Green Thumb Sunday

Think my green thumb has turned browny yellow.
The parsley planted into the herb pot is looking sickly.

Moved it to a garden locale with the basil, hopefully it will recover.

One success the climbing nasturtium seed Rosanne gave me are sprouting.
The nasturtiums with so many growing should make a nice display in mid summer climbing up the iron obelisk.
It looks nice and sunny this AM but the temps are to go down to 5C tonight.
For this time of the year almost the first of June, way too cool.
Praying it doesn't frost, my tomatoes will not be happy..

Red Hat Society

Warning
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
By Jenny Joseph

Look out world, I have joined the Red Hats!I am old enough!

This is the hat I created, was white, grabbed a spray paint can painted it bright red and added a purple flower....Creative devil when I need to be.

Today was my first outing with this fun group.
We went to Jarvis to D and D diner, a very busy spot.

After a tasty lunch we walked across the street to Cést La Vie a wonderful little shop specializing in French accents and shabby chic.One treatment that I found unusual is the lattice fence with floral plates attached.
Up the street we strolled to the restored train station
this station is now owned by the Michaud's , Mother and 3 sons , making some wonderful memory boxes,
old fashioned game boards ,
boxes and a mosaic maple bowls
that are beautiful.
A little farther up the street we stopped at Verrip's Greenhouses, I was in heaven, perennials, Verbascum, nigrum;
Lupines;
huge plant hangers;
I could not pass up these bright gazanias, kiss series , brought home 2.
Last spot was a jam packed Antique/Stuff shop.

Garden Tour, Chandra garden

The Port Rowan Garden club took a tour to the Chandra farm . This property has been in the family since the 1850's,and they are avid gardeners. There are several garden areas; from the park like acre and a half setting around the home, to a 2 acre arboretum just across the road with many unusual tree specimens, a water fall and pond just off the terrace , a redbud allee by the shed garden.
This area is part of the Carolinian forest area. Lots of dogwoods, rhododendrons, azaleas thrive here.The arboretum contains, many varieties of deciduous trees ,maples, stewartia, parrotia, birch ash, locust,seviceberry, too many to list and many evergreens, even a dawn redwood. Many varieties of lilacs in the dell area. All trees are labelled with silver tags so identifying is easy.
At the home garden the paths wound around and thru arbours making a pleasant meander to look at the hostas, perennials, garden art and water feature .
The garden beds where well covered with mulch, making maintenance somewhat easier, tho the back breaking work of these areas is quite high, I think.Even tho it was a grey drizzly damp day we all enjoyed the tour of this amazing property.
My description and photos don't do justice to this wonderful spot, still I hope you enjoy the peek in my slide show.

Salad time, Pita Bread Salad with Mint, Cucumber and Feta

Now that the warm weather has finally arrived it is time to indulge in wonderful salads.
Sherry is very adventurous in trying new recipes........
This is the tasty salad she made last Saturday .
It has a lovely fresh Mediterranean flavour.
Sherry used a recipe from Martha Stewart .

Pita Bread Salad:
Serves 4
2 regular pita breads, cut into 1-inch squares
3 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Coarse salt
3 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 bunch fresh mint, trimmed and leaves thinly sliced
1/2 bunch watercress, trimmed
6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 1/2 cups)
Freshly ground pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pita squares in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until they are nicely crisp, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar and olive oil, and season with salt.
In a medium salad bowl, combine toasted pita bread, celery, and cucumber; add vinegar mixture, and toss well to combine. Just before serving, add mint and watercress; gently toss again. Sprinkle feta cheese over the top, and season with pepper.

Handmade Cards

Here are some photos of some of my existing inventory:



More Photos avaliable at the Photo Gallery

Olive Tapenade

Here is the recipe for Sherry's delicious tapenade.Sherry got the recipe from Allrecipes.
At the BBQ on the weekend this was a big hit.
The tapenade can be served with a sliced baguette or plain crackers. It can also be mixed together with cream cheese and/or sour cream for a great vegetable dip , we spread it on pitas and crackers.

Highly recommend it.

The Best Olive Tapenade;
2 cups pimiento-stuffed green olives
1/2 cup pitted black olives
1 (6 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, undrained
2 hot banana peppers, seeded and cut into pieces
1 red bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons capers, drained and chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
DIRECTIONS
In a food processor or blender, chop green olives, black olives, and artichoke hearts in batches until just spreadable; pour into a mixing bowl. Puree banana peppers and red bell pepper until just spreadable; mix into olive mixture.
Stir in garlic, capers, basil, lemon juice, and olive oil until well blended. Tapenade will keep in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Card making Monday

2 new cards made this afternoon.
Using chalks, cotton balls and plain white ink.

Birthday BBQ

Rosanne was hostess

on Saturday for celebrations for Brittany's birthday

and Steve's
birthday.
The weather was perfect and we enjoyed the new patio.

Sherry soaking up the sun and the wine spritzer.

One lovely spot in the garden is the curved bench bordered by sweet wood ruff and a variegated bergenia.
The dining table was festively decorated
Brock and Brianne, digging in!
Brayden and Brittany the birthday girl
Sherry made a delicious olive tapenade
served over cream cheese that I hoping she will share the recipe and I will post it , so good.
Rosanne made hummus , so fresh tasting far better than premade.
Great Grandmother brought a carrot cake for Steve from a favourite deli, Angelos. Yummy.
Brittany requested a Maple cake.
Brittany opening presents
After dinner we enjoyed the patio again
and played a fun dice game of Farkle.