Tuesday, April 30, 2013

April in the City....

We had a couple warm days the end of April...
 I was able to clean up the patio and enjoy it for a day and a bit...
The ice on the river is almost gone....but it has left the river very muddy!
And we drink this water?

We have a grandson visiting....
we were able to get our bikes out on the trails this past weekend!!
We came across areas of snow...but it was fairly warm....
and so nice to finally be outside!!
The city is still brown and cool....
but just being able to live outside for bit is worth every moment!
Soon...we should see some colour and sun.... 

Monday, April 29, 2013

The Wild Side...

 Middle Granddaughter came to the city for a visit....
We  took a trip to the zoo.... she was the photographer!

It was a cool day.... but we had fun...

 The Fox was resting..
 The Tiger was nosey
 The Zebra was was showing his stripes!
 There were quite a few wise guys!


 The Elephant, Lucy was getting ready for her walk in the pasture. I did LOVE LUCY!!
 The Prairie Dog was out...
 This Guy was trying to be cool..
 The seals were having a good old time!


It was a great day at the Edmonton Zoo... and my photographer was a joy to have!


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Friday, April 19, 2013

Random 5 Friday

I'm linking with Naancy at Rural Journal for Random 5 Friday...
where we list 5 Random things about whatever!

1.  I grew up in the city...
Photo from the internet
2.  When hubby got a teaching position in a small town...
I didn't know if I could handle living in a small town of 4000!
 3. But thirty years later....
I wouldn't trade small town living for the city!
(Even though our small town has become a small city 12,000)


4. I have been going out everyday this week,
Monday for dinner at 3rd sister's,
Tuesday coffee with hubby,
Wednesday breakfast with first born and a grandson,
Thursday breakfast out with hubby, coffee with 2nd sister,
Friday coffee with 3rd sister!...and I think there is more going out yet to come....

5. Today is my birthday.....



Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Patchwork Quilting

Well it has been MANY years since I have worked on a patchwork quilt. Thirty five years ago I took a quilting course. I did a of couple quilts ...even hand quilted them.

Then quilting really came in...and everyone seemed to be quilting and I lost my desire to buy cloth ...just to cut it up into pieces and sew it back together...
well....never say never cause here I am....cutting up fabric to make a quilt.

I have the easy blocks completed...Now I'm started on what looks to me like difficult blocks...
I'll keep you posted as this project progresses....

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

From Shirt to Apron...

Yesterday my sister and I spent the day together...shopping...
then she made a delicious lunch.
It was quiche...and if you haven't tried pineapple with your quiche...you must!
It is wonderful together!!...
she also had homemade chocolate pie for dessert.

Then we sewed....
she had found a project on Pinterest last fall ....making an apron from a man's dress shirt....
I  found this bright shirt at Goodwill in AZ....
But if you have old ones...it is a good way to put them to use!
 Here we are with our new aprons!...They go together very quickly!
Here are the instructions for the apron.
 I did change one thing. For the armholes, as they are cut on the bias...I sewed twill tape on before hemming to keep them from stretching!

Monday, April 15, 2013

Monday Morning...

I was going to do my Happy Homemaker Monday post...but I ran out of time....

The day had the beginnings of a not to Happy Monday morning....

After a hectic weekend of laying laminate...and finding I had muscles I didn't know I had....

at least I had a clean house to come home to relax in...

but at 9:30 a knock on my door...
I was suppose to have a 24 hour notice...that I didn't get...but the repair men were here to pick up our furnace...so now everything in the laundry room is all over the house...until they bring the furnace back...


Those of you who really know me...know how much I like a mess in my house:)

But I am trying to take a deep breath... and remember...
"In everything to give thanks"!!
How else can I learn this...but to face these interruptions in my life!!!

I am looking forward to a day with my sister...a trip to the fabric store...and sewing a project this afternoon!....

So I am off for a fun day....

Friday, April 12, 2013

Random Friday (5)

I'm linking with Nancy at 'A Rural Journal'...
Random Friday...is sharing just that 5 Random things about my life....

I know Gratitude create blessings and brings joy...
but I find it very hard to remember this truth! 
I tend to complain way more than I should!
Pink is my favourite colour
When I was young..I wanted to be a mom...nothing else
 When I first started driving...I wanted a Sunbeam sports car 
....hubby bought me a Miata one year on HIS birthday:)
I'm scared to fly in an airplane...

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Homemade Gnocchi. . .

We love Gnocchi...but I had never thought of making it...
Sitting in the Dentist office flipping thru a magazine (and I can't remember the magazine I saw the recipe in) I found a recipe for Sweet Potato Gnocchi...
I took note of the ingredients and realized that it is really....just noodle dough with Sweet Potatoes in it. (I'm sure you could use potatoes if you prefer)


Sweet Potato Gnocchi
2 cups pureed cooked peeled sweet potato
( You can pierce the sweet potatoes and micro them, 
I cooked mine in the oven at 375 for about 45 Min's.)
1 egg
1 tsp sale
2 1/2 cups for flour

Knead this together until it is easy to handle. Divide into two balls.
 Then I roll them into logs...
I use my kitchen scissors to cut the dough into small pieces (About 1/2 inch)


Bring a large pot of water to boil add a bit of oil to water...

Boil for about 10 Min's.  You do not want to over cook them.

Strain.
The recipe that I used was good...but I think you can do almost anything with these...they would be good just boiled and tossed with butter, salt and pepper.


You can also fry them...
Fry about 5 to 6 slices of chopped bacon... In the bacon grease fry about a half onion sliced thin, mushrooms, garlic. (If you want to make them vegetarian leave out the bacon and fry veggies in about 2 tbsp of butter or olive oil.)

Remove from pan... fry the gnocchi..(.if needed add more butter).
Season with salt and pepper. (If you make them vegetarian add  seasonings of your choice)

Mix the two together...
After making this, I think I will always make my Gnocchi...I like it much better than the store bought!
If you try it ...let me know what you think!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Boat Building...

The year was 1991.... Hubby and our youngest built a project together...

Twenty plus years later...the project is still hanging around. 
And being used!

Youngest is now a woodworker...
 He and a friend are  building a row boat!
It will be great to see it finished!!

National Puppy Day

Miss Pepper…..she changed our life… But life wouldn’t be as full without her! She is a kind sweet puppy that always ‘try’s😳’ to please.