Well, we are into our 3rd month of 2011 and spring is just around the corner. 2010 ended roughly for us & we want you all to know that we are recovering nicely. We want to thank everyone who helped us, your generosity is appreciated & does not go unnoticed.

 Thank-you all, so much   :)

Musi Cho

So I’ve decided to do an experiment to see how long I can stay gluten-free, my goal is to try it till Feb, 1 / 2011 at least.  Yup, right through the Holiday Season. It’s been about a week now ( 7 days) and I feel a whole lot better, I have way more energy that’s for sure. Who knows, this my be a life long choice.  I don’t have a problem with gluten, it’s just not good for you. It’s so not good for your body. Growing up, with my mom being a heart patient she always  warned me and  told me about the ” 5  White Deaths” ;  Sugar, Flour, Salt, Lard or Shortening , and cocaine. So you could say I’ve known about this my whole life.  I’ve been salt free since I was 23, lard or shortening free since I was 24, sugar-free since I was 29, I’m now 34 and I’m going Gluten free, and I’ve never had a desire to try cocaine, so that was never a problem. In my opinion, I think I’m doing pretty good though for someone who’s going to be 35 in a year.  I’m on the right track towards a healthier me and a healthier life style, Well wish me luck

Eating 1/2  a cup of  fresh, dried or drinking 1 cup of  Cranberry  juice a day is good for you. It helps with  kidney function , urinary tract infections as well as helping your liver flush toxins from your  body. Cranberries are very high in antioxidants, which are thought  to help prevent cancer, heart disease, ulcers and some age-related disorders.  It also acts  a  digestive aid for removing fat in your lymphatic system, Cranberries also have Anti-inflammatory properties and their loaded with Vitamin C and fiber.   So grab a hand full of these little tangy red wonders and chew your way to a healthier you.  With that in mind here’s a Thanksgiving Day condiment and dessert  recipe for you to try.  Enjoy.  

This is  not your traditional pumpkin or apple pie but this taste great if you’re looking for a change.

 Cranberry-Apple Crisp

4 apples, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped

2 cup fresh cranberries

1 cup sugar (or Sugar substitute)

1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup quick-cooking oats

1/2 cup flour (all-purpose or whole wheat if you like)

1 tsp cinnamon, divided ( 1/2 tsp in fruit mix and 1/2 tsp  in flour)

1/2 tsp nutmeg, divided (1/4 tsp in fruit mix and 1/4 tsp in flour)

1 cup pecans , coarsely chopped

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/3 cup brown sugar,  packed

pre heat your oven to 325

Mix apples and cranberries in a greased baking dish with cinnamon and nutmeg. Sprinkle with sugar, lemon juice and vanilla.

In a bowl, mix remaining ingredients: sprinkle over fruit & bake for 1 hour or till golden. Serve with Vanilla Ice-Cream.

This recipe goes great with your turkey or even in a sandwich.

Quick Cranberry Relish

1 small apple, peeled & cored

1 small navel orange , unpeeled

2 cups frozen or fresh cranberries

6 tblsp liquid honey

1 tsp orange zest

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cinnamon

cut the apple and orange into chunks and chop in food processor with cranberries till chunky looking.

pulse in the Honey, orange zest, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Use right away or store in a plastic container in the fridge, up to 3 days.

I hope you enjoy these recipes ,  Happy Thanksgiving.

Oh, my goodness it’s been a while, well I had a really great summer      

We did a lot of camping & fishing. I tended to my garden & greenhouse and we drove down to Regina, Saskatchewan for my brother’s Dean’s wedding. We spent some time out at my in-laws fish camp and now we`re getting in gear for our fall harvest and getting ready for winter. We drove up the mountain a few times hunting and having cooking-outs and picking Cranberries &  Blueberries.   I made 4 different kinds of  jam and also canned some  fruit.                                                                                                                                                                            

( I’m really not looking forward to winter, well…. not just yet anyways). 

Picking berries up  on the Mountain.

Ahhh….Well, as I stumbled out of bed at 10 to 8 this morning dragging my butt to the coffee pot. To my surprise there was at least another 1 1/2 inches  of snow on the ground to add to the 2 inches that was already there. Ha, ha, ha  Okay….. it’s September, 27 th  I should be waking to yellow- brownish leaves and crisp cool air.  “But not snow!  Not yet! ” So I reached for the bottle of Vitamin D.  Hey,   I think I’m gonna need  it   today.          It’s gonna be a quilting kind of day

Yup, I think I need a Green Tea Latté.

 It’s April 11 / 2010, and I’m well into the New Year with lots of high expectations for myself. I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want out of life and which direction I want my life to go in. (In big bold letters) I want to let go of my PAST and focus on my future; what ever it may be. Now that spring is here and summer is soon approaching my house, yard, garden and sanity needs to be worked on

I’ve made a little pact with myself, to stop pleasing others and think about me…..Mmmm that’s a tough one. I’ve never really done anything for me, in my whole life! Yeah, I know that’s sad!!! Okay, I’m 33 and I am now taking control of “MY” life  ”feels good to say that”. There are so many things I want to try (and do) in life; I guess I had better get started then hey!

Okay, I’ve decided to get back to the thing that I love; Cooking.  Where do I start? French or Italian, Swiss or German there’s so much to choose from, I get so excited to try new creations and let people taste my finished work. Mmmm; Lobster Bisque or Seafood Bake with Fresh Seaweed Ahh….Stuffed Artichokes with Clarified Butter. Okay that’s enough, I’m getting carried away. There’s so much to try!

I’ll keep you posted, and show pics of some of my recipes.

Well Spring came, Summer flew by and now  Fall is in full swing.

I’m still trying to get over how fast time flies.

Don’t you just love when the sun shines in. It gives you comfort and warmth, it instantly makes you happy. The sun is in full bloom today over this little town of Faro making a dreary day bright. What a great day for a drive.  Even though I’m stuck in this town (which has “No” Gas Station, “Thus more of a reason to feel Trapped” ), I guess you could say Life is good.  I just keep telling myself 4-5 months to go and I’m outta here, Yes it feels like an eternity but, Spring is just around the corner  and 40 more days to go and it’s Alberta Bound Woo Hoo !!!     :)   “Time please go by Fast”!!!

This Quilt I made for our Granddaughter Josi, something for her nap with. The stippling on this quilt took the longest, It was fun making it.

I would be a box of Chocolates in the tropics  ”Melting”   :)