Stuff…

Martingale Publishing had the most wonderful Black Friday sale where every book on their website was on sale for 50% off.  Guess what I picked up at the post office today?

At least once a month they offer 40% or more off selected publications.  If you’d like to receive their newsletter, you can find the link to their website HERE.  I’ve made several great buys, many of which included free shipping.

Just recently I signed up for Jeanneke’s challenge called,  “Building houses from scraps”.   Well, I love scrappy and I also love house blocks so this to me sounded like a marriage made in heaven. 

The challenge includes making one 3” finished  house block a day…or any sized block for that matter…starting on the 1st of January 2012.  The goal is to have enough blocks made by the end of the year for a quilt.  If you’d like to read more about it or to be able to print off the free PDF pattern, please go HERE.

It was suggested that the easiest way to make the blocks was to paper piece them…something I’ve never done before.  So last night I watched a couple of You Tube tutorials featuring paper piecing and a few of them suggested using the “Add-A-Quarter” ruler.  

Today I purchased mine.   It looks easy enough but I’ll know exactly how easy after attempting my first one.

A year ago this month we arrived in Nova Scotia.  This past year presented us with many challenges but we both agree that the move was a positive one.

Can you believe that there are a few boxes that still need to be unpacked?  This past week, I managed to unpack 4 more boxes with Frankie’s assistance.

Look closely at the photo below and you’ll see a pair of blue eyes peering back at you.  That box still continues to provide entertainment for both Frankie and us too just watching his antics.

If you dislike brussel sprouts,  then you’re probably in the majority…until now.  My friend Ter’e  (no blog) sent me another winning recipe which I’d like toshare with you.  Done this way, you’ll be converted…really!

I purchased 2 pints (those little square boxes) of fresh brussel sprouts at the farmer’s market last Saturday.

To prepare them for this recipe, cut off the end and slice them in half lengthwise.  The yukky outer leaves will fall off by themselves.

Peel about four cloves of garlic…

and slice very thinly.

Place the prepared brussel sprouts into a baking dish that is large enough to allow them to be in a single layer.

Spread the sliced garlic over the brussel sprouts…

and add freshly grated parmesan cheese.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Of course freshly ground pepper and sea salt are better.  Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over the top and bake in a 375F oven for about 20 minutes, stirring once, until golden-y.

When done, add more parmesan cheese and olive oil.  Toss to coat and serve.

This is without a doubt the most yummy tasting brussel sprouts dish you’ll ever experience.   The taste of the roasted garlic is heavenly and I think that you just might change your mind about those little cabbages forever.  *wink*

On Monday of this week, I had my second PET scan. It was a very long and exhausting day and it’s taken until today to start to feel a little more like myself again. Next Monday, I meet with the chief oncologist in Halifax to discuss the results.