Get Ready: Banh Mi All Beef Smokies

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine. And, as usual, I will only write about products that I really love! 

Those coveted summer days are finally upon us and I couldn't be happier! Oh how lovely it is to just sit in the sun, feeling the warmth on my face, lighting me up from the inside out. I can't believe how it's already the middle of June, and there are only a few months of these glorious days ahead of us. Time, it goes. So, promise me that you'll make these next few months the best ever, okay? Eat things that make you happy. Get outside and do something that makes you sweat. Travel places you've always wanted to go but never had time. Make the time. You won't regret it. Invite your pals over for food off the grill. Drink cold drinks. Tell stories until the stars come out.

Come for Tea: Ginger & Orange Drop Tea Biscuits

It's Victoria Day here in Canada, and with the long weekend comes the unofficial start to summer. Some of us are camping (or glamping!), or hitting the garden centres, or digging in the dirt, or kicking back and seeing that new Avengers movie. I slide to the more lazy side of the equation, which involved a getting up way past the time I usually get up, making lemon ricotta pancakes for my guy and I, sitting outside in the sun with my second cup of coffee, watching my cats eat grass and chase bugs. It's been a good day, so far. Like many of you, I'm hustling all the time. When a day presents itself with no immediate work to do, I almost don't know what to do. I think regular folks call these "days off", but for someone who has work hustles and side hustles and all the hustles, taking a little time to sit in the sun and watch robins dance in the bird bath is a glorious way to spend a few hours of the day.

Peanut Butter Cookies and Birthdays

"Keep your face to the sun and you will never see shadows."

~ Helen Keller 

In the past week, my cookbook turned two years old, and I crept over to the dark side of 50 by celebrating my 46th birthday. Both are terrific achievements, to be sure. I love how I'm still getting emails from people buying my cookbook, and baking from it. Your messages are true inspiration, and I save every one. Thank you thank you thank you! Those early days of my book baby's release into the world were a crazy mix of emotions, not unlike turning 46. Gratitude, joy, feeling a little overwhelmed, all come to mind. 46 is a no nonsense number. 

The goals are set and there is plenty of stuff I want to do, places I want to go, food I want to eat. You know, the important stuff. 

Overnight Sensation: Jan Scott's Faux Sourdough

Well holy doodle. Here I am. Is it me or was this winter just the worst? I mean, really. Here in Saskatoon I think it was the coldest winter since 1930. Extreme cold warnings filled my phone for most of February. I didn't leave the house if I didn't have to, if I'm being totally honest. I hunkered down big time, baking to keep the house warm(er). And then there was that one day when the furnace conked out in the morning and left me with a giant repair bill I wasn't prepared for. Yeah, that was sucky. So was finding out that my sweet Sunny, a senior feline at 10 years old, is diabetic. He's taking the daily insulin injections like a champ, and he and the other cats are finding a new normal when it comes to eating. No longer is the bowl of dry food a free for all, and Sunny is on quite the low carb diet. In just a few weeks, he has improved greatly, and his overall health is better than it has been in awhile. This all makes me happy, though I do fear that every time I inject him with insulin I'll hit a nerve in his neck and he will die. Maybe I'm being a paranoid and neurotic cat mom? It has been a long winter, after all.

Raspberry Almond Crumble Bars for a New Year

Greetings of a shiny, new year to you. Yeah, I know it's the middle of January and I should have been on my computer a couple of weeks ago wishing one and all the best of the season. Alas, I was likely cocooning on the couch with a book and a cup of tea, something I'm trying to do more of in this new year. December was a blur of baked goods and work and more work and then I cooked a feast on Christmas Eve and then the big day I stayed in my pyjamas and ate leftovers. It was the best. Binge watched Killing Eve and snacked on all the snacky things. All was calm, all was bright all right.

Creamy Pumpkin Pie with Chocolate Glaze

It's mid-November, and I know many of us have been playing with pumpkin for a couple of months now, so I understand if you're feeling a little squashed out. It happens. And I blame Starbucks. But, I'm popping in quickly to say how yum this pie is I made the other day. It's got a creamy, cream cheesy filling, with those warming spices we all love this time of year. The chocolate cookie crust is so easy, even a novice baker could do it. No rolling of pie dough with this recipe! There is a rich chocolate glaze poured over top, which really does make the pie even more fantastic. With a dollop of whipped cream, this is a tasty addition to any winter supper or Thanksgiving for my American pals.

I Won Gold!

Last Monday night, in a fancy hotel ballroom in downtown Toronto, my little world went bonkers, but in the very best way. I won Gold for All the Sweet Things at the Taste Canada Awards in the best single subject category! It's one week later, and I still get goosebumps as I remember hearing my name being called, and all of the whoops and cheers that followed. I somehow made my way up on stage to receive the award, fighting back tears all the way. Overwhelmed and overjoyed, I said a speech I had been practicing in my head all day. I felt like it was a good thing to be prepared - just in case! I thanked everyone who loved and supported me from the very beginning of the project. There was laughter and tears and by the time I left the stage, a huge round of applause. I made my way back to my seat, and to the arms of my darling Dixon, and then the tears I had been fighting so hard to keep back fell from my eyes. Tears of such incredible joy and gratitude. What a night! It was so great to finally meet Taryn, my publisher at TouchWood Editions for the very first time, as well as the company's co-owner, Pat. These ladies are simply the best. I'm so glad my old friends Josée and Sonia were there with me, as they've been cheering me on for so long. It's good to have friends like them in your corner. After much mingling and merry-making we fell into an Uber and made our way back to the condo, where that night, sleep was slow to come, but in the morning, I made sure to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Thanks to so many of my followers who have sent me messages and emails. I love you guys. Everything happened because of this blog. Cheers to you, for reading along for all of these years. If I could send you all cupcakes, I totally would! xoxo Renée