Double yolkers!!

My friend Ellen gave me a dozen of her beautiful eggs for Christmas. She must have the hardest working chickens on our peninsula. There were TWO double yolkers in the carton. We had what we call 'hot eggs' for breakfast this morning. Put two eggs in a fry pan. Stir them so the yolks are dispersed all through the eggs. Put a layer of a good white cheese over it and a liberal amount of Louisiana Hot Sauce. Let them cook, fold in half and cut in half and we share it. I am going to try a frittata this week. Thank you Ellen.

End of an era...goodbye Marigold Nursery

Marigold Nursery was a wholesale nursery until the early 70's when they opened the nursery up for retail. I moved to Sidney in 1979 when we bought our little house. Everything we planted was purchased at Marigold. I have spent more hours than I can count there. I often corner my poor unsuspecting family members, Jess, Mom, Amanda...."do you want to go to Marigold?" We go and look at everything and chat, talk gardens, buy plants. I must admit to feeling a bit heartbroken about Marigold Nursery closing. But I understand. Things and times change. So I wish them well. Thank you for being such a huge part of our lives and landscape for so many decades.

Their last day in business will be December 24th.

 

The first time I've ever used a shortbread pan

 

 

I have had this beautiful Scottish Thistle shortbread pan for about 20 years or so.

 

 

I thought it was classic, gorgeous and would make wonderful shortbread. Until today, I hadn't used it. So it languished in the cupboard and I would admire it when our paths crossed. This week I suddenly felt like making shortbread. I got the decades old pan out. Butter, cane sugar and flour...the ingredients in Shortbread wedges. It turned out perfectly!! Doesn't it look delicious. I gave it an extra few minutes because I like my shortbread a bit on the crunchy side. Now, what took me so long!?

 

 

In my mind there is always snow in winter

 

Growing up in Orillia, Ontario was heaven. I loved it there so much. The snow was so deep and plentiful often the school bus couldn't get through to us. I remember the snowplows would push the snow almost to the electrical wires. It was wonderful. I am a lover of snow and winter in general, so almost any excuse to get on a toboggan, sleigh or go skating. Everyone had backyard skating rinks and our back yard was no exception. I remember my dad shovelling out a small section for the rink and flooding it. Then he would string up a light so we could skate at night. It was perfect. The ice was always rough which lead to falls. I remember going straight over backwards and slamming my head {with a touque thank goodness} on the ice more than once. I can still remember what that felt like. It was so jarring sometimes my ears would ring. Hmmm, that might explain a few things.

So now I live on Vancouver Island where we rarely get snow. If I had to really search for something to complain about, I guess that would be it. I love this island and I love Sidney. But it could use a bit of snow.

 

A special gift from my sister

 

Today my sister Jess came to the store with an open early gift for me. It was this adorable Patience Brewster ornament. What makes it so special is that Jess and I have painted together. We spent a lot of time on vacation in Hawaii this year practicing watercolour painting. It was so much fun. Then this winter we've taken classes in painting and distressing furniture. We have done much painting together this year. So when you merge our passion for painting, with our love of Patience Brewster ornaments, this is the perfect gift.

When I get my craft and sewing room set up early in the new year, I will find a place for this adorable ornament year round.