Whirley Pop Fun..

Lily and I bought The Whirley Pop popcorn popper for daddy over the holidays. This family loves their popcorn, and we had visions of perky kernels bouncing in our heads. The Whirley Pop comes complete with kernels, instructions and, an 'oh so' exciting recipe book. First up on my list, caramel and peanut corn!!

I spent thirty minutes unwrapping these little caramels, but I knew, in my heart, it would be worth it. The anticipation was almost to much. My saliva glands were in full over load. I popped the perfect pot of corn, melted my caramels as instructed by the official hand guide to the Whirley Pop popcorn popper.
And then..

What the What! I had a congealed foot high glob of ... this! Creamy and delicious..not at all. A beautiful mixture of salt and sugar in every bite..not at all. In fact, all the peanuts were still on the plate. Of course I had three girlfriends over for this momentous experience. They still ate it, smiling and nodding to imply it was super delicious.

That is what friends are for. Even in failure, they make you feel successful.

hmm, I feel I should add, that I still love my Whirley Pop (hot buttered popped corn three nights in a row). Perhaps, yes, you are right to suggest I've a small bitterness towards the cookbook. Lets face it, it was a giant let down. But, that, like many things, in time, will pass.

'Tis the Season...

....to be jolly. Merry Christmas everyone. A little peak into our lives of late.

Lights, Camera, Action..

The kitchen was finished yesterday morning. The crew arrived in the afternoon. It was cookie making day, live on TV, with famous girl about town Tamara Taggart.

All my fretting, all my concerns about the house, the kitchen, my face, remembering to swallow my saliva...mattered not one bit. From the very beginning, and for the entire two hours, my girl Midge, stole the show.

Hi my name is Heather, I'm a professional stylist for magazines and...oh, who the hell cares, lets just see this kid ice the cookies.

I know I couldn't have carried off this look. And no one would have been charmed if I took off my pants and skipped about the house singing.



Tamara and the crew were fabulously fun to have in my home. It was my husbands birthday, and boy, it's was a memorable one!

Wonder Woman..Nah..Just a Mom

I feel, some days, that if I spun around, arms out like a ballerina, that I do have a small chance of turning from Diana Prince, into Princess Diana - aka Wonder Woman.

In between making Canadiana sugar cookies for my upcoming TV segment next week, I'm renovating, decorating and trying to be a festive, fun loving mom.

Being careful not to confuse the piping icing with the thin set tile binder. Remarkably similar in texture and look. Hmm, a possible time saver option..

Lily, or Midge as we love to call her, is discovering Christmas and all it's magic.

I think she believes Christmas means candy.

My helper this season - Pip. A magical elf that watches over Lily. He disappears at night, flying back to Santa to report on her progress. Every day, he perches some place new and we have to find him . Pip is fantastic, says nothing, and is not allowed to be touched - the magic disappears if he's manhandled! I have to say, he has a fabulous amount of power over a two year old.

Once Upon a Frosty Morning..

Once upon a frosty morning..we took the day off.

Everything was frozen and beautiful.

We took pictures of ourselves, without makeup or chapstick.

The rose hips were brilliant.

We said good morning to Jerry.

And mailed our first letter to Santa.

A Can of Paint Saves the Day..

I strayed. I strayed from my norm, and boy, it was bad. I'm a white and cream girl, love the two together, love the two apart. I strayed. Brown. Yes, Brown. A very dark chocolate brown entered our world on Saturday. I went into complete meltdown mode. Cream and brown, I wanted to barf.

Last night, a very crisp shade of white entered our world. Simply White by Benjamin Moore. It's fresh, it's perky, and I am calm once again.

We're living out of my office. But, the good news, is we don't have to live out of the bathroom sink any longer. Ew. The old sink fits the new cut out till the new sink arrives...someday.

Midge, my assistant, has been camping out at Grandmas to avoid the various stinks. She had to try out the new spacious counter top. She approves!

I'm Starting to Feel Festive..

Renovations be damned. I'm starting to feel fairly festive!

This year, I'm obsessed with trees in pots, so far, I have 7 in the house!

Better Than Pancakes..

Just so you don't think my family is hurting for a good meal, or that they are just living off of pancakes, I give you this. One of my favourite meals and it's easy. Jamie Oliver's crispy delicious asparagus and potato tart.

I have to tell you, that it is with great hesitation that I post this. Goat has a major hate on for Jamie Oliver. It started years ago, and it's silly really. But I can't control Goat anymore than he can control his erratic emotions towards Jamie. I think it stemmed from my declaration of utter love for Jamie. That if we could just meet, we would fall madly in love and run away together. We'd garden, cook and make strawberry jam till dawn! Goat took this badly. He even tried speaking with a slight lisp for sometime. It was painful to endure and gratefully, it passed after three weeks.

ingredients:

1 pound of new potatoes

1 pound of asparagus

filo pastry

1/2 cup melted butter

1 cup cheddar cheese

3 organic eggs

1 cup heavy cream

Thaw your filo over night or leave out on the counter for several hours on the day. Boil your potatoes till soft. I leave the skins on as they are new potatoes and add a texture, but the choice is yours. Mash the potatoes, add the cheese, stir together. Add the cream and eggs to the potato mixture - set aside.

Get a lasagna/casserole dish out and lay one sheet of parchment in it. Using a pastry brush, apply butter to the sheet. Keep layering your filo sheets, one at a time on top of each other, moving them about in a scattered pattern. You want them to hang over the edges of your dish - brushing on butter to each layer. I use about 10 sheets. Pour your filling into the filo dish. Blanch your asparagus in a pan, drain, then lay them on top of the potato filling. Done!

Place in the oven at 375 for 25 - 30 minutes. Let sit on counter for 10 minutes to settle before serving.

Voila! Super tasty dinner! Of course, I have to pick out the asparagus for Lily as she 'no like dis'.

But she does like 'dis'.

It's annoying when daddy takes her outside and stuffs her full of marshmallows before dinner. But look how sweet they are. How can I get mad.

Reno's and Happy Birds..

There has been a lot of this snacking action going on outside my windows this month. Birds loading up on Mountain Ash berries - getting ready for the winter.

And, while I'm mentioning my windows, I'll tell you that we just had new windows put in the house. Step one of the lower floor renovations!!

We changed the shape of the windows in the 'not so great' great room. They are now tall instead of double wide. We are still waiting for the new french doors to come. So for now, Lily's art remains. She was not fond of the 'Window Mans'. But once she realized they weren't taking away her glass canvas, they were allowed to stay.

Our kitchen is pretty much ripped apart. This is the window sil below, where the shiny glass white tile will be replacing the baby blue hideousness.

Needless to say, there's been a lot of this kinda action in the kitchen .. quick easy meals. I mean for dinner, not breakfast. Come on, don't judge. Renovations and pancakes go hand in hand.

Ho Ho Ho ..It's Begun!

Lily, Grandma and I went to the cutest barn Christmas sale this past weekend. All things handmade, so happy and festive in the barn, and hot cider for all.

It`s been rather busy of late. Renovations have begun on the kitchen and great room. Soon, it will actually be a great room!

This jolly Santa and tiny deer came home with us from the barn festivities.

I`ll be sharing more on the renovations soon...

Happy Birthday Midge..

What does a magazine stylist do with a lot of time on her hands and stacks of tissue paper??? She goes crazy for her daughters second birthday. Having a birthday in November means no peonies, no roses, no happy garden parties festooned with bright, bold colours. As my dear friend Janis would say, that's bunk. So I brought it all inside.

It's still a fall palette, it just has a bit of pizazz!

I love that cheap bunches of coloured tissue can become dreamy floating pom poms. I have to thank Megan who pointed out this project to me on Martha Stewart. If you are tight on pennies, and boy, tell me who isn't, this is an awesome way to bedazzle your guests. You can make them as big or small as you like. For about two dollars each, these big boys I made filled the room.

My girl loves lady bugs. I made cupcake bugs and placed them all over the table. It looked like an invasion - but a pretty tasty one! Pom pom flowers filled the vases, and who can resist these wafer cookies. Didn't your granny have a package in her cupboard!

I thought I should go over some candle blowing strategies. Important in avoiding to many boyfriends at this age.
Step 1 - take a deep breath.

Step 2 - take an even deeper breath.
Step 3 - oh so gently... blow.

I should also mention that I've been interviewed by Natalie Walton way over in Australia. Natalie is the Deputy Editor of Real Living Magazine and has a fabulous blog 'daily imprint'. Check it out..Thanks Natalie.

Have You Seen..Missing Goat.com..

All the stories over all the years that I have worked on for magazines, including Oprah at Home, don't compare to the anxiety I have when trying to do my own thing. I could drive myself bonkers. I do drive myself bonkers. And everyone I know too. I've tortured my friend Janis, who patiently helps me and points out the obvious. The obvious which is not so obvious to me, till it's pointed out by her. Thank you dear friend.

All of that being said, my point to all of this is that Missing Goat website is now launched.

http://www.missinggoat.com/

have a peak, let me know what you think.

How They Grow..

They grow so fast. Last year, a flaming marshmallow, this year a lily pad.

Outdoor Movie Nights..

Ahh, the fun we had! This was a produced story I did for Gardening Life Magazine. I set up an outdoor movie night and I have to say, it was fun. This was done in my yard - the blueberry bushes are blazing in the background. I brought in a big fire pit to keep us warm, we rented Hitchcock's 'The Birds' - a classic. Tippi Hedren was pretty smooth through the whole seaside terror. I made caramel apples, pumpkin pie and hot apple cider. YUMM!

Another nifty idea I had - hot water bottles for the guests. We tucked them under our blankets to keep us warm. Happy Halloween everyone! I'm sure we will have posts on our kids costumes or those of our nieces and nephews on Monday.

Photos by Janis Nicolay - my sweet friend who I shot all the best stories with. Sigh, when will the economy turn!!! I miss doing this.

Tag, I'm it..

Koralee of Bluebird notes has tagged me. I met her a few weekends ago and let me tell all of you, she is as lovely as her blog. I was in a headband and gumboots, she was polished and lovely.

So.. Tag? Is this like the actual game of tag? Am I now to tag someone else? Not sure how this works, but I'll say this. One word answers are tough. I'm a rambler.

1. Where is your cell phone? good question
2. Your hair? mess

3.Your Mother? hero
4. Your Father? 'bobo the monkey' says my daughter - I'll say 'artist'
5. Your favourite food? pudding
6.Your dream last night? tripping
7.Your favourite drink? cocktails

8.Your dream/goal? relax
9.What room are you in? office
10.Your hobby? gardening

11.Your fear? failure

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? back

13. Where were you last night? high-tea

14.Something that you are not? wall flower
15.Muffins? please

16. Wish list item? harvest table
17. Where did you grow up? Lower Mainland
18.Last thing you did? tuck in

19. What are you wearing? how rude
20. Your T.V.? sports - UG

21. Your pets? Finn
22. Friends? wonderful

23. Your life? grateful
24. Your mood? changes
25. Missing someone? always

26. Vehicle? safe

27. Something you are not wearing? makeup

28.Your favorite store? antique mall

29. Your favourite colour? aqua
3o. When was the last time you laughed? question 19
31.Last time you cried? thursday
32.Your best friend? husband

33.One place that I go to over and over? garden
34.One person who emails me regularly? Pinecone camp
35. Favorite place to eat? out

Every photo (but Paris) was taken by Janis Nicolay - boy, we've had a lot of fun over the years. Yes, I really did get done up as a show girl.

Birds Nest Cookie Recipe..

Finally, here is the recipe for all of you. Birds Nest Cookies - a.k.a. Bright Eyed Susans, a.k.a. Thumbprint cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

2 Tablespooons water

1 tsp almond extract

1 egg yolk

Almonds - sliced or chopped - your call.
Jam of choice for centres

*oven 350 F

Cream together butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Add water, extract and egg yolk. Sift flour and baking powder. Add to butter mixture. Form into balls about the size of walnuts. Roll balls in nuts. Place on parchment paper on cookie sheet.

Find the cutes assistant you can to poke holes in your cookies. When cute assistant is not looking, and is proud of all her pokes, fix them to accomodate a teaspoon, or more, of jam. Bake cookies in the oven for 5 minutes - without the jam. Remove from oven - now drop in the jam. Place back in oven and bake for about 8-10 minutes.

Let cool then watch cute assistant with her Mexico Grandpa enjoy. (She calls him Mexico Grandpa as he lives there half the year teaching art and painting) She actually pronounces it Matchco Grandpa.

photo by Janis Nicolay

Watch out for little sneaky seconds stealers.

Fall Days..

Outside of having a wretched number birthday this week, it's been pretty nice just enjoying fall. I was suppose to be shooting an outdoor gardener's Christmas story for a magazine this week, but it's cancelled due to rain. Next week, I'll be back at it. For now, it's just nice to not have a deadline looming, as I search throughout the entire lower mainland for kumquats, and come up empty.

Fall is so designed for kids ...and apparently dogs. What better way to spend a few hours than whacking leaves or just rolling around on your back. It makes me wonder - would I enjoy doing these things too? Am I missing out on something so simple and easy to do? hmm.

Of course, a trip to the pumpkin patch is in order. Though, there seems to be a touch of disappointment with the choices made in our pumpkins.

Just a few pretty shots in the garden here at the farm. The blueberry bushes are stunning. Like they are on fire.
OH, the birdsnest recipe will be out in a day - my dad arrives tomorrow and insists I make them for him. So, I thought I'd document it and post the recipe for everyone.

Bonanza!..

It truly was the wettest two days of 2009. But, what can you do. Well, I made hot apple cider from our apples, and baked birds nest cookies using Missing Goat jam. Extra jam! Hopefully the two combined, would make the rainy venture bearable for those who came.

I love these cookies and always feel jipped when you buy one and the jam is superficially deep. They are also called thumbprint cookies. I like to use two or three thumbprints - makes for a better jam well!

I'm very happy with my shabby shack makeover. It's simple and happy. The aqua floors and red bits really pop. This stool I have been coveting for a week now. I found it at The Passionate Home in Langley, and had to have it. Carrie, a fellow blogger and the stores owner, gave it to me. How nice is that! Her store is full of treasures, but let me get the rest of mine out first!!

I added simple pretty bits. Gourds from the local farmers market, and rose hips from the yard - the ones that the llamas didn't manage to eat. Bloody llamas. Can't live with 'em, can live without 'em, thank God they are the neighbors.

We had jams to the left - Very Very Raspberry, Blueberry Lavender, and Strawberry Black Pepper and Mint.

Chutneys to the right - Apple and Curry, Blueberry Chutney, and mixed mini batches from copious amounts of fruits in the yard.

So, Welcome Missing Goat!! It's been a while, but now you are here. For those of you wondering what the deal is with the goat, I will tell you this.
Our goat is missing.
He is in France looking for Christine Ferber. She missed a step in her jam making book, and he wants answers. Frankly, he has been hell to live with ever since and we welcome the break. He's French Canadian and fancies himself a chef - need I say more!
Missing Goat web will be up in about a week, for now, please peak at my homepage:
http://www.missinggoat.com/

Don't Panic, Ghosts Don't Exist..Right?

The garden was very pretty today. The red mountain ash berries are spectacular, the rose hips stunning and the last batch of rainbow swiss chard is way to pretty to eat.

In the house, I found a secret stash of chestnuts in my sleeping girls coat pocket. I made some grape juice from our concords, and I admired my new lamp - at a steal of a deal 32.00!!

All of this I pondered at the cafe, where I make my Missing Goat jams and chutney. It was chutney night, and I was, once again, trying a new way to avoid my eyes burning out of my head over the onions.

My husbands ski goggles didn't work, so I was worked up and crying already. This lead me to wonder why so many people go in through the out door and out through the in door. Why do they give you such a nasty look, like you are in their way. You are clearly coming in and they are clearly going out, but should be going in. This kind of thing really bothers me.

Anyways, I was locking up and about to leave when I got a frightful chill and heard an odd noise. I completely freaked out and was really scared. It then occurred to me, for the first time in months, that I was making jams in a heritage house that is rumoured to be haunted. Holy Mother..I FORGOT THIS!!

I'm there alone and the area is pretty dead - oh, no pun intended.

This place is old and supposedly a young girl took her life there a long long time ago. She lives in the basement.

On the way home - a very black cat with glowing yellow eyes jumped out in front of me. I almost ran him down. His eyes were yellow and terribly glowy.

Would you go back?

Pinecone camp, you don't need to answer - you are spook freak and I know you would be there in a shot.

I calmed down when I pulled in my driveway and a cute little bunny hopped along by my car. The evil was over, I was home.

Missing Goat...

On Friday, I picked up my adorable labels from Rob, one of the most talented persons I know. I then delivered my first batches of Missing Goat jams to two shops.

One in Vancouver - Butter. Owned by Rosie Daykin, famous for interior design and now homemade square marshmallows. Her bakery is the best in the city and if I keep delivering her jams, I'll get very fat.

The second, is Little White House in Fort Langley. A very pretty shop with a super charming cafe in the back. I've shot several stories for magazines (including the apartment in Paris) with this lady.

So, my farm, Missing Goat, is now going in to production of jams and chutney. We make blueberry with lavender and very very raspberry jams. We also have a very saucy chutney! I'm excited, but very nervous. Guess I'm putting myself out there again, and well, that is never easy.

In celebration of the new Missing Goat launch, I am renovating the Shabby Shack store. We are having a jam and chutney bonanza in a week, so I wanted it to look extra pretty and fresh. Here is a sneak peak at what is going on in there...

If you live nearby and want to come to my chutney bonanza (my sister informs me that is a stupid name, as only a sister could get away with) but still, if you would like to come, let me know and I will add you to the email list.

In the mean time, also in the garden, we are planting many varieties of garlic to sell next summer. About 8 raised beds with some rare varieties. The concord grapes are ready too, so tomorrow it's juicing time. Maybe I'll serve some at the bonanza!!

A Gift..

I started blogging in August of this year. My friend Janis encouraged me to do this. I had never blogged, didn't look at blogs, and really didn't know anything about them. But, as I my creative outlet has been snuffed by this economy, and magazines I work for keep closing, I needed an outlet. So, I blogged.

Then I started exploring other bloggers. Then I felt vastly ashamed of my blog and realized I needed to step it up - a lot. So I joined Picnik and Flikr. I kept exploring and became a full blown bloggaholic. It's frightening how much time you can spend here in this world.

I quickly realized what the attraction was. Why people blog.

It's simple really, blogging is the way that life should be. People are polite, kind, receptive, never have an unkind word about you or your work. There is no fierce competitiveness or backstabbing. No bosses or editors looking over your shoulder. No wanna be bloggers saying they could do it better than you. It's just a lovely world. It's Mayberry. In a bit, we're heading down to the fishing hole with a basket of Aunt B's fried chicken. Goober's fixing the giggly brake light on the car, Otis is drunk - yet responsibly sleeping it off in a cell. Barney is ticketing a jay walker and Floyd is giving bad hair cuts.

Why this long post about blogging..because today, I received a gift. It's my first. It was a picture of roses from a lady named Jean who lives in California. She enjoyed my blog and wanted to send me something. I don't know her blog address or anything about her - but she has a daughter named Lily too. This is the picture she sent me. Everyday someone from somewhere in the world says something kind.

Tara from Blondie 'N' SC did such a nice post about me that all I could do is blush and giggle!

So, I wanted to share something - a gift - for those who visit my blog. I didn't know what to give. What do I have..? Then I realized I could share a very sweet moment in my life, that I otherwise wouldn't post about.

Lily has joined dance class. So please enjoy and thanks for coming.

My Problems of Late..

Outside of my kitchen dilemma of last post, these are my latest issues. They are not earth shattering, or really of any importance or relevance. They are simply what I'm trying to deal with lately.

1. Our microwave broke. I've always been puzzled by those people who say, "We've never had a microwave, and never will". Well, good for you I say, in an admiring tone. But truth be told, I'm faking it. I don't know why they live like this, and certainly don't admire their lack of a speedy reheat. They are like people without tv's. Admirable?? I guess, after all tv is bunk. But I don't want to be one of these people. I have a busy life and a toddler. I haven't had a hot drink in two years. Can you live without yours?

2. It's that evil time of year when mini she-devils come at you from every corner. They attack. You are weak, unprepared for the assault. They guilt you with big eyes and glaring mother's lurking not far behind. And, of course, you are hungry, or worse.... Yes, you know what I'm saying - it's girl guide season. Sure, I could avoid shopping for groceries and alchohol, but my niece, whom I love, is a Brownie for the first time. So I have devoured two boxes in three days. I could vomit, but I don't. I try to order more. The worst part of this story is she is sold out. The even bigger worst part is that I had ordered a box for my friend, and now, I'm going to keep it and not share. She won't know. I'll say they were sold out. She doesn't even really like the mint melties. Is this wrong!

What I love in my home..

So I was asked to do something fun around the holidays in my home live on air. Sure I said, sounds fun! (Yes, if you read my blog from September 1st, you know I was thinking of my whole 'forgetting to swallow my spit and gagging on it" problem).
My second concern was that our kitchen is in mid renovation. Truth be told, it has been this way for about two years. It's just always pushed to the side and was never finished.
We were shooting a house yesterday for Style at Home. Peter, the designer, said "it's all about what you are doing and the fun you are having. Not how it looks". Fair enough. He's right.
So I went about the house looking for things that I love in my home, instead of things I need to fix or don't like.
This is a collection of them.
Above, My bedroom used in Country Living (still looks the same), a painting we brought back from Peru which I simply adore, and Buddha in my bathroom.

This painting is by my dad, who is an artist. I own two of his pieces and wish I could paint like him. Love love love them. The other, my 'his and her' sinks in our en-suite bathroom.

The old window we cut into the wall between the dining room and the living room. The little yellow and green chandelier. I went to Paris for two weeks to shoot a story for Country Living. I was 8 months pregnant. I found this chandelier at a flea market and dragged it home for the babies room. It has the best memories attached to it. The other shot is a corner of my office. It just makes me smile.
So I'll focus on these things that i love, and just get over what is not complete in my home. It's all very silly in the end.

Ah, it's over..

Ok, that was a tough one. Shooting cocktails from 9am till 630 pm was toooo much. I actually felt hung over the next day.

I snuck a shot of a pretty cocktail I put together - the hibiscus was in my yard. I grabbed it that morning before the shoot. Part of the job - running around in your housecoat at 7am looking for anything to use for the story. The budget is blown again. Please dear lord, let there be a flower in the garden! There was!

This is the studio were we were shooting 15 drink vignettes. We also had to make them look like they were in a home setting. Sweet Mother of Pearl!

In My House..

I mentioned I was updating my web portfolio. I have to laugh at all the shoots we have done here. I have an average house - two floors, but nothing special. We've been working on it for ten years, trying to give it old farmhouse character.

It's such a staged world - my job. When I look at these shots we did here, it makes me chuckle to know the reality of it.

The shot above was done in the same room as this shot below.

These two stories were done in the same room too. Summer white to country cozy. Voila!

Welcome Fall..

Where were you on the first day of fall? I was in Vancouver's Chinatown looking looking for funky bar ware accoutrement's. Sadly, I discovered one of my favourite shops, Funhauser, was closed. No more tiki fun cocktails for this gal. A trip to Bamboo village and their ceiling of paper lantern happiness cured my woes.

I heard about Dirty Apron through a friend in the summer. It's a fantastic new cooking school and shop on Beatty run by the Chambar and Medina people. If you don't know - Chambar is one of the best restaurants in Vancouver, Medina is next door and has little waffles to die for!

I also hit a favourite store on Cambie called Walrus - which really is a pleasant surprise. Last spring HGTV Canada asked me to blog about my top stores and Walrus is first on the list. Not only is everything unique and beautiful, but the owners are adorably kind. Caroline gives me a shot of hip-ness as this gal is 'not so hip' now that I have a two year old. Thanks for the chat Caroline, you always brighten my day. I'm also featuring some very cool items from their store in my bar ware story.
That was my first day of fall. Hope you had a lovely day too!

By the way, does anyone know where the followers have gone. I know they are there, in the background, but I do enjoy seeing the happy collage of images. I find them comforting.

White..

Photos by Janis Nicolay

I was updating my portfolio last night. I have about thirty new images to add - yikes! I thought I'd share a few. I produced these shots for an all white product carrying store in Fort Langley named, appropriately so, Little White House. White is my favourite color. I adore it and my whole house is white. I do prefer to add splashes of colour here and there - depending on the season of course.

I'm off to shop for a story on bar ware today. Come Friday, it's martinis and swizzle sticks all day!

My Broken Heart..

On a beautiful sunny Sunday, while Lily flew her new kite with Grandma, we took our sweet kitty of 18 years to the vet. He went to sleep in my arms for the last time.

He was famous you know. A celebrity among his peers. He's been in more magazines than I could ever keep track of, whether we wanted him or not. He was a crusty old tabby who loved the ladies. But what he loved most for the past two years, was his best friend, the little kite flyer above. They went everywhere together.

She simply 'lubbed' him so, and told him often.

As Lily and I walked the garden today, we did it alone. The swing just felt empty with only two, and his spot under the bush was bare.

Lily and Jakey.

Trout Lake Market..

We hit the trout lake market in Vancouver on Saturday. It was a perfect day.

In line for savoury and sweet crepes made fresh in the purple trailer. Lily opted to wear my face washing headband today. Maybe I should have called her Olivia.

I spent 45.00 on garlic - am I insane! Why yes I am. We are planting garlic on the farm to sell next year. Then someone can give me 45.00 for garlic.

I just love crab apples. The taste like rubbish, but look so pretty.

Creepy but beautiful distractions..

I was planning on sharing the perfect start to a day in my blog - a big foamy latte and yummy french toast.. but then I was completely distracted by what I saw out my window...

It was like spiders had toilet papered my vegetable garden. They'd had a riotous party, and things got out of hand. The only thing I hate more than a liquored up spider, is a group of liquored up spiders.

Lily and I booted up and headed out to get a closer look. Webs every where! They are quite beautiful. Till the big mother of a spider showed herself. Then we ran like the girls we are back inside.

yesterday the garden..today the kitchen

Seems to be my life these days. One day in the garden, the next in the kitchen. I had Midge (aka Lily) my handy dandy assistant on hand to stir up our apple crisp. I most certainly did eat right out of the pan. Lily was sleeping and well, it seemed like the best way to enjoy some down time. Tired moms are lazy moms.

Here is my question for you: What is the difference between a cobbler, crisp and crumble? Lily informed me I had made a cumble - no 'r'. I've no idea about this.

I've been playing with picnik!!!

I snuck a shot..

I shouldn't have done it, but I snuck this shot of the garden we were shooting for a magazine on Friday. I took it with my phone, so the quality is..well, it's not good. This little path lead down to the ocean. This was a home of opulence. More money than I can grasp right on the beach in West Vancouver - one of the most expensive places to live in the world. Do they use the beach - no. Do they live in the home - hardly at all. Do they know what they have?! Sigh.

They had a large water fall installed to drown out the deafening sound of gentle waves lapping on the sea shore. That seems to me, very ungrateful. I think that there are some people that need to be reincarnated as a puddle. Just a little puddle somewhere peaceful where they can reflect for a while. Or at least until a shiny black Aston Martin races through them, turning their world to mud. The passenger, some foreign model with legs up the yahoo and a head wrap right out of Vogue.

Yes, for those of you wondering, I did indeed parked my pontiac vibe next to their convertible Aston Martin and the model was real. Who cares, I like my ten dollar joe fresh t-shirt and 39.00 dollar jeans with the yogurt smear that Lily applied that morning.

Tricks of the trade..

I thought I would share more of my work with you. This is my greenhouse. My husband built it for me as a wedding gift. We did it up beautifully for a Country Living shoot, but sadly, it's back to being a greenhouse now. Colleen Sawatsky of Vintage home had all these fabulous props to play with! Colleen - you need a store! All photos by ...you guessed it, the fabulous Janis Nicolay.

Busy Busy..enjoy and relax

photo by Janis Nicolay

It's been a busy week - three different shoots - a mid century home yesterday and two gardens to shoot today. So, I wish you all a fabulous weekend. Enjoy the final sunny days of summer.

Stop Everything!

photo by Janis Nicolay
Ok, fellow blogger 'Pretty Far West' left me a note in my last posting regarding the s'mores. She doesn't know what they are. This was shocking to me. I ask you..are s'mores a North American thing?

Here is a quick how to make and how bake a s'more for you folks in Ireland. S'mores, for those of you not in the know, is slang for "I want some more". Now that I have said that it makes me think perhaps it is a North American thing. We are lazy and combine as many words as we can to save making idle chatter. lol. See.

Buy a box of graham crackers, a bag of marshmallows (jet if you can find them) and a big big bar of milk chocolate. Find a stick. Stick marshmallow on end of stick. Hold marshmallow over fire. Here is where the choice is yours - you can 1. slowly roast the marshmallow till golden brown. 2. Let the marshmallow catch on fire, when it goes out, it's done.

Remove marshmallow from stick, place on top of a graham cracker. Stick a piece of chocolate on top of marshmallow. Stick another graham cracker on top of chocolate. Voila. You're done.

As I had a rain storm occur during our roast - I simply stacked the trio of treats on top of each other and baked them in the oven for about 6 minutes. Made the chocolate more melty.

A lovely long weekend..

We started a yearly tradition last fall. Each September, we have an outdoor final blueberry picking, fire roasting, s'more making, pot luck, wine/giant beer event here at the farm. But what to do when it's pouring rain and blustery outside!!! Well, you grab the wine and giant beer, run inside and bake the s'mores in the oven!
I also discovered, for those of you that may not know, that cold left over s'mores the next morning are equally delicious as the night before.

A quick decor enhancement for my soiree. Jute twine wrapped around tea lights with cinnamon sticks or bay leaves.

Signs of fall in the yard. The blueberry bushes are turning red. The apples are falling to the ground. The acorns are ready - I love their little chapeaus.

My sweet kitty Jake. He's about 18 and is not well. Sigh.

My Guest Bathroom..

It's been a slow week for inspirational blogs on my end. Not much has happened, the farm closed yesterday.

I did decide once thing this week. I thought that one day, before I move beyond this world, I'd like to be described as effervescent.

The new Style at Home Magazine came out and has my new guest bathroom in it.

September..it's September!?

I didn't realize it was September today. I'm very much done with summer 2009. I love this arrangement. I made it a few years ago for Canadian Gardening.

Every night, around 7pm, the llamas next door make this very odd noise. Like they are laughing at a really bad joke told by the horse.
I have a theory about this nightly noise. I think they are having happy hour every night with the horses from the next farm over. The horses are 'socially inept' and tell bad stories. The llamas can't get out of it, they're neighbors.

This summer, I had the nicest experience of my career. I was chosen to be interviewed by Roadtrip Nation. Each year Roadtrip Nation picks 9 students graduating from College or University who still don't know what to do with their lives. They each get to pick a person of interest to them anywhere in North America. I was chosen.

They all travel together in a giant green RV that they drive themselves - there is a life experience! This time, they also came with a tv crew filming a documentary for PBS.

At first I was hesitant. I'm terrified of being on camera. I forget to swallow my spit and ramble like a high teenager confronted by the school principal.

But I tell you, I adored these people. I could have kept them here for the whole day chatting about life and art and being brave. I don't know what it was that made me so fond of them. It's hard to explain. I don't know that I was at all inspiring, but I do know that they inspired me!

The picture above is the Roadtrip gang in California. They interviewed the Yo Gabba Gabba creator before coming up my way. Love that show - but I have at 22 month old.

check out http://www.roadtripnation.com//

This is the thank you card they sent me. The chicken is the magnet holding the card on the fridge.

Something pretty, another rescue and french onion soup!

Photo by Janis Nicolay

I saw this shot as I was pulling the others for today's blog. I love it. It's from a shoot done for Gardening Life Magazine last year. It's the same time of year now. Grapes are almost ready for picking. I just thought I'd share something pretty.

Yes, another rescue at the farm! Today I freed a trapped bird that had become entangled in blueberry bushes. He had a caught wing. You should know, he was rather large, and had a very menacing beak. I got him free only to see him fall a few feet later. So, off to the bird rescue we went. He has a sprained leg and hurt wing, but should be just fine. Oh, FYI - that is not my hand. It is the man at Monica's bird sanctuary and I loved the aged worn look of them. He let that bird bite him and never felt it. He pointed out he deals with hawks and eagles - and they do hurt when they bite.

photo by Janis Nicolay

My onion has been turned into French Onion Soup! OUI, c'est true!
Here is my recipe for vegetarian French Onion Soup. You can of course use beef stock if you like.
5 Medium Onions
1/2 cup butter
5 cups vegetable stock - or beef
1/2 cup cognac or brandy (it's much more affordable!)
French Bread
Parmesan - a fresh block - no Kraft shakers permitted!

Peel and slice onions into thin circles. Saute in the butter till golden brown (be patient, it's worth the time to really saute them nicely). Add stock, cognac, and return to heat - simmer half an hour.
Pour into oven proof bowls.
Slice bread and toast the slices.
Lay two slices on top of each bowl, sprinkle on Parmesan then place in oven under the broiler.
It only takes a minute for the cheese to melt and turn just a wee bit brown. Keep an eye on it.

Bon Appetit!

After I was harshly awoken to Eye of the Tiger yesterday blasting out of my alarm clock, I thought, this could be a not so good day. I drove two hours to a shoot, only to find the home covered in scaffolding. Very Bad. I had another shoot on the same day at 2pm, and was given this lovely bottle of wine by the homeowner. I will be partaking in it this evening. Very Good.

My Pride and Joy..AAAHH, run a dragon!

This is my pride and joy in the vegetable patch this summer.

This is usually how my onions look every year.


To put it in perspective for you - these are the two together.

This beast of a dragonfly got in the house today - sent Lily screaming from the house. Gave me a bit of a fright too!

Things that made me smile today...

It seems, to me, that summer is over - that fall is here. But Lily and I took a walk through the garden today, and we found these flowers. Seems like summer is still hanging on.

These are some of my bestest friends.

I just had to share this. She fell asleep with her little mouse Daisy Doo, but from afar, it looked like she had a sinister french moustache.

Things that I like today..

Yes, it's a follow up to my negative rant yesterday.
1. My favourite shoot - above - in Paris for Country Living magazine. Ten days in Paris, all expenses paid, what's not to like! C'est Superb!
2. Karalee for sharing her daughters horrible doctors visit - but found the other patients that were ahead of her were kind and let her go first. There are good people, they are simply at another other clinic!
3. My brother in law 'Mr.Fun' we call him. He came down from work to get my daughter to take her medicine and now her temperature is down for the first time today.
4. That Lily ate these cheese crackers that I made her today (below shot). She hasn't eaten since yesterday afternoon, and she ate a whole heart.


These are very tasty and kids love them. Actually adults love them just as much. They are full of cheese and butter, but when they are warm from the oven, damn tasty.
Cheese crackers:
1/2 pound cheese
5 tablespoons butter
1 cup flour
Grate the cheese and put into a food processor. Add flour and butter then whiz till it comes together in a dough ball.
Roll out dough, cut out shapes of choice with cookie cutters. This is where it's fun for kids- they can chomp off animals limbs or make a garden out of the flower shapes.
Bake in oven at 400 for 10 minutes. Check them at 8 minutes as your dough may be thinner than mine, which means they will cook faster. Don't let them get to brown.
Bon Appetit

Things that I dislike...today ...immensly!

Perhaps it's because I've had no sleep with Lily being sick, but today I am irked - in a very big way. So this is my new segment that I will call "Things that I dislike...today!"

1. This shoot (above) that I did for O at Home magazine last fall. NIGHTMARE

2. Buying a tea towel that isn't even remotely absorbent. Water repellent in fact.

3. The fact that today at the clinic with my very sick toddler, no one even offered to let me go ahead of them. I waited with her for forty minutes while she quietly cried and I prayed that she wouldn't vomit. Though, perhaps that could have been just what they needed. Where has kindness gone.

Tinywarbler

This is a little mustard giraffe done by my sweet friend Kate. Visit her blog http://www.tinywarbler.blogspot.com/
Kate, I'd like your cookie recipe - they look to be the kinda cookie I very much enjoy!

It all started out nicely, then ended very bad

The weekend started out really well. My dad is here for a visit, he and my girl harvested all the potatoes from the garden. This little pansy was rescued by Lily and put in a vase.

We hit crescent beach for an after dinner walk and play in the sand.

Picked and ate all the strawberries from the patch.

And then, it took a sharp turn from sunny happy summer days, to fevers, projectile vomiting and tears. My poor girl was up all night with a 103.5 temp and nausea. Seems to be passed now. She's sleeping peacefully and her temp is down. Boy, that came out of nowhere. I need to blog about parenting and get tips from other moms.

Pinecone Camp is up!!

Pinecone Camp, a sweet blog by my dear friend Janis Nicolay, has begun.

http://www.pineconecamp.blogspot.com/

Tea Party..?

My question is.... is GI Joe having a tea party with Bear, or is GI Joe the finger sandwich?

Where's the Jam! Is that a kitten!

My jam sold out! When that happened, I don't know, it just did. Well, that's awesome.

I found a tiny kitty in the blueberries last night. It took me hours to catch him as he is wild, but I did. I didn't take his picture as I didn't want to see his sweet face daily on my blog. I gave him yummy wet cat food, a much needed flea bath and lots of love. Then sweet kitty went to the SPCA. They loved him and I know he'll get a good home and won't be eaten by the coyotes.

Living in the country does have it's down side. Finding little animals is one of them.

I had no image to share, so I posted this one taken by Janis Nicolay. It's just adorabe - like the kitty.

What's with all the goats?!

I've owned my farm for ten years. I've never picked a name for it, till this year. I tried for years to think of one, but nothing ever felt right. Since I named the place Missing Goat, I've been seeing goats everywhere. Is this a sign?! I took my daughter to a farm out in Harrison Hot Springs called My Back Porch - they sell their own roasted coffee, beautiful organic garlic, pottery and hand woven baskets. I love this place - they don't have a web site, but it's called My Back Porch. It's a long drive, but you can have lunch at Harrison, walk around on the beach and hit the Back Porch. I love garlic and my husband loves coffee, so we enjoy it. The baskets are pricey, but they are beautiful. I bought one three years ago, and it still looks brand new. Any ways, I've been side tracked - I took my daughter to this place as they had a huge pig there last time. Well, pig was gone but this crazy goat (above) was there.

Last week, I was leaving a country nursery, and six huge goats were all over the road in front of me. I tried to take a shot with my phone, but a horse let out a loud whiny and they all bolted. Like I was paparazzi and the horse what their manager.

Then I saw the buffalo. Yes, there was a huge buffalo. He was staring at me, probably wondering what the hell I thought was so interesting about the dumb goats. To be spiteful, just as I tried to take his photo, he turned his back on me and left. Jerk. Buffalo's can be such asses, but everyone knows that.

I swerved the car to avoid a big dog on the road the other day, then realized it was a goat.

Seriously, what's going on.

Garlic and coffee beans from My Back Porch. I think I need to go into the garlic business - they sell it for 9.50 a pound! But, it's delicious and they have a lot of rare kinds that you can't easily find elsewhere. I just love day trips to interesting places.

This is my new concoction - Peach jam with vanilla and cardamom. Wow, it's tasty.

Merry Christmas!! What? Ug! yes, I spent the day shooting a Christmas story for a magazine today. My house is festooned for the holidays, which I can't show you as it has to go to print first. It gave me a chance to pull out my favourite little trees and paper houses - I just love these! My daughter is completely in love with them too. They just seem magical.