This Week's Inspiration (07-09-2026)

 

I've been a fan of Marian Keyes's work since I first read This Charming Man. I don't love all her books, but all the ones I've read have been solid. When I started my local library's recent summer reading challenge, one of the tasks was to borrow an e-book. I found Again, Rachel on there and decided to give it a try.

Despite the cover (definitely the right book not to judge by that), it's a great book. It made me cry, it made me sad, and then it had the most cathartic ending. Keyes kills at endings. When I was done, I realized I needed to read more of her books, so now I'm burning my way through The Break. When I'm done with that, I'll read the next one. I say I'm inspired, but it might be more obsession than anything. I highly recommend her fiction to anyone who loves a good story.

What are you inspired by right now? Share in the comments...

Cheers,

Aspasia

My Books 

Love Lies Bleeding

Bleeding Heart

Blood Magic

Tooth & Claw

(Links take you to all available stores. Love Lies Bleeding and Bleeding Heart are also available in paperback.)

PS: Follow me on my official site: AspasiaSBissas.com.  

 

Tim Curry: Actor, Singer...Gardener

 

By now you've probably heard that Tim Curry died (the same day as Dolly Parton, actually-- you can read my tribute to her here). If you didn't know him from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, you probably know him from Clue, IT, Muppet Treasure Island, or one of his many other roles (he also did a lot of voice acting, so you've likely heard him, as well as seen him). He brought an amazing energy and glee to the characters he portrayed. I always thought he was a little scary, in the best possible way. He seemed like he would be a lot of fun to hang out with, and I wish I'd had the chance.

It was only recently that I found out that he was also an avid gardener! 

Tim not only created gardens wherever he lived, but he also worked on friends' gardens, including Freddie Mercury's, and restored historic properties around Los Angeles. When he bought his Aberdeen Ave home in LA in 1993, he spent six months clearing out weeds and restoring stone paths that had been buried under feet of dirt. By the time he sold it seven years later, the 1.45 acre property was filled with 150 rose bushes, a cactus garden, a koi pond, and 100 camellias around the pool. He even installed two benches--one where he could watch the sun rise, and one where he could watch it set.

He chose to downsize, moving to a more manageable property (about a third of an acre) in the same neighbourhood as his previous house. Even with a much smaller yard, he still created a courtyard full of potted plants, layered terraces with plants native to California, and stone alcoves for privacy. Gardeners always find a way.

By the time he died, he couldn't physically work in a garden anymore, due to mobility issues after suffering a stroke in 2012. But while a hired team did the labour, Tim still directed the design. He had a beautiful garden outside his house to enjoy until the end, with mature trees and greenery. We should all be so lucky.

Photos of his gardens seem to be limited, but here are a few that I found:

What do you think of Tim Curry's work, in his gardens or otherwise? Share in the comments...

Take care of yourselves...

Aspasia

PS: Follow me on my official site: AspasiaSBissas.com.  

This Week's Inspiration (24-08-2026)

 

I know it's still August, and normally I would stay far away from all things Halloween while it's still summer, but I couldn't resist these. When I saw the display in the store, I veered straight for it and ended up with these in my cart. I think I'm just really excited about Halloween this year 🎃

The pumpkins are purely decorative (the blue one has an iridescent sheen that sadly doesn't really show up in my photos. The Witches Brew cup is my new favourite mug for herbal tea (an appropriate choice, I think). All three came from a local thrift store, so I also feel good about not adding to rampant over-consumption.

Is it way too early for Halloween? Do you resist the store displays at this time of year? Share in the comments... 

Cheers,

Aspasia

My Books 

Love Lies Bleeding

Bleeding Heart

Blood Magic

Tooth & Claw

(Links take you to all available stores. Love Lies Bleeding and Bleeding Heart are also available in paperback.)

PS: Follow me on my official site: AspasiaSBissas.com. 

All photos by Whimsy Bower/Aspasia S. Bissas.

 

 

Summer Sights

Alpine Rose

 

My favourite part of my week are the walks I take on nearby trails and in parks. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority is doing a great job maintaining the wildness of the green spaces, while also keeping them welcoming for human visitors (a little too welcoming at times, as I noticed they're encouraging golf in some spots for whatever reason). The places I visit along the Etobicoke Creek are replete with plants and wildlife. Yesterday I got to watch goldfinches feasting on thistle seeds, and spotted sandpipers strolling along the shore of a small lake. I didn't get pictures of those birds, but I do have some pictures to share that I took a little earlier in the season. Enjoy!

 Look at this happy blended family!

 

I'm confident it's a blended family because there were more than two adults, and about half the goslings were larger than the others. I think it's sweet that geese raise their young communally.

People like to joke about how scary Canada Geese ("cobra chickens") are, but from my observations, they're cautious, not mean. If you give them their space (especially during nesting season), they'll leave you alone too. They're also really beautiful, with adorable babies. I have a whole new appreciation for them after interacting with them this past year. Canada Geese rule!

Solomon's Seal after rain.

 

The same plant flowering (you can spot a couple of flowers peeking out in the photo above).

Alpine Rose

These roses grow wild around here. Sadly, they don't have much of a scent, but they do produce large hips that feed the wildlife.
 

And lastly, not wild plants, but some peonies in a garden I had to share because they're just so pretty...

 

What plants and wildlife have you spotted lately? Share in the comments...

Cheers,

Aspasia

PS: Follow me on my official site: AspasiaSBissas.com. 

All photos by Whimsy Bower/Aspasia S. Bissas. 

My Books 

Bleeding Heart

Love Lies Bleeding

Blood Magic

Tooth & Claw

(Links take you to all available stores. Love Lies Bleeding and Bleeding Heart are also available in paperback.)

 

This Week's Inspiration (10-08-26)

 

Saturday was International Cat Day (to mark the occasion, I posted about caring for your cat's claws), so cats are a little more on my mind than usual.

I love this brooch-- not only is it handmade and adorable, but it shares a great message. I've never met a black cat that wasn't a total sweetheart. If you're loved by a black cat, you are lucky indeed.

This particular brooch is no longer available, but the design is credited to Sojung Kim McCarthy. Unfortunately, the person who made the brooch seems to have disappeared, so if you know who they are, please let me know.

What do you think of black cats? Share in the comments...

Cheers,

Aspasia

My Books 

Love Lies Bleeding

Bleeding Heart

Blood Magic

Tooth & Claw

(Links take you to all available stores. Love Lies Bleeding and Bleeding Heart are also available in paperback.)

PS: Follow me on my official site: AspasiaSBissas.com.  

Smashed Avocado Chickpea Salad (Recipe)

 

I'm currently taking part in my local library's summer reading challenge. It's been a lot of fun, and it's definitely something I'll participate in again. One of the tasks was to borrow a cookbook and make a recipe from it, so I chose Powered by Plants by Ocean Robbins (love her name). It turns out most of the recipes were rather elaborate, and I'm currently not in the mood for making fussy recipes. Luckily this chickpea salad was in there.

(Once again, I meant to take more photos. Once again, I forgot.)

Smashed Avocado Chickpea Salad 

1.5 cups/445 mL (15 oz) can cooked chickpeas, drained

1 avocado

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/2 tsp ground turmeric

1/2 tsp smoked or sweet paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp ground cumin

2 to 3 Tbs (30 to 45 mL) lime juice

1 Tbs (15 mL) apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup chopped green onion

1/4 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1.4 tsp salt

 

In a medium bowl, combine the chickpeas, avocado, pepper, turmeric, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, lime juice and vinegar.

Smash the avocado and chickpeas with a fork or potato masher until most chickpeas are fully smashed.

Mix in the onion, celery, and cilantro. Taste and season with salt, and more pepper, if desired. Sprinkle with more paprika.

Serve by scooping a generous amount of chickpea salad into a collard/kale/lettuce leaf or flat bread. Wrap and enjoy.

Variations:

-Sprinkle with microgreens, radish, kimchi, or sauerkraut, and sprinkle with sliced almonds or hemp seeds.

-Add 1 to 2 Tbs diced jalapeno and 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder (or regular chili powder for less heat). Or add crushed red pepper flakes.

-Omit cilantro or replace with dill.

-Omit celery, if desired.

 

Serves 2. Store in fridge in a sealed container for up to 7 days.

 

 

This makes a tasty, healthy, quick meal, and is open to all kinds of variations. 

 

What are your favourite additions to chickpea salad? Share in the comments...

 

By the way, you don't need a challenge to read my books! Links follow... 

 

Cheers,

 

Aspasia

 

My Books 

Bleeding Heart

Love Lies Bleeding

Blood Magic

Tooth & Claw

(Links take you to all available stores. Love Lies Bleeding and Bleeding Heart are also available in paperback.)

 

PS: Follow me on my official site: AspasiaSBissas.com. 

First photo by Whimsy Bower/Aspasia S. Bissas.

 

 

This Week's Inspiration

 

I've decided to start a new post series: This Week's Inspiration, featuring anything I come across that catches my eye and ignites my enthusiasm :)

This week I'm sharing a collection of green glass and jadeite perfume bottles. I love jadeite. I love glass in general, and happily collect it, but jadeite is my absolute favourite. There's something about it that's both modern and vintage at the same time. I think it's gorgeous.

I found this image on Pinterest (follow me there).  It originally came from eBay, but the listing (alas) is no longer up. What I wouldn't do for a collection like this...

Are you a fan of glass, jadeite, or perfume bottles? Share in the comments (and feel free to leave a link to your Pinterest profile too)!

Cheers,

Aspasia

My Books 

Love Lies Bleeding

Bleeding Heart

*Blood Magic

*Tooth & Claw

(Links take you to all available stores. Books marked * are free everywhere other than Amazon. Love Lies Bleeding and Bleeding Heart are also available in paperback.)

PS: Follow me on my official site: AspasiaSBissas.com.