Cookies for charity

The season of giving starts with a fundraiser at work; a bake sale and craft auction with all the proceeds going to a local charity. This year I filled two boxes with two of our favourite cookies; ginger molasses and rolo cookies. The ginger cookies are filled with espresso so these are for adults only. The rolo cookies on the other hand are chewy chocolate chocolate (yes they are very chocolatey hence the repeat of the word) cookies with a rolo in the center that all kids will love.

Know when to fold them

No, this is not a post about one of my favourite flowers, nasturtiums; this lone flower photographed a month ago at the fountain.
A lot has changed in the past month including what we thought we wanted. Our plans have been turned upside down, we gambled, we lost, but in the end we won. It is only after almost losing something, that you realize how precious it is. We are going to re-group, make new plans, and when we have built up our stamina we are going to do it all over again.

Hot and bubbly

Sunday suppers don't get any better then this - Mr. Cowboy's Involtini with Penne paired with Ruffino's Chianti. Thin slices of round steak rolled up with prosciutto, raisins, walnuts, breadcrumbs, mozzarella and parmesan. The rolls are seared in a hot pan and then drowned in tomato sauce and put in the oven to bake until hot and bubbly.

Weekend collage

Friday night - A realtor showing our house at 5 and our company couldn't make it because of all the snow. But despite all that we had a fantastic dinner, a dinner that had been planned especially for our visitors. We started with drinks and spiced nuts. We feasted on Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon with buttered noodles, escarole salad, and sourdough bread. The plates were licked clean.

Saturday morning - Breakfast consisted of pyrahi with lots of melted butter and dollops of sour cream. Pottery sale downtown; I did not buy any pottery but Maura found a really neat mug (sorry no pictures). Hurried to the airport where we are told that the flight is delayed. But we did get to see the CT-155 Hawk that flew over the city yesterday.

Sunday morning - We had to leave the house at 10 this morning for another showing. We picked up breakfast at Redbeard Roasters on Tranquille and headed to McArthur Island. As we walked around the island the 419 Squadron flew right over our heads.

Sunday night - Another showing this time with less then an hours notice. So we headed to our favourite spot at TRU and came across a herd of deer. There were seven of them scattered on top of a ridge; I took this one shot without the flash and then we just sat back and enjoyed the show.

Spicy

I love Sarah Richardson so when I came across her recipe for spiced nuts, I knew they would be good. And are they ever!  I doubled the recipe because we are having company tomorrow (the Beef Bourguignon is simmering as we speak) and as the nuts baked in the oven, the house was filled with a spicy aroma that is just irresistable. I share the recipe with you because we need to spread a little happiness whenever we can.

Sarah's Signature Spiced Nuts

Preheat oven to 350 F
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and 1/4 cup cane sugar (like demerara) in a saucepan over low-medium heat. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon each of cumin, paprika, cayenne, and salt  and mix well. Add 1 cup each of almonds and pecans, stirring to coat, then cook until mixture becomes sticky, at least 5 minutes.
Turn nuts out onto a baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until crunchy. Let cool and serve at room temperature. (Spiced nuts will keep for a few weeks in an airtight container)

From the November 2011 issue of House and Home.

Fun game

Jeopardy has always been one of our favourite shows; not only because of the host (Alex is Canadian) but because you can participate, have a bit of fun,and increase your knowledge of trivia. Years ago Mr. Cowboy made a Jeopardy box for the girls; once their school found out about it they wanted one too. Now it looks like he will be heading back to the workshop to build another one.