New vigor for being Vegetarian

Sunday did it, I have more enthusiasm for being a veggie than ever! A few people claimed I wouldn't stick to it or "you need meat" Nope nope you don't! Before you read further please know this is MY blog, MY diary, MY opinion, MY point of view. This entry is not meant to offend or sound preachy in any way. It is simply how I look at things and what is right for, yup... ME.

My visit to farmer John's farm was delightful! Cute little lambs their fleece as white as snow...well dirty poopy snow. They are animals afterall, of course they are poopy! I love them all the same. Some think me weepy, some may agree but I cannot even think of putting one on my plate! What the hell would mary think!!!

The small time we spent on the windy, Masson Meadow farm we were surrounded by bleating, hopping, ba-aa-ing little lambs and protective mother sheep. Two lamas, and I can't forget Lily the sheep dog (more of a friendly people dog though)
One lamb was just born the morning of or day before our visit!!! Say it with me...aaawwww.
I am not vegan and have only been vegetarian for nearly a year, and am amazed at how easy it is and why I didn't do this years ago. I was NEVER a big meat eater and now that I have cut it out all together it seems the perfect fit! A vegan lifestyle is something I greatly respect, but do not feel ready for at this point in my life. All the man made "replacements" scare me a little bit too much. My only wish is that all the little animals can have a happy frolicky life while we take their eggs/milk/wool and such. I'd be happy to give them something of mine they might like...shelter/grain/attention and love. On that note here is a vegetarian recipe for you to try :)
That's just me

Broccoli Soup

1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
2 onions, chopped
2 potatoes (12 oz/375 g), peeled and coarsely chopped
2 cups (500 mL) vegetablestock
1 tsp (5 mL) each salt and pepper
3 cups (750 mL) frozen broccoli pieces
1 can (385 mL) evaporated skim milk
2 tbsp (25 mL) chopped fresh chives or green onions

Preparation:

In large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; cook onions and potatoes, stirring often, until onions are softened, about 10 minutes. Add stock, salt and pepper; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium; cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Add broccoli pieces; cover and cook for 5 minutes.

In food processor or blender, pur?soup until smooth. Return to pan; stir in evaporated milk and heat through. Serve sprinkled with chives.

Rainy Sunday

Hello bloggers and blog readers
Back from a lovely brunch with some friends and feeling very full! Probably should be going for a walk instead of sitting here on the computer...I'll save the walking for this afternoon. I'm off to
see some little lambs and to wander around a small flee market this afternoon. A friend of mine grew up on a farm and has lovely leaping lambs right now. I'm really excited to go see the little guys. Super adorable!!!

I am also really excited as I have booked 4 spots at the Peterborough Festival of Lights as a vendor! I will be booked in for June 20 David Cassidy, July 11 U2 Elevation, July 18th 54-40 and August 12th Hotel California. It draws a really big crowd and will be the biggest venue I have been a vendor for! There is a lot of nervous excitement in my belly and am sure it will get worse as the dates get closer. I am gonna have to go CRAFT CRAZY to build up enough inventory! Definitely need to make a lot more silver pieces!!

Ever since I made my 1st Etsy treasury I have been totally hooked on curating these wonderful pages for everyone to look at. There is something wonderful about promoting items that totally deserve it!

I LOVE ETSY!!!

Tangerine Pearls

It's been a busy week!
Bank appointments, (mortgage inquiries, oh how badly I want to stop renting!) An afternoon wedding in Petawawa yesterday (nearly 4 hour drive) and crafting. Hmm I thought there was more, oh ya... a whopper of a migraine headache on Wednesday also. Today I feel pooped! Mom was busy with her dollhouse this week too! Here are some updated shots. What is it about seeing someone get married that is worth driving nearly 8 hours in one day? I simply love to watch 2 people in love vow to love and honor one another for the rest of their lives. Call me a romantic but that's just me.

post birthday blog

Monday was spent in bustling Toronto where I visited Lacy Co for the very first time. A pleasant little downstairs shop that carries a world of jewellery making tools. *Sigh* oh to have buckets of cash. Such is not the case for me so I settled for a few items that were pretty high on my wish list. Ring pliers, a ring display case and letter/number punches. The latter has a funny story! Instead of one letter I and one number 1... I received in my lovely little wooden case of punches, two number ones. so CHIVES looks like CH1VES. I am able to laugh about this as they were delightful upon my phone call asking for a replacement. One is currently in a bubble mailer on the way to me. No wait I is on the way...not one :) Confused yet?
After Lacy it was on to the Little Doll House Company. An adorable place for kids at heart!!!! I could spend hours at a time in there. Everything is so cute and teeny tiny small. I have always had a thing for anything tiny. Even miniature coffee and cheeze whiz jars for petes sake! Mom bought a gorgeous doll house which there will be many posts to come about I'm sure. It is a kit that you put together yourself and decorate once complete. The pictures here are actually of the finished in store model.
Can you imagine a 51 year old woman who has ALWAYS wanted a dollhouse, now finally let her daughter talk her into it! I am really quite proud of her. That may sound like a silly thing to be proud of, however when you have been taught that anything that is not absolute necessity is frivilous that is a hard thing to shake. I say live for the moment, there is only one today! If you want something for long enough and that urge has not gone away...give in to your guilty pleasure! If a hobby makes you happy and gives you hours of enjoyment, it IS a necessity!

Birthday Weekend Begins........now

Friends came over for a Mexican Feast last night. That is all I wanted to do for my Birthday this year. The older I get the more I just want to get together with friends to cook, chat, eat and and be merry! I found out there is no baby yet :( so there was a little wine involved as well. Tacos, veggie quesedillas, vegetarian chili, guacamole and chocolate cake. (not very Mexican but delish none the less!)
Our friends Boston Terrier is the most energetic puppy EVER! And loves carrots...weird huh!!?? It was a really nice evening ending with all of us in comfy pants, curled up with a movie! I think we all needed elastic waistbands due to the large feast :)

I do not have to go to the day job for 4 whole days, it is freaking fantastic. I am hoping to get in a little crafting and shopping today, and Monday it's off to Toronto to buy metal letter punches!!! It will be my first trip ever to Lacy Co. very excited about this little day trip with mom and dad.
For right now I am content sipping coffee and doing the online diary thing. Hubby is beside me playing a wrestling video game.
It looks like a beautiful day outside; I'm going to make time to go for a walk today! I May need some rubber boots to slop around in the muddy woods.
Also on the agenda... a dinner with hubby's side of the family today, then tomorrow dinner with my parents. Easter weekend is always busy with birthdays (mine and mom's) and well....Easter.
Neither my thought process nor my writing skills are very fluid this morning. I seem to be just spewing thoughts at random. Maybe now I'll tell you about my amazing new kettle. It's red, shiny, whistly, and did I mention it's red! It was a gift from one of my best friends (and roomie) I'll share it with you, just 'cause I'm so happy with it. I've wanted one FOREVER!
He also gave me a moisture meter which helped me discover why I can't seem to keep any plants alive, and have really sad looking herbs. Hearty or not, if I have it for a month...I'm extremely lucky! The only plant haven't killed is my spider. I have my happy lil bee in that one, maybe that has something to do with it... hmmmm maybe I'll make some more lil lucky bees.

March Showers????

Hello again
it's the weekend and here I am finally updating my blog again! It was a really nice weekend, beautiful weather yesterday. Today is rainy but that makes it PERFECT for shopping or crafting, or both. Which is exactly what I did. Helped friends paint a bedroom and rake the leaves at their new house. (So happy for them!) Then went shopping for a brand new swanky outfit for a Spring wedding that I am very much looking forward to! Always have good luck at Suzy Shier. I admit I love Le Chateau but I always leave there feeling broke and chunky. There clothes are for little people and I am not so little, not so big either but I am not meant for skinny girl clothes. I am o.k. with that...I may sound bitter, but that is not the tone I am trying to convey here :D
I also finished 2 identical rings today. Delightfully simple, sterling silver, concave rings!! One was to fill and order the other to list on Etsy.
Happy Spring everyone. I didn't do any cooking today, sorry for the lack of recipe...next week, I promise!

crafting and cooking Sunday

I really like to update my blog on the weekends! It is refreshing for me to craft my little heart out then, post, post, post.
Today in about 2 hours time I completed my very first spinner ring. I used copper and a
sterling silver spin ring. I can say I'm really pleased with the results for a 1st try! I don't plan on listing this one though. Its too much fun to keep the practice model and sell the perfected pieces :)

Now I'm off to make an amazing vegetarian potato leek soup! mmmm simmer, simmer, bubble, bubble... here, enjoy the recipe and take care of some lunches for the week.


6 cups veggie stock
6 leeks (whites only)
1/2 cup onion
4 potatoes diced
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup light cream (or whole milk)
chives or parsley to garnish

Combine the 1st 6 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 30 min. Run through blender. Return to pot. Stir in cream and heat through. Garnish with greens! Makes about 8 cups