Halloween Weekend, and a new cookie

Alas, apologies! School has kept me busy this week (and the foreboding signs of an oncoming cold), so I was unable to get to quicker posting. It continues to keep me busy this weekend, but the good news is that the cold is gone! Really, it wasn't much of one, but it certainly can bring down your stamina (not to mention your sense of smell/taste).

Halloween was good last weekend; didn't end up going out and dressing up, but my housemates and I still handed out candy. And still got leftovers!! And we carved pumpkins, see the pics below for your viewing pleasure.

Have you ever seen a happier looking bunch of pumpkins?

And of course, the cookie recipe!

They are called "Me and my cookies are so over you", from an awesome, fun to read little cook book called "The Happy Baker: A Dater's Guide to Emotional Baking", by Erin Bolger. I made them as part of a goodie package to send off to someone. Look her up, she's awesome. If you are ever in the midst of a breakup (or are single and just enjoy baking, like myself) this is the strong minded independent ladies' cookbook for you. Enjoy!!

"Me and My Cookies are So Over You"

3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup butter, softened

1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup toffee baking bits
1 cup almonds; put almonds in a plastic freezer bag, gently smash with a hammer (I prefer the almonds to be a bit chunky). Roast at 325* F (160*C) for 5-7 minutes.

-Preheat oven to 375*F (175*C)
-In a large bowl combine sugar and butter; beat until light and fluffy.
-Add vanilla and eggs; blend well
-Mix in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; stir in chocolate chips, almonds and toffee bits.
-Drop by tablespoonfuls on a lined cookie sheet; bake for about 10 minutes until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

Don't quote me

Well, dear readers, it's been a while since I last posted a quote around here. Last time I checked in, it was Thanksgiving: good food, good times. Now it is almost Halloween! Looks like I won't be going anywhere this weekend, as I've finally been taken down by the cold! Yahoo, barrels of fun with all that sneezing and nose-blowing. Ah well, as long as there's still candy by the end of the weekend. And hopefully this thing will have dissipated somewhat by then. But anyways, I didn't pop in here to talk about my cold; I came in for a quote! I found this a while ago through a radio show that runs every Saturday at 9.00 a.m, but I really liked it.

It's funny these trips we take, to beaches and cottages, to mountains and lakes, and sometimes to the highways, to the place between places. We leave the things that we love, the things that are familiar to us, and trade them for the new and the different. City folks often head to the country, country folks are often city bound. We see things big and small, old and new and we collide with one another, we come together as strangers, and, if we're lucky, learn over and over again how much we are connected to one another; how even, in our differences, we are the same, and how, when we consider it, how safe the world usually is, full of people just like us who are trying their best to do the right thing, and be their best self."

Stuart Mclean, the Vinyl Cafe; September 11, 2010

ps:

Experimented with a new cookie! Food post coming soon :)

Wednesday Wonder

Today I was reading that in Paris, officials came across a woman's apartment that lay untouched for about 70 years after she fled it before the War.

Image from here

Things I got from this article:

1. This woman led a fascinating life

2. They should have put up more pictures

3. I want to visit this place

4. It just sounds so mysterious and fascinating, like the beginning of a great novel. Like the Secret Garden, but in real life!!

Birthday Weekend: 21

Sooo, it would seem that I've turned the big 2-1 this weekend--what! Hard to believe I've been around for 2.01 solid decades. It has been a crazy year entering my 20s--one step up to being an adult. Me? An adult? An independent, full time working adult?? Well, I haven't reached that last part quite yet, but I will eventually. Right now I'll continue to go to school and writing papers and exams, thanks very much. Which brings me to a subject I find fascinating, and I figured it was relevant enough since I'm 21 now.

Apparently our bodies regenerate every seven years, and biologically, we are new people. I mean new tastes, different feelings, and maybe even new allergies. How weird is that??? I learned of this just last year, but the thought has intrigued me all along. Can things really change inside of you? I guess I have "evolved" considerably since I was 14, in terms of who I want to be. It's been so gradual; but then again, that's what usually happens. Sure, I've gotten more confident over time and I've learned lots of lessons (hopefully!) for the better, but I can't really think of ways in which I have changed considerably. I maybe thinking in terms of identity, but I wouldn't know physically, just yet. Whether it's the continual life experiences that change a person, or something "biological" that occurs every seven years, it's constant, and I guess we are bound to change in one way or another. And in that strange sense, I still find it fascinating!

Ahh well--I spent the day basquing in the birthday glow that happens but once a year, continuing my school readings, took a dance class in the evening, and celebrated by going out for dinner tonight with the housemates. All in all, a pretty good birthday!

Reese's Pieces DQ cake FTW!!

Have a great week!

Destination... Unknown

Ahh, only two weeks into the return of school, and I'm already thinking about the next few trips to take. Traveling brings to mind some great memories. Whether it was a trip down to the cottage in the summer, a trip to Europe, or even coming back here to Halifax, it always is something special. As of lately, there have been quite a few places I've been thinking I'd like to visit some day, particularly here in Canada. Actually, it will be my goal within the next few years or so to actually travel around the country, as I have never done so. (Talk about disgraceful as a Canadian!) Also... This is a rather autumn-themed post, just to get us in the swing of the season.

Image belonging from here

1. The Cabot Trail in Cape Breton. I've heard a lot about it lately, and certainly has an appeal growing on me. Apparently the drive through is about four days(!!).

Image from here

And if it looks this pretty in the fall, then I'd love to visit it right about... now. Please?

This is in Saskatchewan. Image from here

2. The Prairies. Sure, some may argue that it's all flat and boring, but there have to be some nice spots like this! I'd love to see it for myself. Plus, when I read this when I was younger, and that kind of drew me to the Prairies.

Image from here

3. Vancouver, yes, in all of it's post-Olympics glory. It's like Toronto's cooler cousin, who doesn't even try to be. It just is.

Image from here

4. Montreal, Toronto's other cool cousin. But on a more Frenchy and sophisticated level.

There are certainly places outside of Canada that I've been dying to visit! Too many, in fact, so I'll shall limit myself to the top 4 (in no particular order):

The French Countryside!!

Image from here

New York!!! In the fall, preferably. Or winter, or spring.

Image from here

Scotland!! My parents went a few summers ago, and absolutely loved it. This picture (from here) is in Applecross.

Alas, I can't think of a fourth place I'd like to visit one day. If you think of one, do tell! Wherever the scenery is incredible.

Just to let all you know, my posts might be sporadic for the next while. Actually, they're probably already sporadic, but it will be more than usual around this time of year. (You know, school.) But I'll try to post when I get free moments! They'll likely be food related, because when I won't be concentrated on work, I'll be concentrated on eating.

Enjoy the week!

ps: I'm already thinking ahead to Christmas. I mean, there are only 90 some-odd days, but... WHHYYYY???!!

Reign of the Blueberry

Well, there goes my first week back in Halifax. I've since settled in nicely, and as of Thursday I'm back to the old school work grind. The flat my housemates and I have been living in needed to be cleaned up considerably, so we've been cleaning stuff up all week. I'm really glad to be back, though, and doing my own thing--even if that means making my own meals! This week it has been iffy in the meal department, and I haven't quite replenished my food supply, so what do I turn to when I've run out of ideas for dinner? Pancakes. Betty Crocker pancakes, to be precise. With a helping of lovely Nova Scotia blueberries to add to the mix, and they are lovely this time of year.

Betty Crocker's (Original) Pancake Recipe

1 cup all purpose flour

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

2 tablespoons shortening, melted, or vegetable oil (I got away with canola)

1 tbs sugar

3 tsps baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Beat egg with hand beater until fluffy; beat in remaining ingredients just until smooth. For thinner pancakes, stir in additional 1/4 cup of milk. Grease heat griddle if necessary. (To test griddle, sprinkle with few drops water. If bubbles skitter around, heat is just right.)

Pour about three tablespoons batter from tip of large spoon or from pitcher onto hot griddle. Cook pancakes until puffed and dry around edges. Turn and cook other sides until golden brown. (To keep pancakes hot, stack on hot plate with paper towels in between.)

On the road again...

Here we are, at the end of summer once more. Once more, I'm ready for another year of adventure in Halifax. I can't believe it's already September again--where oh where did the time go?? The weather for the past few days have been ridiculously hot. It's cooled down a bit today, but you could have fooled me otherwise into thinking it was July. Ah well, if the weather can't convince me that fall is on its way, the changing leaves certainly can.

These last few weeks I haven't been doing much, other than lounging in the backyard. I started packing yesterday, a nice slow process. I'll be leaving this Friday, so chances are I will still be packing. Starting a list really helps.

Taking back my new favourite mug. Words to keep me going on those late nights writing essays.

Can't forget these babies! I took them home to re-sew the ribbons.

The finished results... So far.