Fall Harvest

Yesterday was all about culinary indulgence. I kicked off the day with Executive Chef, Judy Wood, of 'Meez' and some others from the Meez gang at the by-invitation opening of Craft Beer Market at their new Southcentre location. They were featuring their brunch menu, so we each chose different dishes and passed them around the table (with Caesars and ciders in hand!). I think the 'chicken and waffles', and the 'avocado eggs benedict' were the favorites. Thank you, Craft!!

 

Next on the agenda was to help my mom remerchandise the harvest table at the Meez store in Willow Park Village. The ladies had already pulled all of their fall décor from storage. I had so much fun turning the table into a fall theme and playing around with different arrangements of items. In the end, they were very happy with the result. 

 

 

Have you been to Meez? The quality of their food is unsurpassed; it contains no preservatives and is prepared by professionals in their incredible off-site  commercial kitchen. The store is also brimming with gourmet treats and indulgences for entertaining. Give yourself a break and order their chef-prepared 'heat and serve' Thanksgiving dinner this year.

~ What are you planning for Thanksgiving? It's only two weeks away! ~

Christmastime Dinner Party

 

My mom had us over to her lovely home for a dinner party last weekend; as our immediate family all have separate plans for Christmas Day dinner. Always a wonderful hostess, my mom thought of everything from the perfect place settings to gingerbread houses for our niece and nephew to decorate!

 

 

 

Are you ready for Santa? He's coming!
 

A Celebration!

Happy Canada Day!

 

To celebrate, I've made a strawberry shortcake with our nation's colours.

Whatever you're doing today, I hope it's safe, fun, and your weather is beautiful.

Christmas Day Recap

How was your Christmas day? Was it a crazy day of visiting and eating with family and friends? Or more of an intimate quiet affair? Either way, I hope it was everything that you wanted it to be.

We hosted an intimate Christmas Day dinner for five. My husband, (And resident chef!) decided to prepare his speciality; Herbes de Provence encrusted roast beef with traditional accompaniment.

 

 

 

 

I was in charge of the plum pudding sauce which, in the end, was more of a Courvoisier soup. So, we just went with it, lit it on fire and let the bluish flame dance over the bombe of dried fruit and nuts!

 

 

After our guests had left, we ended the night by settling down to our 'downstairs' tree to watch some of the UK Christmas specials.



~What are you doing New Year's Eve?~

Thanksgiving Dinner

 

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving so we hosted a small family dinner last night. Thanks so my mom's business, MEEZ Cuisine and Catering, we enjoyed a delicious gourmet pre-cooked feast. All we had to do was 'heat and serve' courtesy of our pal, Chef Judy Wood, and her outstanding team at MEEZ.

I contributed a few snacks to nibble on before the meal. That's about the extent of my culinary talent.

I added a few of Purdy's foil chocolate leaves and a couple of their milk chocolate turkeys to the table for fun. Andrew selected some lovely autumnal flowers for the occasion.

For the grand finale, two heavenly desserts; a pumpkin praline tart and lemon curd tart from my favorite bakery, Brulee Patisserie. Many thanks, Jen!

 

~Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving!~

 

 

Treasure Chest

I've been on the prowl for a nice set of silver plate flatware for a little while now. So when I came across this Birks Regency Plate chest of treasures for $300.00 last week on Kijiji - I pounced! A total of  86 pieces with  luncheon and dinner service for 8. The serving pieces and letter opener were the icing on the cake. It was polished and in beautiful condition when I picked it up. I can't wait to use it!

 

Coincidently, a couple of years ago Andrew received a Birks sterling bottle opener from my mom as a Christmas gift in the same pattern, Louis de France.

Some often hesitate to use their silver because it's 'too hard to clean'. Nonsense! I've polished over 20 pieces in no more than half and hour. My trick? Goddard's Silver Polish Foam. Trust me.

We like to integrate some silver pieces every time we entertain just for something special. Even if it's a casual jeans and sweaters type of a get-together we like to put it to good use. The toast holder holds napkins, the creamers contain salad dressing, that kind if idea.

Formalities such as silver or china seem to be a dying tradition... What do you use when entertaining for a special occasion? Pull out the old china set and maybe someone's wedding silver? Or is that a thing of the past for you? Do tell!!

Andrew's Bar Cart

I had promised you a post on Andrew's bar cart last week - so here it is! Andrew really wanted a place to display some nice bottles as well as his cocktail books and accessories. Instead of adding another small table to our living or dining area I reorganized our bar cart that was being used to display server ware. (And it is a BAR CART after all!). 

Some photos of our bar cart and some other fun ideas via Decorpad: 

We'll be sipping on French 75's this Sunday for the Oscars. How about you? 

Are you having an Oscar party? Enjoy it!