Tricky Puzzle

This is a tricky puzzle, a good one. If you try it I will leave a comment on your blog regarding your answer.

I happened to be at the mall early one morning, I entered the store on opening at 9.30am.  I couldn't resist saying to the man opening the door : 'Well did I win anything?  (I am) customer number 2! '   He laughed and welcomed me inside.  The weather has improved so I guess I was in a good mood and couldn't resist a bit of humour.

Also, I went out to the garden yesterday and did some weeding!

Carmelized bananas

Denise at An English Girl Rambles mentioned having carmelized bananas with her oatmeal and I decided to try making carmelized bananas. I topped mine with whipped cream and they disappeared. It is a good idea for a simple, quick dessert. Here is the recipe as described by Denise (thanks Denise!):

'add 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup (or brown sugar) to a large sauté pan. Once it is sizzling add the sliced bananas. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, then flip over gently and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes. They should be a nice golden brown by now.'

Pork Loin Roast

pork loin roast

I made a stuffed pork loin roast and found it easy to make.  It is very festive at the end of it all, flavourful and low fat.

Ingredients

1/4c sliced celery

1/4c diced carrots

1/2c diced red pepper

1/2 small onion diced

1/2 tsp pepper

1 clove garlic minced

2 tbs olive oil

1 tbs white vinegar

1/2 tsp salt

Pre heat the oven to 350F

Slice The pork loin into a sheet 1/2" thick and lay it out as in the photo below.  Marinate with all the ingredients.  (I actually used just a sweet pepper and half an onion because I didn't have any celery and carrots are sweet for my diabetic husband.)

Layer all ingredients over top of pork and roll it up.  Insert some toothpicks to hold the roll closed as pictured below.  Roast 45  mins in a baking dish.  I made a gravy with the drippings.  Pour the drippings into a small saucepan.  Add half a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with half a cup of water to it and bring to a boil.

pork loin roast

marinated ingredients

pork loin cut half inch thick and rolled out

marinade laid on top

rolled up and sealed with toothpicks

ready to roast

all done and sliced

A Terrible Shame

Our mall has this cute living bunny decoration.

This adorable blue eyed kid goat went missing last week from a Vancouver Island farm during a Snuggle event.  Click this link for the story and an adorable picture.  It is a terrible shame, 'the mother of the missing goat is distressed and has been wandering around searching for the young male while neglecting another baby'.

How to increase your happiness

The Low Carb Diabetic recently posted on how being happy makes you healthier, a lovely post. It lists ways to increase one's happiness, I was struck by how this can be achieved by anyone. The list: express gratitude, exercise, get a good night's rest, spend time outside, meditate and have a healthy diet. I am not big on meditation, perhaps room to grow here.

Paint Party Friday - Legs

Happy Paint Party Friday! Today's piece is an ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") on canvas in Winsor Newton Acrylics outlined with a PITT fine point marker. It is called 'Legs' or pretty foal's legs in this case.

Birthday Celebration

pretty vase in the Scaddabush washroom

eclectic side plates at our table 

fried zucchini appetizer

butternut squash ravioli

gnocchi in cream sauce

We celebrated daughter L's birthday this past weekend. We went to a great play downtown called 'Dear Evan Hansen' and to a nice dinner at Scaddabush restaurant.