Scone Fail

When Tom and I were in the UK in the fall, we really enjoyed British scones. They were so delicious with clotted cream and jam!

For Tom's birthday (TODAY! He's 29!), I decided I'd try to make him some scones.

I cannot explain what an epic FAIL these scones were.

I dug up a recipe fairly easily on AllRecipes.com, and read through reviews. Multiple reviewers praised the recipe, saying they were the best scones they'd ever had. Sometimes reviewers post alterations they've made to recipes, but most people said they'd followed the recipe exactly-- the biggest change being to add a tablespoon more of sugar.

So I followed the recipe, step by step.

My results were HORRIBLE.

Dry, crumbly, floury... Probably one of the worst creations I've ever baked. This is a warning! Scones should NEVER look like this!

I don't know what I did wrong. I followed the recipe and I tried not to manhandle the dough too much.

Tom loyally took three to work with him this morning. I sincerely hope he threw them in the garbage. He claims that while they, "don't look so good, they taste good." Having tried a little myself, I'm skeptical of his claims.

Happy Birthday, my husband! Sorry my baking wasn't up to par!

Traffic Buildup

Progress is slow, but I think it's looking really good!

My favourite is the truck hauling hay in the top left corner.

Hopefully I'll be able to finish this up in the next couple of weeks, because the canvas has become a permanent fixture on our kitchen table.

The Devil is in the Details

Two weeks into the new year, and most of my spare time has been dedicated to painting a mural for my nephew, Dylan.

Dylan loves cars, trucks and construction equipment, so this Edward Miller mural is the basis for my painting.

Beep Street Mural

It has been a long time since I've pulled out all my painting supplies. About a year and a half ago we ran out of room on our condo walls, so the only things I've been painting are for other people. I'd forgotten how time consuming painting can be. One week ago, after about 8-9 hours of painting, I had finished the backdrop.

Layering paint and waiting for it to dry was the main problem. Also, the painting has a lot of straight edges on it, so I've been using the edge of a piece of cardboard to keep my hand steady.

Today I discovered how handy the edge of masking tape could be. I expect to start work on some actual cars tomorrow. So far, I'm loving how it's looking!

My plan is to add a few more construction vehicles than the original designe, and also a Firehall Station 23, the same number as the firehall my brother-in-law is currently stationed at.

Stay tuned for updates!

Jasper, Maligne Canyon and Athabasca Falls

For the last few years, Tom and I have taken a short get-away trip after Christmas. Usually we don't stray far from the city and stay in Banff, but this year we decided to trek a little further and try Jasper. Ashley and Andrew were both back in town for the holidays, and they decided that they would join us.

Tom and I outside the Jasper Park Lodge.

We stayed at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. I really wanted to love this hotel, but if I were to review it, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Like all Fairmonts, the Jasper Park Lodge had friendly, helpful staff and impeccable service. However, the rooms (which were fairly expensive) left something to be desired. The walls were paper thin, and we could hear our neighbours (Ashley and Andrew) having conversations, as well as the shower running on the other side of us. Although there was a thermostat in our room, it did not work, and the room felt like a sweltering 24 degrees all the time! I've never been able to sleep well in a hot room.

However, the hotel offered a games room with a pool table, ping pong table, shuffleboard and foosball table. We also discovered an XBox Kinect that was plenty of fun. The pool and its facilities had been newly renovated, and although it was outdoors, it was heated!

We also took advantage of the skate rentals in the main lobby. It was my first time using men's skates. I have always used women's skates, and have taught myself to skate improperly using toe picks. I think I caught on pretty well with the hockey skates. I was still a bit slow and wobbly.

Ashley and Andrew on skates. Note their identical jackets!

Our main reason for going to Jasper was to check out the Maligne Canyon Ice Walk. During the winter, the Maligne River freezes over and tourists can walk down the canyon and explore the icefalls along the canyon walls. Much to our dismay, we were unable to walk up the canyon because the warm winter has not encouraged freezing! There was still plenty of running water throughout the canyon.

"The Queen" Icefall - Maligne Canyon.

An ice climber on "The Queen."

Running water in Maligne Canyon.

Despite the minimal ice, the canyon was still a beautiful walk. We went with a guide named Wes who said he'd spent over 30 years working as a park ranger. Wes seemed like a pretty stereotypical park ranger, but he was full of knowledge and interesting facts about the plant life and surrounding area.

On our way back to Calgary we took a quick side tour off the highway to check out Athabasca Falls. The falls are not completely frozen over and are still gushing frigid ice-blue water. Brrr!

Athabasca Falls, cold and partially frozen.

The weekend also included many wildlife sightings: coyotes, rabbits, deer and plenty of stupid, stupid elk wandering on the highway.

Now we're home, unpacked, and ready to ring in the New Year.

All the best for 2012!

Christmas Traditions

In the three and a half years that Tom and I have lived together, we have developed some Christmas traditions of our own.

On Christmas morning, we sleep in. Then we open presents in bed. And then we make some elaborate crepes for breakfast.

Sometimes we do a combination of sweet and savory crepes, but this year they were mostly savory. Ham and cheese, mushroom and spinach, and I tried a little goat cheese and pear.

Crepe toppings.

Crepe collage.

We spent Christmas Eve with my family. I'm pretty sure my niece and nephew are quickly becoming the most spoiled kids in the history of our family. They were showered with gifts from grandma and grandpa, and their aunties and uncles from both sides of their family. Dinner included turkey, stuffing, carrots, corn, potatoes and creme brule. We also contributed proscuitto wrapped asparagus!

Dylan and Madelynn playing at home.

We spent Christmas Day with Tom's family. Dinner was similar, yet at the same time, completely different. We had turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, carrots and turnip, and a wonderful selection of sweets (and Coconut Delight!) from Tom's aunt June.

Tom charms the camera.

Dave deconstructs the turkey.

Our favourite gift of the year was the Calgary Fire Department "Hot Stuff" calendar that we got for Tom's grandma. Apparently Andrew went to High School with the guy on the front cover!

Photo Credit

Ho Ho Ho Helpers.

This is the first time in years that I haven't braved the mall for Boxing Day. It's possible I am in shopping withdrawl. Never fear! I'll get my fix later in the week.

Merry Christmas, 2011!

December Favourites

You may have noticed that it's been a slow news month.

I haven't finished my Christmas shopping, but hopefully I can wrap it up tomorrow.

For now, I'll share some of my new favourites.

1) Fruits & Passion Blueberry Body Butter and Shower Cream

I would pick Fruits & Passion products over Body Shop or Bath & Body Works products any day of the week. In particular, I love the Blueberry products by Fruits & Passion. They just smell so good. SO GOOD! Sometimes, I find myself excited to shower in the morning because I know I get to break out the blueberry shower cream.

If you're looking to try a new bath product, I suggest these!

Photo Credit

2) Clinique 3-Step Skin Care

I have been using Clinique products for almost ten years now, but I never quite got all the way on board with their 3-step skin care line. I used the face wash, and I used the face cream, but I never bothered with the step 2 "clarifying lotion." Part of the problem was that I had no idea what it was, and the other part was that I had no idea what it did.

Photo Credit

A few weeks ago on a whim, I decided to try the full 3-step program. I had a bottle of the clarifying lotion stuffed away in a cupboard from a gift-with-purchase earlier in the year.

I gotta tell you, the results are amazing! My skin is smoother, the tone is more even, and it retains moisture better. I wish I had tried the full 3-step program earlier!

3) Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

In August, I saw this book when Tom's cousin it for their grandmother's birthday. I read the synopsis and was surprised by the overwhelmingly positive reviews it got on Amazon.com. Finally, after weeks on the hold list, I got "Unbroken," by Laura Hillenbrand out of the library.

I think this may have been one of the best books I've ever read.

Photo Credit

Laura Hillenbrand is a talented author, and spent seven years researching and writing this book. The results were amazing, and I poured through this book in a matter of days. I was never tempted to read her previous best seller, "Seabiscuit," but having read "Unbroken," I will have to find myself a copy.

"Unbroken" is the biography of Louis Zamperini. A man who competed in the 5000m track event in the 1936 Olympics at age 19. He was expected to be the first individual to run a 4-minute mile, and was expected to medal in the 1940 Olympics. When the Olympics were cancelled when World War II began, Louis trained as a bombardier in the air force. Subsequently, his plane crashed in the Pacific Ocean, where he was lost at sea for over 40 days on a life raft. Eventually he drifted into Japanese controlled waters and became a prisoner of war.

The story of Louis' life was engrossing, fascinating and at times, horrifying. The strength of human spirit and the resilience of the individuals in this book is truly amazing. I have found myself recommending this book to anyone who will listen!

4) Spiced Pepitas and Pecans

I came across this recipe in a Glamour magazine (of all places) and I've started making it every holiday season. I've modified the recipe to also include almonds, but I love this tangy mixture! It is festive, yet a nice change from traditional holiday baking.

Photo Credit

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• pinch of cayenne pepper
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 tablespoon watter
• 1 1/2 cups raw pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
• 3/4 cup almonds
• 3/4 cup shelled pecan halves

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees (F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon, allspice, cumin, salt and cayenne. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites and water until frothy. Stir in the pepitas, almonds and pecans, then add sugar mixture. Toss until nuts are completely coated.

Evenly spread nuts on the prepared baking sheet. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until crispy. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Someone described this treat to me as a "nutty explosion of deliciousness." I couldn't agree more.

I hope you are ready for the holidays!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I Love You, Paul!

December 10th - Paul Brandt.

Those of you who have known me a long time are aware that I love Paul Brandt.

I am a huge fan.

I have all seven of his CD's; eight if you include his Christmas compilation. I buy his CD's the first day they are released into stores. I have seen him in concert three previous times, the first being in 2002 when I was only 18. This December 10th concert makes it my fourth Paul Brandt concert, and hopefully not my last.

The last time Paul toured, four years ago, I bought a water filter for "Turn on the Tap," a program through World Vision that provides water filters for clean drinking water in third world countries. After the concert, I waited in line for two hours so that I could meet Paul Brandt, get his autograph and photo. It. Was. Awesome.

This time around was the "Now" Tour.

This performance was no exception. Paul played new and old songs, mixed in a little Christmas, and even had a number from Canadian Juno winner, Greg Sczebel. Paul recognized members of the armed forces and their families by asking them to stand before one of his songs, and he continued his promotion for World Vision.

Paul and Liz Brandy, plus band.

The only downside was that Paul didn't play "Leavin" or "That's the Truth," which are mine and Jill's favorite songs. Nonetheless, we fully enjoyed the concert.

Paul Brandt does a rendition of Garth Brook's "Friends in Low Places."

Hopefully it won't be four years until his next tour. Can't wait!