Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Tuesday Tune

After a couple of sunshine-y days I am feeling better about everything. Funny how that works.
For today's tune I have Adele. I don't really know that much about her other than she is from the UK and has a mind-bogglingly beautiful voice.
Hope you enjoy!







Amazing. xo

Saturday, May 28, 2011

...

I am beginning to feel a little depressed by this crap-tastic weather. I mean, it is practically the beginning of June and the rain and cold weather just keeps on coming. Blah.
I have been laying pretty low, trying to stay dry. I've been getting lots of cleaning done. Lots of sewing. Drinking lots of coffee and tea.


Tonight we are having a little girls night and are going to see roller derby. There are going to be two bouts with local ladies. I am so stoked! This is the first time I have seen derby and I can hardly wait.
Hope you are all having a lovely weekend! xo

Friday, May 20, 2011

Tuesday Tunes

I just want to say how much I am enjoying these posts. I hope you are too! When I write these posts I am listening to so many of my very favourite songs. And musicians. It is very inspiring for me.
Sooo...for you this week - Leonard Cohen. In my late teenage years and my 20s I read loads of poetry. I wrote it too but it always came out so dark. Reading poetry was joyous for me regardless of the subject matter. Leonard Cohen's poetry blew my mind.
His songs are fucking beautiful.






xo

Exuberant




It is a joy to watch the pure uninhibited enthusiasm of a child.
And its catching.
Hope you all enjoy your long weekend!
xo

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Tuesday Tune

The Beastie Boys have a new record out and while I haven't heard the whole thing yet, I have listened to a few songs. They were great! I was having a conversation with a friend last week about our favourite Beastie Boys album. And you know what? We couldn't pick a favourite. They are all just that good.
I went a little crazy here. I limited myself to only four songs. Hope they make you get up and dance!







Sunday, May 15, 2011

Sunny Sunday and Goodbye's

source

This morning I went and had brunch with an amazing bunch of ladies. The occassion? My Kiwi friend, Chloe, is heading back to NZ. We met at work and she is just so awesome. She has more energy, more personality and more hilarity that anyone I have ever met. All I do is laugh when I am around her.
We took over the corner window seat at the Full Circle and had some seriously amazing food. I had a very non-traditional benny with bacon (mmmmm....bacon....), tomatoes, goat cheese, caramelized onions and of course, hollandaise. It was scrumptious.
Chloe, I am so sad to see you go. I hope our paths cross again one day! I love you and wish you good times and lots of laughter (which I am sure there will be!). Hugs and kisses to you, doll! xo

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Tuesday Tune

This song is just really awesome.
xo

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Dessert

It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I love food. And dessert is one of my favourite things to make. It doesn't matter if it is cake, cookies, custard (I do love a good custard!) or pie. I don't discriminate.
I found some beautiful rhubarb yesterday and decided to pair it with some strawberries for one of the most mouth watering pies ever. I always make my own crust. It really isn't as hard as it seems. Just give it a go, you will probably be pleasantly surprised.
This recipe makes a double crust. After I trim it and gather the trimmings into a ball, I usually have enough dough for another single crust. I just wrap it and freeze it so when I feel like making a pumpkin pie, for example, I just thaw the dough and roll it out.
*After eating a piece of this pie for dessert, I feel like it could have been less tart. Always taste your berries to see how sweet they are and add sugar accordingly.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

3 c. all purpose flour (feel free to sub some whole wheat flour)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. cold vegetable shortening, cubed
1/2 c. cold butter, cubed
1/2 c. ice cold water

Mix flour and salt together. Rub butter and shortening into flour with your fingers until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Stir in water until dough holds together. Gently knead a few times to bring everything together. Divide into two balls and set aside in a cool place.

3 c. rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 c. strawberries, quartered
3/4 c. sugar
1/3 c. flour

Gently mix all ingredients together until rhubarb and strawberries are coated in flour and sugar. Set aside.



Now roll out the first ball of pastry. This will be your bottom crust. I just roll it into a circle-ish shape about 2-inches bigger that my pie plate. Gently place it into the pie plate and fill with rhubarb mixture.




Now roll out the second piece of dough. Before setting it on top of filling dab the edges of the bottom crust with a little water. This will help seal the two layers together. Top with top crust, trim edges almost right up to edge of pie plate and crimp together.


Cut some little vents in the top crust to let steam escape.


Bake at 425 F for 40-45 min. until filling is bubbly and crust is browned.


Cool to room temperature. Enjoy!


Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend! xo


Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Tuesday Tune

Sorry, folks. There will be no tunes today.
Everything has been eclipsed by this....

*sigh*

I'm off to try it out. Back to regularly scheduled posts soon-ish. Depending on when I can tear myself away. xo

Monday, May 2, 2011

This Weekend...

...we spent as much time as we could outside,


cleaned up the yard now that the snow is all gone,
went for bike rides and walks in the sunshine,
finished up a very special sample,
re-potted all of our baby tomato plants,
had a picnic by the lake,


made a proper English supper complete with Yorkshire puddings (the Mister's grandpa would have been proud!),
took in the sights and sounds of the fair,


explored and enjoyed being able to stay outside until the sun went down!


Now for today...
I am going to vote. Are you?
xo