* not with ink

This morning I got up and cleaned up a dog-made mess in the living room, then walked the dogs and cleaned their bowls, and fed the dogs, and took a deep breath. Now, there are muesli scones in the oven (recipe below). The pups are lounging, the husband is sleeping in (it's his day off). While I wait for the scones to finish, I'm reading a research report out of the University of Notre Dame. It's for my job, but it's more than just work. It's relevant to the application I'm working on this week for a PhD program... And it's relevant to my daily life. The report is on " Flourishing in Ministry " and the factors associated with well-being for pastors working in a variety of church-based roles. I'm working part-time in a church this year, and my husband works in a church all the time, but even beyond that - there are some good reminders/insights for all of us who value well-being (which I think, hopefully, is all of us). -- Here's wha...

Last night I needed to make cookies, and desperately wanted ginger cookies. Chewy, delicious, ginger cookies. So I found two recipes from brilliant food bloggers, and wound up with my own blend of a recipe. They were a huge hit with my Tuesday night-class Cookie Club and other friends, and most importantly, myself. Since I measured precisely (for a change), I thought I would share my recipe: 1/2 c. unsalted butter 2/3 c. packed brown sugar 1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. cloves/allspice 1/4 c. molasses* 1 egg zest from 1/2 an orange roughly 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger 2 c. flour 1/2 tsp. sea salt 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/3 c. raw/white sugar, in a small bowl 1. Cream butter, brown sugar and spices. 2. Combine remainder of wet ingredients, add to butter mixture. Blend well. 3. Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl. Add to wet mixture, just to incorporate. 4. Forming small balls with the dough (I used a tablespoon-ish amount and rolled the...

Once upon a time, a very thorough career/personality test told me many things about myself. Scary accurate, rather helpful, occasionally annoying. One of the suggestions it made, which I have been slow to adopt on account of how it makes me feel "needy," is that I would benefit from keeping a list of "recent successes" to encourage me in "emotionally difficult times." (I am inserting those quotes as remembered phrases, being far too lazy to walk upstairs and find the report and quote it accurately). This week has been an unexpectedly "emotionally difficult time" for no particular reason, apart from being unemployed and impoverished. So I am sharing some phone photos of "recent successes" (things I did/made) in the hopes that it will remind me that I'm mostly awesome. And so you can also get excited and maybe do some of these things, if you're into doing things. I bought this satchel for $2 at a garage sale. Dumped out t...

They say not to judge a book by its cover, but  The Cure for Death By Lightning  by Gail Anderson-Dargatz hooked me with two details on the front: The title! What!? The little stamp that tells me it was nominated for the Giller Prize. And you know what? I was not disappointed. Not only is the protagonist a teenage girl named Beth (everyone loves a Beth!), but the story itself is quite riveting as an eclectic and often awkward group of characters navigate farm and family tensions in a village near Kamloops, BC, during WWII. One of my favourite details is how the author wove recipes and home remedies (including the cure for death by lightning) into the story. In fact, I had planned to write out a few of them before returning the book to the library...but completely forgot. I may go back and flip through just to pick them up! Don't get the idea that this is a glorified cookbook, somehow. It is an emotionally weighty and somber story that highlights the importance of...

Last night was no exception to my modify-at-will baking style . Since this recipe was a hit (thankfully - I've had had some real misses this year), I thought I'd record and share. All measurements are approximate: 1/4 c oil 1/2 c yoghurt 1/2 c almond milk 1/2 c coconut sweetener 1/3 c honey 2 tsp vanilla 2 eggs 1 c all-purpose flour 1 c whole wheat flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp cinnamon 1 1/2 c shredded zucchini 1/2 c raisins 1/2 c chocolate chips Mix wet ingredients together. Add dry ingredients. Stir until mostly combined. Add zucchini etc. Pour into muffin tins. Bake at 350 for 18 min.

My weekend trip to Hamilton extended itself when friends needed someone to stay with their kids while they went out for their 20th anniversary dinner... It wasn't exactly babysitting, as the oldest three are 16, 14, and 11 (ish?). But the youngest is 4, and the most energetic child I may have ever met. The boys from my nannying days have nothing on this delightful daughter. I love the mispronounced words and poor grammar and quickness to laugh that characterizes small children. And I'm glad I stuck around for a few extra hours with a pre-schooler on-the-go and three fun teenagers. On the train back to Toronto, I discovered that my ticket was not adequate for the distance I was traveling. This set me into the sweats, but after listening to a strict lecture on the difference between TTC and GO transit systems (which I know well), I was let off with a warning instead of the $100 fine. He must have been able to tell I was on the verge of tears and that it was an honest mistake...

I love to bake and cook. It feels therapeutic to me. I love dreaming about what meals I could create. The only two things I dislike are the preparatory shopping (I can never find all the ingredients) and the need to follow a recipe precisely (usually because I’m missing at least one ingredient, due to oversight or grocery store frustration). The result: no two recipes are quite the same! Sometimes this is a disaster, sometimes it is a great success. Here are some of my more recent successes – good luck duplicating them. Also, I have no photos. I think there is one on Karen’s camera of the bread…but that’s about it. (I’m doing all the wrong things on this blog post: no photos, long entry, unhelpful ideas to duplicate.) Artichoke & Tomato Pasta Olive Oil 1 can artichokes ¾ yellow pepper Garlic, crushed/minced Fresh herbs (I used rosemary, salt, pepper. Would like to try basil) Half a pint of grape tomatoes Spinach ½ c. White wine ½ c. Vegetable stock Pasta (I use no...

If there were a popularity contest in my kitchen, peanut butter cookies would win. They are sooooooooooo easy to make. There is a batch now on my counter. Every time I bring them somewhere, I get rave reviews and requests for the recipe. Which I will gladly share: 1 cup peanut butter 1 cup white sugar 1 egg Mix together. Add whatever you'd like. I suggest chocolate chips. Maybe some nuts. Cranberries. Spoon out onto a cookie tray. Bake at 325 for 8-10 minutes - until the centers are dry-looking. (If you like your cookies crumbly, cook them longer. If you like them soft, undercook a little.) Leave them on the tray for 3 minutes before you transfer them to a cooling rack. EAT THEM! Sorry there are no photos. I already ATE THEM ALL. Just kidding. I'm lazy and going to bed now.

When C. whines at me, I consistently say, "Oh, is that Mr. Grumpypants talking? You know I don't talk with Mr. Grumpypants." I feel the need to say this to myself tonight. Even baking didn't cure the blues. Chocolate Zucchini Loaf...you are mediocre. And it is my own fault. ( Why do I think that I can modify recipes I've never before attempted?) For the first time all week, I stuck my earphones in and turned my iPod on. It is unusual that I would go this long without music, and it was half intentional. Musical therapy seems to be the thing I needed tonight. And these songs that hit the right spots. (each link is to a live performance) Generation Spent - Charlie Winston I don't wanna be a victim of this culture More prey for a people to dispose of Anytime I try and come to some conclusion I'm only faced with confusion, confusion City - Sara Bareilles Here in these deep city lights Girl could get lost tonight I'm finding every reason to be gone Nothing ...

Here's the photo I'd like to make into the cover of my compilation album . Thanks Amelia, for sending those photos during moving week! You're a true friend :) (does that make up for my "public sassing" in the last post?) This photo was taken at Miss Cora's Kitchen in Kensington Market. I will go back there. Anytime anyone wants to take me.

The proof is in these two conversations: me: You need to eat at least two more spoonfuls before you're done. G: (pretends to eat some food) Done. me: No. You didn't eat any. G: Yes I did. me: No. You didn't. You can't trick me. G: Yes I can. me: (nothing) G: How many fingers do you have? me: (nothing) G: How many fingers do you have in total? me: (deciding whether or not to let him win) Eight. And two thumbs. Now eat your food. G: (pause, flustered) Well, just eight. me: Okay, I'm going now. C: You can't go without a hug and a kiss. me: Okay. C: (giving me a hug) Can you come all the time? me: Yes. That's the plan. How's tomorrow morning? C: That's good. And can we bake all the time? me: Maybe not all the time. But often. C: Okay. (runs away) me: Bye guys! C: Wait! Another hug and kiss! (runs back) I want to specify that I really like G. Today was a bit of a test-of-the-will, but I can clearly see tha...

watermark 223 Originally uploaded by bethaf . Last October, I was assistant photographer for a wedding. It was a great experience and a super-fun time with my friend Becca . (more photos here) Becca came prepared for the day with delicious granola bars. Later on, when I was at her place editing and selecting the best of the best photos, she had more of the same bars. I understand why they are a staple in her kitchen. So delicious, so simple, so close to being healthy! I'm feeling all reminiscent because I finally (FINALLY) made me some of these bars. They're cooling on my counter as I write this. I haven't taken any decent photos in awhile. I miss being creative and gutsy and excited to give people something beautiful. Before I left BC, Becca told me that if I was sticking around, she'd seriously consider starting a photography gig with me. And if I'd stayed, I would have seriously considered it too. But saying yes to one thing always means saying no...