WOULD YOU LOOK AT THE TIME!

What is the deal with Time? Why is it such a big player? 

Time’s up or we have all the time in the world. 

Time flies, and occasionally time slows down.

Time to go to work, time to get up, time to sleep, time to eat, time is money and I could go on…(but I’ll run out of time!). 

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated my Dad’s 90th birthday. 

Wow! 90 years is a fair bit of time on this earth and Dad has certainly made the most of it. His insatiable curiosity led him to a lifetime in the newspaper business as a reporter: meeting people, checking out events, going places and always asking who, what, when, where, WHY. 

I don’t know if I’ll see 90 years but I have put over 60 on the clock so far and it’s true the years seem to go by faster and faster. One minute you are reading to your one year old and suddenly you’re reading to your grandchild. 

I try to focus more on the moment and take time in small portions to appreciate and savour this life. True, there are moments of great pain and grief but there are many beautiful moments that I don’t want to miss. 

The colours of a sunrise, the smell of spring in the flowers, the warmth of a cup of coffee in my hands are all moments I’ve enjoyed just in the past couple of days. 

Spending time with people I love and enjoying moments of connection with laughter or a good meal together. I want all my senses attuned: what can I see, hear, taste, touch and smell. What am I feeling? 

I can’t stop time or even rewind it, but I can look at the time and know I’ve used it well, not a moment wasted. 

BACK TO MY ROOTS

How is everyone doing out there? Lots going on out there…lots going on. I hope you have a few fail-safe pressure release valves to access. I know I do. 

One of mine is time in the kitchen. I get in there and start chopping, mixing and seeing what I can create. 

This past week I felt it was time to get back to my roots so I called my Dad to review the family’s Cornish pasty recipe. This would be from the Welsh side of the family of course! Cornish pasties are meat and veg pies in a sturdy crust. The edges of these little pies are crimped with a fork. Miners, way underground, would have these for lunch and use the crimped edge as a handle for dirty hands. 

Our family recipe is very basic: steak, potatoes, onion, kidney, salt and pepper and butter.

Normally, we are a strictly No Onion household as Sheldon does not like them so I’ve learned to not cook with them at all. But I really wanted onion in mine so I made some with and some without and I added mushroom to both. I did skip the kidney because it never found any in the grocery store and I’m a bit iffy on kidney. 

When I was about eight we were having steak and kidney pie for supper. I sucked off all the gravy from my kidney pieces and lined them up nicely on my plate. My Dad proceeded to pop them in his mouth until it dawned on him these were pretty dang clean.

“Did you suck these kidneys and put them back on your plate??”

I was busted. Dad was disgusted. 

Well I started the assembly line for my pies: a layer of sliced potato, couple piece of steak, a bit of mushroom, salt and pepper, onion for mine and a dollop of butter. Then fold and use a bit of egg wash to seal the pies. I decided to mark the tops as well - “X” for no onion and “O” for onion (made sense to me). Baked for about 40 minutes or so at 350 and I think my Great-great grandma would have approved!

Along with a fresh salad, they make a nice hearty meal on a cold night. 

With the world feeling a little out of control it’s good to feel grounded, and in familiar territory.  

Maybe it’s time to get back to your roots.

 

WINTER STILLNESS

It was snowing outside this morning. The dancing snowflakes creating a diffused, hushed silence; a winter stillness. As I watched from my living room I could hear nothing but the tick, tick of the clock over the fireplace and Lulu’s soft rhythmic snoring. After a morning walk and a full belly from breakfast she curled contentedly up in “her” chair to nap. 

I happen to like stillness and quiet. It’s one of the perks winter offers and it’s good for my soul. But it feels like the house has been sealed up too long and needs a good airing out.

I’m ready to open a window, and hear the birds in their symphony. To hear the wind blowing in the trees and the rustle of leaves. I want to watch my curtains breathe and billow in the fresh air and smell the rich muddy earth as the snow melts. 

So, thank you winter, for the rest and the stillness. Your etchings in black and white. But I’m ready to open the windows up and let in the fresh scents of spring! 

MEETING JOHN STEINBECK

“Still got a cold - no biggy.” That’s what my text said to a friend. But for all my bravado the “no biggy cold” was kicking my butt. So after popping some cold meds I found myself in bed by 8 o’clock on a Friday night. 

Last year when I retired the plan was to utilize the library. No more buying books (unless it was a Really Good Book). I can pick them up at the local library and drop them off with no increase to my general goods. But I felt crappy, the bedroom was cold and my E-Reader offered a plethora of books to buy with one click. 

And that’s how I met John Steinbeck. His book “Travels with Charlie: In search of America” was only a couple of bucks and on my reading list. Click! I had a Nobel prize winning author to read on a cold winter’s night. 

After conquering Dick and Jane books I soon moved onto Dr. Seuss. From there I devoured the school’s whole library. The magical world of reading opened up for me about the same time John Steinbeck was finishing his journey on earth in 1968. 

Travels with Charlie is about Mr. Steinbeck’s road trip across America with his poodle, Charlie. It is full of wit, humour and a keen perception  of humanity. I’m ashamed to say I’d not introduced myself to Mr. Steinbeck until I reached my 60s! 

It’s January, a good time to read. Fantasy, fiction, history or if you must romance. Grab a cup of tea, get cozy and check out a classic. The pleasure of a good book on a cold winter’s night will cure all that ails you - including butt kicking colds. 

A SECOND CHANCE

 Have you ever wanted/needed a second chance? 

A second chance at: A Challenge? A Mistake? Love? Life?

Of course you have - we ALL have! Not only is it great to receive them, it’s great to give them too.

At the Last Supper Jesus tells Peter his faith will fail. Peter says “No Way! I’m ready to go to both prison and to death.” But Jesus says “this very night you will deny me three times before the rooster crows.” Later, as Jesus is led away, Peter stays close by in the courtyard with the servants. They begin to focus on him and say he was one of Jesus’ disciples. He insists he is not - never met the man. He denies this 3 times. The rooster crows. Just then, Jesus turns and looks directly into Peter’s eyes across the courtyard and Peter remembers what Jesus had said. Feeling the full burden of shame and betrayal Peter leaves and “wept bitterly.” This is a guy who needs a second chance.

After Jesus’ death the women who had gone to prepare the body come back with an incredible story! Jesus’ is gone! The tomb is empty and these dazzling white guys said He had risen! The disciples thought this was crazy, some idle tale, but Peter ran back to the tomb. He had to see for himself, maybe a second chance was possible! 

Later, Peter and a few other disciples are fishing. Who do they see on the shore but Jesus tending a fire! After an uncomfortable breakfast, Jesus asks Peter about his love for Him. He asks 3 times wiping out the 3 times Peter denied Him thus offering a second chance to acknowledge his love and loyalty. 

As we start a brand new year maybe you need a second chance. There is mercy new each day for those. Or maybe you need to give a second chance. With wisdom, I hope you can find the grace to do so. 

Here’s to 2025 - may it be a year of joy, peace, health for you and occasionally, when you need them, a year of second chances. 

FINDING KITCHEN NIRVANA

If your idea of a good time is puttering in a kitchen, cooking, creating and testing out new recipes, then you are my people. So when my friend Sharon suggested a cooking class with Enid Grace in Hillier it sounded like a great way to spend an afternoon!

With Sharon, ready for action

                                                           

Myself and another friend, Cathy, were the first to arrive. Enid’s cooking classes are held in a renovated old Quaker Barn that also used to be a blacksmith shop. 

And there I was, in Kitchen Nirvana, stirring Risotto!

A happy little wood stove for warmth, Christmas music, fresh ingredients all laid out, wine and snacks to enjoy, and all the kitchen necessities you could want. Enid has a wealth of knowledge around cooking and baking. 

Making the Turtres

We delved into Italian cuisine in the Dolomite region, prepping dishes in several stages which Enid masterfully brought together. The small class of 7 ladies all took turns trying techniques and prepping. 

Of course….there was lots of eating too! 

Canederli in Brodo, a beautiful bone broth soup with little dumplings topped with crispy butter fried fresh sage. 

Turtres, little pastries filled with ricotta and spinach and quickly deep fried in a light oil.

Risotto with fresh squash, Enid’s homemade sausage and porcini

 and for dessert, Apfelstrudal with almond custard. 

We all brought home leftovers and lots of new tricks and tips. So if you are looking for a relaxing afternoon of creativity and fun, I recommend checking out Enid’s classes! 

You can find them here: https://www.enidgrace.com/mytable

Like me, you may find yourself in Kitchen Nirvana!

THE SIGH OF A CAT

 It’s been a rather hectic week filled with appointments; some planned, some not. My husband and both parents all needed medical care due to surgeries, complications and in my Dad’s case, a nasty fall. 

One of these situations alone can be stressful, but three?? The old adage “when it rains, it pours” fits the bill! 

When stress starts to overwhelm me and I’m feeling off kilter, out of control and anxious it’s time to refocus my mind, body and emotions.

I search out objects of peace and beauty, quiet places to pray and breathe and think of my many blessings to be thankful for in the midst of noise. 

This late blooming rose, softly summer perfumed waited for me to find.

Diamond sparkled frost on the deck glittering in the morning light

Lulu curled up on her chair beside the fireplace while I enjoy my coffee

These bring me comfort and peace and I remember my favourite scripture verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will guide you” Proverbs 3:5-6

My old cat Sasha is thin and her lush velvet fur is not what is used to be. I placed this patch of shag rug in a sunny spot.

Sasha curled up and let out a slow contented breath. 

Like the sigh of a sun warmed sleepy cat, sometimes we just need to trust and rest.