Dandelion Muffins with Thyme, Raisins and Hazelnuts

I have been told that fairies love to eat flowers. I have that on the excellent authority of an eight year old, who has no trouble connecting into the magic of possibility and since the first of the bright yellow Dandelion blooms are here, the decision was made. Bake a cake perfect for a fairy […]

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Whipping Cream Cake with Almonds and Apricots

Variations of this recipe has been around for awhile. Simple ingredients, lovely cake and a crunchy topping made with almonds, butter, sugar and cream. In Italian, the word for almond is Mandorla and it connects into the mystical traditions of the Vesica Pisces, the shape that forms in the middle of two interconnected circles. You […]

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Forsythia Syrup

When forsythia bursts forth in all it’s spring brilliance, it is sign that winter is finally over. Where I live that season is already coming to an end and I wanted to try this process before it was too late. Like any time you are planning on using wild or cultured flowers choose ones, as […]

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Sprayers for rooms, linen and more

This is the time of the year when selection in the garden for projects can be limited but essential oils, thankfully, are available year round. For years it was a challenge to find a good quality spritz top but I am finding more and more options that give a good fine mist and don’t clog. […]

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Orange Marble Cake

At spring equinox I like to bake things that reflect that balancing time of light and dark. A time that can be well used to consider what might be out of balance in our own lives and what steps taken can adjust our paths. In the ancient religion of China, orange is thought of as […]

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100% Whole Wheat Raisin Cinnamon Bread

Some days you just want the memories back. My grandfather baked bread. He had a homemade box that went over the gas stove in the kitchen. He was also a carpenter and there was just enough heat raising from the oven to make the box a fabulous proofing space. It sat next to the wood […]

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The Snowdrop Story

Many years ago when, the Earth was being made by our Creator, He was being very generous with the amounts of colour He handed out to the plants and animals. So much so, that by the time Snow had heard that colour was being given out and she came to ask the Creator for a […]

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Salted Turtle Sundae Cake

Valentine’s Day is the day after tomorrow and I have been playing with an “I love turtles theme” as a treat. Turtles mean chocolate, pecans and caramel. Chocolate, vanilla, ice cream, sugars are considered love foods, as is cake. Pecans are connected to wealth so it seemed to me that this combination with the addition […]

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Cranberry Walnut Orange Braid

Try this tasty addition to my favourites list . By using quick rising yeast it only needs to rest once. I used the oranges from last weeks post of oranges in cardamon, cinnamon and rosewater syrup but you can also use fresh sections. Baking with fresh oranges was a new thing for me and I […]

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Play time with Candied Orange Peel

So now that there are lovely jars of orange slices mellowing in a simple sauce of cardamon, cinnamon and rosewater, I am left with a full chopping board of the peels. Yes, I could compost them but not all and not quite yet. I have chocolate classes coming up and hot cross buns are around […]

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