birthday invite

I can't believe my daughter is turning eight. I bet most parents feel this way once another year has passed in their child's life. I've always done homemade invitations with my daughter because I think it's a great craft/project to do together and gets them even more excited about their big day. Plus, it's cool to have a customized invite. This year we came up with a concept together - a painted eight by the birthday girl in her favourite colour (red) and a simple type treatment of the deets on cardstock.

red lentil soup with chorizo + fennel

Soup is reminiscent of home for me as my family always made delicious main-meal variety's. I remember coming home from school one dismal day in September, sniffling and feeling miserable. I found my father standing over the stove, mixing and stirring and tasting. Soup was on the menu. He ladled some into a bowl for me and wrapped me in a blanket and there I sat, feeling the warmth of the broth envelop me. I felt better. His soup was filled with beans and vegetables and a flavorful broth of tomato and fresh herbs. He cut a piece of crusty homemade bread, dipped it into my soup and allowed it to soften. How did he know this was exactly what I needed?

Lately, all I've been craving and cooking is soup. The East Coast has been unseasonably cold for this time of year. At times, bone-chilling. Are we ever going to enjoy festive summer BBQ's and lazy days at the beach? Is that on the agenda for us this summer? I'm not so sure. It’s been cold. Dreary. Rainy. Gray. And the idea that we will even experience those simple pleasures seems, well...bleak.

This weather has made me yearn for the nourishing and robust goodness that only soup can provide. I had some red lentils in the pantry and added chorizo and fennel and a touch of turmeric, smoked paprika and coriander, and the end result was a fantastic, hearty one-pot meal. Red lentils don't require soaking like the green variety as they cook rapidly, so this meal is an easy alternative to pasta or other quick dinner options. The broth is bold and flavorful and amazingly satisfying.

I cut some crusty bread and let it soak into my soup. I remembered my father’s loving hands as he prepared his favorite soup, the way he’d hum and whistle while he cooked. How he made us feel better by making silly faces and the way he soothed us with his gentle words and wholesome dishes. He was a good dad. Homemade soup always reminds me of him and I really believe that’s the reason I love it so very much. 

borough market

The Borough Market in London took my breath away. It was super crowded, buzzing with a Friday afternoon energy, oozing with fresh produce and more for me to look at than I could take in at once. I remember stopping at one point to gather my excitement and a glass of sparkling Rosé in a plastic cup with a fluorescent pink straw.

I spotted and loved this chalkboard sign for the Ginger Pig. It makes meat look pretty and inspires me to paint on chalkboards. I'm sure Nic was channeling her Greek energy my way because I came across Oliveology. I was mesmerized by the olive oil lesson I was given and I'm pretty sure that the tin I purchased of organic 17 degree cold pressed oil, made from unripe Koroneiki olives and crushed with fresh lemons, oranges and thyme sent me into orbit...no...no, my mistake, it was the free olive tins they were giving away. Yes, I took one and was told that if I did I would have to do something creative with it and send them a picture. How fun is that?

ginger pig, chalkboard detail

oliveology, olive oil samples + packagingoliveology, free tins

the art of conversation

I've been working with Benjamin Bridge for the past three years. As far as a client goes, they're top notch, just like the wines they produce. I was asked back in July 2008, just as I was leaving Halifax to move to Calgary, to do a painting for their debut wine release, Nova 7. It was a dream project and I was given the added bonus of sampling the wines for additional painting inspiration. I was then asked to help out with the design of their marketing materials (brochures, posters, banners, e-blasts) and to create more paintings as they released new wines.

Their latest release was a fourth vintage of Nova 7. The title of the brochure, The Art of Conversation, made me think about my recent trip to France + London and all the conversations and laughs that were had over a couple (or more) glasses of wine with new and old friends. This is a piece of text from the recent Nova 7 brochure, that now after coming back from my holiday, is more meaningful than ever. I can't wait for my visit to Halifax this summer so that I can enjoy a few chilled glasses (or bottles) of Nova 7 with all my old and hopefully some new friends.

"We’re inspired by the land. Beautiful wine expresses the earth, the climate, the grapes, the character of the vineyard - a sense of place - what the French call, terroir. We’re inspired by art. Beautiful art inspires thoughts, feelings, and best of all, conversations. NOVA 7 by Benjamin Bridge continues to inspire critics to write, talk and ‘tweet’. Join the conversation."

Newest Nova 7 brochure cover

Nova 7, acrylic on canvas, 2008

Borealis, acrylic on canvas, 2008

Taurus, acrylic on canvas, 2009

VERO, acrylic on canvas, 2010

Méthode Classique Sparkling Wines brochure cover, 2010

pea soup with spring onion, leeks + bacon

The first time I went to Lucie’s house for dinner, my husband told me to expect a feast because Lucie is the family gourmet. The youngest in a family of 6, she is my husband’s aunt; full of zest, a love for life and an exceptional mastermind when it comes to cooking, baking and pretty much everything else.

I’ll never forget walking into her dining room that first night and seeing her table immaculately set with fine linens, beautiful hand-cut flowers and delicate place-settings. It was a page out of a home and garden magazine. Absolute perfection. I knew at that moment the evening would be full of amazing surprises and I was right. Her first course was a soup medley she created with vegetables from her garden. Peas with mixed herbs, and I can still recall how deliciously the flavors melded together. The rest of the evening continued with more scrumptious cuisine, amazing wine-pairings, an extravagant dessert and lots of laughter.

Lucie is a foodie in every sense of the word. Her culinary creations are more amazing than I can describe and she really believes in using fresh ingredients to showcase her fare. She harvests her own food and has an enormous greenhouse where she grows herbs and vegetables. Fruit and blossom trees grace her garden- a true oasis of greenery, delicate flowers and glorious trees. If that weren’t enough, she’s an award-winning pastry chef, sews her own clothing, plays the violin and has traveled the world as a nurse providing medical relief in developing countries. I know. It doesn’t even sound like I’m talking about a real person. Of course the truth is, Lucie is much more than a glamorous self-taught connoisseur. She’s quite possibly the kindest and gentlest soul I’ve ever met and we are ecstatic that her and her husband are going to be visiting us this summer. It will be dreamy to have her here for so many reasons but mainly; I’m excited to cook with her. And the thing I love about Lucie is that she loves sharing her recipes. She’s not one of those people that keeps good things a secret. 

“ la bonne nourriture devrait être partagée.” She always says.

(good food is meant to be shared.) And she’s so right. 

 

refreshing lemon water

summer is almost here!