If you’ve been here a while, you know I’m all about slow food, taking the time to enjoy the cooking or baking process.. often I’ll have music playing in the background to enhance the experience. But I’ll let you in on a secret, I, too, have those nights when it’s just crazy busy and I’d…
The Spring Festivus worked! { Even my blog seems to have imported without a hitch! } Warm temperatures have begun melting snow, streets are becoming a slushy mess.. and everyone is basking in the welcome sunshine! Not that I have anything against the color white. White is a calm, clean, warm color, one that reminds…
Loving the new look and the clean bill of health! xox
PS That salmon looks next level awesome.
Hello Smidge,
Your new site is absolutely gorgeous, just like you. Very easy to navigate and it loaded very quickly as well. I am very delighted to hear that you have been given a clean bill of health and thank goodness you do not have to eat that bland diet for more than 4 days. Thank you very much for the kind mention and am so glad we can help each other out any way we can. John and Spree always have delicious recipes and so glad you have incorporated them into one healthy and colorful meal.
It takes a bit of time to get everything settled with the move. If questions let me know.
Take care,
BAM
Movita!! You’re the first person to comment on my new blog:D I should have had a prize for that! xx Thanks so much!
Thanks, Bam! I’m glad to hear it loaded easily, I found out there was a “jetpack” that interfered with the template photo loader.. so the support team changed that for me.. and voila:) You are the second person to visit.. now I get to sit back and visit everyone’s blog and forget mine for a while:D xx
The salmon with pecans sounds wonderful and the new blog looks great Barb! I’m thinking about taking the plunge myself at some point so I may take you up on “paying it forward”.
Your “new” blog looks great! So does the salmon!
Great to be in the clear: go out and take a few deep breaths! Been there!! Love the new look to the blog AND the lovely recipe: yep, have made and enjoyed John’s salsa verde already also – cheated: snuck some homegrown mint in . . .Southern Italian methinks he said . . . well . . .
Firstly, congratulations! My RSS reader is amazing and here you are. Thank you for the link love 
Congratulations, Barb! Your new home looks fantastic! A perfect place to showcase your wonderful prose & poetry, as well as to frame your beautiful photography. And you picked the perfect post to inaugurate your site. The food is all delicious and the presentation flawless. Well done, all ’round!
Thank you, too, for the kind words about my salsa verde. I’m so glad you tried and liked it.
You are definitely an artist my friend, this is so beautiful! I am definitely coming to you for remodelling advice!
And it is so springy as well
Cheers
CCU
So glad to hear the transfer went well! The flavors in this salmon recipe are perfect for me, it sounds delightful for spring. Well done, Barb, have a great weekend.
Congratulations on the successful blog move! And much more important, on getting an A+ on your health tests!
I am totally on top of this type of stuff, as my goal is to try to be as healthy as possible for the longest time possible… a lot of it is luck, one never knows, but we must do our best, and prevention and screening is the key
great post, Barbara! (I will be away from the net for a week or so, might miss some of your posts but will catch up later)
Hi Barbara, I’m not sure I’ve mentioned this before but I really love the look of the presentation of the recipes and photos, very nice. I’ve had the same look since 2007, I guess I should think about changing it up.
It had warmed up last weekend and we enjoyed 12°C but it has been cooling down all week and today we’re expecting flurries all day. It’s also very grey, which is very depressing.
That low-fibre diet sounds strange, I think I would get all bogged up and that is not pretty! Glad your tests came out with flying colours.
The salmon sounds fantastic, I’ll have to bookmark it because I’ve just read Charles (Five Euro Food) stuffed salmon recipe and I’m totally smitten. We’ll definitely try this one next week but like Charle’s salmon, I’m going to sub out the salmon with another fish since I’m not sure what’s going on with the Salmon fisheries in Canada at this time (they are said to be infected with an influenza virus and the CFIA has approved sales for human consumption, claiming it won’t affect us. I’d just rather not take a chance).
Oh Smidge, how pretty this new site of yours!! So lovely, so you! I’d so like to do something different but am not sure I’m up for the challenge. When I am, may I come knocking?
I was a bit concerned when you said you were off for a medical “test” ! Am relieved and grateful to hear that all is better than well with you! And I must say, you girl know how to celebrate the end of a fast!! (Just for the record, I would too! ) So happy you liked the kale salad, and isn’t (John’) salsa verde a fabulous condiment?! This pecan encrusted salmon of yours sounds quite wonderful…we’re coming up on salmon season again so am always happy for a new & delicious twist on something we eat quite a bit of in season.
Congratulations on such a beautiful transition to your new digs here! xoxo
Beautiful healthy food! I love everything about it.
I’m not sure I’ll be ready for salad until summer, but that does sound good
This is one for this weekend … love it and I found Panko breadcrumbs that I want to try too. Salmon is the big think we eat for Easter, beside the herrings .. and a couple of frozen snaps/shots to go with them. Will have some spinach mash with mine.
Thanks a million, Barbara and I wish you a great weekend.
CONGRATS on passing that test with flying colors. Pecan crusted salmon sounds fabulous. Starting my kale seedlings soon and hopefully harvesting will not be too far behind.
Your new look looks great and it is nice that it went smoothly. I’m always looking for new ways to cook salmon and adding nuts sounds very interesting.
Glad the tests were all good and the changeover went well…you deserved that gorgeous salmon after all that stress!
Barbara, the site looks fantastic! Congrats on the big move! It definitely can be unnerving but everything is beautiful as only you can do! The salmon looks delicious as well!!!!!! Love the simplicity and flavors.
New site looks great, Smidge !
The salmon looks delicious! And the site looks fabulous. Congrats on going self-hosted.
Barbara, I love the new look! Gorgeous elegance!
Your salmon looks divine. Love it. And it is perfect with a kale salad! Delicious!
Wow, your site looks fantastic, Barb and so light and airy…so pretty, as always, like a breath of fresh air! Exactly as I would expect from you and congrats. Also a big congrats on the good health report. If you have health you have it all. And this salmon certainly looks like a big and tasty part of keeping that good health, and good taste going.
Here I am! LOL! It took a few steps to be able to comment once again, so I’ve been slow to get back to you, but your blog looks just gorgeous! Good for you! And it’s excellent to hear that your medical screenings were purposeful and proved to give you a good report! oxo
Any salmon dish will be a champion for me, Love this recipe
Raymund recently posted…Tom Yum Goong
New site looks great Barbara and I can taste the crunchy pecan on the salmon right now.
Jed Gray (sportsglutton) recently posted…Monday Morning Humor
First, so glad to hear all of your tests are good. Second, as others have noted I just love your new site design. It feels light and effervescent and just pretty. I have got to try the kale salad. I just know that’s something I’d love for lunch. My hubby would love that salmon for dinner.
Allison @ Main St. Cuisine recently posted…Pan-Fried Cauliflower
Thanks so very much, Allison! I’m so glad you’ve popped by.. I’m still trying to catch up on bloggers I haven’t visited for a while! I’ll be over shortly! xx
[...] I got the idea from Barbara@justasmidgen – and she called her dish,“Jane’s Crunchy Pecan Salmon”. Don’t have clue who Jane is – and I can’t figure it out from her post neither. I [...]
You brave person! I hadn’t realised you’d switched because you seldom appear in my WP reader. I guess you definitely won’t now, so I need to subscribe?
One of my most curious discoveries of Cross-Country Skiing was the sound your skis make behind you.. you could be convinced someone is following you. This poem sprang from that feeling of someone “lurking” behind, the lengthening shadow as it comes around and stands in front of you while you finish your route.. and the…
Years ago, I went cross country skiing with my high school. Somehow I found myself straggling behind and before you know it I was alone. Yeah, I looked back a few times wondering who the heck was following me lol!
I’ve wanted to take my daughter to silverstar but with the current road conditions and me driving a Yaris, Not sure I want to try 
so yummy bowl of chili though!
Looks like a glorious snowy day. The sky is so blue!
Chili is just the ticket (I had some turkey chili for dinner just tonight) in this weather and this looks so delicious.
Amazing trees!
How could beer not go with chilli! have you tried chilli vodka? I have mixed feelings about it – I like the heat, but it makes my head feel funny after 2 and it’s not the vodka doing that, I have hollow legs 
Chocolate in chili???? Interesting but no go for me. And I was just thinking about making chili too
Used to cross country a lot but I can resist it now – too cold out there. I still have Florida blood in my veins. Beautiful pics, Barb. Where was this? You always post pictures of something that makes me hungry !!! Naughty girl !!!!!!!
Paul
Those mountain photos are gorgeous!! What a fun time with the family. This stew looks perfect to thaw out after a cold day!
I love Lion’s Winter Ale! I wish it was available year round, but then it wouldn’t be so special, I guess… Sounds like the prefect addition to chili
Your ski path is so beautiful…just breathtaking! I could spend hours out there, but I likely wouldn’t get far as I’d be snapping pics in every direction. Glad you had a great time Smidge. And your chili certainly looks warming. My two little ones would enjoy this as well albeit without too much heat.
I love the ingredient combination in this recipe
I can’t believe we’re this far into winter, and I still haven’t made chili. I’m drooling over yours!
Tenderest spring lies under… indeed. Smidge, your photos are heart-stoppingly gorgeous! And your ale chili is the perfect punctuation on a snow-filled Canadian winter’s day. Love your food styling here! What a beautiful post.
Beer in chili is one of my favorite things ever ever EVER!! Not even kidding. Yours looks AWESOMe! So jealous of all your snow and winter sporting… we’ve not had snow here in 2 years and as a former resident of Upstate NY I am jonesing hard! Gorgeous photos & recipe. Thanks!!
Gorgeous photos! I’ve never cross country skied, but I would love to take it up. There are plenty of trails in New Hampshire. Now that we’ve moved, I don’t go anywhere without my iPhone navigation! Not even a short walk. LOL Your chili sounds wonderful and I’m going to try the chocolate in mine next time.
What beautiful country! I’ve not x-country skiied in decades. Seems like a nice thing to pick back up. If it were ever to snow here!
That Chili looks so comforting and I like the idea of the beer in it.
I got goose flesh and the hairs on my neck went up as I read your poem! Ooooo! And what exquisite refreshment along those wooded snowy trails! I haven’t eaten beef for most of my life but oh if I did, it’d be a bowl of your Winter Ale Chili! (or 2!) (and btw, your posts, the layout, the graphics, just get more and more beautiful as you go! What an artist you are Smidge!) xxo
I´m not a skier but it does look sovery beautiful. And as for a gorgeous slow cooked chili with beer…sign me up!
Fantastic! Oh, how I miss cross-country skiing…
I think a day out in the snow like this would make you very hungry and coming home to a bowl of warming chilli would be awesome, especially with a few beers. I’ve never seen such a beautiful sight as your image of the trees covered in fresh powdery snow. I would love to experience a day like you’ve just had! xx
Those views! Glorious! The chili sounds wonderful although I might dial down the heat a bit. I wonder if I can find this beer in Ontario? It sounds worth looking for!
With such beautiful surroundings, it’s quite simple to see why you return there to ski. Your daughter’s and her facial expression could easily become the poster child for long-suffering teens the world-over. To you and to her, all I can say is that this, too, shall pass.
Your chili sounds wonderful, Barb. I’ve 1 quart of of a very good chili left in my freezer and will need to make another to replenish my stock. There’s nothing like a good bowl of chili on a cold Winter’s day. Yours will be the recipe I prepare next time around. It really does sound good! Thanks for sharing — and bring a navigator with you the next time you go skiing.
Your cool chili (get it?) has attracted my wife’s attention! Great job, Barbara!
Beautiful poem…and what a beautiful spot you chose to ski….I only went once to cross country ski…when we were much younger…but I loved it….It was on a winter getaway and we just never managed to do it again….The only mishap happened after we were through and making our way back to the Inn and there was a slight incline however I did not know it was pure ice and so went flying and gave my head a crack…what an awful headache …Diane
Such beautiful sceneries. Do you get mostly powdery snow? Chili sound interesting with the addition of chocolate.
Your beautiful view and experience skiing as a family is one that you will never forget. Your poem really captures your feelings and the experience. I was injured quite badly in a ski accident and can never be on a lift again but admire your family for finding the way back home after a long day out on the slopes. Your chili sounds amazing, great flavors and so rich I can’t wait to try it. Take care, BAM
It would be hard to get lost when its that cold, love the photos
Gorgeous – as always! This chili looks like something that 2.0 and I would thoroughly enjoy – there’s nothing like a big pot of hot chili to warm your bones from the inside out.
Happy New Year!
Your poem is absolutely outstanding! And even though I’m a vegetarian, you have a way of being able to write a meaty recipe that I throroughly enjoy reading. This one looks like a real winter warmer.
I am in love with this poem. It’s beautiful, Barb!
Just like the scenery from the skiing. Sorry you kinda sorta got…..um….disoriented I don’t think I’d mind getting lost on that trail at all. It’s breathtaking. Lucky girl!
Thank you for this delicious chilli recipe too. I think it’s just perfect for playoff games day!
I love all of this. The poem, the cross country skiing with loved ones, the chili waiting to be devoured at the end of the day.
Beautiful photos to boot.
Thank you. x
Love your chili “spices” – chocolate and cinnamon and beer – oh my!
Fabulous chili and lovely photos!
you are right: food never tastes better as after a day out in the snow. I remember how good the polenta and sausage was when eating it during our winter holidays on the mountains back in Italy. your scenery is even more beautiful and your chili hearty and nourishing. wish I could ski!
Beautiful post. The last time I went skiing was several years ago in Maggie Valley. Love everything about a ski trip. You are correct about the noise the skis make and you believe someone is behind you. Love the photos and your poem. The chili looks amazing!! I love the chocolate in the chili!!
Now those photos make me want to have snow!! What beautiful shots! And, if you knew me, I don’t ski or want anything to do with the cold! This is the perfect meal to warm up to! As always, you have just the most beautiful blog!!
I loved the scenery, as much as a Brazilian can love images of the cold… from a safe distance, from the comfort of my computer screen, but my few experiences with skiing were…. let’s say “epic”? For lack of a better word. They involved one particular descent in which this tropical human being ended entangled in one of those plastic fences, one ski gone, the other miracurously still tied to my foot. I have ZERO grace with snow boots.
Now, seriously: beautiful poem, beautiful photos, beautiful recipe.. You rock and roll, and cross country ski
It’s been years since I’ve been cross country skiing. So much fun (and tons safer than downhill!). And when you’re done you definitely want something hot and warming, like this terrific looking chili. How did you manage to pack so much flavor in this?! It looks wonderful – thanks.
The chili looks fabulous and what beautiful photos! I like to use cocoa, cinnamon and maple syrup in my chili sometimes…sooo good!
we really do live on opposite ends of the earth. Those beautiful cold pictures, just gorgeous Barbara. Tomorrow it is supposed to be 43C here….hot, damn hot. I’ll swap you a little cross country skiing in pristine snow capped woods.
Wow, that I call winter … and winter comfort food. Stunning photos .. just like I expect for find Canada this time of year. Never done cross country skiing – only alpine. That first photo with the deep blue sky .. could you send some over to me – so sick of all the rain.
Right. Part of the beauty of x-country skiing is the muffled sound in the quiet of the woods. Beautiful photos.
Your staging photography is just beautiful!!! Keep up the great work.
A wonderfully hearty dish for apés ski, Barbara. And a beer sounds great with this dish. How nice that you were able to spend such a lovely time with your children. The photos are incredible, would make a beautiful Christmas card next year.
Spectacular pictures and fabulous winter warmers, Smidge. Thanks for a really exuberant post! Glad you had such a great time!
Canada really is amazingly picturesque. Just so beautiful and white. I also agree, nothing makes you as hungry as the cold, being out doors and exercising, and a winter ale chili would be the perfect ending to that!
What an absolutely perfect chili for a day of cross-country skiing! The road you skied looks perfect and the scenery breathtaking! I’ll never forget skiing under a full moon at 2 am and seeing a huge elk clumping through the snow. Can’t see a sight like that any other way. Love the chili and the choice of ale!
Wow! the views you had were magnificent! What a sight! – beautiful blue sky over the snow-capped trees.
the recipe sounds delicious and I would imagine it to be really hearty and good on a cold winter’s day, especially after all that skiing! Love the addition of bittersweet chocolate. I can imagine the depth it adds to the dish!
Winter…when the world rests, awaiting spring’s touch. You bring beauty to our community.
Oh what a glorious day! Thank you for sharing it with us. It is many many years since I went cross country skiing and I remember it vividly, your beautiful photos have brought those memories back. xx
Perfect for a cold winter day. Love the addition of cinnamon and chocolate!
Great family shots and gorgeous snow! You have the perfect environment for family ski outings! And this recipe makes me warm just to read it. I love the addition of the ale, and although I’ve heard of beer in chili, I’ve never done it, but the bacon really surprised me! This is a must! We have a big Super Bowl family gathering in early February where everyone but me watches football…ha! I’ll volunteer to bring chili this year!
Now although I do like your creamy cake recipes it’s these meaty numbers that really attract my attention – and the photography that goes with it – you need to get a book published.
Lovely, creative, heartwarming chili and lovely winter pictures! I miss the snow here in Singapore.
Smidge, you are such a poet! I loved this! And the chili with beer and chocolate (two of my favorite things ) sounds delish and so comforting. Great photos, too!
Sounds like a wonderful and delicious way to warm up after a day of skiing.
The Chili looks fantastic! I wish I could experience skiing someday!!
Can’t decide whether the chili or the image of going up the road to the mountain is better Barbara.
Happy New Year!
Beautiful new blog/laylout! Love the poems, photos, and of course recipes. Hope all is well with you in the new year!
It’s all here – your wonderful poem, images and such a great recipe…love it
Beautiful photos as always, Barbara! Hope you’re having a great start in this new year , take care!
GORGEOUS photos!!! I love the recipe – and the new blog layout. It feels like a complete winter wonderland here. Happy Belated New Year Barb, I hope you have a fantastic 2013.
I’ve missed your beautiful picture and writing (and recipes, too!) That chili sounds amazing on a cold winter day.
lovely poem !!! wonderful photographs
Gorgeous photos of the trail and the trees!! I’m going Cross Country Skiing this afternoon and can only hope the trails look as beautiful here.
Christmas decorating always begins outside for our family.. Dried coppery magnolia leaves tender spruce and fir branches silver papered birch ruby shaded “faux” berries, perhaps some raw-umber cones and twigs, transforms a fall container into a wintery one. { I’ll let you in on a secret.. these little pots are available at Sobey’s.. not too…
Absolutely beautiful, Smidge! And that looks like such a warming, delicious meal.
Have you ever noticed that the French language always adds flair. For example, what sound more appealing: soup du jour or soup of the day? I can always count on the price to be higher when there is a foreign word in the title. I do love stopping by – your blog is so so so beautiful….
Smart idea to convert decorations to a new season. And Bless you!
It’s quick.. although the list of ingredients seems a tad long:D
I love having you here.. yes, I could Étouffée a lot of dishes:D
Thanks so much, Alice:) I’m trying to be more aware/frugal these days..
What stunning decorations my friend
Your photos are breathtaking as are your recipes!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Yes, I surely love the colours of your early decorations also ! And the moreish prawn dish with so much crispness in the base. You have used Cajun seasoning, but I can see the same base work wonderfully well with a number of other spice blends also: yum!!!
Christmas decorations already, where has November gone?? The spices in this dish look like they would chase away any (unladylike) sneezes
Mmmm. Gorgeous. Love the colors.
Would I be a piggy asking for a double portion…
Mandy
What a delicious way to serve prawns/shrimp and nice pictures. We’re terrible at getting Christmas decorations together, but our daughter makes up for it. I think she’d be happy with Christmas every day.
love how that pot of plant is being transformed! Those prawns look like they pack a lot of flavour! Looks like a great quick meal to put together!
I knew I could rely on you to cheer me up this morning, Smidge. I haven’t even started to think about Christmas yet, but I know I should. My husband loves prawns so I cast an eye down the ingredients. Canola oil? Yikes! I’ll have to go looking. Got the Worcestershire sauce though.
Bless you Smidge! You made me laugh out loud…I am sure is it more like a mouse sneeze than a horse. I love those quick and easy dishes especially this time of the year when life gets so hectic.
Lovely decorations – I cannot believe that Christmas is just around the corner, where did the year go. I should say bless you across the ocean in case the vitamin C hasn’t cured your sneezing.
We have a few of them horses in the family, so I know. Mine are subtle with three to four in a row, which I see my two year old do as well. Too funny!
Lovely recipe and lovely plates!
Good reminder — I need to work on my pots this weekend. Clever segue from the sneeze to the food! (can’t wait for the day when the ponytails are so honest) I’ll be bookmarking this as I have wanted to try it for a while now.
Lovely urn. I just did our urns on the weekend, but since we have four (2larger and 2smaller) I usually make mine from scratch; this year the total was $41 which I’m pretty happy about.
I had a shrimp étouffée in New Orleans years ago and it was so rich it turned me off, but this recipe sounds wonderful and not rich; I’m going to have to bookmark this.
I read somewhere once that sneezes are little “O’s”
A chilling frost outside and warm comfort inside. Perfect!
Smidge I love your pots, and you’re right, they do look better with a bit of frost. My husband has tiny little sneezes that he manages to keep inside somehow…I, on the other hand, like you, am a hearty sneezer. It just feels right. The etouffee looks amazing!
Eva.. where did you find your greens then? I thought I was doing great getting them at a good cost at Sobey’s. Our garden center was more expensive?? I’ve done from scratch every year, but this was cheaper. Is there another place I could be looking?? I’m on a frugal frenzy these days:D Little “O’s”? Now wouldn’t that be nice;D
I got my greens at Loblaws Supercentre (I usually support our local flower shop but they’ve reduced the volume and upped the price so I had to be practical). I bought three packs of two kinds of boughs, they were $5.00 each (two each for the large urns and one each for the smaller urns). I had a few large pine cones left over from years past, and I got some extra pine cones at the dollar store about two months ago. I made the bows from some sparkly netting (9m $6.00 at Supercentre). I’ll send you a pic of the urns, they turned out great! I harvested the birch from the cottage a couple of years ago because they are a rip off ($6. each) here in Toronto! My friend T in Chicago bought me some vines with little tiny lights on them, which I am hoping to add before Xmas, if they can make it up to visit. With the vines, it will increase each urn by $5 but they are totally reusable so they can be amortized over the years! I usually uplight the urns anyway so they are also quite pretty at night.
Now that’s frugal!
It’s fun too!
Beautiful etouffee! So brightly colored and delicious!
Fantastic – I love Cajun food
Your decorations are gorgeous! xx
Barbara, that looks so good … can feel the smell, but I would change the prawns to chicken again.
Because we can’t get king prawns anymore in Sweden, they are stopped .. and normal prawns are too small and I can’t get them raw neither.
Love your arrangement – but I adore it with the frost on – we had frost the other morning and -4C the whole day. It was bitter cold so soon the sun gone down. Love frosty morning and it’s crispness. Or may it’s not real frost … hard to see.
I too have a loud and obnoxious sneeze. It doesn’t help that I don’t cover my mouth either..HOWEVER I make sure I am away from any other people, I just don’t like getting sneeze on my clothing!! This meal looks hearty, warm, and delicious! I am loving your decorations, and the frost!
Can you believe my wife hates sneezing. She says it’s so annoying but I just LOVE a good sneeze – clearing all the cobwebs out of the “pipes” .
Love the look of the étoufée – it’s got such a vibrant colour and heck, shrimp is always a winner!
Great timing on the etoufee Smidge! Mike and I just got back from New Orleans and that was the one food I didn’t try while we were there (believe me – I think I ate everything else though!). Now I can try and make this at home. Fabulous! It looks delicious. I hope you keep those sneezes at bay…lots of vitamin C!
Love the holidays! Your Christmas decorating with frost is beautiful and the burst of colours with the Étouffée are delicious! I love all the ingredients; spicy!
LOL I have a dust allergy and I can so relate to what you’re saying. After 13 sneezes in a row I just don’t care what people think, I just want relief. Your decorations and your Étouffée are fantastic!
Your Christmas decoration is just gorgeous. And then you showed the frost-bitten images. It’s hard for me to imagine weather that’s that cold. But it does make for some stunning images xx
Beautiful post, Barbara! The decoration is beautiful and wintery; the recipe delicious and heartwarming…both perfect!
I need to try my hand at etouffe. It’s one of those NOLA dishes I’ve yet to try to make. Such a classic.
Oh, yum! I made shrimp etouffee once and absolutely loved it. This looks really delicious!
How hilarious that your daughter thinks your sneeze is annoying! Our children can bring us back to earth with just a word, can’t they? The greenery and Christmas arrangements are beautiful. And as you know, we just finished our Thanksgiving, and now we’re off and running towards Christmas! I’m sure you will continue to be a great source of inspiration for Christmas cheer…so you need to stay well! You have an important job to do! oxoxo
Have you tried taking zinc when you feel the sniffles starting?
Spicy and Prawns on top of rice, thats my type of meal
Beautiful photos Smidge! Take care of yourself and don’t catch a cold! The étouffée looks absolutely yummy, I love prawns, so I really hope to try this soon!
Love the festive and elegant centerpiece!
So flavorful and delightful to look at. Sneezes shouldn’t be dainty in my humble opinion.
This is beautiful, Smidge! I’ve been loading up on peppers and veggies and vitamins to battle a cold, too. And I am jealous of your snowy arrangement. No snow here since 2010. Makes me so sad.
I bet your home – inside and out – is gorgeous during the holidays! I love what I’ve seen thus far! I had to laugh at the sneeze story. About 4 of us had a sneezing fit on Thanksgiving Day (different times), which eventually let to a discussion of sneezes, types, how it makes you feel, etc. Last but not least – what a delicious looking etouffee!
I have never done anything like make an outside urn, what a great idea, and prawns too – I love the juxtapositions in your posts, they are glorious. My throat is swelling up and feeling scratchy – I think OH has given me his cold, which he in turn got from going to a hospital with his Mum. One should stay out of hospitals wherever possible. Atchoo – sneezles and wheezles, can you hear me from where you are, ok, just one more…. xx
your pictures are just incredible! x
wow! love this dish! this is now in my to do list for the next few weeks. so spicy, warm and comforting. and I still eat fish even if I do not eat meat any longer, so this is just what I need right now! packed with veggies and with the addition of prawns which not only add taste but also loads of B12 vitamin. thank you for sharing!
I love the combo of sweet and spicy in this dish, especially the addition of the apples. And your outdoor decor is beautiful with the frost — it’s really beginning to look like Christmas
This is such a beautiful decoration! The sweet and sour flavors in this dish are right up my alley!
Barb, those Christmas arrangements are just gorgeous. I especially like that they’re not overdone – just a few elements here and there mixed in with nature. As for your spicy shrimp dish… your ingredients have my mouth watering… who wouldn’t want to be étouffée in that kind of goodness! ;0).
A dainty sort of tishoo! Oh, thanks for the smiles and the lovely holiday photos.
You have an amazing looking blog, woman! Interesting photography and all put together in a simple, beautiful way. Keep it up! I’ll follow!
xoxo
I love etoufee. It’s one of my absolute favorites. This looks wonderful and I’m sure was very tasty, too.
I’m inspired to head out back and cut me some greens and berries. I love your decorations. The etoufee looks delicious. I’d like to make extras and freeze them in packets for 2 as it looks like it would freeze well for those nights you don’t feel like cooking nor eating a sandwich. cheers. x wt
Apple in your étouffée sounds so different but good. You know me…I’m always looking for recipes to use the apple from my orchard.
Hahaha! Oh Smidge I can so identify. My sneeze isn’t the least bit lady like and the center of many family jokes. Love etouffee and this recipe sounds delish! Perfect for the winter weather. Wishing you a most delicious holiday season. Hugs!
I am becomming a terrible sneezer. I hate it. But, on the other hand, this food looks fabulous as usual!
Now that’s my kind of meal!!! And your winter photographs are just stunning!
Now that looks like an awesome meal to warm up to after being out in the cold. Those chilies definitely will clear you up! I can’t believe all the snow and frost you guys have had up there. It’s going to be 70 here tomorrow and it’s December! That’s crazy warm even for Virginia!
Really pretty…and so very festive!
It is a most colorful dish:D
Smidge and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day Chapter One Don’t get me wrong.. I love Apple { not “apples”, silly, “Apple” } I waited for decades years for my wireless contract with Roger’s to expire and would still have to wait TWO MORE so that I could upgrade my vintage cell phone…
Drama finished with a lovely treat. I LOVE pulled pork. So yummy.
They really should do something about the screen. My friends and I all got our screens shattered. Definitely NOT cool. Here I had to pay 60€ to replace it. I could have bought 2 regular mobile phones with that money.
Blimey… I can’t read any more – I hate phone companies with a passion. Still, mine gives me 30% off for life . Great looking treat at the end though.
Smidge had a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Rotten-to-the-Core, Very Bad Nasty Nasty Day, and I’m so sorry to hear it!!! If we’re honest we might as well admit, life was a whole lot simpler before Bill Gates or Steve Jobs decided to improve it for us. But, at the end of the day, (and no thanks to them) there’s always comfort food (or drink)…or in the case of the day our good Smidge had, both in abundance!! xox
Wow! Super!
I believe these things are all designed to self-destruct:)
I’m sorry to hear about all your phone catastropes! Was it wrong of me to find it slightly amusing? I put it down to your fantastic writing ability Barbara. I’m just trying to get into your good books now so you won’t be cross with my amusement. The pulled pork looks mouth watering, because my mouth is watering looking at your photo. X R
Yes.. it’s a good one to stuff oneself with to put oneself out of her misery..
You make me laugh! Oh dear. We’re struggling with ancient Apple computers and awaiting new iPhones, too. Can’t live without them! That BBQ should smooth over a lot of that frustration though.
Now.. how did you get 30% off.. you have a way with people, frugal, honestly!!
Nah, my friend gave me a discount code when he worked there . I think it’ll work for more than one contract too
I used to love Apple and have been a Mac evangelist and expert for 20 years, but since they became a phone company, as opposed to a computer company, IMHO they’ve become the new Microsoft and I feel betrayed 
That looks so good. It still find it hard to come to terms with the phrase “pulled pork”. It reminds me of Chevy Chase “European Holiday”:)
Oh my oh my oh dear oh me
Glad it was the screen
That cracked and not thee
Hahaha, It is totally hilarious.. if it wasn’t so costly!! I’m glad I made you laugh, it’s what I was hoping for:D Thanks, Rhoda!
Hahaha.. Loved that show:D
Hahaha.. yes, I fell on my “good” knee.. just a little scraped, with a bruised wallet!!
Haha, had to google IMHO.. the new “smaller” ipad are awfully close to the huge “Samsung” phone I saw yesterday.. it would be like holding a “plate” to your head, lol!
It’ll totally be funnier, in about 2 years, when I have to upgrade my phone again, lol!! xx
Awwww Smidgey Poo! You have had a rough and slippery patch of things as of late. Hope all is settled down and no more slip sliding away for you. xx
Oh.. perhaps a glass of wine and some delicious food from, say, Provence, would do just fine, now wouldn’t it:) xx
Thanks!!
Hahaha.. that “Smidgey Poo” has a ring to it:D No more slip sliding for me!! xx
You poor thing. Isn’t Rogers a pleasure to deal with? Not? I’ve numerous wonderful experiences dealing with them as well. Hang in there. Are you in the Toronto area? I have a place that will replace a screen.
Poor you.. bad ice.. ICE!! wait.. You have ICE!! oh no.. I hate my phone, actually there is a song in that! No seriously i hate my phone so i went to the man at the shop and he showed me the new i phone, you have to have an a adapter he said, anyway it was 200 dollars to upgrade and I said . OH.. but he said if you want the one before this one.. it will be free.. well i said all I want to do is call people and txt people.. will it still do that? sure he said but it won;t upgrade new programmes, i said i don’t want those programmes..I just want to phone and txt.. so i am going to go back and upgrade to an OLD model!!! ha ha ha i am laughing.. i have a dumb android and i hate it.. anything will be better!! good luck in the clouds! c
OH MY GOSH!! This is AWFUL!! I am so sorry to hear about your screen. BAH! The story telling was great though, and I couldn’t help but smile despite the AWFUL chain of events! I hope the phone company waives your bill. Damn that ice though..
That would be JUST the ticket, love! (only add 1 glass more to the 1 you’ve accounted for!)
Oh Barbara! I hate that you had such a hard time! I would have cried. And while I pressed the “like” button here I was thinking if this was your Facebook status I wouldn’t have! I ‘dislike’ that you had to go though all this. Hate phone companies in Canada, period. But that pulled pork, I like, a lot!
Gosh sorry you had to go through so much drama my friend! That is just not the done thing! Technology – you gotta love it but it is such a killer too! And with phone companies added to the mix… *sigh*
Anyhow at least there is a delicious treat at the end
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Arrgh mobile phone providers can be the pits ‘we expect to answer your call in less than ten minutes’ etc etc. Oh no, I am so sad that you damaged your new phone when you dropped it. Whenever I get a new phone the sales assistants always try to sell me insurance, I have never taken it out, instead I list my iphone for full replacement value and all risks on my home insurance policy, I have never been charged extra for doing so.
Oh poor you! I decided to buy the 4s for a few reasons: 1/ all my adapters will work with it. 2/ it will have google maps (well that’s not entirely true because when I upgraded to OS7 apple kindly erased google maps ap and you tube from my phone) 3/ I got it for $99. I’ve been with Telus for about 20 years. The devil you know.
Apparently iPhone 5s have a much more delicate screen than any other. I have a case on mine because most people I know have their screens smashed!
This dish sounds great and I bet it was wonderful to come home to the aromas after such a bad day.
PS. After almost 30 years with Rogers, we cancelled our cabel and so far no one has cared enough to call and ask us why. I feel your pain.
We live in interesting times where we are promised that communication is fast, easy and transferable. I could go on about the business strategy behind all of this, but I rather just look at your wonderful photos and visualize taking a bite and then another and another…
What a carry on …. So glad I have my nearly 10 years old Nokia … and on pay as you go.
Love that sauce and that bun photo – just stepped out of my screen.
That recipe looks divine! What a crazy story with your fancy new phone! Some days everything just goes wrong…
Aaargh! What a huge pain all of that has been for you! I wish I could tell you things are better in Australia, but they’re not always (but hey, the weather is nice at the moment! ). Phone plans are complicated things shrouded in mystery, and I’m equally annoyed that the iPhone5 has a different connector, because I’ve only just bought the car kit for the 4S. I think slow cooked pork was essential after all this drama, preferably washed down with alcohol.
Oh, you poor thing! It was indeed a ” Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Rotten-to-the-Core, Very Bad Nasty Nasty Day”, and I can feel your pain, and suffered virtually with you…. don’t you HATE those automated things? Not sure if you deal with paypal, but not too long ago I had a problem that required a phone call. Their loop is perverse. You cannot get out of it to get a real person until the loops goes 20 times around. Literally. By the time the real person answered the phone I was in seriousl need of Prozac (not that I ever taken any…
still, even after all your bad nasty nasty day, you present us with a beautiful recipe, shock full of flavor… you are something!
I hope you will have a stretch of 3,650 wonderfully happy, problem-free days! and after that I will wish you another stretch just like it, ok?
Sounds like you had a tough time of it. I had technology woes with my previous laptop, so I sympathise. I hope it all gets sorted out OK soon.
We Brits just cant do slow cooking like you West-of-the-ponders. As for tech; I am dilly-dallying over whether to buy a Mac Pro – I just cant see myself getting a windows laptop but the apple things are so expensive
Sounds like the typical experience when you upgrade….always that fine print…so don’t feel alone…been there….:)
Oh Smidge! I did know some of those things, because I’ve had similar experiences… Technology, it’s supposed to make life easier, right?!! Hopefully the pulled pork made things better – I had a pulled pork eggs benedict this morning that was delicious
I cringe as I read this….I am SO sorry, what a mess!! Sending hugs your way, STAT! I can relate, sadly. Mine wasn’t an iPhone, it was a Windows laptop, years ago. We despised each other, apparently. To make a long story short, I took it out to the driveway and drove over it. It felt pretty good….but I could have used some spicy pulled pork afterwards.
Pork on a bun is still a good thing, though leftover birthday cakes probably would have been good, too! I’m sorry you had such a horrible time, Smidge!
That pork looks so tempting! Great photo!
Having just traversed a similar minefield, Barb, I truly sympathize. I’ve dealt with Apple Cares and they are very good. They replaced my iPad because the volume control button got stuck. Seemed like overkill but who was I to argue? I hope you find an agreeable customer service rep and together you work something out.
Now, this pulled pork sammich looks incredible! Just last Sunday I made short ribs and feasted on leftover sammiches for the early part of the week. I can see myself have a very similarly delicious Sunday dinner and sammich-filled week in the not too distant future, thanks to you.
You could have moved here for less snow and the same problems! However, our cellphone coverage is pretty good. Have a great Sunday
Oh dear not good! I must admit I bought a very smart flip white case for my iphone the same day I bought it because of the worry of dropping it. Hope next week goes more smoothly for you.
Much sympathy for the trials and tribulations of upgrading hardware. I am a Mac addict too but I spent most of last summer weeping (yes really) with rage and thought I was going quite mad when I finally upgraded my hardware after eight years with my old stuff. Files that wouldn’t open, photo libararies that wouldn’t do what they were supposed to do. All quiet at the moment (shhhh, don’t let them know I am talking about them). Much love and hope it gets better from here on in xx J
Aw definitely a day for some pulled pork! Hugs x
You would need a pulled pork roll after a day like that. I can certainly tell you that we do indeed have days like that here in Oz but if you moved here you would be welcomed with open arms. We don’t have Rogers here – when you’re on the phone to them fighting over their ridiculous one-way contract, please tell them not to set up business here – even of their types are already here xx
Glad I read this tonight Smidge. I’m making pulled pork in the slow cooker this week and hadn’t picked what to put in it yet. Now I know. Thank you. I’m so sorry you had one of those days. Those are the worst. I can’t believe Rogers doesn’t have service on the highway. How is that possible?! Wow.
Gosh I’m so sorry that you had such a dreadful series of events ! I was just saying to my hubby last night that when technology works, it’s EXCELLENT – how could we live without it and some of the innovations they have come up with have truly made our lives easier. But goodness, when it breaks down, (my) whole world disintegrates.
And there’s got to be some super smart propeller-heads and lawyers that are specifically employed by telcos to make buying a phone and the accompanying plans so complicated and confusing that most people just nod, smile and go “please take however much you want out of my account”.
Your post started to make me all cross with telcos (I had to decipher my bill over the weekend), and then I got to your pulled pork recipe and then everything was good in the world again
These darn companies are the same the world over! What a bother Smidge!
What a fantastic pulled pork bun!
Mandy
Hi Smidge, I am writing this from Australia to aassure you that a couple of years ago I tripped while running across the road and not only faceplanted myself right in front of 3 lanes of traffic, I stretched out my phone hand to break my fall and broke my screen at the same time. Yep. Stuff happens here to. The only good thing is that once your 24 month contract expires you are free to go away whenever and you MUST buy Smart Cover with an iPhone… it helps. Though… Have you tried going to Apple instead of your phone co? I did and they swapped it for a new one without any insurance excess! Give it a try!
PS Love pork shoulder roast.. great for sinking away sorrows!
Makes you wonder how we managed before cells doesn’t it. This is why I can’t decide what to do about my 4 year old iPhone.
I keep advising people to switch over to Android and have a bit of freedom but people never listen Sorry to hear about your phone catastrophe though… that must have been so annoying (even if it was an iPhone ((evil-grin)). Hope everything is running a bit more smoothly now
Oh Smidge, I’m so sorry! If you can believe it, I slipped in a parking lot once and did the same to my blackberry. Phone companies have increasingly become so difficult to deal with. Makes me want to chuck my cell phone at times. But then I’d panic if I couldn’t text my girls. Lol! I hope your day got better! Love, love this pulled pork. Looks so delicious and a family fave. Pining and posting on my Facebook page. Yum!
I think it is absolutely horrible that you have had such a terrible time of late. At least you didn’t break any of your parts…they take much longer to repair. You certainly did create a comforting meal to help a terrible day get better.
Hi Smidge, sorry to hear about all your trouble… on these occasions I’m somewhat relieved to be a fringe luddite . Your pulled pork looks fantastic though!
A nice comforting meal to put behind all the trouble. I hate dealing with the phone companies. I switched three times from one to another and they are all just full of you know what… XOs
Our family loves that book! Sorry for your true life version of it, though it looks like you made the best of it with that yumminess.
So sorry to hear about your horrible day Smidge!
Some days are plain nasty and all one can do is keep it together and say this too shall pass
ouch. kudos for you to get a post out in spite of all that. Does help to share though.
Pulled pork would equally mend my saddened state. Chin up my dear… hopefully it can only get better now.
Just to update my comment. My husband just purchased a new iPhone and I reminded him to buy the extended care package…thanks for making everyone know that bad things can happen to something new.
I have a new i phone that I am not liking much, but your experience sounds a lot worse than mine. Too bad about your phone but I love pulled pork, on a bad day it’s nice to have comforting food.
by Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
well, harumph! my mother was born in Canada, but I don’t ‘spose that makes a hill of beans bit of difference. Rules are rules and I know you guys up north are sticklers for doing things rightly, rule-fully!
I’ll look for sure, but in case I never do find Blue Dragon, let me just say that your photos are Scrumptious and Mouth-watering and the Blue Dragon folks were exceedingly smart to contact you and I love this whole idea of a healthy way to put a meal on the table in 15 minutes and a sauce with the power to transport us to another continent altogether (where perhaps they aren’t such sticklers for RULES!)
Loved the post, friend! xx
Blue Dragon, is a massive brand over here too … use their products all the time .. when I do Asian food. Fantastic products. They have been around in Sweden for nearly 15 years now and just get more and more products on the shelves. Expanding their range.
Happy Winner, I wouldn’t mind to win … but outside Canada.
I usually resort to salads because I can make it and eat it out of the same bowl! This, I supposed I could dirty a bowl & a wok! Yum.
a veggie pizza with low fat cheese
Vegetable stir-fry with teriyaki tofu and noodles
Bless you, Barbara. We all need quick(er) foods on occasion. I will be on the lookout for Blue Dragon in the U.S. — perhaps it will drift down from Western Canada eventually. Your stir-fry looks beautiful: I would eat it for lunch if I could eat from the screen.
Sharyn Dimmick recently posted…February Transformation: Life to Death and Sweet Potato Pancakes
I make a rice stir fry with veggies and shrimp
General tao chicken with vegetable rice
My favourite easy dish has to be stir-fry, so versatile and quick
My go-to quick dinner is cooked hamburger with a cup of minute rice and some diced onions & tomatoes. A quick meal for us!
Thank you.
I would love to try some of these products they look delicious!
I love stir-fry! It’s a well balanced meal and usually has leftovers for the next day
I adore Green Thai Curry Shrimp! I would be in Heaven if I won this Basket! All of my Favorites. Thanks for the opportunity!
baked chicken ,white rice and brussels sprouts
We love making chicken stir-fry’s! They r the best! Lot’s of veggies!
We make naan pizzas they are indivdual sizes and you can personalize them.We love useing fresh ingrediants from the farmers market We add a size salad or cut up fresh veggies with them.
Beef and vegetable stew in a slow cooker
I like to stir fry some onions and meat. That’s quick and easy! With orient tastes, it just can be much better
My favorite fast and healthy dish is turkey stirfry.
This stir fry looks absolutely incredible my friend, I wish I could take part in the giveaway but good luck to all who do
Cheers
CCU
CCU recently posted…Guest Post #3: Homemade Lemon Curd
We usually have a pasta dish .
We all have those crazy busy occasions. Your stir-fries look yummy. Sorry I cannot participate in your give away.
Chicken, peppers and tomato sauce
Given that these have real ingredients in them I would buy them
Well, I may not be able to enter but the Blue Dragon people sure picked the right blog to feature their products. Your photos look like they’ve been professionally shot, Barb, and that final picture of the stir fry looks delicious. Well done all way ’round, I’d say.
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[...] You’re not too late for the Blue Dragon Canadian Giveaway.. if you [...]
Hi Smidge, There are many days we all need a break and a dinner on the table in 15 minutes or less is just the perfect ticket. Please ignore my entry. I just tried to better understand the link functionality on the box. Take Care, BAM
Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Sakura Grenadine Granita with Coconut Cream
I love the no MSG and low sodium in these ! Living in Singapore I have the convenience of easy-to-get Asian food, but it’s hawker style, so lots of salt, sugar, oil – I call it Asian junk food (although I still do love it it’s a treat for me) but the healthy and quick option would be a terrific thing from Blue Dragon. Hope you get more range in Canada !
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Yes, they’re really popular and easily availabkle here. Very tasy too! Hope the lucky winner enjoys their prize
Chica Andaluza recently posted…Pan Fried Sea Bream with Asian Style Noodles
I absolutely love making stir fry! Yum yum. This looks fantastic!
Blue Dragon has an a-1 line of products,which is used alot in my house.From entertaining friends, or a Saturday night sit down dinner with family. Blue Dragon is served on these occasions, thanks for great tasting products!!
chicken rice
I do love stir fry, it’s great because you can use whatever is available! Brown rice makes it that much healthier too!
I love stirfry! Its easy and fun, and something that my daughter just loves. It would be a great prize to win for those nights that just don’t seem to have enough time in them.
You’re a great mom, teaching your daughter one of the best quick dinners.. stirfry is a standby in our kitchen too, Marion!
I love just putting a veggie/fruit/meat tray together and nibbling
First of all Barb, your new site looks great. It wasn’t turning up in my WP reader so I’ve gone looking for you!
I try to avoid processed foods, but sometimes we all need a little help in the kitchen. If you say these Blue Dragon products are great, then I know they are! And, how refreshing to find a contest for Canadians! Mar
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And by the way, lately my go-to quick and healthy dinner has been Red Lentil Dahl, but I must say, you’ve got me hankering for a stir fry!
We just picked up some Blue Dragon stir fry mix at the grocery store – like, minutes ago! Can’t wait to try it…
I love cooking stir fry meals with lots of veggies and Chinese cooking is great fun!
We’ll have chicken and rice-fast and simple.
Barb, This looks delicious. I wish it were available in the US, but who knows, it might be down the line. Your philosophy runs similar to mine in that I often would love to make something quick and delicious, that makes me feel like I’ve been able to “dine out” without the hassle of getting out! Plus, I can control the cooking methods, which makes a healthier choice.
Bear with me as I try to figure out why I am not getting your posts or alerts. I think I’m going to need to get help from the WP wizards, but something isn’t coming together just right. We’ll get there eventually!
Debra recently posted…Pasadena’s Arlington Garden…an excellent weekend’s exhale
Besides stir fry which is the obvious answer, I love a nice chicken caesar salad!
You got some nice stir fry over there.
Raymund recently posted…Vegetable Manchurian
Blue Dragon needs to get with the program and start selling down here in the states.
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Stir fry and chicken rice is a favorite in my house!