About me

Hi, I’m Nicole. I write about the extraordinary women of ancient Egypt…most of whom fall in love with the wrong person. I love history, expensive pens from Japan and Ladurée macarons. When I’m not writing, you can find me baking, cooking or playing outside with my son.

Join the mailing list

Instagram

It's been far too long. Macaron from @monkpatisserie

Hmmm might have to rethink some of the classic kid lit....
#curiousgeorgegetshigh

Loving this tiny harebells in the garden.

Can't believe my little cricket is already 4 months old this week. It seems like a blink of an eye yet life before my son seems like an eternity ago. My introduction to motherhood has been such an emotional rollercoaster. But I am happy to say that we are finding our rhythm. I am finding balance between being a mother, a writer and a wife. I have even been able to fit in some gardening and take in a few #hns2021 sessions!

I realize this is a bit late, but to be honest I wasn't really going to post about this. I guess I felt it was rather private. But I recently saw a tasteful post by a fellow new mom, Soni thought...why not?

72 days ago in the wee hours of the morning I was blessed to give birth to my son. Although he arrived five weeks early, he is healthy, happy and meeting all his developmental milestones. He is my gift from the Goddess and I love him so much. I feel so lucky to be his mother.

The past few months have not been easy. While my son is a good baby, I have been diagnosed with postpartum depression and anxiety. Because of rising Covid cases and lockdowns, my son has not met any of his extended family and I have only been out of the house to go to doctor appointments and walks in my neighborhood.

Like my fertility journey and pregnancy, the early days of motherhood are not what I envisioned or wished. But hope is on the horizon. It is almost my turn to get the jab. I wish love and joy to all my fellow Covid moms this Mother's Day. While things might be hard now, we are all blessed to have our babies and soon we will be able to share them with the world. ❤️

Valentine's Day baking. Chocolate cupcakes with raspberry buttercream and chocolate ganache.

Merry Christmas everyone. Looking forward to receiving the best gift ever in 2021 🎄☃️🎁

Three years ago today I got to marry the best husband a woman could ask for. His smile, laughter and sense of humour make even the darkest days brighter. Can't wait to become a parent with you. ♥️

The Senyi-Chow Family will be expanding soon.

Back from 5 days at the cottage. Sadly 3 of them were wicked cold and rainy.

I don't know about you, but the first half of 2020 has been hell. I need to take a break from the world for a bit. So going to take some time off from the screen to read, write and reconnect. You can reach me via email evelynsenyi@gmail.com. Have a lovely summer everyone!
#writersofig #readersofinstagram #summer #unplugged #screendetox #socialmediadetox #socialmediadistancing #vacation

Got to spend the day with this good boy.
#wheatenlovers #wheatensofinstagram #wheatenterrier #dogstagram #dogs #summervibes #summertime #sunshine

First macaroons in months via @monkpatisserie best French-style patisserie in East York!

What have you been craving these days?

Missing this face so much.

This morning's trip the the creek.
#naturephotography #nature #time4nature #take5fornature #flower

Can't believe this was nine years ago. Visiting China was like opening my eyes for the first time. The sights, the smells, the colours - everything was so vivid and alive. I still remember the people that I met there, how warm and friendly they were. And the food! I have yet to find dumplings as good as those we ate in Beijing in a tiny family cafe. I wish we could go back, but I fear geopolitics and Covid-19 will keep us away from this remarkable country for a long time.
What far away places are you dreaming of tonight?

#travelphotography #travel #china #beijing #travelmemories #summerpalace

One of the last trilliums of the season spotted at Hazel Bird Nature Reserve. Was nice to be back out in nature.

Last year this poor iris was so crowded it only had one sad little bloom. This year - a purple explosion!

I really wanted to like this book....but I didn't. I got about half way through and gave up. It had a good premise - the story of the Trojan war and Achilles through the eyes of Briseis, the captured Trojan princess. But the story lacked emotion. I just couldn't feel something for the characters. Lately I haven't had a lot of luck with books. Have you read anything good lately?
#book #booksofinstagram #booklover #booksofig #booklover #bookproblems #iamreading #reader #reading #fiction #fictionbooks #histfic #historybuff #historical #ancienthistory #helenoftroy

This week's #bookmail has a distinctly royal flavour.
#bibliophile #book #bookaddict #bookish #booklove #booklover #booklovers #booknerd #books #bookhaul #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookworm #fiction #Fridayreads #histfic #histnovel #historical #historicalfiction #history #reader #readersofinstagram #reading #reading #yafiction #ireadyabooks #ya #ireadya

Just finished this fantastic book by @julieberrybooks. It was a bit of a slow start for me and I found the multiple narrators broke up the flow and slowed the pace. Yet, as I got deeper into the story I fell more in love with the characters and the writing. There were some truely lovely passages in this book, which made it clear why it has won awards. It was a beautiful, yet highly realistic look at the First World War, which captures the essence of young love beset by the horrors of war. Highly recommended this book!

#book #books #booksofinstagram #bookaddict #bookish #booklover #booklove #booknerd #booksofig #bookstagramer #bookstagram #bookworm #fiction #fictionbooks #historical #histfic #histnovel #historicalfiction #history #ww1 #ww1history #ww1historicalfiction #yafiction #yahistoricalfiction #yafiction #yaromance #ireadyabooks #ireadya #readersofinstagram #lovelywar

COVER REVEAL!!!! The self-designed cover for my upcoming short story. Available only to my newsletter subscribers next month! If you haven't subscribed, please visit my website to do so.
#coverreveal #comingsoon #wipwednesday #wip #shortstory #historicalfiction #historical #fiction #writersofinstagram #writing #newrelease #ww2history #ww2historicalfiction #writersofinstagram #sneakpeek

#rainydayreading a classic #historicalfiction #gonewiththewind. What are you reading today?

#amreading #reading #booksofinstagram #book #booksofig #bookstagramer #books #bookstagram #booklover #booknerd #booklove #bookaddict #readingtime #rainydays #rainydayvibes #historical #fiction #fictionbooks #civilwarfiction #civilwarhistory

#wipwednesday I am really feeling Calla's sentiment today.

#wip #amwriting #fiction #historicalfiction #shortstory #story #write #writer #writerwednesday #yahistoricalfiction #ya #ww2 #sisters

Might actually be my best bread ever. This no kneed, simple recipe from @sallysbakeblog needs nothing but forethought and time to hang out on your counter. Nice crunchy crust, chewy tasty insides.
#bakersofig #bakingfromscratch #bread #breadmaking #breadbaking #baking #writerswhobake #easy #simple #stayhome

The perfect pairing for some deep edits? Mini egg cookies of course!
#writinglife #writerswhobake #amwriting #amediting #writing #editing #historicalfiction #yafiction #yahistoricalfiction #wip #history #ww2history #sisters #thebridge

It's a wine and chocolate kinda holiday Easter Monday. Just finished The Shadows Between Us by @tricialevenseller. It was pretty predictable as far as plots go, but I did like the author's take on female sexuality. It's a light fun read with not a ton of world building to bog the pace down. The magic elements were subtle and worked. It was a YA fantasy that read like a romance. Only real issue was that the love scene could have used a bit more heat (but I assume that was done because it is a YA) I would recommend this if you want to read fantasy with a strong romantic plot that doesn't take itself too seriously.
#book #bookaddict #bookish #booklove #booklover #booknerd #books #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookworm #fiction #reader #readersofinstagram #reading #amreading #yafiction #ya #fantasy #yafantasy

#Easterbaking adventures. Loving these bright and cheerful Easter decorated cupcakes. Recipe from @sallysbakeblog
What are you baking/cooking this weekend?

#spring #easter #bakersofig #baking #bakingfromscratch #writerswhobake #happyeaster #cupcakes #cupcakesofinstagram

Today is #VimyRidgeDay - in remembrance of the battle of Vimy Ridge in the First World War. I had the opportunity this past fall to visit the battlefields of France and the Canadian memorial. It was a very emotional experience; one I urge all Canadians to share once we are able to travel again. Today we are fighting our own war - a pandemic that is sweeping across the globe, killing thousands of our most vulnerable citizens. While these wars are very, very different, they share one thing in common - the bravery of our front-line health care workers. So today, I remember and honor our doctors, nurses, PSWs and paramedics - both past and present. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.
#history #vimy #vimyridge #France #canada #canadianhistory #ww1 #ww1history #healthcare #nurses #supportournurses #covıd19 #healthcareheroes

Thinking of better times like last September when I was visiting the lovely @dagmarabojenko.photography in #paris. Seems a lifetime ago.
#lifebeforecoronavirus #latergram #travel #travelphotography #socialdistancing #memories #imissyou

There is always hope for tomorrow.

#wereallinthistogether #wereinthistogether #hope #morninglight #springiscoming #tomorrowwillbebetter #inspiration #stayhome #staystrong #youarenotalone

Seems fitting.

#bookishquotes #bookishquote #quotestagram #quotes #dumbledorequotes #dumbledore #harrypotter #gobletoffire #dumbledoresarmy #socialdistancing #doyourpart #flattenthecurve

That face. Missing this guy.
#dogstagram #dogs #dogsofinstagram #wheatenlovers #wheatenterrier #wheatensofinstagram #stayhome #cutedogs #shelterinplace #socialdistancing

#wordsofwisdom I find with this crisis I have been seeking solace and strength from those who have come before, especially from our elders who went through much worse times then we are currently experiencing. My grandmother lived through the Blitz. My aunt lived through the fall of Budapest. The stories they have told me of courage and perseverance strengthen my own resolve to keep calm and carry on.
#covid_19 #covıd19 #stayhome #socialdistancing #keepcalm #keepgoing #staystrong #greatestgeneration #quotes #quotestagram #quotestoliveby #ww2 #ww2history #history #keepcalmandcarryon

Hoping to win this great giveaway from @fairyloot #fairyloot4years

What’s new on the blog

Ammit – devourer of the dead

The ancient Egyptian pantheon is full of strange and wonderful creatures - gods with the heads of birds, mysterious cat goddesses and giant serpents. One of the more unusual - and fearsome - is Ammit (or Ammut). With the head of a crocodile, neck, mane and foreparts...