Olallieberry

Sweet Relief

Man oh man, are we enjoying this air conditioning! I've been wallowing in all the activities I love to do that in the past had to be set aside for more appropriate weather. Things like seeking relief inside after a hot workout in the garden (see the lemon thyme I planted from seed), knitting to my heart's content (kitty slippers, more on this later), and baking.

Imagine baking in the dead of summer! What a life changing concept, I'm completely ruined. Anyway, as promised here is the recipe for the scratch cinnamon buns from the last post. I really like these buns because they are not too sweet but rather exactly right for my taste. This is a mixed blessing because although they do taste terrific, you never really get sick of them so you end up eating a whole lot more than you probably should...

 

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Scratch Cinnamon Buns

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 Yield: 12 buns

Total time: 1.5 hrs

 

Ingredients

2 cups white flour, plus 1 cup

2 1/2 tsp instant yeast

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp oil

1 1/4 cups warm water

 

Filling 

3 tbsp soft butter

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

 

Let's Bake!

In a medium bowl, mix 2 cups flour, yeast, salt, and sugar. Add water and oil, and stir well. Dough should be wet. Add more flour, a little at a time, until dough is just barely dry but very soft. Heavily flour a board and turn out dough. Knead for a few minutes while adding flour if needed. The dough should be very soft, but dry. Oil the bowl and place the dough inside. Squish the dough down and turn it over. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375F. Punch down the dough and press it out into a rectangle onto a your board, approximately 14" x 11". Spread with 2 - 3 tablespoons of soft butter to within 1" of the edge. Mix together the sugar and cinnamon, and spread evenly over the dough. Roll the dough up tightly and cut evenly into 12 buns with a serrated knife. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper ensuring good spacing. Bake at 375F for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan while still warm. Serve with cream cheese icing or extra butter.

xoxox

Hot and Off the Needles

Whew, this week has flown by! I didn't even begin to touch on all of the things I was hoping to, but I did manage to finish off the tealeaves cardi (raveled here) in 32 degree celsius heat (ugh). Not exactly ideal knitting weather, but that's never stopped me before. I love this sweater, it turned out perfectly. Way too hot to wear right now even for a few brief moments, so it's tucked away to savor in a more appropriate season. 

Did I mention we have no air conditioning in our house? We had to hit several air-conditioned thrift stores, yarn shops, and fabric outlets just to escape the incessant heat (a highly unfortunate necessity, I know... that's just what the Mr said). I did manage to whip up a little summer top in between shopping trips, although I'm not altogether happy with it. I followed all sizing measurements and seam allowances, but it still turned out waaay to big. And I used store bought bias tape on the neckline and armholes, so the whole effect is a bit apronish looking. 

This is a regular problem with me and garment sewing, the way-too-big thing I mean. Is there some special top secret pattern reading technique that I don't know about? Does anyone have any insight on how to avoid this problem? I did manage to tailor it in a few spots to make it wearable, but it's still not what it should be. I'll be doing another in a smaller size and with a few other changes, more on that coming.

Now off to the lake for some desperately needed relief to finish off the week and indulge myself in some good reading. Wonderful summer wishes to you all! xoxoxo

Rain

Lots of rain always makes for good gardens, good baking, good projects, good reading, and...

...very grumpy kittens.

Busy Little Bees

The weather has most certainly changed for the better, and Spring has definitely arrived! Blue skies dappled with soft, fluffy, white puffs of smooshiness; green grass; fresh breezes; the sounds of activity clamouring through the neighbourhood as the weather draws everyone outside. Sweet.

We haven't cleaned the yard yet, this wonderful weather has only just arrived. But the tree buds are green and ready to burst open. In fact I'm almost certain that after today the yard will be full of delicate spring leaves.

We have been very busy though. Remember this post? Well that, joined with the fact that our City is home to the Alberta Honey Producers Co-op, and with all the recent media attention surrounding the critical decline in the bee population, really got us thinking. Why not urban beekeeping in our own little backyard? So after extensive research (starting with our local municipal bylaws), in January we headed off to order our first package of bees. When we heard our bees would be arriving last Friday, we were ecstatic and and went to work in frenzied preparation.

And they have arrived. And we were ready. And after a nervous but successful installation process, they appear to be settled and organized. Whew!

Mr Mylo certainly seems to have gained a respect for the little critters. Initially he chased them incessantly, leaping and twisting in the air trying to capture them between his front paws. Although still intently interested, he now approaches with a slow and deliberate caution, I'm sure as a result of having received one or two unanticipated stings!

Easter Tradition

I've always loved and admired the naturally dyed easter eggs that everyone is blogging about. Onion skins, beets, rosemary... beautiful.

But there is something meaningful to me about the traditional (and potentially very messy) food colouring method. Memories of egg colouring with my mother and grandmother, and then with my own children when they were still young enough to partake in the process with enjoyment, fill my heart with pleasure.

After enduring the long dark greys of winter, beautiful brightly coloured eggs remind us of what is soon to come, filling us with anticipation and hope. And so, like an old dog I revert back to this tried and true method year after year.

Traditional Coloured Easter Eggs

Hard boiled eggs

1 tablespoon vinegar

20 drops food colouring

1 cup hot water

In a cup or jar, add the vinegar and food colouring, and top up with the hot water. Create separate dye mixtures for as many colours as you will be using. Bathe the hardboiled eggs one at a time in the mixtures until desired saturation is reached. Remove eggs and allow to dry on wire rack. Careful-- the wet colour will stain fingers and countertops just like it stains the eggs if not wiped immediately.

Display the eggs in visually appealing ways for a day, then eat them!

Happy Easter to you all. And thank you for your lovely welcomes, it is good to be back.

xox

I've Missed This Space

Easter symbolizes new beginnings. It's been a long time--too long. So many things have happened, where do I begin? I guess it's best to start with the most obvious, which is the new job. After being offered an opportunity that just seemed too good to be true, I made the difficult decision to leave my past "career" job and move into a completely different sector, which just so happens to be the best decision I think I've ever made. Quality of life is far underrated in today's world, but I do believe I've found it.

The change has taken some adjusting both for myself and for my family. Sacrifices and gains, losses and benefits. But now that I'm rediscovering my rhythm, I am planning on making regular appearances in this space again. Exactly how regular is yet to be determined: Regular as in no pressure... regular as in comfortable... regular as in just the right amount.

Hello dear friends, and Happy Easter. I have missed you.

More Cake 'n Stuff

1) Deeeelicious bundt cake that everyone will love you for, recipe is here. 2) Comfy nightgown in softened linen that can be whipped up in no time flat, pattern and tutorial found here. xo