True North Strong and Free

Happy Canada Day!

and welcome to our party

Kate and William

No More Mrs. Nice Guy...

Today, the window-washers

came to our complex.

5 townhouses, 2 free-standing houses...

not a big contract, but I would think fairly easy money...

and hey...times are tough.

They asked me if they could use my water.

Mrs. Nice Guy said "Sure...and guys, I'll even leave

the garage door open so you can access the tap."

I couldn't believe it when I came out

around 6.00.

Not a worker to be found anywhere...

my garage door still open...

Guess who's garage-door windows did NOT get cleaned?

What is the matter with these guys?

They knew I was home,

all they had to do was knock on the door, say thank you,

and make sure the garage door was down so they could clean my windows!

Sorry, World...but no more Mrs. Nice Guy!

Keeping it Special...

My neighbour is wrestling with a bit of an issue at the moment.

Her husband has retired...and her work schedule gives them both a 

lot of free time.

As I have mentioned many times, our little part of the world

is amazing in all that it offers abundance, both in the way of natural beauty and interesting things to see and do.

So the other day, Laurie asked me:

"If every day we either golf, go for long walks beside the lake,

pop into one of the numerous vineyards to chat with the wine-makers and taste a new wine...how do we keep life special?

  If these are our every-day things, then nothing is going to be special again."

I think she has it backwards.

By being in this amazing environment, I think we are being given the opportunity to realize that LIFE IS SPECIAL...all of it.

Every morning, that cup of coffee I drink is delicious, sublimely delicious,

provided I stay in the moment and savour every sip.  No matter that I have a cup of coffee EVERY morning of EVERY DAY.

So...the opportunity to walk our little golf course and play 9-holes as the sun is setting with my husband is GLORIOUS...no matter how often we do it, or how badly I play!

So what is the secret here?

How does this remain forever special?

Gratitude...pure and simple...

and keeping our hearts wide open...right V?

That's how you keep it special Laurie.

Ch Ch Ch Chia!

Ok ... I've written about

Kombucha!

&

Quinoa!

So what's next?

Get ready

it's

Ch Ch Ch Chia!

Now I don't want you all to rush out and buy a Chia Pet!

I want you to buy Chia Seeds.

My daughter dropped by today and brought me a jar of

Chia seeds soaked in almond milk, coconut milk and honey.

It was delicious!

You soak the Chia seeds in the milks and honey with a little water, once the seeds

have absorb some of the liquid they become gel, rather like tapioca.

They make an excellent source of fibre,

are high in Omega 3's and are the highest vegetable source of

Omega 3 fatty acids. These fatty acids and oils are useful for

absorbing fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.

They are also helpful in absorbing calcium.

They are fairly tasteless so you can use them in salad dressings,

smoothies, breakfast oats and puddings.

Enjoy!

and don't worry I promise you,

you will not end up looking like this!

With love from Victoria

"Could you please move, you're right in front of the quinoa!" = Priceless!

"Don't Block the Quinoa!"

I thought I would share this video... so funny!

Gotta love those shopping carts!

But seriously, I do love my Quinoa, so here is a recipe for a salad

I just made, it was delicious!

Quinoa Bocconcini and Oregano Salad

The delicate flavour of this popular Italian cheese and the crisp

vegetables blend perfectly with the oregano vinaigrette.

3/4 cup quinoa

1 1/2 cups water

1 cup diced aucchini

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup diced red onion

1/2 cup frozen baby green peas, thawed

1 cup diced red bell pepper

1/2 cup diced yellow bell pepper

3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh oregano (or 2 tsp dried oregano)

1 tsp minced fresh garlic

pinch salt

pinch ground black pepper

1 cup halved mini bocconcini cheese pieces

Bring the quinoa and water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Cover, reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the covered saucepan on the burner for

another 4 minutes. Remove lid and fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork. Set aside to completely cool.

Combine the zucchini, tomatoes, onion, peas and red and yellow pepper in a large bowl.

Whisk the vinegar, olive oil, mustard, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper together in a small bowl.

Pour the dressing over the vegetables and thoroughly mix all ingredients.

Add the quinoa and the bocconcini and mix until evenly combined.

Serve immediately or for up to 3 days.

"It's getting real at the Whole Foods . . .

. . . Don't block the Quinoa!"

with love from Victoria

Update

Poor Seamus, better luck next time!

winners

Dionne Brand (left), Canadian winner, for Ossuaries

and

Gjertrud Schnakenberg, International Winner, for Heavenly Questions

photographed here with Scott Griffin.

Home!

As fun as it was,

as wonderful as everyone was,

as exciting as the adventure was...

never has anything...

ever been more appreciated,

than just being home...

Halfway

Up through central and northern Florida

through Georgia

we landed late last night at Spa Angle in North Carolina.

We are here until tomorrow,

and then,

back on the road again...

...and we're off!

...the car's loaded and we are on our way!

First stop, the smokey mountains of North Carolina 

hope you are ready for us Tally-girl!

wait, wait, wait, wait, wait...

Here we are in Florida,

the house is sold...

the furniture is sold...

art work is packed...we are ready to go!

But we wait

for a gadget for the pool pump...

for a piece for the shades...

for the box for the top of the car to arrive!

So perhaps the Universe is sending me a message...

chill out...relax...

perhaps it's not quite the right moment to leave.