Yes, our family is a close knit one. In winter it is more challenging to find reasons to assemble every month or so. But Mom’s 89th birthday was the perfect opportunity.

I hope that I look as youthful and happy as Mom when I am 89 years young.

But what to get a Mom who never asks for anything and is always more willing to give than receive? Sister #3 had a great idea. Mom is so proud of her children, grandchildren and great-granchildren and all of their significant others, so it was decided that we would fashion Mom’s party around a talent fair!

We set up three banquet tables to display photography, painting, writing, beer & wine making, wood working, leather work, other crafting and pottery.

Many decided that cooking was their talent and having tasted everything, I can assure you that we have scads of culinary experts in our midst.

In addition, everyone provided snacks, so there was more than enough for everyone.

Once we had visited and tasted all of the fare, it was time for the entertainment portion of the evening. One sister-in-law recited a poem.

Sister #3 serenaded us (acapella, no less).

Three generations formed this musical trio and after a one night rehearsal, entertained us with “Crazy” by Patsy Cline, Elvis’ “Jailhouse Rock” and even a modified Ronny Milsap birthday themed song. It was the highlight of the evening and Mom grinned from ear to ear.

A second sister-in-law baked Mom’s birthday cake.

Perhaps the secret to living 89 years is my Mom’s atttitude of giving, of gratitude and in the joy of her family. Mom lives a simple, blessed life that is full of love given and experienced.

Kath’s quote: “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” ― Albert Einstein

The youngest member of our clan sitting on her soon to appear cousin. Birthing another member of our big loving family-a wonderful talent indeed!

Love, that is all.

With a few of her children and grandkids at Star Wars.

This weekend we celebrated my Mother-in Law’s 80th Birthday. Her real birthday is not until Christmas but we always make an effort to celebrate early so that her special day doesn’t get completely mushed into Christmas.

Grandma Jean is truly amazing for too many reasons to number, but here are just a few:

• she went to work outside the home for the first time when she became a single Mom of seven children
• she does not have a grey hair on her head
• last time we played a family baseball game, she could still hit one passed the reach of her grandkids in the field
• she babysits the 2 1/2 year old Wee One once a week, taking her for walks and spending most summer days at the playground
• each person who spends Christmas in her home gets a special gift, even if they were a last minute invitee

I could go on but you get the picture…..

This year she gave her children and her grandchildren something truly extraordinary- a handwritten recipe book! D’s has 39 pages and 156 recipes including many of her own Mother’s and Grandmother’s. D was salivating as he flipped through the pages last evening, remembering delicious family suppers and the abundance of shenigans and laughter around the table.

I was invited to her Christmas table some 34 years ago and tasted her Potato Lefse for my very first time.  When the Wee One eats them, she is the sixth generation to taste the recipe.

Think on this: 156 recipes x seven children and fifteen grandchildren=3,432 hand-written recipes! The project took her two years to complete. Now if that is not love, then what is?

Kath’s quote: Grandma Jean to her children & grandchildren-“If anyone’s marriage happens to break up, take the recipe book”.

Love, that is all.

My beautiful and talented niece/Goddaughter was back home for a visit. She currently resides in Melbourne Australia as does her dashing beau. Her Mom (dubbed Sister#2 in this space) invited all her beach cousins to get together for a little soiree at their beautiful lake home. If Aunties and Uncles happened to be out that weekend they were invited along. It was to be a very unceremonious get-together. What we didn’t know was this:

The burly rugby-playing beau had a surprize up his sleeve. He invited his love to join him down at the beach. It was an overcast and fairly non descript day as far as the weather went. She was told to wait at the end of one of the beach paths.

As she made her way along the path, she saw that the story of her life was displayed in photos along the fences that line the way. Near the end of the photo journey were images of her new life with her man in Australia. He was waiting for her on the beach. Just then, the sun burst out and shone on the two of them as he bent down on one knee to ask her to be his soul mate forever.

This may sound all very romantic and like the perfect setting. Here’s the thing, they currently reside in one of the most breathtaking places in the world and are en route to spend time in Europe with a stay in Paris. The Aussie could have chosen any dream locale to make his request but he chose Lester Beach, knowing how important it would be for his future bride to be in a place she loved so very much, surrounded by her family and long-time friends.

The details of the party seem like minor points indeed with all the love that was swooning in our midst. But they were not. They were consistent with the premise of this space and my core belief, that is: Food=Love. To me it was particularly fitting that soon after the beach festivities, we were assembled together to eat, drink and be merry.

The day prior D lovingly grilled these two platters of garden vegetables. He wanted them to chill overnight to set the flavours. He knew that our niece was vegetarian and wanted to delight her with the variety and the tastes.

Sister #3 made her famous guacamole and Sister #2 this cheese ball as big as your head.

The big hit of the evening was the latter’s chicken lettuce wraps but my favourite was courtesy of the bride-to-be herself. Here’s how she makes the stuffed jalapeno peppers pictured above: “Sorry I don’t have exact measurements for the pepper recipe cause I always just wing it! but these are the ingredients… Jalapeños sliced lengthwise and seeded. The cheese filling is half cream cheese half goats cheese. Use a piping bag to fill the sliced jalapeño with the cheese. The caramel sauce is around 12 pitted dates blended with half a can of coconut milk. Drizzle the sauce over the cheese. Top with a couple of pecans the put in the oven at 400 degrees for 5-10 mins or until the pecans are toasted and jalapeños are softer.” Whip up a batch for your next cocktail party and you will not be disappointed.

The sun set on that momentous evening. After more connecting around the bonfire, the couple walked down to the beach with cousins and friends. Along the way they witnessed a dazzling shooting star and then from the shore, the most spectacular display of northern lights. The couple felt very blessed as if nature was endorsing their future nuptials.

Kath’s quote: “Be my forever  You’re my bright blue sky   You’re the sun in my eyes   Oh baby you’re my life  You’re the reason why”-Be My Forever, Ed Sheeran

Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.

 

I am fortunate to be a part of an inclusive group: Canola Camp Alumni. Each autumn when a new bunch of campers assemble in Winnipeg and then head west for a weekend farm adventure, the campers from previous years are invited to connect for a lunch or supper with the first-time campers. This year it was at Mayfair Vegetable Farm on the island in Portage la Prairie.

I have been to the island before, to feed the geese and walk its paths. Many Winnipeggers make the drive to pick strawberries on the farm. I was happy to surround myself with old friends, bask in the September sun, learn about life on a working vegetable farm and just “be” for an afternoon.

The Giffin family welcomed us with open arms as do all the farmers that the campers would meet on the weekend.

Not only did they go to all lot of trouble to convert a barn into a comfortable place for lunch, they did so at one of their busiest times of year.

As we sipped upon strawberry water

and tucked in to our delicious lunch of pesto chicken breasts, new potatoes, strawberry salad, beets and parsnips,

Todd Giffin shared his passion for the land, his crop, the many workers that they employ and the people who enjoy the bounty from their efforts.

My favourite taste was the roasted corn prepared in my preferred manner from the Yucatán. The kernels were so sweet and fresh tasting. perhaps because the corn rows were close by.

This is what today’s farmer looks like. Young, fit, hip and passionate about her family, their farm and their toil. Melanie Giffin demonstrated the growing story from seeding, transplanting, caring for the crops to harvesting. Did you know that every cauliflower plant must be closed by hand with an elastic to protect the flower growing in the protective leaves?

A cabbage head similar to this beautiful one that was about to be picked, made it home with me. I plan on making a Chinese cole slaw with it to have for lunches this week.

Hug a farmer.

Kath’s quote: “Farmers love food. I love food = I love farmers”. -Food Musings (a.k.a. Me!)

Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.

 

 

 

 

I was thrilled that the very first items that I prepared in my “almost finished” new kitchen were for the Rawdon Baby’s shower.

The radiant new Momma.

It takes many hands to raise a child AND to put on such a gorgeous gathering. Auntie Kristen was responsible for so many of the beautiful touches including these shadow boxes of the parent’s baby things.

This table (and another one) was bulging with beautiful gifts by the time all of the guests had assembled.

This image of the baby’s heartbeat graced the room.

This was such a sweet detail too.

Simple, yet so thoughfully accomplished.

Everything was ready for the guests’ arrival. Auntie K and her Bestie spent hours decorating to get everything just so.

That’s Momma in the top left, can you tell that she is pregnant from behind?

The food was placed out in advance so that everyone could leisurely partake.

The bounty!

The cupcakes (made by the photographer of the event) were exquisite.

I particularly loved these Portugese pastries and am hoping that I can get the recipe to share.

Momma, Glamma and Auntie.

The girl cousins (unfortunately another Momma cousin had to leave with the youngest attendee at the party).

Momma and Great Grandma-beautiful women, both.

Kath’s quote: “And we have learned that to raise a happy, healthy and hopeful child, it takes a family, it takes teachers, it takes clergy, it takes business people, it takes community leaders, it takes those who protect our health and safety, it takes all of us. Yes, it takes a village.”- Hilary Clinton

Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.

Read the instructions above for another thoughtful touch.