22 December 2009

While I had my pre-, on- and post-Christmas nightcaps...

...Hagia settled, nose-first, for a long winter's nap.

Keep warm.
Share a meal or two.
Make and keep a new friend.
Be kind.

I'll be pottering about, enjoying the loveliness of the season, but will be back in January. Sorry--as much as I'd love to have it done, this month's Daring Baker Challenge shall be like sugar plums: only a vision, dancing in my head...

All the best to you and those you hold close.


cheers!
jasmine

I'm a quill for hire!



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13 December 2009

Menu for Hope 6: Comfort and Restoration



Menu For Hope has reached out help to the world's needy since 2004. What started as a relief effort by
Pim of Chez Pim to help those affected by the devastating South East Asian Boxing Day Tsunami, has grown to an annual fundraiser, raising more than a US$250,000; in recent years the funds have been given towards the United Nations World Food Programme. These six years food and drinks bloggers worldwide have rallied together to provide prizes for the annual online raffle ranging from coffee with Thomas Keller to dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants to neighborhood food tours to boxes of cookies made by food bloggers.

In 2006 I was privileged to serve as the Canadian Prize Coordinator--my fellow Canadian foodbloggers generously provided a slew of amazing prizes. People all over the world responded eagerly, earmarking their ballots for prizes from the Great White North.

This year, when the lovely
Tara of Seven Spoons contacted me to donate a prize, was happy to help in whatever way I could.


My regular readers know that I christened 2009 as the Year of Comfort and Restoration. I've posted about foods that make me feel better--physically and emotionally. From the healing powers of Nanaimo Bars to Steak and Guinness Stew's clockwork appearance on my table every St. Patrick's Day, food is integral to my overall well being. With this in mind, I decided to tie my entry to this theme.

CA11: Comfort and Restoration
This package contains:
-1 new, lidded Paderno 33cm x 23cm/9"x13" non-stick oblong baking pan
- the dry ingredients needed to make one tray of Nick Malgieri's Supernatural Brownies
- 2 50g packets of tea from Distinctly Tea (Evening Fireside and Chocolate Supreme)

We've all had those days when all we want is a cosy little spot to relax and and regain our energies. I think this package would be a welcome treat if you want a little restorative comfort in your life.

The powers of a good brownie are known far and wide. I'll put together the dry ingredients for his chewy brownies along with the pan. all you need to do is add butter, eggs and vanilla (and of course heat). Depending on your day, it can be a single serving or you can cut it into 24 pieces--it's up to you. The full recipe and instructions will be provided.


Many people reach for a good cup of tea after a long day. Evening Fireside featuring notes of chamomile, mint and orange--perfect when you need a little bit of tender loving care. Chocolate Supreme contains real cacao bits, cinnamon, cardamom and a number of other spices and is utterly soothing when your nerves are frayed and your passions are a little too close to the surface. Both are caffeine-free, Rooibos teas.

Shipping: worldwide: There are no restrictions as to who can mark their ballot for this package as I will ship it to anywhere in the world.


You can find the rest of the Canadian prizes on Tara's site. To peruse the global list of prizes, please visit Pim's site.

To buy a ballot, here's what you should do...

1. Go to the donation page at (http://firstgiving.com/menuforhope6) to make a contribution.
2. Each US$10 donation will give you one raffle ticket toward a prize of your choice. Please specify which prize or prizes you'd like by entering the prize code in the 'Personal Message' section in the donation form when confirming your contribution. E.G: A US$50 donation may be two tickets for UW99 and three tickets for CA11.*
3. Some companies will match personal charitable donations made by staff. If your company has such a program, please remember to mark the appropriate box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match.
4. Please also check the box to allow us to see your email address. We need this so we can contact you in case you win a prize. If you do not do this, we will be unable to contact you. Please be assured that we will not share your email address with anyone.
5. Raffle results will be announced on 18 January on Chez Pim.


* N.B: Canadian tax laws prohibit charitable donation receipts to be issued by registered Canadian charities for raffle or lottery tickets. The UNWFP is a U.S.-based charity; should any donation receipts issued, you will need to seek professional advice regarding applying them to your Canadian income tax return.

cheers!
jasmine



I'm a quill for hire!



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06 December 2009

20 years...

...and not forgotten

Geneviève Bergeron
Helene Colgan
Nathalie Croteau
Barbara Daigneault
Anne-Marie Edward
Maud Haviernick
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
Maryse Laganière
Maryse Leclair
Anne-Marie Lemay
Sonia Pelletier
Michèle Richard
Annie St-Arneault
Annie Turcotte

CBC:
Montreal Massacre events mark 1989 shootings and Montreal Massacre victims

jasmine