Sweet Saturdays - Korean poppers

Korean Poppers

For Diana's Sweet Saturdays, I'd like to share this neat article that was in the Toronto Star newspaper this week featuring Korean poppers. "A popper is a crunchy Korean snack food that is taking Canadian supermarkets by storm." I'll have to try one of these soon, are you curious?

Korean poppers snacking craze takes Canadian supermarkets by storm

Sweet Saturdays - Pinterest

For Diana's Sweet Saturdays, I'd like to say that I've finally joined Pinterest.  It's addictive, inspiring and sweet!  I've found so many new food recipes to try, art inspiration, home decor ideas, you name it!

I'm just getting started but you can find me at Pinterest here.

My daughter L is home from university for reading week. It's so great to have our family together again. She announced that she has a wonderful new boyfriend, and we couldn't be happier for her!  I guess that's also something sweet to share!

I was at my hairdresser this week and was browsing a neat fashion magazine called Lou Lou. Here are a few interesting photos from it:

Tiffany ERA necklace

Troll Beads Bracelet

The Troll Beads remind me of Pandora jewellery.  They are both Danish companies, but Troll beads has actually been around a bit longer.

Sweet Saturdays - Perfect Roses

For Diana's Sweet Saturdays I am posting a photo of these perfect roses I took at the grocery store this week. Aren't they gorgeous? Have a great day!

My sister and brother (who live in the States) have recently cancelled their telephone land lines, we've been instructed to call them on their cell phone numbers. This must be a growing trend. Indeed, L and her roommates at university decided not to get a land line this current school year. Have you done the same yet?

Sweet Saturdays - How do you decide who to marry?

You have to stop by and read Crystal Clear's Valentine story.  It's so touching.

And I got this in an email and thought you might like a laugh for Sweet Saturdays!  Please stop by the others to see what they found sweet today.

 1.  HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? 

(written by kids)   


1. You  got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if  you like sports, she should like it that you like  sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.   
--  Alan, age 10 


No  person really decides before they grow up who they're  going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you  get to find out later who you're stuck with.   
--  Kristen, age  10   


2.  WHAT IS  THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED? 
Twenty-three is the best age because you know  the person FOREVER by then.  
--   Camille, age 10  


3.  HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?   
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be  yelling at the same kids. 
--  Derrick, age  8   


4.  WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN  COMMON?   
Both don't want any more kids.    
--  Lori,  age 8   


5.  WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE? 
-Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys  have something to say if you listen long enough.   
--  Lynnette, age  8    (isn't  she a treasure) 


-On  the first date, they just tell each other lies and that  usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.  
--  Martin, age  10   


6..  WHEN IS  IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?    
-When  they're rich.   
--  Pam, age  7 


-The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to  mess with that.  
-  - Curt, age   7


-The  rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you  should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.    
-  - Howard,  age 8   


7.    IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED? 
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.  
--  Anita, age 9   (bless you child )  


8.  HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T  GET MARRIED?    
There  sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?  
--  Kelvin, age 8   


And the #1 Favorite is .........   
9.  HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?    
Tell  your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like  a dump truck.
--  Ricky, age 10

Sweet Saturdays - Ducks in Winter

Welcome to Sweet Saturdays!

At year end, I went for a walk with a friend and we spotted these ducks by a stream as we were crossing over the bridge. It was snowy that day and quite beautiful.

Sweet Saturdays - Puppy Christmas

Here's a sweet video to share today on Christmas Eve!  Linking to Diana's Sweet Saturdays!

I won't post tomorrow in honour of Christmas Day! Have a Merry one!

Here are some photos I took the other night when we got my daughter L from the train station.  We went to a lovely Teppanyaki dinner downtown at Benihana's then dessert at The Marche.  And look at some of the pretty lights in a downtown building! 

Benihana Chef

Le Marche Mincemeat Tart, Fresh brewed coffee

Superrmarket Display

Awesome Lights

Festive Tree

Sweet Saturdays - The clay pot

For Diana's Sweet Saturdays I'd like to show you one of my little Christmas trees.


My sister had given me this little tree in a clay pot years ago. One year I decorated it with berries and garlands and always felt the pot itself was a bit plain.

Clay Pot Tree

So I decided to paint it a few nights ago and am happy with the way it turned out!   What do you think?

Painted Clay Pot Tree

Sweet Saturdays - A Nice Surprise

For Sweet Saturdays, I'd like to share a nice surprise I had this week! Fortunately I was home during the day when the doorbell rang. The courier delivered this package! Who doesn't love to receive any kind of gift? I was delighted not even knowing what it was. It was a gift from our financial advisor. They used to send Gingerbread House kits but the kids are grown now.

It was an evergreen wreath complete with decorations and instructions on how to decorate it. It smelled so good too.

And here is the finished product!  Warning, these do shed needles every day, but they are real, you know!

Sweet Saturdays - Pet Sofa

Welcome to Diana's Sweet Saturdays!  Please stop by the other participants and join in the fun!

Okay, now I've seen it all...this is a pet sofa I saw for sale in a store! Do you think your pet would like one? Lol.

Pet Sofa

Pet Sofa - Closer View

Sweet Saturdays - Pretty Painting

Welcome to Diana's Sweet Saturdays!  Please stop by the others to see what they found sweet today!

Last week, I went to a local Country Decorating and Collectible Holiday Event. A lady in the line told me she had accidentally left her debit card in the machine at the grocery store, but went back there and was able to retrieve it. The cashier showed her a stack of cards belonging to other people who had done the same thing! In Canada, they've implemented these new chip cards where you have to enter a pin into the machine yourself. It seems people are forgetting to remove their cards from the machine afterward! It almost happened to me once.

Anyway, I was determined not to buy any cookies, or buttercrunch, etc etc at this event. Then this painting caught my eye and I found myself purchasing it. Now I don't need any art, but do you like it?

Sweet Saturdays - No Bake Cookies

Welcome to Diana's Sweet Saturdays! Please stop by the other participants and join in the fun!

Robin Panzer made no bake Acorn cookies on a recent post and how could I resist an easy recipe?

I used Ritz mini peanut butter crackers and some little rosebud chocolates as I didn't have any Hershey kisses on hand. I 'glued' them together with peanut butter. They disappeared, being such cute and tiny little desserts. Hope you'll try them!

Sweet Saturdays - Salt Lamp

It's time for Diana's Sweet Saturdays!  Please stop by the other participants and join in the fun!

This is my new Himalayan Salt Lamp.  People believe they have many benefits as outlined here.

'Q: What are the benefits of Himalayan lamps?
A: Himalayan lamps are said to:

Improve air quality by reducing air pollution, airborne dust particles, and airborne bacteria and viruses
Reduce symptoms of asthma, allergies, bronchitis, sinusitis, and other respiratory diseases
Reduce the effects of Season Affective Disorder (SAD) and other mood problems
Reduce stress
Improve concentration
Relieve headaches and migraines
Reduce feelings of fatigue and insomnia'

Beyond all that, it has a peaceful warming glow, very zen!  I love it.  This small one weighs about 6-8 pounds and costs about $40.

Himalayan Salt Lamp

Sweet Saturdays - Fall Skies

Welcome to Sweet Saturdays! Please stop by the others to see what they found sweet today.

I'm meeting a friend for coffee this morning and going to an annual church Xmas sale. I hope I don't buy any baked goods! It'll be bright and sunny but a cold 4C (39F) as I walk.

The skies have been so pretty at this time of year, I took a few photos this week that I thought you might enjoy:

Heavenly

Morning Sun

Sweet Saturdays - The Blanket

It's time for Sweet Saturdays!

Please stop by the others afterward to see what they found sweet today!

My mom knitted this pretty blanket and gave it to me when I saw her this week. She never has a plan, she just knits and it becomes whatever it's meant tobe! I guess she's the creative type. I tend to plan the stuff I do beforehand, everyone's different! Besides, I don't knit.

Sweet Saturdays - Beer Bread

Welcome to Sweet Saturdays. Please stop by the other participants and say hello!

I made this beer bread with raisins and cheese recipe from The Southern Lady Cooks. It turned out moist and delicious and it smelled so good as it was baking, that fresh bread smell.

Sweet Saturdays - Weeds or Wildflowers?

It's time for Diana's Sweet Saturdays!  Please stop by the other participants, or better still, join us!

I snapped these pretty wildflowers on the last day of summer. As I got up close I realized I pull some of these out of my lawn every year. It doesn't seem right.  Might I add that it was the most perfect gorgeous day!

Sweet Saturdays - Zucchini Oatmeal Cookies

Today for Sweet Saturdays I'm featuring zucchini oatmeal cookies. I have a couple of them with my morning coffee and that takes care of breakfast! They do have a muffin kind of taste.

I got this recipe from The Southern Lady, something a bit different, I thought.




And have you heard about the new Standing Desks? I thought it was a wild idea until I heard they are already in use in some schools in California and in some of their offices. They are totally optional for now. In the schools, they are good for some kids who just need to move for awhile. In the offices it may be just better if you have a back problem.

Sweet Saturdays - Raspberry Muffins

Welcome to Diana's Sweet Saturdays!

I made some raspberry muffins for you.

Please stop by the other participants to see what they found sweet today.



Here is the recipe:

3/4 c fresh raspberries
2 c flour
1 tbs baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
1 c yogurt
3 tbs oil
1 tsp vanilla

preheat oven to 400F
combine dry ingredients in a large bowl
add raspberries
in a smaller bowl combine wet ingredients
stir into dry ingredients until just combined
spoon into muffin cups
bake 15 to 20 mins
makes 9 muffins

I adapted the recipe slightly from here.

Sweet Saturdays - Timbits

Hello and welcome to Sweet Saturdays! Thanks Diana for hosting.

This is a popular Canadian snack item, they are Tim Horton's Timbits, little assorted mini donuts that are delicious and not particularly healthy. They are great with a cup of tea or coffee.

Please stop by the other participants to see what they did today!

Sweet Saturdays - POM Juice

Welcome to Diana's Sweet Saturdays!

Today, I'm featuring some delicious pomegranate juice we got from Costco this week. They were dispensing cold, delicious samples of this juice and K had 2 helpings. He normally wouldn't take any. It's pure pomegranate juice from concentrate with no added sugar. Yum. I think the trick is to serve it ice cold.

Please stop by the other participants to see what they have to show you today.