Another Update August.

A Little Update From Here

Good morning.

I say that often because when I start typing or recording, it is usually between 6 or 7 AM where I am. Occasionally, but rarely, I am still getting started at 10 AM.

Today, I started at 7 AM and, as I crossed things off my list, I realized it was time to let you know what is happening here on the website, as well as in the real world behind it.

The Children's Books

The children's books came back from the alpha reader, and I am very happy with the feedback and editing suggestions. I have already started the first panel to create the storyboards for one of the books, along with some character development.

I prefer to show the environment of the story. Although you will see the characters, I want to leave some of the details for the reader to fill in.

For this first story, I will create the art and illustrations so the child and parent will have their imaginations to fill in what I don't show. I am here to paint the backdrop and tell the story.

Our brains do an amazing job of filling in the blanks when we allow them to.

I have a similar theory about my videos. You don't need to see me to understand what I am making in the kitchen. I want you to see it from your point of view.

That is why you will rarely see my face in the videos.

It's not about me. It's about you.

A Little Better Sound

I have bought a microphone and I am playing with it now. Hopefully, I will have better video production and sound starting in September.

I do have multiple videos already prescheduled, though, so I will see what needs editing in the new year, once the planned content is completed.

I have enough of a library of videos and older recipes now that I need to take more time to ensure accuracy rather than simply showing the breadth of my knowledge base. I hope you see the threads now.

I am checking recipes, testing them again, making sure the information I share is as accurate and useful as possible. I may still make mistakes, but I will correct them as I discover them.

The Old Blog and This Website

There will be some changes.

The website is going through a complete rework. I am now building the new template, and I hope to have the new site up and running by the end of next week. August 21 is what I am aiming for.

Patience, please!

I am good at many things, but website building and the technical side are not my strongest skill set.

This site started as a gallery-style website, and moving everything into categories, from sourdough to finished artwork, is not a simple task. I want to make sure everything is sorted before I hit publish.

The goal is to make it much easier for you to find what you are looking for. It will be a little more sparse then this one at first, but the final week of August I will start placing the finalized recipes and newest art pieces I am offering and will continue to offer. Physical products will be reserved for sale in locations or through me in Peterborough Ontario. I'll update locations once I have final arrangements or I will sell them personally.

The Blog

I have a little more help there too.

I have joined forces with a colleague who has similar interests but slightly different skill sets. I will continue to write, photograph, film, develop and test my recipes, but because of the volume of content, she has offered to help test and photograph some recipes as well.

It is a great arrangement. She needs recipes for her content, and I need a little help with a second set of eyes, especially when there is simply a lot to get through. She's talented, detail oriented and exceptionally reliable. More information to follow.

And there is an added bonus: different altitudes.

If you have ever read my blog, you will know that baking at different altitudes can produce different results. Me baking a cake at one altitude and her baking the same cake 3000-plus feet higher can sometimes mean different baking times and different results.

We have also already found an error in a translation from Imperial to metric, which means I now have another person helping to catch those mistakes before recipes make it into the final recipe packages.

This is especially important with baking. Cooking recipes are generally a little more forgiving, but baking is more precise.

It is a great situation, and I am very glad to have a second set of eyes.

More will be accomplished this way.

What's Coming

I will have digital artwork to share this year, in time for the holidays, along with a new category of recipes, drinks and mixology. Digital Cards, Gift Tags and a few other items are planned.

I am working on these printable formats so you can print from home or send to your local printer.

I am making headway, but I don't have a strong enough base yet to develop print-on-demand products. Much of my artwork has gone to other people for use in their projects, and I have decided it is time to test a little more of my own work on my own website.

My artwork does resonate with people. I just need to take the time to develop some of my own brand and products moving forward.

So, that is where I am.

Another step closer to completing several projects, but the website redesign comes first. I want to make it easier for you to find things, and that means getting the foundation right before I add more.

Thank you for your patience while I work through all of this.

Dawn McNaught