making myself at home
There’s nothing better than exploring your own home.
This weekend my boyfriend and I drove up the sea to sky highway to Whistler. The drive always takes my breath away. Mountains and deep valleys surround the road and the air gets cleaner and crisper with every winding turn.
The rain poured heavily when we got there so we spent less time exploring outside, and more time relaxing, cooking up some great meals, and enjoying some live music and drinks at an Irish pub in the village.
As I said to my boyfriend, “It is so nice just to be able to live in the moment.”
Now that I’m home I find I’m not always trying to look forward to what’s to come. I’m savoring every simple moment. Tasting my food again. Enjoying the way red wine swirls in a glass. My first cup of tea each morning. Feeling a warm hand wrapped with mine.
We drove home Sunday and stopped at one of my favorite shops, Gourmet Warehouse, an emporium of gourmet food and cooking and baking equipment. I left with some fire roasted peppers, some honey dijon mustard and a fresh curry spice mixture.
The day continued with a stop at Ikea for kitchen equipment and a couple of nice things from the apartment, a stop in Little India for some spices and a final stop at Whole Foods to buy some fresh prawns and vegetables for dinner.
I love getting my hands dirty in the kitchen again, cooking and baking to my heart’s content. I burnt my arm making a lemon tart this weekend, but it was so tart, light and flakey, that I am wearing my new baking scar with pride.
I am making myself at home for the first time in years. It feels good.
I have a desk set up and am going to get going with my book, I have another interview today, and I am planning on taking this blog in many new directions. I want to explore Vancouver and what it has to offer, capture a taste of the Olympics and so some fun new video segments.
I feel like I have room to grow in this city, and even though I plan on staying still, I know I’m going places.
My first tarte au citron. See recipe here.
Whistler mountain, home of the 2010 Olympic games!
Salad with candied walnuts and balsamic glaze
Serving up wild sockeye salmon
Gourmet Warehouse
What would you like to see in upcoming posts? More recipes, beauty, health, videos or fashion?
February 1st, 2010 at 7:44 am
All of the above please!:) But if I had to choose one it would be fashion. It can be hard in Winter when we have to bundle up and have style as well. I’m excited to see your blog continue to grow with you:) I can’t wait to make that lemon tart, mmmmm! I just made a lemon poppy seed bread, that fresh lemon flavor just brings you to warmer places where the lemon trees flower:)
February 1st, 2010 at 8:52 am
Another Danielle
I would like to see more videos. I’d love to hear about your re-adjustment and the new/old things you’re discovering at home. I’m so happy to see that you’ve been having a wonderful time so far, with the man you love, and with the amazing food that you’re able to make. Those shops sound spectacular!
February 1st, 2010 at 9:04 am
Your optimism is contagious.
My favorite thing to see in posts is stories. My favorite thing about the way you write is that you give background and feeling, and you focus on intimate moments, not just a bland overview of your whole day and week. Whatever you do, please don’t change that.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:14 am
I’m always looking for homemade beauty regiments if you have any. I loved your video on how to tie a scarf like a Frenchie, and would love to see more tips. I also adored the breakdown of eating an artichoke.
But I wouldn’t change anything. Your photos are a true visual feast, and you transport us all to wherever you happen to be…a chic café, a kitchen, or just the simple beauty of a country field.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:18 am
hey there, I’m struggling with feeling happy and postive right now, so I turn to your blog for your optimism and healthy take on life. To be honest, I’m not sure if I will be able to read your Olympics posts because it might make the homesickness unbearable. But please keep the recipes, tips, and glimpses into your life coming
February 1st, 2010 at 10:48 pm
that salmon looks amazing!! what a fun little weekend
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:48 am
that salmon is breath taking!!! it’s one of the prettiest platters i’ve seen!! YUM! sounds like you had a great weekend
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Yes, discovering your own home can be amazing. I’m spending more time in San Francisco these days, and each time I remember that San Francisco is someone else’s “Paris.” I try to look at it through their eyes, as I hope the Parisians do for people like me.
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Yumm, the lemon tart looks deliciousss!
I’m always interested in whatever you post - but since you’re asking I would love to keep seeing your baking, recipes and your views on health.
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:57 pm
I really enjoy reading everything you write. As a previous poster said, you always write with great feeling and emotion, which makes everything more interesting. I think documenting your new experiences in Vancouver and just your daily life in that beautiful city would be fun (i.e. the places you like to go in the city, where you like to eat, etc.)
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:59 am
I totally feel you being able to enjoy things again. That’s why sometimes when people go on vacations–they set these annoying agendas and things get shaken up and it seems like it throws people off balance. Isn’t a vacation suppose to be a time to savor things even more? I guess it depends what kind of vacay you’re taking. If it’s suppose to be bumpy I’d call it an excursion hehe. Okay so I just went off on a tangent lol. ANYWAY, I would really love to see recipes and beauty tips! Actually, yesterday I was trying to find this granola recipe of yours but I think I must’ve made it up in my head. I think I took the coconut banana bread recipe and added chocolate to it and made into a granola. That’s why I didn’t find anything lol. Oh well!!!
Much love you to XO
February 5th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Hi Gill! I am from Turkey and I am interested in photography and I have surprisely found you on the net while searching food photos.
I really loved your food photos now I want to buy a proffesional camera and take photos like yours,can you please tell me what’s the model of your cam?Do u suggest Nikon D90 for the starter?
I really wonder what kind of machine and objective you use.If u help me,I’llbe grateful. p.s. so lovely that u have a Turkish friend Yeliz:) small world! we are everywhere!
See u bye!
February 5th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Hello Ayse! Thank you so much, I use a Canon Rebel XTi which is a great camera to start out with!