Wordless Wednesday: A Rare Moment

We had just strolled out of the car after a day of travel.

We were asked if we'd like to walk down the street to see a few new baby goats. Of course!

As we neared, we noticed that a Mama Goat had indeed just finished up delivering a new 'kid'.   It stumbled around, collecting itself in new surroundings. Grandma Roe and I decided to wait it out; after all, we knew that Mama Goat did not look done.

Sure enough, ten minutes later we saw the signs of more new life.

Life is always amazing.

Sunday In My City ~ Deep Fried Creme Egg

Take one Cadbury Creme Egg.

(Tip: Using a frozen Creme Egg may help egg not leak.)

Make batter recipe as follows:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup corn starch

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup milk

1/2 cup club soda / water

Put enough oil into a pot to cover the Creme Egg.

Place Creme Egg into the oil when hot.

Deep fry Creme Egg until batter is crispy!

Place on a paper towel to collect oil.  Let cool.

Caution: Deep fried Creme Egg will be very hot!!

ENJOY!

 

Be sure to visit the lovely host, Unknown Mami for more

'Sunday In My City' fun!

Life.

You know when everything you had on the schedule suddenly does not get done due to an act of God, and you are dealing with the aftermath the following week?

Yeah, THAT.

I really do plan on blogging again. 

The lack of blogging has also been exacerbated by a broken laptop screen, leaving me desk-top bound. 

I've realized, I just can't spit out any words in this spot.

This desk lacks inspiration.

Or, the loud children do...

#cravingaStarbuckswritingsession

That's where I was last week.  You'd think this picture would be inspiration alone...

Sunday In My City~ Moments of Beauty

When we first moved into this house, there were two owls that lived around here. But last year, for some reason, we did not see the owls at all. We missed watching them. Out back there is a perch and often in twilight, you would see them sitting together looking for mice.

Guess who made an appearance a few nights ago, sitting on their perch? The owl pictured was actually sitting on the kids playset, right near the house.

Just in time for Easter, my orchid blooms again!

For its 6th time!

This morning while hunting for eggs, this 'Moment of Beauty' happened... 

Unprompted sharing of eggs. 

Bliss.

Shiny gathered goods.

Happy Easter All!

Make sure you make it over to Unknown Mami's to see more Sundays In My City!

Garden Diaries 2012: It Begins...

I have embarked on yet another season of battling with Mother Nature.  Last year she demoralized my efforts handily, leaving me perturbed and lacking in excitement.   (Which is rare! I'm usually raring to go in February!)  Being a hobbyist gardener who grows only for my family's consumption, I've come to realize that I'd go completely insane if I was a farmer.  Besides weather wreaking havoc on the patch, there can be bugs to contend with, weird moulds and fungi, as well as pesky animals!  Gardening is certainly not a relaxing hobby.

Things that grow well in Alberta:

(Part of me believes this to be a trick statement...)

-Potatoes, Carrots, Onions, Garlic, Beets (*notice- things that grow underground...), Horseradish (oh yes, I had forgotten about THIS), Peas, Zucchini, Dill, Lettuce

While corn may be something that Alberta apparently grows well, it has eluded me every season I have tried growing it.  I will also not be trying my hand at cucumbers in the garden anymore either, as I can't seem to keep them alive.

So for those vegetables that do not always fare so well in the gardens of Alberta,

Meet the future tenants of my greenhouse:

Ms. Sweet, Ms. Roma, and Mr. Beefsteak...

While I am thankful to have a greenhouse to further test my luck at this gardening thing,  I seem to still be missing the finer science of too much heat/not enough heat and the right amount of ventilation.

I am obviously not a 'natural' gardener and Google may be my best friend, but no worries- I haven't given up just yet!

(I will succeed... one of these days!)

Wordless Wednesday ~ A Picture I Love

This picture makes me recall a really great celebration.

It also makes me laugh and laugh.

I laugh because of their like expressions.

I laugh because of their cracker crowns.

Siblings, with their Mum, on her 90th birthday.

(Incidently, Christmas Day)

A picture perfect moment.

Captured forever.

Alberta Beef in the Crock Pot

At the moment I have a freezer full of local, grassfed, organic Alberta beef (1/4 to be exact).  That means I've been hitting the Crock Pot a little hard these days.  This is one of my all-time favourite recipes geared towards the cheaper cuts.

Creamy Swiss Steak

~In a slow cooker.
~Makes 6 servings.


1 1/2lb , 3/4-inch thick round steak
2 Tbsp. flour
1 tsp salt ( I used an herbed garlic sea salt. )
1/4 tsp pepper
1 medium onion, sliced
10 oz can cream of mushroom soup
1 medium carrot, chopped  ( I used baby carrots.)
2 celery ribs, chopped


1. Cut steak into serving size pieces.
2. Combine flour, salt and pepper.  Dredge meat in flour.
3. Place sliced onions in bottom of slow cooker.  Add meat.
4. Spread cream of mushroom soup over meat.  Top with carrots and celery.
5. Cover and cook on Low 8-10hrs, or High 3-5hrs.


(I'd like to say there is someone to credit for this recipe, but there isn't.)


ENJOY!

Disneyland: The Characters

Doing Disneyland means stepping into a magical place both in spirit and location.  If you believe for one second that you won't find yourself hugging a life-sized character, you are seriously kidding yourself.  Disney magic just happens and you find yourself excited (for your kids) to spy cartoons come to life.  And, in some cases, you may also find yourself waiting in a line up for a pose just like waiting for a ride.  (Especially for princesses...those girls are not prancing around the grounds!) 

At first your kids may be afraid of the life-size cartoon in costume;  hence why you end up in the picture too.  But that does not last long.  Be sure to have your autograph books handy!!

Warning: I am going to post a lot of pictures!  Feel free to click on them if you'd like to see them bigger!

California Adventure Park:

Critter Country, Disneyland:

 Hall of Presidents:

And, the Princesses... to pose with the various Disney Princesses and get their autograph, you will have to line up in designated areas on the grounds.  While Rapuzel has a tower, all other princesses can be found at the Princess Fantasy Faire . (All located in Fantasyland.)  Three princesses to meet at a time, changing up throughout the day: 

Snow White

Cinderella

Aurora

Mulan

Belle

Pocahontas

Jasmine

Tiana

Ariel

Most character encounters weren't overly long waits, rest assured.  Our longest waits were for Rapunzel (25 mins), and the Princess Fantasy Faire (1hr 15mins).  Xman had napped in the stroller the day before, so he missed a few things we did during that time.  I took him off for some rides and adventure in ToonLand, while DaddyO (He calls rides 'Day Ruiners' ! Ha! ) waited with his own little Princess for the Faire.

(Psst...don't tell Beebo that we completely missed Tinkerbell and fairies!  I'm still not quite sure how we missed them, but what she doesn't know won't hurt her, right?)

Note: You may take photos with your own camera, or obtain a Disney PhotoPass and have a Disney provided photographer take a shot !  Usually the Disney Photographer will have photo cards on them and once you have a card, you can have any pictures taken around the grounds loaded onto the same card.  They are uploaded and available for purchase within 5 minutes.

Have fun meeting all your favourite characters on your trip to Disneyland!

It's not only for the kids! *wink*

*Peek Thru Our Window was provided with passes to Disneyland by Disney Parks Canada to fascilitate this post.  As always, the opinions expressed are our own.*