About Me

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I live and love in the small town of Marmo, Ontario, Canada. I am a mother of two wonderful young men and grandmother to a little beauty that owns a big piece of my heart. I have great love for my family and they come first in my life. Mollydooker is slang for a left handed person and lord knows I am as left-handed as they come. Waltz, by definition is informal, leading purposefully( my life). I will be sharing with you my ... Mollydooker's Waltz.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Friday's Favorites

Funnel Cake

Sift together:

2 Cups of flour, 1-2 Tablespoons of sugar, 1 Teaspoon baking powder and 1/4 Teaspoon of salt

Make a well in the center of this dry ingredient mixture then pour into this well:

2 Eggs lightly beaten and 1- 1 1/4 Cups of milk

Stir until smooth.
Heat oil for frying to approximately 350 degrees F.
Ladle batter into a funnel, keep your finger over the hole in the bottom of the funnel until you are over the hot oil, make your funnel cakes in whatever creative design you like by removing your finger off the bottom of the funnel and allowing the batter to stream out.
Fry until golden brown then drain on papertowel, dust with cinnamon sugar, icing sugar or whatever you like.
Enjoy!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Thursday...almost the weekend

Well I have been looking forward to this weekend , it will be the weekend that I am finally finished all my spring cleaning....yes folks all the closets and drawers, windows, drapes...clean!

Today I plan on going to a friends home to remove her staples from her back surgery.
I imagine my visit will not be a short one as we haven't had a visit with eachother for about 5 years now.
Yes, we see eachother in passing in the oddest places, last time was a couple of weeks ago when my car was broke down, she saw me and stopped to chat while I waited for a tow truck.
Before that we met at a concert, obviously too loud to chat.
So this will be a really nice visit I am sure .

What have you planned for your Thursday?
Have you gotten all of your spring cleaning finished?

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

My Visit





Yesterday I went to visit with my little earth angel and although she was not feeling quite up to snuff, we had a great time.
We spent our time playing, having a tea party and lots of stories.
It was a great way to spend our time together on such a blustery day.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Gretchen Time!

Off to visit my little earth angel today!
What are your plans for this Sunny Tuesday?

Monday, April 26, 2010

Laundry, Laundry, Laundry

Well it has been a beautiful weekend weather wise and today although it was suppose to rain has started out to be quite sunny!

I have a ton of laundry to get done today, it has been 2 weeks since I have had a chance to do some.

I am also planning on cleaning out the cupboards upstairs, I have a whole lot of clothing that I keep telling myself I am keeping because I am going to lose weight and fit into it.
Well it takes up alot of space in the closet and it gets depressing when I am trying to find something to wear in the morning and can't find anything that fits so off to community care it goes!

I have decided to try to downsize alot in the house, if I have not used it in the last year I am going to part with it.
I think it is a good rule to keep the clutter down.

Have you started your spring cleaning yet?

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Sunshine and Starshine


So nice to wake-up to the sun shining and double digit temperatures especially when the weatherman called for rain all day today!

For the last 2 nights I have been out in the backyard until about 4am watching the meteor showers and I got a fantastic view of Saturn, it will be visible until the 28th of April. If you look just to the left of the moon at nightfall, it is that little golden star shimmering.

The photo above is of Saturn although the picture doesn't do it justice is that dot just above the trees.

Smokey-Joe my cat has enjoyed being outside with me and loves wandering around the yard with me in the dark.
I find the easiest way to watch the night sky is to grab a blanket and lay on your back so that your neck is not going to be sore from looking up for hours.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Yardsaling

Today is suppose to be the nicest day of the weekend so I am going to spend it out at yard sales and possibly a flea market or two.

I enjoy going to the flea markets for the fresh fruit and vegetables in the late spring through the fall.

This time of year I enjoy going there for the vendors that are outside, the inside runs all year long but the vendors that are outside usually set- up from the middle of April until the end October unless November brings warm weather they will stay as long as the weather allows.

Do you frequent flea markets and yard sales?

Friday, April 23, 2010

Friday's Favorites


Dill Pickled Asparagus

Wash and trim asparagus enough to fit into canning jars, add dill sprigs, about 2 per jar, garlic about 2-4 per jar and 1 teaspoon mustard seeds.

In pan bring to boil 2 cups pickling vinegar, 2 cups water, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon pickling salt.
Reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes.
Pour into jar and tighten lids.
Some people prefer to boil the jar in canner for 10 minutes I don't it takes the crispness out of the asparagus .

Check seals on jars once cooled.
Store for aprox. 1 month in cool dark place.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Thursday 's Thoughts

This morning I thought I would write about something I find so sad...texting!
As of late, whenever I look at anyone walking down the road, in a store, sitting in a restaurant, and yes even visiting friends and family are paying no attention to what is going on around them.
They have their attention focused on those damn cell phones.

I am all for having a method of communicating with someone if it is important, but this is crazy!
People no longer look at the world around them and communicate face to face with others.

As I am writing this post I am looking out my front door and watching the children in the neighbourhood heading out for school and see each one walking at a slow pace, alone, head down, pushing the keypad of their cell phone.
Noone is interacting with eachother anymore, noone is taking in the beauty on the walk they are taking.
All the spring flowers and buds are all being ignored instead of admired, it seems that they walk through their lives unaware of anything else but the conversation going on through the little piece of plastic they carry in their hands.

I am saddened by how much these people are missing out on and also for the rest of us that have to put up with a half hearted conversations and visits with others due to constant interruptions from a cell phone call or a text.

What are your views on the phone/text zombies ?

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Weedy Wednesday

Well today I plan on taking a load to the dump, all the leaves that got raked and bagged and the old flooring my son took out of my parent's house and old trim etc.

Blair did a wonderful job on the kitchen, he painted it a beautiful butter yellow (it almost looks like lemon sorbet) with white trim and the floor is one of those hardwood floating floors, not only was he quick doing it, he did beautiful work.

I am so proud of both of my sons, I couldn't have been blessed with better children,they respect their family and friends and are very thoughtful men.
Ryan is a wonderful father and he puts his family first.
Blair is a wonderful uncle and he also puts family first.

I am always so pleased to see that the values they were taught at a young age have stayed with them into adulthood.
I was taught you treat people the way you would like to be treated and taught my boys the same thing...they really must have been listening !

Once the dump run is done I plan on stopping by a few spots I know where I pick asparagus to see how they are growing.

When I return home I plan on weeding out my flower beds before they get out of hand and move a few plants around as my hostas are getting large enough they are crowding out my other plants and all my flower bulbs have gotten moved by the squirrels I see them here and there in the neighbourhood and in other beds on the property, tricky little devils!

What do you have planned for this sunny Wednesday?

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Doctor Day AGAIN

What plans have you for this sunny Tuesday?

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Sunshine

Although the weather forecast called for a rainy weekend we have been very lucky to have the sunshine make an appearance.
It is amazing how much everything has greened up with the rain we have had for the last two days.
It has actually been warm enough that I am considering going looking for asparagus.
I usually don't bother until the long weekend in May but it has been a mild winter and a very warm and sunny spring and with all the buds on the trees open this morning I think it may warrant a drive to check out the spots I know that asparagus grows.

Last year someone beat me to all my spots and I only ended up picking about 4 pounds of asparagus.
This year I hope to pick much more than that to pickle.
I could have made much more than the three bottles I made last year .
On Friday's Favorites I shall share my pickled asparagus recipe with you.

Off for a drive to see what is sprouting!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Sad Saturday

This is a sad Saturday as I was suppose to grandparent my little earth angel tonight while her parents went out to celebrate her Mother's birthday and I came down with the flu and am unable to go.

Atleast they are still able to keep their dinner date as they have found someone to mind Gretchen for a couple of hours while they enjoy a birthday dinner out together.

Have you ever been looking forward to something and then got ill and had to miss out on it?

Friday, April 16, 2010

Friday's Favorites

Dad's Chip Dip

1 tub of sour cream
4 small dill pickles chopped fine
8-12 small olives chopped fine
3 cloves of garlic chopped fine
4-6 teaspoons of dill pickle juice
1 onion chopped fine or a bunch of green onion chopped fine
salt and pepper to taste.

Let this mixture sit covered in the fridge for 4-6 hours before serving.
For a thicker dip add cream cheese to taste.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Thursday

The posting is late today as I am.
So for this Thursday post I am going to have to make it a quickie as I have an exercise class to put on in 1/2 and hour.
Anyone in the vicinity of the Town Hall in Havelock...you are welcome to come join us!
Have a great day!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Up all night

I am always so careful not to pick-up anything when I go to the hospital I ensure I wear a mask and keep my hands well washed.
Unfortunately I seem to have picked up a bug of some sort, my whole body is aching and I am coughing so much I can't sleep.
I am hoping to get rid of this by Saturday as I have a date to grandparent my little earth angel...
Today will be spent sleeping if I can and drinking hot honey and lemon drinks and having hot baths to try to get rid of some of these aches.
Did any of you manage to make it through the winter without a cold or flu only to catch a doozy in the spring?

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Exercise

Today the weather is nice enough I am going to hold the senior's exercise program outside, I am sure that I am not the only one that needs a boost of vitamin D.
The townhall is where the exercises are usually held but after a long winter inside exercising I am sure that everyone would like to get some fresh air and sunshine.
For anyone interested in joining us it runs every Tuesday and Thursday morning 10am until 11am....everyone is welcome.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Thinking of you...

Today the only place my mind is, is with my Father and Mother.
This morning my Dad has his biopsy and another CAT Scan so doctors can identify which type of non-small cell lung cancer he has and how fast the tumors are growing by comparing CAT Scan from 2 months ago and I can't seem to think about anything else...my love, thoughts and prayers are with my parents.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Homebound

Well my plans for hitting all the sales yesterday didn't go so well.
I left here to get gas in my tank and when I pulled up to the pumps and turned my car off the fellow there asked me to move ahead as he was changing the gasoline prices to lower them and the pump ahead of my car is already adjusted so I pulled my car ahead and once it was turned off that was it...no power.

I got out and opened the hood and checked the battery cables and got back in the car...nothing.
I realized as I was trying to start it that the accessories were still working so it had to be a starter.
I got under the car and saw the starter wire was completely burnt off.
I was not a happy camper to say the least and people were getting impatient behind me to get gas in their vehicles ...luckily a friend of mine was driving through town and pulled over to see if he could lend a hand... he helped me push the car out of the way of the pumps and had a look at it, he agreed with me that the starter wire was off and we scrounged around my trunk and his truck and between us we found the things we needed to hopefully fix my blue bomb-Isabelle Tank as I affectionately named her.

We jacked her up and put blocks under to steady her hooked the wire in that needed to be hooked up and no go.
I went to the phone booth and discovered it was not a quarter anymore to use the public phone it was fifty cents!
Once I got proper change to use the phone I discovered I have no idea what anyone's phone number anymore as I have them all programmed into my telephone at home! Well I can tell you that I am going to get a small phone book to keep in my purse for just such emergencies...(face palm) feeling like a dummy I called my mother to check if my boyfriend was around, no he wasn't and cell phones are not listed in the phone book.
My mother offered to come and get me and I declined and told her a friend would drop me off in town not to worry.
I then saw a phone number in the phone book of the place he was to be working on a motorcycle so I called it and got an answering machine...

I put all the tools back in the trunk and left my car behind and got a ride back to town with my friend.
I got in and called my boyfriend and told him my car was in the next town over and could use his help to get it going.

He picked me up and we went to see if he could get the car to go.
After an hour under the car he then said that there was more going on with my car than just a wire burnt off and I would have to have it towed.
I am hoping that it will be nothing too bad that it can't be fixed as I am unable to afford another car right now.

I am so glad that the fellow at the gas pumps had me move ahead or I would have been stuck in Peterborough and it would have cost an arm and a leg to have it towed home from there...always look on the bright side, it could have been worse!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Sale Saturday

Today I plan on hitting all the sales in the local grocery stores.
Anyone else going to head out early and look for a bargain?

Friday, April 9, 2010

Friday's Favorites

Coconut Macaroons

1 can sweetened condensed milk
6 cups shredded coconut
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 F
Combine above ingredients together and drop by spoonfuls onto well greased cookie sheet.
Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheet.
Store in tightly sealed container.

This recipe is very easy and tasty, enjoy!

This recipe makes 5-6 dozen cookies.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Doctor Day Again...

Today is another doctor day, let me tell you that I am getting so sick and tired of going for tests by the time I get the results of the tests I go for today it will have been 11 months since I first started having tests done.
I am going to glow in the dark I am sure.
Hopefully this will give them some answers as how to treat me as these tests will be the comparison tests to see what has been going on since the last CAT scan.
Too bad it is taking so long, I am really losing my faith in the health care system it seems the left hand knows not what the right hand is doing!
I must admit the pain is not as severe as it had been but is still there and quite annoying after this long ...I guess I am not considered an emergency as I haven't died yet.
Anyone else having issues with the healthcare system?

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Foggy Wednesday

What are you up to this foggy Wednesday?

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Sleepless...

Since I can remember I have had absolutely no problem falling asleep.
I use to hear people saying that they were unable to sleep and tease them saying that the reason I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow is because I have a clear conscience.
Well these days I am unable to sleep and I do still have a clear conscience... unfortunately it is palpitations keeping me awake for half of the night and the Smokey-Joe keeping me awake the other half.
I have tried many remedies for sleep with no luck.
Smokey-Joe has been quite lonely since the passing of his little buddy Smudge and wanders the house looking for her at night.
When he is unable to find her he starts trying to get me out of bed by using his toes to pull my hair, headbutting me and digging at the blankets.
To say the least it is annoying and I would shut the bedroom door if it wasn't a loft and has no door!
So between palpitations and Smokey-Joe I manage to get about 2 hours of sleep a night .
Anyone have any suggestions to help me get a good night's sleep?
What things keep you awake at night?

Monday, April 5, 2010

Easter Fun






Just a peek at our Easter weekend, we had such beautiful weather, we actually broke records for temperatures!
What did you do this beautiful Easter weekend?

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Easter Sunday!


I hope you all are enjoying your Easter Sunday in the sunshine!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Good Friday Family BBQ





Family BBQ Picture Perfect






As promised here are a few pictures of our family Good Friday bbq.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Friday's Favorites

Happy Good Friday!

Today I am sharing with you my daughter-in-law's wonderful Chai Tea recipe!


Desiree`'s Chai Tea

3 cups of water
1 cinnamon stick
8-10 cardamom pods or (1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom)
4-6 whole cloves
1 cup of milk
5 teaspoons sugar or to taste
4 tsp. loose black tea or 3-4 tea bags

Crush your spices with a pestle and mortar and wrap in cheesecloth.
Pour water into pan, add spice bag and bring to a boil.
Remove spice bag and pour into mug.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Doctor Day

Well today I go to the Ear, Nose and Throat specialist for our regular 6 month scope.
I know he will not be pleased with me as I have gone back to smoking ...here we go.
I know I really must quit and have tried everything from patches, pills, willpower (which apparently is weak),books, counselling,hypnotisim(a number of times), gums, lozenges...I quit for a while and then start again.
This time I plan on quitting for good but am still in for a tongue lashing once he does my scope and sees that I went back to smoking.
This time I plan on staying quit and not give in to feeding that nicotine monster anymore.
Have any of you quit smoking?
Any suggestions or quitting strategies?

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