Sunday, February 5, 2012
To My Old Master ~ Letter
This, the above, was published on my birthday...what a gift...read it for yourself.
Friday, October 22, 2010
It's time for Coffee Cake
My mom left me a tattered, well-used and well-loved American Woman's Cookbook published by the Culinary Arts Institute of Chicago in 1947. Last night, as it was chilly and there was nothing to have with coffee, I pulled it out and found a somewhat splattered dog-eared page containing the recipe for Spicy Apple Coffee Cake. It took only minutes to prepare, and as I did, I thought of my mom, her great cooking and how, one day, I'd pass this cookbook on to my daughter. And maybe, just maybe, being a great cook herself, my daughter too might peruse this old book with its yellowed pages, with its cracked decaying spine and worn bluey-green cover, to produce this same cake for her loved ones.
The cake was so good, I hate to admit that it's already gone as we finished it off for breakfast!! Here's the recipe:
2 c sifted flour 2/3 to 3/4 c milk
1 tbsp sugar 2 or 3 apples
3 tsp baking powder 1/3 c brown sugar
3/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp cinnamon
4 tbsp shortening (I used butter) 1 tbsp butter
1/2 c grated nippy cheese
Sift flour, b.powder, and salt together. Cut in shortening & cheese. Add milk to make a soft dough. Turn out on lightly floured board & knead for 1/2 minute. Pat the dough in ungreased 9" layer-cake pan. Pare apples, core and slice thin. Arrange apples in petal design over top. Sprinkle with brown sugar & cinnamon and dot with butter. Bake in hot over 425 degrees for 25 minutes. It's delish! Enjoy...we certainly did.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Our new vocation or Who says you can't herd cats?
In a recent post about our cat family, I must update you! Momsie and her little crew, Roamer, Mr. Big and Frexie have all, happily, been adopted and are already in their forever homes. Sister and her husband adopted Roamer, promptly renamed him and he's now making their lives more interesting, not to mention their dog's life too!
The Shelter's foster coordinator, never one to miss a chance at filling an empty home, quickly loaded us up with 6 more kittens: a male and his five sisters. They were the offspring of a feral cat who was captured, spayed and now is likely on death row as her wild nature prevents her from ever being tamed, poor thing. Her babies had taken up residence in the woodpile in a lady's garage. The kind lady managed to capture them; hence, our new additions. Mission impossible is to tame and socialize these little wildcats so they too can find new homes.
For a week we kept them confined in a carpeted room, complete with ironing board so they could enjoy the window. They were extremely skittish and scared, hiding in anything that even remotely cover their backs. Here's how we found them, their first night at our place...all gathered in a row.
Left to right, they are:
The Shelter's foster coordinator, never one to miss a chance at filling an empty home, quickly loaded us up with 6 more kittens: a male and his five sisters. They were the offspring of a feral cat who was captured, spayed and now is likely on death row as her wild nature prevents her from ever being tamed, poor thing. Her babies had taken up residence in the woodpile in a lady's garage. The kind lady managed to capture them; hence, our new additions. Mission impossible is to tame and socialize these little wildcats so they too can find new homes.
For a week we kept them confined in a carpeted room, complete with ironing board so they could enjoy the window. They were extremely skittish and scared, hiding in anything that even remotely cover their backs. Here's how we found them, their first night at our place...all gathered in a row.
Left to right, they are:Minnie (Mouse), Blaze (the trailblazer), Hillary (after the mountain climber), Dot-the-Spot, Pinky (ever shy) and Kally (the calico). The two grays have very different textured coats; the others all have calico faces but three are quite white-bodies, while the fourth is very calico.
We had a few worries in the early days as three came down with cat "colds" (upper respiratory infection) but the Shelter provided meds that quickly fixed that. Although it's an airborne bug, we dosed everyone for a week, and managed to fend off more infection. One, Dot-the-Spot, like the meds so much she'd come up to you asking for it! The rest, not so much.
Our next problem was moving the freezer as, being expert woodpiler-hiders, the kits had no problem burrowing behind the freezer! Check out the photos on Facebook to see how we found them. Out of the kitten room and into the kitchen the freezer went.
We have gradually introduced them to more of the house, taking care to eliminate hidey-holes to they can't sequester themselves away from us. We handle them as much as possible, brushing them, checking for ticks & fleas, and of course, just lots of petting so they do get lots of loving. There's nothing like a blanket of 6 purring, warm little fuzzballs on your lap.
When it's feeding time, I call them in a falsetto voice: Here, babies! Here, babies! and they come running. Who says you can't herd cats? But what's funniest is when hubby does the call, imitating me. They still come running and it's a hoot to see them all milling around his slippers! Food is a really big incentive!
Apart from those who've shown potential as computer programmers (a couple are helping me type this very minute), we've also discovered several of the kits aspire to be sanitation engineers. As soon as the scoop starts disturbing matters in the litter box, 2 or 3 jump right in to "assist", and of course, add to the "matter"! It's an unceasingly interesting activity to them, a little less so to us, naturally.
A friend gave them a magic wand, yes, a magic wand which they love to chase. For us, its magic is in the fact that all six will follow it avidly which is how we get them back to their room at night so we can enjoy a night's rest. Who says you can't herd cats?
Our life is enriched by these little comedians in fur coats. Their purring is calming, their antics better than anything TV can provide, and their trusting eyes, as they slowly learn how to handle us (yes, the shoe is soon on the other foot), make this one of the most satisfying volunteer "jobs" we've ever had!
We had a few worries in the early days as three came down with cat "colds" (upper respiratory infection) but the Shelter provided meds that quickly fixed that. Although it's an airborne bug, we dosed everyone for a week, and managed to fend off more infection. One, Dot-the-Spot, like the meds so much she'd come up to you asking for it! The rest, not so much.
Our next problem was moving the freezer as, being expert woodpiler-hiders, the kits had no problem burrowing behind the freezer! Check out the photos on Facebook to see how we found them. Out of the kitten room and into the kitchen the freezer went.
We have gradually introduced them to more of the house, taking care to eliminate hidey-holes to they can't sequester themselves away from us. We handle them as much as possible, brushing them, checking for ticks & fleas, and of course, just lots of petting so they do get lots of loving. There's nothing like a blanket of 6 purring, warm little fuzzballs on your lap.
When it's feeding time, I call them in a falsetto voice: Here, babies! Here, babies! and they come running. Who says you can't herd cats? But what's funniest is when hubby does the call, imitating me. They still come running and it's a hoot to see them all milling around his slippers! Food is a really big incentive!
Apart from those who've shown potential as computer programmers (a couple are helping me type this very minute), we've also discovered several of the kits aspire to be sanitation engineers. As soon as the scoop starts disturbing matters in the litter box, 2 or 3 jump right in to "assist", and of course, add to the "matter"! It's an unceasingly interesting activity to them, a little less so to us, naturally.A friend gave them a magic wand, yes, a magic wand which they love to chase. For us, its magic is in the fact that all six will follow it avidly which is how we get them back to their room at night so we can enjoy a night's rest. Who says you can't herd cats?
Our life is enriched by these little comedians in fur coats. Their purring is calming, their antics better than anything TV can provide, and their trusting eyes, as they slowly learn how to handle us (yes, the shoe is soon on the other foot), make this one of the most satisfying volunteer "jobs" we've ever had!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Parting's sweet sorrow
The past two weeks have been veiled in sadness like a damp scotch mist with the odd ray of sunshine to help push us back to the happy side of life. With heavy hearts, we handed off our first two kittens, Mr. Big & Frexie, to the local humane society for adoption.
Shortly after, we learned our sister-in-law had suddenly passed on. The eulogies at the memorial service paid homage to her memory and it was with mixed emotions we greeted family and old friends not seen in ages. Happy to see people but not under those circumstances. Such is a funeral. It's sobering to think my brother is now a widower, the first of our family to lose his spouse. And the rest of us have lost someone we've all known since childhood.
The family reunion too was bittersweet as we gladly reconnected with distant family members but regretfully, they too had to leave the party earlier than planned as a dear cousin on our cousin's mother's side had passed on.
We were pleased to reconnect with an old friend in Orangeville, enjoy her company and a fine meal plus a tour of the town. Our stay in the McKittrick Bed & Breakfast was also a highlight, as the bed was so fantastic we almost missed breakfast which was a gastronomic delight: a "cocktail" of fruit/yogurt/granola followed by farmers' market delectables, thickly buttered toasty fruit bread and strong coffee.
Happily in Whitby we surprised hubby's niece's family on the hot Saturday afternoon & enjoyed their company with a cool one poolside. On the way home, near Tweed, we picked up some home-made blue berry pies to share with friends. So good to be home.
Then sister came to pick up our last kitten, Roamer. We put that crazy little guy in the cat cage for transport. Of course, Mumsie showed her concern by walking around the cage and mewling to her last kit; she knew what was about to happen. When he reached thru the cage to pat his mum with his little white paw, my heart broke. Sister's renamed him already thus more finally cutting any ties that bind.
The next day hubby took Mumsie to the H.S. while I avoided the teary farewell by making a blood donation. Mumsie will be spayed then given to her new owner. We mentioned her predilection for licking venetian blind cords and chewing on the tassels. I imagine that was what she did when abandoned in her former home.
We went back to the H.S. however, to pick up our next family of kits: a 6-pack who'd been living, wildly, in a woodpile. I got to give Mumsie a final bit of loving then we headed home with the little ones ~ 5 girls and 1 boy ~ to spend the next few weeks nurturing and socializing them. So far we identify them by their physical traits: Bigspots, Littlespots, Fuzzyspots, Mickey (has arches over his eyes like Mickey Mouse ears), Blaze (who has a white "blaze" between his shoulders) and Callie who is calico. Three are hearty and active, one is fair to middling and the other 2 seem weak and traumatized. We hope to get them all on an even keel.
Yes, I get too attached. Yes, it hurts to give them back to the H.S. although I know they'll end up in good homes. All in our first "family" have. I've done my ugly cry and hope I'm over it...but no doubt the tears will fall again in a few weeks time when I fall apart at the Humane Society in front of the inventory they have of 110 cats + the 6 we'll be returning.
Wherever, whoever you are...please consider adopting a cat. Having a cat in your life is a wonderful experience for both you and the lucky cat.
Shortly after, we learned our sister-in-law had suddenly passed on. The eulogies at the memorial service paid homage to her memory and it was with mixed emotions we greeted family and old friends not seen in ages. Happy to see people but not under those circumstances. Such is a funeral. It's sobering to think my brother is now a widower, the first of our family to lose his spouse. And the rest of us have lost someone we've all known since childhood.
The family reunion too was bittersweet as we gladly reconnected with distant family members but regretfully, they too had to leave the party earlier than planned as a dear cousin on our cousin's mother's side had passed on.
We were pleased to reconnect with an old friend in Orangeville, enjoy her company and a fine meal plus a tour of the town. Our stay in the McKittrick Bed & Breakfast was also a highlight, as the bed was so fantastic we almost missed breakfast which was a gastronomic delight: a "cocktail" of fruit/yogurt/granola followed by farmers' market delectables, thickly buttered toasty fruit bread and strong coffee.
Happily in Whitby we surprised hubby's niece's family on the hot Saturday afternoon & enjoyed their company with a cool one poolside. On the way home, near Tweed, we picked up some home-made blue berry pies to share with friends. So good to be home.
Then sister came to pick up our last kitten, Roamer. We put that crazy little guy in the cat cage for transport. Of course, Mumsie showed her concern by walking around the cage and mewling to her last kit; she knew what was about to happen. When he reached thru the cage to pat his mum with his little white paw, my heart broke. Sister's renamed him already thus more finally cutting any ties that bind.
The next day hubby took Mumsie to the H.S. while I avoided the teary farewell by making a blood donation. Mumsie will be spayed then given to her new owner. We mentioned her predilection for licking venetian blind cords and chewing on the tassels. I imagine that was what she did when abandoned in her former home.
We went back to the H.S. however, to pick up our next family of kits: a 6-pack who'd been living, wildly, in a woodpile. I got to give Mumsie a final bit of loving then we headed home with the little ones ~ 5 girls and 1 boy ~ to spend the next few weeks nurturing and socializing them. So far we identify them by their physical traits: Bigspots, Littlespots, Fuzzyspots, Mickey (has arches over his eyes like Mickey Mouse ears), Blaze (who has a white "blaze" between his shoulders) and Callie who is calico. Three are hearty and active, one is fair to middling and the other 2 seem weak and traumatized. We hope to get them all on an even keel.
Yes, I get too attached. Yes, it hurts to give them back to the H.S. although I know they'll end up in good homes. All in our first "family" have. I've done my ugly cry and hope I'm over it...but no doubt the tears will fall again in a few weeks time when I fall apart at the Humane Society in front of the inventory they have of 110 cats + the 6 we'll be returning.
Wherever, whoever you are...please consider adopting a cat. Having a cat in your life is a wonderful experience for both you and the lucky cat.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Little Blackfly
My blogname is derived from that most infamous of pests: the blackfly. Growing up as we did in Northern Ontario alongside the Abitibi River, it behooved us - thanks to our teacher, Miss Glendenning's not-so-subtle encouragement - to learn Wade Hemsworth's song "the Blackfly". What is wonderful is that Christopher Hinton (National Film Board) used Hemsworth's song to create this marvelous little film. Do enjoy it.
At the same time this brings back memories of what we wore to save our scalps from the pernicious little buggers: fly hats. Now a fly hat was not a thing of beauty but we kids did look kind of cute. You take your standard men's handkerchief (now a rare thing to find) and you tied a knot in the top right and left hand corners. You placed the kerchief on your child's head with these little "rabbit ears" knotted corners at the child's temple then knotted the remaining two corners under his or her chin. It did save most of the scalp but many of us came home with bites running with blood (as blackflies don't seal their bites with anticoagulents the way skitters do) all along the backs of our necks. Ahhhh, the good old days!
At the same time this brings back memories of what we wore to save our scalps from the pernicious little buggers: fly hats. Now a fly hat was not a thing of beauty but we kids did look kind of cute. You take your standard men's handkerchief (now a rare thing to find) and you tied a knot in the top right and left hand corners. You placed the kerchief on your child's head with these little "rabbit ears" knotted corners at the child's temple then knotted the remaining two corners under his or her chin. It did save most of the scalp but many of us came home with bites running with blood (as blackflies don't seal their bites with anticoagulents the way skitters do) all along the backs of our necks. Ahhhh, the good old days!
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