Seth on Survival

Howdy folks!

I hope you're all having a good week. I'm pretty pumped that this week is coming to a close because then I get to hangout with mah boyfraaan.  We haven't seen each other in a couple weeks, so this is exciting, people!!

Ephraim is kind of the topic of today's post.  I may not have mentioned this in so many words, but the boy keep himself busy being an actor for film and TV (if you think he looks familiar and you're between the ages of 14 and 25, yes, he was on Degrassi and yes, he did shoot Drake). 

A couple years ago he played the lead in a web series called Seth on Survival.  The show is about a monster expert (Seth), creating his own web site and video series in his mothers basement, in an attempt to keep the masses safe from attacks by supernatural predators (mostly zombies).  And while I probably should have shared this before Hallowe'en, I think the show is hilarious and can be enjoyed anytime.  Here's the first episode, take a look!

You can check out all the episodes on Youtube, or the Seth on Survival Website, here.

Honestly, Seth is my favourite character that Ephraim has portrayed (yes, more so than the character he was portraying when we met.  That dude was a weirdo!), and it's great that this level of horror and sci-fi is totally appropriate for kids.  The creators of Seth on Survival, Torin Stefanson and Teri Armitage, created another series called My Lupine Life, which takes place in the same universe as Seth.  In fact, Seth makes a guest appearance in one of the episodes! But even greater, is that Seth's part in My Lupine Life, was written by Ephraim.  The writing team (Torin, Teri and Ephraim) won an award at LA WebFest for writing in a horror/sci-fi series. AMAZING.

Examining the contents of the zombie's stomach.  It appears he recently ate Paris Hilton.

The creative team is always working, sending out tweets in character, maintaining the websites, and working at generating more content.  Actually once "Seth" tweeted me, it was very surreal.  So if you liked what you saw, please share it around.  It would be great for this independently produced series to get the recognition it deserves! Plus, you know, I'm awfully proud of Ephraim, and I wanted to share!

--Erin

Month in an Apron: a restaurantless november

Starting work on a new season and talks about big future dreams had me taking a good look at my finances recently.  I don't have very many expenses and thus still put money away in the bank each month, but I could see places where I was really throwing the money away. And while it's nice to be able to afford nice things, it isn't even really nice things that I'm spending it on.  A shift in priorities is what I needed.

I've been reading Denise's blog Ispasio recently, and I suppose it has got me in the personal budget mindspace.  Denise shares her journey as a young adult navigating financial independence, while sharing useful tips on how to effectively create a budget plan you can live by.  I haven't gone so far as to make myself a strict plan yet, but I have decided to challenge myself to go a month without spending money on my biggest frivolous "expense": going out for meals.

I know, it should be basic, and shame on me for not cooking myself 3 meals a day, and all that.  Since moving out here a year ago, I have been cooking for one person (weekends excluded), and I kind of hate it.  I am used to cooking for two people, and sharing the task and managing leftovers and all that.  Now it's just me and it drives me crazy and too often I neglect to pack a lunch and I end up eating at the cafeteria at work.  Weekends are tough because Ephraim and I like to go out, and especially venture for anything you could call "ethnic cuisine", because we don't have anything like that where I live now.  But hey, for this month, I pledge to try to learn how to make those things myself.  

I'm also sticking my grocery receipts to my fridge for the month, so I can clearly see how much it costs to feed me for a month, and how much money I was throwing away on mere convenience.  I hope to learn some new recipes, look more critically at the ways I spend my money, and maintain a healthier diet than the crappy vegetarian offerings of the restaurants of Niagara-on-the-Lake can offer.  And after November, keep on to what I've learned while still letting myself occasionally enjoy those things better cooked by the pros.

--Erin

The Old Barn: peeling paint, rusty nails, aging wood

This is the barn we took photos at a couple weeks ago for these shots.  I just loved the peeling paint, and the green tinge to some of the wood.  

I often pass by this abandoned house and the barn on my way to and from work. I walk home a few different routes, but I always pass this house when I walk home from getting groceries.  I did so on Hallowe'en day, and the boarded up front door, beneath the "NO TRESPASSING" sign, the plywood covering the door had been ripped open a bit.  Like a 2' square hole.  Creepy.  

I walked past yesterday after work, and the door had been boarded up again.  Still, I don't know how close to this barn I want to get.  But yet, it really makes such a beautiful backdrop... I'll just have to keep an ear out for groaning and shuffle and general zombie activity.  The apocalypse WOULD start here.  During the war of 1812 festivities (THE THREE YEARS OF FESTIVITIES don't get me started) zombies with muskets, that's all I'm sayin'.

Often times when Ephraim is taking photos of me, I'll have him stand in and I'll futz with my camera settings till I'm happy.  I also like to just take pictures of him while we're standing around and talking.  It's very annoying of me, I know, but he does make a good model.  I don't remember why he posed like this, but it's funnier not to know.

I promised that he does get me back on occasion, and his iPhone is proof of this.  I don't have his iPhone, but I do have this photo from Quebec.  For your pleasure, the face of revenge. My automatic reaction to a camera is fear.  Personal growth, people.  Funny story, I once did an on tape audition to be a Much Music VJ. Why? I wasn't doing anything else that afternoon.  No call back.  I wonder why.

Anyhow, back to Quebec. I was, in fact, reading  a menu and remarking on how you could get a lobster burger (yeah.), and then BAM, camera in my face.  And that, is funnier to know.

Ephraim said I looked like a spy on the run.  Um... no.  Not seeing it.  But fair is fair. 

And now I'm thoroughly reminded how gloomy it has been, and how it gets dark out before I leave work now, and how I can't wait to have light to take photos again.  Looks like I'm going to be having very snap happy weekends!

--Erin

Rainy Days are for Baking: Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

We've had our fair share of rain in these parts lately.  To combat the gloom I whipped up a batch of these cookies.  t certainly did the trick, and I happened to already have all the ingredients in the house.  Hooray!

Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies (Originally from Delish)

1 1/2 cups pecans
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup + 1 Tbsp all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange nuts in single layer on baking sheet and toast in oven 5-7    minutes, until golden brown and aromatic. Cool the nuts and then coarsely chop.

2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. 

3. Cream butter & sugars on medium speed about 1 minute, until fluffy. 

4. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat on medium speed for 1 minute. 

5.Add flour, baking soda and salt. Mix on medium-low speed until incorporated. 

6. Add in nuts and chocolate chips and mix well.

7. Drop dough onto prepared baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes, until cookies are medium-brown around the edges.

I have been making an effort to cook more, and thus have decided that for the month of November, I will not be going out to restaurants (with the possible exception of my Grandfather's birthday dinner in a couple weeks).  I hope this pushes me to learn a few new recipes, and carry over the good (money saving!) habits into the coming months.  And forever.  I hope. What this means concerning this blog, is that I will be posting more recipes this month (and hopefully in general in the future!) for you to make at home and enjoy.

Or just look at the pictures.
No judgment.

Happy baking!

--Erin

22 Questions: "The Liebster Award"

Thank you to Julie, of CroChez Julie for nominating me.

"The Liebster Award is passed on from new blogger to new blogger, as a way to say hey, I like what you’re doing! The way it works, is that the award recipient is supposed to respond with 11 random facts about themselves, then answer the 11 questions that the award-giver put on their blog, and finally, ask a new set of 11 questions for the 11 new recipients of your choosing to answer! So, basically it’s a really awesome way for new bloggers (which is defined as someone with fewer than 200 followers) to network with each other, and also for each individual blogger to tell their readers about more about them"

 11 Facts about me:

1. I broke my right hand last year and now my pinkie and ring finger are slightly closer together.  I often have to raise my pinkie like I'm drinking tea.

2. I like little furniture that looks like big furniture.  Not just in the model making sense, but usable pieces.  For example that Jewelry box I did a makeover on looks like a big cabinet.  I also have a cabinet with shelves that looks like it should be a full wardrobe but it's only 3' high.  I don't know why I have amassed these things, I guess they're cute?

3. Every day after work I eat a bowl full of raw veggies.  Specifically, carrots, broccoli and sugar snap peas.  As a result I am very sensitive about the quality of these vegetables at the only supermarket in town.  Don't mess with my after work snack! 

4. On that note, I'm a vegetarian who doesn't really care for salad.  Not really big on salad dressing other than the one my Bubbie makes or anchovie-less Caesar, but generally I just like a bowl of vegetables.  Lettuce is clumsy. 

5. I regularly drive to the United States for peanut butter alone (JIF extra crunchy.  The best).  I inevitably spend too much money on clothes. We start with Target and it's downhill from there. 

6. I only started wearing glasses last September, but in that time I have purchased five pairs of cateye glasses, two of which are sunglasses.  One pair has not yet got prescription lenses.  I do not think there is anything wrong with this. 

7. The only piercing I have ever had is my nose.  I never pierced my ears.  My mother still thinks it might happen.  Probably not.

8. During my last move, I had an entire box (liquor store sized) full of scarves.  I also did the majority of that move with a broken right hand in a cast.  You can tell which boxes were packed before and after, haha

9. I own far too many pairs of Converse Chuck Taylors, many pairs of which are custom painted.  I haven't made myself a new pair in far too long!

10. I am naturally strawberry blonde, and I henna my hair.
11. I would eat breakfast for my 3 meals a day if it were at all socially acceptable. I love having french toast for dinner! 

11 Questions from Julie

1. What made you want to start blogging? I started blogging after moving away from my friends and family, and feeling like I wasn't using all the free time that entails in a creative productive manner often enough.  i was just starting to get more into photography and wanted to push that further as well.
2. Do you like to read? If so, who is your favorite author and why? If you don’t like to read, why is that? I do like to read, though I've not been doing so well at it recently! My favourite author is Haruki Murakami.  The dualities in his stories and common themes and images across his books show a real thoughtfulness in the way he writes.  He writes mysteries I care to get to the bottom of.
3. What’s something you regret, and how would you change it if you could? I regret not taking formal art classes.  I'm basically self taught and I wish I had learned the lessons I did in university and high school earlier, I know I'd be so much better now if I had.  If I had to live it over again I would have just bought myself some art classes!
4. What are you looking forward to the most during the month of November? Honestly, settling back into things at work.  The pacing of design work is tough.  Everyone leaves and the season ends, and we're busy getting next season designed.  It's a ghost town and we're busy!!
5. What’s your sign, and do you believe in horoscopes? I'm a Taurus, and no.  But I am pretty good with money. But I will not entertain the idea that I am stubborn.
6. What are your three most favorite things to do? one is cook and then eat with Ephraim (breakfast is best, but generally it's a thing I like), the second is listen to music.  Which we do while cooking.  Oh hey that's what I'm looking forward to new month, not going out for meals and cooking everything at home! Uhm, third would be creating. I like building, sewing, drawing, painting, whatever.
7. What is your best childhood memory? Watching my older step brother fishing at the end of our dock when I was little (not sure what year this was...), and rain coming across the lake and he just turns to me and says "run." and I bolt up the lawn to the cottage and get in the door JUST as the sheet of water hits.  That was great.
8. If you could have any super power, what would it be, and why? (yep. I totally just went for a classic.) Teleportation. Because I want to keep my job but also not live in a place that isn't Toronto.
9. What’s your favorite Crayola crayon name? I don't think I actually know any.  I just organized mine like a rainbow. 
10. If you could be extremely good at any one thing, what would it be? Learning, hah. 
11. What’s your life dream? Win an Oscar for costume design, a couple hilarious and incredibly obedient ginger children, bitchin' home studio for the art making. Somewhere in this I manage to finally afford a vehicle.  Right now my life dream is having a car.

And now the 11 questions I ask of ALL of you:

1. If any character from a novel could be your best friend, who would you want it to be and why?
2. What actor plays you in the Lifetime movie about your life?
3. Do you have a former favourite outfit that you're now embarrassed of? What was it, and why does it make you just ask "why??"
4. What is your favourite thing to eat for dinner? Do you make it yourself or is there a restaurant you prefer to order it?
5. Are you a morning person?
6. It's your birthday.  What's for dessert? 
7. What was always on your holiday wish list as a kid?
8. What childhood (or adolescent) dreams have you fulfilled? 
9. Pancakes or Waffles?
10. What are 3 blogs you read everyday?
11. do you collect anything?

Well there you have it.  I'd like to extend an formal invitation to you all to answer the questions and pass it on! I am pretty sure I'm the last person in the blogosphere to get one, and hey, I'd like to learn about all of you!  Leave a comment with your link so everyone can read it :)

--Erin