Menu Showcase

Sara:

Rabbit rillette with prunes, red onion marmalade and grilled fennel, celery root and marinated apple salad, mustard cream sauce.

Braised beef vol-au-vent with wild mushrooms, butternut squash-dusted sweetbreads, butternut squash puree and red wine glazed pearl onions, smoked bacon and french onion veal jus.

Crispy skin arctic char, roast shallot and shrimp custard, tomato tartar with olive tapenade, cauliflower couscous, apple, wallnut and parsley vinaigrette, butter roasted carrots with rosemarry.

White chocolate bavarian cream, cranberry sobet, apple chips, chocolate cigarettes.

Dave:

Port poached pear salad, endive and radicchio, crisp pancetta, candied walnut and gorgonzola mousse.

Curried squash and apple bisque, ginger creme fraiche, spiced cashews, chili oil.

Seared duck breast, braised duck leg, mushrrom risotto, braised squash, ricotta stuffed zucchini, grilled asparagus, cherry pan sauce.

Orange ginger creme caramel, chai infused panna cotta, spiced pumpkin cake, chocolate espresso ice cream.

Rick:

Warm goat cheese salad, grilled apple relish with hazelnuts, savory carrot and ginger cake, apple ginger syrup.

Grilled Honey Balsamic marinated quail, roasted beet salad with feta cheese, grainy dijon viniaigrette.

Veal milanese, roasted lemon and olive oil potatoes, bacon, green bean and pearl onion ragout, green olive and white wine pan sauce, crisp smoky onions.

Blood Orange Sorbet with coca slice, chocolate coffe sherbet and warm chocolate sauce, chocolate chrisp.

NYC Trip Book

When I went to New York (with a hint of Boston) 2 years ago, I took about 1,000 pictures (no joke) and also saved all the papers/ bags/ receipts/ tickets that I collected in those 5 wonderful days knowing that ONE DAY I would document them somehow. Well today was the day and I had forgotten how much STUFF I had saved! Inspired by this post. I bought some book rings, went through my paper and card stock and started hole punching. I have a few more things to put in here, as well as writing out the things we did (luckily I still have the itinerary and some journal pages) and of course PHOTOS. I’ve never been a fan of scrapbooking, it just feels so sterile and commercial to me, buying every little embellishment, and every attempt to make it more “personal” just seems to make the pages look less personal. I like using mostly the patterns and designs of the ‘stuff’ I collect.
For example the front and back covers of the book are covered with a Starbucks bag that I saved. I also used a New England Aquarium bag and a MET bag in the book as their own pages.
I have a lot still to go on this book, but it is a good start to a long awaited project.

P.S: I have recently become SUPER inspired by Elise Blaha

Holiday Card Book

Today I gathered up some of my valentines and Christmas cards and put them together in a hand bound book I had made. I think this is a fun way to display your holiday cards, instead of them bring tucked away in a box. I added some embellishments, stickers, gift tags, wrappers, to make the book full of memories and fun.

I don't know why single people get so angry about Valentine's Day

I just don't get it. I've been single every year on Valentine's Day, and I love it! To me, Valentine's Day is about all the LOVE in your life, your friends, family, co-workers, class mates, teachers, bus drivers, your barista, everyone! And for people who get upset about how commercial it is, just don't buy into it! This year I handmade Valentine cards for my Girl Guides, in school I printed out some Valentines from Free People Blog, and for my Facebook friends, I sent them Harry Potter Cards on their wall.

For Gifts, you can hand make them, or if you’re really not that creative, and HATE the commercial Valentine gifts, buy something local, from an independent retailer.

What I'm saying is that Valentine's Day doesn't have to be single awareness day, or "not going on tumblr/facebook/internet day". It's about LOVE and FRIENDSHIP and can be enjoyed by all.
Happy LOVE Day!

Top 5 Hand Made Valentines

I've seen so many amazing handmade Valentine goodness around for the last month, and I've narrowed down my favourite in 5 categories. When I think of Valentine’s Day, I don't think of store bought cards, flowers and chocolate for all the romantic relationships. I think Valentines is for everybody you love, your children, friends, family, co-workers, it’s a time to appreciate all your friendships. I love making things by hand, so homemade cards, food, gifts and decorations are the things I look for when a holiday comes around.

Favourite Card:

LandofNod

Favourite Decoration:

OhHappyDay

Favourite Vintage:

TwoCrazyCrafters

Favourite Gift:

Pitterandglink

Favoutie Food:

Bakerella