Here we are on the last day of 2009. Time flies by much too fast these days. I hope everyone is still enjoying a happy Christmas holiday. I know the kids are, Hubby too has had the week off between Christmas and New Year's Day. We went skiing on Wednesday to Snow Valley in Barrie. It was a great day! We were supposed to go on Tuesday, however, at -20 C with the wind chill we wimped out!
I have to admit that for reasons yet unknown to me, I have never looked forward to New Year's. I tend to feel sad and blue and spend a lot of time thinking about what's going to happen in the new year. I always pray for a good year but that's relative to what happens. So I will try to not think about it. We always spend New Year's at home; eat Chinese food, play games, watch a movie and wait for midnight. Sunshine has always invited everyone to her home for New Year's and we (I) have always politely (I hope) declined. This year will be different! We are going to Sunshine's home for New Year's and I know it will be fun. Well, wonders never cease! The only setback is that I have to be up at 4:30am to go to work on the 31st. I also have to be up at 4:30am on New Year's Day. Just stay up!!!! Pretend you are in your twenties again and you don't need sleep. I have never been able to nap so I know I will be tired. At least I know I will be the designated driver and that's a good thing. Oh well, it's only once a year and when you spend it with family and friends it's perfect. I plan to bring Toasted Almond Caramel Dacquoise for a dessert. Sunshine, if you are wondering what it is you will find a picture on the front cover of Canadain Living Feb/10 issue.
I would like to apologize for the lack of a 'Bench Talk' on Monday past. Our excuse is, "It's our Christmas vacation." I had a house full of company and bench talk was on the back burner as I tried to spend as much time as I could with my baby brother (25 years old!) and his girlfriend. It was two years ago the last time we got to spend time together. I drove them to the airport yesterday morning :( and don't know when we will see them again. I hope you understand. It's been an interesting adventure sharing with you on our blog. We started in the spring of this year and it's interesting to look back and reread some of our older posts. A lot has happened with the four of us this year. It's different now that we are all working. (working is a good thing) It's harder to find time to get together and we have appreciated having the blog which at times has helped us to stay in touch.
(Carolin) I watched Julie and Julia again on Boxing day and enjoyed it just as much as the first time I watched it. I laughed and laughed while watching Julie worked on her new blog. And relived the excitement when she got her first comment that wasn't Mommie!
I think it's very appropriate that we will spend the last day of the year together and bring in the new. I sure hope all of us will be together tonight. We will pray for those who are less fortunate than us and as much as that sounds like a cliche we mean it. There is one of us who is not happy and settled and we wish for peace.
Again, on behalf of the four ladies and our families, may the New Year bring you much peace, love and JOY!
And I look so forward to sharing with you all.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Luke 2 - The Story of Christmas
On behalf of the "four ladies." and our families, we wish you all the Merriest of Christmas' and a Blessed New Year!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Bench Talk: Christmas Joys
A few years ago, a friend at work gave me a little book. It's title, "The Little Book of Christmas Joys". It's filled with 432 things to do for yourself and others that just might make this the best Christmas ever!
The authors are Brown, Brown and Peel and it's published by Rutledge Press.
Each Christmas it is lovingly set out on the coffee table for anyone to peruse during the holiday season. I love to read it while enjoying a cup of tea. It is filled with wonderful traditions shared by the friends and families who came together to write it. Let me share some with you and please feel free to add any of your own!
1. Be the first to wish everyone you meet a Merry Christmas.
4. Don't count calories from December 15th through January 2nd.
8. Be nice to sales personnel.They're often wearier than you are.
44. Before going to bed on Christmas Eve, read by candlelight about the birth of Jesus in Luke, chapter 2. Then join hands with your family and sing, "Silent Night."
60. Never write the word Christmas as Xmas.
109. Remember that the more a toy costs, the more likely kids will want to play with the box it came in.
123. Listen to the Barking Dogs "sing" "Jingle Bells." Once.
169. Stock your freezer with meals for the holidays by doubling or tripling recipes for spaghetti sauce, casseroles,and other foods that freeze well.
240. If you're feeling harried, go to a church, sit in the sanctuary, and reflect on the real meaning of Christmas. You'll leave feeling more peaceful.
319. This Christmas, give yourself the gift of living in peace with those things you cannot change.
334. Give a pint of blood; it's the gift of life.
413. Remember that peace on earth starts with peace in our homes and in our hearts.
419. If your family doesn't celebrate many Christmas traditions, let this be the year you create some.
429. Don't forget to put out Santa's milk and cookies
430. Don't forget to hang the mistletoe.
431. Don't forget the batteries.
432. Don't forget whose birthday we're celebrating.
Merry Christmas!
(Carolin) I am not sure just how to top this. I too own this little book and it always brings a smile to my face when I read it.
Just recently I learned the true meaning of the word JOY. I always associated the word with happy, I am joyful was just another way of saying I am happy. But the word Joy does not mean happy. To be happy we rely on something external to make us feel good. Being with our children or laughing with friends can make us happy. Joy is much bigger then happy, Joy comes from God. To have joy we must have a relationship with our saviour. That is why there are people who have had rough times in their lives but they seem to still walk with a smile on their face. Joy does not depend on external things happening to you, true joy is totally from GOD. So now go back and read your Christmas Cards and when the card says have a JOYful holiday season. What it is really saying is have a GOD filled holiday season.
I wish you a JOYFUL Christmas and New Year!
(Sunshine) Life is too short to live with constant regrets and anger in our hearts. I have witnessed many people in my life who unfortunately really understand what the true meaning of suffering is. It is difficult to continue on when your heart is so heavy. Letting God help you through that suffering and knowing that there is so much more out there in the after life is what allows these individuals to go on. Going on when your heart is so scarred and you are left here is so very difficult but through the lord anything is possible. Make today the day that you decide to be all that you can be here on earth, to live a life of joy even though there is so much sadness. We must recognize the gifts that we are given and be thankful for God's love.
HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS FILLED WITH GODS LOVE!
The authors are Brown, Brown and Peel and it's published by Rutledge Press.
Each Christmas it is lovingly set out on the coffee table for anyone to peruse during the holiday season. I love to read it while enjoying a cup of tea. It is filled with wonderful traditions shared by the friends and families who came together to write it. Let me share some with you and please feel free to add any of your own!
1. Be the first to wish everyone you meet a Merry Christmas.
4. Don't count calories from December 15th through January 2nd.
8. Be nice to sales personnel.They're often wearier than you are.
44. Before going to bed on Christmas Eve, read by candlelight about the birth of Jesus in Luke, chapter 2. Then join hands with your family and sing, "Silent Night."
60. Never write the word Christmas as Xmas.
109. Remember that the more a toy costs, the more likely kids will want to play with the box it came in.
123. Listen to the Barking Dogs "sing" "Jingle Bells." Once.
169. Stock your freezer with meals for the holidays by doubling or tripling recipes for spaghetti sauce, casseroles,and other foods that freeze well.
240. If you're feeling harried, go to a church, sit in the sanctuary, and reflect on the real meaning of Christmas. You'll leave feeling more peaceful.
319. This Christmas, give yourself the gift of living in peace with those things you cannot change.
334. Give a pint of blood; it's the gift of life.
413. Remember that peace on earth starts with peace in our homes and in our hearts.
419. If your family doesn't celebrate many Christmas traditions, let this be the year you create some.
429. Don't forget to put out Santa's milk and cookies
430. Don't forget to hang the mistletoe.
431. Don't forget the batteries.
432. Don't forget whose birthday we're celebrating.
Merry Christmas!
(Carolin) I am not sure just how to top this. I too own this little book and it always brings a smile to my face when I read it.
Just recently I learned the true meaning of the word JOY. I always associated the word with happy, I am joyful was just another way of saying I am happy. But the word Joy does not mean happy. To be happy we rely on something external to make us feel good. Being with our children or laughing with friends can make us happy. Joy is much bigger then happy, Joy comes from God. To have joy we must have a relationship with our saviour. That is why there are people who have had rough times in their lives but they seem to still walk with a smile on their face. Joy does not depend on external things happening to you, true joy is totally from GOD. So now go back and read your Christmas Cards and when the card says have a JOYful holiday season. What it is really saying is have a GOD filled holiday season.
I wish you a JOYFUL Christmas and New Year!
(Sunshine) Life is too short to live with constant regrets and anger in our hearts. I have witnessed many people in my life who unfortunately really understand what the true meaning of suffering is. It is difficult to continue on when your heart is so heavy. Letting God help you through that suffering and knowing that there is so much more out there in the after life is what allows these individuals to go on. Going on when your heart is so scarred and you are left here is so very difficult but through the lord anything is possible. Make today the day that you decide to be all that you can be here on earth, to live a life of joy even though there is so much sadness. We must recognize the gifts that we are given and be thankful for God's love.
HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS FILLED WITH GODS LOVE!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursdays on the Bench
(Carolin) Well another Thursday comes and where is Cathy to do all the work? Cathy, Catttthhhhyyyyy, Cathy are you out there? What has happened to our beloved Cathy?
I guess we will just have to talk about her since she is AWOL!
How is the Christmas shopping, wrapping, baking, list making coming along? I am starting to feel a little overwhelmed. I have had a busy work week. I did a hot food special everyday. It was great for my bottom line but was a lot of work prepping every night. But I think it gave me a good indication that I should do something different everyday to help with sales. Over the Christmas break I will work on a menu. I also have to prepare a year end report to give to the Principal. He has a board meeting the second week of January and has to present numbers then. He has mentioned having me at the meeting to answer questions and I hope at that time to get some better idea of a time frame for the new kitchen and I really want them to initiate a contract. If they don't I will head over to the lawyers and get one made up.
I went to the little ones Christmas Concert last night. The little kindergarten kids are always so cute, surprising it was not bad. They kept it moving and besides all the choirs at the end it was entertaining. It was nice to see the little one is a pretty dress for a change. On our way home we picked the teenager up from her work. And meet some of the men who go to the pool regularly for the adult swim. They kept telling me just how great she is. And the have all told her supervisor how friendly, and helpful she is. It was very nice and I hope she remembers those compliments on the days when things are not so great.
Well that's about it for me I am looking forward to having the next two weeks off and getting my house organized. We have our small group coming for a Turkey dinner tomorrow night so I need to get my turkey in the brine tonight. Thankfully I am just cooking the turkey and stuffing they are bringing the rest.
I guess we will just have to talk about her since she is AWOL!
How is the Christmas shopping, wrapping, baking, list making coming along? I am starting to feel a little overwhelmed. I have had a busy work week. I did a hot food special everyday. It was great for my bottom line but was a lot of work prepping every night. But I think it gave me a good indication that I should do something different everyday to help with sales. Over the Christmas break I will work on a menu. I also have to prepare a year end report to give to the Principal. He has a board meeting the second week of January and has to present numbers then. He has mentioned having me at the meeting to answer questions and I hope at that time to get some better idea of a time frame for the new kitchen and I really want them to initiate a contract. If they don't I will head over to the lawyers and get one made up.
I went to the little ones Christmas Concert last night. The little kindergarten kids are always so cute, surprising it was not bad. They kept it moving and besides all the choirs at the end it was entertaining. It was nice to see the little one is a pretty dress for a change. On our way home we picked the teenager up from her work. And meet some of the men who go to the pool regularly for the adult swim. They kept telling me just how great she is. And the have all told her supervisor how friendly, and helpful she is. It was very nice and I hope she remembers those compliments on the days when things are not so great.
Well that's about it for me I am looking forward to having the next two weeks off and getting my house organized. We have our small group coming for a Turkey dinner tomorrow night so I need to get my turkey in the brine tonight. Thankfully I am just cooking the turkey and stuffing they are bringing the rest.
(Sunshine) I am officially off for the holidays. The Christmas shopping that I have done is non existent. I have not bought for a single person yet. I finally decorated the inside of my house yesterday. It is not as much as I usually do but there was limited time to do so. After school I picked up Little Miss Sunshine, went to Cathy's house to deliver some last minute cookies from the cookie exchange. I had not even entered Cathy's house when Teen Sunshine called and needed to be picked up. We said good buy and off we were again. By the time we got home it was about 5:15. I made dinner, had dinner and headed of to the school with the two girls to help with the helping hands drive. I got home at about 9:oo and that's when we decorated. At about 11:30 I was too tired and Little Miss Sunshine and I went to bed. Mr Sunshine and I have been like two ships that pass in the night. He has been very busy and in and out of town and I have been busy with work and the kids and everything else. I can't believe that Christmas is next week. It is time to relax and enjoy the holidays but, already my days are all packed with things to do and people that I am catching up with. I have a friend coming in from Calgary and another from England who I will be meeting up with during the holidays.
The family room is at a stand still as Mr Sunshine has been really busy at work. Will it be ready for New Years????????????
I am going to relax a bit now before my busy day starts. I have a hair appointment at 12:00 and then the girls get picked up and we have to go to the mall to get two birthday gifts and then they have a birthday party to go to. I really should clean instead of relaxing.
Talk to you soon.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
A Christmas Memory
When I was young my grandparents had the most beautiful Crèche I had ever seen. Each Christmas season they would set up Wiseman, multiple animals, a Sheppard, Joseph, Mary and of course the most precious baby Jesus you have every seen on their console TV. . I loved this nativity but alas I was never allowed to touch it.
“It is too special,” my grandmother would say.
“It's cost was too high for a child to touch,” my grandfather would grumble.
But I, when know one was looking would sneak a cuddle with baby Jesus.
I was reminded of this memory just a few short weeks ago while out shopping at Costco with a friend. There they had a Nativity scene all set up. It had everything as I remembered my grandparents having, but was even more beautiful. The Wiseman wore what looked like spun gold robes. There was a Sheppard and animals galore. Joseph's clothes shimmered in the light, Mary glittered in all her holiness and baby Jesus, well, and he was the most peaceful baby you have ever seen. This Crèche brought back all the memories of my childhood Christmas’s. I could invision just where I would put it. I would set it up on the beautiful fireplace mantel my late brother had made us. I would place each piece lovingly in their spots and of course give baby Jesus a quick cuddle. I would make sure it was far enough back so little hands would not get too close. There it could sit in all its glory and we could all admire it from afar. I looked at the price of the Crèche then at my cart of groceries, trying to decide just what we really didn’t need so I could buy this most beautiful Christmas decoration. But, I didn’t see any way to convince my family that we didn’t need to eat for that week. So suffice it to say I went home with a bag full of milk, eggs, cheese and chicken and no Crèche.
Last week I decided it was time to get the Christmas decorations up. So up came the boxes from the basement and the job started. My youngest daughter came home from school and saw the boxes.
She excitedly asked “is my favorite decoration out yet.
“Not yet” I said.
Then again on the second day she came home and asked, “Is my decoration out yet”. “Not yet” was my reply.
Finally, on the third day she came home just as I was at the bottom of the last box. And there it was. We together lifted out the box, which was getting tattered from over 20 years of Christmas and a few kids. We carefully unwrapped each figurine. Then found the manger and she set up her favorite Christmas decoration, the nativity scene. I watched her work and was reminded of the Crèche I admired just a week ago. Ours was a third its size. There was only one animal left. All the Wiseman have had their heads glued on more times then I care to count. Joseph's coat had lost all its shimmer from one two many little hands and Mary no longer looks holy with a chip on nose. Baby Jesus has lost all of his peacefulness, actually he no longer had any paint left on his face. I guess it was one too many cuddles. I watched for a few minutes more then gave a sigh and walked away.
Later on that evening I found the youngest laying on the floor playing with Joseph, Mary and Jesus. I looked at her cuddling Jesus, and it was then that it hit me.
The miracle of my Lord's birth was not gold spun, or glimmery and shinny. He was born in a simple stable He was born so all my chips could be mended, to heal me of my brokenness. Jesus came to earth to cuddle Me, to make me feel wanted. He came to earth so I could live, not to be admired afar but to be touched and played with, and loved.
My grandparents have since past away and I don’t know what ever happened to their Crèche. But I now know that my ‘discounted, after Christmas sale’ Crèche bought so many years ago is the most beautiful Christmas decoration my family owns.
“It is too special,” my grandmother would say.
“It's cost was too high for a child to touch,” my grandfather would grumble.
But I, when know one was looking would sneak a cuddle with baby Jesus.
I was reminded of this memory just a few short weeks ago while out shopping at Costco with a friend. There they had a Nativity scene all set up. It had everything as I remembered my grandparents having, but was even more beautiful. The Wiseman wore what looked like spun gold robes. There was a Sheppard and animals galore. Joseph's clothes shimmered in the light, Mary glittered in all her holiness and baby Jesus, well, and he was the most peaceful baby you have ever seen. This Crèche brought back all the memories of my childhood Christmas’s. I could invision just where I would put it. I would set it up on the beautiful fireplace mantel my late brother had made us. I would place each piece lovingly in their spots and of course give baby Jesus a quick cuddle. I would make sure it was far enough back so little hands would not get too close. There it could sit in all its glory and we could all admire it from afar. I looked at the price of the Crèche then at my cart of groceries, trying to decide just what we really didn’t need so I could buy this most beautiful Christmas decoration. But, I didn’t see any way to convince my family that we didn’t need to eat for that week. So suffice it to say I went home with a bag full of milk, eggs, cheese and chicken and no Crèche.
Last week I decided it was time to get the Christmas decorations up. So up came the boxes from the basement and the job started. My youngest daughter came home from school and saw the boxes.
She excitedly asked “is my favorite decoration out yet.
“Not yet” I said.
Then again on the second day she came home and asked, “Is my decoration out yet”. “Not yet” was my reply.
Finally, on the third day she came home just as I was at the bottom of the last box. And there it was. We together lifted out the box, which was getting tattered from over 20 years of Christmas and a few kids. We carefully unwrapped each figurine. Then found the manger and she set up her favorite Christmas decoration, the nativity scene. I watched her work and was reminded of the Crèche I admired just a week ago. Ours was a third its size. There was only one animal left. All the Wiseman have had their heads glued on more times then I care to count. Joseph's coat had lost all its shimmer from one two many little hands and Mary no longer looks holy with a chip on nose. Baby Jesus has lost all of his peacefulness, actually he no longer had any paint left on his face. I guess it was one too many cuddles. I watched for a few minutes more then gave a sigh and walked away.
Later on that evening I found the youngest laying on the floor playing with Joseph, Mary and Jesus. I looked at her cuddling Jesus, and it was then that it hit me.
The miracle of my Lord's birth was not gold spun, or glimmery and shinny. He was born in a simple stable He was born so all my chips could be mended, to heal me of my brokenness. Jesus came to earth to cuddle Me, to make me feel wanted. He came to earth so I could live, not to be admired afar but to be touched and played with, and loved.
My grandparents have since past away and I don’t know what ever happened to their Crèche. But I now know that my ‘discounted, after Christmas sale’ Crèche bought so many years ago is the most beautiful Christmas decoration my family owns.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
How to remove underarm stains and odour
I have a question. What is the best way to remove underarm stains and odour? I have begun to notice yellow stains and odour which will not wash out. I only wear the shirts once before placing in the laundry. I try to do the laundry every week, however that could stretch to a week and a half before the piles get big enough for a load. I have tried, 'spray and wash, and the 'pc' brand stain remover. I have also tried all of the various oxy-cleans. I have soaked for the 10 minutes and even longer for the oxy-clean and still the yellowing and odour persist. I have used Tide, Sunlight, PC brand and am now using ECOS, which is a green product.
I have been advised by some people to change my deodorant as the aluminum content is causing the yellowing. What do you suggest? I would like my clothes to look and smell clean after I wash them. Is is the deodorant or my diet or age (Carolin, I'm not harping on my age, I'm just wondering if this is a natural occurrence, chronologically speaking).
Please, any and all advice is gratefully accepted.
Thanks
I have been advised by some people to change my deodorant as the aluminum content is causing the yellowing. What do you suggest? I would like my clothes to look and smell clean after I wash them. Is is the deodorant or my diet or age (Carolin, I'm not harping on my age, I'm just wondering if this is a natural occurrence, chronologically speaking).
Please, any and all advice is gratefully accepted.
Thanks
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Bench Talk - Favourite Cook Books
This week we would like to list some of our favourite cookbooks. With Christmas fast approaching we are usually looking for something new to cook or we pull out our tried and true family favourite recipes.
(Sunshine) On Friday we had our annual cookie exchange. We met at my house and we had a fun evening. Mr Sunshine had rented the movie, "Julie and Julia" for us and we watched it that evening. I watched this movie again on Sunday with my daughter and I loved it. It inspired me to get cooking in my own kitchen before the movie even ended. Mr Sunshine made a ham. I have never had ham before in my life. It was pretty tasty. Tomorrow night we will make a roasted stuffed chicken with seasonal roasted vegetables and gravy. I also made some homemade chicken soup and some rice balls. It seems as though I was either in the kitchen or folding laundry all day. I spoke to Cathy today who said that she had the actual book by Julia Child that her mother gave her many years ago. This is what has inspired our topic for today. It was actually Cathy's idea. Hey, what are you doing making rice balls I though we were doing that on Monday. I enjoyed the movie as well and will watch it again. I don't think I have ever made a Julia Child recipe but who knows what the future might bring. The critics had penned the movie to be a horrible waste of time. But I should know that if the cirtics don't like it then I will like it.
Cathy here, I was just sitting eating breakfast and happened to look over at my cookbook shelf. I have a baker's rack in the kitchen filled with cookbooks of all types! I love cookbooks! I can sit with a cup of tea and read a cookbook. It's like I can actually taste the recipe as I read it. So, as Sunshine said we watched, "Julie and Julia" on Friday past. I knew mom had handed down to me her french cookbook but I never paid attention to the author. Well, wasn't I surprised to see it was the actual cookbook from the movie, (not the actual cookbook movie, the penguin paperback). When Sunshine called later in the day I told her about it. Isn't that neat!
I am usually looking for some new recipes when I am entertaining. I have been searching for some drinks and h'ors d'ourves to serve on New Year's Eve. I don't know that I have a favourite cookbook. I enjoy looking at new things in magazines. The LCBO magazines are some of my favourites. I have tried several recipes from their magazines and they are all great. Sometimes I am inspired by something that I see on TV. So a lot of time I search for recipes on the Internet. I actually made Beef Bourguignon twice a few years ago. It took hours to make but it was fantastic! I to really like the LCBO magazines but I don't think I have ever made anything from there recipes, I just like to look at the pictures.
When it was announced in the news that Julia Child has passed away they published her original recipe for beef bourguignon and I made it. Yes, it took a long time but boy was it ever good! You and Sunshine have raved about this recipe so I might have to get the recipe and give it a try.
As far as favourite cookbooks go, I can always count on finding the answer to my questions in, 'The Joy of Cooking'. I think everyone should own a copy. I own cookbooks for all different foods from all over the world. My family likes to tease that they have never had the same meal twice! When they really enjoy a meal and they ask it I could make it again, I try to, however, I always find a way to tweek it and make it different! They enjoy it all and as Hubby also enjoys cooking from different ethnicities we enjoy varied and interesting meals! ( I know I will now have to listen to the grief the ladie's will now dish out to me!)Bloggers just so you know, Cathy says she does all this cooking but we have never had any of it. So we question if she really does cook or just talks about it!
For our old family favourites I pull out my personal recipe cards where I have some of my favourite recipes of my mom's and of my mother in laws. I usually refer to those cards for the holidays. I remember the recipes pretty well but I have found over the years that if I refer to the cards, somehow the recipe turns out better. I look up recipes for rice balls, stuffing, and home made chicken soup and sushi. I also get a lot of recipes from a friend of mine who is an amazing cook! Everytime we are invited for dinner my mouth waters before the food even gets to the table. She always makes something that I would not normally make and all of her dishes are so delicious. I have acquired recipes for chicken Marsala and an amazing farfale pasta from her. I prefer to cook something that I have already tasted somewhere. I find that when I just try a totally new recipe it is usually a lot of work and it is not so tasty. I am so happy to say that I have finally done my mom's lasagna justice! For several years I have tried to make lasagna like my mom used to make. I was always unsuccessful. Well, earlier this year, I finally succeeded! It was a lot of work and the girls and Mr Sunshine helped a lot but in the end, it was so worth it. You also made it I think last new years cause your Dad gave it a two thumbs up and insisted that we all eat it! I made it a day when my mom's sister was over and she gave it a big thumbs up. I hope that I can reproduce it again. I love to cook when things turn out well. I am very disappointed when the food is just ok. Well, I hope that New Year's Eve will be successful. I know that we will have great company, I hope that the food is up to par.
It's a really great feeling when you can duplicate a favourite recipe! My dad's roasts are great and I still haven't duplicated them yet! I like to have time to cook. I like to peruse my cookbooks and take all day to cook. I really like the cookbooks from 'Canadian Living' Magazine. They always have easy 'down to earth' recipes. I have a cookbook called 'Treasury of Country and Heritage cooking'. Mom has it too and we find that anything we cook out of it looks just like the picture and tastes great! My other cookbooks are international in flavour from Jamaica, Japan, China, Mexico, Thailand, Australia, France, Italy to name a few. I also have some vegetarian cookbooks and a great one for baking that Sunshine gave me a few years ago!
(Carolin) I too have a couple of shelves full of cookbooks in my kitchen. I have one book in particular that I use all the time. It is red and falling apart but it is always trustworthy. Its a Betty Crocker Cookbook the 1987 revised copy. I have bought a later version but it was so full of mistakes and the recipes were just not the same. So though it is falling apart I still use it all the time. I also have a Better homes and Gardens All-Time Favorite Cake and Cookies recipes book that is taped at the spine but it is a trustworthy book for cookies. Because I make so many cookies this is the book I get most of my recipes from.
I subscribe to Canadian Living and have always enjoyed there recipes. Some of them have become family favourites. Like Sunshine I have a book of handed down recipes and dishes my family likes but I don't have official recipes for. That little book comes in handy especially this time of year.
I wonder if the girls would like to have a get together over the holidays with our families and make it a Julia Child's night where we each need to make one of her dishes for the evening?
I'm think it's a great idea, I wonder what Carolin will think?
I think we should get together at one of your house and you should cook a Julia Child recipe and I will judge since I have never cooked any of her recipes and don't own her cookbook. You guys do the work and maybe I can corner Mr. Sunshine to help me with my year end report for the school!
Happy cooking everyone!!!! Bon appetit
(Sunshine) On Friday we had our annual cookie exchange. We met at my house and we had a fun evening. Mr Sunshine had rented the movie, "Julie and Julia" for us and we watched it that evening. I watched this movie again on Sunday with my daughter and I loved it. It inspired me to get cooking in my own kitchen before the movie even ended. Mr Sunshine made a ham. I have never had ham before in my life. It was pretty tasty. Tomorrow night we will make a roasted stuffed chicken with seasonal roasted vegetables and gravy. I also made some homemade chicken soup and some rice balls. It seems as though I was either in the kitchen or folding laundry all day. I spoke to Cathy today who said that she had the actual book by Julia Child that her mother gave her many years ago. This is what has inspired our topic for today. It was actually Cathy's idea. Hey, what are you doing making rice balls I though we were doing that on Monday. I enjoyed the movie as well and will watch it again. I don't think I have ever made a Julia Child recipe but who knows what the future might bring. The critics had penned the movie to be a horrible waste of time. But I should know that if the cirtics don't like it then I will like it.
Cathy here, I was just sitting eating breakfast and happened to look over at my cookbook shelf. I have a baker's rack in the kitchen filled with cookbooks of all types! I love cookbooks! I can sit with a cup of tea and read a cookbook. It's like I can actually taste the recipe as I read it. So, as Sunshine said we watched, "Julie and Julia" on Friday past. I knew mom had handed down to me her french cookbook but I never paid attention to the author. Well, wasn't I surprised to see it was the actual cookbook from the movie, (not the actual cookbook movie, the penguin paperback). When Sunshine called later in the day I told her about it. Isn't that neat!
I am usually looking for some new recipes when I am entertaining. I have been searching for some drinks and h'ors d'ourves to serve on New Year's Eve. I don't know that I have a favourite cookbook. I enjoy looking at new things in magazines. The LCBO magazines are some of my favourites. I have tried several recipes from their magazines and they are all great. Sometimes I am inspired by something that I see on TV. So a lot of time I search for recipes on the Internet. I actually made Beef Bourguignon twice a few years ago. It took hours to make but it was fantastic! I to really like the LCBO magazines but I don't think I have ever made anything from there recipes, I just like to look at the pictures.
When it was announced in the news that Julia Child has passed away they published her original recipe for beef bourguignon and I made it. Yes, it took a long time but boy was it ever good! You and Sunshine have raved about this recipe so I might have to get the recipe and give it a try.
As far as favourite cookbooks go, I can always count on finding the answer to my questions in, 'The Joy of Cooking'. I think everyone should own a copy. I own cookbooks for all different foods from all over the world. My family likes to tease that they have never had the same meal twice! When they really enjoy a meal and they ask it I could make it again, I try to, however, I always find a way to tweek it and make it different! They enjoy it all and as Hubby also enjoys cooking from different ethnicities we enjoy varied and interesting meals! ( I know I will now have to listen to the grief the ladie's will now dish out to me!)Bloggers just so you know, Cathy says she does all this cooking but we have never had any of it. So we question if she really does cook or just talks about it!
For our old family favourites I pull out my personal recipe cards where I have some of my favourite recipes of my mom's and of my mother in laws. I usually refer to those cards for the holidays. I remember the recipes pretty well but I have found over the years that if I refer to the cards, somehow the recipe turns out better. I look up recipes for rice balls, stuffing, and home made chicken soup and sushi. I also get a lot of recipes from a friend of mine who is an amazing cook! Everytime we are invited for dinner my mouth waters before the food even gets to the table. She always makes something that I would not normally make and all of her dishes are so delicious. I have acquired recipes for chicken Marsala and an amazing farfale pasta from her. I prefer to cook something that I have already tasted somewhere. I find that when I just try a totally new recipe it is usually a lot of work and it is not so tasty. I am so happy to say that I have finally done my mom's lasagna justice! For several years I have tried to make lasagna like my mom used to make. I was always unsuccessful. Well, earlier this year, I finally succeeded! It was a lot of work and the girls and Mr Sunshine helped a lot but in the end, it was so worth it. You also made it I think last new years cause your Dad gave it a two thumbs up and insisted that we all eat it! I made it a day when my mom's sister was over and she gave it a big thumbs up. I hope that I can reproduce it again. I love to cook when things turn out well. I am very disappointed when the food is just ok. Well, I hope that New Year's Eve will be successful. I know that we will have great company, I hope that the food is up to par.
It's a really great feeling when you can duplicate a favourite recipe! My dad's roasts are great and I still haven't duplicated them yet! I like to have time to cook. I like to peruse my cookbooks and take all day to cook. I really like the cookbooks from 'Canadian Living' Magazine. They always have easy 'down to earth' recipes. I have a cookbook called 'Treasury of Country and Heritage cooking'. Mom has it too and we find that anything we cook out of it looks just like the picture and tastes great! My other cookbooks are international in flavour from Jamaica, Japan, China, Mexico, Thailand, Australia, France, Italy to name a few. I also have some vegetarian cookbooks and a great one for baking that Sunshine gave me a few years ago!
(Carolin) I too have a couple of shelves full of cookbooks in my kitchen. I have one book in particular that I use all the time. It is red and falling apart but it is always trustworthy. Its a Betty Crocker Cookbook the 1987 revised copy. I have bought a later version but it was so full of mistakes and the recipes were just not the same. So though it is falling apart I still use it all the time. I also have a Better homes and Gardens All-Time Favorite Cake and Cookies recipes book that is taped at the spine but it is a trustworthy book for cookies. Because I make so many cookies this is the book I get most of my recipes from.
I subscribe to Canadian Living and have always enjoyed there recipes. Some of them have become family favourites. Like Sunshine I have a book of handed down recipes and dishes my family likes but I don't have official recipes for. That little book comes in handy especially this time of year.
I wonder if the girls would like to have a get together over the holidays with our families and make it a Julia Child's night where we each need to make one of her dishes for the evening?
I'm think it's a great idea, I wonder what Carolin will think?
I think we should get together at one of your house and you should cook a Julia Child recipe and I will judge since I have never cooked any of her recipes and don't own her cookbook. You guys do the work and maybe I can corner Mr. Sunshine to help me with my year end report for the school!
Happy cooking everyone!!!! Bon appetit
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