I had seen this photograph years ago when I was working for the Ministry of Natural Resources (surprise, surprise!) and I came across it again the other day while surfing the web. I thought it was worth posting because it is so neat! It really needs no further comment or explanation…isn’t body language amazing!?!
Monthly Archive for January, 2006Page 2 of 3
I saw one of the ads on my site was for a company called Artbeads, so I checked out their site…pretty cool!!! 
They have a great resource section with “How-To’s” and images to go along with the instructions! There are also ideas galore, in case you’re in need of inspiration. This is great if you’re a visual person like I am and need an actual demonstration or at least a picture! Check them out!
I have been making lasagna for years. As a teenager, I went through several years in which I was a strict vegetarian, and I created many versions of lasagna with different combinations of veggies in various sauces. Now that I have added poultry into my diet, I have incorporated chicken into my lasagna recipe.
I call my recipe “Lazy Lasagna” because I use Penne noodles, which are in my opinion, much easier and quicker to work with than traditional lasagna noodles, and taste just as good. I do make it in the traditional way as well, but this recipe calls for penne.
A note also to those with kids, my fussy little 14-month-old eats this happily, so it is a kid-friendly recipe!
Cat’s Lazy Chicken Lasagna
1 Package Ground Chicken, Cooked
1 Large Onion, Chopped
4 Cloves Garlic, Minced
2 Stalks Celery, Thinly Sliced
1 Red Pepper, Chopped
1 Green Pepper, Chopped
1 Small Zucchini, Chopped
10-15 Medium Button Mushrooms, Thinly sliced
1 TBSP. Italian Spices (Rosemary, Thyme, Basil, Oregano…etc.)
1 Bottle Tomato Pasta Sauce
1 Container Cottage Cheese (Regular or Reduced Fat)
1 Cup Parmesan Cheese
2 Eggs
1 Cup Shredded Mozarella Cheese
Salt and Pepper
2 Cups Dry Penne Noodles, Cooked
Fry Ground Chicken until well cooked and crumbled. Add in chopped vegetables and allow to cook slightly. Add spices, and Pasta Sauce and heat. Set aside. In a separate bowl, mix Cheeses, eggs, and add a dash of salt and pepper. Set aside. Cook Penne noodles, until cooked but very firm (they will soften during baking) Drain and rinse. In a large rectangular baking pan, begin with a layer of the meat mixture, layer cheese mixture next, then penne noodles, alternating each of the 3 mixtures. Top with Shredded Mozarella cheese. Cover with tin foil, and Bake in 350 oven for about 1.5 hours.
It had been a long time since I had last visited the village of Elora, Ontario, but today was such a beautiful day with sunshine and moderate temperatures, that my husband and I decided to take a drive up and get some fresh air. I also had an alterior motive…I had heard of “Gecko Beads,” a small but excellent bead shop in the heart of the village, and I was in need (or at least in want) of some new beading supplies…After perusing the hundreds of brightly coloured choices of stone, glass and metal, I made my selection and left the shop with my small bag of beads.
Seeing as one of the main intentions for this blog was to offer craft project ideas, I am thinking I had better put some of the supplies I have purchased to good use, and make something, fast! In the meantime, I am trying to find inspiration (and time!) to create some beautiful jewelry. With summer fast approaching (don’t make me laugh) I would like to add a few pieces to my collection.
I saw the most stunning multi-strand necklace at the Bead shop “Beadazzled” here in Guelph yesterday. I inquired about the price of the masterpiece, and was told it was for sale for a modest (ahem!) $200! Imagine that, some thread, a few shiny baubles, and $200 later, it could have been mine…I think I’ll see what I can create instead!
My Mother, Sheila Balls, makes wonderful homemade soups. This original recipe for creamy squash soup has been her latest soup success, and she has offered to share it!
In case you’re wondering where “Moo Alley” comes from, my parents home is directly adjacent to a farmers field, and their property provides a passage way for the cattle down to the lake where they get their daily water.
Moo-Alley Cream of Squash Soup
1 Small Butternut Squash, cooked
2 Cans Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Can Chicken Broth
1 Can Milk
1 TBSP. Garlic Powder
1 tsp. Dried Dill
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1 Cup Slivered Almonds (toasted under broiler)
Add the cooked squash to the 2 cans of soup, plus 1 can of milk and 1 can of broth. Puree with hand blender. Heat and add spices. Simmer on low for a few minutes. Just prior to serving, add sour cream, and stir. Spoon into bowls, and add slivered almonds to each serving. Serve with crusty Farmer’s Bread.
I have a new cat (well, my Blog does!) Thanks very much to my awesome husband who designed the new cat graphic for me…she’s purrrrrrrfect! 
Last evening, we shared a meal and a few hours of comradery with our neighbours, and their children. It was a delightful evening of food and conversation. The hours passed as we discussed work, the neighbourhood, blogging, kids and life in general. I wanted to post a link to my neighbour Katherine Siebert’s beautiful new blog for women, about the arts community, personal anecdotes, as well as beautiful photographic images.
The community of Guelph Ontario is rich in artistic talent, ranging from photographers, to sculpters, painters, potters, and graphic artists. This vibrant arts community is full of activity with its renown festivals and events promoting local talent. In the summer, rarely is there a weekend that passes without a great event happening in town! One of my favorites, is the annual Studio Tour.
Okay, so it’s January and I am dreaming of working in my garden…only 3 more months of snow, and hopefully I can stop dreaming and start digging!
While I am not an overly experienced gardener, I really enjoy getting my hands into the soil, chosing my plants in the spring, and watching as these small plants turn into large beautiful bushes of coloured foliage and flowers. My Mother-in-Law has the greenest thumb going, and I am trying to learn from her expertise. My garden is still small, and early in it’s stages of maturity, but it’s pretty, and here’s why:
10. Move plants around from season to season in order to improve your garden’s appearance and growing conditions. Sometimes, it takes seeing all of the plants at their prime bloom times in order to be able to plan the best arrangement, so don’t be afraid to move plants around, divide perennials and experiment with unique and interesting colour combinations.
9. Borrow ideas for your garden plan from the inspiration you get from beautiful gardens in books, magazines, neighbours gardens…etc. Afterall, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery!
8. Try to choose flowers that bloom throughout the season, so that there is a splash of colour somewhere in your garden from early spring, through until late fall.
7. Planting some trees and shrubs in the garden not only adds to the look of the garden, it also provides shaded areas for plants that like a bit less sun. Greenery also stays that way all winter, and provides food and shelter for small animals and birds.
6. Plant according to the conditions favoured by particular plants. In other words, do not plant sun-loving plants in full shade and vice-versa. Remember that your plants will thrive in the conditions they are intended to be grown in.
5. Always purchase quality plants. Beware of plants that have heavily chewed leaves, brown spots, and or look sparse and unhealthy. Established greenhouses and garden centres are always a best bet.
4. Make sure to control weeds, so that the plants you actually want in your garden have a chance to grow. Failure to weed causes the plants undue stress, in competing with the weeds for water, nutrients and light.
3. Be sure to include an interesting variety of plants, shapes, sizes and colours in order to make your garden aesthetically pleasing. Theme gardens, of specific colour combinations can also be beautiful. Equally gorgeous are gardens that look tidy and planned, not just thrown together haphazardly.
2. Make sure to water your plants properly. Water only when necessary, and when you do, be sure to give your plants a generous soaking, as frequent and shallow waterings will only promote poor root structure. Time your watering sessions in the early morning or early evenings. Watering during the heat of the day will cause too much water loss from evaporation.
1. Mulch, mulch, mulch! This point cannot be made strongly enough! There are so many reasons why it is a must in every garden. First, it helps to control weeds by blocking the light that they need to grow and take over. Second, it makes the soil rich in organic matter as it decomposes. Third, it helps the soil to retain needed moisture, and four, it just looks so darn nice!
Last summer, my neighbours son was admiring my garden, and I asked him what it was he liked so much about it. I wondered which flower he would point to, and instead he said “I like the way that fancy brown stuff makes it all so pretty” He was talking about the newly spread mulch!!! So there you have it, words of wisdom from a five-year-old. Happy gardening!
