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.