
Real Estate Rant
The mechanisms in our current Real Estate market, just aren’t right. Continue reading Real Estate Rant
The mechanisms in our current Real Estate market, just aren’t right. Continue reading Real Estate Rant
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
We are turning our laundry room back into a bathroom in our century home with a little help
Continue reading Laundry to Bathroom Progress
An easy recipe for tomato pasta sauce, prepared with fresh garden tomatoes – no peeling or huge quantities required!
Continue reading “Everyday Tomato Pasta Sauce”We were happy to make our ledgestone wall disappear with a thin layer of paint
Continue reading Painting Ledgestone
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 is a unique Canadian dessert. This creamy and tangy pie, made with a graham cracker crust, custard filling, and meringue topping, is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. How to make flapper pie at home – a few facts, and a printable recipe.
Continue reading “Flapper Pie – A Canadian Classic”Sometimes, one thing leads to another and nothing gets done around the house. Continue reading Around the House
We waited a year to get vaccinated and then couldn’t decide what to wear. Continue reading Vaccine Day
Remembering the last at home Blue Jays opening day Continue reading MLB Opening Day
How to remove carpet underpadding that has been stuck to hardwood flooring.
Continue reading “How to Remove Carpet Underpad”How to make comforting cabbage rolls Continue reading Cabbage Rolls
I am working today on some positive thinking, but sometimes things are mighty hard! Does what goes around really come around?
Continue reading “Karma – What Goes Around Comes Around?”A easy recipe for Slow Cooker Yellow Split Pea Soup from our pantry Continue reading Crock Pot Split Pea Soup
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
It;s easy to make comfort food -baked beans in the slow cooker – made with dried romano, kidney or multiple bean varieties. Continue reading Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans
What I learned from baking 12 cookie recipes for Christmas. Continue reading What I Learned from My 12 Cookies of Christmas Project
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 “Painting old Radiators”Bread pudding is a traditional and humble dessert made with everyday ingredients. A little about its’ history and two recipes for bread pudding. Banana Raisin Bread Pudding and Blueberry Bread Pudding (vegan).
Continue reading “Bread Pudding”We evicted our neighbourhood terrors Continue reading Terror in the Neighbourhood
We didn’t like our shiny green gas 1990s fireplace, so we gave it an inexpensive DIY makeover Continue reading 1990s Gas Fireplace Makeover
How to remove and fill in a pet door or cat flap. Nothing against cats – we just don’t have one!
Continue reading “The Cat Door Needed to Go”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?
Having to fix or replace a roof is no fun at all. Continue reading Fiddling with the roof
How to make Crackle Paint with white latex paint and white glue. A story about refinishing a thrifty mirror with a crackle finish.
Continue reading “DIY Crackle Paint”This post is about our drive from Winnipeg Manitoba eastward along the TransCanada Highway through Northwestern Ontario and home to Southern Ontario. This was a 2 day drive for us. Maps, distance, times and scenery included.
Continue reading “Canadian Road Trip-Winnipeg to Ontario”Masked roadside attractions Continue reading Masked Road Trip
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
Day 6 of our TransCanada journey took us from Rocky Mountain House Alberta through Saskatchewan to Winnipeg Manitoba Continue reading Canadian Drive Day6 Rocky Mountain House to Winnipeg
If you’ve never tried spatchcock chicken – it’s a must! Continue reading Spatchcock Chicken from our Test Kitchen
Our Canadian Road Trip continues – Kamloops through Jasper to Rocky Mountain House. All about the drive, distances and views.
Continue reading “Canadian Road Trip – Day 5 – Kamloops to Rocky Mountain House”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
Day 4 of our TransCanada road trip from Calgary to Kamloops. Continue reading Canadian Road Trip Day 4 – Calgary to Kamloops British Columbia
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
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
Day 1 of our TransCanada Highway cross Canada road trip Continue reading Canadian Road Trip Day 1
We drove west across Canada from Southern Ontario to Alberta during the pandemic to avoid flying and crossing the border. Continue reading Canadian 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
A few Ontario wild bird pictures Continue reading Ontario Wild Birds
We cut down a thrifted round table until it was just right. Continue reading Centre Pedestal Table Makeover
Is it ever OK to grab a neighbour’s discarded kitchen table and refinish it? Of course it is! Continue reading Kitchen Thrifting
Our Alpine Adventures Helicopter tour over Canmore Alberta was awesome Continue reading Travel Takes Flight
A review of my Sodastream Fizzi. What do I really think of it? Continue reading Sodastream Fizzi Review
We are moving forward with finishing up our downstairs powder room and side entranceway. We had started our penny round tiling project months ago, and then the other day I replaced the toilet and started the tiling in the powder … Continue reading Powder Room Reno Gets Rolling…..
A delicious mushroom risotto recipe from our test kitchen. Description of Arborio, Carnaroli, Vialone Nano and Aged Acquerello rice. Continue reading Risotto – from our Test Kitchen
Can or should a housewife install a toilet? Continue reading Finally Getting to the Bathroom Reno
Chicken wings can be crispy from your oven – this recipe is one of our test kitchen favourites. Continue reading Crispy Baked Chicken Wings from our Test Kitchen
Despite the Pandemic, 5000 young tree planters have traveled to B.C. from across Canada to plant hundreds of millions of essential trees. Continue reading Tree Planting in B.C. during the Pandemic
Flying in Canada during the pandemic Continue reading Pandemic Cross-Canada Travel
We still need more masks Loblaw, Walmart, and large stores Continue reading More about Masks
What my four children have taught me about online education in high school and now in University – due to Covid-19 closures. Continue reading Online Education
My handsome husband compares his aging to ripening cheese – but he does resemble George Hamilton! Continue reading A Fine Wine or Ripened Cheese?
Tearing off wallpaper and painting are suitable projects to do while staying safe at home in a crowded house. Continue reading Old House Reno – Crowded House
Our University students are home while the whole world holds its breath. Continue reading When University Students Return Home
This easy recipe for vegan carbonara uses cashews, non-dairy milk and mushrooms – and is made quickly in the blender Continue reading The Best Vegan Carbonara from our Test Kitchen
Pulling together in times of difficulty.
Continue reading “At Times Like These”Occasionally I like to let you know what I have learned from blogging since my last post. It’s a nice change from thinking about pandemics and so on isn’t it? It also seems that even though I don’t blog about … Continue reading Blogging Lessons Learned
A recipe and post about how to prepare an Authentic Pasta Carbonara with a printable recipe card.
Read more: Make Pasta Great Again – The Authentic CarbonaraIt seems like one of the first conversations we have almost every morning is “what are we having for dinner?” – and I know we’re not alone. Even in the best of times we like spending time in the kitchen entertaining and cooking over a good glass of wine – in fact I would say it is one of our favorite activities.
Sometimes we share the kitchen doings and sometimes we go it alone, but the dragon lady and I approach the events from opposite ends of the spectrum. We just have different auras about us. She, much more easy-going and a go with the flow type is capable of making anything from scratch and happy to use what is available in the house. Scouring the fridge and cupboard to make terrific out of this world soups, stews and casseroles, never making the exact same dish twice – a real talent. This approach also transcends into wine selections with preference given to selecting a vintage generating the most Airmiles – which I consider to be sinful. My brothers say I am a tad snooty …Nooooooo.
I on the other hand am cursed with a perfectionist attitude which requires me to follow recipes to a tee and creates anxiety when going through the process. And truth be told I’m just not in the same league as the dragon lady. But having said that, I absolutely will bask in the glory when I get something right. OK so I digress.
During the very recent pandemic isolation period, I decided to explore dishes I have never made before focusing on simple but tasty dishes that do not require perfect measurements – ah old habits die hard.
Spaghetti Carbonara fits the bill and is a wonderful plate deeply rooted in old school Italian culture, and if you mention using cream in the same breath as Carbonara, the kitchen gods will frown upon you.
Here’s all you will need for a dinner for four (two of our university kids are home isolating with us). Prep and cook time of 20 minutes.
THAT’S IT, NOTHING ELSE
Boil the spaghetti about 8 minutes in salted water – kosher salt. While spaghetti is cooking, chop bacon and cook on medium heat in lightly oiled large pan. Bacon is done when crisp on outside but still has chew. Tip – put the bacon in the pan before it is hot as it will help render the bacon better.
While bacon and spaghetti are cooking whisk 3 eggs and 1 egg yolk in a bowl and add grated cheese and freshly ground pepper – use a lot of pepper. This dish is all about timing – ideally you want the bacon and spaghetti to be done at the same time. When bacon is done, turn off the heat. If there is an excess of grease you can use a spoon to take some out, but you want there to be grease. Let the pan cool for about 1 minute or so. Add the spaghetti and stir around the pan – the pan should sill be warm/hot but not sizzling as you do not want to scramble the eggs. Stir in the cheese and egg mixture. I also add about a half cup or so of the hot spaghetti water. Stir the pan for about 30 seconds – Fini.
Portion onto plates, top with grated parmigiana and fresh ground pepper to taste.
This is a wonderful dish, ready in 20 minutes. If we were sharing with guests – I would serve with a Barolo Cannubi – no Airmiles here!
Below is a printable recipe card from RecipesGenerator. Please give it a try!
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Follow Everyday Lillie on WordPress.comThe Story of Rusty Nail Soup (or Stone Soup) and the lesson that I take from it. Continue reading Rusty Nail Soup in a Pandemic
Light social distancing humour and positive news Continue reading What will the future hold for us Social Distancers?
Thinking about N95 masks and other solutions for those of us who don’t have them Continue reading Facial fashion when there are no N95 masks
Grocery store workers deserve protection during Coronavirus emergency
Continue reading Protect Grocery Store Employees
It’s encouraging that people, businesses, governments and health care workers are doing the best that they can in the circumstances. Continue reading Some Slightly Positive Thinking
Keeping busy while social distancing Continue reading I Wish I had known it was Pi(e) Day
Our family has treasured many pets over the years Continue reading Every Pet Has a Story
Solid wood butcher block countertops – how to darken light wood counters with food safe stain.
Continue reading “Kitchen Reno – Dark Stained Butcher Block”I initially put this post together on Feb. 14th -as we sampled the beer after the exactly prescribed 3 weeks from bottling. (We couldn’t wait). One of my Christmas presents this year was a Beer Making kit from Mr. Beer. … Continue reading Mr. Beer Tasting Night (Part 3 of 3 – Finally)
I am reblogging part 2 of 3 of my Mr. Beer Adventure – this time bottling the beer. Continue reading Mr. Beer Brew Kit Adventure – Part 2of3
Part 1 of home brewing with a Mr. Beer Kit. Continue reading Mr. Beer Brewing Adventure – Part 1of 3
A few of our favorite adages Continue reading Favorite Adages – some light humor
Trumpeter Swans have been successfully re-established in North America Continue reading Winter Swans
Sunshine Bloggers Award Nomination Continue reading Sunshine Blogger’s Award
Frozen pipes lead to an unplanned bathroom renovation in our 130 year old house. Continue reading Old House Reno
We are almost finished renovating the kitchen in our 130 year old house. Continue reading Old House Kitchen Reno – Part 3
My husband is cooking his specialty tonight – barbequed pork back ribs! They used to take a long time to make, but now he uses foil to shorten the process, and they taste just as wonderful, if not better than the original.
Continue reading “Barbecued Back Ribs in Foil”Skate at any of these spectacular rinks across Canada. Continue reading Canadian Winter Vacation on Ice
Life’s Lessons learned from an inspirational football coach Continue reading Football and Life’s Lessons
Purchasing healthier, green, environmentally friendly products without Sodium Laurel Sulfate, DEA and Paraben Continue reading Clean & Green
Part 2 of 3 of the kitchen renovation in our 130 year old home – cupboards, counter, electrical Continue reading Old House Kitchen Renovation – Part 2
Do some sources within the mainstream media report the news or create the news? Continue reading Mixing Media and Politics
My husband and 2 boys had a recent ice fishing adventure to Lake Nipissing’s Callander Bay in Ontario Continue reading Ice Fishing Adventure
A very short post with pictures of winter in Canada. Continue reading Another Snow Day
Part one of our Kitchen Renovation in our 1890s home.
Continue reading Old House Kitchen Renovation – Part 1 – Before
Justanumber has changed to Everyday Lillie Continue reading Blog Name Change
The Pur Filter that we received for Christmas helps filter lead from our water and reduce our platic recycling. Continue reading Eliminating Plastic Water Bottles
Ontario woke up to a FALSE alert that there had been an incident at the Nuclear Power Station. Continue reading Nuclear Power Alert Cancelled
Is a detox or cleanse a good idea after the holidays? Continue reading To Detox or Not to Detox
I have learned a lot about blogging from other bloggers, but I have a lot more to learn. Continue reading Blogging Advice – Thank You
A Silly Rant about companies collecting personal information about us getting hacked. Continue reading A Little Rant About Cyber Security
I am confused about how a Canadian carbon tax will save the world from climate change and why we need even more carbon taxes. Continue reading Canadian Carbon Tax Gimmick
The second bedroom renovation in our old house renovation project. Continue reading Bedroom Renovation #2
Chalk painting furniture and copper faux finish of hardware for our second bedroom renovation in our 1890s home. Continue reading Renovation Painting Projects
There is nothing to do on a snow day but stay inside and ponder things like what is a Bomb Cyclone Continue reading Snow Day Musings:
Resveratrol is a substance in red wine, grapes and grape juice which appears to be good for our hearts, cholesteral levels and have annti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Continue reading I Love a Good Wine Study
Eight ways we stay in touch with University or College Students living away from home
Continue reading Staying Connected with Away from home Adult Children
Researchers from McMaster University published a study entitled: ” The effects of aerobic exercise intensity on memory in older adults” showed that aerobic exercise may enhance memory in seniors
Continue reading Exercise and Memory in Older Adults
Photos of wildlife tracks – grizzly bear and moose in snow in Kananaskis Alberta
Continue reading Saturday Hike – Wildlife footprints
My thoughts about Slimfast and Almased, 2 readily available weight loss shakes. Continue reading Those Weight Loss Shakes – Slimfast and Almased
It seems like every decade since my 30s, I have gained 10 pounds, but this last ten pounds has come at the start of the 60s – all in one year. That’s the ugly, boring truth of it, plain and … Continue reading My 60ish Weight Gain