Saturday Stuff

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YOU GUYS I HAVEN'T WRITTEN IN SO LONG BECAUSE I WAS IN NORWAY AND DENMARK FOR TWO WEEKS AND I HAD THE BEST TIME AND I'M STILL EXCITED JUST THINKING ABOUT IT AND NOW MY WRITING IS COMING OUT LIKE THIS!! Help me.

Seriously though, it was the best. I think I loved every second. Ok, maybe not the seconds we were dealing with lost luggage, but literally (figuratively) every other second was the best! I'm still processing the trip and combing through the 1000 or so photos (most photogenic countries!) so it's going to be a little while before my full report. But just know that it was awesome. Also, Danish pastry = mind blown. Boom.

In the meantime it's the weekend, which is the best time of the week, and is especially great when that week was spent getting over jet lag and trying not to go to bed at 8:00pm 5 days in a row. I tried. I failed.

This weekend we're heading off (again!) to some family time up north and I'm looking forward to swimming and eating and general relaxation. What are your plans? Just in case you have a lazy morning/afternoon/evening in the works feel free to peruse these lovely reads. Some will make you hungry, some will make you feel the need to clean you're whole house. Enjoy!

Cinnamon Rolls. Crème Brûlée. I love it when people come up with ways that I don't have to choose.

Continue the indulgence with the summer's caffeinated gift - the affogato. Part espresso. Part ice cream. All good.

Can you imagine the cocktails that would be coming out of here if I built up the courage (read: motivation) to make my own tonic water? This is why David Lebovitz is boss.

I use vinegar a lot (hello Apple Cider Vinegar as hair conditioner!) and coconut oil even more. Get into it!

Never. Stop. Travelling.

Strawberry Doughnuts with Lemon Glaze

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Like all Canadians I tend to revel in the warming weather and all that it brings along with it - particularly the abundant growing season. There isn't a whole lot that's more exciting than finding spring's fresh greens that you know will lead to summer's bounty.

And the first berries of the season? Watch out. Food tastes like food again and nothing is sweeter than a bright red, freshly picked, local strawberry. In fact I'm hoping to go strawberry picking this weekend so I can really stock up on this summer staple.

In my mind, the first crop of the season was always going to be just one thing - these strawberry doughnuts, and the lemon glaze was a no brainer to keep it all in balance. And I'm super happy I did! These were nice and cake-y and the strawberries added an awesome burst of flavour in every bite. The glaze was a nice tart/sweet finish.

In the photos you'll notice that the doughnuts look barely glazed, but in fact they were twice submerged with hardening time in between. Next time I make these (and there will definitely be a next time!) I'm going to make a thicker glaze, partly because I like how it looks, and partly because I like the ever so slight crunch on the outside before getting to the cake-like inside.  The flavour is all there, but the visual isn't quite on point for me (I'm picky). Glaze recipe below adjusted accordingly.

Well we should probably just get to what we all came here for, the recipe!

Keep reading for more!

Saturday Stuff

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Just in case you weren't bombarded with "TGIF" messages yesterday, today is Saturday! And just in case you had never guessed, I like Saturdays, a lot. Though I had a pretty great week that ended with three days up north for some work training (no complaints from me!) Saturday is still a wonderful, glorious day. I'll be enjoying brunch with a lovely friend and hopefully some sun after a few days of rain. 

I hope you'll also be enjoying brunch with a lovely friend and some sun, oh and here's a few links for you to enjoy as well.

Until next time!

These ridonkulous brownies should probably on "to make" list this weekend. Just saying. 

If you're not meeting a lovely friend for brunch, perhaps you could try these strawberry cornmeal griddlecakes instead. It's a win-win. 

Wise words from wise women are always a must read!

What!? Hanging lamp and hanging planter in one!? uh yes please!

Please, someone I know make one of these mini neighbourhood libraries, put it in your front yard, and delight your neighbours. 

Did you see this salad? Because it's pretty great. If I do say so myself!

Have a great weekend!

Watermelon Feta Salad with Fresh Mint

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When you think of salad, what do you imagine? Leafy greens? A smattering of crunchy veg mixed with plump tomatoes, perhaps? What about fresh crispy watermelon tossed with salty feta, sweet grape tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and finished with cool mint? Because that's what we're serving up today and it's de-freakin-licious!

Pretty sure this is my new summer favourite. So good. So simple. So yes, please!

I kept it light on the dressing with a little bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, just to give it a little more punch, and while I totally recommend this, you could also choose to go without all together and still have a tasty combo on your hands (or in your mouth, whatever).

This salad would be great in so many scenarios and can take you from a quick lunch at the office to a picnic in the park or backyard barbecue all the way up to a lovely dinner party. In all scenarios you end up with a light and refreshing salad that can stand on its own or be a playful companion.

Do you have any summer favourites? Share below!

Keep reading for the recipe!

Saturday Stuff

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It's Saturrrdaaaayyyyyy!!! Happy weekend to you all and may it be fun, spontaneous, friends-filled, family-filled, food-filled, and delicious.

Our weeks and weekends have been busy recently with the official start of wedding season, the unofficial start of summer which has led to the official start of patio season, and planning for our upcoming Norwegian adventure (I'M SO EXCITED!!). Over the last little while I've shared many great meals with friends, and prepared a few myself (I'll be sharing more soon, promise!), and have really been taking advantage of this weather with leisurely evening walks. It's been pretty great. I hope you've been pretty great too.

This weekend we'll be visiting friends and family in the home town while also visiting Other Half's very elderly and sadly ailing family dogs. We don't think they are going to make it much longer so we're really going to try and squeeze in as many puppy snuggles as possible.

However, that doesn't mean I won't be starting my weekend with my customary lie in bed sipping a coffee and catching up on my reading. I hope you'll join me. Except in your own bed. With your own coffee. Let's not get weird about it.

So here's to the weekend, enjoy!

I'm sorry, but this is a salted butterscotch popcorn cheesecake semifreddo and I must have it.

It's peanut butter jelly time! In muffin form. For when you need something a little less fancy, but no less delicious than that semifreddo up there.

These popsicles (or poptails) look so perfect for your next backyard bash. You should make them and then invite me over. 

OR I'll make them and invite you over, just as soon as I have a backyard that looks like this. Or a backyard in general. 

Who runs the world? Girls!

Look at these DIY boardgames! I want them all! I better get busy...

Until next time!