Tuesday 23 February 2016

Ice Fishing


There was concern among the local fishing community that the ice fishing season this winter would be in jeopardy, due to the late arrival of winter and the relatively mild temperatures we experienced through most of January.


But a cold snap in February allowed the bay to freeze enough that small groups of people could safely fish with lightweight equipment and temporary structures.



Sleds moved equipment, instead of vehicles.


And tents were used, instead of the sturdier huts that are usually in place through the winter.





We may not have the traditional semi-permanent fishing community established on the lake this winter, but at least the opportunity for a few days on the ice presented itself for those that enjoy fishing in this weather!

One last thing.  Do you use Steller?  I tried it.  I think I liked it.


Sunday 21 February 2016

Hey, it's the Weekend!


Last week's cold temperatures gave way to rain and above zero days this week.  I'm hoping not to see this again anytime soon.


It was encouraging to see the sun setting later - a sure sign that spring is just around the corner.


A shiny new kettle to perk up my stovetop.
The dog, making himself comfortable in the clean towels I dumped on the sofa for folding.  Did he think I wouldn't see him in his camouflage jacket?
Spinach salad.
Making a mess of the kitchen.
Helping a friend turn 50.  It was hard work :)


Cadbury's Mini Eggs are in the stores.  How about some Mini Egg Fudge?

This food tour of Toronto's Little Italy looks like something I want to do!

These Raw Hemp Chocolates look incredible.  Healthy candy!

How amazing is this Instagram Gallery Wall?


And this has to be the coolest thing I've seen all week.


One last thing.  Do you use Steller?  I tried it.  I think I liked it.

Thoughts?

Leave me your user name in the comments so I can follow you :)


Happy Weekend!


Monday 15 February 2016

Cold Snap, and the February Blahs


After spending the past few days avoiding the outdoors, I had hoped to get some photos of ice huts on the lake.  A few consecutive days of temperatures in the minus thirties meant that the lake would have enough ice on it for fishing.

Sadly, I didn't see any.  It was snowing, and I couldn't see out very far.

I get frustrated this time of year.  The world is so white and I feel as though there's nothing to take photos of.  Snow gets boring after a while.



 OK, so the ice heaved up against the shore was interesting.


And I'll head back out when the snow clears and the sun is shining.

I have to say, it's hard to feel inspired these days.  It must be a February thing.

But these words resonated with me when I came across them last week.


Soon enough, this world of white will begin to thaw.  In the meantime, I'll have to try harder to look for inspiration in the here and now.

I suppose one can always count on dogs for that.





Thank you for featuring me!

Cuddle Fairy

Red Velvet Pancakes with Buttermilk Caramel Syrup


Red Velvet Pancakes for Valentine's Day breakfast.


This is as close as you can get to having chocolate cake for breakfast, while still being able to call it breakfast instead of dessert.

I made both Buttermilk Pancakes, and red velvet pancakes.  The red velvet pancakes have a slightly cakier texture.  They're not as fluffy as the buttermilk pancakes, and they have satisfying not-too-sweet chocolate flavour.




The chocolate pancakes paired well with the flavour of the buttermilk caramel syrup that I made.



This syrup is a pancake game changer.  I caught them licking their plates.  And I would have probably done the same if I hadn't just given them the 'where are your manners' speech.  We love our maple syrup in this house, but I'll be making this buttermilk caramel syrup again.


I hope you had a happy Valentine's Day!



Red Velvet Pancakes

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 cups buttermilk*
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp red gel food colouring

Directions

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.   I  found cocoa to be lumpy so I sieved the ingredients together.

Whisk together the buttermilk, vanilla, melted butter, food colouring, and eggs in a separate bowl until well combined.

Mix the wet and dry ingredients. Allow batter to sit for a few minutes.

Lightly butter a large frying pan and set over medium heat. Use a 1/3 cup of batter for each 6” pancake. Flip each pancake when bubbles form on the surface and the edges begin to brown, 2-3 minutes. If your pancakes brown too quickly, turn heat down to medium-low. Cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes or until browned.

Serve right away or keep warm in a low oven while you cook the remaining pancakes.

Buttermilk Caramel Syrup

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups buttermilk*
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup salted butter
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring buttermilk, sugars, and butter to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and whisk in baking soda, then vanilla. It will foam up, so be sure to use a large enough saucepan.  As it cools, most of the foam will disappear.

*If you don't keep buttermilk on hand, make your own buttermilk with one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar for each cup of milk. Put the tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar in your measuring cup, then add the milk to measure one cup of buttermilk. Allow to sit for a few minutes before combining with the other ingredients.
  


Friday 12 February 2016

Friday, it's Friday!


Oh... hey February!

Wasn't it just January, like yesterday?


It was -43°C this morning.

The sun is setting later.
Snow squalls have rolled through a few times this week.
Cafe Mocha is a beautiful thing, so are Rocky Road Brownies.
Hockey playoffs mean the season is winding up.
Sweet potato fries rock.
Buttermilk pancakes with buttermilk caramel syrup...dessert for dinner.
Teenage boys that aren't too old to hit the bookstore for a Lord of the Rings colouring book.
Post-hockey pizza.
Star Wars Lego figures.  The youngest boy is collecting an army of them.

Other random bits...

Potato Chip Cookies.  We all need these in our lives.

Did you have pancakes on Pancake Tuesday?

I'm loving these walk-in shower ideas.

I tried making sushi at home once.  It was a nightmare.  But these I think I can manage!

And is brown rice really better than white rice?

I want to visit Winnipeg.  But not in the winter.  They don't call it Winterpeg for nothing.

This Almond Cherry Loaf is perfect for Valentine's Day.

And there's a bunch of Valentine's Day inspiration right here.

Happy Friday, happy weekend!




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