Smoked Blackberry Cobbler

Cobbler is one of the easiest deserts to make and this recipe is one of the tastiest!

Filling:
24 Oz. ͒Blackberries
Zest & Juice of 1 Lemon
2 Tbsp. Bourbon
2 Tsp. Allspice
1/4 C. Sugar

Mix all ingredients together and pour into 10" cast iron skillet

Topping:
1/2 C. Butter, softened
3/4 C. Brown Sugar
1 C. Flour
1/2 Tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp. Cinnamon
Pinch of Salt

Blend butter & sugar together with a pastry knife. Add remaining ingredients and continue blending with pasty knife until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over berry mixture. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes at 375˙ in the Big Green Egg

You can bake this in a conventional oven for the same time and temperature, but it won't have the smoky flavor. Don't skip the bourbon, it's what makes it so good and it won't get the kids tipsy.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Taking Forever!

It's hard to believe I started this project a year ago. If I had the foresight of knowing how long this was going to take, I may have opted out.

The biggest hurdle was overcoming the steep, curved driveway. It was difficult getting Lumber, Trusses and Concrete to the site. With each truck load, the road deteriorated and at the end of the day it needed regrading. That was costly!

The exterior has really taken shape, but for now we have to wait for all the concrete to dry!

Viva la Mexico!

In celebration of Cinco De Mayo, I made Mango Margaritas, Guacamole, Salsa, and Natchos Grande.

Margaritas are made with Mango Nectar, Mango Schnapps and Reposado Tequila,  Guacamole and Salsa recipes are in my head. I got them from my favorite Puerto Vallarta Restaurant, Casa Traditional. Natchos recipe is also stored away upstairs, they are from a long gone Surrey, BC restaurant, Chi-Chi's.

When you get to know me better, you'll find I pretend to be Mexican rather than the Italian I actualy am. 

For the birds!

I've been clearing out my English Garden. As English Gardens go and as lovely as they are, they over grow and sometimes it is hard to tell what's in there. The bird bath, which I doubt gets used, was in need of some TLC. I took it out to seal the top, but it broke. My dad bought it for me so that was a sad moment as he is no longer with me.

I came across the Fraser Valley Cement Garden and to my delight was able to replace the top. I immediately sealed both the stand and the bath and placed it in my Japanese Garden. The bird bath is not Japanese but since that garden is not completed I can enjoy it from my deck in the meantime.

I'm going to let this dry and go onto my next project!

I need a stand to hang a Humming Bird feeder from. I found an old brick at the side of my house that was originally for a concrete wall. One 4' - 4x4, some stain and a hanging basket bracket should do the trick.

Once the stain dried, I screwed on the bracket and assembled it next to the bird bath. The opening on the brick doesn't hold the new 4x4's so I used a shimmy in the back to stabilize the wood. Once the plants start to fill out it will look pretty good if I do say so:)

All I really need is some more bamboo for the back drop. Since I'm building a house, I most likely will never finish this garden and due to the expense of Japanese Gardens, I will probably be taking it with me when I move.

Concrete Sealant: Cloverdale Paint
4X4: Lowes
Shimmy & Stain: Home Depot
Hanging Basket Bracket: Devon Greenhouse
Humming Bird Feeder: Wild Birds Unlimited

Patience: something I was not accustom too!

I spent the better part of a year designing a house that would work on this difficult property. I was beginning to think it was me that was troublesome, but the Architect I’ve been working with says the property is challenging and the process can be laborious.

It is hard to tell here because of all the over growth, but the 270°views, are awesome. Between Jim and myself, I think we came up with the best possible layout.

At the time the plans were submitted to the City I’d been informed that it would take up to 17 weeks. Lucky for me, I got them in when I did, because the guy behind me had 50 sets of blueprints needing approval.

Now for the grueling task of finance and laborers!

Hand-me Downs

April 18,

When you first start out on your own, your parents give you things they no longer want. My husband received a coffee table because his parents bought a new one and no longer wanted it. I have no idea where it came from because I never saw it in their home. But he needed furniture, so that is what he got. I guess it was OK with the couch he bought! We've moved numerous times since then and once he established his career, we bought our first house and new furniture. For some reason this table kept following us around and I really dislike it!

So here I am, board and feeling adventurous. I replaced the table with an old chest and took the table outside. Took it apart and will finish sanding once my hands and arms stop shaking.

April 19,

I want the table to blend in with the TV stand to give the family room a more uniform look. Picking out the stain proved a little difficult as the TV stand is pine and this table is oak. But after a few attempts I matched it up fairly well.

April 21,

After a few days to fully dry, I reassembled the table and it is back where it belongs. All these years I thought it was the glass I couldn't stand, but what it really turned out to be was the color.

Saw Horses and Sand Paper supplied by Ace Hardware

Minwax Wood Fill and Stain, Dewalt Sanders supplied by Home Depot

Not sure if this will be a story about building a house or weight loss!

A few years ago, 2015 to be exact, I bought some acreage with the intent on building a dream home. Whether it will be my dream or not will depend on the outcome.

This subdivision consists of 10 lots. Though there are only two houses completed on this street, it looks like it will be a nice neighborhood.  

Here is my driveway! I can not drive up it in my car as it is too rough. It is also fairly steep, at least my gluteus maximus is telling me it is.

A Wobbeling Wheel!

Have you ever gone grocery shopping and your cart has a mind of it's own? 

Most of the time the cart operation is easy and you go about your business. But on occasion, the cart only wants to head in one direction, and usually it's not the way you need to go.

At the market this morning, I had one of those carts and as usual I was too lazy to exchange it. As I was travelling though the store I soon realized this cart was just like my life! Plenty of turning left when I should have gone right.

Don't get me wrong, I have a great life. A husband who adores me, two grown children, a beautiful home, good friends, and not to forget, my dog❤

I cook, but I'd prefer to dine out. Wine is a must, but some times tequila is in order. Besides the beach, my favorite place is where ever the motorhome driver takes me. I don't have a time clock to punch, so the rest of my time is what ever I want it to be...........