Baby Baby Baby!

Oh Baby! 

A couple weekends ago I hopped back on that good 'ol ferry to the mainland for a very special reason. My big sister and my bro-in law were visiting from Calgary. Why you may ask!? Well it's because my mom and little sister and I had been planning a baby shower. Yep, I'm going to be an aunt soon, and I am thrilled! 

It was quite a shock to see my sister at first. Mainly because I hadn't seen her since January, when there was no baby bump. The most amazing thing ever was feeling that little life in there, he most definitely is a kicker! It got me thinking about how incredibly beautiful it is that there is this little life growing in there. This immensely unique little being. We don't know what his personality will be, or what his favorite colour, toy, song, baby food or even what his favorite game will be. There is so much beauty in that mystery, and the anticipation of watching his every first. I feel so blessed that I get to be a part of that. I am so incredibly happy for my sister and brother in-law and so proud of them already because I know what amazing parents they will be!

Enough of that sappy business! We decided on a super hero themed baby shower knowing that little bean is going to be a baby boy. I had a blast not only at the shower but in the planning. 

It was wonderful to visit with everyone

My mom proved what a super woman she is once again making all the yummy food!

Games are the best part!

Our super hero baby shower

All in all I think it was a success and a wonderful visit with family and friends. Now the count down is on for the big day! 

Chari-teas

I found myself being a tourist again today. My inner tea-junkie zeroed in on a little boutique and as soon as my foot crossed the thresh hold I was swept away into tea heaven.

Located in the town of Duncan, B.C is a little loose leaf tea boutique with a big heart. Chari-teas. As I was quite caught up in the absolutely adorable sample pods I didn't really process the namesake of the shop. It wasn't until I went to purchase my tea (lemon ginger which is scrumptious) until I focused on the name again.

Cutest Samples

Not only does Chari-teas carry over 250 varieties of top-quality loose tea, all being of the highest quality and most organic, they started there business with the main purpose of supporting families affected by AIDS. They have also started in supporting a family in China who plans to open a midwifery. This means they would be able to help orphans and save the lives of newborns. How inspiring.

I knew as soon as I walked in that there was something different about this tea shop. The staff is truly genuine, the tea is delicious and I am a sucker for traditional tea cups which they have many of. I was even gifted a sample (Raspberry Mint) upon my purchase. It was so unexpected and wonderful! I cannot express enough how much this made my day!

I have a special place in my heart for local businesses. I hope you do too. Feel free to share some of your favorite local places to shop!

If you are a tea enthusiast like myself and you find yourself in the Duncan area, stopping in at Chariteas is a must! Below you can find their address as well as website.

I just returned home from a trip to the mainland . I was for my big sister's baby shower. I cannot wait to meet my little nephew! Stay tuned for pictures of our super hero themed shower.

Chari-teas
227 Craig Street,
Duncan, BC
http://chari-teas.ca/

Oh Darling! Let's be adventurers.

Where to begin...

First off I'm sorry it's been a while since I've last written and to say that nothing much is new would be a complete and utter lie. Almost everything is new! This last Sunday I hopped on a ferry and moved on over to Vancouver Island. I am in fact an Islander now (albeit I still feel like a tourist) How did this come into fruition? A job offer for my boyfriend he couldn't turn down, the appeal of a change of scenery and me ultimately being able to transfer my job! This all happened in the span of approximately two weeks which was my last hurrah to the busy mainland life style.

I felt that writing here again and posting pictures of  my weekend adventures would be another way to stay in touch with my family and friends. I am a baby when it comes to family. I have been and always will be. I know I will miss not being able to just drive on over to my parent's house to chat or go to the beach with my mom ( or drop in for dinner)  But really it's not that far and when I do visit it will make those times treasured and create lasting memories. I really have been blessed to have grown up with most of my extended family so close to me. 

Alas! A new adventure has begun and I am overly excited to be embarking on this journey with my boyfriend and best friend, Chris... and hopefully a new puppy. I am in need of a running and hiking buddy. 

As I sit here with my earl grey tea, listening to the rain and not much else I know in my heart that this will be a great adventure. 

Lemon Pudding Cake

There is more to this cake than meets the eye. If you can look past its deceiving exterior you are in for a treat. I absolutely love lemons so this cake was a no brain-er. I was pleasantly surprised by the two distinct textures offered in this cake. Because the cake is mostly milk and lemon, a tad of flour and egg white the top bakes into a souffle whilst the bottom stays a pudding like consistency. After it had finished setting I wasn't expecting fireworks because of it's plain appearance but boy, it has made it into my top five favorite desserts!

Yields 9-inch cake

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons (43 grams) butter, room temperature
3/4 cup (170 grams) granulated sugar, divided
2-3 fresh lemons, zested and juiced (about 1 tablespoon zest and 1/2 cup juice)
3 large eggs, separated
1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup (235 ml) milk
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 quarts (about 2 liters) boiling water

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch round baking dish.

In a large bowl, beat together the butter, 1/2 cup sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy. Add in the egg yolks one at a time, beating between each addition. Mix in the flour, vanilla, and salt. Stir in the lemon juice and milk. The batter will be very runny. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add in the cream of tartar and remaining 1/4 cup sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Mix 1/3 of the egg whites into the cake batter until completely mixed. Fold in the remaining egg whites.

Transfer batter into the prepared baking dish (the cake will not rise so it is okay to fill the dish to the top, if necessary). Place the baking dish into a larger baking or roasting dish and add boiling water in the large dish until it reaches halfway up the outside of the batter-filled pan. Carefully transfer to the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the top becomes golden and the middle of the cake barely jiggles when shaken.

Cool the cake for 45 minutes to 1 hour before cutting or serving to allow the cake to set. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Shout out to Pastry Affair for the recipe, another one of my new favorite blogs.

20 questions..plus a few with Keeping it Kait

I was looking through all my old e-mails the other night and I stumbled upon one of these old "100 questions" forms. I haven't done one of these in ages... A) Because I'm a grown-up "adult" and B)They are mucho cheesy and mucho lengthy! But here is one for old times sake and who knows, maybe you'll learn something about me that you didn't know before! 

I shortened it for your sake

1. If you were a candy what kind would you be?

Hot Tamales for sure

2. What is your favorite smell?

Concrete as it just starts to rain… or a summer morning

3. What's the fattest fast person food you like?

Doubles with big mac sauce, Go get one now! Go!

4.What does your future hold?

Do I look like a fortune cookie!?

5. What is your best friends name?

Christopher

6. What are you listening to right now? 

The sound of the keyboard clicking, real exciting I know

7. What was the last thing you ate? 

A piece of Lemon Pudding Pie, Oh my word, so GOOD!

8. If you were a crayon what color would you be? 

I don’t think I could pick just one but, Turquoise

9. Favorite TV show? 

I have a habit of being addicted to T.V shows no one else likes to watch because they are incredibly cheesy, so I’m going to save myself the embarrassment and pass on this one =p

10. Siblings?

2 Sisters

11. Hair color?

Brown

12. Eye Color?

Brown

13. Month?

August

14. What was the last movie you watched? 

Wreck it Ralph (told you cheesy shows)

15. Can you do a headstand (not using the wall)? 

No =(

16. Chocolate or Vanilla?

Chocolate all the way

17. Favorite movies? 

Brave heart, Titanic, Pearl Harbor

18. Dogs or cats? 

Both! I choose both!

19. Favorite flower? 

Peony

20. Do you like to travel by plane?

Yes!

21. Do you have a tattoo? 

Not yet!

22. What are you really good at?

I’m a great listener & Baker

23. Heavy metal music?

Occasionally

24. What should you be doing right now?

Working hehe

25. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?

Curly, it’s a curse I tell you!

26. One thing you want right now?

A fish taco & some sangria

27. Do you forgive or forget?

I always forgive and I'm not a goldfish so it's hard to forget but I try =)

Have a great weekend everyone! 

P.S. Stay tuned! I have a fabulous Lemon Pudding Cake Recipe to come!

Butternut Squash Glazed Tart

This recipe was just too good, I had to put it on the front page!

I found this recipe on Broma Bakery. I absolutely love this blog and all of it's recipes, check it out!

Ingredients

1-pound butternut squash, cut in half lengthwise and sliced into 1/4 inch slices ( Don't slice too thin, or else they will burn)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 store-bought 8 ounce puff pastry sheet
1 8 ounce jar apricot preserves, warmed
1/2 cup chopped pecans
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Arrange squash slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with the melted butter and sprinkle with 1/4 cup sugar. Roast for 30-45 minutes, turning once. Once they are cooked, remove from the oven and turn the heat down to 375°F.

Meanwhile, roll out puff pastry sheet into a 14"x6" rectangle and place on another parchment-lined baking sheet. Top with parchment and another baking sheet. Prick the pastry to allow for air holes during cooking. Place in the 375° oven for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool to room temperature before assembling.

While the pastry is cooking, mix together the cream cheese, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and cinnamon. 

Spread the puff pastry evenly with they cream cheese mixture. Place the candied squash on top. Heat up the preserves until warm to touch, then spread over the potatoes. Last, sprinkle with the chopped pecans. Cut into triangles and serve!

These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog Bites

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad 

I simply sign into pinterest 

and then I don't feel so bad!

Oh Pinterest! Lately I've been wasting my evenings drooling over bakeries that I adore and long for.

Here are my top 5:

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Aren't these bakeries just dreamy!