For a few days last week, I was housebound. The City of Ottawa was spreading it's biosolids (a.k.a. humanure) on crop fields upwind of my place. Mega tankers delivered tons of it to fields in my area. Free fertilizer for crop farmers and the City gets rid of it's treated sewage. Cow manure is unpleasant but bearable. This, however, is a whole other level of stench!!!! Even the cat chose to stay indoors. As Mom would say, "It was no bed of roses!" I pity the workers who handle the stuff. At least the odour lasted for only a few days and sweet country air has resumed.
Speaking of roses, the peony roses are in full bloom now. They make short lived but oh, so lovely bouquets.
While I was making lunch, I spotted a doe grazing her way across the lawn. I took a few pictures and put the camera away. Then I noticed a yearling following her. The doe saw me move and they both scampered into the undergrowth. It looks like she has not yet dropped this year's fawn. They'll find plenty of hiding places in my mostly uncut grounds.
It looks like she has not yet given birth to this year's baby.
Are there prettier lawn ornaments? I think not!
And I do appreciate her help in mowing the lawn.
A friend once told me, "If the only reason you're hanging on to something is sentimentality, then take photos and move on."
And so I took pictures of my four outside doors which ushered in and out so much of our family history. They are familiar and lovely old things, but --- they let in a lot of cold drafts and last winter's propane bills were wicked. Fuel prices are unlikely to reduce so I've ordered four new entry doors that are Energy Star rated. The supplier said that I'll have a nine month wait for them due to demand, the supply chain and labour shortages. So I'll have one more winter of chinking the dear old slammers against the cold.
My east facing doors: Kitchen on left and hallway at right.
The west facing doors. Their replacements will have windows in them.
Door-knocker Owl will be relocated when the new doors arrive.
Like millions of others, I've been enjoying televised festivities of Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee. The cheering crowds, the colourful uniforms, the beautiful prancing horses, the gorgeous hats and outfits, the wonderful concert and special effects -- all of it! The Brits have done themselves proud. And well done, Ma'am, for producing a marmalade sandwitch from your purse in your cute skit with Paddington Bear. Goodness knows you've needed that sense of humour over the years.
The video:
This celebration and grand party is just what we needed after turmoil with COVID and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Even the weather cooperated with sunny skies.
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Inspired by Doug, from ApacheDug's Teepee, I thought I'd toss in a simple salmon loaf recipe I like. It's one my sister uses and I must say, her's is much tastier than mine. Likely because she uses whole dairy milk while I use unsweetened soy milk.
Salmon Loaf
1 213 g can red (sockeye) salmon, undrained and mashed
1 medium onion, minced
2 eggs, slightly beaten
3/4 cup crushed soda biscuits
2/3 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon summer savoury
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine all ingredients and pour into a buttered loaf pan. Bake for about 40 minutes (or until firm in center).
Serve with a topping of tartar sauce.
For a zestier flavour, you could add a teaspoon of horse radish to the mix. You could also make individual patties and fry them in a little butter. Or bake for 20-25 minutes in a muffin tray. Cold, sliced salmon loaf is a nice sandwich filling. It can also be sliced and frozen for up to three months. Versatile, economical and healthy.
I like to pair salmon loaf with creamed peas.
Simple ingredients for a simple meal.
An Ellie Mae breakfast with pink salmon and unsalted chicken broth.
So nice to have fresh lettuce for the picking.
My rugosa roses are making a blooming good start.
The wave petunias are dazzling their little hearts out.
Young robins about to fledge. I'll get my garage back.
