Cooking lesson with Julie...Aglio e Olio

Our friend Julie came over to visit at Quarter Deck Cottage on Pender Island.

We went for a walk, tootled around the island, saw the sights, went out for lunch, and we visited the antique shop.

I found a Lalique piece of glass at the antique shop.

Which I planned to use as a candle holder 

it was quickly re purposed as a wine coaster!

The Rioja Spanish wine was Julie's suggestion...

I had never tasted it before and it's really a nice wine.

Julie is a friend, whom I consider to be a real  "foodie" 

she is passionate about cooking.

I would call her a gourmet cook. 

She has a catering business...

if you have been a long time reader of my blog you may remember that she catered my 60th birthday party.

So when we perused what was fresh at the grocery store we had many options...

but I was swayed when she described the simple pasta dish Aglio e Olio 

which she described as Italian Fast Food!

I was already salivating!

Here is the link to Chef John's version of the dish.

Thinly sliced garlic cloves cooking very gently in a good quality olive oil.

The pasta water is already boiling on the back burner.

We pounded the chicken breast quite flat, 

coated it in flour 

seasoned it lightly with salt and pepper

before sauteing it in a small amount of oil.

(The pasta is added to the pot of boiling water so that everything will be done at the same time.)

We flipped the chicken breast after it was golden brown...

cooked it on the other side

then added it to the sheet pan with the roasted cherry tomatoes.

We drained the pasta and popped in on top of a platter

added a generous handful of arugula 

sliced the chicken breast

and added it

then

squeezed a half a lemon over top 

drizzled the entire plate with a wee bit of balsamic vinegar.

Here is our tasty dinner.

Thank you to Julie!

Hope you try this recipe and if you do, I would love to hear from you.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Vegetable Extravaganza....

Good morning!

It is really really early...I am wide awake.

Thank goodness the coffee is hot 

as I stand by the window watching the sky.

The morning light is just peeking over the horizon.

All is quiet.

I am conscious of my breathing.

  I will sit here in peace 

looking out and looking inward.

Preparing as I do for the day to unfold.

I cherish the slow morning time 

pondering life and counting my many blessings

since retiring...

There is a sense of calm and order when one has time to gather their thoughts...

knitting them together 

making them strong

determined.

A blurry snapshot of one of the many bald eagles that perch nearby...

this week I stood among several other cottagers as we watched as a bald eagle spread its vast wings and preened itself.

Such magnificent creatures and they are far bigger up close than one might imagine!

A bountiful haul of beach glass after combing the beach for treasure.

The views are stunning!

Just look at those puffy white clouds punctuating the blue sky

I could sit here for hours 

watching 

as the clouds meander across the expansive sky.

This beach would be a fun place to bring the grandchildren...

they could play on the beach before we sit and nibble a picnic lunch.

Perhaps even have a dip in the salt chuck?

Veggies... 

Prepare for the peeling and chopping.

You are going to be roasted!

Just a smattering of olive oil and a grinding of peppercorns 

then you'll be tossed in a super hot oven to caramelize.

You will be left to cool on the counter 

before being sprinkled with balsamic vinegar 

then topped with crumbled feta cheese

tossed together and devoured by a hungry Hostess!

Roasted veggie salad is a tasty treat and low in WW points!

Vegetable Extravaganza

Roast a variety of root vegetables...

I added mushrooms and zucchini to the pan.

Toss a wee bit of olive oil and mix to coat.

Grind a bit of fresh pepper over top.

Roast at 425 degrees for about 40 minutes.

Turn the veggies halfway.

Cool then sprinkle with some balsamic vinegar, 

add a few crumbles of feta cheese.

IF 

there are leftovers 

simply pop them on top of some lettuce for a healthy and colourful salad.

The charming book that I just read...

Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale

it's definitely worth reading.

Hope that you are having a lovely week...and its almost the weekend!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Beach Walk Treasures....

My Beach glass collection is filling a Bonne Maman jam jar.

I found these pieces on my beach walks here on Pender Island.

I'll need to find a larger jar soon...

perhaps I'll find a vintage sealer jar as that would match my shell jar collection.

I find mostly white glass...

aren't the greens and blues dreamy shades?

The blue glass floats are vintage finds

as are the icy glass Timo Sarpaneva candle sticks.

There's a beach theme going on here at Quarter Deck Cottage.

Beached sailboat...

cannot help thinking what an apt name this is for this vessel!

Crisp white Barnacles cling to the rocks.

Someone placed these shells atop a vast chunk of driftwood at Mortimer Spit.

Pender Chocolates serve a delicious Hot chocolate made from thick and rich chocolate ganache...

the chocolate shop is a treasure

so many tasty treats

deciding on which ones to choose is a challenge!

My current read is a light hearted romp

a peek into the lives of an eclectic group of people living on an English Avenue.

I am halfway through it and find its a page turner...

Hope that your week is off to a great start...

we awoke to blues skies and sunshine this morning and that's a great gift.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Goodbye 2017...

We've just said farewell to our friends after spending a few days at Quarter Deck Cottage.

We shared a few idyllic days 

walking, laughing, dining, and chatting...

Good friends are such a gift and I am so grateful to have them in our lives.

It has been a difficult year for us and I am not sad to say goodbye to 2017.

Many things have contributed to the current sadness in our family.

A sadness so deep that it has rocked us to the core.

Shock, disappointment and grief 

emotions so strong that at times it has crippled me.

There is very little that I can do 

to change the situation that affects our family.

It is beyond my control.

 I will help and support our family to the best of my ability.

Craving a space that is calm

peaceful

I find it in simple routines...

The repetitive motion of knitting 

walking along the seafront

ironing linens

chopping vegetables

sipping tea

reading with the cat slumbering on my lap

I am conscious of inviting gentle rhythms 

of everyday living

into my daily round.

Not sure how things will turn out...

it is a situation

which can, 

if I allow it,

 to rob me of sleep

make me weep

prevent me from feeling contentment and happiness.

My wish is for a Peaceful

resolution for our family.

Happiness in the New Year might be awhile coming but I am hopeful.

Best wishes to you all for 2018.

Thank you for stopping by...

Hostess

XO

Mother Nature's paintbrush...

Frosty morning at Quarter Deck Cottage.

The peace and quiet is restorative and so soothing.

Time to slow down, reflect and take stock of all our blessings.

Rainy morning

time to take a moment and be grateful.

Savouring the stillness and listening to what is in our heart...

taking notes and planning

perhaps trying something new.

Perfect time for hunkering down with a great book.

I was sad when I finished this book as I did not want my session at Parisian Charm School to end!

Jamie and I will be collaborating on a blog post about her newest book 

which BTW I totally LOVE!

Clouds lifting and the sun is starting to make an appearance...

hope to get out for a walk in the crisp air.

Time to go for a walk...

a gentle breeze

sunshine

the gulls are swooping and diving into the Salish Sea.

Serene and pristine Peter Cove.

A snug little bay with mooring buoys for the boats of the summer residents.

Kelp and driftwood wash up on the beaches after the storms.

The glorious beauty of Mother Nature at every turn...

so grateful to be alive and in this magical place.

Watching the ferries come and go...

the gentle ebb and flow of the tides

the rhythm that is humming just outside our door.

Our tray on the coffee table with a simple sea inspired collection

shells from the beaches

a few feathers gathered on our walks

the piece of coral a gift from a dear friend

a lavender soy candle made on the island.

The dining room table dressed in a similar fashion.

A book found in the used section of the Island Book Shop...

a new day dawns

there will be ferries to watch

ravens will be cawing

with a mug of hot coffee in hand

my thoughts stray 

as I watch the waves on The Salish Sea beyond our deck.

Views from the sofa...

change as the morning light moves across the Salish Sea

illuminating the trees and valleys 

of Vancouver Island...

Hope that you are safe and snug in your part of the world.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog today.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Goodbye October, Hello November

Hello November!

Our October passed in a heartbeat...

how is it possible that it can rush by so fast?

Time feels like it slows down when we are at the cottage.

Perhaps we are too busy at home?

A simple floral bouquet elevates our modest and humble IKEA tray.

It is a wee but blurry but the vintage enamel dish 

is where I put my rings 

when I wash dishes...

the silver star holding down the napkins was a birthday gift from a dear friend.

I found this interesting paperweight at the thrift shop.

I have no idea if it is new or from the mid century moderne era.

All the sides are different... 

Reminds me of the style of jewelry created by Robert Larin or Guy Vidal.

Anyone recognize the artist or the era?

Ferries ply the water out front of Quarter Deck Cottage on The Salish Sea.

The views have a hypnotic effect...

the waves lull one

the sun warms

the fresh salty air refreshes.

Two deer lie in the sunshine below the deck.

Its absolutely still

so quiet

that we can hear ourselves breathing!

The Lilias Spalding Heritage Park on South Pender Island

 we explored this area after walking up a rather steep hill.

The views to the valley below were quite spectacular.

I regret not taking a picture now.

Crockery and old bottles

Mossy rocks

Comfort Food for dinner.

Best of Bridge Family Meat Loaf 

mashed potatoes and a bean salad.

Those sleepy deer woke up and munched a bunch of foliage

 then the one with antlers starting pushing the other one around...

they sauntered off along the cliff.

I am wondering if one of them is responsible for eating all my lovely chrysanthemums that were on the front porch!

Have you got plans for the weekend?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~