Warm Memories...

.... of unthawing in Costa Rica!!

We escaped the frigid temperatures in the minus 20C something to the plus 30s!

What a wonderful get-away - two glorious weeks with dear friends.

There were crocodiles (that looked like cement statues), Howler Monkeys, Sloths, Toucans, Capuchin Monkeys and majestic Scarlet Macaws - amazing!

We landed in San Jose and travelled south to Jaco where we met up with our dear friends Ron and Karen.

From there we went to Manuel Antonio and stayed at the beautiful Costa Verde where the Capuchin  monkeys came to visit right on our porch. We were right in the tropical forest - the energy and jungle sounds will warm me for a long time!

Dominical was like stepping back to the 60's with crowds of surfers, camping on the beach, dreadlocks, handmade jewellery, Jeeps and Land Cruisers. The beach was swarming with hippies/young folk - incredible!

Later we found ourselves relaxing in our little cabana at the Eco-Resort Villas Rio Mar, another step back in time - loved this.

Next we made our way over rough gravel roads and through river bottoms to the Southern tip of the Osa Peninsula in the Southwestern part of Costa Rica. We stayed here for 7 days in our amazing "off the grid" beach house - Casa Arenosa - with the jungle all around us - it was heaven!

What an adventure this was ....

Sunrises on "our" beach!

There was much relaxation, cooking, picture taking and restful sleeping to the sound of booming waves, at this beautiful beach house. Also many hikes to seemingly tops of mountains and back down again. I don't think I've ever sweated/glowed so much in my life!

Thank goodness for the cool plunge pool - we used it many times a day.

My friend Karen is a great cook and we enjoyed some delicious meals (more on that and a recipe later) made on our gas stove in the outdoor kitchen!  We savoured the flavours of pineapple, chicken, mango, salsa, fish tacos, good wine etc. by candlelight in the outdoor dining room - PURA VIDA!

The Coffee Sock!

Ron made the coffee every morning - delicious!

Casa Arenosa was extraordinary...

Every day several pairs of Scarlet Macaws came for a visit on the beach,
we always ran for our cameras and tried to capture the perfect picture of these beautiful, noisy birds.
Did you know that Macaws mate for life?

More of our Costa Rica adventures to come ......
Oh, and a great pineapple chicken recipe too.

Till next time ...... I am writing this post as I "glow" in our back porch sauna and as the newly arrived Robins hop about in the frozen grass and the Canada Geese fly in formation overhead. Soon it will be warm here too.

Spring is Springing

There is Spring in the air!

Long sunny, cold, and crisp days

are such a welcome after the deep freezes of January and February!

The maple trees are tapped and the sap is running,
Maple Syrup production is in full swing in these parts!

Next Saturday, March 28th, is the annual famous

Elmira Maple Syrup Festival.

What a "sweet" day that is .....

It's that time of year when my mother always

made her delicious "Fetkucha" to dip into that golden syrup.

I made a half batch because I was so hungry for this treat

(even though it is NOT on my plan to eat leaner - ugh!)

But I did make a half batch after-all .....

This is a very old recipe that was handed down to my mom

from her aunt Maria.

My sister, Evelyn, has adapted/perfected the recipe

and I followed her instructions.

Mom’s Doughnuts (Fetkucha)

This recipe makes approx. 3 doz. medium sized "donuts".

2 eggs – beaten in large bowl

¾ cup brown sugar

1 cup sour cream - (Evelyn uses 1 Cup Whipping Cream mixed with 1 Tbsp. vinegar)

1 cup butter milk - (Evelyn uses 1 Cup Milk mixed with 1 Tbsp. vinegar) - I actually had some buttermilk so I used that instead.

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder - heaping

¼ tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. salt

4 – 5 Cups flour (enough to make a soft dough - not too stiff).

Dump dough onto floured counter and pat down/roll to about  ¼“  thick (do not overwork dough).

Tip: Chill before rolling out (Evelyn never chills it).

Cut into approx. 3” X 2” rectangles or diamonds with a slit in the middle.  Mom used a fluted pastry cutter wheel to cut these shapes.

Deep fry in ½ - 3/4" of oil/fat until browned, turning once.  Evelyn used her electric fry pan and so did I.  Drain on a cooling rack placed on a cookie sheet.

Mom used her big deep cast iron pan and made sure no “little ones” were running around because of the danger of the hot fat splattering or being spilled.

By the way, my sister Evelyn is a fantastic cook

and her married name is Cook - how about that!

I have 3 sisters and they are all amazing cooks. 

We learned so much from our dear mom - if only I had paid more attention

to some of the details - but that's another story.

These "maple syrup donuts" are delicious dunked into that

sweet syrup and when they have large bubble holes - even better

because you can spoon the syrup right into the holes before taking a bite.

A delicious, once a year, sweet treat!!

Maple syrup is a favourite for pancakes, served on ice-cream,

baked on salmon, sweetener in baking, and so much more.

A true sign that Spring is Springing!

Till next time ........... I hope that Spring has Sprung where you are?

Spud Stacks

I found a fun potato recipe that would be a great side

for any meal.

Just had to share it .... plus I use any excuse I can get to warm up the oven

these sooooo cold days!!!

2-3 large Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes - peeled and sliced very thin 

1 Tbsp. butter

1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. sea salt

Fresh ground pepper

1/2 Cup Cheese (I used Asiago) plus some for sprinkling on top.

Grease muffin tins or small ramekins

Melt butter with oil and seasonings - stir in the grated cheese

Place sliced potatoes in a bowl and pour the melted butter mixture overtop.

With hands gently work the potatoes and butter to coat slices.

Stack the potato slices into a greased muffin tin or greased ramekins - this recipe made 4 stacks but you could triple the recipe and make 12 stacks to fit your muffin tin.

Sprinkle more cheese on top and bake at 375F for 40-50 minutes or until nicely browned and crispy.

Allow them to set for 5 minutes and then gently remove from tins with a spoon.

Till next time ............ how are keeping warm these days (or maybe you are somewhere warm and wonderful). I wonder if the Robins will arrive on time next week - Spring must be just around the corner - right?

Life is Like a Patchwork Quilt!

A couple of weeks ago,

a stunning bouquet of roses was delivered to my desk ...

I recognized the vase and knew immediately who had sent them!

The farmer has a lot of class!

The time went quickly that day - 3:30 p.m. arrived

and I was called to Carol's desk where a fragrant corsage

was gently pinned to my sweater.

We all walked together up to the gallery where some "busy bees" had 

transformed it into a beautiful reception area!

There were quilts on display,

fresh flowers in crown jars,

pretty tea cups and saucers,
on lace table cloths.

Cheri, you are amazing!

Sparkling drinks, coffee and tea

was served to the guests.

Cheri and her incredible kitchen team

had prepared delicious  finger foods
which was presented like works of art!

A keepsake signature quilt was being signed by friends and colleagues.

Sweet words by Sara,

the one who master minded this whole event and with whom I have worked closely in the accounting office for these past delightful years!

There were kind words read from former co-workers and a sweet note from our Becky.

I fought hard to hold back the tears.

On a lighter side,

Trevor, Derek and Fred - our very own blue grass trio - performing a revised version of Bill Monroe's Georgia Grebel Rose!!!

I heard someone say it was worth coming to the party just to hear this song!

I loved it!

Here is a snippet of the song .... 
youtube link - http://youtu.be/kMnyZPH_ski

Beautiful gifts were presented - all so unnecessary but greatly appreciated.

President Susan Schultz Huxman presented this Hebron Glass Pitcher.
Little did anyone know that it matches the water glasses that we
purchased in Israel a few years ago! 

A framed quilt block - I love this! Thanks Sara!

They saved the best for last - a stained glass panel designed after the Grebel Chapel windows - this was such a surprise!

Thank you Ruth - you are a dear friend!

And then there were a few words from Ruth.

It was she who gave me this poem by Elizabeth Ryan Decoursey - which set the tone for this party:

Life is like a patchwork quilt and each little path is a day. Some patches are rosy, happy and bright, and some are dark and grey. But each little patch as it's fitted in and sewn to keep it together, makes a finished block in this life of ours, filled with sun, and with rainy weather. So let me work on Life's patchwork quilt through the rainy day and the sun --- Trusting that when I have finished my block the Master may say "Well Done". 

There were even quilt decorated cookies!!!!

I shall miss you all ................. thanks for such a wonderful send off!!!

Found the perfect spot for the quilt patch!

A beautiful hand made "quilt" card that everyone signed - such a nice gesture!

There's a USB stick, thanks to Danielle, our Winter Term Marketing Assistant, 

who took most of these pictures - now I know why they call them "Memory Sticks"!

Till next time ........... looking forward to what life's quilt has in store for me in this next chapter.

  

Binding (and Loosing)

It's been a winter of quilts ...

you may have read my post about this special quilt here

The quilting was finished and now is ready for the binding.

Foreground centre is Sara - the mastermind behind this fun project

We got the call from Mandy (middle of picture) in the library that the final stitches were being added to the quilt! I grabbed my camera to capture this moment, the culmination of our Relief Sale Quilt project.

Ruth, Janet and Loretta - some expert quilters whose stitches are perfect!
I hope that someday my stitches will be half as good.

The quilt was "loosed" from the quilt stands and given a quick underside check to see if any stitches were missed or needed correcting ... there was such excitement in the air.

The efforts of so many hands just made this project so special!

Mandy and Sara - let the binding begin!!

This weekend I also finished the binding of another quilt:

My stitches leave a lot to be desired but I've been smitten by this process and by the beauty of quilts.

Do you remember back in the day when "liquid embroidery" was popular? As a young girl we had a Happy Helpers Club at church and had fun colouring with liquid embroidery on fabric squares. These squares were then made into quilts and comforters (I'm talking a long time ago so maybe you've never heard of this).

My mom also enjoyed this "art" and made several sets of this crib quilt pattern.

I found the pattern along with some finished patches in the bottom of my dad's desk drawer at the Nursing Home - several years ago.

 I promised myself that I would make a crib quilt someday with these lovingly painted patches.

Well the time is right so I purchased some colourful batik fabrics to reflect this colouring book style of  pictures.

This has been so much fun!

The binding is now finished and every stitch (uneven and all) has been done with a thankful prayer!

This will be a wee gift from a Great-Grandmother and a Grandmother for a much anticipated grandchild ....... yes, you've probably guessed it - I am going to be a Grammie!!!!!

I can't even tell you how much love there is my heart for this unborn child.

There is more binding and "loosing" to talk about but I will leave that for another blog post.

Till next time - feeling so blessed and humbled!

"Now I - Lay Me - Down - To Sleep - Heavenly - Angels - Guard - My Sleep - Amen"

Chia It's Cold Outside!

'nuff said!!!

It's a crisp and cold Family Day here in Ontario.

Time to break out the chia seeds and warm the oven....

Chia Seeds are said to be a super food and this bread, called "Super-Power Chia Bread" from the Oh She Glows Cookbook does not disappoint.

My sweet daughter gifted me with this book some time ago and this is one of my favourite chia seed recipes.

It's quick and easy to throw together and bakes in about 25 minutes.

The only trick is to have a good blender to pulverize the rolled oats!

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Rolled Oats

1/4 Cup Raw Buckwheat Groats

(or just use 3/4 Cup Oats)

1/2 Cup Chia Seeds

1/4 Cup raw Sunflower Seeds

1/4 Cup raw Pepita Seeds (aka - pumpkin seeds)

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp. each of garlic powder and onion powder

Pulverize the oats and groats in the blender till a fine flour forms.

Mix the "flour" with the other ingredients

Stir in 1 Cup water until combined and pour mixture (it will be very runny) into a parchment lined square cake pan. Smooth the top and bake for 25 minutes at 325F.

Cool bread for 5 minutes in the pan. Remove and cool for an additional 10 minutes.

Slice with a pizza cutter or knife. Bread is approx. 3/4 inch thick.

I like to cut it into wedges and then slice it horizontally to make a sandwich.

This bread is very dense and moist - stores well in fridge for 2 to 3 days or freezes well too.

Today for my lunch it was delicious with some soft cheese, a slice of avocado and hot pepper jelly!

Now for some dessert ....

I've noticed many Chia Seed Pudding recipes on Pinterest and thought I'd give this one a try:

It only made two 8 oz. servings - I wonder if it'll last till dinner?

Mint Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

by - Young Idealistic Baker

I had some fresh mint on hand so why not try this ... I set the pudding out in the cold snow to take the picture and the mint froze immediately - soooo cold out there!

I took a wee taste and it's delicious but I'll wait till the farmer gets home for dinner - or should I just make another batch??

Till next time ......... how are you surviving the Winter where you are?

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, Sugar Cookies, Curls, and Quilts!

Recently I read a post

from one of my favourite bloggers,

JoAnn from "The Gathering Place"

 who shared a delicious Sugar Cookie Recipe

She had a typo in the recipe - can you spot it?

I overlooked it knowing what she meant but 

when she put out the contest challenge on her

next post

I was the lucky winner!!!!

Today, I received my prize in the mail ...

What a sweet story - THANK YOU SO MUCH JOANN!

Now - I must make those Sugar Cookies - just in time for V-Day!

This weekend was full of activity.

A party to say farewell to our long time country neighbours and

a hello to the new owners.

A good old fashioned

Progressive Crokinole Party

is alway a fun time.

We've been on the farm for

35 years and they were 

in the neighbourhood well before we were!

On Sunday was our Curling Club's annual Bonspiel.

Lot's of good fun and food,

and much needed exercise.

The rest of my weekend included a bit of quilting and dreaming about 

my upcoming days of retirement.

Only two weeks to go till every day will be a Saturday - so they say!

Till next time - how was your weekend?