CONTRIBUTORS

“what pastime helps you get through these long Canadian winters?”

editor in chiefArounna Khounnorajowner bookhou

“when there is snow a tobbogganride down a hill with the kids attrinity bellwoods park, but mostlykeeping warm indoors watching a keeping warm indoors watching a great movie and knitting or embroidering”

copy editorJohn Boothco-owner bookhou

“In the winter I’m not an out door guy, keeping warm is alwaysthe issue, so I prefer to stay inwith the kids, maybe baking with the kids, maybe baking biscuits, and watching my kids danceto Neil Young”

food contributorTyson Lamberttappo.ca

“One of my favorite past times that gets me through long cold winters is slow cooking. I like spending an afternoon cooking a large roast while afternoon cooking a large roast while using the cooking time of the roast to prepare a handful of side dishes, then sharing the feast with friends. Good food and good friends help to rid the winter blues.”

on the cover tree/seed tumblerall the photography in this issue is by Arounna Khounnoraj unless noted

to make contributorAdam Mallorycrownflorastudio.com

“Going for long evening walks through high park with Davis and our two dogs after a fresh snowfall.”

to make/photographyMargaret Oomenresurrectionfern.ca

“I was given a pair of lightweight snowshoes for Christmas two years ago. I keep them in my car so that I can strap them on and so that I can strap them on and walk in the forest all winter long.”

THIS ISSUE

Welcome back!Firstly I want to thank all of you for your support,

making this a wonderful year for us here at bookhou.

In this issue we have a fall off the bone lamb shank andthe yummiest mashed potatoes from our new contributorChef Tyson Lambert. Slow cooking is such a nice way toChef Tyson Lambert. Slow cooking is such a nice way to

keep you warm during the cold months. Adam shares withus two projects with wonderful smelling greenery to get

you into a festive mood and Margie’s beeswax candles givesa nice personal touch. Also a studio visit with Nick Chase,

a talented local glass artist.

The cover image is a peek at our new ceramics collectionthat had a mini debut at this years craft show and therethat had a mini debut at this years craft show and therewill be more to be seen in January at our shop during

design week, taking place towards the end of the month.

have a lovely holiday season and I willsee you back here in the spring.

thank you for visiting - enjoy!

photograph by Margaret Oomen

BRAISED LAMB SHANK& MASHED POTATOES

BY CHEF TYSON LAMBERT

During the cold winter months I like to warm up with comfort foods, and to me that means slow cooked, fall off the bone meats paired with fluffy

mashed potatoes, and a nice glass of red wine. One of my personal favorites would have to be lamb shanks; slow cooked at a low temperature until the delicious meat is

tender enough that it can be eaten with a spoon. Knife and fork are optional.

LAMB SHANKRECIPE

2 lamb shanks1 can whole tomatoes (drained)2 medium sized white onions

3 cloves garlic1 cup red wine (optional)3 or 4 cups beef stock3 or 4 cups beef stock

3 bay leaves10 peppercorns2 sprigs rosemary

1 medium sized carrot1 tbsp salt1 lemon1 tbsp oil1 tbsp oil

METHOD Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

To prep lamb shank for the braise, first season with salt.In a hot skillet, with a tbsp of oil, sear lamb shanks on high heat until golden brown.

Place lamb in a baking dish deep enough to hold all ingredients.Roughly chop onions, carrots, tomatoes and garlic; add to dish.

Peel the lemon, using only the skin; add to dish.Peel the lemon, using only the skin; add to dish.Add all remaining ingredients to baking dish.

Ensure there is enough liquid to fully submerge the lamb.Cover dish with a lid or foil.

Bake at 325 degrees F for 3 hours.Remove dish from oven and allow it to cool slightly before removing the lamb.

Remove lamb; strain and reserve the braising liquid.Skim oil from the surface of braising liquid.Skim oil from the surface of braising liquid.

Place half the braising liquid in a small pot and reduce on medium heat to 1/4 cup.The reduced liquid will become thicker and can now be used as the sauce

MASHED POTATOESWITH CHIVES & GARLIC

RECIPE

4 large white or gold potatoes3 cloves garlic (halved)

1 bay leaf1 tbsp minced chives1 tbsp minced chives

1 tbsp butter1/4 cup milk or cream

salt and pepper to taste

METHODPeel and cube potatoes.

Place in a pot with lightly salted water and add the garlic.Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are fork tender.Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are fork tender.

Remove and discard the bay leaf.Strain potatoes and garlic and put back in pot.

Add butter, milk, minced chives and a little salt and pepper.Mash potatoes until smooth and fluffy.

Check seasoning and add more salt and pepper if needed.

FINISHINGTo finish the plate spoon desired amount of mashed potatoes on to the plate.To finish the plate spoon desired amount of mashed potatoes on to the plate.

Lean the braised lamb shank against the mash and spoon the thickened sauce over the lamb and on the plate. Garnish with rosemary.

LARGE POUCH

LARGE POUCH $43

> WINDOW/TRIANGLE> LINES/RAIN

HOLIDAY SWAG

Step 1Take a normal wire clothes hanger and pull it into a diamond shape. The hook will be used to hang it.

Take chicken wire and cut it slightly largerthan the bent clothes hanger.

Wrap the edge of the chicken wire aroundWrap the edge of the chicken wire aroundthe clothes hanger- this will create a bed to fasten the branches.

Step 2Split greenery into approximately 6 bunches. Be sure to use a variety of greens this will add great texture and layers to your swag. Fasten the bunches together with wire and attach to your chicken wire base.

Longer branches work best when placed Longer branches work best when placed at the back. I also find they last longer when soaked in a bucket of water over night.

BY ADAM MALLORY

My favorite way to decorate my homefor the holiday season is to bring in freshgreenery. There are so many options.

Now that I live in the city I just go to thelocal garden centre where they have agreat selection of different greens. Hereare two simple projects for you to createare two simple projects for you to createyour own holiday swag, great for indoors or out, and to make a simple centerpiece.Not only do I enjoy the festive look but

the smell of fresh greenery will geteveryone in the holiday spirit.

Step 3Add different fruits like oranges and pomegranates for colour. Pierce wire through center of fruit and fastento chicken wire base. I find fruits look best when tucked in around the greenery.greenery.

Step 4Last but not least, add some berriesand pine cones by tucking and wiring to the chickenwire base, and finishthe arrangement by tying fabric to the top - you can use either linen, burlap or a lovely ribbon.or a lovely ribbon.

I love doing this project with the entire family and making it a holiday tradition. There are really no limitaions, you can create so many different arrangments by experimenting with colour and texture. Another good tip is to cover the back with a soft fabric so where ever the swag is hung it will not scratch the surface.

HOLIDAY CENTERPIECE

BY ADAM MALLORY

Creating a holiday centerpeice is fun and simple. I usually like to use the trimmings from other holiday projects or from the christmas tree.

> Start by picking a base for your centerpeice. I chose a vintage baking pan that I found at an antique store.> Add soil or floral foam. This will support the branches and will hold enough water to keep the arrangement fresh for some time. If you do use floral foam let it soak in water for a few hours prior to using it.> I like to add a tall center to my arrangements. In this one I chose a small evergreen bush called Cupressus ̀Goldcrest̀. It is lemon scented and is a beautiful green colour.bush called Cupressus ̀Goldcrest̀. It is lemon scented and is a beautiful green colour.> Choose a variety of different greens - spruce, boxwood and cedar are just a few that are easily found. Insert branches into the base making sure they are secure remembering toturn the center piece as you work so that all sides get equal attention. When you have finished placing the greenery in the arrangement add some branches and berries to create a kind of ‘forest’ effect. All of the branches should be smaller as you get to the outer edge of the arrangemnet.> Lastly, I fill in any empty spots with moss from my local garden center so there are is > Lastly, I fill in any empty spots with moss from my local garden center so there are is no soil or floral foam showing. Be sure to keep greens watered for a longerlasting arrangement.

gris hand knitsBY NICOLE DUPUIS

STUDIO VISITNICK CHASE

“Create work thatmakes you happy...this will translate.”

On a cold afternoon I ventured to the Harbourfront Centre where Nick is an artist-in- residence. I was immediately warmed by the two large furnaces in the hot shop. AfterNick and I share pleasantries I ask him “how do you not touch the molten glass?”He smiles and said that he once knew a guy who would wet his hand and slap the glass. I first saw Nick’s work at the Artist Project in Toronto and was drawn to his fluid shapes and his choice to carve the surface of his pieces. Not only is he talented with glass, but he is also a lovely photographer. I like how his recent work has combined elements of his he is also a lovely photographer. I like how his recent work has combined elements of his photography into his glass forms. I hope you will enjoy getting an inside peek into his work and process.

Why did you decide to choose glass as your medium?About 8 years ago I moved to Ontario to study woodworking at Sheridan College in Oakville. I chose glass as a minor just to "try it out". Since there's really not much of a glass community in New Brunswick, the medium was very foreign to me but after working with it for a few months, I couldn't picture myself doing anything else...it's an amazing with it for a few months, I couldn't picture myself doing anything else...it's an amazing material.

How has living in Toronto influenced your work/designs?Living in Toronto has been an amazing experience for me as an artist. I find myself constantly surrounded by inspiration for my work (art shows, trends, design, the music scene, etc). Living here has also made me examine my connection with the East Coast. It's where I come from and a large part of who I am. I grew up in a small town surrounded by nature, so i tend to look for glimpses of things that remind me of thathere in Ontario. My art combines the relationship I have with these two worlds.here in Ontario. My art combines the relationship I have with these two worlds.

Where do you draw your inspirations in your current body of work?Most of my work is inspired by the nature and the landscapes around me. In my current body of work I am beginning to integrate photography and illustration into the design and textural aspects of my hand blown glass pieces.

Glass blowing is a collaborative process, what are some of the pros and cons in working with someone to assist you in making your work?Working with other artists can sometimes be challenging because everyone has different Working with other artists can sometimes be challenging because everyone has different ways that they do their work and sometimes these ideas clash. But for the most part, I have found it almost always to be a positive learning experience. When you work with someonewho shares the same passion as you do for the medium, the experience is usually always a good one. The best part is that the glass community in Toronto is so small that you are usually just spending a day working with a good friend, bouncing ideas off each other and making art. What's better than that?

photographs by Nick Chase

Your studio at Harbourfront Centre is a very public space – how does that effect your process?I have been at Harbourfront for just over a year now. At first I was a little taken back with having to interact with the public while trying to focus on blowing glass at the same time. But it did not take long for me to find the balance. You get a lot of people passing through, talking to you about what you're making, and what they like and what talking to you about what you're making, and what they like and what makes them excited about art. It's kind of like having mini-critiques everyday, which is a good thing! It keeps me in tune with the people who support us as artists. It gives me real insight into how my art affects people.

What advice do you have for glass artists starting out?Create work that makes you happy...this will translate.

What projects are you currently working on?What projects are you currently working on?Currently I am working on a public art installation for my home town of Sackville, New Brunswick. I am collaborating with a good friend of mine and fellow glass artist, Benjamin Kikkert. The piece is going to be installed in the town hall and will be on permanent display beginning in February, 2012. The piece will occupy six square feet and will consist of five mold blown glass sculptures that will hold symbolic imagery representing certain aspects of the history of the symbolic imagery representing certain aspects of the history of the town. This project means so much to me and I am so honored for us to have been chosen to do it. nchasedesigns.ca

Making beeswax candles has long been a part of our families winter activities. We all love the scent that fills our home in the making and the burning of the candles. For this project you will need some natural beeswax, some candle wick, a double boiler, an extacto knife, a pencil or chopstick, a tin, frozen juice container or milk carton and for frozen juice container or milk carton and for decorating some stockmar wax sheets for decorating. I purchase my wax from a local honey farmer, but it is also available at some health food stores and online. The decorating wax is available at your local waldorf school store or online.

CUSTOM CANDLESBY MARGARET OOMEN

photography by Margaret Oomen

Melt the wax in the top of a double boiler. Be very careful not to overheat as wax can ignite. When it is completely liquefied pour it into the container. Let it cool at room temperature until solid. For easy removal place it in the freezer for a few hours. for a few hours.

Remove the candle from the container and use as is or decorate it. Decide on a pattern or shape and cut the sheets of decorating wax. Place it on the surface of the candle and using the warmth of your hand gently press it into the candle.I was inspired by the wonderful patterns I was inspired by the wonderful patterns of bookhou fabric for these candles.(circles, lines, rain and triangles)

Measure a length of wick and tie it around a pencil or chopstick. I find ithelpful to spray the tin or carton with a nonstick cooking spray. Place the wick inside the container as shown in the photograph

photography by Margaret Oomen

bookhou798 dundas street west

toronto, ontariotel: 416.203.2549bookhou.com

SEE YOU SOON - ISSUE 06CELEBRATING SPRING