Crepes with Strawberries and Blueberries

Strawberry/Blueberry Crepes with Cream

I admit it, it's been 2-3 weeks that we started working on getting this recipe juuuust right, and I think we're going to have to try again next Sunday!  The first week was too slow, the second week was too thick, and this past Sunday was too puffy.  You just know that's not how the story is supposed to end, right?  It's supposed to end with it was "just right".  Conversely, the taste was magnificent each and every time, so we are not really opposed to trying again. And again, and again. If needed.

Oh I know, you're probably asking yourself 'how hard can it be to make crepes with fruit and cream?' I guess it's not really hard at all and speaking for myself, I've even done it before.  So we thought we could make a challenge out of it, and decided these crepes would be gluten, dairy, sugar, AND egg free.

Ready to mix the wet into the dry batter; crepe pan is heating up.

I started with 1 cup of our gluten free pancake mix (made with egg replacer and almond milk), used 2 eggs (or replacer) and added a cup of water and vanilla and stevia (no lemon juice).  This is the part of the meal that we still have to work on. We are not happy with the texture of the batter. Yet. It's getting there, but there will be improvements. The blueberries and strawberries had been frozen but you could certainly use fresh in season.  I heated them slightly to soften, with a splurch of maple syrup as a bonus.

batter in the crepe pan ...

Soaked cashews being whipped

While the batter is basking in the crepe pan, you can start the noisy part of the process - the cashew cream.  You should soak about 1 cup cashews in the same amount of water for at least 2 hours. I soaked ours overnight.  Soaking really helps them whip up with a smooth creamy texture.  Once in the blender, add a couple teaspoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed if you have it) and a tablespoon or two of sweetener (I used maple syrup).  I leave the cashews 'blending' a long time to make sure all the chunks have been pulverized and scrape down the sides of the blender too.  You don't want to miss any of this cream! Unless you have a nut allergy, in which case I guess regular whipped cream would do just fine.

Cashew cream ready to serve

And there you have it - fruit crepes with cream! I put the cream on the inside with the fruit, but that doesn't make a very pretty photo for the blog. Next time (when the crepes are thin and beautiful) we will try it with the cream melting over the top and the juicy, colourful fruit dripping out one end.

A crepe in the pan is worth
two in the tummy

Note that this beautiful Sunday breakfast can also be made the traditional way - full on gluten crepes (made with freshly stone-ground wheat, raw milk and farm eggs), topped with whipped cream, and stuffed with whatever your little heart desires.  Crepes are wonderful in any fashion.

Beat Seats in the House

True story.

Once upon a time in LaLa Land, Peter and Judith had just settled in for another Thursday evening of fun and entertainment at our local auction house. We chose to attend this particular evening as we knew there was a set of 2 wing back chairs on the list and we had it in our heads that 2 wing back chairs were just what the Chez PeJu needed to round out their comfortable seating. Anyway, it was a full house that night, with all the regulars in attendance, so I knew we could be in for some stiff competition on the chairs. It was warm and humid outside so it took no time at all for the temperature in the room to creep upwards slowly. I chose to maintain a strategic position by the open front doors, and Peter quickly moved towards the back door, another source of ventilation (and a known hotspot for all the 'big boys' in town).

Fan Fireplace Screen in Front of Faux Fireplace

I was soon distracted upon seeing a friendly face from Oak Bay - Irene - in the crowd.  I couldn't get her attention to say 'hi' so texted Peter to make sure he saw her as well. Sure enough, she spotted Peter and soon left her comfy spot on a couch to go over and chat with him.  I'm sure she was a little perplexed when he started bidding on a

Victorian Pierced Brass Fan Fireplace Screen! I know she'd been to our apartment but from the confused look on her face, she didn't remember we had a fireplace (albeit a fake one).  I think it looks lovely.  Especially at the price of $12.50!

Shortly after that, Irene crossed the crowed room to come and chat with me at the front door before returning to her seat.  While were talking, it appeared to me that Peter was bidding on yet another item!  I could only see the auctioneer at the front of the room, but I couldn't see what it was that he taking bids on. In speaking with Irene I had missed the short and often very interesting verbal description of the item. Bidding soon ended and whatever it was, was had for a measly $25! Another bargain.  This was getting interesting. And we hadn't even gotten close to the chairs that I thought we had come for.  Irene returned to her seat next to her granddaughter and they each bid on and won the bid for something. Again, I couldn't see the item and had missed the all-important verbal description. The fascinating people-watching I was doing was obviously getting in the way of a perfectly good auction!

The crowd started to thin as the evening wore on, and items were paid for, claimed by their new owners and carted out the door. Of course, this meant that comfortable seats started to open up in the middle, so Peter and I moved first to standing room only at the centre back (where I could at least see the items being auctioned) and shortly after that to two chairs right in the middle.  It was getting late and they still hadn't put up the wing back chairs. I would have to pay attention now.

Well, I guess it was meant to be because we ended up having the winning bid on the 2 chairs at $45/pair. Yup no competition at all. That was exciting enough, but I still didn't know what else Peter had bought. And, we had to get them home in Oscar.  Long story made short - we did it! All for under $100.

 

Best seats in the house!

Turns out these chairs are both LayZBoy recliners! While I thought that sewing up a quick slipcover or two would make the pink/blue floral pattern more in line with our eclectic decor (i.e. easier to take) and bought the neutral coloured drop cloths, I was going to be in for a 'more complicated' sewing project. Hard to do a slipcover when there are moving parts involved.  Luckily there are several 'how to' videos on the internet to guide me through it.  To date I have washed the fabric but not found the energy to start cutting anything yet.  I'll keep you posted on that one.

Recliner bonus.

The missing link.
Classy, eh?

Oh, and the missing piece that I knew Peter has won the bid for and didn't know what it was? It was the perfect companion piece for our two new chairs. A mahogany pedestal table with leather inset top. The drawer is fake, but the leather is real.  Makes me want to just sit and read a book.

So we now spend a lot of time in these chairs - reading, eating, drinking tea, or scotch, or, just talking. Even napping.  Life is good.

Do you have a fabulous find from the auction or local antique or thrift store? 

Sunday Sail

SS Stasia, Victoria BC

The Skipper aka Claude

Isn't she a beauty? We were lucky enough to go sailing on her with new friends and courtesy of Skipper Claude. Claude built this 60 foot sloop himself (he purchased the metal hull) - mostly in his basement. Claude was wonderful - patient with us all, clear about safety, open to all kinds of questions, and a great storyteller. He has spent his entire life on the sea, all over the world, so he had many stories to tell.  

Peter and Purvi at the wheel

Once we were under sail, he even let most of us take a turn steering. A day like this can make a person very happy.

Victoria/Washington Loop

Great place to pick up a carrot or two!  

The chainsaw burger

One mans junk is another man art supplies

Yup that is bent wood

And more bent wood 

Have baguette will travel

Ferry ride nap

Week in review!

R.I.P Peter Pantyman's car is finally put to rest.   

Big Tree, Big guy!

Tony & Judith checking out big trees on the way out to Tofino

Seriously, Pete's Mountain Meats! 

Carol & Jon Enjoying the Beach! 

Nice! Keep it up....

YA! Holidays can be fun! 

DNA! 

Tea! Of course...

Good work Jon! 

Tofino cares and it shows! 

Pink Sand Verbena

Up close. Wild flowers are amazing! 

More, more, more! What you want to go for tea, but we just got here! 

Frank's Birthday

Today was Frank's birthday, and a little birdie told us he'd like some prawns to help him celebrate.  So we happily obliged!

Thank you to Frank for giving us an appropriate excuse to barbeque prawns.  And Happy Birthday too.

Saturday Walk

This is early into our walk today. View from Dallas Road.
Right after the coffee, of course.

It was so gorgeous here today. Gorgeous, wonderful summer weather. Did you hear that word - summer?  It evokes such an amazing feeling in our bodies.  And our minds.

Well, today was one of those perfect summer days. A gentle and warm breeze. Full on sunshine, maybe a little sunburn. In fact, it was so warm, make that hot, that there were hundreds of people wandering around in shorts and t-shirts.  And some, make that lots, were eating ice cream.  Sigh.

I found an abandoned rusty mattress that was screaming for a little attention ...

After dinner at home, I discovered the lilac bushes behind our building are officially in bloom. Well, the purple ones are, in any case. The white ones are a little behind, and the California lilacs are trying very hard, as well.

 Can't you just smell that distinctive, lilac fragrance? It was wafting in the back stairs, so I went out to get up close and personal.  Then, look who popped his head out the window! 

My sweetie!

Another weekend over.

Still looking for a new home! 

Check out the new Canadian made eyewear! 

Check out the power... 

Not going happen today mister! ;) 

Velvet at the auction, let me know if you want me to bid on it for you? 

Ya, whatever, Peter, just drive and stop playing with your phone camera. 

Captain Julian, Hornby's most eligible bachelor! Yes, I did just post that, Christina!

New friends from Cape Mudge, sent me home with these treats. 

Judith's finest RAW delight to date. You will want these bad boys!

Yup. People spend days doing this! ;) 

Happy paid five day government long weekend Judith! Note to self, find wife with career in public service. 

Pirates from Quadra Island showed up thinking they could pillage easter eggs

We sent them packing! ;) Brave folks coming by boat in April from the big Island to the outer island. 

Still for sale and still looking good!