Sunday collage

This is what happens when you leave a job half done instead of calling a proper landscaper to trim the cedar hedge; we are hoping that the damage to the hedge is minimal.

These are called Jack's Buttermilk Pancakes and I have no idea where the recipe came from. But it makes a huge stack of pancakes, enough for a few more breakfasts and a dozen for the Scottish neighbour who just loves his "pannies".

The above-pictured cinnamon rolls are made without wheat, yeast, or sugar and they are so good tasting that Maura said she could eat a pan a day. So could I! This recipe for Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls is from Tastyyummies. We did not use raisins but loaded these babies up with pecans.
 

I have a smaller version of this bear; his name is Persimmon; we adopted him 25 years ago and he hasn't lost any of his character or softness.

Sold

"The artist is the servant of that intention, those angels, that Muse. The enemy of the artist is the small-time Ego, which begets Resistance, which is the dragon that guards the gold.That's why an artist must be a warrior and, like all warriors, artists over time acquire modesty and humility. They may, some of them, conduct themselves flamboyantly in public. But alone with the work they are chaste and humble. They know they are not the source of the creations they bring into being. They only facilitate. They carry. They are the willing and skilled instruments of the gods and goddesses they serve."

"Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the artist. It's a gift to the world and every being in it. Don't cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you've got."


From The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Minchilli and Stewart

You can't go wrong with a Martha Stewart recipe as proven by Mr. Cowboy; Pork Chops with Apples and Onions was really tasty, perfect comfort food on a winter's day.

And instead of the usual rice or mashed spuds to go with it, Mr.Cowboy roasted up a head of cauliflower with leeks and sage picked from the garden (yes, under all the snow) and this combo is now a favourite of ours. The recipe is courtesy of Elizabeth Minchilli and her blog is one of the best. She lives in Italy; need I say more...

Airport sunset

There used to be orchards on both sides of the road leading to the airport; a few lonely trees are left but I'm afraid their fate does not look good. Now the road is bordered with monster houses and retirement villas. 
Maura's twin-engine turbo prop landed just as the sun was setting; the orchards are almost all gone but the sunset is still spectacular.

Give-away cookies

These are the kind of cookies that you want to give away because if you have them around the house you cannot just eat one, three or four will disappear before you can say butterfingers. Just four ingredients whipped together to make a finger lickin' good toffee cookie.
Another great recipe from Sweet Christmas by Sharon Bowers.

Merry Christmas Pancakes

These are called Perfect Christmas Pancakes. The recipe is from a book called Sweet Christmas by Sharon Bowers. I just got the book and as I collect pancake recipes I thought I would give it a go no matter what the calendar says. Well these are perfect and you certainly shouldn't have them only once a year.

The secret to great pancakes like these is to NOT overmix the batter. Plus they are made with both baking powder and baking soda and then you pour in a whole bunch of buttermilk. With this combination you get cake-like high,fluffy pancakes. These are so good that breakfast conversation consisted of words like wow and yummy.

Gwyneth vs Ina

 

The only reason I decided to make oatmeal cookies today was because we had an awful lot of oatmeal. So to make it interesting I chose a recipe from two of my favourite bakers; Ina Garten and Gwyneth Paltrow. The cookies pictured above are from Ina's book called Back to Basics. These cookies are full of sugar and butter and lots of oats, pecans, and raisins. This cookie is a meal.

On the other hand, Gwyneth's recipe from her book titled My Father's Daughter, are really great made with spelt flour, walnuts, maple syrup, and brown rice syrup. Instead of butter this recipe uses vegetable oil. Gwyneth's cookies have a nutty texture and there is no sugar so they are very enjoyable.