Sweet Beginnings: Indulge in Pumpkin Waffles with Pure Canadian Maple Syrup
Yesterday afternoon, the peace of my day was joyfully interrupted by Lou’s excited barks, signaling a most wonderful delivery. A FedEx package, all the way from Manon’s authentic sugar shack in Ontario, had arrived, brimming with the very best of Canadian maple products! Unpacking it felt like opening a treasure chest. Inside were two generous jugs of pure maple syrup – liquid gold that instantly sparked joy. I couldn’t resist holding them up, chest-height, prompting a rare and appreciative glance from Mike. Beyond the coveted syrup, the package also contained a jar of unbelievably creamy maple butter, a tangy-sweet apple butter, and a bag of versatile maple sugar. I’m quite certain I saw a tear of pure, unadulterated joy stream down Mike’s cheek as he took in the sweet bounty. This unexpected gift truly brought the essence of a Canadian autumn right to our doorstep, promising endless culinary delights and a comforting taste of home.
With such a magnificent haul of maple goodness, inspiration struck immediately. This weekend marks a significant milestone – it’s the last stretch of relative calm before my schedule becomes a whirlwind of early mornings and late nights. From now until the 18th, and then again until the 21st, I’ll be deeply immersed in shooting, with a demanding 7:30 AM call time every single day. Recognizing this impending intensity, I knew I had to make the most of this precious downtime. My plan: to craft a batch of delicious, fluffy pumpkin waffles, a perfect homage to our new, exquisite maple syrup. Not only would this be a delightful weekend treat, but I also aimed to stash a generous amount in the freezer. These pre-made waffles will be a godsend for M & W, ensuring more streamlined, and certainly more delicious, mornings during the upcoming hectic weeks, providing a much-needed comforting start before the daily grind.
Choosing pumpkin for these waffles wasn’t just about embracing autumnal flavors; it was a deliberate attempt to infuse at least some nutritional value into our diet. I have a sneaking suspicion that W, in particular, will be surviving on an awful lot of grilled cheese and eggs on toast over the next couple of weeks, given the constraints of our busy schedule. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with those classic comfort foods, I wanted to ensure that on the days we could, we’d kickstart our mornings with something a little more wholesome. Pumpkin adds not only a beautiful color and subtle sweetness but also a boost of vitamins and fiber, making these waffles a surprisingly nourishing choice. It’s all about finding those small pockets where we can make healthier, yet still incredibly satisfying, choices to fuel our bodies and minds through demanding periods.
As for my own lofty aspirations for these upcoming intense weeks, I’ve mapped out an über-early morning regime that sounds almost too perfect. My plan involves waking before dawn, heading straight to the gym, and reviewing the day’s script on the elliptical trainer – a perfect blend of physical and mental preparation. Following that, I envision a quick, invigorating shower, and then, armed with a freshly brewed coffee, I’ll be ready to hit the set precisely by my 7:30 AM call time. It’s an ambitious, delicately choreographed routine designed to maximize productivity and well-being. But if I’m being honest with myself, the skeptical part of me wonders, just how long do you think that meticulously planned schedule will actually last before reality inevitably sets in? The demanding nature of film production often has a way of unraveling even the best-laid plans.
Adding to the list of ambitious culinary endeavors, tomorrow holds another exciting project: I’m determined to bake a batch of homemade cinnamon buns to bring to the set, celebrating our very first day of shooting. There’s something wonderfully comforting and community-building about sharing warm, freshly baked goods. It’s my way of trying to get us all off on the “right food,” metaphorically and literally, before we settle into working in close quarters for more than two weeks. This particular plan, however, brings to mind a rather vivid and somewhat chaotic memory. I once baked cookies for CBC in the morning, running desperately late. In a moment of sheer desperation and questionable judgment, I had to bring the entire hot cookie sheet into the car, along with a spatula and a plate. At a red light, amidst morning traffic, I meticulously transferred the still-warm cookies from the sheet to the plate. I’m quite sure I gave the guy in the truck beside me something truly unique to tell everyone at the water cooler that day. I’ve seen people doing their makeup in the car, catching up on reading, even working on their laptops. But baking cookies while driving? (Have I perhaps mentioned my absolute, undeniable lack of time management skills before? It seems to be a recurring theme in my life, particularly when passion projects collide with tight deadlines.)
On a related note, I promise to address all your thoughtful weight loss queries tomorrow night. I know if I delve into that topic now, with the depth and consideration it deserves, I simply won’t be up early enough in the morning to pull off my delicately choreographed gym-study-cinnamon bun-shower-work regime. The balance is precarious! Come to think of it, I’m starting to suspect that these late nights spent passionately writing and engaging with this blog have a significant role to play in my consistently shaky time management skills. It’s a constant juggle between professional demands, personal aspirations, and the joy of sharing stories and recipes with all of you. But for now, the allure of fresh pumpkin waffles and the promise of pure Canadian maple syrup provide the perfect sweet beginning to navigate whatever challenges the coming weeks may bring. It’s these small, comforting moments and delicious indulgences that truly make life, and demanding schedules, a little sweeter.