Today marks six months in Norman Wells. As cliche as it sounds, it totally felt just like yesterday that we stepped off Canadian North into a winter wonderland. Except at that point we saw it as a petrifying white-out. The snow was thick (and made it hard to get into our new house), the river was rock solid and the sky was overcast and daunting.
And we were bootless and coatless freezing!
That was May. Now it’s November, and we have seen all four seasons already – an anticipative spring, a summer of undying dry heat, the most colorful and romantic Autumn, and finally, the true reason we are here, winter. But unlike that first week, this time we embrace it with an entirely new appreciation. It is a winter wonderland. The snow is like nothing we’ve seen. Okay, that’s not saying much considering the best snow I’ve seen is blasted from the snow-making machines on Turoa Ski Field. But I’ve seen plenty of winter wonderlands on film and even that didn’t prepare me for this snow. It truly is majestic, coating all the ugliness of summer – the dirty, unpaved roads and the spindly excuses for trees. Under a blanket of white, everything is that much more beautiful. The trees thicken up and carry the weight of the snow with elegance. The streets, groomed daily are neat and tidy, bordered by snow banks. And snowflakes coat our windows.
I have to admit something about snowflakes. I always thought they were kinda just a myth.. Jesse and I were stunned to discover snowflakes really are those star shaped things we drew as kids. On this day of discovery we sat in awe, pressed up against our car’s windscreen, speechless over the beauty of these miniscule, perfect snowflakes, all completely different, creating incredible galaxies all over the glass.
It was a humbling experience, bringing us into a deeper understanding of the beauty of this place, of it’s creator.
With this newly found appreciation for snowflakes, I got out my hook and yarn and pulled together some threads, with help from this video. With a little stiffener (corn starch and water) the floppy white pieces of work turned into beautiful, crisp snowflakes to hang over the window and remind us of the tiny details.
Coconut & Raspberry Loaf
From The Sprouted Kitchen, a tastier take on whole foods Cookbook.
Recipe reproduced with permission on Love and Lemons
What I did differently to Sara and Hugh:
- Added a cup of frozen raspberries
- Drizzled with coconut caramel sauce (from an apple tart I had just made..) instead of the coconut glaze
- Baked it in a bundt tin, because I wanted cake not loaf. Minor detail, big diff.
- Shared it with those I work with
- Smeared it in yogurt before devouring!
Six months already!! How crazy. You two are inspirational. Such pretty and delicate snowflake ornaments. Beautifully crafted! And yes, it is amazing how each snowflake is a unique creation unto its own. I’m so glad you are enjoying the beauty of the North!!
And seven months in Canada. It’s flown by! Thanks Mel – its nice to maximise the snow theme around Christmas seeming as we’ve never had that before.
Hi Christina! I just found your blog through the Every Recipe NZ network. How exciting to find other kiwi food bloggers all in one place (could wast e a lot of time here.. that’s for sure). This recipe looks fab. I’m a big fan of coconut cake already (it’s one of my ‘go to’ recipes for last minute dinner parties) and this looks like a nice evolution to explore.
Hey Sara – I’ve been checking out your blog – very neat! Nice to still be considered a Kiwi despite swapping hemispheres!
As long as you can eat Marmite without grimacing, you remain a kiwi. This is the only true, validated method of testing for kiwi-ness.
Ah easy. As long as there’s a good sweep of melting butter with it
This cake turned out so fluffy.. the perfect accompaniment for all that snow! I live in Calgary.. and we’ve just been hit with two storm systems so we’ve got a ton of snow as well! I’m glad you’ve adjusted and love the beauty in these seasons:) xx
Oh it was so fluffy! And it got softer over the next day or so. The coconut milk is a great liquid in baked goods. Wow – enjoy the snow too!
Oh Christina, that cake looks fantastic! Raspberry and coconut are such a delicious combo (and caramel drizzle? YES PLEASE!). We had our first frosty morning on Friday and I’m looking forward to the first snowfall – still might be a ways off, but its coming