The "Last Day" of April Bring On The May "Flowers" !!!

The last day of April is here already.....where did that month fly off to???  A shimmer of memories floating away towards the month of May.....and hopefully towards lots of sunshine and Spring flowers !

I really did not enjoy the date with Mr. Insomnia last night, nor the upset tummy that went along with it. 

However I did enjoy watching Gordon Ramsey's "Kitchen Nightmares" at 2:00 am.  I really enjoy those episodes.  It is amazing how the restaurants are transformed into something totally different in appearance and decor from what they originally were, and I do like when there is a "happy" ending for the owner after Gordon gets things going in the "right" direction for them.

Oh yes and at 5:30 AM the birds were singing merrily away outside my bedroom window.  That alone should have put me in a "cheery mood" should it have not?  LOL......NOT !

Right now I am hoping this coffee kicks in "quickly", as I can't seem to shake these cobwebs that are causing my vision to be blurred......awe, the "joys of fatigue".  I have "stuff" planned for my day ahead,, so I am going to beat this feeling some way or another !  My visitors this afternoon will just have to overlook the "dust" floating around, or that has so happily perched itself here and there about my house.  I am hoping they will be so busy "oohing and awing" over puppies that the "dust bunnies" will be hardly noticed.  LOL

I am rather please with myself that I did get my bathroom and kitchen floors washed yesterday.  It is such a nice feeling to go walking about one's floors without being "stuck" there for long periods of time before someone comes along to your rescue.......beware should you ever come visit me, you might be stuck like a "fly" to flypaper walking through my kitchen and "trapped" forever more!  LOL

The weather did bright here yesterday with the sun making a "brilliant" appearance later in the afternoon.  I was delighted, as it got sunny and warm enough for "The Magnificent Seven" to have their very first outdoor adventure. 

"hey, where did everybody go?"

"Rob's getting the hose ready for "cleanup" detail"

"hey little "bro" are we lost out here or what?"

"Hey gang, I can't believe she didn't give us guys a blue water dish".

A good time was had by all, including Rob and myself as "puppies" are so amusing to watch with their playing, fighting and "big dog" imitations.  Hopefully the weather will start improving so they can be outside in the pen more often, as well as making "cleanup" much easier for "moi" !  "Easy is Better" in my books.

I now have not only "seven" pups, but also "seven" name suggestions for my "Nameless Kitchen Cat":

The suggestions are Lucky, Chuckles, Cookie, IKE (aka, "I Know Everything"), Percival, Tigger (as from Winnie the Pooh Bear), and Sir Whiskers the Second (as he looks like he ate the first).  Should you have any more suggestions for this "Nameless Kitchen Cat", or like one of the names already suggested, please let me know at rcroth@aol.com .  Monday after all names have been considered, and all votes are in, a name will then be chosen for this "fine porcelain friend of mine" (or should I say, "ceramic"?)  I look forward to all suggestions and/or votes.

Supper at the Roth residence last night was made easy with leftover "chicken pot" pie for Mother, and leftover "Broccoli Mushroom & Cheese Quiche" along with a side salad for Rob & I.

Since tomorrow is the 1st day of May, 2011, that means "Mother's Day" is only a week away from tomorrow.  Since, hopefully, most of us "mothers" receive flowers on Mother's Day, and some of them being "cut flowers", here is a little morsel of information I learned from the Caregiver Day Away I attended last month:

Should  you not have enough "Plant Food" provided with your cut flowers, you can make your own by mixing the following:

2 Drops of Bleach

1 Tsp. Sugar

3 Cups of Water

I am going to try this myself the next time I receive cut flowers, as I certainly would love to have them last as long as possible as my dining room table centerpiece.  It is such a nice feeling walking into a room with an arrangement of fresh flowers present, is it not?

Oh man....I am so tired this second cup of coffee isn't even doing the trick this morning.  I had better check out the Wiarton Airport weather forecast for the day ahead and start moving around before I find myself asleep in front of an unfinished "blog" entry.  Now wouldn't that make quite the alluring "picture"?  LOL

Today:

Sunny. High 15. UV index 6 or high. 

Tonight:

Increasing cloudiness late this evening. Wind becoming southeast 30 km/h late this evening. Low 9.

A high of 15 !!!  Wow, I had better get a third cup of coffee into me to see if that will "kick start" me with this kind of weather for the day ahead, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".





Got to See "Coming Out of the Church" By the Time I Turned on the TV

By the time I got up out of bed, cleared the cobwebs from my head, made the coffee and turned the TV on I did get to watch the "Royal newly weds exit from the Church".  Kate's wedding dress is so "elegant" for words even to describe it......and the Prince?  Much better looking then his father !  A very nice looking couple, I wish them well, as I am sure so many others have also done.

Since I missed the whole "exchange vows" and "church service", CNN has a link to it's "Royal Wedding 2011" special at:

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2011/royal.wedding/

I will pop in there later today to see any highlights of the Wedding I was unable to be awake for.  Can you imagine how many people watched this event?  I can't !!!  Too many for me to count on my fingers & toes how many times over, that is for sure ! 

In the health department at our house for the moment, so far so good.  I haven't heard any complaints yet from Rob, and he wasn't up and down from our bed all morning, like he had been yesterday morning.  Sleep and rest is two big key factors to feeling better, and Rob certainly has no problem with not getting enough of that.   Even though he might think he hasn't gotten enough at times, I beg to differ, lol.

It must have been the Homemade Turkey Vegetable Soup and Broccoli, Mushroom & Cheese Quiche I made for supper last night........yummy Turkey Veggie Soup, with homemade turkey stock, carrots, onions, mushrooms, yellow beans (out of the freezer from my garden), cauliflower, leftover turkey......

.....and the "quiche" recipe I used was:

Broccoli & Cheese Quiche

Ingredients:

·                        1 9-inch pie shell

·                        1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped broccoli, about 1 1/2 cups

·                        8 ounces fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced

·                        1 cup milk

·                        3 eggs, beaten

·                        2 tablespoons margarine, melted

·                        1 tablespoon flour

·                        1 teaspoon salt

·                        1/2 to 1 tsp pepper

·                        1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake pie crust about 10 minutes or until bottom is slightly brown. Let cool.

Cook broccoli until tender; drain well. Combine milk, eggs, margarine, flour, salt, pepper and 3/4 cup cheese; whisk until well blended.

Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup of cheese over crust. Layer broccoli and mushrooms on cheese. Pour milk and egg mixture over all.

Bake at 375° for 35 to 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

4 to 6 servings.

Ooops....wrong picture.....that supper belongs to the "Magnificent Seven"....."Quiche" a la Puppy Food, nothing but the best for them !  LOL

Oh here it is........

This was a much better dish to serve along with Turkey soup rather then the previous picture?  Rob was obviously feeling much better by the time supper time rolled around last night, as he managed to have "two" pieces of "quiche" and rated it a Five Star meal !

When I make the quiche again, I will use a sharper cheddar cheese, and increase the amount by another 1/2 of cup.  Just a matter of personal preference.

I am looking for a name for my "Kitchen Cat", as the poor dear is nameless.  I posted this request on my Facebook page at the beginning of the week and only got four suggestions, being Chuckles, Lucky, Cookie and Percival.  I am leaning toward Percival, but really would like some more input, as this guy is so involved in my Kitchen.......should any of my "blog" readers have any other ideas, or like one of the four names already suggested, please let me know by email at :  rcroth@aol.com   I would really appreciate any and all suggestions. 

The nameless "Kitchen Cat":

I just love having this "guy" in my kitchen, as he never gets underfoot, never makes "nasty" comments, never gets upset when I have "screwed" something up, always has a smile......and the list just goes on and on and on.  He is just the "Perfect Kitchen Companion".

I am a "big" fan of Carrie Underwood, as she has such a beautiful voice and style about her.  I came across a video of her, which I really find uplifting.  She is performing the song, "How Great Thou Art".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhvaDJTUmrU

It was a real "blessing" this girl got her big break on American Idol, as she is one that really deserved winning.

Yesterday it rained here most of the day; it was raining "elephants & hippos" (it came down too heavy & too fast at times to be "cats & dogs").  Our drainage ditches in our fields are overflowing into the field behind the house, and the field beyond the ditch is now a lake.  This is Spring time after a "good" rain behind our house:

I must report the water has gone down a little bit this morning, so I am thinking Colpoy's Bay should be getting a "good" fillup these past month.  Okay already, tomorrow is the last day of April, let the "April Showers" be over with already and bring on the "May Flowers" !!!

Let's look see what the Wiarton Airport is bringing my way, weatherwise, today:

Today:

Cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers this morning and early this afternoon. Clearing this afternoon. Wind northwest 20 km/h becoming light this afternoon. High 7.

Tonight:

Clear. Low zero

Holy crap!  "Zero" tonight!  I sure hope that doesn't mean flurries again.  Got my fingers and toes crossed that it doesn't!

Since I only did a few meager chores around the place yesterday, I really need to get my kitchen floor washed sometime today (inbetween puppy feedings & everything else), as it is going to get to the point of my feet sticking to it, and then I will never be able to leave my kitchen, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

A "Bug" in Our House....Hoping it Will Be Exterminated Real Soon !!!

We are busy enough with our lives without some crazy little "bug" coming in to interrupt things.  With the weather changing constantly from cold to warm, wet to damp, warm to cold, these little "bugs" seem to thrive on these changes, and really take advantage of us when we get ourselves run down by trying to get all that outside work done in one warm, balmy day or two of nice weather, or all that inside Spring cleaning accomplished in a day or two.  

The end of last week I felt nauseated, but kept on going not paying any attention to it, and it passed.  Yesterday the nausea was back again, I  was feeling tired, wrung out, and my body felt like "lead".  We all have known what this feeling is like at one time or another.  I think I have, once again, been overdoing things at a too steady of a pace, and need to slow it down some.  Hopefully this yechy stomach and nausea will leave me very soon, surely not soon enough to suit me!

Then there is poor "Rob".  He has been up and down to the bathroom so many times, since the wee hours of the morning, that I had lost count.  Poor guy, he feels just awful, and I am happy I don't yet feel quite as bad as he does, and hope not to.  I am glad he has gone back to bed (how is it that "guys" can sleep through anything or anytime?)  The only good thing is that we are both experiencing this "bug" at the same time, so luckily we won't be giving it back and forth to each other, as this has happened before.

It is a really good thing I made Turkey Stock just the other day, as I will be taking some out of the freezer this morning to make up a batch of Turkey Vegetable Soup.  Just what "Dr. Cindy" has ordered for "Poor Rob", and herself.  LOL....I might be under the weather, but thank goodness I can still have a "sense of humor".

Speaking of "under the weather", our weather out side our house is very very windy and wet this morning, and oh so dark !  The thunder has been rolling across the skies with rain pouring down from them, quite heavy at times, since the wee hours of the morning.  It doesn't appear it will be letting up any time soon by the looks of those skies when I had Lexus and Bandit out earlier.  Now this is the kind of weather that makes you feel like staying in bed with a really good book! 

I wonder if the Wiarton Airport people are going back to bed today with a good book, as I can't see much of a promise in the way of sunshine today:

Today:

Showers. Risk of a thunderstorm early this morning. Amount 20 mm. Wind becoming northwest 30 km/h late this morning then becoming southwest 30 gusting to 50. Temperature falling to plus 4 this morning then steady

Tonight:

Showers. Wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 becoming light after midnight. Temperature steady near plus 3

Definitely "no sunshine" today....but then again they have been wrong before !

The way I was feeling yesterday, and at the moment, I certainly didn't get much accomplished in the way of routine housework or Spring cleaning jobs.  I did manage to use up all but two bananas from the bowl on my kitchen counter in the Best Ever Banana Muffin recipe from the Muffin Mania book:

Best Ever Banana Muffins (Muffin Mania Book)

2 c. mashed bananas (4-5 med.)
3/4 c. white sugar
1 egg
1/3 c. melted butter or margarine
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. all purpose flour

Mash bananas. Add sugar and slightly beaten egg; Add melted butter. Add the dry ingredients; Fill greased muffin cups and bake at 375 * F for 20 minutes.

*Yields - 9 large muffins

Tips to Lighten this Muffin: Reduce butter amount to 1/4 cup & sugar amount to 2/3 cup

These banana muffins are the "best" I have ever had:

Jeanne, I hope you do notice there are none missing from the muffin pan, as you do notice when there is?  LOL.....  You also might notice the recipe says it yields 9 large muffins, whereas I stretched it out to get 12 nice sized muffins.

I am very grateful to have bananas on my kitchen counter top, as I was surprised by the statement my Australian friend, Jiba May, shared with me earlier today:

"No aged bananas at our house Cindy! Not with bananas $12-$15 a kilo, thanks to cyclone Yassi. No bananas at all in fact!"

There are still two bananas on my counter, and they will NOT be wasted.  They will either be cut up into cereal or put into the freezer for a later use.  We wasted so much, and I really hate if I have been wasteful myself.  We also take so much for granted, and "Thank You, Jiba, for reminding me of this" !

I also made last night's supper easy by putting together a "Turkey Pot Pie" with lots of vegetables and a Bisquick topping, served with sliced tomatoes on the side.  My key motto, "Simple, Easy & Nutritious" !!!

I am always on the lookout for new recipe ideas, or how to change up an old standby recipe, so on my search yesterday I came across a couple of websites for Turkey and Ham leftover recipes.  These two articles not only provide recipes, but also come interesting facts:

Turkey Leftovers:

http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/bl111797a.htm


Ham Leftovers:

http://leftoverhamrecipes.info/

I will be taking the time later today to look at both sites a little more in depth, picking and choosing any recipes I might like to try out at a later date.  I only have enough leftover turkey to put into today's soup, and the ham is still in my freezer.  Speaking of ham, leftover ham can be used up in a "Perfect Perogy Casserole":

Perfect Perogy Casserole

16 -20 perogies
1 onion, chopped
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon butter or 1 tablespoon margarine
1/2 cup cooked ham, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 (284 ml) can condensed mushroom soup



Directions:



Prep Time: 10 mins



Total Time: 45 mins

1.  In a small skillet melt butter
   or margarine and saute onion and green pepper for 5 minutes.
2.  In a medium size casserole dish,
   combine frozen perogies, onion, green pepper and ham.
3.  Combine milk and mushroom soup
   and pour over casserole.
4.  Top with cheddar cheese.
5.  Bake 35 minutes at 175C (350F)
   or microwave until heated

My tummy is starting to "rock & roll" so I had better lay off the "Java" for the rest of the day , sticking  to water, so no more Java until the tummy settles, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

What to Say What To Say? Just Another "Hump" Day to Make it Over....

"Hump" day, "middle of the week", "Wednesday"......whatever one may say, but it is still halfway until the weekend once again rolls around.......

Never mind Wednesday, I thought I was fairly busy Tuesday !  Wood stove to be lite, coffee to make, "blogs" to type, beds to make, dishes to be put away, puppies to be fed, newspapers to be gotten, homemade burgers and chili to be made, lunch to be had, dishes to be done, puppies to be fed, friends dropping in, table to be set, supper to be had, dishes to be done, puppies to be fed (not to mention everything in between, and the one, or two, or three, or more pit stops necessary for me to rest so I could make it to the end of my day, lol).

I really would like to shake the hand of the person who made the statement, "A Woman's Work is Never Done".  Isn't that the truth????

To be quite frank, I would rather be otherwise occupied then to sit like a "bump on a log" all day long in front of a TV, or computer screen....but then again, if it happened to be a really good "novel" I wouldn't mind being curled up in bed all day long with it (ummmm, something I haven't done since four years ago when my sister, Jeanne, and her husband, Cecil, went camping with us).

There is a sale on lean ground beef this week at our local food store.  Since I was down to 1 lb. left in the freezer I thought I had better take advantage of the sale with BBQ season rolling around soon (or hope we see more of it "real" soon).  The store sells it in long tubes, so after separating it I ended up with nine pounds total.  Seven pounds individually wrapped and put into the freezer, one pound made up into "Best Ever Burgers" (recipe posted earlier), and one pound made up into "Cindy's Homemade Chili".

When asked to take along a "slow cooker" dish to my sister, Donna's birthday party two weeks ago, I chose to make a double batch of chili, since I could easily make it ahead, freeze it, thaw it, transport it, and then pop it into the slow cooker on our arrival at the party.  Donna called me the other day wanting to know my chili recipe, as there were a few people at the party who thought it was the "best" chili they had ever had.....wow, was I ever surprised and very much appreciated the compliments as well.

I didn't have recipe for my chili, it is one of the very few dishes I have made by just throwing it together (I am sure it must be different every time I make it).  I told Donna I would be making it the next day, as my reserves in the freezer had been depleted, and I had just bought some lean ground beef hamburger.

I did make it yesterday, carefully writing everything down as I did it.  Along with the "recipe", I even emailed her a visual......from the beginning:

 ......to the middle (you will notice in this picture the "Kitchen Cat" has been replaced by the "Real Cat", Miss Lizzie).

....and the end (can't have the "Kitchen Cat" not having some of the "glory"!

Cindy’s Homemade Chili

1 – 1 ½ pound of lean ground beef

1 or 2 cloves of garlic, minced

Celery, diced

Onion, diced

2 tbsp Chili Powder, heaping

Pepper

2 – 796 ml (28 oz) canned diced tomatoes, undrained

2 – 540 ml (19 oz) cans of Mixed Beans (or your preference of beans mixed & matched), 

       drained

2 – 398 ml (13 oz) cans of Beans and Tomato Sauce, undrained

2 - 284 ml (10 oz) cans of Tomato Soup

2 - 284 ml (10 oz) cans of Mushroom Pieces & Stems, drained

1 – 156 ml (5.5 oz) can of Tomato Paste

In large Dutch oven pot, cook ground beef until pink is gone; drain well.  Add minced garlic, celery, onion, Chili Powder and pepper; Add remaining ingredients.  Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until celery is a la dente.

NOTE:  Careful with the heat, as not to have the chili stick and burn to the bottom.  Chili   

              freezes well to be used at a later date.

I certainly hope this turns out for everyone as it turns out for me, as Rob and Mother enjoyed having it for supper last night.

The other day, via email, I got the coolest video from my Aunt.  I was totally enthralled when I was watching it.  I most certainly couldn't believe someone actually was close enough to these animals, as the narrator had been.  We have had beavers in our drainage ditch, just behind our house, however I have never seen them this close, as they always dive when seeing us out on the ATV.  I found this to be totally "amazing":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beas8hgBl0k&feature=player_embedded

I love when people share this type of "stuff" with me, and also enjoy sharing it myself !  Thanks Auntie "Go Go Girl".

Rob and I went downtown to see if we could get some recyled newspapers from a couple of our local businesses, The Wiarton Echo and Lloyd's Smoke Shop.  We managed to get a sufficient supply between the two business establishments.  I thought a "personal" thank you via email would be a most appropriate gesture on the behalf of the "Magnificent Seven", so along with their thank you, a picture had also been attached:

I would be happy to know "my recyclables" were being properly recyled again, wouldn't you?  LOL

Yesterday went from a gray overcast morning beginning with a hard rain into a "wonderful" day of sunshine.  When I first got up this morning, to put the coffee on, it was raining, and still is I believe.  I had better check see what the rest of the day ahead will be like.  Not that I have any "big" plans other then the "norm", but I must keep on top of them to make sure their predications are correct, or not !

Today:

Increasing cloudiness. Showers beginning this morning. Risk of a thunderstorm this afternoon. Wind becoming east 30 km/h this afternoon. High 17. UV index 3 or moderate.

Tonight:

Showers. Risk of a thunderstorm overnight. Wind east 30 km/h becoming south 40 gusting to 60 then light late this evening. Low 7.

More rain again.  This is "okay", as there is always lots of inside stuff to do, and since I never did get "one" more Spring cleaning chore accomplished yesterday, I am sure I could make the time to do one today, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

"Fabulous Five" Now Down to the "Frightful Four" .......

I just received an email from the girl I had been going back and forth with all day Sunday, who was interested in a pup, stating she had found another elsewhere (big sigh).  That's okay, as the "Magnificent Seven" are down to the "Frightful Four", with two females and one male having new "forever" homes to go to in three weeks.

The "Seven" are almost totally weaned from their "Mommy", as I am now feeding them three square meals a day, and "Mommy" (Lexus) is feeding them one.  I am really pleased with their progress, as they are eating well, drinking water well, and of course, peeing and pooping all over the place with no problems at all!!!  Do you know how many newspapers one needs to have when there are puppies involved ?????   Let me tell you I am glad we have a local newspaper, The Wiarton Echo, where I can go in to get their recyclables !

Three weeks the puppies are ready for new homes!!!  Where have the past few weeks gone to..... they have just flown by in my little world.  That means there are only four more weeks until another Holiday Weekend !  Wowsers.....

I was very thankful to the Wiarton Airport yesterday for forecasting the weather incorrectly......no showers, with the exception of a few clouds, it turned out to be a very nice sunny day.  Matter of fact, it was so nice I hung out two sets of bedding on the clothes line that had no problem drying between the sunshine and a light breeze.

Oh and the smell of them crawling into bed last night....surely this is what I think a "little piece of Heaven" must be like.........

Since Hydro One deemed "Easter Monday" as a holiday, meaning off-peak hydro rates, not only did I take advantage of the weather by doing three loads of laundry and hanging my laundry out, I took advantage of the 'cheap' rates and made Turkey Stock yesterday, which simmered on my "electric" stove top for four hours:

.....strained and ready for overnight in the fridge for the fat to rise and set, which I will skim off today, then pour the desired amount of stock in individual containers to be put in the freezer for a later use.

For those of us who have never made a Turkey Stock before, I found a great website giving instructions on "how to":

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Poultry/turkeystock.htm

If you have the freezer space, it sure can save money by making your own broth, since Campbell's Broth,  at my local grocery store, can run anywhere from $2.99 to $3.49 a 900 ml carton.  I don't know about anyone else, but I sure do like saving money whenever I can.

Getting into a Health issue that is starting to be more recognized now then it has been in the past years, and something I have and was diagnosed with three years ago is "Fibromyalgia".  When I was diagnosed with Fibro, I was so relieved to have a "Name" for what I had been experiencing, as I really thought all the widespread pain and nerve eruptions I had been experiencing were all in my head.

Try explaining to someone that your legs from your knees down feel like electric shocks are pulsing through them and you have feltl like cutting your legs off from the knees down.  Or about the pains shooting from my elbows down into my wrists and hands (I do not have carpal tunnel syndrome, as I have been tested).  Not only painful, but very very frustrating as people look at you as if you have two heads; since they can not see your pain, how could they ever think you were feeling this widespread chronic pain?  I have and I still do.  I certainly feel for others who are experiencing the same pain and frustrations. as I do myself at times.

I am relieved to say, people are being more educated about Fibromyalgia these past few years then in the past.  I came across an article in the Canadian Health magazine from one last year's issue.  An article well worth the read should you know someone who is effected by the chronic pain of Fibromyalgia:

Understanding Fibromyalgia

http://www.canadian-health.ca/5_3/44_e.html

I hope there are some of us who find this article beneficial, as I certainly found it to be for my own self.  It is always a relief to find that I am not walking alone, as I have two first cousins who also have Fibro.  We can totally relate to what each of the other is feeling and have felt in the past, whether it is the pain or the emotions that go with it.

Trust me there are days when I wish I could feel like this little guy, but alas I can think of him and have a real "cchuckle" when I do:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HiO9rzU_aw&feature=share

Omg....a friend had emailed me this link just after Easter, and I almost fell off my chair laughing so hard....LOL.

Just last week, before Good Friday, an aquaintence emailed me asking whether I had a good pumpkin cheesecake recipe.  It just so happened I knew my girlfriend had made one a couple of years ago for her Thanksgiving family gathering.  I got on the phone to confirm that she had gotten the recipe from one of the Kraft What's Cooking Magazines, as well as how much she and her family enjoyed it (since two years had gone by I had to make sure my memory was serving me correct).

Sure enough I was right, so I passed on this information to my aquaintence.  I was so pleased to receive her email back after Easter telling me what a "great" hit this Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake had made at her Easter Dinner gathering.  She had also included a photo of her accomplishment:

Let me tell you how impressed was I with this young ladies accomplishment, as I, myself, haven't even made a "Baked Cheesecake".  Let me also say I am going to be making one now, as I certainly have been inspired by this young ladies "achievement".

This is the link for this wonderful looking "Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake" creation:

http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/pumpkin-swirl-cheesecake-94546.aspx

.....another tried, tested and true recipe by two people I know !

At the moment it is pouring rain here outside of my windows, so let's see what my favorite weather source has to say about the day ahead:

Today:

Showers. Risk of a thunderstorm late this afternoon. Amount 20 to 30 mm. Wind becoming east 30 km/h late this morning. High 14. UV index 3 or moderate.

Tonight:

Showers ending this evening then cloudy periods. Risk of a thunderstorm early this evening. Fog patches developing late this evening. Wind becoming south 20 km/h after midnight. Low 12.

Thunderstorms.....I love thunderstorms (as long as the hydro doesn't go out).  Looks like it will be a day to do some of the regular stuff around here, and maybe one Spring cleaning job could also be squeezed in somewhere, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble.....Wow, Another Local Turkey Sighting !!!!

I can't believe how many Wild Turkeys we have had strolling through our property already this Spring.....just across and beyond this field beside our house is where Rob sighted a Turkey "hen" Saturday.

.....and then yesterday, low & behold, another sighting right in our kitchen !  Imagine that?

LOL, then, of course, the "Fat" Kitchen Cat had to get in on things........

"Yummy", Rob and I most certainly enjoyed our Easter Sunday meal of turkey, whipped potatoes, dressing, cranberries, turnip and gravy.  Then much later in the evening, after the turkey settled, a piece of Peach Pie and coffee topped off the last part of the day.  Now that I think about it, I am glad I had made Raspberry Muffins for my visiting cousins on Saturday so I didn't have to share the Peach Pie......lol.

I had a very very enormous "brain fart" (as my sister & I call them) on yesterday morning's "blog".  I had put "Palm" Sunday, when it was actually "Easter" Sunday yesterday (which I well know, hence the "brain fart").  Thanks to the "gentle" correction by my Auntie (can't slide too much past that Go Go Auntie) my 'error' had been brought to my attention........lol.

Now after telling Rob about all of this, he had me phone Auntie back to tell her I had really put Palm, instead of Easter, on purpose, and the first person to notice and bring it to my attention was to do the honors of having us over for a "meal"........oh my Rob.....always conniving for a "free meal" for himself", even if it is at my expense.  It worked though!  He got another invite out for dinner, once again.......lol.

Just after we had finished up and cleaned up our dinner, just after 4:00 PM, there was a lady at our door.  Upon answering the door, she told me our neighbour, Ed Elliot, of Elliot's Garden Centre, had told her and her husband where we lived, as she seen the Puppy For Sale ad on the bulletin board there.  Their friends had to place their Australian Shepherd of 15 years to rest last year, and were looking for another.

I invited them in, and this lady just didn't want to give up the puppy she was holding......but she eventually did, much to the relief on her husband's face, they were on their way, with our name and phone number in hand to take along back to their friends.

These people live in Sauble Beach, 20 minutes away from us.  That would be so nice if one of our puppies were placed so close to home.  But then again, our cousin's daughter and husband, have made claim to the Red Tricoloured male, so I will be able to get progress updates about him on a regular basis.  I just happen to think that is so cool to know how our dog's babies turn out.......

Rob is, once again, in his "glory", as he has subscribed to a free month's trial of "Netflix".  Netflix is a round the clock, commercial free, movie and TV series provider.  One can pick and choose from their TV screen what they want to watch from what is made available through this service.  Rob could watch movies, old or new, 24 hours of the day if I let him, and we know that isn't going to be happening anytime soon !!!

A person must have or should have, "unlimited Internet service" as the movies/programs are uploaded from a computer onto a computer monitor, or through a Wii, or a Playstation system, etc....to your TV screen.  I hope I have this all explained correctly, if not I am sure it is all explained on Netflix's website at Netflix.com. 

Rob has pleaded his case by telling me, "it is only $7.99 + tax a month" to watch as much as you want, and to rent only two movies from the downtown video store it costs us $10.51 a month.  I think my "movie buff" is going to win out on this life decision.....but there had better be stuff done around here, other then movie watching going on in our household my dear Honey Rob !!!!

I had been invited by one of the girl's at my Doctor's office to go to a musical at the Bethel Church in Lion's Head last evening at 8:00 PM.  I was so tired from the Turkey we had consumed at 3:00 in the afternoon, I had just wanted to go to bed.  However, since she had asked me twice, I readied myself and headed up there shortly after 7:00 PM so I could get a good parking spot.

I am now so pleased I went, as it was absolutely "wonderful" and "uplifting".  The choir gave so much life to the performance, it is difficult for me to describe.  They even had a real life little baby as "baby Jesus" for the manger (who slept through the whole musical)!!!  This musical was most certainly given the appropriate title of "A Season To Celebrate" by Allen Pote, going from the date of Jesus' birth to when he was risen....  I am certainly grateful I took advantage of Laura's invite, as her accompaniment on the piano was terrific.

I saved the Turkey carcass, so I am thinking I will put it in the pot today and make Turkey stock for the freezer.  Sounds like an easy task to me, with the hardest part being to strain it all through the cheesecloth, but then again I have the "movie buff" to help me with that part.  LOL.

Lots of turkey leftovers for the week ahead.....hot turkey sandwiches, turkey pot pie, turkey a la king, turkey, turkey, turkey......I "love" it so easy, simple and good for us!

Speaking of what's ahead, from taking a "peek" in on what the Wiarton Airport had to say, I just have to say it isn't going to be short-sleeve sandal weather by any means, so I will be getting out the rain slicker and my rubber boots.  I best not get too ahead of myself and focus on the day at hand:

Today:

Increasing cloudiness. Showers beginning this afternoon. High 12. UV index 4 or moderate.

Tonight:

Showers. Low 7

Yeppers, there is that 'rubber boot' word.....'showers'.  I, for one, will be keeping my home fires going, as my bones certainly do not take to the dampness too kindly.

Now I have almost blown all of the wind from my sails, I think I will head off to visit the Kitchen Cat to get myself that second cup of Java, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

HIppity Hop, Hippity Hop, Hippity Hop.....Down the Bunny Trail

The only hippity hop I will be doing this fine Easter Sunday morning will be a hippity hop down the stairs to take Lexus and Bandit out, prepare a Turkey Dinner, and give the "Magnificent Seven" breakfast & supper, then hopefully get up to Lion's Head for a Musical Drama at the Bethel Church for 8:00 PM (if I can still hippity hop by then).

I remember "Palm Sunday" well as a child.....as it was so exciting to go to Church all dressed up with new shoes, stockings, dress, a Sunday best coat, and a hat.  I loved going to Church on "Palm Sunday" as a child.  It is funny I have more fawn memories of getting dressed up for Church on Easter Sunday then that of the Easter Bunny (which I actually have no memories of now that I think about it).  These are good memories, as I am sure my children only have memories of the Easter Bunny, even though they had been taken to Church at a young age.

If my memory serves me correct, I remember the weather on Palm Sunday as being sunny and dry, as I was skipping down Victoria Street in Southampton on my way to the United Church.  Growing up I loved that Church, and still love it, with it's stained glass front window of Jesus Christ our Shepherd with his flock of sheep.  Next time I am down that way, I think I will stop over to the Church just to take a picture of that front window to have.  Good memories.........

I must call my Grandsons this morning to see what the "Easter Bunny" brought them.  Rob & I had given them a turtle light, sun glasses, a pin and a small chocolate Easter Bunny.  I try to go little on the chocolate, and include a few little items I know they will get some enjoyment from.  There is another thing I must put on my hippity hop list to do today.

Speaking of puppies breakfast, I wish I could have someone take a video of all the commotion the "Seven" put on.  When I go down at 10:30 or 11:00 with pan of mush in hand, and they see me, oh my the howling begins!  If someone didn't see what was going on, you would swear I was putting these seven little balls of fur through a wringer......  I open the door to the pen, set the food down, open the ramp to the whelping box and RUN !!!!!  

....and trust me, once that ramp is let down I have to really Run fast to get out of there before the "Seven" start making the descent down the ramp !

These little guys and girls had lots of socializing yesterday when my cousins, Brad, Paula, Suzanne and Paige came to visit them.  Tuckered them out so much they were having the biggest "siesta" the rest of the day right up until I had to wake them up for supper !

Awwww, if I could only sleep so sound, and the positions, to be so flexible?  LOL

Rob was very busy being the Town of Wiarton's "Crabbie Cab" last night, as there was the annual Beef Dinner at the Purple Valley Community Centre, after a day of their Maple Syrup Festival.  He was so busy I didn't see him from 8:00 PM until 3:00 AM.  Needless to say, the "Crabbie Cabbie" is still asleep and hopefully continues to do so until all the crabby has left him, lol.  Poor dear, I know what lack of sleep is like, so I really do sympathize with him on this matter.

That's okay, I am making him one his most favorite meals again....."Turkey Dinner" with all the trimmings.  I am thinking I will do up an early dinner today, as I would like to have it all cooked, ate and cleaned up by 5:00 PM, so I can get cleaned up and ready myself to attend the Musical Drama at the Lion's Head Bethel Church at 8:00 PM.

After eating turkey, I am also going to need a rest, as it does make me sleepy, and I don't want to fall alseep through the performance, as that would not be acceptable.....do you think?

Speaking of food, one of my most favorite subjects, when Rob is off doing his stuff Saturday evenings I usually get to watch the "What's Cooking" 1/2 hour TV episode.  Last night they made a Tiramisu Cheesecake, making it appear to be so easy to make.  I can't believe the recipe takes "four 250 g packages" of Cream Cheese !  Wow it will have to be a very special occasion for me to put that much money out for a dessert, being as frugal as I am....however it did look simply delish so I did look up the link for it:

http://www.whatscookingtv.com/tiramisu-cheesecake-mousse/

.....and only 270 calories per serving.

Oh I almost forgot, unbeknownst to them, I used my dear cousins as "guinea piggies" yesterday when I served them fresh "Raspberry Yogurt Muffins" that I had just made that morning.  I got very good results from the four of them, and if they never read this "blog" they will never be the wiser.  LOL.....this is the same recipe I posted earlier this week but with using Strawberries.  Rob prefers Strawberries and I prefer Raspberries, but I think these new "guinea pig" subjects might go for both.

It looked like it was nice and bright when I first got up this morning, however the longer I have sat the more overcast it has become by the looks of it out there now.  Must have a peak at what the Wiarton Airport has to say about the weather this glorius "Palm Sunday":

Today:

Sunny with cloudy periods. High 8. UV index 6 or high.

Tonight:

Clear. Increasing cloudiness before morning. Low plus 1.

Just as I had suspected, cloudy periods, but that is okay, as that key word is in there, "Sunny".

Lexus is making it well known that she needs to be attended to so here I go again, off and running "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME !!!! Two Years Today ..... Wow !

I can't believe it has been "two years" today since I had my "last cigarette".....whooohooooo !!!  .....and Rob has lived through it all without even a scratch (in my opinion anyway, lol).  As often as there has been times I really really wanted one, as I still crave them here and there, I am glad I didn't give in to the craving.

Actually I never developed asthma until the past few years, before I quit smoking, and should I have continued not to smoke I might have had more serious problems then just the asthma.  Until now, I hadn't even realized, or thought about it, it had been "Cancer Awareness" month when I did quit.  Wow a double meaning to it.

Well a very very big "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY" to myself.  Also a very "Happy Anniversary" to our son, Paul, who has been cigarette free for two weeks!!! 

To quit smoking cigarettes is not a very easy accomplishment, being compared to quitting Heroin, which apparently is easier to quit?  Since I was in my early twenties I think I had tried quitting at least a dozen or more times.  I really think I had myself brainwashed to quit when I turned 50 years old, as this is when my Mother had quit (wow, thirty-four years ago).  For those of us who are still trying to quit, most certainly don't give up trying, as it might all come together one day for you, as I had been to the point between the smell and the cost it was just sickening to me (lol, but I still craved them).  Good luck to all .......

My dearest, Elsie, speaking of health issues, I did ask my Doctor about his thoughts on "Calcium causing Heart issues in women".  He is of the opinion it is more directed at women who are diabetic and smokers (these woman being the "higher" at risk).  He is advising women make sure their "Bone Density" tests are current, in order to be correctly evaluated I would think.  Since my last bone density was as recent as the past three years, and a "good" report, he said I could refrain from taking a Calcium Supplement, however continue on with the 1000 units of Vitamin "D".  Thank you for reminding me about this matter, as my brain could use a little "juggle" now and then (in someways more).

I suppose if we were all to eat a "correct"  daily balanced diet, we would get enough of Calcium from our diets, and have no need for a supplement.  However this so called, "perfect diet" certainly doesn't happen in my household.  I am a very large consumer of veggies & fruits, however not a very big "milk drinking" fan, and really how much "cheese" can one person consume in a day? 

It is very difficult for women, as once menopause begins for us, I believe it draws from our body calcium.  I would certainly welcome more opinions then my own Doctor's, so should anyone else being asking their own Doctor about this newly released "Calcium" dilemma, please let me know?

Speaking of daily diets.....ours was one of eggs, bacon, home fries and toast for last night's supper.  With the exception of myself, since I don't like eggs with runny yolks, I made myself a mushroom omelet:

....and then for tonight's dessert the before & after pictures:

Tad ah !!!!  Peach Pie:

4 cups sliced peaches (I used 8 frozen & thawed)

Combine:3/4 cup sugar
3 tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp Cinnamon (I used 1 tsp)

Add sliced peaches to mix. Place in 9" deep dish pie shell, cover with shell lid. Seal & flute edges. Slit or prick top (I used a "bear" cookie cutter).

Bake in preheated 450* F oven for 15 minutes or until pastry is golden.
Reduce heat to 350* F oven and continue baking for 30-35 minutes longer.

I was sorry I didn't have an Easter Bunny cutout, so had to make do with the little "Bear".  I sure hope it is going to taste as good as it looks ! 

April is also "Earth Month".  I contribute, or one might say, give back to Mother Earth, but composting and recycling.  I found Betty Crocker's "Go Green" article very informative, and will put to use a couple of suggestions they had on having a "green kitchen":

http://www.bettycrocker.com/tips/tipslibrary/ingredients/green-kitchen-101?ESRC=16031&WT.mc_id=partner_facebook_Bettycrocker&%3FESRC=16031%3FWT.mc_id%3Dpartner_twitter_bettycrocker%3D%3FESRC%3D16030

 April is most certainly one big month of celebrations !!!!

I was most pleasantly surprised with how the weather turned out yesterday.  After the humdrum of some usual household chores, Bandit & I were able to enjoy a very warm and pleasant walk along Colpoy's Bay and past the Wiarton Marina.  Bandit really lucked in, as we had met up with a father out walking with his three young daughters, whom he got soooo many pets from.  Bandit is quite a catch, you know, or should I say, "quite the fetch"?

One "handsome" boy is he not?   Oops, sidetracked again.....on with our famous Wiarton Airport local weather report for the day:

Today:

Rain ending early this morning then cloudy with 30 percent chance of showers. Wind southeast 20 km/h becoming southwest 40 gusting to 60 this morning. High 12. UV index 4 or moderate.

 

Tonight:

Clearing late this evening. Fog patches developing after midnight. Wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 becoming light this evening. Low minus 1.

With all of this rain (and snow) we have been having, there is going to be so much many May flowers coming up we are going to be overwhelmed but them all!!!!

I need that second cup of Java this morning before I whip up a batch of Raspberry Yogurt muffins, one never knows who might drop by "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Easter Weekend; A Time to Celebrate or An "Extra" Day Off Work?

Here we are celebrating Easter Weekend 2011 beginning today with Good Friday.  I wonder how many of us still remember the meaning of Good Friday and Palm Sunday, or how many of us just look at it as an "extra" day off work?  I also have always wondered why Good Friday was called "Good", as I can't imagine why the Crucifixion of Christ our Lord being "good".

I googled "Why Good Friday is called Good Friday".  The explanation I liked the best was the description , in song, from the "Just Kids Magazine" website:

http://just4kidsmagazine.com/justask/whygoodfriday.html

 I loved it !  Hopefully most of us still celebrate Easter for it's true meaning, and not just for that "extra" day off work.

My whole Easter Dinner Menu was changed in an instance by a man (not to mention any names, ROB) preferring to have Turkey with all the trimmings, rather then my choice of Ham & Scalloped potatoes.  Let me tell you it is just easier some days to go with the "flow" instead of "treading upstream".  Turkey it will be !!!  However, make it known, since I am making it, I am deciding on the "dessert"!!!!!!  LOL

For supper last night I made Hamburger Stew over potatoes, one of the staples from my childhood.  I happened to have leftover gravy from a Roast Beef dinner, so I just fried up hamburger along with chopped onion, drained it well and added the gravy.  Should I not have leftover gravy, after draining the hamburger well, I would add some boiled water and thicken it with cornstarch & water to make the gravy.  Sometimes I will throw in some frozen peas for a varition.  Mom and Rob really enjoy this meal, and I enjoyed leftover chicken.

 Wit & Wisdom:    I freeze any unused roast beef gravy to be used later in a Shepherd's Pie.

I made a few people smile yesterday, as I had took along to my appointment a Strawberry muffin for each of the three girls, as well as Dr. Loney.  Since my appointment is first thing in the morning, they were very appreciative having a muffin to go along with their morning coffee.

I love making people "smile", it make my tummy tingle. 

I was smiling myself yesterday, since I took money I had received for my Birthday to purchase a new "digital camera" to replace the one I had dropped into the dog's water dish.  I purchased a Fuji 12 megapixel, 10 x zoom camera that also records videos for a clearance price of $118.00, and a further, rather large, discount, since it was the last one & the display model, for a grand total, tax included, of $94.00 !!!!  Now let me tell you that made me "smile", and I still have $6.00 left to purchase a lottery ticket.......I couldn't have been more happier, since as much as I appreciated that I still had my really really old camera to use, I really wanted a much newer one. 

Watch out now there will be lots of future pictures being posted, and maybe a few videos?

In all my years of being, I don't remember too many Good Fridays being sunny, as they have usually been on the most part overcast or rainy for some unknown reason to me.  Let's see what the Wiarton Airport has to say about this "Good Friday":

Today:
Cloudy. Clearing near noon. Wind becoming southeast 20 km/h late this morning. High 11. UV index 5 or moderate.

Tonight:
Increasing cloudiness. Rain beginning this evening. Wind southeast 30 km/h. Low plus 5

It does say "clearing", so we will have to wait to see if the sun will be peeking out at some point throughout the day ahead.

Sometimes I have such an awful time with the formatting of my "blog".  It just seems to take on a life of it's own, so other then the, hopefully, odd spelling error, I will excuse myself for the "odd formation of it's appearance" today, past & future dates.

Oh yes, "The Magnificent Seven" !.  Now that they are eating "puppy food mush" twice a day, I think I am the most favorite object in their little lives at the moment. other then their Mother.  When they see me coming with that dish of mush, "watch out as I get almost bowled over"!  LOL !!!  I am happy to report they are eating, drinking water, and soiling newspapers (and other things).   Right on course for going into their 5th week.  Just wait, there will be lots of future "new" pictures being posted with my "new" camera.

Oh almost forgot.....when I was reading "Wise Bread" (Living Large on a Small Budget) I found an article that caught my interest on Mouthwash:

http://networkedblogs.com/gVrrM

It might be right there on my shelf along with the Witchhazel, since Mouthwash has so many uses other then just being a "mouthwash".  Since I use Mouthwash instead of toothpaste, it is nice to know I can substitute it for other products.

Here is is almost 7:00 AM and I have already been up for 2 hours......ummm is that an indication of a very long day ahead.  I hope not, as I am going to try enjoying every minute of it "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".