Attic Office for Friday

Thought I'd wrap up the week with a peek inside a house that I shot, the owners of which happen to be architects. My favourite room was their office/lounge-around room/sometimes playroom. So uncluttered, simple and beautiful with lovely light. I absolutely love the floor!

I think I need to get Neema and Tim over here to help me organize a little bit better. Correction. Organize full stop. 

Have a great weekend! Got any plans? 

Back soon,

Janis

Baked

Happy hump day! Hope your week is going well.

I love this bread. Really. It's amazing. You wouldn't think it was gluten free, as it's not the least bit dry, and it doesn't crumble apart when slicing it. Super easy to make too. Promise.

Brown Rice Bread with Pumpkin Seeds - makes one 3"x8" loaf.

1 cup very warm water
1 8g packet of instant yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup sorghum* flour (I used Bob's Red Mill brand)
3/4 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1/2 cup potato starch
1/4 cup tapioca starch
1/4 cup skim milk powder
2 teaspoons guar gum
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 egg whites
1 egg
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

* for the what's what on sorghum, click here.

Spray a 3"x8" loaf pan with oil, then line with parchment paper and set aside.
In a small bowl, mix together water, sugar and yeast. Let stand for about 5 minutes until mixture starts to foam. In a large bowl, stir together all dry ingredients until well combined. Set aside.

In another bowl, beat together egg, egg whites, vinegar and oil until well blended. Add yeast mixture and beat to combine. With mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry mixture. On medium speed, beat dough for 5 minutes. Scrape dough into prepared pan and allow to sit in a warm spot, for about 60 minutes, or until dough has risen to top of pan.

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Bake for about 35 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when lightly tapped on bottom. Allow to cool, in pan, on a cooling rack. Enjoy!

Have a great day! Back soon.
Janis

Weekend Observations

Oh, Monday. I woke up thinking you were Sunday. A girl can dream....and apparently I was!

I did have a nice weekend filled with a variety of work. That's what I love best about my job - always different. Here's a peek...

Designed by Angela Robinson.

Barefoot Contessa is located here in Vancouver. 

What did you get up to this weekend? Hope it was fun!

Back soon,

Janis

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