Free Samples

 

I went for a lovely summer walk with a friend a few weeks ago.  We had coffee then stopped by at Whole Foods.  They had free samples out, I tasted Gruyere cheese, pickle flavoured crackers, and some spicy honey from the company pictured above.  

Sunday Smiles and SITAR - Too Many Apples

 

Welcome to Gillena's Sunday Smiles and to Nicole's SITAR.

I thought this was a thoughtful thing for the people of Norway to do.

For SITAR I am sharing an older 'apple piece' of art which I have posted a few times for various art challenges. It is painted on textured cardstock (8 1/2" x 11") in acrylic.

"Freebies"

 

I am showing some 'Freebies' I received from the Canadian Red Cross.  It is actually to encourage us to donate to this worthwhile charity.  There were also some permanent markers and a triple match offer.

However, we cannot donate to every good charity all the time.  

Friday Art - Wallaby

 

Welcome to Nicole's Friday Face Off and to Gillena's Art For Fun Friday.  I painted a Wallaby ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in watercolour pencil inspired by the photo above.

Broccoli Soup with Coconut Milk

 

Due to the success of my recent zucchini soup with coconut milk, we decided to try it with broccoli.  It is very good although the zucchini soup had more of a coconut taste.  So next time I won't add chicken broth to this recipe as I did here.

Broccoli cut into small florets

2 tbs olive oil

1 onion chopped

2 green onions diced

2 cloves garlic minced

3/4 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1 can coconut milk

2 c low sodium chicken broth

2c water

1" grated ginger

lime zest of one lemon

3 tbs lemon juice

handful of spinach leaves

sprig of fresh basil leaves chopped

Heat oil in  a large pot. Add onions, broccoli, garlic, ginger, sugar, salt and stir until the broccoli softens. Add coconut milk, broth, water, lime zest, basil, spinach, lime juice.  Simmer for 15 minutes then blend.

Wednesday Memes

 

Turkish Tomato and Onion Salad

 

I saw this recipe on Instagram (@fooddiariesbyhumera) and decided to try it. It was a delicious change.

2 tomatoes thinly sliced

2 red onions thinly sliced

handful of fresh parsley (you can use chives, tarragon or basil as a substitute)

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbs sumac

Juice of half a lemon

2 tbs olive oil

1 tbs pomegranate molasses (you can use maple syrup and lemon as a substitute)

Mix all ingredients together and rest for 5-10 minutes. I found that after a day, it had a less strong onion-like taste, more like a pickle, if you prefer that.

Roasted Cauliflower with Cheese and Panko Breadcrumbs

 

I roasted broccoli just like this and cauliflower is just as delicious!  Here is my recipe:

1 head of cauliflower cut into small florets

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dried herb (such as oregano) or  a few fresh stalks chopped

3 tbs olive oil

1 c shredded cheese

1/3 c panko breadcrumbs

Preheat oven to 425F

Bake for 15 minutes on a sheet lined with parchment paper.

Sprinkle a cup of shredded cheese on top, then sprinkle panko breadcrumbs. Bake 8-10 minutes longer.

Sunday Smiles and SITAR - Shyness of the Crown

 

Shyness of the Crown ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2")

Welcome to Gillena's Sunday Smiles and to Nicole's SITAR.  I am showing my art to go along with this fun fact above.  

AI to the Rescue

 

One of my sisters was travelling in Europe and shared this photo of this delicious fish over mashed potato dinner she had in Antwerp (Northern Belgium). She mentioned she would love to replicate the greens.  My brother used the photo on Google translate asking 'what veggies are used in this picture'?  It came back with a detailed AI response.  I did the same using Google Lens and got a similar response.  It even noticed there were mussels at the left side of the dish!  It suggested chives, dill/fennel fronds, parsley, chicory, leeks/fennel.

To be honest I leave a lot of AI stuff unchecked with my use of Google but most people have no problem with it. 

Friday Art - Sea Otter

 

Welcome to Friday Art!

I have a sea otter ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 /12") in watercolour pencil.  It is based on the fun fact above.

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

Roasted Broccoli with Cheese and Panko Breadcrumbs

 

I made this roasted broccoli with cheese and panko breadcrumbs recently.  It was really good. I will try this with cauliflower next.

4 broccoli crowns cut into small florets

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dried basil or a few fresh stalks chopped

3 tbs olive oil

1 cup shredded cheese

1/3 c panko breadcrumbs

Preheat oven to 425F

Bake for 15 minutes on a sheet lined with parchment paper.

Sprinkle a cup of shredded cheese on top, then sprinkle panko breadcrumbs. Bake 8-10 minutes longer.

Wednesday Memes

 

 

Toasted Tomato Bread Breakfast and Eye Appointment Update

 

I had a slice of toasted tomato bread for breakfast using the sweet gold cherry tomatoes that ripened up in the garden.  I topped it with fresh basil leaves also from the small garden. I told my friend S she is feeding me as she brings me these plants every year from her sister 's farm.  

I saw my eye surgeon for a follow up yesterday.  She said everything looks good and will see me again in 3 months.  She removed all restrictions but did warn me to take things gradually. I told her the gas bubble in my eye was gone since Aug 15. She says the blurriness is being caused by my cataract, I need cataract surgery. I mentioned I was not at the point of needing cataract surgery but she said I always needed cataract surgery.  I booked an appointment with my optometrist to see about a cataract appointment with a specialist.  This will be many months into the future I expect.  There are waitlists. After these recent eye surgeries I am not scared anymore.  

Sweet Gold

 

sweet gold cherry tomato

I picked these sweet gold cherry tomatoes when they were still slightly green to thwart the squirrels.  They ripened in a few days.

I noticed my neighbour put up this netting over his garden.

Sunday Smiles and SITAR

 

Welcome to Gillena's Sunday Smiles and to Nicole's SITAR.

I am showing this framed photo I have had at home for decades.  It brought back memories of when I bought it.  I had heard about this place that sold artwork for good prices and went to the store to browse.  I remember speaking to the owner and he waited hopefully to see what I would choose.  I had trouble finding anything I liked in the store full of framed pictures, I could tell he was upset.  Finally I bought the only picture I liked in the whole store.  I didn't think I was picky, I just didn't like his stuff.  It looks like a Provence, France photo, such a pleasing arrangement.

FOMO

 

I was talking to my neighbor across the street this past weekend.  They have a 9 year old son, so they are a younger generation than me.  The family of 3 were heading out on a bike ride. The dad was lamenting that summer was ending so soon, wishing it could be longer especially as the day was so nice, he said "FOMO" you know.  I agreed and was only happy to know that FOMO means 'fear of missing out' haha.  Our language is evolving quickly.  Are you up to date on all the latest acronyms?  

They also noticed I was back outside weeding again, so I told them about my recent detached retina issues.  The wife said her dad had a detached retina while on vacation in Hong Kong but fortunately they were to able treat it there.  My eye is still cloudy (I can read large print (such as my phone password, the time and maybe the date), hoping when the gas bubble subsides the vision will eventually sharpen. It is an exercise in patience I am learning. Vitrectomies are serious surgeries. I got the  long lasting 6-8 week gas bubble.

Friday Art - Purple Frog

 

Welcome to Friday Art, sharing a Purple Frog ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in watercolour pencil that I saw online.

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

Solar Eclipse 2026

 

Well one of my sisters is on a cruise in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Spain with family and friends and experienced the total solar eclipse of Aug 12, 2026.  She shared these incredible photos.  Here in Toronto it was overcast and rainy unfortunately so I have put my solar glasses back in a 'safe' place.

Wednesday Memes

 

Chickpea Flour Rolls

 

I saw this recipe for chickpea flour rolls online and decided to make it.  It is very flavourful. While it is considered a carb, it is high in protein and fibre. However husband M and daughter L did not like them.  Perhaps because they are not fried unlike falafels and such!

1 1/2c chickpea flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 cloves garlic minced

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1 tbs finely chopped rosemary (I used 1 tsp dried)

1 tbs olive oil

1c warm water

preheat oven 375F

Lightly grease muffin tin. I found it difficult to remove from the pan after baking.  In a mixing bowl, whisk chickpea flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in rosemary, thyme, garlic. Add olive oil and warm water, mix until smooth.  Pour batter into muffin tin, fill each cup 2/3. Bake 40 min until golden brown.

Makes 6 rolls.

Instant pudding and fruit

 

This dessert is inspired by Mary's recent post on healthier eating.  I had a pack of fat free chocolate pudding (sweetened with aspartame) and lots of fruit and thought 'why not?'.  It truly is instant pudding, just whisk in 2 cups of cold milk for a few minutes and it is ready to go!

Sunday Smiles and SITAR

 For Sunday Smiles and SITAR I am revisiting an old post I made in 2020. Here is an excerpt from the post:

"Many years ago I had bought an inexpensive print of this Picasso painting because I just loved it.  A friend saw it and wondered how it could be considered good art.  It did not appeal to her and as such art is very subjective isn't it?"

Yet another friend identified it immediately as a Picasso.  Indeed, it is Picasso's 'Bouquet of Peace'. Here is another excerpt from my older post:

"...In Picasso's painting, the hands holding the flowers are of two different people as they are both right hands, but you may not notice at first glance".  I have included a link for more information.  Here is the print that sits in my basement:

Linking to Gillena's Sunday Smiles and to Nicole's SITAR.

Solar Eclipse Glasses

 

There is a solar eclipse August 12th.  Toronto will see a partial eclipse 12.55 pm to 2.23 pm.  It will be total in parts of Europe.  One of my sisters is on an eclipse cruise over there with friends and relatives. 

Do you have your solar glasses ready?  We have trouble finding ours after 'carefully' putting them away for the next time.  I eventually located ours 'in plain sight' on a bookshelf in our office room.

Friday Art - Candy Pill Hopper

 

Welcome to Friday Art!

I am showing a Candy Pill Hopper today ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in watercolour pencil.

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