Hey Foodie Friends! Yes, I have come out of retirement! Why? Because the earth is completely fucked right now and you got me through hell so many times so I am here for YOU. I am here to support you, answer your foodie questions, offer suggestions and I just realized that my food blog started on April 6, 2009! Eleven years ago TODAY I wrote about Caraway Rye Bread as my first post because I was losing my fucking mind in Nova Scotia being housebound for almost six months a year. Food helped keep me sane and so did you.
I knew last night that I was going to post again and be here for you during this hellish period but had no idea that the anniversary of my blog would be today. Clearly this is what I am supposed to do.
Personal Update
Introducing Greta
Just a couple of weeks ago I moved into an apartment with friends and their cats, right after the pandemic was announced. I had no idea that once I moved, that would be it. Since then I have not explored the neighbourhood so I am living in a place I have not even really seen.
I left not knowing when I would see my family and friends again. I am still in Toronto but I am on the other side of the city which, for a non-driver, might as well be on the other side of the moon. Just like in Nova Scotia, stuck inside and far away from my loved ones. Bloody hell.
Back To Basics
It took me a long time to feel human again. So many moves in such a short period of time. Packing, unpacking, packing, unpacking…
The other day I finally started to feel human and when I feel human, I want to bake. We had stocked up on some flour and yeast so you know what that means… BREAD!
I decided to go real simple and make my French bâtard bread. This actually required dusting Rebel, my mixer, since I had not used her since I was in BC.
I shared the process on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to help inspire people to get baking. I mean if you run out of store bought bread you can make this with just water, sugar, salt, all purpose flour and yeast. You do not need a mixer, just some muscle to knead the dough for 10 minutes. Bread making is time consuming and what do we have now? Time!
And what to do day old bread? Get some milk, splash of vanilla, sugar, salt and an egg and make…
French toast which browns so nicely in a cast iron pan! I also sprinkled it with a little cinnamon. Yum!
You all got me through hell. Hell of living with chronic anxiety that the outside world was going to kill me, bone twisting physical pain from the cold, my move back to BC, my marriage falling apart, my move back to Toronto, my fall down the stairs…
Now I am here for you. Let me know how I can help. What do you want to know how to make? What will help you get through this time of isolation? I can tell you right now, it is possible. I know it is overwhelming and terrifying but you can do this. We can get through this together.
How can I help?
Great to see you back ‼️
Thank you so much Wayne!!! I truly appreciate that!
Welcome back, Suzie! You have weathered so many storms! Thank you for sharing your hard-earned wisdom. Bread is always such a comfort!
Thanks Jamie!!! Yes, so many storms. I hope I can be of some help and inspiration.
Sounds like even though you’re stuck indoors, that you’re making the most of it. Go you, Suzie. And BIG PS — I love seeing you post on your blog again. WOOHOOOOOOO! Welcome back, baby!
Thank you Ivy, you rock!!! It is good to be back. Thank you for welcoming me home!
Hi Suzie 🙂 It’s been a long time since you and I chatted. I left Instagram a while ago, I found it was consuming me! I’ve been blogging maybe once a week, but my life has taken a real artistic turn…lots of painting, drawing and learning. I still love to cook and bake. Actually my hubs and I FINALLY bought our first home, and in NB. We are SUPPOSED to move from Qc to NB in May…it was HELL trying to close on the house at the end of March but we got it done. I don’t mind being indoors and “quarantined” in fact, I’m a hermit at heart so I’m fine with everything. We have everything we need here and no need to leave the rental until Uhaul day. I sure hope that everything goes smoothly. I read that the RCMP is at all NB borders right now and turning people away for non-essential travel. Stressful…I don’t know what to ask you to bake or cook…hmmm…oh you know what? I’ve always wanted to make Napoleans…or here they call them Eclairs. That’s something that could be really nice and decadent to eat! But…my oven is broken, doesn’t keep the temperature (when it rains it pours lol)…and since we are leaving it behind, I’m not spending a penny to fix it! I’m glad to see your post, I hope all is well with you and that your moving days are at least temporarily over!!
Sending hugs,
Rain
xxx
Hi Rain!!! I totally get having to walk away from Instagram, things like that can be all consuming it is true! I am so happy to hear that you are living such a creative life with art and food. That rocks! Oh wow, I can’t imagine trying to buy a house now congratulations on buying your own home! It sounds like you are doing great and coping with everything happening so that’s amazing. OK! I will look into eclairs, thank you so much for letting me know! No, don’t fix that oven, look forward to your new one!
Nice to hear you are back and doing ok. Your butternut squash soup recipe is still my GO-TO comfort food. Lucky for you to get to isolate with friends and cats.
Would love to hear your thoughts on making a sour dough starter and find a good method.
Hi Cherie!!! Thank you so much and I am THRILLED you like that soup as much as I do! Sour dough bread is on my list of things to make for sure, you got it!
Welcome back Suzie! I’m not eating bread right now and the french toast looks so delicious!
Thank you so much Janet!!! And wow, it really was a treat.
Good to see you back, Suzie! I use to have a good recipe for banana bread but now I can’t find. If you have one, I love to see it.
Hi Shell!!! Thank you so much for the warm welcome! You can find all sorts of banana bread recipes here:
http://www.suziethefoodie.com/tag/banana-bread/
My favourites are the Anna Olson white chocolate one and the coconut lime. Both are yummy!
I’m excited to see you here!! Welcome Back!! I’m not really a cooker or a baker, so anything you post will be inspirational 🙂
Hi Kendra!!! Oh thank you, you rock, that is so awesome. 🙂 I hope I can continue to inspire!
Hi Suzie – Great to see you settling into your new place and baking bread. I love bread! I have not really visited your blog before so this is new for me. I look forward to following your adventures here!
Thank you for coming to visit John!!! You are most welcome here. 🙂
Bloody hell is right!! And so great to see you back while hoping things settle down a little soon. 🤞Living with a tortie is fun! Greta looks just like my little Valentina. 🐾 You are so much goodness Suzie. 😘 Do you like making risotto? I love eating it and have wanted to make some..
Hey Dara!!! Thank you and torties are fun! How lovely you have Valentina in your life.
I have had the best luck making risotto in the Instant Pot but will figure out how to do it on the stovetop for sure!
Suzie!!! So wonderful to have a post from you again and an update on your life. An apartment with friends and cats — sounds great!
Hey Debra!!! Oh I was hoping you would write, I miss you!!! Yes, I have a little stability now and that is helping a lot. Life as a nomad was OK for 2 years but I needed a kitchen!!! Hope you and your loved ones are doing OK. Thinking of you often!
Missed you & so happy to know you are safe and healthy!
Missed you too Eunice and hope that you and your loved ones are doing well!!!
Yaaaaa! Suzie is Back! Congratulations on settling into a new nest and having battled and WON after so many heartaches and setbacks. You are such an inspiration and I look forward to new recipes and insights as you share them. May you feel the love and know your brave struggles and small triumphs are celebrated by those of us who love you.Rock On Wild Woman!
Thanks Kaitlin!!! It has been such a battle but I am back to take on more. You got it, looking forward to coming up with new recipes during this crazy time. Oh I do feel the love!!! And I hope you all feel it back. I am not me without you all!
Welcome Back, Suzie! Way to dust of the mixer (literally) and create food in such a bizarre time. You can do it!
Thanks Shannon! Yes, dusting off my blogging skills too, LOL. I hope so! Going to give it my best.
Nice to see you back, Suzie! You have been missed. After everything you have
been through, I knew you would be strong enough to bounce back eventually.
And what a great time to do it! Now that we are to stay home and the cupboards
are bare,,,I am hoping you will come up with some easy, peasy recipes using just
the staples we have in our bare cupboards!!! Always look forward to your continuing
journey posts!!!
Awww!!! Thank you so much Lynn, I have missed you all too. It’s been hard to be away so yes, I am back! Easy peasy… OK, on it! And great idea. It is a big challenge right now so getting back to the basics is a great idea.
oh, god….you have the same cats as I do now…
A black one and a calico!!
Who’d a thunk??
(saw your painting!!!!!) And when you move to someplace permanent and this world comes back to some fucking sort of no bullshit fucking hell, I have those mushroom cannisters, etc. for you that I will somehow get to you!!!}…they are sitting in Kevn’s front hall!)
That’s wild!!! I didn’t realize that. They are my roommate’s cats. Wow, that would be great Janet, thank you!