Captured By Chocolate & Pastries

Hello Sunshine, I am so happy to finally see you again, after what has seemed like a very very long time.  Now that I have cleaned well over a foot of snow from my vehicle, I will let you, hopefully work its magic, by melting the remainder of it.  I think I still might be dreaming a wee bit here, as the temperatures are still well below the freezing mark.

Today I am extremely pleased to have a Guest here on "North of Wiarton" who just happens to be one of many of Bruce County's local talents.  Cathy is a wonderful lady I had the pleasure of meeting last Summer at the Canada Day Festivities down in Wiarton's Bluewater Park.  Please take a moment to drop in for a read at that post by going HERE.

Cathy, welcome to "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".  Please read on to find out how Cathy was "captured by chocolate & pastries".

My name is Cathy Kuepfer, and in the summer of 2011, I found myself at loose ends after working as a chocolatier for the past 11 years. I floated through the summer, watching the job postings, but not really sure what it was that I wanted to do. Nothing that came up really clicked with me, or for me. At 62, it's not easy changing careers, and there's not a huge market for a chocolatier in small town Midwestern Ontario.  My other previous work experience was daycare and I although I love children, after 30 years in that field; I had felt burnt out and in need of a change.

Then in early fall of that year, I found two challenges, that helped me realize what I would enjoy doing! First, I had discovered some yummy Black Forest cheesecake tarts at the Mariposa Market in Orillia! I fell in love with them, and decided to try to replicate them since I don’t get to downtown Orillia very often. I managed to come up with a tart that was very similar, and that my family and friends really enjoyed. One of my friends doesn’t like cherry, so I also came up with a blueberry version.

                                        

The second challenge came when my husband Clare, the “Crokinut”, gave me a challenge. He is crazy about the game of crokinole, going to as many tournaments and games as he can find! Clare decided that he would like to organize a local tournament, with the help of others from the two local crokinole clubs that he attends. My challenge was to make chocolate crokinole buttons as small thank you favours for those attending, as well as a chocolate crokinole board as a prize for a “20’s shootout”. I was unable to come up with the requested chocolate board, but I did make a caramel one, as well as the chocolate buttons.

                                                         

The Crokinut was thrilled, and I was hooked!  My creative juices were running by this time, and Cathy’s Creations was born!  I discovered my   “passion for creating unique sweets and treats,     including custom made chocolates.” Cathy's Confections' goal is to produce unique items that are hard to find elsewhere and are what the customer wants.  This is something that a larger company cannot easily tackle, but a small, home based business can.  An example of this is putting dates in butter tarts for the Crokinut.

Last March, I was offered the chance to set up a table at the Walter’s Falls Maple Syrup Festival. I made a few unique items, as well as some that are tried and true, and decided to give it a try.

       

This was not my original intention, so I went back to my initial plan for awhile. Unfortunately, I found out that most people don’t pick up the phone and make that call. Mostly we have become a society that runs out to the store to pick up the most convenient pre-made item.  It’s also hard for consumers to understand that someone is willing to make their version of a particular item. My premise of people calling and putting in unique orders, was not working as planned. 

 

Therefore in midsummer of the past year, I decided to go out to the people again. I had a table at Wiarton’s Canada Day celebrations, which is where I first met Cindy, one of the most genuine and giving people I have ever met!  ... . And what a beautiful view we had from our booth!

 Since then, I have visited various venues and have met so many wonderful people! They have all been so helpful and supportive, and I want to thank them all. A very special thanks to Cindy for inviting me to write this guest blog.  

Cathy thank you so very much for being a Guest here this day at "North of Wiarton".  It equally has been an amazing pleasure to meet such a lovely person such as yourself who possesses such a talent that so happens to be one of my most favourite "addictions".  I am so looking forward on continuing to follow your "Chocolate & Pastry Journey".

Cathy can be found at her Website at  www.cathysconfections.ca or on Facebook by *clicking* HERE.  Should you be having a "special" upcoming event, or company dropping by? Custom Orders, as well as regular,  are always welcome by calling Cathy at 519-934-1351.

I am certain Cathy would LOVE to have you drop by to "LIKE" her Facebook Page.  I also know for a fact, she has been creating some wonderful "unique" treats that can be ordered just in time for Valentines Day gift giving for that someone "special" in your life.

I do apologize for the format of this post today, as I am pretty sure Blogger has been possessed by some unseen force.  Maybe it has not had its "Chocolate Fix" yet today ???

What are my plans for a finally Sunshiny day ?   I am sure some will include the dreaded, forever there, housework, as well as popping out to have a visit with a lady who has been unable to get out for the past couple of weeks.  Whatever the rest of my day brings on thing I am certain of is that I am happy to be here, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

A Wee Bit On The Nippy Side

The alarm went off, Rob was up, dressed and out to the kitchen to make coffee for us.  I followed shortly getting the soup heated for him to take along in his thermos. 

It was "a wee bit on the nippy side" this morning as temperatures were down to -32*C with the Wind Chill first thing.  From what I had heard on Facebook was we had gotten off pretty easy as others had -40* .... and I know what that "deep freeze" feels like.

"Two of these things go together, and one of these things doesn't belong ... ha, remember that ditty?   I had to bring out the "big guns" in head gear this morning.  Really is there truth behind the saying, "you loose the most body heat through your head?".  There must be, as I do feel warmer with a hat on when out in sub-zero temperatures."

"Later this morning the temperatures did rise somewhat.  Still Bandit couldn't roll in the snow today and had to walk about at times on three legs, as they hadn't gone up enough."

"A little conferring and some loving going on here between Bandt and Lexus?  Maybe a bit of "how are we going to manage the kids when they arrive on or about the 6th of February?".  "

Lexus had to return to the house on three legs too.  With Lexus back in,  Missy Mercedes was ready to go out."

"Lots and lots of fun, until the cold finally got to Missy Mercedes' little paws too."

"Nothing holds back our "Go Dog Go" Buddy !"

In-between the out, about and in with the "Checkerboard Aussies" all day, I did manage to get our bedroom cleaned and the buffet dusted all off, before I tackled the "it really needed done" fridge as part of the Decluttering Mini Challenge for this week.

"Oh man, it is a lot of work taking everything out, washing it all down and placing it all back in, minus the stuff I was embarrassed to have had thrown out.  It was a feeling of relief once it was all done, "let me tell the World" !"

After putting every back, washing a sinkful of dishes once food from them had been discarded, it was back out with my "pack" into the deep freeze before I got Dinner started.  Just before starting Dinner I had this scenario going on in the kitchen ....

"Really Bandit?  Really? are you trying to double "guilt" me out here by saying 1) I don't feed you, and/or 2) I don't play enough with you?  Give it up boy, one or the other??  Never a dull moment in our days together."

"Tonight's Dinner did get underway.  Loving that I have my own Homemade Black Bean & Corn Salsa to grab from the shelf when the need arises.  Salsa into the browned ground beef and onion, followed by a can of Black Beans, Zesty Italian Dressing and Chili Powder."

"Layered goodness from out of the Oven topped with fresh lettuce and tomato ... "

Recipe please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.

Special Thanks to Alice for emailing me that today she tried the Chicken & Broccoli Braid from yesterday's post, with great success, as well as it being a "hit" with herself and her hubby.  I LOVE when I get some feedback to know others are trying the recipes and/or ideas I post from time to time.

Also a warm welcome to the newest four people who have chosen to join me here as followers of my daily journal, along with the odd, one, two, or three opinions and issues I might ramble on about from time to time.  It is nice to know others have the same interests I might have on occasion too.

Oopsie .... before I forget, another little reminder about what is happening down Saugeen Shores way in the Town of Port Elgin this Friday, as I am sure you won't want to miss out on a Homemade Luncheon should you be given the chance of one.

"Come Along to the Tolmie Presbyterian Church, located at 699 Goderich Street for an amazing luncheon.  How do I know this? of course by attending myself on previous occasions."

Would it surprise anyone that I still have dishes in the kitchen that need washed, or I am feeling very tired at the moment, or that my "Checkerboard Aussies" need to go out, about and in again one last time tonight, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Brr ... Says It All

One o'clock am the phone rings awakening me, the bedroom light goes on, my "Crabby Cabbie" bundles up before heading out the door on a "run".  Sleep eludes me.  He arrives home at 3:00 with a decaffeinated Tim Hortons coffee for me.  

Four o'clock am an almost lull takes hold with the alarm sounding off just before six am.  I gave up and got up again.  My "Crabby Cabbie" out the door to continue on with is day, and I bundled up just before 7 am to head out in an extremely cold morning.

"With Rob gone out the door I had to take photos of myself modeling the Cowl I had been gifted after Christmas.  Is it not lovely?  Thanks Sharon, my Fort Myers friend who I am sure is much warmer then I here."

The morning was a total "write off" as I could barely keep my eyes open to have a coffee, or to even lift it for that matter as my body was feeling pretty much like a "dead weight".  Just as well the snow storm continued outside our doors, as the original day's plans had been cancelled, but would not have been that great with not much sleep anyhow.

I tried to lay down around 10 am, but would sleep come? of course not.  I finally gave up to get up to look at the mess around me that was suppose to be started on yesterday.  Those plans had been changed too.  Forever changing ... I really wish I would accept things don't always go as planned. I know it, but I have to "chew" about it within my  being before putting it behind and get on with further planning.

*Sigh* darn, darn, triple darn that Mr. Murphy guy !

Yesterday there had been some pretty cool mail waiting for me to retrieve from our Mailbox.

"A Postcard from Osaka, Japan,  one from Holland, NL, and a third from Wisconsin, US.  They obviously read my Postcrossing profile to know I LOVE food."

I do enjoy receiving Postcards from all over the World from people.  Postcrossing is an easy and fun way to get to know the World through Postcards.

Yesterday I had dropped around to my friend, Lynn's to pickup an invitation.  This Wiarton Willie Festival 2013, I am really looking to attending this event again ....

"You are invited to Wiarton Willie's 16th Annual Fancy Tea at The Salvation Army @ 576 Edward Street, Wiarton, ON."

Mark your calender, as really you can tell what a lovely time I had last year at the Fancy Tea by going HERE.

The squalls had finely let up sometime after the noon hour with the Sun making an appearance.

"Do not be fooled into thinking the Sun brought any warmth along with it as brr....says it all."

I really had a difficult time getting my "act" together today.  Regardless I had a "push" as today was the last day I had to get the week three challenges completed that I had signed up for over at Carla's, My 1/2 Dozen Daily.

Third Week Challenges:

Decluttering Challenge: Choose a closet, any closet, and clean it out!! Pick 2 closets if you're feeling really energetic & determined!! Take before & after photos so you can awe & inspire everyone else participating in my challenges as well! ;) lol!

Financial Challenge: Give. Find a way in your budget to "give" financially somehow... It doesn't have to be grand, you don't have to go hungry. I just want you to go that 'extra mile' for someone else. Buy a coffee for the person in line behind you at the coffee shop, hand a $5.00 bill to a homeless person on the way to work, throw a little extra into the collection plate at church, toss your change into the charity box in front of the register at the grocery store, etc... simply give.

"This was the state of things last week when I cleared out the bathroom closet.  It had remained like this until this afternoon."

"After first washing down the inside and outside of the closet, I then went through everything that had came out of it ending up with what was being kept placed back into the closet nice and neat as below."

"This is all the clutter we have no longer any use for.  Lots of rags in these two piles.  I did hold back a couple towels for the beach when the Grandboys are visiting and some for when one of the "Checkerboard Aussies" might be in need of a bath or wipe down."

The giving back to the Community was put into the time spent on rolling the Pennies my "Crabby Cabbie" had collected in the VON Piggy.  This was the second part of the third week's challenge completed.

Once the closet was done I made sure each on of the "pack's" needs had been attended to before I hopped into a nice hot shower before starting our Dinner of Homemade Chicken Soup.  Rob requested the soup along with Grilled Cheese sandwiches.  I was happy to make both as they were easy to do so, and besides what better dinner then that on a cold Winter night.

Yes  with -15 temperatures ... brr, says it all.

"How could something made from "scratch" from the homemade chicken broth on down the line to chopped fresh veggies and a homegrown chicken be anything but GOOD ! "

It is still freezing outside our doors, and I still have to go out and about with all four of our "Checkerboard Aussies" yet tonight.  Brrr.....wish me luck as I head away from the warmth of the woodstove out into the deep freeze, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Here, There & Everywhere

"Here, there & everywhere"? should you have a LOVE for Snow ....

"Surprise ! there had to be at least eight more inches we woke up to this morning.  Buddy with the "I am getting buried out here" look, and Bandit with a "um... it is still there" look".  It is rather beautiful everywhere is what I had been thinking."

"It is pretty much one of those things .... either you LOVE it, or you don't.  I LOVE it to look at, but do HATE it if the visibility is bad with the roads not bare and void of ice.  Dreaming again right ? as it is Winter.  Some LOVE to look and LOVE to play."

"There is beauty everywhere with untouched virgin snow within my gaze, here, there & everywhere."

"I was very surprised when out with Missy Mercedes to see my "Crabby Cabbie" come back in the driveway when I had thought he was long gone down the road on his way to work."

Rob's driver had called to say since it was so nasty down in Southampton and Port Elgin as well, she would work today as there would probably not be too much on with the weather being very "unsettled".  Nothing lost as there is so much to be done around here at any given time.

Rob and I had ourselves a couple laughs together before we went into the house, thoroughly amused by Missy Mercedes ....

"I hear it, I know it is here, there & everywhere ... bums up !"

Ha ! really I think she hears mice underneath the snow which drives her "nuts", being ever so amusing to me.

I had "big" plans today.  Big plans that never happened.

I done up more dishes leftover from last night's Roasted Chicken Dinner, had the bed made, then folded up two loads of laundry before I had been outside with our "pack", with Rob then returning home.  Things went all topsy turvy at that point.  Any further plans I had for this day "flew right out the window", more then likely into a huge snowbank.

"One thing that was in "dire" need of being done, did get done.  Thank goodness as I thought I might never get out our driveway.  You can tell how deep it is by how high it shows up against the tractor tire."

Yes downtown Wiarton Rob took me since he had to drop off a "Crabby Cabbie" vehicle to our mechanics.  I went to retrieve him from there after I had been on the phone for the 4th different "Crabby Cabbie" business call this morning.  Oh man how does a woman get what she had planned done, when someone else has them otherwise occupied with things they want done?  I have yet to figure this one out.

"Had I mentioned it was "here, there & everywhere"?  Snow that is, lots of snow !"

"Absolute points of beauty found, here, there & everywhere."

I had needed some broccoli for the Dinner I had planned on making today, so we had to drop in at our local Foodland store.

"Broccoli was $3.49 a Bunch !!!  We needed bread, and the Dempter's Breads had been on for $2.50 a loaf.  I could not believe my eyes that at the bread display there had been a coupon for $2.00 off any "fresh" vegetable if you were to buy 2 loaves of bread.  No problem there, bringing the head of broccoli to a more reasonable $1..49.   Along with Mini Turnip and a Red Cabbage "marked down", this little shopping spree only cost us $8.47."

We did make it back home.  I first sat to have myself a coffee before I got going on preparing our Dinner.

"Ingredients all lined up and ready to go.  Lots of colour in the bowl, mixed together, then evenly spread out."

"Into the pre-heated Oven to bake until Golden Brown.  Dinner was served."

Recipe please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.  This had been the second time around I have made this recipe, with it going over very well this "round" too.

Here is a little video ... did you know .... ? 



No surprise right?  This is why I have tried to keep to ....

.... not too sure I keep to this 100%, but what I do think I do very well is "Support the Local Small Businesses" in Bruce County whenever I can do a SHOUT OUT for any I come across.

Before signing off, I am very pleased to welcome yet another new follower to "North of Wiarton" for my daily journey, along with an occasional rant or opinion I might have from time to time.  Welcome Cindy from In Cindy's Kitchen, I am so happy for you to be here.  That would be her kitchen, not mine "North of Wiarton", although with all her experience I am certain I would love having Cindy in my kitchen too.

With another day behind my, I have high hopes I might accomplish tomorrow what never got done today, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Who Left The Door Open?

"Who left the door open" letting Winter back in ???

 "This was about 7:00 am this morning.  There was no problem convincing Bandit or Lexus to come back into the house, nor Buddy when I took him out and back in.  However Missy Mercedes had been another matter as she wanted to play, play, play in all that fabulous snow."

Not only had it been a challenge out in the wind and snow this morning, I had awoke to no hydro.  There had been some groping for a flashlight and candles.  It is times like this which validates how much I love the fact that we heat our home with a wood stove; especially when a pot of water went on top of it to heat water for my coffee.  The day might not have started off not too good without the required amount of caffeine in my system.  A wood stove is a "life saver" when one finds themselves without hydro or a super duper honking generator.

Generator? a great idea for backup.  Do we have one? of course we do.  It is really nice and looks just lovely still in the box it was purchased in.  *Sigh*  Time? did I ever mention what a precious commodity that is around here?  Rob has had no time to crack it from its box to put the required amount of oil and fuel in it for such times.

Some day ..... over the Rainbow !

What does a person resort to when there is no hydro and it is storming outside?  Think wayyyyyy back in the "good old days" when we had to survive without Cell phones, data plans, or Internet ....

"I picked up the scarf I have been working on for ... let's just say a long, long time."

I was happy when the hydro resumed at 9:00 am, as my neck couldn't take much more knitting, or my arms by trying to adjust myself so my head was not too tilted.  I love knitting, I loved crocheting, I love reading ... jeez it really is the pits some days when I think of the hours I used to spend at all those things I had enjoyed doing at one time.  Oh well, it is nice I now have a laptop and a recliner where I can set myself somewhat up ergonomically compute, as I do LOVE me some computing.

Around 10 am, or shortly after, the sun made an attempt to shine through the heavy cloud cover.

"Other then a few attempts by the Sun, it was pretty bleak with snow squalls mustering themselves up to block any view between the house for as far as a crow flies."

We took advantage of a break in squalls to head downtown Wiarton to do a couple errands and purchase some bread at our local Foodland store.

"Following behind a Snowplow pretty much ensures the fact any drifts have been removed before you get to them.  Every side street we turned down in town had someone out and about blowing out their driveway; no surprise there."

Once we returned home not too much was accomplished this day as both Rob and I were bone tired, and for some reason I am certain I could come with an educated as to why we were.  I did manage to get a load of laundry done and hung on the clothes horse in front of the wood stove, as well as a sink full of dishes washed up.

Late this afternoon Rob and I thought we would go out into the elements again ....

"The gate was "sprung".  Watch out here he comes !  With lots of snow and not too much traffic going by on the Highway, Rob and I took Buddy out for a big run late this afternoon.  Run he sure did.  Run, run, run .... "

"What a pretty pretty boy our "Buddy" boy is.  A one point Rob had him twirling circles for a treat."

"I got lots of *smiles* from our Buddy boy."

After our romp outside, I might add how cold it had become as well, we got in as I had to get the potatoes and veggies prepared for our Sunday Dinner of ....

"Roasted Chicken from start to finish.  Lightly sprinkled with Mrs. Dash Herb & Garlic and roasted from frozen in a moderate 350* oven for 4 hours until it had reach its peak of perfect doneness."

Dinner was good, no dessert needed.  I am not only tired, now I am full and tired.

That is all she wrote for another day, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Really? Another Wiarton Celebrity ?

 "It is always nice to rise in the morning to find there is still a good bed of coals in the wood stove to add to in the wee hours of the morn."

I was surprised how mild it had turn throughout the night.  Going out with the "pack" this morning to all the light fluffy having had turned to mush and water dripping from the eave troughs.  Heavy white mush.  By the afternoon it had turned to rain, and then back to snow.  Quite the "mixed bag" of weather it has been today.  I just hope the roads do not "freeze" causing me to worry about my "Crabby Cabbie" being out there this night.

I had a call early morning from my Niece, Joanne, would I be around today.  Finally we had a day working out for both of us that she was able to come for a visit.  

"Ha ! it even felt a bit like Christmas as we had both made something for each other.  I had given Joanne a Snowman Jar with a layered "Cowgirl" cookie mix in it, while she had given me a Snowman she had made from a Hot Chocolate can with a scarf inside she had crocheted for me.  Is it not beautiful? it is a new to her stitch she had tried.  I LOVE it !!! "

Joanne has been taking a full time course through the Canadian Red Cross for a Personal Support Worker.  She had brought along a couple of items of interest with her.

"The Planning Guide, she had been advised by the Chesley Funeral Home Director, can be picked up from any local Funeral Home.  It is a booklet where you can complete all areas of details for direction for easy referral at a later time for a relative.  The next book, A Caregiver's Guide for End of Life Care, is a book for those who are giving Care to a family member, or another person.  Both items I thought to be something we could all use at one time or another in our lives."

I will be picking up a Planning Guide to complete for our family members, in the event something should happen to Rob or myself..  The Director had also suggested these plans should be updated every few years.  Good idea.

"Thanks to Joanne the remainder of all the VON Piggy Pennies the "Crabby Cabbie" had collected, where rolled.  A HUGE thank you to both Nathan and Joanne for volunteering their time to doing this for us and Grey-Bruce VON."

I pretty much got off the hook for lunch, as Joanne brought along Homemade Minestrone Soup for the both of us, while I only had to heat it and make us each a Grilled Cheese Sandwich to go along with it.

"I really enjoyed this soup... as it is a full-bodied "hearty" soup.  A soup that can be made either on the Stove-Top or in a Slow Cooker."

~ This has been "linked" to  http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com ~

Recipe please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.

Joanne had just nicely left, when another vehicle pulled into my driveway.  This vehicle contained a couple, along with their six year old daughter, ,who had come to see what my "Checkerboard Aussies" Bandit and Lexus were all about.  After doing some research, they are checking out the possibility and all the "pros and cons" of owning an Australian Shepherd.  This is the type of person I like to see, ones who do their "homework" before running out to buy that "cute" little puppy that in reality can be a possible 15 year commitment!

"How could someone not want to commit themselves to something as beautiful as this ..."

~ "Checkerboard Aussie" Lexus November 2012 ~

Needless to say, the bathroom closest I had removed everything from yesterday, had no progress made  to it today.  However I did manage to get my bed stripped down with the bedding all washed and the bed remade up all fresh.  Not all was lost; besides I had myself some really excellent company come my way this day.

Today I had also found an email from a friend in my Gmail INBOX.  I was in total "awe" to find out he had been down in Toronto at the Annual Boat Show, and even more surprised to find out Wiarton had yet another Celebrity other then Wiarton Willie ....

"Stu Paterson, who won the 2012 Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular with his catch of a 15.21 lb (6.90 KG) Rainbow Trout !!!  was "Bill Boarded" at the annual Toronto Boat Show !!!  Way to go Stu by making it to Billboard Stardom and and putting Wiarton on the MAP for us, all at the same time !"

Do you like fishing? would you like to qualify yourself to be possible "billboard" material such as my friend, Stu Paterson? then *click* right HERE to find yourself more all about it.

In keeping with good manners, I would love to welcome my newest followers who have chosen to join me here for my daily journey and sometimes occasional opinion or the odd rant and rave.  Welcome Country Gal, Jane & Chris, Buttons Thoughts and William Kendall, so happy to have you all here.

Phew ! that was certainly another full day.  I think it will be another early night for this gal much sooner then later, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".