A Peaceful Place

*Peaceful Place*

Somewhere, just along the road
We'll find a peaceful place,
Beyond the troubles of the world
A quiet, breathing space.
A place where sunlight warms the air
And gentle breezes blow,
Where we'll discover joy once more
And dreams of long ago.

Somewhere, just along the road -
It can't be very far,
We'll leave the problems of the day
And seek the evening star.
A quite place, a breathing space
It waits for you and I.
And somewhere, just along the road
We'll find it, by and by.
~Irish Hesselden

I have a peaceful place. It is my home. Within these four walls I have made myself a space where I can relax and feel comfortable. When I enter my door, I leave all my worldly cares and woes on the doorstep, and do not invite them in. The wind may rage and the rain may fall, but I feel safe and warm within these rooms. There is no spirit of contention here, just a peaceable feeling, inspired by good and inspired readings, tasteful television and music and our faith in a God who loves us. No, it is not filled with expensive furniture and nicknack's. There is no gold or silver here. Just simple pleasures and things for simple folks. Two comfy chairs to relax in and a small fire to sit by. A humble wooden table and four wooden chairs. Works of art don't lay against it's walls, rather works of heart . . . pictures of our loved ones near and far, pictures of the Saviour, small gifts from friends and family, small works of art sprung from my mind and fingertips. Tacky to some . . . priceless to us. No, it is not a mansion grand, but it is home to us and it is our peaceful place. What makes it so?

Love Lives Here.



I was thrilled yesterday to receive the "Lemonade Award" from a lovely lady, Rhondi of Rose Coloured Glasses. This award is based on displaying great attitude or gratitude. Rhondi has a beautiful page and whenever I visit it I always come away with a smile and a warm feeling in my heart. That she would think to pass this award on to me is a great compliment. Thanks so much Rhondi!! I'm not entirely sure I deserve your kind words, but I accept them with the spirit in which they were given and shall endeavor to live up to them as much as I can!

As with any award, it comes with a responsibility to pass it on and rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE &/or GRATITUDE!
3. Be sure to link your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love & link to this post & to the person from who you received your award.

And so it goes (in no specific order) to:

Amanda of Little Foodies
Maryann of Finding La Dolcevita
Marie of How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Herring
Nancy of Just A Little Blog
Sheryl of Heavenly Being Holmes
Angie of Can You All Hear Me At The Back
Susan of Comfort Suite
Lura of Grammy's News
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Tracy of Pink Purl
and, just because I can . . .
Miranda of A Duck In Her Pond

I do hope you'll all visit these ladies and see what I mean. They're all very special in their own unique ways, and have a wonderful talent of sharing their hearts and minds with others in a very generous manner!



I baked your choice for last weeks Cookbook Challenge last night for our supper. Oh my goodness!! I could easily have eaten this whole tart all by myself, but I used restraint and kept it at one slice! This was absolutely gorgeous! If the rest of this book is even half as delicious as this tart was we are in for a very delicious month!! I don't have a 9 inch tart tin with a removable bottom so I just baked it in a 9 inch cake tin and went for the rustic look by allowing it to drape here and there over the edges. I thought it looked quite nice! What do you think?



*Chicken, Sage and Cheddar Tart*
Serves 8 as a starter, 6 as a main course

This makes a really tasty starter to any gathering or a lovely supper for family or friends. I served it with some oven chips and a mixed salad and it went down a real treat!

Crust:
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup (4 ounces) cold butter
2 to 4 TBS ice water
Filling:
2 TBS butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast meat,
cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 TBS flour
1 cup cream
1 TBS minced fresh sage leaves
2 1/2 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese,
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp white pepper
8 whole fresh sage leaves of similar size and shape to garnish

First make the crust. Place the salt and flour into the bowl of a food processor and give it a quick whir. Add the butter and pulse until you have crumbs the size of marbles. Add 2 TBS of ice water and pulse just until the dough starts to clump together. Add additional ice water as needed. Transfer to a bowl and quickly shape into a disc. (Do not overwork) Wrap in cling film and chill until you are ready to use it. (1 to 24 hours)



Place an oven rack in the lowest position of your oven. Pre-heat the oven to 400*F/200*C. Roll out the crust on a lightly floured surface and place in a 9 inch tart tin with a removable bottom. Tear off a square of parchment paper and place it inside the crust. (Make sure it is larger than the crust so that you can lift it out easily) Fill with pie weights or baking beans. (I have a jar of rice that I use just for this purpose) Bake for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven. Remove the pie weights and allow to cool on a wire rack while you make the filling.

Reduce the oven temperature to 190*C/375*F.

Melt the butter for the filling in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until soft. Turn the heat to medium high and add the chicken. Cook, until nicely browned on all sides, stirring frequently. Sprinkle the flour over all. Stir and cook for one minute. Slowly pour in the cream, stirring constantly in order to prevent any lumps from forming. Stir in the sage. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 3 minutes. Stir in the cheddar cheese, salt and pepper. Stir to melt the cheese. Once it is all melted and mixed in, pour the filling into the prepared crust. Smooth over the top and place the whole sage leaves evenly around the top.

Bake until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Slice in between the sage leaves so that one sage leaf is in the centre of each piece.

Marie's Sunday Six Smile Makers

Well, what do you know??? It's Sunday once again! This past week has just flown by. I can't believe how quickly it has come around again. I've had ever so much to smile about this week and I just can't wait to get started on my list!

1. I bet you can already guess what the biggie was this week. Yes, on the 9th of January, this lovely picture went from this:



to this:

Grandson number 3, little Joshua, arrived safe and sound into this world. I am ever so grateful for all of your prayers and thoughts for him and his family over these past couple of months. He is the first red head in our family! I just know his big brother Jonathan is going to be a wonderful big brother. He is already trying hard and, in fact, he is the one who named Joshua, as he is the one who started called Joshua that way back when my son and his wife discovered she was first pregnant.

One of life's greatest blessings is when your own children become parents, and they do it well. I am so proud of each of my children and the wonderful adults, husbands, wives, parents, people they have grown into.



2. This is a picture of my Amanda and her Tom taken in Costa Rica just a month ago. They had gone down there for a welcome holiday break just a few weeks before Christmas. I was ever so thankful this week, when I heard of the earthquake in Costa Rica, that my daughter was not still there and that she and Tom had taken their holiday earlier, arriving home just a few days before Christmas. Had they switched their holiday plans even a little, they might have still been there, and I might have been telling you a completely different tale this morning . . .



Although my heart and prayers go out to those people who have been negatively impacted because of this earthquake, I cannot help giving thanks to my Heavenly Father that my Amanda and Tom are ok, and that, once again, He was watching over my family. Amanda is the one child I have struggled with since her father and I divorced. This close call has really brought home to me my need to really work harder at mending this broken bridge.



3. Yes, this is my good friend Lura, of Grammy's News, and once again she put a smile on my face this week. Yesterday I was so sad to hear about how she had forgotten her purse in a fabric store and how her new camera had been stolen from it, along with some cash and gift cards. Thankfully her Temple Recommend was still there along with her driver's licence, and some other things. But it did make me sad to think that someone could have been cold enough to take her camera and gift cards. The cash you would expect to be gone. I was so happy this morning to get an e-mail from her telling me that her camera had been returned! So really all that was lost was the cash and some gift cards. That made me smile. I am so grateful that the thief had a change of heart and decided to return the camera. I reckon this put a smile back on Lura's face as well!!!



4. We have had a really cold week here at Oak Cottage this past week, with some snow and lots and lots of frost. One of the things I love most about being out in the rural countryside like we are is the wide variety of bird life we get to feed and watch. The little robins always put a smile on my face. They are so tiny and cute. They can be quite aggressive with each other, to be sure, but they always give me such pleasure. Because it has been very cold this past week, and they have been needing the extra sustenance that we give them more than ever, they have gotten quite tame and have been coming closer and closer to us. In fact, most days they are sitting there just waiting for Todd to put out the food in the morning, quite often only inches away.



5. I know it has not been very nice to drive on the roads, and it's been bitterly cold, but I really have enjoyed this wintry weather this past week. I come from a country that's often fondly called and known as, "The Great White North." Snow and ice, they don't bother me in the least and I often miss them over here where the winter temperatures are, more often than not, a great deal milder than they are back where I come from!! This little taste of winter has really done my heart good. I looked out the upstairs window this morning, and I could see the moon, hanging clear and bright in the sky, and it was surrounded by a "moon dog" and I knew it was still very cold and that another heavy frost would be greeting us this morning. I know the colder temperatures spell disaster for lots of folks, but for me they are a welcome taste of a homeland that I sometimes miss very much.



6. Todd and I were sitting here watching some television the other night and I looked up at our picture of the Saviour on the wall and I smiled. I just love the Saviour. I said to Todd . . . "Can you imagine how you are going to feel when you walk back into the presence of the Saviour?" My heart swelled and tears immediately sprang to my eyes. Tears of joy, tears of comfort, tears of sorrow. What a mixture of feelings that moment will be for each of us. My love and gratitude for the Saviour and what He did for us sometimes completely overwhelms me with feelings I can't even begin to describe. To say the very least . . . it makes me smile.

I think I have my camera problems sorted. We just went and got a new camera. They had a really good Samsung, which is what I had before this Kodak one, on special, half price and so we used a bit of our Christmas bonus to get it. I have only really started to play with it but I am quite happy so far. Todd will continue to fool around with the old one (which isn't really old, we'd only had it a little over a month) and see if he can't get it sorted. It appears to work fine on our old computer.



We had a young couple from our church and their baby daughter over to lunch yesterday. They are thinking of moving to the same village as us and so we invited them over so that they could get a feel of the area and also because we wanted to get to know them a bit better. We had a delightful visit and Todd and I really enjoyed their company. It was really lovely to have a baby in the house. We lunched on my butter lemon chicken, Greek roasted potatoes, vegetables, salad and that lovely flat apple tart that got chosen in my Make Me Bake Challenge last week!! We all thank you so much, it was absolutely delicious!!




*Flat Apple and Vanilla Tart*
Serves 6

If you are looking for a quick dessert that is low on effort and yet big on taste, look no further! This tart couldn't be any easier, quicker or tastier!!

375g pack puff pastry, all butter
5 large eating apples
the juice of one lemon
the finely grated zest of one lemon
1 ounce chilled butter, cut into small bits
4 TBS sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 TBS of apricot conserve
creme fraiche to serve

Pre-heat the oven to 200*C/405*F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Roll the pastry out to a large rectangle, about 12 inches in length and 9 in width. Place it onto the prepared baking sheet. Knock up the edges a bit to stop the juices from over flowing.

Peel, core and thinly slice the apples. Toss them with the lemon juice and zest. Scatter them over the top of the pastry to within 3/4 of an inch of the edges. Mix the sugar with the vanilla and then sprinkle it evenly over the top. Dot with the chilled butter bits.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the pastry is crisp.

Remove from the oven.

Warm the conserve up in the microwave for 30 or 40 seconds. Brush the warmed conserve over top of the baked tart. Serve warm with some creme fraich, or vanilla ice cream if you prefer. Delicious!!

OOOPS!! I almost forgot something else that made me smile this week. Pop over HERE to find out what it was!

To do your best . . .

When I am dead if men can say,
He helped the world along the way,
If they can say, if they but can,
"He did his best, He played the man,
His way was straight, His soul was clean,
His life was not unkind or mean.
He always did his best and tried
To help men," - I'll be satisfied.
~author unknown

Did you know that the above verse was one of the late Johnny Cash's favourite inspirational verses? Mr Cash had copied it down in the 1940's and carried it around with him wherever he went. I know that he didn't always live that kind of life and that he had major struggles in his younger years with alcohol and drugs, and he was not the greatest father or husband in his younger years either, due to the alcohol and drugs. I do think he got it together in his later years though and that June Carter Cash was a stabilizing influence in his life as well as his faith in the Lord.

When you think about it though, these words probably weren't written for anyone that was a saint and perfect anyways. I expect they were written for plain ordinary folks just like us. People who may fail abysmally from time to time, but who still aspire to better things as time goes by and who hope to arrive home at the end with our heads held high, something like the great Mr Cash. Now . . . that's a wonderful thought, and something we can each one of us aspire to.



I am having major problems with my camera. We tried to take it back to the store yesterday but they seem to think there is nothing wrong with it and will not exchange. We have a call in to the technical people at Kodak now and are waiting to hear back from them. For every set of photos that I take for some reason only 2 or 3 may be uploaded from it, with me getting the message each time that "some pictures are already in your collection and were not transferred again." It's very frustrating because I know that they are not already in my collection and in fact are new pictures completely! In the shop they took 2 pictures and because they uploaded they said the camera was fine. Todd did a little experiment with it when he came home and had the same results that I always have. He took about 10 pics and ended up with two, plus the two that the shop took, which I had deleted and still showed up for some odd reason. Anyways, you will all have to bear with me til I get this sorted out and put up with crummy pictures in the meantime!! It is quite annoying to me as I am a bit of a perfectionist that way and I hate to show you anything less than my best!

I made the Potato Pancake Frittata from my cookbook challenge one night at the weekend and were were quite pleased with it. It had a lovely flavour and was very much like Potato Pancakes, except it was cooked in the tradition of a frittata instead of like pancakes. I have really enjoyed every recipe cooked from this book, "Seriously Simple Holidays" by Diane Rossen Worthington and I would highly recommend to anyone. And now for the recipe . . .



*Potato Pancake Frittata*
Serves 4

This had a wonderfully delicious flavour and was a lot easier and quicker to do than individual potato pancakes. We had it for supper with some bacon and scrambled egg, but it would make a lovely side dish for grilled meats. Amazingly it took only one potato! We had it with a bit of sour cream and some applesauce on the side.

1/2 medium onion, quartered
1 large egg
2 TBS fresh flat leaf parsley leaves
1 baking potato, peeled and cut into 2 inch chunks
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 TBS matzo meal or plain bread crumbs
1/4 tsp baking powder
peanut, canola or corn oil for cooking



Pre-heat the oven to 205*C/425*F.

Place the onion and egg in a food processor and blitz until smooth and fluffy. Add the parsley and potato and pulse until the mixture is finely chopped, and yet still has texture. You do not want it smooth. Pour into a bowl and then season to taste with salt and pepper and stir in the baking powder and bread crumbs.

Pour oil into a 9 inch nonstick skillet about 1/8 of an inch deep. This skillet should have an oven-proof handle. If it doesn't cover the handle with two layers of foil. Heat the skillet and oil over medium heat until the oil begins to shimmer. Pour the batter into the pan and level it out, smoothing off the top.

Cook, shaking the pan occasionally, to make sure the bottom isn't sticking. You may need to adjust the heat so that the bottom doesn't burn. Cook for at least five minutes until the bottom is nicely browned.

Once you have a nicely browned bottom transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly puffed and golden brown. Remove from the oven and carefully invert onto a 12 inch round platter. Cut into wedges and serve with some applesauce and sour cream on the side. Delicious!

For Unto Us a Gift Is Given . . .

God sent the little Christ Child
So men might understand
That a little child shall lead them
To that unknown Promised Land.
For God in His great wisdom
Knew that men would rise to power
And forget His holy precepts
In their great triumphal hour.
He knew that they would question
And doubt the Holy Birth
And turn their time and talents
To the pleasures of the earth.
But every new discovery
Is an open avenue
To more and greater mysteries,
And man's search is never through.
For man can never fathom
The mysteries of the Lord
Or understand His promise
Of a heavenly reward.
For no one but a little Child
With simple faith and love
Can lead man's straying footsteps
To higher realms above!

~Helen Steiner Rice

May you day today be blessed beyond measure and may you have the peace that comes from remembering and experiencing the true meaning of Christmas. Happy Christmas to you all.

We had the missionaries here at the cottage as dinner guests last night. They called in the afternoon and asked if it would be OK if they brought another person with them. I said absolutely! The more the merrier. I always cook enough for an army anyways! What a wonderful evening we had together. The missionaries always bring a special spirit with them and I cannot think of a more wonderful way to usher in Christmas than to have them in my home. Their surprise dinner guest was a delight as well. A wonderful man from Switzerland. We thoroughly enjoyed all their company, and Todd got to practice his German. We feasted on Roast Ham, and scalloped potatoes, with baked beans, green bean casserole, roasted sweet potatoes, salad, cheese scones and sticky topped gingerbread for dessert. Yummo!!! (I didn't get a good picture of the ham though, all I got was one of it before I sliced it up, and that one's not great!!)



*Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham*
Serves 12 to 16

I could exactly do this as the recipe calls for as we do not get spiral hams over here. We get gammon, which is completely raw and has to be cooked first. I put the gammon in a large pot and then poured in a bottle of ginger ale, and then topped that off with water so that the gammon was covered. I then added one small onion, peeled, a large cinnamon stick and a few cloves. I brought that to the boil, then reduced the heat to a simmer and covered it. I allowed it to simmer for about 2 hours before I removed it from the simmering water to a roasting pan and proceeded as follows. It was delicious!

Glaze:
one 8 ounce tin of crushed pineapple
1/2 cup set honey
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp ground cloves

Pre-heat the oven to 160*C/325*F. Place the ham flat side down in a shallow roasting pan.

Stir all the glaze ingredients together in a small bowl.

Spread half of the glaze over the ham. Bake for about 45 minutes, spooning the remaining glaze over top, every 15 minutes or so. After 45 minutes, increase the oven temperature to 205*C/425*F. Spoon the last bits of glaze over all and then bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the glaze is set and the internal temperature of the ham is 60*C/140*F. Place on a carving board or platter to serve.

Honesty is always the best policy . . .

"The whole world is a Christmas Tree,
And stars it's many candles be.
O, sing a carol joyfully,
The world's great feast in keeping;
For once on a December night,
An angel held a candle bright,
And led three wise men by it's light,
To where a child was sleeping."
~unknown

We had a lovely time at the staff Christmas party yesterday. A beautiful meal had been cooked to perfection and everyone was in a cheerful mood. Twas lovely to be able to sit down together as friends, break bread and share some Christmas cheer together. The staff where I work never used to do that before I started working there. That first year I suggested that we do it and we've done it ever since. It's become something that we all enjoy and look forward to each year.



I discovered yesterday that my friend Ally, from The Rabbit Hole had chosen me (amongst others) to hand over this very unsual award to. It's called the "Honest Scrap" and it's given to bloggers you feel are honest in their words and dealings with others. I take it as a huge compliment that Ally feels this way about me. I try hard to be as honest as I can with others, it's just something I do. Thanks so much Ally. This award comes with a meme. I have to tell you ten honest things about me. I'm not entirely sure I can come up with ten things about me that you don't already know, but I 'll give it a good attempt!

1. I used to be afraid of the dark up until I had children of my own. I am ashamed to say that I used to ask my mother, right up until I was quite old, to bring me drinks of water in the night. I am proud to say that my mother loved me enough to do it.

2. I'm a bit of a hypocondriac. That's why I can't watch television shows like ER or Casualty. They scare me to death practically and I sometimes find myself imagining symptoms of the patients on the shows. It is better for me to just not watch them at all, so I don't.

3. Even though they are thousands of miles away and living their own independant lives, I still worry about my children. I think about each of them a bazillion times during the day, and whenever their name crosses my mind, I say a little prayer for that one in particular. I keep them covered in prayer.

4. I am uber responsible and find myself apologizing at times for things that aren't even my fault or of my doing. I sometimes wish I could just say what the heck and let things slide . . . but being able to do that is just not in my chemical make up. I wonder if it is the curse of being the eldest child?

5. I love Christmas. It's my favourite holiday. I love the music, the sights, the sounds. I love to give presents to my loved ones and friends, but am often quite embarassed to get gifts back. I don't know why. I prefer to savour them in private but not in public. I do appreciate them, but they make me feel uncomfortable. I wish I understood why.

6. I love black folk art and black baby dolls. When I was a little girl I longed to have a black baby doll, except I called it a chocolate baby doll then. I would still love to have a black baby doll.

7. I have always wanted a doll's house. A proper, big, wooden doll's house that I can decorate from top to bottom in any way I want. Except that I am impatient and I would want it done right now.

8. Yes, I am impatient and it's something that I really have to work on. I want things done now and not tommorrow. Is that a woman thing? or is it just a me thing? When I ask someone to do something . . . I hate to have to ask them more than once. I would prefer they just say no, and then I can do it myself, rather than to have to ask them over and over again. It feels like I am nagging . . . ok, so I am nagging. Please don't make me nag. Either do it, or tell me you don't want to.

9. I have a fear of getting lost. It is that fear of getting lost that helps me to remember directions very well. I usually only have to go somewhere once, and I am able to tell you how to get back to that place another time. This fear of getting lost makes me a pain in the arse to go anywhere with that I don't know where I am going.

10. I'm fat because I eat too much, and don't get enough exercise. If I ever try to tell you anything different I am lying both to myself and to you.

So there you have it, ten somewhat quirky, soul searching honest things about me. Now comes the fun part where I get to tag and gift some of you. Awww . . . don't run away so fast!!

Seven bloggers I think are honest:

1. Nicole from Poppins
A gutsy young lady who's seemingly not afraid of anything, not even sky diving.

2. Lura of Grammy's News
This gal is a lovely lady who shares freely of her love and her heart and her feelings.

3. Chris of Ravings of a Misplaced Geordie
The title of her blog says it all. She's a great lady who's not afraid to say it like it is.

4. Traci of Life of a Transplanted Yankee
I just love Traci and her girls. She always tells it like it is, the good and the bad. She's not afraid to be real.

5. Angie of Can You All Hear Me At The Back
Go visit her blog and you will see what I mean. She faces life head on and with a sense of humour.

6. Miranda of A Duck In Her Pond
I fell in love with Duckie's prose the first time I visited her page. Why this girl hasn't been picked up by a great publisher remains a mystery to me. I think she's so talented.

7. Jan of What Do I Want To Cook Today
Jan tells it all. Her successes, her failures and she shows them to us as well, and it's all about cooking.

The Rules:
♥ list 10 honest things about yourself
♥ pass the award onto 7 blogs that you find brilliant in their content or design
♥ link to the blogger who gave you this prize
♥ link to the blogs receiving the prize
♥ notify the recipients



Now if you've been brave enough to plough your way through all the crud I've thrown your way this morning you will now get your just reward! Here's the delicious coffee cake you all chose for me to bake in my Cookbook Challenge last week. (Yes, today I will be putting up another poll!)



*Chocolate Chip Pecan Crumb Cake*
Makes one 9 by 13 inch cake, or two smaller ones

Mmm . . . this cake embodies everything I love about coffee cakes . . . a delicious rich batter topped with a wonderfully spicy streusel filled with lovely chocolate chips and crunchy nuts. I have played with it a bit so will add my changes in brackets.

Streusel:
1 cup butter, cut into pieces
1 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
1 TBS pumpkin pie spice (I used 1/2 TBS of cinnamon, 1/2 tsp of ginger, 1/2 tsp freshly
grated nutmeg and 1/4 tsp mace)
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup chopped pecans (I used 1/2 cup chopped pecans, and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts)
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips (I used a mixture of semi sweet and milk chocolate chips)

Cake:
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (I used 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp ground mace and 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg)
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar ( I used a mixture of dark and light)
1/2 cup white sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla




Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Butter and flour one 9 X 13 inch baking pan. (Or two 8 inch square ones) Set aside.

Make the streusel by combining the flour, spices, butter and sugar. Rub them together to make large crumb like pieces. Stir in the nuts and chocolate chips. Set aside.

Cream together the butter and the sugars for the cake until very light and fluffy. Sift together the dry ingredients. Beat the eggs into the creamed ingredients along with the vanilla. Add the dry ingredients to the batter, alternating with the buttermilk, mixing only until the batter is just mixed together, without over mixing.

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan (s). Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over top. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top of the cake feels firm and the streusel is crisp and bubbling. Let cool slightly in the pan on a wire rack. Serve warm, cut into squares.

Variation: You can omit the chocolate chips in the topping if you desire and add instead one peeled, cored and chopped apple or pear to the batter. Substitute almonds or walnuts for the pecans.

Every Time a Bell Rings . . .

By now you will all have noticed my surprise! Yes, I had the look of my blog re-done. I wanted something fresh and new and I am ever so pleased with the results! It looks a lot less cluttered and I'm very happy with it. Thanks so much Hannah!

Okay, you're really in for it this morning!!! Grab your popcorn and pull up a chair. You are now going to get the list of my all time favourite Christmas Movies! Movies that I just can't get through the holidays without seeing, and movies I highly recommend. It doesn't matter how many times I've seen these films, I love to watch them over and over again, and it just wouldn't be Christmas without seeing them at least once during the holidays. I'm afraid Todd is tortured with seeing these films year after year . . . but he doesn't really mind . . . a lot of them are his favourites too!!!



1. It's a Wonderful Life ~ George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all - and it's Christmas ! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence. Clarence then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn't been for all his good deeds over the years. Will Clarence be able to convince George to return to his family and forget about suicide ? It just wouldn't be Christmas without watching this film at least once. I love it from beginning to end and it doesn't matter how many times I have seen it, I never tire of it.



2. A Christmas Story ~ This movie remains so fresh with each viewing, it is easy to forget that it was 25 years old this year. Told from Ralphie's viewpoint, these are the Christmas reminiscences of an adult whose pre-teen Christmas wish is a BB-gun that adults discouraged with the phrase "You'll shoot your eye out." In his quest to convince his parents that he is old enough to have a BB-gun, young Ralphie hatches several plots, including writing the best "What I Want for Christmas" essay in his class, also leaving BB-gun ads in conspicuous places, and, as a last resort, asking Santa Claus. (Parents with young sons, beware: you may want to delay purchasing this film until you are ready to deal with a similar request.) I absolutely love this film. Todd had never seen it until I introduced him to it and now it is a firm favourite with him as well. I highly recommend this film. Watch it and you'll be hooked! I double dog dare ya!




3. Miracle on 34th Street ~ The original one with Maureen O'Hara and Natalie Wood. I absolutely love this film. (I know, I know, I say it about them all! But it's true!) Christmas is not Christmas to me without this film. Edmund Gwenn must come close to every body's ideal of Santa Claus/Father Christmas, the kindly, good humored grandfather. The warmth of the story is the restoration of belief in all things Christmas came to represent,and we soon see that in the presence of Kris Kringle even the most cynical opportunism and expediency is doomed. If you've never seen it, you've never had Christmas at your house!



4. A Christmas Carol ~ the original version with Alistair Sim. This is the "desert-island" choice of the many versions of "A Christmas Carol", with a magnificent, full-bodied portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge by Alastair Sim that leaves everyone else in the dust. NO other version seems to quite cut it with me. It HAS to be this original one, in all it's crackly, grainy, black and white goodness . . .



5. The Homecoming ~ This was the movie that predicated the popular television series "The Waltons". A homespun tale, the movie focuses on rural life during the Great Depression and the anxiety a family feels one Christmas when their beloved Father is overdue after being forced to travel to the city to find work and earn money for his family's survival. Each of the characters reacts to his departure in different ways. Ultimately, the oldest son, John-Boy, portrayed by Richard Thomas, takes important steps to manhood and toward his ultimate career as a writer. If you've never seen this movie, you owe it to yourself to view a more unvarnished, less "suburban" rendition of life in this beloved family. A scene in which little Elizabeth, who desperately wants a doll for Christmas, receives one . . . with a cracked and broken face . . . from a "charity" Missionary, only after having to "perform" scriptures, is so raw that it hurts. "It's dead," the little girl sobs into her brother's comforting arms. This film is anything but dead. There is real life in every panel that reaffirms true family relationships and the Christmas spirit without being heavy-handed.



6. Home Alone ~ This is a classic Christmas movie. The plot, cast, and the acting are all top notch. The story is about young boy named Kevin who gets left behind when his family leaves for Paris. While alone, he must fend off two bumbling burglars while at the same time, his family is on a desperate race against time to return home. I fell in love with this film the first time I saw it and I have many happy memories of watching it with my kids. It just wouldn't feel like Christmas for me without watching it at least once during the holidays. It doesn't matter how many times I see those robbers get hit in the face with paint tins, or walking on broken ornaments in their bare feet, I laugh my head off every time!



7. Meet Me In St Louis ~ One of the finest American musicals, this 1944 film by Vincente Minnelli is an intentionally self-contained story set in 1903, in which a happy St. Louis family is shaken to their roots by the prospect of moving to New York, where the father has a better job pending. Judy Garland heads the cast in what amounts to a splendid, end-of-an-era story that nicely rhymes with the onset of the 20th century. The film is extraordinarily alive, the characters strong, and the musical numbers are a splendid part of the storytelling. I love Margaret O'Brien in this, but then I love her in all her films, and the singing of Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Judy Garland is a classic, not to be missed, moment.



8. The Family Man ~ In the tradition of the best films that Hollywood ever had to offer comes this refreshingly honest movie that isn't afraid to say that you don't have to be rich, hip and cynical to be successful and happy with your life. "The Family Man," stars Nicolas Cage as Jack Campbell, a man who took the "road less traveled," and turned his back on love for a career on Wall Street, and thirteen years later still doesn't realize how empty and shallow his life has become. Then something happens; on Christmas Eve, Jack does a good turn to the right person at the right time. His name is Cash , and he just happens to be a guy with . . . well . . . connections. The next thing Jack knows, he's getting a "glimpse" of what his life would have been had he made a different choice all those many years ago. When he wakes up on Christmas morning, he's not in his bed in his penthouse apartment, but in a house in the suburbs, sleeping next to Kate Reynolds, the woman he once loved, but abandoned. Wall Street is history; he's now a crackerjack tire salesman at "Big Ed's," and he and Kate have two kids, Annie and Josh. I won't tell you how it turns out as I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Let's just say this is a fabulous feel good movie, an honest, heart-felt film with an important message about life in today's world.



9. The Dollmaker ~ This was a made for TV movie that was produced in 1984. Starring Jane Fonda, it is the story of an Appalachian woman and her family that are forced to move from the comfort of their hills to the big city of Detroit during the big depression of the 1930's. In the movie we see the love and the struggles of an Appalachian Kentucky family. The Nevel family may lack in money and materialistic "things" but the family is rich with tradition, family, love and faith in God. From the outside they had little but really they had it all. It is a bittersweet struggle of survival for one woman, to beat all the odds stacked against her and her family and to follow that dream in life . . . "HOME". It proves one CAN go home again if they only have the dream and desire. It might not be a "Christmas" movie in the strictest sense of the word, but I love the way it makes me feel.



10. Holiday Affair ~ I love this Christmas gem from 1949. It has all the ingredients necessary to earn a place in my Christmas movies Hall of Fame . . . an adorable little boy who wants a train set his widowed mom can't afford. Janet Leigh plays a WWII widow struggling to provide for her son. Wendell Corey is the kind and decent man who wants to marry her. Robert Mitchum, (hubba hubba) is the drifter on his way to California who changes everything. It has charm without being schmaltzy, humor without being too cutsie, and an ending that has you standing up to cheer. Start stringing the popcorn and plan to watch this every Christmas season.


So there you have it . . . my top ten Christmas movies to watch! Oh, I know there are a lot more than these ten films that I just HAVE to watch every Christmas, but this is a good starting point. Tell me what is your MUST WATCH Christmas film? I'd love to hear all about it!



Oh, I was so thrilled to see that in my cookbook challenge this week, you all picked the Mushroom Bisque! This soup was delicious and quite easy to make. It would make a perfect first course for your Christmas Dinner actually and I can see myself making this again for Christmas day! You can actually make this a couple days ahead and re-heat, adding the cream and the sherry just before you are ready to serve. Yummo!! Thanks so much for picking this!



*Mushroom and Potato Bisque with Pancetta Croutons*
Serves 6 to 8

This makes a lot but I was able to cut the recipe in half quite successfully. Made with a combination of dried and fresh mushrooms, it had a lovely rich flavour. Deliciously creamy with a wonderful topping of crisp pancetta bits, this was a real winner. I added an additional garnish of some extra fried mushrooms and it went down a real treat!

2 ounces dried wild mushrooms, shitake or porcini
6 cups of either chicken or vegetable broth
3 TBS butter
1/4 pound of thick cut pancetta or bacon, cut into 1/2 inch dice
1 leek, white and light green parts only, cleaned and finely chopped
1 pound of fresh cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
one 8 ounce baking potato, peeled and cut into 2 inch dice
1 fat garlic clove, peeled and minced
salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
1 TBS plus 1 tsp soy sauce
1/2 cup single cream (or half and half)
1/3 cup dry sherry, or to taste
chopped fresh flat leaf parsley to garnish (I forgot all about this!)




Bring the chicken or vegetable stock to a boil. Add the dried mushrooms and then set aside for 5 minutes to infuse.

Melt 1 TBS of the butter in a large soup pot. Add the pancetta and fry, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned on all sides. Remove with a slotted spoon to drain on some paper kitchen towelling. Discard any fat left in the pot and wipe clean.

Melt the remaining 2 TBS of butter over medium high heat and add the chopped leek. Cook and stir for several minutes, until softened. Add the fresh mushrooms (if you are doing my optional mushroom garnish, save a small handful out), potato and garlic. Cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes, or until the potato begins to soften.

Scoop the dried mushrooms out of the broth and add them to the pot. Strain the broth into the pot through a finely meshed strainer. Season to taste with some salt and pepper and add the soy sauce. Top with a lid, leaving it slightly ajar and simmer the soup for about 15 minutes.

Using a hand blender or a stand blender (with caution) blend the soup until it is roughly pureed with a bit of texture remaining. Stir in the cream and the sherry, if using. Simmer for another two minutes to heat through. Taste and adjust seasoning as required.

Ladle into hot soup bowls and garnish each with some of the pancetta, the parsley and some of the extra fried mushrooms, if desired. Serve right away to your lucky family and guests!

*Note - This does not freeze well because of the cream. You could make it ahead up to the point where you have to add the cream and sherry, and then freeze, adding them once you have reheated it.

If you choose to use vegetable broth this becomes vegetarian.

When the Frost Gilds the Pumpkin . . .

"A tingling, misty marvel
Blew hither in the night,
And now the little peach-trees
Are clasped in frozen light.
Upon the apple-branches
An icy film is caught,
With trailing threads of gossamer
In pearly patterns wrought.
The autumn sun, in wonder,
Is gayly peering through
This silver-tissued network
Across the frosty blue.
The weather-vane is fire-tipped,
The honeysuckle shows
A dazzling icy splendor,
And crystal is the rose."
- Evaleen Stein, November Morning

As I walked home from work, quite early in the wee hours of this morning, I could see it all around me . . . the magic of Jack Frost's brush had painted everything high and low, under a crystal clear night sky full of the magic of starlight, icy crystals twinkling and adoring all the hedgerows and grasses . . . the first heavy frost of the year.

The air almost tinkled and rang with the magic of it all and I tarried down the lane, breathing it in and basking in the wonder of it all, and thought about what a gift it was. Most nights I would miss this, laying upstairs in my warm bed in the cottage, sleeping . . . totally unaware of the wonder weaving it's way through branch and on leaf. I breathed in the air and felt it's cold sting in my my nose and down in my lungs . . .



I am so thankful for a heart that has passion enough and the will to take the time to soak it all in, the wonder of life and the joy that it brings, blessings both great and small . . . sometimes I think that the smallest joys are the greatest blessings of all . . .



I had a quiet afternoon yesterday before I left for work. I was able to do a new painting. Todd says she is his favourite one thus far . . . but then again we both say that every time. I just love the magic that springs from the end of my paint brush, not quite as beautiful as the magic from Jack Frost's brush, but I hope that what comes out weaves a spell over the viewer just the same . . .

I cooked us the Irish Stew from my Cookbook challenge of last week for our tea. It was lovely, comfort food, stick to the innards food . . . just what the body is wanting on a cold autumnal day. We sat at the table, enjoying our meal together as we looked out at the darkening sky . . . the blanket of night fell down upon us, the firelight from the flames in our fire flickered against the walls as Jess lay hopeful upon the mat in front of it. This is what life is all about, what more could a body want or possibly need . . .



*Irish Stew*
serves 4 to 6
(I cut the recipe in half quite successfully)

Apparently there is no definitive recipe for Irish Stew, each family placing layers of their chosen vegetables and lamb in a pot, seasoned with salt and pepper, covered with water or stock and stewed gently for several hours. Searing the meat and vegetables first adds a lovely depth of flavour to the stew.

3 pound 5 oz of mutton chops from the neck or shoulder,
still on the bone, cut about 3/4 inch thick
(I used lamb chops cut from the loin)
3 TBS olive oil
3 carrots, peeled and cut into
thick slices at an angle,
(or 12 small baby carrots, scrubbed and left whole)
12 baby onions, peeled, or 3 - 4 medium onions,
peeled and cut into quarters through the root, which
should keep the wedges intact
2 large parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks (my addition)
1/2 of a small swede, peeled and cut into chunks (my addition)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
14 fluid ounces of lamb or chicken stock, or water
a large sprig of thyme
8 to 12 potatoes, peeled and cut in half if very large
to finish:
1 TBS chopped fresh parsley
1 TBS snipped fresh chives

Pre-heat the oven to 160*C/325*F.

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and then add the chops, cooking for a minute or so on either side until nicely browned. Remove and set aside. Add the carrots, swede, parsnips and onions and cook for several minutes, allowing them to brown in places. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.

Place all the vegetables into a deep casserole dish with a lid. Lay the chops on top of them, seasoning them with some salt and pepper as well. Scrap the leaves from the spring of thyme and sprinkle it over top. Place your peeled potatoes on top and then pour the stock over all.

Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until the meat is very tender and the vegetables are nicely cooked, and potatoes just beginning to brown. Pour off the cooking liquid and allow it to sit for a minute and then skim off any fat. Pour the juices back over the stew and serve hot, sprinkled with the parsley and chives.

A nice crusty roll to mop up the juices is nice along side.