Lilacs

First published on May 19, 2011

Beautiful lilacs growing in a friend's garden... I had taken many close up shots of the flowers... then came inside and saw the flowers through the window.

Apple Tree

 

First published on May 10, 2011

Apple tree in bloom... May 2011

Baby Zara

 

 

First published on May 2, 2011

Zara surprised the world by showing up 6 weeks early!  There was excitement to be had and she wasn't going to miss a moment of it!  At her photo shoot at 5 weeks old, she was still tiny newborn size... and had none of those pesky pimples that can plague babies at this age.  She is just perfect!

Hyacinth's

First published on April 28, 2011

Hyacinth's are top heavy... as soon as they come into full bloom, over they tip.  Place them in a trifle bowl... the glass sides hold them up and you can enjoy their blooms a while longer.

Royal Wedding Fever

First published on April 28, 2011

Being young and impressionable when Princess Diana was married has left it's mark!  I've long been a fan of royalty; following the numerous European royal families in Hello! magazine, and Royalty as well.  Needless to say, I'm looking forward to "attending" the royal wedding of William and Catherine.  In the honor of tradition, I've made mom's scone recipe to eat with jam and whipped cream, and tea will be taken in my grandma's Royal Albert Blossom Time teacups.
Best wishes to the happy couple!

Sip and See

 

First published on April 26, 2011

Detail shots of the sip and see afternoon tea for baby Zara.  Beautiful touches by 'V' that I was happy to photograph.  (Just have to remember the next time to take an overall picture.  I get so caught up in the details, I forget to step back and take a look at the big picture!)

Stewart Farmhouse

First published on April 18, 2011

Springtime arrives at the Stewart Farmhouse, Cresecent Road.

Choc Chip Cookies

First published on April 15, 2011

Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you like soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies... then this is the recipe for you!
3/4 cup (175ml) - softened butter
1 cup (250ml) - brown sugar, packed
1/4 (50ml) - cup sugar
1 egg
2 tsp (10ml) - vanilla extract
2 cups (500ml) - flour
2 tsp (10ml) - cornstarch
1 tsp (5ml) - baking soda
1/2 tsp (2ml) - salt
8 oz (250g) - milk chocolate, cut into chunks

 

Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
Cream together butter and sugars until smooth.
Add egg and vanilla and blend in.
Stir in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt.
Stir in chocolate chunks.
Drop by tablespoons onto greased baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown around the edges.
Let cool slightly and enjoy.

From Anna Olson - Sugar

Cherry Blossoms

 

 

First published Apr 12, 2011

 

An early evening ride to see if my favorite tree from last year is in bloom... and it's as beautiful as I remembered it.

Pink Magnolia Flowers

 

Beautiful magnolia blooms, Ocean Park...

Magnolia Blooms Again

First published Mar 31, 2011

Magnolia tree at Bank of Montreal, White Rock, BC

All About Felix

First published Mar 31, 2011

These photos are from Sydney, November 2010.  I meant to post them after Christmas, but time has flown by this year, and here I am posting them in March!  Anyway... it was a pleasure to meet sweet little Felix after hearing all about him from family and friends.  He's a happy little guy, and who can resist those curls!  Hopefully we'll meet again before too long!

Creamed Spinach

First published Mar 29, 2011

The other day, a friend remarked that she had a new favourite thing; creamed spinach.  My first thought was, Ick, that’s something you get at the old folk’s home!  Once she started listing the ingredients however, I was hooked!  I’ve been trying to eat a load of greens lately... I need something to balance all those sweets!

Creamed Spinach

Ingredients: A pack of spinach, butter, cream, a block of Parmesan cheese and sea salt.

Method:
Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat.
Add half a container of spinach and toss gently until wilted.
Turn heat down to low, add a couple tablespoons of cream and a handful of grated Parmesan cheese.
Cook on low heat for a few minutes.
Season with sea salt and serve.
Serves one... this is the gist of the creamed spinach... you can adjust according to however many you are serving.

Now that you've got your daily intake of greens, you can have a cookie or two guilt free.  That's my justification, anyway!

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bar

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars

½ cup butter
½ cup peanut butter
1 pkg (6oz) butterscotch chips
1 bag mini marshmallows

Melt butter and peanut butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Stir in chips until melted. Cool until you can hold your hand on the bottom of pot. To speed process, stir while cool enough . Add marshmallows and stir until all are coated. Pack down in a 9x9 pan that has been lined with wax paper. Refrigerate. Cut into squares.

Note: You can make this bar using homemade marshmallows... just cut the marshmallows into bite size squares before adding in to the mix.