Strawberry Jam

I went strawberry picking this weekend and was nearly trampled over by a woman who insisted on stepping over me to stay on the same path, as opposed to moving over. I was completely speechless as she laid her hand on my shoulder and proceeded to swing her leg over me!

Here I am, happily picking strawberries before being trampled over by an inconsiderate picker.

The recipe: "Children's Strawberry Jam" from The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook - a 384 page book on jams, marmalade's, jellies and lots of tips and wisdom.

Jams are best made in small batches. We picked 18 lbs of strawberries and this was only 8 lbs. 10 more to go!

Our first try at this jam took longer to cook than anticipated. The sun had since long gone when we began filling jars.

Finally! Beautiful strawberry jam! Geoff goes through a lot of jam so I hope this lasts us into the fall!

It's Really Spring!

Geoff started a spring tradition last year - growing our own flowers. We started 3 weeks ago and our plants are already looking happy and healthy. I can't remember what we're growing - morning glory and something else... Regardless, it's fun watching them grow.

Happy Birthday Grace!

Spring also means birthdays galore- husband, family, friends and Diana's mum's birthday. I baked her 2 (!) carrot cakes with cream cheese frosting - her favourite. Of course, I couldn't resist baking one for keeps. The last cake came out of the oven at 8pm last night and half is already gone.

My favourite carrot cake recipe is from Canadian Living and is aptly named Canada's Best Carrot Cake. It contains crushed pineapple, which gives the cake a soft and moist texture. Added bonus, your home will smell really yummy, like carrot spice goodness!

I recommend CL's recipe to the one's I made last year (from Martha) any day. Martha's were too greasy and gave me a bit of a stomach ache. Ick.

Happy baking!

::: Nathalie

Recipe: Canadian Living - Canada's Best Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pink & Blue and Parisian Treats

Everything on this plate was incredibly delicious and was made from scratch by my mum, brother and myself.

Macaron ♥. My brother German made these beautiful little treats in dark chocolate ganache and buttercream fillings. I do believe they're his own recipes.

I made and decorated my own cake. This was a new recipe that I tried from Chatelaine. It's their Velvety Beet Cake with Raspberry Icing - the pink came from the fruit and not food colouring. I diverted from their raspberry icing and concocted my own. I'll share it in the near future.

Amy and German decked out in pinks and matching with the theme.

Gifts for the Grandparents

Custom tea towels - Happy Christmas family!

Instead of gifting useless things for people, Geoff and I have gotten into the habit of giving yummy treats (and of course crafts) during the holidays for relatives who already have everything.

Last year, we made a big batch of Nigella Lawson's delicious Rocky Road and gifted it in a cute glass canister from Crate & Barrel.

Picture Source: Sweet Paul Magazine

This year, we're giving out Sweet Paul's Cranberry & Maple Loafs (baked in mini loaf pans) accompanied with custom tea towels that Diana and I made and screenprinted by hand.

I think these are great gift ideas that can be used all year round for the people in our lives who have everything.

Interesting tidbit - I heard the average person was spending over $900 on Christmas this year. That's kinda crazy.

Cheer Up. Have some Nougat!

My camera stopped working last night.

It's just making the saddest little sound when it tries to focus on anything close up. I've checked the settings and that's not it.

In a cheer up attempt, here some findings from a recent excursion at HomeSense. I particularly like the elephant. He's perfect.

But you know what truly cheer me up right now? This...

French Almond Nougat Bars by Have It Sweet on Etsy.

I'm hungry now...