I failed miserably at last months NaBloPoMo 'Home' theme. I tried, I really did, but I found it next to impossible to keep up seeing as I was preparing to move all month (which will all be over tomorrow!) This month is most likely to be just as hectic, but I just can't pass it up, reason being: This months theme is Food.

Food, as most people who know me well enough know, is pretty much my favourite topic of all time. I have four boxes strictly full of cookbooks and cooking magazines I couldn't bear to recycle, I get upset when the LCBO runs out of their Food & Drink magazine before I am able to get a copy and I cannot be left alone in the housewares department for any length of time in any store.

So even though I'm going to be busy getting life in order for the next 4 weeks, this one is going to be a breeze because if worse comes to worse...I'll just post a picture of dinner.

Labels: food, NaBloPoMo

I'm still really bummed out about Tastespotting, but lots of clone sites have starting to pop up and that helps numb my pain a little bit, FoodGawker being the best so far in my opinion. FoodGawker's very similar to the original but I still feel that there is still something about it that's just not quite right--something that's missing. All the fantastic food porn is there (links back to awesome blogs included) but I still feel that it's lacking that Tastespotting magic. Maybe it's getting to see the preview in all it's cropped 250x250 glory--I loved that part, or maybe it's the absence of the fork, the tagging of delicious posts or simply, the search box. Whatever it is, I am sure there will be loads of tweaking and improvements soon and for now it's getting me my fix which is a very good thing.

But I still have hope Tastespotting will return, someday.

Labels: NaBloPoMo

I bought some environmentally friendly underpants today. They're made of bamboo and are supposedly antiseptic. They are also freaking cute as hell.

So it's fitting that this quiz said I am novelty underwear because I like novelty and I like underwear.


find your inner clothing style @ quizmeme.com

Labels: NaBloPoMo

For weeks I've been avoiding sorting out the basement as I have been terrified of the possible horrors it contained. But yesterday I finally tackled the dreaded basement storage room to find out once and for all what was in this large mystery box, with help from my mom. It turned out there wasn't a whole lot in it at all. We did find a dead mouse and that was pretty horrifying, but thankfully it was in a plastic bag that was wrapped around a large framed picture so we were able to pull the picture out and touch-down slam that mouse corpse into the bin.

Speaking of mice, if you live near a large wooded area known for being home to all sorts of woodland critters and you have a dog, make sure you keep your dog's food in a sealed container. We don't do this - we just roll the bag and keep in next to the door from the garage to the house. Mice are sneaky bastards, as you can see in Exhibit A below, where they have filled an entire ice skate with kibble as shown by my mom.


Also, if you look closely you can see where the mice chewed a chunk of the leather off for no reason whatsoever. Yeah, they are kind of A-holes.

Other then that, the garage sale went fairly well, even though people are complete psychos and showed up at 7:15am and then haggled over things priced at a dollar. Really, if you are that hard up just steal it, because you are pretty much asking me to just give it to you for free anyways. If I didn't want to make money I wouldn't have a garage SALE, I would just drop it off at Goodwill for nothing.

Labels: NaBloPoMo

Tastespotting is no more, they've apparently been shut down due to legal issues, for what, I can't figure out. There has been a lot of talk about the reason possibly being about the hosting of images, but seeing as Tastespotting linked back to the original post that doesn't make much sense to me either. It was a huge source of traffic for a lot of bloggers, I know that over half my traffic here came strictly from the one post I had on bread that was featured there a few months ago.

It was pretty much my favourite site of all time, so I'll be in mourning for the next few days as I've just lost a wealth of dinner ideas and foodie information.

Goodbye, Tastespotting. You will be missed.

Oh, but Happy Birthday Corinne! - Sorry your birthday coincides with this tragic day, I pretty much need you to spam me with recipes now to numb the pain.

Labels: NaBloPoMo

I am really not feeling this NaBloPoMo thing this time around. Yet I still feel compelled to post, it is almost as if I am letting someone down if I don't, which is completely ridiculous and I know that.

The theme this month is 'Home' and my life is pretty home-centric right now seeing as I will be changing homes in less then three weeks. Mostly, I am tired and stressed and in need of a haircut. Usually I feel pretty cranky about these things until I check poor Nikki's page and find out there is still no baby and she is now an entire two weeks overdue. Her status has gone from slightly frustrated to flat out begging people to stop asking her about it. If it were me, I would have done something crazy by now. Like tequila shots....You don't want to end up all fetal alcohol syndrome-y? Then you better get being borned before I count to three.

Seriously I'd drink that fetus under the table.

Labels: NaBloPoMo

1. How do you like your eggs?

Mostly I like them scrambled but I do enjoy an occasional omelet as well as D's 'Eggy Toast' and I almost forgot Cori's deviled eggs, I will overdose on them if you let me.

2. How do you take your coffee/tea?

I rarely drink coffee or tea but when I do, I like them both iced.

3. Favourite breakfast food?

Waffles or French Toast with fruit.

4. Peanut butter: Smooth or crunchy?

I'm an equal opportunity peanut butter eater.

5. What kind of dressing on your salad?

I'm not too picky other then it has to be a vinaigrette. I used to love Caesar until it happened to be the one thing I ate the day I got 24 hour death flu.

6. Coke or Pepsi?

Pepsi. Coke makes my teeth feel squeaky.

7. You’re feeling lazy, what do you make?

Pizza pops. Yes, I know I am disgusting.

8. You’re feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order?

Chicken, Artichokes, Roasted Red Peppers, Olives, Feta - I'm fancy when it comes to pizza.

9. You feel like cooking. What do you make?

Pasta, Quesadillas, or if I'm feeling really fancy roast chicken with stuffing.

10. Do any foods bring back good memories?

Rice pudding, English custard with Apple Crisp and Chocolate Crinkles all remind me of home.

11. Do any foods bring back bad memories?

Caesar salad reminds me of puking for 12 hours straight.

12. Do any foods remind you of someone?

Pistachio pudding and mince meat tarts remind me of my mom, Jell-o reminds me of my brother because he hates it and BBQ sauce reminds me of my other brother because he puts it on everything.

13. Is there a food you refuse to eat?

Shrimp. It seriously looks like a fetus.

14. What was your favourite food as a child?

Ice cream and hot dogs.

15. Is there a food that you hated as a child but now like?

Tomatoes - I will eat them chopped up now. D says I'm weird for it.

16. Is there a food that you liked as a child but now hate?

I loved ham but I don't eat pork or beef now.

17. Favourite fruit and vegetable?

Fruit - Tie between Cherries and Watermelon. Vegetable - Potatoes.

18. Favourite junk food?

Chocolate or Smart Food popcorn.

19. Favourite between meal snack?

This changes frequently, but right now I'm into these fancy pants cheese sticks.

20. Do you have any weird food habits?

I hate ketchup with the exception of on fries, but even then I prefer mayo and I individually sauce each fry as I eat it. I also will not eat sliced tomato, only chopped and I don't like my food to touch on my plate. I also eat all of one thing before moving on to the next thing on my plate.

21. You’re on a diet. What food(s) do you fill up on? Fat-free yogurt, watermelon, cucumber, soup, Special K cereal.

22. You’re off your diet. Now what would you like? Cupcakes.

23. How spicy do you order Indian/Thai? Not very spicy at all.

24. Can I get you a drink? Amaretto Sour

25. Red or White Wine? Red, preferably a Cabernet Sauvignon.

26. Favourite dessert? Creme Brulee, Chocolate Cake, Mousse

27. The perfect nightcap? Bailey's on the rocks.

Labels: food, NaBloPoMo

Steve brought me back an Ampelmann ice cube tray and some 'Fresh Cola' flavoured Mentos which I tried so hard not to eat all at once but ultimately failed miserably. Now I am needing to go to Belgium solely for a waffle and Mentos binge.

Or meet someone from Belgium who can be my supplier. Seriously, they are that delicious.



Ampelmann is Berlin's little traffic light man and my new favourite word. You have to say it like 'Ump-pull-mahn' for it to be awesome. There are apparently entire stores dedicated to Ampelmann, selling all sorts of Ampelmann merchandise. Steve has now made it official that every gift we get each other will be an ice cube tray. Or at least something to make drinking even better.

He also got to meet our cousins in England, who are friggen adorable.

Labels: awesome, NaBloPoMo

I almost forgot to post today, I've been too absorbed in stories of castles, Irish tar walls, Belgium waffles, endless mountains, kangaroo burgers, and getting kicked out of Harry Potter's dining hall.

As well as the magnificent taste of Cola flavoured Mentos.

Details tomorrow.

Labels: NaBloPoMo

I am feeling starved of fun-time and still slightly death-like. This weekend was more packing/cleaning hell as my brother Steve comes home from Europe tomorrow and Steve moving back in + Kelly moving out = House Disaster Level 5.

I'm excited to see pictures of my cousins though and hopefully receive the box of Maldon salt I specially requested before he left (It's what Nigella uses). He said he was having a hard time finding it, but I'm sure there will be lots of English goodies one way or another.

Mostly, I'm hoping I feel less like I drank a bucket of poison tomorrow.

Labels: NaBloPoMo

Label on a bottle of daily shower spray I read today:

"If your shower is dirty, expect results in 3-4 weeks."

Or you could just stop being a lazy bugger and maybe clean your shower. Like a normal person. Then it would be clean in what? Half an hour? Amazing!

Labels: NaBloPoMo

I am feeling a little like death today, as in my insides feel like evil is stirring them with a wooden spoon, so I am going to keep this short.

I picked up the new Jamie Oliver yesterday, bringing the rough count to 32. The cover and illustrations are lovely, the pictures of dead bunnies bleeding out of their ears is not.


Most of the recipes are pretty meaty/seafoody too, which makes the book about 90% useless to me. Still, it's a lovely book overall and I really enjoyed reading the pages on vegetables and how to grow them. The photo of caterpillars made me want to barf but I found the section on eggs and the differences between standard/free-range/organic informative and will definitely be making an effort to buy better eggs. Overall, I don't see myself cooking much out if it nor foraging around in the woods for mushrooms, but it's got this cool retro quality about it, so I will still allow it to live on the shelf.

Labels: NaBloPoMo

Once upon a time, I was attempting to BBQ myself some dinner and a demented robin with a crazy exorcist head appeared out of nowhere and kept flying at my face when it wasn't flopping all over the ground tempting my dog to eat it.

True story.

Labels: NaBloPoMo

::miss brandi:: says:
oh that finger hand thing is so kaba modern douche bag copy cat

There's always been this thing throughout food blog land about how Miracle Whip is the devil and only real mayonnaise will ever do. To tell you the truth, I don't know what the difference is except that I happen to actually LIKE Miracle Whip, and I don't even buy the actual brand. I buy 'whipped-salad-dressing-something-or-other.'

I like it and it makes tasty BLT's. Tasty BLT's without tomato, made with turkey bacon instead of actual bacon and slathered in not-mayo-fake-miracle-whip.

Dear Fakey Mayo,

You are delicious. Don't let anybody tell you any different.

Here's to not keeping it real.

Love, Kelly

Labels: NaBloPoMo

A while ago we decided that we are only going to use environmentally-friendly cleaners in our new place. One brand we're total brand whores for is Method, they just have really nice scents and neat packaging. D called to tell me how he bought one of practically everything today over his lunch break including the scented candle in sweet water--not lavender, because we both think lavender stinks.

One of my favourite products is their OMop which I picked up recently. It comes in compostable bamboo box with a microfiber floor pad and floor cleaner for wood floors. (Yay for apartment parquet.) The wood cleaner is almond scented but you can also get an all-floor cleaner in lemon-ginger. Yum!


I just love how cute the whole thing is and the funny little comments printed all over the box. My ugly parquet is going to be so lucky.

Labels: NaBloPoMo, shopping

Damn you NaBloPoMo why did I decide to do you again?

I've had hiccups almost all day and am just about ready to be put down now. Hiccups are nothing but pure evil. Annoying to the MAX!

There were baby ducks on my driveway earlier today! I wanted to stuff them in my mouth and eat them. I'm going to overdose on baby animal cuteness soon. Just wait, one day I'll watch one too many boston terrier puppy videos on YouTube and start puking up rainbows and you'll find me dead in a pile of fuzzy kitten vomit.

Oh yeah, it'll happen.

Labels: NaBloPoMo

Somebody got herself a pasta machine for an AMAZINGLY good deal today! It is totally feature-rific and was a complete and total steal! We're talking two widths of noodles in addition to sheets and a tool for crinkle cutting circles and squares. I can't wait to start making ravioli and angel hair and big gorgeous lasagna sheets. I'm telling ya, Dave better learn soon how to start eating like a normal person because I already have sweet bread and cake baking skills and now pasta skills are on their way. I can't very well let all my awesome skills go to waste now, can I?

When I say 'Eat like a normal person' I mean I called him at 5pm and he told me he was just about to grab ' a little lunch.' I said, 'Lunch? It's 5pm.' Then he said that he meant dinner, which is a lie because I know very well that at 10pm tonight he will be going out to eat. I know this because every time I go visit, breakfast out with friends doesn't happen until 2pm sometimes, lunch is usually 4pm and dinner is almost always after 9. I am usually found half-dead on the floor somewhere trying to gnaw through my arm. I seriously need to eat every 4 hours or I shrivel up and die and D frequently 'forgets' to eat all together. Unless it's a loaf of bread. Bread does not stand a chance against the Davebot. Or chocolate cake. I finally learned my lesson to not to split dessert with him if I actually want to get to eat any of it myself. Men are weird.

Anyways, Cori and I are attempting the NaBloPoMo thing again this month. The theme is 'Home' which I think should be interesting as we're both home-makey type of girls. Too bad 90% of my home is stuffed into a cardboard box right now, because I have so many shiny neat things to share!

Labels: boo, cooking, NaBloPoMo

I survived NaBloPoMo!!! I've never done anything for 31 days straight ever. I even dragged my ass out of bed on countless nights because I forgot to post. I feel so accomplished.

Now if only I could apply this dedication to the things that really matter in life!

Labels: NaBloPoMo

I try to avoid visiting Ebay as much as possible because it's so easy to spend more then you intend to. It's easy to think to yourself 'The maximum I would pay for this is $20' but then some jerk face always comes along and tries to out bid you and that's when I find the trouble starts. It is very easy to say "Ok, what's one more dollar?' when you've hit what you said would be your maximum bid, and we all know that one dollar can turn into 10 dollars very quickly and so on.

Well I ended up there today somehow by way of Google and I've got just three words.

Vintage. Pyrex. Dishware.

In turquoise, pink and brown!!! My three favourite colours! Tons of them!!! See these? These are mine!


All mine for only $16. Mine you, I asked about shipping like 8 hours ago and never received a response, which is understandable as not everyone checks their email all throughout the day. So I am fully prepared to be raped on shipping which oddly seems to happen when something goes for a low price. There were so many to choose from and I really wanted them all, but I have my heart set on a set of turquoise mixing bowls that ends tomorrow that seem to be a hot commodity so I am holding out for those.



Don't get me wrong, I love ultra modern things too, just there's something about vintage that's special. Maybe because they were made at a time where things weren't designed to break by the time the new model came out. Or because kitschy was cool. (Kitschy is still cool in my books for the record.) Who knows.

Labels: NaBloPoMo, shopping

D often gets the luxury of being completely weirded out by my very English family when he comes to visit. HP sauce, Branston pickle, Stilton cheese and Mincemeat tarts are all things he has been subjected to over the years. So in celebration of my Yankee boyfriend's discomfort with our love for things made with molasses and vinegar, I give you my list of awesome English finds:

1. Made in England Rolling Pin


2. Made in England Tea Towel


3. Made in England (by Gentleman) blog


4. Made in England Mosaic

Labels: NaBloPoMo, shopping