Friday, December 29, 2017

Snail #1


Snail #1

2 x 3.5"

$1.00


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Red, White & Blue Heart


Red, White & Blue Heart

4 x 5"

$1.00


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Ladybug Waving


Ladybug Waving

3 x 4"

$1.00


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Salmon with Leeks

Definitely one of my favourite entrees.


Quantity : 2 servings
Preparation : 10 min Cooking : 25 min
330 calories/serving

Ingredients
4 leeks, quartered lengthwise and halved crosswise 1.2 kg
1 tbsp olive oil 15 mL
1 pinch salt [optional] 0.1 g
ground pepper to taste [optional]
300 g salmon fillet
1/2 lemons [optional] 60 g

Before you start

Keep the serving plates warm on the stove while you're preparing the dish.

Method

Preheat the oven to 215°C/425°F.
Prepare the leeks: Keep the white and light-green parts only, quarter them lengthwise, then cut them in half crosswise. Clean the leeks well, drain, then place them on a large rimmed baking sheet. Pour in the oil, season with salt and pepper, then toss well to coat the leeks thoroughly with the oil. Place in the middle of the oven and roast, tossing once, until the leeks begin to soften, about 12 min.
Meanwhile, cut the salmon fillet into similarly-sized pieces, according to the number of servings required. Set aside.
When the leeks are softened, remove the baking sheet from the oven, toss the leeks with the pan juices to coat, then push them to the edges of the baking sheet to allow room for the salmon in the centre. Arrange the salmon pieces and season generously with salt and pepper.
Return the sheet to the oven and bake until the salmon is opaque throughout, about 10 min for a 2 to 2,5 cm thick fillet. Since the cooking time depends on the fillet thickness and the actual temperature of the oven, it is important to check with a fork to see if the fish is cooked through.
Serve the salmon with leeks on the warmed plates. Add lemon wedges on the side (optional).

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Kite


Kite

2 x 3.5"

$1.00


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Holly Leaves


Holly Leaves

3 pieces

$2.00


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Hat Box


Hat Box

3 x 3"

$1.00


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Butterfly #2


Butterfly #2

2.5 x 3.5"

$1.00


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Braised Bok Choy


Quantity : 2 servings
Preparation : 5 min Cooking : 10 min
100 calories/serving





Ingredients

2 small bok choy, cut in half lengthwise 400 g
2 green onions/scallions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp butter, unsalted 30 g
1/3 cup chicken broth 85 mL


Method

Prepare the vegetables: cut each bok choy in half lengthwise (or into quarters if large) and thinly slice the green onions.
Melt the butter in a sizable pan over medium-high heat. Add the bok choy and sauté 2-3 min until they start colouring, then pour in the broth and cook, uncovered, about 7 min, until the liquid is reduced and the bok choy is soft but al dente.
Serve.

Monday, December 4, 2017

Sweet and Sour Pork

Prep 25 MIN
Total 55 MIN
Servings 8

Ingredients

2 pounds pork boneless top loin
Vegetable oil
1/2 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks in syrup, drained and syrup reserved
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 medium carrots, cut into thin diagonal slices
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
8 cups hot cooked rice

Steps
1
Trim excess fat from pork. Cut pork into 3/4-inch pieces.
2
Heat 1 inch oil deep fryer or Dutch oven 360ºF.
3
Beat flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup cold water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the egg in large bowl with hand beater until smooth. Stir pork into batter until well coated.
4
Add pork pieces, one at a time, to oil. Fry about 20 pieces at a time about 5 minutes, turning 2 or 3 times, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels; keep warm.
5
Add enough water to reserved pineapple syrup to measure 1 cup. Heat syrup mixture, brown sugar, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, the soy sauce, carrots and garlic to boiling in Dutch oven; reduce heat to low.
6
Cover and simmer about 6 minutes or until carrots are crisp-tender. Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water; stir into sauce.
7
Add pork, pineapple and bell pepper. Heat to boiling, stir constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Serve with rice.

www.bettycrocker.com

Looking back on 2017 ~ Rail City Art Crawl

This past February I was able to participate in my third Rail City Art Crawl.  It is one of my favourite local events and not to be missed . . . no matter what the weather is.  I was not able to get to all of the locations but I did my best in the amount of time I had.

Picture

Our first stop was to Romantic Designs where we enjoyed watching the artists and trying our hand at a very cute make n take.



Great artists at the STEAM Centre.


There was so much to see at the Art Centre.



So many artists and a photo booth at 465 Talbot Street.



We actually helped create some art at the Midtown Tavern.




Illumine was stunning as usual.


We really enjoyed watching the blacksmith at Rail City Tourism.


A chilly visit to the Railway Museum


Don't miss the 2018 Rail City Arts Crawl on February 23-24, 2018.


Holly Cluster


Holly Cluster

3.5 x 4"

$1.50


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Harp


Harp

4.5 x 6.5"

$2.50


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Sugared Berries with Lemon


Quantity : 2 servings
Preparation : 10 min Standing : 10 min
70 calories/serving

Ingredients
2/3 cup strawberries 100 g
2/3 cup blueberries 80 g
2/3 cup blackberries 80 g
1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed 1/2 lemon
2 tsp sugar 8 g


Method

Rinse the berries, gently, without soaking them. Hull the strawberries and halve them lengthwise. Put all the berries in a bowl, pour in the lemon juice, add the sugar, then toss gently.
Allow to stand 10 min. Portion out into serving bowls or cups and serve.

www.soscuisine.com

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Winter Fruit Salad


Quantity : 3 servings
Preparation : 10 min Standing : 15 min
130 calories/serving

Ingredients
1 pears 150 g
1 kiwis 90 g
1 apples 170 g
1 oranges 170 g
1 bananas, small 150 g
1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed 1/2 lemon
2 tsp sugar 8 g


Method

Peel the fruits then cut them into bite size pieces. Put the pieces in a salad bowl, then add the lemon juice and sugar. Toss to combine.
Set the fruit salad aside in the refrigerator 15 min.
Toss the fruit before serving, then distribute it into individual cups.

www.soscuisine.com

Top Movies of All Time according to IMDB ~ #37 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)


I was sure I had seen this movie, but apparently I was wrong because I just watched it again the other day and recognized very little. Obviously I must have seen commercials or something.

What a riot! It is full of excitement and danger and adventure . . . all ridiculously overplayed. Loved it! The race is on to find the lost ark and everybody wants it -- even Hitler. But who will find it first?

You need something fun and silly to watch . . . watch this!


Academy Awards, USA 1982

Won
Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
Norman Reynolds
Leslie Dilley
Michael Ford
Best Sound
Bill Varney
Steve Maslow
Gregg Landaker
Roy Charman
Best Film Editing
Michael Kahn
Best Effects, Visual Effects
Richard Edlund
Kit West
Bruce Nicholson
Joe Johnston
Special Achievement Award f
or sound effects editing.
Ben Burtt
Richard L. Anderson

Nominated
Best Picture
Frank Marshall
Best Director
Steven Spielberg
Best Cinematography
Douglas Slocombe
Best Music, Original Score
John Williams

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Cell Phone #2


Cell Phone #2

1.5 x 4"

$1.00


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Cell Phone #1


Cell Phone #1

3.5 x 4.5"

$1.50


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Scrapbooking in November 2017

I actually was able to set aside some time to scrapbook this month. 



You can find the coyote paper piecing at http://pamspaperpiecings.blogspot.ca/2016/09/coyote.html



You can find the birthday cake paper piecing at http://pamspaperpiecings.blogspot.ca/2016/09/birthday-cake-2.html



I have several different tool paper piecings.  This paint brush is at http://pamspaperpiecings.blogspot.ca/2016/07/paintbrush.html

I finally figured out how to do a waterfall layout . . .


  . . . and when you pull the tab on the left . . .






Art Journaling in November 2017




Warm Broccoli Rabe Salad

Warm Broccoli Rabe Salad

Quantity : 4 servings
Preparation : 5 min Cooking : 5 min
130 calories/serving

Ingredients
600 g broccoli rabe
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 45 mL
1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed 1/2 lemon
1 pinch salt [optional] 0.1 g

Method

Prepare the broccoli rabe: remove any tough portions of the stalks and wash well. Blanch in a pot with plenty of salted water until al dente, about 3 min.
Meanwhile, pour the oil and lemon juice into a salad bowl, then beat, using a fork, until the vinaigrette is emulsified. Drain the broccoli rabe, then transfer it to the bowl. Toss well, then serve.

www.soscuisine.com

Monday, November 27, 2017

Pork Chops with a Mustard Sauce

Pork Chops with a Mustard Sauce


Quantity : 2 servings
Preparation : 5 min Cooking : 15 min
300 calories/serving


Ingredients


2 pork chops with bones 360 g
1/4 tsp ground pepper 1 g
1 shallots, finely chopped 40 g
1 tbsp canola oil 15 mL
1/2 tbsp butter, unsalted 7 g
1/4 cup chicken broth 65 mL
2 tsp Dijon mustard 10 mL
1 1/2 tbsp whipping cream 35% 23 mL
1 tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed 1/4 lemon
1 pinch salt [optional] 0.1 g
aluminum foil

Before you start

Keep the individual serving plates in the oven at the lowest setting so they are warm when you serve.

Method

Pat the pork chops dry, then sprinkle with pepper. Finely chop the shallots. Set aside.
Heat a dry, heavy skillet over moderately high heat. When the skillet is hot, add the oil, swirling the pan to coat the bottom, then add the chops and brown 2 min on each side. Transfer the pork chops to a plate, then set them aside in the oven, loosely covered with foil.
Meanwhile, add the butter to the skillet, then cook the shallots over moderately high heat, with stirring, until softened, 3-4 min. Add the broth and boil 2 min, scraping up any brown bits. Add the mustard and cream, return the mixture to a boil, then add the lemon juice. Return the pork chops to the skillet. Simmer, uncovered, until the sauce is slightly thickened and the meat is cooked, 3-4 min. Add salt to taste.
Serve on the warmed plates.

www.soscuisine.com

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Braised Brisket of Beef

Braised Brisket of Beef


Quantity : 6 servings
Preparation : 15 min Cooking : 2 h 30 min
410 calories/serving



Ingredients

4 carrots, cut into large pieces 400 g
4 potatoes, whole or halved 800 g
3 turnips, cut into large pieces 500 g
3 stalks celery, cut into large pieces 200 g
2 onions, finely chopped 400 g
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1.2 kg blade pot roast
3 1/2 tbsp butter, unsalted 45 g
1 1/2 tbsp canola oil 23 mL
1/2 cup red wine 125 mL
1/2 cup water 125 mL
3 tbsp tomato paste 45 mL
ground pepper to taste [optional]
1 pinch salt [optional] 0.1 g

Before you start

A pressure cooker will reduce the cooking time from 2½ h to 40 min.

Method

Prepare the vegetables: peel the carrots, potatoes and turnips, then cut the carrots, turnips, and celery stalks into large pieces (about 2-3 cm thick). Leave the potatoes whole or cut them in half if big. Finely chop the onion and garlic. Leave the meat whole.

Heat the butter and oil in a pressure cooker or in a thick-base roasting pan over medium heat. Brown the meat thoroughly on each side until golden, 7-8 min total. Take the meat out and set aside.

Add the onion and garlic to the pressure cooker or pan and sauté 3-4 min until translucent. Add the other vegetables and cook 2-3 min, then deglaze with the wine 1 min. Add about 1 cm water and the tomato paste, then put the meat back into the pan. Add salt and pepper.

If you are using a pressure cooker, cover and close, and bring to high pressure (*Follow the manufacturer's directions to determine when high pressure has been reached). Cook for 40 min. If you are not using a pressure cooker, cover the pan, lower the heat, and simmer for about 2 h 30 min.
Serve the meat and vegetables with the cooking juices.

Observations

This stew can be made a few days ahead and reheated over moderate heat.

Top Movies of All Time according to IMDB ~ #36 The Green Mile (1999) ~ m

Image result for the green mile

I'm pretty sure I made this comment when I reviewed Saving Private Ryan but I'll repeat it again.  I love Tom Hanks.  This was also the breakout movie for Michael Clarke Duncan, another actor I really admire.


The story is about a simple, innocent black man, John Coffey, who is found guilty of raping and murdering two little girls and sentenced to death.  Coffey has a profound effect on the guards on death row, especially when they learn of his special gift which is a blessing to others and a curse to him.


This movie is so moving that I dare you not to cry.




Academy Awards, USA 2000

Nominated

Best Picture
David Valdes
Frank Darabont

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Michael Clarke Duncan

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Frank Darabont

Best Sound
Robert J. Litt
Elliot Tyson
Michael Herbick
Willie D. Burton

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Sherrif's Badge


Sherrif's Badge

4" x 4.5"

$1.50


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Top Movies of all Time according to IMDB ~ #29 Saving Private Ryan (1998)

I loved this movie.  Of course, I love Tom Hanks.  




During the Normandy landing two brothers are killed in action. In another theatre of the war the third Ryan brother is killed. Their mother is to receive all three telegrams on the same day. The United States Army Chief of Staff, George C. Marshall learns there is a fourth brother, Private James Ryan, and decides to send out 8 men (Cpt. Miller and select members from 2nd Rangers) to find him and bring him back home safe.

I think I may need to watch this movie again today.



Academy Awards, USA 1999

Won


Best Director
Steven Spielberg

Best Cinematography
Janusz Kaminski

Best Sound
Gary Rydstrom
Gary Summers
Andy Nelson
Ron Judkins

Best Film Editing
Michael Kahn

Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing
Gary Rydstrom
Richard Hymns

Nominated

Best Picture
Steven Spielberg
Ian Bryce
Mark Gordon
Gary Levinsohn

Best Actor in a Leading Role
Tom Hanks

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Robert Rodat

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
Thomas E. Sanders
Lisa Dean

Best Makeup
Lois Burwell
Conor O'Sullivan
Daniel C. Striepeke

Best Music, Original Dramatic Score
John Williams