Picture Me Wednesday 2010

This week a light bulb went off in my head. OK, maybe not so much a light bulb but one of those cute little comic-book thought bubbles with "Photos!!" emblazoned in it. It was at that moment that Picture me Wednesday was created.

I love taking pictures. My friends will know that my trusty Sony camera is usually within reach or stowed deep within my handbag *side-note: I have a thing for handbags*. I figured I needed a new home for photos, and what's a better home than a blog?

Come on by Coffee Tale Reviews for Picture Me Wednesday. They say a photo says a thousand words, let's see if it is really true.


This week's photo theme: Stuck in the middle with you
(Remember that song? The video's kind of atrocious but the music's good!)


I found this table in one of Vancouver's many food courts this week. A Christmas themed Starbucks cup, transit newspaper, and something like 10 bags of Nibs were scattered across the deserted surface. Christmas cups and leftover Halloween candy? I knew I had to take a picture.

I don't know what else could sum up the second week of November better - that in-between time of getting over Halloween candy hangovers and the beginning rush of Christmas cheer.

So this is November

I miss the blogging world. I miss reading a book for enjoyment. I miss blogging about books. I miss drinking coffee just because I love the taste and not for its potent qualities. Can't the end of November come faster and bring along the end of my semester?!

I saw my research books stacked up on the table tonight and had to take a picture... these are just some of them in my room right now.




However, November mornings are very very pretty here.

Gone French

Sweet Sunday Yummy Lit Review:

Spiked Egg Nog French Toast

Tuesday morning I went all-out French.

Coffee?
French Dark Roast.

Breakfast?
French toast.... a la spiked egg nog.

That's right, Spiked Egg Nog French Toast. I became determined to try out an older recipe on Pinch My Salt after browsing blogs during Monday evening. I must admit, the thought of egg nog in combination with French Toast most definitely helped me get out of bed.

I probably like rum just as much as all the other university students. However, I'm now running on a five year rule of no alcohol during days that involve studying, writing, or some kind of academic style work. Which means during the semester I nevvvver drink. I carried this rule on into my French Toast.

So, without further ado, here is the recipe adapted to be sans alcohol and to serve (sadly?) one person:


1 egg
1/3 cup store bought egg nog
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
2 slices of bread

Whisk together eggs, egg nog, vanilla, spices.
Heat the pan.
Dip bread into the egg mixture, allowing to soak slightly.
Butter the hot pan and place bread on it.
Cook until golden brown.
* If you need to serve more people or realllly want that rum, head on over to Pinch My Salt.




All I can say is Yummmmmm. This was amazing. It tasted like Christmas. Heck, it even smelt like Christmas. I'll most definitely be making these again in December... and perhaps January if I can still find Egg Nog.

Make some of these delicious morsels to welcome in Winter and the holidays this year... and check back here often - I have a feeling Sweet Sunday's are soon to become dominated by festive Christmas goodies!

Hope you all have a Sweet Sunday.


PS - what is your favourite French Toast style?

Pumpkin Seeds

Sweet Sunday Yummy Lit Review:

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Over the last few days I have adapted my blog to include non-literary review postings as (until December) it is near impossible for me to read a book for personal pleasure. However, do not fret - I am in the midst of reading a verrrry long Victorian novel for class which may just make its way onto CTR.

Sweet Sunday has transformed this week. Instead of solely providing cookie reviews, I will also create and review other goodies. Muffins, cupcakes, cakes, breads... roasted pumpkin seeds? Well, they do involve the use of an oven.

This weekend I decided to tackle pumpkin carving. And, after diving into my pumpkin and retrieving a handful of seeds I knew I had to try to make something with them.

I wasn't quite sure what could be done with the seeds. Even turning to the internet did not lead to a whole lot of ideas. However, I did find a recipe for roasting pumpkin seeds at Rachel Ray's website. Here's what she says to do:


1. Clean, toss with extra virgin olive oil and salt.

2. Spread out onto a baking sheet.

3. Heat the oven to 350* F, toast for 30-40 minutes.

4. Give them a shake every once and a while to make sure they're toasted evenly.... or take them out when they are starting to brown.


I followed the recipe word for word. I cleaned the seeds and left them to dry overnight. This afternoon, mixing them with evoo and salt (sorry, I just dumped the oil and pinched the salt, no exact measurements here!), I put them into the oven for 30 minutes.

How did they turn out? Sadly, just alright. I have never roasted pumpkin seeds before... or even tried them for that matter... so I had no idea what to expect.

If you do try your hand at these, make sure to check them frequently. I tried a seed twenty minutes into the process and it was super tasty... However, at thirty minutes I find them to be a bit dry. I should have taken them out sooner... oh well, it was a learning process to say the least.

What do you do with your pumpkin seeds? I have one more pumpkin to carve this week, and I'm still open to seed-baking suggestions.

Ohh, and here's my finished pumpkin!


Hope you all have a Sweet Sunday.

Evaluations, New and Old

On Saturday night I decided to re-watch Tremors. I remember when the movie first came out - all of the neighborhood children were afraid of those big worm-like things living underground. I found it amusing as a child... I guess I've always had a weird sense of humour.

Re-watching the movie tonight led to reevaluations. Was it still amusing? Not really. Scary? Nope. Funny? Definitely not. I guess not everything gets better with age, including opinions on films.

However, K informed me of a humorous site a few days ago. After a few good (and well-deserved) laughs, I thought I would pass it on to you. Visit Not Always Right to discover the amusing, hilarious, ridiculous antics customers get up to in the retail world.

I assure you that browsing through this site has a lot more entertainment value than sitting through 2 hours of Tremors.

Enjoy :)

Back on the Hop

Ahhh another book blogger hop! I haven't participated in Jennifer's hop since September. I'm super excited to get back into the groove.

This week's question is "Where is your favourite place to read? Curled up on the sofa, in bed, in the garden?"

I think a large part of where I like to read depends on the weather. During the summer months I love to read out on my patio, soak up the sun, and enjoy a cold glass of ice water. But, more often then not, you'll find me on the couch with a big mug of coffee. Coffee, comfort, a book, and awesome views of BC's snow covered mountains just outside my window make the perfect afternoon... or one of them ;)


Happy book blog hopping everyone and thanks for visiting!