Keeping a blog is much like keeping a diary.  It reminds you of all the little things in life that start to blend together into one big event the older you get.   I was thinking of this yesterday while preparing lunch for Fred and Kathleen who were visiting.   Pondering on how much I like preparing meals for others, it took me a moment or two to remember that I’ve prepared six sit down meals for  friends and family visits since the 21st of December.

I use to snicker at the “Marthas” who keep a running diary of dinner guests and what was served.  Now it sounds like a great idea. So between this blog and my dinner “journal” I’ll be able to remember what I served to who and when.  It will also help  me to find the recipes I followed.  I’m a great one for trying a successful recipe, then not having a clue where I found it to begin with.

Two of my current go-to recipes have been baked onion dip and  potato pancakes using leftover mashed potatoes.   These dishes get gobbled so quickly I have not had a chance to take pictures despite the numerous times I’ve made these lately.  I apologize to the original owners of the  pictures I borrowed to tempt you into trying the recipes.  These are quick and easy, using ingredients you usually have on hand.  The type of comfort food you serve to family and good friends.  They may not remember the date nor the occasion, but they will certainly remember the love.

Potato Pancakes

2 c. leftover mashed potatoes
1/4 c. flour
1/4 c. milk
1 egg, beaten
1 tbsp. onion, minced
1 tbsp. green pepper, minced
Bacon drippings or cooking oil
Salt & pepper to taste (optional)

Combine mashed potatoes, flour, milk, egg, onions and green peppers. Salt and pepper as desired. Form into 3 inch round patties and fry in bacon drippings or cooking oil. Brown on both sides. Drain and serve.

Baked Onion dip
2 cups mayonnaise
1 cup shredded cheese
2 cups chopped sweet onion
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease a 1 quart baking dish.

In a medium bowl, mix Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise and sweet onion. Transfer to the baking dish and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake in the preheated oven 40 to 45 minutes, or until onions are tender and the mixture is bubbly and lightly browned.

You can read the entire article here.

So does this make me the proud Queen mother?

The old year ended with friends Brian and Jennifer from Miramichi dropping in for lunch.  Due to the weather calling for freezing rain they left mid afternoon for the 2 1/2 hour drive home

DH and I spent another quiet New Year’s Eve at home.  After a delicious supper of pork picata, we watched reruns of Barney Miller……………living on the edge!

Today we sorted through numerous boxes of Christmas ornaments, sorting out the ones we wish to keep.  The others will be sent to Value Village and the Salvation Army thrift store to find another home.   This took most of the morning as I oohed and aaahed through the many boxes, some containing ornaments my parents bought before I was  born.  Each passing year takes it toll on an ornament or two as they become more brittle with age  The smaller ones are now packed away in egg cartons for extra protection.

At the bottom of many of the boxes were a treasure trove of  crepe covered Santas, popsicle sticked ornaments, and wrapping paper chains made by children and later grandchildren, which are still too valuable to part with.  Added to the numerous cards drawn by the grandchildren, I’m surprised I managed to part with anything.

The birch Christmas tree decked with snowflakes, silver cookie cutters and white ornaments was so pretty, we will have the same type of tree  next year.

So Happy New Year’s to you and yours.  May 2012 bring you a year of health, wealth and an abundance of ornaments made by tiny hands filled with love.

Who knew  a movie about a Suicide Help line on the verge of bankruptcy on Christmas Eve would find a place in our hearts.  To me it is the epitome of Christmas, it is all about people helping people,  saving what is in your heart,  accepting one another regardless of personal idiosyncrasy and the birth of a baby on Christmas Eve.  It is not for everyone, but if you have an off beat sense of humour, this movie is for you.

Each year DH and I sit down to have a good laugh, once we hear the sounds of “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” to a background of a California beach and even before the fruit cake hits the windshield, we are holding onto our sides with laughter.

This week has been perfect.  I’ve attended my nephews’ elementary school Christmas concert, shopped the City market, braved the malls with my Mam and ran into many familiar faces.  I know I am truly home for Christmas.

Here’s pictures of me and Isabella at 14 months old.  Can you see the family resemblance?

DH arrives home tonight after a week of dealing with sub contractors, who work on a calendar known only to themselves.  When an electrican says “yes, I will be there tomorrow” you should ask him if he means  the day after today, or a day sometime in the future.  Carpenters, painters and plumbers all work on this mystery time.

I can’t complain though, my life is full of good things.   My son is working at a job he loves, my daughter and her family are on vacation in Montreal,  DH’s daughter will be coming home in less than a month………….and we have the prettiest great grand daughter in the world.

And if that isn’t enough to be thankful for, blueberries are in season.   For dessert, this evening I’ve made blue berry cake with brown sugar sauce.   Life doesn’t get much better!

Thanks to twitter I can follow Andrea and my grand-daughter Sarah’s day while they attend a word press conference and take in the sites of Montreal.

Andrea, I hope your day is full of fondling fabric, being treated like a princess and quilting.

If you like to send birthday greetings to Andrea, her blog is here

The ground hog did not see his shadow this morning but we saw snow…………….and lots of it.   DH is in Saint John and this is a picture from the front porch of his rental.   The forecast is for up to 30 centimeters of snow.

Now, the idea of a law that requires children to care for their elders may seem a little foreign… and it got us wondering if this kind of law could fly here in this Country. And to our surprise, we discovered that every province in Canada — with exception of Alberta — has legislation on the books that does just that.

These filial responsibility laws – as they’re known – have been around for decades. And while it doesn’t happen often, every once in a while a parent sues his or her adult children for financial support.

So Andrea, Julia and J.D. look out! You have been forewarned.   We expect to stay with each of you for a period of 4 months.   If you want to share the burden pleasure with the grand children, that`s okay.  Just remember, they will have less money when it comes to them looking after you.

Before you start rolling your eyes, thinking that dementia has set in early, check out the article here.

So that you can keep us in the style in which we are accustomed,  here`s a few housekeeping rules.

Bed by 9:00, up at 5:00.

A fresh brew (tea for me, coffee for DH) brought to our room before we get up,

and the radio tuned to CBC……….because Lord knows what else you haven`t told us about!

the small hands of my great-granddaughter Isabella waving hello when she arrived at my daughters, followed by the biggest of smiles affirming that she knows her Mam.

a delicious bag of Christmas cookies made by my middle granddaughter

the gift of a long coveted Amish quilt from my talented daughter

the heartfelt thank you from Lynn (my grand-daughter-in-law’s Mom),  for the quilt I sent

the Christmas Eve blog entry by our cousin San (read it here).

the unsolicited and very generous offer from the wife in law and Miss Julia who volunteered to drop into feed Porsche while we were away

a special book saying thank you from my oldest grand-daughter, who had overheard her Aunt and I in November discussing the fact no one takes the time to say thank you any more

the site of my grand-children ages 10 to 23 playing with Lego at the kitchen table Christmas morning

the call from our good friend and this year to be neighbour Rick, to say N BPower had installed the power pole on our property. We are another step towards building our dream home

celebrating Christmas with four generations under one roof.

I hope your holidays were as “ah” filled and blessed as ours.