Some Recent Thanksgiving Photos

Almost winter

Our thanksgiving table

Pierrot Gourmand vous offre une sucette

Preparing our thanksgiving dinner

Celery root

Pear, goat cheese, and candied pecan salad

A Day Off

This weekend went by in a flash!  All of Saturday was spent in the library on campus so Sunday was my only real day off.  Breakfast at my favorite cafe (Old Town) was followed by hours of digging through vintage stores and Value Village.

Here are some of my finds:

Vintage Woolrich pullover

Red cardigan

For the last several years I've worn the trusted black NorthFace windbreaker that everyone in the Pacific Northwest owns.  But I've been on the hunt for a new raincoat that I'd be willing to wear on a daily basis and that doesn't cost $200.  I found it!  This Woolrich jacket is from Value Village, lined with plaid, and in perfect condition.

Over the years I've collected several old cigar boxes.  Now I keep my eyes out for them whenever I'm in an antique store.  I also found the little glass bottle next to it.  It's from Seattle and says "Clam Tea" on it...

Pumpkin Pancakes

HAPPY HALLOWEEN



I had to make something festive in honor of the holiday.  My solution: everything is better when you add pumpkin!

One of my favorite things for breakfast are buckwheat pancakes.  They're healthy and fluffy and delicious, but if you're craving something sweeter you can use a white-flour pancake mix, like Bisquik, or make your own.

For this easy recipe all you need is:
- your favorite pancake mix
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk (I used almond milk)
- 2 teaspoons honey
- a healthy splash of cinnamon

If the batter seems a little thick just add a bit more milk!

Ady and I enjoyed this fall treat for dinner with lots of syrup, a cup of tea, and an episode of The Tudors.

And they're gone!

Bon Appetit !

Peach Bread

Summer is coming to an end and soon we'll have to say goodbye to peaches!  Personally, I am not ready...

This was a bit of an experiment, but it turned out delicious!  It's basically just banana bread with peaches and a lot of cinnamon.

What you'll need

• Two large ripe peaches
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon (plus more to sprinkle on top)

What to do

• Preheat the oven to 350
• Grease your chosen baking pan (I used an 8x10)
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl and then blend in the sugar, oil, and vanilla
• Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; mix until combined
• Stir in the peaches and pour the batter into the baking dish
• Bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick stuck into the center comes out clean

Chilled Cucumber and Mint Soup

This recipe was found on Martha Stewart's website (I've made a couple of changes to it here).  I made it last night to go with Rosemary grilled Swordfish that my dad was making.  It's cool and light but has a bit of a kick to it.  A perfect summer starter!

Here's what you'll need:

• A blender
• 4 cucumbers, peeled and seeded
• 1 small clove of garlic
• 1 cup of plain low-fat yogurt
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more if you want a tarter taste
• 1/4 cup of water
• 4 green onions, cut into 1 in. pieces
• 3/4 cup of fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
• Salt and fresh pepper

Here's what you do:

• Cut 1 cucumber into small pieces and set this one aside for garnish
• Cut the other cucumbers into large chunks
• Blend the cucumber, garlic, yogurt, lemon juice, and water (puree until smooth)
• Add the green onion and mint leaves (keep some of the mint for garnish) and puree just for a second
• Season with salt and pepper
• Add more lemon juice if you want
• Chill the soup until you're ready to serve it and stir well before serving
• ladle into bowls (or mugs!) and garnish with a big spoonful of diced cucumber and a sprig of mint

Farewell vacation!

It's been a beautiful two weeks in Maine and Nantucket but it's time to get back to work!
I'll be adding more good recipes and ideas to the page soon!

Franciscan Monastery, Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport, Maine

Love this house

Islesford, Maine

Prepping lobster 

Buddy

The Head

Fritz

Sconset, MA

Making dinner on our last night in Nantucket