Artichoke Pizza

Can I share a secret with you?
I sort of have this dream...a dream to own my own pizzeria. Dartmouth needs a good high end pizza joint don't ya think?
Anyway silly daydreams aside, this pizza blew my mind a little.
It wasn't exactly the simple romanesque pizza I had in mind a few weeks ago, but good golly it was delicious.

Dijon Roasted Potatoes

The snow has started melting, and there are tulips blooming on my window sill.
Yet I'm still having a winter doldrum kind of day. Looking back at the last month or so has made me realize that the influx of crafty things I've been making is my way of disguising my lack inspiration in the kitchen lately. All I'm craving is tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes. And green beans. And fresh herbs. And cucumbers, and radishes, and fresh greens. But all I have is root vegetables.
Ugh.
Spring cannot come soon enough.

So in an effort to console myself I whipped up one of my favourite root vegetable comfort foods. Roasted fingerlings slathered in grainy dijon and lemon juice.
It might not be the BLT I'm really craving, but it'll do the trick.

Curry Coconut Truffle

Oh boy. I have officially entered the world of spiced savoury chocolates, doomed for all eternity.
My newest member of the Greenvale Chocolate family is one that is filled with a layer of white chocolate ganache littered with coconut, next to a dark chocolate ganache flavoured with my own curry spice blend.
It is heavenly. Trust me.

Log Cabin Rug

Thanks to Mason Dixon Knitting (and their wonderful tutorial) I have just completed my first knitted log cabin pattern!
Sure it's not perfect (aren't you used to that by now with my creations?), there are some slightly crooked edges here and there, but I think once I block it and attach it to a non-slip rug backing I think it'll look just fine. Besides, it is only to wipe off our feet with.

Wool Skirt

Making this skirt sort of felt like cheating. 

It all started a few months ago when my dear mother brought me a huge box of yarn that she wanted to get rid of that probably hadn't been opened in a decade or so. Buried beneath the giant spools of yarn were bags of random bits of old sewing projects and fabric scraps. I sorted through it all and stashed any useable fabric in the shelves of my craft nook.

Of course I forgot about it and the scraps got lost under piles of fabric I was currently using. Finally last week I re-organized my craft nook and found the most pleasant little fabric scrap treasure: pieces of wool tweed that weren't scraps at all, it was a complete skirt that had just been taken apart!

I took a few inches off the length, added a zipper, sewed it all back together again (with much trying on, taking in, trying on, taking in), and now I have a cute new wintery skirt.

Miso Soup

It's been years since I've cooked with tofu. The smell of it brings back almost fond memories of when I was vegetarian and barely knew how to cook.
Tofu rarely makes an appearance in our kitchen anymore. It's been years since my husband was vegan, and much much longer since I was vegetarian.
But lately I've been craving miso soup. Maybe it's the frigid cold of winter, or the overly indulgent meals we've been eating for the last few weeks. Either way this soup is my ticket to feeling good.

Pink Floral Dress

This dress was made using Wendy Mullin's pattern for her oktober dress from her book "Built by Wendy Dresses".
There are still a few errors here and there, but all in all I think my dress making skills are progressing.
And of course I made it using an old sheet that I dyed a sweet lil shade of dusty pink.

My husband has named this the "Betty Draper Dress". Which I'm okay with as long as I, the wearer, am not compared in anyway to the infamous Mrs. Draper.

Tequila Lime Truffles

This may be one of my favourite chocolate creations so far.
White chocolate ganache flavoured with tequila and lime zest incased in dark chocolate, then topped with lime zest and fleur de sel. Yum!

P.S. You can now find my chocolates and I at the Alderney Landing Farmers Market here in Dartmouth on Saturdays between 8am and 1pm. 

P.P.S. and you can now follow all of my chocolate adventures on twitter.

Moroccan Chickpea Soup

Have I ever mentioned my love for tomato based soups? No?
Well let this be a gentle reminder that the way to my heart is with a bowl of piping hot soup that contains little or lots of tomatoes.

Hummus

Yesterday afternoon I felt a little defeated. I was tired, my back hurt, the kitchen was a mess, and I felt like I had nothing to blog about. I actually made lots of things yesterday (like this apple cake, lots of chocolates, and of course this hummus) but I just couldn't muster the energy to write.
Today however the kitchen is clean, I'm going to a much needed yoga class tonight, and right now I'm trying to do my body some good with this hummus. I love it most with carrots and cucumbers, or spread liberally on homemade crackers and topped with sprouts. Hopefully it'll balance out all the excessive amounts of chocolate, beer and wine that I've been consuming lately...

Valentines

What would February be without a few days filled with making postcards for Valentines Day? I think it would be pretty darn dreary. Today the snow is piling up outside and I'm cozily surrounded by pink and red paper, hearts, hearts and more hearts, and only sweet intentions to make someone else's day.

I love any holiday that gives me an excuse to send my friends some serious love through the mail, don't you?

Flaxseed & Onion Crackers

What was my first thought when I saw that my husband brought home one of our current favourite cheeses? MUST MAKE CRACKERS!

Huevos Rancheros

So, did you make any tortillas yesterday?
If not, here's another reason to do so today.

Soft Taco

Remember those tortillas I showed you how to make a while ago? Well I think this blizzardy day is the perfect opportunity to bust out some warm tortillas, don't you?

Ribbed Hat with Cables

This hat represents many firsts for me.
It was not only the first time I've knit cables but also the first time I've really used a pattern, and the first time I've knit a hat on two needles. I feel quite accomplished right now, and just can't wait to knit something else!