On Their Own Terms:
True Stories of Trailblazing Women of Vancouver Island I am delighted to introduce and welcome Haley Healey to Island Woman Magazine. Island Woman was started and designed for just such women as Haley; to promote and feature Island women writers. What makes Haley’s first book so special is that it features the achievements of other Island women. Thank you Haley for this wonderfully written book and we wish you every success for this and for the other books that I am sure will follow. Best regards, Trish Summerhayes Owner/Publisher Island Woman...
Read MoreMortgage deferrals
Ten more timely tips I hope you and your family are enjoying good health and finding some measure of happiness in this strange spring. Certainly, many Canadians are feeling the financial pressures mount as we work together to conquer this pandemic. The good news is there are strategies that can help. The Mortgage Deferral Program has been the first line of defense for thousands of homeowners looking for immediate financial relief. A Mortgage Deferral is not payment “forgiveness” that allows you to simply miss payments. While you don’t pay anything at all during the...
Read MorePoor Darling.
Upon hearing my screams of terror coming from the bathroom as a small child, Mum would rush up the stairs knowing there was a gigantic human eating spider in the bath tub, it’s black shape more prominent against the white enamel. Picking it up, she would say, “Look at the poor thing, no one loves it with all those hairy legs.” We would walk downstairs and out the front door where she would carefully place it on the grass saying, “You can’t live here, poor darling.” My mother also believed in fairies and when it would rain, she would bring in the ceramic ones from the flower pots...
Read MoreProsciutto wrapped asparagus
with a sun dried tomato dressing, spaghetti Carbonara with roast tomatoes, strawberry tarts with a vanilla custard cream Prosciutto wrapped asparagus Serves 4 28 spears of fresh asparagus, trimmed 10 thin slices of prosciutt Carefully wrap approximately ⅓ strips of prosciutto around each spear of asparagus trying to wrap as tightly as possible and trying to get as much of the asparagus wrapped with the prosciutto as possible. Set aside. 6 pieces of oil packed sun dried tomato cut into thin strips 1 tsp sun dried oil 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar ½ tsp sugar ¼ tsp...
Read MoreScience Lesson
My son Will was the kind of kid that just had to investigate everything in his path.My other two, his older sister and brother, when I would tell them, “no”, they stopped what they were doing. With Will, that word was like waving a red flag in front of a bull. “No, you say? Well let’s just see about that!” With Will, it was necessary to invest in those nifty little plastic plugs that would prevent two-year old would-be electricians from sticking things like bobby pins or even fork tines into electrical outlets. We also invested in those door-knob-thingies that prevented him from...
Read MoreHerb and garlic chicken sauté,
gnocchi with a fresh tomato basil sauce, Chicken with a herb and garlic sauce 4 large chicken breasts Salt and pepper to taste Place the chicken breasts on a secure cutting board. Use a sharp knife and cutting at an angle, remove a slice of chicken from the breast. Repeat with the remainder of the chicken breast. Each slice should be approximately 2 oz each. Place the slices on a sheet of plastic wrap leaving approximately 3 inches between each breast. Use a mallet and very carefully pound out each breast so that the breasts are an even thickness of approximately ¼...
Read MoreSWITCHED AT BIRTH
It never did seem quite right.I just do not resemble in any way anyone in my family.I feel at times my father is a little suspicious of my origins, however he has not suggested a DNA test yet. Easy for him to get a sample of mine, we share the same bathroom. I do not appear to be loved less than my brother and sister, although they do joke when looking through family photos and say things like ”Still can’t find a match for Lenny.” It is unnerving at times, although I really seldom think of it. I am taller,smarter, and better looking than my siblings. Not bragging, it is...
Read MoreThai chicken curry,
coconut rice, vegetables in a lemon grass broth, sautéed banana with lime over coconut ice cream Coconut Rice 2 cups jasmine rice 3 cups water 1 tsp salt ½ cup dried coconut 1 Tablespoon fresh grated ginger Rinse the rice twice in water and then drain. Put the rice in a heavy bottomed pan, add the water, salt ginger and coconut, cover and bring to the boil over high heat. As soon as the rice comes to the boil, lower the heat to low and cook for 20 minutes without lifting the lid. After 20 minutes, remove the lid, fluff the rice with a fork and serve. Red curry chicken 1 tsp...
Read MoreLost Sisters.
Why had no one ever mentioned Mum’s twin? After she passed away last month, we daughters had the job of going through the house and finding things family members had requested, sorting clothing that likely would all end up at the Thrift Store, and finally shredding all those old house bills that she and Dad had kept for the last thirty years. Why? We could never answer that question but it was common to believe they might come in handy one day, or someone might call to verify the bill had been paid. Lots of people felt they were important papers and should be kept. It certainly kept us...
Read MoreLong Term care of Seniors
For those of us that have worked in and around the Long-term care system here on the Island have known since day one that contracting out the care and food services was wrong. The quality of medical, personal and nutritional care has suffered greatly. In fact there is very little effort or time spent on the individual personal needs of those in care or the families. The following report and overview of this chronic scenario is long overdue and I congratulate Isobel Mackenzie for having the courage to tackle it head on. Thank you. Trish Summerhayes. Owner/Publisher Island Woman Magazine....
Read MoreSlow cooked ribs
oven roast fries, wilted red cabbage and apples, profiteroles with chocolate and toffee sauces Serves 4 people generously 4 racks of pork back ribs cut into 2 rib sections 2 large onions, roughly chopped 1 cup tomato ketchup ½ cup Kikkoman sodium reduced soy sauce ¼ cup yellow mustard ½ cup rice vinegar ½ cup brown sugar Water as required Place the ribs in a large enough roaster so they are no more than 2 layers deep. Add the remaining ingredients and add enough water to completely cover the ribs. Cover the ribs pan with a lid and place in a preheated oven. Bake just...
Read MoreBudgeting for Your Next Vehicle
Buying a vehicle has changed so much in the past 15 years. The internet has changed how people make purchases, including cars, by providing more access to information. We can research, make comparisons and price check from the comfort of our home, then go look at the vehicles that seem to match our needs. This is fantastic for consumers because it can save time and money! A consequence of being able to compare prices online means that Dealerships must keep their pricing competitive, not just with other dealerships in town but within all of Canada, and that means there isn’t the mark up...
Read MoreIt’s Never too Early
Yes, it snowed; today it’s raining; most every day is dark and sunless … but … the perfect day is close at hand to raise your spirits! If you’re gardener, whether novice or old hand, save the date for that magical day, SEEDY SATURDAY! Mark it on your calendar now, if it’s not already there … SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1. That’s the day to make sure you visit the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre at 747 Jones Ave. between 10 am and 3:30 pm. when all the space in and around the building will be waiting for you with ‘everything garden’ … experts, information, displays, books, and...
Read MoreDiscovering The Artist Within!
Many moons ago, I remember asking the person standing next to me at an artist’s studio party if he did anything that was artistic. He replied that he didn’tdo anything artistic, because he was only a gardener. I replied that I was also a gardener, but that I experienced gardening as painting in 3D. By considering design, shapes, colours and combinations I would create the garden of my dreams; but as a garden is continually growing and changing it becomes an ongoing living work of art. I have always been envious of artists. They take their talent for granted. It must be the way their...
Read MoreThe Lustre of ZSISKA Jewellery
Nothing leaves a lasting impression like the gift of beautiful jewellery given to express love, friendship, sentiment, or to celebrate special occasions. At PatrYka, we love jewellery’s ability to accent the attire of elegant, fashionable women who know what they want and who like to stand out in the crowd. When we found the ZSISKA Jewellery, we discovered they share our vision and craft truly beautiful, eye-catching pieces. The Founder Siska Schippers was born in Amsterdam and worked as a European gold and silversmith before she decided to make handmade resin jewellery, home decor, and...
Read MoreMedallions of beef,
with wine jus, mushroom and bacon risotto, vegetables, apple tarte Tatin with Chantilly cream. Beef 1½ pounds centre cut fillet of beef Salt and pepper as required 1 tsp oil Have your butcher cut the fillet into 12 thin fillets. If you are doing this yourself, place the fillet into the freezer for 1 hour to firm it up before trying to slice. Pound the slices very gently to ensure they are of even thickness. Over high, heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan large enough to accommodate all of the beef at one time. Season one side of medallions with salt and pepper. Once the oil is...
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