Local Gems: Cake & Loaf

Nickey and Josie are the spirit and energy behind this new bakery on Dundurn in Hamilton.

If for no other reason, come here for the Nanaimo Bars.   They are addictive, in a very good way.  Made completely from scratch, including the custard centre which is almost always made from a powder, even by home cooks, these bars are the best I have ever had. (Sorry, Mom!)

There are many more reasons to visit. These two young ladies, who met at Niagara College while both were taking the Baking Apprentice course, and reconnected on Facebook, opened Cake & Loaf Bakery  at the end of August in 2011, and have been local favourites ever since. Their passion is centred on local and fresh ingredients and a committment to connecting with a community of local farmers and suppliers.
"If I had to sum up our philosophy" says Josie, "I would say we believe in local and fresh, without messing it up too much!"  They are seriously dedicated to supporting local farmers, and making everything from scratch.
There are several savoury dishes on the menu, prepared by local chef Sarah Guinan, as well as freshly baked breads, vegan specialties, great baked goods and coffee from Detour Coffee.

The proof is in the eating.
Grab a selection of the delectable desserts for your family, for your friends at work, or for yourself. Everything hs been freshly made, with no pre-made additives, from fresh butter, farm eggs and local flour from Oak Manor.

 A favourite with children is the Ginger Crinkle Cookie.

 Imagine a cup of tea and a slab of the Cake & Loaf's  S'mores, - they even make their own graham crackers.

Pecan bars are loaded with nuts.

And the brownies are dense, intense and decadent.

Drop in to this local bakery which is dedicated to the best ingredients, and whose baking is top quality.
And keep an eye out for their summer specials - Ice Cream sandwiches made from freshly homemade ice cream, and individualized picnic baskets for summer excursions, weekend getaways or hostess gifts.

Cake & Loaf Bakery
Nicole Sherman and Josie Rudderham
321 Dundurn St. S.
Hamilton
289.239.6581
www.cakeandloaf.ca

Animals Who Steal The Scene: Part Three

Cats Around The World

Full disclosure here - I am a cat person, have been forever.  So I notice them when I travel.  Like this lovely tabby above - he was the resident cat in a canal house museum in Amsterdam.(Museum Willet-Holthuysen,)  He was happy to be petted by any visitors to the canal house gardens, purring loudly and cuddling up indiscriminately. He was a pleasant grace note in that historic garden.

And cats seem to be everywhere.  A new study says that cats outnumber dogs as pets, but many of the cats I have seen on my travels have been more like free spirits than somebody's tame kitty.  

In the centre of Rome I was astounded to come upon an important archaeological dig of historic ruins that was densely populated with cats. Torre Argentina is home to about 250 feline friends, sheltered amongst the oldest temples in Rome. 

 Seven days a week, volunteers from different countries feed, clean and look after them. Visitors can help by donating, or even by adopting one of the cats.  You can watch a video of one of the cats, Eva, being bathed lovingly by the staff at Torre Argentina.  She is a rescued cat who cannot wash herself.  Amazing to see all the cats sunning themselves happily in this historic place in the centre of Rome - it is said to be the place where Julius Caesar was stabbed by his friends, with Brutus dealing the first - "Et Tu, Brute?" - and most painful cut.

In New Zealand, I visited a farm and culinary store, where cats lounged in the sun, greeting visitors with haughty dignity.

And in Israel, in the ancient ruins of the city of Massada, where I had climbed in the dawn darkness to be on hand to witness the dramatic sunrise over the Dead Sea, this lazy gentleman was there before me, scratching his back on the ancient stones.

Mexico has its share of cats, and in one of the markets in Puerto Vallarta, I came across a table set up by a group who ran a home for homeless and abandoned cats.  "People drive by and throw kittens over our wall into the garden.  I guess they know we will take care of them." one of the organizers told me.

An artsy cat in an art gallery in Jaffa in Israel was intriguing.  I loved his coloured face, part orange, part black. He had the artistic temperment to go with his surroundings, too - aloof but willing to accept any attention.

This is a beloved cat from Rochester, since passed on.

And these are my girls, sisters who usually get along quite well, unless cat treats are involved.

They are allowed to roam in the back garden, but only on a rope, as the ravine harbours coyotes who have killed cats in the past.

It's clear that cats are worldly creatures.  But so are dogs - the next post's subject.

Animals Who Steal the Scene: Part Two

Reptiles from Around the World: 

Iguana Hold Your Hand.

I was admiring the odd spotted bark on an ancient tree in  Bermuda when one of the spots moved.  The little guy above was curious and beautiful, and stayed still long enough for me to take his photo before he slithered away.

 He was an anonymous reptile, but in Fiji I met one with a reputation. 

His name is Hector and he’s a rare Crested Fijian Iguana found on the island of Malolo in the Mamanuca Islands of Fiji. He was rescued by the people who work at Likuliku Lagoon Resort on the island and he has attained instant celebrity. Guests spend more time visiting Hector than they do the Spa.  He’s one of a highly endangered species, and he seems to know he’s important. He’ll pose, with attitude, for photographs, and there are many guests who track his exploits on face book. He’s probably the most famous iguana in the South Pacific.

 And here's another Fijian iguana, from the nature reserve in Fiji.  This British tourist was a bit nervous about letting him climb on his shoulder.

This next one is a resident of Kaua'i and he was artful enough to pose on a flower of bright red, his exact complimentary colour.  Obviously an experienced poser.

And this fellow with the black tongue lives at the aquarium in Napier, on the South Island in New Zealand.

These little guys may be cold blooded, but they sure have a lot of character, and they seem to love the camera.
Keep an eye out for them on your travels.
Next post - It's A Cat's World!

Animals Who Steal The Scene: Part One

Animals Around The World

The cow above was one of the prettiest cows I have ever met - She had big liquid brown eyes, soft brown and cream coloured ears and a deep musical moo. Around her neck was a bell, and we had been hearing its noise for the last ten minutes of our climb to the top of one of Austria's lovely mountains.  We turned a twist in the trail and there she was, with her cow friends, eating grass, soaking up the warm alpine sun and just generally being bovine.  She is one of my best memories from that climbing expedition to the Austrian Alps.

Which is not to say that I didn't love the scenery, the people I met, the Alpine culinary specialties, the art - all good, but that sweet cow made an impression.  She was a part of the experience.
Listen to her and her friends and see if you don't agree.

Many of the animals I have encountered on my travels have made their impression.  I will never forget the little kitten I found in the souk in Casablanca.  He was so tiny and skinny, and one of his eyes was missing.  He had either been in a fight, or had lost it to infection, but he was obviously sickly and weak.  He was shaking.

The souk was awash in what were probably feral cats, and this one little guy probably had no chance of survival. 

 I couldn't rescue him - I was returning to a ship where I would never get past the security check with a kitten. The poor helpless thing was doomed.  I often think of him.

On Fiji I found two lovely doggies who were having a quiet snooze under the trees on a day that was scorching hot.  They seemed totally comfortable.

 In the desert in Israel I met Rhonda, a rather bad tempered camel with awful teeth but lots of character -

And just outside Quebec City, I met these two handsome gentlemen who pulled my snow sled, and were much more attractive from this angle -

Than from this one.

 Just a few of the memorable creatures I've met on my journeys.  More to come!

Follow The North Star To Freedom

For many slaves fleeing a life of endenturement in the United States, Canada represented freedom. It was the shining Northern star at the end of the Underground Railroad, the secret network of helpers and hiding places that aided runaway slaves on their journey.

Niagara Bound Tours is a tour company that custom designs tours that will explore the history and heritage of Black immigaration in Niagara, with particular emphasis on the slaves who arrived here as a result of their journey along the Underground Railroad.
The tour features several places of interest, including Hariet Tubman's church, the crossing sites of freedom seekers on both sides of the border including the Canadian site of for the crossing of Josiah Henson (Uncle Tom’s Cabin character), and the Welland Canal Centre – home of the permanent Black history exhibit.
Tours can be individual or in groups. The customized tours include a step on guide who is a direct descendant (fifth generation) of a freedom seeker from Kentucky who came to Canada in 1850 settling in the Niagara Region. Recently added are tours of the Buffalo-Niagara Underground Railroad tours as well.
NIAGARA BOUND TOURS
87 Masterson Drive
St. Catharines, ON L2T 3P8
905-685-5375
www.niagaraboundtours.com

A Margarita by the Falls? Why not?

Photo courtesy of Margaritaville Niagara

Seems so out of season, but sometimes doing the opposite of what is expected has a frisson all of its own.
One of the newest additions to the dining/nightlife scene in Niagara Falls is Margaritaville, one of a chain of Jimmy Buffet's establishments that have honed the art of casual entertainment to a high gloss.
This attractive bar and restauarant has a great patio that shines in good weather, but the view is pretty good from inside, too. And the margaritas are guarranteed to be great. Food is the usual pub grub, tasty and plentiful.
Plus every Wednesday night is Beach Night, so you can wear your flip-flops and pretend.

Photo courtesy of Margaritaville Niagara

It's a nice place to stop in for a drink and nibbles, or for a casual meal. Situated so close to the Falls, it is easy to walk to any of the attractions.

Photo courtesy of Margaritaville Niagara

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville - Niagara Falls
6300 Fallsview Blvd.
Niagara Falls, ON
Phone: 905-354-1245
info@margaritaville.ca
www.margaritavilleniagara.ca

Niagara Falls Bird Kingdom

It may be cool and rainy outside as Fall sets in, but inside the Bird Kingdom, the atmosphere is warm and steamy, and the birds are happy to see you.
This family friendly attraction located near the Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls is the perfect place when the family wants an outing and the weather is iffy. Even in good weather, the Bird Kingdom is a pleasure.

(Photo Courtesy of The Bird Kingdom)
It's the world's largest free-flying aviary with hundreds of exotic birds in a climate controlled jungle atmosphere, filled with bird song. Visitors can feed the birds and even hold them, with the help of a trainer.

(Photo courtesy of Bird Kingdom)
There's an historic hand carved Javanese Tea Room as well as a good gift shop.
Why not let everything go to the birds and spend a few hours with our feathered friends? It is fun, educational and good for the soul. Studies say that time spent with nature lowers blood pressure, reduces stress and increases positive emotions.
5651 River RoadNiagara Falls, OntarioL2E 7M7Toll Free: 1-866-994-0090Phone: 905-356-8888

www.birdkingdom.ca