Signal Hill and Cabot Trail

We stood steeped in history as we walked up Signal Hill. It is one of the most iconic sites in Canada and yet the years haven’t changed it.

Happenstance

I remember once, when I was about 13 or 14, flying to Vancouver Island with my mom. We saw people she knew in Calgary and Vancouver. I was like “what the heck?”; we lived in a small farming community so how could my mom know so many people?

Fast forward to my kids going anywhere with me when they were teenagers. It kind of drove them a bit crazy that I would find people whom I knew to stop and visit with.

Flying thousand of miles away should probably have prevented that. Or so you

Seventh Heaven

I was in my version of seventh heaven for the last 4 days. Tons and tons of

Cape Spear

We’ve now been to the most eastern spot in North America. Trust me that it was a lot warmer when we were on the most western tip of Europe! Portugal in the spring isn’t quite like Newfoundland in the same season!

Meandering

I can’t find that illusive opening paragraph that draws the reader in so perhaps I’ll just let the pictures do the talking.

Not Average “Posts”

This is not at all like my other fence post Friday entry. My average fence post pictures feature sturdy posts, barb wire and wide open spaces.

Today’s fences are unique to me although they may be

Written with Tears

There are things in life you cannot un see

There are things in life you cannot un hear

Report Card 1

Report card day was never my favourite day as I never really had an idea what the teacher or the exam results would say. Then of course add in the fact that I failed one of my five final nursing exams. Makes sense why report card day brings a sense of trepidation to me.

So why would I

Fingers crossed

I may have jinxed myself with yesterday’s post about first time out and things turning out exceptionally well.

Today I’m also trying something for the first time and feeding the results to friends! Hence the fingers crossed! I don’t have a plan B for supper so let’s hope.

The story begins a couple of years ago when my friend’s dad gave us some beans. He grows them and then dries them and shells them out. So this year I planted some of his and after we ate them fresh and green I let the plants continue. I pulled, dried and finally shelled them in a post called Side tracked

They’ve been patiently waiting for me to remember to soak them on a weekend night and have the day for them to simmer. First I checked with my mom for a recipe but it turns out that’s doctored up canned beans was the norm although she did hand write out a receipe for her granddaughter’s shower gift. I then turned to my two favourite on line sites only to find out they both used canned beans to create their baked beans.

So I just picked the first three hits, read the reviews, picked one (Genius kitchen which I’ve used before) and set about making it. They have to soak overnight in cold water; the next morning they are boiled in clean water for 10 minutes. While they were simmering on the stove I made the sauce for them; a modification here and there like less sugar and a jalapeno. Then I put them in the oven and walked away for several hours. We did have to adjust fluid levels a few times but I am happy to report they were cooked after 6 hours and the sauce was absolutely spot on!

So first time lucky but it sure won’t be the last time we have them. It takes pre planning but it is neither hard nor complex just time consuming for the cooking part. It was a casual meal for sure but paired with good friends and lively conversation and a brew it went down well.

Bernie

The “Belle”

Sometimes the first attempt at a new task results in a sense of frustration and let down when it doesn’t go as well as planned. The choice then is to give up or go back and revise the process to find success.

I’m excited to report that I didn’t need to