About Us
Christina and Jesse, a New Zealand couple, living in the isolated community of Norman Wells, north of 60˚ in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
We like adventure and we cook real food.
The stories and recipes on De La Casa range right back to our early marriage (2 years ago) where we lived as frugal students in central New Zealand, embarking on the journey of cooking whole food from scratch, on a budget, with an eye for nutrition. It began with the simplest of homemade meals, learning about creating a garden entirely from seed, and experimenting with technical desserts.
De La Casa has since evolved into a log of our journey to the far North of Canada where we are currently living out the adventure we had been seeking. Jesse flies people and supplies into the nearby communities while I immerse myself in studying the contrast of food culture (New Zealand does have a unique foodie culture after all) and using real, homemade food to bring people together.
Living in an isolated northern town has its difficulties, even more so for those aiming to maintain a clean diet, support locally grown, avoid commercial products and improve food photography – the winter can be rather long and dark. We have learnt to live off local, wild meat and storable grains and make the monthly import of groceries last an incredibly long time.
We have chosen to enjoy and embrace this once-in-a-lifetime experience – from the all-day summer sunlight, to the northern lights during the -50˚C winters – and learn more about ourselves, each other, and our culinary dreams, all with love, all de la casa.
What a gift (from a good friend) to have stumbled upon your blog Christina, I can attest that your fruit tarts at the art exhibition last week were simply stellar! Thank you for including the recipe in your blog. I look forward to more great inspiration & your photos are a pure delight to the eye!
Hi Jayne! Wow – thanks for checking out my site! Such kind words :D
Hi, Christina! Sorry I couldn’t find your email address – I had a quick question about the header image on your blog. We are planning to organize a block party and were playing with an idea of making t-shirts. I thought something simple like your header could be perfect. If you don’t mind sharing – did you draw it yourself or is there a font that could be downloaded by people who don’t know how to draw…?
Wow sounds like an incredible and challenging adventure! your site is full of such beautifully styled photos, I love it!
Oh thank you Jess. It’s a lot of fun trying to make do with what we’ve got up here. It has been a great adventure so far :D
Good Job!!!!
Greets from Germany
I empathise with you and love your sentiments – I also have challenges sourcing and growing food here in the Outer Hebrides. I thought I could cook before I moved here, but I’ve learned to be much more resourcful because I have to be. I look forward to following you and reading about your delicious recipes. PS, I’m with Jesse. Coffee is king!
Hebrides! Wow – had to google that. How cool. I can only guess you have good espresso even there – being Europe after all. We miss it big time but have found the Italian press does the trick while we are here. Thanks for stopping by – appreciate the note :D
ciao! luvFAB blog.
thebestdressup
Hi Christina, I came across your blog last week after seeing your red wine cupcake recipe on pinterest (they’re delicious by the way). I’m really enjoying reading about your adventures in the NWT. If you’re ever in the Toronto area let me know, I’ll send you a list of foodie sites to see :)
Hi Lyndsay! Oh wow, funnily enough we are visiting Toronto in April! We are just starting to plan the trip and would LOVE some suggestions for sure! Please, flick me an email at christinajbartlett@gmail.com
Hi Christina, I just stumbled upon your blog in my search for a healthy icing recipe… what a lucky find! Your sea change sounds like such a fun (if not freezing cold!) adventure, and I love your natural approach to food and life. I have decided my new goal for 2013 is try all of your recipes… starting with carrot cake! :)
Hi Meg! Nice to meet you :D How cool you’re cooking from my blog! Hope you enjoy, and if you come across ANY errors or have suggestions please let me know!
Lovely blog and nice to find you! I’m looking out from my study across the frozen Rideau waterway – and then stumbled across your blog and read north of 60!