Songza

Making playlists is one of my favorite things to do. I've got destination playlists, baking playlists, playlists for working out, and the list goes on. But, sometimes if I'm at work or have unexpected company, I just need to throw something on without thinking. Enter: Songza. It's a great website with playlists based on your mood or activity.

It came in really helpful last weekend at my Nana's birthday. What exactly do you play for 40 people ranging from ages 16 to 85? How about 'Swinging 60s Cocktail Party'? Perfect for those of us experiencing the era from a love of Don Draper and those who actually lived it.

Have a great long weekend!

White Wine Sangria

I read yesterday that we have a balmy fall ahead of us. That- coupled with an upcoming long weekend- makes for the perfect excuse to drink more sangria. Here's a quick and easy (and well-tested) recipe for you.

White Sangria

1/4 c. orange brandy or orange flavoured liquer

2 peaches

1/2 carton strawberries

1 bottle of chilled white wine (I used pinot grigio)

1 can sprite or ginger ale

Cut up the fruit and put in in the bottom of the pitcher with the brandy. Pour in the white wine and let it sit in the fridge for 3-24 hours. Pour the pop in right before serving. 

Ahh the Weekend

This weekend my Mom hosted a great big party for my Nana's 85th birthday. All of our family and my Nana's closest friends came to town to wish her well. Bocce with the cousins, Pimm's and- of course- cake!

Fashion Friday- Lifetime Collective Fall '12

Even though I haven't been in school for quite some time, late August/early September triggers a Pavlovian response for back to school shopping. I have an unnatural urge to buy a lot of corduroy and plaid flannel. Lifetime's collection is full of Autumn essentials- henleys, chunky sweaters and comfy basics. Perfect for snuggling up when the temperature drops.

Reiko Kaneko

We've been in the market for new dishes for a while. With our move to our new home fast approaching, there's no time like the present. I love these ones from Reiko Kaneko.

Strawberry Vodka

When we were houseboating, one of the girls brought cherry vodka that she had made with pie cherries from her yard. It was delicious! I thought I'd try and do the same thing with strawberries. Even though it's not quite as sweet, it makes for a delicious cocktail.

Strawberry Vodka
750ml vodka
1 carton of strawberries

Cut strawberries and place in a jar. Pour in vodka and cover. Swirl the jar and store in a cool dark place for about a week. Strain the vodka and discard strawberries. Voila!

Strawberry Basil Lemonade
1 oz. strawberry vodka
1 c.  sparkling lemonade (I used San Pellegrino)
3 leaves of basil

Muddle basil with vodka and add lemonade. Sit on a porch on a nice hot day to enjoy :)

Healthy-ish Breakfast Cookies

I'm off to a friend's cabin for a girls weekend. One of the best things about trips like this is the food. Everyone always brings delicious and, for the most part, healthy stuff. Hence, these yummy breakfast cookies free of butter, flour and refined sugar.

Breakfast Cookies
adapted from this recipe
1 1/2 c. oats
1 c. unsweetened coconut flakes
1 tbsp. ground flax
3/4 c. slivered almonds
1/2 c. dried cherries
1/2 c. dark chocolate chips
2 ripe bananas, mashed
4 tbsp. natural peanut butter
1/4 c. coconut oil (liquid form)
1 tbsp. agave nectar
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350.
Mix oats, coconut flakes, flax, almonds, cherries and chocolate chips. Add mashed banana, peanut butter, oil, agave and vanilla. Stir until combined. To form the cookies, scoop the mixture into a cookie cutter on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Have a great weekend!

Shark Week

I've loved shark week ever since I was a kid. I remember sitting in our dark, cool basement watching show after show with my brother. Fast forward a few years and not a whole lot has changed- except now I watch it with Eric in our boiling hot condo.

Source: National Geographic

Last night we watched Human Shark Bait where they tested myths of what attracts sharks to humans. Here's what we learned:

• The color yellow and shiny objects attract them. Even though sharks are believed to be color blind, they think the sharks can see contrast of the yellow with blue water (it's similar to the contrast of black and white).
• Sharks are drawn to splashing and rapid movement
• Urine, surprisingly, doesn't attract them at all (unless it's super yellow, I suppose)

So basically, if you're wearing a shiny yellow bathing suit and you see a shark, splashing and flailing around won't help you- but feel free to pee your pants :)

Ahh the Weekend

Lunch in Canmore at the Iron Goat on Friday. What a view!

Floating down the Bow river is a big part of our city's culture. For some reason in the10 years that I've lived here, I've never been- until Saturday. It was awesome! Such a great way to spend a hot day.

New Mumford and Sons

And it's good! Not much different than their stuff on Sigh No More, but that's alright with me. Their new album, Babel, won't be released until September 24th, but this ought to do until then.

Now let's hope for a tour!

Kickstarter

I mentioned Kickstarter a while back and have become more addicted since. Basically, people put their designs, products, art, etc. on the website and say how much they need to fund it. Then, you go on and fund the ideas that you're interested in.

When we were in Portland, everywhere we went had water glasses made from old wine bottles. We loved them, but never ended up finding a set to buy. Fast forward a few months and up pops the Kinkajou, a bottle cutter designed to make glasses out of empties. So, we funded it.

We're expecting our own Kinkajou some time in the fall.

You can fund everything from albums, to food trucks, to these cool bike helmet bags:

If the project isn't fully funded, you don't pay anything. If it is, you make your contribution and get a reward in return.

It's totally addicting, but it feels good to help someone start their dream business.

We Bought a House!

It finally happened! We don't move in until September, but it means we get to spend the long weekend packing and organizing our condo. Good times!

I'm counting down the days until we can sit on that front porch with a glass of wine in hand.

Have a great long weekend :)

Happy Birthday Blog!

To Market, To Market turns 1 today! And that, dear friends, deserves cake (it really doesn't take much to deserve cake around here)!

I used the Eat, Shrink and Be Merry Died-and-Gone-to-Heaven Chocolate Cake. It resides in the very back of the book where no healthy recipe dares go. I topped it with salted caramel icing.

Cake
3 cups sugar
21/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp  salt
3 large eggs
11/2 cups buttermilk
1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 oz unsweetened chocolate squares, melted and cooled slightly


Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease bottom and sides of three 9-inch round cake pans. Cut circles of parchment paper to fit bottom of pans and place in pans. Lightly grease paper. Set pans aside.

Combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.

In another large bowl, beat eggs on high speed of electric mixer for about 3 minutes, until they have thickened slightly and are lemon coloured. Add buttermilk, coffee, oil, vanilla and melted chocolate. Mix on low speed until well blended.

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix on medium speed until batter is smooth. Divide batter evenly among pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in centre of cakes comes out clean. Cool in pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans, peel off paper and cool completely before frosting.


Salted Caramel Icing
from Chow.com

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), at room temperature*
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1 cup powdered sugar

Briefly stir together granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Continue cooking, without stirring, until mixture turns dark amber in color, about 6 to 7 minutes.
Remove from heat and slowly add in cream and vanilla, stirring with a wooden spoon until completely smooth. Set aside until cool to the touch, about 25 minutes.
*I would start with about half the butter and just continue to add until it has the right consistency. Combine butter and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium-high speed until light in color and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low, add powdered sugar, and mix until completely incorporated.
Turn mixer off and scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add caramel. Beat frosting on medium-high speed until airy and thoroughly mixed, about 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until stiff, about 45 minutes, before using.

Parents for the Win!

The Olympics are incredibly emotional. So much preparation for such a fleeting chance at glory. We've seen the disappointment with Jordyn Weiber (although, she certainly made up for it last night) and Tom Daley, but I have to admit that I get the most choked up when the commercials about the parents come on. The parents who woke up early and drove their kids to practice, who helped their kids heal from countless injuries, and whose constant encouragement ultimately lead those athletes to the Olympics.

Just look at Aly Raisman's parents- they definitely deserve to share that medal!

Gold all around for parents!