Jai Guru Deva Om

I have no idea why other than to give the universe a cosmic case of the warm fuzzies, but NASA is going to blast "Across the Universe" into space on February 4, 2008, at 7 p.m. EST...I guess to see if anybody sings along? Not sure. And will it be loud enough for us to hear down here? I guess not, as NASA is encouraging earthlings to also put on a lil' Lennon at the exact. same. time. Everywhere.

So at 7 p.m. EST, I'll still be in my office. Will they (the aliens) hear it if I play it on my IPOD?

I really hope that someone or something out there tells us to keep the racket down.

The Blue Mondays Baking Company

As readers of this blog will know, ever since I decided to say goodbye to sugar and most carbs, I've acquired a compulsive baking habit.  I bake and bake and bake, and mostly give it away, although I've also started freezing things so that I can stand in front of my freezer, choc-a-bloc full of Ziplocs stuffed with sugary goodies, and feel a sense of fulfillment.  In an effort to gain control over this new addiction, I've limited my baking to SUNDAYS ONLY, so that I can take nummies in to work on Mondays and cheer up co-workers who are probably as dismayed as me to find themselves back in the office again.   This has led to a new fantasy: the Blue Mondays Baking Company...my Monday baking offering to co-workers causes such a stir that I leave the practice to start a little baking business, which balloons quickly to stores on Main Street, in the West End, and two locations in Kitsilano, which leads to being bought out by Cob's Breads and retiring at 30.  Hey. It could happen.  So anyways, I'll be posting show-offy pics of my latest creations here...you can email me if you want the recipes. 

Harvest Herb Bread-a nutty, raisin-y foccacia like bread.  No yeast, so it's very dense, but would be great with soup!
Mmmm.  Full of fresh sprigs of rosemary, oregano, basil and tarragon.
This may be Blue Mondays' best cookie yet: chewy gingerbread with dark chocolate chunks.
What an aesthetically pleasing cookie.  I hope that they are also, you know, pleasing in the culinary sense.

Dani's Shopping Corner: New Brand Alert

OK, in fashion news, here's a new label to look out for: Oona Clothing Company.  Originally a lingerie line of cute silkscreened undies and tanks, Oona is branching out into women's wear and made this super-cute hoodie t-shirt, which I picked up at Changes on West 1oth.  I love the graphic paisley pattern and the cap sleeves-good for layering with a long-sleeve t-shirt at the moment, and wearing on its own through the summer.  There were also some great looking skinny jeans and high waisted pencil skirts.  Check out Oona's website here.  PS: My apple necklace by Mimi & Marge.

Dani's Fashion Corner

We all know I love to shop.  And it's always great to find a new (well, new to me) brand to love and get excited about.  For Christmas I received two gifts made by ESPE, which is retailed at Nicolas Randall in Victoria, and online at www.espe.ca.  Their products are vegan, reasonably priced, and cute as a button.  Love it!
This wallet is fabulous.  It has enough credit card space even for me.
I also got a great journal.  The actual notebook can be removed from the leather cover so you can use the cover over and over again.  Meow!

Festival of Lights

Mom and Dad were in town until today to catch up with family after Christmas.  Last night we walked down to Earl's at Hornby and Smithe so I could devour a steak...it was a cold, crisp night and we decided to walk so we could admire the Lights of Hope at St. Paul's on the way.

Mom and Dad.
Me and Dad.  Waiting for the steak.
Currie Cat in a suitcase.  Just because she can.

Christmas is for Giving

So Currie has a friend, Revelstoke Kaderly-Demerse, also known as Stoke the Labrador, who has featured prominently on this blog before.  Currie decided she wanted to get Stoke something for Christmas and picked out a very lovely gingerbread man tug toy.  The problem was, when she got to wrapping it, she decided she might like it for herself, until I caught her in the act:

"I was just making sure it was OK.  Really."

Stoke loved it and went about destroying it immediately.

"Boy Mom, that was sure fun!"

"I'll just rest my eyes for a minute."

Sugarpalooza 2007

So, the weird thing is, since I cut sugar from my diet a few months ago, I've become a compulsive baker.  Seriously.  It's like, not a good week if I haven't whipped up a batch of cookies to give to someone or take to work.  Or, to even stick in my freezer.  I never touch them, but I can't stop baking them!  It's kind of sick.  I feel like I should be doing it in the dead of night, with the shades drawn and the door locked.  It makes me feel dirty.  Check this out:

This is ONE NIGHT'S work:  icebox cookies, stained glass cookies, sugar cookies, double chocolate peppermint ganache sandwich cookies, Kentish Bramble Jelly cookies, sugar cookies, sandwich cookies, and homemade truffles.  Oh yeah, and Scotch shortbread.  
Clockwise, from left: Oreo truffle dipped in white chocolate, Bailey's, Mocha, cherry dipped in milk chocolate, cheesecake, peanut butter and dark chocolate.  Center: cookie dough truffle dipped in dark chocolate.  Hope they taste good; I didn't try 'em.
Kentish Bramble Jelly Cookie.
"Stuck-together" cookies.  My Grandma's recipe.
Icebox cookies.  Martha's recipe.

So, yeah, I guess if you want some cookies send me a self-addressed stamped cookie tin.  Allow a few days for shipment.