A trip down memory lane

Today marked my fourth day back in Adelaide, Australia and so far it has been full of family, festivities and fond memories. I survived the epic journey via three planes from Vancouver and arrived in one piece with no hiccups thankfully. Since then it has been a blur of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, spent with family - some whom have changed a lot and some not so much. Most of all it has been so lovely to spend time with the two little gorgeous munchkins in my life; my too cute for words nephew and niece. Don't get me wrong, they can definitely be little monsters after too much sugar or sleep deprivation, but I love them to pieces and I know my heart will break a little when I have to say goodbye to them in no time at all. My third day was spent taking a trip down memory lane by going through the majority of the belongings I had left behind when I set off on my Canadian adventure. It brought about a smile or two looking over the possessions I have accumulated in my life thus far, but it also required me to be extremely disciplined in purging what clothing, bags and shoes I still had. With a bit of self-control and determination I managed to fill 3 large garbage bags with items I no longer want or need, which may end up at a charity shop or in a garage sale. I am not sure how I feel when I think about the fact that my current life choices don't really offer me a sense of stability and a use for the stuff that I have. However, one could also argue that life experience cannot be compared to material items. I just hope one day when I am ready I will have stability and a space to call my very own. Sorry I have digressed and I haven't even mentioned the weather yet, which might not seem important, but I feel it necessary to tell you that it hasn't been completely summer weather with rain sneaking in a few times, but all in all much nicer than Vancouver's winter climate right now. Anyway, today on my fourth day, we went to Adelaide Zoo. The zoo has changed quite a bit in my absence including the admission prices, but it was a lovely day and again a nice trip down memory lane with my family including my nephew and niece. There have been some additions to the zoo, most notably two playful pandas, who were wrestling in their enclosure when we went to have a look at them. Some things haven't changed though such as the children's petting zoo where the goats are still as scary as ever when they see food pellets in your hand, and some of the other areas looked a little bit dated. Nonetheless it was a fun day and everyone enjoyed themselves especially my two favourite cheeky monkeys, Ayden and Ebony!

Just one more sleep

Gosh it has been a crazy busy few weeks filled with Christmas shopping, work and getting organised to go home, so I shouldn't be surprised that tomorrow is the day I get on the first of three planes with the end destination Adelaide, Australia. Having said this I really should be finishing my packing, which means trying to figure out how to get everything to fit into my suitcase and have it be under the checked baggage allowance. However, instead I have been catching up on emails and watching my beloved Canucks rack up another victory. Now I am combining blog writing with tea drinking and Lindt chocolate devouring. This is why I have to keep my post tonight as short and sweet as the delightful little chocolate balls I am consuming. On this note, may your Christmas and New Year be as lovely as I plan on making mine, whatever you may be doing. I hope to post regular little updates during my three and a bit weeks away, so while it saddens me that I won't necessarily be able to stick to my regular posting, I mostly definitely hope you will check in throughout the remainder of the festive season to see what this little Aussie is up to in her native land. 
To quote 'Twas the night before Christmas: "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

(image courtesy of Peanuts)

Christmas baking on a Sunday afternoon

It wouldn't be Christmas and the festive season for me without some obligatory, yet fun Christmas baking. Considering time is definitely not my friend right now with only 3 sleeps until I get on the plane Australia bound, I had no choice but to cram two cookie recipes into one Sunday afternoon. It was an enjoyable baking session, which left me with only a few of the usually battle scars, accustomed to a klutz such as myself, in the form of one burnt finger and a couple of cuts. Anyway the motivational ingredients behind my recipe choices took the form of three items, that of Reese's peanut butter cups minis, peppermint candy canes and white chocolate. There was supposed to be a cameo appearance by some festive coloured m&m's minis, but I decided against it during the course of the baking process. 

Before you ask, I did not combine the ingredients into one recipe, which is why I had to find two cookie recipes. After a bit of a search online, the first cookie choice found here incorporated the candy canes and the white chocolate. I followed the recipe step by step, except I did not use chocolate filled candy canes and I used white chocolate chips instead of squares. I probably could have done with some more white chocolate as I think my recipe turned out slightly dry as I literally spilt my bag in half and melted one half to mix into the recipe. Nonetheless, they were successfully received by the usual suspects.

When it came to cookie recipe no. 2, I had been fixated on the Reese's peanut butter cups minis for a little while, ever since I saw them in Dollarama. The plan was to combine them with a chocolate-based cookie and use the cups almost as a chocolate chip substitute. After much searching I re-thought the plan and settled on the recipe found here. Upon opening the packet of Reese's I discovered they were bigger than I expected and therefore could only expect 1-2 of them per cookie. After I got over the slight disappointment, I finished the cookie recipe and was very happy with the result. Even non-peanut butter lovers positively received the cookie. 

As you can see one of these cookies randomly came out in the shape of a love heart, which I thought was pretty adorable and a fitting way to remember my cookies by. It seemed only appropriate that I should then duck out to my local Starbucks to pick up one of my last festive drinks of the season, a white chocolate peppermint mocha. What happened next can only be described as a little piece of heaven, freshly baked cookies and freshly brewed coffee...it doesn't get any better on a Sunday afternoon!

Capturing some Christmas spirit

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So in the spirit of this exact saying and after a very long week, I am going to let the photos I took tonight, whilst indulging in some retail therapy in downtown Vancouver, do all the talking for me. 

And in case you were wondering if I purchased anything during this retail therapy then see below for the answer to that:

Purchases courtesy of Spring, Sears, London Drugs and Aldo

It was such a lovely evening to wander around downtown and shop my little heart out. I'm so happy with my purchases, a few of which had been on my various wish lists for a while now. It makes me even happier to know that all four items were on offer so I did not pay full price for any of them. You gotta love a bargain!

Australia is calling

As I have said before this time of the year is all about Christmas and getting into the festive spirit. However, as you may already know, for me this time of year in 2011 also means going home to Australia for 3 weeks to spend time with my family and the friends that I left behind in October 2009. I guess you can only imagine how excited I am at the thought of hopping on a plane next Thursday considering how much time has passed. Time is a funny thing because it is constant yet our perception of time slows down or speeds up depending on any given day. Anyway I am definitely beyond happy about going home and so my mind is currently occupied by a mixture of getting ready for my trip, finishing Christmas shopping for everyone on my list and unfortunately work. I must confess that I am failing miserably with my festive to do list as mentioned here, but I figure that this year the most important thing about Christmas is that I get to spend it with my family. Although I do still have high hopes of baking a few festive treats this Sunday fingers crossed. When I go home I am lucky that it will be summer in Australia because I could definitely do with some fun in the sun and plan on devoting at least one day to a beach somewhere. I can't wait to tuck into some Australian food items and my mum was even sweet enough to ask me if I had any requests. Gosh it is little things like that, which make me even more excited to get home next week. 8 sleeps and counting...

Hooray for what awaits me

Macaron with one 'o'

While it may have taken me this long to work out just how to pronounce the name of these brightly coloured and decadent bite-sized sweets, I fell head over heels in love with macarons after the very first bite. The perfect soft and chewy centre encased with an airy crunch that could only have been created with love. However, I am getting ahead of myself here. So to back track, after stumbling across this article on the Inside Vancouver Blog, not long after it was written, I knew I had to see what all the fuss was about in relation to the newly opened Thierry cafe and its array of macaron flavours. After telling a friend about this discovery, it was actually she who surprised me with my first macaron from Thierry, which was a welcome delight after a particularly crummy day. The macaron was a delicious chocolate caramel one and still ranks up there as one of my all time favourite flavours. I have graced Thierry with my presence on more than one occasion so as to slowly work my way through their rotating, sometimes seasonal selection, which I often complement with an Americano coffee. Since that first macaron I have had my taste buds tantalised by the likes of raspberry, coffee, pumpkin and gingerbread just to name a few. Macarons are definitely something to tell all your friends about and trust me when I say they make the perfect gift snugly tucked into a signature Thierry box ready to dazzle the lucky recipient upon opening with all their colourful splendour. I have done this and can confirm it was very well received. While I am not quite ready to make my own, which I have seen done on a few blogs, I am definitely more than happy to keep racking up the flavours at Thierry. Don't just take my word for it, rush out and find your nearest macaron cafe and see what all the fuss is about for yourself.

'Tis the season to be giving

Christmas and all that this encompasses represents something different to everyone who celebrates it or for whom it holds some sort of special meaning. A big part of Christmas is the ritual of gift giving, which on the 25th December is a delightful thing to foresee. However, it also means a few stressful days of crowded shopping malls searching for that ever-elusive perfect gift. I love to give gifts and I am not quite ready to be selfless and assume I will get nothing in return. At the same time I appreciate the notion and the actions of giving to those less fortunate. At my work we take part in a food bank/toy drive put on by one of the local radio stations and although I can't spare much, it fills me with immense pleasure to contribute a few items of food and small toys. No matter what your circumstance, Christmas can provide a sanctuary from it even if for only a few hours. When it comes to gift giving for family and friends, I try to utilise online shopping to save on postage and to avoid the crowds, but at the same time the click on a keyboard doesn't quite fulfill me the way the ringing of a register does. My go to website for friends in the UK is Amazon and they usually don't disappoint especially as my purchases often qualify for free shipping. This week I discovered another website called Oliver Bonas and I was a little bit enamoured with some of their homewares, of which I have my eye on a couple of items for a friend. In relation to shopping for family, we tend to offer the option of wish lists before heading down the surprise avenue. With my niece and nephew it will be of the surprise nature for the next few years at least as I have their mummy to ask for suggestions from. In turn, if anyone asks, I try to offer up a few options, but I tend to struggle with my wish list, especially because I know what I like and I always felt it was a tad bit demanding to ask for an exact item. I like to think I listen enough to my friends and observe their likes and dislikes to be able to make purchases they will enjoy and use. I guess the good thing is I am not there to see their first reaction upon opening, which may be for the best if I have missed the mark. When all is said and done, for me Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without having nicely wrapped presents to open up and while my bank account may not agree, I love pretty much every part of the process.

My first and only Christmas tree in Vancouver

It looks a lot like Christmas

I think it is safe to say that a big part of the world's population are currently consumed by all things Christmas, possibly with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads at this very moment. The festive consumption may be direct or subconsciously absorbed through the likes of giant Christmas trees or carols being played whilst shopping. During the month of December there really isn't anything better than immersing yourself in the festive season. I really enjoy re-visiting the familiar annual events like the various Christmas markets or seeing the fairy lights in the trees and the opening of the downtown ice rink. However, I also relish the opportunity to discover new festive activities as well as exploring the ones I may have had my eye on the previous year, but for whatever reason did not partake. Furthermore, deep-rooted traditions are what I live for and whilst I may not get the pleasure of them every year, maybe due to geography or seasonal issues, I am still open-minded enough to welcome something that may just become a new tradition. With this in mind, I have composed a bit of a festive to do list with old & new things that I hope to achieve in the 2 weeks I have left before my summer Christmas down under:

1. Attend the Vancouver Christmas Market outside of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre
2. Consume as many Starbucks festive drinks as possible
3. Make some Christmas cupcakes with the supplies I already bought from Michaels
4. Go for an ice skate at the outdoor ice rink below Robson Square
5. Walk through the Bright Nights in Stanley Park, possibly having my photo with Santa and a ride on the miniature train
6. Check out the different Christmas window displays and just soak up the general ambiance of the festive season
7. And of course, finish my Christmas shopping

A collage featuring some of my 2010 Vancouver festive season happy snaps

It is quite a list, but I hope to cross everything off and, who knows, maybe I will come across a few extra fun things to add to it!

Did someone say pie

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and for me this doesn't always apply to just family and friends. I am someone who loves to eat, which isn't necessarily a good thing, but it does mean that when I am away from home I miss some of the foods that I had readily at my fingertips. It is no surprise then that I already have somewhat of a list of foods to be consumed during my time back in Australia in a few short weeks. However, I have also begun to see this as an opportunity to find out if some items can be homemade with your own spin put on them if so desired. I did just this a few weeks ago when I combined two pies - the meat pie and the shepherd's pie. As a newbie to pastry options in Vancouver supermarkets and as someone who was a little bit pressed for time, I took a shortcut and purchased pre-made pastry shells that I just had to pop in the oven to bake as per the manufacturer's instructions. For the meat filling, I used the recipe found here minus the onion because I have never been a fan. To top it all off I peeled, diced and boiled a few potatoes until they were very tender. There is nothing I dislike more than lumpy mash potato so I always make myself patiently wait those few extra minutes just to be on the safe side. Mash potato consistency is each unto their own, but for mine I like to add margarine, milk, salt and pepper to taste.

To put this creation all together I spooned the meat filling into the pastry shells and put a dollop of mash potato on top. The finishing touch was a quick shake of a cheese mix I had on hand that consisted of parmesan, romano and asiago. I put them in the oven for about 10 minutes on 350 just to add a bit of colour to the cheese. Once ready to consume, these little meat pies go down well with a splash of ketchup. 

I think it was a decent first attempt and I look forward to making the pastry from scratch next time. 

Back to basics

Like many things in life, how you dress starts with a good solid foundation, especially if you are going for a layering effect in the colder months of the year. I find that this means having a selection of cotton basics, either identical in style and/or in colour, in my wardrobe to choose from. I usually get my basics from the same shops because I can rely on them to fit right, feel comfortable and look good. When it comes to the likes of leggings, tank tops and long sleeve tops I cannot go wrong with purchasing them at H&M. They are definitely my go to place when I need to replenish my wardrobe due to wear and tear or maybe I just want to pick up another exciting colour to complement an outfit I have in mind. The price points are incredibly affordable, which gives you the opportunity to splurge on something else you might have your eye on. Below are some H&M basic options available in an array of colours:

Also if you are on the hunt for some affordable and adorable basic cotton briefs in a variety of designs, styles and sizes then Aerie, part of American Eagle Outfitters, is a must. The designs are constantly changing, but the incredible comfort does not. I have a bit of a preference toward the boybrief style so I thought I would showcase some of Aerie's latest festive designs:

With Christmas just around the corner, cotton basics would make a great stocking stuffer that no one would be disappointed by.

From print to the big screen

As mentioned here in one of my very first blogs, I love to read and this activity is definitely in my top five things to do in my free time. One of my motivators, but definitely not the main one, behind book selection relates to whether it will be turned into a feature film. Although, sometimes I am ahead of the pack and I read a book that I later find out is going to follow this same pathway onto the big screen. For the most part it is easy for me to paint a picture in my head of characters and scenes as I progress through the pages of a book. Sometimes I have the luxury of using the actors' faces and mannerisms if I already know who has been cast in the upcoming film. However, my imagination cannot compare to seeing how the experts in the film industry have transformed all the pivotal parts of a book and brought them to life before my very eyes. Books and their storylines are open to interpretation so it is interesting to see if the creative forces behind a film i.e. the director share my views or not and to also see what parts of the book get left on the cutting room floor. The consensus for me is that most times the film doesn't do the book justice, but allowances must by made for the fact that you can only carry so many pages over to the big screen considering the average length of a book. It might be due to poor casting or the interpretation might not seem quite right in my eyes. At the end of the day I still appreciate the opportunity to go and see the film anyway. The last such opportunity, from memory, was a few months ago when I went to see One Day, starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, and based on the book of the same name. The decision to purchase the book stemmed from a magazine review and it was a fantastic read with an interesting storyline. I believe I found out about the film either while I was reading the book or not long after. Of course I had to go see the film and while it started out a bit shaky, I was hooked by the end and left the cinema content with the adaptation. Now tomorrow sees me head to the cinema to watch another book to big screen film. Of course that would be the film of the moment with all the obligatory hype, that of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1. I have read all the books and seen all the films so far, having completed each reading before heading to the cinema. However, I started reading the first book after I was already aware of the film castings so I had those actor images in my mind the whole time. The latest film has already had mixed reviews, but I am committed until the end and intrigued to see how the final two part installment of the book series unfolds on the big screen. It will be a perfect mid-week outing involving another one of my top five things to do in my free time. 

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer (image courtesy of Stephanie Meyer)

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 Movie Poster (image courtesy of IMDb)

The first of many milestones

As a busy person moving about in an even busier world, I find it really hard to commit to just about anything for a long period of time. This is why it fills me with immense pride to know that this post marks number fifty of what I hope to be the first of many milestones with my blogging. In honour of this occasion today, I didn't bake a cake or do a cartwheel or anything super exciting. Instead, I simply paused for a moment to acknowledge this occasion with a smile and a pat on the back before continuing on with a rather hectic Monday. I think that gesture sums it up best because it seems I have been able to combine my life, as it were, with this joyful task of blogging regardless of rain, hail or shine. So with all this said I will finish by sharing the latest recipe I baked that brought joy to someone else. The recipe can be found here. I couldn't find chocolate chunks at the supermarket that I went to so I used chocolate chips instead and it worked out well. Sometimes you forget how amazing the taste of chocolate times two can be so it was nice to have a gentle reminder.

Don't forget to take a moment to celebrate your milestones in life, no matter how big or small. Just because we get older doesn't mean the milestones stop.

All that sparkles, shimmers or shines

Having a special event to attend is usually an excuse to splash out on a new dress with shoes and a bag to go with it. However, sometimes the budget doesn't stretch that far so as an alternative to buying a brand new outfit complete with complementing shoes and bag there is the option to purchase new costume jewellery instead. The outfit you already have in your wardrobe will dictate the new items you require to make yourself feel like a princess about to attend her ball, thus leaving your bank balance relatively unharmed. For me right now I have a wedding I will be attending in Australia when I am home to visit at the end of the year. I already have the dress, shoes and bag as seen below:

I have only had the opportunity to wear this ensemble once, which was when I attended a wedding earlier this year in Las Vegas. Therefore, I am very eager to wear it again. So with this decision locked in I only have to focus on my jewellery, which is quite the relief because it shouldn't be too stressful to locate. I am pretty sure I will go for a simple necklace and may even use one that I already own. This past weekend I actually secured the earrings I am going to wear, with thanks owing to Forever 21. I also picked up a cuff bracelet, not to wear with this outfit, but as part of the whole mentality of buying accessories to spruce up existing wardrobe items rather than splurging on more clothes. 

My new costume jewellery purchases so far (images courtesy of Forever 21)

I definitely feel I am on track to have the perfect complementary pieces to my existing outfit and it seems I may only need a bracelet to be finished. All this talk of prettiness reminds me of a post that I did a little while ago here, which focused on my desire for dressier tops. Well I am happy to report that I have fulfilled this mission and again this is thanks to Forever 21, funnily enough during the same shopping trip when I purchased the aforementioned jewellery. Although, ironically enough it seems that what I saved by not buying a new dress etc. I actually spent on other pieces of clothing...oops!

My newly acquired sparkly, shimmery and shiny tops (images courtesy of Forever 21)

Although my sparkly desires seem to have been satisfied, I cannot help but drool, every night as I walk home from work, over the following dresses that are currently on display in the Michael Kors' window:

Wishful thinking (images courtesy of Michael Kors)

I guess it just goes to show that one is never truly satisfied, but I think that isn't such a bad thing in this particular circumstance.

Going paperless

I'll be the first to admit that I spend way too much time online via my Apple MacBook, which has the battle scars to prove it. I try to look at it as moving with the times and technology and for the most part it is, especially when it comes to keeping my finger on the pulse and keeping a firm grip on all facets of my life. Furthermore, sometimes I don't even realise how much of my life has evolved from the actual and physically touchable to the virtual. I am sure there are some things that I will probably never completely transfer to the online world i.e. reading magazines and books, but even as I write this I am not 100% sure if this is true especially if they are made obsolete or unobtainable. At the end of the day, I would like to think I will always have a choice in these types of matters, but I know that this is not always going to be the case. So as time ticks on I have begun to utilise bit by bit a few of the elements of technology and the online world that will benefit me in some way. This has included the likes of Internet banking and having bills or statements accessible via email or log-ins, which helps if your postal address tends to be of the non-fixed variety more often than not. One of the other things I have become fond of, although I am not sure if I should confess this, but as someone who loves not only retail therapy but also the likes of grocery shopping, I have taken a shine to browsing through online catalogues especially because I love a bargain. It is also good to be able to look up movie session times online without having to phone the cinema and listen to a long automated message or pick up the local newspaper to check for times. Technology and the Internet definitely have positives and provide convenience, but I would still like to advocate their co-existence with some traditional and old school ways of doing things. In fact, I am going to put this into practice right now and make some lunch for tomorrow from a recipe I printed off the Internet.

A newer version of my Apple MacBook  (image courtesy of Apple)

Sweetness on Sundays with Wilton Method courses

Sometimes when you find something you really like doing you actually get the opportunity to keep exploring it for a little while longer before the training wheels come off and you take some time and discipline to do it all by yourself. In this instance I am referring to cake decorating. You may recall that a little while ago I did a short cupcake decorating class as documented here. It was a really fun way to spend my Saturday morning and definitely got the creative juices flowing. Well a few weeks later I was fortunate enough, thanks to some fairy god-people, to have the opportunity to take this to the next level and subsequently enrolled in the Wilton Method I, II and III cake decorating courses at Cookshop. The location was so great the first time around and I was excited to know that we would be having the same instructor. So for six Sundays, which concluded yesterday, I put my learning cap back on and tried to soak up as much information about cake decorating as I could. The first two Sundays were Wilton Method course I - decorating basics. As the title suggests we literally learnt the basics, from how to bake a great cake to how to give it a smoothly frosted finish to form the base for some newly learned frosting techniques. Below are the somewhat imperfect finished products from the first two weeks:

It is worth noting that as with most courses you take these days there was homework required prior to the second week of each course. It usually consisted of baking a cake and whipping up some frosting to either take to class separately or to have already put together. For the third and fourth Sundays the focus was on Wilton Method course II - flowers and cake design. This course saw us build on the skills and techniques we had already learnt as well as working with royal icing, gum paste and fondant to make an array of flowers. It all culminated with learning the basket weave technique, which I then used to finish decorating the cake we had brought into class already pre-frosted. The flowers as well as the finished cake looked like this:

The last of the 3 courses was held on the fifth and sixth Sunday. Wilton Method course III - gum paste and fondant allowed us to learn how to make a bow from start to finish using a gum paste and fondant blend. We also made several types of flowers and covered a pre-frosted cake in fondant. The finishing touches were achieved by decorating the fondant cake with whatever previously created items we wished to use. All in all it wasn't too shabby an effort as you can see:

I feel like I need a disclaimer stating that the instructor did assist with my finished products so it is not 100% my work, but what I lacked in skill I made up for with my eagerness to learn. I may not be a pro by any stretch of the imagination, but with a bit of practice I can only get better. Wilton Method courses are readily available across the globe and I recommend doing a Google search to find your local option.

Look for me in the kitchen

I might be setting feminism back a few decades by saying this, but one of my favourite places to be is in the kitchen. In an ideal world I would have a kitchen kitted out with whatever I have deemed to be the essentials. However, at the present time, I will have to settle for sharing a smallish kitchen in a not so big apartment with three other people. As I get more consumed by the desire to bake and cook both new items and those that have been tried and tested, I cannot help but dream of my ideal kitchen. I am not sure exactly what it will look like, but I know there will be loads of counter space to work on and nice deep cupboards for storage. Of course, I would be able to find exactly what I was looking for whenever I needed it. While I continue to think about and develop my dream kitchen in my mind, there are still things I can do in the present to tide me over and allow me to keep the creative juices flowing. Well maybe it is not so much things I can be doing, but purchases I can be making. As fellow baking and cooking enthusiasts know, having the right equipment is as important as having the right skills and ingredients. So while a KitchenAid stand mixer might not be realistic for the moment, I definitely think it is time to upgrade my hand mixer to a higher wattage so that it can handle simple recipes such as cookies without having to resort to hand folding in the flour. This little beauty from Canadian Tire has caught my eye and I think will do the trick with its 290 watts:

Also some deeper mixing bowls would be nice so that whatever is being whipped up doesn't end up flying out of the bowl onto the walls and my clothes, of which I am speaking from experience. Again Canadian Tire has some really good options in this area including the following mixing bowl that comes in different sizes:

Not to get too carried away because I do need to store these items when they are not in use, but I definitely need a new spatula as I managed to snap my last one. I don't think it is because I have been eating too much spinach, rather I think it was a testament to the poor quality of a rather cheap purchase. A new website favourite of mine at the moment, Williams-Sonoma, provides some very cute options:

As well as neutral options if that is more to your liking: 

For me, the kitchen is where magic happens! It is where success is baked or cooked in a matter of minutes or hours. However, occasionally it is the site of baking or cooking disasters, which become part of funny stories to tell and lessons to be learnt for next time.

Dream a little dream

Life is too short and we spend most of our waking hours working to earn money so that we may have the opportunity to do those things that truly bring us happiness. So why wouldn't we want to have that same happiness in our occupation as well seeing as we do devote so much time and energy to it. Some people are really lucky and have a clear idea of their ambitions and goals when they are still knee high to a grasshopper and spend the years that follow striving toward this. However, there are also those, myself included, that have no definitive notion of a career pathway or what they wish to do when they grow up. It can be a constant source of frustration and contribute to a lengthy resume as options are tried and discarded whilst trying to avoid being pigeonholed into a particular position or industry as the years tick on by. I think we really do need to find our niche and what makes us happy in a work environment so that we can thrive in all aspects of life. With this said, I still don't feel any closer to the work dream. Although, I definitely know what I like outside of work and I have no problem exploring new options there. Wouldn't it be awesome to convert those things you love outside of work into a career opportunity? Everywhere you look there are definitely examples of this being put into practice and, as I think about it more and more, I would love to add my name to that list. When you really think about it the options are endless and it all starts with brainstorming what your passions are. If I had to write a quick list of my passions right now off the top of my head it would consist of baking, blogging, reading, traveling, watching TV and movies, ice hockey and shopping. This list is a good start and definitely something to consider as I make inroads toward my dream job, whatever it may be. Although I am still hoping to win the lottery or marry a millionaire, what girl doesn't!

Dylan's Candy Bar (image taken during my last trip to New York City)

Pancake Sunday

What better way to kick start the last day of a long weekend then to make pancakes for breakfast. In the past I have taken a shortcut when it comes to making pancakes by using a box mix where you just add water. However, there is nothing more satisfying then making the pancakes from scratch and remembering this as you sink your teeth into that first delicious bite. Lately, I have been using the recipe found here. I find the trick with pancakes is to start with a hot pan and to give each side sufficient time to cook before flipping. It is easier to tell with the first side because I wait until there is a significant amount of bubbles. I usually give the other side of the pancakes about a minute to cook once I have flipped them over. If I am just making a batch for myself then I usually halve the recipe and make slightly bigger pancakes so I don't feel so guilty when I am eating three instead of four or five. On this particular occasion I decided to make white chocolate chip pancakes as I had some leftover chips still. I didn't smother the finished pancakes with any toppings such as maple syrup, the Canadian staple, or lemon and sugar, my other go to, because I wanted to savour the yummy taste when I consumed a mouthful containing the melted white chocolate. It was the perfect way to start my day and I am thinking of making it a regular weekend occurrence so I can experiment with different recipe add-ins and toppings. Maybe next time I will whip up an interesting beverage to accompany the pancakes besides the usual cup of tea. 

Circle Craft Christmas market

While it still feels too early to talk and think about all things Christmas, I am slowly giving into the excitement of it all bit by bit. It started at the beginning of November with the rolling out of Starbucks' festive drinks, of which my favourites are the gingerbread latte and the peppermint white mocha. Starbucks also have melt in your mouth peppermint brownie cake pops and an array of festive stocking fillers to choose from. The festive bug has continued on into Michaels and their Christmas bakeware section, which is truly inspirational and I already have a few ideas forming in my mind. I have allowed myself to pick up a festive-themed item with every visit to Michaels. These purchases so far range from sprinkles to cupcake cases to a gingerbread man cookie cutter. This is all brings me, in a roundabout way, to the Circle Craft Christmas market. I love Christmas and I love the opportunity to celebrate it, whether it is with firmly ingrained traditions or through a new avenue such as another exciting market event to explore. The Circle Craft Christmas market is an annual November event held at the Vancouver Convention Centre. It allows for the promotion of some of Canada's art and craft-related talents, a lot of whom I was not aware of until last night. It is wonderful to be able to see people showcase their finished work so passionately and it is evident that they love what they do. While this was a Christmas market, I was not quite ready to dive into all the decorations and what not; instead I was particularly enamored by three stands. Those in question, were two food stands and a pyjama stand. Milsean Shoppe had delicious butter crunch, which I was lucky to sample and, as a result, I may need to purchase some online for Christmas. ChocolaTas had the most beautifully crafted Belgium chocolates presented in tins adorned with iconic Vancouver landmarks and would make excellent Christmas gifts for those afar. I definitely think I will be popping into their store on Granville Island before I head home to Australia for Christmas. Lastly, and the only stall where I made a purchase, was PJ'zzzz. They had the cutest range of pyjamas, especially for children, and I couldn't resist purchasing for myself a pair of pyjama shorts that were decked out in all things Canadian including the names of all the provinces and territories. Not only are they comfy, but a very cute Canadian souvenir that won't be put in a box or shelf to gather dust. I must mention that my market partner in crime, of Pumpernichol card fame, was particularly besotted by The Old Island Stamp Company. I cannot wait to see what kinds of Christmas cards she churns out from her stamp purchases.

My Circle Craft Christmas market purchase  

The best part is that you are provided the option of re-visiting the Circle Craft Christmas market another day for free, which is great if one trip just isn't enough.     

Sending love the old-fashioned way

To some people the Internet provides an opportunity to order gifts online or send e-cards to mark special occasions or maybe just to show they care. I, myself, use this option too, whether it is to save on postage costs or to make for speedy delivery. E-cards definitely come in handy if you have misplaced someone's address or they are between addresses. However, when all is said and done there is nothing I love more than sending and receiving mail the old-fashioned and personal way via snail mail. It may take a bit longer, but if you plan accordingly you should be able to meet those all-important deadlines and bring a smile to that special someone's face. Although, I think all is forgiven if you are a tad bit late! The only thing that spoils the surprise is the required custom's declaration, but if you are a seasoned pro like me then you get used to not looking at it before the package is unwrapped. Package and card sending, as well as letter writing brings a smile to my face as I think of the recipient at the other end either being surprised because it was unexpected or happy that they were remembered. The cards I send these days are courtesy of Pumpernichol cards, as mentioned here and all have been delightfully received. My packages are usually wrapped in brown paper, which serves the purpose of reinforcing the old-fashioned nature of the gesture, but also helps with the weight. If anyone sends a lot of packages like I do then you will know it isn't cheap to send them. While I would love to send large, grand items, I instead keep the postage costs in mind and purchase smaller items with a greater value so that I don't spend more on the postage then the things enclosed. Practicality plays a part when you are using snail mail that is for sure, but all the effort will be worth it when you bring a smile to someone else's face that will match your own.

Some new Pumpernichol cards' designs

Keeping warm from the chill

In Canada the clocks went back an hour yesterday so now I go to work in the dark and before the workday is over the outside world has returned to darkness once more. This in combination with the cold and rain is enough to spread not only a chill through the bones, but also a bit of sadness and despair as well. A quick fix to this is a relaxing hot bath or shower with your favourite scents. However, for an afternoon treat, I like to make a cup of delicious steaming hot chocolate. I prefer mine made with real chocolate chips and I conveniently had some left over from cookies I made recently. I heated up a mug of milk and added a tablespoon of white chocolate drops, stirring until the chocolate was melted. To finish off this delightful treat I added a couple of bite-size chocolates because you can never have too much chocolate.

Dinnertime provides another opportunity to make something quick and easy that warms you right through to your fingers and toes. This is a basic chicken noodle soup that my mum used to make for my siblings and I when we were younger. You could add vegetables if you like and turn it into a chicken noodle and vegetable soup, but I like the simpler things sometimes. To make approximately 2 bowls' worth of soup, I boiled 3 cups of water with a pinch of salt and a dash of oil. I added 4 - 5 teaspoons of chicken stock powder and half a chicken breast that had been diced and cooked. Lastly, half a cup of orzo pasta is stirred into the saucepan and it is cooked for about 9 minutes. I personally like to have the orzo ever so slightly undercooked and I finish it off with a splash of lemon juice to taste.      

Hey presto, two easy ways to keep warm against the chill and provide the foundations to inspire further creativity as the weather only gets colder. Don't forget to rug up nice and warm.

Accessorising away the cold

While the prolonged rain may not have set in just yet, of which I am very grateful, the temperature has definitely dropped a degree or two. The blue of the sky and the gleaming shine of the sun cannot mask the fact that winter is fast approaching. I may already have a few of the standard winter accessories to my name including scarves, gloves and hats. But, a girl really cannot have too many in this department especially when she is in for another long, cold and probably very wet winter. When it comes to scarves I am quite keen for something a little bit different then the usual style so I have hopes of purchasing a loop one similar to the following from American Eagle:

Keeping your fingers warm whilst outdoors is a must in my eyes, although not that practical when you are trying to use your phone. In this circumstance, practicality may win out over warmth by choosing a fingerless glove option to accommodate such a task. However, with warmth in mind I quite like the following from Gap:

Now that just leaves keeping my head protected from the chill with a nice cozy, yet stylish hat. For this, both American Eagle and Gap have some lovely options to choose from. I am not sure if it will be an easy decision to make with regard to purchasing a hat as I haven't quite decided what style I am wanting, but see for yourself:

All this perusing of winter accessories has left me feeling a little bit warm and toasty, but still not quite ready to tackle the coming weather.