Baked

Hello all. Hope you're having a good week!

My week has been, mostly, filled with editing, with a quick baking session tossed in. I've been playing around with quinoa flour and almond meal, and came up with a cracker that is actually not too bad for you. My diet is often pretty dodgy on editing days (girl scout cookies, chips, etc), so I'm trying to change it up. They're so good!

Quinoa Almond Crackers with Parmesan & Chives - makes about 3 dozen 1.5" crackers

1/2 cup quinoa flour
1/2 cup almond meal
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons chopped almonds
2 tablespoons chives
Coarse salt for sprinkling on tops

In a medium bowl, beat together the butter and parmesan cheese. In another bowl, whisk together the quinoa flour, almond meal, dry mustard and baking powder. Add the chives and chopped almonds, stir to combine. Add the milk, a little at a time, until a dough forms. I always seem to use 2.5 tablespoons. Flatten dough, wrapped in plastic wrap, and chill for a few hours.

Preheat oven to 400f/200c. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Roll out dough to about 4mm and cut out shapes. I used a 1.5" cutter. Sprinkle tops with a little coarse salt and bake for about 7-8 minutes, until lightly golden. They're very moreish!

If you make them, let me know what you think. Have a good day! 

janis

 

Weekend Observations

I hope you all had a fun weekend! It was so lovely, here in Vancouver. Always nice to get a sunny weekend when they were calling for showers. Here's a bit of what I got up to in the sunshine...

I've been working on a fun video project for my pal, Heather, of Missing Goat. My husband and I got to work on the editing this weekend. So much fun. Should be complete soon! 

Main Street was closed off for Car Free Day yesterday. Came across my friend, and talented garden designer, Caitlin Black of Aloe Designs. Caitlin had a gardening workshop set up for kids (and big kids). My niece loved planting up her own tomato plant, in a tin can, then adding her own label. 

Cloud Nine Cotton Candy was a massive hit. Not only do they make fantastic, naturally flavoured, and organic cotton candy, they do so in a tiny and adorable trailer. Loved the rootbeer flavour best.

End of the day, and this bunting, at the festival. 

I also loved these posts...

Download a masterpiece at Poppytalk.

A stylist's home in Australia at Design Elements.

This beautiful home in Portugal at La Boheme.

What did you get up to this weekend?

janis

Shop Love

I love my neighbourhood. Within about 10 blocks, there are heaps of cafes, restaurants and shops. One of those shops is one of my favourites, Nineteen Ten. Owners, Amy and Jenn, have created a very homey store, with a great mix of furniture, home wares, lighting and accessories. They've also started a line of their own. Talented women.

I've shot their shop a couple of times now. Most recently for House and Home magazine. Here's a peek...

The stool is one of Amy's and Jenn's creations. I'm also a fan of the serving utensils, and brightly coloured pendant light cords. 

If you find yourself in the Vancouver Main Street area, pop in and say hi. If you plan to visit Vancouver, add Nineteen Ten to your list of shops to check out.

What's your neighbourhood like? Are you in the middle of a busy city, suburb or the country? Would love to hear from you!

janis

Weekend Walkabout in an Instant

Happy Monday! Hope you had a great weekend.

We had our nephew, Jake, with us for the weekend, which is always fun. I gave him my old Nikon D200, so we took it out for a spin. He loves photography, and that makes me happy ;) I used my sx-70 and took a few "instant" pics during our walkabout...

By the way, I did take my sx-70 to Palm Springs to see how it would work in desert light. Let's just say, not at all as it was 43 degrees every day. Way too hot for the film, it seems. Expensive lesson learned!

What did you get up to this weekend?

janis

Vintage Modern Pretty

("Love" print by Jen Ramos, Made By Girl)

I do love a good mix of new, modern and vintage styles, and this house had just that with some pretty thrown in for good measure. Designed by Rebecca Lapres, of Riesco & Lapres, it's perfect space for the homeowner and her twin daughters. I had the pleasure of shooting them and their happy home for the current issue of Style At Home. 

The girls have their own little art studio in the basement. They were painting a still life of a bowl of pastel coloured meringues. Very sweet. 

What do you like about this space? Think you could live in it? Would love to know your thoughts.

For more on this house, check out the July issue of Style At Home! 

Janis

Hello New Week

I hope you all had a nice weekend. What did you get up to?
I'm just wrapping up my shoot for House and Home magazine, and heading home today. It's been fun and wildly hot here, in lovely Palm Springs.

Back soon!
janis

Elvis, Marilyn and Concrete

Well hello! How is it already Thursday? I thought I posted just the other day ;) Hope you're having a good week.

I shot this ultra modern home with Tanya Schoenroth, who was the interior designer on this project. Here's a sneak peek....

I love these prints of Marilyn and Elvis, in neon pink no less. I wouldn't mind a few of the Bocci lights either. 

I'm a concrete lover, especially when it comes to floors, and I know some of you have definite thoughts on this material, so I'd love to hear from you. My favourite part of this home was the kitchen....and neon Elvis and Marilyn. Looking forward to going back to this home and shooting the back yard and more views. 

I'm going back to Palm Springs this weekend to shoot a fun entertaining, shopping and interior story. Looking forward to a dose of serious mid-century design and some much needed warmth. 

Have a fun weekend everyone!