Holiday Gift List – The Chef/ Foodie

When I have time, I love to cook!  I enjoy reading my cookbooks, researching recipes on-line and generally checking out all the food porn!  I've got quite a few chefs and foodies in my family; this list is in honour of all the family get togethers and celebrations past and those to come:

Eclairs

Éclairs are my dad’s favourite dessert and thus a necessity in my cooking repertoire. 

Here’s one from a batch I made for Father’s Day this year (the rest got eaten before I could snap some shots!).

Ella’s Botanicals Gift Basket

I’m so excited to receive my Ella’s Botanicals gift basket that I won on Instagram!  I seldom win, so I was completely surprised when I got the notice I had won!

If you don’t know Ella’s Botanicals you are missing out on some really great skincare products that are amazing for the entire family’s use.  Created and headed up by Ella, all of her products are made in small batches in Toronto, Canada focusing on natural, locally sourced ingredients where possible and are biodegradable.  Good for you and not harmful to our lovely planet.  Love that!

Holiday Gift List – The Beauty Lover

I've got some more holiday gift ideas for you.  This time focusing on the beauty lover!

Come check it out:

Floral Friday – Tiny White Chrysanthemums

Happy Friday loveys!

I’m so sorry for the lack of posts as of late.  Things have been really busy with s/f Designs, which is great!  But it means I haven’t had a lot of extra time to dedicate to my blog posts.  I’ve got a bunch in the works, so stay tuned; more are on the way!

Holiday Gift List 2014 – The Gardener

Those who know me, know that I start my x-mas shopping early.  I'm on the hunt for good gifts all year long. 

In fact, the date stamp on my 2014 holiday gift list is dated December 25, 2013.  I actually jotted down gift ideas after getting home from all the celebrations; surprising given my turkey coma state ;)  August marks the official get down to holiday business kick-off, with the goal of having it all done by the end of November

Broccoli & Pine Nut Soup

I had some broccoli left in the fridge that was on its last legs and it was lunch time.  I was hungry and I was craving something healthy and delish, but not a salad – for once.  

Daily Afternoon Snack

I must be a creature of habit.  Every day around 3 pm, I get really hungry.  Starved, in fact.  And I typically reach for my trusty apple and cheese combo.  

Floral Friday - Carnations

Who knew carnations could be so pretty?!

Floral Friday – Chartreuse Peruvian Lilies

Woot woot it’s FRIDAYYYYYY!

Today I am sharing some floral shots of chartreuse coloured Peruvian Lilies. 

Sephora Haul

I FINALLY got around to cashing in my Sephora gift card that I received two – yes that’s right – two birthdays ago!!

Floral Friday - Orange Daisy

Finally - it’s the weekend!  

Floral Friday - Thanksgiving Flowers

Happy Friday everyone!  It was a quick week with Monday being off J

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you garden for the lovely bounty of produce you have provided throughout the summer!!

Ella’s Botanicals

Ok.  I'm sorry.  I can’t believe it’s already Wednesday Thursday and I haven’t written anything about the arrival of my first Ella’s Botanicals parcel on Monday.  MONDAY.  Can you believe it?! 

Floral Friday - Daisy

As much as I love fall, I'm already dreaming of next summer ;)

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

The Bomb Brownies

I was heading out to dinner Friday evening with my bestie and had to whip up a batch of our favourite brownies to celebrate!

Floral Friday – September Birth Flower - Asters

Oh yeaz the weekend has arrived!

Dark Purple Aster by Vishu Shillong

Fresh Mint Tea

Fall is my favourite season.  But this year, I welcome it with a bit of sadness – sadness knowing my garden season is coming to an end. 

Surprise – Hello Kitty Edible Arrangement!

What a surprise to answer the door and find a super cute Hello Kitty edible arrangement!!

Skin Care Haul – Province Apothecary

I have been on the hunt for a new skin care provider for quite some time.  The challenge has been finding a line that is organic, all natural and made in Canada. 

Floral Friday – White Peruvian Lilies

Happy Friday!!

Sriracha & Honey Chicken Wings

These wings are seriously finger licking good! 

I recently stumbled upon The Woks of Life’s blog and have already noted several recipes I can’t wait to try out.  But first up are these ridiculously tasty wings.

Floral Friday – Roses

Roses have always been special to me.

Bobbi Brown Makeup Haul

Check out what my BFF gifted me!

Chocolate Swiss Roll – Two Filling Options

My better half LOVES Swiss rolls.  You know.  The ones that come in pairs packaged in clear plastic?!  So I decided to try a homemade version.

Floral Friday - August Birth Flower - Gladiolus

Happy Friday!

Here’s a continuation to the birth flower series with a focus on Gladiolus for the month of August.

Italian Walnut-Raisin Whole-Wheat Bread

I'm a toast eater.  Raisin toast with peanut butter eater to be precise.  The bread itself has changed throughout the years, but it has been my go to breakfast for 15+ years.  I literally look forward to it every morning.  How crazy is that?!

I found THE best raisin walnut bread at a small bakery while living in Japan.  I used to toast it up in my toaster oven and either eat it with butter or peanut butter if I was lucky (meaning I had some left over from one of the batches my mum shipped out to me!).  I've been searching for something that comes somewhat close, without any lucky.  Until possibly now.

Floral Friday - Lily

Happy Friday!

Some lovely orange lilies to celebrate the end of week.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Floral Friday – Bright & Cheery

Here’s a little brightness and colour to cheer us up on this gray cloudy rainy Friday.

I picked up these Chrysanthemums at the grocery store and they have lasted for weeks!  Definitely have lived up to their 10-day freshness guarantee. 

Happy weekend everyone!

Floral Friday – Mint Flower

This is the first year that I've ever grown mint – spearmint to be exact.  I remember my mum growing it when I was a kid and loving grabbing a few leaves to munch on while passing by.  

English Cucumbers Update & Pickle Salad with a Kick

My English cucumber plants are in total production mode!  My earlier wishes for them to catch up to my basil have come to fruition J

Floral Friday – Nature Walk

I love walking.  I love being outdoors and hearing the birds chirp.  I love seeing the change in scenery from season to season, even in the bitter cold of winter.  It’s an opportunity to reflect, work through issues and achieve total serenity.  

Andes Crème de Menthe Chunk Cookies

It seems like we can only find Andes Crème de Menthe around Christmas time and we never fail to pick up several boxes!!  This past winter, I stumbled upon Andes Crème de Menthe Baking Chips and quickly grabbed a bag.  They’ve since been sitting in my pantry stacked with my other baking chips just waiting for the day I finally got around to using them.  Well – I finally have!

Floral Friday – July Birth Flower – Larkspur & Delphinium

I knew there was a birthstone for every month, but I only recently discovered there is also a birth flower.  Who knew?! 

First Garden Salad of the Season

This is why I love having a garden – I can simply head outside and pick whatever is ripe and create a lovely salad.  Such a great accompaniment to meals in the summer. 

Floral Friday – Schiphol Airport Flower Bowls

I love to explore different cities and cultures, and particularly enjoy sampling the local delicacies.  But I’m not a huge lover of flying.  In fact, I only fly because it is a necessary evil of travelling. 

One airport that actually lifts my spirits is Schiphol airport in Amsterdam.  Here’s a shot from a few years ago on one of the many trips to, what I consider to be, my home away from home!

Basil Seedlings Update

As you can see from my Basil & Goat Cheese Pesto post, I'm already making great use of the bountiful green leaves my little basil seedlings have produced! 

Friday Flower - Peonies

Peonies – they are my fave!  Anyone who follows me on Pinterest knows that I can’t resist pinning peony shots.  Whether repining from my feed or finding them online, they must be included on my botanical board!

Basil & Goat Cheese Pesto

The last several years I have been growing basil as it is my favorite herb and pairs so well with cucumbers and tomatoes (two other staples in my garden).  Every year I plan on making a batch of pesto, but always hold off not wanting to demolish my basil plants.  This year I said nuts on that and tackled a batch nice and early.

Carrot Ginger Soup

OMG – this soup is ridiculously good.  So good, I kept grabbing spoonfuls every time I passed the pot while it was cooling down.  Hot or cold, it was scrumptious!

Friday Flower - Freesia

I can’t think of a better way of celebrating the end of the week than by sharing a lovely picture of flowers.