Winter Squash
Squash are versatile, easy to grow in the garden and nutritious. What could be better? Continue reading Winter Squash
Lobster Macaroni and Cheese
A delicious recipe for Lobster Macaroni and Cheese. Continue reading Lobster Macaroni and Cheese
Blogging 2023
An update about why I blog, WordAds, affiliate marketing, Search Engine Optimization, my Bing struggle and blog appearance! Continue reading Blogging 2023
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
Kitchen Island Counter Replacement
We replaced the existing wooden countertop of our kitchen island with quartz. This was a quick refresh to our existing kitchen in our 130 year old home. Continue reading Kitchen Island Counter Replacement
Calgary to Cochrane to Canmore Drive
We took a day trip from Calgary Alberta through Cochrane to Canmore and back. Map, distances and Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary review. Continue reading Calgary to Cochrane to Canmore Drive
Happy New Year 2023
Happy New Year 2023 Continue reading Happy New Year 2023
Best Red Wine Gravy
Try this luscious dark gravy for prime rib roast made with red wine and beef stock. This recipe is very easy, doesn’t require complicated ingredients and tastes delicious. Continue reading Best Red Wine Gravy
Christmas Shopping Then and Now
Three anecdotes about Christmas Shopping now and in the not so distant past. Continue reading Christmas Shopping Then and Now
Poppa’s Vegan Shortbread Cookies
A traditionally flavoured and textured shortbread cookie recipe – but prepared in a vegan style with only four ingredients Continue reading Poppa’s Vegan Shortbread Cookies
Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
An easy recipe for vegan peanut butter cookies, that doesn’t require any special ingredients. Continue reading Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
Vegan Butter Pecan Cookies
An easy recipe for Vegan Butter Pecan Cookies, with only five ordinary ingredients. Continue reading Vegan Butter Pecan Cookies
Vegan Cocoa Sugar Cookies
Vegan cocoa sugar cookies are crisp and taste chocolatey delicious – made with 5 simple ingredients Continue reading Vegan Cocoa Sugar Cookies
Christmas Photo Traditions
Christmas photo traditions including a composite picture, family calendar and photo Christmas cards.
Continue reading Christmas Photo Traditions
Coq Au Vin – Rustic Elegance
A recipe for Coq au Vin – a rich, rustic, comforting classic with red wine, chicken, and vegetables. Continue reading Coq Au Vin – Rustic Elegance
Canadian Flights
We booked our flights west with Flair Airlines – a review of our experience Continue reading Canadian Flights
Heroic Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake
This easy vegan pumpkin spice cake will make you a hero and has only two ingredients! Continue reading Heroic Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake
Happy Thanksgiving!
Photos of wild turkeys crossing the road Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving!
Pork Roast over Ratatouille
An easy to prepare recipe for Pork roast served over Ratatouille -a delicious family style comfort food recipe. Continue reading Pork Roast over Ratatouille
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Some Links to Travel Booking Websites Continue reading Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Old House Floor Upstairs Landing
A before during and after story about our 1890s floor refinishing project Continue reading Old House Floor Upstairs Landing
Green Tomato Relish
A recipe and canning instructions for Green Tomato Relish – what to do with those green tomatoes? Continue reading Green Tomato Relish
Fiesta Salsa
Preserving the last of my tomato harvest with Fiesta Salsa – recipe and canning instructions Continue reading Fiesta Salsa
Bruschetta Preserves
A recipe and canning instructions for Bruschetta Preserves from fresh tomatoes and herbs. Continue reading Bruschetta Preserves
Zesty Chili Sauce
A recipe for a zesty ketchup-like chili sauce that is easy to prepare with your tomato harvest Continue reading Zesty Chili Sauce
Blender Herb Garden Tomato Sauce
A simple recipe for tomato pasta sauce with herbs from the garden. This is a freezer recipe for a basic but flavourful sauce recipe that avoids the step of peeling the tomatoes. Continue reading Blender Herb Garden Tomato Sauce
It’s Tomato Harvest Time
It’s time to harvest and preserve all those home grown tomatoes. Continue reading It’s Tomato Harvest Time
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 jam FAQs and lots of facts about varieties, nutrition and planting tips. Continue reading Blueberry Hill
How to Make Blueberry Jam
A recipe for blueberry jam with canning instructions and a printable recipe card. Continue reading How to Make Blueberry Jam
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
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 that’s 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
Pasta with Anchovies
A recipe for easy but sophisticated Pasta with Anchovies – and it’s a Keeper Continue reading 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