MaryIsobel

Left Qualicum Beach this morning for a night in Courtenay after indulging ourselves at the Kingfisher Spa. Had a late brunch after the spa at the restaurant on the grounds. Grilled tomato and avacado eggs benedict for two of us and my other sister had butter poached crab and smoked salmon benny. The potatoes were interesting; obviously deep fried and the inside was roughly mashed, quite rich potato. It was all very good but for the first time in years, I had to ask for salt. I think it may have been left out of any part of the eggs benedict. My sister who had the seafood one said hers was fine, but my other sister who also had the tomoato and avacado also found it underseasoned. Minor. A glass of wine topped off a lovely meal. The spa is right on the ocean and as the accomodations are at a lower elevation than the spa and restaurant, the have covered the roof of the accommodation with sand and driftwood. It's not hard to imagine that that is the beach. Not sure what's in store for dinner tonight, still looking at options.

Well yesterday was a bit of a bust food wise. After a morning beach walk, we headed out and had a late lunch with my 90 year old aunt (she's a hoot.) We told her to choose the restaurant and the place she chose was a Denny's type place with probably the worst service I have encountered in recent years. We had a great visit and then headed to the market at Coombs (famous for goats on the roof.) It's a great market with tons of international foods, but we weren't feeling terribly hungry so bought some cheeses and foccacia and that will be dinner after a couple of restorative cocktails on the beach. We'll do better tomorrow. Unfortunately the restaurant that I was really looking forward to (one of @FauxPasrecommendations) The Cuckoo Trattoria is only open Thursday to Sunday and we'll be heading to another part of the Island on Thursday morning.

Breakfast ocean front. Simple fruit salad and a danish, much enhanced by the sight, sound and smell of the ocean.

Left from Horseshoe Bay in Vancouver - destination, Qualicum on Vancouver Island. Arrived in Nanaimo, had a quick visit with a friend who is in a care facility for traumatic brain injuries there, then headed to our accomodation, stopping briefly at a grocery store for breakfast fruit, yogurt, etc. Arrived at our beachfront condo, unpacked, had an extended happy hour and decided to just walk next door to a diner type place. Upon arrival, the owner greeted us, and let us know that they were slammed and we were welcome to come on in, but the food might be a while. We were fine with that, their Monday special was double Margarita rocks for 6.00. Food was good if basic. My beef dip was elevated with a garlic/horseradish aioli. Back to the condo for a champagne toast to the sunset

I very much enjoy your posts, as I have never been to the east coast of the U.S.A. It's definitely on my bucket list, thanks to you.

We don't do luch around here, just (late) breakfast and dinner but if I was going to have lunch, I would have that. I have recently (I live in the backwoods) discovered hot honey and I just may add a drizzle of that to my next chicken sandwich.

We are slowly getting some cherry tomatoes but every other heirloom plant has only either pea size fruit or blossoms. I too blame it on the long wet spring.

Stopped in at two of my favourite "honour box" farm stands." 829g (almost 2 lbs) of peppers for 2.00. They are so dense and juicy, I can barely stand to buy peppers at the grocery store as they pale in comparison. I have to make do from October to March when the farm stand is closed. 1336g (almost 3 lbs) of tomatoes for 4.00. My car smelled wonderfully of tomatoes all the way home. As soon as I got home with the tomatoes, my husband took off for the local butcher where we get fabulous bacon, so guess what's on the menu tonight. Will be our first BLT's this year as our tomatoes are a long way off.

The only word that comes to mind is swoon. I am going to track down the ingredients, because I really need this.

That is what we assumed. Even some produce that is grown in CR was more than what we pay for the same thing in Canada, it's sad. We found the Ticos to be such warm and generous people.

As much as I envy you living in Costa Rica, I was surprised at a lot of things or lack thereof in the grocery stores. We mused about how people who obviously earn less of a living wage than a lot of people in Canada do, can afford groceries.

I just love that you used the word ersatz. After 35 years of marriage, my husband claims that I am the only one that uses that word. Of course he does not peruse any cooking or recipe sites! That being said, on our honeymoon, while we wandered around Salzburg I was both shocked and saddened to see a McDonalds front and center in a town square.

You should operate a bed and breakfast! Your breakfasts are alway so original and appetizing.

I'm sorry to hear about your struggles. Thankfully I have never encountered poisin ivy. We have stinging nettles, but they are a minor inconvenience and white vinegar does the trick with the stinging. You are a wonder woman - if I felt like you did, it would be takeout or freezer meals! I would take to my fainting couch (if I had one.)

No pictures, because I've posted fish taco pictures before but it was a really lovely dinner, just my 24-year-old nephew and I and we sat on the deck for well over an hour discussing anything that came to mind. He is such an intelligent, empathetic young man. Sometimes, it's not the food that makes the dinner, but the company.

I do this all the time. I do use sodium citrate and evaporated milk, both which prevent the sauce from breaking. Also make sure that the pasta is just al dente and as mentioned above, make it "soupier" than I would if serving immediately.

Your breakfast is amazing. I had a slice of cold pizza that my nephew brought home last night. Not complaining, I like cold pizza, but it didn't hold a candle to your sumptuous repast.

I inherited my Nana's bean pot and have made homemade a few times. They were definitely good, but time consuming. They also call for salt pork which is not easy to find in these parts.

I've never had cold baked beans but the idea is not unappealing to me. I like leftover pizza cold and have been known to eat leftover pasta cold as well.

I have fig envy as well. About 45 minutes away from me, there is a large Italian population and in those neighbourhoods, almost every home has a huge fig tree. I sometimes see them in a market near me but they are about 10.00 for 6 figs. I just have to make do with fig preserves or dried figs.

Our nephew is staying with us for the summer and between him and my husband, I have been making pickled onions two or three times a week. My sister gave me this great 1.89 litre jar so I filled it up today. Should last at least a week (fingers crossed.)

I haven't made calzones or stomboli for too long - thanks for the reminder. Yours look amazing.

Thanks, I have never looked into it honestly. I may now be inspired to do so. We are now once again, contemplating going over the border to grocery shop.It has been well over two years, but Bellingham WA, which is the nearest decent size US city to us, has a great selection of Mexican food and groceries, which I have been sorely missing. I realize that Hatch chilis aren't Mexican but the talk of them has got me thinking...

Hot dogs are one the menu here for tonight. I only crave them about once a year and today is apparently the day. I only like "European weiners" so that is what I got. Probably baked beans and watermelon as sides. Sadly we will have to settle for storebought sauerkrout - I really should make a batch of my own.

You've inspired me to get off my butt (so to speak) and order a paella pan that will work on my induction stove top. I had a great one, perfect size but it is non-ferrous.