jeudi 5 juin 2008

Front Porch Party

100_6546
photo Gato Azul

Happy birthday Rhondi! I'm sorry to be late in the day, but I've been waiting for the sun to come out and wouldn't you know it, I've uploaded my pictures, I'm writing my post and I seem to notice that the quality of the light is changing... leaves are starting to tint with a hint of yellow! So by the time you get here on my verandah for your Front Porch Party (nope, I have no front porch), the sun will be shining!
Joyeux anniversaire Rhondi! Je suis désolée d'être si tard dans la journée, mais j'attendais que le soleil se pointe le bout du nez et évidemment, j'ai téléchargé mes photos, j'écris mon billet et je crois remarquer que la qualité de la lumière change... les feuilles commencent à se teinter légèrement de jaune! Alors, pour ton arrivée sur la véranda pour le Front Porch Party (non, je n'ai pas de «front porch»), il fera soleil!

100_6587
photo Gato Azul
Rhubarb Soda - Spritzer à la rhubarbe

I've been a bit busy in the kitchen, preparing for your visit. May I offer you a glass of Rhubarb Soda? (All the recipes will be posted in separate posts).
J'ai un peu cuisiné pour le party. Prendriez-vous un verre de spritzer à la rhubarbe? (toutes les recettes seront publiées dans des billets séparés).

100_6570
photo Gato Azul

While you're visiting, you'll surely notice Feliz, my cat. Oh, don't worry... he doesn't eat human food, but he's curious. He pretty much has a free rein in our house. I found him in a shelter while he was quite young and I haven't had the heart to teach him any manners.
Vous aurez sûrement remarqué Feliz, mon chat. N'ayez crainte... il ne mange pas de nourriture pour le «vrai monde», mais il est curieux. Il a tous les droits dans la maison. Je l'ai trouvé dans un refuge lorsqu'il était petit et je n'ai pas eu le coeur de lui inculquer du savoir-vivre.

100_6545
photo Gato Azul

Even though I live in the country, the verandah is the core of the summer experience for me. Living in Quebec where the weather is nearly arctic for a good part of the year, the moment it's comfortable enough, I migrate there. I work from home and I often bring my work out in a corner of the verandah. It just doesn't feel like work then. Meals are always taken outside as well.
Même si j'habite à la campagne, la véranda est le point central de l'«expérience été» pour moi. Au Québec, la température est quasi-arctique pour une grande partie de l'année et, dès que c'est le moindrement confortable, je migre vers l'extérieur. Je travaille à la maison et j'apporte souvent mon bureau dans un coin de la véranda. On ne peut pas appeler ça travailler. Quant aux repas, nous les prenons à l'extérieur.

100_6565
photo Gato Azul

We share the verandah with all kinds of plants. This tomato plant might grace us with some fruit soon. I have a small herb garden on the verandah as well, a strawberry plant, an urn filled with lettuce and most of the flowers are edible.
Nous partageons l'espace avec toutes sortes de plantes. Ce plant de tomates nous donnera des fruits bientôt. J'ai installé des fines herbes sur la véranda, un fraisier, une urne de laitues et la plupart des fleurs sont comestibles.

100_6563
photo Gato Azul

If you visit often, you'll find that I have many visitors in the garden. Raccoons, squirrels, birds, hummingbirds, bees... Whenever I can, I snap a picture of them and I planned a little corner to entice the birds and hummingbirds to visit.
Si vous passez me voir fréquemment, vous remerquerez que j'ai beaucoup de visiteurs au jardin. Ratons laveurs, écureuils, oiseaux, colibris, abeilles... Quand je peux, je prends des clichés et j'ai aménagé un petit coin pour les attirer sur la véranda.

100_6628
photo Gato Azul

It's been uncommonly wet and cold, here in Quebec, the past few days. I wrote yesterday of the swimmingly good time I had picking herbs in the garden to make a Green Goddess Dip (the recipe is in yesterday's post).
Il a fait particulièrement frais et humide les derniers jours au Québec. J'ai d'ailleurs dû pateauger dans le jardin hier pour cueillir des herbes pour préparer la trempette déesse verte (voir le billet d'hier pour la recette).

100_6574
photo Gato Azul
Green Goddess Dip

And since it's Rhondi's birthday, I thought I would prepare something chocolate for us to celebrate with...
Et puisque c'est l'anniversaire de Rhondi, j'ai pensé que quelquechose de chocolat serait une bonne idée...

100_6538
photo Gato Azul
Chocolate Raspberry Tart In A Pecan Pie Crust
Tarte choco-framboises dans une croûte aux pacanes


You'll have understood by now that the main emphasis on my blog is put on food... I have diabetes and my recipes are prepared while taking this into account. For example, the chocolate raspberry tart is made in a pecan nut crust, with some Splenda brown sugar, making it virtually carb-free (well... not quite... but manageably so).
Vous aurez compris que mon blogue traite de cuisine et de recettes... j'ai le diabète et mes recettes sont prévues en conséquence. Par exemple, la tarte choco-framboisses est préparée dans une croûte de pacanes, avec de la cassonade Splenda, et elle est sans glucide (enfin... pas tout à fait... mais presque).

100_6547
photo Gato Azul

The weather forecast here in Quebec, is for a heat wave starting this evening... we'll be sweltering in 30 C weather for the next few days. So your Front Porch Party is à propos (yes, I admit to being French). It's going to officially inaugurate what I consider to be the most glorious period of the year... Summer!
On nous prédit une vague de chaleur ici au Québec qui débutera ce soir... nous aurons des températures dans les 30 C durant les jours à venir. Alors le Front Porch Party tombe à point. Il inaugurera officiellement le début de ce que je crois être la plus belle période de l'année... l'été!

100_6626
photo Gato Azul

So please have a glass of Rhubarb Soda and stay a while. I hope, when you leave, that you will be content and refreshed and that you'll visit often!
Alors, vous prendrez bien un verre de spritzer à la rhubarbe? J'espère que votre visite vous aura reposé et rafraîchi et que vous repasserez souvent!

26 commentaires:

CIELO a dit...

Beautiful and inviting porch and good food.... and it looks that Feliz is liking it too! :)

May I ask in what part of the world is this lovely porch situated?

Que lo disfrutes

Cielo

mommyholly a dit...

Oooh the food looks yummyon your beautiful porch!! Glad I got a peek into your adorable little home- and the cat is so sweet! :) xo!

Anonyme a dit...

Such a beautiful place and party.Yum Yum.Now im very thirsty.

Beverly a dit...

Your veranda is divine. It looks so comfy and inviting.

I would love a glass of rhubarb soda. Thanks for inviting me.

Ruey a dit...

wow...just gorgeous...am I in heaven??!!
xxxooo Ruth

Ottilias Veranda a dit...

Wow! what goodies You serve on Your veranda! mmm...delocious!
Thanks for sharing!

Liisa

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie a dit...

Gato, this is so inviting, it makes you wish you could visit everyone that has shared their porches with us. Have a Blessed Day, Bonnie

~Red Tin Heart~ a dit...

What a beautiful porch. I loved all your goodies and plants...
xoxo Nita

Anonyme a dit...

Jolie présentation c'est chaleureux chez toi, très english by the way et cette tarte une pure folie!! Merci pour tes commentaires au plaisir!!

Life on the Edge a dit...

Your verandah is so pretty and cozy! I love your collection of wicker. It looks like one side of the chair has a recess for cups, and the other has an area in the arm for magazines or something. And I love the chaise!

The food looks divine! I will have to check out your recipes.

Karen ~ Cider Antiques a dit...

Oh that looks good! What a lovely porch. Your displays are stunning. Wonderful treats!

Karen at Ciderantiques

Jeanne a dit...

Wow! I am mesmerized by all the beautiful food and drink. Most of all your fruit and veggies are beautiful. You have the most inviting veranda , so lovely with plants and a sweet place to dine. I would love to have a rhubarb drink. Mmmmm.

Thank you for visiting me at Backyard Neighbor today. Come again soon, Jeanne

Celestina Marie a dit...

Oh your veranda is lovely and so cozy. One could spend a lot of time there and it looks like you blog there too. Your food looks so yummy and the cake for Rhondi looks delicious! How darling is your cat getting a peek at the food.
Celestina, la rea rose

Rhondi a dit...

Your porch is so inviting! The wicker looks so comfortable and that cake looks delicious. You really went to a lot of trouble to make us feel welcome. Everything on the table looks beautiful and so appetizing. We are in the first day of a heat wave here so that drink will hit the spot perfectly!
I am so glad to have met you.
Hugs, Rhondi

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage a dit...

What a beautiful front porch you have! Just stunning and all the wonderful delights you have served up for us...you have spoiled us! Love all your sweet touches that have gone unnoticed. I enjoyed my visit with you!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Anne Fannie a dit...

What beautiful pictures! The food look so yummy! it was nice meeting you! You are so far away!
Love, Ann

ostwestwind a dit...

Your porch looks beautiful and inviting. Thanks for the drink

Greeting form Northern Germany

Ulrike from Küchenlatein

Rosie's Whimsy a dit...

Your veranda is beautiful. I understand why you want to spend as much time out there as possible! How special to be able to take your office with you on the porch as well.

:-) Rosie

Edie Marie's Attic a dit...

Hi Louise!
Thank you for the wonderful visit on your porch! It was so comfy and relaxing. The rhubarb soda was a lively beverage and your chicken salad was outstanding. The raspberry chocolate torte was heavenly, I love that you cook diabetic friendly. My brother is diabetic & I will be back regularly to get your recipes!! Thanks for sharing and for a wonderful time!
Hugs, Sherry

Elizabethd a dit...

I've so enjoyed visiting you!

Mary a dit...

So enjoyable to visit your beautiful veranda - thanks for the grand welcome. I love Quebec and am hoping to visit this Summer with my husband and granddaughter.

Loved scanning your colorful blog and seeing the amazing photos of food - great job!!

Botacook a dit...

Cette tarte chocolat/framboises combine 2 de mes péchés mignons, elle me fait envie!

Jeanne a dit...

I'm visiting from the Porch Party. Your veranda is lovely!
I'm looking forward to exploring your recipes.
Jeanne

Shirl a dit...

What a beautiful porch you have! It looks so inviting! I'll have to check bach when I'm done looking at all the porches. Looks like some real good recipes here!
Blessings, Shirl

Sacha a dit...

Ta véranda est un lieu de délice pour les yeux et je gage que l'âme et l'esprit doivent s' y reposer à merveille ; la gourmandise qui nous fait la vie plus belle n'en n'est pas exclue pour autant , cela s'appelle le bonheur ..non ?! merci pour ces belles photos qui nous fait partager virtuellement ton univers si serein
Calins à Chat en qui je reconnais toutes les facéties communes à nos adorables minous !

Gloria Baker a dit...

What beautiful is your porch really!! and so beautiful pictures I love all.xGloria