Dill Dip & Curry Dip

Posted on July 12, 2011 by candace

So you find yourself with an excess of yogurt to be used up (so I’ve been told – you know who you are). Or, like me, you mostly prefer to eat your veggies raw (because raw veggies = tasty whereas cooked are often not). Why not make some dip? You can use up that yogurt and have a lovely accompaniment for your raw veggies.

Dill Dip
1 cup yogurt
3/4 cup salad dressing (mayo or Miracle Whip)
2 drops Tobasco
1 tbsp dried parsley
1 tbsp dried minced onion
1 tbsp dried dill
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
Combine all ingredients and chill before serving.

Dill Dip

Curry Dip
1 cup yogurt
2/3 cup salad dressing (mayo or Miracle Whip)
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp dried chives
1/2 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp dried minced onion
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp salt
Combine all ingredients and chill  before serving.

Curry Dip

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Brunch At Lily’s Cafe

Posted on July 9, 2011 by candace

This was our second visit to Lily’s Cafe; the first was a Friday evening with our friends Karl & Trisha, I guess a little over a month ago now. After the first time, we definitely wanted to go back. The plan was to meet Karl & Trisha there today, but they couldn’t make it so we decided to go on our own.

Both times it has been rainy when we are there, which is a shame. Lily’s Cafe is in the Lily Lake Pavillion at Rockwood Park, and it would be nice to wander around the park a bit. We will keep trying though.

I took my camera anyway, in hopes that the weather might clear. I expected a comment from Cory about me toting my camera along, but he was heading for the door with his tablet, so I guess we just have different toys. While I played with my camera, Cory played Sudoku.

We were seated by the window, which was open to let a breeze come in. The air was cool, but not to the point of being chilly. With the breeze coming in and the view of the lake, I could almost pretend we were camping. You know, except for the being warm & dry part. 🙂

Deciding what to order was hard. Most of the time I am a pancakes-or-waffles girl when we go out for breakfast, which was not an option here. French toast was on the menu, but I wasn’t sure I was in the mood for that. We pondered…

…And both ended up being happy with our decisions.

My Rockwood Farmhouse Panini, with home fries

Cory's Lake Side Breakfast

I was stuffed, but I finished most of my meal (Cory helped with some of the home fries). We definitely want to go back. Next time I may have to try that French Toast…

Speaking of Rain…

After brunch we headed over to the East Side. We needed to replace our pet fountain, the old one is finally wearing out. Most of this week has actually been sunny, but it started raining sometime last night, and it was coming down pretty hard at times this morning. We hit a section of Rothesay Avenue that was closed because it was under water. We made it to the mall though, and started to look for parking spot.

The front parking lot was full, so we headed around back and found a lake. We might not have realized just how much water there was, had we not seen some trucks driving through it (for the fun of it, as far as we could tell).

They were making waves – whitecaps in the parking lot. How crazy is that?

We decided that we didn’t really want to go to the mall after all.

Posted in Crazy Weather, Dining Out | Tagged | 1 Comment

Solar Cattails

Posted on July 6, 2011 by candace

A few weeks ago at Costco I saw some solar lights made to look like cattails. I didn’t buy them at the time, but they stayed in my mind so last Thursday when we walked by them again, I picked them up.

I set them up in the garden on Friday morning, so they would have the day to charge, and then watched with anticipation as evening came on.

These photos are actually in reverse of the order they were taken in, but I think they flow better that way.

They come as two pieces – one has two lights on it, the other is a single light. I actually moved them a bit closer together on Sunday, so they are in a slightly different position in this photo.

Sunday, July 3, approx. 8:30 pm

This was taken from our living room, looking down through the window. I wasn’t sure how well the picture would come out, but I was pretty happy with it.

Saturday, July 2nd, approx. 9:30 pm

And these were taken from the driveway, using my tripod. It was actually quite dark, or so it seemed to me, so I was surprised how much light and  colour came out on the photos. It’s worth clicking on these photos to see them enlarged.

For this one, I was standing a little way out from our garage door.

Friday, July 1st, 10:00 pm

For this one, I was further down the driveway, looking toward the house.

Friday, July 1st, 10:00 pm

When I placed the lights by the front step, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to leave them there permanently. Once I saw the lights in action, I decided I like it. I think it’s good having lights by the step that will come on automatically when it gets dark.

I’m also pretty impressed with my camera. Having very little actual knowledge, I was able to take these pictures after dark and have them come out. It was fun playing with my camera and tripod outside at 10 o’clock at night. 🙂

Edit 2014-06-13: Three years later, people are still stopping by and commenting on this post, usually to ask where they can buy the Cat Tail lights or replacement parts. I really have no idea! I I can only repeat what I’ve mentioned in the comments before – try http://globalxsupport.com/ which was the website listed on the box. Hope that helps someone and thanks for stopping by! 🙂

Posted in Garden 2011 | Tagged | 24 Comments

Canada Day Weekend 2011

Posted on July 4, 2011 by candace

Yay for long weekends!

It hasn’t been a great summer so far, the weather has been gloomy and depressing. But, if this is what we’re going to get, I will try to make the best of it.

Local strawberries have been in the stores for the past couple of weeks. What says summer like strawberry shortcake? We had our fix this weekend.

Friday & Saturday I was mostly busy in the house during the day, but spent the evenings out in the garden. Sunday I was determined to finish, so I spent the morning and the late afternoon outside. I’m not 100% finished, but I’ve done enough that if I don’t manage the rest, I’ll still be content.

It’s pretty out there right now, so it was pleasant to spend time outside. These photos were taken last night between 8:90 – 9:00, so the light wasn’t the best, but they came out not too bad.

Starting from the corner by the gate, I have six tomato plants in containers.

There are more tomatoes along the back of the veggie garden, and pepper plants along the front. I seem to have a hard time growing peppers in the ground out here; I’ve covered them with domes for now, hoping that will help them get established. I’ve also got some herbs, carrots, peas, beans, and sunflowers planted. Hoping it is not too late for the seeds to grow.

Last year I experimented with potato tubs, which worked out very well – more potatoes growing there at the end of the veggie garden. This year’s experiment is upside down tomato planters. I am a little concerned over how well the plant hangers are going to hold up. Every spot in the yard that I tried, I ran into rock trying to set up the hangers – just hoping I am not going to walk out one morning and find them on the ground.

The lilac bush that I had on the end here finally gave up this year. My Mom brought it from her garden at home – I think the year we moved into our house? She actually brought two – a white and a purple. For the first couple of years they were chewed on by the deer. When we put up the cat fence I had to dig them up and move them and they were not in particularly good shape. I had sort of a straggly line along the inside of the fence, so when we had the vegetable bed put in, we also had a bed dug along the fence and the poor lilac bushes were moved again. They never really had a chance.

So I gave in and bought one on Sunday, along with a couple of high bush blueberries for Cory. I had to do a bit of weeding along the fence. While I was at it, I dug up tulip bulbs. I planted them a few years ago and the first spring they came up and were lovely. Since then, they’ve tried to grow – I would get leaves but no blooms. So I moved them. I was in a rush by the time I got to doing that, so I’m hoping for the best.

I had a few annuals to plant as well, so did that on Sunday. I’ve still got some herbs that need to be transplanted. Not sure whether I will get around to planting any lettuce – the slugs & snails are really bad this year anyway, with all the rain we’ve had.

After a weekend of sun & cloud, it rained again today. I’m okay with that – it means I didn’t need to go out and water. The city is doing work on the water system tonight, so we are without water from 7pm to 7am tomorrow. We’re supposed to get sun for the next  couple of days, which my poor garden could really use.

I also got some solar lights this weekend, but I think this post has gotten long enough, so I’ll save that for another day.

Posted in Garden 2011, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

It’s Raining Again

Posted on June 25, 2011 by candace

I’m starting to wonder if my garden is ever going to get planted this year. The sunny days have been few and far between and even when the sun is shining I don’t always have the time to get out in the garden. At what point is it too later to bother? I still have most of the plants that I started from seed to transplant, I would at least like to get those planted.

Last Friday, the 17th, the sun was shining so I got home from work, headed straight out to the garden.

This bush (it wants to take over the yard, I know it) was growing half over the gate, so I trimmed it back.

The potatoes were long past needed more soil added to their tubs.

And then I started edging my veggie garden. At that point the sun was disappearing and it was starting to get chilly. Cory was ready for dinner at that point, so I called it a day.

Saturday was rainy so I played in the kitchen instead. I experimented with making English Muffins from scratch and made Chicken Curry for dinner.

Sunday the sun shone some, there were showers, but I went out hoping I could do something in the garden. The veggie garden was too wet.

I did a bit of weeding and planted two tomato plants in my second Tomato Planter.

Wednesday this week we finally had some warm sunny weather, and the veggie garden was dried out enough to work in. I cut the edge back again and put in one of those edge barrier thingies – I’m sure there is a name for it, but it is escaping me at the moment. They may not be the nicest looking, but it helps to keep the grass from crowding in every year. Funny how grass always grows so well where you don’t want it.

I only had one roll of edging, so I did the front edge which is the hardest to keep anyway. I did some more weeding and it’s mostly ready to plant now. There is one spot where there is a big, prickly weed that I have been avoiding. Grass Catchers kindly sprayed it for me and once I’m sure it’s dead I’ll dig it out.

I’ve been trying to figure out where I want to place my plant hangers, I have upside down tomato planters that I plan to use.

I think I’m going to move the near one.

I had hoped to get out again on Thursday but after work I was tired and by the time supper was over with I was just too tired.

My plan is to finish planting the tomatoes that are going in containers and then once I can easily see what I’ve got left I’ll get the veggie bed planted. It’s just taking so long to get it done because the weather is not cooperating. To be honest, it’s making me pretty darn cranky.

As frustrating as the weather is, everything is looking green and lush. I guess that’s what you get in the rain forest. 🙂

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Indian Chicken Curry

Posted on June 19, 2011 by candace

This is for you, Anna.  🙂

This is a favourite recipe of ours. You may need to invest in a few items for your spice cupboard, and it takes a bit of time to put together, but trust me; it’s worth it.

(Full recipe at end of post)

Start with:

1.5 – 2 lbs. chicken parts
2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
oil (up to 5 tablespoons depending on your taste)

We use skinless, boneless chicken breasts because that’s pretty much the only chicken that we buy, but go with your own preference. Sprinkle chicken with the lemon juice, salt, and turmeric. Set aside. In heavy saucepan heat a bit of oil, brown the chicken pieces and remove; set aside.

Next, the base:

pinch of cumin seeds
1 bay leaf
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
1 large onion, very finely chopped

In same saucepan, heat up a bit of oil, when hot, add base ingredients. Saute over medium heat until the onion is very tender, about 3-5 minutes (do not let it burn).

Feel tap on your bum and turn around to see a Fabulous Feline hoping for chicken scraps.

Oh wait, maybe that’s just at our house. You’ll probably just want to go ahead with the seasoning paste:

2 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 1/2 tablespoons sour cream (I use plain yogurt)
2 large tomatoes, peeled and very finely chopped

You can peel the tomatoes if you wish. I just throw them in our mini-processor and puree them.

Add seasoning paste ingredients to your saucepan and cook 3-4 minutes.

Meanwhile, put your spice mix together:

2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon garam masala (you can buy at Bulk Barn)
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

Add the spice mix and stir well, then add your chicken back to the pot and stir well so that all pieces are covered with sauce.

Bring to a boil, cover reduce heat and simmer about 40 minutes (you can get away with less if you are using skinless, boneless chicken breasts). When chicken is completely cooked, add 1/2 cup coconut milk and warm through a few minutes. Serve with basmati rice.

CHICKEN CURRY
1.5 – 2 lbs. chicken parts
2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (I use juice of one lemon)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
oil (up to 5 tablespoons depending on your taste)
BASE:
pinch of cumin seeds
1 bay leaf
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
1 large onion, very finely chopped
SEASONING PASTE:
2 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 1/2 tablespoons sour cream (I use plain yogurt)
2 large tomatoes, peeled and very finely chopped (I don’t bother to peel the tomatoes)
SPICE MIX:
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon garam masala (you can buy at Bulk Barn)
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 cup plain yogurt, heavy cream, or coconut milk (I use coconut milk)
Sprinkle chicken with the lemon juice, salt, and turmeric. Set aside. In heavy saucepan heat a bit of oil, brown the chicken pieces and remove; set aside. In same saucepan, heat up a bit of oil, when hot, add BASE ingredients. Saute over medium heat until the onion is very tender, about 3-5 minutes (do not let it burn). Add SEASONING PASTE ingredients and cook 3-4 minutes. Add the SPICE MIX and stir well to incorporate into the mixture. Add chicken pieces, stir well so that all pieces are covered with sauce. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer about 40 minutes. When chicken is done, add the 1/2 cup of yogurt, and warm through a few minutes. Serve with basmati rice.
Posted in Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Gopher? Groundhog?

Posted on June 16, 2011 by candace

I’ve been backdating a lot of posts recently. I’ve had a lot of photos to share and felt it would be too many for one post; and I can’t not post them, right? I’m caught up now, and this one is coming at you live – so to speak – on Thursday, June 16. I know, it’s exciting for me too.  🙂

Yesterday, after work, I walked across the road to get the mail. Coming back up the drive, I spied our resident groundhog (I think? I’ve been referring to him as a gopher, but I think it’s more likely a groundhog? And could be a her – I’m pretty sure there are actually two, though I rarely see them both at the same time).

I immediately ran (slowly and quietly so as not to startle the wildlife, so I guess it couldn’t actually be called running) to get my camera. I can’t help myself, any sighting of the various critters that wander through our neighbourhood makes me want my camera. It’s what I like to do.

I made it back outside and Mr. Groundhog was still there, munching on grass. I was worried that my hands weren’t steady enough, but thanks to Image Stabilizing lenses, it seemed to turn out okay.

If he was building tunnels in our lawn, I wouldn’t be very happy, but he’s still so very cute. That was as close as I could zoom, but I was able to crop a pretty good image.

See? Adorable.

Deep down in my soul, I see myself wanting a bigger zoom lens at some point. But for now I am content.

Of course, while I was out there playing wildlife photographer, Frank came running out, all disgruntled that I was on the outside of the fence while he was stuck inside. Zappa was not too far behind. Though between their reluctance to stay still and the fence I was looking through, it was hard to take pictures. Mostly they are good models…but sometimes not.

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Wasp Nest

Posted on June 12, 2011 by candace

On Sunday, as I was traversing our entryway, I happened to glance out and see something new. I kept an eye on it and, sure enough, I eventually saw a large insect working away. I’m guessing wasp – it was black with white stripes. Whatever it was, it looked like something I didn’t want to get to close too. Still, I couldn’t resist taking the camera out.

A zoom lens is definitely preferred for close ups in a case like this.

Can’t really blame a wasp for choosing a location with a view.

More fun with the zoom lens.

That evening I sprayed the wasp nest. I felt kind of bad doing it, but obviously we can’t have a wasp nest on our front stop. I’ve been keeping an eye on it and I think (I hope) we’re in the clear.

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Playing with my new zoom lens

Posted on June 10, 2011 by candace

With my new camera, I got a 18-55 mm lens and a 55-250 mm lens. Friday was a beautiful sunny day, and after work I took the cats out on the deck to get some sun, and my new zoom lens out to play.

Sitting on the top step, I can see this lilac bush in our neighbour’s yard.

Let’s have a closer look…

Not too shabby.

Still from my seat on the top step, I took this photo of Zappa.

Then I stood up to shoot over the deck railing.

This is fun!

Then I ventured down to ground level for two last shots.

Can you tell what my favourite photo subjects are?

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Mid-Week Mischeif

Posted on June 8, 2011 by candace

Somewhere around the end of April I broke a tooth. Tuesday I finally had an appointment to get it fixed. My dentist recommended an Onlay, as that would be stronger than just doing a filling. However, it meant an hour and a half in the dentist chair and grinding away quite a bit of my tooth so I was pretty apprehensive about the whole thing. The dentist offered a prescription for Ativan to help keep me relaxed, which I accepted. I would be out for the afternoon, so I decided to take the day off work.

I spent a pretty pleasant morning at home. The cats both got walks, Zappa waiting patiently for his turn.

Then I decided to dig up some of the violas that are growing in the gravel behind our house and move them to the garden beside the driveway.

The transplant really well, the deer don’t eat them, and they’ll keep flowering right through autumn. I call that a win.

My dentist appointment was at 2 pm, at which point I learned that Ativan does not a thing for me. My tooth is fixed, but I most definitely was not relaxed during the procedure.

Cory brought me home and prescribed a restorative.

And then I spent the rest of the afternoon puttering out on the deck with the cats. It was high time I started hardening off my seedlings and transferring them to larger pots.

Wednesday was another sunny day, so after supper I finally tackled my veggie garden which was all weeds.

Quite a mess, no? You can barely tell there is a garden there.

Still some cleaning up to do, but definitely progress.

The cats disappeared on me – no doubt napping to be ready for a night of carousing – but I had a snail to keep me company.

Posted in Garden 2011, Seedlings, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment