Oh Canada, you are so cold.  When I arrived last year I was warned that the Toronto winter had been pretty mild as far as Canadian winters go. And although as far as winter is concerned I haven’t really experienced the “true cold” yet, I can see why Canada the is known as The Great White North. 

When I look out the living room of my condo onto the blanket of white covering the Harbour Front, through the sea of glowing twinkle lights I can see everyone braving the cold and enjoying the ice skating with natural grace like they were born to skate. Lately, I have been besieged with invitations to go ice skating, but alas for me I was graced with two left feet. 

In fact, the very same two left feet that caused me to trip and fall in a pothole on the sidewalk in Montreal last year. Only after three days of pain and a giant elbow, I thought that I should get a doctor, who informed me that I had fractured my elbow and dislocated my arm. Which as a result has made me a little gun shy when it comes to walking on a slippery hard surface balancing my entire body weight over two sharp blades less than 1 cm in diameter. But, I think that its pretty reasonable as most of my experience with Ice is in melted form as Australia has more water then it has ice.

So I’m not sure that the ice and me will be a good fit, but I am determined to get my skates on this season. I would love my little guy to have fun on the ice but unless I can stand on my own skate without falling how can I how can I teach him. Luckily, Daddy was more than happy to oblige.  After 35 minutes on the ice and only covering about 15 meters, we finished our afternoon on the ice and like magic Elliot was able to stand up only with the promise of a hot chocolate. 

My move to Canada has been such a wonderful experience and part of that is due to the wonderful people that I have been fortunate enough to meet. So with that in mind I would like to dedicate and occasional blog post to one of my many talented friends with amazing skills. 

 PART TWO

      ANGELA

This week, I would like to introduce you to Angela, creator of the Little Kitchen Project, mother of two, and the most positive person that I know. Almost 10 Years a go, this brown eyed beauty from Strathroy, Ontario packed her bags and set her sites on Italy. It was in Italy where she began this new chapter of her life began and where her life would never be the same again. Somewhere in northern Italy, she met and married her husband and where she welcomed her first child.

Angela's blog is called Little Kitchen Project, whose caption reads  'Just an ordinary woman trying to live an extraordinary life one recipe at a time'. Her blog chronicles her experiences through food in her daily life and travels. Whether it is Toronto, New York, Italy or one of the many destinations in between, she always finds an opportunity to experience. I thought I would get her to tell you in her own words about her experience of blogging, cooking and travel.

What was it that made want to start you Little Kitchen Project?

After about 20 years of working or studying, I found myself a stay-at-home mother and craving a creative outlet. Someone once told me, fine what you love to do, and make something out of it. I’m not a professional chef, photographer, videographer or writer. But these are my passions, and what better way is there to use this platform to exercise them.

How much did living in italy influnce your love of cooking?

It had a HUGE influence on my love of cooking. When I was a single girl living alone in Toronto, I rarely cooked. I would just put things together. But after living in Italy, a place where life revolves around what and where and with whom people are eating, it just came naturally. And it was the best food I had ever tasted. Simple and good.

Do you cook differently depending on where you are?

I cook differently on a day to day basis, no matter where we are! I’m always flip-flopping between cultural dishes: Italian, Asian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, everything! My husband and I are big foodies and we love tasting all sorts of stuff, so that keeps me constantly studying, learning and experimenting.

Is there a go to dish for when you are in Italy/ New York/Toronto

It isn’t just a stereotype; in Italy we eat a lot of pasta and pizza. Yet somehow, people in general are in fairly good shape! I was amazed! But the key is using good, fresh ingredients. I have to say that the dish I fell in love with most was risotto. I love preparing it, and I love eating it!

In New York and Toronto, we live in such a multicultural society. It really is amazing! So you can find extraordinary food from all cultures and backgrounds. We mix it up.

I was lucky enough to be able to capture Angela at work doing what she does. I met her in the foyer of her building where her pram was loaded up with her then 10 month old, all her mixing elements to create her dish and in their separate containers. Her photography and video equipment and her three year old in tow. I watched and documented her as she meticulously measured, prepared, photographed and filmed the recipe. She is very serious during the filming and at one point I even got into trouble for making the table move during her filming. And rightly so, we were on location and no opportunity for retakes and re-shoots. On this occasion Angela was preparing the patties needed to make for The Perfect Burger to put on her Little Kitchen Project. If you would like to see the recipe or how there burgers turned out check out The Perfect Burger post.

With two children under 4 and constantly travelling, Angela still manages to shoot and edit  and post about her recipes and travels a few times a week. I'm sure like the rest of us she experiences bad days, but you wouldn't know it as she just takes it all in her stride. Without a doubt Angela would have to be one of the most positive people I have ever met. She is so energetic and excited about her life that its contagious, which is great to be around, especially for this slightly pessimistic Australian. 

If you want to see anymore of Angela check out her blog Little Kitchen Project or her instagram.

My move to Canada has been such a wonderful experience and part of that is due to the wonderful people that I have been fortunate enough to meet. So with that in mind I would like to dedicate and occasional blog post to one of my many talented friends with amazing skills. 

 PART ONE

CHIEKO

My dear friend Chieko and her family have called Toronto, Canada home for the last three years. They have seen almost everything in Canada and embraced enjoyed a Canadian existence while they where here. A lot of wonderful things have happened in her life since arriving in Toronto, it is here that she and her husband welcomed the gorgeous baby girl Nagisa. Chieko and her family are soon leaving Canada to return to Japan. Although she has thoroughly enjoyed her Canadian life and is sad to leave her Canadian life and friends behind, she is looking forward to have family close by, especially with a toddler. 

Chieko has spent a lot of time in North America, Studying English in Hawaii. While in Hawaii she also studied the art creating Lei's. A Lei is a traditional floral wreath used in Hawaiian and Polynesian culture as a symbol of friendship and celebration. 

Chieko has talked about her process with me during our many walks along the Toronto Waterfront. She is always aware of what flowers are in season and often searches the flower markets looking for the right kind of flower. Timing is important as the flowers often will wilt when handled too much and she also takes great care in selecting the color pallet always keeping in mind who she is making the crown for and what colors would suit them.

I'm sure that anyone can tell from looking at my website http://www.motherandcub.co that I am a little obsessed with the floral crowns, so of course I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to collaborate together and document the artist herself with her beautiful crowns and the gorgeous daughter Nagisa who likes to blow me a kiss every time I see her. Farewell my beautiful friends, I will miss my kisses xo.

If you would like to see anymore of Chieko work you can see it on instagram @leimaking_toronto  

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This post is dedicated to all those first-time parents to be and parents preparing to welcome another child. Last year my dear friend from my Mother's group was expecting her second child. She was the first of our little group of first-time mothers to venture into new territory of parenthood and become a mother of two. I thought that she was so brave, if it were me, I would have been in a panic and a constant state of anxiety anticipating the struggles that were ahead of me, like thinking about all the sleep I would have to go without.

For me the baby fog only really lifted when my son had reached the age of one, that's when I finally felt like I had some idea of what I was doing as a parent and I began to relax into the role. While watching my friend it occurred to me that I never took the time to embrace my own pregnancy, it was just something I got through. It is only now upon reflection, that I wish that I had made the effort to enjoy this temporary phase of my life and embrace all the good with the bad. Now that I realize now how lucky I was to have this experience and if there is a next time I will make the effort to appreciate it.

I noticed that my friend from Mother's group seemed to take everything in her stride and she even made it so look easy. She even had that elusive pregnancy glow that I heard so much about, but never had myself, she was glowing and positive and although I know she was tired she was always positive. Since I have moved to Canada there have been a few more additions to our Mother's group. I do miss these ladies and their beautiful bubs, if I could have I would have loved to have documented all their journey's. However, I was lucky enough that my beautiful glowing friend allowed me capture this special time in her life before I left Australia.

Congratulations to all of you and your new additions.

Miss you

Kate xo

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