tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17938773879742119172011-10-22T10:32:50.949-07:00Trying to find good food in a over processed world.Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.comBlogger581100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-55669680360915142302011-06-12T14:02:00.000-07:002011-06-12T14:12:19.376-07:00

I know it's been quite the hiatus since I last posted here, and I have no excuse except that I have bee busy! Work, home, and with life in general! Things are going good and I have no complaints!I found these online today and they made me super excited!! Woot, Go Ontario!! If you ever have had any of this companies granola bars, you know that they're delicious. If you haven't had one, find them

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-20125487444788558392011-03-24T13:19:00.000-07:002011-03-24T14:14:47.076-07:00

This week has been a challenge. A very emotional draining one at that.The goods; celebrated a birthday and a long awaited birth of a filly.The bads; had to fire one girl from work and lost two amazing animals this week, one unfortunately being the same filly born this week.It sucks. Big time. I think I'm more upset over the death of two horses that I am at the issue from work. Not too sure if

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-13705205051608730582011-03-18T13:53:00.001-07:002011-03-24T13:49:10.824-07:00

Happy (belated) St. Patricks Day!I'm in the midst of a six day breakfast shift week, I'm currently on day five. I usually only do two really early shifts per week, but the other girl wanted March break off to spend with her kids and how could I say no? I was super nervous with being one man down in staff and also because of some other issue that happened on earlier in the week with another staff

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-60151256890125670512011-01-21T13:45:00.001-08:002011-01-21T14:13:18.011-08:00

Food photography in the winters sucks. And as a extreme novice at taking food photo's, it extremely discouraging to take them in the winter when natural light is lacking in the evening when I tend to do most of my cooking. I've been waiting and waiting for a nice sunny day to snap a quick picture of anything that I was cooking, and today was finally my day!! Was making my self some late breakfast

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-70906610423842454792010-12-17T06:43:00.001-08:002010-12-17T07:12:01.994-08:00

Today's a big day, its my cookie overload day!! I'm jumping on the cookie baking bandwagon and ain't getting off until I've baked enough christmas cookies that will make Santa's beg for mercy!! My friend, who not much of a baker, and I have a list of serval types of cookies she wants to bake. . . . we'll see how many we actually get through because it usually turns into me baking and her '

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-85043481160238487292010-12-02T09:01:00.000-08:002010-12-17T06:42:57.581-08:00

It's already December, the holidays are upon us and the Christmas craziness has begun! Yesterday we had our first little dusting of snow, it kinda symbolizes our first look at winter. It also gives everyone a wake up call . . . er shout 'Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming!' Or that's at least how it felt yesterday at the malls. Yesterday was one of my days off and I had planned since the

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-19437095723054348702010-10-15T06:35:00.000-07:002010-10-15T07:11:08.680-07:00

The warm weather has most definitely moved on from my town and we're now left with the cool and crisp days that are typically associated with autumn. I'm loving it! I enjoy putting on an extra light jacket to walk the dog, digging out scarves and gloves for the chilly days ahead, and cuddling up on the sofa with a warm mug of tea while under a cozy blanket. Did I mention that I love this time of

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-76235901442162746132010-09-12T06:25:00.000-07:002010-09-12T06:32:53.161-07:00

One year ago I became the luckiest person in the world and married the most wonderful man. He's caring, kind, loving, thoughtful, generous, handsome and most importantly, he puts up with me!! I look forward to a long and fulfilling life with him.

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-13710609825238616652010-08-17T07:35:00.001-07:002010-08-17T07:47:45.402-07:00

Out this way, corn stands are popping up everywhere at an alarming rate. Selling sweet, delicious cobs of the most beautiful corn ever. I really do think that the best way to serve corn is steamed and right off the cob, slathered with butter, salt and pepper. It's pure, sweet and utterly delicious. However I know after a few times eating it, I get tired of picking stray corn pieces outta my teeth

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-29701360523208256772010-07-22T16:04:00.000-07:002010-07-22T16:31:17.258-07:00

It's been pretty dang hot and humid around here for a bit and I absolutely refuse to turn the oven on. However, it was my Grandmothers birthday a few weeks ago, and being a pastry cook how could I not make her a cake?? Easy, it's too dang hot. Luckily, I had some cake in the freeze for exact situations like this (you really didn't think I would leave my Grandma cake-less on her birthday did you!!

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-2531688551610381142010-06-21T07:20:00.000-07:002010-06-21T07:39:57.387-07:00

So the past week for me has been filled by work, sleep and jam making. Both strawberries and cherries have become available at the same time and I could not resist going to pick both. So last Monday I ended up with two 7L baskets of the cutest strawberries and one 4L basket of sweet, sweet cherries. And in result of my pick-your-own adventure I now have 16 jars of the prettiest pink strawberry

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-48946008755977721852010-05-17T13:51:00.000-07:002010-05-17T14:08:56.848-07:00

I love breakfast. Cereal, toast, eggs, it doesn't matter. But my favourite would have to be poached eggs with a whole wheat English muffin. Unfortunately, I don't always have the patience to poach eggs. So usually I convince the breakfast cook at work to do it for me on my odd morning shift at the hotel. At home I opted for my second fav - Granola. However, I'm not a fan of alot of commerically

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-19901856744204297872010-05-10T08:20:00.000-07:002010-05-17T13:49:00.691-07:00

I know I'm a day late but Happy Mothers Day!!Added 17/05/2010 -My Mom, sister and two nephews came to visit just shorty after Mother's Day and I made the a nice light lunch for them. My sis can be a little picky sometimes so when I make things for her I try to push it just a little to see what she'll eat. And today I hit a jackpot! So much she even asked me for a recipe! Woot! A super simple

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-65376675287123347552010-04-27T16:38:00.000-07:002010-05-17T13:50:09.638-07:00

Sometimes the best dinners are the simplest ones. Although today was a beautiful and sunny, it was still quite cool with the breeze. So tonight was Lemon, Onion and Thyme roast chicken. In my eyes, perfect comfort food.Roast Chicken1 whole chicken (whatever size you want) - 1 large sweet onion, cut into slices - 1 lemon, cut into slices- several sprigs of thyme - olive oil - salt and

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-52381495314016875602010-04-02T09:18:00.000-07:002010-04-02T09:42:56.219-07:00

I love long weekends. Especially when mothers nature spoils us with such beautiful weather. It's warm, sunny and the air is full of spring smells. It's time to clean out that garage, rack up the last of those fall leaves and get your hands dirty in the garden.I'm participating in dig this chick's 'Virgin Harvest' of 2010 by growing something different this year. I've chosen to grow 'romanesco'

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-85602410022199437632010-03-17T16:08:00.000-07:002010-03-18T16:24:36.114-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!I have this book that every once and a while I grab out the shelves and flip through. It's a book of pictures from the Irish countryside and it just gets me every time. And I think that it's because of the book I love anything to do with the Irish!! I sadly have not had the opportunity to visit there yet, but I look forward to being able to go over weather it be in a year

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-30703229517463931332010-03-09T10:33:00.000-08:002010-03-09T10:56:24.832-08:00

I was just checking out the new spring finds over on Etsy for some inspiration and I found some of the most beautiful pottery ever, so I just had to share it! Check it out Dodge Station Pottery or click on the picture to go to their Etsy sellers page. There's a video over in the process tab that makes the process look so easy, however I'm sure it's not! Also they have a series of pictures from

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-66153281029663914112010-02-27T09:26:00.000-08:002010-02-27T09:53:24.696-08:00

Peanut butter cookies have always been a big hit in our house. Although I'm more of a all-natural p.b fan and R. is a Kraft brand purist through and through. With my old cookie recipe I would make a fairly 'traditional' p.b. cookies with Kraft until one of my fav bloggers posted a recipe for 'The Best Peanut Butter Cookies in the Galaxy'. How could I not try these?? So I did, and they kicked my

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-81077714764541295652010-02-14T08:42:00.001-08:002010-03-09T10:55:14.289-08:00

Happy Valentines Day!This is what we had for breakfast, and it was darn good! I would have to say these were some of the best pancakes I've ever made. The batter is thicker than regular ones, but they turn out so fluffy so resist the urge to add more liquid!Blueberry Syrup1 (slightly overflowing) cup pure maple syrup1 cup frozen blueberriesCombine in a small saucepan and simmer until slightly

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-54672422000605631322010-02-12T08:31:00.000-08:002010-02-12T08:56:22.352-08:00

Although I'm not on a so called diet, I am trying to watch what I eat. Mostly I'm trying to stop my horrible snacking habits while I'm at work. I tend to snack on anything, veggies (which are so bad), breads, cheeses, ice creams (all not so good) . . . . and although I snack on little pieces each time, they really add up!! Normally when I'm off and at home I don't tend to eat to terribly much.

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-84453357412727592172010-01-27T07:40:00.000-08:002010-01-27T10:19:42.621-08:00

Ok, I know I've really slacked over the past few months daring bakers challenges, so I really wanted to make sure I gave this years challenges a good go. However I was less than thrilled by this months challenge - Nanaimo Bars. They are definetly not my cup of tea. Part of the challenge was to make gluten free graham wafer to be used in the base. Now, that is something I could get excited about!

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-73055360297874985472010-01-18T15:36:00.000-08:002010-01-20T08:53:23.171-08:00

I've always wanted to make a pineapple upside down cake, and now I can cross it off my to-bake list. For some reason R. insisted we buy a pineapple when we were out grocery shopping the other day. Why? I still have no idea . . . . So finally I decided to do something with it. I use a recipe I found on another blog and adapted it slightly. This recipe is originally Thomas Keller's from his new

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-10274197344662967382010-01-04T07:45:00.000-08:002010-01-04T08:22:12.869-08:00

I've missed the past two daring bakers challenges. I'm a bad daring baker. Although if it counts for anything I did attempt them both, I made the dough for both the November canniloni and the December gingerbread house . . . . I just didn't get to completing them. Not too sure why, it seems as if these past months really flew past!! Before I knew it I was seeing fellow bloggers posting their

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-62932347380782720492009-12-13T18:32:00.000-08:002009-12-13T18:53:26.037-08:00

We've just recently gone through our first real cold snap up here. Nothing too cold, but definitely a shock to all our systems!! And naturally because of the chilly weather I wanted something comforting and delicious. Something that warms you from the inside out at just the thought of it. So as I was flipping through some magazines I came across a wonderful dish I've been meaning to make, Boeuf

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-68255035318018122212009-11-21T07:56:00.000-08:002009-11-23T13:47:23.356-08:00

Just shy of two weeks ago, one of my co-workers brought in a Ziploc bag of deliciousness. Amish friendship bread starter. I've always been intrigued with baking bread with a starter but never knew anyone to get some from and was always really unsure how to start my own. But when I came in for my shift and saw the Ziploc with a note on it for me, I was jumping for joy!!! So after 10 days I was

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-57375437199708171632009-11-20T06:45:00.000-08:002009-11-21T07:55:33.393-08:00

My wonderful nephew is 2 yrs old!! Took him out for lunch and toy shopping today and he had alot of fun, although he really didn't want to leave Toys R Us!!Happy Birthday Mason!!

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-25296087752004767232009-10-27T16:15:00.000-07:002009-10-27T16:30:12.264-07:00

I'm a very lucky girl! I have a wonderful husband who got me the best birthday present in the world . . . a new camera! And not just any old camera, a Nikon D3000! So now I can actually post pictures, but only after I learn to use it properly. Hopefully I will have figured it out soon enough, but I'm basically going by the idea of practise makes perfect. So I've been trying to find any excuse to

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-46100944192217400352009-10-12T08:41:00.001-07:002009-10-12T08:52:14.122-07:00

Today is the Canadian Thanksgiving and I am looking forward to some turkey!!! Yesterday we had R.'s Dad's Thanksgiving and today is my Grandmotheres Thankgiving. I was able to make a Apple-Cinnamon Coffee cake to take to R's Dad's house on the friday, which everyone loved!! This weekend was crazy so I didn't have a lot of time for baking. Working friday and saturday with a wedding on saturday

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-25342793062592701972009-09-27T07:01:00.000-07:002009-09-27T07:12:14.258-07:00

Today seemed like a regular day when I got up . . . . let the dog out, made a cup of tea and sat down to do my morning ritual of email, facebook and blogger. However when I signed into blogger and saw all the post of this months Daring Bakers I just about dropped my mug in my lap. Where on earth did September go!! I swear it was only the beginning of the month a few days ago!! So unfortunately

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-19734526876567153872009-09-21T17:31:00.000-07:002009-09-21T17:32:43.256-07:00

R.'s Dad dropped off a flat of eggs to us the other day, which is 30 eggs!! Which normally I would love, however we had just bought 2 carton of eggs recently due to my mass biscotti baking for the wedding. So tonight I asked R. to take care of dinner as I went to have a shower, but before going I strategically placed a recipe for frittata on the counter. And like magic, there was a red pepper,

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-15311800531169696722009-09-07T11:03:00.000-07:002009-09-07T11:27:40.769-07:00

T minus 5days and counting . . . . until R. and I are officially married!!! Yay!!!I haven't had a lot of time lately to do any extra baking, however I was able to squeeze in some cookies for the my bridal shower. Last Sunday we had my Bridal shower at my friends M.'s house. She decided we were going to have a Garden Tea Party but sadly mother nature had other plans. Luckily we were able to move

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-74011851831811767572009-08-29T09:34:00.000-07:002009-08-29T09:39:13.722-07:00

Once again this month has come and gone and unfortunetly I did not complete this months challenge. I had a valid excuse though!! I'm getting married in two weeks and I've got way to much to do, so baking a cake for fun is currently outta the question!! However hopefully in a day or two I'll be able to post some pics from the bridal shower of all the goodies that we've baked in the last day for it

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-77011276928879681762009-08-09T08:00:00.000-07:002009-08-09T08:17:03.364-07:00

Happy Birthday to you!Happy Birthday to you!Happy Birthday dear Opa!Happy Birthday to you!!Today's R's Opa's birthday, and he's 80 years young!! Woo hoo!! We're having a nice little family party for him and for him I decided since it's peach season here, I'm going make him a peach pie (besides the only other dessert is a cake from Costco and they're not my personal fav). It's my first attempt at

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-1196936883130770742009-07-29T07:05:00.001-07:002009-07-29T07:29:47.056-07:00

I unfortunetly wasn't able to complete this months daring baking challenge. With the wedding only a short ways away life has been too hectic right now for me to even think about any extra baking challaneges, heck I've even gave up on my regular baking so R. has had plain old flavourless store bought bread for the past month! Although I wasn't able to get to the challenge I will *hopefully* be

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-80847284418127328512009-07-12T17:25:00.000-07:002009-07-12T17:55:31.103-07:00

One of the best combinations ever has to be PB & J. I'm sure there are many more out there, but growing up a peanut butter and jelly sandwich rocked my socks! In the summer after hours upon hours of swimming, Grams would coax us kids out of the pool to refuel with peanut butter jelly sandwiches. I remember sitting on the back deck, wrapped in a beach towel eating a scrumptious sandwich made on

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-54094902027939886952009-06-30T09:30:00.000-07:002009-06-30T09:49:14.986-07:00

You'll have to forgive my late post for the June Daring Bakers, I've got some much going on right now that I can barely keep the days straight!! Unfortunately I'm still camera-less at the moment because it's not high on the priority list right now. I was however able to make this wonderful challenge for my man and I, on one of my few days off and it was delicious! I do make theses tarts at work

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-18014419731084684412009-05-28T17:38:00.000-07:002009-05-28T18:01:45.924-07:00

So the May's Daring Bakers challenge was Apple Strudel!!!!! I've always wanted to make this but never really had an reason to, so I was excited about this challenge, although I did wait till almost the end of the month to make it because things are pretty busy for myself right now. So since I finally got a Sunday off I decide to make the strudel to take to my Grandmothers house for our family

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-89864680281308879602009-05-17T06:31:00.000-07:002009-05-17T06:47:42.730-07:00

I know I'm days late for posting for the new Daring Cooks, but things have been so hectic around here lately with wedding planning, work and such! However due to the craziness in my life right now I was unable to complete this challenge . . . :( I did want to complete this challenge but time was not on my side. I do have full intentions of doing it (one day) and I will post it for everyone to see

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-89237254339287631252009-04-27T08:40:00.001-07:002009-04-27T09:33:35.675-07:00

Well . . . . I have a confession to make . . . . I'm not really a huge fan cheesecake and I'm sure that because of this confession I will be shunned from the baking community. It's not that I don't appreciate a good cheesecake, it's just not one of my top dessert choices. Part of the reason I wasn't completely excited to make cheesecake at home was mainly because at work I make cheesecake on

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-67650646716355721802009-04-11T15:13:00.001-07:002009-04-16T14:36:25.910-07:00

I've been kinda nagging at R. lately to do more cooking for us, and something other than plain old spaghetti with canned tomato sauce(which seems to be his speciality). Right now at the hotel we're in the middle of host a large kosher group for passover and because I am pulling in very long hours, I informed R. he needed to cook dinner at least 2 nights this week! So even though I was lucky

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-78967294007612791512009-03-30T07:23:00.001-07:002009-03-30T08:11:50.951-07:00

When I first read our March challenge I was a little taken back . . . lasagne? 'Wait a sec . . . I thought Daring Bakers was all about desserts . . . well I guess *technically* lasagne is baked so lasagne it is!' So after my initial surprise of the chosen recipe I was actually excited!! I get to make my own pasta!! Woohoo!! I've also been off a lot from work lately due to a lack of business so I

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-60399950961956077562009-02-28T06:22:00.000-08:002009-02-28T07:03:42.120-08:00

Daring Bakers Challenge #2 -I really enjoyed this challenge because I LOVE chocolate(but really who doesn't!), also I was super excited to try and make ice cream without the use of an ice cream maker. I used a 65% chocolate for my cake and although I usually enjoy darker chocolates, next time I make this I'll use something a little sweeter. I choose to pair the cake with strawberry ice cream

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-71938211190361996282009-02-16T11:25:00.000-08:002009-02-28T06:22:01.134-08:00

Recently we've been having a taste of spring with lots of sunshine, above freezing temperatures and the quick disappearance of snow. I've been trying to advantage of the wonderful weather and have been going for a nice long walk almost everyday with the dog. When it's been bitter cold all we've been doing is a quick 20 minute walk but now, I've been taking at least an hour. Although I'm enjoying

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-39034495186273005542009-01-29T15:27:00.000-08:002009-01-29T16:38:48.353-08:00

As of today I am officially a member of the Daring Bakers!!! YAY!!! I thought joining would be a fun way to past some time during the quiet winter season, seeing as I'm not working too much. However, I didn't even attempt the challenge until today, about 4 hours ago to be exact. I've done tuile at work a gazillion times so I wasn't too worried about it. Although we've never done the nougatine

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-43956282473730497842009-01-19T13:50:00.000-08:002009-01-20T06:33:43.808-08:00

Sometimes I feel when I post things online here, I need to have something extraordinary with a million steps and ingredients or something that comes with a big story behind it. But, although I do enjoy the occasional decedent treat, complicated just isn't me. I like simple things whether it comes to foods, clothes, home decor. . . . I don't feel the need to cluster up things just because it

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-2414057421089285472009-01-09T17:00:00.000-08:002009-01-11T06:32:32.458-08:00

So I've really been in the mood lately for something comforting. Foods, movies, books, whatever . . . I decided today that I wanted to do some baking of some sort today but didn't feel like doing something I've done a million times before. I grabbed out a book I found a few months back that is both great for recipes and a really great read, Homebaking by Jeffery Alford and Niaomi Duguid. As I

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-3736820183328255792009-01-01T10:07:00.001-08:002009-01-01T10:08:56.999-08:00

Happy Hew Year everyone! Best wishes to all for a happy, healthy and prosperous year!

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-75090528066438528042008-12-25T22:12:00.000-08:002008-12-25T22:17:32.537-08:00

Just wanted to leave a quick post to anyone who happens to wander by and wish them a very Merry Christmas surrounded by family and friends. And because I'm not too sure if I'll get back on here before the year is over, Happy New Years to all!!

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-4565099682084421742008-12-19T12:25:00.000-08:002009-01-07T17:49:34.027-08:00

Today we're getting hit with 'Snowmageddon' as it's being dubbed by a local radio station. According to the weather network we're in for 25 - 35 cm of snow, and yes I am a Canadian but it still a lot of snow!! Right now from my desk I can see that R. got the truck stuck on the road and he had to call a friend with a bigger truck to come help him out! R.'s not used to having to do the snow removal

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-69852176527855129552008-12-01T18:00:00.001-08:002008-12-01T18:13:21.544-08:00

This past weekend I completed the second half of my wedding side job, and I must say that for my first cake I don't think I did too bad of a job :) Although I was super nervous dropping it off at the hall, I still felt confident they would like it. The mother of the groom called the other day and left a message saying how happy everyone was with it, how good it was and how it was exactly how she

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-61302835693495814862008-11-25T19:11:00.000-08:002008-12-22T07:47:52.098-08:00

On my eternal quest to eat better I find that I get side tracked, a lot. Tonight I was cruising around some blogs and cam upon a new one I liked and found myself inspired to make something that was full of healthy goodness. So I wandered around my kitchen looking for stuff I could throw together quickly and found a beautiful spaghetti squash. OK good start, so I got that off roasting away. As I

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-52104474184983903022008-11-24T08:44:00.000-08:002008-11-24T09:28:24.000-08:00

About four months ago I took on a side job making some cookies and a cake for a wedding, didn't seem anything too difficult at the time. All they wanted was a three tier cake, but only one real layer, and 12 dozen gingerbread men. The cookies are going to be used as their wedding favours so they needed to have them buy Monday. OK, no prob. However after spending the weekend making, cutting,

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-76600707986082919062008-11-13T16:24:00.000-08:002008-11-13T16:45:27.629-08:00

R.'s been working a lot of overtime the past few weeks so I really haven't been making too much in the way of interesting meals. Grilled cheese, cereal, toast . . . . I'm not really all that creative when I'm only cooking for myself. However, when he isn't home I try to make thing that I like and I know that he doesn't, so that way I don't feel bad about eating so poorly! The one food that I

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-7329979955818889522008-10-30T05:31:00.000-07:002008-10-30T07:29:12.787-07:00

It's gotten colder fairly quickly here, which I personally don't mind, however the wind has made the weather seem even more bitter than what it really is. As I drove home today from work, I passed by a truck who had already attached it's plow and it made me wonder; is it optimism waiting in anticipation for the snow or pessimism waiting it's daunting arrival? I'm on the fence about it. I like

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-36689356805289974912008-10-18T09:33:00.000-07:002008-10-20T16:25:58.639-07:00

The dog woke me up somewhat early today. At about ten to eight she thought it would be a great idea to lay on me with her nose just about touching mine and wait for me to get up. Seeing that she's not the smallest dog out there, she got me up pretty quick! So I got out bed, put my slippers on and proceeded to let her outside. As she's outside I run to the bathroom to wash my face and put my

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-12162313563663426892008-10-15T17:26:00.000-07:002008-10-15T17:34:28.457-07:00

So because my first bread making excursion went great, I decided to do another recipe for whole wheat bread using roughly the same method. However it didn't turn out . . . . at all. When I made bread the last time I took three days due to my work schedule. When I went to make it this time I was planning on doing the same process again, however my starter went bad unfortunately. When I went to

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-9227020664679078732008-10-01T06:50:00.000-07:002008-10-09T17:41:47.007-07:00

I've decided that I want to start to make my own bread on a regular basis after reading something about if being much cheaper (not to mention much healthier and tastier). I have always loved the smell of fresh baked bread - straight from the oven it is so warming and comforting on any given day. I also find that the process of making bread gives me a tremendous feeling of satisfaction knowing

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793877387974211917.post-16882409731105729022008-09-25T09:13:00.000-07:002008-10-05T09:37:13.801-07:00

My decision to start blogging has been inspired by two things;1 - the inspiration from the many beautiful blogs I have discovered over the past few monthsand2 - the realization of how little I have actually used my cookbooks while cooking.So I have decidied to use my blog as a way to 'document' my trials and errors while I attempt to make something from one of my books hopefully on a weekly basis

Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360974330034102700noreply@blogger.com0