kicks

Doesn't that pasta look absolutely simple and delicious? Today I'm on a Donna Hay kick, from whence the photo by Chris Court comes. This follows the Ina Garten kick (that kick ended after the hours-long Ile Flottante, although there are still many recipes of hers I'm hoping to try). As most people who know me can attest, I go on 'kicks' quite often. During these 'kicks' of adoration for a particular person, author, or subject, I go to our local library website and place holds on whatever books are available. I just placed holds on 4 Donna Hay books. Yay! It's definitely cheaper than ordering them for keeps, and if I really, truly fall in love with a book and still want it when my birthday (March 30, just so you know) or another holiday rolls around, then I ask for it. If no one buys it for me, I can use Air Miles to get Chapters gift certificates. If I don't have enough Air Miles, I just might cave in and buy it with soap money. And if all of those avenues fail, I just might buy it. (And of course, I always check the book bin at Frenchy's - that goes without saying.) The Martha Stewart kick is the only one which has no beginning and no end. My mom has food kicks, as I think most moms do (probably me included). I know that Adam went through several Tater Tots kicks of his mom's when he was growing up. The thing I like about kicks is that they usually come around again, sooner or later, and enthusiasm for a particular thing peaks once again. So there's no need to feel as though you've abandoned anything - you'll get back to it eventually. If only there were enough time in each day to do everything I want to, I could be on a perpetual kick of everything. What are your kicks? Are they seasonal? I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and can't wait to hear about yours. I feel another kick coming on; the gardening one this time, which is most certainly seasonal. To me, it's by far the most exciting time of the year.

gerberas and good books

I hosted a little soapmaking workshop for four locals who wanted to learn how to make soap. I had lots of fun, since it involved talking about and making soap. Each participant made a one pound batch of soap (six bars' worth) with the essential and/or fragrance oils they chose, and I made a demo batch. One of the women who came brought me a gerbera plant! I thought that was so very sweet. And Springy! Happy March!
If you're at all interested in poring over gorgeous pictures of other people's homes and gathering ideas for your own, all three of these books are winners. I have to return them to the library this week, and I really wish I could keep them forever. Found Style, Family Living, and Country Living Storage Style - I think that just about anyone could find things they like in each of these books.

I enjoyed a storm day today, since we had an icy night and morning here. On the weather forecast I check online, they had an icon of triangles falling from the sky, which I had never seen before. Phillip and I washed the dishes, read books, and made granola bars. While he was asleep, I hemmed pants, read in those terrific books, packed up a soap order, cut the bars that the group made yesterday, and generally puttered about happily.

I'm so excited, I'll say it again - Happy March!

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P.S. Thanks for all of the great comments about Adam's site! Just to be clear, I take all of the pictures for this blog, unless otherwise noted. He's a good inspiration to have around.

adamgrahamphoto.com

My fantastic husband launched his new website today. He's been working at it for a long time, and I think it looks great. Have a peek! If you're in the area, he is now photographing weddings and other happy events such as babies and family portraits in addition to his gorgeous fine art pieces. One of the latter is in a show of local photograpers' work at Th'YARC, as of today. Notable note: as he's building his portfolio, he's offering discounted rates for the weddings he does this season, so contact him if you're interested.

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P.S. The first hyacinth flower is opening today, and is starting to smell wonderful!

recipe-a-week #8: my grandmother's bread & hyacinth

I have a hyacinth on the way. Phillip and I are both very excited. He asks to smell it already. See why I chose carnations? They still look great, two weeks after Valentine's.

I've talked about winning things before, and how I seem to have a knack for it. Last weekend, a friend and I went to see Murder is a Game at Th'YARC, in which Ingrid is a star player. I lent the friend $5 for 50/50 tickets, and she won. And promptly paid me back! Tomorrow is the last night for the play - I meant to post about it sooner, but if you're free tomorrow night at 7:30, you should definitely pick up a ticket. It's a fun and entertaining show, and it wraps up all tidily at the end, which I love.

It's my dad's birthday tomorrow, and he always asks me to make him some bread. Chewy, gluten-y, white-flour-y, perfect-vehicle-for-jam-and-butter (yes, and) kind of bread. So I have a batch of his mother's bread rising by the fire as Phillip reads himself to sleep. I only have one memory of my Grammie, as she died when I was a few years old. We were in her kitchen, and I remember her opening the potato bin - one of those ones that looks like a cupboard but when you pull the handle it angles out toward you. My only memory of her husband (these were my dad's parents) is of him lying in his bed not long before he died. Both of my mother's parents died while I was in university, so I consider myself very lucky to have some fantastic grandparents of Adam's who I've taken as my own. I made a Queen Elizabeth Cake last night, which is one of Adam's Grammie's recipes, and tonight I'm making my Grammie's bread, so I'm feeling close to some great women and their kitchens.


Grammie's White Bread
Makes 3 loaves

Dissolve 1 yeast cake (or 1 1/2 tbsp traditional yeast) in 1 cup lukewarm water with 1 tsp sugar.

In a giant bowl (I use a huge metal one), put 2 tbsp butter and 2 tsp sugar. Add 1 cup milk. Pour 2 cups boiling water over, to melt butter. Add 2 cups cold water. To this, add the yeast mixture and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Add flour (approximately 12 cups), and mix until it's lovely and doughy, adjusting with more or less flour as needed. Form into a blob, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. Punch down, and let rise again. Divide into loaves, and let rise in pan before placing in oven to bake for approximately 1 hour, until loaves sound hollow when tapped and are golden brown. Of course, it's best served warm with butter and homemade strawberry jam - my favourite combo. My dad likes it with butter and peanut butter (now you can see where I get my affection for butter). Or store bought grape jelly in a squeeze bottle. However you like it, enjoy!