Zucchini Relish
A recipe for Zucchini Relish – with canning instructions. What to do with your zucchini harvest. Continue reading Zucchini Relish
Junque from the Sheds
Our island sheds were filled to the brim with old stuff – and a few treasures that I painted blue. Continue reading Junque from the Sheds
Blueberry Hill
A story about growing blueberries with a jam recipe and lots of facts about varieties, nutrition and planting tips. Continue reading Blueberry Hill
Labour Day
A little bit of Labour Day history Continue reading Labour Day
Garden Dirt – The Dirty Truth
Spreading the word about types of soil, composting, the evolution of soil and dirt – and a few puns about dirt just for fun. Continue reading Garden Dirt – The Dirty Truth
The Mad Trappers
We rescued a marooned red squirrel with a live wildlife trap. Continue reading The Mad Trappers
Make Homemade Ice Cream
It’s easy to make ice cream at home without a machine or special equipment and just two ingredients plus your flavour of choice. Continue reading Make Homemade Ice Cream
Make Homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
What could be better than making homemade strawberry rhubarb jam. Rhubarb is an easy to grow perennial vegetable and is wonderful with strawberries. Continue reading Make Homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
Island Cottage Life
We love our island cottage. A story about the pros and cons of island life. Continue reading Island Cottage Life
Ontario Wildlife Photos
We were blessed to see these examples of Ontario wildlife this summer. Continue reading Ontario Wildlife Photos
How to Clean Oil Paintings
How to clean old oil paintings at home – a DIY project Continue reading How to Clean Oil Paintings
Hot Dogs, Pogos and a Twist
We made Corn Dogs or Pogos in our test kitchen Continue reading Hot Dogs, Pogos and a Twist
How to Grow Basil
You can never have too much basil – A few tips about how to grow basil. Continue reading How to Grow Basil
Canadian Tulip Festival – Ottawa
The Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa Ontario – May 13 -23, 2022 – is an enjoyable and easy to access event. Continue reading Canadian Tulip Festival – Ottawa
The Greatest Salesman That Ever Lived
I take those sales calls because I remember the greatest salesman that ever lived. Continue reading The Greatest Salesman That Ever Lived
How to Make Ravioli
We had fun making fresh homemade ravioli ourselves. Continue reading How to Make Ravioli
Cottage Memories
My husband loves cottage life. It’s funny that his childhood cottage memories are so similar to mine. Continue reading Cottage Memories
Easter Weekend – Easter Eggs & The World’s Biggest Easter Egg
Easter Eggs, Giant Easter Eggs and trivia Continue reading Easter Weekend – Easter Eggs & The World’s Biggest Easter Egg
Dining Room Before and After – Removing Wallpaper
An old house dining room before and after – and how to remove wallpaper Continue reading Dining Room Before and After – Removing Wallpaper
What’s in a Sauce? A Bolognese Recipe
One of our favorite ways to serve pasta is with Homemade Bolognese Sauce. This is our recipe in the style of Ragu Alla Bolognese. Continue reading What’s in a Sauce? A Bolognese Recipe
Spring Happiness and Simple Things
Sometimes the simplest of things make us happy. Enjoy spring! Continue reading Spring Happiness and Simple Things
Older Adults and Tech Rage
Is getting older making me grumpy, is it the technology, or the tech support ?- older adults and tech rage Continue reading Older Adults and Tech Rage
Pi Day?
Why not bake a banana cream pie on Pi Day? Continue reading Pi Day?
Mr Beer Home Brewing
I made home brewed beer with a kit and refills from Mr. Beer. Continue reading Mr Beer Home Brewing
Positive Thinking
Positive thinking quotations – is your glass half full? Continue reading Positive Thinking
More Snow Days
Silly thoughts while waiting for the snow to melt. Continue reading More Snow Days
The October Crisis – War Measures Act
A post from 2020 about the War Measures Act during the 1970 October Crisis – and comment about today’s invoking of the Emergency Act Continue reading The October Crisis – War Measures Act
Renovating the Master Bedroom (Part 2)
Part 2 of our Century Home Bedroom Before and After Continue reading Renovating the Master Bedroom (Part 2)
Make Fresh Homemade Pasta
There is no comparison between fresh homemade and dried storebought pasta. Try these two recipes for homemade pasta – one vegan and one with eggs. Continue reading Make Fresh Homemade Pasta
Blogging Advice 2022
A few Blogging Tips for 2022. Continue reading Blogging Advice 2022
Renovating our Master Bedroom
Renovating the Master Bedroom in our century home ourselves. Part 1 of a Before and After story. Continue reading Renovating our Master Bedroom
Weather Drama
Some scary winter weather terminology. Continue reading Weather Drama
Ice Fishing Lake Nipissing
A few travel details about our latest ice fishing road trip. Continue reading Ice Fishing Lake Nipissing
Five Ways to Turn Blue Monday Around
Five ways to turn Blue Monday around! (It’s not a real thing anyway!) Continue reading Five Ways to Turn Blue Monday Around
I am The Little Red Hen
This pandemic makes me feel like The Little Red Hen Continue reading I am The Little Red Hen
Winter Swans Revisited
I wondered whether the swans in our local river were supposed to stay during the winter. Continue reading Winter Swans Revisited
Stepping into 2022
Being good to myself one small step at a time. Continue reading Stepping into 2022
Ontario Road Trip – Staycation
Our Ontario government is encouraging us to take Ontario Staycations this year with a refundable Tax Credit We took three drives this winter across Ontario. Continue reading Ontario Road Trip – Staycation
Family Room Reno – Before and After
A before and after story about our century home family room makeover. Continue reading Family Room Reno – Before and After
Vegan Cinnamon Buttermilk Holiday Cake
I am blessed to be baking (this time Cinnamon Vegan Buttermilk Holiday Cake) for my visiting young adults this holiday season. Happy holidays! Continue reading Vegan Cinnamon Buttermilk Holiday Cake
Rapid Tests and Omicron
Two personal anecdotes about rapid testing (including an Omicron experience) Continue reading Rapid Tests and Omicron
Canada’s Carbon Tax Confusion
The Canada’s Carbon Tax is ineffective and confusing Greenwashing Continue reading Canada’s Carbon Tax Confusion
How to Care for and Wash Vintage Linens
Sorting and soaking my vintage tablecloths and linens was easy and worthwhile. Continue reading How to Care for and Wash Vintage Linens
Calgary to Kananaskis Road Trip
Kananaskis is an easy short road trip from Calgary and a great place to see wildlife Continue reading Calgary to Kananaskis Road Trip
Dark Fruitcake and Christmas Spirit
Working on my Christmas Spirit while baking my family’s Fruitcake recipe Continue reading Dark Fruitcake and Christmas Spirit
Old House Living Room Before and After
A before and after story about our old house living room renovation Continue reading Old House Living Room Before and After
My First Black Friday
I was overwhelmed many years ago when I experienced my first Black Friday. Continue reading My First Black Friday
Polishing Silver – How to, Hacks & Tarnish
I experimented with different silver polishes and silver polishing “hacks” with some success! Continue reading Polishing Silver – How to, Hacks & Tarnish
Southern Saskatchewan Road Trip
We took a road trip to Southern Saskatchewan and the badlands in Big Muddy Valley. Saskatchewan is not flat. Continue reading Southern Saskatchewan Road Trip
One Pan Chicken Thighs and Spinach
We just love chicken thighs and spinach. It requires no oil and only 6 ingredients and tha’ts including water, salt and pepper! Continue reading One Pan Chicken Thighs and Spinach
One Pan Lemon Chicken and Potatoes from our test kitchen
We make Lemon Chicken and Potatoes in one pan – and place it in the centre of the table so that everyone can ladle their own food. Continue reading One Pan Lemon Chicken and Potatoes from our test kitchen
Thunder Bay ON to Brandon MB
A quick 9 or so hour drive from Thunder Bay to Brandon Manitoba. Continue reading Thunder Bay ON to Brandon MB
Canadian Road Trip (again)
We jumped in a car and drove from Ontario to Alberta and back. Continue reading Canadian Road Trip (again)
Home Staging 101
Having our home staged isn’t fun, but we can definitely learn from it. We have had our homes staged a few times over the years. Continue reading Home Staging 101
A Keeper from our Test Kitchen – Pasta with Anchovies
A recipe for easy but sophisticated Pasta with Anchovies – and it’s a Keeper Continue reading A Keeper from our Test Kitchen – Pasta with Anchovies
Midnight Fireplace Surround Makeover
I painted my 1990s green slate fireplace surround to give it an inexpensive makeover Continue reading Midnight Fireplace Surround Makeover
3 Bathrooms Before and After
We renovated three bathrooms in our 1890s home and this is a quick summary Continue reading 3 Bathrooms Before and After
Real Estate Rant
The mechanisms in our current Real Estate market, just aren’t right. Continue reading Real Estate Rant
The New Old Bathroom
We completed few small projects in our almost complete bathroom reno ourselves – spraypainting a light fixture and installing a vintage doorknob. Continue reading The New Old Bathroom
Laundry to Bathroom Progress
We are turning our laundry room back into a bathroom in our century home with a little help
Continue reading Laundry to Bathroom Progress
Everyday Tomato Pasta Sauce
An easy to make “homemade” pasta sauce for a change from jarred sauce. Continue reading Everyday Tomato Pasta Sauce
Painting Ledgestone
We were happy to make our ledgestone wall disappear with a thin layer of paint
Continue reading Painting Ledgestone
Airing My Dirty Laundry
We wanted to move our washer and dryer in our 1890s home but things didn’t go as originally planned. Continue reading Airing My Dirty Laundry
Flapper Pie – A Canadian Classic
A recipe for Flapper Pie – a delicious fluffy Canadian concoction from our Prairie Provinces Continue reading Flapper Pie – A Canadian Classic
Around the House
Sometimes, one thing leads to another and nothing gets done around the house. Continue reading Around the House
Vaccine Day
We waited a year to get vaccinated and then couldn’t decide what to wear. Continue reading Vaccine Day
MLB Opening Day
Remembering the last at home Blue Jays opening day Continue reading MLB Opening Day
The Final Floor
Scraping carpet underpadding up from hardwood floor is no fun but can be done. Continue reading The Final Floor
Cabbage Rolls
How to make comforting cabbage rolls Continue reading Cabbage Rolls
Karma – What Goes Around Comes Around?
Does what goes around really come around? Continue reading Karma – What Goes Around Comes Around?
Crock Pot Split Pea Soup
A easy recipe for Slow Cooker Yellow Split Pea Soup from our pantry Continue reading Crock Pot Split Pea Soup
Penny Tile Floor – How To
Our DIY penny round tile floor project is finished without too much drama ( why and how to install and cut penny tile and how to avoid bad penny tile installation) Continue reading Penny Tile Floor – How To
Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans
It;s easy to make comfort food -baked beans in the slow cooker Continue reading Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans
What I Learned from My 12 Cookies of Christmas Project
What I learned from baking 12 cookie recipes for Christmas. Continue reading What I Learned from My 12 Cookies of Christmas Project
Old House Reno – Painting the Radiators
Painting radiators in our 130 year old house wasn’t difficult, just time consuming and a little messy. What paint to use and how to apply. Continue reading Old House Reno – Painting the Radiators
Bread Pudding
Bread pudding has humble beginnings. Here are two ways to make this classic comfort food. Continue reading Bread Pudding
Terror in the Neighbourhood
We evicted our neighbourhood terrors Continue reading Terror in the Neighbourhood
1990s Gas Fireplace Makeover
We didn’t like our shiny green gas 1990s fireplace, so we gave it an inexpensive DIY makeover Continue reading 1990s Gas Fireplace Makeover
The Cat Door Needed to Go
Filling holes while waiting out the pandemic Continue reading The Cat Door Needed to Go
Why did the Canadian Wildlife Cross the Road?
2 fall road trips to view Canadian wildlife – and answering the question – why does wildlife cross the road? Continue reading Why did the Canadian Wildlife Cross the Road?
Fiddling with the roof
Having to fix or replace a roof is no fun at all. Continue reading Fiddling with the roof
Thrifty Crackle Mirror Project
A thrifty crackled white mirror Continue reading Thrifty Crackle Mirror Project
Product Review – Remote Dog Training Collar
Petrainer Remote Control Dog Training Collar – we tried it out on our goldendoodle Max to reduce barking – and it helped – Product Review Continue reading Product Review – Remote Dog Training Collar
Canadian Road Trip-Winnipeg to Ontario
Cross Canada Road Trip – Winnipeg to Southern Ontario with driving distance and durations Continue reading Canadian Road Trip-Winnipeg to Ontario
Masked Road Trip
Masked roadside attractions Continue reading Masked Road Trip
A Vegemergency – Vegan Apple Dump Cake
This easy vegan dessert – an Apple Dump Cake – can be thrown together in an emergency with very few ingredients Continue reading A Vegemergency – Vegan Apple Dump Cake
Canadian Road Trip Day 6 – Rocky Mountain House to Winnipeg
Day 6 of our TransCanada journey took us from Rocky Mountain House Alberta through Saskatchewan to Winnipeg Manitoba Continue reading Canadian Road Trip Day 6 – Rocky Mountain House to Winnipeg
Spatchcock Chicken from our Test Kitchen
If you’ve never tried spatchcock chicken – it’s a must! Continue reading Spatchcock Chicken from our Test Kitchen
Canadian Road Trip – Day 5 – Kamloops to Rocky Mountain House
A road trip from Kamloops BC through Jasper AB ending at Rocky Mountain House AB. Continue reading Canadian Road Trip – Day 5 – Kamloops to Rocky Mountain House
Braised Beef Shank in Red Wine from our Test Kitchen
A delicious recipe for comforting Braised Beef Shank in Red Wine from our Test Kitchen. Continue reading Braised Beef Shank in Red Wine from our Test Kitchen
Canadian Road Trip Day 4 – Calgary to Kamloops British Columbia
Day 4 of our TransCanada road trip from Calgary to Kamloops. Continue reading Canadian Road Trip Day 4 – Calgary to Kamloops British Columbia
Canadian Road Trip Day 3 – Regina to Calgary
Day 3 of our Canadian Road Trip was a short drive from Regina Saskatchewan to Calgary Alberta. Continue reading Canadian Road Trip Day 3 – Regina to Calgary
Canadian Road Trip Day 2 – NW Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
The 2nd day of our TransCanada drive beginning in Thunder Day Ontario, travelling through Manitoba and ending in Regina Saskatchewan. Continue reading Canadian Road Trip Day 2 – NW Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Canadian Road Trip Day 1
Day 1 of our TransCanada Highway cross Canada road trip Continue reading Canadian Road Trip Day 1
Canadian Road Trip
Tomorrow, July 1st in Canada Day. This has always been my favourite holiday. No gifts to buy, no cards, the stores are all closed and the weather is typically wonderful and warm wherever we may be. We have all been … Continue reading Canadian Road Trip
The “Fun Car” Road Trip
In our large family, we (well maybe JUST ME) enjoy taking family road trips. Whether it be a family wedding in another city, or a vacation at a cottage style resort, we load up the car with snacks and belongings … Continue reading The “Fun Car” Road Trip
Ontario Wild Birds
A few Ontario wild bird pictures Continue reading Ontario Wild Birds
Centre Pedestal Table Makeover
We cut down a thrifted round table until it was just right. Continue reading Centre Pedestal Table Makeover
Kitchen Thrifting
Is it ever OK to grab a neighbour’s discarded kitchen table and refinish it? Of course it is! Continue reading Kitchen Thrifting