Tea Party Across the Ocean

November was the month when Covid restrictions tightened 

so much so that we were not to have anyone in our homes.

It was also the month that our Indonesia family finally got their visas to return

after a hasty departure back in March.

The hard thing in the timing was that we could not have a final family get-together

and, instead of the tea party I had planned for the girls,

I packed up a tin box with a variety of teas, tea cups, 

sugar cubes, cookies and dried flowers from our garden.

In my disappointment, this "tea party in a box"  filled that desire to create something special.

Whereas we had many wonderful memories tucked away,

it was time to pack one up for these best friends who had been separated for some time.

Life overseas filled up quickly with much of the same .... quarantines, family life and school.

We celebrated Christmas the way that many celebrated around the world.

And the day came when the tin box got unpacked, treats were prepared

and the after-school tea and craft party came about

with Grammy as the unseen but very happy guest. 

In a strange way the  tea party may give me an excuse to write,

but in a greater way, 

I have come to see that the opportunities 

and life experiences our grandchildren are having

may outweigh the times they cannot be at our table.

Life may well  be more like many parents would wish for their kids,

simple, with a focus on loving people rather than things.

I can't quite express what I see, 

safe to say that I can't help but take pride in this girl,

the friends she cares about 

and her unselfish attitude in how she lives her life. 

We love you, Makenna!

Blaettertorte Tutorial

Baking a cake for a special occasion will often find me going back to a family favorite that we call Blaettertorte in German. Others know it as Napoleon Torte. As you will see, it consists of layers of large cookies that bake up crisp, but soften once you layer them with a filling, turning the baked layers into more of a cake texture. We layer it with a vanilla custard or homemade chocolate pudding. It's not a very sweet cake, as far as cakes go, a simple delicious softness that could be compared to a cheesecake but  not as rich. Those who want to, drizzle the vanilla torte with raspberry sauce. 

I've shared the recipe on the MGCC blog. You'll find it here Today I'll add a little video clip that may be helpful. 

I shape the pastry into a log and refrigerate it for a couple of hours.

Then I divide it into 12 slices,

so that each slice can be rolled into an 8 inch cookie.

I prepare the layers when I have time and freeze them for when I decide to fill a cake.

This recipe makes 2 layered cakes.

 We all like a homemade vanilla custard, mild and not so sweet.

Once cooled I mix in some whipped cream. 

The cake needs to sit at least 12 hours but just gets better,

the longer it sits. 

I hope this tutorial helps.

It gives me joy when I can inspire someone to successfully try a new recipe. 

February Saturdays

There are some things that I really love about Saturdays.

I love the feeling that it's a free day, even if it includes baking Zwieback -

because it's relaxing and brings back happy memories.

I love that my H is home and we can, for the most part, sleep in

and have breakfast together.

I love that it's the day before Sunday, my favorite day.

Last Saturday I baked sugar cookies,

which were fun to drop off at a couple of places for Valentines.

The Saturday before that, we headed out to Manning Park again

to do some snowshoeing. 

We've been taking turns with the older grandkids and this time

we took Landon and Koen with us.

It was a perfect day out there.

Once I got my phone out of my pocked and mitts off,

I could hardly stop taking pictures.

Snowshoeing with kids is a totally different experience

and it was fun to see that boys can giggle too. 

Koen grinned every time he drew a face in the snow beside us as we went along.

There were many. 

We had our picnic in the snow ... peanut butter and jam or egg salad sandwiches, hot chocolate, cookies and oranges.

Feeling so thankful for the ability and privilege to have fun with our grands,

whether it's childcare, school pick up or outings. 

Not sure yet what next Saturday holds, 

but sometimes no plans bring about the best days. 

That's a peek into life today.

 

Valentines Vignettes

One definition of vignette is 

"a brief incident or scene" ... 

so I'll use that definition as a peek into our marriage.

The food on this platter is a symbol of tradition.

Faspa has been a tradition that has been important for us to keep,

partly due to childhood memories, and maybe more so

because it's relaxing and suits the day of rest.

It's a Sunday afternoon meal consisting of buns, cold cuts,

veggies, chips, salsa, cheese and whatever I can find in the fridge to round it out.

This was a random photo taken one day when we decided to use a large tray

and eat in front of the TV. 

We love to shop together. Yes, he does too!

One of our favorite places to go is downtown Vancouver.

The city atmosphere, the variety of shops

and dinner out is a special treat. 

We also like to go for long walks, either in our neighborhood 

or we drive somewhere to walk. 

This is in Fort Langley.

Last Sunday we found a new to us trail not too far from our house.

There are so many beautiful spots yet to find. 

We hope to get bikes this year to see even more. 

We love to dream and plan together. Before we built this new home,

we were on the lookout for everything from cobble stones to wall decor. 

This may be the reason this random photo was in my files. 

When it comes to work or responsibilities

our marriage works with each of us knowing our place. 

In some ways we are old fashioned but it makes our world go round.

Love and respect.

I iron his shirts, he washes my car.

If he would wish to iron or if I would want to wash the car, we could switch,

but we each prefer our job, no questions asked. 

A nightly habit we have is "coffee and dessert"

while we wind down.

Another nightly habit we began when we got married is

prayer before we go to sleep.

It is very hard to pray together if you are upset at each other,

so it's a good time to make sure everything is alright. 

And this photo caught my eye partly because well ... isn't he handsome! 

It's just one memory of anual spring trips down to California.

Something we can only dream about this year,

but once that privilege returns, we will sure enjoy that again!

Wishing you all a Happy Valentines Day weekend,

appreciating the ordinary small things of life. 

❤❤❤

 

Mom Jeans

When I named this blog, I didn't realize how much of life 

is truly defined by seasons.

Take for example ... jeans.

My favorite jeans in my teens were tight, flared, high waisted Seafarers.

Since then, between low rise, boot cut, boyfriend jeans, 

embellished, cropped, and stretchy fitted or legging style jeans ...

I continually find myself looking for that illusive perfect pair

that never stays perfect forever.

We see today's relaxed trend going high waisted, with a looser fit ...

a style that looks cute on young girls,

but maybe, if we try,  us older ones can work with it as well.

What I want to know is why they call them MOM jeans.

Which mom are they talking about? 

Certainly not the moms of today's teens

maybe not even their grandmas.

So I tried on these Mom jeans from H&M

 and they have a different feel,

a flashback to how I envision my mom in pants.

Simply put, they feel, "mom-like" ...

much like the plain old jeans of the past,

not fitted, stretchy - showing every curve. 

The only part they hug is the waist,

especially when cinched with a belt

which is why tuck in or cropped tops work well.

I went for the casual, comfy look

and then tried dressing them up just a bit.

A jacket, a frilly top, a scarf, different shoes ...

you can never underestimate the finishing effect of shoes.

Seeing options, gives one confidence 

and confidence goes a long way to feeling comfortable.

A new pair of jeans is good in every season.

I'll keep them.

PS ... This really is a good exercise. Put on a pair of jeans, pants or a skirt and shop your closet for as many combinations as you can find. Take pictures for future referrence. You may be surprised what you'll come up with when there is no pressure to go anywhere. 

Happy Birthday, Monika

Sixty years ago today I may or may not have been excited about a baby sister. 

I don't remember. 

I was three years old and I already had a baby brother.

But I have to tell you that today I'm so thankful for the gift of you,

my only sister.

One who shares my earliest memories,

rooted in the home we once shared

and the values we continue to go back to.

It's hard to believe how much of life has passed us by,

but always we have a reason to connect,

building on the memory blocks of yesterday

to make the most of the present.

Today I'm mindful of the season we're in,

and want you to know that facing hard days together

has deepened the reality of how special it is to have a sister.

I wish for you, your heart's desires,

sprinkled with extra wonderful surprises along the way.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Happy Birthday, with love.

🤍🤍🤍