Crafty Find: Hand Print Ornaments

While this isn't technically Olivia's first Christmas, it is the first one where she is active and able to partake in the Christmas cheer. In that spirit, I wanted to make a little memento for each of the grandparents, as well as for ourselves, that would help us remember when she was this precious age. Of course Pinterest had exactly what I was looking for - hand print ornaments. 

The recipe was easy enough to mix and roll out, and Olivia was game for making her little hand prints. I used a straw to poke the hole in the top, then used a knife to trace around the hand print. After baking in the oven for the 3 hours and then leaving over night to dry fully, I painted up Santa and Rudolph, two of each. Finish off with a little ribbon and you've got yourself a one-of-a-kind Christmas ornament. 

NOTE: I doubled the below recipe, which yielded me enough dough for four hand prints. 

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup flour

1/2 salt

1/4 water (or as needed)

DIRECTIONS

Combine ingredients and form into a ball.
Divide into 2 equal balls and roll out on floured surface about 1/8 inch thick.

Place on cookie sheets and press the wee one's hand; trim excess dough from impression. 

With a toothpick or straw, make a hole in the top of the ornament for threading ribbon.
Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) until hard, about 1-3 hours. Leave in oven over night to cool and harden completely.
Decorate with paint and varnish to preserve.

Fat Friday - Hogtown Smoke

Who doesn't love a good helping of meat served with a small order of beans, coleslaw and fries on the side? If you're that person, then just skip this post, because this one is for Meat Lovers! 

After starting out as a successful food truck downtown, Hogtown Smoke recently opened up a shop not far from us on Queen Street near Woodbine. Like many other local spots, it's a cozy little space serving up great food and beer. A while back we tasted the meat delights that AFT Bar had to offer, so, to be fair, we had to check out what their competition was doing.

We knew to head out early as they don't take reservations, and, as mentioned, seating is limited. Friday and Saturday line-ups are out the door, and you are likely to wait over an hour for a table, but at 4:30, no problem! Equally important, they do have high chairs and are family friendly, so bring the kids. We grabbed a table at the front and ordered their sampling platter of ribs, brisket, and pulled pork, accompanied by a trio side of beans, slaw, and fries. With a variety of bbq sauces ranging in heat, we certainly did not lack for flavour. The food was served up quick and hot, and it did not disappoint. Mmmm, meat. This was only the beginning of their menu, so likely another trip will be warranted. They also do take-out, so you could call ahead to bring it on home with you.

While there is no official online site for Hogtown just yet, check out the review in Blog TO to get an idea of their menu.

Book Nook: The Last Girlfriend on Earth: And Other Love Stories

The Last Girlfriend on Earth: And Other Love Stories
~ Simon Rich

BBB Rating: 4 out of 5

This little book was a surprisingly great read. The collection of short stories were witty and entertaining, and I often found myself chuckling aloud (I love when a book does that!). The author, young Simon Rich, is a talented writer with some very unique insights on dating and falling in love in New York, and the topics of the short stories are not ones I was used to reading. 

From Goodreads:

In "Center of the Universe," God struggles to balance the demands of his career with the needs of his long-term girlfriend. In "Magical Mr. Goat," a young girl's imaginary friend yearns to become "more than friends." In "Unprotected," an unused prophylactic recalls his years spent trapped inside a teen boy's wallet. The stories in Simon Rich's new book are bizarre, funny, and yet...relatable. Rich explores love's many complications-losing it, finding it, breaking it, and making it-and turns the ordinary into the absurd. With razor-sharp humor and illustrations, and just in time for Valentine's Day, Rich takes readers for an exhilarating, hilarious ride on the roller coaster of love.

I've since gone on to read one of his full-length novels, "What in God's Name", which I'll be telling you all about in my next Book Nook. 
 

READING UPDATE

 

I have to regrettably report that I was just 3 books shy of reaching my goal of reading 20 books in 2013. The time just got away from me. I'm going to aim to read 20 books again this year, and hopefully with some better time-management, I'll get there!

Recipe #41: Walnut Kale Pesto

The kale cooking adventures continue with this recipe for Walnut Kale Pesto. After having good success with the Kale & Chorizo Soup, I was excited to find this pasta dish using kale in a different way. 

I really enjoy pesto and have already learned that any greens will work just fine. I've experimented using arugula and love that it freezes well if you can't use it all up in one serving. For the kale, you have just the added step of blanching it first, but after that, it all goes into the food processor and your pesto is ready after a few spins of the blade. To save on prep time, simply cook the pasta in the same water you blanched the kale in. 

INGREDIENTS

    1 bunch kale, stemmed and chopped
    1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped walnuts, toasted
    1/2 cup (125 mL) grated parmesan cheese
    1 clove garlic, chopped
    1/2 cup (125 mL) olive oil
    2 tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice
    1 pinch each salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

In large pot of boiling salted water, blanch kale for 1 minute; drain. Chill under ice water; drain well and pat dry.

In food processor, pulse together kale, walnuts, Parmesan cheese and garlic until coarsely ground. Pulse in oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper until smooth.

Crafty Find: Felt Christmas Tree

When it came time to put up our Christmas tree at home, I was fairly certain that our curious little monkey would make a bee-line to the shiny and sparkly ornaments and take them down, one by one. (I wasn't wrong.) In an effort to prevent this, or at least distract her, I found this awesome craft to make your wee one a felt Christmas tree of her own to decorate. 

After a quick trip to King Textiles on Spadina I had a yard of green felt in hand, and for the ornaments, I was able to pick up felt squares at the dollar store. I used some cookie cutters I had at home for templates and cut them out. Attaching the tree to the wall turned out to be a bit more difficult, as using painters tape only held up the tree for a few minutes. I think the weight of the felt dragged it down from the tape. The furry felt just didn't keep a good bond. My new solution is to hot glue the felt to Bristol board, and then use the tape again to hold up the board.

When the ornaments were not on the tree, I kept them in an empty wipes box, and Olivia had almost as much fun pulling them out of there as she did sticking them to the tree. 

Of course she did eventually get bored of her felt tree and discovered our real/fake one, so that's why all the ornaments are on the top two thirds of the tree. I have a feeling wrapped Christmas presents will also have to remain hidden until Christmas morning; she's already figured out how to unwrap things.

Fat Friday - La Carnita

Courtesy of BlogTO.com

Toronto certainly does not lack for taco options, so choosing one really just depends on what side of the city you find yourself. Or, if you're like Matt and I, it depends on what's the latest one to open up. 

We first tasted La Carnita after waiting close to an hour in line at an event at Brickworks, probably close to two years ago. The tacos were definitely worth the wait, so when they finally opened up shop on College Street this summer, we were excited to head on over, with mother-in-law and babe-in-stroller in tow. 

It was a hot sticky day in August, but we were lucky to nab the only seat on the patio. We washed away the heat with a cold cider over ice while we awaited our meal. To start, we had the tortilla chips with guacamole, always a winner when you're out for Mexican, and a mango salad to share. Both were delicious and so refreshing.

Courtesy of BlogTO.com

We had hardly touched our starters by the time the tacos arrived - service was great that way. It's obvious they try to get as many people through to maximize profits, but the food doesn't suffer. Each item was fresh and hot and super tasty! We each ordered two tacos, and after our starters, it was more than enough, but still left room for dessert. There are just three desserts to choose from, and, while the Paletas were tasty, the clear winner was the Tres Leche Cake, served up with Ontario fruit.

Book Nook: Gone Girl

Gone Girl
~ Gillian Flynn

BBB Rating: 5 out of 5

I read this book earlier this year and right from the beginning it had me hooked. I'm a fan of suspense and thriller novels, and this one had such an interesting way of telling a story of a wife gone missing that I had to power through to see how it ended. It was one of the few books that I had to talk out with my husband, even though he hadn't (nor will he ever) read it. I just needed someone to say "You won't believe what just happened!" Don't worry, I won't anything away for you, but I definitely recommend this one if you are a thriller type of person.

Here's a quick summary for you from Goodreads: 

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife's head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media--as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents--the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter--but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn't do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

The story is told from the perspective of both the husband and the wife, and just when you think you know exactly what happened, well, new information is presented and you feel like you're right back at the beginning. I loved every page of it! 

Recipe #40: Kale and Chorizo Soup

Although the summer is long gone and our farmer's market is just a wonderful memory, we are still able to enjoy local and fresh produce through our neighborhood Winter Basket program. One of the vendors from our market sets up shop every Sunday morning at a nearby restaurant parking lot and offers a good variety of vegetables, farm fresh eggs, and usually some wild boar or pork. While we do enjoy the selection, it can become rather repetitive each week. We end up with a lot of carrots, potatoes, and kale, and so planning my weekly menu can be a bit of challenge. Time to get creative!

Luckily that's what the internet is for. When I found myself with an awful lot of kale one week, it was my goal to make a couple of different dishes. By picking up a few extra ingredients, kale turned out to be quite versatile. The first recipe I tried was a Kale and Chorizo soup. 

This is a great recipe that cooks all day in the slow cooker and freezes well. Once cooled, it will also keep in the fridge for several days so you can pull it out for a quick weeknight meal. The chorizo adds a nice spice and meaty texture to the soup, and the kale is not overpowering once cooked. Plus, it made use of the potatoes we got in the basket, too! 

The original recipe called for dry-cured chorizo sausage, but I substituted an uncooked sausage instead and removed the casing to cook it before adding it to the slow cooker. This meant the meat was smaller and distributed throughout the soup, so if you prefer meatier chunks, go with the cured version. 

INGREDIENTS

    2 chorizo sausages, casing removed
    1 spanish onion, sliced
    4 cloves garlic, sliced
    1 lb (454 g) potatoes, peeled, halved lengthwise and sliced
    2 bay leaves
    1 tsp (5 mL) sweet paprika
    1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
    1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper
    4 cups (1 L) water
    4 cups (1 L) sodium-reduced chicken broth
    1 bunch kale, trimmed and shredded

DIRECTIONS

In skillet over medium-high heat, brown chorizo. Transfer to slow cooker. Drain any fat from pan (do not wipe clean)

In same skillet, cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, over medium heat, until softened and light golden, about 8 minutes. Transfer to slow cooker.

Add potatoes, bay leaves, paprika, salt and pepper to slow cooker; stir in water and broth. Cover and cook on low until potatoes are tender, 6 to 8 hours.

Discard bay leaves. If using cured chorizo, using a slotted spoon, remove as much chorizo as possible to bowl; set aside.

Add kale to slow cooker; cover and cook on high until tender, about 10 minutes. Using immersion blender, purée soup until almost smooth with a few chunks. Stir in reserved chorizo.

Crafty Find: Book Marks

Can you tell I have reading on my mind lately? And what better way to hold your place in your current book of choice than with a crafty book mark. I found a few fun ones that are also easy to make at home (or the office) with just a few simple supplies.

Firstly, how about using a zipper to hold your place? And the bonus - you don't have to worry about losing the book mark while you're reading? Click the image for the simple directions.

Next up, corner book marks seem to be quite popular. You can make them into very cute animals, or maybe a monster, or just keep it simple with some pretty patterned paper. Pinterest has tons of options for you, but here are a few of my favorites.

Or you could go simple and use a paper clip and a bit of ribbon, or some glue and a button.

There doesn't seem to be a lack of inspiration for book marks; clearly I'm not the only one out there who loves them! I'm thinking Christmas Gift for my Book Club Ladies....

Fat Friday - AFT Bar

If you're in the mood for BBQ goodness and you find yourself around the Queen & Broadview area, then you should definitely check out AFT Bar. Matt and I ventured there this summer, not long after it opened up, to check out their menu.

The space isn't large and seating is limited, so get there early for a table, or take your chances and just show up, and you might find a seat at the bar. It does get busy on the weekend after 7, but luckily, we eat early now. If you're bringing a toddler along, they don't have high chairs, so you might need to bring your own. Or, call ahead - they do accommodate take-out orders. 

Photo from Blogto.com

Their weeknight menu offers a few different options than their weekend BBQ menu, so keep that in mind if you're heading there. We went on a Sunday and tried their sample platter for two, which came with more than enough meat and sides for the both of us - a choice of three of each. If you like sticky ribs, smokey pulled pork, and BBQ chicken, then you'll like this. We added a side of coleslaw, roasted potato salad, and cowboy baked beans to top it all off, and washed it all down with a cool pint of beer. 

Edible Snowmen!

Just in time for the opening of Disney's new animated movie Frozen, I came across this AWESOME edible craft that I just couldn't resist making. I set out to gather all the ingredients and made them last night at home for Matt to take to work today for his team.  The snow on the ground this morning seemed also fitting for the occasion.

As I couldn't locate any of the jumbo marshmallows, I had to make a few adjustments to the original plan. And knowing that my artistic skills are not amazing, I took an easier approach to the adding the finishing touches. I know it doesn't resemble Olaf exactly, but I think I managed to capture the essence of the funny snowman. 

If you're in the winter mood already and looking for a cute, funny, and entertaining movie (for kids and adults alike!), Frozen is just that. Check out the trailer below. 

If you'd like to make your own Olaf, here's how I made mine: 

INGREDIENTS

    Graham crackers
    Blue-tinted frosting or blue candy melts
    Medium-size marshmallows
    Miniature-size marshmallows
    Black candy melts
    Black licorice rope
    Orange Nerds

DIRECTIONS

Divide graham crackers in half.
Cut one large and one small marshmallow in half for each snowman; cut licorice rope into arms.
Melt blue candy melts (if using) and spread on graham cracker; place the body and legs while frosting/candy is still warm. 
Stick arms into sides of the body. 
Melt black candy melts; using a tooth pick or the flat end of a skewer, dab on buttons to body and add eyes and mouth to the face. 
With a small dab of black candy melt, add orange nerd for the nose. 
Let cool to allow everything to set, then enjoy!

Book Nook: We All Fall Down

We All Fall Down
~Eric Walters

BBB Rating: 4 out of 5

This book was recommended to me by a colleague at work, and she got the recommendation for her 18 year old son! He had read it at school and really took an interest in it, so he told his mom that she should read it. Her and I were chatting books one day at the office, and the next day, a copy was in my hand.

It is not a long book, but it's a deep book. Told from the perspective of a Grade 9 student who goes to work with his father to the World Trade Towers on the fateful day of September 11th, what follows is their experience together as they live through one of the most memorable days in US history.

From Goodreads:

Today is September 10, 2001, and Will, a grade nine student, is spending the day at his father’s workplace tomorrow. As part of a school assignment, all the students in his class will be going to their parents tomorrow, but Will isn’t excited about it–he’d rather sleep in and do nothing with his friends. His father doesn’t even have an exciting job like his best friend James’s father who is a fireman. Will’s dad works for an international trading company and has to wake up early every morning to commute to his office on the eighty-fifth floor in the south building of the World Trade Center in Manhattan. Will doesn’t see his father very often because of the hours he puts in at the office. He doubts that his dad will bother making time for him tomorrow even when they are supposed to be spending the day together.

In this fast-paced and dramatic new novel by bestselling author Eric Walters, Will discovers a new side of his father during an event that continues to affect the world. As Will’s new teacher says, tomorrow “might be an experience that changes your entire life.” 

The author, Eric Walters, is a Canadian teacher who decided to write books about the subject matter he was teaching his students as a way to make the material more accessible. Most of his books are based on real life events and are told from the perspective of a young student, and they often take place in Canada. Other works include stories about the 1954 Hurricane Hazel (Safe as Houses), a story mixed with fact and fiction about Terry Fox (Run), and his sequel to We All Fall Down, United We Stand, which continues the story of Will and his father on September 12th. I think I'll have to check that one out next. And I'll be remembering these for when Olivia is older, too. 

Recipe #39: Thai Coconut Curry Simmer

When Matt first introduced me to Thai food, the first dish I tried (and still continue to order) is a green curry coconut chicken served over noodles. It is easily my favorite when ordering take-out that I don't even bother to look at other items on the menu. The flavor is just a really nice mix of heat from the curry, sweet from the coconut milk, and sour from the drizzle of lime. 

So when I saw the recipe for Thai Coconut Curry Simmer in Canadian Living, I had to give it a try. It doesn't have a lot of ingredients, it all cooks in one pot in a short amount of time, and if you know me, these are all winning qualities in a recipe. 

I let the chicken simmer for much longer than it called for, only because we weren't quite ready to eat when it was done, but that made sure it was good and cooked, and because it stayed in the liquid, it remained nice and moist.  Once the noodles were cooked, I dumped them into the sauce as well, but I think next time I would just put them in the bowl and serve the chicken and sauce over top. They absorbed too much of the liquid and ended up a little mushy. Live and learn, right?

Over all, though, it was very tasty but wasn't quite as good as the one I was used to. I did forget to add the lime juice when serving, so that might have been part of it. I would also add in a few vegetables next time, as just the chicken and noodles make for a bit of a heavy dish. Maybe a few peppers would compliment the dish or, and I can't believe I'm suggesting this, a few mushrooms, if you happen to like them.

INGREDIENTS

    1 lb (454 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs
    1 pinch salt
    1 pinch pepper
    1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
    2 shallots or onions, thinly sliced
    1 tbsp (15 mL) minced fresh ginger
    1 tbsp (15 mL) Thai green curry paste
    2 cloves garlic, minced
    1 can (400 mL) coconut milk

    Lime slices to serve
    1 pkg of Rice Noodles  

DIRECTIONS

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; brown chicken, turning once, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plate.

Add shallots, ginger, curry paste and garlic to pan; cook over medium heat, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in coconut milk and chicken; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, turning once, until juices run clear when chicken is pierced, about 15 minutes.

 

Crafty Find: REAL Book Nooks

While I was researching ideas for names for my reoccurring book review posts, I came across a series of images that displayed a variety of little book nooks. I thought they were so clever that I would share them with you today.

I think they are a great use of small spaces under stairwells, on window sills, or stair landings, but my favorite is turning an unused closet into a comfy, cozy book nook! While I'm not sure we have the space for one, I love the idea. It just looks so inviting. 

My husband and I are in the process of thinking about renovating our basement, so I might suggest to him the idea of one underneath the stairs for Olivia. I think she'd really dig it! 

Fat Friday - Lazy Daisy

Lazy Daisy is our local cafe, located just a short walk from our house. We pick up coffees and snacks if we're feeling peckish while  walking by, or we make it a destination to enjoy their big brunches on Sundays (I recommend the breakfast burrito). The food is wonderful and the ambiance so very relaxed and charming. All ingredients are locally sourced, organic, and made into wonderful concoctions that fill your belly.

And it's super kid friendly, which we are quickly realizing is very important. With a play area at the back with trains and books, you're almost guaranteed an enjoyable meal together (spoons also are fun to play with!)

The story of the cafe is equally delightful. A mother wanted to start a place where families could come to enjoy good food and good company, and she has succeeded! I went to Lazy Daisy regularly while on maternity leave, and we've taken most of our families for their brunches on various occasions. 

But it's now so much more than just a coffee place now - they serve dinner and, more importantly, alcohol. Add to that the various events they host throughout the month, like trivia nights,  comedy hours, even beer and cheese tastings, and Lazy Daisy, me thinks you have turned into a place that everyone can enjoy. 

The newly added Lazy Nights offers a tapas style menu for sharing Thursdays through Sunday evenings. We finally made it there last weekend and were not disappointed. We arrived around 5:30, and while dinner service didn't start until 6, the bar was open. So while Olivia played around the train table, making friends with the other kids, Matt and I were able to enjoy a pint while browsing the menu. We decided on the Organic Quinoa & Chickpea Croquettes and the Daisy's Farmstead Chili Nachos. Both were delicious, and the nachos were more than enough for us both. Served with a tasty bean chili and melted cheese on top with sour cream on the side, you can't really go wrong with nachos. 

Other menu items include various naan bread pizzas, spaghetti and meatballs, mac 'n cheese, and pulled pork sliders, just to name a few. And don't forget about dessert....We look forward to going back - there are still so many options! 

Book Nook: The Gun Seller

 

The Gun Seller 
~Hugh Laurie

BBB Rating:  3 out of 5

I just finished reading The Gun Seller, so while it's fresh in my mind, I'll share my review. This was one of the books I nabbed at my latest Book Club, and a big selling feature was the author - Hugh Laurie. Best known for his character "House", turns out Laurie is also a talented writer.  

From the description on the back of the book, it might not have been one I chose for myself, but that's what I like best about recommendations - they introduce you to something new! 

Hugh Laurie concocts an uproarious cocktail of comic zingers and over-the-top action in this "ripping spoof of the spy genre" (Vanity Fair) -- the irresistible tale of a former Scots Guard-turned-hired gun, a freelance soldier of fortune who also happens to be one heck of a nice guy. Cold-blooded murder just isn't Thomas Lang's cup of tea. Offered a bundle to assassinate an American industrialist, he opts to warn the intended victim instead -- a good deed that soon takes a bad turn. Quicker than he can down a shot of his favorite whiskey, Lang is bashing heads with a Buddha statue, matching wits with evil billionaires, and putting his life (among other things) in the hands of a bevy of femmes fatales. Up against rogue CIA agents, wannabe terrorists, and an arms dealer looking to make a high-tech killing, Lang's out to save the leggy lady he has come to love...and prevent an international bloodbath to boot.

I did find the writing very witty and laughed to myself a number of times. There was a lot of British humor, which took maybe a second longer to figure out, but I liked his style of writing. The plot, however, was a bit confusing to follow at times. There were a number of different players to keep track of, a lot of twists and turns, and the main character uses several different aliases, which added to the confusion. But, it delivered what it promised - laughter, action, intrigue, and deception. So I'd read Laurie's next one, should he write again. 

Recipe #38: Bulgur Wheat Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are a favorite dish of mine but they don't often make it on my menu rotation. Until I've recently eaten them, I forget how yummy they are. I think that's going to have to change. I like that the stuffing can always be varied to keep the recipe interesting, and they don't actually take that long to cook up. If you're looking for a yummy yet filling vegetarian option, there's no meat in this recipe, and one stuffed pepper (two halves) is enough for one adult.

I found this recipe for Bulgur Wheat Stuffed Peppers and decided to cook them up for dinner one night. Not knowing exactly what bulgur wheat was and not having ever cooked with it before, I was excited to give this recipe a try. 

Bulgur wheat, turns out, is "a quick-cooking form of whole wheat that has been cleaned, parboiled, dried, ground into particles and sifted into distinct sizes" (thank you, Sunnyland Mills). Turns out it's also a little difficult to find in smaller grocery stores, as was the case for me when I went shopping. Sooooo, I had to make a little substitution and use brown rice instead (bummer). I'm happy to say that it turned out just as tasty, but I still want to try the original recipe, so I'll be on the hunt again for bulgur wheat. 

I would recommend cutting your peppers in half lengthwise and discarding the tops all together. It makes adding the filling and eating easier.  And depending on how soft you like your peppers, you may not need the full hour for baking. I'd recommend 45 minutes or so.

INGREDIENTS

    3/4 cup coarse bulgur wheat OR 1 cup brown rice
    1-1/2 cups crumbled Canadian Feta cheese
    1/2 cup chopped ripe tomatoes
    1/2 cup each chopped fresh dill and parsley
    4 green onions, chopped
    1/4 tsp each pepper and ground cumin
    4 sweet peppers
    2 tbsp lemon juice
    1 tbsp olive oil
    Pinch salt

DIRECTIONS

Pour 3/4 cup boiling water over bulgur; let soak for 30 minutes OR cook rice according to package. Toss with cheese, tomatoes, dill, parsley, onions, pepper and cumin. Set aside.

Cut tops off peppers and discard. Slice in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds and ribs.

Coat bottom of 8-inch (2 L) square baking dish with lemon juice, oil, 1/4 cup water and salt. Lay stuffed peppers in dish and fill with bulgur wheat or rice mixtures.Cover dish with lid or foil.

Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven for 1 hour. Uncover and bake until peppers are tender, adding enough water if necessary to maintain about 1/4 cup liquid in pan, about 15 minutes.

Spoon juices into pepper stuffing and serve.

NEW FEATURE: Beth's Book Nook (coming soon)

In my spare time, when I'm not knitting or baking (or cleaning), I really enjoy reading (and our little one enjoys it, too!). I usually have a book or two on the go at any one time. I read on my commute to and from work each day, so slow journeys or unexpected delays on the TTC are never an inconvenience for me.  I've also got a different book ready at home for those quiet nights I find myself alone after Olivia has gone to bed. Lately I'd much rather read then try to find something on television to watch. 

While I have favorite genres and authors, I love getting recommendations from friends, browsing at the book store, or online best seller lists. There are so many books to read out there (and so little time) that my list is always growing. Thanks to Goodreads, I'm able to keep track of them all. I tell everyone about this site, so if you're a book reader/lover, you should check it out (and find me!). It's great to see what other people are reading, and there's something satisfying about adding another book to your "Read" shelf. 
 

Goodreads has a yearly Book Challenge on their site that I find fun to participate in. You pick how many books you want to read that year, and then try to hit that goal. I thought my goal of 20 books would be achievable, but I'm already dragging behind by 5 books. At having read only 11 books so far, I better pick up the pace (and choose shorter books!). 

I am currently reading: 
How to Knit a Love Song by Rachell Herron
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I've also thought about joining a book club, but there's something I don't really like about everyone reading and dissecting one book . It feels too much like high school when we had to write book reports. Instead, some girlfriends and I started an "unconventional book club", where we meet up about once a month to eat, drink wine, and talk books and movies. Our first meet-up was to see The Great Gatsby, a book that most of us had read back in high school, so we thought we'd check out the film adaptation. From there, the group was born. We're unconventional in the sense that, instead of all of us reading the same book, we come armed with a book or two (and a bottle of wine) to swap between the group. It's a little like Show and Tell: we tell a bit about the book and why we liked it, then we each get our pick of which to read next. The hubby thinks it's just an excuse to get together to eat and drink, and while I'll deny it to him, he's probably right.

The above is just a really long way of saying that I thought I'd start my own book review here and share with you some of the books I've read and enjoyed over this past year(s). The first review to come shortly (and appearing regularly).

And if you have any good books to recommend, please share in the comments!

Crafty Find: Leslieville Flea Market

I remember when I was younger and we would occasionally head to the Pickering Flea Market with my parents. What we’d find there were vendors selling cheap sweat pants and mittens and other random items. The market was indoors, was huge, and I don’t ever recall actually buying anything there, but that was my impression of what a flea market was - at least in the suburbs. (I haven’t thought about that market in YEARS, but it turns out it still runs every Saturday and Sunday, and has since 1973.) 

But now I’m older, an adult, if you will, and I’m not looking for sweat pants any longer but cool items for our house instead. I wouldn’t consider myself an antique shopper, but there is definitely some appeal to finding a deal on something not found at IKEA.  If I believe the fashion and design experts, it seems that everything old is now modern again. So when our little neighbourhood started the Leslieville Flea Market, my husband and I were excited to check it out. It ran during the summer on the third Sunday of every month in the parking lot of dive bar at Leslie & Queen. We’ve been to each one , and it’s been fun to see it grow, to see the same vendors return, to chat with them, and to see new vendors show up. The finds are pretty awesome, perhaps not everyone’s taste, and even if you’re not there to buy, you’ll surely have a moment of nostalgia when you see some of the things there. 

We’ve bought a couple of items there now and are always on the look-out for other unique items. If you're not looking to buy, the flea market is also a great source of inspiration for those of you who like DIY projects. So far, we've picked up some lovely teal chairs for our new dining room table for $25/each from Sourced & Salvaged. They even delivered them to our door – free of charge! They have the right amount of distress and style to make them look aged, and I love the pop of colour that they add to our dining room. We also found a really cute children’s table and chairs for Olivia, as well as a dress from the ‘70s that had never been worn.  Most times we don't go looking for something in particular, but then something grabs our eye and we just have to have it.

Well, the summer is over, long gone is the warm and sunny weather, but the outdoor market is finding a new life indoors at Jimmy Simpson Recreation Centre, at least for the next two months. If you feel like checking it out, you’ll probably find us there.