Kleinberg

Kleinberg

............ this is one of my favourite places to visit. Every spring when the weather gets warmer my husband, daughter and I like to go here for a Sunday afternoon....in the lil' town of Kleinberg. Actually it's suburb of Toronto......and only 20 minutes from my house and that's not even using the highway but plowing through the city. The main street here still keeps its charm and has cute restaurants and boutiques.......so we go for an ice cream or a coffee in one of the outdoor cafe's.......they now have a Starbuck's so we can get our dose of caffeine. it's kind of nice to leave the hustle and bustle of the city and just walk around this peaceful place. I noticed lately it is very busy especially on a warm weekend..... lots of families with kids, some with pricey cars just driving around, and just plain tourists snapping away with their camera's.
On Saturdays there are a lot of wedding parties having their pics taken in and around. Love looking at the different wedding gowns that the brides wear...... dreaming about when my daughter gets married.

 It has one of my favourite restaurants or party facilities, the food is great........ it' called The Doctor's House. It's very cute and quaint. It also has a Chapel which is used for weddings.....

A Historic Glimpse of The Doctor’s House
(source; The Doctor's House website)


Just down the hill from where you now sit is the site of the gristmill whose owner gave Kleinburg its name. In 1847, an Alsatian immigrant, John Klein, built his mill on the banks of the Humber to grind the local settlers’ grain.


In its agricultural heyday, commemorated with the village’s annual Binder Twine festival, Kleinburg’s hotels and harness shops served the needs of the local farmers as well as others passing through on their way to town. Nowadays, Kleinburg is noted as the home of the magnificently sited McMichael Canadian Art Collection and as a village that has sacrificed none of its 19th century charm to the nearby city.


The Doctor’s House itself dates back to 1867, the year of Confederation. It earned its name by being home to a succession of medical men, the last of whom, Dr. Thomas Henry Robinson, practiced here for 52 years.


A new chapter in the house’s history opened when a restaurant was built on the property in 1974. A major rebuilding and expansion program was completed in the spring of 1993. It was at this time that six finely appointed banquet rooms and a chapel were added to the original building.
The hallmark of the Doctor’s House is superb cuisine, elegant ambiance and attentive service.

 In front of the Chapel.

Chapel.............

 Chapel steeple.

Entrance to the restaurant.

 Inside the Chapel......

 If the weather is warm.....you can dining here.

 My husband and daughter just relaxing.

 Rolls.....waiting to pick up a Bride.

 Boutique.....had some pretty things for the house. I dared not go inside as I might purchase something that I really don't need.

 Just an old buggy in front of a gift shop.

 The old home of the original settler in Kleinberg.

This Rolls is from the UK.......as you can see the steering wheel is on the right side. How do they 
drive.??


Thanks for stopping by.....

Chicken, Baked Honey Mustard

HONEY MUSTARD BAKED CHICKEN

My niece and her boyfriend were going to a book publisher warehouse sale, that his Mom had acquired some passes. My niece asked me if I wanted some book they could pick up at rock/bottom prices for me. So I mentioned a couple that I would like if she could find them......mainly Cook Books.

Well I had forgotten about it until one Saturday morning they came with 30 Cook Books or more and I mean the latest ones............I was in total shock. I felt like a kid in a candy store or early in the morning at Christmas time ....... All they asked in return was just make them a dinner using some of the recipes from the cook books. Here are just a few of the Cook Books I took photo's of.

I made this Chicken recipe from Jamie and Bobby Deen's Cook Book......I liked some of their recipes, they were simple and ingredients that were around the house or easy to purchase.

                   HONEY MUSTARD BAKED CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS:

3 Tbsp. Honey Mustard

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. tomato paste

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:


1. Preheat the oven to 400 F...........Line a rimed baking sheet with aluminum foil. (I lined mine with parchment paper).


2. In a small bowl......whisk together the honey mustard, olive oil, and tomato paste.


3. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste. Slather the honey mustrd glaze over the chicken.


4. Arrange the chicken on the prepared sheet. Bake for about 25 minutes, or ntil golden and the juices run clear when the chicken is pricked with  fork.


*****I cut my chicken breasts after they were baked in half. The breasts were so huge that some couldn't finish a full piece and asked to be cut in half .....and I also had other things on the menu.
My oven I had to leave them a bit longer to bake.....and I found parchment paper way better to use then aluminum foil.






Thanks for stopping by!!! Do let me know you stopped by.


Linking to; /http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.ca/  Foodie Friday!!! see all the great Food Blogs and yummy recipes.

Chipmunk

 HE'S BACK!!!!! Alvin the Chipmunk.

Since we missed winter in my part of Canada and it's quite spring and summer out this week....we got to sit outside on the front veranda and have our coffee. Watching all the neighbourhood people jogging, walking or just walking their daily dog-walks........and of course our neigbours next door come over so we just sit and chat.


Well I couldn't believe it but the resident Chipmunk was already here.......he usually doesn't  show up till May. I guess with warm temperatures he's out from wherever he slept in the winter. I thought that this year since my husband had the backyard ripped up in the fall and a big chunk was interlocked and some front hedges ripped out and  some interlocking and landscaping done that this Chipmunk would move on.


NO!!! He's back. We were sitting with my husband and he came within inches to our feet and just stared at us with those cute lil' eyes. He doesn't scare away easy.........very bold. Not sure which one is this because sometimes we get 3 of them scurrying around at once....and they all look the same cute guys.


Now don't get me wrong we love these cute lil' guys and they are so adorable......but daily when I wake up and look at my iron urns that are planted with impatiens..............well he manages to dig big holes and chew on the flowers.....Then I have a big gap of a hole in my planter. UGH!!!!! Sometimes even when we are sitting there he comes out and chews right in front of us.


In the backyard he loves doing the same destruction on my herbs that are planted in the pots......then I don't want to pick them for my cooking. I never know where he has been with them lil' paws or what he was doing in my planters filled herbs. :-(


So I guess with all the landscaping and inter-locking done...he's back! I just hope the resident Hawk or Eagle doesn't have him for a snack.....that big bird scares me.

 Sitting on my cherubs head ....... thinking which pot should I attack, dig and chew......

 In the backyard , he was have a rest sitting in the sun on the back of a chair. Scouting where to do more herb damage. When he's on top of the chair he can see higher.

Here he is munching on the peanuts I give the squirrels. I guess he enjoyed them also.

Thanks for stopping by......

Linking to /http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.ca/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 

To my Maternal Grandmother (RIP on the right)

Blue and Whites

Blue and Whites

 This is some of my collection of Blue and Whites.

Join us for some more Blue and Whites on "BLUE MONDAY" at ;


/http://smilingsally.blogspot.ca/

Deviled Eggs

 "DEVILED EGGS".........a comfort cold food. They are tangy, cool and very creamy, sometimes a bit spicy. It's always the first to go on a buffet table, even though I've heard that it is an old-fashioned type of food. But just watch they really are the first to go. This is why I bought this big white platter to fit 24 deviled eggs as opposed to 12. I have a whole collection of deviled egg platters for 12.......I collected them from flea markets, antique stores, and garage sales......trust me when I say I have a collection...... All are different. I use quite a lot of them because I usually celebrate Easter two times  the regular one in Canada and my background one of the Orthodox faith and calendar which always comes on a different date, a few weeks apart. Being of  Ukrainian background (one day I would like to visit there for the first time)...they do lots of coloured eggs.

 Since ancient Rome people have been stuffing eggs.........and have continued to date. They were of course stuffed with different ingredients as we do now......but none the less they were popular. Some say they go back even further then Medieval times in Europe. I just know that  "Deviled Eggs" are sacred in the Southern USA...they usually are required at every church supper, holiday etc.......they are sometimes known as dressed eggs, stuffed eggs or salad eggs. In North America they were very popular in the 40's and 50's. I remeber my Mom serving them quite often to guests.


The first time the word term 'deviled' was used  in reference had its first known print in 1786...in the culinary world.

 Everyone has a family favourite Deviled Egg recipe but here is mine. We keep it simple but do add different toppings or garnishes.....depending on what function we are serving them.

DEVILED EGGS

12 eggs, large

1/2 cup (or more or less to taste)mayonnaise

2 tsp. mustard (yellow or Dijon)

2 or 3 scallions, chopped finely

kosher salt to taste

black ground pepper

paprika (optional) 

In a pan of cold water place the eggs (I like to keep my eggs out at room temperature for 1/2 hour before)

Cook till it comes to a gentle boil......Cover pan and remove from heat.

Let stand for 15 minutes covered.

Pour off hot water and add cold ice water...let sit aside til eggs cool down.

Peel eggs gently and slice with a sharp knife in half.

Put yolks into a separate bowl and mash.....

Put egg whites into you nice deviled egg platter.

After mashing the egg yolks add the mayonnaise, mustard, chopped scallions salt and pepper and a bit of paprika for the sprinkling on top if using.

Ready to be put on the platter......see how pretty and delish they look.

Tips****


1. Sometimes I add sweet relish, parsley chopped very finely, yellow onion grated, chopped finely pickles......you can add lots of things. Whatever fancies you that day.
2. Make a few hours before or a day before so the deviled egg ingredients can marry the flavours together.
3. Some toppings or garnishes you can add are smoked salmon, bacon bits, carrots, parsley, dill sprigs, cucumber slices, pimento, olives, chives, caviar, curry powder...... the list can be endless.

Thank you for stopping by!!!!!

Linked to ; http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/03/strut-your-stuff-saturday-link-party_23.html

Best Buddies

 This is about my daughter who I'm extremely proud of and couldn't ask more in a daughter. Only if my parents and in-laws (RIP) could see that this year she is graduating from University and then going to continue more for a higher degree next year....and the work she did for her Charity.

 You are probably wondering why these cupcake photo's are up well this was her last Charity fundraising event (Bake Sale) she was doing for her Charity for mentally challenged and disabled persons. She has been with this Charity for 9 years and since she is graduating she cannot  any longer be President. She started in high school and has continued to the end of her University (College) graduation....and upon entering University she was made President.
This was a Charity started up by the Kennedy Family because of one of their sisters who was born mentally challenged.....this organization is worldwide.

 My daughter through the years has had several Buddies......one she had was quite severe in her early 40's and had been living with her Mom an elderly lady..... Due to some thinking and issues my daughter had to leave her due to her living very far....and with school work and going through an 'iffy' area she felt it was not safe going in the evenings. But due to my daughter's surprise, one day as my daughter was at the City fair a few years later her buddy Suzie recognized her. My daughter said she almost cried because Suzie cannot speak and my daughter knew that her work she was doing with her had been recognized by her and was happy that she was so attentive. Even her mother was surprised that Suzie recognized her..... because the Mother didn't.

For  a few years she now has a buddy named Jean, she's of Jamaican background and in her early 30's. She lives with her parents and has a full time job, working in a jewellery factory pricing items.  She is allowed to travel by herself on the subway and buses, so my daughter will take her out for dinner at her favourite Chicken (Swiss Chalet) restaurants for dinner or for Jean's favourite Coffee Shop so she can enjoy her donut. This girl is very appreciative and excited at any function that my daughter does as they are not financially able to do much in entertainment....for her going to a Donut Shop makes her day...... Sometimes it makes me think how fortunate I am. 

Through the years  my daughter had done several events for all the Buddies and their groups, Christmas parties, Valentine's parties, pot lucks, bowling, movies, Halloween parties, meet and greet, and some fund raising like this Bake sale.......I helped my daughter this time around as she had lots of Cupcakes to bake. We stayed up all night and then had to make a run to the store for some decorations..... her vice - president made some delicious chocolatelicious  brownies.  They did quite well and with the fund raising money they are all going bowling with the group  and have treats as this is my daughters last function she will be doing. They are all looking forward to this event....but this will be sad for my daughter. She will keep in contact with the Buddy though........

She is giving her post over to her vice-president who is very motivated, and has a bubbly personality.......and will do well. I look at some of these students with their big school work load and still have time even with their part-time jobs they do...... go out and do some charity work in helping less unfortunate people .

Have a great day!!!!

Market in Turkey.

Market in Turkey

Today I'm showing some pictures that my Sister-in-Law had sent me the other day.....this was on a daily excursion  tour about 30 minutes outside Izmir, Turkey . She usually goes with her friends every week on some excursion....when I go to visit I also usually go on those trips with her also...... they are loads of fun and I get to visit the different Bazaars and Markets.....so different fromm anything here in North America...fresh veggies and fruit and everything is so colorful.. You can actually smell and taste the food like it was intended to taste.

So I hope you enjoy the tour and a thank you for my sister-in0law for sending me these photo's..

 Spices...the aroma as you walk by.

 Lil' woman made her own butter.

 This will be gone at the end of the end....all sold out!.

 Gorgeous flowers ready to be planted.....and so cheap.

 Village ladies come to town to sell their veggies.

 Fresh veggies....

 SIMIT......a Turkish bagel. I think that the Turks can't start their day without one of these bagel like breads. They sell them everywhere!!!! They are a bit bigger then the Jewish bagel we have here but just as yummy.

 All cotton fabrics, because Turkey has lots of cotton. My husband's family were in the Cotton industry for centuries.

In the winter every Turkish woman has one of these shawls, depending if you have central heat or not.

CHICKENS!!!! Guess you have to do your own KFC!!!!

Today I'm linking to http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ for "OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY"



Thanks for stopping by.......and I hope you enjoyed your tour of Turkey.