Honest! - I REALLY *was* going to SHOVEL!

HOWEVER, SINCE IT DIDN'T *START* SNOWING UNTIL "LATE", I DIDN'T BOTHER...

Besides, I had OTHER "STUFF" to DO! -- That - [in the END] - turned out to not especially LOOK like much... NOT, that IT ever DOES! -- really...

ALTHOUGH... "LATER" in the Evening, I was *struck* by some *CHROMO*-CRUNCHY-INSPIRATION!

Actually, to be Honest, I have Contemplated *THIS* "COLOUR-COMBO" Before. BUT, had never gotten around to APPLYING IT! -- Until, TONIGHT...

Recently, on a GROCERY-GETTING Trip to FARM-BOY, We had come across some "HEIRLOOM"-CARROTS...

THEY looked almost EDIBLE-ish - [*AFTER* a GOOD Scraping!] - And, Their Textured-PIGMENTATIONS were INTRIGUING... They ended up TASTING surprisingly *GOOD*, too!

-- hmm... DON'T I also just HAPPEN to have *YARN* in "THOSE" HUES..??!

BTW, speaking of "ANCESTRAL-WEAVING"...

**HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COUSIN-B!!**

***********************************************************

When I thought of offering a "TOAST" to the YEAR-THAT-WAS...

*ALMOST* FRYING THE MICROWAVE IS **NOT** WHAT I HAD IN MIND!!

"SAFETY" NOTE

Always. **ALWAYS** "DOUBLE"-CHECK the TIMER **SETTINGS**

before Pressing the START-BUTTON

on Your Microwave-Oven!!

And THEN, **CHECK-IT-AGAIN**!!

Who knew that CHOCOLATE-CHIPS could "BURN" *THAT* quickly..? And, SMOKE that MUCH... Whilst the Pita-Bread and Paper-Towel remained *mostly* UNscathed.

well... At least, IT *wasn't* "POPCORN"! -- *AND*, that the MACHINE **STILL** WORKS!!

..so far...

However, that "BURNT-CHOCOLATEY-TOAST"-SMELL continues to PERMEATE throughout the HOUSE! - [Thankfully, I had managed to Clear the Worst of IT *before* IT could set-off the ALARM!]

oh! BTW, and did I "mention", that I'm kinda starting out

"THE-NEW-YEAR" on MOTHER's

"NOT-My-*Favourite*-Progeny-Right-Now"-SH*T-LIST..?

-- yeah... I'll probably be on IT for at LEAST a Week, or "WHENever" - [*IF*] - the SMELL goes AWAY... Whichever LASTS the *LONGEST*! -- With ANY *Luck*, I'll have LOTS of Shovelling to DO Tomorrow... OUTSIDE!

ANYHOO... I do HOPE that the REST of YOU are having a **BETTER TIME**!!

**HAPPY NEW YEAR**!!

**********************************************************************

Forget about being *Distracted* by "SHINY-OBJECTS"...

...JUST WAVING SOME "COLOUR" IN FRONT OF ME WILL DO THE TRICK!!
- Especially, on SUCH a GREYISH Day!! -- BTW, that *bit* of SUNLIGHT through that BRIEF "EYE"-of-BLUE-SKY wasn't around Long *ENOUGH* to "Count"!!

oh! And, if IT looks EDIABLE... Well, *BONUS*!!


So... Strangely, the SATURDAY-TRAFFIC was just a tad Heavier than Usual... Hence, We stopped off at FARM BOY, first. -- As the "ROADWAY-PLANNING" at TRAINYARDS is somewhat *CONTRARY* to "EFFICIENT"-TRAFFIC-*FLOW*!

Anyhoo, the Hot-"TAKE-OUT"-Food wasn't *out* at the Time, so I missed-out on that FAB PULLED-PORK! -- pooh!

Well, ON to MICHAEL'S then... nuts! - WHY are "PEOPLE" Parked in *MY* Fav-SPOTS?!! ggrrr...

right... I have a 20%-OFF-ENTIRE-PURCHASE-Including-SALE-ITEMS-COUPON for Today. Let's see "what" *DAMAGE* We can DO!

Got 2-Each of the ABOVE Ceramic-CUPCAKE-Name-Card-HOLDERS... They're Colourful & Cute - can't go Wrong with THAT!

"COLOUR" was the Primary-Attraction for These SANDWICH-BOXES... And, that I got Them for 60%-OFF, too! -- Their Future-USE is UNknown at the Moment, but I'm sure I'll Think of *Something*!

Meanwhile, speaking of "USES", I picked-up a Few more of Those DRESS-NOTE-PADS for SISTER. She's using Them as TREATS and "PRIZES" for various Upcoming BRIDAL-SHOWERS that She's WORKING on...







We eventually headed to THE MALL -- It was a "TAX-FREE"-Day at the Grocery Store! So, of course, *most* of the TAXABLE-Things that We want are either still TOO Expensive or, NOT IN-Stock!


Although, I *did* run into an OLD-ACQUAINTANCE from where I used to WORK! We did that Quickie-5-Minute-"CATCH-UP"-Thingy...

Afterward, MOTHER ended up doing Her "SHOW & TELL"-*Not*-so-Quickie-*20*-Minute-Thingy will the NICE-YOUNG-PREGNANT-LADY and Her SWEET-ALMOST-3-Year-Old-DAUGHTER... I'll SPARE You All on the "Details"! -- Except to Say, that the PIGTAILED-GREAT-HAIR-CHILD ended up with an "Early"-Birthday-Present-CROCHETED-FINGER-PUPPET-MONKEY and that MOTHER *NEEDS* to EMPTY Her PURSE!!

More MALL-MARAUDING, then HOME!!

*********************************************************

We had a MUCH more "CHIC" than "CHICK" EASTER VISITOR, Today...

IMAGINE OUR *SURPRISE* WHEN MADAME-Q SHOWED UP AT OUR DOOR!!

We haven't SEEN Her in AGES! -- However, She could only Stay for a Short-While... Though, Long *enough* to MAKE Our "Day"!! - Especially, seeing as IT was somewhat Overcast with a Spot of RAIN Later on...

MEANWHILE, since Nothing ELSE "EXCITING" Happened, I thought I'd POST THESE to *BRIGHTEN* THE "HOLIDAY"... SISTER has been a *BUSY*-BUNNY with Her EASTER
"TREATS"!!

THEY *almost* LOOK-*TOO*-CUTE-TO-EAT, eh?! -- And probably, would have Fitted NICELY into These EGG TINS that I got at MICHAEL'S Last Week... I *Love* COLLECTING THESE!!

**HAPPY EASTER**!!

**********************************************************

Hey! *CHICK*-out What's CRACKING in SISTER's Kitchen!

SHE'S ALWAYS COMING UP WITH "THEMATIC" DISHES...

Meanwhile, SORRY that THIS is *Short*, BUT I'm Working on "SOMETHING" that HAS to be READY for Tomorrow! -- And, I didn't Start on IT until LATE... Which, it is Now and I've probably has Another HOUR to do on IT!

There'll be PICS, Tomorrow...

***************************************************************

*Winning*, Wabbits, and Whacky-Wet-Weather...

GOT *ANOTHER* $7. TONIGHT! -- WOOHOO!!

Well... "SPRING" finally figured out *WHEN* IT's suppose to BE on The Calendar! TEMPS are back *down* to "Seasonal"... So's the Precipitation -- CLOUDINESS and the odd SPRINKLE during the Day.

We decided to try out BEACON HILL MALL Today. - Haven't been to The SALLY-ANN for a Few Weeks... THEY've Reorganized the Layout - slightly - since Last Time. Didn't get ANYthing! Of course, the Store did have this "Picked over" Ambience to IT...

Perhaps, when YARD-SALE-SEASON starts up, *Selection* will IMPROVE..?!

Meanwhile, over at the SHOPPERS-DRUGMART, LINDT Chocolate had a "Product-Display"-Table going on. -- **FREE** CHOCOLATE-BUNNY SAMPLES!! And, OTHER
"STUFF"...

"FREE" and "CHOCOLATE" - Two of My FAV WORDS!!

From B.H.Mall, We popped into the nearby Grocery Store - Briefly. - NEXT, straight to LOBLAW.

Oooo...COOL!! -- "TAX-FREE-DAY"!!

After checking out the Rest of the Store, it was Time to Purchase-Peruse the JOE FRESH Section! Found a Couple of Lovely COTTON-WOOL GREY SWEATERS - A Cardigan and Pullover.

"On SALE" *and* "TAX-FREE"!! - Two of My FAV *DOUBLE*-WORDS!! ..oh..wait! Make that *Three* - "LOTTERY-WIN"!!

**YAY!!**

*******************************************************************

**HAPPY MID-TEEN DAY, STEP-NEPH-"J"!!!**

I'M CELEBRATING YOUR "16"-ness with THIS *CONCOCTION* that "NANA" has just submitted to Me for "Taste-Testing"..?!?

-- Much RASPBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, CHOCOLATE-Pudding-Cake, COCOA, more SOMEthing-Chocolate-[does-it-*really*-matter?-IT's-Chocolate!], and OTHER It's-Probably-For-The-Best-That-I-Don't-Know-Ingredients... She was Cleaning out the Pantry-Cupboard...

Anyhoo... The Raspberries were on the Strong-side, otherwise, quite Tasty. I'm certain that My Daily FRUCTOSE-Intake-Levels have been Surpassed! -- I'LL LIVE! - If NOT, well, I at least "went-out" with CHOCOLATE!!

ah. And here, I thought that I'd have NOTHING to BLOOG-About Today besides The SHOVELING!
-- I took care of the Last 25% of the Property-Area that FATHER didn't DO, Yesterday.

hmm... IT was "suppose" to "RAIN"..?? - I guess We did "miss" most of that STORM-Front, afterall... However, the "Latest-Rumour" is for WINDS and FREEZING-RAIN, later Tonight and ALL-Day, Tomorrow!! ...We'll have to *Wait & See*, huh?

**********************************************************************

Hook, Yarn, and TRENDING...

ALAS! Received the FIRST of the Postal-Strike-Delayed Decor Mags Today!





CANADIAN HOUSE AND HOME - August 2011





IT's a little on the THIN side... just saying...

So. I just did a quickie Peruse through IT... And, only managed to "borrow" a Couple of Pics from Their Website - *Fortunately*, THIS was ONE of Them!



Seriously...


In this Current 30C-plus HUMID Weather, WHO could **RESIST** "CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM SANDWICHES"??!!

-- Ooooo! Or, those Blueberries and Raspberries in the Background..?







Anyway... As per The COVER Blurp, the LAMP Selection was quite GOOD. Several "interesting" Choices.

However, What really caught My Eye...
This ISSUE's TRENDWATCH Subject - CROCHET!!

I LOVE The CHAIR! And, Those BOOTS are wickedly COOL! -- BTW, be sure to CHECK OUT that Circular RUG - [Upper Right on the Page-Pic] - at...

http://www.hookeddesign.com

Meanwhile, this all "inspired" Me to whip up The LITTLE GUY on the LEFT...


*******************************************************************

REALLY..?!

CHEERIOS *now* come in CHOCOLATE Flavour..!? -- SWEET!!

Actually, *really* Sweet! And, just slightly "addictive"... I think that They would be better suited as a "Snack", rather than as being as Nutritional - [contains more Corn than Oats]- as the Regular Variety. -- Just saying...

Anyway, the Reason as to "WHY" I'm making a Mention Here... A "Fortuitous" Thing happened at one of the Grocery Stores Today!

I had previously "noticed" in a Few Recent Grocery-Flyers, this whole *New* Product Intro for the CHOCOLATE CHEERIOS... The Price for the tiny 350g Box ranged from $3.77 to $4.99!
Personally, I think That Cheaper Price is rather STEEP for that Size! However, it WAS "Chocolate".
-- I thought that I would splurge and Try-It-Out!

So... There I am, at The "$3.99" Priced Store and come across Their "DISPLAY"... Hey! Look! A GENERAL-MILLS-Rep-Guy is "fixing" it up... We "CHAT" - I'm a HUGE "Regular" CHEERIOS Consumer. -- "GORD", gives Me a Couple of FREE "Trial" COUPONS!!

-- YES!!

I used One. Saving the Other for Later... And, for the Next Few Days, or until Something BETTER
"happens", GORD is My NEW-BEST-FRIEND! -- What can I Say? He had Me at "Free CHOCOLATE"!

We hit a couple of more Grocery Stores. Barely Survived the *Annoying*-You-Could-HEAR-Him-Across-The-ENTIRE-Ginormous-SuperStore-WHINY-CRYING-For-20-Minutes-Please-SOMEONE-Just-Give-Him-A-Tiny-Hand-Whack-On-His-Butt-To-Get-His-Attention-Or-Else-His-Younger-4-Year-Old-Sister-Who-Looks-Like-She-Wants-To-Seriously-MAIM-Him-If-He-Doesn't-SHUT-UP-NOW-Probably-Will-6-Year-Old!

-- oh... Look-Whose-Van-Is-Parked-NEXT-To-Our-Car?!

Thankfully, We managed to Return HOME *ahead* of the Friday-Rush-Hour-Traffic! ... I *need* CHOCOLATE!!

************************************************************

"...No. There is Another..."

AHH... The infamous Words of YODA!

So, remember that terrible TERRACE TOMATO TRAGEDY [CLICK HERE] in August...? And, the subsequent escalation? [CLICK HERE]

 

One of the "alleged" Suspects - SQUIRREL-MUNK - recently seen at the previous Crime Scene.

 

Well, unbeknownst to Most, there actually WAS a LONE SURVIVOR! Who, had been secretly put into Protected Custody and Relocated to the safety of the Kitchen Window Sill.

Since then, IT has recovered to finally Ripen. And, Tonight, to alas, fulfill ITS Destiny!

MOTHER remarked, that IT was quite DELICIOUS!



--------------------------------------------------------------------

IN OTHER NEWS:

PARTS 2 & 3 of The LSP are now complete to the point of awaiting Their Final BORDER TRIM. Progress will once again, return to PART 1.

A little over 3 Weeks until My First CRAFT SALE - We've secured 3 Tables at the Event for Myself, MOTHER, and Our Neighbour, MADAME Q. It'll be Their first time at that Venue - should be FUN!

Oh! And, I caught THIS [CLICK HERE] gorgeous little GUY on the NEWS Tonight! A New Born EASTERN BLACK RHINO! - I am sooo smitten!!  Is HE just too CUTE or what?!

**************************************************

Had Been Saving This For a "COLD" RAINY DAY...

It finally actually RAINED Today.  And, as much as I'm NOT fond of Rain, - especially when the Temps are below 15C [was in the 20s today] - we did NEED it after all of the scorching Weather we've had for the last Month. However, I still don't think it did anything in the Humidity Eradication Department... 

At any rate, I'm just content in the fact that I didn't have to go out in it. HATE driving in Rain!  The only *good* rain, is that refreshing "sprinkle" when the Temps are over 30C and you're strolling down some Tropical beach and the Sun is STILL *shining* --->  OVER THERE!! 

BTW, please, feel free to -  [insert *Beach Boy*] - anywhere into the above "fantasy"!  READER's choice!!  [Mind the WAND, FAIRY-T, it's not a Lancet!!]

On the other hand, though, I really DO enjoy *watching* LIGHTNING!!  Especially, from an aircraft at night from a hundred miles away...  VERY Cool!!

But, I digress...

Actually, the following SHOULD have been saved for a COLD, miserable Rainy Day... BUT, I just didn't have anything else to throw in here for Today.  -- I know!! Whenever there IS a nasty day, and I haven't anything, THEN I'll just *REFER* You all back to THIS Posting. Okay? 

Good. That's settled. -- Moving on...

"BLUEBERRY BISCUIT" with BURLEIGH "Blue Calico" Jars and *Scones*!

SO, before I get into the "epic" DETAILS of this little pic, WHY not print off the Recipe for these yummy-looking  BLUEBERRY-BUTTERMILK SCONES  [CLINK INTO LINK]  I found at the MARTHA STEWART Site.  There should be MORE Here:  OTHER RECIPES  

BTW, You should KNOW... I truly, DO NOT COOK and/or BAKE!!  So, I have absolutely NO idea on how these Recipes will work out OR even TASTE!!  However, They ARE  from MARTHA, so They SHOULD be a GOOD THING - Yes..?

Whatever. Now, GO!  WHIP up a Batch, remember to SET the TIMER, and then come back HERE whilst They are Baking!!

---------------------------------------

Back already?!   EXCELLENT!

Okay, so... The BEST Scones that I remember ever having, were [WARNING: I'm about to "DATE" Myself here - try REALLY hard to FORGET this part!!] in the Mid-70s at WARWICK CASTLE during a High School Spring Break trip...  I loved that place... Will definitely have to revisit it whenever I get back to England again! -- Meanwhile, I doubt they have that old Scone recipe anymore, as I believe that they are currently under new Management since I was last there...

WARWICK CASTLE - The AVON RIVER is just beyond on the Top of the photo

GUY TOWER

There also used to be Peacocks roaming the Garden area [on the Right of the Top Photo] - loud birds..

GUY TOWER was very Medieval...  A tightly winding staircase of centuries-worn stone steps to the top... STUNNING view!!  And the whole place was extremely enchanting... Was difficult to eventually leave it. -- But THAT, is another TALE for a different Blog!

NOW, about those awesome "BLUE CALICO" BURLEIGH  JARS!!  These puppies were what started me - only a few years back - on my "Blue and White China" collecting...  And. Yes, *another* Yard Sale mega-FIND!! 

The People were wrapping up their Sale early when we drove over. I SPIED these as the nice Lady was packing them up... Asked if she had any others...??  [insert Happy-Dance moment!]  Got THIS set for all of $2.!!!  And, FOUR other blue/white china Plates for another $2.! 

"ZEN SHOPPING" [If I'm meant to BUY it, it will STILL be There!] at its FINEST!!

On my return Home, I checked the BURLEIGH Site AND E-mailed them.... That FLOUR jar has been out of Production for years and the Other smaller ones go for 25GBP a piece!  And the Plates... maybe another 10 each..?  -- CAN I find a Bargain, or WHAT?!!  Eh?? 

OH!!  Better check on those Scones!!  And get the Tea going..

Now, as for my Baby - "BLUEBERRY BISCUIT"...  Actually, I just gave it that name Today. It was one of my older, nameless ones... Will have to dig it out of it's storage and take some better pics of it some time.. It's done in YELLOW and  a BLUE/WHITE mix.

Sooo...?  How are the Scones?  Any good?  Hope so - IF not, blame MARTHA! *I* DON'T "BAKE", remember?!!

*******************************************