Snippets ... December, 2009

Just for fun ...Click HERE to see an hour of winter and Christmas on Rue Petit Champlain (Québec-city)

Our Christmas tree (above) and back deck (below) ... 2 days before Christmas!

Keeping a clear path to our house (above) ... and back garden (below)

Our garden and deck early December!

Off for a morning sled ride ... 

(the day after our first winter storm, early December)

......................................

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All!

Joey turns ONE! (Nov09)

Life is so much fun … it is all about observing and discovering for myself how things work; crawling as fast as I can into the kitchen to inspect what is going on every time I hear the dishwasher or refrigerator door opening, picking leaves off my favourite indoor plants, opening the kitchen drawers and cupboards (Mum has assigned me my own kitchen drawer now), pulling myself up to put my hands in the toilet, closing the bathroom door at bath-time, and being ever so quiet so Mummy has to come looking for me.  Here I am on my first birthday when I got to eat cake!

Matt publishes book in French (Sep09)

Having returned a week early from Denmark, Matt had the huge task of doing the final edit on his book to meet the publication deadline.  Several weeks later, with the book in print, he gave a talk to the Mayor and Historical Society of La Pocatiere who celebrated 150 years of their Agricultural College (La Pocatiere is about a 2 hour drive from Quebec city).  Jozef and Sheryl joined Matt to commemorate the occasion, along with several very good friends from Quebec city.

Family trip to Charlevoix (Jul09)

This was our time to take a break, and although it rained most of July we were able to get away as a family for 5 days to relax in a Swiss style chalet near a man made lake.  Jozef had his first taste of sand and icy cold mountain water which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Matt’s promotion to fully fledged, fully tenured Full Professor (Jun09)

After 12 years of hard work, and a mountain of paperwork to apply for a promotion, Matt was rewarded for his diligence and hard work with tenure-ship as a Full Professor (complete with an inflation adjusted salary!).

Trip to Parliament at tulip time (May09)

Matt’s work periodically takes him to Ottawa to chair a meeting or two, and this time we all went as a family.  After a 6 hour drive (with 2 stops along the way to feed a hungry 6 month old, we also had the opportunity to enjoy a meal with Dr Stephen & Moira Hayes (who recently retired from ministering and caring for the folks at St Andrew’s here in Old Quebec city).

St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Old Quebec city (Mar09)

Jozef was baptised at St Andrew’s in March and received a very warm welcome into the church.  In November of this year he also started going to a small Sunday School group where he gets to stand at the craft table and babbles away to the girls (mostly) aged 2 and 5 years.

Joey starts Baby Chat (Jan09)

Joey enjoyed nine months at Baby Chat (a group for Mums and under 1 year olds).  We’ve just graduated to the Take-a-Break group (where technically Mum gets a coffee break while Joey plays with Volunteers).  We enjoyed our first visit on December 4 where Jozef laughed at the puppets and had a great time playing a xylophone and piano.  He let Mum take his hand and he guided her around the room, heading straight for the door after stopping by the playmat, and puppet box.

  

Sheryl adjusts to her new role as a SAHM (Dec 08)

I couldn’t have wished for a happier, more content and easy to care for baby who sleeps anywhere from 11 to 13 hours at night and eats everything I prepare for him!  The transition to motherhood has been a big one (coming later in life), yet has introduced me to many young families.  Several of the Mothers I have met in the last year are now expecting their second or third child.  Quebec is a great province to bring up children and families are well supported by local community activities.

  

an afternoon trip to the Acquarium with Jozef (in spring time)

another trip to the Acquarium (in autumn) - my Mum bought a yearly pass, so we can go whenever we choose, to see the polar bears, walrus and seals

Children's Birthday Party ... how to keep it stress free!

Here are several of my handy hints to help keep your child’s birthday party stress free:

•  Invite your guests at least two weeks ahead of time (one week at the very latest – with a phone call, followed by an email).
•  Buy your child’s gift at least one month ahead of time (it is very stressful to be rushing around shops at the last minute).  NB: Don’t forget to buy or make a card too!
• Wrap your child’s gift at least 2 days before the event.  Younger children love tearing the paper off a big boxed gift (don’t fuss too much – just wrap some nice paper around the middle of a huge box, stick a big bow on the top and they will be delighted … my one year old son was happily helped into the box to play with his friend.
• Keep the food simple … birthday cake, fresh fruit, light snacks - something sweet, something savoury, plus a nice big plate of homemade egg sandwiches.  Cheese-on-wholewheat toast and home made cereal cookies (for enfants and toddlers) keeps them happy.
• Make the cake one week ahead of time and freeze (Pound Cake is great!).
• Sandwiches can be made right after dinner the night before the event, and kept in the refrigerator overnight – ensure you lay a damp paper towel on top of the sandwiches and cover completely with cling wrap to keep them airtight (Tip: boil the eggs while making dinner and let them cool).
• Hang the balloons and decorations the night before, when the house is quiet and everyone is asleep.
• 3.00pm is a great start time for an afternoon tea party (ensure your little one has an early afternoon nap around 12.30pm).
• 2 hours is sufficient time for a party (guests and children will be winding down around 5.00pm).
• Be prepared that your guests will arrive up to 30 minutes late!
• Cook the hot food ahead of time (pastries, savouries no more than half an hour before the party start time and keep them warm in a warmer drawer).  If you cook them when guests arrive it can be a big distraction, as you will find yourself running in and out of the kitchen.
• Be relaxed – have hubby or a friend handy with the camera (as you will be tied up making hot drinks, comforting your little one or helping them play with their friends, all while playing hostess to everyone).
• Remember to take a photo of your beloved with your child! (Don’t leave them holding the camera all night, and be disappointed there is no photograph of them!)
• On his 1^st Birthday my son gobbled down one piece of birthday cake, one cereal cookie, one piece of cheese on toast and one Cadbury Chocolate Finger plus a bottle of milk before happily going to bed by 5.30pm!

Enjoy!

Christmas Shortbread (for the bake sale season)

Christmas Shortbread

Shortbread was originally made with melted butter, giving it that shortness in texture.

Ingredients

250g butter (1 cup)

2 cups flour (high grade)

1 cup cornflour

1 cup icing sugar

   

Melt butter in a saucepan large enough to mix all ingredients.

Remove from heat.

(Add one or two drops of vanilla essence if desired).

Sift flour and cornflour and icing sugar into saucepan.

Mix well with a wooden spoon.

Knead dough for 1 minute or until well combined.

Roll or knead out to 1.5cm thickness.  Shape as wished.

Place on baking tray (lined with baking paper).

Prick with fork.

Bake at 150^oC for 20 minutes (or until lightly golden)

Makes: 24

A Quick Take from home ...

-1-

Last week Joey began crawling forward and he took a few steps behind his smiley faced push-along walker (all in the same week).

-2-
Let toddlers learn to walk barefoot ... it makes a huge difference as they learn to grip their toes to the floor to gain their balance (without the restriction of shoes and socks).

-3-
The Spirit of Christmas - begin by talking with your family now about the true meaning of giving.  Let them each choose to give to or do something special for just one family member each.

-4-

Choose carefully what or who you will be committed to, rather than being burdened by overcommitment.  Learn to say No.

-5-

When the sun shines ... go outside (especially in the North, where the winters are harsh!)

-6-
Give five hugs a day!

-7-

Celebrate the gift of life - this Saturday Joey turns ONE!

Pumpkin Soup

Autumn is the time for beginning to prepare hearty comfort food to keep warm and satisfied during cooler days.

Pumpkin Soup

1kg pumpkin (butternut or squash)
1 large onion
1 tablespoon of olive oil
2 cloves of garlic (chopped finely)
3-4 cups of homemade chicken stock (low sodium), or alternatively use 2 teaspoons of powdered chicken stock and 1 teaspoon of green herb stock granules (if available) mixed with 3-4 cups of water
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
A dash of curry powder

Cut pumpkin into evenly shaped pieces.  Drizzle with olive oil and roast in the oven at 375 C until tender.  Do not overcook.  Cool a little, then remove the skin from the pumpkin.  Saute the onion (in a medium sized soup pot) until translucent and add the garlic and roasted pumpkin.  Cover the pumpkin/onion mixture completely with the chicken stock.  Simmer gently for 20 minutes. When cool blend with a hand held stick-blender.  To serve: Reheat gently and add 1/4 cup of cream before serving.

Note: When sauteing the onion add 3 or 4 rashes of finely chopped bacon (without too much fat or rind) to give the soup added flavour.

Host a Light Party ... an alternative to Halloween

Today many parents are looking for a positive alternative to Halloween.  It is often not safe going out on the streets after dusk where children can encounter some scary costumes, sinister looking house decorations and silly pranksters spoiling the fun.

It is the one time of year that goes against what we teach our children about good behaviour and staying safe.  We have them knocking on the doors of complete strangers (even with parents standing in the background), accepting truck loads of candies (many of unknown origin) and witnessing the poor behaviour of some teens and adults running wild.

Why not consider an alternative and host a Night of Light Party at your home, local church, school hall or public venue.

• Encourage children to come as their favourite real life hero (nothing sinister or evil looking - keep it positive)
• Give prizes for the best dressed
• Have plenty of games
• Maybe some singing or dancing
• Healthy snack food and drinks
• Allow them to take home a treat bag from the 'Light Box' at the end of the night

Theme Ideas

• Dress up as a famous real life hero (astronaut, nurse, discoverer, scientist, preacher, president, king, queen, actor, actress, singer etc)
• Dress up as a famous sportsperson and do sporting events
• Carnival Theme (with bouncy castle, lots of balls, a slide etc)
• Concert (with items from the children)
• Creative Dress Parade
• Games Night
• Music and Dance party competition

Entertainment Ideas

• Bouncy castle
• Face painting, dress up (have some fun costumes available for children who are without)
• Animal balloons and clowning
• Storytelling/Drama (contact your local theatrical group)
• Puppets
• Mainly Music session (email me for the details)
• Mime or circus artists (interacting with the children throughout the event)

Let this be an alternative Halloween to remember!

Louise Cake recipe

Here's an easy "kiwi" favourite; a thin layer of shortcake topped with your favourite berry jam and coconut meringue:

Louise Cake (slice)
125 g butter
1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs (separate yolks from whites)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups flour
1/2 cup raspberry jam (or any other berry)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup coconut

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180 C.
2. Cream the butter and first measure of sugar (1/3 cup) together.
3. Separate the eggs and add only the yolks to your creamed butter mixture. Save the whites for the meringue.
4. Sift together the flour and baking powder, add to butter mixture and mix well.  Press into a sponge roll pan (I use a non stick glass oblong pyrex baking dish).  Put your dish into the refrigerator for 10 minutes (this helps to set the mixture a little before the next step).  Spread the uncooked base with your favourite berry jam.
5. Beat the egg whites until stiff, add sugar and salt and continue beating until it goes glossy.  Fold in the coconut. Spread gently on top of the jam/cake base.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until the meringue topping is golden.  
7. Wait until the slice is quite cool before cutting into squares.

Enjoy!