Blinded by the White

The back hall with two coats of paint on the wall and the bead board, and one coat of melamine on the ledge.

Dodged That Bullet

The frost did not touch the back yard.

The ghostly acorn squash have a few more days to grow...and turn green.

The Last of the Frost-Free Days

There is a frost warning for tonight. September 22 is the average day of the first frost, so we have had an extra week for growth.

We brought in all the tomatoes and peppers, but left everything else in the garden, just on the off chance that if the temperature doesn't drop below zero it will still keep growing.

When the Geek has the Camera

As mentioned earlier, I have a waterproof camera.

When N2 Has The Camera

My camera is an Olympus Stylus 1030SW -shockproof and waterproof - perfect for a five year old to play with. So he did.
He took some very cool pictures.






Apparently no one really pays attention to a small boy with a camera...


Except maybe Uncle Ribbet.

Pembina Hills

The Geek and I spent the afternoon in the Pembina Hills at Pembina Valley Provincial Park with my sister C, her husband JP, the nephews and JP's brother, Uncle Ribbet.

The day started started on the cool side but quickly warmed up.

A small tributary of the Pembina River, remarked upon by N2 and the Geek
C looks ahead.
The Pembina River itself.
A view of the Pembina Valley.


JP carrying N3 accompanied by N1. JP undoubtedly had the best workout as he carried N3 for the better part of the 6.5 kilometer hike.

A canola field.

N2, C, N1, JP, N3, Sox and the Geek at the first picnic area waiting for Uncle Ribbet and Dy. We eventually gave up and continued on our way.

Here we all are again at the end of the hike. Uncle Ribbet waited for Dy, who we later dicovered was very lost, in the parking lot for the whole three hours we were gone.

Apparently I'm Not Needed

Another acorn squash made its way into existence without my assistance. Amazing!

Sunflowers

Regrettably the summer was not warm enough for the sunflowers to get very tall.

We do like the colours in this one and hope it will stay above freezing long enough for it to set seed.
And it is amazing how much different it looks with the flash on. The bottom picture was taken about a minute before the top one.

Cross Another Project Off the List

I finally finished my Father's Day dress, so named because I cut it out on Father's day.Enough said.

Recipe #8 Caribbean Couscous

A local firefighter, Jeff Derraugh has published a couple of cookbooks. This is from his second one Where There's Food There's Firefighters. I didn't have any healthy looking orange juice so I used lime.

Caribbean couscous

This is slightly sweet and delicious. It would make a great side for pork or chicken.

375 ml (1 1/2 cups) water (or chicken broth)

30 ml (2 tbsp) butter

250 ml (1 cup) uncooked couscous

1 medium onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed

1 sweet red or orange pepper, diced

2 McIntosh or Spartan apples, peeled, cored and diced

1 small banana, sliced in half, lengthwise, then sliced up

30 ml (2 tbsp) curry paste (Jeff uses Patak's mild, available at most grocery stores)

60 ml (1/4 cup) orange juice

250 ml (1 cup) chicken broth

Chopped cilantro, (to your taste)

1. Bring first amount of water to a boil, add butter and then stir in the couscous. Remove from heat, cover and let stand 5 minutes.

2. Heat a 10-inch frying pan over medium heat. Melt 15 ml (1 tbsp) butter and then add onion. Sauté until lightly browned.

3. Add 15 ml (1 tbsp) of butter to pan. Add garlic, pepper and apples. Fry until apples start to become tender.

4. Add banana slices and fry briefly (do not overcook).

5. Add curry paste and combine with fruit and onions.

6. Add orange juice to mix and stir it through. Cook for two minutes.

7. Add 250 ml (1 cup) chicken broth, stir through.

8. Stir couscous into fruit and broth and let sit until liquid is absorbed. Serve immediately.

Ledge Caps

It is always nice to have a finished edge.

It's Obviously Not 'Ladies' First

I was muttering to The Geek earlier today that there have been many male flowers on the acorn squash but no females.

I was wrong; there was at least one. I'm just wondering why it had to wait until September to show up? And this variety did the same thing last year.

Two Views of an Aster

The aster is blooming and it is a much lovelier colour than I was expecting.

Plus, HB's niece, C, showed us this cool new 'Photoshop' program called PhotoFiltre. I am going to have to try to forget about that for awhile. It could prove to be a huge timesink.

Tomato + Feta + Olive Oil + Pepper

= salad

Hellooooo Summer

Last week was absolutely wonderful. The only day without sun was Friday, when we had an inch of rain.
Maybe we have finally beaten our bout with unseasonably low temperatures. We have been sitting below normal, temperature wise, since November.
This coming week looks highly promising as well, which makes everyone happy.

I took this picture as I rode to work yesterday. This is the first time this summer I have seem hot-air balloons.
I just hope it lasts a long time. A nice autumn would be great after the chilly summer we just had.

What is Said About Hard Surfaces is True

Even tho' the wood is not much lighter in colour than the fuzzy stuff, it reflects more light. Amazing how much brighter the room is now.

And the Geek, with her usual attention to detail, made this piece fit the trim just so.

Re-vamping the Sewing Room

While the overall level of organization has not improved from the before (top) to the after (second) picture, the potential for organization has increased dramatically.

The only item removed from the situation was the TV, hidden under the cloth in the top right of the above picture.

Added were two wooden crates on the wall, two fold up tables, one for the sewing machine and one for a cutting table, and the old bathroom shelves. All the extras were things we already owned, with the exception of the sewing table, which was a kitchen counter we bought at ReStore.

And this wonderful thread caddy the Geek made from some old cedar and parts of an abandoned futon found on garbage eve.

A Home for Elves?

The cottonwood on the parking pad is not a healthy tree. There have been fungi growing on it in the past, but today we found more than ever before.
If I were a fanciful sort of person, I would imagine a fairy or an elf lived here and this was the overhang for their front door.


And here are their steps to the top of the tree...