G'Day from Prince Edward Island
This week I contemplated this by Bernadette Jiwa...
"The story you live and the identity you inhabit are always a choice. You don’t have to operate with the default setting that always, and without question, greedily pays homage to the metric of ‘more’. You can choose to create a career or a company that enables you to do work you’re proud of—and that prospers in the service of others."
Brrr! It is 6 am. and chilly out there today but the sun is supposed to make a full appearance later this morning. No complaints! Some weather forecasters seem to agree that we have one final winter storm coming our way as we head into next week. I'm looking at a potential snowfall as something good for the gardens. Snow has been poor man's fertilizer for generations. As snow falls, it absorbs nitrates from the air, and those nutrients deposit into the soil as the snow melts.
When looking outside see the white, open the door feel the chill, I can’t help but think of the birds…
Read a great article this week on Mental Floss, 25 Things You May Have Not Known About Backyard Birds.
Did you know?
If you think your local murder of crows is out to get you, it may not be paranoia. Research conducted at the University of Washington in 2008 demonstrated that the bird could recognize faces and hold a grudge when provoked. In the study, scientists donned a caveman mask and then trapped crows (humanely, of course) before banding and setting them free. When the researchers walked the campus in the mask, the crows circled and vocally scolded their suspected captor.
With fierce metabolisms brought on by constant movement, hummingbirds are always in search of nourishment—they require so much of it, in fact, that they’re perpetually a few hours away from starving to death. Ruby-throated hummingbirds will eat up to three times their body weight a day.
Worms make up the majority of their diet, but robins don’t mind if you leave out a dessert tray. The birds are partial to pastry dough, fruit cake, and coconut cake.
More at Mental Floss.
In addition to a snowy forecast, there's something else to look forward to in the next few days, April 12th is officially Grilled Cheese Day.
A day to celebrate the joy that you find when you combine bread, cheese, and butter. As our children were growing up, Sunday lunch was traditionally tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. I usually ate everyone’s crust, just because that's what Dad's do.
I will make a comforting gooey grilled cheese sandwich on Thursday. We will see what cheese inspires me this morning at the farmers market. Perhaps Cows aged cheddar cheese and a spoonful of wild blueberry preserves.
(I know a good brand to buy, LOL) Hint Hint
I heard that Canadians and Americans, make our grilled cheese sandwiches differently. In the US, you add your butter to the pan and then add the sandwich. In Canada, we butter each slice of bread, placing one in the pan, buttered-side down, cover with cheese and put the other slice of bread, buttered-side up on top.
I'm curious to hear how you make your grilled cheese sandwiches. What sort of bread and cheese do you use? Do you add peanut butter like some of my friends? Pears & Camembert, Mayonnaise? Ketchup? Or are you a grilled cheese purist?
Before I leave the page, I sincerely want to wish you a wonderful weekend. May it be one that is stress-free and relaxing. Perhaps there is someone that could use a short visit, "a hug and a hello how are you today?”
I am inspired to say this after reading about the seniors who are doing petty crimes, to be incarcerated and have community in jail, some out of pure loneliness. Read more here.
When writing, I like to listen to classical music. Glenn Gould, the Canadian pianist whose eccentricities drew my attention when the report of his passing in 1982 aired. He was 50.
I was intrigued by his character, consequently purchased his debut record, Goldberg Variations. That album and his interpretation of Bach's writings opened my mind to the beauty, power and health benefits of classical music. I listen this morning through my wireless headphones, as I want to hear every note and groan of this artist at play. Read his amazing bio.
With Love from Prince Edward Island,
Bruce
His genius is on display via the video below.
Comments
Leona said:
Love grilled cheese and tomato soup! I’ve always had it on whole wheat bread with extra sharp New York white cheddar. I grew up buttering the bread but lately with small children under foot, I’ve found that buttering the pan takes less time and works better when I open the butter dish only to find it empty. Hard butter fresh from the refrigerator doesn’t spread very easily. Mind you, I thought I’d just discovered this easier, quicker way on my own but apparently my frazzled maternal brilliance was pre-empted by generations of my fellow Americans.
I grew up with a side of Campbell’s tomato soup but then I rediscovered my mom’s Molly Katzen cookbooks: Moosewood Cafe and The Enchanted Broccoli Forest. The latter has some of the most delicious tomato soup recipes I’ve ever had. It’s hard to go back to Campbell’s after that.
April 08, 2018
Bev Sha[iro said:
Hello Bruce, thank you for the info on Mr. Gould. I am not a classical music fan and don’t have a cell of musical talent in my body, but I loved reading the article on him. And I enjoyed listening to him. Clearly an interesting human and a gifted musician.
I also enjoyed hearing about grilled cheese sandwiches. I disagree, respectfully, about how Americans make them; I make them exactly like you. When I was a child I didn’t know better so I made them with slices of "American "cheese, wrapped in plastic. Then I grew up. I have used butter, and recently mayonnaise for a piquant taste. I like a Vermont sharp white cheddar or extra sharp yellow cheddar. I do want to try a Gruyère but have not yet. Perhaps I will on April 14th. Enjoyed your blog very much. Thank you. Bev
April 08, 2018
Sharon Lapointe said:
Always look forward to your blog. Visited your establishment both times I was in P.E.I.. great food, lovely sweet treats and wonderful china pieces. I was fortunate to meet you both times. Thank you.
Sharon Lapointe
Woodstock,ON
April 08, 2018
Bill said:
I like my grilled cheese best when some else makes them. What time did you say you were cooking yours. :)
April 07, 2018
Lynne powell said:
I always butter the bread, use cheddar cheese and thick slices of salted tomatoes. sometimes I add Swiss cheese also, or Gouda. I’m happy using white, sprouted wheat, or sourdough. As an aside, my adult son melts the butter in the pan for his grilled cheese sandwiches.
April 07, 2018
Cynthia Zimmerman said:
Two things, we have grilled cheese and tomato soup at least once a week. I always used butter on the bread until I saw a recipe using mayo instead of butter and we liked it a whole lot better, seems to make the bread crispier. I also like mine with thin sliced onions. Also love your strawberry rhubarb jam that I purchased last October when we visited PEI.
strawberry rhubarb jam I purchased last October when we visited PEIApril 07, 2018
Judy Drake said:
Super Blog Bruce, I really enjoyed it and learned some things too!!
Although my husband says he will not share his fruit cake with Robins!! LOL
JUDY
April 07, 2018
Julie Watson said:
You asked about grilled cheese sandwiches. A staple in our house and something we truly enjoy. My favourite it is use a dark rye or pumperknickle bread, thin sliced. Extra old cheddar cheese is a must and I must say the 3-year old cheddar from our own ADL in Summerside is one of the best. Hubby like bacon, that has been fried “really crisp” in his. I’m a purist. Just cheese. Butter the bread and cook until dark brown. Heaven! We also cook grilled cheese on the BBQ but use a thicker or regular sliced bread to give it enough strength to not fall through the grill. Awesome.
April 07, 2018
Sandal said:
Your Sunday grilled cheese and tomato soup brings back memories of our similar Sunday tradition. We make our grilled cheese just like you do, buttering the bread, layering the cheese, etc. The cheese can be cheddar, American or Gouda (preferably from Glasgow Glen). Enjoy yours on the 12th!
April 07, 2018
Annette said:
Thanks for sharing the Gould clip – it’s one of my favourites! I also think that it’s great music to make grilled cheese sandwiches to! :-)
April 07, 2018
Wendy March said:
I make grilled cheese with two slices of buttered bread, to the outside, and cheese inside. Usually med. cheddar. Try slicing a garden fresh ripe tomato into medium-thin slices, opening up the hot, gooey, perfectly golden grilled cheese and covering one half with the tomato. Add some salt and pepper to taste, re-assemble and enjoy. Oh.So.Good.
April 07, 2018
Linda S. said:
Yes, as an American (temporarily living in PEI) I’ve usually buttered the pan first when making a grilled cheese sandwich. :-) But I’ve also buttered the bread as well when I’ve created my sandwich in a panini press. :-)
Love your jams and tea! Will miss my favorite restaurant when we move back to the States in July. Sad about your restaurant – happy about our move. sorry! :-)
April 07, 2018
Judith Inman said:
Bruce, love your blogs. They always give me something to think about and always make me smile. Although I am an American and live in Maine, I make my grilled cheese sandwich like a Canadian! I’m actually quite proud of this! Butter the slice of bread, put in pan, then two slices of low sodium, thinly sliced American cheese, then the next slice of bread, also buttered side up. I also like it with tomato soup.
April 07, 2018
Lyn said:
My favorite grilled is with Sourdough, Niagara Gold cheese & Red Pepper Jelly. Grilled the " Canadian way. Yum….
April 07, 2018