Great day!!

We had such a fun day today! the kids and I went to Rainbow Haven Beach with my inlaws and couple of nephews and 2 of my sister in laws and their hubbys. Fun was had by all, though I am pretty burnt! Funny how I manged to sunscreen the kids, but not myself! Ugh... Then we had a BBQ with the family again, and then I went to see The Proposal with a girlfriend. What a cute movie!

I didn't manage to get any crafting done, but that's OK. Maybe tomorrow, though I am putting new flooring in the computer room/ "room of crap"... hubby is going golfing. A busy weekend planned for us. I plan to post a pic or two of our trip to the beach, but my computer is acting up. what can you do?

A la prochaine.

Heucheras hate me!

Over the years I have tried to grow Coral bells/Heucheras , absolutely love the beautiful leaves......how healthy they look in others gardens........not in mine..
Last fall the garden center that helped design my front garden included Heucheras, a lovely Marmalade variety and when I questioned positioning these plants on the south facing slightly sloped garden the horticulturist said:" These will be fine". Okay I thought, they should know what will work in this area.......
This spring up they came looking good then over the early spring months I noticed them getting smaller and smaller..........disappearing..I called the garden center described my problem and of course they honored the guarantee after dropping by to see them..... " Perhaps it is too sunny , a darker one should be fine."
So in went 3 lovely healthy dark Pewter coral bells..... one month later, starting to see the same symptoms as the previous Heuchera.

It certainly hasn't been too dry this year or even that hot so.....
just can't stand to see these plants die , I have moved them to the back north garden where the first 3 reside now in an attempt to save them..

To fill in the holes in the front bed I have planted only 2 daylilies a lovely yellow called Immersed in Beauty a fragrant rebloomer diploid; and a large purple tetraploid called Mephistopheles also fragrant and a rebloomer
By the way here are 2 I moved earlier this spring..........fading, fading away.

Just in case you think I am paranoid, in my neighbours garden with the same light and situation as I; she has 2 beautiful very happy Purple Palace coral bells growing very well.
Will the last 3 moved ,survive?

5 days off...

The days I'm off seem to fly by, but the days I work - they crawl! What's up with that? Yesterday I managed to do 2 cards. Well, I should say 1 card (which I am unhappy with) and most of one card that I am happier with - though they were both based on Split Coast Stampers sketch of the week. I think the one that isn't quite finished yet, may become a card I make for a swap I am in in September! At least I hope so. I am having trouble coming up with ideas for these swaps. The calliber of work is so high - I am not sure mine will live up.

I will post pics of the cards - both the one I like and the one I don't when I get a chance. Hopefully tomorrow we will head to the beach. If the girl's mood improves that is...

A la prochaine

Mondays Cards

2 new cards made on Monday afternoon using Stampin up products.

Thinking this could be adapted to make a great Christmas card......

Can't believe I am thinking about Christmas.

Computer problems

Computer giving me grief , had to wipe it totally, lost everything.. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Will post when I can...........

Veggie Garden and 1 pretty.

It has been a cool rainy summer so far the best veggies in the garden has been
the beans,

and the kale

Roma tomatoes looking good just need some warm temps.

Mildew on the muskmelon plant

Sweet Million tomato not looking good at all

Beef steak tomatoes looking very healthy......just not developing

now the pretty, Limelight Hydrangea just coming out in bloom

Notice the sun is shining here this AM!
How is your garden doing?

Flower Pot cards

This week made 2 flower pot cards using Tutorial from Split coasters
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/flowerpotpocket/

Bean, Mushroom and Wilted Spinach Salad

With the beans yielding a bumper crop, some of which will be frozen for winter meals , I am still wanting to take advantage of the beans at the peak of their freshness. This is another recipe I found in Canadian Living magazine.What caught my eye,Prep time 15 minutes;Cook time 12 minutes: how easy it that.
8 oz. green or yellow beans blanched, for 2 minutes til tender crisp
1 bag baby spinach leaves
3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 small sweet onion, thinly sliced
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp salt , pepper and thyme
1 cup canned chick peas, drained and rinsed
3 Tbsp. lemon juice ( or white wine vinegar)
4 hard boiled eggs, quartered
3 Tbsp. Parmesan Cheese ( or Asiago)
Place spinach in large bowl. In skillet, heat oil saute, garlic, onion, salt, pepper , thyme and mushrooms, for about 5 to 12 minutes til mushrooms tender and golden.Add beans, chickpeas and lemon , heat through Add to spinach tossing to wilt and coat. Place on plate, top with eggs and shaved cheese slivers.
Makes 4 servings 352 cal. each serving.

Old fashioned Box Lunch

Thursday was a fun day with the Red Hats , we were at a lovely cottage on Booths Harbour overlooking the lake unfortunately it was pouring rain and so we had to hold our luncheon indoors instead of dining on the deck....Did I get pictures of the deck and rain, no but I did get a few of the creative packages the lunches came in....
the box lunches were to be decorated with a seasonal theme,
Red Hat theme;
Red bag with purple silk rose, very swanky

Bag lunch in red and purple;

or the funniest;Here is some Hattitude,

My creation harking back to teenage years with tissue flowers..

..... did I win a prize? Yes ,purple socks!
The grand prize winner was a Tom Sawyer theme hobo lunch, tea towel cloth wrapped around a branch filled with lunch treats.......Picture? No!
Next time less chatting more picture taking.

Green Bean and Barley Salad

Trying to use up the abundance of green and yellow beans from my garden;

I based this recipe on one in my Canadian Living magazine. This hearty salad is easily made and would great for a picnic.I did change the white wine vinegar for lemon juice.
To make ahead I mixed everything together except the lettuce adding it just before serving.

Ingredients:
1 lb. green beans
1 cup pearl or pot barley
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 garlic clove minced
1 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme
1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 cups arugula or spinach or mescalin
2 cups grape tomatoes
2 green onions chopped
2/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Trim beans, cut in half diagonally, Blanch in salted water for 2 min.
Chill in ice bath,
drain, pat dry.In large pot of salted water cook barley for 25 minutes til tender.

Drain and cool.
In large bowl mix oil, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, mustard , salt and pepper. Add barley and beans.
Mix well. Add whatever greens you like tomatoes , green onions and cheese.

Makes 12 servings 142 Cal per serving......

Butter Tart Squares

Butter tarts are uniquely Canadian and these squares taste just like them... Another easy and fast recipe...great for taking to picnics.
Ingredients:
Base;
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter

In small bowl combine flour sugar and butter using a pastry cutter to blend butter to a crumbly texture. Pat into 8 inch pan , bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
Topping;
2 Tbsp. butter
2 eggs lightly beaten
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnuts or nut of your choice...or leave out.
Combine all topping ingredients.
Mix well.
After base is baked for 15 minutes pour combined topping over base.

Bake at 350 for 20 -25 minutes. Let cool on rack. Cut into squares.Cover.
Refrigerate for up to 4 days........if they last that long.
Cal per square 221.
Ooey Gooey Good!

Productive Day...

Had a pyjama day with the kids today, but still managed to get some cards done. I think I have finally figured out what I want to do for my next swap. I already have one set of cards almost done. Here is my second card (I think) for this swap. I originally did it in blue and silver, but it felt really cold. On my second attempt, I did it in the green and gold, which I like much better!

I am pretty simple in my stamping style, but this is really simple for me. I like it alot though. I am pleased that it will be fairly easily to replicate many times over. Now I just have to make a few more, and send them off, and swap #2 will be done! yay for me.

Busy day tomorrow. Gym in the morning with the kids, shopping for a present for our nephew, birthday party in the evening. And some prep for the following few days. I'm back to work for 4 on Friday. Hopefully the weather will improve for my next days off!

A la prochaine

Happy Hour Appetizer

Here in Retirement World there is a custom that I am just now getting into.
Everyday around 4 PM, up and down the street; neighbours appear on front porches with beverages in hand, on occasion they congregate all together on a back patio , a deck or if the weather is inclement in an immaculate garage.( never seen such perfectly appointed garages)
Nibbles are served.
This no name appetizer cousin Shirley gave me the recipe for..It is quick, easy ,and oh so tasty, a great savoury treat that is literally thrown together..
I have named it Shirley's Happy Hour Pita Wedges .

Ingredients;
Breadko Bakery Garlic & Olive Oil pitas 6 inch (Sobeys has them)
Classico Basil Pesto( home made could be used)
Green or Black olives
Feta Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Drizzle olive oil on top of pita, spread with some pesto.
Top with sliced olives and feta cheese, then sprinkle with some Parmesan cheese.
Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes.
Cut into wedges.
I cut these into 4 but easily could be cut in six, used black olives and slices of Parmesan cheese.I must warn they are salty....
These Pita Wedges are a big hit during neighbourhood HH.

work...work...work

I worked Wednesday and Thursday 6:30 - 6:30 and Friday and Saturday 11:30 - 11:30. Then I was on call Sunday, 2nd call so I thought I might not have to go in. No such luck. 7 hours of overtime, then I did an extra 6 hours on Monday. Just when I'm thinking I never want to see the inside of the hospital again, I get 2 calls today to do overtime. One on my current floor, and one on my old floor. No! 6 days in a row is enough already! I am done.

Somehow my job always gets in the way of crafting! In good news, I mailed off one of my swaps, and did 2 - 2 page spreads during the 6 days of chaos. I plan to do something tonight. maybe some scrapbooking? Or I just might play with my new SU toys. So many choices....

A la prochaine

Finally found!

I have been looking for a pair of wall scones for the living room.......for months.
Here it is....with the lovely etched glass shade. ......
It you say!

Yes, there is a pair however when hanging the second one the metal back broke so disappointingly it has to go back , thank goodness I called the store immediately to report the problem and I have the last one waiting for me when I make the hour long trip back to the city..
Disappointment seems to be a theme this week...

Pretty Flower but.............

This spring I found a variegated leaf morning glory, Cameo Elegance at the local nursery..Could not pass it up . It was about 4 to 5 inches high, a healthy plant.....
I eagerly looked forward to it climbing up my metal arbour imagining the lovely pink and white flowers blending beautifully with the red cardinal vine I planted on the opposite side.
So...........here in the middle of July;
while it is still a very healthy plant, it has grown only about 2 feet high

the blossoms disappointingly small , maybe an inch to 1 1/2 inches wide.
Yes, it is pretty and the leaves interesting...

But I was expecting a more vigorous morning glory..... Having since done some research I have found this named variety described as a good plant for hanging baskets and I think this is the right use for it; because it is so attractive I will use it for hangers next year. For the more vigorous look I want I have found a morning glory named Tie Dye that from the description sounds fabulous, large 6 inch blooms of blue and white, the plant itself growing 8 feet tall.....
Isn't that just like a gardener, always next year...........