Luanna Stewart's Blog, page 5
November 16, 2017
Pass the butter...Fabulous Friday
A few weeks ago I mentioned Homemade Cookie Day – celebrated weekly in this house. Today is Homemade Bread Day, also celebrated regularly around here. I love homemade bread. Both the making and the eating.
There was a time I would hand-knead the dough for upwards of ten minutes (good workout for the arm muscles) but then I got a stand mixer and now I let the machine do the hard work. I still enjoy the fruits of its labors though. And I still hand-knead an old family recipe for Shredded Wheat Bread that makes too much dough to fit in the bowl of my mixer.
Anyway, back to the homemade bread. Yum! You’re supposed to wait until the bread cools completely – ‘cause of steam or molecules or something – before slicing but that’s a rule that begs to be broken. Who can wait when that extraordinarily luscious smell is permeating the house? When that golden loaf of deliciousness is sitting on the cooling rack, its flanks exposed to the air and the razor sharp bread knife? When whoever made that ridiculous rule obviously possessed too much willpower than was good for him? (Must have been a him ‘cause I suspect that rule was foisted on us back when most leaders in the culinary world were men.)
One of my favourite quick and easy breads is English Muffin Toasting Bread from the geniuses at King Arthur Flour.
So good. My mouth is watering just thinking of a slice of this bad boy, lightly toasted and slathered with butter (real butter, of course). Heaven! As I was saying to my friend Cara, homemade bread is my kryptonite.
Do you make your own bread? Have a favourite recipe?
Cheers!
*This post contains an affiliate link.
There was a time I would hand-knead the dough for upwards of ten minutes (good workout for the arm muscles) but then I got a stand mixer and now I let the machine do the hard work. I still enjoy the fruits of its labors though. And I still hand-knead an old family recipe for Shredded Wheat Bread that makes too much dough to fit in the bowl of my mixer.
Anyway, back to the homemade bread. Yum! You’re supposed to wait until the bread cools completely – ‘cause of steam or molecules or something – before slicing but that’s a rule that begs to be broken. Who can wait when that extraordinarily luscious smell is permeating the house? When that golden loaf of deliciousness is sitting on the cooling rack, its flanks exposed to the air and the razor sharp bread knife? When whoever made that ridiculous rule obviously possessed too much willpower than was good for him? (Must have been a him ‘cause I suspect that rule was foisted on us back when most leaders in the culinary world were men.)
One of my favourite quick and easy breads is English Muffin Toasting Bread from the geniuses at King Arthur Flour.
So good. My mouth is watering just thinking of a slice of this bad boy, lightly toasted and slathered with butter (real butter, of course). Heaven! As I was saying to my friend Cara, homemade bread is my kryptonite.
Do you make your own bread? Have a favourite recipe?
Cheers!
*This post contains an affiliate link.
November 14, 2017
Did you know...Wine Wednesday
that today is Clean Your Refrigerator Day?
I’ll go out on a limb and assume the creators of this festive day didn’t mean for us to make use of a pail of soapy water and a scrub brush. But rather to empty the containers of fuzzy food, and discard that jar of pickles that’s been hiding at the back of the shelf since Aunt Sadie gave it to you six years ago.
I’ve been known to hang on to foodstuffs longer than recommended. Years ago Son1 had a friend who was following the Paleo diet. So Son1 tried a few recipes that conformed, one of which was a dessert/sweet made with Medjool dates, nuts, and a few other things I don’t recall. Well, as so often happens with recipes, there were a few dates left over. (The sweets were delicious, btw.) Not enough dates to do anything with, really, but, chopped finely, they could be useful in muffins, cookies, or even something savory like a curry. I think my mistake was sliding the slim package of dates on to the shelf under the meat drawer where only slim things would fit. Over time the slim package got shoved to the back of the shelf and forgotten.
I found the dates *cough* a few years later when I cleaned the fridge, with soapy water and scrub brush, in preparation for moving.
What’s the oldest thing in your fridge? Do you abide by best-before dates?
Cheers!
I’ll go out on a limb and assume the creators of this festive day didn’t mean for us to make use of a pail of soapy water and a scrub brush. But rather to empty the containers of fuzzy food, and discard that jar of pickles that’s been hiding at the back of the shelf since Aunt Sadie gave it to you six years ago.
I’ve been known to hang on to foodstuffs longer than recommended. Years ago Son1 had a friend who was following the Paleo diet. So Son1 tried a few recipes that conformed, one of which was a dessert/sweet made with Medjool dates, nuts, and a few other things I don’t recall. Well, as so often happens with recipes, there were a few dates left over. (The sweets were delicious, btw.) Not enough dates to do anything with, really, but, chopped finely, they could be useful in muffins, cookies, or even something savory like a curry. I think my mistake was sliding the slim package of dates on to the shelf under the meat drawer where only slim things would fit. Over time the slim package got shoved to the back of the shelf and forgotten.
I found the dates *cough* a few years later when I cleaned the fridge, with soapy water and scrub brush, in preparation for moving.
What’s the oldest thing in your fridge? Do you abide by best-before dates?
Cheers!
November 12, 2017
Carry a big stick...Maudlin Monday
Monday the 13th. Oh boy, better watch out for—well, it’s Monday. The start of the workweek with the weekend naught but a fond memory.
The highlight of my weekend, aside from Hubby cooking yummy suppers on Saturday and Sunday per usual, was the monthly firemen’s breakfast up at the Hall. A feast fit for a queen cooked by our local volunteer firefighters. Scrambled eggs, bacon (nice and crispy as it should be), sausages, fried bologna, hash browns, baked beans, and French toast. With regular toast too if you still have room. Along with coffee, tea, and fruit juice. Scrumptious. A community breakfast is also a good chance to catch up on the local news. Like the sightings of the coyote up at the lighthouse. Hubby carries a stout stick on his walks now.
Happy Sadie Hawkins Day! Your one opportunity this year, ladies, to propose to the man of your dreams.
Cheers!
The highlight of my weekend, aside from Hubby cooking yummy suppers on Saturday and Sunday per usual, was the monthly firemen’s breakfast up at the Hall. A feast fit for a queen cooked by our local volunteer firefighters. Scrambled eggs, bacon (nice and crispy as it should be), sausages, fried bologna, hash browns, baked beans, and French toast. With regular toast too if you still have room. Along with coffee, tea, and fruit juice. Scrumptious. A community breakfast is also a good chance to catch up on the local news. Like the sightings of the coyote up at the lighthouse. Hubby carries a stout stick on his walks now.
Happy Sadie Hawkins Day! Your one opportunity this year, ladies, to propose to the man of your dreams.
Cheers!
November 9, 2017
Fabulous Friday - never forget...
Forget-Me-Not Day. Fitting, given that tomorrow is Remembrance Day. In honour of all who lost their lives in the fight against tyranny, I give you this: In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae Golly, I get teary eyed every time I read that poem.
This year I bought my poppy pin from two Navy Cadets in the front lobby of a grocery store. So far I’ve not lost it. Not yet anyway, hehe. Lots of people use either a tiny flag pin or a small poppy-shaped pin to hold the poppy in place. I’ll continue playing poppy-pin-roulette and hope for the best.
Cheers!
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae Golly, I get teary eyed every time I read that poem.
This year I bought my poppy pin from two Navy Cadets in the front lobby of a grocery store. So far I’ve not lost it. Not yet anyway, hehe. Lots of people use either a tiny flag pin or a small poppy-shaped pin to hold the poppy in place. I’ll continue playing poppy-pin-roulette and hope for the best.Cheers!
November 7, 2017
Wine Wednesday - celebrate cooking...
To continue this week’s theme, today is Cook Something Bold Day!
Pickled liver, anyone? I hope that’s not actually a thing.
I’m not sure what is meant by bold in this instance. Could be outlandish, like gold leaf sprinkled atop your burger. Or intense flavours, like a well-spiced Indian dish – vindaloo comes to mind.
Perhaps the boldness pertains to the cook rather than the meal. A chance to step out of your comfort zone *cough* *sorry for the cliche* and cook a dish totally new to you. A cuisine you’ve never attempted before, or an ingredient only found in a specialty store.
Or maybe bold means a cooking technique you’ve been tempted to try but haven’t gotten around to yet – making your own pasta from scratch, for instance. By the way, making pasta is surprisingly easy and the flavour can’t be beat.
Are you an adventurous cook? Do you, like I do, read cookbooks like they’re novels?
Cheers!
Pickled liver, anyone? I hope that’s not actually a thing.
I’m not sure what is meant by bold in this instance. Could be outlandish, like gold leaf sprinkled atop your burger. Or intense flavours, like a well-spiced Indian dish – vindaloo comes to mind.
Perhaps the boldness pertains to the cook rather than the meal. A chance to step out of your comfort zone *cough* *sorry for the cliche* and cook a dish totally new to you. A cuisine you’ve never attempted before, or an ingredient only found in a specialty store.
Or maybe bold means a cooking technique you’ve been tempted to try but haven’t gotten around to yet – making your own pasta from scratch, for instance. By the way, making pasta is surprisingly easy and the flavour can’t be beat.
Are you an adventurous cook? Do you, like I do, read cookbooks like they’re novels?
Cheers!
November 5, 2017
Maudlin Monday - fun days and holidays...
All this week I’ll be using unusual holidays as the starting point for my blog posts.
Today we’ll celebrate Marooned Without A Compass Day. Woo hoo!!! Let’s get lost!!
Getting lost is not a challenge for me at all since I’m lacking the spatial awareness gene. I’m forever getting turned around, both on foot and in the car. Even when I’m the one driving. If I have to retrace my steps I’ll invariably make a wrong turn, on foot and in the car.
When I study a map, I have to orient it in the direction I want to travel otherwise it doesn’t make sense. I’m one of those people who needs GPS. It should be a medical prescription.
I was relieved when our boys got old enough to help me navigate to their “away” soccer and lacrosse games. I’m so glad they inherited their geographical awareness from their dad, who never gets lost. Even in a strange city.
Have you ever been lost? Either momentarily turned around, or scary, no-idea-where-you-are lost?
Cheers!
Today we’ll celebrate Marooned Without A Compass Day. Woo hoo!!! Let’s get lost!!
Getting lost is not a challenge for me at all since I’m lacking the spatial awareness gene. I’m forever getting turned around, both on foot and in the car. Even when I’m the one driving. If I have to retrace my steps I’ll invariably make a wrong turn, on foot and in the car.When I study a map, I have to orient it in the direction I want to travel otherwise it doesn’t make sense. I’m one of those people who needs GPS. It should be a medical prescription.
I was relieved when our boys got old enough to help me navigate to their “away” soccer and lacrosse games. I’m so glad they inherited their geographical awareness from their dad, who never gets lost. Even in a strange city.Have you ever been lost? Either momentarily turned around, or scary, no-idea-where-you-are lost?
Cheers!
November 2, 2017
Fabulous Friday - playing tourist...
Full moon tomorrow – Beaver Moon - so called because, in years past, November is the time to set traps to ensure plenty of cozy beaver pelts for the coming winter.
I’ve enjoyed being a tourist in my own back yard whilst staying at Mum’s summer house. Even though I’ve been visiting Tiverton throughout my entire life, I’ve not explored some of the area for so long I have no recollection of ever being there. Case in point, Sandy Cove.
We stopped on the way to the ferry to fill time since we were ten minutes late for the 1:30 ferry and fifty minutes early for the 2:30 ferry. Oh, the joys of living on an island. We spent about 20 minutes walking the beach. Hubby took photos, and I searched for and found sea glass. 
After driving down to the cove, wandering around, and retracing our steps to the highway, I had to drive somewhat - ah - briskly to make the ferry, hehe. Oh, the joys of island living.
Have you played tourist in your hometown?
Cheers!
I’ve enjoyed being a tourist in my own back yard whilst staying at Mum’s summer house. Even though I’ve been visiting Tiverton throughout my entire life, I’ve not explored some of the area for so long I have no recollection of ever being there. Case in point, Sandy Cove.
We stopped on the way to the ferry to fill time since we were ten minutes late for the 1:30 ferry and fifty minutes early for the 2:30 ferry. Oh, the joys of living on an island. We spent about 20 minutes walking the beach. Hubby took photos, and I searched for and found sea glass. After driving down to the cove, wandering around, and retracing our steps to the highway, I had to drive somewhat - ah - briskly to make the ferry, hehe. Oh, the joys of island living.Have you played tourist in your hometown?
Cheers!
October 31, 2017
Wine Wednesday - yippee!!!!
To all my fellow NaNo-ers, happy writing!!
To non-writers, Happy November!
Will be launched into the world on December 15, 2017!!!
I’m so excited to get this book out into the world. I had heaps of fun writing Arabella and Sam’s story, getting to know them, and breaking their hearts (mwa ha ha) before allowing them to become whole-hearted.
Writing fiction is like being master of the universe for 300 pages at a time. I get to create people! For the most part they’re nice people you’ll enjoy getting to know, but I also make baaaad people. Oh boy, the villain in this story – I really wanted to slap her, LOL. And when she—well, you’ll see. I'll let you know when Love & Turmoil is available for pre-order.
In other news, who else has eaten entirely too much leftover Hallowe’en candy?
Cheers!
*This post contains an Amazon affiliate link.
To non-writers, Happy November!
Will be launched into the world on December 15, 2017!!!I’m so excited to get this book out into the world. I had heaps of fun writing Arabella and Sam’s story, getting to know them, and breaking their hearts (mwa ha ha) before allowing them to become whole-hearted.
Writing fiction is like being master of the universe for 300 pages at a time. I get to create people! For the most part they’re nice people you’ll enjoy getting to know, but I also make baaaad people. Oh boy, the villain in this story – I really wanted to slap her, LOL. And when she—well, you’ll see. I'll let you know when Love & Turmoil is available for pre-order.
In other news, who else has eaten entirely too much leftover Hallowe’en candy?
Cheers!
*This post contains an Amazon affiliate link.
October 30, 2017
Maudlin Monday - too many things...
Did we all have a lovely, restful weekend?
No?
Me neither, but it was all to the good so I shan’t complain.
Except this is my whine day so I’m contractually obligated to complain.
Boy, was it busy. Meeting with the electrician on Friday to decide where every friggin’ light switch, plug and pot light would go took over three hours.
And then, THEN, we went to IKEA! What were we thinking? Venturing into that store requires rest and fortitude, not tired brains and aching feet. But, oh, it was lovely. I want all the things.
Thank goodness we were able to recuperate at my brother’s place in the city – good food and good times.
On Saturday, since we obviously hadn’t learned anything from surviving Friday, we shopped at Home Depot, Kents, AND Costco. Our heads need to be examined. We still haven’t found light fixtures we both can agree on. I think I’ll start a resurgence in oil lamps and candles – who’s with me?
We capped the weekend off with a lovely supper with Son2 and his partner – scallop chowder and salad and pumpkin pie and craft beer and fabulous fun. I’m exhausted but life is good.
So what all did you do? Run around like the proverbial chicken like I did? Relax and take it easy? Prepare for NaNoWriMo which starts—gaaaahhhhh!!!!—on Wednesday?
Cheers!
No?
Me neither, but it was all to the good so I shan’t complain.
Except this is my whine day so I’m contractually obligated to complain.
Boy, was it busy. Meeting with the electrician on Friday to decide where every friggin’ light switch, plug and pot light would go took over three hours.
And then, THEN, we went to IKEA! What were we thinking? Venturing into that store requires rest and fortitude, not tired brains and aching feet. But, oh, it was lovely. I want all the things.
Thank goodness we were able to recuperate at my brother’s place in the city – good food and good times.
On Saturday, since we obviously hadn’t learned anything from surviving Friday, we shopped at Home Depot, Kents, AND Costco. Our heads need to be examined. We still haven’t found light fixtures we both can agree on. I think I’ll start a resurgence in oil lamps and candles – who’s with me?
We capped the weekend off with a lovely supper with Son2 and his partner – scallop chowder and salad and pumpkin pie and craft beer and fabulous fun. I’m exhausted but life is good.
So what all did you do? Run around like the proverbial chicken like I did? Relax and take it easy? Prepare for NaNoWriMo which starts—gaaaahhhhh!!!!—on Wednesday?
Cheers!
October 26, 2017
Fabulous Friday - shopping...
For many years we’ve grown copious amounts of green beans, sweet peppers, and tomatoes to store in our deep-freeze. A small taste of summer makes the dreariest February day a little brighter. But even with our best efforts at manual vacuum packing (sucking the air out of the zipper locked bag using a drinking straw) we inevitably lost some produce to freezer burn.
Well, in this week’s flyer from Costco I saw a food saver on sale, as well as the required storage bags. Huzzah! No more freezer burn! We can also use it when we buy freezer orders of beef, pork and chicken – a fabulous way to save money. (I’d say we could freeze cookies for long-term storage but I don’t think the food saver works on baked goods…and who am I kidding? Cookies never last that long in this house.)
Now let’s see if we can leave the store with only the food saver in our shopping cart. Ha!
Oh, and since we’ll be in the big city we’ll swing by IKEA and scope out closet innards to furnish our new walk-in. One more item to check off our to-do list.
Bruno living dangerously in his favourite evening perch.
What are you up to this weekend? Do you shop at a big wholesale club store? Do you ever stick to your list?
Cheers!
* This post contains an Amazon affiliate link.
Well, in this week’s flyer from Costco I saw a food saver on sale, as well as the required storage bags. Huzzah! No more freezer burn! We can also use it when we buy freezer orders of beef, pork and chicken – a fabulous way to save money. (I’d say we could freeze cookies for long-term storage but I don’t think the food saver works on baked goods…and who am I kidding? Cookies never last that long in this house.)
Now let’s see if we can leave the store with only the food saver in our shopping cart. Ha!
Oh, and since we’ll be in the big city we’ll swing by IKEA and scope out closet innards to furnish our new walk-in. One more item to check off our to-do list.
Bruno living dangerously in his favourite evening perch. What are you up to this weekend? Do you shop at a big wholesale club store? Do you ever stick to your list?
Cheers!
* This post contains an Amazon affiliate link.
