Showing posts with label thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thanksgiving. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Thanksgiving Weekend at Quarterdeck Cottage

 


We welcomed friends to the cottage for a Thanksgiving Dinner.
The sun shone and the winds abated for their arrival.

The menu was Italian themed and Julie and I cooked in the kitchen while the guys hung out on the deck watching the boats.

I was Julie's sous chef :-))
It is a great day being in the kitchen when Julie cooks 
I Watch and Learn.


Caesar Salad to start...
Julie mixes her dressing (which includes anchovies) directly in the bowl.
Then we added the romaine, croutons and cheese.
Julie also adds bacon which gives it a real zesty flavour!


We made Stanley Tucci's Favourite pasta dish.
On an episode of his series Eating Italy they featured the recipe.
Julie got her recipe from Chef John Pierre who has a You Tube Channel.

The basis of the sauce is deep fried zucchini slices...
it tastes delicious, nutty and thick and you'd never guess it was zucchini!
WOW

I made an apple crisp using our Liberty apples
served it with French Vanilla ice Cream.


The wine we served was Italian from the Tuscany region...
(I had to get Mr. HB to go out to the recycling bin and snap a photo)


We went to the Pender Island Museum...
saw this buck sitting in the sunshine.
Tried to walk at Roseland but the tide was in and so we couldn't get across
the inlet to wander along the scenic trails.

For breakfast the next morning I served a fruit salad and a smoked salmon frittata.
The frittata was simple to make...

Frittata

Sliced small red onion
diced red pepper
sliced 4 large mushrooms
6 ounces smoked salmon cut into small pieces
grated cheeses about 1 1/2 cups
a dozen eggs whisked til frothy
salt pepper and some chopped mint leaves

Bake in a deep dish at 350 for about 40 minutes until eggs are cooked and no longer runny.


Lunch was a charcuterie board...
we call it a "picky plate"

We walked at Hamilton Beach in the rain...
our friends left later in the afternoon before dinner.

I made scallops for dinner...
Chef Jean Pierre's scallop recipe is on his You Tube Channel and online at his website.




Delicious!


Will be reading these books over the next few days...
Am really enjoying The Last Devil to Die!
I love the Thursday Murder Club.


We are fortunate to have a great little boutique on the island.
I always pop in and peruse the stock...
you never know what you'll find!


C'est Moi


White Linen shirt

I found another one in a sleek percale cotton but I couldn't justify buying two...
I love a crisp white shirt to wear with black pants or jeans and my pearls.

Well I suppose that I better get some lunch ready for my husband...
he's out walking in the rain and will be cold and hungry when he returns.

In case you are interested lunch will be bacon and home grown tomato sandwiches on homemade sourdough bread!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, October 8, 2018

Thanksgiving at Quarter Deck Cottage

We've been cozy here at Quarter Deck Cottage this past weekend.
The weather has been mixed with some sunshine, rain and fog...



Cheers...
we sat on the deck one afternoon in the sunshine 
admiring the views and sipped a Corona.


Excuse the grainy picture 
 I wanted to share the sighting of the two whales as they swam past the deck.


Fresh from the Flower Shop


We pick flowers up from the florist as soon as we get settled in at the cottage.
Then we go grocery shopping.


A simple Thanksgiving meal.

Turkey, mashed potatoes and parsnips, with peas and gravy 
topped with a generous dollop of homemade cranberry sauce.
Dessert was a small store bought pie with ice cream.

I made turkey soup...
when I posted this on Instagram one of the readers asked for the recipe.

Quarter Deck Cottage Turkey Soup

In a large pot
Saute 1 large diced onion in a wee bit of oil until soft.
pour in chicken stock
( I used 1 can and 2 cans full of water)
Add a large cubed carrot about 1 1/2 cups
Then add chopped up the turkey meat approximately 1 1/2 cups
3/4 cup of frozen peas
1 cup short skinny noodles
(I used the No Yokes noodles)
a generous amount of fresh ground pepper
( do not add salt as there is plenty in the chicken stock already)
Parsley is optional
Boil and then reduce heat and simmer until carrots are cooked.


Hope you enjoy it!


The cottage smelled so wonderful as the soup simmered...

we had a bowl and then went for a walk in the rain.




A peaceful walk along the beach...
in moody light
a few pieces of sea glass were gathered.


Time now to finish French Exit by Patrick deWitt.

His book "Sisters, Brothers" has just been made into a film and has been released.
I read the book sometime in the last two years and found it rather shocking!
Filled with violence with a rough rawness that kept me on the edge of my chair!

I have no doubt that the film will be powerful.


French Exit has interesting and quirky characters
with a plausible storyline...
I enjoy Patrick's wry edgy writing.

(The book has been short listed for the Scotia Bank Giller Award.)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

 ~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Humble Bungalow ~ October Views


The Humble Bungalow Garden is starting to fade...

the hydrangea blooms are drying up


Jude The Obscure Rose

October has arrived with a new flush of roses...
petals fall littering the ground like confetti.


The Hostas are wilting
their leaves turning gold


The temperatures are chilly 
not conducive to sitting on the front porch.


Lovely Limelight Hydrangeas


I cannot remember the name of this climbing rose...
anyone know? 


Another peek at Jude The Obscure...
I never tire of this rose
the heady fragrance and full cups of frothy petals.

Reading has taken a front seat of late...


I absolutely LOVED this book...
the subject matter is rather serious but my goodness its a good read.
I could not put it down.


The wind is blowing the leaves around the garden today.
It will be time to get the rake out soon...

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."
~ Albert Camus ~





I went to the garden centre and bought some pretty red cyclamens for the planter
and 
while I was there I purchased a green pumpkin or squash!



I have started a new book...


We will be celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend...

Taking time to ponder the joys in life
feeling immense gratitude
and
 giving thanks 
for the abundance of life
our family
with thoughts of those who have passed on
and 
last but not least
our wonderful friends.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Thanksgiving and some Autumn Colours

It's Thanksgiving weekend and I have been very busy cleaning the Humble Bungalow and preparing for our family dinner...

I went to the local nursery and bought some lovely plants and things to add some Autumn colour to our home and front porch.


A simple chrysanthemum in a terra cotta pot
which I hope says Welcome to our home.


A white pumpkin and a mixed planter with mixed foliage plants.


A new orchid which I popped into a vintage white planter.
These orchids last for years and re-bloom several times each year...
the blooms usually last for 3-4 months.

I purchased 5 of these wee white pumpkins to use on the dinner table.


A sweet little Kalanchoe in a wee pot for the powder room.


Mr. HB has been busy outside 
harvesting the apples from the dwarf trees that we planted a few years ago.
I am making an apple crisp for our Thanksgiving dessert.


Greenhouse tomatoes are finished for the year but this last harvest will be enjoyed and the green tomatoes will ripen in a few days.

I must get back to my cooking...

The menu for the family feast:
Prime Rib of Beef
whipped mashed potatoes
carrots cooked in orange juice with parsley
peas
macaroni and cheese 
(4 year old Henry's favourite)
crab cakes 
(for the non meat eaters and extras for those who like both!)
my sister is bringing a veggie dish
butter buns
gravy

Apple crisp with coconut ice cream
banana bread
salted caramel truffles 
coffee and tea

Must get back to the duties at hand.



Happy Thanksgiving!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, October 10, 2016

Thanksgiving...after the gathering.

Today is officially Thanksgiving Day in Canada.




Flowers from our son and DIL.

We had our family feast yesterday
I was busy in the kitchen for two days and had fun preparing the dishes...


a hodgepodge of chairs
a mix of napkins and glasses


Our fairy lights are turned on for special events here in The Humble Bungalow.


Lots of dishes to go with the prime rib of beef.


Carrots served with a mix of grated ginger, melted butter and parsley.


Balsamic glazed roasted Brussel Sprouts
(Barefoot Contessa Cookbook ~ Foolproof)


Tortellini with cheese sauce for the grand children and vegetarians.


Yorkshire pudding
(recipe from Joy of Cooking)
Scalloped Potatoes
Roast Prime rib of Beef
Gravy
Peas

Pumpkin Pie for dessert courtesy of Mother who baked them from scratch...
(she is 89 so I think that is quite impressive)


The window in my laundry room overlooks the back patio and garden.


Ironing done while gazing out the windows of the french door.


 Today I cleaned up the rest of the things, put away the good china, crystal and silverware. Washed and ironed the linens and went for a leisurely walk.

I will post pictures of the glorious walk in the autumn sunshine very soon but for now I am going to put my feet up, brew a pot of Lapsang Souchong Tea and browse through the newest UK Country Living magazine.

Hope that your week is off to a great start!

Thank you for stopping by...


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~