Sunday in the kitchen

So I'm another year older today. And none the wiser? Perhaps. I mean, I really haven't figured out this crazy life of mine yet - I've still lots of time for that! But here is what I do know for sure on this most beautiful of June days. 

That backyard karaoke parties really are the very best way to celebrate another year with friends and family.

That it really is o.k. to bake your own birthday cake, made from my very favourite vegan chocolate cake recipe found in Babycakes. Mmmm!

That it's not really worth crying over spilled cake, because there's always the second pan waiting safely in the oven. So my two-tier cake plans didn't work out - stop your sobbing and get creative!

Just take that lone slab of chocolate cake, top it with the very yummiest of vegan whipped cream, top with berries, and happy birthday to me!

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

What will you do today?

Today I will take these beautiful, locally-grown strawberries and crush them, and boil them, and sweeten them into an abundance of delicious jam!

Enough jam to keep that little guy above, and the rest of us, enjoying its deliciousness all summer long!

Sunday in the kitchen - Daddy's Day Edition

I sat Nate and Finn down seperately yesterday to ask them questions about their dad - who is Daddy to them? What does he mean to them? How has he influenced them? In my eyes, I watch him father his two growing boys with patience and kindness and ever-so-much love. He handles whatever daily squabble, mishap, or misbehaviour that comes our way with such a calm and gentle approach. I am inspired by his strength and grateful every single day for all of the work he does to help keep this family moving through the bustle of each day. But what do our boys see? I had to find out! 
How old is Daddy?
N: He's gonna turn 45, I think
F: (shrugs shoulders) 17? (Note: Finn was not rewarded in any way for giving that flattering answer!)
What is Daddy's job?
N: Being a father and taking pictures and working at Carman's and videotaping town council meetings.
F: Working at a camera store.
What is Daddy's favourite food?
N: Mushrooms, no wait, seafood.
F: Everything!
Do you like Daddy's music? What is his favourite?
N: Yeah. Kiss.
F: Kind of. Kiss. (I'm surprised they both give this answer as I've never heard Kiss played in our house ever! So I press Finn for more details.) He listens to it when you're not here then he turns it off. (Oh the things I'm learning!)
What is Daddy's favourite hobby?
N: Being a father. Wait, is that a hobby? Oh, taking pictures.
F: What's a hobby? (short explanation given) Oh, he likes to take pictures and he likes to go to Coffee Culture. (Coffee is a hobby in this house!)
What is your favourite thing to do with Daddy?
N: Going out with him on bike rides.
F: I like to go out with him to get some ice cream.
What is your best memory of Daddy?
N: Yesterday night. We went on a bike ride to a lot of places - to the forest, to Coffee Culture, to the train tracks, then home.
F: Getting bubble gum ice cream uptown because I got all the gum out and Daddy showed me how to make a bubble.
What story do you love to hear Daddy tell?
N: The squirrel story because it's funny! (When G was a young lad, he made a friend in Peanuts the squirrel - a neighbourhood squirrel that he fed seeds to on a regular basis. Then one day Peanuts turned on G, biting his seed-filled hand and pulling his pajama pants down as he ran away! The kids can't get enough of that story!)
F: Robert Munsch - the one that's called Zoom!
What do you love the most about Daddy? 
N: That he's nice, that he's kind, that he's fun.
F: Getting bubble gum ice cream and Daddy taking me out and getting me donuts. (Coffee Culture? Ice cream? Donuts? How do I miss out on all of these yummy outings??) Can I tell you about the worstest time? You forgot that. (Um, o.k. This isn't really where I wanted to go with this interview, but I'm intrigued by what his 'worstest time' could be!) Daddy had a bag in his hand. I was scootering with him then the bag dropped. I tripped over the bag and got this (points to his scabbed knee) and it's still there, can you believe it? Can Nathan do the bad times with Daddy too? (Yelling) NATHAN! It's your turn to tell the bad times with Daddy!
N: NO! (Yelling back) I don't have any! (Phew!)

Our day was a day we decided to start new Father's Day traditions - it started with a morning of strawberry picking, followed by a great afternoon of canoeing, fishing, barbecuing with family. We hope, weather permitting, that we will spend every Father's Day in this way. Together. In honour of Father's Day, I made what my family calls Dad's Cookies. It's a traditional chocolate, oatmeal, coconut, no-bake cookie that has been called hundreds of different names. They are my Dad's favourite, and were thus named by us in his honour. The recipe has hung in my parents' kitchen ever since I was a child, carved into a ceramic plaque by my Gramma. I have veganized this recipe simply by substituting in a dairy-free milk and dairy-free margarine. Through many experiments, I have found that rice milk works the best - soy makes them a bit on the chewy side. If you use rice milk, cut the boil time to about 3.5 minutes.

Sunday in the kitchen

I ran a 5km race today for the very first time. Really, I did. Here's the photographic proof...

Looking a little worse for wear, but I did it. I accomplished exactly what I set out to do - to cross the finish line in an upright position. What an incredible feeling that was! I went into this race a little sore, a little under-trained, a lot scared, and came out of it feeling like I can take on anything! Except making our post-run brunch,which I guided G through while sitting with my tired feet perched up on a chair!

Post-run Brunch Hash
5 potatoes, peeled and cut
6 slices of bacon
1 onion
3 cloves of garlic
2 C of greens - I used a mixture of Swiss chard, pak choi and kale
Tamari to taste
Parboil potatoes until just tender. Meanwhile, fry bacon in a skillet until cooked. Drain off fat and add onions and garlic. Fry until translucent. Drain potatoes and add to skillet. Drizzle tamari to taste and cover until potatoes are completely cooked through. Add greens and gently toss. Brunch is served!

What will you do today?

Today I will mix together 1 part water, 1 part dish soap and a small squeeze of corn syrup to make our very own bubble solution. I will pull out a roll of wire to twist into homemade bubble wands and take my brawling boys outdoors for an activity that kept them from killing one another for a good length of time. I will be thankful that the simplest of ingredients provided such a great distraction. What will you do today?

this moment

From Soulemama - this moment - a Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your moment in the comments for all to find and see.

Sunday in the kitchen

I was at a party recently - a good friend's birthday party where at some point in the night we got to talking about rhubarb. Yeah, we get all kinds of crazy when we go out these days! We were drooling over its deliciousness and debating whether or not rhubard pie was better with or without strawberries - my vote was for strawberries! A perfect combination, if you ask me! We eventually got to wondering what this humble plant's story was - was it native to Canada? We all presumed it was since it's so common - I can't remember living anywhere that didn't have a plant or two growing in the backyard. And from our two-drinks-into-the-night perspective, this spring treat never seems to be found on other culture's menus. As Canadian as rhubarb pie? Not quite. Turns out we were wrong. According to Wikipedia, the Chinese have been using rhubarb for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. It didn't actually make its way to North America until the early 1800s. You learn something new everyday! And before you disappear from my garden for another year, dear rhubarb, I decided to try something new today! 

Rhubarb Cake
1/2 C margarine - I used Earth Balance
1/2 C brown sugar
3/4 C buttermilk - vegan buttermilk can be easily made by adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to soy milk
2 tbsp ground flax seed mixed together with 6 tbsp hot water (or 2 eggs)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 C rice flour
1/4 C potato starch
2 tsp guar gum
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 C chopped fresh rhubarb
Topping:
1/4 C brown sugar
1 tbsp margarine
1 tsp cinnamon
Cream together margarine and brown sugar. A rest of wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Mix wet and dry ingredients together then fold in rhubarb. Pour batter into greased, square baking pan and sprinkle topping over the top. Bake at 350F for about 45 mins., or until fork comes out clean.
What's cooking in your kitchen?

this moment

From Soulemama - this moment - a Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your moment in the comments for all to find and see.

Taking us places we never thought we'd go!

I asked G recently if there was anything he has done as a parent that he never ever thought he would see himself do. "Yeah," he quickly replied. "I never thought I would ever find myself standing in the outfield helping six-year-olds play baseball." We had a good giggle over this because my non-athletic husband has probably never used the word 'outfield' before in his life. He's never even played baseball and I'm pretty certain he had to stop and ask for directions to the outfield after he was asked to help out. I did play ball when I was a kid. It was what you did in the summer. My small town had very few options for extracurricular activities - and my parents were the coaches, so I really had little choice in the matter! So I know the game. But I have to admit, helping out with our sons' sports teams is something I also never ever thought I would one day find myself doing! So no one was more surprised than myself when I slowly raised my hand to the request for volunteers to help out behind the bench. And no one was more surprised than I by how much fun it has been getting these little rookies  suited up for their turn out on the field and lined up for their turn at bat. I read somewhere once that parenting is a journey, not a destination. I've been a parent for close to 10 years now (what?!?!) and I have loved every minute of watching my children grow and learn and take in all that this world has to offer. Like any good journey, there have been plenty of bumps along the way - lots of twists and turns and detours. But I am thankful for each and every one of those moments, for I am still growing too, and surprising myself, and taking myself down paths I dared not think about going.

Go team!