LOCALE Issue 4

Call if you are experiencing a mental health crisis ~ 24/7!

911 or 1-844-437-3247 or TTY 1-877-688-5501

STUNNING BRAND NEW HOME

1,302 sqft. bungalow built featuring 2 bdrms on the main level & 2 bdrms in fully fin’d basement. 3 full baths including a 3pc ensuite & walk-in closet in primary bdrm. Beautiful large ceramic tile flooring through the foyer, LR & kitchen. Double car garage. MLS®

OUTSTANDING CUSTOM BUILT HOME!

This 2,068 sqft brand new 3-BR, 2.5-bathroom home boasts a fabulous open concept main floor with a chef’s delight kitchen and slider walkout to the backyard. Bonus upper-level family room and laundry. Great family neighbourhood close to schools, parks, trails and more! MLS®

FABULOUS CUSTOM FAMILY HOME!

Imagine moving into a custom built, superior quality home without having to wait a year. This beautiful Finoro home is almost ready for you! Open concept main floor, 4-bedrooms up PLUS a finished basement offers lots of room for the growing family! Enjoy small town living in Elmira! MLS®

SUPERIOR CUSTOM BUILT FINORO HOME

Brand new 1,953 sqft. home built. 3 bed 2.5 baths. Second living space on upper level with large windows allowing for beautiful sunlight to shine through. Fabulous kitchen with quartz counter tops and ceramic tile flooring. Double car garage. MLS®

BEAUTIFUL NEW BUNGALOWS!

Choose from three-1300sqft qualitybuilt homes. 2 are finished from top to bottom offering 4-BRs and 3 luxury bathrooms on 2 levels! Bright open concept main floor boasts ceramic tile flooring, kitchen island, quartz countertops, engineered hardwood in 2 bedrooms and so much more! The 3rd home is ready for you to choose your own finishings from the builder’s selections. MLS®

Jennifer Cameron Broker

Ken Cameron Broker of Record

Gabriele Koch Sales Representative

What’s INSIDE?

Choosing the Best Area Rug for your Home

by Shauna Lynn

Home Decor Trends for Spring

by Trina Stewart

Best Advice on Residential Lighting

by Julie D. Martin

The Walper Hotel Cover Showcase

March Events

by Emilija Perisic

2023 Paint Forecast is Optimistic

by Trina Stewart

Decadent Chocolate Pâté with Crème Anglaise

by Dana Shortt

Prime Rib with Yorkshire Pudding & Roasted Cauliflower

by Darrell Stewart

Trendy Books

by Emilija Perisic

CHOOSING THE Best Area Rug FOR YOUR HOME

Should I cover my hardwood floor?

Will adding an area rug create the cozy atmosphere I am looking for?

What size area rug should I choose for my dining room?

These are some of the most popular questions asked when choosing an area rug. Area rugs are a very popular styling technique that can significantly improve a room. Hard surfaces such as tile, luxury vinyl and hardwood are all great flooring options for any home. Still, they can often leave the room feeling cold and incomplete, so there are definitely benefits to adding a carefully selected and properly sized area rug.

While adding area rugs elevates the room’s overall look, they also protect your flooring, provide extra comfort and warmth, absorb sound, and will ground or anchor a room. Here are a few simple rules you can easily follow to ensure you take advantage of all the benefits of incorporating an area rug into your home styling plan. Follow these tips to find the best area rug for each room of your home!

Living Rooms

Area rugs should fit the shape of the room and the arrangement of the furniture – remember, an area rug does not necessarily need to be in the centre of the room.

Suppose you are looking to place an area rug in your living room, which contains a sofa, loveseat and chair that create a conversation area. In that case, you will want to select an area rug that will tie the conversation area together. To avoid a “floating” area rug, ensure that the rug allows for the front feet of each piece of furniture to rest on it. Additionally, the area rug should be at least two feet wider (one foot per side) than the largest piece of furniture. In the case of the living room mentioned above, this would mean two feet wider than the sofa.

For open-concept spaces, it is best to ensure that the area rug will fit comfortably under each piece of furniture completely - it can help define a space within a room.

Shauna Lynn Simon Beyond The Stage Homes

Bedrooms

If you enjoy having a warm and soft landing when you get out of bed in the morning, adding an area rug beneath your bed will do the trick. It can also help to fill the space visually, especially in large bedrooms. Select a large area rug so that the rug provides coverage at the sides of the bed as well as at the bottom of the bed.

If you are on a budget or working in a small room, selecting a slightly smaller area rug can help to create the illusion of more space.

PRO TIP: Double-sided carpet tape is the best solution to secure your rug safely. Alternatively, a nonslip rug mat placed under the entire area rug can also help to keep the edges down.

Home Office - Study

An area rug at your home office or study will help soften the space, provide extra cushioning, and protect your floors. This look is especially popular with wood floors.

The goal in selecting an area rug for an office is to ensure that the desk chair, in particular, comfortably remains on the rug, even when pulled out from the desk. No one wants to sit in a chair half on and half off the rug.

Especially within a home office, consider any equipment wires that might need to cross the room - you want your rug to align with the room’s functionality.

PRO TIP: Not quite sure how the area rug will look? Before purchasing, map out the placement of the area rug with painter’s tape.

Using area rugs can be a lot of fun. They provide comfort, warmth, and decorative interest and are a great way to complete the look in any room of your home!

Home Decor TRENDS Spring

Less is MORE

That’s the message of leading Canadian home improvement retailer RONA in unveiling its 2023 spring decor trends. Topping the list of hot, budget-friendly products are striking pendant lights, art deco faucets, stand-out backsplash tiles, stone-look countertops and colour-infused sinks. “Spring is a time of renewal, when everyone is looking for a pick-me-up and change of scenery in their home, especially a er a long winter that was preceded by a couple of challenging years,” said Lydia Thammavong, Head Design, Styles & Trends at RONA. “In spite of a gloomy economic forecast, there are many ways to create inexpensive on-trend looks that breathe new life into living spaces and help deliver a home environment that makes us feel good and proud to welcome guests.”

Thammavong offers these simple decorating ideas for under $100 to give your home a high-end look without breaking the bank:

RONA offers creative ideas to refresh living spaces on a budget.

• Opt for shelves instead of cabinets wherever possible to keep budgets at bay. Painting shelves the same colour as the rest of the room will make them appear as if they’re floating. Alternatively, applying a pop colour to the wall behind the shelves creates an eye-catching focal point for the whole room.

• Replace ordinary lighting in the kitchen, bathrooms or home office with unique, decorative pendant lights. Striking, conversation-starter styles start as low as $80.

• Choose a backsplash with character for a small area of a kitchen or bathroom. Ceramic tiles featuring a medallion pattern are all the current rage, infusing breathtaking European charm onto tired walls.

• Update a bathroom by replacing old countertops with the latest stone looks – priced from $99 – to add luxury and richness to this small space.

• Swap your current kitchen faucet with one featuring today’s trending styles – from glamorous, art deco gold to black taps – for a simple yet impactful upgrade with major oomph.

• Make a stylish statement by installing a coloured sink – such as this season’s hottest pale green metallic – in your kitchen or bathroom to liven up and add wow factor to the space.

• Add elegant, nature-inspired touches to your home office to promote focus and well-being. Consider rich sage green paint– such as Sico’s Tokyo Green (6168-83) – for walls, wood accents, and plants to clean the air.

“Contrary to popular belief, when it comes to decorating, it’s not all or nothing,” Thammavong said. “Adding only one or two new stand-out decor elements that you love will do wonders in transforming a space from ordinary to extraordinary.”

For more information about 2023 spring decor trends and to locate a RONA store near you. Visit www.rona.ca.

When it comes to refreshing your home decor this spring, think small. Even minor changes to the look of a room can add wow appeal without straining your pocketbook.

THE BEST ADVICE ON RESIDENTIAL LIGHTING

FIND SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU SMILE

Julie D. Martin

Over the years, I have run into some house that have amazing lighting but also some that weren’t so great or didn’t fit the space. I will go through many mistakes individuals have made with their lighting and how it can be fixed! These next few weeks are a great time to purchase lighting because of great sales. Before you go out and pick new fixtures lets go through theses steps first!

DO NOT OVER -ADORN YOUR HOME

Have you heard the expression Less is More? It can be tempting when you find a light fixture you love so much that you want to buy it in every shape and size for every room of your house. Don’t do that!

Look at the flooring and the ceiling and the walls as the base, and the lighting as the accessory or the jewelry. It’s easy on the eyes when colours flow from room to room and when flooring is consistent but it actually disturbs the flow of the space if you go with what I call too “Matchy Matchy” with your light fixtures. It takes more time to thoughtfully consider light fixtures that complement each other than fixtures that are an exact match, but the end result is one that just feels better, and it’s definitely more creative.

PICK A FOCAL POINT, CONSIDERING THE STYLE OF YOUR HOME

The easiest way to not Over-Adorn your home is to figure out which light fixture is going to be your focal point. Which one do you want to stand out? Figure out which part or parts of your house that should have a fixture that stands out.

If you live in a home that is Open Concept and had a large kitchen that overlooks the Living/Dining Room, the focal point may be the pendant lights hanging over the Kitchen island. There isn’t a one size fits all approach to selecting lighting, which is why many people decide to hire an interior decorator to create a customized lighting plan for them. When considering what constitutes a focal point in your home, you can and should consider the style of the home and you can also make exceptions if it makes sense to do so.

Organizing Consultant Marie Kondo really had something when she challenged us to ask ourselves whether or not the item sparked joy. Consider whether your light fixtures makes you smile when you look at them. If not, maybe it’s time to replace them. While you’re shopping, if you don’t smile when you see something, then why bother with the investment?

But, that one thing that you would really love may cost $25,000. You may not want to spend quite that much for one light fixture. So, obviously, all decisions need to be made within reason considering your budget and application.

SOME OTHER IMPORTANT DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

To keep yourself from Over-Adorning your home, keep in mind the following:

• The Style (i.e., Contemporary, Traditional, Urban/ Industrial, Country/Rustic, etc.)

• The Material (i.e., Brass, Glass, Chrome, etc.)

• The Finish (i.e., Polished, Brushed, Distressed, etc.)

IN CLOSING…

As a Realtor, I try to remind Buyers that changing out light fixtures will make a huge di erence in turning a house into a home. When I am representing Sellers, I try to make some suggestions to help them to show o their house in the best light.

Tips:

• Don’t be afraid to stray away from builder basic lighting

• Once you’ve found what really speaks to you, build a plan around it.

• A great light shop is The Lighting Shoppe on Hespeler Road in Cambridge. Their selection is unmatched.

• If you are feeling stuck or if you are worried that you’re going to be overwhelmed, call a professional first. Don’t let anything stop you from lighting up your home and your life.

Real Estate Broker

The Walper Hotel

A look back

The Walper Hotel was built in 1893 by Abel Walper at the corner of King & Queen Street in the growing village of Berlin. This location had been a twostorey whitewashed inn & gathering point since 1820, owned by various local businessmen, including Frederick Gaukel, John Roat and Curry Walper. When it burned down in 1892, Abel Walper commi ed to building the finest hotel the town had ever seen. It was rebuilt as a four-storey, red brick building, which is still the base of the hotel today.

In 1908, Joseph A. Zuber bought the hotel from the Walper Brothers, seeing the potential of the hotel in the middle of a growing community. A er three successful decades, The Zuber family expanded the hotel in 1925, adding two guest floors. The 5th floor was equipped with running water and additional baths for guests, although the ‘luxury’ of ensuite bathrooms was still a few years away! The renovation of 1925 also brought a formal dining room and a men’s beverage room into the property as well as the addition of The Crystal Ballroom at the site of the former Star Theatre.

Through the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, the hotel ran into difficulties and fell into disrepair. Sadly, many of the

original fixtures and furnishing of the hotel were sold. There was much debate around what to do with the vacant building (including calls to tear it down and widen Queen Street) but a group of concerned citizens launched a campaign to save the hotel, and succeeded.

The 1980’s saw The Walper Hotel reopened with award-winning restorations. It was designated an Ontario Heritage Building. Despite this, issues with the old structure remained.

In 2013, Perimeter Development Corporation purchased the hotel with a big vision to restore the hotel to its place of prominence. Over $10 million dollars was spent completely renovating essential structural and mechanical systems, all guest rooms and public spaces. Significant repairs were also made to the exterior of the building.

The Walper Hotel reopens to guests and welcomes the community back with open arms. The hotel returns to being a venue for hosting weddings, social events, business meetings and more. Lokal (the new 2nd floor lounge) and Barrister’s Lounge are open to guests and the public.

TWH Social opens under the hotel, a spot that according to local legend has hidden tunnels that were used for rum-running during prohibition. The Walper Hotel & TWH Social offer elevated fare in the region, focusing on seasonal menus, housemade dishes and conciously-sourced ingredients.

1908-1975 1976 2013 2016 2021

The Walper Hotel becomes part of the JdV by Hya line of boutique hotels across the world. While still being locally owned and operated by passionate locals, this affiliation connects The Walper to a wide network of global travellers.

The hotel continues the long tradition of weddings (for brides whose mothers and grandmothers were also married there!), corporate meetings and social gatherings including milestone birthdays and baby showers.

The Zuber family owned the hotel until 1975.

The Walper immerses itself in the community, supporting such endeavours as KWAG, Big Brothers Big Sisters Waterloo Region, The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth, Compass Refugee Services and other local organizations.

Then & Now

DID YOU KNOW?

LOOKING AHEAD:

Upcoming Events at The Walper Hotel & TWH Social

MONDAY MARCH 6 SUNDAY MARCH 26

Lokal, the hotel’s 2nd floor lounge, reopens for hand-cra ed cocktails, pintxos made by Chef Nate and vinyl being spun on Thursday nights! Check out the Region’s best kept secret - this spot is gorgeous and the drinks are perfection.

Monday through Thursday, 5pm-10pm

Drag Brunch featuring Detox, The House of Adam & Steve are taking over The Crystal Ballroom for an elevated Drag experience! Did we mention the Mimosa Bar? Tix available through walper.com, follow @thewalperhotel for updates.

WEEKLY @ TWH SOCIAL

Join us Monday night for trivia, Wednesdays for 1/2 price wines from the cellar and Saturdays and Sundays for brunch! TWH Social serves up a seasonal menu featuring local ingredients all week long. Get social with us! @twh_social or visit www.twhsocial.com for updates.

The Walper Hotel

was initially built at a total cost of $75,000. At the opening in May 1893, guests could have a room, three meals a day, a pitcher of water, gas lamp lighting, a spot to hitch their horse and the use of one of the hotel’s common area bathrooms for just $4.50 per week.

KW Titans

@ The Kitchener Aud

Join the KW titans for their first home game of the season! Make sure to get your tickets and watch the Titans play.

March

War On The Catwalk

@ The Centre in the Square

“WAR On The Catwalk is back! Starring your favorite queens from Canada and America as they perform live on stage.

Hosted by Trinity The Tuck”

Adult Comedy, Under 18 welcome with adult/parent.”

Rock This Town: Music And Memories

@ City of Waterloo Museum, 10:00 am - 11:20 pm

Rock This Town: Music and Memories highlights some of the live music moments, we have enjoyed in the area, including a rock and roll confessional of memories from those who were part of the local music backdrop from the late 60s to the 80s.

I love Beer & Taco Festival

@Bingemans Catering & Conference Centre, 2:00 - 10:00 pm

Join us for the 4th annual Kitchener I BEER & Taco Festival for a fun night of beer, cider and spirits sampling, games, and

Events

Disney on Broadway

@ Drayton Entertainment

9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Learn FOUR major production numbers from classic Disney musicals. Performers will receive practical insight into how big musical numbers are rehearsed and performed while they work with Associate Artistic Director David Connolly and professional artists to produce a showcase of classic Disney showstoppers.

Broadway Blockbusters

@ Drayton Entertainment

9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Learn FOUR production numbers from megahit Broadway shows. Performers will receive practical insight into how big musical numbers are rehearsed and performed while they work with Associate Artistic Director David Connolly and professional artists to produce a showcase of hit Broadway songs.

No Woman’s Land

@ River Run

“Haunting images, empowering narrative and breathtaking movement by an electrifying ensemble lay bare the plight and resistance of women in refugee camps. Nominated for five Dora Awards including Best Original Production, and with a sold-out run in Toronto, No Woman’s Land is a dance theatre work based on real stories that beautifully reveals the depths of human resilience in the face of adversity.”

Kitchener

Waterloo

Home & Garden Show

@ Kitchener Memorial Auditorium

Kitchener Waterloo Home & Garden Show is one of the premier home renovation and gardening sector trade show of Canada. It is the one-stop solution for renovating, decorating and landscaping solutions. The show has 250 booths in two full arenas and features experts on stage daily.

2023 Paint Forecast is

If you’re looking to infuse your home with on-trend colours for the coming year, look no further than the great outdoors –from land to sea. That is the forecast of DULUX® Paints by PPG in announcing Vining Ivy (DLX1148-6) teal as its 2023 Colour of the Year.

A striking green-blue jewel-toned hue that is symbolic of deep water, Vining Ivy is both calming and invigorating, infusing home decor with a much-needed breath of fresh air after a few challenging years.

“People’s preference for optimistic, uber-earthy and rich colour choices for the home shows that collectively, we’re looking for a boost on the other side of the pandemic,” said Mitsu Dhawan, Dulux brand manager.

“Canadians are gravitating towards nature-kissed tones as a way to express our desire for comforting refuge in an uncertain world.”

The new paint palette reflects a subtle evolution from more leafy greens in 2022 to more jewel-toned bluegreens for 2023. “This indicates that greens are still very much a part of the story, but they are picking up more blue than in recent years, representing an increased sense of positivity, hopefulness and rejuvenation,” Dhawan said.

She explained that this year’s teal goes a long way in counterbalancing the pressures of the world.

“While it has a dramatic vibe, it emits a calming, grounding feel that anyone can incorporate into their home, no matter what their decor – as an accent wall, pop colour or painted

OPTIMISTIC

on all four walls,” she said. “People are ready for an uplifting refresh and will appreciate how easily this green-blue hue can transform a living space with just a few brushstrokes.

The new nature-inspired tones are bolder and more expressive than the softer neutrals that have been popular in recent years, reflecting an optimistic mood as we emerge ready for the next normal, Dhawan added.

While teals are more reminiscent of precious gemstones than foliage, for example, earthen browns and oranges are more energetic than terracotta.

Dhawan suggested using Vining Ivy in rooms where one wishes to relax and unwind, such as a living room or bedroom, and adding an additional infusion of comfort with warm metal or wood accessories. As an exterior, this blue-green hue enhances curb appeal as a punch of colour or adds welcoming charm to a front door.

Vining Ivy pairs well with the range of other colours in Dulux Paints’ 2023 palette, which is dominated by sea, stone, mineral and soil hues. These include earthen shades of brown, such as Dark Granite (DLX1005-7) and Cool Clay (DLX1071-5), terracotta orange Georgian Leather (DLX1200-5) and warm neutral Weathered Wood (DLX1077-4). Vining Ivy also adds a clean, contemporary tone to crisp black and white palettes.

“This naturalism-focused trend reflects how design is evolving to allow us to connect with nature in such a close way that there is less and less differentiation between what is man-built and what is earthen,” Dhawan explained.

For more information about the Dulux 2023 colour palette and to virtually try the colours using the Dulux paint colour visualizer, visit dulux.ca.

Weathered Wood (DLX1077-4)

Georgian Leather (DLX1200-5)

Cool Clay (DLX1071-5)

Decadent Chocolate Pâté

WITH CRÈME ANGLAISE

INGREDIENTS FOR PATE:

• 10 oz high-quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped

• 1 cup 35% whipping cream

• 2 cups fresh berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries or a combination)

• Mint sprigs, optional

• Orange Crème Anglaise

• 4 egg yolks

• 2/3 cup granulated sugar

• 2 cups whipping cream

• Zest of half an orange

THIS CHOCOLATE PATE IS ELEGANT, EASY AND DECADENT – THE PERFECT DESSERT FOR A DATE NIGHT. SHORT ON TIME? SKIP THE CRÈME ANGLAISE AND SERVE THE PATE WITH FRESH WHIPPED CREAM INSTEAD.

METHOD FOR PATE:

1. In heat-proof bowl set over hot water, stir chocolate with cream until melted.

2. Place plastic wrap directly on surface; refrigerate for at least 8 hours or until frm (Pate can be refrigerated for up to 6 days.)

3. Alternatively, you can pour the pate into a small loaf pan so that you can slice the pate once cooled and set. If you leave it in a bowl, you can make balls of pate using an ice cream scooper.

METHOD FOR ORANGE CRÈME ANGLAISE:

1. In separate heatproof bowl, whisk egg yolks with sugar until light yellow. In saucepan, heat cream over low heat until bubbles form around edge of pan; whisk warm cream into yolk mixture.

2. Set bowl over simmering water; cook, stirring with wooden spoon, for 5 to 10 minutes or until thick enough to coat back of spoon. Strain through fne sieve into bowl. Place wrap directly on surface; refrigerate until chilled or for up to 3 days.

7 Days a Week

spoon about 1/4 cup crème anglaise onto serving plates. Top with small scoop (or slice) of pate. Garnish with berries and sprigs of fresh mint.

MAKES 8 SERVINGS

To serve,

DANA SHORTT Owner of Dana Shortt Gourmet & Gifts

&

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

BY CHEF DARRELL STEWART, West Haven Golf Course

Prime Rib WITH YORKSHIRE PUDDING

PRIME RIB ROAST

Cooking prime rib can be a bit intimidating, but with the right techniques and tools, it can be a delicious and impressive dish. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 prime rib roast (4 to 6 pounds)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary

• 2 teaspoons dried thyme

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Take the prime rib out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour. This will help the meat cook evenly.

2. Preheat your oven to 450°F.

3. Pat the prime rib dry with paper towels and rub it all over with the olive oil.

4. Season the prime rib generously with salt and pepper.

5. In a small bowl, mix together the minced garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Rub this mixture over the prime rib.

6. Place the prime rib, fat side up, in a roasting pan and roast it in the oven for 15 minutes.

7. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and continue roasting the prime rib until it reaches an internal temperature of 120°F to 125°F for medium-rare, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Check the temperature with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the roast.

8. Remove the prime rib from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and make it easier to carve.

9. Carve the prime rib into thin slices and serve immediately.

YORKSHIRE PUDDING

Yorkshire pudding is a classic British dish that is often served with roast beef. Here’s how to make it.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup whole milk

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons of oil or drippings (from a roast beef, for example)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, eggs, and milk until the mixture is smooth and has no lumps.

3. Season the batter with salt and pepper.

4. Pour the oil or drippings into a 12-cup muffin tin and place it in the oven to heat up for 5-7 minutes.

5. Remove the muffin tin from the oven and quickly pour the batter into the cups, filling each about two-thirds full.

6. Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the puddings are puffed up and golden brown.

7. Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the puddings cool for a few minutes. Then, use a sharp knife to cut around the edges of each pudding and gently remove them from the muffin tin.

8. Serve the puddings hot, alongside your roast beef or other main dish.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Medium Head of cauliflower (a medium sized cauliflower will make about 5-6 slices)

• 1 Garlic Clove minced

• 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

• 1 Teaspoon of Italian Herbs or seasoning

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp pepper

• 1 cup of Gruyere Swiss or Cheddar cheese shredded.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F

2. Take out the bottom part of Cauliflower core.

3. Slice cauliflower to an inch to inch quarter from top to bottom. Put cauliflower on baking sheet .

4. Brush with olive oil and Italian herbs and garlic.

5. Cover with salt and peeper

6. Sprinkle of paprika for colour.

7. Add Gruyère Swiss or cheddar cheese on top of cauliflower.

8. Roast it for about twenty minutes.

9. Chopped parsley for garnish.

TIP: Slice the ends a little thicker to avoid breakage.

Trendy BOOKS

TikTok is notorious for making many products “trendy must haves” in your day to day life. Many new book titles may have also popped up in your feeds. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best books to add to your reading list. From children’s books and up, and covering a variety of genres. Happy Reading!

HIDDEN PICTURES

Jason Rekulak

Thriller, Horror fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Paranormal fiction

Mallory is right out of rehab and takes a job babysitting for the Maxwells, looking after a 5 year-old named Teddy who is never without his sketchbook. Drawing all sorts of things a normal child draws until one day drawing a man in a forest, dragging a woman’s lifeless body. What does this mean and what will be drawn after that? This book follows adventure and mystery to find out what is going on at the Maxwells home.

Check out the app “Goodreads”. It’s a great platform to keep up to date on your reading list, and check out what your friends are reading. You can rate & review your latest book titles, and check out others’ recommendations.

LOVE, PAMELA

Pamela Anderson

Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography Swiftly propelled into superstardom after being found in the crowd at a Canadian football game. Anderson became Playboy’s favourite cover girl and a symbol of Hollywood glitz and sex appeal. But rather than being carefully cultivated, the Pamela Anderson we now consider to be who she is, actually emerged accidentally. Love, Pamela shares her real tale of a small-town girl who becomes entangled in her own dream. Also watched her documentary on Netflix.

NORMAL PEOPLE

Sally Rooney

Fiction, Contemporary, Romance: Connell and Marianne play the relationship off at school. She is lonesome, proud, and very private, while he is the top soccer player of the school team and is well-liked and adjusted. The two develop a weird and enduring bond that they are determined to keep hidden. They are both enrolled in classes at Dublin’s Trinity College a year later. Connell stands on the sidelines, timid and unsure, while Marianne has settled into a new social environment. Throughout their time in college, Marianne and Connell continually circle one another, veering away to explore other options and people but always being magnetically drawn back together. Then, as she veers into self-destruction and he begins to search for meaning elsewhere, each must confront how far they are willing to go to save the other. A show based on the book is available on Amazon Prime.

LOVE & GELATO

Jenna

Evans Welch

Young Adult Fiction, Love & Romance, Family, Social Situations

In this grand debut book full of romance, intrigue, and adventure, a summer in Italy becomes a road journey across Tuscany. Although Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany, she is not in the mood for the country’s wellknown weather and picturesque surroundings. She’s only there because her mother wanted her to see her father before she passed away. What kind of father disappears for sixteen years? Lina only wants to return home. Lina receives a notebook that her mother had kept while she was living in Italy. Suddenly, Lina is finding a magical world full of art, hidden bakeries, and undiscovered relationships. A world that motivates Lina to follow in her mother’s footsteps and, together with the always oh so charming Ren.

HOUSE OF HOLLOW

Krystal

Sutherland

Adult fiction, fantasy, family. Three sisters learn they are not quite who they seem to be and that horrible things really do go bump in the night in this dark, twisting modern fable. Undoubtedly odd are Iris Hollow and her two older sisters. Strange, unsettling happenings seem to have followed them ever since they vanished from a suburban Scottish street as toddlers and came back a month later with no knowledge of what had happened to them. Their black hair initially became white and their blue eyes gradually turned dark. They are unfathomably attractive, horrifyingly intoxicating, and mysteriously dangerous to people. As they brush against the supernatural they realize that the story they’ve been told about their past is unraveling and the world that returned them seemingly unharmed ten years ago might just be calling them home.

BUT FIRST, WE NAP

David W. Miles & Darya Dremova

Children’s Book

Sloth desires a snooze. Rabbit refuses. Who will ultimately triumph? But First, We Nap is a funny book to take the place of the naptime fight for every parent who has battled to convince their child to nap. Hilarious pictures show Rabbit getting more rowdy as the persistent sloth keeps saying, “But first, we nap.” Ultimately, exhausted, Rabbit caves, and the two—and presumably your child— cuddle and drift off to sleep. The ideal book to read during a nap!

TINY, PERFECT THINGS

M H Clark & Madeline Kloepper

Children’s Book

The world is a hidden treasure that has to be discovered. Consider opening your eyes to all the amazing things around you. This is the tale of a young toddler and his grandfather, whose stroll through the neighbourhood turns into a day filled with shared surprise as they come across a variety of tiny, ideal objects. This book explores how youthful curiosity can turn regular days into exceptional adventures through rhythmic narration and beautiful, detailed pictures.

GRUMPY MONKEY

Suzanne Lang & Max Lang

Children’s Book

Without good cause, Jim the chimpanzee is in a horrible mood. How can he be in a terrible mood when it’s such a gorgeous day, his buddies wonder? They have numerous ideas on how to improve his mood. But, Jim is unable to take all the suggestions and has a SMALL meltdown. Maybe he simply needs a bad day to feel bad. Bringing humour and lightheartedness to this essential lesson in emotional literacy, Suzanne and Max Lang show children that it’s okay to feel their emotions.