Creative Tuesdays - Pattern

Welcome to MMm's Creative Tuesdays' "Pattern" theme! This is a fun art co-op and I can't wait to see what the other participants have come up with.

This piece is done using acrylic paints on 9 X 12 inch acrylic paper. I decided to give it a Valentine theme as well, since we're so close to this day. Shall we call them 'Butterflies in Love'? Lol.

Magical Mondays - New Kitchen Roses and Barbecued Ribs

Hello everyone.  It's Magical Mondays, and I thought I would share my new kitchen roses with you!  The one in my header photo had just about had it after so many years.  They are miniature and I love the light pink colour.  Hopefully it will last for many years as the old one did!

We were going to a dinner party on the weekend and I decided to buy some red ones for the hostess. It was perfect for the season too. Then I noticed these pink ones and decided to get them to replace the old ones.  The dinner party was lovely.  Everyone is in their fifties now. We are dealing with miscellaneous health problems, and thinking about retirement.  Our kids are growing up so fast as I keep saying.   In fact, K drove himself to his tennis lesson as usual that evening while we went out.  And he just told me he wants to give a rose to a girl at school on Valentine's Day.  Nothing serious, he just said he wasn't ready for that last year but that this year he is!

L and her friends at school barbecued delicious ribs for their dinner on the weekend.  Her friend googled a recipe!  So they wrapped the plain ribs in foil and baked them at 325F for 1 1/2 hours.  Then they slathered lots of barbecue sauce on top and barbecued them!  I will have to try this method.

Sunday Sketches - Cloudy Day

Welcome to Sophia's Sunday Sketches, a fun art co-op.

This one is called 'Cloudy Day', an acryic ACEO. It's the sun peeking through the grey clouds on a recent winter morning. 

Pondering Life

At the gym yesterday I happened to ask a lady I talk to how her mom was doing. The mom was in her eighties and in the hospital the past few months. 'Oh, I didn't tell you, she died Christmas Day!' I was really surprised because the elderly woman had not really been sick and was waiting to be transferred to a retirement home of her choosing. In fact the daughter had been stressed the past few months dealing with her mom's altered situation and in fact had put her mom's home up for sale with the help of a family friend. It occurred to me that it doesn't take too long to die, it can happen very quickly if it is meant to be. You are here today and literally gone tomorrow. Hug your relatives! I think the lady is still in shock about her mom's passing. And being an only child, it must be an adjustment to being without any immediate family.

We had a gift certificate and decided to use it during the current Winterlicious restaurant period. The restaurants participating offer special prix fixe menus. So we went to Oliver and Bonacini's. Here are a few photos of our appetizers (M, K and me).

Ham and Split Pea soup

Smoked Salmon

Falafel Salad

Paint Party Friday - Winter Arrangement

Welcome to Paint Party Friday! This is a fun art co-op.

Welcome to February!  I did a simple winter arrangement for you today. It's an acrylic ACEO.

Cauliflower and Aged Cheddar Chowder and The Liebster Award

I adapted (simplified) this 'comfort food' recipe from one I found in a magazine. I enjoyed it and hope you'll try it.

1 cauliflower cut into small florets
1/2 cup aged cheddar, crumbled
2 c low sodium chicken broth
2 c skim or 1% milk
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbs olive oil

Bring cauliflower and chicken broth to a boil in a pot and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add milk and spices and simmer for a further 10 minutes until cauliflower is soft. Mix in olive oil and cheese. Serve and enjoy!

Finally, I've received the Liebster Award!

I Received This Nice Award From Amy
Thank You Amy!!

I Am Now "sharing the love" And Have Chosen 5 Blogs That I Love! (Even Though There are many More)

What is the Liebster Blog award? Here is a quick explanation.

'Liebster' is German for 'dearest'. The award is a 'share-the-love' arrangement, given to inspirational bloggers with less than 200 followers.

Here's the to-do list of any Liebster award recipient:

Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
Reveal your five blogger picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog
Copy and paste the award on your blog
Hope that those you award forward it to their favourite bloggers

I decided not to choose 5, but hope you'll feel free to participate if you so desire as you're all my favourite and I know not everyone participates in these hops!

Interior Design Show 2012

Welcome to February!  Spring is not far off!

On the weekend M, K and I decided to go downtown to the Interior Design Show 2012.    It was quite crowded and I took these photos that I thought you'd enjoy:

Lynda Reeves, Marilyn Denis, Local TV personalities

Japanese Bathtub

Inside the Japanese Bathtub

Neat Leather Sofa

Chaise Lounge?