A new red mug and changing times

I got myself a new red mug to have my tea in.  It is supposed to be a very comforting relaxing colour.  I agree!

My friend A came over yesterday for a walk, coffee then husband M, son K and I joined her for a Chinese dim sum lunch.  We also exchanged simple gifts.  Friend A noticed that the staff spoke a lot of Mandarin now, it used to be more in Cantonese language.  Times are changing as are immigration patterns.

Chocolate Cake with Buttercream Icing and winter storm up north

 I made a Betty Crocker Supermoist Chocolate Fudge Cake mix with Betty Crocker Buttercream Icing.  It is sooo good!  Of course it came together very quickly being a cake mix with pre-made icing.

There was a terrible winter storm this past Saturday up north in cottage country.  125 cm of snow in Bracebridge, 140 cm in Gravenhurst.  Friends got caught in this, they had not experienced this kind of weather in decades.  The main highway was closed all day.  Rescue supplies were being distributed to stranded drivers by snowmobile according to the news, not to mention power outages in the area.  We have been spoiled in the past few years.  It is good for the skiers anyway.

Sunday Smiles - Happy December

 Happy December!

Linking to Gillena's Sunday Smiles.

Cottage Cheese breakfast/snack

 I made this cottage cheese breakfast/snack with cottage cheese, granola, honey and fruit, blueberries in this case.  It is something different for me to try.  It is good.  Do you use cottage cheese much?

Friday Art - Sunset

Welcome to Friday Art!  I did a face in my sunset today, an ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2").

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

Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date - 'Packages' theme and Red Onion Pickle

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date's 'Packages' theme! This is my ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2").

For the Dinner Date, I made a red onion pickle using a recipe from @alexrioscooks on Instagram.  I am not a fan of eating raw onions but when they are pickled they are so delicious.

2 red onions sliced from root to end

2 c water

2 c vinegar

1/3 c sugar

2 tbs salt

4 garlic cloves

2 tsp peppercorns

2 bay leaves

 Slice 2 red onions root to end. Separate into 2 16 oz mason jars along with peppercorns, bay leaves and garlic cloves. Boil water, vinegar, sugar and salt. Whisk until everything is dissolved. Pour this liquid into the jars and submerge the onions. Place in fridge for an hour or more. Enjoy!

The pickled red onions were sooo good with avocado in my salad.

Wednesday Memes