Mimi Takes Five - #334

ONE // Dutch Oven

My husband surprised me with this perfect white Dutch oven under the tree this year. It's the perfect size for sourdough bread baking... That's by design! Since I started my sourdough journey this fall, I've been making do with cookware I already had. Our big Dutch oven is too big for sourdough so I was using my Pampered Chef stoneware Dutch oven. I love baking with stoneware, and my breads have been baking well, but I can't help but wonder if there would be a difference using enamelled cast iron. Well, we're about to experiment! I love my dainty Dutch oven and think the white enamel is so clean and classic. I think my husband is liking my new sourdough obsession...

TWO // Swedish Candy

Okay, Swedish candy has been having a moment this year. It's all over social media! I can't not see a tasting or a packing reel whenever I scroll on my socials. Being the candy girl that I am, I've been dying to try this candy! It's been getting rave reviews and I wanted to try it so badly. The textures are different, the flavours are unique and the sour ones looked so tempting. I've been going on and on about wanting to get my hands on some Swedish candy to taste it for myself. Well, my husband was paying attention to my many ramblings because he sourced the only place in town that sells Swedish candy and he surprised me with the most intense assortment. He literally got all the types and flavours I've been wanting to taste. Was I thrilled to receive a box of imported candy for Christmas? You bet I was! I'm trying to savour each moment and refer to my little chart with the different gummies so that I can make the most of my tasting. So far, Swedish candy lives up to the hype! Both my craving and sweet tooth have been satisfied!

THREE //Book Earrings

My boss gifted me these adorable book earrings. It's no secret that I love thematic earrings and they make for great conversation starters. Well, I was not expecting to find these teeny tiny handmade books when I opened the box. I love books and happen to work in a library. Naturally, these earrings are simply a perfect choice. I also love doing bookbinding workshops with a colleague and noticed these little books were hand-bound. When I looked them up, I also found out the paper is handmade. I mean, could these earrings be any more works of art? Wearable art is my favourite, I can't wait to sport these new earrings. They are sure to make any avid reader smile. I can't help but think it's the exact type of earrings Miss Frizzle would wear... IYKYK

FOUR // Pasta Cutter

The final, tiny little box under the tree contained this teeny pasta cutter. I've never made pasta in my life, but this nifty little kitchen tool is perfect for scoring crackers. Who knew? My sourdough journey has been quite the ride and making discard crackers has become a bit of an obsession. I've never had such flavourful crackers in my life and they are far superior to store-bought. Seeing as I have some starters to feed, I end up with lots of discard. I hate throwing it in the compost, so making crackers is the obvious solution. Waste not, want not. We seriously cannot stop snacking on these crunchy treats. It's a no-brainer because they are so easy and simple to make. My cracker game levelled up with my new little pasta cutter because now the edges will be scalloped. This is the kind of tiny detail that makes me happy! I'm in my homemade era.

FIVE // Winter Pyjamas

I have a very soft spot for cute polar fleece or flannel pyjamas sets. Seeing as I'm always cold and like to be cozy in the winter months, I spend a lot of time in these soft pyjama sets. I ended up picking this winter-themed pink one a few weeks ago and really love it! I tend to accumulate Christmas themed sets because they are abundant. Even though I wear them all winter long, it's still nice to find some that have a more winter-themed design. I'm loving the tiny skates, earmuffs, mittens and tuques on these pyjamas. The pastel colour palette is also refreshing. Looking forward to many cozy evenings spent wearing these in the upcoming dark winter nights.