earthenware wine cups

We picked these up at One of a Kind Show last weekend. We were intrigued, and both of us have a bit of a love affair with wine.

This is the way wine is supposed to be drunk... As our ancestors did in the olden days, in unglazed earthenware pots. These cups absorb acid from wine, allowing the rich full flavor of your favorite red or white to emerge.

The difference between our cups and those from the days of old, is probably the more refined shape and the fact that the rim is glazed, which feels nicer on your lips when sipping.

But is the claim real?... yes... the wine tastes absolutely different... definitely smoother. The glasses are seasoned with the wine you drink in them... wash only with water, no dishwasher, no stacking, dry up-right.

After the first glass, our glasses became stained, on the outside. The wine does color them. But since they are ours, we have only two... we don't mind... and quite enjoy the new flavors of old favorites.

If you're interested in these cups, the company's name is Earth Works Pottery, and they are located in Burlington, Ontario... they also have a website - LINK

my favorite sandwich...

my favorite sandwich is avocado and tomato... I love it, can't get enough of it. When I can't find the perfect avocado in stores, I get a bit sad... I like to eat this sandwich at least once a week...

Last week Jay made dinner, soup and mini sandwiches... my mini sandwiches... I ate way more than my share... I couldn't stop myself... they were so adorably delicious...

Jay: What do you want for dinner baby?
Me: Mmmm I don't know yet, I'll think about it for a bit.
Jay: Let me know, I'll go shopping.
Me: We have purple potatoes and kale at home… Go from there :)
Jay: Ok..

And this is what he created… He calls it "Off the Board Vegetable Soup"... you may be wondering why... Well each Saturday my sister and I go to a local farmers market for our veggies, and groceries in general. When I get home, as I put my weekly haul away, I write down on our kitchen board what I brought. As the week progresses and we use stuff up, we erase the items from the board, so when Saturday rolls around I know what I have, what needs to be used up, and what I need to purchase...

This soup was made at the end of the week... with the veggies listed on the board...

Jay also wrote up a recipe for it... so here it is... enjoy, if you decide to make your own version of Off the Board Vegetable Soup:)

Off the Board Vegetable Soup

Prep time – 20 min
Cook time - 1hr
Yield
-4 LT

5x Carrots diced
3 Celery stalks diced
1 Onion diced
1lb Purple potatoes cut in 1/2
3 Leeks sliced
3 Garlic cloves chopped
1 bunch Green Kale washed sliced
1 small Can cherry tomatoes
1Tbs Olive oil
1lt organic vegetable stock
2 Tbs Sundried tomato paste
1 can of creamed corn

- Wash all the ingredients
- Chop all the vegetables the same size so they cook evenly
- Heat olive oil in a 6lt stock pot
- Add every thing but the Kale, potatoes and sundried tomato paste to the pot sauté for a minute or two
- Add the stock, tomatoes and some salt and pepper
- Let it cook for about 30 min at a low boil
- At this time the Kale, sundried tomato paste and the cream corn can go in turn the heat to low and let cook (simmer) for another 30 min
- Taste for salt and pepper

Latte and Cider at Balzac's

I love seasonal drinks. Two of my favorites are at Balzac's coffee shop.

The first one is hot apple cider. A staple for fall in my cup. I usually pick up a jug every single weekend at the farmer's market, warm and sip with the occasional addition of a shot of vodka in the evenings at home. No vodka at Balzac's, but it was still delicious.

The second is their Toasted Almond Latte, made with almond syrup and almond milk... sweet and  satisfying.

Pure Spirits Oyster House & Grill

a couple of weeks ago we were in the Distillery District... walking around made us a bit peckish... we skipped lunch but it was too early for dinner... so we decided on a 'snack'... we went to Pure Spirits Oyster House and Grill...

 we both used to enjoy oysters at one time... now it's only one of us...

 a glass of white for moi and a pint of Maudite for Jay...

 he enjoyed the whole list... a couple of times :)

 dips for oysters... the top orange one... was chili based, and it was delicious... my fave

 Jay shared some fries with me...

 and I enjoyed a plate of greens with orange-raspberry dressing... yum

 first dozen...

 something new...

 Anthony... oyster shucker extraordinaire...

 second dozen...

 I miss them... but not enough to eat them...

Ontario Spring Water Sake Company

is located in the Distillery District, they have a wbesite. We went one afternoon last week to sample it's products... we had quite a few samples... some were delicious... some not so much... I find I prefer a dry, clean, crisp sake... I also don't mind something sweet, and warm... but I don't like anything that has a strong fermented flavor... and there were a couple...

Sake is not only available for tasting but also for purchase, along with bottles and cups to serve it in, as well as miso soup bases and sake-kasu (lees of sake making process, which can be used in cooking but also skin care).

Overall, delicious... looking forward to our next visit. Sake is my favorite alcoholic libation :)

Fresh Restaurant

is one of our all time fave places to eat. This restaurant is vegetarian/vegan (you  may add cheese to your dishes).... on one of our visits we enjoyed

a bowl of Caribbean Coconut and Tomato with Hot Chilies & Green Cabbage (well I enjoyed it, it had spice to it, but wasn't too spicy... I enjoyed it very much)

 Jay enjoyed a bowl of Cuban Chick Pea and Potato with Fennel, Lemon & Thyme

 then we shared Indian Dosas - spiced pancakes filled with curried chick peas & vegetables... this was very yummy worth having again

 and Soho Falafel - herb falafel balls, quinoa & adzuki bean tabouleh, flax hummus & toasted pita... mmm it wasn't our favorite.. the first sauce was too sweet, middle too hot, and last too bitter...