Monday, October 31, 2011

Chocolate Gremlins... Boo!

Today I made some special little treats for The Captain that I am calling Chocolate Gremlins!

A mixture of dark chocolate chips and butterscotch chips, melted on the stove...



With some Fibre First cereal stirred in... and some jelly beans for 'eyes'...


They are delicious... and he is smart enough to only eat a couple a day as he knows what's in them!

Hope you are having a fun and safe and
Happy Hallowe'en!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

I Hope you Dance...

A couple of years ago we were wandering around the charming town of Port Angeles, WA while we waited to board The Coho ferry to take us home to Victoria.  There is a great little gift store near the ferry terminal that is just full of lovely and unusual things.... kitchenware, baby items, lingerie, cosmetics, clothing, toys, and food goodies.

The Captain spotted this lovely little bear and wouldn't leave without her... her name is Hope and she is a breast cancer survivor.  You can see that she is still wearing her pink turban.



When you pres the pink spot on her left paw, she opens her mouth and sings...  I Hope You Dance!  and she sounds eerily like Lee Ann Womack.

I wanted to introduce you to Hope today... October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as you all likely already know, but I wanted to remind you one more time... and if you haven't already done it - schedule that mammogram, Ladies!

If you want to sing along with Hope here are the lyrics to the first verse...

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance


p.s. that cute little Jack O'Lantern she is holding today is an orange, in a Jack O'Lantern costume that was given to me by my Weight Watchers leader on Friday.  Isn't that the cutest idea? 

Do you decorate for Hallowe'en or make special food?

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Hello Sweetie!

For the past several days, this cute little Sweet Dumpling squash has been sitting on the table in the salon... sorta getting in the way actually, cause it keeps getting moved from spot to spot, so today The Captain asked me if I was ever going to eat it or if I was just going to admire it... hmmm.


I finally decided to give in and eat it... washed and dried it, and then cut it in half and nuked it in the mike.  Then I let it cool and chopped up the innards and made a lovely salad with it for my dinner.


It was delicious!  Somewhat like an Acorn squash in color and texture, but defnitely has a hint of sweetness to it.  It would be awesome roasted in the oven!

Are you still loving winter squash and pumpkin or are you getting tired of it all?
Not me!  I am gonna love eating squashes till Spring comes along.


Friday, October 28, 2011

Versatile Blogger Award



Jenn bestowed this award on my blog 3 weeks ago and I am very pleased to have it... It means a lot to me that Jenn thought of me and I have been remiss in posting about it. 

I was a bit under the weather at the time, resting up and trying to shake the sniffles before my eye surgery last week... now that those things are behind me and I am looking forward, I would like to take the time and properly acknowledge Jenn and thank her for her kindness.  Please know I didn't mean to ignore you!

Jenns' Adventures is a lively, beautifully designed blog that encompasses so many different subjects it is impossible to pin down.  If you haven't met Jenn yet, do go and visit, and please tell her I sent you.

Jenn is very friendly, very funny and I know you will find her very charming and engaging. She lives in paradise, and is lively and energetic... and interested in everything under the (Hawaiian) sun!

So here is how the Versatile Blogger Award works:

 
1.  Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to that post.

2.  Tell seven things about myself. 

3.  Pass the award to 15 other newly discovered blogs.

Jenn, I do thank you ... and I have been following your blog and your story since I first came across it.  I enjoy our bloggy friendship enormously.

I have been having trouble coming up with seven things I may not have already mentioned, that are worthy of revealing.

  • I am a Gemini.  My birthday is May 24th and that is Victoria Day in Canada.  When I was a child, I used to tell strangers my name was Vicky.  I am Gemini fickle, have too many irons in the fire and love to communicate. 

  • I was a little brainiac in school.  I got through grades 1, 2, and 3 in 2 years.  That became a distinct disadvantage in high school when I was 16 in grade 12 and some of my clasesmates were as old as 19.  Hmmm.

  • I have an older sister and a younger brother.  Both have spouses and kids I adore.  My sister and her husband live in Calgary, where we grew up, while my brother and his wife have become U.S. citizens and live near Redlands, CA.

  • I like most music except country... which is odd for a gal who grew up in the Stampede city!  I do love Willie Nelson though. 
  • I was a Daddy's girl.  Followed him around like a little shadow whenever and wherever I could, and wouldn't ever listen to a criticism or complaint about him from anyone.  I carry his memory in my heart and he still inspires me every day.

  • I do love to cook.  And eat.  And grocery shop.  I am a foodie.  I have a food and recipe blog called We can begin to feed...   I love the little galley kitchen in our sailboat (see the tab header for description and pics) and  love to have visitors gather round.
  • I am a crafter... aside from the jewellery, I love to do cross-stitch, sewing, knitting crocheting, quilting and paper crafts.  Someday I want to try that willow furniture making, too.


I know I am supposed to choose 15 blogs to bestow this award upon, but I am breaking that rule... it is just too hard to select one blog over another, for me, and so I invite all of my followers to consider their blogs 'chosen' and participate in the fun!




Thursday, October 27, 2011

Time to Put Away the Candy!

Since my activity level is restricted at the  moment... no impact and no lifting or bending over, I am starting to get a little concerned about gaining a few pounds - oh really?  After all the Reese's peanut butter cups and mini Almond Joy bars I have eaten over the past couple of weeks, I am NOW getting concerned?




It is time to put away the treats for a while... yes, I know it is almost Hallow'en, but we don't get trick or treaters here at the marina, so not a problem to avoid the locker where the candy lives for a while.

Today I am going to get in a  nice walk, and do some freggie shopping.  I am looking forward to munching fresh fruit instead of chocolate.  Really.

What is your favorite comfort food?
I think mine is chocolate in any form.... nuts are a close second.

Do you every crave healthy foods?  Like what?
I don't really get cravings at all.  But I would never turn down a bowlful of crunchy veggies.