The Raspberry Patch: May 2016

Monday, May 30, 2016

Garden Confetti

Anyone else finding the lilacs and apple blossoms are more than awesome this year.
My house smells like lilacs and apple blossoms even without bringing anything inside.

Now that the blossoms are falling it looks like confetti falling everywhere.

Friday, May 27, 2016

While gardening yesterday morning I heard a splish splash in our pond.
I ignored it kind of cuz we have lots of birds who like to sit on the rocks and have a sip and a bathe
However the splish splashing became SPLISH SPLASHING.........
I ran or really hobbled (I agitated my MCL again) to the pond to find
this baby squirrel trying desperately to do the dog/squirrel paddle
I grabbed the broom and lifted this little guy out of the water.

I must admit he was kind of exhausted so didn't give me too much fighting
And yes he does look like a drowned rat -- hahahaha

When last I saw him he was licking furiously and giving himself a dirt bath
Then off he scurried .....

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Gardening in Da Prior

If you have been following Mom in Progress you will know how she is anxious to get her garden in.
We were going to borrow a tiller from a friend
but the grasses and weeds that had grown into the site was way too much for a tiller to handle.
Bapa and I arrived bright and early Saturday morning and the boys quickly got to work.

What a job!!

A quick stop for hydration and a turkey sandwich and back at it ...

Of course there was lots of Miss D time

Momma made muffins to keep the workers happy and of course

Miss D made short work of a couple

After a tiring day of digging and swimming in the pool

We had a great BBq of grilled hot dogs, potatoe salad, lots of crunchy veggies, and triple chocolate chip cookies.

The next day was to finish the garden and get some plants in.

Lots of top soil and sheep manure

All construction work needs a foreman....

Hugs for Daddy

Siobhan is very happy to get her garden in and now we just have to wait and watch it grow.

Leave a comment so I know you visited....

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

French Macarons

So my big baking project was to make macarons.
I consider myself a fairly descent baker but I admit I have been a little hesitant. I have had these little confectionaries drifting around in my mind for a couple years so this is it.
There are so many recipes for them but this is the one I decided to try
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/223234/macaron-french-macaroon/

I got everything prepped for the big day.
Eggs out for 3 days
Ground almonds
Sugar
Icing/Confectioners sugar
Oh yes and a bit of colour gel paste to make em perrty
Yes basically that is it.

I put on my apron I got a while back from Susan @ http://mymothersapronstrings.blogspot.com

And off I go.......

All seemed to go great.

They even came out of the oven with their little feet.

I made a chocolate ganache to sandwich in between.

They should have baked a wee bit longer cuz they were a bit gummy inside.

Will I try again??

You bet!!

If you have any suggestions let me know.

And leave a comment so I know you have visited!

Sunday, May 15, 2016

My Mother's Day ---- a week late post

I didn't get to spend the day with my girls but I had a lovely weekend.
HB took me to a lovely little yarn shop in Perth Ontario --- Unraveled
And yes I bought a few skeins of some beautiful stuff.

And no I do not have specific project Ideas except for one which I will tell you at the end.
So I may have to go back for more ... DARN!!!!

After walking the downtown doing some more shopping we stopped into The Mex Co for lunch.
Their patio is on the Tay River and it was a nice enough day to sit outside.
Chicken club wraps and a very yummy margarita.
A lovely relaxing afternoon.... then pizza for supper.

Sunday I did do a bit of laundry and tidy up the house but then the rest of the day I watched old movies and knitted.
HB made a delicious meal and did the dishes!!

Got a beautiful card from Holly and the kiddos with this key ring
It has each of the my G Kiddos names and birthstone.
The medallion says "We love you Nona to the moon and back" Sniff sniff -- yes I shed a couple tears ..

I am using it on the zipper of my purse.

So yes the project .. I am going to attempt another pair of socks .. I really am determined to enjoy knitting a pair of socks. I have blogged about my sock knitting aversion but wanting to knit them.
I feel slightly schizophrenic about it.