...
First set of baked goods delivered (chocolate chip power cookies and carrot cupcakes).
Cinnamon rolls and fritatta in the queue for Saurday.
Up next:
Pumpkin oatmeal cookies, blueberry coffee cake, brown sugar cupcakes with spicy frosting, mini-cranberry/caramel/almond tarts, coconut cupcakes, baked french toast, hostess cupcakes, mini pumpkin cheesecakes, scones, brownies, pear polenta cake, jam tarts and...
Ack. My mind is racing with the possibilities. I am officially a baker, folks. Scary.
September 23, 2008
September 20, 2008
Exciting News???
...
The place pictured above, which shall remain nameless has informed me that they need people to bake goods for them. I just so happen to be a goods baker (and a good baker) and I informed them of such and we have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow to talk about such baking goodness. Also on the agenda is talk about a (potential) job offering making food and serving coffee. Now THAT sounds like more fun than running scientific assays.
The place pictured above, which shall remain nameless has informed me that they need people to bake goods for them. I just so happen to be a goods baker (and a good baker) and I informed them of such and we have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow to talk about such baking goodness. Also on the agenda is talk about a (potential) job offering making food and serving coffee. Now THAT sounds like more fun than running scientific assays.
September 19, 2008
Hello Sun.
...
I will miss you soon.
I'm entering my third month of being unemployed and fighting off some feelings that I am a lazy, no good leach who has nothing better to do than sleep in every morning and spend too many hours per day reading food blogs. Which is only half of the truth, I guess. I have been making tons of food (Boston Cream Pie for Gabe's birthday, Hazelnut Brown Butter cake for Patrick's, Hazelnut chocolate chip cookies, Nikki's "healthy" cookies, plenty of soup and polenta and things), I started a yoga class this week, called about volunteering at a women's health clinic (which was terrifying for me with my non-existent French skills), did like 5 loads of laundry, swept the floor every day, trained Aikido every day, wrote some letters, read some (real) books, spent some time doing my "teach yourself french" exercises and got going on starting the Montreal Dinner Party (email me if you like food and want to join)...
You see, I am not really being a slug, but why does it feel so dirty to me? I have never had a period of time where I wasn't in school or didn't have a clear plan of action for obtaining a new job, so this just feels a little new. Don't get me wrong, it isn't bad, but I constantly have that little voice in the back of my head telling me "You suck. Get a job, loser." Seriously, voice. Get a life. I want to enjoy this time while I have it.
That being said, I did have an interview on Monday at Concordia University, and I am pretty sure they are going to hire me, but I am not sure if I want to take the position. I am considering going back to school next fall, and the job is an HOUR each way from where I live. I don't know about you, but commuting for two hours every day just seems unacceptable. Besides, I am not happy being a scientist anymore and I am finding it difficult to keep pretending. Money-wise I am okay...I could easily live for a year off of my unemployment/savings (if I can manage to collect all of it), which I don't think is wrong, but again that voice starts nudging in..."Loser!"
So this is my dilemma. Any insights?
I will miss you soon.
I'm entering my third month of being unemployed and fighting off some feelings that I am a lazy, no good leach who has nothing better to do than sleep in every morning and spend too many hours per day reading food blogs. Which is only half of the truth, I guess. I have been making tons of food (Boston Cream Pie for Gabe's birthday, Hazelnut Brown Butter cake for Patrick's, Hazelnut chocolate chip cookies, Nikki's "healthy" cookies, plenty of soup and polenta and things), I started a yoga class this week, called about volunteering at a women's health clinic (which was terrifying for me with my non-existent French skills), did like 5 loads of laundry, swept the floor every day, trained Aikido every day, wrote some letters, read some (real) books, spent some time doing my "teach yourself french" exercises and got going on starting the Montreal Dinner Party (email me if you like food and want to join)...
You see, I am not really being a slug, but why does it feel so dirty to me? I have never had a period of time where I wasn't in school or didn't have a clear plan of action for obtaining a new job, so this just feels a little new. Don't get me wrong, it isn't bad, but I constantly have that little voice in the back of my head telling me "You suck. Get a job, loser." Seriously, voice. Get a life. I want to enjoy this time while I have it.
That being said, I did have an interview on Monday at Concordia University, and I am pretty sure they are going to hire me, but I am not sure if I want to take the position. I am considering going back to school next fall, and the job is an HOUR each way from where I live. I don't know about you, but commuting for two hours every day just seems unacceptable. Besides, I am not happy being a scientist anymore and I am finding it difficult to keep pretending. Money-wise I am okay...I could easily live for a year off of my unemployment/savings (if I can manage to collect all of it), which I don't think is wrong, but again that voice starts nudging in..."Loser!"
So this is my dilemma. Any insights?
Stillness.
...
Notice how everything moves around him, but his center is still. I would like to be that way.
Notice how everything moves around him, but his center is still. I would like to be that way.
September 9, 2008
These Pickles are AWESOME.
...
And I made them! This is actually my second batch because (cough) we ate the first one in one sitting. Oh yum yum yum. These are from Fresh Everyday: More Great Recipes from Foster's Market by Sara Foster.
(By the way, does anyone know what the deal with posting recipes from someone else's cookbook? Do I have to get permission first, or can I just post it with a reference? I really want to share what I cook with you but don't want to be stepping on any feet either. Please advise).
(UPDATE: I did some research and found this post to be helpful. Please do not read it, though, if you want to feel good.)
(UPDATE number two: This is virtually the same recipe as the one I used. I did slice the first batch into rounds, but wanted to try making spears the second time around. The rounds were better, fyi)
And I made them! This is actually my second batch because (cough) we ate the first one in one sitting. Oh yum yum yum. These are from Fresh Everyday: More Great Recipes from Foster's Market by Sara Foster.
(By the way, does anyone know what the deal with posting recipes from someone else's cookbook? Do I have to get permission first, or can I just post it with a reference? I really want to share what I cook with you but don't want to be stepping on any feet either. Please advise).
(UPDATE: I did some research and found this post to be helpful. Please do not read it, though, if you want to feel good.)
(UPDATE number two: This is virtually the same recipe as the one I used. I did slice the first batch into rounds, but wanted to try making spears the second time around. The rounds were better, fyi)
Yawn. (oops!)
...
Looks like I am back on the wagon, at least for now. Four pictures posted today? That is absurd. I just needed a little cajoling to get my photo mojo back (thanks Gabe and Keren).
Miles is not snarling at me but taking a big, toothsome yawn as I was snapping his picture earlier today. I am beginning to feel like a kitty being unemployed...sleeping in late, lazy breakfast, a nap or two throughout the day...now I have absolutely no excuse to get pictures taken! This time is truly a gift.
I guess since I haven't posted any updates for a while, some information is due. Montreal is fantastic. It really, really feels great to be rooted in one place for the time being instead of spreading myself out between two cities. Our house is awesome, and I have been doing a bunch of cooking (and some serious baking lined up for this week). The Marche Jean Talon is only a few short blocks from our place, and I can't tell you how luxurious it is to skip on over whenever the mood strikes me (usually 3 or 4 times a week) and feast my eyes and hands on plumbs, cucumbers, tomatoes, kohlrabi, fresh herbs, mushrooms, honey, eggs...sigh. I could get used to this. Sadly, I need to curb my food habit just a little so that I don't break the bank and have to leave Canada in a tearful fit of embarassment. Just a little, though. I really don't mind food being the largest expense of my household.
I do need to get my butt in gear on a couple of other fronts, though. I would like to get into some sort of French class while I have the time (if I can find one that doesn't cost a month's salary to join). I also am thinking about going back to school next fall and need to get some volunteer experience in (and, ick, get some recommendations written...it feels like torture to call up old professors four years after I have graduated and ask them to spend their valuable time writing nice things about me. ARRRG). Yoga and swimming outlets need to be found soon and, of course, I need to keep taking more pictures. Sigh. There is lots to do when one has the time to do it. Oh yeah, and did I mention that I am training every day? (:
Looks like I am back on the wagon, at least for now. Four pictures posted today? That is absurd. I just needed a little cajoling to get my photo mojo back (thanks Gabe and Keren).
Miles is not snarling at me but taking a big, toothsome yawn as I was snapping his picture earlier today. I am beginning to feel like a kitty being unemployed...sleeping in late, lazy breakfast, a nap or two throughout the day...now I have absolutely no excuse to get pictures taken! This time is truly a gift.
I guess since I haven't posted any updates for a while, some information is due. Montreal is fantastic. It really, really feels great to be rooted in one place for the time being instead of spreading myself out between two cities. Our house is awesome, and I have been doing a bunch of cooking (and some serious baking lined up for this week). The Marche Jean Talon is only a few short blocks from our place, and I can't tell you how luxurious it is to skip on over whenever the mood strikes me (usually 3 or 4 times a week) and feast my eyes and hands on plumbs, cucumbers, tomatoes, kohlrabi, fresh herbs, mushrooms, honey, eggs...sigh. I could get used to this. Sadly, I need to curb my food habit just a little so that I don't break the bank and have to leave Canada in a tearful fit of embarassment. Just a little, though. I really don't mind food being the largest expense of my household.
I do need to get my butt in gear on a couple of other fronts, though. I would like to get into some sort of French class while I have the time (if I can find one that doesn't cost a month's salary to join). I also am thinking about going back to school next fall and need to get some volunteer experience in (and, ick, get some recommendations written...it feels like torture to call up old professors four years after I have graduated and ask them to spend their valuable time writing nice things about me. ARRRG). Yoga and swimming outlets need to be found soon and, of course, I need to keep taking more pictures. Sigh. There is lots to do when one has the time to do it. Oh yeah, and did I mention that I am training every day? (:
Unquestionably Fall.
...
...
We slept under the down blanket last night. I wore a sweater while drinking my coffee this morning and had to put on socks for the first time since god-knows-when. I am craving potato soup with lots of cheese, hot chocolates, casseroles and warm cake. Good thing I plan on baking 3 (yes, that is three) cakes this week. Too many birthdays, too little time. Yup. It is definitely fall.
...
We slept under the down blanket last night. I wore a sweater while drinking my coffee this morning and had to put on socks for the first time since god-knows-when. I am craving potato soup with lots of cheese, hot chocolates, casseroles and warm cake. Good thing I plan on baking 3 (yes, that is three) cakes this week. Too many birthdays, too little time. Yup. It is definitely fall.
September 4, 2008
Photowaza.
I guess it was a little ambitious of me to try to take pictures every day for an entire year. I can't even manage to brush my teeth every day, let alone capture with my lens something cool. So, yes, there haven't been many pictures here as of late because I really haven't been taking many. I'm not going to cry about it or anything, just try to get myself back on track and keep on clicking away. So, hopefully over the next couple of weeks, you will have something cool to look at on a semi-regular basis. Until then, here are a few photos from the past few weeks.
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