(Happy) Canada Day Long Weekend

Yesterday, I took the day off work to take a sausage making course at Depanneur.

Note: Vegetarians, please look away!!

After we received handouts, we started cleaning and cutting up the different types of meat and measuring out the spices...

Then we used a meat grinder to grind all the meat (some cuts had to be grounded twice - it was very therapeutic :P)...

After the meat cooled, we mixed it up with all the spices.

We also cooked a bit of the meat to taste, to see if it needed more seasoning/spices etc.

Then we piped the meat into casings and made links (alternating between clockwise and counter clockwise twisting motion)...

The beef kielbasa and the pork chorizo went into the smoker, while we poached and cooled the duck/chicken sausages...

Then we waited till the sausages were ready to be packaged...

Until next time, Depanneur!

:D

"The Green Man" Group Art Exhibit - Part I

One of the submissions I did for the show is named, "The Green Man and the Nature Spirits Entourage". It is a 5 piece nesting doll set with the following cast of characters: "The Green Man", "Elder Mother", "Lunantishee", "Tree Sprite" and the "Pillywiggin".

Here are some photos of the process:

I made a felt wreath for "The Green Man" to wear:

Final:

:) Happy Weekend to you!

July 4th - "The Green Man" Group Art Exhibit//Vernissage

If you're in Toronto, please come and check out "The Green Man" group art exhibit that I'm a part of...

My friend Steve Wilson explains the theme best:

"The Green Man is an ancient motif representing the cycle of the seasons, transformation and the rebirth of spring after a long winter. Most often found carved in wood and stone in European gothic cathedrals, he is represented by the face of a man made up of foliage or spewing leaves.

He is enigmatic. He is misunderstood. He is benevolent. He is a primeval architype. His origins are shrouded in the mists of time..."

(image credit: Steve Wilson)

When: Next Thurs - JULY 4th, 7:00 p.m.
Where: 156 Augusta Avenue, Kensington Market

Hope to see you there! xoxo

Nom Nom Nom!

Hope your weekend is filled with good eats and sweet treats!

Country Styles Hungarian Restaurant - Annex, Toronto

A few weeks ago, there was yet another snow storm, but luckily we managed to go to Country Styles Hungarian restaurant for some cozy eastern european comfort food. It was my first time there, and I ofcourse loved the decor, and how it's been in the city for almost 50 years - not to mention the schnitzel, cabbage roll and custard cake (krémes). ;)

Voodoo Child Café

It's been such a long time since I've seen Celine and Melinda, and it was lovely catching up with the girls over coffee, delicious home made pastries, not to mention meeting baby Eloise for the first time....

How kissable is baby Eloise, I say!?!! :O

;)

Around Town on Disposable Cam

May - June...

(Where a [large cuddly? :O] dog almost ate me for lunch...)

Many thanks to K for the disposable camera.
:* xoxo