r-anne-dom : a place for me (anne) to leave random blog posts.
Such as:
..knitting, sewing, and other random activities pursued
..Girl Guides of Canada : yep, Guiding Lives Here
..the 4 shops on Etsy : one features quality handmade items; the second has lots of patterns, & crafting supplies; the third is stocked with Vintage; and the fourth is guiding flowers.
Enjoy the r-anne-domness!

July 27, 2015

Shop Local: The Been Garden

Shop Local: 

The Been Garden


SHOP UNIQUE.


SHOP SMALL.


SHOP HANDMADE.


SHOP at the Been Garden in London!

I had a quick visit recently and can't wait to go back to browse and shop!!

(p.s. photos courtesy of the Been Garden - with thanks!)

July 26, 2015

Day Tripping: Parks Blueberries

Day Tripping: 

Parks Blueberries

Out for a lovely drive on a beautiful day ... to Parks Blueberries!


One of the blueberry varieties is "Draper"!!  :)


We bought my favourite blueberry jam and a couple other treats...then a lovely return drive home.

July 19, 2015

Sparta: Sparta Tea House

Sparta: Sparta Tea House

My second visit to Sparta ended with a lovely high tea at


Scrumptious goodies!

and a lovely pot of tea!


Surrounded by the largest collection of tea pots I've ever seen!




July 18, 2015

Sparta: Winter Wheat

Sparta: Winter Wheat


A visit to the Sparta area is not complete without spending some time at Winter Wheat.




A visit upstairs to the Birdhouse loft and you might even meet the man who makes them!


And of course all the whimsical art throughout the property. 

From unique uses of old kitchen appliances...




... to handcrafted garden decor ...



... to serene carvings.


And lots to give you a chuckle too! 




July 17, 2015

Sparta: Steed & Company Lavender

Sparta: Steed & Company Lavender


Known by many simply as "the lavender farm".  :)

I enjoyed my first visit so much, I came back for a second visit.


The smell of lavender is so calming!


And I bought honey!  
Mmmm... with lavender.  
From hives right here on the farm! 


(Click any photo to visit the lavender farm website.)

July 16, 2015

Sparta: Anything Used

Sparta: Anything Used
Home of Sparta Country Candles

Lots of garden and outdoor decor ideas!




And of course the Sparta Candles



Be sure to visit Anything Used while in Sparta!


July 15, 2015

Sparta: the Village Collective

Sparta: the Village Collective


Anchored by the art of Shelley McVittie, 
the Village Collective has a great variety of quality artists' wares!

Shelley's art is easily recognizable!
I knew I'd seen it before and I love her work!
What I didn't know was that my daughter knew her! (small world!)



The Village Collective houses paintings, hand knit and crochet pieces, clothing, jams and jellies, and so much more that I don't have pictured. 
You simply have to go - you'll find lots of interest!






July 14, 2015

Sparta: Julia Hansford's Studio

Sparta: Julia Hansford's Studio


I ♥LOVE♥ Julia's art!


How can you not love this?


Be sure to visit her in Sparta!



July 13, 2015

Sparta: Peter Robson Studios

Sparta: Peter Robson Studios

I had the opportunity to visit Sparta not once, but twice, in the past month!

First stop, of course:

As a Girl Guide leader, I love that he painted
The Guiding Spirit.

This is a beautifully well done commissioned painting showing Girl Guides at their best: camping.

Many thanks to Eleanor and Steve for your hospitality!

There is so much variety in the paintings available by Peter Robson, just a few shown in these photos. 



Be sure to visit Peter Robson Studios in Sparta!




July 01, 2015

Recipe - Mesquite Pork Tenderloin Roast

Recipe - Mesquite Pork Tenderloin Roast

(recipe first, story later!)

First off, buy the Club House brand Mesquite Marinade packet.
Don't buy the liquid. I tried it once. 'nuf said.

Next, marinate your tenderloin according to the package directions - with water, vinegar and vegetable oil.
I often take my tenderloin out of the freezer the day before and marinate it in the fridge until the next day - that way it thaws and marinates at the same time.

Cooking time is approximately 40 minutes 
but cooking time will vary 
according to size of tenderloin and temperature of bbq/oven.

Preheat the bbq (to medium) or the oven (to 350 degrees).

For BBQ: 
Remove the tenderloin from the marinade and place on the bbq.
Discard the remaining marinade.
I turn both burners to low and that keeps my temperature at approximately medium heat.
Turn the tenderloin every 10 minutes or so.
Sometimes I cut to make sure it's done, sometimes I don't - it just depends on the temperature of the bbq and the size of the tenderloin. I tend to buy the small ones though.

For Oven:
Remove the tenderloin from the marinade and place in a pan.
Discard the remaining marinade.
Cook approximately 40 minutes or so.
I made my first tenderloins on the bbq so I knew what they would look like when cooked, so if you need to, cut into it to see if it's done and if you need more time. Oven temperatures vary so make sure it is cooked through.


So, here's the story of this recipe!
Years ago I saw the grocery store ad for pork tenderloin on sale for a very very good price - and the photo showed it prepared so yummy! I decided to buy some.

When I got to the store, I pondered aloud "I wonder how to cook it so it looks like the ad". And the gentleman next to me agreed.
That's when the lady next to us said "oh, I know how! Follow me!"
So we did!
She took us to the aisle with the marinades and showed us the Club House brand Mesquite Marinade and told us to just follow the instructions.
And I did!
I have made this on the bbq and in the oven - and it turns out great every single time!

p.s. love the vintage platter eh! It's from the 70s! It's one of my favourites!