Hi Everyone :)
I hope you're all comfy at home on this chilly Sunday...at least it's chilly here! I was scraping ice off the car's windshield this morning. And I just discovered my automatic car starter isn't working! At first, I was kind of worried now that the cold weather is arriving fast, but you know what? Life can go on without gadgets lol...I never had an automatic car starter before and I can certainly survive without one!
Last Thursday, Alex and I had our belated Thanksgiving celebration and YES I DID IT....I made a Thanksgiving Poutine!
Here is the luxurious close up! For those who don't know, a poutine is basically fries topped with cheese and drowned in gravy. It's a Canadian dish so I figured, why not eh? 😊🍁😊 I made a traditional, mostly vegetarian dinner with Stuffing, mashed potatoes, Cranberry Sauce and Cauliflower Gratin. On top of the fries, I put a little of each dish, topped it with a mix of Mozzarella and Cheddar, then slathered it with Chicken Gravy. It was SO DARN GOOD. And we had leftovers for days! 😊😊😊
Here is my centerpiece including the ONLY two teeny weeny little sugar pumpkins that grew in the garden this year. I planted about 30 seedlings and a few handfuls of seeds directly into my patches...2019 will be the worst year yet for my garden harvest - but I did learn a lot so it's never a total waste!
For dessert I made my Creamy Pumpkin Pie. This is very good for breakfast the next day by the way!
To go with dessert, I made Spicy Apple Butter Old Fashioned's with bourbon. This was like drinking a dessert.
The day before our Thanksgiving dinner, I made the Spicy Apple Butter to go in the cocktails. It slow cooked for 8 hours and the house smelled divine!
Now that I can eat again, I went on a cooking spree! I made Goat Cheese and used it for my Goat Cheese Popovers. These are so delicious! I only make small batches because they're best eaten within 24 hours.
I'm still on soft foods mostly but NO MORE PUDDING AND SOUP!!! I made a nice Four Cheese Pasta Penne - so comforting.
This is a nice snack - Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Pesto. I'm not a fan of pine nuts and I don't add them to my pesto - you really don't need them! This is great on bread or on crackers with a little shaving of Cheddar cheese. We also use this as a pizza sauce.
Alex and I did some taste tests yesterday! I opened my 3-Month Cheddar and the Cherry Bounce we made in July. What a treat!!! The Cheddar tasted just like it was supposed to taste like - a mild, young cheese! (I video-ed a taste test on Rainy Day Cheese Making if you're interested!). The Cherry Bounce was lovely with the cheese, it tasted like a cherry port. Very delicious!! :)
Clockwise: Baby Oscar stretching as he wakes up...curious Dana on the mantle...Charlie longing to run like a wild coyote in the woods...yawny Leo...snuggly Jack...insecure Marlene...I'm not leaving you EVER Marlene!!! 🐶 It may be cold outside, but it's warm and cozy and full of love here at home! See you on Thursday for our art date, the theme is Jack O' Lanterns! 🎃🎃🎃
Alex and I did some taste tests yesterday! I opened my 3-Month Cheddar and the Cherry Bounce we made in July. What a treat!!! The Cheddar tasted just like it was supposed to taste like - a mild, young cheese! (I video-ed a taste test on Rainy Day Cheese Making if you're interested!). The Cherry Bounce was lovely with the cheese, it tasted like a cherry port. Very delicious!! :)
You made me crave so much with absolutely every picture... except the poutine one... sorry! The pie is so pretty, and the goat cheese popovers??? Oh my lord! Homemade apple butter? Wow - share the recipe, please. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteI have to stop coming here. I just want to eat this entire page!
ReplyDeleteRain, Oh the little cat is showing off her mittens. So cute. Looks like you have plenty of good foods for these colder days. Oh honey, I dread winter so badly. I think it's because I am older and getting tired. Take care, blessings to you, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteHi Jenn :)) If you click on the links, you'll arrive at the recipe page! The apple butter is SO SO SO yummy! LOL...I know that poutine isn't for everyone! It was pretty good though! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL Sandi, I'm glad my photography does its job!!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Susie :) I know...I'm DREADING winter...I live in the wrong climate that's for sure. I could handle a month of snow...but six months up here is too much. It's our last winter here though. Alex and I are moving East to the Maritimes next year - hopefully to an area with less harsh winters, but we'll have to see!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're able to eat a little more normally. You could have a job as a food stylist. You have such an eye for displaying food!
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing foodie! It's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI love the poutine idea. My hubby cannot have dairy so I couldn't do it, but I'd love to! YUM
Thanks Mama Pea :) I actually downloaded a few food styling books lately! Those people really take their jobs very seriously, the props they have are overwhelming! It's nice to eat again!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenn :) Too bad about your hubby's dairy issue...that poutine was heavenly!! :) I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't have cheese! :)
ReplyDeleteThanksgiving poutine! You are a TRUE CANUCK!
ReplyDeleteMaybe your command start just needs a new battery? Or did a mechanic work on your car over the summer? Sometimes they disconnect the command start connection when they work on the engine and forget to hook it up again, so you may want to check that too. You'll want that command start to work when it's 20 below, LOL!
So much great yumminess. I think I have to grab a few recipes here. The Four Cheese Pasta Penne made my mouth water. I guess it's because I just love cheese so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debra :) The car starts and then shuts off after about 20 seconds, so the starter command is working, I think there are some mixed up wires inside. I had a new heat control piece put in last month, maybe some wires got loosened. I'll have the guy look at it when I get the tires changed!
ReplyDeleteThanks Leanna :) Grab away! Cheese in everything!!! :)
ReplyDeleteLishous!!! Good thing we don’t have reach in computer skills, cause I’d love to reach in those photos and sample it all!!!!
ReplyDeleteLoved your cheese video, and can’t wait to start on some wheels of my own. Your babies are precious and perfect!!!! Great post!
Wow, what a feast, it must have taken so much love and hours!
ReplyDeleteHopefully you had left overs to enjoy! Yum.
i don't know what looks the best! i want to eat all of it. poutine might be my most favorite food. i never make it because i just shouldn't!!! when i go to canada, i eat it every day! it's warm here today and i am not liking it one bit! your babies all look so sweet!
ReplyDeleteall the food looks delicious and all new to us - never knew about poutiene. Your pets are lovely, you have a little apricot/ginger tabby very like our Amber cat.
ReplyDeleteAnother fabulous post. Your food looks delicious and your pets so cute … a winning combination :)
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a wonderful Sunday, enjoy the new week ahead.
All the best Jan
You food always makes me hungry. Having never had poutine, I have put in on my list of foods to try. I mean, whats not to like? The Penne Pasta looks fantastic. Pasta is one of my favorite items to eat. We have switched to Red Lentil pasta as the 'normal' pasta sits heavy in our tummys. We can not tell the difference in taste at all. Also, the carb content is quite a bit less. (hubby needs to watch his refined carbs) I agree...........pumpkin pie is the BEST breakfast food. We always make extra pies just for that reason. The spicy apple butter is another thing I want to make. That on an english muffin in the morning sounds heavenly. Poor Marlene.......she should know by now, you will always be there for her.
ReplyDeleteThe food looks outstanding, wow!
ReplyDeleteMy gosh, everything looks amazing! And so festive. Of course, I just LOVE those pet photos. Soooooo cute!
ReplyDeleteRain,
ReplyDeleteYour Thanksgiving feast looks fabulous! You always make me hungry whenever I visit your foodie posts. :) I'm thinking ahead to our own Thanksgiving meal at the end of November and am getting anxious to make it. So glad to learn you're doing better now that nasty tooth is gone. Have a blessed week, my friend!
Gosh it all looks yummy -especially your homemade cheese. I am going to your house for dinner.
ReplyDeleteThe food looks amazing as always. Especially the drink. I don't think I've ever tasted an Old-Fashioned yet either. Love the pet photos. Too cute.
ReplyDeleteOkay - stop that - stop making me hungry and wanting that four cheese penne pasta or those goat cheese bite things and that old fashion. I need to live near a neighbor like you because the smells that must come out of your kitchen, yikes! I'd be looking for a way in to your house to eat the leftovers when you are out and about.
ReplyDeleteThe furry babies look comfy ❤ we've had some cold days but yesterday was actually beautiful. Up to 15 degrees and nothing but sunshine. We've been super busy with last minute jobs before the white stuff comes. Yesterday we put new siding on one side of our house. It needed new insultion badly and with it .. came new siding.
ReplyDeleteAnyway .... your food looks mouth watering good. I LOVE your decoration and your thanxgiving poutine sounds sooo good :)
Hot damn you sure know how to put on a spread, girlfriend! Everything looks so yummy and those drinks look good. The pie looks awesome and always enjoy seeing your fur babies.
ReplyDeleteWow! All that food. Do you eat on it all week? Your animals look content too except Marlene wooks worried. Nancy
ReplyDeleteOh dear this whole page is MOUTHWATERING lol
ReplyDeleteoh i am so happy for you dear Rain ,well come back to your favorite routine :)))
i think you don't need to cook for week almost :)
one thing that struck me is your energy level ,what an achievement to cook all and everything looks deliciously compelling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so you got your snow fall started right ? this sounds early winter to me as here we are still waiting for our winters with bits of clouds and rains probably
expression on marlene 's face make me smile :) she is just so adorable thinker i can see that :)
wishing you much more joys and peace my friend!
hugs!
LOL Thanks Dino :) Reach in computer skills would be fun I think! :) Enjoy your cheese making! It's so much fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tammie :) It was a great feast and yes, lots of love goes into all of my food! We had way too many leftovers!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Joyce :) I think you should spoil yourself with a poutine once in a while! :) We like our homemade poutines much better than any restaurant's now!
ReplyDeleteThanks Betty :) I bet your Amber and our Oscar have the same personalities too! I find that the ginger tabbies are the most gentle and affectionate, that's why we continue to call him "Baby" Oscar!! Poutine is a great diner-style food, you should try it! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan :) Good food and sweet pets makes this house so cozy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marsha :) I hope you try a poutine! Exactly...what's not to like? It's such a comforting food and you can make a meal out of it! That's interesting about the red lentil pasta. I've tried the whole wheat kind and I don't like the taste. I've tried often to make my own, but my gosh it's a labour of love. I just buy the best organic white pasta I can find now. Apple butter on an English muffin sounds yummy! I need to try to make some English muffins too. And yes, Marlene...she was tossed around so much in her life, she has really bad separation anxiety. She follows me everywhere!
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine :) It was so yummy! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Martha :) The dinner was so good! The pets are all so sweet lately, they're all quiet and affectionate...they're comfy at home too! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy :) Do you have a crowd to feed on Thanksgiving? Just feeding Alex and me is way more than enough for my anxiety lol...I remember when we used to have company over and I never could enjoy the food after because it was such a stressor! I'm so glad the dental nightmare is over!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lady M :) The cheese is all MINE!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristina :) Old Fashioned's are my favourite of all cocktails I think. The bourbon makes it nice and sweet and I usually mix in a little bit of my homemade spicy simple syrup to give it a bit of an "autumn" flavour! I use Wild Turkey because of the sweetness, Alex likes his with rye.
ReplyDeleteLol Sandy...I'll never stop! :) Thanks so much! Actually our oven hood fan/vent blows out right next to the front door so when we take the dogs out we can smell all the yummy food right outside into the yard. So can the dogs and they are always sniffing the air! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sis :) The poutine was awesome! I'm inspired to make other kinds too, not just the standard gravy and cheese! That's a big job, insulation and siding. This cottage is a heat zapper too, it's so badly insulated, but it's not our responsibility...though our Hydro bill is through the roof. I can't wait to be an OWNER. It was nice yesterday, 15 and sunny so I got all the garden and yard clean up done, we're (not) ready for winter! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Stefanie :) The food and drinks were so good!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy :) Yes! We had enough food for 4 days more or less before we got sick of it! Marlene was abandoned so many times, poor girl, she's always worried she'll be shipped off to the shelter again, but not on our watch! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Baili :)) The food really did last for many lunches and suppers! It was a nice break not having to make dinners for a few days, but I missed being in the kitchen! No snow yet, but I saw some in the forecast so now the garden is all prepared for it. I brought in the garden tools and rakes, and brought out the snow shovels! Oh gosh, I hope winter takes its time coming this year!
ReplyDeleteIt’s never a good idea for me to read blogs early in the morning before breakfast, Rain, and that’s doubly true for yours. What an amazing display of delicious looking foods. The salsa looked so good and I have only used pine nuts in homemade pesto, as they are costly. We have tried poutine only twice and yours looked yummy. Still beautiful weather here and hopefully the cold and snow is a ways off.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dorothy :) I'm happy to hear my foodie photos make you hungry! :) One of the reasons why I stopped using pine nuts was because of the cost, but also I don't really care for the taste of them. I hope the snow is VERY far off!
ReplyDeleteYou always kill me with these delicious dishes, Rain! I'm glad that your cheddar cheese turned out well! I have to try some of your recipes starting with the pesto one you use as a pizza sauce. I love pine nuts and I buy them by the pound. I always feel more homey in the fall and winter. Jack gets me every time with those eyes! What a lovely pet collage!
ReplyDeleteThanks Louise :) I'm really happy about the Cheddar too! We're already done with half the wheel. We decided to re-seal half of it and age it a little longer to see if it gets sharper in the big fridge. The cheese fridge is at 10C, the big one is around 3-4C so we'll see! The pesto works very well for pizza sauce!
ReplyDeleteI am full, just looking at your post!!! LOL! That Thanksgiving Poutine is amazing!!!! Love seeing your fur babies! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stacy :) The poutine was awesome, but VERY filling!!! Carb-heavy!!
ReplyDelete