About

Hello!

Welcome to My Favourite Pastime.

My name is Liz. I am a Mum of four.

I love everything about food: cooking, baking, eating out and travelling, but most of all I love plants. Everything about plants!

I specialized in Plant Systematics. What exactly is plant systematics? In short, it’s the branch of botany that deals with identification, naming, classification and evolution of plants. Cool isn’t it?

Did you realize that most of the ingredients we use in cooking come from plants? Oh yes they do: the root and stem veggies, the cereals and pulses, the spices and condiments, the horticultural crops (all the cool vegetables we grow), the fruits and nuts, and the grapes that make all the lovely red, white and rosé wines and the champagnes!  The list is endless mes amis.

I also enjoy photography and nature (heck that’s where all the cool plants are). I live in Canada.

I love networking with other food-blogs. I also love browsing photography and nature blogs (plants again, ha!) .

The Goal of  this blog is to inspire you and me to bake and cook.

Thank you for visiting my blog! Please come back again!!!

Liz

Would you like to contribute a recipe?  would like to know more about a certain plant? Please contact me at: myfavouritepastime(at)yahoo(dot)com

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COPYRIGHT NOTICE 

© My Favourite Pastime 2013, unauthorized use and / or duplication of this material without written permission from the author / owner of this blog is strictly prohibited. Links are allowed when clear credit is given to myfavourite pastime.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

639 thoughts

  1. Hi Liz! Thanks for checking out my blog and leading me to yours! I’ve really enjoyed having a nose around – you’ve got a great range of recipes and I especially like the variety of muffins! I’ll definitely be giving some of those a go 🙂 x

    Reply

    1. Thank you for checking out my blog too and for complimenting the range of my muffins. I started with muffins because they are easy to make. Now I need to move to other categories as well, to make the index balanced. Have a wonderful weekend. The link you have here leads me to a private blog, so could not connect. Thanks!

      Reply

        1. Please send me two slices of that chocolate chunk bread, my stomach is growling. Have a lovely weekend!

  3. Hi there

    I just wanted to say that you are my new favourite blog…I love the photos and also thank you so much for visiting our blog. =D

    Reply

    1. You make me feel so honoured. Thank you so much for such a inspiring comment. I love your photoblog too. It has beautiful photos and I would spend hours just browsing. Thanks so much for visiting me. I wish you a fantastic week!

      Reply

        1. Great to know that you’re a hands on Dad. We are having a good time too. Wish you a pleasant week ahead and best wishes to your family!

  6. Hi liz. Thanks for stumbling upon my blog…. I am from Alberta… Just outside Edmonton. If you could graciously add me to your list, i would be forever grateful. Cheers.

    Reply

    1. Hi Aaron,
      It’s a pleasure meeting you. Nice to know you’re from Alberta. Of course I’ll add you to the list. Thanks so much for visiting, I wish you a lovely weekend and look forward to seeing your posts!

      Reply

  7. Liz, I just wrote a new post before I go to bed. I nominated you for The Liebster Award. Congratulations, your blog is the first one that I think of. Thank you for so many wonderful recipes (and the step by step photos are really helpful).
    I have put a link to this blog on my post: http://hariqhuang.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/the-liebster-award/
    Great blogs are supposed to be shared. I hope many of my readers find their ways here.
    have a wonderful day!

    Reply

    1. Hi Hari,
      I have just finished commenting on your blog and here you are. Thanks for thinking about me and for nominating me for this award. I really appreciate the kind gesture and feel honoured that you thought of my blog amongst others!
      Have a wonderful evening!!

      Reply

  9. Hello Liz!! Thank you for stopping by my blog and liking my posts. I look forward in trying some of your yummy recipes .They all look so delicious!! 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thank you too, for giving me a multitude of likes. I really appreciated and I also look forward to trying something from your blog. Wish you a very lovely week!!!

      Reply

    1. Thanks for visiting my blog and thanks for liking my posts too. I also wish you a wonderful Sunday and hope to see more of you!

      Reply

    1. Thanks for visiting my blog. I also look forward to arming myself with some vegan recipes for a special day. Have a pleasant weekend!!

      Reply

    1. Thank you for nominating me for Shine on Award, I shall have a look asap. I feel honoured that you thought of me. Have a lovely weekend!

      Reply

  13. From one cooking Liz to another, thanks for popping over to my site and giving it a like ! Your latest treat looks and sounds delicious – Cheers from the States !

    Reply

    1. I assume you’re also called Liz? Thanks for visiting me and for liking my about page. I wish you a fantastic weekend and hope to see you many more times, in future. Cheers!

      Reply

  15. Hello Liz,
    Thanks for liking one of my post(actually unfinished). The best part is you showed me the direction to your wonderful site. Now i have something good to read during coffee break onboard. Cheers!!!

    Reply

    1. Happy reading and hope you enjoy your coffee break. Could you please put a link to your site on your Gravatar page? makes it easier to access your site.
      Thanks for the compliments and wish you wonderful week!! …and thanks for visiting my site too!

      Reply

        1. Please do that. It does increase the traffic to your blog if people can easily find you. Thanks so much and enjoy your day or evening, whichever applies.

    1. Dear Sonal
      Thank you so much for nominating me for the Shine Award, and for letting me know that my blog is” very inspiring and shines bright” I feel very honoured. I shall check out the award right now.
      Have a wonderful week and thanks for liking many of my posts.

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much for finding my blog amazing and for nominating me for Kreative Blogger Award. I shall check it out right now. Have a wonderful week!!!

      Reply

    1. Thank you too, for visiting my blog and noticing some beautiful pictures and food. I hope to see you, more often. Wish you a fantastic weekend!!!

      Reply

    1. Omg I am always so glad to see fellow Canadians and even more glad to see a mom. I love taking photos of food. It’s a very satisfying venture for me. Can I add your blog to my list? that way you’re only one click away from me. Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of the week. Xoxo to the little one!!!

      Reply

        1. Hi Sophia,
          Thanks for responding to my query. I shall add your blog to the list. Enjoy the rest of the week and hope to see you more often. Best wishes!

  20. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. You have some lovely recipes that I can’t wait to try (and I’ve only browsed through a few!). I shall be following you with great interest.

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much for stopping here too! You have an interesting blog too. I learnt quite a bit about the country life. I love peaceful places, as long as there are basic amenities and internet. Enjoy the rest of the week!

      Reply

    1. I will follow you, and could you please like my favourite pastime on Facebook as well? Thank you in advance. I know you will not let me down. Have a lovely week!

      Reply

      1. Hi, Liz. I’m following too. Won’t you please join me back at jeffskitchen.net? And Jeff’s kitchen on Facebook.
        Love your photography.
        Thanks for liking my Mexican salad recipe. I like it too.
        Cheffzilla
        (that’s me, Jeff)

        Reply

        1. Hi Jeff,
          Thanks for following me. I have followed you. Could you please like my favourite pastime on Facebook as well. Thanks in advance and enjoy your weekend!!!

  23. There are few things in life that are better than traveling and trying new foods. Both are a cultural immersion that can linger with the memories and the tastes. Like you, I enjoy traveling and all aspects of food whether it is eating or preparing it (baking, not so much but I am working on it :D). Thanks for stopping by the Taste-Buds 🙂

    Reply

    1. I’m glad there are people out there who love food like me. I love cooking and ! adore baking. You should work on the baking. It’s a very nice pastime. Thanks for being here. Have a wonderful week!!!

      Reply

  24. The food, travel, nature bit I could have copied on pasted and used on my own blog! Not the bit about being a MUm and 4 kids mind. Thanks for coming over to see my own blog and I would hope that it appealed to your own likes and might result in a follow 😉. Keep up the good work and yes, better taking a wee break in the summer and enjoying the sun while it is there – can always blog more in winter. MM

    Reply

    1. I have seen your blog too and it’s very appealing. I’m still in the summer mood, but hope to get back my normal rhythm soon. Winter is definitely better for blogging although some really grey days are terrible for food photography. Hope to see you more often. Wish you a wonderful week!!

      Reply

      1. For the food photography why not use a desk lamp in a small room? That’s what I did for my radishes shot, blind was pulled down. Had great feedback on the shot. I tend to do all my food shots inside, no flash, long exposure, tripod a must. MM

        Reply

  25. thanks for stopping by to “blackberry eating in late september”! I appreciate the “likes” and I’m looking forward to checking out your lovely little space here.

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much for nominating me, it did bring a smile on my face, which is so good coz today is a rainy and wet day. I shall read more about it. Have a wonderful weekend!!!

      Reply

  28. Hello Liz,
    Thank you for visiting our blog and liking the post “Chocolate Whiplash”. Your recipes look amazing… the chick pea and coconut soup will have to be a “Must try recipe” on my part, the combination sounds amazing! 😀

    Reply

    1. Thanks for stopping here too. I do love the cakes on your blog, you are truly talented. Thanks for your compliments and enjoy the chickpea soup if you ever make it. it’s one of my favourite soups. Have a lovely weekend!!! Hope to see you again?

      Reply

    1. Hi Sirène.
      Thanks for stopping here too. I really appreciate your presence. You have a beautiful blog with very interesting discussions. Have a wonderful week!!

      Reply

  30. Hi Liz, thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my post. Your blog is wonderful and full of pretty photos, I have a great deal to learn from you. And I love networking with other food-bloggers too, hope we could be good blogging friends
    Hugs,
    Phuong

    Reply

    1. Hi Phuong,
      I am so happy to meet you. Your blog is wonderful too, I was just admiring the Langues de chat. You made lovely ones. There is always something good to learn from the other person, so I Know I will also learn a great deal from you! Good to know you love networking too, just keep the conversation rolling..and we shall become the best of blogging friends. Hugs to you too, take care and wish you all the best in your studies!!!
      Liz

      Reply

  31. Hey you. Sorry I have not been around. I wanted to stop by just to give you a hug. Just because.

    *huugggss*

    so … you need to know something …and tis this….

    ….Please always remember to assemble all ingredient before you begin …

    *s* … my favorite line of yours.

    Hugs again.

    katie

    Reply

    1. Hey you, My Favourite Pastime has MISSED YOU!!! I love hugs anytime all the time so hugs taken….thanks!
      I am just assembling ingredients right now, I want to make some orange muffins from a friends blog…and do you know sometimes I forget one or two ingredients but that is a rare occurrence. Hugs taken again, I know it’s summer and summer and blogging don’t exactly go together, one will always suffer. Great to see you after such a long time. HUGS TO YOU TOO!!!

      Reply

    1. Thanks so much for loving my blog and for nominating me for Sweet Blogger Award. I shall read more about it and act accordingly. Have a great week!!!

      Reply

  33. Thank you so much for checking out The Deroche Decibel! I see you are in Canada as well. Where are you located?

    Reply

    1. I am in Guelph, Ontario. You have a great idea for Deroche Decibel, wish you all the best in developing it. Have a great weekend!!

      Reply

  34. Thanks for checking out my blog and my recent Banana Crumb Muffins! I hope you get a chance to stop by again sometime and try a recipe or two for yourself! I look forward to following your future posts as well.

    -Christine

    Reply

    1. Thanks for being here too I shall make sure I browse your blog and bake or cook something soon. I hope to see you more often. Best wishes!!

      Reply

  35. I’m so happy you stopped by my blog. I’ve been wanting to test out my new oven (I just moved from a place where I didn’t have a working oven for over two years!) I’ve always loved to bake and still made most things in a high quality toaster oven (NOT pies, not one successful pie, but mini pies were fine…) but I didn’t bake from scratch very much. Now, I have dozens of your recipes to try! The photos are lovely but the information is above and beyond! Thank you 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much for stopping by too, and for leaving me this note. I am so happy that you finally moved to a place with a working oven and I hope you’ll make good use of it. Please feel free to try out the recipes, my job is to post lovely photos that inspire you to bake and I’m happy, at least i’ve caught your attention. I wish you all the best in testing your new oven and I look forward to seeing some beautiful photos of fresh bakes from your new oven. Have a lovely Friday and a wonderful weekend!!!

      Reply

  36. Hi Liz!! Hope you’re well. Thanks for reading and liking my little blog. Glad you stopped by…….what an amazing blog you have, it’s lovely!! Look forward to trying some of your recipes….. 😃
    Steph 😃💋🍰

    Reply

    1. Hi Stephy,
      thanks for stopping by too and leaving this note. I really appreciate your visit. You have a great blog too. Hope to see you again. have a great week!!

      Reply

  37. Hi Liz, Thanks for visiting my blog and liking my post! Glad I found your blog – wonderful recipes and gorgeous pics! Look forward to reading more. Cheers, Dragon Boy and Mom

    Reply

    1. Thanks for stopping by too. I love baking and cooking too and many other things. I hope to see you more often. Will be browsing your blog to get to know you better. Have a great week!

      Reply

  40. Hi Liz,
    Thanks for visiting my blog. Yours looks great. I am not much of a baker so I will be back to tackle some of your delicious sounding goodies. Might have to start the the Banana Walnut Loaf, I always have bananas to put to good use! All the best, Dani

    Reply

    1. The reason why this blog is running is to entice people like you who are not much of bakers. If a picture in this blog makes you start venturing into baking then my goal is met. Have a pleasant day and a lovely week, you are welcome to try the banana walnut loaf, it’s simple and straight forward and the muffins too, they take minutes to mix and the end result is amazing. Hope to see you again!!!

      Reply

  44. Thank you for viewing my blog and for the like 🙂 Just skimmed some of your recipes ! Mom is not going to be happy with my presence in kitchen , but i am going to try your Rice with bean ! 🙂 Keep posting these kind of veg recipes

    Reply

    1. Thanks for liking the rice and beans. It’s one of my favourite recipes in this blog. It’s easy to make and you can always adjust the ingredients to suit your palate. I’m glad you like it. That means I can continue posting vegetarian dishes. Have a pleasant day!

      Reply

    1. Hi Parky,
      Thanks for stopping here too and thanks for leaving me a note too. I have just been reading your about page and admire your great strength and determination, despite your PD. My prayers and thoughts are with your family. Wish you a wonderful weekend and may God give you the strength to continue being positive!!

      Reply

  46. You have a great blog Liz – and all those delicious sounding foods accompanied by beautiful photos too – as someone who is a complete klutz with a camera, I am green with envy 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to drop by my blog – I love it when new folk pop in!

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much for your kind comments, I really appreciate. I am no better than you in photography, I just promised that I would try to give my readers the best photos I could, so I just try a little harder and spend a little more time in photography. Thanks so much too, for popping in. I wish you a very wonderful weekend and hope to see you from time to time. Best wishes!

      Reply

    1. Thank you for stopping by My Favourite Pastime, Please come as often as you please. Every time I see you here, I shall come to simplydaisies. Have a great day!!!!

      Reply

    1. Thanks so much for your compliments. I love this blog too. It where I spend my free time. Hope to see more of you. KInd regards!

      Reply

  51. Hi Liz, thank you for your “like” in my post “so sad” about if I would eat pills instead regular food. My answer is no! And after seeing your recipes and your photos, no, no, no! never! Your site is yummy!

    Reply

    1. My answer is no too, our stomachs were made for food not pills. I started my blog to inspire you and me to cook, and now I actually cook more and eat better food than before (no more supermarket soups for me). Thanks so much for joining the conversation. I appreciate that you took time to leave me a note. Wish you all the best and please stick to the “no” and take care!!! Have a wonderful week!!

      Reply

  52. Hey Liz, thanks for visiting Cool Sass! I checked out your recipes and they are awesome! Definitely going to come back for more 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thanks for browsing, thanks for the many likes and thanks for even leaving a note. I appreciate all the time you spent here. I look forward to seeing more of you, in future! Have a good day and a fantastic week!!!

      Reply

  53. Thanks for liking my first post! I was surprised, really, when I found out, and when I clicked on your link it brought me to a mouth-watering photograph of pasta soup. (At four AM in the morning…my face is like this: O.O)
    I’m glad I found this blog, it honestly motivates me. So thank you and have a good day. 🙂

    Reply

    1. Hi SugarMe,
      Aha, so that is your first post. I must say you are very lucky coz it took weeks before anybody liked my posts. I was very lonely for a long time. The advice I would give you: post regularly and interact with other bloggers, soon your blog will be buzzing with activity, but if you are still going to school then take it easy, concentrate on the schooling part more. and post maybe once a week as long as you are regular. I am glad I found your blog too. It will give me the chance to see it grow. Have a wonderful week and thanks for joining the conversation!!!

      Reply

    1. Dear Amy,
      ! am terribly sorry that I didn’t respond to your compliment. How rude of me. Thanks for complementing the blog and the photographs. And thank you so much for taking time to leave me this note. I appreciate, very much. Have a peaceful Sunday and a lovely week. Hope to see you more often.
      Liz

      Reply

  55. Hello Liz, Thank you for liking my post! I am a beginning blogger but I try. Love your blog as well! Once again, thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hi Joseph,
      Don’t worry. At one point or another, we are all beginners, but everyday that passes, your blog grows one day older. Just focus on your reason for blogging and keep on networking with other like minded blogs. Thanks so much for stopping here. I wish you a fantastic weekend!

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much for this nomination. I will check to see what it means. Have a good day and an awesome weekend!!!

      Reply

    1. Hi Thoa,
      how is Australia?, I have just been to your blog. I love cooking and travelling too! I love seeing people so I also look forward to seeing more of you in future. Xoxo to Louise! Have a great week!

      Reply

      1. Thanks for visiting my blog. Australia is going to winter and a bit cooler now. Thanks for kiss and huge to Louise. Have a great weekend ahead!

        Reply

        1. Same to you. We are almost starting summer. In fact today was so hot 30C my air conditioner is on right now. Thanks so much for stopping here again and enjoy the rest of the week!

  60. Hi Liz! I just discovered your blog and I love it! I love the way you photograph food – I wish my food photos were as good as yours are!! I just started a blog, and I’m not the best food photographer (not yet anyway). Wonderful blog! Celeste 🙂

    Reply

    1. Hi Celeste,
      I have just celebrated four months of blogging and I still struggle with photography. Thanks for the compliments though, I take many photos then select and sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t work so well. I must say I am taking better photos than I took in the first month. Thank you for stopping by and have a fantastic week!
      Liz

      Reply

      1. I probably haven’t seen any of your early photos, but the ones you’re taking now are really good. I just bought a camera (I was using my iphone) and I’ll be taking a photography class soon so hopefully my photos will get better. I’d actually like to post more recipes on my blog, but I shy away from doing so because I’m embarrassed by the photos I take of food. Anyway, I can’t believe that you’ve only been blogging for 1 month longer than me and you already have almost 700 followers. What’s your secret? Celeste 🙂

        Reply

        1. Hi Celeste
          I have also been contemplating taking a photography class, sometimes I get so frustrated with some photos that never seem to work, and others just work fine. You must take very many photos though and then wade through and choose the best-it’s time consuming. It’s that part of blogging I dread always. The secret is to visit other peoples blogs (that share same interests) and interact with them, but that takes a chunk of my time too. Wish you all the best and please keep in touch. Have a pleasant day and a great week! Thanks so much for stopping here several times, I really appreciate!!!!

  61. Hi Liz. Thanks for the like on my Twice Baked Potatoes. It helped me find your great blog. Great post on Buttermilk Scones. Did you ever find the powdered buttermilk? I’ve never seen it in the US either.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for stopping here too. I still haven’t found the powdered buttermilk, still on the lookout for it. I just use the regular one, and cook more frequently with it. Thanks and have a wonderful week!

      Reply

    1. Hi Janet
      Thanks for checking me out too. I have just peeped at your memorial day dinner, I love corn and I had BBQ hotdogs today with roasted veggies. Have a wonderful week!

      Reply

  63. Hey Liz thanks for stopping by my blog! I wanted to let you that I love the idea of a “resources” page…I wish I had thought of that!

    Reply

    1. That’s a very good idea, but I have been so slow on updating resources, but with time I hope to put more effort and update it more regularly, Thanks gives me more reason to work on it now. Have a wonderful week! You can still add a resources page…it’s never too late!

      Reply

  64. I enjoyed your post on strawberries and crepes…I too am a mother of 4 and also enjoy the great outdoors of the wilder, untrammeled sort…in the spirit of one of your blog photos.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for stopping by and thanks for this note too, What would life be without nature? I love outdoors too. Hope so see you again? have a fantastic weekend!

      Reply

    1. Thanks for visiting. Thanks for leaving this note. Hope to see you again? Have a fantastic weekend! Will be waiting to be asked.

      Reply

  66. Hi Liz! thanks for stopping by my little blog and liking my “seeing green” post:) I had a little snoop around your blog and love it! Lots of shared interests – food, photography and I’m newer to blogging also:) Following your great site!

    Reply

    1. Thanks for stopping by too, I have just been to see your flicker photos. They are really nice. I think I should join flicker too. I love food, photography, just like you. Thanks for the follow. Have a great weekend! Hope to see more of you!

      Reply

  67. Hi Liz, thank you for stopping by my blog. Meeting new like-minded people and creating new friendships through their blogs is one of the greatest gift of blogging!

    Reply

    1. Thanks for stopping by too, I see we share the same interests and I also love creating new friendships through the WordPress platform. I look forward to interacting with you. Have a fantastic weekend!

      Reply

  68. Hi! Just dropped by to thank you personally for having the time to visit my blog :)) Being a new comer in this field I know I can definitely learn a LOT from you 🙂 hope you can help me :))) Thanks tho =))

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much for taking your time to leave me this note. I really appreciate. I am not very old in blogging but have learnt a few things: (after visiting your blog)
      1) post regularly
      2) write something on your about page.
      3) keep on networking with other like minded blogs.
      Hope that helps you for now. I look forward to seeing you more often. Have a great week!!!

      Reply

  69. Hello lovely Liz! Thanks for visiting my little corner of the internet and helping me to find yours! I definitely agree that networking with likeminded people is one of the most wonderful things about having a food blog. It’s something that I didn’t really think about, when I started one year ago, but I’ve made some friendships that I know will last for a long time to come! Can’t wait to look through your archives. Love the header photo… mmm, cake! x

    Reply

    1. Hi Laura
      Thank so much for stopping by and thanks for taking your time to leave me this note. I really appreciate. I have only been blogging for almost four months and I have met some wonderful people on the WordPress platform. I love blogging on WordPress, the support they give makes everything so much easier. I hope to see you more often. Have a fantastic week!!!
      Liz

      Reply

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