one of those weeks {and it is Wednesday}

{oy vey}

So last night I made biscuits to go with leftover soup from the weekend -- sounds nice right?

The recipe I tried called for a Tbsp of salt

That is a lot of salt

Did I question said recipe? Not for a minute

The biscuits were beautiful, a mile high

They tasted like a salt lick

Into the compost, the lot of them

Later last night, sweet Jeff took turkey sausages out of the freezer for our dinner tonight

What a helpful husband

Then he forgot about them

I found them this morning

I love the smell of room temperature turkey sausage in the morning

ew

Second dinner time fail of the week (and this was on Wednesday morning)

Needless to say we had breakfast for supper tonight

God bless the scrambled egg

xo

Em

ps -- I am not trying to be a poet -- the period on my keyboard stopped working and Jeff (and more importantly his computer) are out studying for the dang CFA -- not that I feel sorry for myself {cue sobbing into tear soaked pillow}

giving thanks

{lots of be thankful for}

 We decided to host Thanksgiving dinner at our place this summer when we were in PEI. Eager to get my grandparents over to the mainland we made them promise they would eat turkey at our place this year. They obliged us and so we prepared to host dinner for eight at our table for four.

Jeff was eager to brine our turkey and so we soaked our 14lb bird in salted and sugared water for over 12 hours. I was less enthused. The thought of poultry festering in a plastic vessel overnight wasn't doing it for me this year. I've brined a turkey before with my friend Jayme in Calgary. At the time we didn't have a cooler so we filled the crisper in her fridge with salt water! Now, that is commitment to turkey!

Jeff took Violet to church and then to the pool so I could prep and cook sans interruption. When I pulled the turkey out of the cooler it had an oddly human feel. The skin had become more transparent than usual and I could see the poor bird's muscles (that is what we eat right? muscles? sick.) I rinsed him off in the sink in much the same way I used to rinse Violet off at the cottage. It felt really weird. Wrong and weird, but I love turkey dinner so I persevered.

As I bathed our dinner the most disgusting thing happened: I got a feather splinter. Yes, a feather splinter. I love that we got our turkey at the market, but if it means seeing remnants of feathers I'm not sure I can stomach that much closeness with nature. If I get avian flu you will all know why.

The dinner went off without a hitch. I manged to fit all the food on each plate and all the people at the table (except for Violet who was relegated to her pink desk in the corner, which she loved). I thought the turkey was a teeny bit salty, but no one else agreed (it is possible they are just scared of me). Nanny made two pies (one for Jeff and one for everyone else -- for real), a perfect ending to a great meal.

I really have to work on taking pictures while I cook. I pride myself of being a good multitasker, but I can never seem to capture every step of the process. I took a few pictures of the bread I baked, one or two shots when everyone sat down to eat, but once my turkey coma began to set in I was out of commission as a photographer!

Nonetheless, here are a few pictures from our weekend, including a magical father-daughter-granddaughter hike at Hemlock Ravine. We have a history of such hikes which started when Vi was still in a baby bijorn. This year she walked almost the whole hour. She complained, but she did it!

xo

{Ellen's bread works everytime}

{even as rolls}

summer fare?

{salmon burger with Lou's guacamole}

I am up to my eye balls in grading, but I want to ask you a quick question: are burgers summer fare? Jeff and I have differing opinions on the subject.

I tend to associate burgers with summer -- probably the BBQ connection. He thinks they can, nay should, be eaten year round.

Despite my embrace of all things fall (namely making everything with pumpkin), we have had burgers twice this week (turkey on Monday, salmon tonight). Even though both were delicious (if I do say so myself) it feels wrong. We should be eating butternut squash and hearty soups this time of year not eating raw veggies and meat in a bun.

I may have tested Jeff's love for all things burger tonight. I think what he means by "I love burgers" is "I love meat." He seemed unimpressed I had ground up our beautiful salmon fillets into fish burgers.

Maybe he'll forgive me by next year, when it is appropriate to start eating burgers again.

xo

em

ps - Brooklyn Burgers are excluded from the opinions expressed above.

back to reality

{cuddles before breakfast and my new favourite picture}

This weekend really felt like fall. I don't mean the weather necessarily, but just the fact that we seemed busy from the moment we woke up until we fell into bed (at 8:00 pm if you must know). Other than a few milestones, Violet wants to be called Bingo from now on and a chickadee landed on her hand while we were at the park (she now believes she is Snow While incarnate), the weekend was pretty standard for this time of year. In fact, while we were standing outside Costco this afternoon I felt a wave of self-pity come over me. Why are we aways so busy? I just want to sleep...for two weeks. I let myself wallow for a few minutes, but then I snapped out it of. We are busy because we choose to be, we are so blessed to have Violet to take care of -- even the monotonous stuff is a really big gift. Some not so fun stuff has happened in our lives lately and the silver lining in all the sadness has been that I realize that now.

I can't always snap myself out of a mini-funk, but today I did. Could have been my new take on life, could have been all the jelly bean samples.

Here are a few pictures from our weekend that was full of laundry, dishwashing, chauffeuring and a healthy dose of toddler (little kid? cue weeping) attitude. Despite all that, or perhaps because of it, it was awesome.

xo

Em

{pumpkin muffins: before}

{story of my life -- you too?}

{the return of the bodum}

{first steel cut oats of the autumn}

{pumpkin muffins: after}

{be still my heart}

{new church shoes - thanks Nanny}

{keeping up with her mama}

{I have to stop myself from eating those cheeks}

{this photo is included and was taken at Violet's request}

pumpkin pancakes with apple compote for fall

{I'm going to open an IHOP}

Remember how I promised there would be no more pancake related posts? I don't know why I am so monomaniacal jazzed about pancakes these days, but it appears that I am. I hate meal planning on weeks when we miss the market so breakfast-for-supper was an obvious, easy addition to our menu. My friend Andrea is always making pumpkin pancakes and they look so good. I tried these on Wednesday night and since today is the first day of fall I thought it was a perfect time to share them with you.

Happy first day of fall! Don't drown on you way to work Haligonians. It is officially monsoon season.

I searched online for "healthy pumpkin pancakes" and I came across a recipe that had been modified from Heidi Swanson's blog 101 Cookbooks (an awesome source for heathy and delicious fare).

The maple apple compote adds just the right amount of sweetness to the dense, pumpkiny pancake. I don't bake with a lot of whole wheat flour so maybe that is why I could really taste the difference. These pancakes each weighted three times what my normal light and fluffy guys do. They are good, but they taste healthy.

I'd make these again, but maybe only use half the whole wheat flour. Any other ways to lighten them up?

Also, I have half a can of pumpkin puree left. Anyone have a good pumpkin loaf or muffin recipe? Maybe something healthy but that couldn't be used for weight training ;)

xo

Em

Get the recipe for these perfect for fall pancakes here: http://www.honeyandjam.com/2011/10/whole-grain-pumpkin-pancakes-with-apple.html

a tall stack

I woke up early this morning and I peeked in on my sleeping babe. She looked so sweet in her footsie jam jams, all cozy in her favourite pink blanket. I will make you pancakes, I said to myself. And so I did. A tall stack for my small girl.

I always feel a little smug if I manage to squeeze something extra into my morning routine. I felt like super-mum, flipping pancakes, drinking milky tea all with a towel on my head. That is, I felt smug until we were scrambling and the September traffic almost made me late for work. At that point I felt like an idiot for thinking I could make a hot breakfast on a Thursday morning.

Perhaps pancakes are better weekend fare afterall.

Try Nigella's take on "American" pancakes: quick, easy and not without a healthy dose of butter. The recipe is here: http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/american-breakfast-pancakes-141, but I totally recommend her book How to Be A Domestic Goddess. Get yourself a scale and get baking!

xo

Em

{batter before the sun comes up}

{does anyone really eat pancakes this way?}

je ne sais quoi

{beet and goat cheese panini}

I mentioned in my last post that I have recently started using Pinterest. My first foray into pinterest-recipe-dom was less than successful (see severed bundt cake), but I figured that was mostly my fault. No, that was completely my fault. Patience has never been my strong suit. After my initial experience my faith in myself may have faltered, but my faith in Pinterest remained steadfast. 

Enter the beet and goat cheese grilled cheese. 

Let me stop right there. How good does that sandwich sound? Right? I love beets and I love goat cheese -- slap on a little arugula and fire that baby in a panini press -- delish. Or not. Last night Jeff and I tried this recipe and although it wasn't offensive, I can't really say anything good about it. It was definitely lacking...je ne sais quoi. Not even a generous amount of sea salt could rescue my taste buds from the monotony of this sandwich. The word "blah" is coming to mind. 

What went wrong? I bought fresh beets at the market, they were sweet, soft and the most beautiful shade of pink. The goat cheese I used was good too -- we got it at Fox Hill Cheese (also at the market) and they never disappoint. What else can I blame? Myself -- an obvious choice, but surely even an imbecile can put together a sandwich. Then it dawned on me -- pinterest is the culprit. 

If other "pinners" are like me, they pin things that look good, not things that are good necessarily. I doubt many "pinners" do their due diligence and vet every recipe they pin. That would be exhausting. So how do you know if a recipe on pinterest is good? 

More importantly what could I add to this sandwich to give it a kick? Jeff said meat, but I disagree. Maybe caramelized onions? What do you think, is this sandwich worth saving?

xo

Em

those who wait

{peach vanilla bundt cake}

It has been so hot this summer that baking has been the furthest thing from my mind. While, not the furthest, I often think of baked things I'd like to eat, but then I think about the heat my little oven produces and I quickly move on. I have just recently started trolling Pinterest for recipes (I know, late to the table) and I came across a recipe for peach bundt cake. I love bundt cakes because of their pretty shape and unabashed simplicity. I saw local peaches for sale at the market yesterday and it was as though the stars had aligned. I felt destined to make this cake.

My destiny turned out to be a bit of a bummer. I started baking the cake only to realize that I was missing a few ingredients -- so typical. Jeff was already out so he was able to come to my rescue. By that time the cake was half made and I was over it. It was hot and getting late and I was so ready for bed. When Jeff got home I finished the cake, popped it in the oven and gave him instructions about when to take it out. I fell asleep about 30 seconds after that.

When Jeff got up to go golfing this morning (at 5:00 am -- crazy) I popped out of bed and ran (read: stumbled) to the kitchen. The bundt was still on its bottom (uncovered...Jeffrey....). I tipped it over. No movement. I gave it a little shake. Still nothing. I gave the cake a big shake and the bottom fell out. Just the bottom. Oh dear. I used a spatula to remove the top of the cake (from the layer of peaches upward), but I am afraid the bundt-y beauty was gone. I should have stayed in bed. I should have let the cake come out on its own.

I pieced it back together and it tastes fine, but what is the point of an ugly bundt? In this case, beauty is at least half the point.

xo

Em

{yikes! you should see what this was supposed to look like!}

sweetie pie wedding shower

{peach, blueberry and cherry-raspberry pie}

On Monday night my mum, my sister and I hosted a "sweetie pie" wedding shower for our dear friend Lily. We hemmed and hawed about a shower "theme", but after learning that our all time favourite pie maker (and friend) recently started selling her wares the decision was easy. All pies, all night. So darn delicious.

Pie is such a treat because if you are anything like me, and I suspect you are, you never make pie -- it is way too hard! Pastry seems so simple, there are so few ingredients and even the method isn't that daunting, and yet I have never made a pie I was truly proud of. The rolling out part gets me every time. Also -- the removal of the pie from the pan never seems to go well which is acceptable for the first slice I suppose, but not every single subsequent morsel that is removed from the pan.

Ellen Stirling is the Jamie Oliver of pie making -- she makes it look easy and she looks cute doing it ;)  Seriously, the pies were amazing. If you are ever in need of pie email me and I will put you in touch with Ellen (unlike most middlemen I will not take a cut I promise!)

It was a pleasure to host a bridal shower for Lily; we've known her since she called cows "moo moos" -- at least four or five years ;) She gets married tomorrow and she is going to be the most beautiful bride.

Here are a few pictures from her shower. None are of people -- I seem to get distracted around people. I'll work on that!

Congratulations Lily and Tom!

xo

Em

{pretty pies on pretty cake stands}

{bunting a la Adrienne Harris}

{fresh lemonade and a really old pitcher}

{the favour: wild blueberry jam made with love by my mum and my Nanny}

oh the humanity

{wild blueberry buttermilk muffins}

When I was a kid my mum used to make me homemade muffins for lunch all the time. I thought it was no big deal. In fact, I was envious of the kids with bologna sandwiches and Oreos. I felt a little sorry for myself as I mowed into my lunch that was made with so much love (handwritten message on the napkin included -- I really do have the best mum). Well, today I got my just desserts. Violet prefers Teddy Grahams to my homemade blueberry muffins. Why do I even bother! It was a sad day at our house.

Neither Violet nor I were feeling great today and we were both a little over sensitive (condolences can be sent to Jeffrey -- he has to deal with both of us). In the same way she hurt my feelings by telling me she preferred store bought (or if you are a Maritimer "boughten") cookies to my labour of love, I inadvertently offended her too. After denying her a snack right before suppertime she had the most dramatic temper tantrum I have yet to behold, which culminated with her in sweaty pile on the floor screaming (this is a direct quote), "my whole life has been so hard."

How many minutes until bedtime?

She fell asleep during her only story (she lost the other two "privileges" as a result of various missteps sometime during this sordid day).

I am nodding off as I type.

Humidity and cranky girls -- godspeed Jeffrey!

xo

Em

The recipe for the muffins can be found here: http://www.food.com/recipe/blueberry-buttermilk-muffins-6653 - or just buy some Teddy Grahams.

in pictures

{Valley Girl of the Annapolis variety}

This weekend was full of fresh blueberries and fresh babies. I took pictures of the blueberries, but I was too busy ogling to take even one snapshot of either the two beautiful baby girls I snuggled on Friday and Saturday. Speaking of babies, with the amount of corn and blueberries Violet consumed in the last two days I am truly grateful we are out of the diaper phase!

Because it is literally too humid to type (my old computer is heating up my lap and making me sweat in an unladylike fashion), I will share some of my favourite pictures from this weekend with you.

xo

em

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy

{lemon debutante cake}

I had a great chat with my oldest friend tonight and, like usual, our conversation drifted toward food. Her partner is a chef and we all used to work together (with my other besties) in Calgary. Such fun times. Anyway, the conversation got me thinking about food and how I wish I had a restaurant (only the fun parts of course) and how I totally miss working in restaurants (again, only the fun parts...and the fast cash!).

One of my favourite things about this blog is getting to share the food I love to make with you all, but it seems I haven't done a lot of that lately. It isn't that I haven't been cooking and baking and it certainly isn't that we haven't been eating (I have a hungry husband and daughter to keep happy), but it is safe to say we are in a bit of a food rut. Given the fact I make almost all our meals I think it is safe to say I am in a food rut.

As I have mentioned a million and one times we head to the market on Saturday. We visit the same vendors -- we love their products, but we love them even more. I would almost feel like I was cheating if I bought sausage anywhere but Sweet William. Our love of certain vendors and my propensity to fall into (and in love with) routines has lead to us eating the same 7-10 dishes on repeat. They are all really yummy (if I do say so myself), but even pizza gets old. While, that actually isn't true. I could eat pizza everyday! Everything else gets old!

The last interesting thing I prepared was the Lemon Debutante Cake pictured above. I volunteered to bake for a friend's wedding so we are currently trying things out. I love a challenge and an excuse to try new things. I probably wouldn't be doing it without the motivation of her impending nuptials.

I have heaps of cookbooks, and access to a loads of great food blogs -- there is no excuse for my behaviour. Even our preferred vendors have lots of products we never try, I just have to snap out of it, get off auto-pilot (very difficult on Saturday morning) and be more creative.

Thanks Ajie for the reminder that even though I have limited time, skills and resources, I am still a foodie at heart.

xo

Em

ps -- ever been in a food rut? any suggestions on how to get out of it?

real life

{Violet added the sprinkles -- obviously}

I read an article recently that lamented the fact that since the advent of facebook, blogs and other social media everyone seems to be portraying a highly stylized version of their life. The author begged everyone to please stop being so awesome. Isn't it a little exhausting living your life and running a full time PR campaign? Lower the bar people! Life is not a magazine photo shoot.

It is natural to want to make sure your house, your kids or even your own face look their best before you publish a photo for all the world to see. It is not like people didn't care about these things before facebook; the news cycle has just gotten shorter.

I am just as guilty of this as the next person. I love all pictures of Violet, but I am even more thrilled if she happens to be wearing a particularly cute outfit. I love sharing ideas about recipes with you , but I would never take a picture on the nights we have KD. But we do occasionally eat KD and Violet is occasionally wearing a mismatched outfit and that is okay. The world will continue if my coffee table books are out of place. No one cares.

Tonight Violet and I made rice krispie squares; they did not look perfect. She decorated them herself with gratuitous amounts of garishly coloured sprinkles. Her hair was wet from playing outside at Susie Q's and flat in the back from sitting in a dentist chair. She was wearing a hand-me-down dress that she adorned with a huge strawberry shortcake sticker. Even her smile was kooky because she was trying really hard to say cheese.  I know I am biased, but she is every bit as cute as the days where I painstakingly choose her outfit and comb her hair and ask her to pose in perfect lighting. She definitely enjoyed those rice krispie squares more than something fancy. Especially since she decorated them herself, by the fist full!

This is what our life really looks like. Not too bad, huh?

xo

Em

{unstyled but so cute}

Baby W

,,

{Amelia doesn't know the sex of her baby so Keira planned a rubber ducky theme - hence the red and yellow}

To celebrate the impending arrival of my good friend's baby I hosted a baby shower in her honour this past weekend. "Host" is not really an accurate portrayal of my role for the day. It was our mutual friend Keira who really got the party off the ground (with a healthy dose of support from both grandmas-to-be, of course!). I really just offered up my centrally located apartment and let the good times roll!

My friend Amelia is one of the cutest pregnant ladies I've ever seen. She manages to make pregnancy look good in 100% humidity -- that is saying something! She is busy working on the cutest nursery. She is also the type of woman who can turn an old wooden palate into a gorgeous headboard for her guest room and not break a sweat. (As opposed to the type of woman who can turn a paid off credit card into a big fat bill in order to get her house looking better...not that I know anyone like that...)

As I mentioned, Amelia and her husband chose not to find out the sex of their baby (an incredible feat in and of itself) so Keira thought a rubber ducky themed shower with a retro feel would be a good uni-sex option. Good idea huh? I thought it would be funny to make a sign that said "Congratulations Mother Ducker", but the idea didn't seem to take off ;) I can't imagine why not...

In sticking with the red and yellow/ retro theme I decided to make Thomas Keller's pineapple upside down cake. Um, it was not that good. It looked pretty and it was definitely consistent with out colour scheme, but the middle didn't cook all the way (I cut the cake in the kitchen and gave everyone smaller pieces so I don't think they noticed, although I am giving away my secret here) and the fruit made the cake a little soggy. (Side note I actually laid eyes on Keller in his restaurant Bouchon, our meal was ridiculously good and I was totally star struck).

Thomas Keller, you may be a culinary genius but your pineapple upside down cake stinks -- there is no nice way to say it!

The shower was a really fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon and I really cannot wait to meet this little baby -- who will most likely be born with a glue gun in hand knowing Amelia!

xo
Em

{diaper cake}

{puffs are so festive}

{garden flowers}

{nothing says a party like helium balloons}

{Keira made tonnes of sweet ducky bunting}

{pineapple upside down cake - meh}

{devilled eggs: yellow and red, and retro!}

{cheesecake strawberries -- so good}

{I love these straws}

{the spread}

{the spread v.2}

{yes that is a rubber ducky in a bubble bath}

{the guess of honour [left] and our beautiful friend Alanna - two preggos}