A Tuesday Night Supper

Posted on June 28, 2022 by Dale | 83 Comments

I haven’t done a food post in eons. And now I’m thinking I have to reinstitute Dalectables. I’m thinking about it. Oh, and don’t worry, this won’t be one of those super cheery blah-de-blah; step-by-step with twelve photos of the same thing. No, no, this is not one of those!

Just like blog post ideas, so go ideas on what to make for supper (for the umpteenth day in a row). And by go, I mean by the wayside. Sometimes, just like the wannabe post where I write one line with the intention of coming back to it later, I buy an ingredient for a specific recipe only to find its less-than-desirable self in the back of the fridge. Sometimes, like the line, I manage to use said ingredient in another way, thereby not wasting it. And sometimes, I actually use it in the way I wanted to. Or almost.

I had a head of cauliflower in the crisper drawer, slowly de-crisping and becoming more, let’s say frumpy. (And I don’t know about you but with the price of groceries, this is NOT the way to go.) I have been wanting to do a recipe since forever and tonight was the night! Of course, I could not find that recipe for the life of me… so, as I usually do, I went to the trusty Google and entered the ingredient I wanted to use. BOOM! Oh wait, that’s not it. Ooohhh… but I have everything I need for THAT recipe. It’s a go! And, while it might be a supposed main course, I knew that my kids would not buy it so it was going to be a perfect side for the marinated chicken thighs – that I actually remembered to do this morning before work. I am on FIAH! Okay, let’s not get excited.

And, take that Jamie Oliver… I, too can have a fabulous meal done in thirty minutes!

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks With Romesco Sauce and a side of Marinated Chicken Thighs. So, thank you, Martha Stewart, your recipe was delightful. And thank you, Dale Rogerson, your marinade turned out delish (not that I can ever make it again coz it was some of this, some of that and…)

Ta dah!

WWP #262 – Zest

Posted on June 4, 2022 by Dale | 106 Comments

A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in the comments. I haven’t played in ages and eons but hey… here I am and thank you, Sammi!

Limoncello Instead

I’ve a zest for life, this is true

Life’s thrown me a lemon or two

Woe is me

I’ll never be

I’ll not turn sour and bitter

With vodka and zest

A time to rest

I will have a delicious elixir

From Zest

To ‘Cello

What Are the Odds? – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on June 1, 2022 by Dale | 123 Comments

Hola my peeps! Yessiree, it’s me, participatin’ in the weekly activity known as Friday Fictioneers which starts on a Wednesday, coz that’s how we roll… Get in early, keep up with the new arrivals and Bob’s your uncle! This week, our hostess with the mostest, Rochelle, has selected a photo from Lisa Fox. Don’t ask me why I went where I did. I just did. Coz that’s how I roll 😉 Plus, OK… maybe when I first saw the image smaller, I saw something else. But since my brain went there, who am I to redirect it? If’n you come up with something more betterer, then please, by all means, click on the frog below and add the link to your 100-word story!

Click me to play

There’s the pistol! And they’re off! We can barely tell one from the other. Round the bend they go and it’s Smiley-Joe in the lead. Not too far behind is Jack-in-the-Box with Happy-Go-Lucky sneaking up. Lucky Charm is at the back of the pack and there is no way he’s gonna be a contender!

Wait! What’s going on? There he goes… he’s surging outta the pack! Holy crap! He’s past Suzie-Q, now Sweet-Cheeks. He’s closing in on Happy-Go-Lucky!

My God! I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s like he’s possessed! Whoa! What an upset! No one saw Lucky Charm coming!

***

K. Normally I don’t dig on explanations to stories, choosing for readers to make of it what they will. However, let me just say I thought I saw a vine climbing higher…

Easy-Breezy Sundays

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Dale | 48 Comments

If every summer day was like today, I would be in heaven. 25℃ (feels like 27℃) or, for you Yanks, 77℉ (feels like 81℉). The sun is shining but are were puffy white clouds passing by, breaking up the blue and momentarily giving breaks from the direct rays. The breeze is warm and steady at 30km/h with gusts up to 39km/h (19mph, and 24mph). The tree leaves rustle, the birds sing and traffic sounds so far away it is a barley discernable hum.

It is now late afternoon and all the neighbours, myself included, have mowed our lawns; no more sounds of circular saws or hammering or other chores needed, and now, we can sit by our pools or on our patios or right in the grass, having earned our time of respite, and just be one with the world.

Trying to hide from the lawnmower by looking like a potted plant

A well-deserved break

Of course there is supper to be made but I’ve actually planned ahead, sorta, kinda maybe. The salmon “should” be thawed by the time I’m ready, right? Plus, supper won’t be at least until 7:00 pm today… In the meantime, I am catching up on my reading – I am participating in Sammi’s Lord of the Rings re-read. It’s fun. We read a half-chapter per week, then “discuss” on her blog in her Tolkien Tuesday. I was behind by four weeks! Tomorrow we shall be discussing the first half of Chapter 11: A Knife in the Dark. It’s fun to get the opinions and thoughts of others (we are 4-6 regulars who participate) on each segment.

I was actually serenaded by a robin as I enjoyed the afternoon. How can one not appreciate that?

The BBQ is cooking my salmon and my rice is in its last resting five minutes. The asparagus are just about to get some grilling and I may actually be joined by the other residents of this household for supper, like at the same time as me. Whoa.

Grillin’

Platin’

We so enjoyed the different flavours brought out by the barbecue, it had me wondering why I barely used it last year. I shall definitely rectify the situation this year.

I’m also wondering why the hell we did not eat outside, especially since at the time we ate (8:00), the non-existent roof on my gazebo (ripped last year and needs to be replaced) wouldn’t have mattered as the sun had moved away from the house. Much as I love to eat outside, I do not love to eat in full sun and will never understand those who do. To each his and her own, I say.

*Special note: I was so enjoying the day yesterday that I finished posting today, Monday 😉

Soul Swell, Frolicking Fée, Marvellous Moon

Posted on May 16, 2022 by Dale | 112 Comments

I have so many plans. Too bad I’m a lazy bum! Was gonna write my WWP Saturday, then yesterday… but then the whole Blood Flower Moon Eclipse thing… But first, let’s go back…

Thursday evening was girls’ night. A way long overdue girls’ night. Okay, even if we had had one a couple months ago, I’d still feel it was overdue! Our usual trio of Julie, Giselle and me was upped by one with Linda. A very happy case of perfect timing. As the weather was particularly clement (a good 27℃ (81℉)) at suppertime, we sat outside of La Louisiane, a Montreal Cajun-Creole eatery that we have frequented a number of times and which I suggested for our evening. Ah man. It wouldn’t matter where we eat because it’s all about the company but good food just adds to it, right? Plus, Linda had never been so we got to introduce her to the joint. Linda and I arrived first and ordered drinks while we waited for the other two… which didn’t take long.

While we decided what to eat, we decided on a few appetizers: hushpuppies, sweet potato fries and grilled corn bread. Yeah.. um… Good stuff to absorb alcohol, right?

We then went for another round, this time with Cajun chicken wings, Gumbo – so more cornbread, beet and arugula salad, coconut beer battered shrimp. Delicious. All of it.

Giselle was ready for sweets so she indulged in a chocolate pecan torte (which we all took a bit of). However, we (Linda) felt we were still not done with the savoury and we ended up ordering some fried clams and crab cakes.

Lots of love, laughter and feel-good vibes were felt and must be repeated soon… Right, ladies?

First to arrive

Cornbread, hushpuppies, sweet potato fries

The Girls

Coconut beer shrimp, gumbo, arugula beet salad

Fried clams, Crab cakes

Chocolate pecan torte

Check this out!

Saturday morning I was supposed to run but the pool was in the shade and I thought that would be the best time to vacuum all the crap without me being cooked in the sun in the process. And, after I had done half, my sister Tracy called saying she was going to the barn for just an hour or so to see Fée (pronounced Fay) and would I like to join. She couldn’t ride her as she’d (Fée) had her vaccine so that’s why the visit would be shorter than usual. Um. Yeah! Plus, I promised Gigi from Rethinking Life that I would finally show her pictures of Fée.

Lemme tell you, I was rather glad it was to be a short visit. It was hotter than Hades out there – 32℃ (90℉) to be standing around in the blazing sun.

Tracy went to get Fée to bring her into the little ring. “She’s going to roll around in it.” “Really?” “Yep.” And she did. She ran around, going back and forth and then lay down and rolled. Up again and then rolled again. It was quite the sight to see!

Woo hoo!

Is this a good spot?

Oh yeah…

And then some

Wait. Where’s Mom?

I’m so excited!

As mentioned in the intro, this post was late because I was going to attempt to capture the Full Blood Flower Moon and Eclipse. And failed miserably. I even went up onto my roof but my tripod is tired and my butt got wet and then the clouds came just when I capture a sliver of it… and not all that well, either.

I did have fun with my phone before, begging the clouds to please be nice and disperse, which they did, before completely taking over.

And the best of the worst with my camera.

Oh well, maybe next time! If you really want to see some beautiful shots, check out Tim’s blog at Off Center & Not Even. Outstanding, I say!

The Little Things – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Dale | 121 Comments

It’s Wednesday! And that can mean many things. Over here in blogland, it means the start of Friday Fictioneers (don’t ask, just know!) Rochelle has ~~dragged~~, encouraged me to play by ever so sweetly asking me to use my photo. How could I refuse? More importantly, why would I? Should you feel so encouraged, please do add your link to your 100-word story by clicking on the frog below. G’head. I dare you!

Frog with rose Royalty Free Vector Image - VectorStock

G’head! Click to play!

It doesn’t take much, you know. To be made to feel more than, rather than less than, or worse, inconsequential. Sure, the big things are nice and all but in the grand scheme of things, those things are just accumulated stuff. Some stuff you really enjoy. Some you don’t know why the hell you keep except for some misguided sense of obligation. And, if you are not careful, you lose sight of the things you love most amidst said stuff.

It might be cliché but actions do speak louder. Small ones. Big ones. Ones that make sense only to you.

Acceptance is Healthy – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on April 13, 2022 by Dale | 159 Comments

Hey! Hey! Hey! Looky here! Rochelle found a way to kick me into gear and get me to Friday Fictioneer with my Friends. Pretty sneaky, you ask me. But then again, I have been away for eons… Nice to be back to play with you. If you want to play with us, just click on the sunbathing frog below and add your linky-link to your 100-word story!

Frog in a long-chair stock illustration. Illustration of relax - 2574345

Click to partake

You gonna set up a table, too?

Maybe.

Why the hell don’t you set up on the walkway. You know, where there is NO snow?

Feeling whimsical.

You’re nuts.

That too. Plus you know how much I hate when there is snow at my birthday.

And your point is?

Hate is not good for your health. I have to embrace it. So, I’m sunbathing.

For f—

Language! What’s it to you anyway?

Feeling left out.

Why’s that?

Only one chair. You didn’t invite me.

You just mocked me!

Changed my mind. Whimsy is good.

Grab another chair, then.

On it!

Back in the Saddle Again

Posted on April 10, 2022 by Dale | 129 Comments

Three weeks. Three. Whole. Weeks.

I just want all o’ y’all to know I am not belly-aching. Nor whining. Nor whinging. Nor any other -ing that means the same difference. Just statin’ the facts, y’hear? Took me a whole damn three weeks to shake this thing (and I still have a little frog in my throat) but have decided enough was enough.

Today was (is?) the day that I put my lungs to the test! The only thing I had to decide was do I do 20, 25 or 30 minutes? I promised myself to go slow and if there was anything whatsoever that didn’t feel right, I was going to walk it. Hell, I even brought my ear buds so I could continue listening to “Beloved” by Toni Morrison (such beautiful writing but… what? Anyway.)

The morning had started off with dark skies and rain but by noon, blue skies and puffy clouds and sunshine. So nice. So inviting and enticing. So perfect.

I set my running app to “run”, my timer to 16 minutes (so I know when to turn around) and started my Tabata timer, choosing the 10 sets of run/walk, for a total of 30:25 and off I went. I made sure I kept my pace slow and steady. 1:45 minutes of running, 1:00 of walking. Since I am reading “Breath” by James Nestor, I and have been practicing nose breathing. Oy. Not so easy when running but something I can see improving with time.

The temps were perfect and the wind was lightly gusting, but not enough to bother me. I put up my hood when it was a bit more chilly than I liked but other than that? Really nice. I was even able to run through my little park, the mud being minimal. A robin added with a trill of encouragement!

I had barely reached my destination park when my halfway timer went off. At that point, I decided to make my wall all the way to my discovered path and walk my way back. So glad I did.

Favourite path

Beautiful moss

Sumac

Dotting of yell

Closeup

Walking back, I remembered I had my ear buds and turned on my book. I was in no rush and it felt so good to just be out in the sun without a huge coat.

Of course, I had to take a photo of “my” willow 😉

“My” willow

The soccer field

In all, a distance of 6.7 km (4.15 miles) were run/walked and it felt great.

I got home and not half an hour later?

Talk about great timing!

I was going to end with a poem or response to a prompt like I did last week but hey, look at the time! It’s almost 10:00 p.m. Tomorrow is my first day at my new job. I need to rest!

Have a fantabulous night, folks (and Monday)! And thanks for sticking with me.

Wonky – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on March 2, 2022 by Dale | 122 Comments

It’s Friday Fictioneers – the time where we fool you because it’s only Wednesday but we play for Friday. In advance. Coz we can. This week our loyal and tireless leader, Rochelle, has shared Anne Higa’s lovely photo. Now, it woulda been easy to wax poetic on Tuscany coz those who know me, know I’m rather obsessed with the region. However, I’m not giving you the option of calling me predictable. No siree. This came to me as I was pouring my coffee, truth be told. I’m still struggling with finding the pretty words for yesterday’s challenge so I figured I’d give that a rest and jump on this one. Ain’t it grand? K. ‘Nuff small talk. If you want to write something more betterer or inneresting, just click on the frog below and add your 100-word story link. G’head, I dare ya!

©Anne Higa

She’s been a bit off lately, dontcha think?

What’d’you mean, off? She’s not feeling well?

No, Haven’t you noticed? Her pictures are a bit wonky.

Wonky? How so?

Well, last week, the picture was all like on a crazy angle like all the people were gonna fall off the edge and now look at this one!

You’re such a dumbarse! Last week she was being all artistic like, see? But this week it’s fine.

But, look at that!

It’s normal. That’s how the building tilts. It’s not called the Leaning Tower of Pisa for nothing!

Oh. Right. I knew that.

Grumpy Morning – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on February 23, 2022 by Dale | 154 Comments

It’s Wednesday! That’s right. It means Friday Fictioneers time. Rochelle keeps on keeping on so the least we can do is try to participate. And I do. Mostly. Wasn’t gonna this week, coz photos like this bug the crap out of me but hey… why not work that in? A thanks to Roger Bultot for creating my mood 😉 If you wanna play along, just click on the frog and add your 100-word story link. G’head, it’s fun!