Fall of 1939

It was 1939.

My mom and dad (on the left)

and

Uncle Solly (dad's brother) and Aunt Eva (on the right)

posed for a rare picture in front of

the Milverton Train Station,

a short time before they were about to be married!

All four of these dear ones have passed - Eva as recently as eight weeks ago!

The wedding took place 73 years ago on October 5th, 1939!
World War II had just begun in Poland.

I wonder what my grandparents thought 

about this young couple getting married

in such troubled times!

Were they even aware of the unrest in Europe?

There were no wedding pictures taken

but thankfully a few were taken during

their courtship.

By whom, I don't know but I'm so 

glad we have them!

 Notice Mom holding a camera and my Dad with his signature Bow Tie!

It hit me hard how much I miss them

when a few days after our daughter's 

wedding, I laid some of the wedding 

flowers on the grave.

Oh how they would have loved to be in attendance at

their beautiful Granddaughter's wedding!
She would have loved that too....

Here at their 50th wedding anniversary Dad get's a kiss from that recent bride, as cousin Amy looks on.

I am so very thankful that I had such wonderful

parents who endured many hardships,

loved each other and each one of their 8 children with

unconditional love, enjoyed and loved all of their 
24 grandchildren, and left us with a

"Goodly Heritage....Psalm 16:6"!

Till next time ..... remembering and thankful!!

Belgian Endive Appetizer

This makes an attractive large platter of a relatively healthy appetizer.

I've combined several recipes for the "filling" but you can use your favourite combination of cheeses and flavourings.

The original recipe makes two large platters so I divided the recipe in half and still had too much!

Following is the recipe for one platter.....

Caramelized Pecans - make these first so they cool.
1 Cup Pecans - chopped
1/8 Cup butter
1/4 Cup sugar mixed with 1 tsp. Chili Powder
In a skillet on medium heat, slowly heat the Pecans, butter
and sugar mixture, stirring constantly until the sugar melts and the nuts become caramelized and golden.  Pour them out onto waxed or parchment paper to cool, spreading them in a single layer to avoid clumping.  Cool.

Filling:
1/2 package cream cheese - softened
4 oz. Gorgonzola - I used soft goat cheese
3 Tbsp. Whipping Cream
1 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tbsp. chopped Dill
Beat on high for several minutes until smooth.
Stir in the chopped dill and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Prepare 5-6 small endives by washing and separating the leaves. Cut the ends off to separate them.  Sort the leaves from large to small and dab them with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.





Spread each leaf with the cheese mixture.  I used an icing decorator to pipe filling onto the leaves but you can also fill them by simply spreading the filling with a knife or spoon.

Arrange the filled leaves on a large round platter using the larger leaves for the outside round and the smaller leaves for layering. Sprinkle the arrangement with the caramelized pecans and garnish the middle of the platter with grapes or strawberries.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.


This was made for a recent ladies salad luncheon that we had at our church.  The luncheon was followed by a thought provoking presentation on how to write one's own Personal Mission Statement!  It's hard to put into written words what we see as our own personal strengths and abilities, our core values, our deepest passions, our views on life and how we want to live out the rest of our lives to make a difference!  We had wonderful food and much, much more "food for thought".  This was a very worthwhile exercise and starting point to which I can work on and refer to as my life changes and evolves.  I have much work to do and thoughts to ponder as I attempt to write my Mission Statement! Thank you Heather for leading us through this exercise.


Till next time..........what attributes and God-given call would be part of your Personal Mission Statement?

Wellesley A-B-C

Beautiful Day for the Annual Wellesley Apple Butter

and Cheese Festival!!!

I love to attend this, my home town, annual event

and today did not dissappoint.

It's a time to "come home", enjoy good food - all things apple
and cheese related plus much more, see many "old" friends,
enjoy a vintage car and tractor show, take a hayride tour
of local farms and the cider mill - of course, and
much much more!

I still park my car on the street I grew up on...this is
a picture of the old homestead as it looks today.
This is the place where our family always gathered on
ABC day - mother was prepared to welcome
us all home with may desserts and treats.
Many of us brought our in-laws and friends along too.
It seems that special family events and weddings
still happen on this, the last day of September!

  I have a brother and a sister
who each built their homes right next to the homestead
(where the gardens used to be) so it still feels like home!

Our church youth group has been selling hot English Toffee Syrup poured over
crisp apple slices for over 15 years now
and the apple flag gets featured on the evening news
almost every year!

I love all the creative art for sale that's displayed inside the arena "market"
and outside in the "midway"

Here is my sister and my nieces
showing off their purchases - at least
the ones purchased so far!

The horseshoe tournament is always a
highlight and started at the Festival's
beginnings over 25 years ago.
The famous international horseshoe champion
Elmer Hohl was from Wellesley!

It wouldn't be the same if the Greenwoods Hill Folk Band
didn't perform on the Steinman's porch!!

Nor would be the same without the "hit and miss" (as my
dad called it) motorized ice-cream machine.
It makes the best ice-cream ever!

Here is a view from the other side of the mill pond
where the boat regatta takes place much to
the delight of many as the tiny boats skim
across the water at high speeds!
The Canada Geese who normally hang out there
feel displaced and stressed on this day, however.

1/2 Pecks of  apples for sale!

The "naked lady" crocus bloomed brightly on main street.
My mother always said that it's 6 weeks till the first snow
when these flowers bloom!

Hmmm - looks like I have a bit of time to get my Fall yard work done.
It was so worth spending the day at the Festival.

Till next time......enjoy a Fall Festival where you live!

More Wedding "Deets"

Helping to plan our daughter's wedding

was such a blessing to me.

I guess it made me feel "useful" and 

even though not all went as planned - is showed me

how very capable, resourceful and professional she is.

The barn wedding that they wanted was not meant to be.

There are many beautiful barns in our area

that have been used for weddings and gatherings in the past.

However, right around the time that venues

were being explored - we learned that the 

township had "closed down" all such venues!!

These lovely buildings are disappearing at an alarming rate.

Rather than allowing owners to refurbish and repurpose

them, their barn doors are being slammed shut!!

Shame on you Wilmot Township!!! Don't get me started.....
That's another story!

In spite of all that, Becky and Patrick chose a lovely

Inn that sets up a permanent marquee, for the 
summer months, on its grounds for weddings and such!

This was the perfect location and besides,

they have a great chef and events coordinator.

The out of province and guests from a distance

were able to reserve rooms at the Inn and everything, 

including the service, was held right there.

How convenient!

A country/rustic yet elegant theme emerged:

"Mom - what about making small jars of
zucchini relish as wedding favours?
And Patrick's mom could make her famous
jam as well!"
Done.

"Let's cover some straw bales and use them for extra seating
and what about using the old 
galvanized tubs as "coffee tables" amongst the bale seating?"
The tubs were a bit rusty but a sprinkle of straw
covered that and a little fall plant inside spruced it up.
A round of plexiglass topped them off.
Perfect for the wee cigar bar on the terrace!

"Small pails stuffed with flowers to
line the aisle"
She had her florist order the flowers 
and we found the pails at Dollarama!
It looked so nice ....

"Mason jars to hold the bridal
party's bouquets on the tables"

We "tinted" them in blue and this is how they 
turned out......

"let's use the old rustic cedar easel and that
antique window frame you plucked from the
Wellesley Mill's renovation garbage heap, for the 
guest's table assignments"
Perfect!

"Where can we use the tall ditch grass?"
As a back drop to 
the memory table!

"We don't want a traditional wedding cake,
we just want pie!"
That was easy and delicious.

"We need an old suitcase or something to 
contain the wedding cards, some dancing shoes, and 
the guest's pictures"

Here is one of three vintage suitcases....
It worked great!

Well, that's a little peek into some of the "wedding deets (aka details)"

and ideas that were used!!!

Have I mentioned how much fun this was????

Till next time ................ still waiting for the wedding pictures to come so I can share some with you!

P.S.  I'm showing the "word verification" on my comments for now because I've been getting some horrid spam lately.  Anyone else having the same problem?

Fall Roasted Tomato Soup

This makes the perfect soup for a cool Fall evening dinner and uses up those last few tomatoes in the garden before the frost hits!

This recipe is adapted from a guest post on That Skinny Chick Can Bake blog!  The soup is absolutely delicious and so satisfying.

Serve it with the Dutch Oven No Knead Bread and voila - you have some great comfort food after a couple of whirlwind weeks before and after a special wedding!!!!



Here is the recipe:

2 - 2 1/2 lbs. fresh tomatoes - peeled and quartered
1 yellow onion - quartered
1 jalapeno pepper - seeded and halved - I used a Habenaro pepper
4 cloves garlic
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. dried oregano - I also added a few sprigs of fresh oregano and some fresh parsley from my herb garden
sea salt to taste
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
4 Cups chicken stock - I used Organic Chicken Stock
Fresh Basil - chopped to garnish
Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese to garnish

Place prepared vegetables in a glass baking dish, season, drizzle with olive oil and roast in a preheated to 450 degree oven for 30 - 35 minutes, till vegetables look caramelized.

Add roasted veggies to a stock pot, add the chicken stock and simmer for 20 minutes.  Taste and adjust seasoning.

Cool slightly and puree mixture in the blender (blending 1/2 at a time).  Use your immersion blender if you are lucky enough to have one (I have to remember to put this on my Christmas wish list!).

Serve with grated Parmesan Cheese and a garnish of chopped fresh Basil.

The farmer wasn't home for supper so I refrigerated the soup overnight and served it the next evening with the fresh baked bread.  Ultimate comfort food!!!!

Thanks Lizzy for this link!  Be sure to check out her blog - it's always packed with goodness......



Till next time.........enjoy the Golden Days of Fall!!!!

FROM A DISTANCE...





The Happy Couple - Becky and Patrick
Photo credit - Uncle Merlin

It's the first weekend of Autumn and

it's been a week now, since the big day occurred!

I am finally able to take a few

moments hours to reminisce and post a few

pictures and thoughts.....

You'd think that planning a wedding FROM A DISTANCE
(as in 3 provinces away)

could be an overwhelming challenge,

however, the Bride to Be was very organized

and full of great and creative ideas!

Many, many emails went back and forth between

us and I was always so impressed how she waited

to respond until she had a chance to speak to her groom about

any major decisions.

I was always so happy when they gave me a "job" to do

and at times may have reacted too quickly.

I was keenly aware that by the end of June (which was a full and very

busy month) that I would have to buckle down

and start getting things together.

Somehow July and August seemed to be just as busy,

but I kept going ahead with the wedding

plans as much as I could.

Following are some things I jumped on embraced as soon as I knew

what they wanted.

The Table Decor:

Vintage tins for the fresh flowers.....

I sorted through my own little collection and had a blast

hunting through the antique markets and second

hand stores to find the rest - we needed 26!

As it turned out the groom's Grandma Grace

had some wonderful ones that we used

as well ....

This is how one of them turned out in my mom's old honey pail!
They were all beautiful and unique.

Burlap runners......

I found a whole bolt of the perfect burlap

at Len's Mills - an amazing fabric and mill end

store in our area.

It just needed to be cut in half and to the required lengths.

The burlap scent was quite strong so I hung them

on my washline to air - with the shadow of the

pear tree it looked like oriental art - maybe that's a stretch??

Wood slabs .....

This involved cutting down a tree behind

the drive-in shed and making slices and stumps

which were then dried on the straw floor of the barn.

The flat slabs were used as centrepieces which anchored

the vintage tins stuffed with fresh flowers,

a vase filled with wheat and oats from

the "home" dairy farm just down the road,

and a lace covered mason jar

with a tea light candle inside!



The Pie Table!
Photo by Carolyn B

The "stumps" were used to elevate the pies to various levels
 on the pie table!

This worked out nicely and allowed for many pies to be put out at the same time.
The delicious pies were baked by
Anna Mae's Bakery in Millbank, ON - the best!

Photo by Carolyn B.

Photo by Carolyn B.

Photo by Carolyn B.

The Table Favours ......

Becky knew what she wanted for table favours

as long ago as last summer when the engagement was

announced..... it was small jars of zucchini relish

made by your's truly and jam made by her future 

mother-in-law all wrapped in various fabrics

for that chic country look - Done!!!

Just one more thing that I added

to the Bride and Groom's Table

and to our table .......

My mom always had one of these made

for our wedding tables and I just had to do it!

It was so much fun and sometime I'll

show you how it's done - so easy.

Carved Butter Lamb
Photo credit - Carolyn B

Well, that's all for this post on the wedding tables

Can you tell that I loved every minute of this???

Stay tuned for some more "tidbits", stories and pictures ........

sorry if this was too much information

for one post!

 I just can't help myself.

Thanks to my friend Carolyn who took lots and lots of pictures at the wedding, also to my brothers-in-law Merlin Leis and Murray Leis - the photographers pictures are yet to come - can't wait to see them all!!!

Wedding B's

Beautiful Couple

Beautiful Wedding

Beautiful Day!!!

Our sweet Becky and her Beloved Patrick

Many blessings from above be upon you both!

“God, the best maker of all marriages,
Combine your hearts into one.”~ William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Stay tuned,

Much more to come!

She's Home!

It was as though she knew!

The Bride to Be was coming Home today.

She waited and waited patiently while

her den garage was being "cleaned"

This is the after shot - the before one

was just too embarrassing to post!

The spiders didn't know where to hide

and the trailer was filled with a

large load for the dump!!!

Oh, that feels good.

The very best part of cleaning the garage,

in my opinion,

was a new fridge!

I've always wanted a garage fridge

and now I am doing a happy dance!

It's going to be a life-saver this coming week.

There's nothing like a wedding

to get me motivated to do some major

cleaning!!!

She made it........and Poppy is so happy

as are the farmer and the mom!

I love the energy that she brings into

this house!

Within the hour her bestie arrived and

the wedding fun was in full swing!

Let the fun begin..........we're in for a wonderful week

in September!!!!!!

Veggies en Papillote

This really isn't a recipe. It's just a fancy name for "roasted vegetables in a foil package".

We often make this on the bbq or in the oven along side chicken, sausage or any meat of your choice.

Simply make a foil package (or parchment paper package when roasting in the oven).

Use fresh ingredients such as sliced potatoes, carrots, onions, mushrooms and a sprig of rosemary - that's our favourite combo.

Drizzle with Olive Oil or better still - use dollops of butter.  Season with salt and pepper to taste. Double seal the edges.

This generally takes about 30 minutes. You can tell when it's done by the way the foil puffs up and the meal is sizzling inside the package.

I think the first time I ever had a "foil package meal" was when I was a camper. We would put a paddy of hamburger in the bottom and pile veggies on top. These were then tossed onto the hot coals of the camp fire.  What a treat they were!

Puffed up package after 20-30 minutes.

Till next time ............. making simple meals like this and "staying calm and carrying on"!!!!

11 days.............but who is counting????