Artichoke & Asiago Poppers for Oscar Night

In a perfect world, you'd have seen these delicious morsels of artichoke goodness well before Colin Firth presented Meryl Streep her Best Actress Oscar (my favourite moment of Sunday night - my boyfriend looked so handsome and Meryl so eloquent and perfectly charming).  It's been crazy busy around here, with this and that and trying to find time to sleep and eat too.  Luckily I'm snagging a few seconds to blab about my favourite movies of late and to tell you about these most delicious appetizers.  Believe me, you want this recipe in your appetizer file.   

Change it Up: Buttermilk Scones with Lemon Curd

If you are a frequent visitor round here, you'll already have noticed a few changes.  Are you checking out that banner?   I snapped the photo of my lovely green beans last Summer, and now their nuance is a kindly reminder every time I create something on these pages.  While the first banner, in all it's cakey glory, was fine,  I wanted a bit of a change up, and we all agree that change is good, right?  Right. (Am I the only one who thinks of David Bowie every time I hear that word?)  A sweet simplicity was created and I'm super duper happy with the end result. Who knew bean leaves could be so darn gorgeous?  The gardener geek in me is released - much apologies.

Bittersweet: Molten Lava Cakes with Pistachios & Sea Salt

 

My every intention was to write this post for Valentine's Day - all smooshy and nauseatingly sappified.  I'd met a fella, see?  It was early days, but he was thoughtful and kind, with an easy smile and chocolate brown eyes.  There was the slow-release of skeletons tip-toeing out of the closet (you don't get to be dating dudes in my age group without some sort of baggage life history), and I was mentally checking off the list of things I want and don't want in someone who'll potentially share my life.  All was well.  And yet.  And yet some baggage is just too heavy.

Soda Bread with Dark Chocolate & Blood Orange Peel

 

It's a mad chocolate world out there right now.  Heart-shaped boxes; kisses wrapped in pink tin-foil; delectable cupcakes overflowing with buttercream and boxed up with pretty bows.  Valentines are running amok, finding sweets for their sweet ones.  Such displays of confection (and affection) are so very welcome during these hard-fought days of Winter.

For the Babes: Butterscotch Pudding

 

"To see the world in a grain of sand, and to see heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hands, and eternity in an hour."  William Blake

Just two years ago my sweet niece, Miss M, was a little pink bundle of cheeks and chins.  A good baby; a content baby.  Today she is of the bluest eyes and sweetest nature - asking if she can have more of my Lypsyl (she takes after her Aunty's affinity for all things lip balm) and a follower of my every move.  When her soft little hand (with fingertips of pink) is placed in mine, it's a moment I clasp onto; eyes closed, etched in the bank of memory.  Sweet Margaret Rose do not grow up too fast.

DIY Take-out: Pad Thai with Shrimp & Tofu

 

What is going on with me?  First I was baking brownies without butter, and now I'm craving tofu?  It's crazy talk.  But you know, the brownies turned out super awesome, and so did this Pad Thai.  So I'm onto something good, right?  Every so often it's cool to shake up the whole culinary routine.  Or just shake up life's little routines in general. Go for something that you normally wouldn't have picked out for yourself in the first place.  You don't have to dye your hair red or paint your walls blue (or dye your hair blue and paint your walls red), but do something a little bit different.  You may be surprised (in the best way!) by the end result.