Showing posts with label Friday Five. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friday Five. Show all posts

Friday, August 19, 2016

The Great Zucchini Throwdown


So you somehow were given a great, huge zucchini by a distant relative through marriage. For a week now you've eyed that zucchini in the fridge until now. You've decided this will be the week of the zucchini. For one whole week you will come up with ideas to use that zucchini. And because I've already mastered this quest I will provide you some inspiration...but remember in a throwdown...you also can take up the challenge and best me with your kitchen, knife wielding skills.

1. I started the week off with a simple technique of adding to my hash browns. Mmm delicious.



2. I also decided to be ambitious and make dill zucchini muffins. These I think could be improved by adding bacon bits but they were also tasty. Here is a link if you'd like to make your own. I adapted mine a bit because I'm on a kefir kick so I used kefir in place of buttermilk. You can do that - adapt recipes- it's more fun that way.

 
3. I then recalled the famous zucchini chocolate cake that my mom used to make and hunted down a recipe. I will not share it here because it was it did not live up to the hype of moist decadent chocolate. It was rather dry. So if you have your own zucchini chocolate cake recipe do not be shy, do share as I will acquire yet another zucchini in your honor and test it on this blog. And eat it with great joy.

 

4. I have a penchant for Quiche. I absolutely love quiche and zucchini found its way into my quiche this week. 

 

5. Now for the finale. The best hummus recipe adaptation I made this week. The most flavorful, and one that I will make again. Hummus!!! You guys this is the best hummus recipe ever! Zucchini you did great.

Now if you clicked on the link for this Green Goddess Hummus you may be thinking like me whhhhaa! I have no idea what tahini is or tarragon and you may like me wander all over the grocery store and even ask a few grocery staff for assistance only to learn the grocery store does not stock these two items. This is where you need to be creative & Google on the go or use your creative brain...I learned that tahini & tarragon both belong to the sunflower seed family...so I adapted the recipe and instead put in half a cup of sunflower seeds & two tablespoons of olive oil.. Also as L was assisting me he Ukranian adapted the recipe and instead of one garlic clove two found there way in. Finally you will notice the recipe does not include zucchini--what? I thought this was a zucchini throwdown. Exactly!! Add in one cup of grated zucchini. Delicious!! 


Ok. So that's a wrap. Zucchini five ways. Tell me about your favorite zucchini recipes and if when you cut into a zucchini you have a plan. Because six cups of grated zucchini! Whoa!




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Friday, March 18, 2016

5 Confessions

I've seen these confessions of late and so thought I'd share my own five on Friday.

1. There are 12 wheel chair prime location parking spots at the grocery store. I think a few of these should be turned into Stork Parking spots. The wheelchair parking spots are almost always empty. Today I circled the parking lot four times until one car I spotted about to leave finally left near the front (three stalls in...the first two being wheelchair stalls) rather than parking at the back and walking because have you ever lifted one of those infant car seats! 

2. I decided to make one card with the birth announcement on the front and the thank you card on the inside rather than two cards.  I have decided to just send my double duty card to those who sent/gave gifts. 

3. I had a Starbucks latte for lunch. I went to the grocery store just for a Starbucks latte. I carried that infant car seat in just for a Starbucks latte. Why is there no drive through Starbucks in my city? 

4. Today I worked out. I haven't worked out in two weeks. 

5. I often drive by my new house just to see if someone is working so I can check up on the progress. Today I did a drive by of my new house twice - at the start of my outing and at the end. No one was working either time. 


Im linking up with these fabulous bloggers for Five on Friday.

Friday, March 11, 2016

5 on Friday: A Homebuild Closing in on the 11th Hour

I thought I'd make a random Five on Friday post about our home build.

1. Our possession date for our house has been moved back to April 11th from March 16. That's one month away!! We had to push back the move in date for financing and because Ls dad is going to help us out but won't be back from Mexico until the end of the month. I am so thankful for family. I'm very excited and ready to finally be in our new house. I feel like I'm over the home building process now and just want it to be ready. I'm not looking forward to packing and moving yet again. I am looking forward to finally decorating the baby's nursery! 


We had an offer on our other house but it was really disappointing as they offered $50,000 less than what we are currently asking and wouldn't move up when we counter offered plus they wanted possession in less than two weeks. Let's be reasonable here people! 

2. Remember when I said I'd post a picture of the 80s party door? The new door has not yet been installed. L had a picture of the new door on his phone but it was deleted when he updated his phone. The cost of the hardware on the door the builder quoted was to cost $250 just for a door handle/lock taking the total cost of the door upgrade to $1050.  We instead went to Lowes and found a similar handle for less than $100. Yay us!! 


Here was my door inspiration. 

What colour do you think I should paint my front door? 

3. We had a paint fiasco that left me very disappointed but I think I've let it go now.

First we were told we would have Benjamin Moore paint. BM is a favorite of mine. I visited the local BM store and was told to watch out for a painter named Josh who was telling people he was using BM but really using Dulux. I deliberated over paint samples forever and finally decided on Snowfall White as my colour. It is just beside Simply White, BM colour of the year, on the colour swatch.



I asked to confirm with the builder we were using BM paint. Instead of BM he said his painter switched from BM because he was having some challenges with the paint.  Instead we would now be using Sherwin Williams. I then asked who the painter was. Guess who? 

So I went and picked out a Sherwin Williams colour. 


Later that week L and I decided to pop by the place and while it was all locked up what did we see through the windows but Dulux paint cans. I was upset. 

We contacted the builder and got the run around, basically he is saying it was colour matched with a laser and that they are using top of the line Dulux paint. We went by and held up our sample and like I thought it is not a exact match. The SW swatch is much brighter and lighter as it reflects light differently. It's pretty --a pale yellow but not really the colour I was aiming for. He said if I was really unhappy I could have a top coat of General Paint. So ridiculous. 

I imagine Josh and the builder are in cahoots and so to bring him to task for this lack of integrity will get me nowhere. Likely end up costing us more money and set us back for our move I date. It was just such a disappointment because it made me question and wonder about the integrity behind some of the choices we have been given and other upgrades we have been charged for. Plus I really wanted Benjamin Moore paint all along.

4. I'm so excited to see the kitchen being installed in the next week or so.

Here was my inspiration. You will have seen some of these photos before.



The cabinetry will be dark on the bottom and white on top which I think will look gorgeous next to the Amaretto floors (similar to the bottom left inspiration picture above).

We had to reconfigure the kitchen from its original layout. What do you think of my nifty diagram I made to explain my thinking to the builder? Basically what happened was we moved the fridge and oven so that it was a wall combo, extended the island and walkway, and aligned the gas cooktop with the sink. Even though it says broom closet in my diagram that later got nixed.


Below is the diagram from the cabinet builder. And the picture below that is the window concept for the upper cabinets.


I really wanted a vent hood like pictured. I liked the look of having tile behind the vent hood to visually break up the cabinetry. Unfortunately the builder said that would not be possible and somehow the vent will be venting down and out. It's really confusing. L had to search for the right kind of vent and finally found a built in one that crazily will cost the same amount as the gas cook top.  The cabinet builder will be constructing me a hood similar to my inspiration photo. We will be using penny tile as the back splash. 



L picked out all our appliances. I know!! What??!! I was in the last stages of pregnancy/giving birth/having a new babe and really couldn't be bothered at that point. I'm excited to see what he picked. I mean he has good taste so I trust his picks plus he is really good with finding quality at a good price. He is one of those people who will read all the reviews. 

5. Today when we were at the house we saw that the fireplace had just been installed. It is similar to the top left picture below. 


I am wondering if we should have built ins on the side constructed for the components, or a version of the bottom constructed to hide the components or to go with wireless? What would you do?


When we were at the house today it seemed like there was so much yet to do but hopefully it is like my favorite home design shows and there is five minutes left in the show and before the final reveal. Somehow it all comes together in the eleventh hour.


Friday, March 04, 2016

Five Canadian Oscar Worthy Fashion Designers

Sometimes I wonder why I bother to watch the Academy Awards when I've only watched four nominated films. My primary reason for tuning in has always been to see what everyone is wearing. After seeing this year's Oscars I wonder if next year I should continue.

Was it just me or did you think that at this year's Oscars the same ten curated dresses continually reappeared onscreen. I turned to Google to see if I could spot some other fashions I did not see showcased and really all that Google had for me were these same ten dresses. Actually I'm exaggerating there were apparently 37 well dressed individuals at the Oscars this year according to the online best dressed galleries. 

So in an effort to remedy this situation I have decided to visit the fashion designers websites and pick Oscar worthy looks to wear on the red carpet from five Canadian fashion designers. I started with the designers and picked my favorite looks from their collections. It was fun to find some of these dresses worn by women at this year's Oscars on Twitter. Primetime television is so disappointing. I want to see all the fashion! 

  1. STEPHAN CARAS
This Toronto based fashion house is home to the elegant designs created by Atelier CARAS. Caras has been designing his own label in Toronto for decades. Stephan Caras Design Inc. is located in a 1905 bank building, at 744 Queen St E. 


Here is Betty Zhouligan a TV Host and Producer wearing Stephan Caras Floral Collection at this year's Oscars. She is stunning. 

2. MIKAEL D

Mikael Derderian is the son of a Canadian-Armenian father and Lebanese mother. His family immigrated to Canada, landing in Laval, Quebec. He studied fashion design at LaSalle College and presented his first runway presentation in 2012 at World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto.  He established his own private label, MIKAEL D. His influential line is based on collections that intertwine cultural influences.






MIKAELD.com

3. LUCIAN MATIS

Lucian Matis is an acclaimed Canadian designer. He studied at Ryerson's University fashion design program. This celebrated designer has made appearances on hit television shows including Fashion Television, Entertainment Tonight, Project Runway Canada and Canada's Next Top Model.



Keltie Knight, a Canadian TV presenter and former professional dancer wore this intricate design by Lucian Matis with cascading ruffles to this year's Oscars. While she received some negative reviews I think it is fabulous. It reminds me of an artistic interpretation through fabric of gift wrap.

4. DI CARLO CONTOUR

Antoinette Di Carlo is the founder & designer at Di Carlo Couture in Montreal specializing in custom made wedding & evening gowns. She studied at the International Academy of Design in Montreal.
dicarloconture.com

I love emerald green. This dress was a favorite pick of mine from the collection.

5. CHRISTOPHER PAUNIL

Christopher Paunil is a bridal gown and womens fashion designer based in Toronto as well as fashion instructor at UforChange, George Brown College and the Toronto Film School.

I think these are beautiful numbers and surprisingly budget friendly if one ever found themselves invited to the Oscars. I mean they are still expensive but you wouldn't need to remortgage your house. Jasper on the left is priced at $1595 and Kitt on the right is $1495. With the right shoes and jewelry they would be stunning.



Ok ....because it's hard to stop at just five here is one last pick.

GAVARCIA

Gavarcia debuted as a collection of Haute Couture gowns at Fashion Art Toronto. Garvin Garcia of Gavarcia, a Toronto-based designer demonstrates that Canadian fashion deserves international attention.  Each piece features intricate lace, floral, or avian-inspired details, coming together to create luxurious one-of-a-kind pieces that are the epitome of wearable art. 





Why do we love fashion at the Oscars? I think it is in part because many of us will never have the opportunity to visit Fashion Week in Paris or New York or within Canada Fashion Week in Toronto or Montreal. Designers select models to showcase their collections on the runway. We love to see these collections come to light on semi-normal sized figures in the light of day on prime time television. Many of us would never have the funds or publicity to showcase one of the couture gowns.  

These days, the Academy Awards have become a platform for social activism. My favorite aspect of the Oscars has always been the fashions on the red carpet...and even this now has become an issue of sexism. Chris Rock made light of this,  “Race is not the only issue at Oscars today. You can’t ask women what they are wearing, you gotta #AskHerMore. This is not sexism, it is because all men are wearing the same thing. If George Clooney showed up in a lime green suit with a swan coming out of his ass, someone will ask, ‘what are you wearing George?’” If we no longer ask the question what or who are you wearing will fashion continue to play a role at the Oscars? I recognize that actors and actresses wish to step beyond their stereotype to be taken seriously about issues they are passionate about. Its true if everyone wore the same ensemble no one would be asking what they were wearing. While I love glamorous evening wear I also love fashion as an art form of expression. When I was in art school there was a wearable art fashion show. And not fashion in the same vein as glamorous evening wear but fashion about causes and issues. If the Academy Awards should continue to become a platform for social activism rather than ignoring fashion I hope to see swans, elephants, butterflies, bees, storms, typhoons, global warming along with racism and sexual abuse represented in fashion. How powerful would that be? I'd still be watching the Academy Awards I can guarantee you that. 


I'm linking up with September Farm &  a.liz adventures today

Friday, August 14, 2015

Five on Friday

Today: 

1. 
We trampled through weeds 
and imagined ourselves living here.


2.
Old Blue had a belly ache.
Luckily she still runs and loves the wide open highways.
Unfortunately she is nearing retirement 
And dislikes the stop and go of the city.

3. 
While we waited we had lunch at a lovely cafe.
I will have to return someday to try the Saskatoon Iced tea.

4. 
We were craving bubble tea. 
This time we tried something Taro Root Bubble Tea.
It is delicious you have to try it! 
And the color is fun!

5.
After dropping L off at work for the night shift
I went to look at a new place to rent.
Unfortunately a cat lived there
And when he answered the door 
I knew this was not a contender.

I am linking up with these lovely ladies for their five on friday's series.


Saturday Larks