Merry Merry! Butterhorns with Vanilla Drizzle

This is a sponsored post. Dairy Farmers of Canada compensated me financially to write it,  however, all opinions are my own. I’ve been a big fan of all things dairy forever!

Some of my sweetest holiday memories are of Mom bringing out containers of delicious butterhorns from the freezer at Christmastime. Over the holidays, we'd enjoy them with our breakfast and a cup of good coffee, and I could barely wait until they had lost their chill before biting into one. In the evening, they went great with a glass of cold milk while we watched such holiday classics as Christmas Vacation. When I was a little kid, Santa and Rudolph were never far from my mind as I left some butterhorns and glasses of milk out for them - just in case they needed some Christmas Eve refreshments. A glass of ice cold Canadian Quality Milk is refreshing and delicious, especially when accompanying something sweet and made with love in the kitchen.

Best of Yule: Holiday Favourites

So two months is too long to not have popped in here to say hi.  Let's just say October and November were off the charts busy, but now I'm finding a quiet moment on a Mid-December afternoon to say hi.  I've got a little Baileys in my coffee (because it's December), and a gingerbread cookie (or two)  keeping the coffee company.  My old grey cat is curled up in a ball by my feet and when the furnace cuts out I can hear her purring.  It's cozy, to say the least.  The last few days have been particularly awesome around here.  I received my first royalty cheque in the mail (!!!) - and it was a pretty darn good feeling to tuck it away into my savings account.  Huge thanks to everyone who has purchased my cookbooks far this year.  I wish I could hug you all!  And!  I found out that All the Sweet Things won a Gourmand World Cookbook Award!  My cookbook won the national competition in the Best First Book category and will go on to represent Canada at the Gourmand Awards Ceremony in China May 2018.  Exciting stuff!  No, I won't be going to China to cheer it on - but my heart and spirit will definitely be there.  What a wonderful early Christmas present!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Spread & That Time I Went to Georgia

Disclosure:  The Peanut Bureau of Canada paid for my travel and accommodations.  All opinions about peanuts and this trip are mine.  They did not pay me to write this post.  

What a difference a month makes!  On the first day of September, I was recuperating from ovarian cyst surgery, my mom was here taking care of me, and I was watching way too much Daytime TV.  Today, I'm all better - just a few scars remain - and my routine has gone back to "normal" - whatever that may be.  I even hopped a plane (or four!) and headed down to Georgia to see how peanuts are grown.  And .... I had dinner with President Jimmy Carter - yes that Jimmy Carter - just to make things even more awesome.  But, let's start at the beginning, because that's where I always like to start things.

Catching Up: Sour Cherry & Plum Jelly; Other News

Summertime: Sour Cherry and Chocolate Scones

I'm popping in with a quick hello.  And, can someone please tell me how August has pulled into the action already?  July went by in a flash, and I hope you managed to check a few things off your summer bucket list.  I managed to zip to the lake for Canada Day weekend, and it was everything you want a summer weekend to be.....hot, but not too hot, barely any bugs, and an overflowing snack drawer.  We ate super well, with all of the lake necessities: s'mores, burgers and beer.  Canoe rides were had, loons were heard and I sat on the dock, watching the sun go down.  With half of summer over, it's time to do all the things you want to do before it's too late.  Go on that Ferris wheel ride; bury your toes in some sand; take your mom on a road trip and stop for ice cream along the way; eat a peach so juicy that all the juices run all the way down your arms, chin, chest; lay on your back, gazing at the stars, wondering if someone, somewhere is gazing at the same stars as you.

Summer Break: Fried Bannock and Book Updates

I'm back!  It's been awhile.  I hope your summer is off to a wonderful start.  How is it that half the year is already over?  Gah!  When I think about it, I've done so much in the past few months, been so many places with the cookbook, I'm happy to have a bit of breather over the next couple of months.  Plans are beginning to shape up for the fall, but right now, I just want to enjoy what is happening at the moment.  Be here now, and all that.  But first, a little recap of my Toronto trip.  Go grab a coffee (cold brew or otherwise).  I'll wait. 

On The Road with All the Sweet Things, Plus Media Links!

Hey all!  I hope you're doing just splendidly on this fine late May day.  What a month it has been!  All the Sweet Things cookbook was been out in the world (officially) for 31 days, and what glorious days they have been.  I've hopped into my shiny new red car and driven over 2,000 Kms to Regina, Lloydminster, Calgary and Edmonton.  I've met sweet old friends along the way, and made plenty of new ones.  Thanks to all who came out to say hi, eat something sweet, buy a cookbook from me, and get it signed.  How I love scrawling my name into your book!  I'll never get tired of that.  I'm home now, taking a bit of a breather, then I hop a plane in two weeks and head to Toronto.  That's right, Toronto friends, I'm coming your way.  I hope to see you at Cookery on June 10th, around 4 pm.  Head to the bottom of this post for more details.  I'm so excited to be in your town!  Let's chat cookbooks and eat cookies and catch up, okay?

Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins, Gratitude and a Giveaway!

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, 

and that gratitude is happiness doubled in wonder."  ~ G.K. Chesterton

It's April 25th, which if you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you know that it is the official publication date of All the Sweet Things.  This means my book baby is out in the world, for all to read and enjoy.  It's an overwhelming feeling, frankly, to see all of your hard work and dedication for the past two years, being held by other people in their hands.  To think that two years ago I was just thinking about what my cookbook proposal should be.  And now, the book is real and being purchased by friends, family and strangers.  I love the strangers!

Mini Eggs and Book Tour Stuff

It's Easter weekend, and whether you're up to your eyeballs in coloured eggs with the kids or having some much-deserved chill time with Netflix and those darn addictive (and pretty!) Mini Eggs, I hope your time off is treating you well, so far.  I'm doing that combination work/play thing this weekend, but Mini Eggs will be present at both ventures.  Seriously.  Can't stop.  And look!  They match the cover of my book perfectly.  I'm in love!  I was teasing Tree, the designer of the book, that those tasty eggs were the inspiration for the colour palette of the book... turns out I wasn't too far off the mark on that one as she is a fellow member of the Can't Stop Eating Mini Eggs Support Group.   

Brown Butter Buttermilk Banana Bread and Book News!

"I stuck my head out the window this morning and spring kissed me bang in the face."  

~ Langston Hughes 

I know it's still March, and maybe you still have snow on the ground.  Maybe you're currently wearing a sweater and wool socks like I still am, but the air, oh the air, smelled like spring today and I daresay it made me almost weep.  This has been a long winter, like they usually are.  I'm so glad that warmer temps are on the way, as is the Big Melt in the yard.  I swear I have a small lagoon out there right now, but stomping through puddles is a yearly right of passage, amiright?

At a Glance: Sugar-Coated Cake Doughnuts

I was scrolling through my phone this morning, and lo and behold, one year ago I was visiting my mom, and we were testing the last leg of recipes for the cookbook, including this doughnut recipe.  At this point last year I was so close to being done my manuscript I could taste it, and yet had about 20 recipes to go.  A bit of bakers fatigue was setting in, as I suppose it would after going hard for 4 months, testing/baking about 8 recipes a week.  Flash forward to one year later, right here, right now, and I'm so happy to hold my very own copy of All the Sweet Things.  It arrived in my mailbox on Valentine's Day.  Fitting, as I put all of my heart into this project.  To finally hold everything I've worked so hard on, well, it's an indescribable feeling, but something along the lines of joyous and awesome and freaking fantastic comes to mind. 

All the Sweet Things: First Look (and Pre-order Info!)

"Louisa May Alcott said 'write what you know.' And so, with this cookbook, I am doing just that. I know what it's like to move to a new place, knowing no one. I know the thrill of adventure and the pain of heartbreak. And I know how to bake." 

With warmth, wit, and a touch of nostalgia, popular food blogger Renée Kohlman offers more than 100 of her favourite recipes—including 60 new ones that have never appeared on her blog—guaranteed to make your mouth water. 

Renée provides a practical list of pantry essentials, recommendations for useful tools and equipment, and lots of variations for those who bake gluten or sugar free. 

Teeming with inspiration for bakers of all abilities, this collection features the stunning photography, heartfelt anecdotes, and engaging food writing that her readers have come to know and love.

You guys!  This is my cookbook!  I'm so happy that I can share the cover and all the pre-order info with you.  All the Sweet Things will be available to the whole wide world on April 25th.  I'm just a little bit excited!  Somebody come over and pinch me already!  If you would like to pre-order, (I love you already!) here are the following links to do so. 

Amazon.ca

Amazon.com

Chapters Indigo

Barnes and Noble

McNally Robinson

Way back when this book was just an idea, I asked Erin, Julie and Aimée if they would write blurbs, you know, if the cookbook ever came to be.  And, without hesitation, they said yes.  My heart swelled the first time I read what they said.  I may have even cried a little.  Having their words on the back of my cookbook is just the very best thing, and I can't thank them enough.  I love you ladies! 

"Every page is packed with deliciousness and irresistible recipes for cooks of all kings. Not only is Renée a fantastic baker, she is a soulful writer and gifted photographer. When you're not cooking from her book, you might just find yourself tucked into bed drooling over her photographs and savouring her heartfelt stories." —Erin Scott, bestselling author of Yummy Supper

"In her beautiful debut cookbook, Renée writes from the heart, weaving stories and recipes together in a way that convinces us that we too are capable of making magic in the kitchen. A collection of both familiar and inspiring new desserts, this book is sure to become a timeless Canadian classic." —Aimée Wimbush-Bourque, award-winning writer at Simple Bites and author of Brown Eggs and Jam Jars

"Renée has an eye for all the sweet things, and everything she makes is real and approachable. For those who eat with their eyes—and don't we all?—her photos are irresistible. They make the home cook feel like they're right beside her in the kitchen." —Julie Van Rosendaal, bestselling cookbook author and founder of Dinner with Julie

And, keep watching this space in the Spring, as I'll update it to where and when I'll be signing copies of my book.  Hope to see you there!  I'll bring the cupcakes!

On the Mend: Mushroom Soup Gratinée

Today marks three weeks since I've been sick as a dog, and I finally, finally feel like my old self, minus a bit of a dry cough at night and the odd sniffle.  But, I feel about 97.66% normal.  Fist pumping the air, as we speak.  I'm still trying to take it easy, and will continue on my strong Vitamin game, as well as oil of oregano, and my handy dandy neti pot.  I've also been drinking this little elixir I've been making with powdered reishi and chaga mushrooms.  There's a store in our Farmers' Market which has all sorts of health products, and mushrooms, especially these two, are known for their strong anti-viral properties.  I just stir the powder into hot water and drink up.  It certainly has helped kick the virus' butt.  Yay mushrooms!

A New Year and Chicken Noodle Soup

Happy new year, friends.  I hope so far 2017 is treating you well.  It's always hard going back to work/school/routine after the holidays.  I already miss those Baileys in the coffee mornings, the guilt-free chomping on Toblerone (it's the holidays!), and the merry-making.  Christmas chez Renée was super fun.  My lovely mom helped me make dinner on Christmas Eve, where my handsome beau was also an attendee.  My tiny dining room was all aglow in candlelight and the food, well, the food was delicious.  For future reference, if you don't already brine your turkey, I highly recommend you do so.  So flavourful!  So juicy!  My mom and I both swear it's the best turkey we ever tasted.  And that counts the year that she wrapped the bird in bacon.  Afterwards, we opened gifts and the cats had the best time in the boxes and wrapping paper.  So easy to please those furkids.  New Years was quiet, just me and the guy.   Movies and homemade pizza.  Cuddles and champagne wishes/kisses.  New Years Day we went for a long walk in the cold, though popped into a fancy hotel for boozy hot chocolates halfway through.  Time spent with your perfect person is really the best gift.  And then I got sick.