Life Keeps Going, Make Warm Memories & Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts / 11-13-19

      What can I say, I am not ready for cold, and certainly not ready for those heating bills the utility companies like to stiff us with, and right now I can not even get to my wood burner due to construction still happening at the house and all the stuff from other rooms in my living room. I was enjoying the warmer weather and the not so fall like seasonal temperatures and so was my wallet, ok that extra was going to my contractor, electrician, and plumber and for the later than then first. But it is what it is and had to be done. So as soon as I can I need to get my wood burner service guy here and get this thing in working order then get my wood stacked that was delivered last month and have not been able to get to it due to table saws and other remodeling tools in my back yard, and my wheelbarrow has turned into a holder of remodel goods. Again, oh well, but as soon as this project is done it has got to happen. Coming back to warmer weather, this is the time of year that if you do not have a place to escape to in Florida or out west, you live each day on last summers days of sun and fun. Remembering all the good times that kept your warm, and don't I remember some of you complaining about the heat. I hope you are enjoying this. LOL. Anyway, may the memories of this past summer keep you warm through the holiday seasons, and may the warm and joy of your times on Cape Cod bring a smile to your face. Cold may be in the air but thoughts and memories can always bring happiness to the lonely hearted. Sounds so simple, and sometimes it is, but other times we have to work at remembering it. I keep talking about those of us who live here, still have to work, still have to do the daily grind, still have to pay the bills, do the laundry, and cook our meals. Yet we need to work on making time, not just during the summer but year round to enjoy what others long to be able to do and have. Warmths comes in more ways than just the sun, and if we do not work on making those memories for the future when those cold days come, we will not find the joy that could have been. So as we work through out fall season and see the colder days of winter coming, prepare now, so that you will not only be warm on the outside but warm on the inside with the joys of all your experiences here on Cape Cod. Sounds corny I know, but sometimes you need to dig deep to make life happen and make it happy, otherwise what are we doing living here. Can't say it enough, be open to making memories, make the with your elders, the grandparents, the parents, and make them with the younger ones, from children to teens to post teens. See life through their eyes and learn, and figure out how to be free, and then share with those around you. Life on Cape Cod, not always easy, not cheap, but can be very rewarding if we let it. Have a great and wonderful, stay warm and happy, and especially if you can do it right here on old Cape Cod.   

      Ok, last calls for many seasonal restaurants, with the last of them closing up Thanksgiving weekend. I specifically am thinking of Cook's Seafood at 1120 Rt 132, in Hyannis. Their last weekend will be Thanksgiving weekend while closed for Thanksgiving Day will then be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be last day. Now I will admit, I love Cook's, I love their clam chowder, second only to my own, I lover their fried clams, their fried fish is outstanding, and the list goes on and on. Now you all know there is one in every crowd, so like most restaurants, until you have had don't past judgement. For me and my family,  Cooks is a fabulous place to enjoy yummy seafood. Check them out and enjoy before the season comes to a close.  

      Next up is some hour changes for one of our top business friends Truro Vineyards/South Hollow Spirits. Located up in North Truro, on the corners of 6A and Shore Rd the new fall hours are now Thursday through Saturday 11-5 and Sundays 12-5. Upcoming event will be the Holiday Extravaganza  on 11-29-19 with the lighting of the wine bottle tree, there will be caroling, cookies, cocoa, cider, and wine and spirits (as usual)! (as they say, LOL). Swing by the vineyard from 4:30 - 6:30 pm on November 29th for our 5:00 lighting ceremony! This is a great place to do your holiday shopping also, from new hats and shirts and other fun stuff and lets not forget about the Wine, it's all about the wine and the spirits. So get it going and get to Truro Vineyards this fall and holiday season.  

      Not sure were to go with this last one, but a reminder to shop local, buy local whenever possible, and help support our local communities. We still have a few holidays festivals and craft shows including the Upper Cape Tech Fair is November 23-24th, also Love, Live, Local December 7-8 held this year at Barnstable High. So much more room and more parking so get ready to shop, shop, shop. 

      Great day to you all and I hope you are finding a way to stay warm through this cold spell. I have it on some good word that this should be it for a while and we should be back to near November weather the rest of the month. Needless to say the water temperatures have stated to change, and this is the time of year we need to be on the watch for cold stunned turtles. Over this past weekend, rescuers were called into action along the Brewster beaches and get that turtle to the rescue center in Quincy to heal. The reports state it was a Kemp's ridley turtle, one of the rarest and most endangered sea turtles. If you are out along any of the beaches and find a cold stunned turtle, please do not attempt any rescue yourself, call the local authorities ASAP so they can contact the correct group to come get them for rehab. It is against the law for the average citizen to handle these creatures. Also if you are out in the waters fishing and come on one that is looking sluggish, again call the authorities as quickly as possible. As far as actual fishing I am starting to hear that our fish are moving further off shore and deeper. As the waters around the Cape become colder, the majority of our sport fishing head south, literally speaking. So take this to heart if you were wondering. Most of the recreational boats have been pulled by now, and about the only thing happening is clamming of all kinds. Check with your local constable if you have any questions to what's open and what's not. Last, but not least, our Thanksgiving display is up, got a little tricky with all the recent winds and the quick turn around after Halloween, so although the station and light tower is not open to the public, the grounds are and we do have the lookout point and several other plaques and information centers. So there is still things to do here. Well, that's it for now, time to go take the readings and get them reported and be sure we don't have any squatters up in the lamproom. You have yourself a great and wonderful, especially if you can do it right here on old Cape Cod and hope to see you soon.                 

      This month the side dish can go with any meal, but especially the holiday meals. My family has always loved brussel sprouts, so trying new ways of doing brussel sprouts has always been fun for me. So this recipe is a new one from my own collection, and seriously I have to say has been one of my better things to come up with in a while. I have recently gotten into using flavored vinegars, I have used infused oils in the past, not have not worked a lot with infused or flavored vinegars. So this was a stretch for me, but I think I hit this one out of the park. Now if you are not into the flavored vinegars or have access to them, you can either just do EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) or go with just real maple syrup (no imitation stuff here please). But if you can seek out a great Italian Olive Oil Shop in your area and have some fun spicing up your foods. Oh, I am getting so hungry, so let's get this going and do some wicked good eats. 

      This week's recipe: Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts

  1 !/2      lbs      Brussel Sprouts (cleaned and cut in half)

      2      Tbsp    Maple Vinegar (My preference is Gustare of Chatham, Ma)

      3      Tbsp    Maple Syrup (I use Wood Brother' Bourbon Maple Syrup)

      1      Tbsp    EVOO (the good stuff please)

      8      slices   Maple Bacon (cut into 1 inch pieces) or go for it with a full pound.

                          Kosher Salt & Ground Pepper

      Place cleaned Brussel Sprouts in a large bowl. In a separate smaller bowl mix Maple Vinegar, Maple Syrup and EVOO and whisk together then pour over the Brussel Sprouts and toss till lightly coated. Then pour out onto a large baking sheet so in a single layer. Lightly sprinkle Kosher Salt and Pepper over the sprouts. Take cut up bacon and place evenly around the Brussel Sprouts then roast in a pre-heated 400 degree oven for approximately 25-30 minutes (or until lightly golden brown and tender, NOT MUSHY). Turn about half way through so both sides get evenly done. Serve Hot.