"participate in food production"

{this is the best I could do}

9. Grow something and eat it. Tomatoes maybe? Basil? Both? Mmmmmm caprese salad. (note to self: mould on cheese does not count)

One of my goals before I turn thirty was to eat something I grew. I once read an essay by Wendell Berry that encouraged the practice of growing at least a little of one’s own food. Like most Canadians I am normally only involved in the consumption part of the agriculture supply chain. As a result I think we run the risk of feeling artificially separated from the source of our food. Wendell Berry is way (WAY) more articulate on the subject so check out his essay for a more eloquent synopsis of my motivation for this particular goal.

Since I have no garden to speak of and the opposite of a green thumb I thought that caprese salad would be a good place to start. The plan was to grow basil and a few tomatoes, how hard could that be? As it turns out, pretty hard.

First my basil was eaten up by what I can only imagine were very hungry earwigs (way less cute than their caterpillar counterparts). Then my cherry tomatoes exploded as I waited for them to ripen perfectly (they actually exploded – for real). No tomatoes, no basil, no caprese.

I felt dejected for several months.

Then last week I revisited my list and surveyed my options. They were slim. I had some gnarly looking chives that I once saw my neighbours’ cat nibbling and some woody thyme. Then Nicholetta posted a recipe for roasted cauliflower soup on her blog – it called for one of my two viable ingredients – thyme (she didn’t specify that it should be woody, but I doubted it mattered much). 

So, there it is, roasted cauliflower and thyme soup. Something I grew myself.

I know it is a stretch.

Wendell Berry would be disgusted I am quite sure of it.

At least it is a start? Last year I grew nothing that I ate. Baby steps.

Next year I will try to up the ante and disqualify herbs from my challenge – what is the easiest thing in the world to grow? A potato? I was born on PEI…

xo

Em

sweet dreams

{white with a little bit of color -- from pinterest, source unknown}



{funny right? order one here}

Remember that little list I promised to complete before I turned thirty?

No?

Me either, let's move on.

Just kidding. I have been working away on a few of my goals (thank you notes have all been sent -- Jeffrey you better get yours in the mail, 18 days and counting), and I am very slowly reading Great Expectations.

September always brings with it a feeling of optimism, does it not? Fresh starts. Maybe that is why I have been itching to make some changes to our rather drab bedroom. Which brings me to goal number seven:

7. Spruce up our bedroom. I think we deserve more than a bed and a few tables. No idea what vibe I (oh sorry, we) want but the prison cell look isn't working for me.

I am thinking mostly white with a few pops of color. We'll have to paint the walls (and by "we" I clearly me not me, but Jeff), maybe get some new bedding (even though I love love love our current grey duvet) and then think about color.

I already bought some fun marrimeko fabric and the hilarious (to me at least)  pj print you see above. I am thinking that coupled with some bring pillows that should be enough color. My goal is for the room to be relaxing, but lighthearted. Is it weird to say I am going for a Scandinavian vibe? What do you think? Advise is welcome!

xo

Em

ps - I love these pillows. So cheeky ;)

You can buy the pillows on etsy. Check out this cute shop!

clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose

{starting a conversation}

I'm grateful that I am free to write about whatever I want to write about, no matter how insignificant someone (read: a certain Globe and Mail columnist) might think it is. On the plus side Margaret Wente was not my least favourite Globe columnist this week...

Try this tofu and cashew rice bowl for healthy comfort food. Perfect on a damp Halifax day. 

Check out the recipe here: http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-brown-rice-bowl-with-tofu-and-lemongrass-166713

{judge this book by its cover}

With my to-do list in mind, and my birthday a mere 360 days away  I though I better start on my Dickens adventure. My sweet grandparents sent me some birthday money (I told them this tradition had to stop when I hit the big 3-0) so I bought this pretty copy of Great Expectations. My expectations are just that, great. If it doesn't work out at least this book with look good on my shelf.

{turkey cakes with wasabi guacamole}

This photo does not do justice to our dinner tonight. The lighting was terrible (we ate late) and Violet had low blood sugar (at least that is what I assumed as she lay wailing on the dining room floor). Despite the lighting and the meltdown, these little ditties are an awesome, fancy, asian version of a turkey burger. Also, guacamole with wasabi is best described as the delicious love child of Mexican and Japanese food: I'm never going back. How have I never heard of Yotam Ottolenghi until this week? Spicy, Isreali...not to mention his food. Dreams really do come true. 

check out the recipe here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/sep/30/turkey-cake-yoghurt-dip-recipes?intcmp=239

{memories like this}

{of experiences like that}

Violet got a tricycle for her birthday. Thanks Nana and Papa! Yesterday was so warm we took it out for a spin after work. When we left the house I snapped a few pictures of her; she was so happy and excited. Two minutes later, when she realized that peddling is hard, a cloud came across her face. We made it less than a block, there were tears. Despite this, I know when I look back on these pictures I'll only remember how proud she looked in her new helmet. 

(almost) dirty thirties

{french macaroons with raspberry-rose buttercream via bon appetit}

Tomorrow I turn twenty-nine. Twenty-nine, as in almost thirty years old. Before I turn thirty here is a list of things I would like to accomplish. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

in no particular order:

1. Make macaroons from scratch. Not the coconut-chocolate kind, I've made those. I'm talking about the fancy French kind. So tiny yet so intimidating.

2. Read a novel by Charles Dickens. Never have, always wanted to. They are just so dang long. I think I just need to find one with a more user-friendly font - why do long novels always have tiny print? I am wide open to suggestions as to where to start.

3.  Run a marathon. I've run two marathons before. Once I didn't train (naivety and age were on my side) and once I did. I felt worse when I did. I would love to qualify for Boston someday. That is one nice thing about getting older, the qualifying times will only increase. Cheers to Boston at forty?

4. Go on a honeymoon. Jeff and I had a sweet little mini-moon in PEI right after our nuptials, but we are really looking forward to a proper honeymoon. It doesn't have to be far away, but it does have to be more than two nights long.

5. Organize my digital photos. I haven't printed a single photo since Violet was born. Only recently did I buy an external hard drive to save the thousands (and thousands and thousands) of pictures I have snapped in the last three years. I really owe this to my sweet girl.

6. Send our remaining wedding thank-yous. Emily Post must have known how busy we would be when she permitted newlyweds up to one calendar year to send their thank-yous. We still have time, but it is ticking.

7. Spruce up our bedroom. I think we deserve more than a bed and a few tables. No idea what vibe I (oh sorry, we) want but the prison cell look isn't working for me.

8. Learn how to apply eyeliner. A grown woman should know these things.

9. Grow something and eat it. Tomatoes maybe? Basil? Both? Mmmmmm caprese salad. (note to self: mould on cheese does not count)

10. Buy jeans that I like and stop pretending that leggings are pants. I have always hated shopping for pants. I have to get over this. No one wants to see my almost-thirty-year-old-butt in a pair of tights. Yoga pants are revealing enough for a woman of my age...

11. Perfect making coffee in our caffettiera (stove top coffee maker). I love the idea - very 
continental, but I am a little afraid of it in practice.

12. Learn how to french braid. I have insane hair. I think I am at the point where I either learn how
to french braid or I give myself dreadlocks. Since I have an aversion to strong smells I think the
former will be a better match.

I reserve the right to add to this list as the year progresses, but I will do my best not to take anything off of it.

Have a cupcake for me tomorrow!

xo

Em