What’s On Your Plate Blog Challenge – It Came Out Of A Jar Edition

On August 2, 2023July 25, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Adventures in Food, What's On Your Plate44 Comments

🎵Summertime….and the living is ~~easy~~ BUSY🎵

All of this stuff is happening around Chez Badass, all at the same time. The weather has been hot and super sunny, the garden is going gangbusters, the grandkids are here, nature is calling, the wild berries are ripening, AND I am undergoing some long awaited renovations (of my 2nd bathroom and my entryway). Whew!

What’s a gal to do, with all this mayhem happening ALL at the same time? Turn to the pantry (or in this case, her daughter’s pantry 😉), that’s what to do!

I had some long-suffering frozen shrimp thawing in the fridge and we combined that with a jar of sauce, some frozen mango chunks, chopped onions, and these babies:

Fresh picked pole beans from my backyard!

Languishing jar of sauce, from my daughter’s pantry. I’ve been disappointed by jarred sauces before, so my expectations were ~~non-existent~~ low.

Simmering it all together. Looking (and smelling) good so far!

Dear Readers, it was ~~unexpectedly~~ amazingly delicious. The fam came trooping through the back garden gate – lured by the pleasing aromas wafting from the kitchen – and everyone enjoyed this hastily put together masterpiece! Now, please excuse me while I make an emergency run to the store to pick up more sauce…🤣.

So that’s it for me, for this month! Please join my co-host Donna (she lost the golf game but won at dinner!) and me in sharing what’s been on your plate lately!

Here’s the Link Party deets if you care to join the party that way:

Otherwise, I hope to see you in the Comments!

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Mopey

On July 30, 2023July 25, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer29 Comments

Mommy just told me that Oma is going away again.

Also, luckily I am a dog. So I have already forgotten to be sad because I live in the moment!

I hope you are living in the moment too.

Rock on,

The Bowz 🐾

Wordless Wednesday – July Garden Update

On July 26, 2023July 25, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Dragonfly Cottage Garden 2023, Gardening51 Comments

What’s dangling inside the arch – pole beans

Kabocha squash blossoms, with bees hard at work

Gifted to me from a neighbour – orange daylily

Black cap raspberries (done now, for this season)

Black currants (harvested and dried at this point)

Swiss chard, cherry tomatoes, butternut squash and cucumber plants

Marigolds peeking out from under the squash

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Critter Fest At The Creek And Beyond

On July 23, 2023July 22, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer, See the Beauty, The Great Outdoors39 Comments

It’s been very hot and dry here and the family has been walking to the ever-shrinking creek nearby, to cool off. When Bowzer’s daddy and siblings are involved, there will be critters found!

First up – a froggy friend getting a ride on Daddy’s shoulder:

Next up: a crayfish was found (and quickly released).

Bowser got brave and worked on his swimming skills (not his favourite activity, but needs must at times 😉). We were all very excited to see him actually swim ~~in case you couldn’t figure that out~~ 😂:

We went to our favourite tree, dubbed the Magic Tree. It seems a bit other-worldly, with all those exposed roots in the water. So many little fish love to hide and swim among these roots:

Bowser loves climbing on this tree to better watch all the water shenanigans.

Although Bowser is not a fan of swimming per se, he loves exploring the shallower parts of the creek.

Here he is, crossing the creek where it is shallow enough he doesn’t have to swim (always his first choice!):

We eventually made our way back home again, but it didn’t mean the critter fest stopped. Bowser’s big brother (henceforth to be known as The Snake Whisperer) found the most beautiful little snake in my garden. Who was quite content to wrap him/herself around his hand and observe us all. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree – just saying!

All this exploring and critter-talk makes a body tired:

We hope you have some fun this weekend, and also take time to rest.

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Looking Pretty

On July 16, 2023July 15, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer, Move to Dragonfly Cottage, Renovation36 Comments

Bowser here. Oma has been pretty busy the past couple of weeks so I’ve had to stay over at Mommy and Daddy’s more than I am used to, during the day. There have been big white trucks in the front yard and strangers over at Oma’s. Here is a picture of me looking good at Oma’s – she just washed her ~~kitchen~~ yum-yum room mat and I am decorating it.

~~Not so~~ Patiently waiting for you, Oma. Let’s do something fun please. At least drop something tasty!

Oma asked me to show you what she has been busy with.

It’s behind that solid door in her entry way. *The entry way is currently in the process of being renovated as well – Oma*

Here are the before/in-progress photos.

View of toilet with wallpaper border scraps decorating it

And here are the photos of after.

Walls repaired and painted, plumbing and electrical in, floor laid, baseboards done

Oma is so happy! She says now she has another useful room in her little house.

Bowser says he hopes you have time to play this weekend. Oma says she will be busy painting the entryway.

Rock on,

The Bowz 🐾

The Sunday Schauzer – Patio Life

On July 9, 2023July 1, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer46 Comments

When I bought my new patio furniture I knew I was going to get a lot of use and enjoyment out of it. I didn’t realize how much someone else would enjoy it as well.

Guess who hogs the best seat in the house?

These snacks are for *Book Club*. Book Club is for the *PEOPLE* who have *READ* the book. *Capisce*, Bowser?

We hope your weekend is filled with snacks and lounging in the shade.

Rock on,

The WB

What’s On Your Plate Blog Challenge – Donna-Approved Edition

On July 5, 2023July 3, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Adventures in Food, What's On Your Plate27 Comments

Donna came over to my house last month (surprise, surprise), one of several visits actually. I forget why or what we were doing this particular time but I don’t forget what I made for lunch! Or was it supper?! 🤣

My daughter had served me this meal previously, and I not only thought it delicious but perfect for my mostly-vegetarian friend and co-host. Here is the recipe: Instant-Pot Mujadara.

I would describe this lentil and rice dish as comfort food that is easy to prepare, and quite healthy (as opposed to most comfort foods 😉). I think you could spice it up easily, if you wanted. For my first time making it (don’t you love how I make my guests my guinea pigs?), I made and served it exactly as the recipe stated. ~~I don’t know who I am anymore either.~~ I made it the day before so there would be less time in the kitchen and more Donna-time.

My favourite brand of brown rice, measured out and ready for the rice cooker.

Sauteing the onions for almost 30 minutes. I stopped at about 21 minutes as I was afraid they would start to burn. ~~Also, I was damn sick of hovering over the pot and constantly stirring.~~

Reserving half the onions for a topping.

Finished dish – ready to go in the fridge, for heating and serving the next day.

Plated with yogurt, lemon, and salad. Fresh herbs from my garden top the salad, and the mint leaves came from there too!

Donna approves of this meal. She even had seconds!

That’s what was on my plate in June! I’ll be adding this recipe to my repertoire, especially for the colder months. Please join Donna and myself in sharing what was on yours, either in the Comments or via the Link party (if you wish to link your blog post).

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schauzer – Family Trip

On July 2, 2023June 28, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer28 Comments

Last Sunday the whole pack went on a road trip to see Bowser’s “other” grandparents for their birthdays (only 1 day apart!). Grandma Judy suggested we go for a walk on a trail she had discovered nearby.

Bowser’s other grandmother points out our route.

Bowser trying to figure out how to get down to the river.

Bowser says it is important to stay hydrated!

Checking out the ~~street~~ *forest* art on some abandoned buildings along the trail.

Post-hike Bowser. *Chillin’ like a villain*.

We hope your weekend has some fun walks and some chill times too. Happy Canada Day long weekend, to my fellow Canadians!

Rock on,

The WB

Garden Update for June

On June 30, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Dragonfly Cottage Garden 2023, Gardening52 Comments

Warning: Picture-heavy post!

Pole beans and squash in raised beds:

Wind chime that followed me home from the Butchart Gardens gift shop:

My tea/herb garden this year:

Hostas and lupin that emerged this spring:

Planted a foam flower in front of the bird bath. Hope it does well in its new home:

The black currant I planted this spring:

One of the two elderberries I planted this spring:

One of the 3 bare-root black raspberries, also planted this spring:

My fig tree (new to my garden) – which looked for the longest time like a bare stick planted in a pot – is now leafed out and (gasp!) growing actual figs:

I bought a patio set for the new patio and pergola. Very comfortable and doubles as an outdoor dining space (long-time readers may recognize the dick pillows):

I have not forgotten to make my garden magical at night. These are solar colour-changing dragonflies (a gift from my landlords, for Mother’s Day last year):

Solar lantern on the patio table:

Fairy lights (also solar), under the wisteria:

And my most stunning solar light, in front of the black currant. Weighted down with a cool rock I found on Bowser’s Secret Trail:

Close-up of the light in action:

Full-effect of this particular solar light. Isn’t it stunning?

Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses. Future plans include enjoying the harvest, building 2 more raised beds, and creating a fire pit space!

Rock on,

The WB