Granville Island, one more time

Have uploaded a bunch of pictures from yesterday's field trip to Granville Island. It seems that each time I go to GI the skies open up, but I'm still quite pleased with how the day turned out.

The harlequin roses were spectacular and I enjoyed observing the crazy-busy scene inside the market. It was wet and cold, but the market was full of warmth and life.

I think I could go to GI every month and find something new each time.

Red and purple

The first poppies of the season! Shameless beauties.

Baby radishes

We had the last of the baby radishes a few days ago. They were peppery and refreshing. We treated them like candy, snacking on a few throughout the day.

The first bunch of spinach and chard were beautiful and tender, and we're growing many more. The potatoes have reared their green heads (but expect no harvest till the fall), the carrots and fennel have healthy-looking fronds and of course, the many herbs -- sage, chives, parsley, curry leaf, rosemary and mint -- are flourishing.

Flax and cranberry cookies

Yes, they're healthy, but more important they're super yummy!

Adapted from a Canadian Living recipe:

1/2 cup (125 mL) butter, softened

1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats
2/3 cup ground flaxseed
1 cup dried cranberries
1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda

Preparation:

In bowl, beat together butter and brown and granulated sugars until light; beat in egg and vanilla.

In separate bowl, whisk together flour, oats, ground flaxseed, dried cranberries and baking soda; stir into butter mixture until soft dough forms.

Depending on your preference, you can drop level tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart on your baking sheet, or go big and drop two spoonfuls, patting down a little to flatten them, Bake in top and bottom thirds of 350°F oven, rotating and switching pans halfway through, until golden, 12-15 minutes. Let cool on pan on rack for 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to rack; let cool before eating (if you can wait!).