signing off

Hello to those of you who are still here. I want to begin by saying that I so appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to visit my little corner of the world and read about my life. Usually, that either centres around my children, latest house renovation, recipe, and sometimes, my work.

Blogging is a dying art form. To call yourself a blogger these days is probably very rare; certainly not like it was six or seven years ago. I think almost everyone (and their pets) had a blog in 2015. Blogging back then was very community-orientated. The likes and the comments were abundant, the DIYs and OOTDs were in high gear, and everyone was logging onto the internet to read the latest posts from their favourite bloggers. I know that I certainly was.

As everything popular eventually fades, blogging is one such instance. Now it seems like almost no one reads a blog post unless it is linked through an Instagram story from a popular Influencer. Years ago, one of my posts would easily have over 30 likes and 12 comments. Now, I am lucky to get maybe five likes and any comments. Has my content changed? Not at all, but the world certainly has.

That is not to say that I am blogging for the likes and the comments. I have always regarded my blog more as a diary of my life. This is something that I have done since I was a young child. Only, rather than writing my day down with pen and paper, these days I did so by logging onto my computer and sharing it with a much bigger audience. I genuinely loved putting my life out there, for when the day comes when I am no longer here, my children (if they are still able) can read about me in the early stages of marriage, to home building, to having Remy, then Wilder, then Beau, and more. They can get a sense of who I was and how much I loved them. What started out selfishly became a love letter to my children and a showcase of the early years of their precious lives. That is what blogging was for me.

Now, I am just finding that I no longer have the passion that I once did. The drive that pushed me to start this blog in the summer of 2013; almost 10 years ago. I feel like I grew up on here, had my children, and now that we are probably done with that stage of life, it’s time for me to move on from here as well. I am crying as I write this, but I feel ready. Incredibly sad, but so ready.

So, dear friends and family, I truly thank you from the depths of my soul for tuning in as long as you did. I wrote for me, but I also wrote for you. Maybe you will see me here again, but if not, please take care of yourselves and live your lives to the fullest. It truly goes by quickly.

Have a wonderful New Year! All my best,

Emory

merry christmas

Hello! I wanted to wish everyone the happiest of holidays!

I’m so grateful that the threat of lockdowns and overreach of government is a thing of the past and that we are able to celebrate the holidays the way we want and deserve to.

However you find yourselves this year, I hope that you have peace and happiness. 

Merry Christmas!!!

Emory

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recipe: perfected egg and dairy-free fluffy bagels

I made a recipe for bagels a few years ago that I have since made dozens of times since. I have changed the recipe enough that I felt like it warranted a new post. They are so big and fluffy and my own family actually request that I make them more often than I make bread and buns. Try them (again) for yourself!

Perfected Egg and Dairy-Free Fluffy Bagels

(Makes 1 dozen)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 tbsp active dry yeast

2 cups warm water

1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil, plus more to grease

1/2 tsp salt

6 cups all-purpose flour

Steps:

1. Add the sugar, yeast, and warm water to a large bowl. Mix well, then cover with a tea towel for 15 minutes or until the yeast has bubbled.

2. Remove towel. Next add the oil, salt, and flour. Make sure to stir between each cup of flour. When the dough is no longer sticky, transfer to a floured surface. Knead for another 5 minutes until smoothed out. Form into a large ball and place in a new, large, oil-greased bowl. Cover with a tea towel. Put in oven with the light on for 1 hour to let rise.

3. After dough has risen, remove it from oven and punch it down. Then transfer again to a smooth surface. Separate into 12 balls. Poke your thumb through each ball and form into the shape of a bagel. Place onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. You may need two. Cover with a tea towel and let rise for 30 more minutes.

4. Meanwhile preheat oven to 375°F. Bake for 30 minutes or until a deep golden brown. Remove and brush with butter or margarine (regular or dairy-free). Let cool down before slicing into them. Enjoy!

Note: You may choose to add something to the top of the bagels, such as poppy seed. If so, do so right before placing them in the oven. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Emory

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recipe: apple & blue cheese bread pudding

This is a modified recipe from an old Kinfolk Magazine article that I rediscovered recently. It was geared toward single servings- not for large families but more so just for the reader to indulge in. Below is what was written:

“Depending on your level of carb-indulgence, it can be difficult to polish off a whole loaf of bread solo before it gets stale. This recipe offers a clever way to use those chewy end bits before they go bad, fusing them with something you’re meant to let grow pungent.” -Kinfolk, v. 11, p. 35

The main difference is that I removed the eggs and honey from the original recipe, added some vanilla, and changed the measurements. It turned out so lovely- especially if you are a lover of sweet and salty.

Apple & Blue Cheese Bread Pudding

(1 serving)

Ingredients:

1 tbsp butter
1 cup bread, torn into pieces
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Pinch of salt
1 apple, peeled and diced
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp blue cheese, crumbled

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat an oven-safe ramekin with butter.

2. Add the bread, milk, sugar, salt, apples, vanilla, and blue cheese to a bowl. Gently mix until everything is coated. Then pour into the ramekin. Place in oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove and serve warm.

Emory

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this is how to reinvigorate the walls of your home

The interior walls of our homes are important things. They divide up our space, help keep us warm, and contribute significantly to the aesthetic of a room. However, it’s all too easy for them to get tired without us noticing, something that can bring the whole feel and look of space down. The good news is there are plenty of simple ways you can reinvigorate the walls of your home, read on to find out what they are.

Repair any damage

The first task you will need to complete to reinvigorate the walls in your home is to make any repairs that are necessary. Small ones such as holes where nails to hang pictures have been made can be covered easily with spackle. However, larger dents and dings in the drywall may require some professional help.

Fortunately, by choosing to work with experts like The Patch Boys you can ensure that repairs are done quickly, to a high standard, and with the minimum of disruption to family life. The latter is super important if you have busy kids and you don’t want to interrupt their routines for too long!

A simple coat of paint

When it comes to revamping the walls of your home, one of the most simple and affordable options is a fresh coat of paint. Not only does painting give your walls a clean and polished look, but it can also help hide any small scratches or imperfections that may be present. Additionally, there are many different colors and finishes to choose from, allowing you to easily find the perfect style and look for your home.

Whether you’re looking to brighten up a darker room or add some classic elegance to your space, a simple coat of paint is a great way to give your walls a fresh and modern makeover. So if you’re ready to transform your home from drab to fab, consider adding a coat of paint to your walls to bring new life and energy into your space.

New wallpaper

New wallpaper can be a great way to reinvigorate the walls of your home. Whether you are looking for a bold statement or a subtle change, there are many different styles and designs to choose from. Some popular options include geometric patterns, textured finishes, and abstract designs.

We recently found this amazing pattern for our living room. We’ve used it on one wall to act as an accent and it’s been super effective.

Cladding

Cladding is a popular technique used to add rustic character and aesthetic appeal to the walls of your home. There are many different types of cladding materials available, including wood, stone, metal, and even plastic or cement. Whether you choose natural materials for a rustic look or synthetic options for a more contemporary feel, cladding can dramatically transform the look and feel of your home’s walls.

One of the most popular forms of cladding is using wooden planks to create a shiplap effect.  This rustic style is often used in log homes and cabins but can be incorporated into any type of home to add a cozy and welcoming feel. It’s also easy to do yourself as you can see from the example in the video below.

** This was a contributed post.

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  • Hello! My name is Emory. I am a wife, mother of four (three on earth in heaven). This is our life on the Canadian prairies.
    email: helloscarlettblog@outlook.com

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