NEW BLOG FORMAT! Happy to receive any and all feedback on the new format for this new monthly blog. It will include recipes, recos and of course, my unavoidable creative business musings.

Lately it seems as though we've been hanging on to the last threads of summer with warmerthanever temperatures. As the weather inevitably turns, the promise of cozy sweaters and warm drinks helps compensate for the chillier days. Throw in stews, soups and those amazing fall views, and it's something we could even look forward to, amiright?!

THE SHOP.

A lot happens in the month of October, a changing of habits, wardrobes, recipies, even home decor. For my creative small business, it's also the start of one of the busiest seasons of the year with a lot of inventory prep, revamping the online shops, and this year, preparing for the One of a Kind Christmas Show!

If you're following along on Instagram, you will know that I'm well into prep for this show. There are new products coming in the next few weeks, some things that I'm super excited about! I'm delving into getting my calligraphy on more than just paper, which is very exciting (yes really). My Etsy shop is up-to-date with new products and services! Here's a glimpse of what's on there right now!

THE HOME.

As I've talked about in many previous posts, I have been embracing the process of creating things from start to finish. There's something so rewarding and wholesome in it. C and I have also been adopting this idea in our home, so I guess it's become sort of a lifestyle choice. We've been questioning, talking about and finding natural, handmade alternatives to products, processes and food. I thought it would be a good idea to share some of these on this blog. There's so much to discover! This month is food: here are two recipes that have become favourites in our home.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

This is a fall favourite, of course, when the gourds are in abundance here. The link above is our favourite recipe; only adjustments include adding in a cinnamon stick instead of ground cinnamon, excluding the heavy cream, and adding in 4 small carrots. To serve, we add in a dollop of yogurt, a couple grinds of pepper, and buttered baguette. Yum!

HOMEMADE YOGURT

We eat a LOT of yogurt in our home! We throw some oatmeal in it with fruit for breakfast or a snack, eat it alongside Indian food or put a dollop in almost all soups! The best part is it takes about 15 minutes to make and all you need is 1/4 cup of store bought yogurt for a litre of milk. We've started using whole milk but 2% works great too! The key process (in North America) is the oven light- keeping the light on (and oven off!) while the yogurt sets creates the very warm, thriving atmosphere required for the yogurt to form. We basically followed the recipe in the link above; for the proportions, we used 1L of milk (1 milk bag in Canada, easy peasy!), and 1/4 cup of commercial yogurt with active cultures.

THE CITY.

It seems a long time ago now, but Nuit Blanche happened on October 1 this year (as it did 5 years ago, when C and I got married. awww) Unlike our wedding, we spend the night this year walking the streets of the city. :) The event was much smaller than previous years because of a sponsorship change, but I really enjoyed it. It's really great to feel the vibrant buzz that lasts throughout the night (it runs from sunset to sunrise, 7pm-7am). Below are a couple of pictures of the night. I love how the art spans so many mediums from performance art to sculptures to movies that surround a particular theme. We ended the night with a movie by the lake on Inuit Knowledge and Climate Change. So so interesting. You can get more info by clicking on the pics!

Literature vs Traffic

Luzinterruptus; During the last few hours of the night, these books of diverse topics can be claimed by anyone who wants to take them, signifying that the installation will recycle itself. In the end, the cars will return to occupy the street again, but for many, the books they bring home and the memory of the transformation will change their relationship with the street.

The Museum of Broken Watches

Trevor Mahovsky and Rhonda Weppler; The wear and tear on the watches marks their passage through the world, with many taking on the aura of keepsakes, evoking missing owners. The world is full of such obsolete things, collecting dust in drawers.

Utopia's Ghost (Fallen Flags)

Arturo Duclos; Explores the concept of a utopian state by examining failed revolutions born of leftist movements, which have attempted to change society by establishing a more equal distribution of wealth and power.

A Public Memorial

José Lerma; The audience will also find several traditional picture frames within which they can pose and create Victorian-style "selfies."

José Lerma's work creates the opportunity for anyone to become an icon. With each snapshot an idiosyncratic memorial to the anonymous individual is created. Temporary perhaps, but imbued with the aesthetics of history.

Inuit Knowledge and Climate Change

Zacharias Kunuk, Dr. Ian Mauro; Their stories are about the past, the present, extinction, survival and the need for a balance between the human presence and nature.

The night sky on our walk home

Since I will be posting a monthly blog from now on, I'll be appearing a little less frequently in your inboxes. But know that I'm always on Instagram, Facebook and really just an email away! Also, if you're a super planner and thinking about your Christmas cards and gifts this early, please get in touch if I can make this year a little extra special with some custom calligraphy on your envelopes!

Hope your fall season is filled with all the things warm and cozy!

Pri