June 6 ... of comfort and mothers...

What a miserable, cold and rainy day we had today. It was beautiful. I have spent a total of two hours out of my pajamas. I watched a bunch of SYTYCD (the dance thing) back to back, interspersed with the movie Crouching Tiger, Something or other Dragon - which by the way is a beautiful movie, even if you're not into that sort of thing - and finally watched some golf. We took a two hour break to visit the folks, they tempted us with home made rhubarb pie! Who could resist?

For dinner Honey and I foraged in the fridge. Once in a while, and tonight was one of those nights, we don't have a "formal" dinner, no three food groups, no organized process, more like left overs, or something we each make for ourselves. My treat tonight was "noodles and eggs".

Do you remember any foodie things your mom used to cook you when you were a kid? My mom used to make us noodles and eggs, and I pretty much stay true to form except I take mine up a notch by using yummy Udon noodles, hot sesame seed oil, and curry spices. She used to make us sweet rice - white Dainty rice, cooked in milk, and served with either sugar and cinnamon sprinkled on top, or with fruit cocktail. Makes me gag to think about it now - but I used to LOVE that! Or cream of wheat the same way. She used to make us "spaetzle" - German home made noodles, and then fry that in brown butter, with bread crumbs. What's the nutritional value of that?  But I would eat it so happily - until I felt ill and ready to bust! Sundays at the cottage, she would always make us her French toast - that was always such a treat for us. She made pfannenkuchen - thick crepe like things - which we had with a host of different fillings - creamed spinach, or potato salad, or cut fruit into the batter and then sprinkle that with sugar, bizarre, but all in their own right yummy believe it or not. And I realized while making my noodles tonight, thinking about this, how nice was it to have come upon a good memory of my mom.

May 21 ... for the love of cooking....

We leave tomorrow for Quebec City-ish... we're going to visit middle daughter and Grandson Number One...

One of the things we are doing together is eating! We have all decided that rather than go out somewhere, we would all prefer some real family time together at home, eating together, playing together, being together... Its been a long, long time since Middle Daughter lived in a way that could accommodate anything like that. This is wonderful. So this morning - in preparation for the reunion.. I made some family favourites. Well truth be told, I started yesterday I think, but whatever - this morning - and an ordeal it was - I made enough Manacotti for a small army. That's how I cook - all (or everyone) or nothing!!! The Goulash I made yesterday to bring along will feed at least twenty... oh well. I made parts of the feast here and the rest will be made on the spot - I'm planning on involving Grandson Number One in a lot of that! I am very excited.

I remember when Honey's dear aunt Helen passed away. I was asked to help with the Shiva meals. Honey's other aunt (who no one appreciates much) arranged a schedule of who would feed the grieving family. I happily took my place among the people that would bring sustenance and comfort at this sad, sad time in all our lives. I remember cooking - I made chicken schnitzel, kasha with vegetables - and I forget what else - but I truly felt the presence of Helen while I was doing this. My cooking was infused with her love for her family, my love for her family and her, a respect for the ritual of Shiva... and I was extremely proud and thankful for my effort.

Ya well, "somewhat challenged other aunt" who had organized all this - clearly got a lot of things wrong - and I arrived at the family's home, with all my food, to find out someone else was slated to order Chinese food!!! Bloody hell..... anyway all that to tell you that in the end my food was served for the Shabbat dinner (the next night) of the Shiva week - it was intimate, and lovely, and really appreciated. Was a big deal to me. I felt Helen would have approved.

Anyway -I'm telling you all this because the same love and meaning and feeling went into today's preparations for my family dinner(s). I am constantly amazed that middle daughter and I have come to a place where we can enjoy, appreciate and anticipate such dinners. It's a miracle to me.

I am still working on figuring out how to blog from the Black Berry..... Should I not post tomorrow and Sunday (unthinkable!) .. it means I'm still working on it!

March 28 ...Belonging..

I'm whooped. Honey and I have pretty much dedicated our day to getting ready for the second Seder on Tuesday. We both have a very full day tomorrow, the first Seder to go to tomorrow night, which leaves day time Tuesday to cook up a whopping storm and get things ready for a 15 people sit down dinner. The folks in the clan call it the Jewish Olympics and they don't call it that for nothing! So today was about a lot of prep, and now I'm prepped out.

I've allowed myself the last lovely hour surfing the blogs I read. Oh my goodness some people are funny and it makes my day to be a part of this community.

Speaking of community, as I went out to buy something earlier today, I passed a church as the churchgoers were all leaving with their palms, for Palm Sunday. I often get a sense of longing when noticing - whether protestant, catholic, Jewish - people with faith, with a way to practice their faith, attached to a community that revolves around that. My longing revolves around the sense of belonging I imagine them to have. They know where they are going on Saturday or Sunday morning. They know who they will see there. They know where they can go for comfort and solace. I am sure as hell (ha, ha, pun) no advocate of organized religion, the Oral Roberts stuff, gaad shudder the thought, but when I see folks communing in my neighbourhood, I feel like I'm missing out on something, is all.

So ya, gratitude. I'm grateful for this space I took today, to surf the net, to ponder such things as community. I am grateful for the families I belong to, that make me feel like a part of something bigger whether it's Honey's, or mine, or the blogesphere... I'm grateful to be here.

March 5 ... Lots of stuff

Hi there. My day started kind of funky. Honey and I are still trying to navigate difficult issues .. about money, those dialogues never, ever being easy. So I wasn't happy when I left the house. I wasn't happy after my client. Then I went to get my hair taken care of, and ahhhh .. there itwas, that lovely breath of fresh air that is Spiro, one of the most beautiful and lovely 25 year old souls I know. 25 people! When I saw her she said "Hey, it's not Wednesday" - Princess Day remember?. I'm thrilled that little rituals I have started in my blog are being carried on by others, remembered, honoured.... it's amazing.

Spiro and I always laugh a lot together. I wonder what my hair would look like if we didn't. Anyway, we always share stories and today was no exception. So I tell her about some of the happenings at Honey's party. I tell her about my not being happy today. She tells me about her stuff, in particular about her Honey. Her husband received underwear as a gift from his mom on his birthday. Eeek I said, we laughed. How old is he?? 30!!! We're roaring... Honestly, I have to check my hair tomorrow - how can you laugh so hard and cut hair at the same time. I am grateful for the real honest to goodness fun I have with her. I always feel better after seeing her. I want her to know I am grateful for what it is she brings to me when I see her. Thank you Dear Girl. You are one beautiful soul.

I had a lovely chat with young pregnant daughter. She is doing really well, the pregnancy having eased up on her. She asked what I was doing today, I told her going to the hair salon, she replied "It's not Wednesday Ma", I said "It's ok, I'm expanding" .... there is that pebble in the pond again if you ask me. Makes me happy, makes me feel grateful. Lately, young pregnant daughter has been paying attention, acknowledging my presence, showing interest, ... it's nice. It's nice for things to be reciprocal. I need her to know I am appreciative and grateful for her stepping up to the plate in our relationship. I love it. I am very grateful.

And finally, we had dinner with the lovely Mooka folks. I cooked a spectacular dinner. Everything came out perfect, perfectly delicious, perfectly beautiful. I am proud of myself. I am very grateful for the company I had. These lovely people have invited us down south for a week, that's coming up soon, and yes, I am grateful!

So there you have it, despite a rough start, a lovely day and evening all in all. Niceness.

I'm full of gratitude.

February 11.... Lunch and stuff

Hi there. Today will be short and sweet.

It was a glorious day. I'm grateful! My work schedule today permitted me to come home for a two hour lunch break. I made a great, really great, salad - chick peas, lettuce, pear, yellow tomatoes, red peppers.. sounds awesome doesn't it? - and had a totally lovely lunch with Honey, who worked from home today.

Even better was that I walked to and from the office today - it's February 11 and Mother Nature is teasing us big time with this Spring-like seduction of hers! I've been wearing shoes!!! For days!!! Yes Ma'am I am grateful!

I am also grateful that while I trained really hard yesterday, today wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be! Which is very motivating. And .. I slept like a baby!

I am grateful and happy... how about you? What are you grateful for today?