An hour’s delay at the airport,
.. with reassurances from the wife of our pilot { who was also flying with us },
another hour { ? } circling over Lethbridge airspace,
with plenty of time to consider the condition of the runway back home..
would it be as white as this rose?
We had all the time in the world to remember the tender petals of a garden left behind..
and arrived home to this..
No flowers will grace these gardens for a very long while..
but I have time to cocoon, catch up on my blog visits and reminisce
about the vivid color of friendships rediscovered.
There have been so many this year.. Lois, Shauna.. and now Deb
What wonderful full ” circling round ” has happened in my life and I wonder who will be next ♥ !
Deb shared this recipe with our group of coffee friends about 10 years ago (was it ten?)
and now I’m sharing it with you..
It’s so quick.. and cravable, perfect for spreading hot on crackers..
- 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup full fat mayonnaise
- 1 cup swiss cheese grated
- 4-5 green onions (scallions) finely chopped
- 1 package slivered almonds
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Cream together the first four ingredients until completely blended. Sprinkle over top with the slivered almonds.
- Bake for about 1 hour or until the dip is soft and melted and the almonds on top are lightly browned.
- Serve with crackers.
Lois shared her guacamole recipe with us about 20 years ago (was it 20?)
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1 red pepper
- 1 small plain yogurt (about ¼ cup)
- 1/2 small jar salsa
- juice from 1/2 lemon
- tabasco sauce to taste
- handful grated cheddar cheese
- Combine all ingredients except cheddar cheese in a food processor. Pulse until you have the desired consistency. Remove to a serving bowl and stir in cheddar cheese.
- Serve with tortilla chips.
And you’ll remember me sharing this lovely recipe from Shauna..
{ if you knew Smidge about 1 year ago }
She shared it with us back in the days of wind surfing and sunning on the deck
and mornings of pancake breakfasts at
” Camp Pow “
” It’s Spaghetti ” Spaghetti Squash
I’ll be back later in the week with some indoor Spring inspiration and a burlap DIY! Until then.. stay warm!
Welcome back and what a combo! Yummy and beautiful 🙂
Beautiful photographs, flowers and recipes but these snowy chairs fascinated me much more 🙂 Thank you dear, love, nia
Welcome back! The first photo took my breath away, seriously!
good to have you back, cocooning (what a beautiful word…) and giving us so much beauty!
Awwe, you’re my biggest photography fan, Sally:)
Ahhh, at least you got to escape for a little bit Smidge! I hope you had a lovely time relaxing and soaking up some sun. Where did you go? Your pics looked so pretty. These recipes sound delicious too- I happen to love spaghetti squash (I stuff mine with sausage, spinach, tomato sauce & fresh mozz!) Enjoy your week 🙂 xx E
PS- Did you get the recipe I sent you?
I sure did! I can’t wait to try it.. right after my cleanse:P
Beautiful photos! The roses, of course, but also the snow. In its own way it really is a beautiful sight and for you, it’s home! Glad you traveled well and had a good time. Thank you for never neglecting to share some recipes. Hope you ease back into the rigors of home and don’t feel the need to jump into too much too quickly. Savor the remaining essence of time away. 🙂
Gorgeous roses! Can’t wait for spring. 🙂
Beautiful Post – loving your captures! I recently went to Hawaii and coming back to Winter still is a little cruel:( Hang in there – Happy Tuesday
I will!
Beautiful photos! What a yummy recipe 🙂
Welcome back! Those all look delicious.
Thanks!
Winter can be so beautiful (especially if viewed from afar, over a computer screen). My BF told me about Calgary’s latest blizzard; let’s just say she is so not amused. I think she would feel better, though, if she had any of your recipes to take her mind off the view outside the window!
Haha.. that’s right, we are definitely “not amused” 🙂
Ah, the inescapable reality of Canadian winters… oh well, spring will come one day for us Smidge in the meantime, it sounds like you’ve had some wonderful escapes of your own…these dips look lovely. I’m really liking the idea of the shaved almond on the cheese dip – just enough to give a crunchy bite to each dip ;-). The spaghetti squash look so yummy and satisfying… perfect for snow weather indeed.
We do need to be patient in Canada, don’t we?
Flower pics are beautiful, Barb. Your back yard looks like my back yard, and it’ll be a long while before we see blossoms back there too. Going to have to try that cheese dip!
Paul
Happy landings, Smidge!
It’s probably not a welcome sight in your backyard but that snow looks magical to me from all the way down here in Australia! Thanks for sharing your friends’ dips. I especially like the sound of the cheesy dip.
It is magical *sigh, but not when I’m in an airplane;) xx
those dips sound very tempting indeed
The images of your garden covered in snow are stunning. To me (from sunny Sydney) it looks beautiful. However, I can well imagine that by this time in the season you are very ready to see green grass and sit out at that little table and chairs enjoying a drink with the sun on your back. I hope Spring arrives swiftly xx
Or jump in an ocean to swim:)
Gorgeous flowers and beautiful snow scenes. Those dips looks delicious and are so easy to make, must save for future. Have a spaghetti squash in storage waiting to be used.
I do remember that spaghetti squash! And now I remember I need to make it. Love your pictures as always Smidge!
Welcome back! What a beautiful post. Love the colours of flowers. The snow looks gorgeous.
And the food is incredible!
Welcome home 🙂
Welcome back Smidge, sending some warm Hong Kong breezes your way. I think that pesky little ground hound was wrong again. 3 great warm up dishes and looking forward to giving those a go.
That cheese dip looks amazing, it gives you a smile even with that cold weather
*You* stay warm, sweet Barbara! Our tiny splashes of snow are loooong since gone and the temperature is threatening to switch to full-on spring very soon. I send you virtual warmth in a cyber-hug or ten, as that’s all I can do unless I can tempt you to come and visit in toastier Texas. Meanwhile, it sounds like your friends have taught you very well how to warm from the inside!! Glad you’re safely home, even if it *is* a bit chilly. 🙂 xoxo
Ohh my gosh that guac and that spaghetti squash!! Welcome home to the snow, the photos are sure gorgeous, but I will pass on the snow at my house! Glad to hear you made it home safely!
You come back bearing such tasty gifts! A dip made with 2 cheeses and mayo, full fat no less! Pass the crackers, please. A tasty guacamole. You wouldn’t mind passing me some of those chips, too, please. Oh My Gorgonzola! It’s spaghetti squash. Don’t you dare touch my entrée! I’ll move to it, thank you very much!
As much as we all missed you, if we can expect gifts like these when you return home, may I suggest you start planning another trip? You should get away as soon as possible. 🙂
Isn’t winter grand….makes us appreciate all the more ‘spring’…Diane
All the recipes look delicous and worth the try! Thank you so much for sharing them! Maybe I’ll have to grow my own spaghetti squash since I can’t seem to find them here in Finland. We too have been making plans for the garden…but it will be a while…we are still in the heart of winter!
That’s insane snow! Weather’s just cranked up to 90F here in Singapore (up from our “cool” weather season of 85F haha
Those dips sure look cosy and warming in that cold !
That’s a full post! Fabulous flower pics, but I’m glad that you’ve got the snow and not us. I’m tired of cold:)
“the vivid color of friendships rediscovered” — ah, that warmed me all the way down to my toes today. 🙂
How cozy and wintry. I miss snow in my back yard.
Great photos, lovely colors Barb! I was looking for a guacamole recipe without fresh onions. This one seems like a winner. Thanks!
Such beautiful flowers and not one, but three great recipes. If it has cheese or avocado in it I’m automatically won over! 🙂 So glad you got to see friends and are home safely.
We’re done with snow round here and today was the first day this year I didnt have my scarf on in the office!
Cheese and flowers… I LOVE this post :). I love this dip and those flowers just remind me that spring is coming :). Now all I have to do is get throught this snow storm today
Oh my, that is a lot of snow. We are expecting double digit temperatures on the weekend, I can hardly wait to open the windows and not have to wear boots! Spring really can’t come soon enough for me, Barbara. The flowers are simply gorgeous. I’m loving that first dip recipe, sounds like a keeper for sure!
I’m so ready for spring even though your photos are beautiful. I’m ready to walk my dogs without being bundled up like a cocoon.
What perfect recipes though for a cold winters day. Anything with cheese I love but the squash especially looks delicious!
That all looks so warming and delicious – welcome home, Smidge! xx
Your eyes feasted on some lovely color Smidge (!!) and you were kind enough to bring some home to share with us winter-weary boot-clad friends. Winter’s nearly done (or perhaps it’s just us nearly done with winter) but in any case, these little escapes go such a long ways towards getting us through! Welcome home friend! So glad you got away! Won’t be long before you’re filling those pots with color of your own! xx
Your posts are so densely packed with info, images, and beauty. I would make 6 posts out of your 1. You have crazy talent 🙂
Our “Snowquester” was nothing compared to what you came home to. Can’t wait for spring, fresh veggies and berries, and cute sundresses though 🙂
The beauty of your words and your lovely pictures have warmed my heart and soul, my lovely friend. Thank you.
Now that is what I call a spaghetti squash. Love that image!
I just love the chairs with the snow on them, their black outlines against the snow. Picture perfect. Lovely to have you back x
That wreath is fantastic. Thanks for helping us celebrate the hopeful onset of Spring with style, Barbara.
Must have missed the post – new blog looking so good – but I wouldn’t expect anything else from.
Sorry, to read that you have been stranded on an airport.
Your flowers photos are so beautiful .. delicate! Love the yellow/orange poppy.
Like the idea about spaghetti squash – have to have a closer look.
Hope you’re safe back home, by now.