Thursday 30 August 2012

Waffles!

Give me a W!  Give me an A! Give me an... .well, you get the point. 

Here at Ms. Bumble's house we LOVE us some waffles!  Sweet, savoury, covered in sauce-- I will take them any way I can get'em.  Finding a vegan and gluten-free waffle recipe was essential and, since fall is coming and pumpkin puree seems to hop into my shopping cart more and more I decided that today was the day!

Off I went, hunting around on line.  I found TONS of recipes but not many that sounded appealing until I came across this tried-and-true favourite (Why, oh Why didn't I just go to you first?): The Daily Diet Tribe (www.thedailydiettribe.com).  The result, as usual, was lovely. 

Pumpkin-Millet Waffles
The recipe (which you can find at: http://www.thedailydietribe.com/2011/11/how-to-make-gluten-free-vegan-pancakes.html) was easy to follow and I really enjoyed the measurement scheme they used!  I chose to use a mix of millet and sorghum flour, and in place of applesauce I used pumpkin puree with a dash of cinnamon.  For my liquid, I chose rice milk (vanilla) and, as I was out of raw sugar, I used my standby white granulated grocery store variety.  Finally, I was also out of potato starch today (darn!) so I used good old corn starch in its place.  Make sure you read the WHOLE recipe and all the attached comments because there are a few things you need to know!  I have a non-stick waffle iron, but I still lightly oiled it to make sure the outsides of the waffles would get that golden, crisped texture (which they did!).

The "Close Up"... OOOO, AHHH *applause*
The flavour was amazing--though, next time I will likely spice it up a little more.  I am also tempted to replace half the measure of granulated sugar with molasses for a deeper colour and flavour.  We shall see!  They were crisp on the outside and light on the inside; though, to be honest, they were a little dry.  Perhaps a touch more rice milk would have done the trick?  In any case they were delicious and I'm hoping that they freeze well!  Do yourself a favour and check out this recipe! (If you haven't got a waffle iron-- GET ONE! Ummm... I mean, you could always make pancakes!)
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Monday 27 August 2012

Rainy Days *sigh*

Oh, Hi!  Hope you're all doing well on this cool and cloudy Monday.

Nothing like a rainy day to inspire a little baking-- after painting the trim in the hallway and the doors in my breakfast nook, that is!  Ms. Bumble does like to keep busy, you know.  But enough about me.  Let's talk about MUFFINS!

If you saw my last post, then you saw that BIG, gorgeous, brightly coloured zucchini that I chanced upon at the Peterborough Farmer's Market.  Ever since, I have had zucchini bread on the brain.  This was my first try at GF zucchini bread, so we'll have to see how it turns out!  (The first dozen is currently in the oven....)

I found a lovely recipe (http://www.floridacoastalcooking.com), doubled it, and decided to keep one dozen "plain" and the second dozen got mixed up with some coconut shreds and vegan chocolate chips!  Nom Nom Nom.  In fact, the first dozen came out and they are YUMMY!



This is the original style recipe [http://www.floridacoastalcooking.com/2012/05
/all-natural-zucchini-muffins-vegan.html]
Zucchini-Coconut-Chocolate
Chip Muffins!
My handsome baking companion,
Lord Aslan (aka. Appa, Kitty Von
Fozzy-Pants, and Grumpus McGee)

I did make a few changes to the original recipe and, to be honest, this first batch is a little looser than I would like it to be.  I like a muffin with some crumble!  I subbed honey for agave, added 2 tsp of xantham gum to my GF flour mix, and added both cinnamon and ginger because... well, I like ginger. A LOT.  The second batch (the ones with the coconut and chips) actually has a much denser consistency.  I let these cool in the fridge while the first batch was cooking so that may have something to do with it-- something to be investigated next time.  In any case, they look good, taste great, and were easy to make!  {For those of you wondering what the heck a picture of my cat is doing up here... first of all, let me say, what a silly question!  Alsan is one pretty-kitty, and while I was baking he was entertaining me with his sleep-fits, lip-licking, and toe-twitching! Plus, who doesn't like to see a picture of a kitty-cat once and a while?  Am I right?  Shannon, you can just HUSH! hahah xx)

Enjoy the muffins, and thanks to Florida Coastal Cooking for the recipe.  This will be a good one to tinker with! xx Ms. Bumble



 
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Saturday 25 August 2012

Peterborough Farmer's Market

I couldn't resist hopping back on here to share my "haul" of goodies from the market this morning!  My husband and I just bought a new home about two blocks from the market which takes place every Saturday morning and I could not be more thrilled!  Local produce is the way to go: cheap, delicious, home-grown, and (for me) almost right next door!  Can't beat that.

If you haven't done so already, go and check them out:
http://www.peterboroughfarmersmarket.com/

For now, feel free to drool over these delicious items:

The whole "haul":  potatoes, onions, GIANT golden zucchini,
mushrooms, tomatoes, honey, coffee beans, peaches, pears,
and fresh samosas (... in my belly!) all for under 60$

Mushrooms, Peaches, Pears, and Tomatoes!
The colour of that zucchini is stunning!








Besides having wicked-cool bags, Chocosol is an amazing company!
They also make chocolate (in T.O.) and bicycle ground corn meal
for their freshly-made corn tortillas!  A nice bunch of people you will never meet
fo go say "Hi!" next week and have a cup of cold-chocolate!

Basil!  A fresh plant for 2$-- can't beat that!




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When the cat's Away...

The finished product!
The mouse comes out to play! 

Hey All!  Ms. Bumble here.  My hubby is off and running this weekend on a football adventure down to the states with his brother so I am here, with my trusty kitty, for the weekend!  And what a weekend!  The Peterborough Folk Festival is this weekend and that is always a good time:  music, food, artisans, and community love!  I can't wait to get out there and Folk it up!  (If you live in or around Peterborough and didn't know this was happening, check them out at http://ptbofolkfest.com/  and then come on out!  Great family event.)

Before I take off for a weekend of play, I thought I might have just enough time to share this great little dinner idea I had last night:  Smoked-Paprika Tempeh rolled into a Mexican-Inspired Wrap! 

All I did was pan "fry" (in a dry pan) crumbled up Tempeh with about 2 tsp of smoked paprika, a dash of salt, some chopped onion, and some thinly sliced tomatoes!  I cooked that up while my GF corn tortillas we thawing under a broiler.  When the tortillas were warm and flexible, I added some Daiya Pepper-jack "cheese" shreds, the tempeh mixture and put it back under the broiler for a minute or two.  I topped it with some salsa, but I wish I had had some guacamole! MMMMM Guac!  That would have been decadent, for sure!  As it was, I was well satisfied and happy to use us some left overs before heading to the Farmer's Market today!

Try it yourself, any variation would work!  Have a great weekend and we'll see you next week!

 
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Tuesday 21 August 2012

Open Air Market was a success: Thanks, all xx

The "main tent" at the market on Saturday



Well, it was one heck of a weekend!  Thanks to everyone who came out to the Market on Saturday, we hope you enjoyed browsing and munching in the sun.  Amber and I really had a great time making it happen and were happy to see others enjoying the fruits of our labours.

Our new sign!  Courtesy of Ms. Rabbit
(aka. Amber) herself!







We thought we would post a few pictures from the weekend so those of you who couldn't come by don't miss out entirely!  And remember, if you didn't make it to this show, we will be participating in a few others as the fall and winter seasons arrive:  stay tuned!  In the meantime, take a look and we hope to see you next time!

Fields of Felted Fungi! (Say that
10 times, fast!)








Hand painted gift boxes, felted mushrooms,
and woolen jewelry garced some of the tables at
the Saturday market

6 a.m. came early, but it's never too early
to arrange decadent desserts, right?
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Thursday 16 August 2012

2 more sleeps...

Can you believe it? 

2 more sleeps until the very first Rabbit and Bumble Open Air Market -- WOW!  I know that we are excited and we hope that you are too.  The tents go up tomorrow, and then the real fun begins: setting up to display all of our hard work, Ms. Rabbits amazing collection of antiques and lovelies, and opening the windows to let the smell of fresh-baked goodies waft down into the yard.  Mmmmmm, it's going to be nice!

In the mean time, I thought I would give you one last snoop at a last minute project:  Recycled Tin Can Lanterns!  This project is easy, fun, and (other than the spray-paint) uses all found and recycled materials!  Good for kids (adult supervision required if you want to punch designs in the tin-- saftey first!) and adults alike, makeing lanterns is a great way to bring a little light into your life.

















All you need is:

* Some tin cans that have been washed and had their labels removed (and most of that nasty-wasty glue!)
* A hammer and nails of varying sizes
* Paint, spray-paint, foil, or any other decorating materials that will adere to metal
* Some old coat-hangers and a pair of plyers for making handles

Oh yah.... I suggest wearing gloves!


After you have washed the tins and removed their labels, fill them 2/3 of the way full with water and place them in the freezer until COMPLETELY solid.  Remove them from the freezer and *carefully* use your hammer and nails to punch holes of varying sizes into the cans.  Don't forget to punch some bigger holes near the top of the cans for your handles!  Set the finished can in the sick and run warm water over it to melt the ice.  Dry the can and, if you are going to paint it, take it outside or cover a work surface in paper ro a drop cloth.  Paint or otherwise decorate your can and let it dry!  While the paint is drying, use plyers to cut your old hangers into peices.  Shape them into handles for your lanterns as you will, making sure to leave a little room on either end to insert into the holes you have punched for them!  When everything is dry, assemble the lanters, toss in a tea light or two, turn out the lights and watch them GLOW!


Rabbit and Bumble Open Air Market: Antiques, Handicrafts, Baked Goods, and more!  This Saturday, August 18th!  (10am - 5pm)



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Thursday 9 August 2012

Buttons and Thank Yous

I would like to start this blog post by saying a quick, but BIG, "Thank You" to everyone who has been following this blog and/or following us on facebook.  Your support, comments, "likes" and everything else bring a smile to our faces!  We cannot wait to see you all at the upcoming Open-Air Market and say "Hello!"



Some new projects/products that will be featured at the market are close to my heart:  BUTTONS!  When I was a little girl, I used to go through my mother's sewing kit and run my fingers through her button-tin!  Ever since, I have had a real fascination with them and put them to use at any given opportunity!  Since I was looking for something creative to do one afternoon, I decided to make some earrings with them.  Inspired by our emerging theme (nautical and nature) I chose wood, brass, and other "earthy" colours for this set.  I am feeling the urge to get WILD with some colour for the next round.  Check them out, tell us what you think, and don't forget to mark down the 18th of August on your calendars!  See you soon xx

Nautical:  I took it very litterally and used some shells I had from past crafting projects to create these

Nature:  Summer = Flowers and these little hand-made (crochetted) blossoms should brighten up any outfit!



Nature:  Wooden beads, brass acorns, and moss green accents!  Woodsy, or what?


 
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