Pimping My Ride

I love my bike. I love gliding with the breeze in my face. I am not happy about our mayor declaring war on bikes in Toronto. I am trying not to think about it as I cruise along on two wheels, relishing the freedom.

I am thinking that it is time to reward my dear trusty bike with a little extra pimping. I love these crochet lovelies by Simeli that I saw here. So adorable and a wonderful way to protect my frocks.

I then discovered a pattern for a crochet bike seat cover. I think I am in love. This may be the incentive I need to finally learn to crochet. Perhaps the world doesn't need another granny square afgan, but it could use a few more crocheted bike seat covers.

Getting on the Egg Train

My acupuncturist is very insistent that I eat an egg every day. She seems to believe that eggs are some sort of miracle food. The catch is that I am not an egg fan. I think if I had this wonderful egg train it would be a little easier to choo-choose eggs.

Found on Oh Joy

Homemade Popsicles

The temperature soared to over 40 degrees with the humidex yesterday. How is that even possible? This morning I met a friend for a walk and it was already 26 degrees at 7:30 am. I do not do well with the heat. I love warm weather but when things get extreme and the sun is sizzling me I am no longer enjoying myself. I decided to arm myself with homemade popsicles. I found this recipe on Epicurious and on top of being refreshing, they are so healthy! It is like having a frozen smoothie. What a great way to stay cool and eat fruit all at once.

I will be eating a lot of these, to stay healthy and hydrated of course...

Lemon Quinoa Salad

I have found the answer to my hunger pangs when selling aprons at shows this summer. Trying to pack enough provisions is always a challenge when I am at craft shows. I am a nibbler and a grazer, so I need a steady supply of snacks. I found this perfect salad and it is delicious. The ingredients are beyond healthy: quinoa, the wonder grain that is full of protein, chickpeas, bright zesty lemon and tasty tahini dressing. I could gobble buckets of this.

It is perfect for craft shows because I don't have to worry about anything spoiling in the sun, which makes it perfect for picnics as well ( I have picnics on the brain...). This may be the perfect summer salad.

Found: here

Brilliant Picnic Invention

The summer days have been glorious lately and my thoughts have been turning to picnics. I want a basket full of tasty snacks, a bottle of wine, a soft blanket to lounge on, a good book and now this. How perfect! Who wants to worry about spilling their wine or having ants crawling over their cheese when they are in the middle of a particularly good chapter?

Along with a bright sunny day, I think this is a picnic must have.

Backhanded Compliment cupcakes

I've been trying to be more healthy lately but every now and then a girl needs to indulge. I found a recipe here and felt my resolve slip away. How can I resist? A cupcake involving Nutella and only 3 other ingredients, topped with cream cheese frosting? It is perfect and goes with my theory that you can top just about anything with cream cheese frosting and it'll be delicious. I was off to a friend's place for dinner with her boyfriend and decided to whip up a batch for dessert.

When it was time to eat the cupcakes my friend's boyfriend commented that they were better than he had expected.

Hmmm.

Is that kind of like when you see someone and they exclaim,"Wow! You look really good! Did you lose weight?" Umm, did I need to lose weight? Did I look really bad before? He quickly backtracked and said, "I mean they are really good. They looked like cupcakes so I expected them to be all cakey but they are really dense, like a brownie."

This is true. I accept his backtracking excuse. They are dense like a brownie but in the form of a cute little cupcake. I see how they could be confusing. Confusing and oh so delicious.

Paper Planes and Pinwheels

Paper planes and pinwheels are delightful symbols of simple childhood joys. I remember how thrilling it was to get a paper plane to glide perfectly and how I was mesmerized by colourful spinning pinwheels. It's amazing how we are often most nostalgic about the little things. Summer was all about riding my bike, eating dripping popsicles and getting hypnotized by bright pinwheels that would glint in the sun.

I'm hypnotized all over again. I spotted these adorable little pieces on Etsy and they instantly set my heart aflutter. So whimsical and sweet. I may have to put them on my summer wish list.

In Cobourg for Canada Day

Hurray for fireworks, barbecues and long weekends! You know what else signifies summer weekends? Road trips! Yes, I am at another show this weekend, this time in beautiful Cobourg at the Cobourg Waterfront Festival. It is gorgeous here. The drive was great, I had my tunes and my frosty drinks to keep me company, and I am looking forward to soaking up lots of sunshine and good vibes from people strolling and enjoying this holiday weekend.

Happy Canada Day everyone!