The past two weekends have been full of family events - a birthday party for the three lovely people seated on the couch (son-in-law, son, and daughter). Two little people wanted in on the photo, too. I made an apple cheesecake with caramel sauce, and a Swedish berry cake.
We had such a good time together. Everyone contributed to the meal of Ecuadorian food - pinchos (grilled beef on skewers, humitas (corn pudding baked in corn husks), curtido (onion/tomato salad), chifles (plantain chips), patacones (thicker slices of plantain, smashed and fried), salchichas (street food of hot dogs and french fries). It was all delicious, if a bit heavy.
This past weekend, my parents came for a visit. It's always lovely to host them. In preparation, I made some Dad's Cookies - not so named because my dad likes them (which he does), but a cookie that my parents only purchased on vacation. It's made with oatmeal and coconut. I also made Lemon Bars, one of my mom's favourites.
I baked bread, using a recipe from Peter Reinhart's Artisan Bread cookbook - Struan - filled with good grains like brown rice, oats, oat barley, and polenta. All the individual bits disappear into a really delicious bread that makes great toast. The first crust disappeared as soon as the loaf was cool enough to slice.
The dahlias continue to fill the garden with colour. These days mornings feel like autumn, but afternoons are definitely still summer. Everything is very dry and we would welcome some steady rain.
Over the weekend we invited each of our children and their families over for a meal - one on Friday night, one for Saturday breakfast, and one for Sunday dinner - so they could visit with their grandparents (and great grandparents) more easily than in a crowd with everyone together.
On Sunday afternoon we took a walk along the waterfront in Sidney. Beautiful blue skies, hot sun, and herons in the water. How we are enjoying these days.
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You are officially the hostest with the mostest, Lorrie. I was marveling at the amazing birthday desserts and blown away by the Ecuadorian meal. Your menus are so interesting. How wonderful that your parents came for a visit. I think your idea for letting each family have special time with them is particularly lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful times. Times to be treasured I expect. Unlike the cakes I hope.
ReplyDeleteYour baking is absolutely amazing Lorrie, and what wonderful family times you have enjoyed. Happy birthday to all the lucky ones who shared those delicious cakes. I would love to be there to try your bread, which looks soooo good! Enjoy the dahlias, so pretty in Autumn.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun birthday celebration. I'd love to try the Ecuadorian food!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your parents appreciate the staggered visits so they can spend quality time with everyone.
P.S. Having trouble commenting using my Google account, so I'm using the name/url option.
P.P.S. Of course, the "Comment as" my Google account worked after I published my previous comment. LOL.
ReplyDeleteYour family gatherings and the food too all sound so wonderful. So happy you could do it all. The dahlias are so amazing. I am loving them more each year. And those cookies especially sounded delicious.
ReplyDeleteThat was a thoughtful way to have each family visit without overwhelming your parents. You look so much like your pretty mom and your son looks so much like you. All your baking looks delicious. The thought of homemade bread made into toast...yum and comforting on these chilly days.
ReplyDeleteThose cakes look wonderful. Happy birthday to your son, daughter, and son-in-law. Your Dahlias are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see a picture of your parents. So nice that they could be present for the family celebration.
What lovely family times. I see your Cafe au Lait is looking beautiful! Mine is just coming into flower, having been badly attacked by slugs early on.
ReplyDeleteSounds like lovely happy family times. That bread looks delicious. I’m loving the cooler days. B x
ReplyDeleteIt is always great when families can get together. That bread looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely family you’ve had the last two weekends. Belated best wishes to all the birthday people and continued good health to your parents!
ReplyDeleteFamily time is just the best. Your recipes always sound delicious.Those cakes!! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday To All!
ReplyDeleteGreat food, and smiling faces are the best of being with love ones.
I tend to suddenly become hungry when I visit here - I wonder why that is? Lots of lovely family gatherings for you all to enjoy and treasure.
ReplyDeleteDear Lorrie, what a beautiful post. I know you realize how fortunate you are to still have both of your parents. That must be such a joy. Enjoy every moment with them. Your food looks delicious, especially the cakes.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds (and looks) like you had a wonderful weekend while your parents were out. They look amazing! Like another commenter, I am always hungry after visiting your blog. Your baking looks so yummy!
ReplyDeleteit’ s nice to have family lunches especially Birthday. I hope you enjoyed your weekend. The food is always looks so good!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you still have summer weather here it is Autumn with lots of rain for the garden.
What a great time for you... lovely... it puts a big smile on my face. Wonderful to look at. I also often bake oatmeal cookies and I will try them with coconut cream. And the Dalien are just wonderful - I have them in the garden too.
ReplyDeleteBut the dream is your photo No. 1 your loved ones with the two delicious cakes... nice, nice, three times nice. Like I said, a smile on my face. Thank you for the great photos and I wish you a happy time.
Hi Lorrie~ It looks like you have been having some very precious time spent with family! I feel like that is always the best thing in the world to do. Your parents look like such dear people, I would love to get the chance just once more to spend time with my parents. Your menus sound so delicious! I would love the recipe for, Swedish Berry Cake! Enjoy the rest of your week! Hugs, Barb
ReplyDeleteLorrie - what special family gatherings, and all the better for your cooking/baking! Looks delicious. You are so blessed to have your parents around you - and it is wonderful for the grands and great grands as well!
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of the happy birthday people who are joined by two dear little people! Your party food sounds amazing, and even though I nearly always prefer savory over sweet, the caramel apple cheesecake has my mouth watering! That is also a lovely photo of your parents. I love how you invited each family over separately to enjoy time with them. As much as I love large family gatherings, it is easier for smaller numbers of people to make those important connections with one another.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to split up the visitors for the different meals so that the visits could go a bit deeper for each family unit! Fun photo of the birthday folk. All your food creations look so mouth watering good! My head is finally getting into Pacific Coast time zone! I need to pull out my fall decor! Hope you are having a good week.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely September you have! Your bakings looks really lovely too :)
ReplyDeleteWarm hug from Titti
The menu sounds amazing and the cakes just beautiful What a blessed time for you all...and to have your parents visiting too - wow ♥ Just marvelous.
ReplyDeleteWonderful family times.
ReplyDeleteGreat photographs and happy memories made.
All the best Jan