Saturday, September 17, 2016

September Snippets...

We are very fortunate to live in such a pretty city where gardens are carefully tended by enthusiastic gardeners....
There is a glorious garden along Hollywood Crescent in which many gorgeous flowers bloom...it is a riot of colour.
My favourites are the dahlias...I do not grow dahlias in our garden but I am very tempted to plant some next year.
I cross the street to get closer so that I can admire their exquisite details.
Such vibrant colours, each slightly different, some with frilly petals.


This dahlia is the size of a dinner plate!


A small feather had landed on this crimson dahlia.


a symphony of pink and white almost a mauve shade


orange with a smattering of red


The sun shone brightly before the rains came...
with a chilly breeze and the downpour I cocooned indoors and sat in a comfy chair to read my book.


This is a very interesting story that spans several generations
I am eager to find out what happens at the end.


I made a huge main dish salad 
served it with some homemade "jam jar" dressing.

The jam jar dressing is easy...
taste it while you mix in the ingredients 
you might want less jam or honey depending on your preference.

large dollop of grainy mustard
6 tablespoons of olive oil
3 tablespoons wine vinegar
a couple of tablespoons of jam or honey 
salt and pepper to taste

Shake well and lightly dress the salad just before serving.

Later in the afternoon the winds got fierce and the rains were hitting the windows sideways...
feeling chilled I decided to make a comforting roast for dinner.


Pork tenderloin coated with grainy mustard draped with bacon.
Vegetables ready to roast alongside the pork.

Brussels Sprouts
Potatoes
Carrots
Yellow Peppers

We had a yummy dinner and I used the leftovers to make a Cottage Pie.


Recently there have been some concerns raised by an anonymous reader regarding my linking to a company that makes a product that I have had great results using and I shared it with my readers.
This reader thinks that I am somehow linked with the company and I can assure you that I am not...the same reader suggests that I am "silly" advertising and promoting products when I am not receiving anything in return!

 I will continue to link to websites and share my experiences with products that I enjoy using.
I do not receive any money or gifts when I do so...
the opinions shared here on my blog are mine and I am not affiliated with any company.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

52 comments:

LPC said...

Oh, hey, join me in the Evil Kingdom and monetize! We owe no one anything but the truth. xoxo.

Your dinners always look so great.

Anonymous said...

Why do people have to be so negative. I love your blog, especially all of your beautiful garden and food photos. Even though I can't purchase products you mention as they are not always available in Australia I still look forward to your recommendations.

Jo said...

The dahlias made me smile and the food made hungry! Thanks for sharing.

christy said...

Gorgeous dahlias and your food does look good. Keep on sharing is what I say. I have used several of your food ideas and they have been great.

Anonymous said...

you really should try growing Dahlias next year as they are so easy and give a big return.Every spring I through some tubers in black plastic pots,cover with soil and forget about them. Then a shoot comes up and they are on their way! Fertilize weekly. I pop the pots in the garden wherever I need color. They are so cheerful! Love your blog.

No Sacrifice Bags said...

Lovey dahlia photos Leslie. I have never really thought of planting them.
As for the haters, who question your referrals, I say ; I wish you were referring my products,and I would be happy to pay you; but that isn't why you blog.

Julie said...

Brussels sprouts in that roast. I love them and all other fall vegetables.

Madame Là-bas said...

The dahlias are always so beautiful in late summer/early fall. Yesterday, we travelled from Shetland to London where I ordered roasted vegetables for dinner. It is that season. I found
The Hare with Amber Eyes very interesting. I'm not carrying books in my travels so I have been reading what I have on my iPad. Right now, it's Lizette's List although I find little time to read or write. In the Uk, there is a statement informing that this site uses cookies from Google to personalize ads and to analyze traffic. We certainly live in a time of personalized
advertising and I, for one, am always interested in learning about products of relevance to my particular demographic.

Sydney Shop Girl said...

What beautiful flowers! They brightened up my day.

I am sorry you had that negative observation to deal with. I think each to their own. Those of us who don't blog for money and are genuinely pleased with a particular product should be free to do as they wish with regards to linking on their blogs. I personally trust opinions on products more when the recommendation comes from someone who purchases the item being reviewed.

I find links in posts very helpful as they provided details on costing and additional info about brands etc.

Sorry for essay.

SSG xxx

Rosie said...

Hi Leslie ...I hope you're having a lovely weekend. I agree entirely with SSG, and I feel that all your recommendations are because you genuinely feel happy with a product and want us all to know about it. I already use many products that you use, some on your recommendation and some I've come across myself.
Your pictures of the Dahlias are stunning!
I haven't roasted pork tenderloin before ...although I often cut it and cook as "medallions" I'm wondering how long you roasted it all for and at what temperature? Are the vegetables raw or do you parboil them slightly first? Last question :) do you serve it with a sauce or gravy?
Thank you ....I'm always grateful for all that you share with us, honestly and kindly!
Rosie

Anonymous said...

Dahlias are divine. Nothing nicer than a vase full on the table. I think its pretty clear that you are not promoting products for money and even if you were - so what? Amazes me why people feel they have the right to tell others what to do or comment on it. Tonkath

Maggie said...

I hope you enjoy The Hare with the Amber Eyes. I found it fascinating! So glad you don't have affiliate links. So many other blogs have turned into marketing opportunities. Thanks for staying away from all that.

Deb said...

I'm always perplexed by folks who feel compelled to tell you what you should or shouldn't write about on your blog. "It's my bloggie and I'll post what I wanna " ! Ha!
Keep up the good work.

Patricia said...

Dear Hostess - Please ignore the negative comments from Anon - there is always someone looking for something negative to say - I feel sorry for them....I LOVE your blog, and one of the many things I do love about it is when you give your personal recommendations on the products you have used that you like - I really look forward to that... please don't stop because of the comments of one sad, unhappy commenter.... Also - I love your recipes and have copied many of them !

Marilyn said...

Loving your blog and all recommendations even if they are not available in the UK. All new ideas are appreciated. Keep on doing what you do so well. I even found a navy, puffy gilet after seeing yours. No hood and not designer but if fitted into my wardrobe beautifully!! If you can look up the Saint James collection of clothes. French and well made, casual smart.

Dana said...

Dahlias are beautiful, food is delicious, and photography is stunning! You paint such a sweet and cozy picture with your blog. Ignore the negativity- you ROCK!! Thanks for all the recipes- I love them all- very kind of you to share. I haven't used jam in my dressing but will do so this week as it sounds refreshing. I also look the books you read and often get many great suggestions from you. Love your blog, Hostess, don't change a thing!

Anonymous said...

Please ignore those odd negative comments. As obvious from the entries above, the majority of us love your blog just as it is!
Yum Yum on the fall dinner!
Thank you
Suz from Vancouver

Jennifer said...

Bravo to you for being honest. However, monitizing your blog is not an evil thing. You share valuable info we all love to hear about.

Jennifer said...

You do live in the most beautiful place. I love seeing how you style your life! XX

galant said...

Love your blog just as it is, Leslie! And those flowers are stunning. I love pork tenderloin, too, with roasted veggies - it's that time of year, isn't it!
Margaret P

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have ads on my blog...
if you are in the "Evil Kingdom" I feel very honoured to be with you!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Jennifer...thank you for those kind words!
Many blogs that I regularly read have ad sense ads.
I do not have a problem with them.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

You are most welcome Jo!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I plan on posting more recipes for Fall and Winter as the gardens will be faded and spent and I will spend much more time indoors...doing domestic chores, knitting, cooking and reading.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I blog as a hobby...writing whatever moves and inspires me at the time. Not with an eye to make money but rather to share with a like minded community of readers.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I could have added parsnips too which I frequently do with the Fall and Winter roasts.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have Lizette's List on reserve at the library.
I didn't read much when I travelled to Paris and SW France...to much to see and do to pop my nose into a book...I read on the flights instead.
I see that cookie message too...when I go to websites or certain blogs.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

SSG...I appreciate your comments and it is not an essay!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I roasted the meat and veggies in a 350 degree oven for just over an hour...I cut the vegs about the same size so they would be cooked through evenly...no parboiling required...I served this with honey mustard but you could make a gravy separately...the tenderloin is very lean so no real drippings were left in the pan...another reason that I draped the bacon over the meat is too add a wee bit of fat for flavour. Hope this answers your questions.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I think a vase filled with Dahlias would be so elegant...
As to what people think we have no control over that and cannot delude ourselves into thinking that everyone is on the same page! What mystifies me is why someone who clearly is very annoyed about the blog content would keep reading it!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The story is quite fascinating and how the war decimated their vast fortune and affected their lives is very well documented...still have a bit more to read but really enjoying it.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Hope to share more recipes with you soon...the season is changing here and I spend more time indoors and less time out in the garden.
I appreciate your thoughts too...thank you for sharing them.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I love Saint James clothes! I have a striped top made by the company and their sweaters are absolutely luxe. Good work finding a puffy vest...I have worn mine lots since I bought it.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Hope that you enjoy the jam jar dressing...thank you for sharing your positive thoughts with me :-))

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Hello Suz you are just across the big pond from me!
Hope you will stay tuned for more...

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

We are very fortunate to live here...you know the area too as you used to be a resident of BC. California is a beautiful state and you have such a warm sunny climate that I envy.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Indeed it is...the fall chill is in the air and the leaves are turning colours.
Time for some stews and soups...

Rosie said...

Perfect ...Thanks Leslie. Looking forward to making it.

KSL said...

Love dahlias - never thought of planting them and not sure they'd grow in LA - will look it up. I hope you can ignore that anonymous commenter - some people have nothing better to do it seems.

Jeannine said...

I appreciate all you share, including your product recommendations. Thanks for all you do.

kristieinbc said...

I enjoy your blog, and am always happy to see a new post pop up. I will definitely be trying this recipe. I just bought a 4-pack of pork tenderloins at Costco, then began to wonder what I was going to do with them. Your post was timely.

As for The Complainer, I just don't understand what motivates someone to be like that. I suspect it is the same person who has popped up here in the past with petty criticisms.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Dahlias love the sunshine and I would think they would do well in your climate. Often the tubers are lifted out of the soil in winter here as we get so much rain that they rot...perhaps they could be left in the garden all year long in your area.
Good luck on your research...thank you for your comments, I appreciate hearing from you.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you for being a long time reader and commenter...it is nice to know that you get something out of my writing and musings!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have another recipe for pork tenderloin which I must write out soon...
it calls for Hoisin sauce and is quite tangy.
I loved seeing that cute kiddies knitted cardigan on your IG page today.

Margie from Toronto said...

Dahlias are such a spectacular flower - I wish more people grew them here - I rarely see them so your photos are a real treat.
Please add me to those telling you to continue as you are and ignore those that always have to nitpick or look for the negative. I look forward to all your posts - they are always a bright spot in my day.

Jeannine said...

Oh - I look forward to reading that recipe. Sounds great. I have made your salsa using peaches rather than nectarines - delicious!

Unknown said...

The Hare with the Amber Eyes is one of my favorite non-fiction books. I can never forget what happened to his family. History was made personal, vivid, and terrifying.

I also have a netsuke "collection", but not in the 100s -just a few.

I recently read his new book -- The White Road. Again, a fascinating mix of art and history. He is the reader for his audio books, and his voice is terrific. I've read and listened to both books. Wonderful writer and reader.

La Vie Quotidienne said...

Definitely you should grow Dahlias...if I can grow them in our difficult climate they will be spectacular for you.

The food looks delicious. I read that book and loved it. Enjoy.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you for chiming in on the positive!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Reading this book, after many years of reading books in the same time frame really gutted me....so sad. I will make note of his new book...thank you Deborah.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

So which dahlias would you recommend?

La Contessa said...

OKAY.........will TRY this one TOO and the SALAD DRESSING!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU!