Monday, May 17, 2010

Morel Hunting

Yesterday Mark went out morel hunting, he found enough for us to have morel, spinach and cheddar omelets for dinner last night. I was a little sad and a lot envious that he went out without me. So , when he got home this morning from walking the dogs we went out. Sadly we only found 11 of the elusive mushrooms, but we did spy a mom partridge sitting on her nest.
I zoomed in, it is not very in focus, but I didn't want to get very close or disturb her. She is camouflaged very well to the forest floor. A rare treat!

mom partridge sitting on her nest

an elusive morel

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Daddy Dear

I am so excited that this Father's Day treasury that I curated yesterday, made it to the front page on Etsy, late this afternoon! Yahoo!!
Congratulations to everyone, I hope you had lots of views, hearts and sales!

daddy dear

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Spring Compilation

Kinoje at the river

fireman putting out fire construction started out back

cali

pussy willows

trailing arbutus

Mark getting firewood up crossman road

love trailing arbutus

Plum Violet Mossy Grape

Quite a while ago, I put some lampwork glass beads in one of my treasuries. I became obsessed by their beauty, and finally broke down and ordered some. I am very pleased by radiantmind's beautiful work!



Monday, May 10, 2010

Pump House Beach

It isn't really the pump house beach, it is just down the shore from the beach.
We are lucky to live so close to Lake Superior!

Lake Superior, down the shore from the pump house beach

New Work in my Shop

We have been busy out in the yard, cleaning up after winter, and planting a lot of trees out back. I have been neglecting this blog. I will try harder to post regularly!
New work in my Etsy shop.






Friday, May 7, 2010

Apple Almond Puddings

Yesterday we had an overnight guest, my cousin stopped in on his drive from B.C. to visit his daughter in southern Ontario.
I haven't been baking much, as I really don't need any extra calories. I am waiting to have knee surgery to repair a tear. I have put on quite a few unneeded pounds.
I did make dessert however, and it was a huge hit, yum! This recipe is a keeper!
it comes from Bill's Open Kitchen, by Bill Granger.

apple almond puddings, just out of the oven

apple almond pudding on my plate surrounded with cream, yummy!

Apple Almond Puddings

150 g (5 1/2 oz) unsalted butter
150 g (5 1/2 oz) superfine sugar (I used brown sugar)
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1 tsp natural vanilla extract

Batter
175 g (6 oz) unsalted butter, cubed
175 g (6 oz) castor (superfine sugar)
3 eggs
100 g (3 1/2 oz) almond meal
100 g (3 1/2 oz) plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon

To serve
cream

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas 4). Place a saucepan over medium to high heat and add butter and sugar. Stir until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Add the apple and vanilla and cook for 10 minutes, or until soft and caramelized.

To make the batter, cream the butter and sugar until pale and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, stirring until well combined. Fold in the almond meal, flour, baking powder and cinnamon and mix until combined.

Lightly grease six 250 ml (1 cup) oven proof ramekins. Arrange the caramelized apples on the bottom. Divide the batter evenly between the ramekins and smooth over with the back of a spoon. Cook for about 25 minutes or until lightly golden.

Run a knife around the edge of each ramekin then invert onto a serving dish. Serve with cream.
Serves 6.

(My ramekins are smaller, about 3/4 of a cup, I used 8 and it filled them perfectly.)
Enjoy!