Yea! We're Going to Vegas!

On Monday night, my husband I had a "meeting" to book our next vacation.  He still has some vacation time to use up and while we wanted to go somewhere warmer, we weren't enthused about going to the Caribbean during hurricane season.  We both have always wanted to see the lights of Vegas (hey, I grew up in a small northern city far from any big cities) and marvel at the wonder of the Grand Canyon.  Now it looks like we will do both.

I must admit that I'm a little nervous about it all.  Neither of us have been in an airplane since our Honeymoon 23 1/2 years ago.  Now we have booked flights with a stopover both ways (4 flights in all!).  Up until now, I've always booked our hotels through Expedia mostly.  This time we were booking flights, hotel rooms, car rental, theatre tickets (Phantom of the Opera), travel and medical insurance all at once!  It was a little overwhelming to say in the least!  It actually was quite easy to do on Expedia, but I am still a little anxious and second guessing myself...  I'm usually more slower paced and methodical when it comes to vacation planning.  We plan to leave in a couple of weeks!  Yikes!... I mean Yea!  I think.

More New Foods

5.  Shanghai Bok Choy and Baby Bok Choy

Our family tried Baby Bok Choy about a year ago and loved it!!!  This time when I went grocery shopping, I bought Shanghai Bok Choy.  We loved this one also!  I can't say if I noticed a difference between the two, but both are great!  This is the recipe that I use.

2 lbs Bok Choy
1 cup chopped bacon
2 cloves garlic
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb sliced leeks
salt and pepper to taste

1.  Clean and prepare the bok choy.  Set aside in two groups, leaves and stems.  (If you cook bok choy too long it becomes bitter.  The leaves cook faster than the stems, so I remove the stems and slice them like matchsticks.)

2.  In a wok or large skillet, over medium heat add olive oil, chopped garlic, mushrooms, leeks and bacon.

3.  When the leeks and mushrooms are about half cooked, add the bok choy stems.  Cook for 2 min.

4.  Add bok choy leaves and cook for another 2 min.  (avoid over cooking the bok choy).

5.  Season with pepper and salt to taste.

Serve as a side with rice or rice vermicelli if desired.


6.  Fennel and Anise

As far as I can tell, there isn't really any difference between these two.  But we love them both.  This vegetable has a mild licorice flavour which is really great in a stir fry.  I have also found many recipes for fennel on allrecipes.com.  One of the best is "Baked Rigatoni with Italian Sausage and Fennel".

Making Progress

Now we're actually able to move around in 2 out of 3 rooms in the basement.  Our progress is clearly visible.  On Saturday we spent another hour down in the dungeon and removed another 10 bags of stuff... 3 garbage bags, boxes of religious books of my Dad's, old sports equipment, some unused craft items, bag of clothes, boots... etc.  Why on earth do we hold on to that stuff???  It's amazing me at how quickly we can actually get rid of it if we don't allow our emotions to get in the way.  Anyway, more of it is gone and I feel soooo much better!

Decluttered 46 bags so far ... aiming for 50!

8 bags worth... GONE!

On Saturday, my husband, son, and I were able to tackle some more cleaning in the basement.  This time ... the tool section... scattered all over the floor... duplicates, triplicates... etc.  Not any more.  They are neatly put away back on the shelves or hanging from the wall.  Surplus, outdated / antique tools have been donated.  Are we foolish?... Maybe.  But now there is room to actually walk on the floor... that has gotta be worth something!

Decluttered 36 bags so far ... aiming for 50!

Yeah! It's Done!

Yup... it's finally done.  Actually, this Comfort Quilt has been completed for nearly two weeks... all except for the label, that is.  We were encouraged to put a personal message on the label and I just needed time to ponder what to say.  I finally got my inspiration from a baby card I saw in the drug store while hunting for an anniversary card for friends.  The wording is not exactly the same, but I liked the idea of tying in how baby quilts can be used to bring comfort.  I got around to sewing it on this afternoon... just in time for the Kempenfelt Quilter's Guild meeting tomorrow night!

Goal # 26 of 50 Completed!

Goal #7 Make a cookbook of family favourites

I started to make a family cookbook about 2 years ago and had all but 9 pages left.  I needed it make it one of my 50 goals or it may have never been completed.  What a shame that would have been.

 

 

 

I just got the books in the mail on Tuesday and am excited to see them in print.

As I look through the completed book, there are two distinct page layout styles... so its not hard to tell which pages I started off with and which recipes were added towards the end.   Oh well, it wouldn't be me if it were consistent from start to finish. lol

This cookbook is 61 pages in total and has 76 recipes.  I ordered the books from artscow.com and am pleased with the results.

Perhaps I will start another cookbook using the newer / healthier recipes that I have been collecting... we'll see.

Goal # 7 0f 50 Accomplished ... at last!!!

Family Photo Shoot

One thing I regret as the kids were growing up is that we did not take many family photos.  To book a portrait sitting requires planning ahead and I'm much to spontaneous of a person for that.  So as a result most of our family pics are of a spontaneous nature... hey we're all here... lets snap a quick photo.

Fortunately, our daughter, Katelyn, is very much interested in photography.  She is the one who made this goal become a reality.  On August 29, 2010, a Sunday afternoon, she suggested that we pack a picnic and go to a park to take family photos.  She picked a location which is part way between home and University residence so that we could drop her off afterwards.  Thus, we ended up at a wonderful location... Bronte Creek Provincial Park near Burlington, ON.



Favourite Family Photo


The weather was perfect and we were all in a fun cooperative mood.  Katelyn had fun setting up the tripod and running into the shots.  The park used to be a farm at one time and had some apple trees. 

My goal was to take the best of those shots and make a photo book.  I had two of them printed by Artscow.com and got them using free credits plus the cost of shipping from Hong Kong to Canada.  The whole order came to less than $20 Canadian!  Amazing deal!  Great quality books too!

Goal # 6 of 50 Accomplished !

Sewing Baby Gifts

14.  Double-sided Receiving Blankets

I know several expectant mothers and thought I should restock my stash of receiving blankets.  They seem to be really appreciated as gifts.  They are two-sided; made of soft, warm flannel; and are large ... about one square metre.

Between yesterday and today, I made these four...

I love the expressions on the frog faces.... so happy!

3.  Snow Peas
 

  Although I have had snow peas served to me in restaurants before, they are not something I've ever bought and prepared.   These particular snow peas looked so good, I couldn't resist.  We all ended up liking them very much and I would definitely do them again. 

  Stir fry them in 1 Tbsp canola oil, 1 Tbsp butter or margarine for about 8 minutes until tender crisp.
Add 1 tsp cornstarch mixed in half a cup cold water, 1 pkg chicken OXO, and 1/2 tsp sugar.  Cook for approx 3 - 5 minutes until sauce thickens.


4.  Beets
    
  A friend of mine gave me some beets from her garden last week.  After battling a flu bug for the past 5 days, I finally got around to eating them today.  I have only tried them once before... last year... also from the same friend's garden.  I found a different recipe for them this time... and while they tasted OK... I think they will remain a once a year vegetable for us.

  Wash beets thoroughly.  Cut of roots and stems.  Boil covered with water for 40 minutes.  Rinse in cold water and rub off skins.  Heat 1 chopped onion  in 1 Tbsp butter, until tender.  Add 2 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 Tbsp honey, grated lemon zest,  and grated ginger root.  Add sliced beets and heat for approx. 5 minutes.