I Love my Bed..

            To Read my Last Entry. Click    ---> HERE<----
I really do Love my bed! Sometimes I hide under the covers and just lay there and Dream! Or I watch hours of Netflix, or cuddle down in the warmth and read endless stories and of Course I sleep,,, A lot. 
Have I ever really said that when I worked at chick Allan's, I mostly worked afternoon? I'm almost always in bed until 10:00 am. sometimes later if I stayed up past 2 am,  
Since John now has a job, We're in bed at a acceptable time because I fully admit when he wasn't working, we'd stay up late but when he has to be up at 6:45, We're usually turning off the light around 11:00/11:30.   Then when he gets up, I wake up and then fall back to sleep after he's left.  

Christmas is finally behind us! and I think everyone enjoyed their presents. John's mother loved her owl measuring cups and Doctor who shirt, While Jake was pretty happy about his straight Razors with all the little things with it. Brendan loved his whiskey. Bailee and Lucas could really care less with what I gave them. but My sister loves it.  she and Brendan are going to go to Saskatoon together while I have a Movie night with the kids. Though I did it because I didn't have money and i figured I could plan it out to when I did have some money so I could spoil them with Pizza, slurpees and a rental movie. but my sister wants it before the 13th.  And Money has been tight.. I haven't gotten to pay Decembers bills yet even but I will make it work somehow. 
I got some interesting things. Halo Risk( we can't understand the rules so we haven't played) Futurama Monoplay( I won) Two Lovely Prisims, A bird feeder, Chocolate!, Froggie Grip things for the tub, Etc.
Have I mentioned I <3 My Love's Family. They're So Good to me.

I think I got over ambitious the other day. I mixed up Dough and filling for perogies. but ended up sticking it in the fridge and stuck it in the fridge and haven't finished it yet. I always got out Beef to make mini Meat tarts and haven't done that even but we did make Fresh Pasta and freeze so we can enjoy it three more times. I've also made Fresh Flax Bread which rose really well but has a large bubble... I think i didn't punch my dough down well enough in the first rising. As I waited for my bread to rise, I simmered Dried beans on the stove and turned them into Refried Beans! which are insanely yummy, somewhat healthy and just down right delicious!
Tonight I'll be making up some Fresh Tortillas and making Cheesy Pork and refried bean Quesadillas. with a nice Spicy Chipotle Sauce!

I am still unsure on what I shall do. I know I don't really want to work in the local restaurants. Rookies(BV) has a temperamental and unfriendly atmosphere while Johnny's Bistro(Pioneer) is dirty.  And well. Big Lou's is just disgusting, on a Second note. Did you know you Can Check out the Health Inspection of each restaurant in Town!  Link  It will tell you the issues that they have. One Restaurant has a issue with rodents while a few have troubles with being kept Clean!
  I  have applied at Co-op, ware house one, Sobeys, Rona and a few other places. A couple only offer part time work and minimum wage.
I regret applying at sobey's because he told me that if I was hired, I would have to remove all visible piercings... all 20 of them.  and I'm not sure if I am willing to do that. I adore my piercings and feel like they really help me show who I am on the inside.  

It is New Year's Eve. This is the Rare time that I've actually had it off.  for the Past 8 years I have worked til 11:00ish.   Last year I sat and had a drink with My love and his mother.  This year My love and I are staying home, Enjoying some shrimp cocktails and drinking some spiced Rum with Coke.
We were supposed to go out with my friend Shaun but he was a no show. Im kind of worried about him actually. Last I talked to him he was driving home from Saskatoon... Hopefully he got home just fine.  
I don't make new year revolutions because never once in the past have I stuck to them so I don't do it anymore. I mostly just think of the New Adventures that I'll maybe get to Experience.

Though Remember How I talked about Making Mozza in my last Post. I've been learning about Rennet which is enzymes from a baby calfs stomach.(eww) They know use ones 

that are grown in labs. But you can also make it yourself using plants! Which I find kind of 

interesting and I shall be trying it. One that is best for soft cheese like ricotta and cottage 

cheese is the stinging Nettle? which I've never heard of but probly seen. Then Purple

thistle which I do know, So This summer I will Try to make a plant Rennet!

K my text is acting all Funny. So I'm taking it as a sign that I need to go now. 
Laters 

Unemployed

          Chick Allan's is closing today.  Tonight when I'm done my shift. It will be my last.   
As much as I complained sometimes, I really enjoyed working there.... Minus Steve.  And it was my life. Yes at one point I strayed away. I needed a change... A Break to make sure I was where I needed to be. While I was away, I thought of chick Allan's constantly.  And when I went back, It was wonderful, Almost Like I had never even left! except the fact I got down graded to closing every night but I could handle that.   I worked there since May 2006.  There were up and downs.  
The first one I remember was when Shannon announced she was selling. I told her at some point i was going to start applying at different places and she asked how I could ever consider leaving her and I told her she was leaving us so how was it different?  
 I have no clue what I shall do next.  Where I'll go.  The only thing I've really done so far is apply at the co-op grocery store. I have no clue where else I'll apply either. I constantly question if I will be Happy there?


      On other news We are into our new to us Place. It's a actual House! Newer stuff except it looks ghetto on the outside but the Landlord will be putting new siding on it this Summer and I'm hoping to build a deck on the back.   All the boxes are unpacked.... Mostly. a few I have no clue where to put.  Yesterday I hung all my Beautiful Prisms. Unfortunately my new to me house only has one Window that is perfect to create a million Rainbows. And the worst part it's Small.   and the most horrible part. the trees and the house beside my place. Block it off pretty quick but I have rainbows for a bit in the afternoon.My Living room window is large and in the morning it gets enough Sun that I could hang some. But from 9 to 11:00ish. there are rainbows...But who wakes up that early? Lol .All in all, I get rainbows for a bit. once in the morning and once in the evening.
But when John is putting windows into the trailer. I'm going to have windows on both sides and make sure we park in the best spot so I can have rainbows always.  
I really don't know what it is about Rainbows but even when I'm feeling down. Fill a room with little rainbows floating around and any unhappiness is gone for that time. And I just sit in awe of how beautiful it is. I forget every single worry and problem may I have for that short time. 

        I've given up buying bread. I've been making Flax bread. I do have a issue with my loaves not  turning out really big but they are tasty and I love the crunch of Flax.  they are still light and fluffy. I have a knife with a guide on the side so I even Cut them Straight! :o.
Though I have recently been reading that Flax isn't a super Food like it was once believed to be. I will look into soon

        My next project is making my own Laundry Detergent(Did I mention my new to me washer is insanely old and doesn't give the option for cold water! ) and dishwasher detergent.
The website claims that it will equal about 4 Cents a load for the laundry and 3 cents for the dish washer.  Which I find just amazing. It's good for sensitive skin as well.  I just have to get money to get the ingredients.   Oh and by the way, I attached Links.
I already make my own cleaners so why not keep up all the DIY's. :)
I have also been reading about home made mozza cheese. I am very interested in and may attempt that but It is undecided still. I think it would be nifty to serve a lasagna that I made everything from scratch.  Home made noodles. with a layer of homemade cottage cheese or link , topped with fresh made meat sauce and Fresh mozza. Dreamy! 

     John's Uncle Scott came for a visit. He is from Ontario but his semi Truck broke down in Saskatoon. He got to try out the Pull Out sofa that we got when we moved in.  I never remembered to actually feed him Lunch ever... I offered him breakfast when I got up but by Noon, I'm thinking about work or something already at work. Where I have Soup.....and Bacon for my first meal of the day.  Then I'd make supper at 9:30. I think he prolly thought us odd.   I made some good stuff. 
Fruit stuffed Pork chops with a berry Glaze, Stuffed Yorkies( Pulled Beef, creamy horseradish topped with Gravy) and the best one Beef Enchildas( From scratch enchilda sauce, tortillas and yum)
          Christmas is almost here! 3 more days. My love has let me shake all my presents! But I remain clue less on what he has gotten me other then random hints he has dropped trying to get me to give up the information of what I've gotten him. 
I had tried to get him a bass for Christmas but the deal fell through. Maybe for his Birthday.?  
I have finished shopping almost. I don't have anything for the Children though. I might end up getting them some Candy. 
The things I ordered back in November finally arrived. I pick them up on Monday. I was getting very anxious that they wouldn't be here on time. Though there is a mysterious package that I am unsure on what it is. but knowing me i did order it and forgot i had ordered it. 

           I know I talked myself Silly about the Benefits of Honey and i still hold to it But I just can't get into using it for Shampoo! I tried it twice. I missed the Bubbles. My hair felt clean but it looked  greasy and dull. No Shine or anything. All the sites claim after a few months your hair will look amazing but I don't think I can do it. 
I have issues with my home made tooth paste . It tastes Great and my mouth feels sparkly clean But I am worried its not doing all it should because we ended up adding alot of Honey. Let me expand on that a little.   The recipe we made consisted of Coconut oil, baking soda, peppermint and honey. Coconut oil is amazing, heals, whitens, cleans. Baking soda is the grit that helps get rid of the stuff stuck to your teeth, peppermint for flavor and honey which is always beyond amazing to sweeten it and help with antibacterial(blah, blah,blah) cause if you've never tasted straight baking soda. it's gross. Pure salt. and it seems John and I can't handle saltly. So it feels like whole thing is Honey.  it doesn't do what normal tooth paste does. it doens't bubble and I msis it. So I tend to go back to my normal tooth pasta a little to often. 
I still wash my face with Honey. I love it. My face feels so Insanely Clean when I'm done.
I do use coconut oil still randomly but after I put it on my legs, I can't get dressed right away or lay on the bed or it gets stuff greasy and my face stays shiney to long and I'm not a huge fan.

In going non processed foods. I've been trying to lay off buying tomato sauce. 
So many recipes call for it. and I use it as a base for most of my sauces including my gravy. Last month I tried to make my own. and it tasted good. Then i froze it. It didn't freeze well.  
I could use tomato paste as a base for a lot of things as well So I will attempt tomato paste next.   After I Find the perfect combo of recipes to try.
I
Though I made up a huge batch of honey Mustard sauce that should last my Love at least two months if I'm Lucky. 
I've written to Much while still having alot to say. But that's just how I roll it Seems.
Merry Christmas for those that celebrate.

It's been a stressful time recently. John hasn't been working and since Boston Pizza has opened, It's been slow at work so I've been getting more part time hours. Trying to pay for anything on a part time wage is hard.   It seems as soon as money is in my account, it's gone the same day to pay for Bills and rent. It's dumb.
John wants a job that will let him come home every Night which I'm all for because I Love having him home. I hate when he is away. The House is Creepy and I miss cuddles a lot.Among other things ;)  But finding that job seems to be tough. I'm not sure where he has applied, I just know that he doesn't have a job yet. He will find a job soon I'm sure of it. I have faith. <3

    About two Weeks before Boston Pizza was officially open they had, Test Nights. Practicing for the big day. So two weeks before they opened, we started to Slow down. The day they opened. It was completely dead. It's Like when Big Lou's Open. Everyone wanted to try it. Then they found out how horrible it was and came back.  Even I get sucked into wanting to try the new things when they come to town. I remember going there for my second date with "The Virgin" before I met john. The meal was horrible.  we got there at 8:15 and they gave us a dirty look and said they were getting ready to close but seated us anyways.   He had Chicken Fingers, fries and salad. I had A chicken parm, Fries and soup to start. The Soup was tomato broth with frozen vegetables tossed in. Before we even finished our Sad starters, Our Meals arrived My Parm which had been deep fried was raw on the inside.  but since it was a second date, I said nothing, I just cut it up and pushed it round on my plate.    I later found out that's all the virgin actually ate was pizza from Big Lou's and insane amounts of Pepsi. He thought it was amazing but I tasted his mothers cooking. I realized he didn;t know what real food was.    Anyways back to where I Started. Boston Pizza. John and I went there as a treat after changing 6 signs in One day then freezing our Butts off picking up two other ones a few days later.
Starter Ceaser, Pizza Rolls, Calamari, Spinach Dip and panera(sp) bread. At one point she asked how we liked the pizza rolls because she never tried them and I replied over processed. I think she has no clue what processed even meant because she took that as a good thing. But Later as we paid the bill she asked how everything was and I said Fine and she questioned why i said fine. I said I cooked better.She was offended. john said I was being rude. but If you question it and don't actually want to know. Don't ask.!

   Things have been stressful because as of December 22, Chick Allan's is closing and steve has no answer of if we will be opening in the new year. He promised that I would have work til almost the end of December. There is packing to do. A lot of it. It will be moved into storage but hopefully soon he will tell us the staff, What happens. Some staff has no clue we're closing, Some know what is happening but it doesn't seem to Click that they may be jobless before to long.  But even if he finds a new place to open at, It will be a couple months before he opens. Every one will be laid off but he claims he has a plan for the main staff(4). I pray often that we will reopen. Chick Allan's has been my life since 2006 minus 3-4 months when i went off to B.C/Alberta.

Christmas is sneaking up and fast which is unfortunate because with lack of money, It's hard to get the gifts I'd like for people. I got great things for John and his Mother. Things I know they will Love. I ordered everything online in November. Nothing has arrived yet!!!! John has gotten the gifts he ordered already. So where the F%$#@ are mine!
I have yet to buy a gift for John's father and for Brendan. But I know what im getting his dad but Im clue less on what to get Brendan.

I Love Packing Lunches

      It's been a interesting couple of weeks.  John has come home from Camp for a bit. He came home early because he was not happy at that camp then he stayed home because of excessive amounts of rain at the camp.  That alone brought it's own challenges. Working off one pay is a bit hard especially since I currently was working only part time. Trying to pay the bills while still keeping food on the table and keeping up with his smoking habit is not a easy feat. 
John recently got a job which he seems to like.   I work mostly evenings, A lot of 5 to close shifts. Which used to be fine but now John has to be up by 6:00 to head off to work so we have to go to bed early so when I get home at 9:30. It's a bit harder to get supper onto the table by 10:00 then to bed by 11:00. 
I generally prep up supper before I leave for work and when I'm at work, John sticks it in the oven to finish it or i finish it when I get home. A couple times I made a couple killer meals. Stuffed Yorkshire puddings(pulled roast beef, creamy horseradish and gravy), mashed and Harvard beets. Homemade whole wheat pasta with a creamy tomato sauce to name a few! 

Since John is working all day, We need to have stuff to take for lunches for him which means he got a lunch packed full of Preservatives for the first week because I was ill prepared but I am working on solving that issue ASAP.

Last week he ate a lot of granola bars, rice cracker chips, canned peaches, Fruit bars, sausage/cheese/crackers, and sandwiches.
If you don't know me very well. I Adore Sandwiches almost as much as I adore pasta. It's a real Problem. All those delicious carb filled foods just calling to me... Anyways where was I?   Right Packing Lunches.  
I'm on top of it this week. I've baked a loaf of bread. I made Pizza rolls to stick in there as well for a yummy snack(with home made pizza sauce to dip into), 
Cinnamon buns and raspberry rolls! Blue Rice Krispies( home made marshmallows!) confetti bars
Again alot of carbs but god I love Carbs and they love my hips... 

When he gets paid, I'll be able to Buy groceries so that means I can make own granola bars and home made Fruit snacks!!! and fruit leather!.
Well I can attempt to..
Last week I attempted Fruit snacks and fruit leather but they both flopped.
I kind of skipped my usual Homework and didn't do enough "research" on the recipes, I mostly googled them and went.
The Fruit snacks were a bad idea in the first place. The recipe I snagged was frozen juice concentrate and gelatin which I didn't have enough of. I ended up with Pink Lemonade Jello Which wasn't bad mostly weird tasting.  Then the fruit leather.. UGH. Puree Fruit, toss in a bit of sugar then spread over a pan and place in the oven for 8 hours. I didn't add enough sugar so it was a bit bitter and I over baked it? it stuck to the pan horribly.. and was a disaster!


On other Random News, I recently had a interview or two...  One at Boston Pizza and One at where John works.  
I can't really say it was a interview at Boston Pizza. It was shameful and made me feel like I wasn't worth anything and that I was being a sell Out because I wouldn't be able to do anything creative or be me. I'm pretty sure they hired everyone who had applied because they have over 84 employees.  But anyways.. They wanted to pay me 10.50! I've been cooking since 2005. I've been a supervisor for 6 years, I know how to Open a kitchen, to close a kitchen. I can work alone and I work" fine" in a team and the best I work best under pressure when it's Busy. I was insulted. 10.50. They can shove it out of their asses for all I care. 
The other one didn't feel like a interview and they were odd about it. They kept talking like I was hired then at some points saying if I was hired as well as commenting that they didn't want to hire me because I was in a relationship with John. If one leaves, the other usually goes with.

Know when you reach that certain moment of a month where you retreat from everyone, and spend all your time alone in your room and just want things that make you feel Happy and make you feel so much better... Well in your mind anyways. 

I have those moments a lot but I can't retreat from everyone as much as I would like to.  I swear one day I'll be a hermit. And as long as I have my internet, I'll be happy. :) I just have to find a job I can do without leaving my home. 

Anyways I lost my major train of thought there. Comfort Food! I've been seeking it lately but avoiding my main squeeze. Chocolate. One of my favorite weaknesses. I managed to stay away from it fairly well. Which is amazing.  But I've been hitting my other ones. 

Pizza! Melted cheese(I melt that shit on everything)...  

Tonight I made Pizza. but this time i tried something different. Pumpkin Pizza dough. Fairly simple.  Water, yeast, Honey, Salt, Flour, Olive oil, and Pumpkin Puree. It was a nice light orange color, smelled lightly of Pumpkin. I made it a Thin crust pizza. In fact I made two. The Classic. Ham and Pineapple. The other. Caramelized onion and mushrooms with ham and sausage. 

The one with caramelized onions was a real Winner!  

But anyways. Light and Fluffy. With a very Subtle(im not so sure thats the right word) pumpkin note in a nice earthy way. I don't think it was one of John's favorites 

I personally think I shall make it again. 

Most recently I made a killer Banana cake. with a chocolate cream cheese frosting.  It was so insanely moist.and oh so YUMMY. John really enjoyed it and has requested it again. 

I also made Root beer Cookies and Chocolate and peanut butter cookies but those don't really matter. 

Recently I've had my birthday. and if you don't really know me well, You may find out that I hate my birthday. I'm always grumpy and usually have a bad day. 

The night before my actual birthday, John and I went for Drinks with his friend Greg. It was a lot of fun but I went with the intention of only have a few. But by 1 am, I was drunk and wasn't in the happy drunk state. 

I was the Sad Drunk that night/ In between drinks and driving to different places.(no i didnt drive) I cried...Alot. or so John says. I cried about everything. one being the fact I was now 27.  We won't talk about the rest of my teary moments. They weren't Pretty. 

On my actual Birthday, my sister invited John and I over for supper and cake that she made just for me.

I've never had anyone make me a birthday cake other then my Mother. So I felt kind of special. :) 

Bailee and I made Gluten Free Pasta from scratch.  It was Pretty Good. The Cake that Vanessa made was Really Good.  Snickers cake. So much chocolate and snickers. and more snickers!!!  

It was a alright day in the end

I'm nuts about coconut oil and I can't seem to unstick myself from Honey

Sorry I like my lame titles. They make me giggle.
I've been learning about living more natural which sounds funny from me because I fully enjoy my Dr.Peppers a little to Much. But still I always am doing something new that has fewer chemicals.
I've been doing reading about Honey and Coconut Oil. But Strangely not for use in my kitchen!.
If I'm not careful my bathroom will start looking like my kitchen!
Anyways let's Start with Honey!! I've been using it to wash my Face and Here is why!

1. It is antibacterial and antimicrobial. It will get off any lingering nastiness that’s thinking about setting up camp on your face and creating pimples.
2. It is slightly drying which means it helps soak up any pimples or oiliness.
3. It is also incredibly moisturizing. Seems like a double standard, doesn’t it? But it’s true. Honey sinks into your skin and moisturizes like you wouldn’t believe. (Remember Cleopatra and her honey baths to look young?)
4. It imparts all kinds of beneficial enzymes that work at scrubbing your face for you, as well as perform a little anti-aging action.
5. It’s great for acne, aging skin, normal skin, dry skin … honey loves EVERY SKIN TYPE.
6. It is healing and helps repair acneic sores and scars.
7. It’s 100%, absolutely, positively natural, great for your skin, and such a SIMPLE addition to your routine!

I have also been reading about it to wash my hair! But I've read a lot of Mixed reviews.  After getting rid of Shampoo,  Your Body seems to get confused and your hair gets dull then oily then suddenly transforms into beautiful Silky Locks But it doesn't seem to work for every one and From the reviews, It works for Some people for a bit but then completely stops working but it's supposed to stop Dandruff which is a huge bonus since I Struggle with it.  I am tempted to try it but I don't want to go through the dull hair faze.I can't seem to decide if I want to Mix something up or just use straight honey. Straight honey is fine but some claim adding Apple cider vinegar and pure aloe vera makes for insane smooth hair. But I do Love how it makes my face feel, I get a healthy glow! I feel so clean and if I lick my lips, I taste of Honey,. lol


Now Coconut Oil. My oh My. I wish I had stumbled onto it earlier!
The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, cholesterol level maintenance, weight loss, boosted immune system, proper digestion and regulated metabolism. It also provides relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV, and cancer, while helping to improve dental quality and bone strength. These benefits of oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and their respective properties, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, antibacterial and soothing qualities.
I'm still learning about it. But I've been trying to use it as a face moisturizer though I feel funny about putting it on.
And I've tried Oil Pulling a bit which is supposed to be a form of detoxing your body of toxins but also helps with teeth problems. I've been trying to get into it but using raw coconut oil is odd because you put a solid piece into your mouth and it feels oily for a second then it melts and acts like water and it leaves your mouth feeling really clean after but I can't get past feeling it melt into my mouth. It really weirds me out.  I hope to get into a better routine of it and stick to it.
Reading about it. Some Rub it onto their scalp because it stops dandruff and some use it as a lotion.
And some eat it by the Spoon full Claiming it helps them lose weight (Can anyone say Natural laxative?) but that it helps with memory and more.
I want to try it for the helping with memory but I want to find a pill or something because I'm not so keen or eating a spoonful of oil. But heck it would keep me Regular!

Now I haven't spent any time in my kitchen this week and I am being Serious about this. I've used maybe 3 plates for the past week. one night I heated a burger up and one night I ate noodles.
I fully admit that living alone makes me unmotivated to do wonders in the kitchen because I have no one to enjoy it. I've been living how I used to when I was Single. Go to work in the morning and have a bowl of soup. Go home in the afternoon, Go back to work, have another bowl of soup, Come home and eat something quick that involves hardly any effort like fruit, oatmeal, popcorn, pizza..... Horrible choices I know but when I don't need to impress anyone with my killer skills, I don't. When I cook for myself, I only see the errors and the corrections that are needed and don't enjoy it the way it should. I do plan to get around to the things I've talked about but it takes a little more time.

     It doesn't help with the fact that since He's Left this time around, Everything seems So Different. Time is going slower, I feel more lonely(This Empty house is driving me insane) and I can't sleep.  
I stay up late, not even doing anything important. and if I try to sleep, I seem to stare at the ceiling for hours. I eventually pass out around 3 or 4am then am awake by 8:30ish. Where I stay in bed and hope to drowse but it doesn't happen.
I can only watch So Much Netflix and I watched all the episodes of Drop Dead Diva, Weeds and some thing else. I've watched countless hours on top of that. Ive been working on the train room, taking it apart isn't so fun but it passes the time.  I listen to music.  I've folded and put away all john's things.  Maybe I'll try to defeat Yoshi's Island on my DS?
I don't have friends in town and my attempts at making friends at work seem to fail. The one girl I was attempting to make friends with, Moved away without telling anyone except Steve and another girl I work with, Whom I have great convos at work with, doesn't ever want to hang out, outside of work. I invited her to go to some bar event on Friday and she told me she had to paint her truck.. lame Right. and I saw her Truck today. She lied. She didn't paint her truck.  Tim has been to busy with his new life and attempting to play Family, expecting a new baby is prolly hard to get organized for though.  Shaun and I had a falling out.... I've  been reading a book a day again. Which passes the time a little.

  With that Note of books, I got my eyes checked today. And As predicted, I need glasses full time. So I have to buy new glasses. and I really don't know what style I want or what even looks good on me. Who wants to go glasses shopping with me?

Maybe tomorrow I'll whip up a batch of beet Brownies and give them to my neighbor?  It's something right?

My Heart Skipped a Beet!

Tis the Season for Beets.  and other vegetables of course but for some odd reason beets have always had a special Place in my heart.
Every year I send out a request to friends who grew gardens that if they have spares, send them my way and Every year I get a large bag full. This year I got two bags.
I don't know what it is but they make my heart swoon and my stomach growl.
Last year I made beet biscuits that were the prettiest purple and so soft and Yummy. I also made Traditional Red Velvet cupcakes!--> Colored with Beet juice! I had Roasted Beet Burgers, beet and mushroom risottto and Beet brownies,,, I had a lot of Dessert like items.
This Year I want to focus more on Real meals!. What I've got in Mind?
Beet Stew, Beet Pizza Dough maybe even a beet pasta dough, If I can find jars I want to try my hand at pickling beets and attempting pickled carrots.  I've been reading about a beet relish but I'm uncertain on it still.

Since I use Blogger, it tells me how many people actually view my blog. My last Blog had one View.  The one before that had 5. A lot of People showed interest when I said I was going to write a blog. When I say a lot. It basically means about 5 people if I'm Lucky,
Maybe they are not seeing my posting. Maybe I'll have to tag them, I'm not sure.

This Week John was home.  He got home around 10:30 on Tuesday Morning. He finished work on Sunday and Didn't sleep until he got home.
All Tuesday He slept. It gave me plenty of time to work on finishing his Smores Cake which turned out Lovely.  Anyone who saw the Picture wanted a Bite. LOL.
For Supper though Fresh made Garlic pasta topped with a lobster and shrimp sauce. tomato based cream sauce jam packed with cremini mushrooms, fresh basil and asparagus.
We saw his parents a bit, We saw a friend of mine, we watched movies and played video games together, We went shopping and we spent the day in Manitou with my Family where I picked up Beets and other fresh vegetables from my Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Lou! It was great seeing them!
I always enjoy sitting and talking with them! It was their first time meeting John, and I think they Liked him which is nice.  I know my family is slowing warming up to him.
He left at Midnight on Sunday. He had to catch a 5am Flight. We napped before he left so I was in a fog but I was still sad when he left. But it will take a couple days to clean up the large mess he made.
I can't see the floor in our room at the moment because he left a lot of things laying round. and the kitchen is a mess because he drinks coffee, hot chocolate and tea endlessly through out the day then we manage to leave plates everywhere.... We won't even talk about his train room. I like to close the door and act like it's not even there. but I don't have to clean that mess.

When Chocolate and Root beer fell In Love

      I don't know when Chocolate fell in Love with Root beer or even when Peanut butter Divorced Chocolate. Maybe Peanut butter Divorced chocolate because She was having a affair with root beer! I don't know how Chocolate ended up Single but Thank God she Did.....
   
            In all seriousness I don't know who had the brillant idea of mixing chocolate and root beer flavor.  It could be a lot like the commercials of how Peanut butter and chocolate started chilling together. Maybe some spilled their fizzy root beer onto their Chocolate cupcake and didn't want to waste a single bit of their cupcake so ate it anyways.?
Who Really Knows. I just know it is a match made in Heaven and one I will happily Cook with!
 My latest adventure with that lovely marriage of flavor is Chocolate Root Beer Sugar Cookies...
It's a rare thing to see Chocolate sugar cookies in the first place but add root beer in there. I personally have never seen or heard of them in Saskatchewan but as I was rooting around in my spice cupboard for the Vanilla extract and stumbled upon my root beer extract. My brain blew back to when I made a super moist chocolate root beer cake and how John loved it and basically ate it in one day... I may of helped with eating in it one day.  In that moment I said Screw Vanilla.Bring on the root beer! Not for a second do I regret that decision. In fact at the end of my Blog, I'll include the recipe for these bad boys. You can thank me Later!

            As everyone who talks to me regularly knows...So mostly my boss.... that John is coming home soon! Like Really Soon. Tonight is his last shift then instead of going to bed, He is boarding a      chopper and flying to Fort Nelsen where he then is driven to Fort Saint John. There him and a coworker drive my Lily Home! In theory He'll be rolling in sometime on Wednesday because in theory he has to sleep at some point.... sleep is over rated I tell you.
As I try to Patiently. I'm trying to make everything perfect for when he is home. And I'm not talking about a clean Sparkling home or a good smelling Taz or that I'll be looking my Best. I a  m of course talking about the Food. Attempting to think of the Perfect things to feed him and have some of it ready so I don't have to spend hours working in the kitchen when I could be spending time with him.  And as most of you know I'm not big on Premade Store bought foods except the random pizza pop but i think that has something to do with Fond memories of a certain friend in high school. Last week I whipped up a batch Sausage and cheese bites and froze them unbaked so I can just pop them in the oven at 250 and bake for about 20minutes, I made up the honey mustard sauce so we can dip them, I plan to make tortillas for tacos one day. and I have things chopped up for making Tomato soup to go with some Grilled cheese. I'm not done planning yet though.
        Since John was in Camp for his birthday, I am making his birthday things for the day he gets home. On the menu for that day. Lobster and Shrimp Tomato sauce on fresh made Garlic Noodles with a Smores cake for Dessert.  Unforgettably since I am such a Cook Dork. I am making everything from Scratch.
The Cake itself which is two layers of Graham flavored goodness and two layers of Fudgey brownie. Then covered in a roasted marshmallow frosting. So I really had to get my Butt in Gear.
Last week I mixed up a homemade batch of Marshmallow fluff which will take part in the frosting. I also made up a batch of graham cookies then almost sobbed as I tossed them in the blender and ground them up.... They go into the graham cake part. I baked up my layers today. The fudgey ones smell amazing but I am a little iffed about the graham ones. The batter didn't Look and in my mind, Didn't bake right but since I have never made the recipe before. I really don't know. I will find out on Wednesday when I get to dig into it. Tomorrow I will be whipping up a batch of marshmellows while attempting to resist the urge on making them Pink. When they are done. I am roasting them, adding them to my marshmellow Creme/Fluff  and frosting the cake. I'll top it with Roasted marshmellows, Broken up graham crackers and drizzle it with Chocolate. Pictures are for sure to Follow on Facebook and if you are one of the lucky few, you may get to taste the cake...


Chocolate RootBeer Sugar Cookies.

Ingredients

• 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup (60 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
• 1/2 cup (115 grams) brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoon Root Beer extract

Instructions

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or in a bowl with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugars on high until pale and creamy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
2. In a separate bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until just combined. Place half of the dough on a sheet of plastic wrap. Use the plastic to form the dough into a disk and wrap completely. Repeat with second half. Chill dough for 1 hour and up to a few days.
3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
4. Wrap one disk of dough and use a floured rolling pin roll out on a sheet of parchment paper to 1/4-inch thick. Transfer parchment paper to a large plate or sheet pan and chill for 15 minutes. Cut out the chilled dough into desired shapes and place on the prepared sheet pan. Freeze for 15 minutes.
5. Bake cookies just until the edges are firm, 13-16 minutes depending on the size of your cookies. Do not over bake. Since the cookies are dark in color it may be difficult to see when they are done, so you may wish to bake a few test cookies to be sure you get the timing right.

Do it Yourselves Wow Me!

I know I know, I'm a Hippie but you know what? I'm a happy Hippie.  I love what I use my spare time to Do.

 

Every day I am Learning New things that I can do myself. From the comfort of my own home. And Some people may think it's a waste of time.  But I adore it. 

A couple months ago I learned how to make my own Tortillas! and I already knew how to make my own low sodium Taco Seasoning! And I've never once regretted learning it. I have not eaten a bought Tortilla since.  I learned how to make home made Ginger Ale though people found it a bit odd, I quite Liked it myself....

I Spend a lot of time googling how to do these things.

And it is One of my Goals.  To make most of the things I use daily.

I love taking baths so I learned to make my own bath salts and Fizzing bath bombs!

I've learned to make my own yeast and how to make it like the store bought stuff<-- I have not started to make it at home yet. It's in the trail stage

I don't like a bunch of preservatives in my food so I'm expanding on baking and cooking knowledge and putting some of the stuff I learned in Siast to Work.  I make my own salad dressing, my own mayos, I've recently been experimenting with homemade mustard and ketchup!

Though I have to Learn how to Can stuff still. But I am hoping to learn that stuff. I have the Book knowledge but the practical part I have yet to do.

Most Recently I've been reading up on detergents, shampoos, Dryer Sheets! 

All these constantly amaze me and Excite me! When I discover something new, I look forward to trying it out myself.   Everything is so trial and Error but i find it so.... Liberating...?  

When I was in Siast Learning away, I talked to a lot of people in the trade.  A lot of people Lose their passion for cooking after cooking in the industry for a while. I'm not saying everyone but a fair few leave it. For a bit I worried that would be me. Specially after starting work in a restaurant and was told that Everything I learned in Siast was useless.  Later I found out that women was just being a bitch and I did use some of my training. 

I took a break from Cooking because I thought I needed it. But I was so Wrong. I didn't need a break from Cooking. I needed to be away from Chick Allan's.  From the negative cooking staff. Away from Steve,

The whole time I was away from it, I talked about it like I was still there. And even though I wasn't there, in my Dreams I was. I talked about it, thought about it and dreamed about cooking constantly. 

At this current time, I am still away from cooking and prolly won't be going back for some time because there are other plans on the table. 

Actually there are alot of plans on the table and we'll fly with the ones that actually works. 

No Matter Where I end up, As Long as I have my Kitchen, I will be happy.

List Of things I want to Make/Learn

Canning->

       Ketchup

       Mustard   

       Salsa

Shampoo

Detergent-> Laundry, and dish

Dryer Sheets

Tooth Paste

Face cleanser and toner

Zit Cream

body Lotion

There is alot more I want to do! but I can't List everything or you'll be reading forever.

Being home

So I've been busy since I got home on Thursday evening. After helping Evan make Curry which was amazing and spending some time with Lyra, We played the drums together! Evan drove me to Humboldt.. We Friday I went to work again. Not back in Camp but in little old Humbug.  Cooking. I worked a lovely 8 hour shift. Saturday I worked a half shift.At two my mother came and picked me up. We went shopping and had lunch. Well lunch was a sort of. We had Subway. She ate her sub while I talked on the phone with John. Since he is at camp, I call him every day at 3.She finished her sub, We head back to Allan and in the car after I am done talking to John, I ate my sub. At mom's house I made up a Berry Reduction Sauce for the Lemon cheesecake that I was taking to Alexa's Baptism the next day and mum made apple pie tarts. I made Cheesy BBQ Steaks sandwichs for supper(Sliced Steak, BBQ basil Mayo, Onion, Tomato and cheddar)
       The Next day we hit Watrous to attend the baptism.  Lutheran(sp) is very... Preachy? I zoned out and read a book for the service but paid attention at the actual important part. After we had a lunch at Vanessa's house. It was nice. I talked with Family.I hung with Lyra, Bailee and lucas and Alexa. I talked to John on the phone for a while as well.  After we took Bailee to the Manitou Spa and had a swim. Mum drove me back to Humboldt.
      On Monday, I started Cleaning. My house was left in a half packed cluttered mess. Every room was cluttered and messy except the basement. I finished emptying that before I left. I  Cleaned my room first, I folded John's clothes and stuck them in the train room since he was supposed to use the shelf and never did. His clothes were always everywhere.  Since I don;t have many clothes, I stuck mine on the shelf. My dresser is packed up with stuff for moving. I put away my six colored wood boxes that are full of bathroom stuff and make up. Lol.  I reorganized the living room since it was the location of where all the finished boxes were.  I unpacked some dishes and got my spices out in the kitchen.Found some towls for the bathroom It's nice.  Took Taz for a walk. Then I went to Work in the evening.
Tuesday--> Today, Took taz for a walk, finished some laundry then started the fun stuff.!
John's parents are coming for Supper.
I started early. Pulled Pork takes a while. About 3 to 4 hours but seriously the longer the better, It wasn't normal Pork either. Last night I had already started it, With a simple Brown sugar and Cumin Rub(paprika, salt and pepper) to let it soak in. Then Today I sauteed Onion and celery and browned the meat then deglazed the pan with Pineapple juice. I added tomatoes, vinegar and some other key spices. For a Nice Hawiaan pulled Pork.

Popped that bad boy in the own.
Put on Couscous to cook and mixed up a nice Mexican Black bean and couscous salad( onion, spices, tomato, celery)

Yum Then I whipped up a mixed.berry Brownie, Not only does it have raspberries, blue berries and black berries but it has chunks of chocolate then I topped it with a nice Hazelnut Buttercream icing.

Supper is going to be a real treat and I was happy prepping up supper all afternoon. :)
Tomorrow I only work 3 hours. Anyone want to come for Supper? I'll treat you right. !

Week One.

          So John and I decided to try our hand at camp in the beginning of July. The Theory? We'll both work as heavy equipment operators.

At that time I was working at Michel's. The Hell hole that it was... Okay it wasn't horrible but not being allowed to talk? Favoritism and  being scolded like a five year old just wasn't up my alley.   

  

         We took some classes. H2S, Ground Disturbance, and First Aid. We took one course one week then the other two the following week.  During the class I basically almost panicked the Whole Time. H2S was the worst i think.  We had to try on the equipment.  I had trouble breathing normally with the mask on.  But the test turned out to be easy and I missed one question.!  Though Ground Disturbance was the most confusing. Very technical, Straight out of the government rule book stuff. I did't understand it much and if the test wasn't such a joke I would of maybe gotten 50%? if I was lucky but the instructor came by and corrected us and we wrote it. So everyone got 100% in the end. 

      

      After getting all our tickets, John figured we'd be gone by the end of the first week So I quit my job on the 10th?   It didn't go quit as planned. No one wanted to hire me as a packer with no experience but everyone wanted John but he wouldn't take them without me being able to go too. After that we aimed for trying to get me a job in the kitchen and he could come up with me and prolly get a job the same day in the same camp. I emailed resumes like mad. Then I tried to call. No one would accept my call. They would just tell me to send my resume through their website. No follow up call or anything. Then we decided to up and go. Screw it. We'd see what we could do up there. 

        

           Wednesday night we packed up our car then headed off bright in the morning. I napped and John did all the driving. :) 

We got to Edmonton and saw my Friend Gin who I have no seen since Oct. I had missed her a lot. She took us to see strippers! then the next day Cleo showed up and we went to the mall. I went on two  roller coasters... A whole new experience for me. Sure i've been on the zipper and the octopus at the saskatoon ex but the first ride that John and I went onto was called the Mind Bender.  I can see why. After the first fall? I had to close my eyes. It was over whelming. I ducked and felt my shoulders come out from under my restraint... I kept them closed for the rest of the ride. The Other ride I kept my eyes closed as well. I don't think I'll try it again

     That Night we went to the Taste of Edmonton. It was amazing. Thousands of people. 10 to 20 minutes to just get a sample. Some things were made poorly but a couple places really went out of there way. I had Onion bread, pad thai, mushroom and sausage rotini, chocolate covered strawberries, mocha mousse shots and more.  Gin, Cleo and Tanis shared what they had as well so it was a ton of different flavors! 

   Saturday Evening we took off to Fort mac. It was about a 5 hours from Edmonton. Fairly quiet. Not to many stops. We drove around a bit. Found a dark parking lot and parked for the night. Unfortunatly I'm a horrible packer and the car was full. So we couldn't recline are seats much, I fell asleep but john played on his computer. At 3 I was awake and so was John. We Drove else where and he moved everything to the front of the car so we could sort of lay down, tad Cramped but workable.In the morning I was up by 9 and he slept til noon!.   Mostly on Sunday we wandered around, Found a place to shower which by the way was heavenly, found a cheaper car top carrier to put some of our stuff into so the car wasn't crowded. that evening we had a bit more space. We slept from 10:30 til 10 in the morning. it was nuts but we were a bit sore from the plastic bottom of the car.