I am not sure that the words 'raccoon and inspired' go together but this is a true story which just happened. I have recently wished to enlarge our home vegetable garden as I am now growing potatoes and butternut squash and would like to add more crops like onions, lettuce and radish. Here's the story...
Canada 1914 - 1918 WW1 Remembrance
With Remembrance Day on November 11 this article is about Canada's involvement in WW1. I know very little about Canada's early history, being born and raised in another country and realized there are many others in the same position. Remembrance Day is a day to remember family, loved ones and the multitudes who have died...
Tiny Homes a Unique Living Option
Why not add "Tiny Homes" to your list of choices if you are considering moving house or downsizing, a holiday cabin, etc. There are many new creative lifestyle opportunities for you to consider. Real estate in recent years has seen prices skyrocketing putting home ownership out of reach for many people. Hopefully if you have...
Growing Healthy Garlic - update
Growing healthy garlic is not a time consuming exercise. Amazingly, the original Caramel and Parsley article "Grow Your Own Organic Garlic" was written in 2011 and not a lot has changed since then. But seeing it is a while ago thought it was time for an update. A decade later "Red Russian" Garlic is still...
Why I Love Where I live - #5
The title "Why I love where I live" is a refreshing reminder to me of the most incredible place where we live. This is the fifth in a series since becoming a Canadian citizen and the articles (and photos) hold many special and wonderful memories. Wishing you and your family a happy and loving Thanksgiving...
Fall is in the air - Watch for Wildlife
Fall is in the air - and schools reopen the first week of September and the first official day of Fall is Saturday Sept 23, 2023. Be aware of wildlife in your area. From our summer heatwave, wildfires and drought it is developing into night time temperatures in our area hovering in the low teens....
The Book Man - a Terrific Book Resource
The Book Man, new and used book stores in both Chilliwack and Abbotsford have been a fun resource and a great place to find and buy amazing books, on a wide variety of topics. I think for me one of the attractions was the friendliness of the staff and their willingness to go "above and...
What's Happening in the Veggie Patch this Summer
A short mid Summer note of happenings in the Veggie patch recently. So far it has been a most interesting and productive season. Already canning non-GMO corn and organic tomatoes and the Fall cabbage, kale and lettuce are planted and growing well. Always lots to do so here we go: THE VEGGIE PATCH THE BIRDS &...
Shopping at Your Local Thrift Store
Yes, shopping at your local thrift store(s) has become an economical and fun way to shop. Its getting close to 'Back to School' in September and you may be surprised at the variety, quality and quantity of clothes and other merchandise at some thrift stores. Most definitely it can be economically beneficial to those on...
"BLINDED ..." Type 2 Diabetes ~ Dr James Muecke
"Blinded..." is the perfect title for Dr James Muecke AM, latest video on reversing Type 2 Diabetes. He is an "eye surgeon" and a well deserved "Australian of the Year" (2020). There is a mountain of beneficial information in this video which is why I am writing this short note to include some of the...
How to Grow Butternut Squash
Butternut Squash at the present time is my favourite “winter keeper” veggie next to garlic. Over the years I have successfully grown mostly Acorn winter squash and Zucchini summer squash. Both are winners if you have space in your home garden. There's a big change this year in that the bottom steep slope gardens are...
Getting Rid of Wasps with Herbs & Flowers
When I saw an article on getting rid of wasps without poisoning them, I was elated. The Mason bees which have been visiting our home each spring started visiting their nest(s) in May this year and the wasps arrived with them. As this is in an area we use daily, we were not happy about...
Small Fruits for the Home Garden
Here is a list of fruits (mostly small) that I have grown in our home veggie garden over the years. If you have never eaten fresh picked fruit such as blueberries or tomatoes you are in for a pleasure treat. If you are into home canning (preserving) or freezing fruit, the taste of berries is...
Devan Greenhouses - A "Destination Garden Centre"
Devan Greenhouses a "Destination Garden Centre" discovered quite by chance only a year ago. After living in the Abbotsford Fraser Valley area for more than a decade it was a lovely surprise. A big bonus is that the extensive greenhouses are pesticide free and follow "a holistic approach to growing". As well, they recycle water...
An Incredible 2nd Year Vegetable Garden
A short visit to a fabulous 2nd year vegetable garden which is the result of much time and love. The garden is the result of two years work of friends of our family. I was overwhelmed by both the garden size and the crop variety knowing this would be a garden anyone would dream to...
Save Dandelions for the Bees
Springtime is a great time to Save Weeds for the bees and other pollinators. Yes, you read that correctly! The dandelion in particular is especially easy to both see and identify with its large bright yellow blossoms. In our area, last summer, we had a shortage of pollinators for our fruit trees and tomato blossoms....
Three Quick & Easy Dinners to Make
Quick and easy dinners to make sounds too good to be true... but these have been tested over the years and are still popular. Besides these three there are many other options, and some much simpler, such as a quick "4 Egg Scramble" which you can make on the run. The three following recipes have...
Top 8 Vegetables to Grow at Home
Choosing the Top 8 Vegetables to Grow in the home garden was challenging mostly due to lack of gardening space. So intercropping ie radish between lettuce is a favourite growing method although neither of these 2 veggies even made my "top list". Always look for alternatives, such as a friend with land to spare, a...
Easy to Make Chicken Cacciatore
Chicken Cacciatore has been a top favourite over the years. This is one of those basic recipes you will make over and over again. Healthy and a time saver and great to cook ahead for company for a casual relaxed meal. Another reason to make this delicious meal is that there are under 10 items,...
Roast Butternut Squash Soup - the best!
This Butternut Squash Soup is simply the best. So nutritious and delicious and although similar to other squash soups it has a unique flavour all of its own, thanks to possibly roasting the squash first. There is something very special about growing your own, chemical free vegetables, such as this squash and making it into...
Top Tweets 2022
Top Tweets for 2022. I usually do not post articles on politics or war both of which occurred very early in the year. The Truckers Convoy in Ottawa and Covid mandates "news" burst forth into full blown war as Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine. What are the main areas of "interest "news" outside of these two...
Beet or Borscht Soup - An easy to make Meal
Beet Soup is a new addition to my Soups Menu which I recently made for the first time. Yes, it was a treat and enjoyed by all. Here is my simple version of this nutritious soup I made with our home canned beets to keep costs down. They are best when picked straight from the...
Lung Cancer - 10 Years & Counting
Lung Cancer : It’s been a few years since writing about this topic but the questions are starting again on how I am managing. I just had my first CT Lung Cancer Scan in three years since 2019. The scan was scheduled on our Thanksgiving weekend and now the results have been received from my...
Simple Fun Activities for Healthy Aging
Healthy aging: some of us are fortunate to reach a healthy "elderly" age and spend many happy years with family, friends and yes, work if you wish, and obtaining great enjoyment out of Life. Here are three areas we can all focus on in our lives to be happier, healthier and enjoy life more ....
Rebounding Into Senior Years
Here is a lot of fun and exercise rolled into a Rebounder (mini trampoline) which I came across a few months ago. A chance video caught my interest, and well, its only been a month or so, but no looking back. The rebounder is a bonus which can be used at home and stored behind...
Reversing Type 2 Diabetes - Hope
REVERSING TYPE 2 Diabetes: A personal letter - "So lovely to speak with you last night and catch up with our news. I am so sorry to hear about your friend and I sincerely hope that some of the following will help her. As I said last night I can only say what has helped...
Spring Gardening Journal - April
Well, yes, this is about what there is to do if you are into Spring Gardening. This short article includes a flashback to my Spring Gardening Journal in 2020. Hang on to your hats for lots of tips, notes, ideas and links. The quotes are from Ruth Stout: I love spring anywhere, but if I...
Greek style Feta & Spinach Quiche #2
That's correct a Greek style feta & spinach quiche which just happens to be one of our family favourites. It takes a little longer to prepare but is still quick and as always bake one for tonight and another for the freezer (store for up to a month). Quiches are such an ideal choice for...
Planting Your Spring Garden
Planting your Spring Garden is a catchy title for a poem, and caught my attention! Spring is just around the corner and the following poem came across my social media today (from Australia) and it “hit the spot”. I decided to share this on my blog as it is thought provoking and hopefully uplifting. The...
Quick Quiche Always a 'Dinner Winner' #1
It is so true that Quiche is quick and easy to prepare and can be popped in the oven to cook while you make a salad or other side dish and not feel rushed. Another benefit of the nutritious quiche is the almost endless varieties from simple traditional Quiche Lorraine, made with the eggs, plus...
2021 Top Tweets - Covid Continues
Top Tweets 2021 continues ... Last year on Twitter was a roller coast ride, with interest in tweets up and down each month. What holds peoples' interest each month can be surprising. So as we start 2022 with a continuation of the global Covid pandemic; expectations are also 'be prepared' for a continuation of high...
All Time Top Posts - Gardening!
Here are three of the all time top posts from CARAMEL & PARSLEY over the past years. All Time Top posts is a feature I was unaware of, especially how interesting it could be. Some of these articles have been written years ago but The List, to me, was surprising to say the least. Here...
Dad's Favourite Canned Tomatoes (An Update)
This recipe is a rewrite of "Dad's Favourite Canned Tomatoes". It is almost "vintage" as it was about the third article written for Caramel and Parsley over a decade ago. Tomatoes are still grown every summer, wherever we are, and the canning recipe is basically unchanged. But ... on re-reading the article thought perhaps it...
Easy Peanut Butter Cookies - No sugar
With unexpected company coming the question was what to bake for a quick tasty treat? We all love peanut butter cookies and this recipe sounded too good to be true with only six ingredients. This was a first time baking this recipe and it's great when the cookies turn out delightfully delicious the first time....
Kids Can Cook
Kids really can cook! This article was inspired by our 10 year old grandson, who on a recent visit, cooked us brekkie from scratch. What a pleasant surprise. This short article is a variety of his choice of a simple, nutritious breakfast, lunch or dinner for four of us. Truly take your pick of this...
A Visit to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
On a recent family visit to Vancouver Island it was recommended we visit the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. What a great day it was! Many of the birds and animals we saw were mostly being cared for then released to the wild. At the time of our visit there were several eagles soon to...
Remission of Type 2 Diabetes
The topic on the remission or reversing of Type 2 Diabetes has been highly controversial in the medical profession for some decades. In the last few months several research studies on this "hot" subject have been published stating that reversing diabetes is possible. "This group proposed ”remission“ as the most appropriate descriptive term, and HbA1c...
Tangy Apricot Jam No Sugar Added
This apricot cooked jam recipe is almost my top favourite with a delightful taste all of its own. A super sweet treat with cream cheese or peanut butter. Great combinations ... and a pretty easy jam for the super busy person to make. During the canning season small quantities of jam are made as gifts...
It's Berry Time again
A very special and delicious time of year - the first Berry crops are ripe for the picking in our home garden. This year with the warm weather we have three different fruits ripening at the same time. During the heat wave the vegetable garden was well watered although some plants were a little burnt....
Staying "cool" at Home during a Heat Wave
After the recent disastrous and unprecedented heat wave (June / July 2021) we all need to be aware that our climate in "beautiful BC" has changed. The extremely sad news of "Sudden deaths recorded during #BC's #heatwave is up to 719 people ... (July 3, 2021) with many of the victims being #seniors who were...