Baked

I hope you're having a good week! The weekend is just around the corner...

It's been a couple of weeks since I baked, but I had a craving for a banana/peanut butter combo of some sort. My husband isn't huge on peanut butter, as he grew up on Vegemite. PB just wasn't part of his world in Australia. All I know is I've embraced his Vegemite, but he just won't embrace my peanut butter. ;)

Banana Peanut Butter Muffins - makes 12

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup rolled oats (not quick oats)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened peanut butter
3/4 cup milk
2 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Place a paper liner in each cup, and set aside.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar. In another bowl beat together oil, eggs, peanut butter, milk and banana. Add wet ingredients to the dry mix, and stir to combine. Don't over mix.

Spoon batter into muffin cups and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a skewer, inserted in centre, comes out clean. Allow to cool on a wire rack. Serve with a little honey, and enjoy!

If you like this flavour combo, you really should whip these up. Quick and easy, and so good.

I'm off to NYC tomorrow for a shoot with Jen of Made By Girl. Can't wait! I'll try to post while there.

Back soon!

janis

A Garden Inspired Home

Hope you had a nice weekend - Happy Monday! Actually, it's so late in the day now so happy Tuesday!

Thought I'd share some of the images of a home that I shot, for House and Home, last summer. It's on the cover of the current issue. Designed by Sophie Burke (the interior), for her parents, it's a beautiful home with a stunning garden and amazing views. I've seen a few homes that Sophie has designed, and they're all so different from each other. Love that.  

Designer Sophie Burke

A little instagram outtake of the day. I loved their garden. 

That's it for today! It's been crazy busy the last few weeks....now I've got some serious blog-catching-up to do! Thanks so much for checking in with me. 

Back soon.  

janis

Viva Las Vegas Friday

My week has wrapped up in a haze of bright lights, smoke, hot days, red rocks and Sesame Street impostors. Oh, and a couple of cocktails. Las Vegas is an interesting place. Human nature at it's best. ;) How was your week? Hope it was a good one!

A very entertaining few days. Vegas is all shades of craziness. Have you been to Las Vegas? Would you go back? Let me know!

Have a great weekend! 

Back soon,

Janis

The (Good) Blues

Hope you had a nice weekend! Did you have a nice Easter (if that's your thing)?

I shot this home for Canadian House and Home and it's in the current special "Best Decorating" issue. This home looked so different the first time I shot it, several years ago. The owner, Karin Smith, wanted it freshened up so she hired Riesco and Lapres to do the job. Lots of happy hits of blue throughout the house.

What do you think? Do you like the blues? 

I'm in Las Vegas for a few days, so I'll be back on Thursday. Until then, have a great week!

janis

Happy Long Weekend!

If you celebrate Easter, I hope you have a nice one! A couple of my sisters and I, are taking our mom to Las Vegas. Should be interesting. Wish me luck. What do you wear in Vegas?

I'm wrapping up a busy week, with some pastel colours from the week of shoots...

Have a great weekend! Back soon.

Janis

Baked

I hope your week is going well! Thanks to all who sent emails and left lovely comments about my news the other day. Shooting the cookbook, for Butter Baked Goods, will be a fantastic experience...and possibly fattening!

Speaking of fattening (actually, these aren't too bad), I baked a batch of cookies the other day using almond meal, coconut and chocolate. They seem to be my favourite ingredients these days...so many possibilities!

Almond Coconut Cookies with Chocolate - makes about 12

1 1/4 cups almond meal (finely ground almonds)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
whole almonds for tops of cookies
100g of dark chocolate for dipping

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a medium bowl, beat the butter, then add the egg and almond extract, mixing well. In another bowl combine the almond meal, baking soda,sugar and coconut. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, a little at a time, until completely incorporated. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.

Roll dough into balls, about 1.5 inches each, and place on baking sheet. Flatten a little and press an almond on top of each cookie.

Bake for about 10 minutes. They are quick to burn, so keep a watch on them. Allow to cool on wire rack.

To melt chocolate, break up 100g of chocolate into a small saucepan. Melt on low heat, stirring until melted. Dip one half of cookie in melted chocolate and enjoy!

Have a great day! Back soon.
Janis

Weekend Observations

Did you have a nice weekend? What did you get up to? I worked for most of mine, but it was still lovely and too short ;)

A few bits of my weekend...

The best bit is that is was for no special reason, and paid for with their own money. Love that. 

Butter is a beautiful, and delicious, bakery here in Vancouver. Their amazing marshmallows are sold all over North America and now Japan! Rosie Daykin is the multi-talented owner of Butter Baked Goods, and writer of this book, published by Random House. My first house shoot ever was with her for House and Home. I've since gone on to shoot her stunning garden for Vogue Living Australia, and Rosie herself for the cover of Canadian Home and Country. I can't wait to work with her on this huge project (99 recipes) and learn more about the book publishing world. 

That's it for today! Have a great day.

Back soon,

Janis