It’s that time of the year again where one can get fresh greens from your local Farmer’s market.  I cannot say I won’t need any weight loss products just by eating these fresh greens but I most definitely know that it surely can help me loose some of my unwanted weight – that I had been meaning to lose since the end of winter.   But I so admire those folks that can grow their own greens in their garden and then bring them out to sell them to the locals/residents.  If you look at the carrots – you will know that these carrots are organic carrots and not once you get from your local grocery stores.   These carrots are so sweet – you can eat them raw but even cooking it are just as good.

I don’t have green fingers but the spouse’s sister-in-law grows these peas in their garden and each summer they bring a long bags and bags of them – for the kids.  We are grateful -  because they are absolutely delicious and such healthy snacks for the kids.  I hope one day when i retire i can be like them and have my own little greenhouse and grow our own greens all year round.  Wishful thinking?   Ohhh ! don’t laugh at me now – i can be pretty determined if i want to.

We were out getting some  e cigarette for the brother-in-law who is hooked to it now and the spouse was joking that in order to make him cook more in the kitchen or to spend more them there – i should make my kitchen look like a man kitchen.  So in order to make him eat his words – haha! – i went onto Apartment Therapy and found some good ideas to remake my kitchen.  The above was what i chose – what do you think?  will this man kitchen make your man cook more and do more housework and clean dishes?

I do love the simplicity of the man kitchen – don’t you feel the same way?  I think even a woman can like it but has to be a very career minded one or a strong woman.  Look at the no-frills in this kitchen and you will know that a girly girl wouldn’t like it too, too much.  What about you?  I’m tempted to re-do my kitchen – what about you?

Did I tell you that I love my Corelle ?  Yes! even when I was out shopping and looing out for hair loss prevention lotion/pills – my eyes caught the sight of these lovely set.  So summery right?  great for entertaining.  Now the real reason why I love the Corelle is – they are unbreakable and they never got outta style.  The pattern never fades – and they are dishwasher and microwave safe.  I can’t resist it – I had to buy it – are you anything like me?  what kind of patterns do you already have?

While getting some mens ties for the spouse – i came across this Star Wars mold for pancake and thought to myself – i have to buy them.  But $20 for 3 cutters – is a wee bit expensive for my liking plus it’s a pretty small mold.  But every household with boys in them – must get one – so i succumbed to my weakness – to please my mens – the big one and the little one and bought them.  So if you are a Star Wars fan or know someone who is – this might be a great gift – for just about any occasion.

Pull out kitchen tap is nothing new but I haven’t seen them around here but after my bariatric surgery i’m going to look out for one because it is so much more convenient to have one in the kitchen sink when the in-law who stays overnight every now and then loves to wash her hair on our kitchen sink.  You see it’s very popular to have a bath tub here but walk in showers are not so common in this part of Canada for reasons unknown to me.  And i am guessing she doesn’t feel comfy to take a shower at my house nor a bath – so that’s what she does all the time.  But how uncomfy it is right to do it in the kitchen sink – so a pull out kitchen tap is for that purpose – oh yes ! the spouse does that too when he is in a hurry and can’t take a shower.

I have too many Tupperware and not even shelf space in my kitchen – you do not want to be one opening my kitchen cabinets anytime soon.  Looking through some insurance advertising I cannot help but noticed a column in the local papers about under shelf basket that one can buy extras and online for your extra dishes or even dish towels.  These are italian made and vinyl coated so no worries about rusting.   No special installation as you can see, just simply slide one onto an existing shelf.  Price range from 6.99 – 8.99 – not expensive at all and definitely would look good with any cabinet.

Looking for the best colon cleanser but ended up buying a rolling trash bin for $69.00.  How can one resist a rolling trash bin you tell me? You can roll it wherever you want – whether you are cooking in the kitchen or partying with paper plates and cups – or holding a kid’s birthday party – what about those BBQ days during the summer? – roll it out into the lawn and it’s not only delightful to look at instead of that ugly green round bin, it even has a drawer to hold your supply of trash bags.  Painted or veneer finished – some assembly required and I chose the red – what about you?

I was walking in Walmart this morning and saw this grilled cheese frying pan and wanted to buy it there and then.  I picked it up and looked at the price – and thought to myself, i wished i had the luxury to splurge on all sorts of kitchen aid i can find out there.  Now if i had been a home maker and can spend lots of time in the kitchen whipping wonderful meals and stuff -  i won’t hesitate at all – but having said that I would have to get herbal slimming pills for the entire family.  But since I don’t have time to whip up wonderful concoction, I cannot justify spending $90 on a cast iron grilled cheese frying pan.   But one day – I  know i would cave in and buy this cute looking pan – just for some grilled cheese sandwich.

The kitchen is the pride of the woman in the house – so they said.  I found this picture on Martha Stewart to show the spouse what I was looking for.  While he is into the  fitness equipment and i can’t blame him for it, I’m into making my home a comfortable and a warm one to entertain my many family friends.There is nothing wrong with the one I have but being so high up and closed, you tend to push everything into the cabinet and closing it up easily and leaving a mess in it.  But an open glass cabinet is great but i prefer one that has matted glass and not the clear ones.  What about you? it’s popular back home 10 yrs ago, but i haven’t seen the matted glass look at all.

We have been invited to so many christmas parties and business associates office parties, the first thing i did was make an appointment with a  dip bar if we have one here.   But yes, what do you bring along or give your hostess to thank her or them for inviting you.  Many would ask you not to bring anything but it is in our family tradition never to go visiting empty handed.   These days ..  party wines are so cheap, you don’t have to sell your first born just to buy them and give as gift.  The bottles itself are already so pretty, you don’t need any special bags or wrapping.  These are a few recommended by apartment therapy – i prefer wine that are fruit and sweet, what about you.

White Party Wines from Trader Joe’s

• 2007 Kunde Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley $8.99 – Toffee, toasty oak nose, Creamy palate with ripe apricot , melon flavors. A bit hot on the finish, but definitely an appealing party wine.

• 2008 Jean Luc Colombo ‘Les Abeilles’, AC Côtes du Rhône Blanc, France $9.99 – The least aromatic of all the whites tasted, which might detract from its popularity. But appealing herbal and stone fruit flavors.

• 2008 Lacheteau, AC Vouvray, Loire Valley, France $6.99 – A delightful wine. Floral nose, orange blossoms. Juicy flavors, some honeysuckle notes, slightly off-dry, refreshing and bright. This was one of our favorites. No harsh sides to it.

• 2008 Laugel Cuvée Michel Léon Gewürztraminer, Alsace, $9.99 – Another firm favorite. Especially, as a day earlier a friend asked if I thought he could get a nice Gewürztraminer for $10, and I said ‘unlikely’. Well, I ate my words. This wine was well balanced. Classic rose petal, spice, and lychee aromas. Nice texture, refreshing and good flavor intensity. Not a masterpiece, but very well-made.

• 2008 Anton Bauer Grüner Veltliner ‘GMÖRK’, Wagram, Austria $7.99 – Another pleasant surprise. Dry, showing good Grüner typicity of savory aromas (dried grass, green bean) and white pepper. Simple, but enough fruit flavor and refreshing.

• NV Pacific Rim Riesling, USA $7.99 – I have tasted this wine before and liked it better. This example I found a little forced. Quite a fusel/kerosene nose. Ripe fruit flavors, but a little astringent on the palate.

• 2008 Chateau Saint Michelle Riesling, Columbia Valley $8.99 – Attractive floral nose. Light bodied with pleasant stone fruit. Easy drinking and refreshing.

Red Party Wines from Trader Joe’s

• 2007 Albero Monastrell, D.O. Jumilla, Spain $6.99 – Made from organically grown Monastrell grapes (known as Mourvèdre in France). Earthy, lots of ripe dark fruit, prunes, plums and some leathery notes. Simple but amazing value and tasty.

• 2007 Trentatre Rosso, IGT Salento, Italy, $5.99 – A blend of the local Montepulciano grape, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. On the nose, cassis notes of Cabernet prevail, proving that a little Cabernet goes a long way! Some obvious oak notes, but not over-powering. Ripe, smooth, well made with lots of black fruit. Excellent value.

• 2008 Ruffino Chianti, DOC Chianti $6.99 – Easy drinking, fruity with lots of strawberry, red-currant and cherry flavors. Light-to-medium body. Little astringency on the finish, but it does not detract from the wine. Refreshing and ideal for a party.

• 2008 La Loggia Barbera d’Alba, Italy $6.99 – Another tasty gem. Simple but has lots of ripe red cherry-berry flavors. Soft and smooth on the palate. Very juicy and refreshing.

• 2007 Yalumba Shiraz-Viognier, South Australia, $7.99 - Upfront ripe, sweet fruit – raspberry, blackberry. Soft tannins and easy drinking. Probably the most ’stylized’ of the reds tasted. Also a little sweet on the finish. But sure to be a party hit.

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