Thanksgiving 2019 & Mixed Berry Cobbler

     Well a happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, may the spirit of holiday be felt and shared with family and friends. And may this be the start to a wonderful season that lasts till next years dawn. Well the good news is we will be eating Thanksgiving Dinner in my new kitchen. We still have a few things left to finish up on and in the pantry but other than that we are done. Most of my glasses, dishes, pots and pans have been moved into their new spots and and the things in the old pantry halfway moved into the new pantry. So I have much to be grateful for, including my electrician, plumber and especially my contractor. Do I have much money left, nope, did it finish on time, nope, could things have gone smoother, yup. But sometimes things happen and you have to do what is right and take care of business. For now I will enjoy what has been given me, and try to do what is correct. I love to cook, bake and have friends and family in. I just pray that I can do right by the one who gave it all to me and for me. Yes I am getting spiritual here, but hey faith is a big part of my life, and known in whom I believe in and am most grateful. This Thanksgiving, be open to what you can do for others and not what they can do for you necessarily, and may the peace and kindness that each one of us can share grow to something that grows wildly out of control and takes over this country and world. As a friend from many years ago told me, Steve keep looking up, it's the only place that true answers come from. Keep the faith, keep on smile, enjoy life, and give back whenever possible, and if you can may it all come together right here on old Cape Cod. 

      Small business report time. This fall while I was out and about I came across a couple of crafters that are local and are out there with unique items and something different to offer. The first on is called Liza's Mermaid Hobbies. Check her out on Facebook, Instagram and Etsy. This is a young lady working with recycled materials to make unique hangable art work that are very different. Her art work is affordable and really creative and would work in many applications, from home bars, game rooms, man caves, she sheds, cottages, and may more places. They would make great gifts and can be enjoyed by all. Check her out and make your walks come alive with her art work. And yes she is from right here on Cape Cod.  

      Next up is Wild Bunch Studio owned and operated by Katie McConnell, her specialty are Mini Weathervanes. Yup Mini weathervanes, with everything from Angels to Lighthouses to Lobsters to you guessed it, an outline of Cape Cod. You can find her products online at https://www.wildbunchstudio.com/ and on facebook. These are come either in a basic design or with a charm. They are great in that they don't take up or need a lot of space to enjoy. They are great as gifts or just for your own pleasure. They are a great adaptation on an old idea and are very cool. And for you out there that own shops of your own, she does wholesale. So get on board with these gems and see what Katie has to offer. 

      The other morning I had off work so we took advantage of it and went out to breakfast, and we ended up at Grumpy's on 6A at 1408 Main St, East Dennis. I love going during the off season cause you can actually get in and out without showing up for breakfast and ending up ordering lunch. But they are busy do to one main reason, they are good. The staff is awesome and if you get a window seat overlooking the marsh behind the building, it ends up being a pretty romantic experience. So we did not sit by the back windows, but the food was outstanding, always get more than enough and then some, and for a decent price. So some morning if your looking for a really good breakfast and you are near or heading towards East Dennis, check out Gumpys and leave with a full tummy and a smile on your face. 

      Well, Happy, Thanksgiving to one and all. I know there are some of you out there that have a problem with a few of our fall holidays, but one should really stop and think about it. As we forefathers of many of us came across the watery expanse, we were met and greeted by those who already lived here. They started in the beginning by working together, more than I can say about many of us all, We need to be giving thanks for those who sacrificed their lives for us, give thanks who helped those who came. Then start to by giving thanks for family, for friends, for opportunities, for, and the list can go on and on. For me I can give thanks for my job here at the light house and all those who come and visit us at all times of the year. I can give thanks for health, and abilities. I can give thanks for family and so much more. So what are you thankful for? While we do that, let's also remember to keep those who lost love ones in the tragic sea accident off the coast of Martha's Vineyard. May we keep them in our prayers as 3 families will have an empty seat where their loved one would have sat. And keep the one surviver in your prayers as he has to live with seeing others perish. There are others who need to be remembered, the shut ins, those in hospitals, the homeless, those without a family, and the list goes on. May we who have the abilities to give as well as give thanks, do so, reach out and make an offer if you are able, and do what you can to share what you have so others can enjoy as well. Well, it's been a long week already, I hope the rest of the week ends much better. Have a great and wonderful, and in all give thanks, especially if you can do it right here on old Cape Cod. 

      Hello again and to think we are at the the next to the last month of the year, these next two recipes better be good. So the i thought what better way to bring the cobbler side to an end was with a mixed berry recipe. Again, these are so simple, easy to make, and near, (ok I know a few of you our there just need to stay as far away from a kitchen as possible, except to eat), impossible to mess up. But I love cobblers so this one is a great way to finish off one of those holiday meals, or a meal made with those wonderful left overs, cause we know ain't no pie left. So get yourself into the kitchen and get going, and time to whip up some delicious mixed berry cobbler. 

      This week's recipe: Mixed Berry Cobbler

         
      2      Pkg      blackberries, 6 oz
      2      Pkg      blueberries, 6 oz
      2      Pkg      raspberries, 6 oz
      1      Pkg      strawberries, 16 oz
      6 tbsp Butter
   3/4 cup Heavy cream
      2 tbsp Lemon juice, fresh

1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp Baking powder
      3 tbsp Cornstarch
   3/4 cup Sugar

     Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl combined berries and lemon juice then set aside.  Mix cornstarch with 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl, then pour cornstarch mixture over berry mixture. Stir berry mixture gently until ingredients are evenly combined. Pour berry mixture into a 2-quart, or 9 x 9-inch, baking dish and set aside. In a large bowl put flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, baking powder. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir cream in to make a soft dough. Drop spoonfuls of dough over berry mixture, then sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon sugar over dough. Bake about 50 minutes or until top is well browned and juices are bubbly. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.