Welcome to Life, Inspired — The Weekend Review. This is the weekly column where I take a step back from the recipes so you can have a wider look at what’s been inspiring me, moving me, or just catching my fancy out there in the life beyond my kitchen.
Weekly column? Not so much lately. Although it’s been three weeks since my last Life, Inspired column, that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been much inspiration. Rather, I’ve been focused on a sewing project and preparing for a move. It’s a pleasure to finally sit down to write about what’s been capturing my imagination lately.
Inspiring Walks
Three weeks ago I wrote, “The weather is at that late winter/early spring teasing stage.” It’s still there. Spring is cold and slow this year, and I woke up this morning to falling snow and about two inches’ accumulation on my windshield. So much for any outdoor Easter egg hunts in my neck of the woods. That said, there’ve been lots of days fine for walking, like yesterday afternoon. I had my family over for a holiday brunch in the morning, and some post-indulgence exercise was definitely in order. Despite the lack of green, the landscape still offers up much to wonder at, like the high, fast-flowing river that’s bearing away the spring runoff and making way for the warm and verdant months to come.
Creating/Sewing
I suppose it seems a bit crazy to take on a sewing project in the midst of preparing to move, but for me this was a way to add a touch of normalcy to the upheaval that is my life of late. I wanted to give the Little Misses Easter gifts made just for them. This project also gave me a chance to begin exploring my new interest in quilting. These bags feature three different bunny and egg fabrics that I cut into squares, pieced together and machine quilted. I then lined the bags with a bright green and white fabric so they’re reversible too. Making the bags was a pleasure, and it was so sweet to see the little girls running around at our Easter brunch with the totes slung over their shoulders (and filled with a great deal of chocolate, I might add).
Around the Web
Over the past few weeks I’ve bookmarked quite a few interesting articles and sites to share with you. Enjoy!
You may have noticed that I’ve been taking an interest in “alternative” sweeteners, i.e., more natural choices than refined white sugar. Here’s an article from Bon Appetit that discusses using some of these.
http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/baking-with-sugar-alternatives
Well, this one is too late for this this year, but if you’re wary of artificial dyes, as I am, then you’ll want to check out this article from The Kitchn.
Did you know I do freelance writing and editing? Wondering why anyone needs an editor? Check on this article from Wired (and I fervently hope I haven’t missed any of my own typos today).
So pleased with Facebook for having taken this stance:
http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/trending/facebook-removes-feeling-fat-from-status-options-1.2990304
This thoughtful article from Eating Asia has been doing the rounds and caught my interest. What’s in a name when it comes to recipes? Are we honouring or dishonouring culture?
http://eatingasia.typepad.com/eatingasia/2015/03/lahmacun-please-dont-call-it-turkish-pizza.html
Articles pertaining to moving have been catching my eye lately. Here’s one from The Kitchn that will come in handy soon.
Weekly Recap
I’m happy that I’ve been more or less keeping up with my blogging schedule weekly. Over the last three weeks I’ve posted about seedy lavash crackers, sweet potato, coconut and red lentil soup (I’m pausing now to savour the memory of it), a local fundraiser called The Meal to raise funds for diabetes research, orange and sweet potato muffins with caramel oatmeal crunch, and (oh my) coconut sugar caramel. If you missed any of these, do check them out!
those are lovely baskets … happy belated Happy Easter….
Happy Easter to you and yours too, Suzanne!
What gorgeous Easter gift bags these are Marlene, you are so talented and diverse, lnot to mention very industrious with all you have going on! I’m glad that your rivers are flowing full, my friend in California tells me how bad things are over there with huge worries over the lack of snow which of course badly affects the snow melt due about now. Yet here in the UK, we’re basking in temps up in the late 60s low 70s which for us is hot! But pleasantly so. Then again, it’s not uncommon to have snow here in April too! Great to read here how things are in your neck of the woods. Great links here too, particularly interested in the sugar alternatives. Sounds as if you had a wonderful Easter brunch with your family, and I hope your week ahead is a good one too 🙂
A belated thanks for your gracious comment, Sherri. The last month has been beyond full and busy, for reasons I’ll explain in my next Life, Inspired column. This weekend will be my third attempt to finish writing it … let’s hope it’s the charm!
Ahh…I know that feel Marlene. I look forward to catching up with you, I’m sure it will be the charm indeed 🙂
As you know, I had a ‘blip’ and have been so behind with my blogging too. My brother was taken very suddenly and seriously ill with what they said was a heart attack (he is fit, active and only 54) but after loads of tests, they say his heart is fine, he can come off most of the meds and make a full recovery. They don’t know what it was, but thank good no heart damage. It shook me to the core though and threw me right off track. Then other family ‘stuff’, but not bad, two wonderful trips, London and Jersey, so not complaining about that, yet trying to do all those things and all the daily stuff of life and then write and blog too, well, I don’t need to preach to the choir, as you know all about that!!! We’ll get there my friend, we will 😀 xx
Oh Sherri, I’m so glad to hear your brother is doing well, but what a scare that must have been for you. Life does seem to throw a lot of us at once, and even when it’s all good it can be a bit much. Add in a few challenges and we really see what we’re made of, lol.
Thanks so much Marlene, and yes, so very true that 😉