A Bit of Magical Fun

Tried out this quiz today. Funny, when I was a young girl I always wanted to be a mermaid. Did the feet together swimming thing every chance I got.


Mermaid

"Mermaid types are warm and caring in a passive, receptive way. They are given to daydreaming and to contemplation, a combination that can make them seem curiously absent and fey. They are among the most unworldly of all the types. Despite this they have a strong ability for clear, rational thinking that can be startling. They seem to have a deep, intuitive understanding of the oneness of the universe. They have a desire to help the world at large and are acutely aware of and sensitive to suffering. This is partly because they do not recognize the customary boundaries between people, other living things, time, space, this world and the Otherworld. They are frequently psychic. They can be brilliantly original and highly creative. They are usually regarded by others as benign eccentrics or as plain weird."


What is Your Magical Personality?

Quiz swiped from Llewellyn.

Beyond My Control

I knew that this NaBloPoMo was going way too easily for me. Posting consistently and only one or two last minute posts. Than came the thunderstorm. Being a lover of a good thunderstorm, I didn't mind at at when one blew up last evening. I was even okay when the power went out for a few hours...I had a nap. I was however not okay, when the power came back on and the keyboard and mouse for the Mac weren't responding.

It's one of those deals where the keyboard is connected to the Mac and the mouse is connected to the keyboard. After a somewhat frantic call to the Mac Outpost this morning, I resigned myself to the fact that the keyboard was done.

A happy ending for all, after a trip to Mac Outpost by Tall child and an $80 price tag, we have a shinny new keyboard and mouse. Our poor dinosaur of a Mac must feel a little outdated, but it seems to be adapting. Have I mentioned how much I love our Mac? I love it, love it love it.

The only downside to this tale ...I have failed at the June NaBloPoMo. well, there is always July, and the theme is Food! Yay!!!

I'm a little behind with this news, but I did just find out from my Foodie Girl yesterday. It almost feels like a belated b-day gift. Tastespotting is not gone! Yay!!! It is apparently just hibernating, or regenerating. Either way I'm happy, and can hardly wait until it is up and running again.

In other news, the school year is officially finished. I am very pleased with both of my girls, and will love having them around more. However, by mid-July I will probably be questioning the sanity of that statement, and battling with them for the computer for the purposes of Tastespotting and Food Gawking. Not to mention Ravelry and Facebooking with Foodie Girl, who I already miss and she hasn't even officially moved away yet.

Pansies & Pretzels

First, a photo of a lovely little pansy, taken yesterday.


Tonight after dinner, Tall Child and I made soft pretzels. We used the recipe for the Bretzel Rolls. They probably wouldn't win any food beauty contests, but they are dang tasty. With practice, I'm sure we will get better with the pretzel shaping skills.

Rest, Relaxation & Rolls

Today being my day off, I took advantage of what will probably be the last Monday I will have to myself until the next school year begins. I lounged in my comfy clothes, planted a couple of plants I had picked up on Saturday, tried out a recipe for Dinner Rolls that I found through Food Gawker, and baked and iced a batch of Pink Lemonade Minis for an event at Megz school.

All in all, today was quiet and relaxing. The cupcakes turned out adorable. The dinner rolls were tasty, but I am still on the look out for a recipe more to my liking. No photos, I forgot to take them earlier, and now the light just won't very flattering ... nothing like orange tinted dinner rolls. I did take a few photos of a few plants, but they have yet to be uploaded. My time online this evening has been limited by the fact that I share it with two teen girls, one of them who happens to be an Anime loving Tall Child.

Home Improvement?

I tend to consider this blog an "online home" of sorts, and therefore I want it to feel comfy, cozy and look nice. When I decided to finally start it I based the colours around the title. To me, Moonlit is night, black, blues and maybe purples. I have plans of creating a custom header, but have yet to get to it. I often wonder if the layout is the best it can be, and am continually looking for ways to tweak or improve the appearance.

Where am I going with this? Not anywhere specific. Though I did spot a quiz on blogthings today and had intentions of just copping out and posting the quiz as today's entry. Instead, it made me think, and so here I am again, dissecting the blog, its layout, the colours, etc.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, the quiz that inspired this babble.

Your Blog Should Be Blue

Your blog is a peaceful, calming force in the blogosphere. You tend to avoid conflict - you're more likely to share than rant. From your social causes to cute pet photos, your life is a (mostly) open book.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

In Celebration of Summer

I bring to you ... Sweet Peas in the Rain



In keeping with the NaBloPoMo them for June, these lovely sweet peas grow wild in the front of my home, and come back year after year for our enjoyment. When the girls were younger we would use the sweet peas in flower crowns for Summer Solstice.

Sadness to Madness

I started the day a little sad, knowing that even though I would have a fun lunch with friends, it would be because one of them is moving away. My day then progressed and was looking pretty good. Errands were done, dinner was made, things were moving smoothly. That was until I received the news that my Epicure order was never placed, due to the consultant losing my order form. I know this seems small and petty, and I am probably overreacting, but I have really been looking forward to receiving the spice blends I thought I had ordered. Now my evening has digressed into madness as I search, for my copy of the stupid order form. Whatever, maybe this is a sign and I should just cancel the stupid order. Spice blends, schmice blends, who needs'em.

In Under the Wire

I have been busy today with a few preparations for my fave Foodie Girl's going away lunch. Shhhh, it's supposed to be a surprise. Tomorrow is her last day at work.

It was seven weeks ago that she announced she was deserting us moving away, on to brighter and better things. I am truly happy for her and wish her only the best in her new penthouse apartment with her guy. He's a lucky one. However, I will miss her terribly. Yes, I will still have her blog to keep up on her cooking and crafty ways, but who will I talk about all the crazy food stuff with...? She is the only person I know who doesn't get that "Wow this chick is nuts" look when I talk about foodie things, or crafty things.

Anyhoo, yesterday she gave me a really fab gift. I love it. It's a classic, and will have a place of honour in my kitchen always.



How cool is that?! A leopard print cookie jar!

Huggles Kelly, I will miss you oodles.

Backyard Beauties

Today a glimpse of some of the flora growing around my home. I still have only a fraction of my usual outdoor containers planted, but there are a few pretties to beautify until I get around to filling the other pots.


Viola


Bacopa


Mystery Bush


The mystery bush is not only a mystery but also a very pleasant surprise. About 13 years ago there was one on the side of the yard which I dearly loved. Sadly, due to brutal pruning on the part of my then husband it died. So imagine my surprise this year, when wandering the yard, to find a gorgeous bush just like the one that had died, but on the opposite side of the yard. I was so excited I actually rushed to get my camera, and happily snapped away photos.

I have a surprise gift that I also intended to share, however, I was unable to get a photo able to represent how awesomely cool it is. Something for tomorrow.

Life as a House?

What the House Test Says About You

You consider yourself important, but no more important than anyone else. You love attention, but you don't feel like you deserve more of it than anyone else. You can't stand community oriented people and annoying "buy local" campaigns. You prefer to live the best life possible, and that doesn't really involve many other people. You are creative, expressive, and bright. You are always in the middle of some amazing project. You look attractive, but mostly because your rely on your natural good looks to get by. You are moved by what's exotic and unique. You often have the mentality of a traveler, even when you're not traveling.

The House Test

Okay, so it's a quiz, but at least it relates to the June NaBloPoMo theme of "Home".

Sweet Addiction

As I may have mentioned here, I am a complete Tastespotting addict. Or at least I was until it closed down, and on my b-day no less. Since then I have been in major denial about the whole thing. However I have, with a little success, managed to satisfy my food porn needs through copious visits to Flickr, Bakespace and personal blogs, Pioneer Woman Cooks, Tartelette, and CakeSpy, to name a few.

Today I received a wonderful message from Foodie Girl, that seemed heaven sent, and was just what I needed. A Tastespotting substitute. Apparently I wasn't the only one suffering from the loss. Check it out, and often, it seems to be updating at a blissfully dizzying rate. How can you not love great food! My newest love and soon to be addiction Food Gawker.

Oooops

I almost forgot, but never fail, here I am.

Father's Day and I feel like I have no one to wish a happy day to. My step dad passed away suddenly a few years back. I miss him more than words can possibly express. I take comfort in the wonderful times that we did share. He gave me away at my wedding and was there for me when the marriage disintegrated. He was the best Grandfather my girls could ever have asked for, and he was a wonderful husband to my Mother. I believe that the dead can hear it when we think of them. Poor man, he must never get any peace.

Leonard, where ever you are, I love you. Happy Father's Day to the best Dad a girl could have.

Many Loves

Yesterday, my b-day, I celebrated with an Iced Chai Latte from Starbucks and shopping. I love Iced Chai Lattes and I luuuuuvvve shopping!

I hit one of my fave places, Winners. I bought a really cute, kinda funky, glass rooster that I had spotted there last week. It reminds me of a weird sort of glass bird, I think it was supposed to be a turkey, that my Mom had on the coffee table when I was a little girl. I also picked up b.b.q sauce and some Lemon Thyme Sea Salt. Before heading home I grabbed some stuff at Wal-mart, including a cute silicone ice cube tray, the ice cubes are little flowers. I neglected to take a picture of it. I picked up a cute pair of flip-flops. I also love flip-flops.

All in all, it was a satisfying b-day experience. I think in recognition of surviving one more b-day, I will indulge, and relax all weekend. Well, there may be some knitting, baking or cooking involved, but nothing too strenuous.

Happy Friday the 13th

And, Happy B-day to meeeeee!

That's right today is my b-day, and I was actually born on a Friday. I have always loved being a "Friday the 13th" baby. I have never thought of it as a bad luck day. Of course, I also have a love for black cats, gargoyles, Tarot, crystals, the moon and thunderstorms. Maybe they're connected, maybe they're not.

I plan on today being fairly quiet. I have booked the day off from work and plan on doing as little as I can get away with. Maybe I will just do me things, maybe plant a few flowers, maybe do some baking, or some knitting. Who knows maybe I will just immerse myself in the complete luxury of doing nothing and ... do nothing. I don't usually make a big deal of my b-day.

Enjoy your Friday the 13th, I know I will.

With Musical Accompaniment by...

Swiped from my Foodie Girl.

1. How do you like your eggs? Baked in cupcakes, or chocolate and covered in foil. I don't eat eggs as eggs.

2. How do you take your coffee/tea? I drink coffee maybe twice a year, and then it is light, sweet and preferably iced. Tea, I like herbal. Or iced, or regular tea, hot with milk and honey.

3. Favourite breakfast food: Don't usually eat breakfast, but it would probably be pancakes, with maple syrup and bacon on the side.

4. Peanut butter: Smooth or crunchy? I enjoy both, especially in cookies.

5. What kind of dressing on your salad? Raspberry vinaigrette, or Italian.

6. Coke or Pepsi? Neither, ginger-ale with lots of ice.

7. You’re feeling lazy, what do you make? I make Tall Child make dinner.

8. You’re feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order? Pepperoni, mushroom and bacon.

9. You feel like cooking. Cupcakes, bread, mac & cheese, cookies or soup.

10. Do any foods bring back good memories? Homemade eggnog, strawberry ice cream, corn on the cob.

11. Do any foods bring back bad memories? None

12. Do any foods remind you of someone? Rice pudding reminds me of my Grandma. So do peas because she taught me to eat them with butter and vinegar. Also fried smelts, she introduced me to them and it is one of the first things I remember her teaching me to cook.

13. Is there a food you refuse to eat? Liver, head cheese, blood pudding and kidneys.

14. What was your favourite food as a child? Fried smelts and corn on the cob... not together though.

15. Is there a food that you hated as a child but now like? Nope.

16. Is there a food that you liked as a child but now hate? Nope.

17. Favourite fruit and vegetable: Fruit - black cherries. Vegetable - broccoli.

18. Favourite junk food: Smart Food popcorn

19. Favorite between meal snack: Leftovers.

20. Do you have any weird food habits? None I'm aware of.

21. You’re on a diet. What food(s) do you fill up on? Yogurt, popcorn, watermelon and cantaloupe.

22. You’re off your diet. Now what would you like? Potato chips.

23. How spicy do you order Indian/Thai? Not too spicy.

24. Can I get you a drink? Black Sambuca.

25. Red or White Wine? Red.

26. Favourite dessert? Cheesecake, and coconut cream pie.

27. The perfect nightcap? Sex.

This post was typed in it's entirety while Tall Child practiced for her flute test. It's titled "The Spinning Wheel".

Happy B-Day to My Baby Girl

My little Megz officially becomes a teen today. I will be strong. Never mind that my last born, my youngest, my wee Meggadoodle is growing up and now one year away from high school. Did I mention she is also taller than me? Anyone who knows me personally knows that is not such a feat, but still.

Today is her special day and in recognition of that, I will prepare a special dinner, and I will make Tall Child be nice to her. It will probably be a quiet day, since she already had a party with her friends this past weekend. It will be just the three of us, well, and the cats I suppose.

Megan, I know that you will grow stronger, brighter and more lovely with each passing day. Though I feel a little sad that my baby girl is growing into a young lady, I know that you will become a woman I am blessed and proud to be a part of.

Happy Birthday! Remember, enjoy each and every day that comes to you.

Surprises, Sneezles & Answers

Tall child and I are currently plotting. We have a surprise for someone else who lives in this house. There will be gifts, food, hugs and possibly a cake. Hint, she doesn't have a tail.

Speaking of tails, my Mocha is sick, he has the sneezles. It's kinda cute, and kinda pitiful all at the same time. Called the vet today, she wants us to keep and eye out for yucky bits associated with sneezes and make sure he's still eating. We're really hoping to not have to take him in. He is always totally traumatized after a visit... even though she is a wonderful vet.

Also, as promised, the answers to the Flickr Game questions.

1. Corinne
2. Barbeque Ribs
3. Wheable
4. Burgundy
5. Stuart Townsend
6. Arizona Green Tea
7. Greece
8. Cherry Cheesecake
9. Happy
10. People
11. Complex
12. Moonlit Knit

The Flickr Game

Saw this on a blog today and thought it looked like a bit of fun. For a challenge, try to guess my answers from the photos. Some are easy, but a few maybe not so easy. For the curious. I will post the answers tomorrow.

The concept:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name.



1. Corinne!, 2. Go ahead, lick the sauce. You know you want to., 3. 51, 4. reflexion • dijon, burgundy • 2008, 5. Dorian Gray (The Immortal), 6. icetea, 7. Up Or Down, 8. Grandma's Famous Cheesecake, 9. Noche de luna llena - Full moon night, 10. Street sellers, 11. Complex Simplicity, 12. FairyMoss2

Garden Sweet Garden

My garden, which actually is a grouping of various sized flower pots on the small patio outside my back door, is an important part of my house in the warmer months. I love coming home and being greeted by the assorted pots of various blooms with herbs tucked amongst them.

I rent my home, and though there is a large yard, the soil is pretty crappy. If I had my way, and revamping the entire yard was option, it would be a wonderful oasis. For now, I stick to container gardening.

I usually stick to flowers, with some of my favourite herbs and the occasional cherry tomato plant or pot full of salad greens. I have tried growing veggies in containers, never seems to work for me.

Every year I try to come up with a colour palate. I usually come up with a basic guide and then I wind up going into total impulse buy mode and totally go off track. However, it seems no matter the planned theme, my first purchases of the season are always violas or pansies, and bacopa. This year was no different. Purple & white pansies, and white bacopa. This year there was my usual bridal wreath bacopa and the new large bacopa with the quarter sized flowers. I love them.

Placement is always a bit of an issue, and I sometimes wind up moving plants several times before I am totally happy with the way things fit together.

I am having a harder time this year. I have a basic colour plan, whites, creams, purples, blues. My problem, choosing the plants. Often, when I shop for plants, I swear they jump right off the table and cry out for me to take them home, and I usually do. They're not talking this year.

No worries though. I have not lost faith, and am confident that my little garden will soon be gorgeous and welcoming. Then I can do another of my favourite things and amuse myself taking photos of the pretty blooms.

What's in a Name?

Before beginning this blog experience I pondered it for several months. There were so many questions. Did I have enough to say? Would people actually want to read it? What should it be about? What should it be called? After all it was going to be my online home.

Back then knitting seemed the way to go. It was something I loved, something I knew enough about, and something that I am proud to be involved with. It never occurred to me to to have a food blog. Yes, cooking and baking are things I do, things I love and things I happily share with my family and friends. But cooking is something everyone has to do, isn't it?

Since then I have learned that not everyone cooks, not everyone thinks pie is easy as pie. Not everyone enjoys making their bread from scratch rather than using a bread maker. I never thought (and still don't think) of any of my culinary products as overly special. Heck I think me using the word "culinary" sounds pretentious. I'm just a simple girl who likes to make, share and enjoy simple food. But people, at least many of the people I know, are always remarking on the food items I create. People even remember me for it. I go to a party at my friend Kim's, someone says "You're the one who made those rosemary potatoes, those were delicious." Yes, I made the potatoes, and I brought them to Kim's b-day party two years ago.

I digress, the point I was trying to make is, was I wrong when I named this blog? When I look back at my posts more of them seem to be related to food than anything else. I know there is always the option of having a second blog, which many people do. I barely keep up this one sometimes, me having two is out of the question.

A while back I talked here about the overt foodiness of this blog and through Freudian slip or just plain typo. Several times I accidentally typed "Moonlit Knitchen" and ever since have wondered if this blog should be re-named. What do you think? Does the name really matter? Is it a bad thing for a knitting blog to have more food posts than knitting ones?

Don't get me wrong, I still love to knit, and do it all the time. But I cook more than I knit, probably due to the fact that my daughters find food tastier that knitted goods.

I'm rambling, I'll stop now.

Melting...

Holy runny frosting! It is so hot and humid here baking is out of the question. In fact, just about everything that involves movement and or is not done sitting in front of the open freezer, is out of the question.

My first quiz of the June NaBloPoMo. It sort of even relates to home.

You Should Live in a Small City

You are definitely an urban person, but not any old city will do. You want a city that matches you well. For you, big cities lack individuality. You prefer a smaller city with lots of personality, local culture, and history.

Where Should You Live?

Seeing Spots

Previously I mentioned that my dream kitchen involves a "side of funky". This would most likely be in the form of cute Asian inspired accessories (which Tall Child refers to as Kawaii) , kitschy roosters or leopard print.

Maybe it's due to being a teen in the Eighties, but I have a soft spot for leopard print. At least once a week, I search in vain for a ceramic, leopard print rooster. I do already have a leopard print broom, but was unable to find the matching dust pan. I am determined that Kitchen Aid should have a stand mixer in leopard print and I truly think that Tupperware should introduce leopard print. I have even browsed for leopard print contact paper to line the inside of my cupboards.

In case you're worried, I don't plan to go leopard crazy. But I like key pieces, especially where you don't expect them, example... leopard print, ceramic rooster.

Nifty Fifty.

Celebrate good times come on! Let's celebrate!

No, I'm not 50, though I do have a b-day fast approaching. This is my 50th post of 2008. I feel so, um, like a blogging slacker accomplished. I plan to keep on going. Who knows, I may even reach the 100 mark. Now that would be a surprise, and might take another month or two of NaBloPoMo.

Seeing as I rambled on a little yesterday, I will keep this short and simple.

Rose Coloured Range

Yesterday I mentioned my dream kitchen. This is something I have planned out in my head for years. For whatever reason, most of the ideas never quite make it out of my head and into the actual kitchen. The plan has changed as I have changed, I went through my Cow/Country Kitchen phase. I even have a couple of ceramic cows, and some country heart dishes to prove it.

I think part of the reason some of my ideas never come to life is that I am often decisionally challenged. There are days where I want a cute and funky kitchen full of colour, and there are days when I want something simple, sleek, and Ikea inspired. However, most of the time, I want something that's English cottage with a side of funky.

For several years now I have dreamt of an Aga. I'm really not even sure of where I saw my first one, it was probably in a magazine. No matter, it was love at first sight. I watch Escape to the Country in hopes of catching a glimpse of one. I remember the episode of the Naked Chef, where Jamie was cooking at Jay Kay's place more for the Aga than the food, though Jay is cute. I have even been known to watch Practical Magic just to drool over the Aga in that fabulous kitchen.

This past January, while shopping for a dryer, I had my very first up close and personal experience with an Aga. Now mind you, it wasn't the traditional model, it was a dual fuel rage top model, but it was still one of the most gorgeous things I have ever seen. Some people drool over cars, me I guess it's appliances. In my defense, it was shiny and red.

One of the coolest things about Agas, in my opinion, is that they come in so many fabulous colours. I have it narrowed down to two choices, when I finally win the lotto and can afford one, it will either be claret, or black. I know those may seem a little boring to some when I could have turquoise, or aubergine, but those are the two colours I know I could live with long term. I'm leaning towards the claret. Oh and the combination of my dreams.. a two oven gas range, with a dual fuel companion range, like the one below.

Home, Hearth & Muffins

My modern hearth, which due to the lack of a functional fireplace, is actually the stove in my kitchen. My dream kitchen does involve an Aga, but so far, that is a long way off. For now, I rely on my trusty stove, a much beloved Christmas gift from my Mother. Today my hearth was put through it's paces.

This morning while browsing Tastespotting I fell victim to a photo from The Teacher Learns to Cook, of some wonderfully yummy looking Bretzel Rolls. Being that I am me, and that today is my day off, I just had to make some up. I somehow managed to forget the milk in the recipe. However they still turned out awesome, everyone loves them. I will definitely be making them again. I am even thinking of trying them bite-sized next time. Who knows, I may even make the actual soft pretzels.



After the Bretzels came a batch of Mini Pink Lemonade Cupcakes. Then, while the chili simmered, I played with my corn muffin recipe and wound up with Cheesy Bacon Corn Muffins. They were also very tasty and went perfectly with the chili.



And my hearth isn't done for the day yet. Tall Child has requested Apple 'n Cheddar Muffins for this week's grab and go breakfasts. Who knows, there may even be a few peanut butter cookies before the night is through.

Here We Go Again

Once again my Foodie Girl has talked me into participating in NaBloPoMo. The theme for June is Home. I'm sure I can find lots to ramble about.

Speaking of home, yesterday my friend Kim hosted an Epicure tasting party at hers. My contribution was sixty deviled eggs. There were lots of tasty tidbits to sample, and some really cool products to have a peek at. I wound up choosing a set of spoons, a couple of fruit dip mixes and two or three seasoning mixes. Kim surprised me by paying for my order as my b-day gift. See why I love her to death, she buys me stuff to cook with, for my home, which I will have to invite her to dinner at, to remind her how much I value her as a friend.

On the knitting front, I have finished the right front on the wee baby hoodie and am about to move on to the back. I love the way it's knitting up and am hoping to have it finished soon.