Quick Chicken Curry....................

One of my all time favourite meals is Chicken Curry. I have never had a really good curry since leaving England. Even in Canada it was not the same. I have found curry here in Traverse City that I have liked, but still not the same as when I get it in England. I do not know what the secret is. The ones I get in England we call it Chinese but it may be some other Oriental recipe like Thai. How would I know. All I know is it would be my number one favourite meal. The Chicken Curry we get here is thinner, the sauce is thinner. It's hot too, the one at home is hot but a bit milder maybe.
So I have tried myself, several types of curry by using pastes and powders and different ideas.Nothing comes up quite the same, even though each recipe is good in it's own way.
So, I have come up with a quick version that is passable good.

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What I use is this,
One can of Cream of Chicken Soup.
One can of Coconut milk.
1 teaspoon of Garlic salt
1 teaspoon of onion salt.
1 tablespoon of cumin
2 tablespoons of curry powder..........I use a lot more.
A handful of yellow raisins (Saltana's)
Green pepper sliced
A couple of carrots sliced longways.
Mushrooms
frozen peas
One large onion chopped. (I also chop one onion and add raw just before serving)
Salt and ground pepper.
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When I make my recipes I tend to just throw things in and taste test. So with this. I added more cumin and used a lot of curry powder. That will depend upon personal taste.
Method

Mix the chicken soup and coconut milk (you can double this if you want more)
whisk that and add all the spices until blended. Then add the onions. Simmer this for as long as you can to let the flavours mix. It would be a good slow cooker recipe.
Add the mushrooms 1/2 hour before you are ready to eat along with frozen peas.
Taste.... keep tasting. Get it just how you like with additional salt.
I Love tasting.
Serve with white rice

If I were to write a cook book of my own recipes I would really have a job. I tend to do things different each time. I love curry and I have to taste in order to get it right. So with that in mind, my own recipes have to be done as an experiment and make them your own by adding flavours. Sometimes it needs more or less salt, sometimes a little sugar, very little will just be the right thing to get it just so. Its all about the taste.
I didn't have the peppers or carrots so made this one with what I had on hand.

Meatballs......................

I sort of like meatballs. I love ones I make myself. The thing is, turkey meatballs are tasteless. I just do not like them, at least I don't like the ones we bought. We got them at Sams so in bulk. Yeuk!!!
So what to do. Then it occurred to me, why not soak them in something tasty before cooking them? Even better cook them in the crock pot.
With that in mind I got out the crock pot, some BBQ sauce and threw them in together.

We shop at Aldi's now. We get some really good deals there, you can't beat the price on things like milk and eggs and cheese. Some things are not so good. I don't like their Mayo and I don't like the Baked Beans. So, as I had a can in the cupboard I threw that in too. A can of diced tomatoes went in along with some left over Spaghetti sauce. It tasted pretty good. To make sure, I tossed in some Garlic salt, Onion salt and pepper. I sat that to cook on high for 8 hours.

It may not have been the absolute best thing I ever cooked but it was tasty enough that I did it again using up the rest of the meatballs. I won't buy them again, I will make my own I think if I do need any.
I have a good recipe for regular meatballs and I bet I can adapt that to using Turkey burgher, I seem to have managed with everything else. It works really well with Taco's and Burrito's, spaghetti sauce and Chili. Now I am confident that I can cook almost everything I did before using turkey instead of beef. I just have to remember to boost the flavour.

The second time I made this I tossed in a can of corn. It was very good. I served it with rice.

A little light cooking...............

Yesterday I came across a recipe for cabbage. Hmmmmmm and I had a small cabbage in my fridge that had no plans. Well, we had picked up a Rotisserie chicken when we went shopping. They make at least three meals for us. Sometimes four.
Well I thought I would try the cabbage dish to go with it.



It sounded good. So I gave it a shot and I thought it was awesome. Different. I could have eaten a lot more that's for sure and it's probably not very high in calories, well it wouldn't be if you don't slather it in cheese like I did.


Well what you do with this dish...... is first in a large frying pan cook your bacon. Now, I am not giving measurements because it depends on your taste and how much you want to make.
You will need Bacon, onions, cabbage, sour cream and cheese. You will also need Paprika, Salt and pepper.
Now when the bacon is cooked (either cut it up or do that before frying, or crumble it doesn't matter) Chop up a large onion and fry that in with the bacon until tender. Also add the cabbage, make that shredded sort of like you would for Coleslaw. So as they are cooking, and you may need to add some olive oil if you use Turkey Bacon like I did. Sprinkle on maybe a teaspoon each of Paprika, salt and pepper. Fresh ground pepper is best. Stir that all until its blended and turn out into an oven dish.
On top of the cabbage mix cover with a cup or sour cream and on top of that the grated cheese. Both should be enough to cover the cabbage. I used a lot of cheese. Yummy.
This could very easily be modified to make a main dish but as it is, it's a great side dish.
We certainly enjoyed it.

Something New........................

I have neglected this blog, mainly because I have been busy doing other things. I normally post things I make, or things I find on here. I have not been to the Thrift store in quite some time. I have not been sewing and only just began to do some painting again. So.......not a lot to write about. Oh I have been busy, just mainly things that I have put on my other blogs.
I will sort out a few things to share here.
About a month ago I did find a new (for us) Thrift shop. It was a rainy day and we were heading for coffee before the beach so, we went in to a shop in Lake Leelanau.I have no idea what this is, but will use it as a planter come Spring.

This little dish, just because it was pretty.
I know I got Laura some shoes and an old tea kettle that was hand painted, that too will be a planter. It's put away now. I can't remember the other things I bought now.
I have been painting too, working on another sketch book.

I have not done much that's good. That's OK, it's not meant to be. I do the sketch book just to keep ideas that may or may not become something later.
The new thing I am doing is trying to use some of my photo's. I want to make positive things to share on Facebook. So much negative right now. I want to be able to share some positive thoughts.


I try to have my subject somewhat fit the caption. We know sparrows are little squabbling birdies.



It's a way to use some of my own photography. Maybe later I will have a few good ones.

Well now winter is closing in I will probably be getting back into sewing. Christmas is not too far away. Dread to think about that but will have to very soon.

Yard Sale.........

It has taken me forever it seems, but I have finally set up my yard sale. For the longest time it has been too hot. Now it's too wet. Looks like I may have to wait another whole week.

I cleaned out my jewelry box of all my vintage stuff. I have not had much luck with that yet. Still only had one and maybe 1/2 days.

I have vintage purses and dresses. Hats and plates.

I sorted out most of my salt and pepper collections.

Paintings I had no room for,

Quilted wall hangings


There are sheet sets, quilt sets, pillow cases and some vintage ones that are hand embroidered.


The things that sold the quickest were Reina's toys. So I think I will be sorting out some of Tristen's stuff, old wood puzzles and stuff he will never play with. I washed all the stuffies and those are nice to give away when little kids show up.

A whole table of craft items, some of that sold but there is plenty more.

Books, there are always books

Laura and Reina were my helpers. I made 250 dollars in the one day. I need to do a lot better, I have loads to go through in the basement yet so will need another couple of weekends yet. I also have a bike for sale. Time to rethink and dig in for more stuff. Then a nice dry cool weekend that's what I need now.

Time for a treat....................

The last couple of months have been difficult. When it's over with I will write about it but not yet. It has also been very hot and I just do not do well in heat. I mean its been up in the 90s and once it goes past 75 I am done for. On top of that it has been humid, and then I suffer. I sweat and it makes me itch, my hair is always damp at my neck and under my bra itches. I just am not a hot weather fan.
Poor Bijou is sick again. If you recall she was sick about 18 months ago and we almost lost her. I am not sure she will pull through this event but we are trying. She has antibiotics and I hope that will do the trick. Also pain meds if she needs them, she does not seem to be in pain.

The girls all had an appointment with Brenda's Pet Parlour.We took 3 of them and Bijou stayed home. She is throwing up and not eating. She is finally drinking but soon becomes sick. It does seem today that she keeps it down a bit longer. we are putting peanut butter in her mouth and I just gave her some honey. Just a taste of things to hopefully keep something in her. It does not look good but she shows a bit of the old spirit still. I may call the vet tomorrow but if it's the old problem there is not much to be done. We don't have the money either, it's sad to see her moping but she does get hugs and kisses and is made comfortable.
So when I took the other three girls in I indulged myself. I went into Goodwill. It has been a long time. I just needed a few moments alone and to do something fun.This is what I found.


Eight nice crystal wine glasses. I love them, can you believe 6 dollars for the set of 8. Wow. I didn't know they were crystal until I got them home and tested them. I didn't care they were so pretty that was just a bonus.
The next thing was a small teapot. I could not resist that. Its inscription says Royal Norfolk.


I found what I initially thought was a butter dish, its glass. I wanted it. When I got it home, sticks of butter don't fit so I will have to cut them up into squares. That's OK. It could be a cheese dish but who keeps cheese out these days. We do keep a stick of butter out because we do use it every day and I don't like hard butter when I need it.



A fairy for my garden. Probably next year. Right now it's sitting inside. When I get to work on the garden again she may go outside. If it ever cools down

The last find was a game for the kids, well and actually a book for me and two for Tristen. That was it, and it made me feel good. It didn't take away the problems but took my mind off of it for a few moments. Today I took out some of my glasses for the yard sale and replaced with the new ones. I didn't want to get rid of the ones I already had but how many glasses can we use haha. I also need to find more stuff to sell so there ya go. My entrance is full of boxes. I am waiting for the weather to cool and it may end up September before we get set up. No hurry.

Time for a treat....................

The last couple of months have been difficult. When it's over with I will write about it but not yet. It has also been very hot and I just do not do well in heat. I mean its been up in the 90s and once it goes past 75 I am done for. On top of that it has been humid, and then I suffer. I sweat and it makes me itch, my hair is always damp at my neck and under my bra itches. I just am not a hot weather fan.
Poor Bijou is sick again. If you recall she was sick about 18 months ago and we almost lost her. I am not sure she will pull through this event but we are trying. She has antibiotics and I hope that will do the trick. Also pain meds if she needs them, she does not seem to be in pain.

The girls all had an appointment with Brenda's Pet Parlour.We took 3 of them and Bijou stayed home. She is throwing up and not eating. She is finally drinking but soon becomes sick. It does seem today that she keeps it down a bit longer. we are putting peanut butter in her mouth and I just gave her some honey. Just a taste of things to hopefully keep something in her. It does not look good but she shows a bit of the old spirit still. I may call the vet tomorrow but if it's the old problem there is not much to be done. We don't have the money either, it's sad to see her moping but she does get hugs and kisses and is made comfortable.
So when I took the other three girls in I indulged myself. I went into Goodwill. It has been a long time. I just needed a few moments alone and to do something fun.This is what I found.


Eight nice crystal wine glasses. I love them, can you believe 6 dollars for the set of 8. Wow. I didn't know they were crystal until I got them home and tested them. I didn't care they were so pretty that was just a bonus.
The next thing was a small teapot. I could not resist that. Its inscription says Royal Norfolk.


I found what I initially thought was a butter dish, its glass. I wanted it. When I got it home, sticks of butter don't fit so I will have to cut them up into squares. That's OK. It could be a cheese dish but who keeps cheese out these days. We do keep a stick of butter out because we do use it every day and I don't like hard butter when I need it.



A fairy for my garden. Probably next year. Right now it's sitting inside. When I get to work on the garden again she may go outside. If it ever cools down

The last find was a game for the kids, well and actually a book for me and two for Tristen. That was it, and it made me feel good. It didn't take away the problems but took my mind off of it for a few moments. Today I took out some of my glasses for the yard sale and replaced with the new ones. I didn't want to get rid of the ones I already had but how many glasses can we use haha. I also need to find more stuff to sell so there ya go. My entrance is full of boxes. I am waiting for the weather to cool and it may end up September before we get set up. No hurry.

New Facebook Page..................

I already have a few Facebook pages. One is Bluebell Woods. On that I post pretty pictures. Some are my own but many are what I find in my web browsing. It's a pretty popular page. That shocked me. I have several thousand followers and they often contact me and leave notes. It has been very satisfying for me. I enjoy it.
So, with that in mind I have decided to use some of my own pictures and start another page. I will use my own photos and add a quote of some kind. People seem to like that. For me it's fun and I can get my pictures out there. This is an example of what I have in mind.

I want a place to display them until I decide what I want to do with them. I have a lot of pictures that I think are pretty good. Its a shame to just have them in my picture folder on the computer. If people like them I may get some printed up and maybe sell some. I can do the same maybe with some watercolours. If they get a few followers then I can decide what to do. I may open an Etsy store. I keep saying that but I need to actually get moving in one direction or other

So it's just a thought at the moment. These are the only two I have done so far. I will have to do a few more before I open the page but once I get a few done, then I should be able to keep up and do a few a day after that.
Wish me luck

Leland Blue...................

Our new hobby is collecting Leland Blues. Ultimately I have to learn to do something with them. I do not have (Well I do) a rock tumbler, the small one I got years ago is around but, it just takes so long to get a finish on a stone. The stones I have I actually like raw.

I have some big ones that would need cutting and naturally I do not have the equipment for that either. I do know where to go to get them cut though. First though I must figure out how to use them. I did buy a drill and I know I must do that under water.You know what they say about a little bit of knowledge don't you?.
Well I am going to look for a silver wire jewelry making class. Just need a couple of lessons to get the technique and I will be all set.

Some small stones are pock marked and already have a pleasing shape.

This green stone would be nice just as it is with silver wire to hold it.

Once I learn how I have some really nice shapes. Some other rocks too other than the Leland Blues. Many many Petoskey stones for one thing. I love the colour and shape of this stone.

I think lessons is the first thing on my list before I ruin some nice stones. I am scared to try drilling but will practice on some of the lesser stones. This next one is unusual, its almost white and I am wondering what I can make from that one.

When I die, and people go through my stuff hehe, just wait and see what they say when the encounter some of the odd things I have kept for projects. With luck I can get rid of a lot before anyone sees it all.