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I happened by a Scottish bakery yesterday and popped in to see what sort of goodies they offered. Currant-filled eccles cakes, buttery shortbreads and various meat pies lined the display case. The woman in front of me had placed a very large order and was …

When I was visiting friends in Italy, dessert was often a platter of cheese. The local creations they presented were unique to the region. Some were even homemade. I’m ashamed to say I was often too full of gnocchi or some other delicious main course …

Music might have charms to soothe the savage breast, but it can also inspire. Many writers rely on the beat of their favourite tunes to keep them tapping on the keyboard long after the adrenaline rush of a looming deadline has faded. So today, we …

There must be something wrong with me. For lunch today, I made myself a grilled cheese sandwich with 5-year-old orange cheddar on whole wheat European-style sourdough bread. And what did I do to it? Burned it? No. It was crispy golden brown. Dropped it? No. …

Good things come in bunches. Like carrots. When I saw these at the Farmers’ Market I was impressed by the sheer volume. I don’t think the carrots would have had the same impact if there had been only a handful. And a single carrot? Well, …

I’m chuffed. And confused. Recently, Lisa from Magic Sprinkles nominated me for a Brillante Weblog thingy. (See the logo on the left.) This pleases me immensely since Lisa’s blog can be pretty funny, especially when she has disastrous results with cake balls. I’m confused because …

Who is Ioan Gruffudd (pronounced YO-an GRIF-th), star of Horatio Hornblower, Fantastic Four, and Amazing Grace, talking to? It could be yours truly. You’ll have to take my word for it since the little audio clip I’d prepared refuses to upload. Something about needing a …

I expect paper napkins when I’m eating at a hole-in-the-wall that serves the best Chinese food in town. Uneven table legs propped up by coasters, half-filled ketchup bottles and packaged jams are part of the family diner experience. At this kind of restaurant, as long …

When Katharine gave me this lovely Asian-inspired bowl for my birthday, I envisioned using it for something like this: I carefully placed it in on the living room window ledge imagining how wonderful it would look brimming with Empire apples. I intended to bring steaming …