AURORAS

On April 2nd and 3rd, Northern Lights spilled across the Canadian border into the United States. To the naked eye, the auroras were mostly pale-white, but exposures of 10 or more seconds with off-the-shelf digital cameras revealed spectacular color. - Pembine, Wisconsin

Anna Olson's Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe

Thank you Allen from Sweden for letting me know that you view the blog. ---- I have a couple of tubs of sour cream to use up and found this great recipe from Anna Olsen who is one of the best dessert makers out there.

Light or low-fat sour cream, while ideal for topping things, is not ideal in baking recipes. Use regular sour cream in all your baked goods.

Yield: 12
Ingredients- Cake
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sour cream
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

---Topping
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup walnut pieces
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

Directions To Assemble
Preheat oven to 350° F. Cream butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add vanilla and stir in sour cream. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients and stir into wet ingredients until just incorporated. In another bowl, combine all ingredients for topping. Scrape half of the coffee cake batter into a greased 8-inch square cake pan and level. Sprinkle half of the topping over cake and cover with remaining batter. Finish with topping and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
Serve warm or at room temperature. Yield: 1 8-inch square cake.

The Wedding Ring Finger

I was wondering - again today - about the interesting position of the Wedding Ring. I have heard that it is the only finger that has a vein that goes to our heart and thus is a symbol of love. Albeit - there is alot whom contest this. Different cultures do not do this. For example In a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, the groom places the ring on the bride's index finger, and not the ring finger; today the ring usually is moved to the ring finger after the ceremony and most Jewish grooms have adopted wearing a wedding ring. This tradition is because in Ancient Israel, at the time of the Talmud, the Jews believed the index finger was the most prominent of fingers. Ha - the one that points. Anyway, you can do your own googling of this tradition but today was just pondering it again!

Japan - Still in my Heart and Prayers

Love this pic of a Panda holding onto policemans leg in Japan. The title of the pic is Japanese panda afraid of tsunami - Also am posting youtube of piano solo called The Rainbow Connection from a muppet movie for Japan today. Please turn off music player at bottom of blog whose first song is also about rainbows.

Aurora Borealis

Please turn off music player to view at bottom of blog. Shot in and around Kirkenes and Pas National Park bordering Russia, at 70 degree north and 30 degrees east. Temperatures around -25 Celsius.

The Aurora from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo.

This is not what they predicted!!!

They said 5-10 cm but if this keeps up it will be more like 20 cm. And to think that just yesterday it was green everywhere. I got the leaves off the tulips on the weekend and raked elsewhere. Ah well, hope the tulips don't mind one last snowfall. Today is the first debris pick-up and it was weird watching them pick that up in the snow.

C'est Moi

Last week got together with friends at a local Pizza joint. The joke with me is that I am a city girl. On the way home a friend took this pic of me by the Green Acres Motel. Green Acres was a sitcom in the 60's and Zsa Zsa would always say, "DAHLING I LOVE YOU BUT GIVE ME PARK AVENUE". Today, a bunch of us girls are getting together for a dinner at a friends house. I have made Bashmati/Wild Rice with Quinoa and Mushrooms, Scallion and Snow Peas. I always look forward to the dinners and all the interesting food that people bring. Retirement is good! On another note - the snow is kaput and the tulips are starting to pop up. Now the work begins out front and back dethatching the grass and more raking eventually as the twirly-gigs come down in a few weeks. I love Spring.

Today March 19th

My last post was about Libya. Today, the French, British and the U.S.A. are bombing Libya.

GAS!

All the nations around Israel are fed up with their dictatorships. Egypt just won! Libya will be another story as DAFFY GADAFFI has threatened the world about blowing up oil. Today, in TDOT, the gas prices soared - We joined Costco and get a 7 cent discount but you have to line up. Yesterday, we went and the gasline was over 40 cars going all around to the Queensway with 4 stations. YIKES. Who knows - make sure your cars are filled up to the brim these days.

I do watch the news and am so sad to hear about the devastation that just hit CHRISTCHURCH - New Zealand. They had - had an earthquake in September 2010 that was small compared to this one. Tonight these people have tents set up in their city. We sure do live in interesting times.

Getting Ready For Spring

It may be winter in TDOT.............






















.......yet, I am getting ready to redo furniture covers for the deck. Here is a sample of a cover for an Adirondack which I thought was fabulous:







The first fabric below is for a cushion for the rocking chair on the deck. The next fabric is for the swing on the deck - The floral brown is for the seat and the striped is for a pillow.

Hurray, The Sun Is Finally Shining Over TDOT

Truly, we have had a very grey month. It does affect my mood. I hear that taking more vitamin D helps. Did you know that the 3rd Monday in January is called Blue Monday the most depressing day of the year. This year it is January 17th/11. I am choosing not to buy into it and do things that make me happy. A tip that a friend once told me is to be grateful. ......and take more Vitamin D - Joy to you all from TDOT!

January Screen Saver

I love opening up my little Mac and having this angelic screen saver to look at. Anyway, am sending requests for you all for angelic intervention for whatever your need may be!

Just a few pics to share

I have been busy around here putting all the Christmas stuff away but have a few pics to post:

This is the cake that I made for my neice for her birthday which is on Dec. 26th - She loved it! Truly this is the best cake recipe out their!





















Christmas eve - Nephew with the 3 kids and our son playing Hockey Poker with hockey cards.












Introducing Veronica Bhatia.

Canada vs. Russia Game

........was a complete disappointment. Get a new coach will ya- my mom has been saying that for the past 2 years!!!!!

WAHOOO

Canada just won the hockey game with U.S.A. - 4-1 - Now to play with the Ruskies!

Sweden won in a SHOOT OUT!

Hey Allen and Tanja - Happy New Years - you just won the New Years eve Canada/Sweden hockey game in a shoot out - Just listening to the Swedish National Anthem and celebrating at home with my hubby!

HAPPY NEW YEARS SWEDISH RELATIVES!

Beautiful - Rhema Marvanne

Please go to the bottom of the blog and turn off the music player by clicking on the two lines and then listen to this new lovely 7 year old singing. Her name is Rhema Marvanne. She lost her mom to ovarian cancer in 2008. The word Rhema means AN UTTERANCE and in biblical jargon means one that is SPOKEN BY GOD! This is so beautiful and hope you all enjoy it!

Cousins Christmas Get Together 2010

I made the Christmas apron with a picture of our grandparents on the bib.

Lunar Moon

Went onto my buds blog and found out about the Lunar Eclipse and when our son got home from a late birthday celebration he woke me and Jim up to come outside at 2:20 a.m. to see the stars out full and the eclipse - I had thought that their was cloud cover but when we went out it was amazing. We watched as the moon became a sliver and blood red! Awesome - Thanks son for getting us up to see this Solstice Phenomena! Fun!

Christmas Cookies

My friend up north makes the most beautiful Christmas Cookies. I wait to see the picture of them each year. Bravo CLR with this years exquisite baking plethora of delicious mouthwatering delights. Cheers!

9 Year Old Piano Solo

Scroll down to turn off the Player at the bottom on blog by clicking the arrow

2006 Budweiser Clydesdales Snowball Fight

I had not seen this before (2006). My neice has horses and one is a Clydesdale. I just sent this to her but she had seen it and rolled on the floor laughing of course when she first saw it but now she wants me to finally ride one of her horses - I am afraid of horses - Should be interesting when this takes place. Scroll down if you wish to turn off the music player at the bottom of the blog to hear the tune on this commercial

Swiss Chalet Gathering

Ok, I absolutely do not like pics of myself these days - I have a thyroid problem and hate pics of me - Yes, vain - Nevertheless, my friends had a great day having a Christmas lunch together and I got to wear my fabulous find from Kingsway Lampton United Church - for only 5 bucks in the Spring. I showed it to my Hungarian neighbour and she said that - that today would cost over a 100 dollars if not more - I went up to moms before getting together with my friends and she just loved it. This pic is for my bud from the Yukon. SZIA Carol.

ITS A DERAILMENT

We put the battery operated train around the Christmas tree this year and still keep having derailments. Here is a pic of Jim trying to fix it!

Christmas 2010 Update

Hope all who view here are well and resting and not crazy like alot of people out their shopping. I got all done this year mostly to help my 88 year old mom feel in the spirit of Christmas. We had got her a Poinsetta but it was not a good one and since I save my Christmas receipts took it back and got one 3 times as big. Took it up today and she was so pleased. We are done shopping and the rest of the Christmas presents are baking. I did a test run for Tourtielle - It turned out fab - Did a test run for the stocking Christmas cake - It too turned out fab. This week - I will get back down into the sewing room - looking forward to that. And the week before Christmas will cook! Looking forward to the pics of my buds christmas cookies from the Yukon - I always look forward to that! Anyway, will post this week as I finish my sewing creations.

When should the elderly stop driving

My mom got her license this year but has said this will be the last year of driving. It is a bit of a concern to our family as her short term memory is going. My Aunt sent this funny pic to me:

WERE BAAAAAAAK!

I did it - I got the homestead all set up for Christmas - LET THE SEWING BEGIN!

When you talk to me this is where I am sitting. I got the Santa chair cover at a garage sale for a few dollars and grumpy MAXINE keeps me company for when I need to KVETCH! I was so pleased at the Church of the Atonement in Alderwood to find the adorable ceramic Log Cabin that has a tea light inside as well for only 3 dollars. It makes you feel like you really are out in the wilderness. I pretend!!! LOL! Got the tree up yesterday and will still be making some popcorn cranberry garland and am baking some gingerbread men that I will decorate with Royal Icing to hang. The theme this year is A CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS. We bought the train around 15 years ago and only put it around the tree once - so this year I got it out and got 6 C batteries and VOILA - it worked - PTL. It goes forwards and backwards and toots. I got the childrens rocking chair for 5 dollars and brought out Linnea (the gardener) doll and Shlomo the cat to sit on it. Like I said - its a Childrens Christmas and still have a few more toys coming out. Got 4 of these vintage plastic placemats for the kitchen table for almost free. Went to the Islington United Church Fall Fair nearing the end and they told you to get a bag (which was quite large) and fill it up for only 2 dollars. Got this vintage stocking cake pan for 3 dollars at the Legion Christmas fair. Hopefully will make a cake for Christmas 2010 in this. Have to talk to the cakemaker Sharon when she gets back on Saturday about the best way to put the batter in and then make sure it comes out so as to decorate the Stocking Cake

THE BEST AND EASIEST GREEN TOMATOE PICKLE

I have alot of green tomatoes left so thought I would post this recipe:

Green tomato pickle - Chef: Sally Wise - Sally says this is "...the best and easiest pickle recipe she's ever come across".

You need:
Tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, spices and flavouring. Use a good quality curry powder for best results.

750 ml bottle vinegar (white gives the best presentation)
3kg (6lb) green tomatoes
1kg (2lb) onions
small handful of salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1kg (2lb) sugar
3 tablespoons curry powder
3 tablespoons mustard powder

Method:
Chop the onions and tomatoes, sprinkle with salt, mix well in a bowl, then leave to stand overnight.
Next day drain off the fluid. Add three quarters of the vinegar, bring to the boil and boil for 10 minutes. Add the sugar, bring back to the boil, stirring, then boil for one hour, stirring often.
Mix the remaining vinegar with the dry ingredients. Add to the pot and stir until well combined. Boil 5 minutes, then bottle and seal.

THIS WEEKS RECIPE

BEST HOT CRAB DIP!

Ingredients

2 cups crabmeat
1 cup sour cream
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup white Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup capers, drained
2 (8 ounce) cans artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried dill, or to taste
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning TM, or to taste
1 (8 ounce) round loaf sourdough bread

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x8 inch square baking pan.
In a large bowl, combine crabmeat, sour cream, cream cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, Monterey Jack cheese, Cheddar cheese, capers, artichoke hearts, garlic, black pepper and dill. Stir until well mixed. Spoon dip into prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and Old Bay Seasoning TM.
Bake in preheated oven until top is crusty, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Cut the top off the loaf of bread. Hollow out the loaf and cube the top and the removed pieces so that they may be used for dipping. Spoon hot dip into hollow bread loaf. Serve immediately with bread pieces for dipping.

Rosa's Newfies In Bollywood Party

Here are just a few pics. It was chilly so we hung out in the livingroom. Great people, great food, a wonderful time was had by all.

TERRY'S BIG PUMPKIN - 1,055.2 lbs.

YOU DID IT! WOW! Big hug and the heartiest of congradulations! Terry came in 20th. Pretty amazing achievement for a first timer at the Port Elgin Festival that attracts up to 60,000 people. This years winner came all the way from Quebec with the pumpkin weighing in at 1,618.2 pounds.


(Scroll down first to turn off the Music Player at the bottom of blog to listen to youtube below)

Fallmans New Surprise

Introducing our extended families new little one. ELIN from Sweden. We are so happy for the whole family. The first grandchild for Allen and Tanya! What a Christmas this will be for you all. What a beauty! ELIN has ears to HEAR! May God bless your family with this new little one! Enjoy Magnus and Ann-Sofie they grow up so fast!

I NEED SOME HAPPY AND THIS IS IT!

My buddy Dottie loves life. She loves her hubbie, her son, her dog, her cat and her chickens. She loves to canoe, she loves nature and she loves to garden and like me likes a deal and second hand stores. We have known each other since the 70's and have always connected. Dot would send me pics of her and her chickens which she calls her GIRLS. I was out one day at a 2nd hand store and found 3 metres of chicken fabric which only cost me 2 buckeroonees. I bought it and made Dot an oven mitt and a barbeque apron. I found a very funny joke which I put onto the front. Found out that some of the chickens glowed in the dark. Oh, the joke had a thing about wax lips. I have tried to download the joke front but it will not. The long and short of it is there are a bunch of chickens in a coop and one main chicken has a box of wax lips and tells the other chickens to put them on and act natural cause Farmer Brown is coming. I found the wax lips at a vintage candy store for Dot.