A few good things

And here we are at the end of June.

I was weeding in the backyard one morning and saw this canary orange finch at the other end of the yard. It was a lovely day and this finch going about his business in the quiet of the morning added to the magic.

Later on, I started  baking this no knead 100% whole wheat bread, courtesy of a youtube video by retired English cook John Kirkwood.  Every time the dough doubled in size, 3 rises in fact, it brought me such delight and a feeling of success! Then the dough baked up perfectly. Whole Wheat is a lot healthier than white bread.

 It wasn't a perfect day, but a few good things did happen!

Covid Times

Son K needed a prescription refill.  The pharmacy is happy to fax refill requests into the doctor's office.  This time the doctor asked if K could book a phone call appointment.  It was a lot easier than going in to see the doctor.  She told him she would email a requisition for some routine blood work that he could get done within a month.  The refill would be sent along to the pharmacy.  We are adapting to Covid times.

Wary

Daughter L baked us a lovely cake for my birthday and for Father's Day on the 21st of June.  She is so thoughtful.

The following Tuesday, my hairdresser called to say he would be opening up the next day so I could now set up an appointment.  I thanked him and said I would call.  However I am not ready to go back too soon.  Hopefully, his business can get started  up again, despite wary customers like me. 

A celebration nonetheless

A friend's daughter is emailing all her mom's friends in confidence, collecting tributes to share on the lady's upcoming 60th birthday.  A large celebration party is not possible at this time.  I had met this friend some 40 years ago when I met her sister.  It was a pleasure digging up some short memories to put in my email.  Her daughter thanked me for my note and promised an update on how it all went.

Paint Party Friday - Red Eyed Tree Frog

Welcome to Paint Party Friday! I did this red eyed tree frog for a pattern challenge on Instagram that @alexandrasillos was running. I am sharing it here on the blog today.

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Heat Wave

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date! Her theme is 'Heat Wave'. I did an ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") of a sweaty face. It is what heat waves make me think of, that horrible sticky, sweaty feeling that makes winter time seem so far away and unbelievably appealing.

Finally a visit

peeking through

I had a call from my uncle's partner recently.  My uncle lives in a long term care home and suffers from Alzheimer's.  It seems she was finally able to visit him after about 3 months (since the covid lockdown started).  She was required to make an appointment for the 45 minute visit through plexiglass and all masked up.  It was difficult she said, not being able to even hold his hand or touch him.  We spoke about the horrible problems in the long term care homes that have been highlighted during the covid outbreak.  They simply have to do something about the conditions there.  Meanwhile we all hope we die before we have to go live in one.

Coffee Pods

free duster

I received this free duster sample in the mail, I have used these before so it will be handy although I do hate dusting.

www.pavincaffe.com

And we got this box of single use coffee pods. A hardwood flooring renovator doing some repair work for us gave it to us to try. It is his side business and the coffee is very good. Since I don't have a single serve coffee maker I cut the pods open and put the ground coffee into my regular coffee maker. That worked fine.

A different world

broccoli and ground beef stir fry

I saw on the news that cooking is therapeutic and that following recipes is also beneficial in that it helps you focus and learn.  I am Sharing my broccoli, celery and ground beef stir fry with you today.

Last week I had to go to the bank, I had not been inside in many months.  A security guard opened the door for me.  There were social distance markers everywhere and plexi glass screens around the tellers who wore masks,  very similar to the grocery stores.  One of the tellers said hello to me, recognizing me beneath my mask. We exchanged pleasantries.  I was actually at another teller's station. 

We walked by a coffee shop.  The tables inside had chairs turned on top of them and the outside patio furniture was not in service either.    There were several curbside pickup spots set up outside.  It was a different world out there.  I really have just been going to the grocery store the past few months.

At least the weather was fantastic.

No Knead Artisan Bread with Dutch Oven

Sharing some Artisan bread here with you today, my first boule (round loaf) baked in a dutch oven. It was chewy in the middle and very crisp on the outside. We were very happy with the outcome!

Oh and it's my birthday today, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year!

Lemon Spaghetti

I have to thank Denise for sharing Sina's recipe. It is so delicious I will be making it again.  It is also made with coconut milk, broth and spinach.

Paint Party Friday - Tornado Pattern

Welcome to Paint Party Friday. I did this Tornado Pattern for an Instagram challenge @alexandrasillos was running earlier this year. I thought I would share it here on the blog today.

Rain's Thursday Art Date - A Magical World

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date. Her theme is 'A Magical World'. I did an ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") based on a photo I took outside my living room one year. It was a pretty magical moment seeing this robin outside the window with blooms all over the tree outside. I felt like I was in a fairy tale world for a moment!

My Artisan Pizza

successful double rise

artisan pizza

I wanted to try using Active dry yeast, which is different from Instant Yeast. I found this recipe and video and it was a great success. In fact with this same dough, I will be able to try cinnamon rolls, white sandwich bread and dinner rolls!

All things 'horsie'

My little great niece turns 2 today. She lives in Arizona. They celebrated her birthday with this 'horsie' cake, she loves horses.  There was also a 'horsie' pinata.

June Flowers

I was weeding the yard the morning of June 4th and noticed the bachelor's button in bloom and the Iris just starting to bloom. Don't they look beautiful?  Woodpeckers, cardinals, yellow finches are all about and around too.

No Knead Artisan Bread

wonderful double rise

I found some instant yeast at the grocery store and set about making this bread that I saw on Natalia's blog. Natalia was inspired by Sally's Baking Addiction.  Coincidentally I had browsed this same recipe on my own the day before.  I noticed that Sally used instant yeast and decided to try her recipe directly. It is a fantastic beginner bread recipe, I may just stay at the beginner level as it is easy and absolutely delicious!

For your information, 'Active dry yeast and instant (or rapid-rise) yeast are the two most common yeasts available to us as home bakers. The two yeasts can be used interchangeably in recipes, but active dry yeast needs to be dissolved in water before using while instant yeast can be mixed right into the dough.' I got this information from this link.

Here are my notes based on Sally's recipe if you would like to try this easy no knead bread:

3 1/4 c flour

2 tsp instant yeast

2 tsp coarse salt

1 1/2 c cool water 70 F or even room temp, just not warm

corn meal for dusting the baking pan, optional

In a large bowl mix flour, instant yeast, coarse salt  with  a whisk

pour in cool water

mix together with a spatula, may need to add a couple more teaspoons of water until all the flour is blended in, the dough may be sticky

shape into a rough ball (I just used the spatula, never touched the dough too much)

cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise 2-3 hours until doubled

put in fridge overnight for 12 hrs to 3 days

add a dusting of flour and cornmeal to the baking sheet

(can line baking sheet with parchment paper beforehand to prevent sticking)

place dough on tray, cut dough in half, shape rolls (no need to turn them over in the dusting flour)

loosely cover, rest 45 mins

make 3 scores 1/2"deep across each roll (I used the edge of my spatula as it is so sticky)

pour boiling water into a bake pan and place on the  bottom rack of oven for a more crispy texture

bake in a preheated oven  425F 15 mins (in my oven)  until crust is golden brown (gently tap loaves if they sound hollow,  bread is done)

Eat warm!

NB Sally's recipe says 475F 20-25 mins

Woodpecker and the Papaya

A family friend who lives in Florida shared this photo of a woodpecker eating her papaya fruit from her tree. She is so mad at that, but I just think it is a wonderful photo.

Paint Party Friday - Leaf Pattern

Welcome to Paint Party Friday! This is a simple leaf pattern I did for a challenge on Instagram for @alexandrasillos. I am sharing it on the blog here today.

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Summer Plans

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date! The theme is 'Summer Plans'. I did an ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") to represent the weeding I plan to do all summer! I go out every day if possible and get a few weeds out, it is a routine and very therapeutic!

Lily of the Valley

The is the lily of the valley in blooming in my garden. It smells so nice although it spreads so easily all over.  They are invasive poisonous plants, something to bear in mind if you have children or pets around.  I have posted this link before on that.

New Lawnmower

Our 30 plus year old lawnmower is on its last legs. Over the years husband M changed out the spark plugs from time to time and the engine kept going. Rather than wait for it to die outright in the middle of a mowing, he got this new one, it looks flashy doesn't it?

Our grass has never looked better either but sooner or later the weeds will win.

Tim Hortons fun

Daughter L and her boyfriend were over for a barbecue. We decided to do an Uber eats delivery order from Tim Hortons for dessert. It was so good, we hadn't had Tim Hortons products since the pandemic started.

Barbecued chicken breasts

We barbecued some boneless skinless chicken breasts a week ago when we were having a heat wave. At 5 minutes per side, marinated with olive oil and seasonings, they were perfect.

Neighbours After All

This is a very well explained mask diagram.

Some non-essential stores have opened up recently and there have been very long lineups outside Ikea and Winners for example.  It is a good time to practice mask wearing.

It was hot and sunny yesterday 29C (or 84F).  I was outside weeding and bid my neighbour good morning.  He was going for a walk with his dog.  He remarked on how nice the weather was.  I told him the dog looked a lot bigger.  He agreed and said he is fully grown now. That is a very annoying little dog with a loud yappy bark, or perhaps he is just overly friendly.  Husband M doesn't like these neighbours as they don't often pick up their dogs' waste.  He has gone outside to reprimand them at least once.  I didn't see the harm in wishing the man a good morning however.  We are neighbours after all and it was such a nice morning!

Paint Party Friday - Fern Pattern

Welcome to Paint Party Friday! I had done this fern pattern ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") for a pattern challenge on Instagram for @alexandrasillos earlier in the year. I am sharing it here today on the blog.

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Your Dream

"Smile Often
Think Positively
Give Thanks
Laugh Loudly
Love Others
Dream Big"

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date! For her 'Your Dream' theme, I did some dreamy stars, an ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") for you. Then I chose a 'dream' themed quote from Pinterest to go with it.

My dream has always been that everyone have a safe roof over their heads, and enough food to eat, simple, yet not.

Cauliflower pizza

We tried this vegetarian cauliflower pizza when we included it in our Walmart delivery the other day. It was disappointing. I remember sampling one at Costco awhile back and it was really good. I must get that kind at some point, not sure what the difference was.

First time baking rolls using yeast

parker house rolls

It all started when I found some yeast in my cupboard that had expired in 2019. It was still good and I set about making these Parker House rolls. I had never made bread from yeast before so it was a thrill seeing the dough double in size.  The process smelled so good too and the rolls were quite good.  Admittedly  there is room for improvement and a need for fresh yeast, but...

yeast foamed up successfully in milk and sugar

dough after kneading and having doubled in size

rolls after 2nd rise

My June 2020 Calendar Page

Welcome to June! I am sharing my June calendar page with you today. Shakespeare's quote 'Summer's Lease hath all too short a date' seems the perfect quote to go with it.  It is also my birthday month.