tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169292362024-03-07T03:01:20.418-04:00frenchy's finds"Expect nothing, live frugally on surprise."
Alice WalkerSherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.comBlogger903125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-19545657812013705382009-04-29T14:46:00.005-03:002009-04-30T20:41:31.606-03:00change is in the air<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp948NddEfr2lqF_vsCAEMN4SRdODrx9ENcxbtWoD4mnCvyrfteLi5UQIYF-R2pSVovaaNw6Kb5piAA9t0mNfoYCQZ9TCf_wRnLmIeSfovF5ywoYMADqoC2Q7ffvKb7G0ROVE8lQ/s1600-h/pussy+willows.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp948NddEfr2lqF_vsCAEMN4SRdODrx9ENcxbtWoD4mnCvyrfteLi5UQIYF-R2pSVovaaNw6Kb5piAA9t0mNfoYCQZ9TCf_wRnLmIeSfovF5ywoYMADqoC2Q7ffvKb7G0ROVE8lQ/s400/pussy+willows.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330171650447385810" border="0" /></a>Another willow picture for you, for this momentous occasion.<br /><br />I've been thinking for awhile that I need to change things up here at Frenchy's Finds. A new name, primarily, that better fits with what I post. Although I'm always coming home with Frenchy's goodies, many aren't that exciting, and what I do post is often in amongst garden pictures, recipes, and pics of the babe. And it has always driven me a little bit crazy that the blog address is frenchyfinds, while the blog name is frenchy's finds. That 's' has been nagging for too long.<br /><br />And so, I have a new blog to announce! I thought that Spring would be a fabulous time for a fresh start. I'm actually importing all of the posts from this blog, too, so you'll be able to search for <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/04/recipe-week-13-best-bread-ever.html">that perfect bread recipe</a> or <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/03/forcing-branches.html">tips for forcing branches</a>, all over at my new blog,<br /><br /><a href="http://www.twentytwopleasant.blogspot.com/">Twenty-two Pleasant</a><br /><br />I will leave this blog as is, so that links from others to posts in my archives will still work. So please, update your Reader and blogroll links, and come on over to <a href="http://www.twentytwopleasant.blogspot.com">Twenty-two Pleasant</a> for a cup of tea!Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-31287941969194525052009-04-26T08:48:00.006-03:002009-04-26T15:06:36.682-03:00recipe-a-week # 15: spaghetti with tomatoes and peppers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdfa_diZDelMgIXlCaFqBM2wZwiI47vRkg4nDs7DaB0b0WPIR380jHHkRI5iskIjDO_5NSLWRVqrF7te9yufz-u4V3hZOeUtuH7LgOa6o7Fnv-6C3bV7fvy0353dVchIieDbjDA/s1600-h/pasta+with+two+tomatoes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdfa_diZDelMgIXlCaFqBM2wZwiI47vRkg4nDs7DaB0b0WPIR380jHHkRI5iskIjDO_5NSLWRVqrF7te9yufz-u4V3hZOeUtuH7LgOa6o7Fnv-6C3bV7fvy0353dVchIieDbjDA/s400/pasta+with+two+tomatoes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328965945656366626" border="0" /></a>I'm a little bit late with this recipe; the <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/04/baby-shower_22.html">baby shower</a> and visiting with my sister took up much of my time this week. Better late than never!<br /><br />This is a delicious, quick meal. I chose it in order to use things up that I had on hand, so I ended up modifying the original recipe quite significantly. As you can see, when I made this, I didn't use penne. Or two tomatoes. And I added in some yellow and red pepper, because it was starting to soften. The original recipe, from <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/everyday">Everyday Food</a> is <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/penne-with-two-tomatoes-and-mozzarella">here</a>, and is also in the May 2009 issue of the magazine. And here's my version:<br /><br />Spaghetti with Tomatoes and Peppers<br /><br />6 ounces mozzarella, cut into 1/2 inch pieces<br />salt and pepper<br />12 ounces spaghetti (I used a mix of white and whole wheat)<br />1 tbsp olive oil<br />1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes<br />1 red or yellow pepper, sliced (or half of each)<br />2 garlic cloves, sliced<br />1/4 cup snipped chives<br /><br />1. Place cheese in freezer. In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta and set aside.<br /><br />2. In pasta pot, heat oil over medium-high. Saute garlic slices for one minute; add peppers and saute until slightly softened. Add tomatoes and pasta water, and cook until tomatoes are softened, 2 to 4 minutes.<br /><br />3. Add pasta, chilled cheese, and chives to pot. Season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Enjoy!<br /><br />I also wanted to share some bread trials for the <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/04/recipe-week-13-best-bread-ever.html">best recipe ever</a> with you. I tried making it with half spelt flour last week, and it turned out pretty well. The dough is quite runny and a little bit difficult to manoeuvre, but the bread turns out well. Nice and crusty, and the bread itself is a little bit sticky to the touch. I think I might try with 2 cups white, and 1 cup spelt next time, to see if that helps. Right now, I have a loaf on the go with 2 cups white, and 1 cup whole wheat. It turned out perfectly!<br /><br />Hope you're having a fantastic weekend.Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-8050709475794218272009-04-23T20:41:00.004-03:002009-04-23T21:02:59.284-03:00happy mailbox<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SF2NAPuCHH752AhQvD25fFRwOGj7G25Ck9Y5yiWS4PTDY_OGshBKHFVodTsaFJJ8gvpltDlwVXycovC3nsVrZw7fJOikXVAQY6Sooj9dhbz_I9ee6w2NIEbYGmrGmyKfGbV8wA/s1600-h/pussy+willows+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SF2NAPuCHH752AhQvD25fFRwOGj7G25Ck9Y5yiWS4PTDY_OGshBKHFVodTsaFJJ8gvpltDlwVXycovC3nsVrZw7fJOikXVAQY6Sooj9dhbz_I9ee6w2NIEbYGmrGmyKfGbV8wA/s400/pussy+willows+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328037366343506866" border="0" /></a>These have nothing to do with <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2007/09/do-you-wax-your-mailbox.html">the mailbox</a>. I picked them this afternoon after work. Also after buying some at the grocery store, since despite all of my ditch-stalking as I drove for work, I hadn't found any. Until right after I paid for some, of course. These ones that I picked are much nicer than the store ones.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2ulpz3ew6X8U3FxyoHThckTa7HV5up-Q3LwPpYfwmT8anX1laob9kAdkuYXC5qTDcvHYwcUWFN0zWBd_TEPwAXawuGMrj6OLQhnHI-ieEsYX6YajMvksXBkl5UKVEMOy-fWrUw/s1600-h/wool+fairy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2ulpz3ew6X8U3FxyoHThckTa7HV5up-Q3LwPpYfwmT8anX1laob9kAdkuYXC5qTDcvHYwcUWFN0zWBd_TEPwAXawuGMrj6OLQhnHI-ieEsYX6YajMvksXBkl5UKVEMOy-fWrUw/s400/wool+fairy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328037371473757794" border="0" /></a>This has more to do with the mailbox! Jen, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6147100">The Wool Fairy</a>, and I did a swap this week. She's right here in Nova Scotia, and has a <a href="http://www.seasidefarms.blogspot.com/">blog here</a>, and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6147100">an Etsy shop, here</a>. She makes these adorable wool vegetables, which Phillip loves. The 'salad' (lettuce leaves in the bowl) are today's favourite. I love Jen's presentation, too - especially the stamp on the berry box. Brilliant! Thanks, Jen!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpvdALM2bALVSvKZWBtCWWkckC2FlLbERa4S9U6rHjD5kkoM8QRpNyJgqREu_nc0Zk0eWZWBREJ9l0pFg2dy3w2NnL0rGvUNiXWIAnER3jNRWKt4NAUarpd-5MPQKw6IAgqNEeQ/s1600-h/austen+fabric.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpvdALM2bALVSvKZWBtCWWkckC2FlLbERa4S9U6rHjD5kkoM8QRpNyJgqREu_nc0Zk0eWZWBREJ9l0pFg2dy3w2NnL0rGvUNiXWIAnER3jNRWKt4NAUarpd-5MPQKw6IAgqNEeQ/s400/austen+fabric.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328037365368782514" border="0" /></a>Does this fabric look familiar? The very talented <a href="http://stripeypebble.blogspot.com/">Austen</a>, who had <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/04/sewing.html">that fantastic project in Canadian Living</a>, made the bag from this material, and was sweet and kind enough to offer to send me some when I gushed over how great I think it is! I can't wait to whip up one of those bags. She's also just started a brand new craft blog, <a href="http://www.canadianliving.com/blogs/crafts/">Make & Do</a>, over at <a href="http://www.canadianliving.com/">Canadian Living</a>. It's definitely worth checking out, especially since <a href="http://www.canadianliving.com/blogs/crafts/2009/04/21/welcome-and-a-giveaway/">there's a giveaway going on over there right now</a>. (I shouldn't even tell you, since I really want that book, but in the interest of being kind, I will.)<br /><br />Happy Thursday!Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-45429876764938124442009-04-22T19:55:00.003-03:002009-04-22T20:07:28.049-03:00spiced hot chocolate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKw5xZRtqIe0cr3n-pC-VJPRBbZOCtqi-F2j7eLPtwMcg312H4tVLz_lyyx3xP7hKfgdMEGVPMPVvHwJKLk_KBWLJcc7XXkfaRNVBr27mK18bsEx5zpRopHrOcL5j2fjlC5aeOLw/s1600-h/spicy-hot-chocolate-230.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKw5xZRtqIe0cr3n-pC-VJPRBbZOCtqi-F2j7eLPtwMcg312H4tVLz_lyyx3xP7hKfgdMEGVPMPVvHwJKLk_KBWLJcc7XXkfaRNVBr27mK18bsEx5zpRopHrOcL5j2fjlC5aeOLw/s400/spicy-hot-chocolate-230.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327653995345254402" border="0" /></a>I don't often post other people's photos, but a) it's too dark and gloomy to take one of my own tonight, and b) I haven't actually made this yet. The photo is from<a href="http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.thenibble.com/REVIEWS/MAIN/beverages/cocoas/images/spicy-hot-chocolate-230.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thenibble.com/REVIEWS/MAIN/beverages/cocoas/spiced-european-hot-chocolate-recipe.asp&usg=__Qnz3nlVzcAspIwohq6uvsMZo80s=&h=230&w=230&sz=67&hl=en&start=28&um=1&tbnid=3IIYQQt4n8VRfM:&tbnh=108&tbnw=108&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dspiced%2Bhot%2Bchocolate%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26start%3D18%26um%3D1"> here</a>. I came across the recipe in <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Naturally-Scented-Home-Creating-Traditional/dp/1855857979"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Naturally Scented Home</span></a>, a book which I was completely pleasantly surprised by. It's definitely worth borrowing from the library, for the information and recipes for herbs and spices for both culinary and beauty purposes. I was especially excited for this one, because it calls for cardamom, my spice du jour. It seems like a wintry, cold-weather kind of recipe, but even though it's April, it fits today perfectly since it's been pouring rain for a few days and I feel soggy around the edges.<br /><br />Spiced Hot Chocolate<br /><br />Add a small stick of cinnamon, a little grated nutmeg and 3 cardamom pods to 600mL (1 pint) of milk. Warm very gently, taking off the heat just before it boils. Leave to infuse for 5 minutes. Remove cinnamon and cardamom pods and add grated chocolate (the recipe doesn't specify how much). Stir until melted over gentle heat. Pour into bowls and top with whipped cream and a sprinkling of grated chocolate.Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-24779332084142398572009-04-22T19:45:00.003-03:002009-04-22T19:50:24.784-03:00baby shower<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHclV7q2DA2f0xfpubUnkIiQKp9b7pdR_jRkM7Sf0k0fqxhyYdTnO-7diIbSOtSQIWudUsDdmRj841d1NlrBjQjOFXqzMRZWnTC2ywLbFJTS3iinn0edghhkeqUMCnbwx_Mw5ATw/s1600-h/mirror+for+shower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHclV7q2DA2f0xfpubUnkIiQKp9b7pdR_jRkM7Sf0k0fqxhyYdTnO-7diIbSOtSQIWudUsDdmRj841d1NlrBjQjOFXqzMRZWnTC2ywLbFJTS3iinn0edghhkeqUMCnbwx_Mw5ATw/s400/mirror+for+shower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327650718670976210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAcxvhS3TRykpQx1KHEXh6Wziuk2MvI-ykjEhfNRhyUqyrYCLmuaTXvcXZSYSam3IEXrnwJvnnXl3VkMZF0gXAGqxmIsr4TKZZQq4R0b-zyQSOXtuUvDNkFYk7EG9CwPN5LVZyw/s1600-h/book+for+shower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAcxvhS3TRykpQx1KHEXh6Wziuk2MvI-ykjEhfNRhyUqyrYCLmuaTXvcXZSYSam3IEXrnwJvnnXl3VkMZF0gXAGqxmIsr4TKZZQq4R0b-zyQSOXtuUvDNkFYk7EG9CwPN5LVZyw/s400/book+for+shower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327650718315881890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxuGTvaKE8t4DH-fzPQn2v4Q_yC6AMBQTpgxNMg0U9r4TNhVgSZo7Q1MNRv7S4DIn5whJbjMSXDk_XkzTqtZZUqYCG_h6C2jkd_BZCKh6B2-qYl_zVSKejAwCu52EkWvrKZDCbQ/s1600-h/begonia+for+shower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxuGTvaKE8t4DH-fzPQn2v4Q_yC6AMBQTpgxNMg0U9r4TNhVgSZo7Q1MNRv7S4DIn5whJbjMSXDk_XkzTqtZZUqYCG_h6C2jkd_BZCKh6B2-qYl_zVSKejAwCu52EkWvrKZDCbQ/s400/begonia+for+shower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327650710269032098" border="0" /></a>The baby shower for my sister last night was lovely. Lots of our family were able to be here, including piles of kids, so it was relaxed and fun and so very, very nice to see everyone. A few times, I just kind of sat back and was delighted to have our house full of people we love, all together to celebrate a brand new little person about to arrive in the world. There is nothing more exciting than that.Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-79038678084993142782009-04-20T20:00:00.006-03:002009-04-20T20:28:28.161-03:00lemons and little house in the suburbs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgystd-nmuaLgRx5_ssE90_tGo6gTtqpn4l7Fl-jBTsNa-upNy7itg8046Fq2IrpGCgKLF3Bi6MMWOiVVDrwRrcoGG5hTYxhs3rXPjucYGfzaD74xM04zK5yilbl-M-IMgM14c6Ew/s1600-h/lemon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgystd-nmuaLgRx5_ssE90_tGo6gTtqpn4l7Fl-jBTsNa-upNy7itg8046Fq2IrpGCgKLF3Bi6MMWOiVVDrwRrcoGG5hTYxhs3rXPjucYGfzaD74xM04zK5yilbl-M-IMgM14c6Ew/s400/lemon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326912707027593954" border="0" /></a>Hello, lemon! I think you just might end up in <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2007/08/lemon-bars-shower-gift.html">some lemon bars</a> for tomorrow night's baby shower. If I have enough time, that is. If not, maybe I'll use one of <a href="http://www.hippyshopper.com/2007/07/10_ecofriendly.html">these suggestions</a>.<br /><br />Today, Blogger tells me that this is post #928, so you can disregard <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/04/post-963-soap-tidbits.html">yesterday's message</a>.<br /><br />I found a new favourite blog today! It's <a href="http://www.littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/">Little House in the Suburbs</a>, and it's full of fun DIY projects to try. First on my list: <a href="http://www.littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2009/03/quick-stick-deodorant.html">Quick Stick Deodorant</a>. And for fellow gardeners out there, <a href="http://www.littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2009/02/newspaper-seedling-pots.html">newspaper seedling pots</a> and <a href="http://www.littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2009/02/build-seedling-tray.html">how to build a seedling tray</a>. Oooh, and if your sink drain is in trouble, here's a <a href="http://www.littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2008/12/100-natural-drain-cleaner.html">very natural and effective way to clean it out</a>! And on, and on. Have fun browsing around!<br /><br />I'll be back with shower pics in a couple of days!Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-89773559945965253382009-04-19T19:30:00.004-03:002009-04-19T19:45:57.764-03:00post 963 & soap tidbits<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgti4-08PcA7rc0EUTLw0Hoe1DVFdTAfcGLQ9OXSLbgqxqdTCQai7-WGD9SOYcxUBZUKqkLf37BAo6LPJub6_DsxZf9WPq21c9NtTCQM_3m1g7j9kv_5th2ECDvw1vOtdTQ6LfA4Q/s1600-h/pouring.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgti4-08PcA7rc0EUTLw0Hoe1DVFdTAfcGLQ9OXSLbgqxqdTCQai7-WGD9SOYcxUBZUKqkLf37BAo6LPJub6_DsxZf9WPq21c9NtTCQM_3m1g7j9kv_5th2ECDvw1vOtdTQ6LfA4Q/s400/pouring.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326537204217547522" border="0" /></a><br />Wow, this is my 963rd post! Speaking of numbers, I'll be hitting the 300 mark soon (I hope it's soon - I'm currently at 293) for the number of soaps sold from <a href="http://www.birchbarksoap.etsy.com/">my Etsy shop</a>! The person who orders the 300th bar will be getting some extra goodies with their order, just so you know.<br /><br />I'm in the process of updating my <a href="http://www.birchbarksoap.com/">Birch Bark Soap blog</a>, and will be making a few more minor changes as I figure out how to do what I want, with help from <a href="http://www.adamgrahamphoto.com/">Adam</a>. <a href="http://www.birchbarksoap.com/">Have a peek</a>! I just posted a tutorial on making round bars and loofah soaps, so you just might learn something new.<br /><br />I'm off to get a loaf of <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/04/recipe-week-13-best-bread-ever.html">the best bread ever</a> started, and to continue cleaning up in the kitchen. The ceiling is done, leaving a fine film of drywall dust in its wake. My afternoon was spent cleaning and scrubbing and wiping down the kitchen, which was really kind of fun. I also made soap and did up that tutorial, so I think I'll be relaxing a bit tonight.<br /><br />Have a great week!Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-34835886083323743302009-04-17T20:45:00.007-03:002009-04-17T21:19:42.700-03:00grandma's collectables and cardamom cookies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTGp0XbGpfLHPaE9oz4cBEKlQdfEX3ky3K58Oh95stVJnY7w9WhOvK5jkv1kScZLEiUPJJqY581Z-lqJ4prcl8wFnVohyphenhyphenoQEjQXvF8njI5sWfaxcIwAY4zeA55MqVXVKxx8bHvw/s1600-h/marmalade+crock.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTGp0XbGpfLHPaE9oz4cBEKlQdfEX3ky3K58Oh95stVJnY7w9WhOvK5jkv1kScZLEiUPJJqY581Z-lqJ4prcl8wFnVohyphenhyphenoQEjQXvF8njI5sWfaxcIwAY4zeA55MqVXVKxx8bHvw/s400/marmalade+crock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325813169343221442" border="0" /></a>In the course of a search for a perfect little jar for solid perfume (which I did not find), I did find this fantastic little marmalade crock at Grandma's Collectables, a funny little shop near <a href="http://www.weymouthnovascotia.com/">Weymouth</a> with just about everything antique-y and collectable and old that you could imagine. I'm a little bit giddy over it. Next time I go, I want much more time and my camera.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvZzcs8ngboYF8bZGPO-K_2H9cgiBQFea2g0z2eJZYPaPxEVx12Q3wJ34nG0oCx4nvuDCCEx6u166XnplhVYAF1EP_dkPCVF8l9NCLHLvGiXjK9LmBGfx3tCDOqcwXI6aDjl3og/s1600-h/jar+lids.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvZzcs8ngboYF8bZGPO-K_2H9cgiBQFea2g0z2eJZYPaPxEVx12Q3wJ34nG0oCx4nvuDCCEx6u166XnplhVYAF1EP_dkPCVF8l9NCLHLvGiXjK9LmBGfx3tCDOqcwXI6aDjl3og/s400/jar+lids.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325813166913205554" border="0" /></a>I also found these jars. I know, I know. Why on earth would I need more glass jars? Because these ones have the glass centre piece in the top, along with the metal ring. Fantastic! I have semi-specific plans for these ones, once they've been washed up and moved from the top of the washer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBNE5NYZ3Lfl3fcaHhopfw3qp5OlWFkOp_zxEFi5rpiSOMt-pUJxqOg3w9Ny4D2uD8vQABEtyHprDhqusZareBXAK2USb1d08XBH9CGPGJw-oM54ZOVIA_yb79QrbmF6HOStJtg/s1600-h/biscuit+cutter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBNE5NYZ3Lfl3fcaHhopfw3qp5OlWFkOp_zxEFi5rpiSOMt-pUJxqOg3w9Ny4D2uD8vQABEtyHprDhqusZareBXAK2USb1d08XBH9CGPGJw-oM54ZOVIA_yb79QrbmF6HOStJtg/s400/biscuit+cutter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325813160565400866" border="0" /></a>And I found this cute little biscuit cutter, too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5-8aiIwihCYpPgTloD2M_nlsp5COw-t0PqD5o73LUf2ThJdkfK8fVjJc51ylPYgaogsCzxUQSv4kVKR42D6_re8ARNz2_PZWmexlFXvWyaQ09hK5xGMatGuTZBaN2Oubxqmlfg/s1600-h/cardamom+cookies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5-8aiIwihCYpPgTloD2M_nlsp5COw-t0PqD5o73LUf2ThJdkfK8fVjJc51ylPYgaogsCzxUQSv4kVKR42D6_re8ARNz2_PZWmexlFXvWyaQ09hK5xGMatGuTZBaN2Oubxqmlfg/s400/cardamom+cookies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325813165197339970" border="0" /></a>To use some of my <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/search?q=cardamom">cardamom</a>, I wanted to make something where it would be the main flavour. So I made <a href="http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,191,151183-233195,00.html">these cookies</a>. I wasn't expecting the lemony taste that cardamom has. All of the spiciness and warmth, yes, but not that citrus-y tang. It makes sense since it's in the ginger family, and the recipe is pretty good. Not amazing or earth shattering, but definitely decent.<br /><br />Speaking of baking, I heard Michael Ruhlman on the radio this afternoon, talking about his book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ratio-Simple-Behind-Everyday-Cooking/dp/1416566112"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ratio</span></a>. I must say that I'm intrigued. The idea is that to be more creative in cooking, one needs freedom from the restrictions that recipes impose. By learning basic ratios of ingredients, you can then play around and make what you like. Part of me likes the idea, but the other part of me says, "Why bother?" I'm kind of thinking that the "Why bother?" side might win. I requested the book from the library, so I'll let you know what I think once I get my hands on it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuErLnxo2ZmANYtHMfkr1c3_q_HovO0ruw5iDQkW3ljpLmZhHknBjkdf3lZ-K6hd2KYQlyRqnK0dVcTCRuMYK-r8MYa4EJJeJvUBue5ZR3cbiDQKtHCXSGjm1iKe5s0gQ-9qESg/s1600-h/ceiling+before.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuErLnxo2ZmANYtHMfkr1c3_q_HovO0ruw5iDQkW3ljpLmZhHknBjkdf3lZ-K6hd2KYQlyRqnK0dVcTCRuMYK-r8MYa4EJJeJvUBue5ZR3cbiDQKtHCXSGjm1iKe5s0gQ-9qESg/s400/ceiling+before.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325818192169412338" border="0" /></a>Lastly, we're working away on the kitchen! Adam's sanding the ceiling as I type. The "before" is above, and is now happily covered with new gyproc so that all potential lead is sealed in. It's crackfilled and will be painted tomorrow. A new floor will be installed next week (!), and then we're going to paint the trim and fix all of those little silly things that should have been done long ago. I am SO excited. And then we'll paint the porch, and redo the bathrooms and the spare bedroom...<br /><br />Happy Friday!Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-65385708390301997292009-04-15T19:35:00.009-03:002009-04-26T09:12:13.781-03:00recipe-a-week #14: the best bread, ever.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnTvbG7kVZiYBg8u4gwVJLezksWy0-SDwPvDuRqel_NnL0uTdpzEUemHlv0h7TKeW1Za4vbCOA4kOnSp-qLLYkNl9F-mudb9VmovrhiGIWtRsewKAm_IwhuN6f5o6g16dEK70_w/s1600-h/artisan+bread.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnTvbG7kVZiYBg8u4gwVJLezksWy0-SDwPvDuRqel_NnL0uTdpzEUemHlv0h7TKeW1Za4vbCOA4kOnSp-qLLYkNl9F-mudb9VmovrhiGIWtRsewKAm_IwhuN6f5o6g16dEK70_w/s400/artisan+bread.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325052458869271762" border="0" /></a>This bread is hands-down the best bread I have ever eaten. Seriously. And I made it! (I'm as surprised as you.) It's chewy and crusty and airy and perfect. Oh, so crusty! And of course, it's a great vehicle for butter - my first requirement for good bread.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><br />I'm always hesitant to try the latest cooking trend, which is why it's taken me so long to get around to trying this. It's along the lines of the <a href="http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/">5-minute artisan bread</a>, which apparently became popular after it was <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/21/dining/211brex.html">written about in the New York Times</a>. I should have tried it much, much sooner. It's been a part of my weekend routine for the past few weeks - two minutes on Saturday afternoon, a bit of attention on Sunday morning, and it's ready for lunch. Leftover pieces make amazing garlic bread, too.<br /><br />I found the recipe in <a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/">Mother Earth News</a>, and you can find the original <a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/2007-12-01/Easy-No-Knead-Dutch-Oven-Crusty-Bread.aspx?page=2">here</a>. You use a Dutch oven to bake it in, which helps to give it the perfect crust. "Holy yum," as <a href="http://www.pretty_ing.blogspot.com/">Ingrid</a> would say.<br /><br /><h2>No Knead, Dutch Oven Bread</h2><p>1/4 tsp active dry yeast<br />1 1/2 cups warm water<br />3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting. You may use white, whole wheat or a combination of the two.<br />1 1/2 tsp salt<br />Cornmeal or wheat bran for dusting</p><ol><li>In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the flour and salt, stirring until blended. The dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest at least 8 hours, preferably 12 to 18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.</li><li>The dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it. Sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let it rest for about 15 minutes.</li><li>Using just enough flour to keep the dough from sticking to the work surface or to your fingers, gently shape it into a ball. Generously coat a clean dish towel with flour, wheat bran or cornmeal. Put the seam side of the dough down on the towel and dust with more flour, bran or cornmeal. Cover with another towel and let rise for about 1 to 2 hours. When it’s ready, the dough will have doubled in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.</li><li>At least 20 minutes before the dough is ready, heat oven to 475 degrees. Put a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in the oven as it heats. When the dough is ready, carefully remove the pot from the oven and lift off the lid. Slide your hand under the towel and turn the dough over into the pot, seam side up. The dough will lose its shape a bit in the process, but that’s OK. Give the pan a firm shake or two to help distribute the dough evenly, but don’t worry if it’s not perfect; it will straighten out as it bakes.</li><li>Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake another 15 to 20 minutes, until the loaf is beautifully browned. Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and let it cool on a rack for at least 1 hour before slicing.</li></ol>Really, you need to make this one. Like the <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/04/recipe-week-12-slow-cooker-chicken-with.html">tarragon chicken from last week</a>. Did anyone try that recipe? Did you love it as much as I did? Let me know how you like this one!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Edited to add</span>: I wanted to share some bread trials for the <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/04/recipe-week-13-best-bread-ever.html">best recipe ever</a> with you. I tried making it with half spelt flour last week, and it turned out pretty well. The dough is quite runny and a little bit difficult to manoeuvre, but the bread turns out well. Nice and crusty, and the bread itself is a little bit sticky to the touch. I think I might try with 2 cups white, and 1 cup spelt next time, to see if that helps with the dough consistency. Right now, I have a loaf on the go with 2 cups white, and 1 cup whole wheat. It looks terrific!<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-39816180852898784502009-04-15T19:28:00.004-03:002009-04-15T19:33:42.072-03:00cardamom continued<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wq8QRNSxHlpbe0i_1PDfg-sSQiQvrO3t8zvHPEpCdp6Gcgr3h3cRIRXC5JlGQFh5JmGh9_fAwLSj438l-bLVdNXYS5JoJuzgwVd1IIrFhOOCuzdOTgqZXTPR4IY_JPi4EofVng/s1600-h/mortar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wq8QRNSxHlpbe0i_1PDfg-sSQiQvrO3t8zvHPEpCdp6Gcgr3h3cRIRXC5JlGQFh5JmGh9_fAwLSj438l-bLVdNXYS5JoJuzgwVd1IIrFhOOCuzdOTgqZXTPR4IY_JPi4EofVng/s400/mortar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325048703598851730" border="0" /></a><br />Phillip and I had fun "squish-squishing" the cardamom before supper tonight.<br /><br />Thanks for all of the suggestions for things to make. I haven't yet made anything with it, although cake, granola bars, chai tea and cookies are all on my list. Holy carbs, Batman. Now that I think of it, I hope that I like it. And I think I'll have to buy some more.<br /><br />Next up: a very exciting recipe-a-week!Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-46112256700050576392009-04-15T19:17:00.005-03:002009-04-15T21:26:22.986-03:00itsy bitsy spider, p style<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw4VCwW5bOQyNrx4lQZ6xlzHaV99r62IXfNsqJnhQTTHUrg57CI_nq-8CnQeimZ68lXF1OQPXQfDHY' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />Check out P's dance moves in the bathtub. He didn't learn them from us, that's for sure. I'm not sure if anyone in their right mind could watch this without cracking up. He's such a ham.<br /><br />He woke up during his nap this afternoon, repeating "lepidopterist". Over and over. He learned it from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Maybe-You-Should-Beginner-Books/dp/0394844483"><span style="font-style: italic;">Maybe You Should Fly a Jet! Maybe You Should Be a Vet!</span></a>Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-75618765392244046272009-04-14T19:59:00.002-03:002009-04-14T20:05:59.982-03:00baby shower<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2AdyXFt9w2M0BhfpfTew0O9h3bZxDhdSavJQ-Sf6yOI5IukzDMbK45_gRDg1bOTJhsut7kmAQtJi1_t9eAcSWE9LjKlSGb2Scw6VArC4HrYEqQB5ZvcAL3ycsaY-laz6SNyopQ/s1600-h/candlesticks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2AdyXFt9w2M0BhfpfTew0O9h3bZxDhdSavJQ-Sf6yOI5IukzDMbK45_gRDg1bOTJhsut7kmAQtJi1_t9eAcSWE9LjKlSGb2Scw6VArC4HrYEqQB5ZvcAL3ycsaY-laz6SNyopQ/s400/candlesticks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324685719724442146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0R9IKdZOfBZIbdLuhCGQ2hcgOjM9sy8aN8EJ3jdLDO4eVaTddL51VaTqMR95cYKyTv_f7B08rZjiqQQ4YI0d7-DCpDITTfFsdVR2J7hbtIlNZomPcxx8liUsyURYNmp5sIHae5g/s1600-h/candlestick+closeup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0R9IKdZOfBZIbdLuhCGQ2hcgOjM9sy8aN8EJ3jdLDO4eVaTddL51VaTqMR95cYKyTv_f7B08rZjiqQQ4YI0d7-DCpDITTfFsdVR2J7hbtIlNZomPcxx8liUsyURYNmp5sIHae5g/s400/candlestick+closeup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324685742500435026" border="0" /></a>We found out yesterday that we have a niece on the way! My sister is coming to visit next week, and we're hosting a shower, so it was kind of fun to find out that it's a girl before the big event. My Frenchy's senses were tingling when I drove by today (I'm only half-joking) so I popped in for a minute to see what there was to find. I bought this super-fun set of candlesticks, which I think I will put pink candles in and line up on the table.<br /><br />Do you have any fantastic shower suggestions? It will be in the evening, and will be pretty low-key. Lots of chatting and visiting and eating. But I'm thinking that some simple things like <a href="http://www.donnahay.com.au/styles/60-baby-shower-drinks/">these</a> would be cute and non-tacky.<br /><br />Any ideas? Thanks in advance!Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-7447039870198077132009-04-14T19:44:00.005-03:002009-04-14T19:58:48.432-03:00sewing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZw98JgJ4gCxOc460TQJwa1dL_e6ddUeXsViURLHbeI1_n1F4UxzFOwsUs1LKmhCJoOL1N-wiozVehokS-x4G_2XyXMs_ZJpPm1el8H_K6sqhZgoUZOT7A8tLuq8NNFmry-Fc4Q/s1600-h/sewing+table.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZw98JgJ4gCxOc460TQJwa1dL_e6ddUeXsViURLHbeI1_n1F4UxzFOwsUs1LKmhCJoOL1N-wiozVehokS-x4G_2XyXMs_ZJpPm1el8H_K6sqhZgoUZOT7A8tLuq8NNFmry-Fc4Q/s400/sewing+table.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324682010173613186" border="0" /></a>How exciting! I picked up this table at the <a href="http://www.atlanticsuperstore.ca">Superstore</a> yesterday. I'd had my eye on it for awhile, but since the regular price was $129 and I didn't want to pay that much, I waited. And it paid off - yesterday, I paid $40 for it. Now I can sew downstairs while Phillip is sleeping, without having to unearth all of my sewing things from the corners of the house.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGImK6Jk3vp2SU71OZOr3yIJLX3YblGBmka4iAffNkf6gBNuIEvtqh72T-HM6socNanKWJKzmKlnUloJ9HV77kGM5fVSJZtDw4Xaa5rzzlERyuoiQjDKzRfF_pxXFUc-PxrimTEQ/s1600-h/tote.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGImK6Jk3vp2SU71OZOr3yIJLX3YblGBmka4iAffNkf6gBNuIEvtqh72T-HM6socNanKWJKzmKlnUloJ9HV77kGM5fVSJZtDw4Xaa5rzzlERyuoiQjDKzRfF_pxXFUc-PxrimTEQ/s400/tote.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324682523891406130" border="0" /></a>Last night, I whipped up this tote from <a href="http://jansdotter.com/shop/item.php?serial=501">Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing</a>. It took me less than an hour, and I like it! The main fabric is <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/04/necklace-storage-its-about-time-for.html">those Frenchy's curtains</a>, and the other two were picked up at <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/04/la-shoppe-vert-lots-of-photos.html">La Shoppe Vert</a>. I made the straps longer than the pattern called for, since I wanted to be able to wear it on my shoulder, and next time, I'll add in a lining, as well.<br /><br />And speaking of sewing...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBh4NMS8teUgDde9hwQViibcMYsbNrUMq8fjUgBCBpIDLL6xY8_2W56ZxBsaKaTn5yUS51Xa_jxZFVPbeklDWK37s3169LdylqV7m7dIa0StMEVIsOnJxH3OiZ_g1ecpbt8L06g/s1600-h/austen+cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBh4NMS8teUgDde9hwQViibcMYsbNrUMq8fjUgBCBpIDLL6xY8_2W56ZxBsaKaTn5yUS51Xa_jxZFVPbeklDWK37s3169LdylqV7m7dIa0StMEVIsOnJxH3OiZ_g1ecpbt8L06g/s400/austen+cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324682005949295362" border="0" /></a>Go pick up the current issue of <a href="http://www.canadianliving.com/">Canadian Living</a>! There's a fantastic pattern in there for these simple "His and Hers Travel Mates". Don't you adore that fabric combination? And the boxy shape? I do!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPhz1ZsvNd2PJIU5_lXKjjHXG5Gdqij0sc1AJTKbL1dslAfxHzpYkIx3JdkbDbFAD-xkJg8T3Hq3f6I_JKYeu4xbuq-Ngtds0Fl7LHAR18KOzbnBggfMnhXkgQNgAVtVGhG_0kA/s1600-h/austen+travel+bag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPhz1ZsvNd2PJIU5_lXKjjHXG5Gdqij0sc1AJTKbL1dslAfxHzpYkIx3JdkbDbFAD-xkJg8T3Hq3f6I_JKYeu4xbuq-Ngtds0Fl7LHAR18KOzbnBggfMnhXkgQNgAVtVGhG_0kA/s400/austen+travel+bag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324682004169082882" border="0" /></a>Oh, and wait! Whose name is at the top of the page? <a href="http://stripeypebble.blogspot.com/">Austen Gilliland</a>. Wait a minute, didn't she <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/03/day-after-and-winner.html">win some soap</a> from me a few weeks ago? Yes, indeed!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuKW59fKEx_44j4MZblWp086u0Sw7DKhA_MQ9sFxp5TMduBk55qiGQZ_X6d3A4uTZdqmPe5GhYOmwLjfAAY2SRQtVti5ApPZGbX8eG7ya7_RJXcaUOV7xPacUx3TnB9DOPyHcEw/s1600-h/austen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuKW59fKEx_44j4MZblWp086u0Sw7DKhA_MQ9sFxp5TMduBk55qiGQZ_X6d3A4uTZdqmPe5GhYOmwLjfAAY2SRQtVti5ApPZGbX8eG7ya7_RJXcaUOV7xPacUx3TnB9DOPyHcEw/s400/austen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324682011127828642" border="0" /></a>Her name's at the beginning of the magazine, too. I feel like I know a celebrity. It's a great pattern, <a href="http://stripeypebble.blogspot.com/">Austen</a>, and I can't wait to make one! Or two, or three.Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-78723389261641658422009-04-13T13:39:00.003-03:002009-04-13T17:39:56.417-03:00easter fun for the fam<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG2iyi2q1hJYQZ8v9sa3zwQl1e-BT63OOWl9y6JN-lDS1OzO26pvglsb5zlfvfkioRfmTKV1tSlswkQtHNqbLmTBHsbPb3gvQV6hjbJDMt6O5TqXUkSKHJQeNZUFy3OoCzEEGyw/s1600-h/eggs+in+basket.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG2iyi2q1hJYQZ8v9sa3zwQl1e-BT63OOWl9y6JN-lDS1OzO26pvglsb5zlfvfkioRfmTKV1tSlswkQtHNqbLmTBHsbPb3gvQV6hjbJDMt6O5TqXUkSKHJQeNZUFy3OoCzEEGyw/s400/eggs+in+basket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324216815259560642" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxGQJNIwH30hiZ47TT-cMzNNIMPNhqxsCzNX1SIW6GuQrCZGsOOI4Z_vo_dsChrckO1GCV5xA1Y724' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />I thought the family would like to see Phillip and his Easter egg hunt yesterday. So very, very cute.<br /><center><br /></center></center>Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-63249192447865801142009-04-11T15:20:00.002-03:002009-04-11T15:44:43.007-03:00spring miscellany<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80vLXZtrvx1QZSj_ppBG2ZQ16oPYyvNwPSvoWLvCD26KLcl4OFudeU3v41jIIRZfid0-bu2qUM6iWEVWmj0929SHow0xL00kqfelbJgHn9F53_CU6iFx38YZjvxbeYUpy-LQ8UQ/s1600-h/crocuses+april+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80vLXZtrvx1QZSj_ppBG2ZQ16oPYyvNwPSvoWLvCD26KLcl4OFudeU3v41jIIRZfid0-bu2qUM6iWEVWmj0929SHow0xL00kqfelbJgHn9F53_CU6iFx38YZjvxbeYUpy-LQ8UQ/s400/crocuses+april+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323502219821979250" border="0" /></a>After breakfast yesterday, I asked Phillip what he would like to do more than anything else in the world.<br />"Go outside!"<br />So out we went. First for a long walk, where we saw these hundreds and hundreds of crocuses. See all of the ones at the top of the photo? I couldn't get a closer shot without going right into the backyard, but it was beautiful.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3UUplV3mNq5YoB-yjtrUvhXU3OO_9y1s44KAcnKesed8TmUMT5wkMvyM0KA0JVjRbImP8lA-bdadO3gQ8OVi5v7cxrRbgxx6mScCDZzEe4IPNOjljeizNkxipHoJymVAhAx1qw/s1600-h/scones+before.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3UUplV3mNq5YoB-yjtrUvhXU3OO_9y1s44KAcnKesed8TmUMT5wkMvyM0KA0JVjRbImP8lA-bdadO3gQ8OVi5v7cxrRbgxx6mScCDZzEe4IPNOjljeizNkxipHoJymVAhAx1qw/s400/scones+before.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323502223887733186" border="0" /></a>I also made <a href="http://domesticreflections.blogspot.com/2008/11/mother-in-law.html">these scones</a> again yesterday. Yum. Quick and easy. Oh, and I used my new mixer! It works like a dream.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVn4tP012vgdqKBB4ANSZ6z0Hh9PYKnhs19HC0T7w56JOFLPf-jiGcV3Y7tYCLz8hTT14zBI2ETiKtH1TUTgtzwaSSgov0EeofWWB9ltgbopJZSKjQ725iT18YxjzqEWjxDEyRkg/s1600-h/scones+after.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVn4tP012vgdqKBB4ANSZ6z0Hh9PYKnhs19HC0T7w56JOFLPf-jiGcV3Y7tYCLz8hTT14zBI2ETiKtH1TUTgtzwaSSgov0EeofWWB9ltgbopJZSKjQ725iT18YxjzqEWjxDEyRkg/s400/scones+after.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323502226897215890" border="0" /></a>Yes, there are two on this plate, both of which I promptly ate.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3dnE7UEkklaKDdoisIIjdILcOp5f8TDa-B2z2ERQxECis4Ke3DVtWaKEJGA3mPyZdtNmvG2QtkPc02xANpZnuc49x0IasBxW8YxAc4qVA-XcktZrbXJR-OexdngmCCUam6FFFQ/s1600-h/homemade+life.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3dnE7UEkklaKDdoisIIjdILcOp5f8TDa-B2z2ERQxECis4Ke3DVtWaKEJGA3mPyZdtNmvG2QtkPc02xANpZnuc49x0IasBxW8YxAc4qVA-XcktZrbXJR-OexdngmCCUam6FFFQ/s400/homemade+life.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323502220809580482" border="0" /></a>I am enjoying <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Homemade-Life-Stories-Recipes-Kitchen/dp/1416551050">A Homemade Life</a>, a birthday gift to myself, very much. It's by Molly from <a href="http://www.orangette.blogspot.com/">Orangette</a>, and it's a cookbook of sorts. There are plenty of recipes, and each is accompanied by a well-written mini essay on a particular event related to the recipe. I love that it's in (pardon the pun) bite-sized pieces, and I can sit and read one or two and feel satisfied, or if I'm comfy and the tea is good, several. It's definitely worth picking up, and this is one I wouldn't recommend getting from the library, since you'll want to go back and make the recipes again and again.Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-35872751003592497312009-04-09T20:23:00.002-03:002009-04-09T20:27:26.775-03:00turn it up<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0UE3CNu_rtY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0UE3CNu_rtY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Thanks to <a href="http://inspiredbyhope.blogspot.com/2009/04/this-gives-me-great-joy.html">Andrea</a> for sharing this! Click on the little "HQ" in the bottom right corner, and turn the volume up!<br /><br />I must say that I bawled when I watched this, for a variety of reasons. People need to be surprised and delighted.Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-92225277029221590622009-04-09T19:12:00.005-03:002009-04-09T19:32:13.971-03:00sewing accessories, etc.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQBY6S-JgPoOJeRtUF5tCV2EI4SzFMMv2k4X-hGCUF87Y3X_T_D4a32Iw8U9ahJpf9vc0VqIBVw0-CZCc4rWHEWDv90gOQQST2XuVoruGKHBcwO3QMBnGaw7qfpXotx985Zi0xg/s1600-h/red+thread.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQBY6S-JgPoOJeRtUF5tCV2EI4SzFMMv2k4X-hGCUF87Y3X_T_D4a32Iw8U9ahJpf9vc0VqIBVw0-CZCc4rWHEWDv90gOQQST2XuVoruGKHBcwO3QMBnGaw7qfpXotx985Zi0xg/s400/red+thread.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322818338262754562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8KZHYCR6l1BgZ81NZ1Ffab52Gss8mUA_4nM0SBfDIZpu6WsvkaGmW2dmFIZpIdCrk02wc80WKytVbzKY3E13dNGOv7DgMwcM0hjgCBRxVvFZddO3d0ALpuyRb8nszMSTQOqcRg/s1600-h/accessories+case+closed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8KZHYCR6l1BgZ81NZ1Ffab52Gss8mUA_4nM0SBfDIZpu6WsvkaGmW2dmFIZpIdCrk02wc80WKytVbzKY3E13dNGOv7DgMwcM0hjgCBRxVvFZddO3d0ALpuyRb8nszMSTQOqcRg/s400/accessories+case+closed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322818332204437618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9WGf7Nz7CxFQw5aYO5hr5VNtqBfiG2aR2InZkxtq3eKPG3jfLyQ6knxfr2wVD66WnS0BhdyGR7V6Ee-USmSdKKNrQqE-h-gJ_7qeXcsT0oVAj8OVNL3ip_84IrJz0HEdzgrheQ/s1600-h/accessories+case+open.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9WGf7Nz7CxFQw5aYO5hr5VNtqBfiG2aR2InZkxtq3eKPG3jfLyQ6knxfr2wVD66WnS0BhdyGR7V6Ee-USmSdKKNrQqE-h-gJ_7qeXcsT0oVAj8OVNL3ip_84IrJz0HEdzgrheQ/s400/accessories+case+open.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322818331550674466" border="0" /></a>I found this little sewing case at <a href="http://www.valuevillage.com/">Value Village</a> this week in Halifax for 99 cents. I couldn't pass it up, especially because of its resemblance to <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/01/bowling-enlightement-and-home.html">this fantastic place</a>. Don't the blue metal and the font scream '<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/birchbarksoap/3207358780/">Brunswick</a>'? There were only two spools of thread worth saving from the things inside, but the case will certainly come in handy.<br /><br />I haven't had a chance to use any cardamom yet, but check out the comments on <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/04/disappearing-act.html">this post</a> for a granola bar recipe from <a href="http://bloomingwhereiam.blogspot.com/">Sarah</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimhDb777lUO5LaLukMG0ExMBPDjZ_cuC7qcACXI5zAhWOB35waLROlPNJbGOJYtxw63-sek9OcVzRv2bILbF-T3rA4SFOciogZj9iuK_tkbz5gnwEos2vmxJId4oQ2Ol_8edoUg/s1600-h/crafts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimhDb777lUO5LaLukMG0ExMBPDjZ_cuC7qcACXI5zAhWOB35waLROlPNJbGOJYtxw63-sek9OcVzRv2bILbF-T3rA4SFOciogZj9iuK_tkbz5gnwEos2vmxJId4oQ2Ol_8edoUg/s400/crafts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322821168669968674" border="0" /></a>Look what I bought with some soapmaking money! I think the picture that was chosen for the cover was a dreadful selection. Shells on lampshades? Really, Martha. I'm disappointed. But the rest of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Martha-Stewarts-Encyclopedia-Crafts-Instructions/dp/0307450570">the book</a> is excellent, and I have some more things added to my list of crafty projects. Like I need more things on my lists. Good grief.<br /><br />It's a long weekend! We may have some friends coming to stay, and as always, there are lots of other things to be done. Soap needs to be made, and I'm eager to try making some solid perfume. <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/03/lounging.html">The one I ordered</a> isn't quite the right scent for me (too much lemon and not enough sugar), so I'll do it myself. "Sherrie do it!" (Phillip's been saying "Phillip do it!" lately when he wants to do something on his own. I wonder where he gets that from?)<br /><br />Today was a kind of crummy day, punctuated by a fun, impromptu lunch with <a href="http://www.pretty_ing.blogspot.com/">Ingrid</a>. But there's always tomorrow, and a long weekend certainly helps! I hope that you have a great long weekend, whatever you're celebrating. (Even if it's just having a long weekend!)Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-18413735693854497492009-04-07T20:22:00.004-03:002009-04-07T21:22:45.254-03:00la shoppe vert (lots of photos)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8bic_YctsgY5kmENrSjil6im-EJRsDoe1YphqrNiAezA4bb_LAIpFwUF0xaiMlF6dFaqpDct8exODZPgFrTwtfHhEZnEGZXyvjC_5jiL_CJd2lQVr6gor1y6mJAe9uARaxocmg/s1600-h/shoppe8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8bic_YctsgY5kmENrSjil6im-EJRsDoe1YphqrNiAezA4bb_LAIpFwUF0xaiMlF6dFaqpDct8exODZPgFrTwtfHhEZnEGZXyvjC_5jiL_CJd2lQVr6gor1y6mJAe9uARaxocmg/s400/shoppe8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322097867594631938" border="0" /></a>This is '<a href="http://www.lsboudreauquiltfabrics.com/">La Shoppe Vert</a>'. It's in Concession, near Saulnierville, and there are walls and walls of fabric, sewing and quilting doodads, and some very old groceries.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOFhHOfWl0nx5nNGuMfSHWo26J0lFLMK-icb8ylseYUPCpzsdeHHJz6L3fPlfWqWYbRFPJnEU7V796v8sEfhRJYVqPIN5p7LtduO-jZPTh4E4vYCJ-v3zWy-b3WaZMRlofudEPw/s1600-h/shoppe3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOFhHOfWl0nx5nNGuMfSHWo26J0lFLMK-icb8ylseYUPCpzsdeHHJz6L3fPlfWqWYbRFPJnEU7V796v8sEfhRJYVqPIN5p7LtduO-jZPTh4E4vYCJ-v3zWy-b3WaZMRlofudEPw/s400/shoppe3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322097003393217170" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.pretty_ing.blogspot.com/">Ingrid</a> and I went on Sunday afternoon, and we both found some fabric for crafty projects. How happy does she look, clutching her fabric and Blackberry? (The Blackberry was an integral part of me finding fabric to match the curtain material I found at Frenchy's last week, since I didn't think to take it with me. She just looked up my post, and voila, I found some to match! Brilliant.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5M5DLs6EvjwajgffvJ5_c2z-aFwBx7r2Ye99TsAAWLAGccoei083BpmLAe52JOdhgzDn_AZm5-lbXsC43I5cS4lv556FxL4beHXR5QQbydXj-77bwHN8u5WFrgSmM0oM9AIKczA/s1600-h/shoppe6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5M5DLs6EvjwajgffvJ5_c2z-aFwBx7r2Ye99TsAAWLAGccoei083BpmLAe52JOdhgzDn_AZm5-lbXsC43I5cS4lv556FxL4beHXR5QQbydXj-77bwHN8u5WFrgSmM0oM9AIKczA/s400/shoppe6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322097863337234850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhLUjfKp9hF-pnOZW2WrDxz1Uu037Xf7JpQt6GWhv0WZz04EXRUXIVnKT1dcLUWClFmEwbYAm9Tins310cAdhzwdtzwLNeRvsw-5OueiEl3m6i9mJ00OhT6xUbcvn5PeDKk5K2A/s1600-h/shoppe5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhLUjfKp9hF-pnOZW2WrDxz1Uu037Xf7JpQt6GWhv0WZz04EXRUXIVnKT1dcLUWClFmEwbYAm9Tins310cAdhzwdtzwLNeRvsw-5OueiEl3m6i9mJ00OhT6xUbcvn5PeDKk5K2A/s400/shoppe5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322097005080873874" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.lsboudreauquiltfabrics.com/">La Shoppe Vert</a> is in an old building, and these are the original smoke detectors.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jc66JDJup5VfZu2zvcD4N70_2cNn6qZWvGZdCww8mPjBuF4hBT6nCWdkr3KIyWJZxsRFhYDAwiZKiU5T6xPx6xK7nz4FALCIpfB5RwH5T4hzrqYSnGx-tRBjM4hzrjGOabfh9w/s1600-h/shoppe4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jc66JDJup5VfZu2zvcD4N70_2cNn6qZWvGZdCww8mPjBuF4hBT6nCWdkr3KIyWJZxsRFhYDAwiZKiU5T6xPx6xK7nz4FALCIpfB5RwH5T4hzrqYSnGx-tRBjM4hzrjGOabfh9w/s400/shoppe4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322097005866405922" border="0" /></a>This is down in the basement, where there used to be a bowling alley. Well, it's kind of still there, only under boxes and dust and such.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHaDK0mjY-f3VzbyR_vcQkjB7QDTrFdEz1HSQ92w5uIjSnz38bar8_D3k6B6VrYXn-sa12F2qrE1NdC7yAvMO0qdCNVssDRCZ0tN4M2t9CXlzuU9ieOflxmMXSR_TE8VKVk3_kA/s1600-h/shoppe7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHaDK0mjY-f3VzbyR_vcQkjB7QDTrFdEz1HSQ92w5uIjSnz38bar8_D3k6B6VrYXn-sa12F2qrE1NdC7yAvMO0qdCNVssDRCZ0tN4M2t9CXlzuU9ieOflxmMXSR_TE8VKVk3_kA/s400/shoppe7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322097863095224514" border="0" /></a>This is the material I didn't buy so that I would have an excuse to go back.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRNww6eApKHrK-GzVZoDx2yRymJ3IZ6GAzhhrGGmTh4nxU6VW-NCgt3YOlrsHNHTXuw0azGOqH5WQH3uV88sCx7OqWw5h6bBPnbVuMxDmHY6z5QUdGXSqnAkXwzygRM5BWFqNxw/s1600-h/shoppe2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRNww6eApKHrK-GzVZoDx2yRymJ3IZ6GAzhhrGGmTh4nxU6VW-NCgt3YOlrsHNHTXuw0azGOqH5WQH3uV88sCx7OqWw5h6bBPnbVuMxDmHY6z5QUdGXSqnAkXwzygRM5BWFqNxw/s400/shoppe2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322097003294019714" border="0" /></a>We had a fantastic lunch at <a href="http://www.chezchristophe.ca/">Chez Christophe</a>, where I had never been before. I had fricot, which I had never had before. They have a thing for glass jars, too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDxIkjT61Dl4O6VvNWJsP_IVNqywpTSx08zuKCGd0my_BxOk2ylyVqenICubOvMpCiZuP9JUtbPXCVjdKsUFTmwcFkN7k30_PrG2xTJ6JMuxlhwyhVMo3lAqMWoMi85L5kccllQ/s1600-h/shoppe1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDxIkjT61Dl4O6VvNWJsP_IVNqywpTSx08zuKCGd0my_BxOk2ylyVqenICubOvMpCiZuP9JUtbPXCVjdKsUFTmwcFkN7k30_PrG2xTJ6JMuxlhwyhVMo3lAqMWoMi85L5kccllQ/s400/shoppe1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322096998900451138" border="0" /></a>And dessert was apple crisp with ice cream. Yum.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0Vgj0BiQreDTRFOnoR7mX5cWUS0Vwt_Pr0Y_jK16_5v8OclHkOM3CWC9FGqzPg2POHEnythngNmT5oz9VuIhqnAiSxp2S9L2itBrVun5DnC8tJ-8vgAJSJDbwxJG4QkHK7RlWg/s1600-h/shoppe11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0Vgj0BiQreDTRFOnoR7mX5cWUS0Vwt_Pr0Y_jK16_5v8OclHkOM3CWC9FGqzPg2POHEnythngNmT5oz9VuIhqnAiSxp2S9L2itBrVun5DnC8tJ-8vgAJSJDbwxJG4QkHK7RlWg/s400/shoppe11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322098872704309554" border="0" /></a>I've been sticking pictures and postcards and past months of <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2008/12/december-31-blizzard-cookies-aka.html">this calendar</a> up on the pantry wall. And I haven't gotten tired of it yet! Probably because it's always changing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrZ4sTd_Jy7mEpTlVJnuQr6oj2duGK9EPm1MLe7i2WSbY_stgIHyBvPuVu_r195ZzpLUyM1d_ffg2-eNJcJPPO07HSYDYm9GhDqqCR8m4GAyDz7OThyphenhypheneq-Oi4l-kOaGO9HlcUyA/s1600-h/shoppe10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrZ4sTd_Jy7mEpTlVJnuQr6oj2duGK9EPm1MLe7i2WSbY_stgIHyBvPuVu_r195ZzpLUyM1d_ffg2-eNJcJPPO07HSYDYm9GhDqqCR8m4GAyDz7OThyphenhypheneq-Oi4l-kOaGO9HlcUyA/s400/shoppe10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322097874574092082" border="0" /></a>See the <a href="http://images.google.ca/images?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&um=1&q=+site:flickr.com+bird%27s+custard+powder">Bird's Custard Powder</a> can? The owner of La Shoppe Vert gave it to me. I think it's from 1982 or so.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbaaefdPX48TB711kStimAtRvEC8mPInouj1C1p1SkJl3gbDr6W1n7QR3dNUAgxOxo-FCgFJu6xu5i6mwYNIP_YZKi70bU-yG6CVe8qcsCZtZgBTkQDPCQGEi83mE0Y2GH17eJg/s1600-h/shoppe9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbaaefdPX48TB711kStimAtRvEC8mPInouj1C1p1SkJl3gbDr6W1n7QR3dNUAgxOxo-FCgFJu6xu5i6mwYNIP_YZKi70bU-yG6CVe8qcsCZtZgBTkQDPCQGEi83mE0Y2GH17eJg/s400/shoppe9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322097869277423602" border="0" /></a>And these are the fantastic new shoes I found at Frenchy's! They're greener than they appear, and are so very comfortable. So comfortable in fact, that I wore them home. Phew! That was a long one. Thanks for tuning in!Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-70888600843643471182009-04-07T20:02:00.007-03:002009-04-16T09:22:35.619-03:00recipe-a-week #13: slow cooker chicken with tarragon and leeks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRwuKa8xP-3jMgsa1MPypxNYtypYKHIfyl35MyXR_HRdL3P7lcig9LchQTe6V8m2dbHznLew7mPs-b7IvGQlh_xkTjP7m6QHjEB-D7Mfwm8raLO_tr7sxXTVPnDjqYxPqDmErrg/s1600-h/recipe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRwuKa8xP-3jMgsa1MPypxNYtypYKHIfyl35MyXR_HRdL3P7lcig9LchQTe6V8m2dbHznLew7mPs-b7IvGQlh_xkTjP7m6QHjEB-D7Mfwm8raLO_tr7sxXTVPnDjqYxPqDmErrg/s400/recipe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322091020458264178" border="0" /></a><br />I'm back! With a fantastic recipe this time. I made this recipe from the current issue of <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/">Real Simple</a> (shouldn't it be 'Really Simple'? Or 'Real, Simple'?) magazine last week, and it is fantastic. Really, truly, delicious. And you know how I feel about <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/search?q=slow+cooker">slow cookers</a>! Actually, I was surprised by a good recipe in Real Simple. I had a subscription for awhile, and found that most of the recipes were a box of this and a can of that somehow equals a 'recipe'. Regardless, this one's a winner! As in, you should go out and buy the ingredients this minute and have it for dinner tomorrow.<br /><br />Chicken with Tarragon and Leeks<br /><br />1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes (about 16)<br />8 small skinless chicken thighs (1 1/2 pounds) (I actually threw in a whole local chicken I had, but it would have been more manageable with the pieces)<br />3 leeks (white and light green parts), halved lengthwise and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces<br />1 cup dry white wine (I had some white cooking wine on hand, so I used that)<br />salt<br />10 ounces frozen peas<br />1/3 cup heavy cream (now you know why I like it!)<br />1 tbsp fresh tarragon (I couldn't find this, so my version was more 'Chicken with Leeks'.)<br /><br />Place potatoes on the bottom of a 4-6 quart slow cooker. Add chicken, leeks, wine, and 1 tsp salt.<br /><br />Cook, covered, until the chicken and potatoes are tender, on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-7 hours.<br /><br />Transfer the chicken and all but 4 of the potatoes to a plate. Using a fork (I used a wooden spoon since I didn't want to scratch my slow cooker), smash the remaining potatoes into the cooking liquid to thicken.<br /><br />Add the peas and cream and cook until just heated through, 3-5 minutes. Spoon over the chicken and sprinkle with the tarragon.<br /><br />You'll enjoy this one for sure!Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-22751397202162609162009-04-05T22:29:00.003-03:002009-04-05T22:37:27.138-03:00disappearing act<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQwUMmJt6ZnBqmSrg0aDQEdI6OYMthDzwydZs0YYS-pCkOIZOmtstDlpcSdmy5xpKgAWz5dCF8GKL1xCTF98-V6G0pYHpkFV2yiC7RBby_UWVsj2n8-tPg4u2py1bRyV1V83aDA/s1600-h/cardamom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQwUMmJt6ZnBqmSrg0aDQEdI6OYMthDzwydZs0YYS-pCkOIZOmtstDlpcSdmy5xpKgAWz5dCF8GKL1xCTF98-V6G0pYHpkFV2yiC7RBby_UWVsj2n8-tPg4u2py1bRyV1V83aDA/s400/cardamom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321385294348955762" border="0" /></a>I posted this picture on my other blog a few days ago, but thought I would ask you guys, too - what can I make with cardamom? Any ideas, other than chai tea?<br /><br />I had a very "fun-day", as Phillip says. You can read a bit about it <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittinging/3416009082/">over here</a>. I'll be back with pictures and stories and a wickedly wicked fantastic Frenchy's find that is green and goes on my feet. Since she was with me (or I was with her and my luck oozed out), <a href="http://www.pretty_ing.blogspot.com">Ingrid</a> also <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittinging/3415197523/in/photostream/">found something great</a>.<br /><br />I'm scooting to Halifax (not literally) for a couple days for work, so I'll be back soon. Speaking of Halifax, my soaps are now at <a href="http://lovemeboutique.ca/">Love, Me Boutique</a>! I'm hoping to stop in for myself. If you're in the city, have a peek.<br /><br />Have a great week!Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-80704639187214641282009-04-03T18:50:00.004-03:002009-04-03T19:07:41.815-03:00necklace storage & it's about time for some frenchy's finds<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHIX4lThyJDxdtni4susdCF-gXEBVRhRP_u5_erqRCpetHSByVJgzHV7txc2HAqgD2V9IiO1nFCPgcCZRUh3lnsXHXcnUqNVzLvg3Y2h5bybHxqF1xwdOYStZpOwGWIYFyIjHkg/s1600-h/old+necklace+hooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHIX4lThyJDxdtni4susdCF-gXEBVRhRP_u5_erqRCpetHSByVJgzHV7txc2HAqgD2V9IiO1nFCPgcCZRUh3lnsXHXcnUqNVzLvg3Y2h5bybHxqF1xwdOYStZpOwGWIYFyIjHkg/s400/old+necklace+hooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320587829950796546" border="0" /></a>My necklaces have been not-so-stylishly stored on hideous plastic dollar store hooks until today. I liked that they were visible and accessible, but the hooks had to go.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkqIucpqfn479-SzlMLpD_Z5nP568T8YMWBjZUbAuCQfNZFXLRYyK3CU8tKzQfzO-wK4GZeumiZDdyXW7fEDxLEPGNI-GkIpsqPS63ZCVoUsfKSe1jzKVDsYEOLdwLiCE-M7_MA/s1600-h/necklace+hooks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkqIucpqfn479-SzlMLpD_Z5nP568T8YMWBjZUbAuCQfNZFXLRYyK3CU8tKzQfzO-wK4GZeumiZDdyXW7fEDxLEPGNI-GkIpsqPS63ZCVoUsfKSe1jzKVDsYEOLdwLiCE-M7_MA/s400/necklace+hooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320587828104368018" border="0" /></a>So I was really excited to pick up these fun hooks at Wicker Emporium, on sale for $3 each. They look much nicer, and the necklaces won't get whacked by the door when Phillip opens it excitedly, like they did before.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAFW58Lrb7I12grwjy-FxhsMpn-9PfgLlhOLG2cNcTThbTVl4QY39ysYuxTLsewpNnC9b47JMmw2qW4O28ZwxH_QAdOVbH3c0oC0qnLKhx7g4-_wLqwQsOsQiHHAjbPXrLsXLWg/s1600-h/frenchys+finds+april+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAFW58Lrb7I12grwjy-FxhsMpn-9PfgLlhOLG2cNcTThbTVl4QY39ysYuxTLsewpNnC9b47JMmw2qW4O28ZwxH_QAdOVbH3c0oC0qnLKhx7g4-_wLqwQsOsQiHHAjbPXrLsXLWg/s400/frenchys+finds+april+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320587825358726818" border="0" /></a>Can you tell that it's raining? Today's pictures are rather dark and drab and slightly blurred, but I'm too impatient to wait until tomorrow to share. I found a couple of very fun things today at Frenchy's when I scooted in for all of two minutes today. That orange thing is a felted wool pot handle cover, and it's perfect for our cast iron pan, which we use just about every day. I've been meaning to make one for about three years, so I thought that I should probably fork out the 25 cents and use this one. It's in the wash, yipee!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0wsiJWmTUQLxEf-ZWx38qMstX5CDBPbrzq9Y3opYhF0-EGBJRMmD-sf24F2o7wc-2rWbDsoijVuQO3OpAvb47UHj5KY_heMJshb1q3IXWhePGQmMgR9Jo4GNH7FsUaxqYNTNEg/s1600-h/wool+pot+handle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0wsiJWmTUQLxEf-ZWx38qMstX5CDBPbrzq9Y3opYhF0-EGBJRMmD-sf24F2o7wc-2rWbDsoijVuQO3OpAvb47UHj5KY_heMJshb1q3IXWhePGQmMgR9Jo4GNH7FsUaxqYNTNEg/s400/wool+pot+handle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320587830946282770" border="0" /></a>And check out this fabric! It's a couple of old curtains, and I love the pattern. I think I'll try making something from <a href="http://www.annamariahorner.com/productbooks.html">this book</a> with it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNbdvo2BZ5lSeGJv882K9LLYXy7L4xNv0K__2d9gTNo0OD8Xn1xhwDRBbq2jAXtLX3UnrZVUFhUIZ1iyjn2XWEQ7fMme2EZ8t8dAeabXGR-0Oam42J4C1TeYmtIP8O9nIdsB_Eg/s1600-h/fun+fabric+april+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNbdvo2BZ5lSeGJv882K9LLYXy7L4xNv0K__2d9gTNo0OD8Xn1xhwDRBbq2jAXtLX3UnrZVUFhUIZ1iyjn2XWEQ7fMme2EZ8t8dAeabXGR-0Oam42J4C1TeYmtIP8O9nIdsB_Eg/s400/fun+fabric+april+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320587827634309826" border="0" /></a>Happy weekend!Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-1798017570344994012009-04-02T19:32:00.005-03:002009-04-02T20:00:17.743-03:00etsy goodies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0CInp11Wbz81UK_YZ4S87o9w1k1DCoQLZtYqWlAaf4bRASEyY_gYu4K_8IC0V5f1f7K7uYK2a8nYb_1iaBS1Nx2YV5cPkGTWLPOTDaHUw3c94BvRcvG1oLNP1DHpt3bUnAFcQg/s1600-h/flower+trio+cards"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0CInp11Wbz81UK_YZ4S87o9w1k1DCoQLZtYqWlAaf4bRASEyY_gYu4K_8IC0V5f1f7K7uYK2a8nYb_1iaBS1Nx2YV5cPkGTWLPOTDaHUw3c94BvRcvG1oLNP1DHpt3bUnAFcQg/s400/flower+trio+cards" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320230726073268434" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.adamgrahamphoto.com">My sweet husband</a> is now selling card sets of his gorgeous photos <a href="http://www.adamgrahamphoto.etsy.com">in his Etsy shop</a>. There are three different sets, so go have a peek, and snag some all-purpose cards for those folks you want to impress. Or the ones you just plain like. (He's got lots more, so if something's in his sold items, never fear! Just send him a convo.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rQ-GaWIJgExQGOe6J_Dr2wPypp6acYpYojIsPaihjNM0rP6SXd-3lQan-F__mfSy_CSCQ5niyWJp47hf7ZXHYTI4jdR_DPq3FEESq_mjDm3yC5vXfnnyV88e9Y7j2QLczlAS9w/s1600-h/vases2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rQ-GaWIJgExQGOe6J_Dr2wPypp6acYpYojIsPaihjNM0rP6SXd-3lQan-F__mfSy_CSCQ5niyWJp47hf7ZXHYTI4jdR_DPq3FEESq_mjDm3yC5vXfnnyV88e9Y7j2QLczlAS9w/s400/vases2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320228589377248354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8BEXe3GCOkZbyJ6C5YSSWd2gBDZlEOgCRRi-R69APuJ31oR6v1ZHN0sBkitKOTXoCZejCfvevt9gwR7qLDYRf75cx-KwdESdPTXfWJcwRv53kDk5bzsDLw_ynYCtjbOTcM3y7Q/s1600-h/vases1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8BEXe3GCOkZbyJ6C5YSSWd2gBDZlEOgCRRi-R69APuJ31oR6v1ZHN0sBkitKOTXoCZejCfvevt9gwR7qLDYRf75cx-KwdESdPTXfWJcwRv53kDk5bzsDLw_ynYCtjbOTcM3y7Q/s400/vases1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320228584850178210" border="0" /></a>Speaking of <a href="http://www.etsy.com">Etsy</a>, Adam bought me these teeny-tiny vases for my birthday from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6108154">this Etsy shop</a>. They are so cute on the windowsill, each with one little snowdrop peeping out. I think the green ruffly one is my favourite.<br /><br />In miscellaneous news, a large number of real e-mails seems to be landing in my spam folder. I used to empty it without reading the subjects of all the messages, until I started to see some real e-mails in there. So if you wrote to me and it either took me a really long time to respond, or you haven't heard from me, my apologies. I love hearing from you, and please try again. Happy Thursday!Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-36791353438635413472009-03-31T20:36:00.004-03:002009-03-31T20:47:53.930-03:00the day after (and the winner!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKmaP5wrG_3UhMnkgxxDp1UcF1vk5yfTKwBcIayoPYj5x-sCNB8WJXzITQCWChqJE4U3tJQPY_jeBXws9I92BtmdJcym72OIPZPRWxXxekXNGA9Jc9aXRJkOLtuivFILurdoZFw/s1600-h/100_7468.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKmaP5wrG_3UhMnkgxxDp1UcF1vk5yfTKwBcIayoPYj5x-sCNB8WJXzITQCWChqJE4U3tJQPY_jeBXws9I92BtmdJcym72OIPZPRWxXxekXNGA9Jc9aXRJkOLtuivFILurdoZFw/s400/100_7468.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319502568346552082" border="0" /></a>First, the picture - I have a pile of images that need to be properly named and filed, and picked one completely at random. More of my favourite white and green combination!<br /><br />I had so much fun reading your birthday memories after <a href="http://frenchyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/03/recipe-week-11-crushed-raspberry-tart.html">yesterday's post</a>! Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />My favourite, and the winner of some of my soap (can you tell I haven't decided what to send yet?) is <a href="http://stripeypebble.blogspot.com/">Austen</a>! This was her comment:<br /><br />"The year I turned 29 my sister arranged a big surprise party for me. As part of the distraction plan, she shipped me off for a visit with a friend, a visit which included an hour-long hike around the edge of Lake MicMac. (At the end of January. It was frigid.) Eventually my friend dropped me off at home and I rushed inside, ripping off my boots and jacket and making a beeline for a hot shower, yelling to my sister (who I figured was somewhere around the house), "Honey, I'm home and holy god, I'm freezing my ass off!" By the time I screeched to a halt in front of them, sweater off and shirt soon to follow, the two-dozen-odd people hiding in my living room were laughing too hard to yell "surprise." (Funny how the hot flush of embarrassment can warm you up in a hurry!)"<br /><br />I think it's probably my favourite because a similar thing happened to me, which Konstantina mentioned in the comments. A surprise birthday party was waiting for me, and I entered our then-apartment with a yell of "Geez Louise, I have to pee!" On my way to the bathroom, past the doorway where everyone was lurking, some movement caught my eye and I nearly jumped out of my skin with a shriek that would have woken the dead. It was hilarious!<br /><br />So, Austen, e-mail your mailing address to grahamsherrie [at] yahoo [dot] ca, and I'll send you some loveliness in the mail!Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-16141231051836478392009-03-30T16:01:00.005-03:002009-04-16T09:22:20.231-03:00recipe-a-week #12: crushed raspberry tart & bonne fête à moi!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5q9kQsRPNoEMUbbOB5vjh3xgK7zu4Ln2zT9M5KwtR78_fsmw-qwzWPlAQy7-BnCGW38uux9N7uaUFv2HsDGAHAhGnpsRU_VD4bJEFRJibJg2KkNLbBy9aF7A8j7ZNy_MuRwlcqA/s1600-h/snowdrops+march+29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5q9kQsRPNoEMUbbOB5vjh3xgK7zu4Ln2zT9M5KwtR78_fsmw-qwzWPlAQy7-BnCGW38uux9N7uaUFv2HsDGAHAhGnpsRU_VD4bJEFRJibJg2KkNLbBy9aF7A8j7ZNy_MuRwlcqA/s400/snowdrops+march+29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319060372518704818" border="0" /></a>Snowdrops are just plain delightful. They're green and white, my favourite colour combination, they're the first flowers of the season, and they multiply and do their thing without any intervention whatsoever. I love birthdays anyway, but I'm especially glad that mine is at this time of year. I'm 28 today, and have no list of things I want to achieve over the next 365 days. That's my gift to myself.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfn8FRD9De96xrpA9e1dcY3KETrxjvtwSTFuir_szbC7ip5vw9u-hGUEsILZFGN6yuDDcM5K96rO8j31gnvY3ENnxorwLeXTaQNV7-ViXW-GDCkEZqAhvPSihzLqtnysvjHZ0SQ/s1600-h/raspberry+tart.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfn8FRD9De96xrpA9e1dcY3KETrxjvtwSTFuir_szbC7ip5vw9u-hGUEsILZFGN6yuDDcM5K96rO8j31gnvY3ENnxorwLeXTaQNV7-ViXW-GDCkEZqAhvPSihzLqtnysvjHZ0SQ/s400/raspberry+tart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319060365536070258" border="0" /></a>Speaking of birthdays, <a href="http://www.pretty_ing.blogspot.com/">Ingrid</a> came over yesterday, and we made my birthday non-cake! She also brought me a <a href="http://www.donnahay.com/">Donna Hay</a> magazine, which I intend to have a proper date with tonight. And some yummy tea. The non-cake is Donna Hay's Crushed Raspberry Tart, from <a href="http://www.harpercollins.com.au/books/9780732285807/Simple_Essentials_Fruit/index.aspx">her fruit book</a>, and here's the recipe:<br /><br />375 g (13 1/4 oz) block store-bought puff pastry, thawed<br />1 egg white, lightly beaten<br />1 tbsp caster sugar (we used regular granulated)<br />2 cups raspberries<br />1 tbsp icing sugar<br /><br />sour cream filling:<br />1 cup sour cream (I think it would work better with the really thick type)<br />1/4 cup single or pouring cream (half and half; we used whipping, mmm)<br />1/3 cup brown sugar<br /><br />Preheat oven to 400. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch and trim to a 20 cm (8 inch) square. Cut 8 strips measuring 1x20cm (1/2 x 8in) from the remaining pastry. Place the pastry square on a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper. Brush with the egg white and place half the strips around the edge to form a border. Brush the borders with the egg white and place the remaining strips on top. Prick the base with a fork. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Sprinkle the pastry with caster sugar. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden. To make the sour cream filling, whisk the sour cream, cream, and brown sugar in a bowl until smooth. Combine half the raspberries with the icing sugar and crush lightly. Fold in the remaining raspberries. Spoon the sour cream filling over the pastry base and spoon raspberries on top.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaE2acGdtixQEirG_BKq0rFTDBWv2otnDck8ZndmNMcR9yGgfOXFHVJQQNnpUzkXM-SxsmWn80OJFh5R0DyTTyvsQ2hlgOaUOSpQgo6xqFABk9UMRMyIHGn5vGKo0ircVqbQoNA/s1600-h/artisan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaE2acGdtixQEirG_BKq0rFTDBWv2otnDck8ZndmNMcR9yGgfOXFHVJQQNnpUzkXM-SxsmWn80OJFh5R0DyTTyvsQ2hlgOaUOSpQgo6xqFABk9UMRMyIHGn5vGKo0ircVqbQoNA/s400/artisan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319059605967402258" border="0" /></a>One more thing: a great surprise on my birthday! My new Artisan mixer arrived this afternoon, when I wasn't expecting it until next week. Nice! I'm excited to try it out.<br /><br />For those of you who are still reading, I'm hiding a little birthday giveaway in here. Leave a comment with your funniest birthday memory, and I'll pick my favourite tomorrow. The winner will be sent some of <a href="http://www.birchbarksoap.etsy.com/">my fantastic handmade soap</a>.<br /><br />Happy Monday, and Happy Birthday to me!Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16929236.post-67069722461251006132009-03-29T18:56:00.006-03:002009-03-29T19:26:20.471-03:00before and after<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJapH5gTPEyuASuMKdz2ZoAKR_oH1tchOYgQzfBYMg8vYxgr6hOUYVijUHlkJmFiaYDD0oSy8r8UHMc-1qSpPOI0ev-KK69H9e2A2o4eI5_Q_-N5ae-Bz0cCYFWaI6H-RCGQ49w/s1600-h/phillip+bathtub+march+09"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJapH5gTPEyuASuMKdz2ZoAKR_oH1tchOYgQzfBYMg8vYxgr6hOUYVijUHlkJmFiaYDD0oSy8r8UHMc-1qSpPOI0ev-KK69H9e2A2o4eI5_Q_-N5ae-Bz0cCYFWaI6H-RCGQ49w/s400/phillip+bathtub+march+09" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318732900992643122" border="0" /></a>Before the haircut, and...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06SPcSuAEirB8xxfDCfxa3iqHBodKasjrYfLeiazy4p2adanO4KtJ_AboA7Rr5Kt5lljNtkzHGMNoepvibiaP4fq7mq4TxYkBboO-UwN59fBw0K_XeAW-HXR66acSe-zi89k2Ww/s1600-h/phillip+haircut.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06SPcSuAEirB8xxfDCfxa3iqHBodKasjrYfLeiazy4p2adanO4KtJ_AboA7Rr5Kt5lljNtkzHGMNoepvibiaP4fq7mq4TxYkBboO-UwN59fBw0K_XeAW-HXR66acSe-zi89k2Ww/s400/phillip+haircut.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318734696959025282" border="0" /></a>after!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_Rkrr8-RPMVY2R3zr0Ex49tFFEbJo0Arnxxe47Hld9kKrfi0cXNTdWQ3u5wyWZr82J7_sefSP1mFhUWWcOchbejGlttRIT__CsSeCEfO1p7NvHH2lGp0_Z9XZsvEMbv0KiRLRg/s1600-h/phillip+haircut+march+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_Rkrr8-RPMVY2R3zr0Ex49tFFEbJo0Arnxxe47Hld9kKrfi0cXNTdWQ3u5wyWZr82J7_sefSP1mFhUWWcOchbejGlttRIT__CsSeCEfO1p7NvHH2lGp0_Z9XZsvEMbv0KiRLRg/s400/phillip+haircut+march+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318734156600127778" border="0" /></a>Our sweet boy after his haircut. (You can imagine away that hideous floor. After some hard work on our part over the next few weeks, your dreams will come true!) How sweet is that little face? I often wear my sunglasses on my head, so I think he was copying me.<br /><br />Speaking of our wee one, he threw up all over me tonight, after my impromptu birthday gathering ended. All over. He's sleeping now, and I'm hoping that that was it, and he'll feel better in the morning. As for me, I had a horrendous day sick in bed yesterday, but today I feel human again. Good grief! Adam and I watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425112/">Hot Fuzz</a> last night, which was hilarious. So was <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365748/">Shaun of the Dead</a>, which we watched a little while back. Good mindless sick-day movies to watch.<br /><br />And on a significantly happier note, the cherry twig I brought in to force has blossomed!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01yLty81-11sjSwZhSkV-EP8NCGI2fvIM131-0MhnZovq8Xth9XHxYXULPRmeZBgVZxIOQHWSTjst_raZip6TBNafrDPlUxTvlQpZgfPX9qCn5f5CzueeQuBTfxkWvSXz-lzV2w/s1600-h/cherry+blossoms.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01yLty81-11sjSwZhSkV-EP8NCGI2fvIM131-0MhnZovq8Xth9XHxYXULPRmeZBgVZxIOQHWSTjst_raZip6TBNafrDPlUxTvlQpZgfPX9qCn5f5CzueeQuBTfxkWvSXz-lzV2w/s400/cherry+blossoms.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318734144320086866" border="0" /></a>I have a great dessert recipe for you tomorrow, so <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdA__2tKoIU">"Be sure to... be sure to what?... what was Little Orphan Annie trying to say?... Be sure to drink your Ovaltine."</a> Oh, wait. Be sure to check in for the recipe, having nothing to do with Ovaltine.Sherriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101301185473329250noreply@blogger.com5