Let’s Go! Part IV

On the subject of food, meals aboard Le Boreal were outstanding creations made from fresh and local ingredients that Chef Alain Morville and staff purchased at every stop between Portugal and France.

At this market, we will go along.  Like most European markets, it is a visual delight filled with edibles and flowers.

Why is it that abundant arrays of just brought in produce are so much more seductive than carefully arranged grocery store bins?

Look, there is the  cabbage used in the green cabbage soup that we tasted yesterday and lots of dried beans that are sure to be used creatively by the chef.

The fish market is something else altogether and for the first few minutes is a challenge to the sense of smell!

Some of the fish are unfamiliar, but there is no question about all being fresh.

They may be bought whole

or prepared to order by skilled hands. Now, this is a job at which I wouldn’t be very adept!

Some fishes have quite wonderful colors.  These I can see in one of my handwoven scarves, perhaps one for a man.  One never knows from where inspiration will come!

Aboard ship, here are some of the dishes prepared with fresh seafood:

Cod 

Seafood soup…yum

Paella made with a combination of shrimp, mussels and chicken

The mussels are rope raised on these platforms off the coast of Spain and are absolutely delicious.  

There’s just nothing better than fresh seafood which can be prepared in so many flavorful dishes.  Here, paella was my favorite.  Which is yours?

Thanks for traveling and tasting with me today.  Do come back tomorrow for another adventure.

Joining Seasonal Sundays

Let’s Go! Part III

Pottery is not the only thing for which Portugal is known.  It is also famous for its port wines, most of which are made in the city of Porto.  Do you think the name had anything to do with calling the wine port?

I hope you like port because today we are going to a tasting at Sandeman’s where the brand is identified by a familiar  Zorro-like caped figure.

Red or white, what is your choice?  I find that I enjoy the tawny or ruby ports in cool weather and the whites in summer.   Both can be served chilled though the reds are just as good at room temperature.

Most of the producers are near Porto’s waterfront as in times past the kegs of young wine were transported from the hills by vessels called rabelos.  Now they come by truck, and the rabelos simply enhance the atmosphere of the waterfront.

Porto has another distinction.  It is home to award winning chef Rui Paula‘s sensational restaurant Restaurante DOP where we will have lunch.

Rui Paula  meets us at the door with a refreshing drink of tonic mixed with white port and a touch of lime.  This is a mixture to remember on warm summer days.

Chef Paula has prepared for us a four course luncheon

which includes green cabbage soup, a popular starter in Portugal, 

sea bass with wild rice,

stewed neck of pork

and a yummy crispy creme brûlée  crepe.

How do you pick a favorite from such delectable dishes?  Difficult for sure, but because it was so delicious, the stewed pork neck gets my vote, and I have adapted the recipe from  the chef’s tantalizing cookbook Duoro Cuisine which I highly recommend if you are looking for some new taste treats.

Stewed Neck of Pork

2 lbs. boned neck of Bisaro pork (in the US, we’ll settle for what we can get since the  breed of pig native to Portugal is not likely to be available in the States)

2 onions, coarsely chopped

3/4 c. olive oil

3/4 c. white wine

fresh thyme

6 large cloves of minced garlic garlic

salt to taste

Remove fat from meat and cut into cubes.  Marinate for 12 hours in olive oil, white wine, thyme and garlic.  Saute the meat with chopped onion in olive oil until browned.  Season with salt.  Slow cook in marinating liquid for 12 hours at 165F.  (I’m going to use my Cuisinart multicooker instead of the oven.)

The meat is so tender it melts in your mouth.  It is attractively served a number of ways: over mashed potatoes, pureed cauliflower, polenta and topped with sauce from the cooking.  Now if I can just find a butcher who prepares pork neck……

Thanks for traveling with me today.  Let’s share the adventure at

Foodie Friday

Friday Food

 

Let’s Go! Part II

For all of us who love dishes, Portugal is tableware heaven!  

Handmade and painted in bright colors, the pottery lends itself to creative tablescapes.

Traditional themes include roosters

and quirky animal shapes.

Blue and white is an oft used palette, one that many of you would like.

In addition to handmade pottery, there are wonderful porcelains for which Portugal is also well known.   With so many choices, how does one decide?

As if the dishes are not tempting  enough, there are lovely linens to make us drool.  The naturals with their embroidered accents are appealing,

but the jacquard cloths in beautiful patterns and subtle colors are irresistible.  Which would you choose?

It would be fun to return home with at least one collection of dishes, but the price and cost of shipping make that difficult, so we’ll just have to dream and continue looking for those special buys at thrift shops, garage sales or TJ Maxx!

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Let’s Dish

Tablescape Thursday

Favorite Things Thursday

Let’s Go!

Along with the other junk mail that arrives daily are brochures promoting exotic adventure. Most of these I overlook and they go right to the recycling bin. Occasionally, however, something comes along that tweaks an interest.

Like this one, a small boat cruise along the coast of Portugal, Spain and France with a special emphasis on food and art with a bit of history thrown in. Now, that could be interesting so let’s go.

First stop is a quick one in Lisbon with just enough time to catch up on sleep

and visit the Castelo S. George with its beautiful views

and a show off peacock.

Have you ever been close to a peacock when it releases its tail feathers?

The sound is pretty amazing and with every turn and movement the feathers rustle and whir.
I was fascinated and couldn’t resist taking photo after photo of this preening male. Also, I couldn’t help noticing how unimpressed the female birds were by his strutting. Hmm, I wonder if there’s a message here!

Brief as the visit to Lisbon was, it was time enough to determine there is a museum for everything from coaches to archaeology to tiles to art and that every flat surface is a display for grafitti.

Now it’s time to board Le Boreal for the adventures that are ahead.

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Antiquing for You II

How could I not think of all you tablescapers as I browsed the bounty of Round Top and its environs.  At every turn I saw something that reminded me of someone.  As you look through the finds, do you see what made me think of you?

These dishes caught my eye, and I could imagine them in a number of playful settings.  Wouldn’t they be great on a quilt or on a porch or by the lake or in a cozy dining room?  Now that I think about it, I wish I had considered buying them because they would be fun additions to what I have.

And this simple but beautiful tableware would be a hit with the elegant touches many of you would add.

Some vendors created attractive displays to make their wares even more appealing.  You French country people would love this (thanks, Judy, for the photo)

as well as this.  Are those really canning jars atop the candle holders?  Think about how they would sparkle at night with a votive inside!

Take a look at these pitchers and bowls from another era.  Wouldn’t it be fun to work some of them into a focal point on the table?

They would look terrific on these vintage tablecloths.  This was a wonderful collection, and I could imagine how excited some of you would have been over this find.

After a late bite from these gals, it was time to mosey on back to Houston, but not before having a last look around.

That’s when I spotted this

and this painted screen door which made my heart sing.  Wouldn’t you know she was already sold, otherwise she’d have come home with me.  Think she would have like an invite to one of our tables?

Joining Let’s Dish, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Blog Hop

Antiquing for You

When it comes to antiques, Round Top is to Texas what Brimfield is to Massachusetts.  Both are huge shows drawing vendors and buyers from all over the country.  In Texas, the big show occurs early in April and October.

Now, I’m not much of a shopper at these events because there is just too much to see, and I am easily overwhelmed.  I didn’t want you all to miss out though, so I spent a few hours at Round Top browsing the fields, tents and barns finding things to suit a variety of tastes.

Some of you are sure to have a whimsical side, and it would be fun to see what you’d do

with this

or with these crisply starched crinolines

or with  these guys who sold early for $600 each.

Many of you may have a liking for all things French, and you wouldn’t have been disappointed at the abundance of items in this category.

How could you not like this clock large enough for anyone to see

or these bottles  that have such a variety of uses? My camera died before I could take more photos of the French style, but If you want to see more really great French country items, visit here.

Speaking of bottles, my weakness, take a look at these old  (and very heavy) seltzer bottles in great colors and priced at $60 each. These were the only things I saw for which there was no price flexibility.  Rats because I’d like to have had one in each color!

Of course, there was lots of furniture ranging from primitive to very fine pieces, but what caught my eye were those  that looked like they would fit in any decor.

Particularly interesting were hand built creations combining wood and industrial elements.  Wouldn’t this make a great coffee table?

There’s so much more to see, but I’ll save it for another day.  Before checking out, however, I have to share the biggest surprise.

No port-a-potties here!  No sir, we have special design trailers

complete with AC and a lounge for those who have worn themselves out.  Now, can you beat that?

Sharing at Outdoor Wednesday

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Hoppin’ Down the Bunny Trail

Each year around this time Peter Rabbit quits tantalizing Mr. McGregor and hops on down the bunny trail with a basket of eggs.

Lucky for me he makes a quick stop here where he will join his friends Benjamin Bunny, Tom Kitten, Jemima Puddleduck, Mrs. Ribby, Pigling Bland and others for an egg hunt and a bite to eat.

While I stand and watch, Peter and his friends get everything together. They select Fiestaware to complement Peter’s gaily colored eggs. The plates and pink tinted glasses rest on a garden of flowers that Jemima Puddleduck just happened to find at World Market.

Jemima added another touch by folding the napkins into rabbit ears.

This clever gal even shared how to fold the napkin in case you want to give it a try.

All the hard work is done, and Peter and his friends have everything just like they want it.

Now it’s off to play and find the goodies Peter has hidden in the grass.  If you’re lucky, maybe he’ll hop right on over.

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Joining Tablescape Thursday and Favorite Things Blog Hop

Palm Sunday Reflections

In my Methodist church, Palm Sunday begins with beautiful music and people entering the lovely old building waving palm fronds just as Jesus’ followers did when he humbly entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey.  In the space of little more than an hour, however, this joyful procession turns to darkness as from Mark is read the story of the events leading to Jesus’ death on the cross.  It is a story of betrayal and denial familiar to all who practice the Christian tradition.

As I hear the words from the scripture, my heart fills with sadness and by the time the words of Were You There fill the church I am close to tears, not because of the story but because I wonder  about my response had I been there to witness the events of those days.  Would I have been one of those to whom Jesus made a difference?  Would I have been bold enough to follow Him into Jerusalem, unafraid to let the powers that be see what it meant to receive unconditional love?  Would I have been willing to step forward in an effort to save Him from an unfair death or would I have been one in the crowd yelling loudly to crucify Him?  And, as Stephen King wonders in his recent novel 11/22/63 exploring the Kennedy assassination, how different would things have been had not the event occurred?

Having been brought up in the Christian faith, it is possible to think I would have been there, an ally of Jesus to the bitter end, but I don’t know for sure that is the case. In reality, I may have known nothing of Jesus or if I had what my attitude toward Him would have been.  In truth, I might have been one of the voices screaming for His death.   The only certainty is that I will never know the answer to those thoughts that race through my head as I experience Palm Sunday, and as the story is read again and again it is likely I will continue to wonder.

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Galveston Revisited

Galveston Island is an hour’s drive from Houston, making it a quick and easy getaway and providing opportunity for boating and fishing, enjoying fresh seafood, evening sunsets and the nightly light shows generated at nearby Texas City refineries, walking on the beach and feeling the sand between your toes.  In short, Galveston is a nice change of pace from the big city.

In the late 1800′s Galveston had it all: great wealth, a booming economy and bustling population, impressive mansions, all of which changed with the hurricane of 1900 which, to this day, remains the single most catastrophic natural disaster in US history.  It killed more than 6,000 people and demolished a significant portion of the island’s development.  No storm has been worse, but throughout it’s history Galveston’s fate has been closely related to hurricanes.

The most recent was nearly four years ago when Hurricane Ike swept through leaving a swath of destruction and causing flood waters of more than eight feet.  Until today, visiting with my book club, I haven’t returned to Galveston not wanting to see the results of Ike’s wrath.  While there is still evidence of storm damage, Galveston once again shows its resiliency as life there has gradually returned to normalcy.

Shrimp boats operate as usual

and tourist attractions such as the good ship Elissa again welcome visitors.

What struck me as most different on the island’s historic East End was the absence of trees.  Giant live oaks more than 100 years old were gone having been either been uprooted by Ike or dying after standing in salt water for days.

Left in their stead are sculptures carved from the remains.

While an interesting approach to preservation, I’m betting residents would prefer to have their big old trees which provided shade and privacy.

Galveston is a mixed bag.  Natives cling tightly to the island’s one time grandeur which may be one of the reasons it appears stuck in time.

Old homes from before and after 1900 dot the historic district with some being beautifully restored

and others decaying from neglect.    Perhaps fortunately for Galveston, neither its history nor its homes are why it is a popular destination.  It benefits from the appeal of its gulf beaches and tropical allure.

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Joining Favorite Things Thursday

WOW(ed)

OK, I have to know, readers.  Do you watch Dancing With the Stars and were you blown away by Monday night’s premier?  As I’ve written before, it is one of the very few TV shows I look forward to, and the  performances opening Season 14 completely wowed me.  In no previous season has the first night dancing been better as indicated by the judge’s scores.  Nines on the first go….amazing!

Surprisingly, there wasn’t a really bad dancer in the group, and if history repeats itself each celebrity will get better as the weeks go on which means the judges are going to have a very hard time weeding anyone out.  Audience voting will likely play a huge part in who stays and who goes.

Based on first performances,  Roshon is going to be hard to beat.  He is Michael Jackson with his loose joints, great moves and tremendous energy plus he had the audience dancing in their seats.  He may have to tone down the hiphop element in his approach to please Len, and I’m betting that will happen as he gets into the groove of ballroom dancing.

Katherine Jenkins is a thing of beauty and is likely to get very high marks from the judges.  I can’t imagine the waltz not being a dance made for her.  She’s a classical singer with a Marilyn Monroe look which makes for an interesting contrast.

William Levy will be around for a long time and not just for his skills on the dance floor. Women will keep him in with their votes.  I mean, hot is hot and we girls have no problem with that!

Jaleel and Donald may not make it to the end, but they have great moves and are only going to get better.

Gladys Knight made my heart sing by exceeding all expectations, and the audience loved her.  Talk about some moves!

Martina Navratilova, have you ever seen such a transformation?  Who knew she could be so glamorous, and I have to confess I’m pulling for her to stay in the competition because she is one of my on court heroes.

Melissa, Gavin, Maria, Sherri, Jack?  They did OK, too, but I’m not sure they have what it takes to stay in the competition.  Of course, I’ve been fooled before when audience response has ousted a better dancer for the more popular participant so we’ll just have to see how the competition unfolds.

You can bet I’ll be watching.  How about you?

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