A Life, Lived

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Travel Tuesdays - Teacup Rock

A bit of a sad travel Tuesday post.

When we were on PEI last month we wanted to see a rock formation known as teacup rock. It was located at the north end of Thunder Cove beach. It was a challenge to get to it (Paul slipped on a slimy rock and went for an unplanned swim in the ocean. Nonetheless, we manged to find it.

Stunning.

Unfortunately hurricane Fiona did a number on teh rock and this is all that is left.

Book Clubs for Cats

 

Travel Tuesday - Eglise Notre Dame du Mont Carmel

The large imposing Roman Catholic church of Notre Dame du Mont Carmel is a late Victorian Gothic brick structure situated by the sea in Mont Carmel, PEI. It is built in the classic "T" formation with two bell towers at the corners of the front of the building.

As the third Roman Catholic church constructed on this site since 1812, Notre Dame du Mont Carmel is significant as the spiritual home of many Acadian families in the Mont Carmel area of PEI.

It was built in 1898 from funds raised by the parishoners and the work was completed by many local artisans, including Anglophones who were not members of the parish. All of the estimated 450,000 bricks were made nearby at Frederick Strong's brickyard in Lower Bedeque.

The architect for the design was Rene P. Lemay, the son of Pamphile Lemay, who had translated Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's influential 1847 poem, "Evangeline", in 1865. The centennary of the building was celebrated in 1998.

Blackberry Bramble

A refreshing summer drink, featuring fresh muddled blackberries, gin, lemon juice  and soda or ginger beer, this is called the Blackberry Bramble Cocktail.

A spin-off the classic drink- the Bramble, first created in London in the 80’s, made with dry gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and Crème de Mûre, a blackberry liquor – here I’ve added a handful of fresh juicy ripe blackberries, muddled and served over ice, topped with soda or ginger brew for a flavorful twist.

This could easily be made into a very refreshing “mocktail”, sans alcohol –becoming Sparkling Blackberry Lemonade, without the gin or liquor, by adding muddled blackberries into lemonade and adding a bit of soda or ginger ale. The colour is beautiful.

Enjoy

Blackberry Bramble

½ cup fresh blackberries
2 ounces Dry Gin (or sub vodka)1-ounce Blackberry Liquor
1 ounce simple syrup
1 1/2 ounces fresh lemon juice
Gingerale or ginger beer
Garnish with fresh blackberries and a lemon twist

In a cocktail shaker, muddle blackberries with gin, blackberry liquor (optional) lemon juice, simple syrup or agave, until broken up and they release their juice.

Double strain, using a fine mesh strainer, to remove seeds.

Fill 3-4 rocks glasses with ice. Divide blackberry -gin mix among the glasses, and top with soda or ginger brew.

Garnish with a blackberry and lemon zest.

Fall is in the Air

Finally some crisp mornings! The birds are starting to migrating. My thoughts are turning away from the grill and on to stews and long slow braises.

Sadly these characters are coming out of their summer sleep as well.

West Point Lighthouse

The West Point Lighthouse is a 67' tall square tapered tower with distinctive black and white bands, or day marks, located on the south west tip of Prince Edward Island in the community of West Point overlooking the Northumberland Strait.

The West Point Lighthouse is valued for its age, construction method and for its associations with the marine history of the area, its importance to its community and its role as a tourist destination.

Construction of the West Point Lighthouse began in 1875 by contractors Mugridge and Company of Shediac, New Brunswick very likely to federal Department of Marine plans. This was the first lighthouse built in Prince Edward Island by the federal government following Confederation in 1873 and is therefore associated with the transfer of responsibility of navigational aids from colonial government to the federal Department of Marine. The lighthouse became operational in May 1876 with William "Lighthouse Willie" MacDonald as first keeper. MacDonald held the post until 1925 when he was succeeded by the only other person to serve as lighthouse keeper, Bennie MacIsaac, until the light's automation in 1963. West Point Lighthouse is the tallest square tapered tower on PEI and stands 67' 8" tall. The square tapered design is a departure from earlier lighthouses which were largely octagonal in design. Originally painted white with red bands, the red was changed to black in 1915 for greater visibility.

September 11

Hash Brown, Ham and Cheese Waffles

Now these were super yummy.

These aren't your grandmother's waffles. These are essentially potatoes cooked to crispy perfection in a waffle iron. Add in ham, cheese, herbs and you have an amazing treat.

I served them with sour cream to which I had added some green onions.

The recipe makes a lot so today I'll have them with a fried egg on top. Hello!

Enjoy.

Hash Brown, Ham and Cheese Waffles

1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated shredded hash brown potatoes
8 ounces black forest ham, diced
1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3 large eggs, beaten
2 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preheat a waffle iron to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the top and bottom of the waffle iron or coat with nonstick spray.

In a large bowl, combine hash brown potatoes, ham, cheese, eggs, garlic, parsley, thyme and paprika; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Pour a scant 1/2 cup of the potato mixture into the waffle iron, close gently and cook until golden brown and crisp, about 4-5 minutes.

Serve immediately.

1926-2022