Monday, October 31, 2011

HAPPY HALLOWEEN ... and Day 4...

I LOVE Halloween! It is so fun for me, I love costumes and dressing up and it just feels festive and crisp ... not to mention the smells! Halloween smells like pumpkins and crisp leaves and candy. Oh the sweet, sweet joys of the season! Plus it was Halloween when my husband and I first kissed, so that adds a little more magic to the season as well!
We went to a fun Halloween party on Saturday night and there were so many fantastic costumes, I love it when people put effort into dressing up for Halloween. I wish I would have been more diligent in my photo documentation of the evening. I didn't even get a proper picture of my wings - I'll have to remember to do that when I dress up to hand out candy this evening! I did get some pictures though and decided to whip up a little digital scrapbooking page to display our lovely fun filled evening.
as you can see I was a Parrot and my hubby was a Pirate.

I hope you all have had wonderful Halloween fun so far!

Now onto Day 4: A favourite Quote. If you click on the little button below it will take you to where I explain these 30 days.


I read this quote in a book in my teenage years and it's always stuck with me.  I have seen a few different variations of this quote fly around but this was the way I originally read it.

"When you reach the end of everything you know, and the next step is into the darkness of the great unknown, you must believe one of two things. Either you will step onto firm ground, or you will be given wings to fly."
           --unknown

This quote always brings such beautiful imagery to mind. What a beautiful message of faith and hope!

Enjoy

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Let's take a looksee in my library...





On to Day 3: A favourite book

So you may all be thinking after reading my last post that all I do is sit around watching DVD's but it's not true, yes I do love movies but I also LOVE a good book, or even an ok book for that matter. Yup reading is like the same as movies for me, escape, relaxation and good thinking!

One day I'd love to have a library... Have you ever searched "library" on pinterest? If you haven't you must go do this I drool everytime, as I scroll through the images you can just hear me repeating over and over "pretty....pretty....ooooo....pretty". Here is one of the lovely library images I found on pinterest and am very inspired by.

in'nit puuuuurdy
Now on to a favourite book!

I love going to the library and just randomly grabbing books off the shelf, I've found some lovelies that way.... including p.s. i love you from way before the movie came out!
But one of my favourite books came from this method of book choice.

Bad Girls, Good Women is a novel by Rosie Thomas I loved this book so much that I actually went out and bought it afterwards, in fact I think it may be time to pick it up again for another read.


A little Synopsis on the book from www.fantasticfiction.co.uk

The gospel of freedom according to Mattie Banner and Julia Smith. In London, on the brink of the Sixties, two runaways plunge into the whirl of Soho nightlife. Mattie faces the hard slog of repertory companies and a sleazy strip-club in search of fame as an actress. But, when it comes, stardom is not enough, and the love that Mattie desires seems to elude her. Julies chooses marriage and Ladyhill, a beautiful Dorset manor house. Then, after the tragedy, she realizes that to achieve true independence she will have to risk her marriage and her child. Though each has to make her own choices, their friendship - despite the guilt and betrayal - endures over three turbulent decades.

It's one of those stories that I felt grief when I finish reading it. I became so involved in the story and characters lives that I couldn't believe it was over, almost as though I had lost someone dear to me.

This time I will leave you with this one book. I mean, I could list Harry Potter, The Help, Little House on the Prairies and many other fantastic books I have read but I am thinking these are all books you have read or at least heard of. Bad girls, Good Women is likely one you have not heard of and I think it's a treasure so go read it! Please share some of your favourite books in the comments, I look forward to your choices.


Saturday, October 29, 2011

With How many to choose from.....


We are back with Day 2: A Favourite Movie

I have a confession to make, I LOVE movies! I am the type of girl that can watch the same movie over and over and over again. I can relive a moment in my life just by watching a movie. For example watching Anne of Green Gables always reminds me of my childhood, likely around 12 years old. And also My Fair Lady reminds me of my Grandma and Grandpa, we would borrow My Fair Lady on VHS from them cause we didn't own it. I wonder how many times they lent it to me?

I own 100's of DVD's and I even still have movies on VHS and a VCR to play them on, replacing all the VHS I own will take time so until I do replace them all I will continue to use my VCR.
- this isn't my collection - When I find my camera charger maybe I'll snap a pic of my DVD's





















I'm a sucker for a chickflick, it doesn't even really have to be good lol, for me watching movies is about escape and relaxation. Or sometimes thinking, I love movies that make me think as well. There are few movies I don't like, but usually any gory movies I don't appreciate. Although I do enjoy the cheesy horror movies that make a person laugh more than jump.

So which would I call A Favourite.... I don't know if I can narrow it down so instead how about a list of movies that I am always in the mood to watch at any given time.
In no particular order...... my favourites :)
Dirty Dancing
In Her SHOES (good book also!)






The Shawshank Redemption


Anne of Green Gables

Harry Potter (any of them)

My Fair Lady

Now and Then
 P.S. I Love You
 

Ever After

Benny & Joon

Mr. Brooks
Can't Buy Me Love

Edward Scissorhands

 Little Women

Shall We Dance?

& last but not least... Swing Kids
Ok I think that's quite the list, I could probably add to it, but I think it's fairly accurate for some of my favourite movies. What about you? Is it easier for you to narrow down to just one?

Friday, October 28, 2011

I can never narrow it down...

The List has officially begun, it is Day 1: A Favourite Song. If you are lost and have no clue what I'm talking about check out my '30 days of Getting to know you' explanation.... don't worry we'll wait.

Now that we are all onboard... I'd like to introduce you to my cute little buttony thing I made in honour of these 30 days.

Isn't it cute!


I always have problems narrowing down favourites, I should have maybe thought of that before starting this lovely journey but here I am and I'm jumping in with both feet.

So I will share with you some of my favourite songs... cause I like to change the rules like that.

One of my favourites to sing along to is For Good from the Musical Wicked

One of my Favourites to Drive to is Set Fire to the Rain by Adele (really love her!)

One of my favourites to sit and listen to is On the Radio by Regina Spektor


And I leave you with one more... One of my favourite songs to Dance to is Just Dance by Lady GaGa
 

Okay I think that's all for now. The thing with me picking favourites is that tomorrow or even in 3 hours I could be in a completely different mood. And give you a completely different list. But hey I suggest you check out some of these songs and artists anyways. And hey share any of your favourites with me I'd love to see what is on your ipod!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Getting to like you, getting to hope you like me

 Getting to know you, getting to know all about you... la la la laaaaa laaa, Ok, Ok I'll stop singing but seriously that song get's stuck in a girls head.

I've been inspired by other blogs in the lovely blog land on this here interwebs, and decided it's time we got to know each other better. For the next 30 days (starting tomorrow), I will be answering a question from the list. I know it's weird to start a 30 day challenge on the 28th, but I feel like starting now and hey it's my blog. It would be fun if you all played along and commented with your answers as well.

These are a few of my favourite things..... (another great song for getting in your head... everybody now.. WHEN THE DOG BITES, WHEN THE BEE STINGS......)

Ok, Ok, I think I've stuck enough songs in your head so without further ado....Here is the list! Go ahead browse through it, this way you can be sure to check in on the days you're really curious about! Some of these are doozies, I am glad I have a few days to think some over.....

Day 1: A favorite song
Day 2: A favorite movie
Day 3: A favorite book
Day 4: A favorite quote
Day 5: A favorite pair of shoes
Day 6: A moment you wish you could relive
Day 7: Five things you couldn't possibly live without
Day 8: A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life
Day 9: A photo you have taken
Day 10: A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11: A photo of you taken recently
Day 12: A song that you played at your wedding
Day 13: Five strange facts about you
Day 14: A vacation you would like to take
Day 15: Five funny fears
Day 16: A song that makes you cry
Day 17: An art piece
Day 18: A photo of your favorite room in your house
Day 19: A talent of yours
Day 20: A food you like and a food you do not like
Day 21: Something you know you do differently than most people
Day 22: A website you like
Day 23: A way in which you want to be remembered
Day 24: A movie no one would expect you to love
Day 25: A recipe
Day 26: A childhood memory
Day 27: A physical feature you love
Day 28: A scar you have and its story
Day 29: Hopes, dreams, and plans you have for the next 365 days
Day 30: A motto or philosophy

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Step into my kitchen my friends

Before we head off to the kitchen let's chat wedding for a moment. I have a few posts that I want to share with you from my wedding. I will share them promise, but I am waiting to get my photo's back from my photographer. After that watch out cause my wedding was FANTASTIC and I can't wait to share it with you!

NOW let's step into my kitchen shall we......

My friend was over quite a while ago for an impromptu visit around dinner time. I had quickly thrown together one of my favourite easy meals and she loved it. She's been asking me for the recipe, and you know those recipes that you don't know how much or can't really sit down and write what you do cause it's one of those, I just do it in the moment without thinking sorts of things??? Well that is what my Tuna Melts are, so last time I made tuna melts I decided to document with photo's so I could show her and you how I make them here on my blog.
Ingredients list
Tuna - 2 cans
Mayo - a few heaping spoonfuls
Herbs particularly DILL!
Pepper (I prefer fresh ground)
Grated Cheese
Bagels or Bread or Buns

 I usually use two cans of tuna, I like chunk light or white tuna in water but really whatever you prefer and/or have on hand will work. I also like to mix it up with a fork I like the way it breaks up the tuna as I mix. but that's just my quirky tuna mixing preference.

 I add just enough Mayo to make it wet, I don't like mine to 'saucy' - I figure I'm saucy enough as is ... ;) - You can use your preference of miracle whip or mayo or salad dressing.... When I make tuna I like to use Mayo, I often buy Hellman's light or Hellman's olive oil light. I don't notice too much of a difference in taste once you have mixed everything together. And for two cans of tuna I'd likely put a few heaping spoonfuls in.

 Next I add the yummy seasonings. Dill is a must! I actually use Victorian Epicure Lemon Dilly Dip Mix just dumping in a bunch, if I were to guess from looking at this photo it's likely around 2 Tbsp, maybe a little less. You may not own VE Lemon Dilly Dip Mix, If I wasn't using it I would use dill, garlic powder, parsley, chives, and maybe try some lemon thyme, really experimenting with any herb you would put on fish I just grab and add bits of anything that sounds good to me at the time.

 Fresh ground pepper of course. My husband loves pepper and so do I! We can't make most things without adding fresh ground pepper. He usually adds more once it's on his plate but I enjoy with it just added into the tuna.

 Now is the yummy cheesy part, I grate a bunch of cheese (my preference is old cheddar) and add a generous handful into the tuna mix. I make sure to set aside enough to add more on top. If needed add a little more mayo, I have it pretty down pat so I can guess how wet when I first add my mayo but it takes a few tries before you figure out and after you add the cheese you might find it becomes too dry. No worries just add a bit more and ta da ... perfecto! This is also the time I would add really finely chopped celery or cucumber if I had that on hand. Probably only about 1/8 cup. I also love to add finely chopped onions or green onions but my husband HATES onions and it must be love, as I don't even buy onions anymore. The things we give up for love, ha ha!

 Using the fork spread out an even coating of tuna on your bread. My preference is to use Bagels, but this day we were out of bagels so just used the yummy grainy bread we had on hand. Open faced buns work too. Now the trick is you don't want to add too much tuna or too little. Too much makes it messy to eat but too little means it is dry. So start with less and add more if you think it needs it.

 Sprinkle a bit of cheese on top and place it on the rack to broil. Now I use our fantastic Toaster Oven that we received as a wedding gift, but you can use the oven if you don't have a toaster oven. Just place it right on the rack or on a pan and put it to broil on high.
 Watch it closely to make sure it doesn't burn you just want the cheese to melt and get gooey. then pull it out and yummy! This is kid pleaser as well, my niece and nephew gobble these up!

 I like to serve with fresh veg and dip. We love hummus dip or as shown here tzatziki! yummy

 ENJOY!

Let me know if you make these and what you think! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do, I know a lot of people make their own variation of the tuna melt, but I really recommend you at least try with the dill and herb based flavour it is my absolute favourite.
I'm always looking for quick and yummy meal ideas. What is your favourite quick & easy no fail meal?