My art journal

I love art journals. I have always loved looking at other's, while flipping through pages of creativity. So, of course, I had to make my own! This was my first ever art journal, and I enjoyed every minute I spent creating and letting my thoughts run wild across paper. I hope it can give you some inspiration. :)

Do you art journal? If so, I would love to see!

Much love, Vivi

Classic peanut butter cookies

Ever since I was a little girl, I've grown up on lunches of peanut butter sandwiches, breakfasts of peanut butter toast, and for dinner, spicy peanut curries. So of course, peanut butter cookies were a regular in our house as well! These cookies melt in your mouth and have just the right amount of crunch. Instead of chopped peanuts I used almonds, and they tasted divine.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup (105 grams) light brown sugar

1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated white sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup (185 grams) peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)

2 cups (260 grams) all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped peanuts or 1/2 cup of any chopped nut (optional, but recommended!)

....

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy (about 2 - 3 minutes). Beat in the peanut butter. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat to combine. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the peanut butter mixture and beat until incorporated. Fold in the chopped peanuts, if using. (If the batter is too soft to form into balls, place in the refrigerator for about an hour or until firm.)

3.Roll the batter into 1 inch (2.5 cm) balls. Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheet, placing about 2 inches (5 cm) apart. Then, using the tines of the fork that has been dipped in white granulated sugar, make a crisscross pattern.

4. Bake the cookies for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly browned around the edges. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Can be stored at room temperature, in an airtight container, for about a week. The recipe says it makes about 40 cookies, but I only made 30 because I like my cookies big. :)

Enjoy with a cup of tea! I had mine with iced chai... :)  

Much love, Vivi

Crisp & Canvas



Bright shorts, canvas shoes, and crisp white tops are my go to pieces for this summer. I love the summery feel to these shorts and how they can make any outfit pop! Thankfully I had thrown on a cardigan, because one minute after I took these photos rain poured down in buckets. There's Canadian weather for you... :)

shorts: suzy shier shoes: soda top: bluenotes cardigan: butter clothing  necklace: handmade

Much love, Vivi

Asparagus tarts

When I saw this recipe on Joy the Baker's blog, my heart skipped a beat. Simple, delicious, and incredibly easy to make. Instead of using gruyere cheese, I used cheddar and it turned out amazing! Recently I've been in love with all things asparagus. Why?
1. they remind me of veggie tales
2. they look like vegetable warriors

Not to mention they have incredible health benefits and taste amazing!
Have fun making (and quickly devouring) these mouth-watering tarts. I ate one in under a minute. Impressive, I know.

Happy Baking!

Much love, Vivi

These days

These days are busy.
These days are spent studying away in my room, exams on my mind, cat on my lap.
These days are bright. Sun leaking in through windows every so often.
These days are rainy days, every drop replenishing blooming flowers.
These days are spent baking, trying to bake, and realising mom's make far better muffins.
These days are full of thankfulness. A year is almost over, a fresh season starts so soon.
These days are tea drinking days. Green tea drinking days.
These days are reading days. Reading for evenings, wrapping myself up in words, pages.
These days are full of moments, where I realise, that these things, are what matter.

Much love, Vivi

Tea crazy

Over the years, I've tried and tasted many teas. From spicy chai to classic breakfast, tea has always been a favourite of mine. A steaming cup of tea can lift your spirits and make any activity more enjoyable. Many long homework marathons have been accompanied by one of these teas. :) I sifted through our tea cupboard and pulled out my very favourites to share with you!

1. Lemon ginger tea from Stash is my go to drink whenever I'm sick. Just drinking it makes me feel healthy! :)
2. Coconut chai tea from Zhena's gypsy teas is my all time favourite tea. Words can't even express, friends. This tea has just the right amount of spice and sweetness. It tastes wonderful with just hot water, and a little creamier with a splash of milk.
3. Mighty Leaf teas are amazing teas. You can actually see chunks of fruit and herb leaves in their woven tea bags. I'd drink these everyday. Well, I kinda do.
4. Tetley warmth tea is exactly that, warm. It has a strong cinnamon liquorice taste which just can't be beat.
5. Lipton's orange blossom hibiscus infusion is a sweet and citrusy tea full of flavour. I love the pyramid tea bags and just like the Mighty leaf teas, you can see all of the details of what's inside your tea bag.

What are some of your favourite teas? I would love to try them. :)

Much love, Vivi

The beauty of it all

It seems that whenever I embark on a "casual evening stroll" it quickly turns into a photo session, with eyes scouring out for great photo opps, bending to find the perfect angle, and falling far behind my walking buddies. I really can't help myself. Surrounded by nature, my first inclination is to go camera crazy and snap away at every bit of beauty that I can see. Whether it be a soft streak of white in the sky, or so called "weeds" sprouting up in a ditch When captured in a photo, all can be beautiful. I may sound all emotional talking about nature's beauty, but gosh, even a fire hydrant is beautiful!


Much love, Vivi