Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Perfection
Over the past few weeks, I've been pondering the paradox that isolation is.
On the one hand, we are physically separated from our families, friends and usual activities and those who live alone must be hugely affected. It is so hard for some of us.
On the other hand, if we are lucky enough to be connected to the rest of the world via the internet, we have been able to connect through Facetime, Skype and Zoom, learning new communication skills that can change our small worlds.
We have been invited into homes of musicians, entertainers, chefs, gardeners and others in a way that is new and strangely comforting. Even churches are conducting worship from the living rooms and music rooms of congregants, a really intimate way to connect in a time of great dis-connection.
Performances and masterclasses from kitchens, family rooms and gardens. A few of the groups I've enjoyed on YouTube or Instagram TV:
This list doesn't even include the hikers, authors, book bloggers and photographers I keep up with, unbeknownst to them. 😉 They enrich my small life. Keep in mind that I do not watch TV or movies - but these occupy a great deal of time and it may be hard to turn it all off if/when I eventually get busier.
Today, though, I want to share this exquisite piece of music recorded by Voces8. Recorded pre-pandemic, it's one of many tracks that the group has released from their recent album to help get us all through this trying time. The oboist here has that incredible and noteworthy ability of circular breathing.
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, J.S. Bach, one of the most perfect pieces ever composed and performed here with perfection. No paradox involved!
On the one hand, we are physically separated from our families, friends and usual activities and those who live alone must be hugely affected. It is so hard for some of us.
On the other hand, if we are lucky enough to be connected to the rest of the world via the internet, we have been able to connect through Facetime, Skype and Zoom, learning new communication skills that can change our small worlds.
We have been invited into homes of musicians, entertainers, chefs, gardeners and others in a way that is new and strangely comforting. Even churches are conducting worship from the living rooms and music rooms of congregants, a really intimate way to connect in a time of great dis-connection.
Performances and masterclasses from kitchens, family rooms and gardens. A few of the groups I've enjoyed on YouTube or Instagram TV:
- Musicians of the Toronto Symphony, performing from home
- The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, interactive videos
- The Zolla Boys, young Bluegrass musicians
- Mary Chapin Carpenter, Songs from Home on YouTube
- Voces8, tracks, masterclasses, interviews
- Martin Philip, head baker at King Arthur Flour
- Zoë François, baker extraordinaire and awesome Instagrammer
- Laura Boutillier of Garden Answer, in Ontario, Oregon (!it's true! - located on the eastern side of the state near the Idaho border) is a daily joy.
- Amy at Falconry and Me on YouTube is a new discovery. A bird-lover and conservationist, she just recently showed owlets hatching live on her channel.
- Emma Massingale on YouTube is a professional horse trainer, and a specialist in liberty training does amazing and creative things with her many horses and ponies. She recently bought a wading pool for her ponies and it's so much fun watching them discover it.
This list doesn't even include the hikers, authors, book bloggers and photographers I keep up with, unbeknownst to them. 😉 They enrich my small life. Keep in mind that I do not watch TV or movies - but these occupy a great deal of time and it may be hard to turn it all off if/when I eventually get busier.
Today, though, I want to share this exquisite piece of music recorded by Voces8. Recorded pre-pandemic, it's one of many tracks that the group has released from their recent album to help get us all through this trying time. The oboist here has that incredible and noteworthy ability of circular breathing.
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, J.S. Bach, one of the most perfect pieces ever composed and performed here with perfection. No paradox involved!
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Important Information About Chocolate Chip Cookies
Many of us, at least those of us who, pre-Covid-19, already had flour in the pantry or who managed to score some at the grocery store, have been baking more often. Guilty!
One of the historical favourites in our family? Chocolate chip cookies. Yours too?
Recently the DoubleTree Hotel chain in a fit of generosity released the recipe for their famous Chocolate Chip Cookies, baked daily and offered to incoming guests. Are they really better than our old recipe? Must find out!
At our house, we load on the chocolate but omit the walnuts.
Note that the baker weighs his ingredients - this might be a secret tip 😉😜 Although the provided recipe doesn't supply weight, I started to add them below but ran into trouble, realizing that American, Canadian and European conversions are all quite different so decided to let you do it yourself if you want.
Double Tree Signature Cookie Recipe
Makes 26 Cookies
1/2 pound butter, softened (2 sticks)
3/4 cup + 1 tbsp granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
Pinch cinnamon
2 2/3 cups Nestle Tollhouse semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 3/4 cups chopped walnuts
Cream butter, sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes.
Add eggs, vanilla and lemon juice, blending with mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, then medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy, scraping down bowl.
With mixer on low speed, add flour, oats, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, blending for about 45 seconds. Don't overmix.
Remove bowl from mixer and stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.
Portion dough with a scoop (about 3 tablespoons) onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper about 2 inches apart.
Preheat oven to 300F. Bake for 20 to 23 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and centre is still soft.
Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet for about 1 hour.
Cook's note: You can freeze the unbaked cookies, and there's no need to thaw. Preheat oven to 300F and place frozen cookies on parchment paper-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake until edges are golden brown and centre is still soft.
One of the historical favourites in our family? Chocolate chip cookies. Yours too?
Recently the DoubleTree Hotel chain in a fit of generosity released the recipe for their famous Chocolate Chip Cookies, baked daily and offered to incoming guests. Are they really better than our old recipe? Must find out!
At our house, we load on the chocolate but omit the walnuts.
Note that the baker weighs his ingredients - this might be a secret tip 😉😜 Although the provided recipe doesn't supply weight, I started to add them below but ran into trouble, realizing that American, Canadian and European conversions are all quite different so decided to let you do it yourself if you want.
Double Tree Signature Cookie Recipe
Makes 26 Cookies
1/2 pound butter, softened (2 sticks)
3/4 cup + 1 tbsp granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
Pinch cinnamon
2 2/3 cups Nestle Tollhouse semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 3/4 cups chopped walnuts
Cream butter, sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes.
Add eggs, vanilla and lemon juice, blending with mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, then medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy, scraping down bowl.
With mixer on low speed, add flour, oats, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, blending for about 45 seconds. Don't overmix.
Remove bowl from mixer and stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.
Portion dough with a scoop (about 3 tablespoons) onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper about 2 inches apart.
Preheat oven to 300F. Bake for 20 to 23 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and centre is still soft.
Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet for about 1 hour.
Cook's note: You can freeze the unbaked cookies, and there's no need to thaw. Preheat oven to 300F and place frozen cookies on parchment paper-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake until edges are golden brown and centre is still soft.
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
The Wintergatan Marble Machine
Wintergatan is a Swedish band whose members specialize in unusual instruments. The Marble Machine is one of them.
Interested to know more? Check out the band's Wikipedia entry
Interested to know more? Check out the band's Wikipedia entry
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