Cheesy corned beef hash.
A very loyal customer loves it so much that this is now a regular Sunday special and I hold some back for his Monday breakfast...
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
And the angels....
played and dusted my part of the world with icing sugar... it's beautiful!
The diner closed...Snow day...
Art didn't think much of the snow as he checked the boat.
But Powell lake was beautiful under a cover of snow.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Brrrr...it's cold
We are in a cold snap and lucky me I have a warm and toasty house but what about the chickens? Half of them still don't all have all their feathers so they must be cold...what to do?
Art figured it out...he hung the food warmer from the diner, we have never used it, and hung it from the ceiling in the chicken coop. They are nice and toasty under a red light.
Looks silly but it works like a charm.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
A miracle...
This is my granddaughter Mia, she is so cute, she is just finishing some yogurt.
This is what the doctor at Vancouver Children's Hospital pulled out of Mia's throat.
Now for the story.
About a month ago my daughter in law was quite certain that Mia swallowed her earring but sadly no one really believed her. We knew it was possible but likely improbable.
During the month Mia was very unhappy, could not sleep, could not eat solid food without gagging, coughing ... she just was not her usual self.
She went to the doctor, to the emergency, to x-ray, back to the doctor, on medications and still no change. Finally the last x-ray found the earring, in her throat, hanging close to her esophagus.
From Powell River, Mia was sent to Vancouver Children's hospital where she spent two very long days, most of the time without food, as she prepared for surgery.
There were two scenarios, the earring could be pulled out through her mouth, no cutting or, invasive surgery, cutting her throat, to get the earring out.
The miracle?
It came out easily through the mouth, left a little scratch in her throat, and that was it.
She is now home, ready to take her first steps, sleeping and happily eating yogurt and jello.
No solid food for a little awhile...doctor's orders.
My life...the way it used to be
I've been very uncomfortable for several years...hot flashes, I laugh, I cry, I hate, night sweats, yup...menopause.
I've decided that I will no longer suffer and have opted for medical relief.
It's not a decision that I made quickly, it's taken several years and in that time I've tried lots of things, sage tea for hot flashes, melatonin to help me sleep, natural fibre clothes to keep me cool, I seldom drink alcohol anymore. Nothing worked and to top it all off I felt bi-polar, up one minute, crashing the next, crying over the silliest things...
I consulted with my doctor, discussed the risks, and dicided that hormone replacement therapy is right for me. There is risk but my doctor and I will manage that risk.
I'm into my third week and I'm back to old self. I'm sleeping at night and I might actually go out and buy a coat this year to keep me warm through winter, I can hardly believe it.
So here's to me, the way I used to be.
I've decided that I will no longer suffer and have opted for medical relief.
It's not a decision that I made quickly, it's taken several years and in that time I've tried lots of things, sage tea for hot flashes, melatonin to help me sleep, natural fibre clothes to keep me cool, I seldom drink alcohol anymore. Nothing worked and to top it all off I felt bi-polar, up one minute, crashing the next, crying over the silliest things...
I consulted with my doctor, discussed the risks, and dicided that hormone replacement therapy is right for me. There is risk but my doctor and I will manage that risk.
I'm into my third week and I'm back to old self. I'm sleeping at night and I might actually go out and buy a coat this year to keep me warm through winter, I can hardly believe it.
So here's to me, the way I used to be.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Too soon....
My Christmas cactus is blooming....IT'S NOT CHRISTMAS YET....but these little blossoms make me so happy!
My good friend Niamh gave this to me many years ago.."it needs a new mommy"
Well Niamh, it's doing great and still hanging in there.
Thanks.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Sunset Park walk
Even though the weather is wet, gray and cold the dog must walk. If it wasn't for him I probably would sit, not likely in front of the TV, but sit none the less. Those sad eyes, that little whimper, the thumping tail whenever I peek at him from the corner of my eye...all scream out to me "LETS GO WALKING".
At this time of year, with the shorter days, I stick to walking in my neighbourhood, the Wellingdon beach trail and the sea walk, which are a drive away, will have to wait for Summer.
Lucky for me Sunset park is just a few blocks away. In the summer this beautiful park hosts many baseball games, family outings, school sports days, the annual soap box derby, kids playing on the swings and dog walkers. Today not one person or dog was taking advantage of the park, it was there just for me and my pal Seiko.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Diner...quote of the day
I have to set this up for you first. As you know Art and I own/operate Magpie's diner. I'm the cook and Art, my husband, runs the front of the house. Neither of us have ever done our current jobs in the past but I was a waitress for many years when I was younger...anyways....
Today was a busy, busy day but it's almost the end of the day and an adult son, his mom, and his little girl come in for lunch. This is their second time and they love our burgers, so two burgers are ordered and the little gal is having a simple grilled cheese sandwich, Art took the order.
I'm getting the food together and notice the grilled cheese has no bread preference, white or brown...so I ask Art " do you want white or brown on that grilled cheese?" Now you have to understand that out of 10 orders Art will ask about the bread type ONCE....we are fast approaching our one year in business, you would think he'd know to ask by now...
Anyway, the answer to the white or brown bread question? "Oh I don't care all that much, either one will do".
Now you know why my hair is almost all white....
Today was a busy, busy day but it's almost the end of the day and an adult son, his mom, and his little girl come in for lunch. This is their second time and they love our burgers, so two burgers are ordered and the little gal is having a simple grilled cheese sandwich, Art took the order.
I'm getting the food together and notice the grilled cheese has no bread preference, white or brown...so I ask Art " do you want white or brown on that grilled cheese?" Now you have to understand that out of 10 orders Art will ask about the bread type ONCE....we are fast approaching our one year in business, you would think he'd know to ask by now...
Anyway, the answer to the white or brown bread question? "Oh I don't care all that much, either one will do".
Now you know why my hair is almost all white....
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Giddy....
The dictionary defines "giddy" as silly and impulsive...well then... call me silly and impulsive.
Are there ever times, when quite unexpectedly, something, makes you giddy with happiness, makes you feel as though all is well in this world, gives you a sense of well being....for me it's often something simple, maybe something I see in nature, or around my house, it usually costs nothing and it only takes a minute of my time, to stop, to see it, to savour it, to live it...
Are there ever times, when quite unexpectedly, something, makes you giddy with happiness, makes you feel as though all is well in this world, gives you a sense of well being....for me it's often something simple, maybe something I see in nature, or around my house, it usually costs nothing and it only takes a minute of my time, to stop, to see it, to savour it, to live it...
rainbows
the fog lifting with a hint of blue sky behind it
fabric, yarn, and thread
a bird bathing in a puddle
a colorful sunset
big, big trees
soaring eagles
starting - finishing a project
an empty dishwasher
August skies - the blue is bluer than any other month, well in my eyes...
starting a new book, I can hardly stand the anticipation...
So many other things...
what makes you giddy?
Monday, November 1, 2010
Banana Muffins
It's been some time since my last post but with lots going on I'm finding it hard to spend time on the computer.
And to top it all off I've been down in the dumps for a little while. The diner has been quite slow and I was getting worried, where oh where are my customers?
A new bistro opened up a little while ago and together with the new Tim Horton's, Magpie's has suffered. So I've been thinking of extending my hours, opening for dinner once or twice a week...wondering all the while, really? More hours? How am I going to pull this off?
I've decided against all that, I'm just going to stick to my plan, my hours, my menu. I have seen some increase in my revenue over the last week and I'm confident the novelty of the new restaurants will wear off and things will go back to normal, well somewhat normal...
Business aside, what else is normal for me? Baking muffins! It's been storming here...a nice day or two followed by huge winds and sideways rain, perfect baking weather, try these next time the wind and rain picks up in your neck of the woods.
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins - slightly modified from the Joy of Baking website
1 cup chocolate chips
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp nutmeg
2 large eggs lightly beaten
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
3 ripe large bananas - approx 1 1/2 cup
1 tsp vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Butter or spray a muffin pan that bakes 6 jumbo muffins, however a regular 12 muffin pan will work.
In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and chocolate chips.
In a medium-sized bowl combine the mashed bananas, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. With a rubber spatula lightly fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, until just combined.
DO NOT OVER MIX, lumps are fine.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins. Bake about 30 to 35 for the large muffins or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, remove the muffins from the pan and cool for a few more minutes. With coffee, tea or a big glass of cold milk, this is a great "pick me up" .
And to top it all off I've been down in the dumps for a little while. The diner has been quite slow and I was getting worried, where oh where are my customers?
A new bistro opened up a little while ago and together with the new Tim Horton's, Magpie's has suffered. So I've been thinking of extending my hours, opening for dinner once or twice a week...wondering all the while, really? More hours? How am I going to pull this off?
I've decided against all that, I'm just going to stick to my plan, my hours, my menu. I have seen some increase in my revenue over the last week and I'm confident the novelty of the new restaurants will wear off and things will go back to normal, well somewhat normal...
Business aside, what else is normal for me? Baking muffins! It's been storming here...a nice day or two followed by huge winds and sideways rain, perfect baking weather, try these next time the wind and rain picks up in your neck of the woods.
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins - slightly modified from the Joy of Baking website
1 cup chocolate chips
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp nutmeg
2 large eggs lightly beaten
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
3 ripe large bananas - approx 1 1/2 cup
1 tsp vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Butter or spray a muffin pan that bakes 6 jumbo muffins, however a regular 12 muffin pan will work.
In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and chocolate chips.
In a medium-sized bowl combine the mashed bananas, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. With a rubber spatula lightly fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, until just combined.
DO NOT OVER MIX, lumps are fine.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins. Bake about 30 to 35 for the large muffins or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, remove the muffins from the pan and cool for a few more minutes. With coffee, tea or a big glass of cold milk, this is a great "pick me up" .
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