Prince Edward County Visit, Part III

We hit the Cheddar and Ale Trail of the Bay of Quinte. Between wineries, breweries, cideries and cheese makers... we covered off most of the necessary food groups. Actually one of the wineries carried locally made chocolate, so... yes, all food groups ticked off. And several Christmas presents too!











The County Cider Company had lovely views across their orchards and the cider was amazing! A nearby apple stall had types of apples I'd never even heard of before. Apples are wonderful.

Vickie's Veggies... definitely worth a visit, and luckily for our host, it's just down the street from his cottage.









Looking up... at winery grapes...



... and lunch at the lovely Waupoos Winery.

The first building is the Gazebo Restaurant, filled with light, olive trees and a view of the lake and the vineyards. The next building is the store, and they had some amazing Belleville chocolate. More on that in a post closer to Christmas!

The bluer the sky got, the colder the weather. Even the short walk from the was chilling. But... we had a delicious lunch and warmed up thoroughly.

Hydrating

I'm not very good at drinking enough water... but drinking it with a slice of lemon and an old-fashioned paper straw seems to do the trick. Pretty things make me perk up.

Two Things I Don't do Often but Love When I do

1. Go to baseball games
2. Drink beer

I drank beer at a work event. Then I drank more beer at the game.

Here are four reasons I love attending live baseball games:

1. It's a beautiful sport.
2. It's redolent of long summer evenings, and conducive to talking and relaxing while watching
3. You can eat and drink all through it.
4. There is always something new to learn.

But there are four reasons I don't do it more often:

1. Arriving and leaving the Rogers Centre (formerly and always in my heart known as the SkyDome) is horrible. The hallways resemble maximum security prisons.
2. Concession tactics mean the only water available is Dasani, which is vile. And you can't bring your own water. So it's alcohol or soda. Pffff. Alcohol please.
3.  Players now wearing long pants. What happened to the long socks and short, TIGHT breeches? I used to love watching the pitcher, weight on one leg, standing there like a David. Sigh. Those were good times.
4. Plastic grass.

By the way, at last Friday's game, which is the one I attended, the Jays beat the Texas Rangers Wankers 6 to 1.

Thank you, Armenia

For my dear Armenian friends, any occasion is a party. They are a party, a walking party in high heels, dispensing kisses and good cheer anywhere they go. Dinner at their place is always high in decibels and food... and drink. The rum baba was thoroughly soaked, soggy with alcohol, such heaven with all that whipped cream. The mystery tea infused in a glass pot, and was served pink and hot in small, pretty cups and saucers. As for the earlier courses (and my pics are in no particular order), it seems to me that if it can be served with pomegranates, anything goes.

Quote of the Day

"May you never go to hell, 
But always be on your way."

My hip flask (and maybe someone else, I don't know)


Was it coincidence that the week I purchased my first whiskey flask, I learned that Cardhu was back on sale in Canada? It is. And here's my flask, bearing the witty quote from above. I was standing on the platform waiting for a train last Wednesday evening when I saw a poster from the LCBO's new whisky campaign. Except... what the hell is with that colour? Cardhu doens't look like that! See below for what it does look like. Hey! LCBO! I'm willing to photograph your stuff for you, if you pay me in the good, single-malt stuff. Heh heh.

Beautiful Thing

A return to the Apsley Fall Studio Tour yielded more beautiful items made by craftspeople in the beautiful Kawarthas.

Remember my leafy mug?

I bought another item from Cathy Pennaertz from Tallan Creek Pottery Studio. I love the elephantine feet and the mug sits comfortably cradled in my hand.

The Frankenstorm is on its way, but my cup Runneth Over... and I Won't Waste a Drop.

It's back... at long last, the LCBO carries it again. I'm picking up a bottle after work. A big warm bed, safe from the frankenstorm, awaits.

Thank you for the heads up, Cowboy.

Some Cottage Pictures

Mornings

Foggy mornings...




... became even foggier...




... the new first-thing drink... hydrating with fresh ginger slices in hot water.

Let's not Forget the Drinking

Short, intense shots of spicy Mayan hot chocolate at this blog's favourite chocolate spot, Soma!




Just across the road, a pint of cobblestone stout at Mill Street Brew Pub.

Cottage: Food

You knew there would be some food pics, right? I was with three extremely good cooks, so we ate very, very well over the 10 days.

This locally made seed bread was so delicious. I bought it from a lady in the small Apsley market, and I can only assume she made it at home. I'm still thinking about it and wishing I could get some more. It had a strong sour-dough taste and was moist and had that "fight back" quality I like. If the lady from Apsley, or one of her friends, reads this, please let me know!




I rarely have bacon at home, and whenever I catch the scent of it, I'm instantly reminded of cottage life.




Pork chops, like before, marinaded in anise and olive oil.




The same limoncello tiramisu, as enjoyed a short time ago in the city. My photograph doesn't do it justice.




We gorged on local tomatoes. So... many... tomatoes. Here we had them with pasta in a mushroom sauce.




Brie, spiked and drizzled with Chardonnay and fresh thyme. Baked and enjoyed with baguette. Yum.




Fresh and local and tender.




Perfect cooling-off, after-swim treat.




One night it was Indian food. My mouth is watering as I type this.




Brilliant idea, M, to put gorgonzola in with the burgers!




My favourite.




We certainly spoiled ourselves.




And of course we drank.






Bruce tended the bar, as usual.




Pimms!