Wednesday, June 8, 2016

The recipe that you have been asking for...a boat ride and a new book.


Sidney Spit Marine Park is a short cruise from our Marina so it is a great spot for a day trip and a picnic lunch.

After a relaxing ride we tied up at the dock...
there are buoys available to tie up to 
and one can always opt to drop the anchor.

There are sandy beaches and trails in the forest.
Sidney Island is serviced by a small ferry for landlubbers who want to come for a day trip and there are campsites for those who wish to stay longer.


Sunday was a scorcher and there was not much wind so we kept cool by hydrating with water and lemon drinks and I stayed in the shade.

We enjoyed a simple lunch.
 Salad, buns, egg salad, olives, fruit salad and some deli meat.
Mr. HB got some reading time and I played a few games of Sudoku.

My skin burns easily and I suffer from rosacea which flares up when exposed to too much sun. 
I wear big hats, sunglasses and I use Eminence powdered sunscreen which is gentle on the skin and offers decent coverage.


I saw this vintage book in the shop Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village.
This book is intended to be read while one is "in the head."
"In the Head"  is not a state of mind, 
it is the term that boaters use to indicate the lavatory on board ship!

~ Nana's Bread Recipe ~

1 tbsp. fast rising yeast
1 tbsp. sugar
3 cups warm water
 6-8 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. salt

(makes 2 loaves)

In a large bowl pour in 3 cups warm water and stir in 1 tbsp. sugar
 sprinkle 1 tbsp. yeast over top and let sit for 30 minutes

Stir in 3 cups flour cover bowl with saran wrap
let stand about 1 hour
(it will look fluffy and bubbly)

Ad 3 cups of flour 1 cup at a time stirring well after each addition.
add 1 tbsp. salt after the 3rd cup
add about 2 more cups of flour
when dough is too hard to stir place on floured board and knead in more flour
Knead until no longer sticky.
Grease the large bowl and place the dough back in the bowl. cover with saran and lay a towel over top to keep free from drafts
and leave to rise about 1-2 hours until it has doubled in size
(dough rises faster in a warm kitchen)

Punch dough down to get all the bubbles out and grease two bread tins
shape dough into two loaves 
 let rise on counter until it is just above the bread pans 
about 1-2 hours.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45- 60 minutes
(I often need to bake them for the full hour)
Remove from pans and cool on a rack.

Enjoy!


This bread is quite dense and tastes great with some butter and  jam.
You might be surprised just how fast it gets eaten!


This pretty and delicate honeysuckle flower is attracting the hummingbirds...
they love to flit about and sip the nectar.

I hope you have enjoyed this post and will be back soon.

In the meantime...


Fiona Ferris's new book arrived in the mail and I have started reading it.
I am not going to rush through the book
 as each chapter offers a lot of "food for thought."
I will review this book when I have finished but already I can tell it is going to be a best seller...Fiona writes the lovely blog How to Be Chic.
Pop over and pay her a visit and please tell her I sent you!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

26 comments:

Fiona Ferris said...

I'm so glad the book arrived safely! When it took so long I was getting worried... no need though. I do love how you've 'styled' it among the white orchid flowers. Very Hostess :)

Your bread looks amazing, I am most impressed. Bread is hard to make!

Stephen Andrew said...

Seems like a great sandwich bread! Glad you enjoyed your boating weekend! Looks lovely! Thanks for the recipe.

Pam said...

Thank you for your lovely pictures and the bread receipe..will be anxious to try it..plus, the new book..thank you again!!

Anonymous said...

Your bread looks delicious! Funny reading for the "head". Fiona has a lovely blog, I'm quite certain her book will be delightful, will seek it out. Beautiful scenery and honeysuckle. jen.

Patricia said...

Another post just 'chock bang full" (as my sweet Mother used to say) of all kinds of interesting info, great pictures, a wonderful recipe and a recommendation for what looks like a great read ! Thank you for another wonderful post - I enjoy them all !

Madame Là-bas said...

I really enjoy Fiona's blog. It is the little things that one does that makes one "chic" and it has very little to do with others. Sidney Spit Marine Park looks very peaceful. Perfect for a sunny Sunday. Monsieur and I are at UBC this week (Ageless Pursuits) and we are studying
Wildlife and Plants of BC (mostly). Is this an arbutus and Garry Oak habitat? I have been looking at sustainable gardens at UBC and I am wondering how to achieve this without looking unkempt (the plants, not me). I am struggling to read Ragged Company as the first pages introduce an unfortunate lot of First Nations characters. It is a bit different from my usual literary fare and makes me feel uncomfortable. The bread looks delicious! Monsieur
enjoys freshly-baked bread with butter immensely. When our course is over, I may bake some. Thanks for the recipe!

Jennifer said...

What a glorious spot! Your boating adventures always sound so lovely. I'm anxious to hear about Fiona's book. She's such a lovely, inspiration for living well. As are you!

lizzie said...

Thanks for the recipe. I was hesitant to ask for it as I thought it might be a secret family recipe. Can't wait to try it.

the gardener's cottage said...

gorgeous photos leslie. i'm so happy and proud of our fiona. what an accomplishment! xo

Rosie said...

Beautiful pictures ... And your bread looks so tasty! Thanks for the recipe. I've downloaded Fiona's book onto my kindle. Looking forward to reading it.
Rosie

thepoutingpensioner said...

Oh my, what beautiful blue skies you have in Canada!
Must give that bread recipe a go. Your mum's Christmas rum ball recipe was yummy.
I was saving Fiona's book for ny forthcoming holiday but I have to own up to having read a sneaky chapter today!
Lovely post, Leslie, thanks as always.

Kristien62 said...

Your bread looks so tempting. I must give it a try. I love to copy down the recipes I find in blogs into a little journal. I have tried several of Janet's (The Gardener's Cottage) and yours.

Julie said...

The smell of fresh baked bread is heavenly.

Thanks for capturing all the beauty you see around you.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I am really enjoying your book...I have been reading a few chapters each day. Your writing and thoughts are lovely and inspiring.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The bread is great for sandwiches and is yummy toasted with jam or marmalade.
Hope you have a great weekend Stephen.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Please let me know what you think of the recipe if you make it.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Fiona's book is lovely...hope you enjoy it.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you Patricia!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Sidney Island has a Garry Oak Meadow and there are many Arbutus trees growing on the island...lots of deer and blue herons in the marshy salty shallow areas.
Your series of lectures sound interesting and I think it is so important to keep learning new things...it helps our aging brains!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I think you would enjoy Fiona's book...she shares simple ways to live a chic lifestyle. She is very grounded and wise and her words resonate with me.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I did ask Mr. HB if it was Ok to share it and he said sure!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Fiona has written a lovely book...you will enjoy it.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I hope you enjoy Fiona's book!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Mom's rum balls are so easy to make and very difficult not to eat just one!
Hope you like the bread too!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Janet's blog has great recipes and she shares so many helpful tips...
I have been following her for years and love it when she has a new post.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I read once that when you have an open house you should have bread baking...real estate agents think it entices buyers!