A couple of months ago, I was approached by Brita of B.Britnell food blog, asking if I ever would create detail paintings for a blog. I was more than thrilled because this is exactly the type of thing I would love to be able to do more of! Brita has a lovely blog with some delicious looking recipes and it was SO fun to make these details for her. I would even go so far as to say it may be one of my favourite commissions yet. So keep this in mind all you readers with a blog...I'm looking to do more! Brita wanted simple designs and to keep in line with the feel of her blog, I decided to paint them quite colourful and bright. If you're feeling adventurous, head on over to her site and see if you can find them- it's like a game of Where's Waldo! But while you're there, be sure to also take a look at her tasty treats- I know my mouth was drooling over a few. And below you'll find a process shot along with the finished products:

If you are looking for a way to spruce up your internet space by adding small details or a new header, I would love, love, LOVE to create something for you. Especially to expand my skills in that area. If this interests you, please do send me a line at jenni.haikonen8@gmail.com! 

Oh Berlin. My experience of Berlin was...well, to be honest I'm not sure how to describe it. I think that's because there is just SO MUCH going on in that city. It's gritty, cool and exploding with artistic expression. While I am an artist, I'm still not sure it was the type of expression I fully connected with, but so very interesting, nonetheless. We came up to Berlin after our experience in Munich and went to visit with our friends, Joe and Joelle, who we know from their days living in Vancouver. Joelle is an illustrator, so I was fortunate enough to be able to see the city from an artist's perspective. They were the perfect hosts and we were so thankful to have them show us around and give input into the history and culture of the city. 

The thing I'll remember most? Street art/graffiti EVERYWHERE. Oh and currywurst, lots and lots of currywurst. 

From the top: // 1. typical shop in East Berlin- super design-y and covered in graffiti // 2. germany vibes // 3, 4 +5.. SO much to look at. M looks like a tourist with his Uniqlo bags // 4. prost! Toasting to Berlin at one of many of M's stops to third wave coffee shops...this one's at The Barn // 5. soccer supporters marching the streets and chanting // 6 + 7. classic tourist destination- the Brandenburg Gate. I can't take a normal picture // 8. devouring currywurst // 9. just another bit of berlin // 10. you can't tell, but Berlin was FRIGID and we were shivering in this photo // 11. Neueheimat- one of the coolest food fests/markets/cultural hubs I've ever been to! // 12. getting our Berliner Schnauze on //13-15. more of neueheimat. I think this was my favourite place in the city! // 16. need to send a letter? Pick a box. // 17. east side gallery (berlin wall) // 18. Oberbaum bridge, a symbol of the city's unity. 

Easter is here once again. And once again, it's my favourite time of year. Not only is this holiday the most pinnacle celebration of my faith and so meaningful for me, it also means that I get to partake in a cultural tradition...Paska! I come from Mennonite tradition and I think that every Mennonite family had their own recipe for this traditional Easter bread. But I also know that it's not just a Menno tradition, so I'm sure there's a huge variety of recipes out there. I have my personal preference, though. And this recipe is my preference- sweet and moist with a hint of lemon zest and cream cheese icing on top. Perfect. (And it wouldn't me Mennonite Paska without the colourful sprinkles!). Technically, I think Paska is a dessert bread, but it only comes once a year and needs to be thoroughly enjoyed at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Because if you truly want to be Mennonite, you will enjoy a little bit of dessert after every meal. Oh and a big thank you to my dear mama for passing this particular recipe down to me.

Paska (Easter Bread)

1 cup milk

3 eggs, beaten

2 teaspoons butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon lemon/orange zest

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon lemon juice

4 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons instant yeast

Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups icing sugar

Directions:

1. Bring milk, butter and sugar to a warm (not hot) temperature. Add beaten eggs to the warm mixture. Whisk in the lemon zest, salt and lemon juice. 

2. Stir together flour and yeast. Gradually add the warm milk mixture to the dry ingredients. Knead with hands or kitchenaid mixer for about 6-7 minutes until elastic and soft. 

3. Let the dough rise in a large greased bowl in a warm place, free from drafts for about 1 1/2- 2 hours. 

4. Form into buns or two braided loafs (if unsure of how to do this, youtube is a great help!). Place on greased pans and let rise until doubled again (may take 1 1/2 hours). 

5. Bake at 300 degrees fahrenheit for about 20-25 min for buns, 40 min for bread or until golden. Watch closely- the high sugar content in the bread means it may burn quickly. 

6. Beat together frosting ingredients and frost bread once cool. Enjoy!

A reference for how my braided bread looked!