Thanks to everyone who has been reading my blog! I'm still posting but I've moved to a new location:
http://throughthecellardoors.wordpress.com/

dessert quick fixes

Running short on time and need to whip up a delicious dessert? These little chocolate cups are the perfect solution.

Whip up some hazelnut mousse (you can even cheat and use the box mix!)

Add Frangelico liqueur for an extra zing  

Melt caramel squares in 2 tablespoons of whip cream to adorn plates 

and use as extra topping

Frangelico: good baked into a dessert or to sip on the side

Fruit toppings

The end product!

The short list of ingredients and small amount of time needed

means you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time

with friends.

obsessions this week

(Wish I Was) Watching: Like Crazy



 Listening: to 8tracks.com which streams thousands upon thousands of playlists. My favourites are the French music mixes, such as this one. Perfect for setting a relaxing atmosphere in my office.

Reading:The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

Browsing: Anthropologie's October Catalog -
full of lovely finds & begins with the following poem:

Go he said,
Until rock gives way to sea, gives way to
Salt and air and the elements all - 
Until feet touch land that creaks, melts and sighs.
Rippling, crashing, splitting beneath you.
It's tired arms open to the cold of night - 
Everything frozen, everything hushed.
And then, with eyes at rest, look closely.
Closer.
Closer still.
And in that moment, you will find me - 
Indeed you will see.

the little things

Soap from "Naked North"

Infused with northern ingredients

sweet keychain from Aerie ($10)

A beautiful braided beaded (how's that for an alliteration?) 

I found this image online and must try it myself!

the land before time

One of the things I love about my job are all of the chances to travel. While exploring different terrains - like the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, Enodah, Prelude and Blachford Lake, I've realized that I always discover more when looking at the ground. Here are a couple shots from around the north. More to come!

                 

                                              fish teeth discovered amongst the pebbles

    

Juniper

"Indian Paintbrush"

lavender icing

Anyone who knows me most likely knows about my obsession with lavender. I used to hate it as a child but last year I came home to find a beautiful bundle of it hanging over my kitchen sink and I've loved it ever since. I make lavender syrup lattes, have lavender infused baths, put dried lavender on my night stand... it's getting quite out of control. Anyway, when I found a recipe for lavender icing in a Martha Stewart cookbook I whipped it up right away (even though dear ol' Martha's recipes never work out for me). Here is the recipe and results:

Boil 1/3 tsp of dried lavender in 1/3 cup of milk. Let steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve into a bowl (pillow cases are also a handy replacement). Discard lavender. Whisk in 3 cups of confectioners sugar until smooth. Add a dash of violet food colouring.

romantic sundays

Today I'm flying to Blachford Lake Lodge for work - the same lodge that Will and Kate, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, visited during their stay in the Northwest Territories. With an outdoor hottub for watching the aurora borealis and a boat ride to Honeymoon Island on the schedule I can't help but think about romantic weekends. I know that with my hectic schedule I typically use weekends for catching up on sleep, laundry and getting my life back in order. Sundays should be reserved for late brunches, black and white movies and afternoon yoga classes. With this in mind, I decided to rejig my weekend plans, and here is some of what I included:

Soak up the spread of Kate Moss' gorgeous wedding 

in the September issue of Vogue.

Indulge. 

Lemon filled pastries from Lulu's Market in Yellowknife.

Similar to these treats I made.

Get comfy...

In beautiful pyjamas.

(Urban Outfitters $52)

More ideas here.