Mr. HB and I are enjoying a much needed week of respite at Quarter Deck Cottage on Pender Isalnd. The change of scenery is such a tonic and the fresh air walks are invigorating. We are feeling immense gratitude for this getaway.
Cottage life is relaxing and we get into the rhythm almost as soon as we drive off the ferry!
We brought some Graham Thomas roses from The Humble Bungalow Garden.
We eat quite simple meals here at the cottage.
Fresh French Radishes from our greenhouse for our salads.
Fresh from the Farm
Strawberries, sweet tasting and delicious!
As a dessert or with my morning fruit and yogurt breakfast.
Fresh eggs from the Saturday morning Farmer's Market here on Pender.
The yolks are a dark orange colour and the flavour is outstanding.
My current book...
a page turner and a very interesting topic.
I have not read any of Jodi Picoult's books before and I am enjoying her writing.
Spaghetti and a glass of red wine from the local vineyard.
I make pasta once a week as it is my husband's favourite meal.
I make a batch of sauce that will last for two meals.
It's a very simple recipe.
Spaghetti Sauce
Pour a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a large dutch oven.
add
1 medium diced onion saute until soft
then add:
a cup of sliced mushrooms
2 or 3 cloves of minced garlic
1 pound of lean ground beef or spicy Italian sausage
sprinkle with a teaspoon of red pepper flakes
(or to taste)
salt, pepper, dried oregano, a splash of worchestershire sauce
add a jar of good quality tomato sauce
small can of tomato paste
Simmer for about an hour.
Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package.
Top with the sauce and grate some fresh Parmesan cheese on top.
Enjoy!
The roses are wilting in the summer sunshine...
Staycations and local travel are the New Normal for residents of BC.
We must be vigilant and stay safe to avoid an upswing in Covid cases.
We have to make our own fun
at home, at the cottage, at a resort, a marina, a hotel or campsite.
How are you doing?
What are your holiday plans?
Please share any tips you have for coping during the pandemic.
Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
Wishing you a lovely week.
~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
12 comments:
it is great that we can travel a little in the province. Your cottage getaway is ideal! Daughter and I will probably travel to Victoria in the summer and to Whistler in the fall. We want to go to Butchart Gardens and have a small break together. Monsieur and I may go to the Shuswap to visit his sister at the Lake. Our new normal means that all plans are subject to change.We have to live in the moment as we follow the advice of Dr. Bonnie and the Health Ministry.
Your travel plans sound wonderful. It’s really fabulous that we are able to move about within our province providing that we are cautious and practice the safety protocols. If you want to meet up on your trip to Victoria please email me. Happy Canada Day!
Your spaghetti sounds very good. Marcella Hazan's recipe for "Simple Tomato Sauce for Spaghetti" made her quite the favorite in many kitchens .....
1. 2 cups canned imported Italian tomatoes (San Marazano), cut up, with their juice. (One 28 oz. can fills the requirement.)
2. 5 Tbsp butter
3. 1 medium onion, peeled, trimmed on bottom and then cut in half.
Put tomatoes into a saute or 10-inch tall-sided fry pan, add the butter, onion and salt (to taste). Cook uncovered at a very slow but steady simmer for about 45 minutes or until thickened to your liking and fat floats free from the tomato.
Stir from time to time, mashing up any large pieces of tomato with the back of a wooden spoon.
Taste and correct for salt. Discard the onion before tossing with pasta. Same if you are adding meatballs. Serve with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
This recipe may appear to be very plain and unfilling to the tummy, but it is very simple, has few ingredients, easy to cook, and very tasty.
Of course, you can supplement with other items, such as Portobello mushrooms, etc. I sometimes cut up the onion in chunky pieces and leave in to cook with the sauce.
Glad you are able to get out for a break. I would like to see everyone able to do that soon. It gets quite boring having to stay tethered to home.
I WISH I COULD BE THERE TOO!
NEEDING A LITTLE GET AWAY!
Oh and you might enjoy the PASTA!!! Hope you get the all clear to move around your state soon.
Thank you for sharing that recipe!
I have a similar recipe from Lidia Bastianich that calls for SAN Mariano tomatoes...they are so tasty! We use her meatball recipe and it’s delicious.
We were definitely craving an escape...this will have to keep us satisfied until August when we can return to the cottage. Our quarter share allows us two consecutive weeks in the summer months of July and August. Take care and stay safe.
Oh, good for you, L! How lovely to be able to hop your boat over! L and I might be going to Powell River this summer to see his family, but I'm really leery about moving around.
Love those big luscious roses!
I'm a big fan of Lidia. She's currently featured on one of the PBS stations. She really makes cooking her dishes look easy!
Thank you for sharing your ragu recipe. Always looking for a new recipe that includes pasta! Enjoy your stay at the cottage and can't wait for your final review of the book.
Glad you are having a nice break on Pender. The Spaghetti looks delicious!
wow looks like a beautiful place.
What a beautiful getaway! The colours of the food, not to mention the flowers, are so vivid. Thank you for showing us the comfort and beauty of domesticity, the safety of our public health system, while events around us are so difficult for many outside Canada.
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