Special Day

What a blessing it is to still have a Mom who is ever so interested in my life, praying for me and cheering me on. Someone once said to me that she should be cloned.
Well, I am sure God has other versions of her around the world but, in my world, she is one of a kind. This day is being set aside to follow a winter tradition we’ve had, a day of shopping. In the last couple of years Monika has joined us too and I can only imagine how my mom looks forward to a day with her two girls. We do too.

Then, later tonite we have a surprise for her. Some munchies are planned and the cake is ready. She has been informed that her kids with spouses will be coming over with appetizers and dessert. What she doesn’t know is that her grandchildren are also coming. Her apartment will be full – but not as full as her joy will be at seeing the younger ones take off a Friday night to celebrate with their Oma.

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What Happened to the Turkey?

I know this post does not look pretty, but it is practical. If you are a seasoned cook you can just click on out but, if you need a mom's advice, here is some for you to take or leave. As you may notice from the pictures, I cook my turkey without stuffing. I have a good excuse. I don't like having the juices get soaked up by the stuffing and prefer the easy method (aka Stove Top) or - I just noticed that Judy from Mennonite Girls Can Cook posted a Crock Pot stuffing today which looks like a very good idea.

Then, I also cook it upside down, so that the breast sits in the juices. The turkey does not take as long to cook without stuffing and you can tell it's done when the back (top) starts to crack open. This 7kg (16 lb) turkey was done in about 3 hours. After letting it sit for a while, was able to just pull it apart easily to carve. For me it's not about presenting a nice looking turkey with fruit garnishes but, again, practicality and ease of serving.

I carve it at least an hour before serving and put it in an ovenproof dish, white and dark meat separated. Then I shake up a few Tbsp flour and maybe 2 cups of water to add to the juices in the roaster and cook that, stirring until it thickens to make gravy. I pour a small amount of gravy all over the turkey, cover it up and put it back in the oven for a bit before we eat.

So what happened to the turkey? Twenty adults had dinner. The carcass got cooked to make soup. We had a left over turkey dinner once. I made some turkey sandwiches and chopped the last of it up to freeze for future crepes or casseroles. I really should cook a turkey more often.

On Opening My Home

I received a sweet note from my niece thanking us for opening our home. Although we easily use that phrase, I had to think about it this time. What does it mean to open our home? What does it say to those entering our door? What do we want it to say?

As I write this I’m just between two large family parties . . . one last week and one coming up (probably done by the time I post this). I thought I’d go over the process of what must happen for me to enjoy having 20 or 30 people come through the door.

To start off, I make up a menu. Then I make calls or send out emails. These two things are probably the hardest. Deciding what to make and figuring out a date that will work.

So, about a week before the big event, I make up my grocery list, checking recipes and my pantry. I also check napkins, candles and figure out what I will do for centerpieces. Shopping for everything happens several days before. Next I make a list of what needs to be done and what day I will fit each little thing into. For example: Wednesday after my dentist appointment – make desserts and or appetizers and freeze. Thursday – laundry, figure out dishes, tablecloths, where to seat everyone and make placecards.

Friday – clean the house (never clean the house the day of – unless the queen is coming)

Saturday morning – peel potatoes cover with cold water. Prepare chicken breasts (refrigerate until ready to put in oven) Wash salads (unless people are bringing them), cut veggies, thaw desserts and or appetizers and finish final details on them.
After lunch – set tables.

Finally, check list for what is left and put a time on each. You get the idea – bite size pieces! Not all in one day. Check the list and do everything you can as far ahead as possible – you still won’t be sitting and waiting for the doorbell to ring!

Is this what it means to open my home? Taking the time to call, to plan and prepare a table? Does it involve “looking at my home through other eyes?” and taking some extra effort to finally tidy up a stack of mail and books on the phone desk and the extra pile on the dryer?
Whatever it means . . . when I hear the laughter coming from the tables,

see the deserts disappearing,

see a special uncle (what else could he be?) visiting with his oldest nephews,

Or cousins finding a special corner to catch up,

my heart is full . . . because in opening my home I’ve opened my heart.

Christmas Decorating

I went through the house and took some pictures of some simple decorating that has brightened up our home these days.

This year, for the powder room, I bought some new towels that look seasonal yet can be used all winter.

I hung an ornament . . .

and filled the birdbath with fresh Christmas potpourri.

For the main bath I decided to take advantage of the white and green towels I already had and added a poinsettia for a clean cheery look.

The guest bedroom bed got some sheep nestled into it . . .

and the master bedroom (that would be mine too) happens to have a fireplace that is always fun and easy to do. I interlocked several full artificial swags (left over from Kristal's winter wedding) to make a garland, then put lights through it and some silk magnolia stems.
Fireplaces can be done in so many beautiful ways now with reindeer, trees and shiny ornaments, but this still suits the bedroom and so I decided it wasn't this room's turn for a change just yet.

On the outside of our bedroom window we hung a wreath that does double duty in that it looks nice from the inside too!

Going to the kitchen/family room area . . . you will notice that it is still quite traditional with a mix of natural elements.

A large poinsettia in front of the fireplace . . .

garland and candles on the window sills . . .

candle holders and greenery with pine cones tucked into one corner of the counter

another artificial bow or swag with pinecones to accent the woven blind over the sink . . .

and one of our oldest decorations is a centerpiece on the kitchen table. This is about 25 years old. Originally the pillar candles were glued in. Several years ago I added candle holders, removed gaudy old stuff from it and added clusters of berries etc to it. It still fits into the general decor of the kitchen.

One of the nicest additions to the decor in the last few years has been the way my H has decorated the bushes in the back yard.

In the evening we leave our blinds up, thereby bringing the outside in. I have been surprised how nice this has been! It just seems to extend the room.

This is the view out of my kitchen window. . . reminding me of a display of fireworks. So that's all for today. Maybe in another post you will be able to take note of some other parts of the house.

A Special Parcel

We used to wonder what it would be like if we had been born in another place. Maybe another country. How would our life be different if we had had the opportunity to meet other people. I've come to think that maybe it would not be as different as we think. Through blogging I've come to know women who really are so much like me - women who I'd be drawn to had we lived in the same neighborhood. No matter where I am, be it face to face or just in cyberspace, there is an instant bond with women of like purpose, passion and faith. I find this interesting . . . how we find each other.

One friend whom I have never met, but correspond with quite regularly, lives in Virginia. She is quite a bit younger than I am and I find it interesting to see life from the perspective of a younger mom. In some ways it allows me to see where I have been and how the season of life has changed for me, but it also allows me to see a beauty in the changes that have transpired, changes I fought against so hard . . . needlessly.

Soon after Kathy (aka Menno Jeweler) began commenting on my blog, I found out that she doesn't have a blog, but she does have a website where she displays her hand-crafted jewelry. She just recently had an open house in her home and since I could not attend, I decided to put in an order after she was done with the open house. I teased her that I would get something from the leftovers. As it turned out, she sold almost everything! But if what I got is left-over . . . boy, I have to tell you she does beautiful work!

Kathy, I am so blessed by your friendship! I was delighted to open my little parcel today. And although we have not met, I know for certain that someday we will. I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas!

Christmas Time in the City

Although I had to learn the transit system in Vancouver as a ten year and spent many Sunday afternoons in Stanley Park or Gastown as a teen, it hasn’t been until these latter years that I have come to see what a glamorous city it really is!

Last year for Christmas, we received a gift certificate for a one night’s Stay at the Four Seasons and part of the fun was to enjoy just the the thought of it a whole year before making full use of it!

We drove in on a beautiful night, checked in and headed for an elegant dinner in the hotel.


After dinner we joined the shoppers on Robson Street, enjoying the city lights, the atmosphere and the window displays.

Chapters - all lit up against the night sky

This photo doesn’t quite do justice to the allure of the twinkly street, the enjoyment of having someone’s hand to hold, watching the bustle, hearing a familiar song in the air and stopping to watch a drime team on the corner, but it’s a reminder of all that and more.

When we got back to our room on the 21st floor, I pulled back the curtains and peered down on the scene below out of one window

and Hotel Vancouver out of another window. In the morning this blogger had to repeat the process . . .

And wouldn’t you know it, it was raining . . . but no need to panic. Pacific Center was waiting for us right underneath the hotel. We did not even have to go outside . . . and we were there before the doors opened. Not eager at all.
I have to say that this is one of my favorite ways to spend time with my soul mate - having his undivided attention and giving me honest opinions. Yes, and one of the best gifts is having someone to share the joy of giving with and together anticipating the excitement and laughter soon to come.