GRANPA LETS BARB VISIT THE MARKETS

It is too difficult for me to do prolonged outings. So Barb goes to a few markets alone.
The local one at Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill is convenient for her. So last week she brought home this haul.

Fresh Ontario peaches, tomatoes, apricots, beans and potatoes were the week's buy. There are two booths with fresh produce from the Niagara region. Barb loves the markets and fresh food. I just as usual love to eat.
#markets#goingtothemarketsalone#tomatoes#potatoes#beans#apricots#peaches#freshOntarioproduce#localfarmersneedtobesupported.

GRANPA CELEBRATES BARB'S RETIREMENT

Celebrating Barb's retirement with a cake and donuts- nut free of course!

Fun with all the grandchildren. Delicious cream cake from Longos!

Even a special Happy Retirement Nana!
Always fun to have a celebration.
#retirement#retirementcake#Longosforacake#Barbcelebratesherretirement#allthegrandchildrenhavefuncelebrating#timeforcake

GRANPA CELEBRATES CANADA DAY

Canada Day- time to celebrate. The food can by anything you want.

But burgers, steak and sausage on the barbecue are the best. And lots of condiments for the burger. Don't forget fruit- especially the watermelon.

Of course tablecloths in red and white.

Salads, buns, drinks make up a great Canada Day feast.Of course cake, cupcakes and icecream!! My family always pitching in with everyone contributing something to the meal.
Oh Canada! Mangiamo!
#CanadaDay#steak#hamburgers#sausages#drinks#buffetstyle#barbecue#icecream#cake#lotsofgoodiestoeat

GRANPA PREPARES FOR A COUSIN'S VISIT

Actually Barb will do the grocery shop with my instructions. My cousins are visiting from Italy next week so lots of time for talk, laughter and good eating! We are Italian. Not sure what they will want to eat but planning several dinners and lunches- a lamb roast dinner, chicken,  a ham and pineapple, and whatever pasta dishes they will like. A good ragu sauce will be ready. There will be a day of open house for the kids and grandchildren to drop by and eat and visit. Barb has been preparing the bedrooms and bathrooms for the guests. Looking forward to seeing them as it is always good to connect with loved ones. From my Dad's side of the family so most people here do not know them. But anyone is welcome to come for a visit.
#ragusauce#pastadishes#cousinstovisitfromItaly#gettingreadyforthevisit#laughterandafuntime#lambroastdinner#hamandpineapple#chickendishes

COOKING BRINGS COMFORT-AH STUFFED RED PEPPERS

Everyone has a a hobby. Some ordinary activities like cooking can be one. For this cooking granpa, home for me is the kitchen. Near food. Around food. Cooking food. Eating food.
Barb has to do all the grocery shopping now but I can still cook.
So my latest dish was some stuffed red peppers. The bell peppers are best for stuffing.

Clean them out.Lots of  ground beef meat, onion parsley, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese on top. Some people may stuff with rice but we prefer it as a meat dish.

An all in one meal with a little salad on the side. Barb loves red peppers so it is a good week day meal.
#cookingforcomfort#stuffedredpeppers#meat#breadcrumbs#inthekitchen#groceryshopping

GRANPA EATS ZEPPOLE FOR ST. JOSEPH'S DAY

St. Joseph's day in Italy is a wonderful celebration. Mostly it is a time to eat zeppole. A baker from Naples invented the pastry in the 19th century and it has been popular since that time.Mostly popular in Rome and the Naples area, a must for the day.

Barb bought us two over the weekend. So I ate mine on St. Patrick's Day. A saint! So it was okay.
#stjoseph'sday#zeppole#pastry#Rome#Naples#italianpastries#whattoeatonSt.Joseph'sday

A SAUCE GETS GRANPA COOKING AGAIN

A nice ragu sauce is simmering on the stove.Ground beef and some pork bones for flavour in the tomato passata make it great with any pasta. Dealing with my health issues has slowed me down. But being back in the kitchen for simple meal preparation is good. The sauce takes more effort. I told Barb I am making it for her. Hum she said. You're making it because you don't like my cooking!

#granplovestocook#ragusauce#homecooking#backinthekitchen#healthproblemsdraggedmedown