A Dream Come True

Well, well it's been busy back in Canada. Packing up and moving twice, plus the selling and buying property processes have been hurdles. As well as interim moving-limbos. 

Oh! I do not like the moving-limbo!

But what is that? A contradiction? Or an oxymoron? 

Neither. Let me explain... 

Not moving as the physically transitive verb, but as in changing locations. 

It's that state of being once you've sold the home you live in, and are buying a new one. 

Particularly, when you've moved out, but not yet in. 

Hovering in homelessness. 

Where your brain goes mushy like peas. It might be where the Doldrums are. 

I would almost suggest not trying it yourself. But! 

Not only is it all over now, but occasionally by serendipity, or more frequently, through effort and time, dreams do come true. Ours is a bit conglomerate. And 100% a happy ending. 

We officially live in the country, on a charming wee acreage. It's been known as "Blue Moon Farm" for the past 19 years by the lovely Paula and Darcy, who kept horses and remodelled the 100+ year old farmhouse into the absolutely delightful character home it is now. 

Eventually it will be renamed something more specifically representative of us. 

Or we will just keep the name. Meanwhile, suggestions are welcome. 

Also we were not actually homeless, but welcome guests in Jordan's old Huntington Hills neighbourhood. He has wonderful parents. I wasn't ignoring posting these past couple months... It's just that 34 days of ups and downs all on my own and pre-planning and the subsequent sleepless nights weren't exactly the type of inspiring post material I like to write about, nor does it provide much time for caking and creating, but now that we have a reason to celebrate, I'm sharing!

Completely, entirely and sooooo totally worth it!

Can you tell why we are so excited?! 

Okay, so 'excited' is the most mild choice of words for our incandescent exhilaration...

This has been our dream since we started out together. 

(Space, seclusion, beauty, animals (to come)... More self sustenance.)

December is typically cold and snowy, 

And a blistery -18 C evening made it a tad awkward while moving furniture and boxes.

But to start out here - 

to begin in this Red House! 

at Christmas Time! 

(I'm yelling in case you can't tell) 

makes for a truly merry personal utopia.

I am, after all, an Elfin-Creature! 

In a crazy fury of four and half days I unpacked, decorated for Christmas, and hosted us, plus ten for Christmas dinner. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

"Let's Talk About Cake"

Over two months belated, I fulfilled Jordan's mint-chocolate-cake-dreams.

Sweetapolita is a bona fide muse for my 'caking' 

but try as I might have over the past 5(?) years to recreate her various confections identically 

and at times failed quite drastically,

I do notice, not only a distinct difference, but also a trend with my cakes. 

It's something I'll take full ownership for and I've decided should simply be referred to as 

'personal style'.

It's something about the look/style/form. It's my own vein.

I don't see it in cookbooks, on Pinterest, or anywhere, 

apart from in my own kitchen.

And it turns out, I like it. Quite a lot.

I've realized you don't need to copy someone else if your own creation is justifiable. 

Now, I'm not saying my cakes are as nice as hers,

or any masterpiece on Pinterest or wherever you might ogle a splendid cake.

Or am I disregarding the reasonable spotlight inspiration takes, 

but, I believe they have prospect. 

And you could pin them. 

I would like that. 

Love it.

Actually!

For your mint chocolate version, 

should you want to know what I've done here:

Two torted layers of deep chocolate cake, separated three times by

half a recipe of stabilized whipped cream studded with finely chopped cubes of mint chocolate wafers, coated in a silky chocolate frosting, drizzled with minty ganache. 

References: Sweetapolita Bakebook 

(Yes you NEED this on your Christmas list, if of course you don't already have one 

because you neglected to pre-order prior to the publishing date.)

With a 'Miss Rose flourish' if you will. 

By the way, this is the final Skyview Ranch cake. 

This phase has come to a happy ending.

Women want a lot.

Woman want to be loved and respected by our supportive husbands.

Most of us desire following our maternal instinct to create baby humans. 

(It's an extraordinary phenomenon after all.)

Oh, and we also often want a career. 

Is that too much to ask?

At least that's how I'd paraphrase the 1980's female struggle, indicated through the prose of the 

third book in the Ken Follett trilogy, "Edge of Eternity". 

But he's a man himself, so does he truly understand?

"I know. It's complicated. But try to understand...

Men arrive, concede to marry us, and so we should be thankful. Sometimes it seems we get bitchy because we don't want to throw away everything we've earned, especially not to be someone only society had in mind, an expectation individuals may have adopted.

That wasn't the woman who you were attracted to in the first place." 

I'm half laughing, half serious. But still.

He has some pretty awesome female characters like Ethel, Zoya and Maria Summers. 

Perhaps through their character development Ken's appreciation can be sensed. 

I encourage you to read these novels as well. No doubt you will, man or woman, enjoy them. 

(And I'm dying to hear what you think of the characters.) 

His accuracy is keen and it's the most enjoyable history lesson I've ever had 

(apart from when my Dad told stories of the 'Olden Days', and books One and Two) 

and although I feel somewhat bereft to live in, what appears to be, a less potent and influential era, 

my reflection is disappointed by the same mass indifference of nations that disillusions me today. 

Will we ever be a coherent population committed to both humanity and nature 

and resolve the issues of our planet? Well, we can discuss (argue!) the details, 

over coffee in these two hand-crafted, cherry-love mugs made by 

a local potter in Northern Ireland, for a sweeter version of reality. 

I'll put the kettle on. 

These lovely mugs were a gift to us from my dear friend Kim, who knows we not only love coffee, 

but just, precisely where these are going to look perfect! 

We will show you in three weeks. !!!!!! 

*******

Meanwhile, you can check out my first attempt at quilting 

- not my homemaking prowess department -  

more artistic and free form than traditional.

Also a handmade gift :)

If ever someone wanted to show me how to sew, I'd gladly glean your knowledge.

Which also goes for a lot of other skills. 

I'm interested, as usual, in how to actually make, do and create all the useful items 

almost extinct in the modern skill-set. 

I'm afraid the mastery and artistry know-how will dwindle to an unsalvageable level.

So, I'm listening and ready to learn...

Last Vacation spent Away from Home

#johnna

I do like this hashtag thing. 

The bride and groom making their escape

Vacation was John and Jenna's wedding at an all inclusive on the Mayan Riviera. 

The monsoon held out as long as it could, just in time for their ceremony, 

which was important so thank you weather clouds. 

The Groomsmen, and the Groom. Awaiting the Ladies.

Then it came, without reprieve for the second half of the week. I did indeed get a wee tan, 

but I'll probably still need vitamin D supplements. (I really need a Canadian summer!)

I love purple!

Well here's a few highlights. 

Not much from the first few days because we couldn't manage phones 

or cameras what with all the Mango Tangos, sunscreen, pool and salt. 

Good thing we used those days to the maximum. 

Some maximized this time more than others. 

#bigdave 

  

Weddings... 

A girl on John's side caught the bouquet, someone probably tried not to catch the garter. 

Just remember:

"Keep Calm, You Can Still Marry Harry"

Will and Jordan are taken!

lol

And so we are home and I've madly been catching up. 

#backtorealitybacktothefuture

More cleaning and sorting and paperwork has been done over this past week 

than for a long time as we are planning to make this 

our last vacation spent away from home 

for quite some time. 

Fingers crossed for our next big adventure!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

My path comes to and end... Home.

This starts off the second half of the deployment.

And explains why my cousins are just so much fun.

Prost München!

Day 2 Biking the Danube

The Usual

Kapfenberg

 The early Autumn was perfect, weather wise.

To be fair, there were actually three summer days in Northern Ireland this past summer. 

I got an extra four in Austria, thankfully, 

but the Autumn - it was class.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Night of the Super-Moon Lunar Eclipse

The surprise party for me at Brown's!

Keep Calm and Carry Yarn

Now I'm back at home, enjoying the serenity of my condo. 

Will enjoy it more when Jordan gets back from Savannah and his training course.

Continuing down that path...

...There's a fork. 

The part where I choose how to remember my summer.

I love roads lined with trees, almost forming a tunnel.

A wee farm outbuilding

Are you just happy to see me, or? 
Wow!

 When circumstances are less than desirable, make yourself a plan, or even a plan B, 

implement and stick to it and try your best. When that doesn't solve anything 
- sometimes it just won't - 
don't be discouraged or lose your joie de vivre. 
Realize that's life. Your mostly uncontrollable, sometimes possible to influence, saga. 
Take a moment to count the benefits that otherwise could never have manifested themselves, 
and remember for what you're grateful. 

Lemon Meringue Cake 

It was like eating sunshine!

Without sugar coating a thing, I'd say, the summer sucked. 

I really hate that expression, but for that reason it seems even more fitting. 

HOWEVER,

I made two really amazing friends, who pulled me through the tough times and 

who gave me reasons to laugh and focus on the parts of life I love. 

(A shout out to my Templepatrick girls)

It afforded me the opportunity to advance my study of people, 

To understand who are true friends, in the end, and always.

I got to revisit those people who made me love Belfast in the first place. 

(A shout out to a farmer in Co. Down and my Monday Night ladies. 

Auds you must have been One Saucy Minx. 

Okay, I know Hugh was talking about a former PM, 

but he may as well have been talking about you. 

Who's to say 'have been', anyway?)

I am thankful for all those women who've contributed to us, and those men, too.

Even if it wasn't until late in my stay, I reconnected with the city of Belfast, 

the only city I've ever truly loved.

I turned my loneliness for home into time well spent on baking cakes. 

Or at least I spent a lot of time baking cakes. 

One of my most dreamed of travel trips was realized when Jordan and I rode the Danube trail.

And I spent an amazing time with my cousins.

Andy, my smallest neighbour, turned 1!

I'd say those thoughts leave me feeling rather positive. So I choose them.
And applause for all the Minxes. 

Retracing my Summer's Path

Back home, back to my computer, 

where it's possible to look (back) at my summer through a clearer lens. 

A little bit at a time. 

Life has got me waterskiing behind a truck. 

I'm sure I bring it upon myself, sigh, 

however can't resist taking a few minutes (hours) to reflect on summer's sunny days 

and sunny ways, in higher pixel formatting.

This will come in a number of installations. 

Apologies in advance. ;)

"Hillsborough"... Can't you just hear the Queen saying that?

It's a cute place to take a stroll, both in the common and along the main street. 

Seriously, it is where Elizabeth stays.

I wish I could eat a piece of this cake right now.

This is probably my favourite picture of my birthday cake.

 I love cake. In case you hadn't already come to that conclusion. 

Can't decide - this peony photo?

Or this one?

Do we actually have peonies for sale at the grocery store in Canada, ever? 

I think not, but if they are, 

I'm certain they wouldn't be so affordable. 

Requesting TESCO in the new Métis/Country Hills Blvd development. 

A trial involving cute tribulations

I was testing out red velvet cake here, and the naked cake look. 

I don't seem to have mastered the quaint english look I've seen 

in bakebooks and Lakeland catalogues. 

What is it I am missing? Please tell me! Then I promise to make you one.

Donard in the Distance

Love the Drama

Proof I was there. 

Thanks for posing with me Mr. Ferguson. 

 Northern Ireland's favourite hiking area and it's most famous individual before Mr. Morrison.

Maybe I'll buy one of his tractors some day. (He was born in the house in the background btw!)

I may have given up on the 'naked' business (regarding cakes only, I assure you, at least for some time),
but here I got the red velvet part right.

Happy Birthday Canada! xx

I can never choose which cake photo I like best...

Three layers, with icing or filling and icing over the outside, 

will always be my idea of the perfect, traditional layer cake. 

It's moist, stays that way and possibly even gets better after a few days!

I hope the quality of these photos far out does those in the summer posts...