Welcome to the weekend at the cottage! Here are a few things that have been happening around here lately, including some of what’s caught my eye out there on the internet. Grab a cup of coffee or tea (or maybe treat yourself to a hot chocolate) and settle in for some reading and browsing.
My Flying Adventure, Revisited
You might think the photo below is from a tropical location … all that’s missing is palm trees. And, the warm temperatures. This picture was taken over Lake Huron, looking toward Bayfield on November 29. Definitely not a good time of year for a dip in the lake! It was a real treat to see one of my favourite places from the air.
Featured in Gastropost!
It’s always a thrill to have a photo published in the National Post’s Gastropost section, and even more so when they choose one of my pictures to announce a new mission, like the last mission of the year, Something Sweet. Not only that, but the picture featured prominently in yesterday’s Gastropost. Sweet!
Coming Soon …
An Easy Sewing Project
My sewing room (also known as Nana’s workshop) has been humming as I work on some Christmas gifts for my granddaughters. Four little girls, four different, sparkly colours. I’ll be writing a post about this project once all the gifts have been opened, for those of you interested in some simple sewing.
You Either Love It or Hate It
Fruitcake is one of those things no one sits on the fence about. You either love it or hate it (and make lots of jokes about it). I’m in the fruitcake loving camp. Of course, it has to be good fruitcake, with real dried fruit, lots of nuts, a spicy batter and a good soak in something boozy. Hmm, sounds like my fruitcake! I made mine a little late this year, but still in time for Christmas. I’ll post about it next week, but first here’s a shot of my fruitcake packaging operation. Yes, I give it as gifts (but only to people who like it!).
Around the Web
Wondering why you need to cream the butter and sugar? (This article appeals to my inner baking geek.)
The topping on these holiday brownies from Chef Mimi caught my eye big time!
Excuse me while I swoon over these easy, ultranutty pecan bars from Brown Eyed Baker.
I use ginger year round, but ’tis the season for it right now, so it’s good to have some storage tips from The Kitchn up your sleeve.
Recap
With preparations for the holidays in full gear, the blog and my social media accounts have been busy lately! Not to mention, there have been other things to write about too. If you missed any of these posts since the last issue of Urban Cottage Weekend, do check them out now! Topics include my top tips and recipes for a casual holiday mingle, spiralizer fun with zesty zucchini ribbons, 12 tips for hosting a baby shower, seriously the best date squares I’ve had (recipe by Chef Anna Olsen), and 13 cookbooks for gifting and a giveaway. Reminder: if you’re in Canada, you have until Monday, December 21 at 7 pm EST to enter the giveaway, here.
You’ve been very busy…I’m one of those who love fruitcake. Unfortunately I didn’t make one this year as we will be traveling at Christmas.
I don’t make fruitcake every year, but it certainly adds to the festiveness of the season. Enjoy your holiday travels!
Congratulations, Mar, on having one of your photos featured in the National Post! That’s wonderful!
For November 29th, that area was pretty green. I bet there’s still some green about. Some of the bulbs in my back yard are starting to sprout. I’m so not happy about that. It’s been ages since I’ve had a piece of fruitcake. No one that I know around here bakes them anymore. ((sigh))
Thank you, John! Yes, we’re having a warm and brown Christmas here in southwestern Ontario this year. It doesn’t seem the same without the snow. At least there’s no risk of blizzards, but fog can still play havoc with travel. I’m sorry to hear you’re fruitcake-deprived. I don’t think there’s a lot of fruitcake baking going on these days, and it makes me feel sad to think of you having a fruitcakeless Christmas –perhaps you can find a good quality one to purchase.