In another life, (i.e many many years ago), I was a special events coordinator. I spent my days looking at flower arangements, tablecloths and menus.

Many years later, I still like readng about the latest trends, so I continue to read a magazine called Biz Bash. A little over two years ago, I was reading through it and saw an article that Susan Murray International was open to the public. I quickly grabbed the phone to make an appointment. I went to the showroom and within two minutes knew the table cloth that I wanted. I’m kinda decisive. Have you noticed?

It’s not every day that I rent tablecloths, but we were hosting 40 people for a Friday nite dinner and a Saturday lunch on the occassion of our sons’ barmitzva.

It’s been two years since that occassion and because the Interior Design Show is taking place this coming week (Jan 27 – 30th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre) I was in the mood to visit the showroom again and see the latest trends in table cloths.

I was not disappointed. Susan Murray still sets the tone for unique tablecloths, accessories and fabrics.

She was recently the supplier for the Giller Awards (which is a huge event)  but is happy to rent 4 table cloths (which is what I needed).

So don’t hesitate to give her a call and visit the showroom. HINT.

Contact Info: Susan Murray International, 15 Canso Road, (416) 243-9284

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As you know I’m a sales rep , and while visiting accounts on Eglinton Avenue West, I noticed a new store . So  I took a few minutes from my job to walk in. (shhh don’t tell my boss OK?)

Two Moms Baked Goods, had a location on Bathurst, but recently decided to open a retail store (Smart move. Me. Thinks). The facility  is nut free and kosher (dairy)!! Two Moms Baked Goods also develops and sells SafeSnacks which are nutritious and nut free snacks that’s sold at many schools, camps, hospitals and stores across the country.

As I walked thru the store, I sampled a biscotti (or two) and it was delicious. I also took pictures (does that surprise you?)

Last year, my daughter went to a birthday party at their old location as the birthday girl had a peanut allergy. This was the perfect place to host a birthday party for her. The girls baked their own cookies and when it was time for pick up…..you could tell that everyone had a great time!! (ie PROUD smiles and white boxes to show off what they had baked).

I love the entrepreneurial spirit of these 2 moms!! They also offer a range of baking classes  as well as programs on PD days.

So next time you are looking to an order a nut free birthday cake or bring cookies to the school…you know who to call. Right?

Two Moms Baked Goods,  970 Eglinton Avenue West, (416) 783 -7200 or send them an email to info@twomomsbakedgoods.com

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This recipe could NOT be easier.

All you need is two ingredients – whipped cream (the real stuff not the one in the can) and the cheapest chocolate cookies you can find.

Two Products. How Easy Is That?

First Step: Whip the whipped cream

(you don’t need a photo, right?)

Second Step: Place a dollop of whipped cream in a serving dish. I like these miniature martini glasses for this recipe but you could use anything.

Third Step: Break up a chocolate chip cookie (you could experiment and break up two cookies too) and place it on top of the whipped cream

(almost done)

Fourth Step: Add another dollop of whipped cream. Then grate chocolate for an “added touch”

Ta - Da!!

Voila.

The End.

(ps your family/guests will LOVE this dessert. Promise)

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I collect paper napkins and paper plates. Infact I have a whole cupboard dedicated to this collection.

I should be embarassed but I’m actually kinda proud. There is some really nice paper napkins and paper plates hanging out in that cupboard!

Here’s one of my favorite paper placemats (from Target, of course)

Gorgeous. RIght?

But that’s the problem. They are SO nice that I can’t use them. It’s a problem.  I cant use them coz I know I will never find them again.

Notice that in the next picture…they are still wrapped in plastic?

Pretty Paper Plates with Pretty Napkins too.

Most of the paper plates/napkins I buy at Target.  But  then I discovered Real Canadian Superstore and they too – have featured some nice paper napkins. Plus there’s the

occasional “stationary/gift” store in Toronto that will carry a unique line and bingo – MY CUPBOARD IS FULL.

So here’s one last  photo of my best-est paper napkins and paper plates that I can’t seem to use.

On the bottom of the plates: Target 2006!!

p.s I am not a hoarder – except when it comes to paper napkins and paper plates!!! Does that count? LOL

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Last week I was invited to attend the GE Cafe Chefs Series at Evergreen Brick Works. It took me less than 5 seconds to reply “please add my name to your guest list. I would be delighted to attend”.

So what is the GE Cafe Series? It’s a series of interactive workshops (from Jan 11 – May 17th on Tuesdays, bi-weekly) that brings you together with Ontario food growers, farmers, producers, chefs, writers, activists and restaurateurs. Basically….this means, that this is “totally up my alley”!!

I attended the first workshop of the series, which was called “Onwards to Prince Edward County” featuring Chef Jamie Kennedy (executive chef, Gilead Cafe & Bistro) and Rebecca LeHeup (executive director, Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance)

Naturally I am eager to talk to you about what I ate that evening: So lets begin.

Passed Hors d’Ouevres

-marinated pickel roll up

-curried sweet potato croquettes with raita

Menu

-sunchoke soup with chips

Can I have the recipe please? cc: Chef Jamie Kennedy

-yellow perch with hillier soubise and crunchy shallots

-potatoe gnocchi with root vegetables

-apple strudel with nutmeg ice cream and golden plum puree.

Every dish was superb..and every plate was returned clean. (always a good sign that your guests enjoyed their food).

Rebecca chatted with Chef as he presented each dish and we learned a lot about his suppliers and his fondness for Prince Edward County.

We were also treated to several (I lost count) glasses of wine from Rosehall Run Vineyards. Dan Sullivan explained each wine as they were being poured and again we learned more about the grapes, the region, etc.

The three hours zipped by as we were always busy – eating, listening, drinking, and raising our hands with questions like “can we have the recipe.!!”

Evergreen Brick Works has a great line up of workshops in the future: Preserving, Cooking for Food Allergies, Heirloom Varieties and more. If you click on the the Evergreen website you will learn more details about this fantastic series.

Congratulations to everyone who organized this awesome workshop!!

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I like popcorn I just don't eat it the theatre!! (I'm cheap...I'm honest)

I have seen so many movies lately that you can simply call me the “movie maven”!!! However I am not a critic. I just like ‘entertaining movies” and the opportunity to sit in one place!!!

Here’s the list:

-The Fighter: Amazing with some great performances.

-Black Swan: Even more amazing.

-King’s Speech: The audience clapped at the end. When was the last time that happend? Enough said.

-Unstoppable: Entertaining

-Somewhere: Interesting.

-True Grits: I can’t remember the last time I saw a western (never, perhaps), but the movie was getting great reviews so I decided to give it a try.

Here’s some more information about the Movie Maven: (otherwise known as momwhoruns)

-generally it’s a spontaneous decision.

-99 percent of the time I go to a matinee

-I never buy popcorn

-I go by myself (coz it’s a spontaneous decision)

I can’t wait for the Academy Awards. I wonder if I will be able to stay up and watch the whole show.

Its been years since I have seen such GREAT movies, with great acting and great scripts.

What have you seen? what do you want to see? Do share…

See you at the theatres.

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After I read “Repairing Rainbows” by Lynda Fishman, I immediately called up my book club leader and highly recommended it. To my suprise, she was in the middle of reading it!! I offered to host the book club if the book was selected and I also mentioned that I had met Lynda and knew that she would be happy to attend the book club meeting.

A few emails later –  it was arranged. The book was selected…Lynda was going to attend…and I was delighted to host the book club meeting.

Lets talk about the book: I will begin by telling you that it’s one of those books that you can’t put down. I started it on a Friday around 2 p.m. and finished it Saturday at 4 pm.

Repairing Rainbows is a memoir about a remarkable woman who has a painful story to share. It’s not an easy story to read but I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I wanted to know what happend “next” in Lynda’s life. The book also inspired me.  Even though it’s sad…it’s also about hope, about choices and about moving forward. I read the book with the same intensity that I read “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls. Lynda actually told me that many people have mentioned this to her.

Now let’s talk about the book club: 40 woman showed up on a snowy Saturday afternoon. As always our book club is about food (and the book). I didn’t even serve wine. (Is there something wrong with us?..ha). Lynda was introduced and people were invited to ask questions. Hands went up in the air immediately.

After the questions, everyone was invited to eat and more socializing took place.

I recieved lots of comments about the provencal wheatberry salad. I know you want the recipe..so here it is.

http://tinyurl.com/2aqbfvw

The recipe is courtesy of  OuiChef. It’s simple and yummy. Not to mention “healthy”.

It was indeed a successful book club and I was honored to host it. I hope you get a chance to check out the website “Repairing Rainbows” and to read the book as well. You can buy the book at Indigo or online at Amazon. I hope you enjoy this memoir as much as I did.

Happy Reading

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I blogged about coffee this week, so I thought it would only be fair to talk about tea as well. Naturally I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out!!

This year, I received a dinner gift that I totally fell in love with. It’s a tea tumbler called “Liquid Solutions Tea-Zer”. I started to grate fresh ginger, placed it in the removable strainer, I added boiling water and bingo: beautiful fragrant ginger tea.

freshly grated ginger and my tea tumbler (that I love)

My uncle told me try chopped  lemongrass and I tried it but returned back to the fresh ginger.

I even experimented between normal ginger and organic ginger. The organic ginger won by a long shot.

Once in a while, I will stop at DAVIDsTea. I think they have done a great job with their store concept, their packaging, merchandising etc.

(can you tell I once owned a store?).

I am a sucker for tea thats called “read my lips”!!

The store is so fresh looking and the staff are extremely friendly and helpful. There is nothing not to like.

a great looking store..

Their winter line up of teas include: baked apple, organic electric lemon, organic cloud nine and choloclate chili chai.

YUM.

Raise you hand if you are a tea drinker or even an occasional tea drinker like me!!

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I was on twitter (for a change) and noticed a tweet from @VerdigrisVie  if anyone was interested in going to a taping of the Steven and Chris Show.

I answered “yes” immediately. I hadnt been to a taping of a show in years and I thought it would be fun.

You know me…always interested in an adventure!!!

As much fun as it is to hang out with my foodie friends, it was really nice to hang out with design bloggers for a few hours.  I met, Vitania Liscio of Verdisgris Vie,

Dane Caldwell of 2-Hounds Design,  Susan Forint of Saf Affect, Jennifer Borgh of Jennifer Borgh Events and Andrea Mills and Jennifer Murray from Canadian House and Home.

From Left to Right: Susan Forint, Steve, Dane Caldwell, Jennifer Borgh, Vitania Liscio, and Chris

We clapped on cue, we hollered, we received gifts for attending, and we learned a few tips as well: i.e  how to decorate a room on a budget, setting a table for under $200 etc

So set your PVR’s to CBC on Tuesday Jan 4th at 2 p.m. and by all means visit Steven and Chris’s website too!!

I had a blast and can’t wait to see my new design blogger friends at the upcoming Interior Design Show (Jan. 27 – 30th).

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Can Anyone Relate to This Photo?

I have a coffee every day? Do you? I have a coffee card for Tim Hortons, Second Cup and Starbucks and I use them regularly. I love independent coffee shops too. Some of my favortites include: Manic, Sam James, Ezras Pound, Jimmys and Dark Horse Espresso Bar.

Coffee is my chance:

-sit down for a minute and read a book or a newspaper

-to meet a friend and catch up

Unlike the photo to the left…I just have a normal black coffee!! No special lattes.

I seriously think about what it would be like NOT to have a coffee every day. Not sure I could do it. Could you? Lately I have been grating ginger into boiling water and I am completely enjoying it. However I still have this NEED to have a coffee.

I’m known sometimes as the “friend who delivers coffee” as I often drop off coffee to friends who cant get out of the house cause they are sick, or their kids are sick, or they are in mourning over a loss, or just had a baby etc.  It’s a small act of kindness but  I love knowing this small gesture makes a difference in their day.

So as I write this..I’m wondering when Tim Hortons is starting their Roll up and Win campaign. I’m already looking forward to it.  Wonder if this year, I might win a bit more often. Wishful thinking. I know.

If you ever want to do a “coffee crawl”…here’s the information for those independent coffee shops listed above:

Manic Coffee…426 College

Sam James Coffee Bar...297 Harbord St.

Dark Horse Espresso…215 Spadina or 682 Queen East (thanks @climbguy)

Ezras Pound…238 Dupont St. or 913 Dundas St. West

Jimmy’s Coffee…107 Portland St.

Aroma...500 Bloor West, Promenade Shopping Centre, Yonge/Eglinton and more…

Tell me about your coffee habits. Are you loyal to one chain? do you have a coffee a day? do you only make coffee at home? do you ever go to independent coffee stores?

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