Stanley

Why am I awake so freaking early... when all I desperately want is a good nights sleep?

Meet exhibit A. His name is Stanely and he likes to make me have bad nights sleeps... I love you Stanely... but seriously. Leave me alone.

He likes to jump on me. Purr in my ear. Meow for food and do anything he can to keep me from sleeping. Don't you know I have a big day today Stanely?

So not only did he keep me up last night, but also the night before. Yay. Now I feel crazy tired and have giant bags under my eyes. Oooooh. Stanely. I'm gonnna get you back somehow!!

Somehow I managed to wake up get myself together before I headed down to the Veg Fair for the demo, where there were some really lovely people waiting to see me.
Then I proceeded to fill them with sugar filled treats and we talked about all sorts of things and I gave away prizes. That's right PRIZES! If you missed the demo... you missed your chance to win free stuff.

After the demo I had a book signing in another tent, and good golly lolly do you guys ever make me feel like a rock star. Standing in line to say hi to me. Little old me?? I was in shock to see so many people. You guys are sweet. Look... look at how sweet they are:






Then I ate more "chicken" drumsticks... I'm not much of a Mock Meat fan... but these drumsticks from Vegetarian Haven are so wicked good.

Then I ran back to Sho's house and started baking for Sunday's demo. I have been here 3 days I think I've sat down and relaxed... ummmm... never. What a whirlwind of fun I've been having.

For a late late dinner Graham and I stuffed Sho in the Smart Car again and headed over to Pulp Kitchen where I fell in love with the restaurant and the chef,Sam. He made us fabu dish after dish after dish. I was drunk from all the food... I have to say that Pulp Kitchen has become my new favourite restaurant in Toronto.
Ok. TIme to try and get back to sleep before the demo today. I hope I can do it. Wish me luck...

drumsticks made from sugarcane

Dinner was yum. Shoshana had a mock "chicken" drum stick meal that was so pretty I had to take a photo of it. It even came with a "drumstick" that was made out of sugar cane.

Graham had a hot pot that had tofu, veggie and grilled mushrooms. I think he’s a bit of a "hot pot" if you know what I mean.

I also had a hot pot, but it was a little burned, so it doesn’t deserve a photo.... but what does deserve some attention is this photo Shoshana and I found as we were going through her photo albums tonight. This is me... circa 1984? 85?

Point of interest: Yes. I smoked a little in my youth. It’s a filthy disgusting habit and its gross. Remember that song? "Smoking makes your teeth yellow. Smoking makes your breath smello." How does the rest of that song go?

I'm off to bed. I am pooped. I baked ALL afternoon today for my demo tomorrow afternoon. I need to get my beauty sleep.
Toodles.

This is how I feel today... like someone dropped their suitcase on my noggin. I have spent the entire day running errands for the demo and then spent the afternoon baking 150 muffins. I'm pooped.

This is my friend Graham. He's such a sweetie. If any of you single ladies in Toronto want a date with this fine gentleman... e-mail me and I'll hook you up.

Oh yeah. I also found this in a voo doo store down the street. They have SOOO much cool stuff. I'm going back on Monday when I have more time.

Ok. I'm so hungry. We're going to Vegetarian Haven tonight. I'm outtie!
xoxo
SARAH

Can you fit 3 people in a Smartcar?

I had dinner last night with two of my most favourite people in the world. We ate like it was going out of style... and topped it off with a cheesecake that was ALMOST as good as Wolffie's Apricot Cheesecake in La Dolce Vegan.... Almost... as good.

Query: Can you fit 3 people in a smartcar? The answer is yes... yes you can.

Airplanes make me tired...

So... what a day so far and it’s not even noon yet. I actually slept well last night, not a common occurrence in my house. I’m usually up 3 or 4 times a night either to pee (I think my bladder is turning against me as I get older) ... or to shove Fergus over to the other side of our king sized bed.

Query: why with a king sized bed do I still end up sleeping in a tiny ball clinging to the edge of the bed. Two words... Fergus. Wait. That’s one. ...That dog is just shy of 12 pounds but somehow manages to monopolize the entire bed. I often wake up to find him sleeping like a starfish in the middle of the bed... arms and legs all over the place, pushing me out of the way.

So back to my story... I woke up early... 7:45am. Ok. I know that’s not that early, but Gerry and I live a different lifestyle then regular folks. I mean the tattoo shop doesn’t open until 11am, so you understand why we get up later then most folks. So I had a quick bath, got dressed, shoved food in my mouth and finished packing while Gerry walked the dog around the block (pee pee time). Then we hustled to the car and I zoomed downtown to mail off the last of the pre-order cookbooks before I had to come back home and call a cab to the airport. So I get to the post office and mail off the rest of the 45 book orders.

I don’t know what I was thinking... but I thought mailing the books wouldn’t take very long, but did it ever. No offence to Canada Post, but give your employees some free coffee in the morning, it’ll perk them up. I tried not to look at my watch and freak out about not making it home in time to call a cab to take me to the airport (Gerry had an early tattoo... so he couldn’t drive me).

Query: Does tonic water have sugar in it? Cause I just ordered some from the Airline Hostess and its really really sweet. I wonder if it’s pop. I thought tonic water was just bubbly water. Am I confused?

So I frantically drive home after the post office and I’m about 15 minutes behind schedule so I call Gerry on the cell phone (I know... I shouldn’t drive and phone) and got him to call me a cab. As I’m driving through town, hitting EVERY SINGLE FREAKING RED LIGHT I get stuck behind a slow moving cab.

Query: I thought cabs drove fast? They always seem to be driving like homicidal maniacs, why is this cab so slow?

I am behind this cab and after a few blocks I realize that he’s heading to my house... so I follow behind him and let him know that I have to park the smart car in the parkade and get my bag. I run up into the condo, grab my bag... Fergus by the way is going INSANE because I haven’t stopped to say hello yet. Take my bag outside... run back inside looking at the clock and realizing that I’m going to be late for my flight if I don’t hurry faster. Grab my lunch.

Point of interest: I made a lovely simple Veggie Tofu stir fry over brown rice last night for my flight today. Asparagus spears, broccoli, kale, tofu, sugar snap peas with a little Braggs, black pepper and spicy hot flax oil as a garnish. Delish.

I say a brief good bye to Fergus who is still losing his mind and is now shrieking for attention. I try and calm him down and say a nice good bye... but he’s freaking out. So I throw some dog cookies on the couch and Fergus moves to the couch and starts chomping on those instead.

Point of interest: Dogs will choose food over you every single time.

Hop into the cab. Suddenly this guy is driving like a madman and arrive actually on time. *laugh* What the hell was I stressing out about?

Query: Is it rude of me to wince every time someone sneezes on the plane? Thanks to the planes reticulation of air, we’re unfortunately sharing each others germs. I should have brought a face mask, but I thought I’d look like a crazy Sars person. Oh great. Now he’s coughing and blowing his nose. I bet I’ll have what he has before we land... sigh.

So I get to the West Jet ticket counter and they tell me that the plane is 45 minutes late. Late. Late. Those words echo in my head. Damn it. I could have spent a few more minutes with Fergus before I left. I feel so guilty not being able to give him a proper snuggle before I left.

Point of Interest: Don’t worry Gerry got plenty of snuggles on the way to the post office. That’s what red lights are for... right?

So here I sit, in a tube of steel hurdling towards Toronto, drinking sweet tonic water and trying not to breath in other peoples germs.

This is the start of my book promotion. I’m so excited to share this book with the world. Oh yeah. Look at how great the book looks next to the other ones.

"HIAV. GOV. This is your new baby brother LDV. He’s a little bigger then both of you and right now he’s getting a bit more attention from me then you are, but don’t feel like I love him more. I have enough room in my heart for all three of you."

Ok. That's enough for now. ... Maybe tomorrow I'll tell you all about my Czech cab driver and the INSANELY yummy good meal at Fresh. Mmmm sweet potato frieds. Mmmm Faux Cheese Cake.

I have to go to bed. Sleepy. Time change. Messing me up. Tomorrow... baking. I bake for 150 people. It's going to be a long day.
xoxo
SARAH

Ted Leo

I had dinner with Ted Leo last night. He's probably one of the nicest people on the planet. We talked about Cha-Ya restaurant in Berkeley... I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that is THE bestest restaurant in the entire world. I felt high after I ate there it was so incredible. I can NOT wait to get back to San Fran to eat me some more Cha-ya.

I am packing for The T dot O today. I always bring too much stuff... this time I'm going to try and pack light.





*laugh* As-if.

I'm leaving on a jet plane....

I'm leaving for TO soon. Gonna be doing 2 cooking demos at the Veg Fair.

Saturday Sept 10th at 3pm I'll be making Rene's Tomato Soup Spice Cake with Vanilla Frosting in the Lakeside Terrace Tent. And at 4pm I'll be signing books and selling merchandise... so be there or be square.

Sunday Sept 11th at 2pm I'll be making Lindsey's Peanut Butter Cupcakes in the Lakeside Terrace Tent. And at 3pm I'll be signing books and selling merchandise... so if you missed me on Sat. Catch me on Sunday.

Then Sunday night it's PARTY TIME! Meet me at 8pm at Left Feet shoe store to celebrate the release of my new cookbook La Dolce Vegan.

Stay tuned for blog updates. I'll try and post as often as possible.
Hang on Toronto... here I come.
xoxo
SARAH