I did awhile back. I plan to give the original (12" x 12") piece to a friend for her birthday. She had commented that she liked it.
I have to find another way to print my art, Shutterfly has started charging me duty to have it shipped as it is across the border. I usually take advantage of their 'free' offers not including postage.
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Fun Fact - Brick Roads
I have an interesting fact for you today, this is likely not suitable to implement in North American roads with our heavy traffic and large highways but it works for them!
Saturday, July 20, 2024
Friday, July 19, 2024
Friday Art - Lizard
Welcome to Friday Art! I have a lizard ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in watercolour pencil outlined with a fine point marker.
Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off and to Gillena's Art For Fun Friday.
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date - Arches and Smoothie
For the Dinner date, I made a kale, blueberry and strawberry smoothie.
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Wild Strawberries?
These may be wild strawberries but I feel they are descended from a strawberry plant I put in a planter years ago. The wildlife don't seem to eat them.
Monday, July 15, 2024
Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins
I made these blueberry muffins as I had fresh blueberries.
1 3/4 c whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
8 tbs unsalted butter (I melted mine)
3/4 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c flavoured yogurt
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 c milk
1 1/2 c fresh blueberries (frozen would work too)
Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt together.
Mix butter (I melt mine) and sugar together. Add eggs, yogurt, vanilla, milk. Add dry ingredients. Fold in blueberries.
Bake 15 - 20 mins at 425 F in a lined muffin tin.
You can substitute white flour for the whole wheat flour.
Sunday, July 14, 2024
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Two Finches and some good news
And then they were gone!
I took this photo last month when I noticed these 2 pinches atop a tree. The birds seem to like doing that not just finches.
In some good news, I followed up on my gift card fraud dispute with Walmart Customer Service and they told me they refunded the amount as a credit on my card!
Friday, July 12, 2024
Friday Art - Mantis
Welcome to Friday Art! I have a Mantis for you today, an ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in watercolour pencil outlined with a fine point marker.
Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off and to Gillena's Art For Fun Friday.
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date - Bench and Kale, Cauliflower, Celery Soup
For the Dinner Date, I made Kale, Cauliflower and Celery soup. I added a bit of cream and shredded cheese to it at the end.
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Monday, July 8, 2024
Kale Salad
I had some requests for a kale recipe a few months ago. My friend S brings fresh kale over from time to time from her sister's garden so I have got used to using this healthy vegetable over the years.
This is a simple kale salad. I found that there is no need to massage the kale leaves if you just cut them into small bits as pictured above. I added cucumber, yellow bell pepper and a tomato to the kale leaves. I discard the stems but you could blend those into a pesto. The fresh dressing below makes it all delicious.
Kale salad dressing:
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 c olive oil
1 tsp sugar
1/3 c white vinegar
1 tsp dijon mustard
pinch of red pepper
Sunday, July 7, 2024
Millet
I finally tried Millet grain last month. I decided to try the basic recipe on the package first.
2 c water
1 c millet
1/4 tsp salt
Bring 2 c water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 c millet, 1/4 tsp salt. When it comes to a boil again, simmer covered 20 minutes.
Here it is with some Yves veggie round in bulgogi sauce. This would also be good with meat and vegetables.






















