What I've been doing this week. Welllllll ...
I'm going to keep this short because I have to run out to buy 14 cinder blocks, several fire starters and some boob stickers. As one does.
The cinder blocks are for making a new and improved sap boiling system for my maple syrup, the fire starters are for my regular old fireplace and the boob stickers are because HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY SEE THIS AD AND NOT BUY THEM?
You'll notice that they kick away inflammation and smelly odour.
It was one of the many bizarre ads to show up in my Instagram feed last week. Sometimes I wonder what kind of impression I'm giving the cyber world of myself. Because based on the Instagram ads that are chosen for me I'm someone very desperately in need of a new mattress, apple orchard equipment and floor length Japanese inspired winter coats with flying pigs all over them.
This weekend I have a lot to do to get ready for maple syrup season and planting season which means I won't have time to cook. I shall sustain my energy by eating whatever I can sweep up from the kitchen floor.
Either that or I'll pull one of the pizzas I made last weekend out of my freezer.
Over the past week I attempted my very first arrangement using instruction from my new Floret "A Year in Flowers" book and equipment. I didn't have a huge selection of flowers to choose from at my local florists (especially because I wanted to keep it at least a little bit natural and seasonal looking) but I'm happy with it in general and can't even WAIT to do the same using my own grown flowers.
Speaking of which:
SOME NEW VARIETIES OF FLOWERS I'M HOPING TO GROW THIS YEAR.
- Lisianthus
- Love in a Puff
- Ranunculus
- Anemone
Happy Birthday! Oh. It's not your birthday? Well the this was a waste wasn't it. ⇓
My niece Estelle hit the double digits last week. Her present, a patchwork of various wrapping papers I had, was topped with a bow made out of PEEPS. They're just held together with toothpicks. If you have an Easter birthday coming up keep it in mind.
p.s. I gave her a Nutribullet. Because what 10 year old doesn't want their own personal blender?
My latest article for The Old Farmer's Almanac is on stands now. It's the 2020 Garden Guide. I wrote about table toppers for every season and I have to say the layout they did with my text and photos is BEAUTIFUL.
You can get it pretty much anywhere that has a good selection of magazines.
Do NOT under any circumstances underestimate the deliciousness of tofu. Yes. Years ago it was associated with anemic looking, dirty hippies who smelled of patchouli and mushrooms. It's reputation has come a long way since then. So have hippies.
I've made this crispy fried tofu twice in the past couple of weeks (fingers crossed there are still some crumbs on the kitchen floor) and I'm looking forward to having it again. It. Is. SO. Good. But not just good, It's fast. Which are a couple of attributes that every busy woman appreciates in every aspect of her life.
Stuff I'm Doing, Did & Want To Do.
The adventures of last week, this week, next week
This pesto pizza is one of the combinations I made in the pizza oven last week along with a pepperoni, basil, red onion & sauteed mushroom with balsamic pizza. Oh! And one with just pepperoni and basil. Oh yes, and one with pepperoni, cherry tomatoes and red onion.
To freeze them I took a couple of pieces of each different pizza and put them together to make one multi flavoured pie.
If you missed it the first time around this is my complete guide to making maple syrup in small batches. Even if you just have one tree! I will be expanding my operation this year to include 3 neighbours, so basically I'm just a few short weeks away from being a maple syrup tycoon.
THIS is the crispy tofu and sauce recipe I've been using. Gayle runs the website My Family Food Life. This particular recipe isn't on her site however, it's on her Instagram page so that's what I've linked to.
I know I'm supposed to adopt not shop, but this June will be 2 years since I had to have Cleo put to sleep. And all I've thought about since then is getting another Siamese. If you've never had a Siamese cat - they're like dogs. They play fetch, are vocal but in a fun way and have a fierce bond with their owners. She was nothing like any other cat I owned.
I was given Cleo as a tiny kitten when her new owners discovered they were allergic to her. All my pets have been adopted, found or given to me. But I might have to buy my next one.
I'll check adoption agencies for Siamese but if I can't find one I hate to say I might look into a reputable home breeder.
Even though Siamese are prone to renal disease. Even though it might just make me miss Cleo even more because I'm sure the new cat will be nothing like her. And even though I've never bought a pet before.
Vitamin B-12 shots are one of the many things I had to do near the end of Cleo's life to make her feel better. They were easy to do and not a lot of people realize you can do them so I thought now was a good time to share this post about how to do it.
Because they chickens are ALL laying again (spring MUST be just around the corner) I can pull out this egg holder again! In the winter when I'm only getting a few eggs a week from my 3 chickens I use a much smaller egg holder. Just a bowl sometimes. But now that they're regularly laying again I can bring out the serious egg holder I made last year.
Have a good remainder of your weekend! It's time for me to try and scrounge some cement blocks, wash some sap buckets and kick away inflammation and smelly odour.
Celia
I love all your photos. What's the name of the silver "pattern" of the one spoon in the pizza photo? I have the same ones and need more. Very hard to search for 'em without a name...
Good luck with your bosom supporters. They look very ...interesting.
marli
Hey!! I saw you were going out to buy (among other things) fire starters. I know this great blogger who makes her own fire starters!!! You should check these out, they really are super easy and they WORK!
https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/homemade-firestarters/
Insert a wink face emoji here. Also a heart. And maybe a flame.
PS: Please do a post on the boob stickers. :)
Karen
LOL! 🤣 Yep. Sometimes even *I* have to just go and buy things! ~ karen
marli
Haha, yeah I'm with ya there! I really need to make sunblock soon or I'll be buying it and paying WAY too much. *shudders*
Jen Magnus
I have an adopted chocolate Tonkinese boy. He is the naughtiest cat I have ever owned but also a total smooch. Incredibly drawn to whatever action is going on , very bossy and super affectionate. He's amazingly pleasant with little kids too. Changed my opinion on pedigree cats completely.
Karen
I spoke with a small Tonkinese breeder at a cat show last year because the cat was SO cute and obviously - um - devilish, lol? I wouldn't turn down an adopted Tonkinese. :) ~ karen!