Summer Giveaways and Saturday Thoughts

After a week that was full of rain, rain and, well . . . more rain the sun is shining down on Oak Cottage early this Saturday morning. And, yay! I'm on holidays for two weeks! Time to put my feet up, dig out my painting brushes, get all the little things done around here that have been begging to get done for the past year, time to clear out the back room of all the magazines that need to be rooted through and thrown out . . . well . . . let's not get carried away here!

I am a bit of a pack rat and I have a really hard time getting rid of anything, and most especially magazines. I start to look through them and next thing you know I am reading them and thinking to myself . . . do I really want to get rid? I am hopeless! I know it has to be done though, or this whole house will begin to sink into the ground, and it will all be because of the weight of those old magazines! At least that's Todd's fear!



I'm going to go shopping this morning for a new pair of trainers. I'm hoping that they will be comfortable enough that I can get some relief from this foot problem of mine. No, it hasn't gotten any better and in some ways is worse. I know that I will or should be able to get a lot of rest these next few weeks off of them, but we will be going away to Cumbria for part of the time and I had really looked forward to doing some hiking and such while we are there. It will be a shame if my feet won't allow it. I am also really hoping that we get a week of nice sunny weather while we are there. It would also be a real shame it if rains the whole time, although I am prepared and will be bringing my paints, paper to write on, a few good books and some playing cards. Todd is under instructions to tape as many good films this week as he can, just in case . . .




This time I am really hoping that we can go to the home of Beatrix Potter in the Lake District. That is one of the things we missed the last time we were there. I loved her stories as a child and I just love the movie Miss Potter. I know it is a romanticized version of her life but I could watch it over and over again, and to Todd's dismay, have seen it at least 6 times and would watch it again tonight if I could! Oh, I know he'd not quibble if I said I wanted to, but I have to think to myself, can I really put him through that again???



In just a few weeks now my baby boy will be starting his Military training for the air force in St Jean, Quebec. It seems like only yesterday he was learning to walk and now . . . here he is almost 20 and getting ready to serve his country. I am so proud of him, and yet, at the same time, I am terrified that something will happen to him. He's my one child that I didn't get to finish bringing up, as his father and I got divorced when he was 11, and he wanted to live with his dad, as any boy would. He's kind of grown up without me, and I had been thinking all this time that, when he was old enough, perhaps he would want to spend some time with me and we could get closer, not that we aren't close, but . . . you know. The longings of a mother's heart . . . I know he will make a great soldier and he will do his country proud! Was it just last year that I flew back to Nova Scotia to watch him graduate from high school? It seems like eons ago now . . .



Today our Stake (church area) is having a Country Fun Fair at our Stake Centre. It promises to be lots of fun and is an excellent way to start off my holiday. There will be food and displays and competitions and an old fashioned Barn Dance with line dancing as well! It sounds like a lot of fun and I am really looking forward to it! I have a photo to enter into the Photography competition, in the weird and wonderful world of nature category. Actually I have two that I like, but I can't make up my mind. They are both pretty interesting in my opinion and it's hard to choose!!! In any case, it promises to be a really fun day!



I thought to kick off my summer holidays I would do a "Summer Giveaway." You all have been so dear to me these past months and so very generous with your comments and such, so it's about time I gave a little something back. Leave a comment on this post and I'll put your name in for the Women's Weekly Cookery Book, "A Taste of Chocolate." It's a delicious book full of lovely chocolate recipes, and not just dark or milk, there's white chocolate involved as well. It's one of my favourite books. You, too, can be dining on recipes such as Raspberry Rapture Ice Cream Cakes and Chocolate Churros! Just leave a comment here and I'll try to draw it before I leave on my holiday!

Speaking of delicious recipes, I made this wonderful salad the other day for our lunch/dinner. If you like Avocados and corn like I do, then this is for you! By the way Linda, my corn plants are at least 3 1/2 feet tall now and growing more every day! I can't wait to harvest some lovely sweet corn from off of them! Thanks so much!



*Avocado, Corn and Tomato Salad with Mozzarella*
Serves 4 - 6

I love the rich creaminess of avocado. It goes so very well in this salad, with the corn, tomatoes and mild flavour of the cheese. A tasty herb dressing brings all the flavours and textures beautifully together. This goes very well with grilled chicken or steak.

4 cups lightly cooked sweet corn, drained well
1/2 pound fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/4 inch cubes or bocconcini, halved
2 ripe avocados, halved, peeled and sliced
1/2 pint ripe grape tomatoes, halved
8 to 10 fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Baby salad greens to serve
1/2 cup Herb Vinaigrette (see below)

Put the corn kernels into a large bowl. Add the mozzarella cheese, avocados, tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. Drizzle the vinaigrette over top and very gently toss together. Be very careful as you don't want to mash the avocado. Season with more salt and pepper or dressing to taste. Serve on a bed of baby salad greens.



*Summer Herb Vinaigrette*
Makes about 1 1/4 cups

1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
the grated zest and juice of one lemon (I use un-waxed)
3 fresh basil leaves, julienned
2 TBS chopped fresh oregano leaves
2 TBS chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
3/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Whisk together the vinegar, mustard and lemon juice. Whisk in the lemon zest and herbs. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the mixture is emulsified and begins to thicken somewhat. Stir in salt and pepper to taste. Use immediately. You may store it in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, but no longer, because of the fresh herbs.