Gananoque - ON HOT ROAST COMPANY - 198 King St East, Gananoque, ON  613-382-4498 This fabulous new sandwich restaraunt has opened it's doors and have allowed customers to flood in and rave about the scrumptious selections they have available.  On display in the steamy front window is huge roast pork, roast beef, roast turkey and roast ham - YUM!   Carved to order, you can choose from any of the Hot Roasts on a roll for only $4.95 !!!   The day we went, I chose the Roast Beef with horseradish with a cup of Minestrone Soup and a green salad.  My husband chose the Roast Turkey with Cranberry Sauce.    My soup was served in an old fashioned tea cup and if I'd known it was to be sooooo goood, I would have ordered a casserole bowl full!   It was absolutely delish; large pieces of sausage and ... 01/03/2010

If you fancy toasting at the ringing in of the New Year,  then be the Host with the Most (or the Hostess with the Mostest)  with one of these humorous yet on-the-money Irish toasts!  Better yet, what we do is print out the individual toasts and have our guests select one each from a bowl and read it out loud.  We often throw in some tongue twister type toasts too just for the fun of it. Here is the list to clinking to the good times. 1. May your giving hand never fail you. 2. May we all be alive at this same time next year. 3. May the Lord keep you in the palm of His hand, and never close his fist too tight! 4. May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live! 5. May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future. 6. Here's to a long life and a merry one. A... 12/30/2009

The topic around the water cooler these past several weeks has been how best to cook a turkey.  Or, how to cook the best turkey!   Personally, I have been spice brining my bird for years now as it gives the juiciest meat you've ever tasted and the house smells divine.  You can find my recipe here.   However, the one drawback to brining your bird is that you can't stuff it.  It would be too salty.   Below is the stuffing I've chosen for this year to cook on the side: Ingredients 3 cups bread cubes (from day old bread) 1/4 cup butter 1 onion 2 stalks celery 1 apple 2 bay leaves 4 fresh sage leaves (or 1 tsp. dried) 1/4 cup fresh parsley (or 1 Tbsp. dried) 1 teaspoon thyme 1 tablespoon raisins (optional) 4 dried apricots, chopped (optional) 2 tablespoons walnuts, chopped (optional) 1 cup c... 12/24/2009

I've been up since 5am baking and I wanted to share with you a cake I just made for a friend who does not need another Rum Cake in her home!!! It starts with a box Spice cake mix so it is easy peasy: Ingredients 1 (18 1/4 ounce) package spice cake mix 3 eggs 1 cup unsweetened applesauce 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/4 cup water 1 cup diced peeled apple 1 cup dried cranberries   Direction Preheat oven to 350* and grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan or 4-liter tube pan In a large mixer bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, applesauce, butter and water. Beat on low speed for 1 minute to blend, then on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in diced apples and cranberries. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 55 to 65 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 25 minutes ... 12/23/2009

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and the best of the holiday season.  May 2010 be kinder to everyone and may we all come to an understanding of what is truly important.  Not the accumulation of possessions, and not the stock piling of cash and commodities.  Do what you can to bring as much joy to others as you possibly can and may you find that it comes back to you tenfold.   Remember to not believe everything you think  but to think about in what to believe.  Nothing will make a difference until you do. From my house to yours,  who you are makes a difference. Happy Holidays,   12/23/2009

Caribbean Shrimp is our 2nd course at my Support Staff Appreciation Christmas Dinner SERVES 6 1 tablespoon light brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder ( I like using freshly grated garlic)  1 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon cayanne pepper 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon molasses 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 3/4 lbs shelled uncooked jumbo shrimp  1 limem cut into wedges,for garnish Heat broiler. Coat large broiler-pan rack with nonstick vegetable-oil cooking spray. Mix brown sugar, allspice, black pepper, onion powder, thyme, salt and cayenne in bowl. Whisk in oil, molasses and lime juice until smooth. Add shrimp; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes, stirring af... 12/09/2009

Gananoque, On Enjoying our first snowstorm of the season;  it is freezing rain now - yikes! 12/09/2009

This is another one of the courses I'll be serving at my Support Staff Christmas Dinner MULLED SPICE CHICKEN ON CINNAMON SKEWERS or CHICKEN POPS 2 oranges1 bottle of red wine1/2 cup of sugar6 whole cloves1 cinnamon stick1/4 tsp of ground allspice10 deboned chicken thighs, skinned and trimmed of excess fat15 each cinnamons sticks, 3 inches longsalt and pepper to taste3 tbsp olive oil For mulled wine reduction, remove rind from oranges with veg peeler and place in med sized pot.  Cut the oranges in half and juice them. Place juice with rind in pot and add the red wine, sugar, cloves, 1 cinnamond stick and allspice.  Bring to a simmer on med heat and reduce for 25 minutes or until about 1 cup remains.  Reduction should be consistency of maple syrup (hey, I'm Canadian)  Strain and cool Cut ... 12/09/2009

Gananoque, On I commented on Sunday about a signcall I received from a man wanting to see one of my properties right away.  I managed to get him in a couple of hours later and today, Tuesday we have a firm sale closing the 21st December!!!  This was a home that had an accepted offer within the first week of listing but due to health reasons, the Buyer had to step back.  I didn't think we'd have difficulty selling this home as it is just lovely, but I didn't expect this so soon and closing so fast.   YAY!!!   SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD 180 Garfield St, Gananoque, OnAsking $327,000.00 PLUS .  . . I listed another house on Monday, 170 Churchill Drive, Gananoque, to commence on the 16th December which would allow time to clear out years worth of 'collectible... 12/08/2009

Each year I have two meals in my home celebrating our support staff atthe office.  One in the summer for Secretary's Day where we have a wonderful 3 hour lunch on my patio.  The other is at Christmas time and this years will be on Thursday the 10th.  It is something we all look forward to and my home has been nicknamed "Emo's Eating Emporium"!   We will also hold our Cookie Exchange the same night. I've selected the menu tonight and it is more like a 'tasting menu' with tiny little portions plated restaurant style (just in case you think we're pigs) We'll begin with Vermouth Soaked Scallops with Chorizo and Green Olives The 2nd course will be Caribbean Shrimp with mango salsa 3rd course is my Rum and Egg Nog Mussels with crusty bread for sopping up the goodness! (I posted the recipe ear... 12/06/2009

Well, there is good news and bad news about this guys's Christmas decorations this year . . . Good news is that he truly out did himself this year with his Christmas decorations.  The bad news is that he had to take them down after 2 days. He had more people come screaming up to his house than ever, abandoning their cars on his lawn, etc.    But two things made him have to take it down. First, the Police advised him that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked their own cruiser when they drove by. Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder and almost killed herself climbing up to the top before she realized it was decoration.  Do you think he made his decorations too real this year??   See photo below . . . 12/06/2009

RUM & EGGNOG MUSSELS 5 lb mussels - wash and remove the beard*½ onion diced½ cinnamon stick 2 ounces rum, dark or white½ Litre eggnog½ Litre 35% whipping creamsalt and pepper * the hairy bit found between the two shells. Use a dry kitchen towel to grab the beard and pull. Place a pot large enough to hold the mussels on medium heat on the stove. (If you do not have a pot large enough this can be done in separate batches, just make sure you divide the remaining ingredients as well). Wait until the pot is hot, and then add the oil, then the onions and cinnamon stick. Stir and quickly add the mussels. Remove from heat and add the rum, then the eggnog and cream. Return to the stove at medium-high heat and cover. After four minutes give the mussels a quick stir and leave uncovered until all t... 12/02/2009

SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD ~Gananoque, Ontario 74 Quabbin Road, Mallorytown, Ontario As of 3pm today, another happy family is able to move on with their lives.  The Dad will be deployed to Afghanistan very very soon and it is a great relief for him to know the home is sold and his wife and kids will be able to move to where he is stationed for the next few weeks before he is deployed.  I'm going to miss those sweet little kids! 11/20/2009

~ Gananoque, Ontario November 27th and 28th both nights beginning at 7 pm.  Come out and support your local Performing Arts School:  Dreams in Motion.   "All performers will be local and will be presenting every kind of comedy you can imagine", says Diane Stapley who is organising the show.   The show will be made up of a variety of types of comedy and there will be 4 stand up routines. Tickets for the Dress Rehersal on the 27th are only $5.00 and on the 28th the tickets are $15.  The event is licensed and is not intended for children.  Please note, it will be adult comedy!! See you there! 11/19/2009

~Gananoque, Ontario R & B Expressions has opened their doors this week in Downtown Gananoque.  Sterling silver, stone jewelry, crystal and some shell and glass works all created by the shop owners, Bill and Rhonda MacLean.  They have been collecting rocks and shells from their travels for many a year and began by creating pieces for their 3 daughters.  If you're in the area, pop in for a visit:  123 King St East, Gananoque (613) 382-4111 11/19/2009

~Gananoque, Ontario Looking for good family fun on a Friday evening?  Look no further . . .  Home Hardware in Gananoque is hosting FREE Movie Nights!    This Friday, the 20th November, the movie, Fred Claus, will begin at 6pm.   Throughout the season, you can see Elf,  The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Christmas Story. Make sure to dress warmly, bring your own lawn chair and your sense of fun!   Free Popcorn too!!! See you there,   11/19/2009

~Gananoque, Ontario Don't you just love a happy ending?!   I'm having a wonderful time right now helping families understand that happy endings are possible.  They're deserved.   I feel honoured to participate in any way to make sure families are in their new homes for Christmas.  That their New Year will be Happy!!!  The Sellers of this beautiful bungalow have been patiently waiting since Aug 2006 for a qualified Buyer to identify themselves. With the most gorgeous of views of the mighty St Lawrence River from the front porch, to the lovely and private back yard Well I'm happy to say, as of this morning it is SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD! Is everyone happy?  You betcha!!  Patience is indeed a virtue but always remember, good things come to those who wait :o) 11/17/2009

My friend went to a dinner party on the weekend, where she and other guests enjoyed copious amounts of alcohol. She awoke Sunday morning not feeling well, with what could be described as flu-like symptoms; headache, nausea, chills, sore eyes, etc.             From the results of some initial testing, she has unfortunately tested positive for what experts are now calling "Wine Flu". This debilitating condition is very serious - and it appears this is not an isolated case. Reports are flooding in from all around the country of others diagnosed with Wine Flu. To anyone that starts to exhibit the aforementioned tell-tale signs, experts are recommending a cup of tea and a bit of a lie down. However, should your condition worsen, you should immediately hire a DVD and take some Tylonal (it see... 11/02/2009

~ Gananoque, Ontario EyeTinis are the perfect beginning to your Halloween Menu.   You can have them with Gin if you like but Emo's Eating Emporium prefer Vodka with their eyeballs!  For children, you can use 7up or Sprite too. Materials: 1 radish, best if root is still attached  1 pimiento stuffed green olive Vegetable peeler or small, sharp knife Peel radish, leaving thin streaks of red skin on to represent blood vessels.  Using the tip of the vegetable peeler or knife, carefully scoop out a small hole in each radish, roughly the size of an olive.  Stuff a green olive, pimiento side out, in each hole.  Freeze overnight if desired. Make martinis or other drinks, using your favorite recipe.  For children, 7up or Sprite works well.  Pop a radish or two into each glass and watch the faces ... 10/27/2009

Floating Eyeballs make a great dessert.  Of course, you have begun your meal with EyeTinis which have a different kind of eyeball in it.   This dessert is wonderful especially if you like cheesecake :0)   Would you like the recipe?   3 oz lemon gelatin1 cup hot water1/2 cup miniature marshmallows1 cup pineapple juice8 oz cream cheese Dissolve lemon gelatin in 1 cup water, add marshmallows and stir to melt. Remove from heat. Add pineapple juice and cream cheese. Beat until well blended. Cool slightly. If you have round ice cube trays, spary them with non-stick cooking spray first, then pour the mixture in the molds and leave to set in the fridge. Otherwise pour into a deep dish and chill until thickened or firm enough to use a melonballer to scoop full balls of the mixture and set aside ... 10/27/2009