My husband’s birthday was celebrated at home with family this year. I was “released” from full bed rest (which I was placed on due to pregnancy-related issues caused by a subchorionic hematoma) two days before the event. After being largely immobile for over two months, I couldn’t wait to get back into a little light…
PROJECT PINTEREST (AKA Just do it!)
Ok, so I have officially been using Pinterest for a year now and despite 396 pins thus far and over two dozen boards, until yesterday I had yet to make even one pinned recipe or complete a single DIY/craft project. It is one thing to simply collect images and ideas that momentarily make you feel…
PRE-CHRISTMAS SHAPE-UP: the results
MY GOAL TALLY: To be able to run 30 minutes on the treadmill– I actually beat this by a few minutes not long after setting this target. To do yoga/pilates once a week– um, let’s just say this wasn’t quite so successful (but I am making up for it now with 2-3 sessions of yoga/body…
CUTE CUPCAKE CAPERS… DOWN UNDER
I recently had the absolute pleasure of partaking in The Cupcake Lady‘s decorating workshop, Cupcake Basics, in a suburb close to South Australia’s capital, Adelaide. As soon as we had confirmed our Australian travel plans back around October, I jumped online and booked my spot in the class (they sell out fast!). I was not…
AN EVENING WITH MAGNUS JOHANSSON (AKA sweet dreams come true for local food hero)
Last week I had the privilege to attend an event hosted by Sjöstadens Folketshusförening featuring internationally renowned pastry chef Magnus Johansson, whose bakery recently opened in my neighbourhood (lucky me!) and in whose studio the event was held. Magnus Johansson is arguably Sweden’s most famous pastry chef and has been, among other ridiculously accomplished things, responsible for the Nobel Prize dinner dessert for 10…
PRE-CHRISTMAS SHAPE-UP
Traditional Christmas celebrations in Northern Europe, aside from being charming and cosy, are a decidedly stodgy affair. The weather calls for it. This year will be no different, but I hope that I will be a little different (in the old health department, that is). I should stress that I work out 5-6 times per…
CHOCOLATE-FILLED CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES (AKA can you really go wrong with 3 types of chocolate?)
My husband’s birthday was a simple affair this year. After a long day/week in the office he decided that a visit from his close family, some take-away food and a comfy spot on the couch were all that he wanted in the way of a birthday celebration. I, on the other hand, think that no…
APPLE PIE (AKA autumn perfection)
Autumn. Apple pie. Perfection. Need I say more? APPLE PIE Prep Time: 30 Min, Cook Time: 60 Min INGREDIENTS: 1 quantity of pastry for a 9 inch double-crust pie 115 g unsalted butter 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 60 ml water 100 g white sugar 110 g packed brown sugar 7-8 peeled, cored and sliced Granny Smith…
EASY DOUBLE-CRUST PASTRY (AKA pastry making for dummies?)
A recipe that I sought out/discovered by necessity (in order to make an apple pie), and one that I will keep and cherish! As a double-crust pastry novice, I experienced the nervousness associated with lovingly making a wonderful apple pie filling yet not knowing whether the pastry would be a success or spell disaster. I…
CHERRY JAM (AKA 3 basic ingredients and a whole lot of love)
A lazy Saturday afternoon on a sunny late summer’s day resulted in an impromptu trip to my in-laws’ place, and an afternoon spent picking cherries whilst my baby (squealing with delight the entire time) felt the grass between his toes. At home later on that day, I came across a recipe for cherry jam that, although…