brainmosaic

ccccccold

2011-03-03T16:35:00.000-08:00

I've got a serious case of the winter blechs. Usually in March we pack up the kiddos and head south for a little well deserved sunshine. This year, however, we ventured to a different vacation destination much closer to home. We headed to White Point Beach Resort right here in wintery Nova Scotia. It was lovely but ccccccold.

This week our brothers, sisters and parents all head to warmer climes and we are left to count the days until spring melts the ice from the sidewalk and rains away all the ugly black snow. Boo hoo.

New beginnings

2011-02-10T12:09:00.000-08:00

A New Year is upon us. As with every year before I set new goals to be more organized and to strive for balance between looking after myself and doing all those things required of me.
I am at my sewing machine daily working to make cute things to sell and occasionally a little treat for myself. Alas, I have killed many a pincushion in my pursuits. After toying with the idea of buying a beautiful handcrafted one instead of the cheapo tomatoes available at the fabric store I decided to make my own.

I decided to fill it with emery which are fine metal shavings which help keep your pins sharp. FYI, this is the substance inside the mysterious strawberry attached to your standard factory made tomato pincushion. I sent away for a bag of it from dottyral and foraged my scrap pile of fabric for the pieces of my cube. I made a cube of equal dimensions out of cotton muslin and filled it with emery,sewing shut the small hole after the emery went inside.

I made a cube from my fabric pieces , but left off the top. Lastly, I popped the muslin cube inside the fabric cube and handstitched the top on.

Happy Canada Day!

2010-07-01T11:18:00.001-07:00

I had a nice Canada Day surprise today. This little hat worn by my lovely son was featured in a treasury on the Etsy front page. Hooray. I hope my model doesn't get wise and ask for a raise.

A Happy Anniversary

2010-06-01T05:22:00.001-07:00

This weekend Paul and I celebrated our sixteenth Wedding anniversary. We stayed in a cottage owned by my Aunt and Uncle in Queensland a stone's throw from the beach. The weather was amazing, the scenery fantastic and the company as charming as always.

We really enjoyed visiting the Hubbards Farmers Market on Saturday. So many incredible vendors and tasty baked goods. I am already planning to go back. We drove to Lunenburg on Sunday and had an incredible meal at an amazing Italian restaurant. Lunenburg is such a beautiful town with so many interesting shops and restaurants. We had a great time.

Halifax Spring Hobby Show

2010-04-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of visiting the Spring Hobby Show on the weekend. Barbie enthusiasts, miniatures of all kinds, model trains and military models aplenty.
What fun to see the hobbies of Halifax on display. There was a whole room dedicated to lego displays. My boys were thrilled. They scooped up some very cool ( and somewhat labor intensive) army sets. Ah.. I love the smell of model glue in the afternoon....

Off to the races

2010-04-02T07:03:00.000-07:00

My fearless husband, being a alumni of the Canadian cub scout movement, decided to enroll our boys (and himself) in the program this year. There have been winter camping trips, fundraising ventures, skating parties and, of course, weekly meetings. Last weekend we attended the much anticipated KUB KAR RALLY.

The rally was held in a warehouse with lots of room for multiple tracks and a large group of anxious cub scouts. Each boy (and his pit crew parents) had put hours of love and creativity into building the perfect design. There were tanks, police cars, race cars, bobsleds and even a hot dog car.

All cars needed to be weighed prior to racing. They could weigh no more than five ounces. The right weight, coupled with the right design could result in victory. Fishing weights, coins and washers helped provide extra weight. After an exhaustive prepping of the track by the cub leaders, we were ready to begin.

Three by three they raced to the finish line in endless heats. After a mere two hours the winners were awarded gigantic trophies and plaques. The defeated racers left (some with tear stained faces)filled with schemes to secure victory next year.

A taste of sunshine

2010-03-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

I have returned from a lovely Florida holiday. It was wonderful to see the sun and all the lovely colors that come along with it. Palm trees, flowers and happy faces. Delicious.

Now we are home. It is snowing. It is brown and muddy. The sun is nowhere in sight. Please tell me the winter will soon come to an end.

HELLO Dolly!

2010-02-26T17:06:00.001-08:00

So, here is my first tentative foray into dollyville... When I heard about the Dollies for Haiti campaign from the lovely(and very talented doll making team) ladies at Third Street Handcrafters I knew I wanted to join in.

Being a stay at home mom and therefore a woman of very modest means I have been wondering how I could make any contribution to the massive needs of a country so decimated by disaster. My hand sewing skills are very undeveloped( I am a slave to my machine), but I do bring something else to the table. I have two crafty hands and a heart full of love.

I hope that she will bring companionship to someone in need of it. Her arms are stretched wide. She is ready to give the hug I am too far away to deliver myself. Safe journey little friend.

SNOW DAY!!!

2010-02-17T15:06:00.000-08:00

After months of waiting, my kids were rewarded with the most coveted of winter happenings.. the first snow day of the season! What a joy it is to see a sleepy school morning face transformed into the euphoric "school is cancelled" face.

Many hours were spent frolicking in the sizable dumping of snow. There were tunnels and snowmen and many pairs of wet mittens and snotty noses.

Jiao zi

2010-02-14T08:19:00.000-08:00

Before I fell in love with my sewing machine, I found my creative expression in the kitchen. This weekend, being Chinese New Years, I thought I would pull myself away from sewing projects long enough to make something to contribute to my family's epic Chinese New Years feast.

I cracked open my latest issue of Fine Cooking and decided that Chinese dumplings would be the perfect thing. Chinese New Year traditions are all about starting off the New Year with good luck and all of the food and celebrations are filled with things symbolic of good health and wealth. Long noodles for long life, red colors and loud fireworks to burn or scare away all the bad spirits. Any food that has a Chinese name that brings to mind money, gold or wealth is considered good luck. Jiao Zi (Chinese dumplings) means "money" in Mandarin. Here is a whole heap of good luck to start the year off....

Kawaii cuteness

2010-02-06T06:19:00.000-08:00

I have been obsessed for some time now with Japanese fabric. One particular sort is referred to as "kawaii" which encompasses a wide assortment of adorable prints. Little deer, mushrooms, bunnies, dolls and all manner of cuteness abound in the kawaii category.

Here is my latest "snazz" offering to use some of my Kawaii stash. Japanese fabric is more expensive because of its quality and the fact that it is imported so I try to use it mostly for smaller projects. I have been using it recently to make wallets as well. So many possibilities....

Tragic Beauty

2009-09-29T10:07:00.000-07:00

I love to find beauty in those things and people that are just a little different. Perfection is not as appealing to me as slightly flawed.

I knew this was the tomato for me as soon as I saw it. Field fresh and beautiful and just a little weird. I thought the strange appendage looked like a nose but others in my family saw it differently. Degenerates all of them.

He(definitely a he) was a good tomato. Juicy and flavorful and the perfect ingredient in a mouthwatering B.L.T.

Wake up and smell the Craft Show

2009-09-15T16:41:00.001-07:00

Okay..I know it has been some time since my last entry. Suffice to say I had a lovely summer surrounded by friends and family and now it is autumn..

I was very excited to participate in a local craft show this past weekend. It was hosted by the ladies of Vervain Designs. It was a grand afternoon of schmoozing with like minded people and snacking on possibly the best bowl of chicken noodle soup I have ever tasted.

The crowds were not what we all hoped for but I did manage a few sales and even got a custom order from one of my fellow vendors to make a tote bag for her paintings. I also bought a gorgeous necklace for my sis in law's b day.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable day and a great experience. I love the crafty folk. They are some good people.

Happy (foggy)(belated) Canada Day!

2009-07-04T16:29:00.000-07:00

I love a parade! Sounds of drums and bagpipes tromping down the street are among my favorite summer sounds. We feted the country with a parade, some cake and a visit to Citadel Hill. Now, if only the sun would make an appearance it might really feel like summer....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA!!!

Disconnect and Reconnect

2009-06-01T04:56:00.000-07:00

Well...we wanted to celebrate our Fifteenth Anniversary in Italy but financial realites did not cooperate. Instead we climbed in the car, leaving the kiddos happily tucked in with family and drove for about 40 minutes. We had rented a beautiful seaside cottage in Indian Harbour, N.S. for two delicious nights of rest and relaxation. The view was spectacular and literally dripping with atmosphere being cloaked in a blanket of fog. We played the part of tourists in our own province. We climbed the rocks at Peggy's Cove and snapped photos like mad. We enjoyed each other's company without the distractions of telephone, internet and children. We watched in rapt attention as nature unfolded its beautiful tapestries and performed symphanies of sight and sound. Ahhhhh......

One for me

2009-05-19T17:29:00.001-07:00

Sometimes (especially when you are a mom) you forget to do nice things for yourself. I love to sew and I love having one of a kind handmade stuff. It stands to reason that I should be my best provider of hand made stuff right? Not so much. I pick out fabric that I love, turn it into stuff that someone like me would buy and then...I put it in my etsy shop. Yoink!

I bought this fun Alexander Henry fabric when I visited Florida last year. I have been trying to figure out something "snazzy" to do with it all year. Finally I realized that the perfect recipient of this custom order was ME!! I ordered myself a tunic, I made it and I love it.

Nice work if you can get it...

2009-05-15T04:48:00.001-07:00

Free room and board. Early morning snuggles. Maid and chauffering services. These are the perks of a model here at snazz inc. Your requirements include looking enthusiastic when the camera is pointed at you and negotiating for a higher salary when the blackflies are biting.

Lessons from Mom

2009-05-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

As I grow more experienced in Mom hood I begin to realize all the gifts my mother gave to me as a child. Not the least of which is how to be a goofball. This is not to say that she is not also a voice of discipline and self control. She is no pushover.

I remember the absolute glee I felt as a child when my strict and serious mom would pull a face or say something silly and decidedly "unmomlike". This reminded me that my mom was more than just a mom. She was a mysterious figure with a completely different face that was sometimes hidden from me. The promise of a momentary slip of the "mom" mask was a secret that I cherished.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Coming Clean- Confessions of a Soap a holic

2009-02-11T04:39:00.000-08:00

Okay, I admit it. I am a little obssessed with handmade soap right now. Shampoo bars, soap, bubble bath, scrubs, butters, cream perfumes and lip balms all made with love in small batches in the homes of talented people.

I love the salt and sugar scrub from the shop of bovinebubbles It has a wonderful exfoliating texture which glides on your skin effortlessly, leaving a wonderful sheen and fantstic aroma.

I love the amazing fragrance left behind on my skin in the body butter fromcarmel soaps

I love the delicious flavors and cool slide tins of lip balms sold by shannon's irish bliss

I recently brought my kids into my soap circle when I ordered them some bubble bath fromdennis anderson soaps

I have also ordered from the etsy seller pixie soaps

I vowed that, after ammassing such a large stash that I would resist the urge to buy more soap...That is when the soap gods reached out to me. I participated in a craft show on the weekend which was also attended by a local soap vendor. I bought one soap. Just one. Its important to support the local economy you know. But then...
She offered a trade. One of my hats for eight bars of soap. The rest of the story is soap history.

Gong hei fat choi!

2009-01-25T17:25:00.001-08:00

I am very fortunate to have married into a very wonderful and generous family. They have taught me much about the value of sharing time and many wonderful meals in the company of those you love. From my father in law comes a wealth of wonderful traditions from his Chinese heritage.

Every year we come together to celebrate the Lunar New Year. As any good celebration, this one culminates with a feast shared with the extended family. The New Year is a celebration of good fortune and prosperity which is reflected in the dishes served. There are usually long noodles which represent long life. There are dishes with elements that bring to mind wealth or prosperity sometimes just because of their name or appearance.

This year we had Cantonese Chow Mein , Shrimp stuffed Tofu, Braised pork shoulder with dried oyster,mushroom and fat choi, duck with Chinese yams, chicken, white rice and tea steeped eggs. We also had sweet and sour pork to appease the white people at the table. Those white folk love their red sauces ;)

The children and unmarried people are given a red pocket of lucky money and everyone goes home with a clementine.

More important than all the food and decorations is undoubtedly a leisurely meal spent enjoying the company of family who wish each other a healthy, happy and prosperous new year.

Out with the old

2009-01-05T04:50:00.000-08:00

Farewell to 2008! The Christmas decorations are (mostly) put away. The tree has been tossed to the curb. A new year begins. What it will bring we do not know. New resolutions to change old behaviors are always a given. Cheers to 2008! It was a year with many happy moments but not without the loss of some family friends. I remember them fondly and hope the coming year brings healing to their families. I resolve to treasure the moments I spend this year with everyone I love. Life is a precious gift.

Happy 2009! May it bring health and happiness and the grace to deal with the challenges that each year brings. Happy New Year to all!

Swimming in Chocolate-Part 2

2008-12-20T06:37:00.000-08:00

So...I get a call from my SIL the other night. After several minutes of small talk she mentions that they might stop by for a visit. Then, ever so casually, she asks if the ice cream sandwiches are ready. "Not yet," I say "Maybe tomorrow." "Maybe we will stop by tomorrow instead," she says.

I make these sandwiches every year using my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. I add some crushed candy canes to the dough and freeze the cookies after baking. I fill each sandwich with candy cane ice cream and then I pour melted chocolate on top. I set the sandwiches on cookie sheets and put them in the freezer until the chocolate sets. I then wrap them into individual bundles and wait for the visitors to drop by.

Swimming in Chocolate

2008-12-19T19:55:00.001-08:00

I love to play with chocolate. This year I started with chocolate truffles. They are a great treat for teachers and are wonderful hostess gifts. I use a recipe taken from my favorite cooking magazine Fine Cooking. You can customize the delicious ganache filling with any number of flavours. I like to do two different selections. This time I made one with Amaretto liqueur and the other with Grand Marnier and a mix of candied ginger and orange peel.

A Walk in the woods

2008-11-25T15:04:00.001-08:00

Today I took a walk in the woods. Alone with my thoughts in the quiet of the forest, I saw splashes of red and green across the often bleak tapestry of winter.

I was reminded that the forest is never completely asleep. The birds keep their lonely vigil in all manner of weather and the streams keep flowing despite obstacles of ice and snow.

Welcome Winter

2008-11-20T13:13:00.001-08:00

Winter has arrived in Nova Scotia. Its a little earlier than most of us expected. There were alot of problems on the road last night. Many people were stranded on the highway overnight after a number of vehicles became unable to climb hills and other cars lost control causing the roads to be blocked off.

I was fortunate to have been in a very peaceful setting for the arrival of Old Man Winter. I was practicing Yoga in a room of like minded people. The lights were off and the candles were lit. We watched serenely as the snow drifted by and the trees became laden with snow. OHHHHMMMM......

Beadiful Things

2008-10-31T05:27:00.000-07:00

Q. What is better than a blog giveaway?

A. A blog giveaway from one of your favorite makers of beautiful(beadiful) things. Follow the link and check it out!

Etsy Mom Giveaway!

2008-10-23T18:50:00.001-07:00

The Etsymom Street Team is prepping for the holidays by taking the time-honored tradition of gift-giving to another level! Riding the wave of unity, harmony and excitement inspired by the Etsymom Trunk Show in September, our team tossed around a few ideas about our next team event. A little idea of having a giveaway, where Moms would donate an item to be given away each day of November on our blog has morphed into a SUPER GIVEAWAY!! When the call for volunteers went out we had an overwhelming response of over 60 shops willing to donate a $10.00 in value item to this cause. Two winners will be randomly chosen everyday to receive one of over 50 prizes.. Donations will range from an assortment of hand embroidery, vintage finds, hair clippies, baby accessories, paper crafts, earthenware pottery and more. Perfect for gift-giving! There is a little bit of everything, so whether you like trendy, shabby chic, traditional or retro styles, you're sure to find something! Don't miss this ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA. Visit us here beginning November 1st for giveaway rules and deadlines!

Love Revolution

2008-10-20T06:15:00.000-07:00

I am an official member of the Love Revolution. Lenny Kravitz rocked our little Nova Scotia town last night. WOW! It was an amazing show. I have been a fan for almost twenty years now and he did not disappoint. He put on a high energy show with a group of phenomenal musicians. He whipped the crowd into a frenzy like some kind of messianic god of rock. He strutted, cooed and sang us all into submission. Its hard to imagine a better show than this one. Thanks Lenny! I AM ready for the love revolution!

Thankful

2008-10-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful.

Thankful for the hands that picked the apples.
Thankful for the hands that peeled the apples.
Thankful for the hands that rolled the dough.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Six Random Things

2008-10-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

I have been "tagged" in blog game by fellow etsymom cinnamon spice

The game is called Six random things. So here are six random things about me....

1. I love the smell of new books. I can't resist sinking my nose in them and taking a prolonged sniff.

2. I have been practicing yoga twice a week for the last two years and have really grown to love it. OHHHHHMM

3. I wanted to be an archaeologist when I was younger but was frightened away when I found out there would be mathematics involved.

4. I love the Barry Manilow song "Coca Cabana". I can't explain why but I just can't resist it.

5. I have only gone downhill skiing once and, while it was terrifying, I had a great time.

6. My husband and I are hoping to visit Italy in the coming year to celebrate our fortieth birthdays and fifteen years of marriage.

Now it's your turn. I would like to tag some ladies of the etsy sisterhood. The lovely, mommy holly, the wonderful wEtsy Behind the Ears, the talented Beadiful things, and my fellow Canadian Jewlzodonnell's Weblog

To play you must list six things about yourself and then tag up to six people to do the same. Enjoy!
Hope you will join me!

Pickleliscious

2008-09-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

I love the fall! I love the cool breezes, the falling leaves and freshly picked apples. Its a great time of the year to bring out all the mason jars and try to capture a little taste of the summer to get you through the long cold winter. I was recently gifted some cucumbers from somebody's garden. Sadly, I have not yet developed a green thumb and my garden clearly reflects that. I dug out my cookbooks and settled on this recipe:

Curry Pickle Slices

2 quarts pickling cucumbers
4 small onions, sliced
1 TBSP pickling salt
2 1/2 cups cider vinegar
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 TBSP curry powder
2 tsp pickling spice
1 tsp each celery seeds and mustard seeds

Cut cucs into thick slices. Place with onions in non reactive container and sprinkle with salt. Let stand 24 hours. Drain and rinse twice.

Combine vinegar, sugar, curry powder, pickling spice, celery seeds, and mustard seeds in large saucepan. Bring to boil. Remove from heat.

Add veg and return to a boil. Remove from heat.

Pack into sterilized jars leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Process for 10- 15 minutes (depending on size of jars)

Smells great, tastes great. I like it. I think, for me, the best part is the smell of the raw onions and cucs after they have been resting together overnight. One of my favorite fall smells!

Cake Hangover

2008-09-15T05:19:00.001-07:00

This weekend we celebrated #1 son's birthday with cake. Not one cake. Not two cakes. Three different kinds of cake ladies and gentlemen! I started with chocolate cupcakes with buttercream icing for the children's party. Next, came my mother's frozen peanut butter pie for the celebration with my family. Sunday's celebration was a combo party. Ben and his auntie have birthdays one day apart. It was his suggestion to make a boy/girl cake. I made a coconut layer cake with seven minute frosting and let the boys arrange the cake toppers. Fun and delicious! The best part is that we now have three different types of cake leftovers to enjoy all week long! Cake anyone?

We have a winner!

2008-09-06T07:16:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to whimsical creations! You are the proud owner of a new headband!
Thanks so much to everyone who entered the contest. It was so fun to visit all your blogs. You are all a very cool bunch of gals! Come back and visit me again.

Cheers,
Michele

Fall Blog Give Away!

2008-08-22T10:58:00.000-07:00

I am busily working on some new items for my etsy shop. Among them are a line of headbands as well as some cool wristlet purses. I would love to give this little beauty of a headband away for my first blog give away.

If you are interested, leave a comment on this blog and I will draw a name to win on Friday September 5. I will ship the headband (at no cost to you) to anywhere you might live.

Thanks for visiting and good luck!

The Star Wars wars

2008-08-21T05:34:00.000-07:00

Star Wars is big in our house. We have the action figures, the lego, several varieties of light sabres, the live action movies, the animated movies, the costume, the music,the vehicles, the video games, the comic books, the t-shirts...

And so, it was with great anticipation that we waited for the theatre release of the new Clone Wars animated movie. We were not dissuaded by the negative reviews. We NEEDED to see this movie. We have, in our own way, supported this franchaise thus far. There is no turning back now.

Long story short. My review-Liked it, didn't love it. As with all of George Lucas' movies, I love the overall universe but there is always a little too much CHEESE for me. In this movie, the character of Uncle Zero made me cringe everytime he spoke. Ugggh. The new padawan was a little too 'smartalekey' for me as well.

As for the kids, they ate it all up with a big spoon. They laughed at all the corn ball dialogue and were transfixed by all the battle scenes. I guess this is Lucas' target audience.

Of course, with any new movie comes the inevitable merchandaising cash grab. Although it seems to me we have every conceivable variation of clone trooper, there are still more to be had. They're CLONES for crying out loud! Remember the old days when all the storm troopers looked exactly the same and they didn't come with removable tiny little accessories?

The Waning of Summer

2008-08-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

Its been a short summer with far too much rain. I have been lucky enough, however, to have enjoyed some really memorable swims. This little moment of time is noteworthy since this is the first time (ever) this particular beach has been warm enough for me to swim in. Normally, this little piece of the ocean is so painfully cold that you run away screaming. On this day, Ben and I battled the surf together for quite some time. We were repeatedly flattened and left gasping for air. There was an unfortunate tankini malfunction that left me more than a little humbled. Ah the sea...she is a cold mistress!

It was a good day made all the more sweet because of the knowledge that it may well have been the last ocean swim of the season. Farewell to summer.....

On a related topic... Please visit my etsy shop for my END OF SUMMER SALE.

Mommy Holly Rocks!

2008-08-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

Lucky me! I won a contest offered by the very talented MommyHolly. I have been enjoying her blog for some time now. It is a polished and charming site. It stands to reason that her handmade cards would reflect the same spirit of fun and style. Thanks again Holly! I am thrilled with my goodies!

I hope everyone will check out both her blog and her etsy shop!

pimp my dressform

2008-08-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

I rescued this sturdy gal from a family friend. She has been languishing in a basement for a couple of years and is a little worse for the wear. I need to put on my thinking cap to envision an extreme makeover. In the meantime, she is at the mercy of my two boys who are quite enjoying our "clothing impaired" houseguest.

Any suggestions?

Summer blockbusters

2008-07-14T05:34:00.000-07:00

I am getting way behind in my summer movies. Indiana Jones, Wall-E, Incredible Hulk, and who knows what else, all unseen by me. However, I am not starved for summer entertainment. Remember when you were a kid and you loved putting on shows for your parents or whoever else would watch? This morning I was treated to a dramatic swordfight between "Blackbeard's Ghost" and "Mac MacKintosh" the intrepid Irish pirate. It was quite a spectacle. Later in the day, came an inventive retelling of the Indiana Jones saga. I especially enjoyed the use of the excercise ball as the giant rolling boulder. I love my little thespians!

Happy Birthday Canada!

2008-07-02T05:27:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we celebrated Canada Day with a visit to Citadel Hill. Every year the historic fort opens its gates for a celebration featuring the firing of canons and FREE CAKE! What more could any little boy ask for?

It was a gorgeous day contrary to the weather forecast which had called for rain. We had a grand day in our fair city enjoying the company of our family.

HAPPY 141 CANADA!

Greetings from Morocco! (tales from my virtual vacation)

2008-06-26T17:04:00.002-07:00

Hello all,

Wish you were here. I am writing to you from a rooftop patio festooned with colorful pillows. The weather is warm but the breeze is perfumed with the scent of a nearby olive grove. I am enjoying a lovely afternoon cup of mint tea served on a silver trayed dotted with exotic pastries.

I spent the day wandering through the busy market streets drinking in the heady smells of fresh spices and local produce. Barrels of olives and buckets of lemons... Gorgeous! The sound of local vendors plying their trade still rings in my ears.

I refreshed myself with a dip in the courtyard pool and a chilled drink recommended by my charming hosts. Heaven!

Tonight I will sleep in luxury. A king size bed decorated in generous yards of rich brocade will be my final destination. Every detail of my accomodations are a celebration of color and beauty. Stunning tile mosaics, peaceful garden settings, flavorful local dishes...

Hope all is well with you,

Michele

Cherry Pie and a cuppa joe

2008-06-21T04:53:00.000-07:00

Paul and I are always looking for something to celebrate. If possible to celebrate with some tasty morsels, so much the better. So, as we came to the end of our Twin Peaks DVD's it was a no brainer. It had to be cherry pie.

As fate would have it, its cherry season. Fresh cherries are affordable and plentiful. I scooped them up, brought them home and got to pittin'. I made my favorite pastry compliments of Julia Child. Shortening and butter together make for a beautiful crust. I mixed the cherries with some sugar, cornstarch, butter and some grated apple.

We waited anxiously for the kids to go to sleep so we could discover Agent Cooper's fate. We were armed with hot coffee, warm pie and cold vanilla ice cream. Heaven. Full points to the pie for flavor, but I would try a different thickening agent next time. Tapioca?

Life is sweet. Just add pie.

graduation day

2008-06-10T05:02:00.000-07:00

Last week we celebrated Duncan's graduation from preschool. We crowded into the gym with all the other parents and grandparents to watch the parade of little people stream onto the stage. I tried valiantly not to cry and managed to isolate the tears to one eye only which I discretely wiped away when noone was looking. They marched up the aisle wearing little cardboard graduation hats with blue tassles made of yarn. They sang a good selection of songs including the theme song from "Spiderman". Duncan did pretty well until he completely lost interest. He yawned repeatedly and pulled constantly at the elastic holding on the hat. At one point he began lifting up his shirt and saying, "Look at my big fat belly" to the children standing beside him. At this point one of the parents turned to me and said, "Michele, you must be so proud." Strangely, I was. I understand now how parents are steadfastly proud of their children despite their imperfections.

After receiving his diploma (which he used as a telescope to examine the ears of his non-fidgeting classmates) he was delighted to get the ceremony out of the way so he could get to the main event...the snack table. Now that is my boy!

The good ole summer time

2008-06-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

I am feeling cautiously optimistic that summer has arrived in Nova Scotia. I have stopped wearing socks and jackets. There is the unmistakable sweet scent of the salty Atlantic in the air. The backyard has changed into a beautiful tangle of green. Life is beautiful.

As the mom of two small guys there are other signs of summer as well. The frequent demands for popsicles for every kid who wanders into the yard, the trails of water across the kitchen floor that are testament to the filling of supersoakers... Good times.

Having such a short season of warmness as we do here on the east coast, I treasure every beautiful day. Every ice cream at the park, trip to the beach, family barbeque, every line of sweet smelling laundry.

Mise En Place

2008-05-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

It struck me today how there are a lot of similarities between sewing and cooking. I was without my sewing machine for several days as it was at the repair shop. (It turns out it was not broken at all but that I had inadvertantly knocked the feeddogs out of whack while cleaning. Damn it! I thought it was my perfect opportunity to buy a sexy new Husquarvana. I digress...) During my sewing downtime, I prepped for a number of upcoming projects. I cut out pieces for bibs, purses and hats.

In my previous life as a cook in the restaurant biz we always used our downtime to prepare our Mise. For those of you not in the know, Mise en place means a place for everything or everything in its place. Working in busy kitchens taught me a great deal about time management. Working ahead, always having in mind the next project makes everything slide along a little more smoothly.

It is easy to see how sewing has filled a void left in me after leaving the food biz. The satisfaction of a beautifully arranged plate is not unlike a lovely apron garnished with a complimentary bias binding.

Hail Caesar-My quest for the ultimate Caesar salad

2008-05-26T05:10:00.000-07:00

I love a good Caesar Salad. For me, it is a litmus test for the quality of a restaurant. If you pass muster with this pivotal salad, I have complete confidence in the main course which is on its way.

A good Caesar is a well thought out mix of quality ingredients. The lettuce is fresh and crisp. The cheese is freshly grated parmesan and the pepper freshly ground. There is bacon, or if you're a little more highbrow...pancetta. It is freshly cooked and in nice bite size pieces. The croutons are fork tender morsels seaoned and baked with butter or olive oil. The dressing is made from scratch with eggs, oil, lots of garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, fresh parmesan and whatever other optional ingredients you like ( mustard, fresh herbs etc). Getting this combination right and in the proper balance is crucial.

I have had many Caesars, most of them disappointing. This weekend we tried two new restaurants. Cocoa Pesto, in Windsor N.S. served me a "classic" Caesar with no bacon! The croutons were too tough for my fork and the dressing had no trace of anchovy flavor.

I was anxious to expunge the memory of this disappointing Caesar so the next day we headed to Tempest in Wolfville. It was quite good. The dressing was tasty with a noticeable anchovy undertone. The croutons were somewhat more tender but were made with pumpernickel bread. I prefer the classic white. I had a side Caesar here, I would be interested in the full appetizer version.

So far, my fav Caesar in Halifax is the Cafe Chianti Caesar for two. Tasty, fresh ingredients mixed with love in a bowl for two!

The Appliance Apologies

2008-05-22T05:05:00.000-07:00

I love appliances. I remember the precise moment that my head was turned by their shiny wonderfulness. It was my first day of cooking school when I got my first introduction into a professional kitchen. I found myself surrounded by gleaming stainless steel. Massive convection ovens, huge hobart mixers, steam jacket kettles, grills, flat top griddles, steamers...Ohh the possibilites.

I have been fortunate enough to enjoy some fine appliances in the comfort of my own home. Sweet sweet Silvia makes my cappucino every afternoon. My Kitchen Aid mixer tosses out a crowd pleasing pizza dough nearly every friday night as well as a countless array of cookies, cakes, meringues and loaves of bread.

My little Kenmore sewing machine has been tirelessly churning out whatever I have desired of her. Recently I have asked more of her than ever before having started my own Etsy shop.

This is why I am so very sad to say that two weeks ago near the end of the production of two loaves of white bread...Kitchen Aid sputtered to a stop. She now lies sadly still on her shelf, a sad reminder of a delicious partnership. And Kenmore, had a disastrous reaction to a routine cleaning which has left me and my Sushi bistro apron in a sad state of desertion.

At least I still have Silvia.

Etsyism

2008-05-21T06:03:00.000-07:00

While my husband and I were visiting Montreal last summer we saw a mural on the side of a building that we thought was brilliant. It pictured a serene faced figure with hands together in prayer and beneath it was written "Foodism". As we are both obsessed with the pursuit and enjoyment of good food we thought it was just the 'ism' for us.

In that same spirit I have decided to found my own 'ism'. It has grown out of my recent discovery and subsequent obsession with etsy. Etsyism is an all inclusive movement. All ages, genders and races are welcome. You need only have a username to be initiated. A monthly tithe of your earnings is not required but is a likely outcome. As a new initiate you may be tempted to be overzealous with your newfound philosophy. "Buy homemade!" you will preach. Some will accept your enthusiasm others will think you strange. Don't lose heart. There are many others who will join you to pay homage at the great marketplace we call Etsy.

The Reluctant Blogger

2008-05-21T04:55:00.000-07:00

Am I a blogger?
What has the world come to? Soon I'll be text messaging (or is that TM-ing?) Dang! I dont't even know the lingo. When I went to school we wrote our work with a pen. And we liked it that way.