A wintery scene for a wintery day. Not doubt it’s been a rough winter. Thankfully, brilliant Newfoundland photographers like Bud Vincent can remind us there’s beauty all around us.
Happy Friday
A short post after a long week. We’ve got lots on our ‘to-do’ list, but also lots to be thankful for. Like, freshly fallen snow, and a sweet dog to roam in it. I hope you’re all preparing for a fun weekend. We’ll be serving dinner at The Doctor’s House, so that’s always a plus. And our Stay In and Stay Warm special is still going strong. Anyway, happy Friday!
A Little Accumulation
Back to regular blogging, after several days showcasing all the fun we had at Eat the Hill. Here’s our back deck, showing that a little snow accumulation can be a beautiful thing! A little (or, a lot) of snow turns the Wonderful World of Whiteway into a Winter Wonderland. And if that’s not enough alliteration for your Thursday morning, I don’t know what is!
Of course, I never liked winter until I moved to the ocean’s edge. We’re truly blessed to have a beautiful, ocean-front home that lets us appreciate every aspect of Newfoundland’s weather! (And remember, it’s easier than ever to have a fun snow-day around the bay, with our Stay In and Stay Warm winter packages).
Eat the Hill Day 3 – The Best for Last
Our last day at the annual Eat the Hill – an extravaganza in Clarenville showcasing local chefs, ingredients and cooking – was the best of the weekend. We got to meet all the chefs one-on-one, which was a treat. But of course not as big a treat as the food they prepared, all which was like nothing I’ve ever tasted. Cod tacos, braised beef on mashed potatoes, special sliders, Newfoundland-style gnocchi, apple pork pie and deserts – it was all truly unbelievable, an original food mosaic that was so unique and so ‘Newfoundland’ and so delicious. We’ll definitely be back next year and encourage you to keep this great event on your radar.
We also enjoyed a performance from Clarenville band, Disisit. They were stunning, one of the best local band I’ve heard. Great times, great people, great venue – Eat the Hill was probably the best time we’ve had in at least a year.
The Berry and I were at Eat the Hill on behalf of the wonderful LCENDMO, the Legendary Coasts of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador Destination Management Organization, of which I’m currently the vice-chair. We’ve gotten so much out of membership from LCENDMO, sing its praises whenever we can, and encourage others in our region to sign up. You won’t regret it.
If you’d like to see more photos of our weekend, please see our album on our Facebook page. It’s back to the usual grind for us now (we’re currently renovating at The Doctor’s House and promoting our new winter package at the cottages, Stay in and Stay Warm), but we’ll treasure the memory of this wonderful weekend, and can’t wait for next year.
Eat the Hill Day 2
This weekend, Laurelyn and I were lucky enough to represent the Legendary Coasts of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador Destination Management Organization at the brilliant, second annual Eat the Hill at the White Hills Resort in Clarenville. Here’s Day Two:
With a spectacular venue, 160 people showed up to experience seven chefs from St. John’s, Marystown, Clarenville and the Bonavista area celebrating our food in our place with our local ingredients. Yes – it was all as amazing as you would expect.
Our evening started with hors d’oeuvres and martinis, followed by a seven course meal from the seven artist/chefs. We had bread, scallops, salad, scallop bisque, halibut, dessert, and coffee. All prepared in a unique way with a unique Newfoundland and Labrador taste.
It was one taste explosion after another. Then Kelly Ann Evans got up to entertain and again blew us away. Like our chefs, she and her group are also great artists. How blessed are we in this province to have such artists walk amongst us? And better still, we are so grateful that they choose to stay here when they could make fortunes elsewhere.
The Berry and I made lots of new friends and really enjoyed ourselves. Being a member of this organization has been such a positive experience, and it can do wonderful things for others in the Destination Management Organization. I would encourage anyone in our region to sign up and get the benefits that come with membership. It is the best value package I have seen in a very long time.
For more pictures of Day 2, please see our Facebook page. And we love using our blog and social media to promote regional tourism events, so stay tuned to learn more about upcoming happenings as we move into spring. Tomorrow I’ll be sharing ‘Day 3’ at Eat the Hill plus some video – see you then!
Eat the Hill Day 1
The Berry and I had an amazing, fun and eye-opening weekend in Clarenville, as we attended the second annual Eat the Hill, a weekend of some of the province’s best chefs, pastry chefs and musicians paired with awesome winter activities at White Hills Resort. We went representing the LCENDMO, the Legendary Coasts of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador Destination Management Organization – say that three times fast (I’m the currently the Vice Chair).
We experienced too much to describe in one blog post, so here’s a round up of day one. It began with a wonderful and social introductory night, one delicious bite of dessert after another. Martinis greeted us on the way in, creating a welcoming mood.
Chris Sheppard, a fine chef of Clarenville, was the key organizer. He teaches at the Bonavista Institute of Sustainable Tourism, has the Kildare B & B, is a fantastic chef, and is also a great guy.
The desserts were fabulous with contributions from the Fogo Inn, Baccalao, The Rocket Bakery, Coffee Matters and others. We had a couple (or more!) of each.
The food was amazing, but, and I know it is hard to believe, it was all outdone by the entertainment. We had two groups.
First, Three Shades of Grey. What an amazing voice. They did a Leonard Cohen cover that was the best I’ve heard. Then Glen Young of Grey River and Leeland Wareham of Arnold’s Cove took they stage. They weren’t first class –they were world class. Without doubt, they are probably the best in Atlantic Canada at what they do.
All in all, it was a great evening doing what we love best – celebrating Newfoundland and revelling in all the artistic talent – culinary or otherwise – we have in this tiny province. Please see our Facebook page for more pictures, and stay tuned to the blog to hear about the rest of the weekend. 
I Have It in Writing
This Sunday I thought I’d try something different from my regular sunset posts, to show the only thing more meaningful to me. I was going through some stuff yesterday when I came across this. As you can see from the inscription, it was given to me 10 years ago.
10 years is about a third of my beautiful daughters’ lives but little in mine. A lot of water has gone by. I know lots of parents love this book and the reason why is obvious – because always as long as our children are living, our babies they’ll be. God bless.
Budding Saturday: I Walk Alone
Another Saturday, another beautiful from Newfoundland photographer Bud Vincent. This shot looks appropriately chilly for the season.
This weekend we are in Clarenville for ‘Eat the Hills’ in Clarenville. We are representing the Legendary Coasts of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador Destination Management Organization (I’m the Vice Chair). The Berry and I plan to have fun, illuminating weekend – I’ll keep you posted!
Gentle Storm
When is a storm not a storm? When lots of snow falls, but it comes in vertical – not horizontal like we so often get here. The winds didn’t pick up, making the perfect night for candles, soft music, a delicious meal enjoyed with The Berry. Such a sweet storm!
A Little Rainbow
Quite the winter we’ve been having. Definitely the kind that makes you want to cuddle up (and remember, if you buy our Stay in and Stay Warm package, which has lots of perks to keep you cozy, and you have to cancel because of a winter storm, you can reschedule without penalty on or before April 30, 2014). I thought I’d share this lovely picture that Joe sent me awhile ago, to remind us that there’s a rainbow after every storm. Thanks, Joe!