Modernist Buildings in Vancouver

Hi everyone! I hope you're having a nice weekend, so far. 

I went to a great talk the other night, at the Museum of Vancouver called "Preserving Modernist Buildings in Vancouver". It was put on by Heritage Vancouver Society. It was pretty hideous to learn about all the beautiful modernist buildings that have disappeared over the years. I don't understand why this happens in this city. They tend to save 100 year old homes and buildings quite often, which is fantastic, but mid-century buildings do not get the same care and respect. I think it's important to preserve a city's history, as much as possible, and not just commercial buildings but some of the homes that were built by some of the best architects in Canada, like Arthur Erickson and Douglas Simpson. Thought I'd share a couple examples of this style with you. I hope to be able to document many more, of this period, over the next few months.

This is the Museum of Vancouver where the talk took place. This is not really in the modernist building group, but I adore this place and wanted to share it with you. It was designed by Gerald Hamilton and opened in 1968. Have you been to the museum? It's a pretty great place, and worth checking out. 

The Park Board Office in Stanley Park, is one of my favourite buildings in Vancouver. I'm not sure who the architect was, but it was built in 1961. I love all the windows, stone, and the huge pendant lights are beautiful. 

One of the many modernist buildings on the U.B.C. campus. Worth a walk about.

I wish Vancouver would take a close look at Palm Springs and how they protect and preserve their modernist buildings. It's a modernist building lover's paradise there. 

That's my rant for today. What's it like in your city? Are your modernist buildings protected? Do you like the modernist style? I'd love to know what you think.

Back soon!

janis

Baked

First let me say, that game last night almost polished me off. I love the Canucks, but why do they insist on torturing us? Game 7 is tomorrow, and the Stanley Cup will be given to the winner. Please let that be the Vancouver Canucks.

Back from a few days in Victoria, and now just doing some post production and a little baking. I have to keep up my energy for this. ;) Hope your week is off to a good start! Did you all have a good weekend?

I originally found this recipe via Alton Brown, but then a lovely woman I worked with once, suggested I add some baking soda to the mix. I also added a sprinkle of corn meal. Worked out well, so I thought I'd share it with you guys. These are not, technically, "baked", they're similar in cooking method to crumpets.

English Muffins - makes one dozen

1/2 cup non-fat powdered milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
1 cup hot water
1 packet of dry yeast
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon sugar
1/3 cup warm water
2 cups all purpose flour, sifted
A little cornmeal for sprinkling
(This recipe suggests using an electric griddle, but I don't have one, so I used a large cast iron pan.)

Combine the powdered milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, shortening and hot water, in a bowl and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Let cool. In another bowl combine the yeast, 1/8 teaspoon of sugar and 1/3 cup warm water and let sit until the yeast starts to foam. Add the yeast mixture to the dry milk mixture, then add the sifted flour and beat thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Cover the bowl with a tea towel and let rise for 30 minutes in a warm spot.

If you have an electric griddle, preheat to 300f. I set my cast iron pan on the stove on medium low heat.
Add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of baking soda to the dough and mix again, with wooden spoon, thoroughly. Lightly coat the metal rings with vegetable oil and place on griddle/pan. Spoon dough into rings, filling only 1/2 way. Sprinkle a little corn meal on top of each. Sit a cookie sheet, or in my case, a small cake pan, on top of rings and cook for about 5-6 minutes.

Remove lid and flip rings using tongs or a spatula. Cover with lid again, and cook for another 5-6 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool on a wire rack, then enjoy any which way you want!

I like mine with a hard boiled egg, basil and cheese. My husband goes for Vegemite. 

Have a great day! Back soon.
janis

Sunday Observations

I hope you've all had a nice and relaxing weekend! I've been in Victoria again, for the 3rd weekend in a row, for another shoot. This is what I noticed in Victoria today...

 A pretty little beach just down the road from our crack of dawn photo shoot. 

Red Fish Blue Fish is a tiny seafood pit stop housed in a converted shipping

container. Located on the pier right in the city centre. The "tacones" are fantastic!

Victoria is on Vancouver Island, about a 1 hour and 40 minute ferry ride from Vancouver (Tsawwassen ferry terminal). If you find your self in Victoria, and need a hotel, I like to stay at the Magnolia Hotel. It's more of a "boutique" hotel. The staff is great. 

What did you get up to this weekend? Long weekend in the U.K. wasn't it? 

Back soon!

janis

Friday, I love you

Just got home from a shoot, and now to race down and watch the Canucks in game 5. Please play better tonight boys. For you hockey fans out there, below is a snap of Roberto Luongo and Simon Gagne at a bar after the World Jr.'s wrapped up in Winnipeg. It was 1999 and they were only 18. Even though Canada had to settle for silver (Russia won that year) Luongo played way better than he has, of late. ;)

Have a great weekend everyone! Back soon!

janis

City Living

Hope you're all having a good week so far. This month is shaping up to be one of my busiest, so I'm blogging when I can!

I shot a couple of really great, and tiny, city apartments today for Scott Trepp, an interior designer. Thought I'd share one of them with you.

What do you think of this space? Would love to know.

Now for the "give away".... The winner is Lisa at LisaRoyHandBags! Lisa, I'll be shipping the recipe cards to you in Dubai! Thanks to all of you that took part. 

Back soon!

janis

Baked

It's Monday, so it must be game 3 of the Canuck's run to the cup! Ok, that's out of my system. Won't mention it again today.

I baked these over the weekend, and I didn't feel half as bad eating almost a dozen since. They're made with white bean puree instead of heaps of butter. Believe it or not, they're not dry and you don't taste bean either!

Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip and Walnut Cookies - makes about 36-40

1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cup ground quick oats
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup drained white beans (save liquid) - any white bean will do. I used white kidney.
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a food processor, or blender, grind oats until finely ground but not "dusty".

Mix oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Puree the beans with 2 tablespoons of the saved liquid, until smooth. Combine puree, butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in a separate bowl and beat well. On low speed, mix in the oat and flour mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts by hand. Drop batter by the tablespoons, on the parchment paper lined baking sheets.

Bake for about 13-15 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool on wire racks. Enjoy!

These are really tasty. Hope you give them a go! 

If you haven't already click here, to enter my little give-away. I'll make the draw on Wednesday. 

Back soon!

Janis

Sunday Observations

It's been a pretty great weekend here, for Vancouverites, with the Canucks up 2-0 against the Bruins. Go Canucks! Bring it home!
We took advantage of the sunshine in Vancouver today, before jumping on the ferry to Victoria. I'm back in Victoria (on Vancouver Island) for another crack of dawn shoot. This time I brought my husband to assist me.

That's it for my Sunday. What did you do today?
If you missed Friday's post, click here to check out the give away! I'll be making the draw next Wednesday.

Back on Monday!
janis