I'm one of the first to admit that my computer abilities are less than stellar. Sure, I can type up an essay, send an email, or create a blog post, but overall, I'm no computer techie. Of course, with the wonderful world of Google at my fingertips, everything I could ever need to know about anything is within my grasp (even though I'm rather old fashioned, and would rather have a book in front of me. Computers can crash, internet connections can fritz, and sure, I could look stuff up on my phone, but if it's dead, and I don't have a charger, I'm in a wee bit of a bind... Unless I have a book. Books will never fail me).
Well, I have an interview coming up in a few days, and I needed to brush up on some of my (lacking) computer skills. I can do the most basic of basic things, but that's about the brunt of it with most stuff. So when I was told that I need to be familiar with Microsoft Excel, a, "well hell" moment presented itself.
Though I planned on purchasing Microsoft Excel 2007 for Dummies, I went to good ol' Google in search of assistance. What I found was a free online training site, put together by Microsoft, for technologically inferior souls, such as myself. I was amazed at how useful and helpful it was. I was expecting some beat-around-the-bush confusion, not individual lessons complete with practice sessions and tests (the tests aren't scored or recorded). I've learned about creating formulas, how to create a vast array of charts, even what a pivot table is, and how to create them. I realize that such things are probably elementary for most people my age, but for someone such as myself, I was left feeling like I'd have a fighting chance at properly using a required program.
The site isn't just for Excel, but for all Microsoft Office programs. So if you're like me, and have limited knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, follow the link at the end of this post, and perhaps you as well will (almost) feel like a pro.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/beginner-s-training-for-office-2007-HA010270562.aspx
Saturday, 25 August 2012
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
My Late-Night Guilty Pleasure
I don't care if you think I'm a weirdo, I really don't. We all need a vice, and mine of late is a little different than what I'd normally go for.
It all started one day, about a month or so ago, when I was messing around with my Google Reader. I subscribe to a site called The Awesomer, and one of the awesome things it had posted was a video called "Happy Little Clouds". Have you ever heard of Bob Ross, or the television show he did called The Joy of Painting? If so, the video I was watching was a musical mix of the various things he was known for saying and doing while painting on his show.
Because of this song, I have now found myself watching episodes of The Joy of Painting at night after I've gone to bed. The best part is I'm not an artist. I can wield a brush and paint, but the result isn't going to be pretty. Now, I kind of want to bust out some oil paints, and paint myself some happy little clouds, happy little trees, almighty trees, and almighty mountains. Or perhaps I just want to clean a paintbrush, for the sole reason being that I'd get to, "beat the devil out of it."
I might not be doing any joyous painting at the moment, but I can at least take in some joy from the creativity on the canvas as I watch away at night.
It all started one day, about a month or so ago, when I was messing around with my Google Reader. I subscribe to a site called The Awesomer, and one of the awesome things it had posted was a video called "Happy Little Clouds". Have you ever heard of Bob Ross, or the television show he did called The Joy of Painting? If so, the video I was watching was a musical mix of the various things he was known for saying and doing while painting on his show.
Because of this song, I have now found myself watching episodes of The Joy of Painting at night after I've gone to bed. The best part is I'm not an artist. I can wield a brush and paint, but the result isn't going to be pretty. Now, I kind of want to bust out some oil paints, and paint myself some happy little clouds, happy little trees, almighty trees, and almighty mountains. Or perhaps I just want to clean a paintbrush, for the sole reason being that I'd get to, "beat the devil out of it."
I might not be doing any joyous painting at the moment, but I can at least take in some joy from the creativity on the canvas as I watch away at night.
An Impromptu Picnic Dinner
Who doesn't love a picnic? Ok, so perhaps those who dislike ants, fresh air, and the great outdoors aren't fans of picnics, but really, what sane person doesn't enjoy a meal outdoors on occasion?
Yesterday, like we do every week, my mother and I went to pay my great-grandmother a visit (she's been in a retirement home now for a little over a year). As my dad woke up late, and had his breakfast/lunch/supper a little after 3pm, and my sister was out for supper with some friends, my mum and I, after our visit, decided to grab dinner from the grocery store that's across the street from the retirement home, and stop over at the Grand River to eat our supper on our way home.
There's a place at the Grand River, on Caithness St in Caledonia (right across from McClung) where people park their cars and go fishing. It has a picnic table here and there, a small bonfire pit, and it's right on the edge of the river. That was where mum and I decided to stop for supper. Fortunately for us, there was an unoccupied picnic table, and I swear it had our names all over it.
Our location brought back some childhood memories for my mum. She remembers going to that very spot on the Grand with great gram, and with my great-grandfather, for picnics as a kid. Mum's grampa passed when she was ten, but she still has a memory of him being out in the river with his hip-waders. While he was fishing, great gram would bring out a couple of lawn chairs, her metal card table, and the picnic basket (which now sits on top of our kitchen cupboards with mum's teapots). They would eat, and just enjoy each other's company.
While mum was thinking back to her childhood before her grampa passed, we were also watching various birds dive bomb the water for their dinner. There were cranes, and some other birds that we couldn't identify. They were larger than gulls, but smaller than your average crane/ stork/ heron. They had white feathers, and orange beaks with a touch of black. There were a couple of these birds flying around before going beak-first into the water, and coming out with their dinner.
We could also see where someone was having difficulties casting a fishing line. Perhaps it was more than one person, but mum and I figure it was a child or children at least. In the tree in front of us were four red and white bobbers that you attach to a fishing line so you know how far out in the water your cast went. Unfortunately, they never saw the water as they were tangled out of the way in the tree. It really was quite amusing, almost as amusing as water birds unibombing their supper.
My mum and I might not have had a traditional picnic, but it was still an enjoyable spur-of-the-moment choice all the same. If you haven't had a picnic yet this summer, there's still time before the cold weather hits. And if you don't know where to go? If you're near Caledonia, Ontario, go down to the Grand River. There are plenty of places to sit with your dinner, and watch the world go by.
Yesterday, like we do every week, my mother and I went to pay my great-grandmother a visit (she's been in a retirement home now for a little over a year). As my dad woke up late, and had his breakfast/lunch/supper a little after 3pm, and my sister was out for supper with some friends, my mum and I, after our visit, decided to grab dinner from the grocery store that's across the street from the retirement home, and stop over at the Grand River to eat our supper on our way home.
There's a place at the Grand River, on Caithness St in Caledonia (right across from McClung) where people park their cars and go fishing. It has a picnic table here and there, a small bonfire pit, and it's right on the edge of the river. That was where mum and I decided to stop for supper. Fortunately for us, there was an unoccupied picnic table, and I swear it had our names all over it.
Our location brought back some childhood memories for my mum. She remembers going to that very spot on the Grand with great gram, and with my great-grandfather, for picnics as a kid. Mum's grampa passed when she was ten, but she still has a memory of him being out in the river with his hip-waders. While he was fishing, great gram would bring out a couple of lawn chairs, her metal card table, and the picnic basket (which now sits on top of our kitchen cupboards with mum's teapots). They would eat, and just enjoy each other's company.
While mum was thinking back to her childhood before her grampa passed, we were also watching various birds dive bomb the water for their dinner. There were cranes, and some other birds that we couldn't identify. They were larger than gulls, but smaller than your average crane/ stork/ heron. They had white feathers, and orange beaks with a touch of black. There were a couple of these birds flying around before going beak-first into the water, and coming out with their dinner.
We could also see where someone was having difficulties casting a fishing line. Perhaps it was more than one person, but mum and I figure it was a child or children at least. In the tree in front of us were four red and white bobbers that you attach to a fishing line so you know how far out in the water your cast went. Unfortunately, they never saw the water as they were tangled out of the way in the tree. It really was quite amusing, almost as amusing as water birds unibombing their supper.
My mum and I might not have had a traditional picnic, but it was still an enjoyable spur-of-the-moment choice all the same. If you haven't had a picnic yet this summer, there's still time before the cold weather hits. And if you don't know where to go? If you're near Caledonia, Ontario, go down to the Grand River. There are plenty of places to sit with your dinner, and watch the world go by.
Sunday, 19 August 2012
Feel the Summer Fading
I wandered behind the barn today,
To the edge of the bean-filled field.
Towards the middle, out of the way,
In amongst the yield,
Has started a patch of yellow,
Surrounded by leaves of green,
Much more calm and mellow
Amongst the vibrant sheen.
The walnut trees feel the same.
Some leaves are turning gold.
Going away as soon as they came
Since the nights are turning cold.
Despite the days being warm and nice,
Which very soon will go,
As both day and night will be cold like ice,
On the breeze the yellow will blow.
But still, I hear crickets chirp,
Cicadas on the breeze,
While squirrels and chipmunks burp
Up walnuts as they please
To stash away for winter,
Like they do every year.
Under grass and dirt and splinter,
They sense the end is near.
The days are getting shorter.
There's less daylight to be had.
If only longer you could order,
Many would be glad.
And though I love the fall,
In all its colourful splendor,
My summer list, I've not done it all.
I still have many an endeavour.
But soon, the heat will end,
And the harvest will begin.
Kids back to school, the parents will send
Just as the tractors come on in
To bring in this year's bounty,
Then I'll know the summer is gone.
It'll be felt across the county.
The summer and harvest will be done.
But I still have much I want to do,
Like spend another day at the beach
And get in some more bike rides too,
And enjoy another summer peach.
I want to have another bonfire
Before I bid the summer goodbye.
It's coming down to the wire.
May I please see one last firefly?
I must say I'll miss the summer,
Despite my dislike for heat.
That it's almost done is a bummer,
Like a seasonal defeat.
Though I will not miss
The mosquitoes that bite my nose,
The rest has been a bliss.
Away the summer goes.
To the edge of the bean-filled field.
Towards the middle, out of the way,
In amongst the yield,
Has started a patch of yellow,
Surrounded by leaves of green,
Much more calm and mellow
Amongst the vibrant sheen.
The walnut trees feel the same.
Some leaves are turning gold.
Going away as soon as they came
Since the nights are turning cold.
Despite the days being warm and nice,
Which very soon will go,
As both day and night will be cold like ice,
On the breeze the yellow will blow.
But still, I hear crickets chirp,
Cicadas on the breeze,
While squirrels and chipmunks burp
Up walnuts as they please
To stash away for winter,
Like they do every year.
Under grass and dirt and splinter,
They sense the end is near.
The days are getting shorter.
There's less daylight to be had.
If only longer you could order,
Many would be glad.
And though I love the fall,
In all its colourful splendor,
My summer list, I've not done it all.
I still have many an endeavour.
But soon, the heat will end,
And the harvest will begin.
Kids back to school, the parents will send
Just as the tractors come on in
To bring in this year's bounty,
Then I'll know the summer is gone.
It'll be felt across the county.
The summer and harvest will be done.
But I still have much I want to do,
Like spend another day at the beach
And get in some more bike rides too,
And enjoy another summer peach.
I want to have another bonfire
Before I bid the summer goodbye.
It's coming down to the wire.
May I please see one last firefly?
I must say I'll miss the summer,
Despite my dislike for heat.
That it's almost done is a bummer,
Like a seasonal defeat.
Though I will not miss
The mosquitoes that bite my nose,
The rest has been a bliss.
Away the summer goes.
Thursday, 16 August 2012
Make A Wish
As many of you may know, my younger cousin (he's nine) is a child cancer survivor. Quite a feat, I know. If you've ever heard of the Make A Wish foundation, you might have an idea as to where this post is headed. If you've never heard of Make A Wish, it's a foundation that delivers wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. As such, my cousin was able to have a wish with them, and tomorrow, after being cancer-free for five months, his wish gets to come true. He, his little brother, and his parents head off to California tomorrow, and they'll be spending the next week at Legoland (my cousin loves his lego).
I love how there's a foundation that's a real-life genie, and grants wishes to severely unwell children. Sometimes, I think, the kids need something to look forward to, that extra boost of motivation to go through another round of chemotherapy, or make it through the next blood transfusion. A small morale boost can go a long way.
If you know a child who's made a wish, I hope it came true and was awesome. To those who are still waiting, I hope your wishes are granted, and when they do, I hope the experience is a joyous one.
For more information about the Make A Wish foundation, follow the link I've provided:
http://www.makeawish.ca/
For more posts with related topics, check out, "Child Cancer Sucks!" (September 2011), "One More Month" (February 2012), and "Dear Leukemia" (March 2012).
I love how there's a foundation that's a real-life genie, and grants wishes to severely unwell children. Sometimes, I think, the kids need something to look forward to, that extra boost of motivation to go through another round of chemotherapy, or make it through the next blood transfusion. A small morale boost can go a long way.
If you know a child who's made a wish, I hope it came true and was awesome. To those who are still waiting, I hope your wishes are granted, and when they do, I hope the experience is a joyous one.
For more information about the Make A Wish foundation, follow the link I've provided:
http://www.makeawish.ca/
For more posts with related topics, check out, "Child Cancer Sucks!" (September 2011), "One More Month" (February 2012), and "Dear Leukemia" (March 2012).
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
At the End of the Day...
We're all met with disappointment on occasion, some coming with more frustrations than others. Believe me, I know all to well what it's like to have everything go a-okay only to be blindsided and get a metaphorical slap in the face. But we move on. Sometimes, though, taking a breath, and moving forward can be difficult, and finding something positive, motivation, or a means of boosting morale can be a challenge. That was me yesterday. I was hired on for an office position not too long ago, and then things unexpectedly imploded internally, leaving me to start my employment search all over again. So, I came home, had my two minute tear jerk to let out my frustrations, and then I did what generally makes me feel better. I went onto Youtube, and brought up the Great Big Sea song "Ordinary Day."
For those of us who are having to pick ourselves back up, and start all over again, this song's for you. Hopefully it'll make you feel better as it usually does for me.
...at the end of the day, you've just got to say, "it's alright"...
For those of us who are having to pick ourselves back up, and start all over again, this song's for you. Hopefully it'll make you feel better as it usually does for me.
...at the end of the day, you've just got to say, "it's alright"...
Sunday, 12 August 2012
Another Olympics Over
As of earlier this evening, the 2012 Olympic Summer Games from London, England came to a close. But, all good things must come to an end. If they didn't they wouldn't be special. With that said, I eagerly watched the Closing Ceremonies. The closing didn't excite me as much as the Opening Ceremonies 17 days ago, but there were moments that I absoloutely loved, and those are the moments that I've decided to share with you.
Christine Sinclair was Canada's flag bearer for the Closing Ceremonies. For those who don't know who she is, Christine Sinclair is the captain of Canada's women's socccer team. She lead this wonderful country of mine to a bronze medal against the French (we would have been in the gold medal game, but the American soccer team had help from the referee. Yes, it was a conspiracy that had Canadians in an uproar, but a well-earned bronze is better than an undeserved gold). Sinclair's smile was huge, and she was the perfect choice to represent Canada, and carry our flag.
For the only time that I can think of in my life, I was actually looking forward to seeing the Spice Girls. I must confess that I was never really a fan of theirs. They were huge in the nineties (when I was in elementary school), so I suppose I was looking forward to them just to relive a wee bit of my childhood.
I started to squeal with joy when Eric Idle of Monty Python fame appeared out of a misfired cannon, and did the always-hilarious "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." I am a huge Monty Python fan, so when he appeared on the screen in all his Python glory, I was ecstatic. The only way the sketch would have been better is if all the remaining Monty Python members were taking part (except for Graham Chapman who died back in 1989).
The lead-in to Queen was amazing. Freddie Mercury, who was the lead vocalist for Queen until his death from AIDS in 1991, was still at the closing in a rather creative manner. These screens popped up in the middle of the stage, and there was Freddie, in all his glory, doing his traditional vocal warm-ups where the audience gets involved. And yes, I knew every note as he hit it before the crowd followed suit. If only the closing ceremony organizers could have kept this Freddie incorporation throughout all of Queen's piece. We viewers had to suffer with Jessie J filling in for the late Freddie (for the record, Jessie J didn't even compare and really wasn't any good), but thankfully, Brain May, Queen's fantastic guitarist, made up for it.
And last, I very much enjoyed The Who closing out the show. They may be geezers, but they still know how to rock and roll.
Now all I have to do is wait until 2014 when the Winter Olympics will be hosted in Socchi, Russia. Long live the Olympics, and great job to Canada's athletes.
Christine Sinclair was Canada's flag bearer for the Closing Ceremonies. For those who don't know who she is, Christine Sinclair is the captain of Canada's women's socccer team. She lead this wonderful country of mine to a bronze medal against the French (we would have been in the gold medal game, but the American soccer team had help from the referee. Yes, it was a conspiracy that had Canadians in an uproar, but a well-earned bronze is better than an undeserved gold). Sinclair's smile was huge, and she was the perfect choice to represent Canada, and carry our flag.
For the only time that I can think of in my life, I was actually looking forward to seeing the Spice Girls. I must confess that I was never really a fan of theirs. They were huge in the nineties (when I was in elementary school), so I suppose I was looking forward to them just to relive a wee bit of my childhood.
I started to squeal with joy when Eric Idle of Monty Python fame appeared out of a misfired cannon, and did the always-hilarious "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." I am a huge Monty Python fan, so when he appeared on the screen in all his Python glory, I was ecstatic. The only way the sketch would have been better is if all the remaining Monty Python members were taking part (except for Graham Chapman who died back in 1989).
The lead-in to Queen was amazing. Freddie Mercury, who was the lead vocalist for Queen until his death from AIDS in 1991, was still at the closing in a rather creative manner. These screens popped up in the middle of the stage, and there was Freddie, in all his glory, doing his traditional vocal warm-ups where the audience gets involved. And yes, I knew every note as he hit it before the crowd followed suit. If only the closing ceremony organizers could have kept this Freddie incorporation throughout all of Queen's piece. We viewers had to suffer with Jessie J filling in for the late Freddie (for the record, Jessie J didn't even compare and really wasn't any good), but thankfully, Brain May, Queen's fantastic guitarist, made up for it.
And last, I very much enjoyed The Who closing out the show. They may be geezers, but they still know how to rock and roll.
Now all I have to do is wait until 2014 when the Winter Olympics will be hosted in Socchi, Russia. Long live the Olympics, and great job to Canada's athletes.
Thursday, 9 August 2012
Maybe I Am Jamie Oliver
I started my new job yesterday as an office girl at a private culinary school. The head chef had said something about yesterday's lesson being about various sauces. I had mentioned to him that I have been working on perfecting rose sauce, and that after I got that mastered, I was going to make the move to alfredo from scratch. Because I'm the luckiest little girl I know, he gave me a copy of the original, straight from Italy alfredo sauce. So, with that said, you can probably figure out what I made for supper today (and my mother was quite pleased as she didn't have to cook).
It turns out the recipe is quite simple. Five ingredients in total. Butter, heavy cream (also known as whipping cream), shredded Parmesan cheese, garlic, and parsley. I was a little bit concerned at first when I saw how much parsley I had added to the sauce (hey, I put in the amount that the recipe called for), but when the noodles were mixed in, suddenly the parsley didn't seem to be so overpowering.
When all was said and done, I'd cooked a few too many fettuccine noodles, but the outcome was still delicious. I don't want to boast, but I think I nailed the alfredo sauce dead-on. And I'd made enough to share with my grandparents, who happen to live next door.
I think I've maybe watched a few too many Jamie Oliver cooking shows. My pasta outcome made me feel just as pro as he is...or I pretend to be like Mr. Oliver really well... I will definitely be making sauce from scratch again.
It turns out the recipe is quite simple. Five ingredients in total. Butter, heavy cream (also known as whipping cream), shredded Parmesan cheese, garlic, and parsley. I was a little bit concerned at first when I saw how much parsley I had added to the sauce (hey, I put in the amount that the recipe called for), but when the noodles were mixed in, suddenly the parsley didn't seem to be so overpowering.
When all was said and done, I'd cooked a few too many fettuccine noodles, but the outcome was still delicious. I don't want to boast, but I think I nailed the alfredo sauce dead-on. And I'd made enough to share with my grandparents, who happen to live next door.
I think I've maybe watched a few too many Jamie Oliver cooking shows. My pasta outcome made me feel just as pro as he is...or I pretend to be like Mr. Oliver really well... I will definitely be making sauce from scratch again.
They're Not a Peck, but They're Pickled
Last night, after a hiatus of a few years, I got around to doing one of the many things I'm known for: making garlic dill pickles. I had been wanting to make them, but I just hadn't got around to it, so it was rather convenient when my grandmother phoned me, saying that one of her farmer friends had a fresh crop of pickling cucumbers, and would I be interested.
The cukes were much larger than normal, but that didn't stop my urge to pickle. They've just been cut into spears instead. Actually, they look much prettier in the jar that way.
Anyways...
The kitchen, and quite possibly the entire main floor, was smelling strongly of vinegar and garlic, and so were my fingers by the end of the night (nothing a little lemon juice mixed with warm water can't fix). The vinegar smell gets annoying after a while, but the clove of garlic I'd accidentally dropped into the pot with the jars (I put the jars in a big pot with hot water to keep them warm so they'll seal easier) toned down the garlic enough to make it smell quite good.
After two hours of peeling garlic, stuffing cloves, dill, and cucumbers into jars, I had my first batch of pickles made in at least three years. Ten jars total. As they were cooling, every so often, mum and I would hear a pop as they fully sealed. I am seriously considering making another batch of Tilly's Dillys by the end of the week.
Pretty, aren't they?
If you'd like to make your own dill pickles, here's what you need, and how to do it:
4 quarts pickling cucumbers
fresh dill (or 1 tsp/ quart minimum of dill seed if you can't find any fresh)
8 cups water
4 cups vinegar
1/4 cup pickling (coarse) salt
garlic
Clean the cucumbers and soak them in cold water in the fridge for a few hours. While the cucumbers are soaking, make the brine. Add the water, vinegar, and salt to a pot, and bring it to a boil, stirring often. In another small pot, put your lids (the part with the seal, not the ring), add water, and bring them to a boil (they'll seal better this way). In another large pot, place in as many jars as you can fit, standing up, with some boiling water in the pot to keep the jars hot (will seal better, and the heat of the brine won't break the jars this way. And if you pull them fresh out of the hot dishwasher, this will help too, along with the hot water). In the jars, add your garlic, dill, and pickles. Very carefully pour the brine over top (a funnel is really handy for this, and so is a soup ladle). Don't fill the jars all the way to the top, just enough to cover the cucumbers. Carefully add the lids and rings. Let them cool, and listen for the lids to pop. Ta da, you've just made garlic dill pickles. Now find a nice cool place to keep them, like a cold cellar, or the back of the fridge, and forget about them for a few months. The recipe is supposed to yield six 1-litre jars, but to get ten jars, the recipe had to be doubled. It happens.
Of course, you don't have to use garlic. Find ways to make the recipe your own. I encourage it. If there's a little something you want to add or omit, give it a try. You might prefer the outcome to my kill-you-with-garlic pickles. You can probably use the brine to pickle all sorts of other things too.
Happy pickling!
The cukes were much larger than normal, but that didn't stop my urge to pickle. They've just been cut into spears instead. Actually, they look much prettier in the jar that way.
Anyways...
The kitchen, and quite possibly the entire main floor, was smelling strongly of vinegar and garlic, and so were my fingers by the end of the night (nothing a little lemon juice mixed with warm water can't fix). The vinegar smell gets annoying after a while, but the clove of garlic I'd accidentally dropped into the pot with the jars (I put the jars in a big pot with hot water to keep them warm so they'll seal easier) toned down the garlic enough to make it smell quite good.
After two hours of peeling garlic, stuffing cloves, dill, and cucumbers into jars, I had my first batch of pickles made in at least three years. Ten jars total. As they were cooling, every so often, mum and I would hear a pop as they fully sealed. I am seriously considering making another batch of Tilly's Dillys by the end of the week.
Pretty, aren't they?
If you'd like to make your own dill pickles, here's what you need, and how to do it:
4 quarts pickling cucumbers
fresh dill (or 1 tsp/ quart minimum of dill seed if you can't find any fresh)
8 cups water
4 cups vinegar
1/4 cup pickling (coarse) salt
garlic
Clean the cucumbers and soak them in cold water in the fridge for a few hours. While the cucumbers are soaking, make the brine. Add the water, vinegar, and salt to a pot, and bring it to a boil, stirring often. In another small pot, put your lids (the part with the seal, not the ring), add water, and bring them to a boil (they'll seal better this way). In another large pot, place in as many jars as you can fit, standing up, with some boiling water in the pot to keep the jars hot (will seal better, and the heat of the brine won't break the jars this way. And if you pull them fresh out of the hot dishwasher, this will help too, along with the hot water). In the jars, add your garlic, dill, and pickles. Very carefully pour the brine over top (a funnel is really handy for this, and so is a soup ladle). Don't fill the jars all the way to the top, just enough to cover the cucumbers. Carefully add the lids and rings. Let them cool, and listen for the lids to pop. Ta da, you've just made garlic dill pickles. Now find a nice cool place to keep them, like a cold cellar, or the back of the fridge, and forget about them for a few months. The recipe is supposed to yield six 1-litre jars, but to get ten jars, the recipe had to be doubled. It happens.
Of course, you don't have to use garlic. Find ways to make the recipe your own. I encourage it. If there's a little something you want to add or omit, give it a try. You might prefer the outcome to my kill-you-with-garlic pickles. You can probably use the brine to pickle all sorts of other things too.
Happy pickling!
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
I'm on Twitter
I've often said that I don't twit (I know a twit's a pregnant goldfish), because I don't like the thought of having a 140-character limitation on free speech. However, circumstances have arisen that require me to use Twitter. It's going to be quite the learning process, but I figured out how to work Blogger, so I should be able to figure out the Twitterverse.
Anyways, feel free to make me part of your Twitter universe:
@ChantelleTillyW
Happy compressed freedom-of-speeching!
Anyways, feel free to make me part of your Twitter universe:
@ChantelleTillyW
Happy compressed freedom-of-speeching!
Saturday, 4 August 2012
Trifecta
I just caught another replay (as I didn't catch much of today's Olympics). Our maple leaf-clad ladies scored themselves a bronze medal with the cycling team pursuit (in the velodrome). The awesomeness is overwhelming...
Ladies, you're fantastic. Great job!
Two in the Pool
I just caught a replay of the 1500m swim. Canada's Ryan Cochrane earned himself a silver medal, making that Canada's second medal in the pool at the London games. Considering Cochrane had a bronze in Beijing in 2008, his silver is exceptional.
In 2004, Canada didn't have any swimming medals, and we only had one in 2008. Canada's swimmers are on a role!
Awesome job, Ryan Cochrane!
Trampoline Queen
The women's trampoline has a new champion: Canada's Rosie MacLennan dethroned the Chinese to become the new gold medallist. Her position was guaranteed when the reigning champion fell at the end of her routine. Though the fall was enough to knock Canadian Karen Cockburn out of the bronze medal position, it wouldn't get her to the number one spot.
Well done, Miss MacLennan, well done.
Well done, Miss MacLennan, well done.
Another Long Weekend
It's another long weekend in Canada, the Civic Holiday. I really don't know what the point of the Civic Holiday is, except that it gives us all another reason to drink party, go to cottages, or get an extra day off work. If you're celebrating this long weekend, be safe, don't drown, and don't drink and drive. If you don't celebrate this holiday, well, have fun doing whatever it is you do.
Friday, 3 August 2012
A Few of My Favourite Things: British Classic Rock Edition
I've always been a sucker for classic rock. It's my go-to when nothing else will quite do. The bands were superior, the lyrics more than random smut, and the classic rock genre has the original guitar heroes.
The summer Olympics, as you already know, are in London this year, and when they did their opening ceremonies, I was in classic rock heaven. England is home to some of the best rock groups to ever come into existence, and when they did their segment with British music through the ages, I was in my glory, especially when they played some David Bowie, and followed him with Queen. Oh baby! And their start with the 1960's? All I could think of was Pirate Radio (a movie that takes place in England during the 60s when rock music was banned).
Since I've been in Brit rock paradise, I thought I'd share some of the best music our hosts across the pond have to offer, from the 60s-80s. I'll start you all off with The Troggs, "With a Girl Like You" (I blame the Bell commercial for getting it stuck in my head constantly, but that's alright because it's a good song). And Pirate Radio? This song is on the soundtrack.
The Who is also an awesome English export. Though they have tons of good stuff, my favourite has to be "Baba O'Riley" which some might also know as "Teenage Wasteland." It's the keyboard work that does it. Ok, so the rest of the song is pretty epic too.
I must make a confession, and I know that this confession is going to result in a whole whack of people wanting to hate on me, but that's fine. I'm not really a fan of The Beatles. They have some stuff that's worth listening to, but in general, they're overplayed, and taught musical acts of the present day that they can be famous for warbling on about "Tangerine Cream" and marshmellow pies. And then present-day people start getting miffed when they hear "musicians" sing about stuff that makes no sense, like milkshakes, or lip gloss. But, that being said, John, Paul, George, and Ringo have a few songs that I like, one of them being "Paperback Writer." How appropriate.
I'm also not big on Led Zepplin (I can hear the insults being hurled at me for sure now). I find that they're also over-rated, and over-played (three words: "Stairway to Heaven"). However, there is a song of theirs that I'm a fan of. When I still had my video copy of the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, Robert Plant started his tribute with "Thank You." Ever since, that's the one Zepplin song that I actually want to hear. See? I'm not a complete hater.
Last night, as I lay in my bed, I had the urge to get my Def Leppard on. Though "Pour Some Sugar on Me" is an awesome song, I chose to go to bed with a "Rocket." Come on. You can't expect me to post the blatantly obvious, can you? Well, you could, but you might be disappointed when I don't, because I'm cool like that. So, to show my awesomeness, here's "Rocket."
By now, if you've read previous posts, or if you know me, you might have realized that I love David Bowie. Not only has he aged incredibly well, but his music still kicks ass. And if you haven't seen the movie Labyrinth, you need to get on that stat, because David Bowie plays the Goblin King, and is amazing. Bowie, without question, is one of my childhood staples, despite me being born at least a decade into his career. Even though "Rebel Rebel" was my big song as a child (I knew all the words to it by the time I was three), lately, I can't seem to get enough of "Oh! You Pretty Things."
I don't think any of you could possibly understand just how much I wish I could have been alive during his Ziggy Stardust days. I've convinced myself that the concerts would have been awesome. At least there's still the music, so I suppose I'll just have to make due.
And finally, the one band that I'm certain you've all been waiting for. This band lost its leader many years ago to AIDS, and unlike other bands, this vocalist cannot be replaced. When this band and Bowie recorded a song together, to say that it was magic would be the understatement of the century. This lead vocalist's voice can never be replaced, and though many have tried to replicate it, they just don't quite hit the mark. This is a band that I would give just about anything to be able to go back in time, and see them perform live. I'm certain you've figured out that I'm talking about one of my all-time favourite bands, Queen. To say that Freddie Mercury was incredible doesn't quite sum him up enough.
I know I said I'm not about to share the most blatantly obvious song, but this time, I am. I'm thinking you've already thought to yourselves, "oh great. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' again," and that's fine. What you're probably not expecting is for me to share Queen performing "Bohemian Rhapsody" live at Wembley Stadium. THAT is a concert I really wish I could have been at.
Awesome.
And there you have it. A few of my favourite Brit rock bands. I really was born in the wrong decade.
The summer Olympics, as you already know, are in London this year, and when they did their opening ceremonies, I was in classic rock heaven. England is home to some of the best rock groups to ever come into existence, and when they did their segment with British music through the ages, I was in my glory, especially when they played some David Bowie, and followed him with Queen. Oh baby! And their start with the 1960's? All I could think of was Pirate Radio (a movie that takes place in England during the 60s when rock music was banned).
Since I've been in Brit rock paradise, I thought I'd share some of the best music our hosts across the pond have to offer, from the 60s-80s. I'll start you all off with The Troggs, "With a Girl Like You" (I blame the Bell commercial for getting it stuck in my head constantly, but that's alright because it's a good song). And Pirate Radio? This song is on the soundtrack.
The Who is also an awesome English export. Though they have tons of good stuff, my favourite has to be "Baba O'Riley" which some might also know as "Teenage Wasteland." It's the keyboard work that does it. Ok, so the rest of the song is pretty epic too.
I must make a confession, and I know that this confession is going to result in a whole whack of people wanting to hate on me, but that's fine. I'm not really a fan of The Beatles. They have some stuff that's worth listening to, but in general, they're overplayed, and taught musical acts of the present day that they can be famous for warbling on about "Tangerine Cream" and marshmellow pies. And then present-day people start getting miffed when they hear "musicians" sing about stuff that makes no sense, like milkshakes, or lip gloss. But, that being said, John, Paul, George, and Ringo have a few songs that I like, one of them being "Paperback Writer." How appropriate.
I'm also not big on Led Zepplin (I can hear the insults being hurled at me for sure now). I find that they're also over-rated, and over-played (three words: "Stairway to Heaven"). However, there is a song of theirs that I'm a fan of. When I still had my video copy of the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, Robert Plant started his tribute with "Thank You." Ever since, that's the one Zepplin song that I actually want to hear. See? I'm not a complete hater.
Last night, as I lay in my bed, I had the urge to get my Def Leppard on. Though "Pour Some Sugar on Me" is an awesome song, I chose to go to bed with a "Rocket." Come on. You can't expect me to post the blatantly obvious, can you? Well, you could, but you might be disappointed when I don't, because I'm cool like that. So, to show my awesomeness, here's "Rocket."
By now, if you've read previous posts, or if you know me, you might have realized that I love David Bowie. Not only has he aged incredibly well, but his music still kicks ass. And if you haven't seen the movie Labyrinth, you need to get on that stat, because David Bowie plays the Goblin King, and is amazing. Bowie, without question, is one of my childhood staples, despite me being born at least a decade into his career. Even though "Rebel Rebel" was my big song as a child (I knew all the words to it by the time I was three), lately, I can't seem to get enough of "Oh! You Pretty Things."
I don't think any of you could possibly understand just how much I wish I could have been alive during his Ziggy Stardust days. I've convinced myself that the concerts would have been awesome. At least there's still the music, so I suppose I'll just have to make due.
And finally, the one band that I'm certain you've all been waiting for. This band lost its leader many years ago to AIDS, and unlike other bands, this vocalist cannot be replaced. When this band and Bowie recorded a song together, to say that it was magic would be the understatement of the century. This lead vocalist's voice can never be replaced, and though many have tried to replicate it, they just don't quite hit the mark. This is a band that I would give just about anything to be able to go back in time, and see them perform live. I'm certain you've figured out that I'm talking about one of my all-time favourite bands, Queen. To say that Freddie Mercury was incredible doesn't quite sum him up enough.
I know I said I'm not about to share the most blatantly obvious song, but this time, I am. I'm thinking you've already thought to yourselves, "oh great. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' again," and that's fine. What you're probably not expecting is for me to share Queen performing "Bohemian Rhapsody" live at Wembley Stadium. THAT is a concert I really wish I could have been at.
Awesome.
And there you have it. A few of my favourite Brit rock bands. I really was born in the wrong decade.
Thursday, 2 August 2012
Sweet Silver
It's unfortunate that I'm still in bed when some of my favourite events are taking place. Thankfully, there are always the replays. So you can imagine how happy I was to see a rowing replay for the women's eights. You can imagine that I was even happier still to see that Canada won the silver medal.
God, I love the Olympics!
God, I love the Olympics!
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
Redemption!
Canada's Brent Hayden from Mission, B.C has redeemed himself! At the Beijing Games in 2008, Hayden missed his chance at the podium, but not this time! In an intense 100m freestyle swim, Brent Hayden earned himself a bronze medal.
At the moment, he's being interviewed, and he's over the moon, and damn-near speechless. But he's regaining his composure, and just had the best quote of the day: "Don't ask me what day of the week it is. All I know is it's 100m final day."
Awesome job, Brent Hayden. Canada is almost as excited as you are.
The Greatest Olympian Debate
There's a bit of a debate going on as to whether or not Michael Phelps is the Greatest Olympian of All Time because of his record-breaking 19 medals (and he has the possibility to finish off this Olympics with 22). Watching the CTV/TSN coverage of the games, Dave Randorf asked his co-host, Olympian Catriona Lemay-Doan, for her take as her experience (though winter) made her the resident expert. Though up for debate, she determined that Phelps is not the Greatest Olympian of All Time, and with that, I agree. It turns out Catriona and I are on the same wave length (as if she wasn't awesome enough already).
Here's the argument Catriona and I have made. Certainly, Phelps is the most decorated, but all of his medals were earned in swimming. No, we're not knocking swimmers, we're just pointing out that he really only has one field, one specialty. So if Phelps isn't the Greatest Olympian with all those medals, who is? Once again, Catriona Lemay-Doan and I are in agreement. The Greatest Olympian of All Time goes to Canada's Clara Hughes. She's the only Olympian to have won medals in both the Summer and Winter Olympics. She was a cyclist first, both in the velodrome, and distance, where she's won bronze medals, and in the winter games, she was a long-track speed skater, winning every colour medal imaginable. Her medal count may be fewer than 19 (coming in with a total of 6), but given her versatility, and ability to medal in more than one sport, she is certainly derserving of the title of Greatest Olympian.
When all is said and done, though, this is the last Olympic Games for both Phelps and Clara Hughes. Each are going out with a bang. Phelps knowing that he's the most decorated, and Clara, even though she didn't win any medals this year, gets to retire with a smile and pride, knowing that she's done what no one else has been capable of.
Here's the argument Catriona and I have made. Certainly, Phelps is the most decorated, but all of his medals were earned in swimming. No, we're not knocking swimmers, we're just pointing out that he really only has one field, one specialty. So if Phelps isn't the Greatest Olympian with all those medals, who is? Once again, Catriona Lemay-Doan and I are in agreement. The Greatest Olympian of All Time goes to Canada's Clara Hughes. She's the only Olympian to have won medals in both the Summer and Winter Olympics. She was a cyclist first, both in the velodrome, and distance, where she's won bronze medals, and in the winter games, she was a long-track speed skater, winning every colour medal imaginable. Her medal count may be fewer than 19 (coming in with a total of 6), but given her versatility, and ability to medal in more than one sport, she is certainly derserving of the title of Greatest Olympian.
When all is said and done, though, this is the last Olympic Games for both Phelps and Clara Hughes. Each are going out with a bang. Phelps knowing that he's the most decorated, and Clara, even though she didn't win any medals this year, gets to retire with a smile and pride, knowing that she's done what no one else has been capable of.
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
I woke up this morning to the wonderful news that Canada won a silver medal in rowing (men's 8). I'm sorry I missed the event, but at least it'll be replayed later, and I can catch the excitement for the first time today.
I've always been a fan of the rowing. When I was younger, I'd watch the Olympics, and think to myself just what sport I would want to do if someone came to said that if I did one, I could go compete. Though I love the diving and beach volleyball, I'd want to row. It looks like hard work, but it looks like it'd be fun, all at the same time.
My mum was the one who gave me the news about our rowing men this morning. There was another interesting piece she told me. A small piece was shown earlier about Brian Price, who's the Coxwain for the Canadian men. He'd said that he had leukemia when he was a child. His thyroid was affected, and his growth stunted as a result. However, he says that if it wasn't for leukemia, he wouldn't be a coxwain, and if he wasn't a coxwain, he wouldn't be an Olympian. Considering my 9 year old cousin is also a leukemia survivor, this is an awesome outlook.
Not only did the Canadian men win a silver for Canada, but for those with child cancer, Brian Price may have just reminded them that the going may be tough now, but that they all have the potential to do great things later. That attitude and lesson is just as awesome as the silver medal.
Wonderful, simply wonderful.
I've always been a fan of the rowing. When I was younger, I'd watch the Olympics, and think to myself just what sport I would want to do if someone came to said that if I did one, I could go compete. Though I love the diving and beach volleyball, I'd want to row. It looks like hard work, but it looks like it'd be fun, all at the same time.
My mum was the one who gave me the news about our rowing men this morning. There was another interesting piece she told me. A small piece was shown earlier about Brian Price, who's the Coxwain for the Canadian men. He'd said that he had leukemia when he was a child. His thyroid was affected, and his growth stunted as a result. However, he says that if it wasn't for leukemia, he wouldn't be a coxwain, and if he wasn't a coxwain, he wouldn't be an Olympian. Considering my 9 year old cousin is also a leukemia survivor, this is an awesome outlook.
Not only did the Canadian men win a silver for Canada, but for those with child cancer, Brian Price may have just reminded them that the going may be tough now, but that they all have the potential to do great things later. That attitude and lesson is just as awesome as the silver medal.
Wonderful, simply wonderful.
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