Where I've Been...

 

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.' ~ John Muir

Hello.  My name is Renee.  Maybe you remember me?  I write a food blog called Sweetsugarbean.  I know, I know.  I can be a cheeky wench.  But seriously.  Where have I been lately?  This space has been so quiet.  But life surely hasn't.  Let me tell you that.  You know when you least expect it, shit just happens.  In this case it's been all good.  So good.  I adopted another kitten.  Yes, for real.  She lived under my bed for two weeks.  Long story; all of it coming soon.  Also, I met a boy.  Who turned out to be my boyfriend.  Long story; all of it coming soon.  Maybe now the blog silence is beginning to make sense?  Ren's been busy!  Plus it's planting time and I've been busy digging in dirt rather than in computerland.  If you want to get in touch, I won't be on Twitter of Facebook very much, but in my garden and with my friends.  You know.  Interacting with real life.  Speaking of real life, at the beginning of May I made another visit to the yurt.  Maybe you'll remember when I took a little retreat there in the fall?  Well, as a birthday present to myself I went back for a couple of sweet days, just to unwind and regroup from the general unpleasantness of winter.  It was a long one here, and as you'll see from the following photos, winter was still clinging on a bit up in Northern Sask, but I didn't mind.  It was just as spectacular as the first time I went - a tonic for this soul, if there ever was one.  Flora Bora is definitely one of my favourite places on the planet, and since my stay there life has been so good.  Knock wood, touch wood, whatever you call it.  Good feeling, stay with me just a little longer.

A Hello & A How-To

Oh my word.  It has been ages since I last checked in here.  Please forgive?  You know how life sometimes takes over and you just don't want to turn the computer on?  Yeah.  I got that happening right now.  But never fear, it's all good things, which I'll fill ya in on soon.  In the meantime, take a look at my latest article in Culinaire magazine (pg 23-24).  If you've ever wondered how to make beef carpaccio all by your little ol' self, I have all of the tips and tricks you need.  Plus a few recipes.  It's good stuff.  Hope everyone is enjoying these glorious spring days.  I admit to spending a little time in the garden tonight, admiring the rhubarb.  As you should.  Chat soon.  Renee xoxo

Befitting: Baked Doughnuts, Two Ways

"I suppose this is what I mean when I say we cannot possibly know what will manifest in our lives. We live and have experiences and leave people we love and get left by them. People we thought would be with us forever aren't and people we didn't know would come into our lives do. Our work here is to keep faith with that, to put it in a box and wait. To trust that someday we will know what it means, so that when the ordinary miraculous is revealed to us we will be there ... grateful for the smallest things."  ~ Cheryl Strayed

That quote really is a kick in the pants, isn't it?  (By the way, if you haven't read any Cheryl Strayed, by all means you have my permission to leave this blog immediately and go get your hands on her books.)  Of course she's right.  And now that I've gotten a year older, ahem, I'm finally starting to understand what she means.  In my late twenties, I would have been:  Whatever.  I'm sad, leave me be.  In my thirties I was almost there, but not quite.  But now that I find myself firmly planted in my forties, I see the wisdom in the leaving and being left behind.  The down-right necessity of faith.  That holding on means just that.  Hold on.  You never know what will manifest in your life.  One day it will all make sense.  Each experience means something.  You'll be grateful for all of the bumps in the road that landed you where you need to be today.  

Favourites List: Spring Edition

I love these boots.  Pulled on, they make me powerful.  I splash through puddles like it's nobody's business.  And I need them.  Lately, it's been a mix of rain, snow, rain some more and then just for fun, maybe some snow.  I used to love wearing rubber boots as a kid, though I have very vivid memories of getting stuck in the mud and having to leave the boot behind, lying there like a wounded soldier.  Tears rolling down, walking back to the house covered in mud, calling for my mom.  But, like Winnie the Pooh said, "When you see someone putting on his Big Boots, you can be pretty sure an Adventure is going to happen." Adventures await.  They always do.  Here's to yours and mine and until then, take a peek at these things I'm currently crushing on.  

Little Masterpieces: Flourless Chocolate Brownie Cookies

I hope everyone is enjoying the start to the long weekend.  Maybe you've already baked Easter bread and coloured eggs with the kidlets.  Luckily, I had the day off too.  It started off perfectly, with a couple of hot cross buns from a great new bakery in town called The Night Oven.  Slathered with butter and enjoyed alongside a strong brew, it was just what I needed on this cold and yet another snowy day.  The rest of the hours have been seen productivity kick procrastination's ass and what do you know, I submitted articles, sorted out tax stuff (note to self - get more organized already), tackled the pile of laundry and even have a pot of soup on the stove, currently bubbling away.  I have no idea how it will turn out - mostly just cleaned out the contents of the fridge, so cross your fingers.  I was just going to cozy up on the couch with the fur babes and my busting PVR, but I had to tell you about these cookies.  Guilt would have consumed me if I didn't share.  And I know a few of you like cookies just as much as I do. 

All About Baked Eggs

 

Recently I was asked to write a monthly recipe column in Culinaire - a lovely Calgary-based food magazine. I'm crazy excited about this new writing gig and so very happy to have my words and images in such a stellar mag.  Yay! 

DIY Takeout: Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

It's melting!  It's melting!  You guys.  It finally feels like the longest winter ever is leaving us.  This has me pretty excited, in case you hadn't noticed.  I'm splashing around in my blue rubber boots,  the windows are open and I'm even excited to tackle spring cleaning.  Seriously.  What has come over me?  While cleaning out the cupboards I spied my little slow cooker looking lonesome in the dark corner.  I was also craving Indian food, thus a recipe was born.  Also, why don't I use the slow cooker more often?  It's makes dinner prep so easy.  Maybe I just need to clean my cupboards out more often (says the voice of my mother).  Right.