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!