In honor of my chocolate diamond ring, here are some unexpected and original uses for chocolate.

1. Root Beer Bundt Cake

   Root Beer has always been my favourite soda flavour, since I was a wee girl, and my parents have the photos to prove my adoration for chocolate cake (everybody has one of those cake-smeared first birthday pictures somewhere, right?). This recipe has me salivating at the very concept of combining the two, and does what the Baked boys do best – capture the joy of childhood in cake form.

2. Chocolate Beer Cupcakes

   Beer. Chocolate.

   Chocolate. Beer.

   Nuff said, am I right?

   Actually, this whole Superbowl menu sounds pretty awesome. I might just find an excuse to have a Superbowl party, even though I can’t stand sports.

3. Chocolate Truffle Tart with Creme Brule

   I am Amelie when it comes to Creme Brule. A meal out just isn’t complete without it – and shame on those fancy chefs out there screwing with the classic and adding all manner of flavoring to overpower it’s simple, sweet, creamy, custardy, caramely glory.

   But this? Placing a classic creme brule on top of a truffle tart? Keeping both flavors distinct, but delightfully paired? I approve. Carry on.

4. Guinness Chocolate Ice Cream

   More beer. More chocolate. This time involving Guinness and ice cream. There is no no. There is only YES!

5. New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookie

   This is the one recipe on this list I have tried and loved – and boy did I love. This recipe has been thoroughly making the rounds on the ol’ blogosphere – and for good reason. It’s a revolutionary way of making and old favourite that just might turn your world a little tipsy turvy. Although one needn’t buy into the hype of using special flour, and fancy chips. Just use whatever you have around, the real important part is to let the dough sit in the fridge for at least 24 hours, and to salt the tops before you pop them in the oven. Then prepare for heaven on earth, inside of your mouth.

The planning.

The *dun dun duh!* wedding planning *que scream.*

No.

Really.

I’ve actually been plotting for months already. And as much as I am NOT one of those girls who’s dreamed about being a princess all my life (I’ll pause here for some light vomiting) at the moment I’m actually excited that I get to talk about my plans with people, and not just quietly simmer on the inside with ideas.

Even though I’m 26 and in this day and age that’s kinda young for marriage (or youngish, anyways) believe it or not, through some strange luck, most of my friends are already married, or at least co-habitating. So I’ve already lived vicariously through a lot of their experiences and know what to avoid (seating charts for one – they sound like a quick way to lose your mind – cocktail style reception it is then!).

Last night, we and the family went out for my sisters birthday (we had southern barbecue, because we take our food seriously as a family) and things on one side of the table (the female one of course) inevitably turned to talks of pouffy dresses and fascinators. It was really fun to just be indulgently girly for once, and dream of the possibilities.

On the way out, after dinner, my mom said that all her friends told her that we would end up not speaking by the end of this, and we both remarked on how crazy that is. We may yet end up eating our words, but my mom pretty much pledged to stay out of my way, as I pledged not to get pushed around or be emotionally blackmailed by anyone about our wedding. I wish every girl (and boy) could get together with her mom and have that conversation. Because it’s not worth it otherwise.

I don’t understand what happens to people when they start planning these things, but with the way many family interactions go while planning a wedding, it’s a wonder more people don’t just elope. I’m sooo thankful my parents are actually aware of that, and want me to have a wedding that is about me and my boy, not them and their family and friends. Frankly, it actually makes me a lot more willing to consult them and their opinions, knowing they’re so supportive of mine.

Every year, I write a Christmas list for my mom. It’s usually long so that she has options, and I still end up surprised on Christmas day (In other words: I don’t expect to receive everything on this list, just a handful of choice selections). I like to have a wide price range, with a few books, some useful things, and a few fun entertaining things just for me. This year, I’ve decided to post it here so you can all see what I’m dreaming of this year.

Maybe next year I’ll go back to illustrating all my choices like I did when I was a kid.

Cookbooks:

• Nigella’s Christmas Cookbook

  I love Nigella, and even more so her Christmas recipes.

• Cook’s Country Cookbook

  As I’ve said before, I love regional, American cooking, and the test kitchen/cooks illustrated/cooks country recipes can’t be beat.

• How To Cook Everything OR How To Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman

  I can’t decide. But my sister has the vegetarian one, so maybe I could get the non vegetarian one and
  we could swap.

Kitchen Gadgets/Pie making supplies:

• Emile Henry Butter Bell
  Hand thown Butter Crock

  A French Butter bell/crock/keeper keeps butter fresh and room temperature so you can use it any time for baking or to spread smoothly on toast. I like them in turquoise, red or chartreuse – Le Creuset also makes a nice one, but it doesn’t have to be a specific brand.

• Emille Henry Pie Dish
  Le Creuset Pie Dish

  2 Pie Pans (again, it doesn’t have to be fancy, I’ve seen nice ones at Canadian Tire, these are just examples – something red would be nice though).

• OXO Good Grips Dough Blender

  I hear the OXO one is great – but any will do.

• OXO Good Grips Pastry Scraper

  Again, this one’s OXO, but it can really be whatever.

Crafty Things (although it’s probably a little late for things from Etsy things to ship now)

• Wildhagen Hats

  These are gorgeous handmade hats made by a local designer, and whenever I see someone wander around wearing one of them my breath is pretty much taken away. They make everyone who wears them look epically stylish and adorable. Fellow Toronto blogger Thimble recently purchased one and raved about how wonderful it is, and reminded me that I might like one someday.

• Savor
  Bunnybuttapothecary

  Delicious food themed soaps, lotions and potions from Bunnybuttapothecary and Savor.

• Boy Girl Party Typewriter Necklace

  I’d like to wear my typewriter love around my neck.

• Vintage Bakelite jewelery
  I’m just saying, if you happen to run across the stuff – even new reproductions at H&M or Forever 21 – I really like it.

Gadgets and Entertainment

• Panasonic Retro Headphones

  I must have freakishly small ear canals, because normal ear buds hurt like the dickens – if I can actually manage to get them to stay in my ears. These are much better, and very stylish and make me fondly remember my dad’s puffy old 70′s hi-fi phones. I like the green with the beige band but the whites’ nice too. I’ve actually seen these at Walmart, so I think they’re available all over now.

• De Blob for the Nintendo Wii

  You run around as an anthropomorphic paint blob literally painting a town red. Sounds like fun.

• Batman the Complete Animated Series

  Liam’s never seen it. He obviously had a deprived childhood.

• Sleeping Beauty Two Disc Platinum Edition

  The most artistically stunning of the Disney Fairy Tales, now with tons of double features, to add to my animation library.

Ok, so I know (because you’ve told me) that some of you are at this point are saying “Hey! Get on with it already!”

And in response to that some of you are probably going “What? What’s she on about?”

That, my friends, is a unique, custom made wedding ring set. It’s a rose gold band with a rose cut chocolate diamond (I know, it sounds like a delicious, extravagant truffle, right?). It was created by the awesome (and, importantly, local) Kate Szabone (the picture is hers by the way).

And it’s all mine.

Yeah, I’m engaged.

(I’ll pause here for the chattering and cheers…)

…So how did this happen?

Well folks, we’ve been together (and living together for) 6 years. Those of you who know us well are, in fact, probably not all that surprised. In fact, you’ve probably been treating us like we were married for the last 5 of those years.

So there was no big surprise proposal. I’m personally not a big fan of them, and neither is Liam. So sorry, there’s no cutesy story there.

Instead, we made a mutual decision to do this. Together. It’s the right time for us, we’re really settled, stable at the moment. While we’re in one place long enough to catch our breaths, we figured it might be a good idea to make this thing official – and throwing a party for all our friends and family seems like a good idea too.

I, personally, think that making a mutual decision is respectful, modern and, actually pretty romantic. We love each other, and we don’t like keeping secrets from each other, and we make all our decisions together. So that’s how we got engaged. We made the decision together.

Actually, that’s how we chose that gorgeous ring up there. We designed it together. It took waaaaaay longer than just popping in to Tiffany’s and grabbing a solitaire. It took 2 months, actually (yeah, we’ve known for at least that long – but we wanted to at least have a ring before we told anyone, and while we don’t like keeping secrets from each other, we kinda like having secrets from the world that we share together).

But have you ever seen a more gorgeous ring? I doubt it. We actually got to sit in front of a pile of coloured diamonds and pick out the exact right one together – how awesome is that? Which means my ring is super unique and rare – and matches my hair, and my eyes and my skin. I’ve actually become kinda a vain bride, and spend a lot of time staring at it. Since I got it from a small, local, artisan jeweler who works with conflict free, ethical diamonds, I don’t feel guilty about appreciating my little bit of bling. I’ve never really had nice jewelery before (certainly nothing gold), but I’m glad I waited for the exact right piece. And for all that, it cost way less than you’d think which means we’ve got plenty left for the important stuff in life (which for the record, I happen to think isn’t jewelery).

What else should you know?

Well, we’re aiming for late September. That’s our dating anniversary, and we thought it would be nice to not have to change it.

We’re staying right here in Toronto, probably right here on the east side, likely right on a nearby streetcar line (and how cute and Torontonian would it be to take the streetcar to our own wedding, right?).

And we want all our friends help. If you have a talent we want to exploit it. That’s going to make things much more special for us, and for you too. That might mean we have a half dozen semi-professional photographers wandering around (man, there are a lot of you who are great photographers), but we greatly prefer that to having some stranger involved in our day, and that goes for pretty much everything. If you’re a great DJ, musician, seamstress, artist, chef, writer or crafter extraordinaire (and I know all of you are so creative and talented) consider yourself conscripted to the cause.

Oh, and yeah I’ll be blogging the whole thing. It’s going to be too much fun not to!

After that earlier pie post, you knew this was coming, right? And you were excited, right?

There’s been some discussion in the blog-o-sphere that macarons might be the new cupcakes. This is wrong headed. Macarons are simply not nostalgic, comfy, heartwarming treats. Macarons are light and indulgent and fancy. Macarons are maybe the new truffles – but pies are totally the new cupcakes.

1. The Kitchn’s Best Pie Bakeoff

   Just like it sounds, a pie bake-off, but internet based. I like the sounds of the prize winner for “Best Looking Pie”: Candy Apple Pie. Yum.

2. The Piehole

   Did you know Olive, Chuck and Ned had their own little recipe site? Well, They do. Or they, er, rather… did. You too can learn how to make cute little tiny cup pies, or bake with cheese. And then you can sob into your home baked slice about our dearly departed (canceled) friends…
   Fingers crossed for a movie or comic book, people.

3. Pie crafts!

   If you’re handy with felt (or a paypal account, as the case may be), my cats would really appreciate one of these Organic Catnip Pies. Cats should not get left out of the fun of pies.

   Or if you’re handy with knitting needles, I would really appreciate one of these Pie Berets. I would look silly, sure, but I would totally wear it if you made it for me.

4. Baked: New Frontiers in Baking

   This cookbook has been getting raves from all the foodie types on the net, and well deserved ones, it seems. They actually have a recipe for a Root Beer Chocolate cake. Yeah, I know, right?

   But… Pies? You say. Of course. How does a Pumpkin whoopie pie sound? Warm and cosy, just like a pie should? Well then, this book has you covered. It’s fresh, but nostalgic, take on flavours and easy to follow recipes will win you over.

   And the pictures are really, really, really pretty. Which doesn’t hurt either.

5. Apple Pie

   No really.

   Apple. Pie.

   Ummmm… You should probably click on that link and see for yourself.

To be fair, this is only Greek in the sense that Frito pie is Mexican – not very. It’s a sort of fifties style ode to Grecian food that includes pretty much every ingredient associated with the cuisine.

I was actually inspired by something my University cafeteria used to serve, back in ancient history when I lived in a dorm. Not much there was edible, but I have fond memories of the days when they served this.

It’s warm, comforting and filling like a retro casserole – but unlike most cafeteria food, it’s low in fat and packed with veggies. So you get all of the fun of a guilty pleasure dish, with none of the actual guilt.

The best part though, is that the orzo cooks right in the casserole, so this is truly a one pot dish – perfect for a weeknight supper – or maybe even a last minute pot luck. Omit the cheese, and it’s even vegan. Or make protein seekers happy by adding some ground lamb sausage (going along with the greek theme) or shredded chicken. It’s super versatile!

I’ve made this twice so far, and I loved it both times. It’s my new favourite go-to meal, actually. So go to it!

Greek Orzo Bake.

• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups fresh spinach (chopped) or 1 cup cooked or frozen (apx 1 package – defrosted, of course)
• 1 1/2 cups orzo (uncooked)
• 1 pepper (red or green – finely chopped)
• 1 red onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cups water or stock
• 1/2 cup black olives (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (finely diced)
• 1 tbsp oil
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta (tossed with 1 tsp olive oil)

1. Combine all ingredients (except for feta and oil) in large, lidded casserole dish, and bake for 20 minutes covered @ 450 f – or until pasta is tender and cooked.
2. Remove cover, stir and return to oven for 10 minutes, or until “sauce” is thick and creamy.
3. Add feta (season with cracked black pepper if desired) and broil for 5 minutes.

(serves 4-6)

1. extra low coffee table

   If I didn’t already have a (chinoiserie) coffee table that I have already DIY’d (painted turquoise), I’d consider Ikea hacking this project – I think it looks like 60′s mod Italian design. It would look pretty cool with my Olivetti Valentine sitting on top of it. I also like how the ‘hackee,’ like the Native Americans, used all parts of the ikea shelves to make it, wasting nothing.

2. pretty up a party with paper

   These are just too pretty, and festive. I’m a sucker for anything involving cut paper – but this little project is a combination of ephemeral and affordable that is just perfect for a party.

3. twig serving platter

   This is a variation on that plates-and-cups-glued-together tea tier craft that we’ve seen – but I think it’s an especially clean, modern and vaguely Scandinavian take on it.

4. revamping a lamp

   The cats knocked over my floor lamp with a drum shade, shattering the plastic on the inside. I freaked out – because drum shades are really hard to find, and expensive when you do (and this one was particularly cute – white canvas with a black branch pattern). Seeing this little tutorial for how to make your own drum shade a day or two later made me sigh with relief.

5. tater stamped kitchen curtain

   These are simple and sweet. Plus it’s cheap as potatoes and easy enough for a small child.