Happy Friday!

Any special plans? Will your Valentine's Day be starting early? Have fun!

Back soon,

janis

Baked

Hello all! How's your week going?

I baked some healthy(ish) cookies the other day. I'm still trying to use less wheat flour, and I have to admit, I do feel better for it, but I feel I may fall off the wagon soon. ;) I didn't feel half as bad when I realized I had eaten 6 while taking their portrait.  

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cookies - makes about 30

3/4 cup buckwheat flour

3/4 cup tapioca starch

1/2 teaspoon guar gum

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 smooth peanut butter (I used unsweetened)

1/4 unsalted butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup brown rice crisp cereal (like a healthier version of rice crispies)

1 85g dark chocolate bar, chopped (milk chocolate is also pretty fantastic)

1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts, chopped (roast in a 350f oven for about 8 minutes)

a little milk for pressing out dough. 

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 

Whisk together, buckwheat flour, tapioca starch, guar gum, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. In another bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, then peanut butter, and vanilla. Mix until just combined. Add flour mixture and stir until blended. Fold in chocolate, cereal and peanuts. 

Roll tablespoons full into a ball, and place on baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Flatten slightly with a fork dipped in milk or water. Bake for about 15 minutes, until just starting to turn a golden colour. 

Place on a wire rack to cool. These are delicious, not too sweet, and addictive. I love the crispy bits.

Have a lovely day! Back soon,

Janis

City Living in Gastown

How was your weekend? If you're in Vancouver, did you enjoy the warm sunshine? Ahh.

Thought I'd share another lovely home with you, to start off the week. I shot this huge space for Style At Home, for the current issue. Designed by architect Omer Arbel, it's filled with light and all kinds of beautiful details. Here's a peek...

The bedroom overlooks one of my favourite spots in Vancouver - Blood Alley. Intriguing name, isn't it? 

Great use of an antique cabinet. Perfect in the master bathroom. 

The kitchen can open up to this indoor/outdoor patio. 

The "living" wall is filled with strawberry plants. 

Think you could live in a space like this? I think I could. For the whole story, check out the March issue of Style At Home. 

Have a great day!

Back soon,

Janis

A D.I.Y. Family for Friday

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you had a great week.

I thought I'd share some pics from a story I shot for Anthology magazine (issue 6). Heather, along with homeowner Mike, did the styling. It was one of the nicest shoots ever. Mike, Ann and their kids, Kaya and Zane, were all so easy to work with.

The "life" lightbox was inspired by the same image, as a poster, from the old 70's show "Three's Company". I love that!

Mike's studio in the back yard. He made the cushions, by the way. Crafty guy.

Kaya and her mom, Ann, made the sweet little mobile. 

This family is all shades of talented. They basically built their home, and have a great eye for putting together antiques, family heirlooms, and their own handmade creations. For the full story (and more pics), check out the new issue of Anthology (the entire issue is fantastic!).

Back soon!
janis

Baked

Ah, the sun is shining. Makes it an even better hump day. How's your week going?

I was craving something not quite cake like, more like pudding, and not too sweet, so I baked some clafoutis. Have you tried it? It's so simple and delicious. Here's the recipe...

Blueberry Almond Clafoutis - makes 2 small or one large

1 half pound of fresh or frozen blueberries (I had some in the freezer)
2 eggs
2 egg whites
1 cup milk
1/3 cup raw sugar (or regular granulated)
1 teaspoon almond extract
pinch of salt
1/2 cup almond meal
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons sliced almonds for topping

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Lightly spray two 5 inch oven proof pans, or one 9 inch pan, with oil, and set aside.

Whisk the eggs and egg whites together in a large bowl, until well mixed. Keep whisking while adding milk, then sugar, almond extract, almond meal, salt and cornstarch. Mix until well combined and smooth.

Layer the bottom of each pan with blueberries, then pour batter over berries. Sprinkle the tops with sliced almonds. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until tops are golden brown. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before eating. Enjoy!

Let me know if you give this one a go - I'd love to know what you think.

Have a lovely day! Back soon.
Janis

Weekend Observations

How was your weekend? I hope you had a good one!

A little of my rain soaked weekend...

That was a little of my weekend. What did you do? Any of you getting anxious for spring, like I am? 

Back soon!

janis

The Weekend is here...

Nina may have serious face on, but I think she knows how to have a good time. Nina is a new friend we met at this great shop in Palm Desert. Have a great weekend everyone!

By the way, I did a post for Poppytalk all about Palm Springs. If you'd like to check it out, click here.