Lilies incoming ...

I should really be awake earlier in the day more often to take  pictures in the backyard.  These were astounding. For the most part, I've done zero retouching in my graphics program.

Enjoy!

Day lilies

I'm having problems with the lily garden ... two years ago, I moved the lily bed because the flowers were being overshadowed by the maples and elms.   The new location, while sunny,  has turned out to be too wet for the bulbs and I'm losing the battle to keep them healthy.

At least the day lilies are very, very happy.  I can't imagine a garden without lilies!

During the bright of day, these flowers can look a bit washed out, but an overcast day
really brings out the peaches and corals.  

Orange and red together is a terrific combination in the garden.  Don't try this on your wardrobe.

This is just one of the reasons ...

... that Bruce and I moved to Nanaimo.

This is a view of our city from Newcastle Island.  A few of the boats in the front are permanent homes. My dragon boat team, the Nautical Dragons, paddled over to Newcastle Island for a picnic one bright evening; a well-deserved night off.  Right now, we're planning a September Race in Sproat Lake and have just had a successful beer and burger fund-raising night.   The team is doing well, coming along nicely, looking strong and able to kick a little butt.  Big words from the coach .. we'll see how we do come race day!

It's about time!

For years ... since I was old enough to 'help' Grandma in the kitchen and lick the beaters when she was done with her Sunbeam ... I've been in awe of the cooks who were good enough to justify having a stand mixer. Those things are expensive!! I resigned myself to using hand mixers for life, all the while wistfully casting an eye over the bright shiny displays in the home supply stores as I wandered past to collect another set of white towels.

My grocery store has a points program where you can save up and eventually, with diligent application, get various goodies. I'd been lazy about it, often using points for reducing prices on foods and not really looking through their little booklet. Once I did that, I had my eye on a wireless speaker system .. and then I saw this beauty in their online catalogue. That's when I started to get serious about collecting points. Two months later, this Kitchen Aid stand mixer has found a home on the counter.   I think I hugged the box it came in .. and did a little dance. I can't be more exited and a little nervous at the thought that I may now have to turn in my feminist lapel pin.

Then I baked a batch of cookies ...

Coconut Confetti Cream Cheese Cookies

This was adapted from a recipe I found online at Food52. If you follow that link, you can see the original, single recipe. I made a triple batch - our cookie jar is always empty, it seems.

Here are the adjustments I made:

1 ½ c unsalted butter
1 250g pkg cream cheese
2 ½ c sugar
2 ½ c flour
1 c shredded coconut
1/3 c candy sprinkles

Use teaspoons to drop them onto a parchment covered cookie sheet. They spread out quite a bit .. even more without the parchment. Bake at 350°F for 12 min .. or until the edges are browned.  They are very soft and chewy, so make sure they are fully cooled before putting them away.  

Enjoy!