In my case, its more, Like Oma Used To Make. If I can tell you a story about a courageous yet somewhat timid woman...it would have to be my Grandma. Coming from Germany to Canada being young as well as having a two young children herself, not speaking a speck of English and dropped into a society all by herself. She managed to survive, learn English and raise her family to what we are today. If all her blood and sweat and most defiantly tears never happened, I would not be here today.
I have been very fortunate to grow up with my Grandma, not too many people get to know their elders in a way I did. From a very young age I have always spent lots of quality time and lots of snuggles with her. I loved going to her house, with the smells of cooking and lots of love. I feel very close with her and I feel a little bit of her old fashioned ways have really stuck with me. I have always loved having people over to entertain and filling their tummy's with good things. Which has led me to this interesting part in my life. I have always wanted to do canning like my Grandma. From pickles to jam, beets to peaches...she did it all. I admired her for working hard over the stove on a hot day...just to make homemade goods for her family. We would literally fight who got the last jar of chili sauce or dill pickles. Cabbage rolls...damn that was another good one. She would make hundreds of these rolls and freeze them, only to be yanked up with visits from her own children and then the grandchildren. Every chance I get I try to make whatever she made. The tastes of my childhood I cannot let slip under the carpet. She has since stopped making her jarred goodies, hence my turn to grab the bull by the horn and do it myself.
This year I have tried to make jam...successful and gave myself 2nd degree burns in the process. Last night I tried my Grandmas pickled beets...again successful, no burns this time. This weekend my mom and I are trying the dill pickles. The girls and I went to the market yesterday and bought bushels of cucumbers and they are sitting in the cold basement ready to be transformed. Reese always asks when we go to the grocery store, "Mom! Mom! can you get some pickles pleeeease?". She is a feen for the green monsters. I always tell her that we are going to make them ourselves...and now we will. I have also gone as far as learning from other families. Last year I learned how to make tomato sauce right from the perfect source. My Italian family! They opened their arms and took me under their wings. Teaching me every step of the way their very own traditions. I also did my sausage with them, cutting up a whole pig and tasting homemade prosciutto. I love the fact that each family has their own traditions and it really is all about family. Everyone pitches in and has a great time in the process. I hope to make more delicious tomato sauce with them again this year.
I had also started a small vegetable garden in pots this year to see if I had a green thumb before I upgraded to a large scale garden. Each day I show Reese the new tomatoes or green peppers growing and I see her appreciation for it seeing food grow. All those times my grandma would sit with me and show me the secrets to her spaghetti sauce or other dishes I would sit intently and listen. Now I see Reese doing the same thing. I want her to grow up and realise she can do anything she wants, whatever her heart tells her. I think about my Grandma when I have finished up some canning and think how I can make her proud and I think I do. I think the thought of someone carrying on her tradition really makes her happy. I also like that I am able to share this with my own daughters...I really wanted daughters. (After TONS of brothers you really don't want to go down that road again)
Thank you Grandma for sharing your love for food to me and the rest of your family. It has truly made me who I am and I am grateful for being able to have had you teach me everything I know. I promise to carry on this tradition and always always think of you in the process.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Summer Sensations
Last week I saw a commercial on t.v. for the new promo at Swiss Chalet. Summer Sensations! Wow...chicken and fries annnnd ice cream! Chocolate sundaes are my favorite dessert...especially when they are topped with whipped cream and a cherry! So I decided that I would round up the family and we would have a nice dinner out.
Now we don't dine out with the kids that often. I mean we eat out....but its either me and Dave or we just get take out. Marli is young so she doesn't do well in restaurants yet, so we rather just eat it at home. But tonight we decided to dine in since you can only get the ice cream when you do so. This was my first mistake.
Let me break it down for you....
We walk in and its quite busy...no wait time, but the dining room is booming. Now I used to be a server, so when I walk into situations like this I have an open mind as well as trying to figure out how I would be if I was working this shift. I tell ya I would have rocked that dining room, but let's move on. The hostess seats us and doesn't bring any cutlery to our table as well does not give Reese something to colour on. Dah well. We don't open our menus as we already know what we are going to order so we wait for the server. She doesn't come for like 15 minutes..literally. By this time Marli is all fired up. Se has this talking thing right now where she screams and grunts at you when she is trying to get your attention. Shit..she is 15 months...this is what she does. I did bring some snacks and juice for her to try and keep her busy. I notice the server jetting around her section and I say to Dave, "Our server is in the WEEEDS!!". Again..I used to be a server and I know far to well when someone is in the weeds. Think about it...someone jetting around in a lost like pattern...sweat on her face and eyes bulging so far out of her head that you think she was lost in the dark. That is the WEEDS. I start analyzing the situation and wonder where the F is her manager and why are they not helping her. After sometime we finally get our order in and wait for our food. The time is slowly passing by and its getting harder to keep the scream box quiet. Here is where it gets interesting...
I notice an old man, about 70 I would say get up and walk our way to go to the bathroom. As he passes our table Marli decides to let our another scream. Now let me say...its not like screaming crying or screaming at the top of her lungs. Its more of a yalp?? Anywho..
Old Stupid Man: "Shut UP!" - and then keeps walking towards the bathroom.
(Marli...confused look on her face as to who the F is this person and why are they all up in my shit!)
Dave AKA The Hulk AKA Uncle Roid AKA The dude about to beat up someones grandpa: "Did he just tell her to shut up????!!!!!!"
Me (scared and noticing all the other tables around us starting to looks at us) "ummm I think he did"
*this is a special note to people that don't know the other side of Dave. Yes he is a kind man, sweet and polite...but there is a switch on the back of Dave's neck...we like to call this switch the DO NOT FUCK WITH MY FAMILY switch*
Me: "Now Dave..settle down...don't get riled up. He's an old man doesn't even know what he is saying" as I am literally restraining him.
The Green Man: "I don't give a shit how old he is...I am going to kick his ASS!"
Pause.
Pause.
Then Dave flings my hand off his arm and stomps towards the bathroom. HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT!!! I am about to get arrested and head home in a cop car and they will take away my children. I wait trying to be patiently as I have watching eyes wondering what is transpiring. Then I see Dave return to the table with his switch now turned off.
Me: "What did you do?" cuz I don't see the old man anywhere!
Dave: "He was standing at the urinal and I walked up behind him and asked him if he brought a walker in with him. He said no, and then I said that he better SHUT HIS MOUTH NEXT TIME OR YOU WILL BE LEAVING IN ONE! Then I said that just because he is old doesn't mean he has to be rude"
Me:"Alrighty then"
The old man came out of the washroom and walked past our table to his and never said a peep. I mean I get he was rude and he should have never said that to Marli. She is a baby and we are in Swiss Chalet for peets sake. I don't think she was ruining your expensive dinner. But men and their testosterone just take it over the top. We had to run this by some of our friends and every guy said the same thing. "I would have kicked is ass!"
After all that we finally got our dinner...shoveled it down our throats and went home...an hour and a half later!! WTF Swiss Chalet is suppose to be like an in and out thing...
I guess I will be sticking to our take out and enjoying our meals and screams in the comfort of our own home...
Now we don't dine out with the kids that often. I mean we eat out....but its either me and Dave or we just get take out. Marli is young so she doesn't do well in restaurants yet, so we rather just eat it at home. But tonight we decided to dine in since you can only get the ice cream when you do so. This was my first mistake.
Let me break it down for you....
We walk in and its quite busy...no wait time, but the dining room is booming. Now I used to be a server, so when I walk into situations like this I have an open mind as well as trying to figure out how I would be if I was working this shift. I tell ya I would have rocked that dining room, but let's move on. The hostess seats us and doesn't bring any cutlery to our table as well does not give Reese something to colour on. Dah well. We don't open our menus as we already know what we are going to order so we wait for the server. She doesn't come for like 15 minutes..literally. By this time Marli is all fired up. Se has this talking thing right now where she screams and grunts at you when she is trying to get your attention. Shit..she is 15 months...this is what she does. I did bring some snacks and juice for her to try and keep her busy. I notice the server jetting around her section and I say to Dave, "Our server is in the WEEEDS!!". Again..I used to be a server and I know far to well when someone is in the weeds. Think about it...someone jetting around in a lost like pattern...sweat on her face and eyes bulging so far out of her head that you think she was lost in the dark. That is the WEEDS. I start analyzing the situation and wonder where the F is her manager and why are they not helping her. After sometime we finally get our order in and wait for our food. The time is slowly passing by and its getting harder to keep the scream box quiet. Here is where it gets interesting...
I notice an old man, about 70 I would say get up and walk our way to go to the bathroom. As he passes our table Marli decides to let our another scream. Now let me say...its not like screaming crying or screaming at the top of her lungs. Its more of a yalp?? Anywho..
Old Stupid Man: "Shut UP!" - and then keeps walking towards the bathroom.
(Marli...confused look on her face as to who the F is this person and why are they all up in my shit!)
Dave AKA The Hulk AKA Uncle Roid AKA The dude about to beat up someones grandpa: "Did he just tell her to shut up????!!!!!!"
Me (scared and noticing all the other tables around us starting to looks at us) "ummm I think he did"
*this is a special note to people that don't know the other side of Dave. Yes he is a kind man, sweet and polite...but there is a switch on the back of Dave's neck...we like to call this switch the DO NOT FUCK WITH MY FAMILY switch*
Me: "Now Dave..settle down...don't get riled up. He's an old man doesn't even know what he is saying" as I am literally restraining him.
The Green Man: "I don't give a shit how old he is...I am going to kick his ASS!"
Pause.
Pause.
Then Dave flings my hand off his arm and stomps towards the bathroom. HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT!!! I am about to get arrested and head home in a cop car and they will take away my children. I wait trying to be patiently as I have watching eyes wondering what is transpiring. Then I see Dave return to the table with his switch now turned off.
Me: "What did you do?" cuz I don't see the old man anywhere!
Dave: "He was standing at the urinal and I walked up behind him and asked him if he brought a walker in with him. He said no, and then I said that he better SHUT HIS MOUTH NEXT TIME OR YOU WILL BE LEAVING IN ONE! Then I said that just because he is old doesn't mean he has to be rude"
Me:"Alrighty then"
The old man came out of the washroom and walked past our table to his and never said a peep. I mean I get he was rude and he should have never said that to Marli. She is a baby and we are in Swiss Chalet for peets sake. I don't think she was ruining your expensive dinner. But men and their testosterone just take it over the top. We had to run this by some of our friends and every guy said the same thing. "I would have kicked is ass!"
After all that we finally got our dinner...shoveled it down our throats and went home...an hour and a half later!! WTF Swiss Chalet is suppose to be like an in and out thing...
I guess I will be sticking to our take out and enjoying our meals and screams in the comfort of our own home...
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Weight In
Hello Ladies...and maybe for those men that are secretly tracking their success...
Weight: 164 1/2...hey its 1/2 pound!!!
I was wondering who would be in to do a workout/walk at the Aud this week. I was thinking of Wednesday night at like 7pm...would anyone like to join?
HOLLA BACK!
Turkey Ragout
Olive Oil
1 lb boneless skinless turkey breast, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10oz.) pkg. mushrooms, halved
1 small zucchini, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 (14.5 oz.) can unsalted diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp oregano
1. On the stove top, mist a large non-stick pan with olive oil spray and place over medium heat. Add turkey and brown 2 to 3 minutes. Turn turkey pieces and add garlic, mushrooms, zucchini, tomatoes, salt and remaining spices.
2. Saute for 5 minutes. stirring so that the meat is browned and the veggies begin to sizzle. Cover with a lid and low heat to simmer for 10-12 minutes.
Serve with Garlic Bread
Weight: 164 1/2...hey its 1/2 pound!!!
I was wondering who would be in to do a workout/walk at the Aud this week. I was thinking of Wednesday night at like 7pm...would anyone like to join?
HOLLA BACK!
Turkey Ragout
Olive Oil
1 lb boneless skinless turkey breast, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10oz.) pkg. mushrooms, halved
1 small zucchini, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 (14.5 oz.) can unsalted diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp oregano
1. On the stove top, mist a large non-stick pan with olive oil spray and place over medium heat. Add turkey and brown 2 to 3 minutes. Turn turkey pieces and add garlic, mushrooms, zucchini, tomatoes, salt and remaining spices.
2. Saute for 5 minutes. stirring so that the meat is browned and the veggies begin to sizzle. Cover with a lid and low heat to simmer for 10-12 minutes.
Serve with Garlic Bread
Friday, July 3, 2009
The Word According to my Dad
I have had a very interesting relationship with my father pretty much my whole life. I never really understood him and as I am getting older I don't think I ever will, which I have given up trying to.
My parents split up when I was young and I was raised with the typical split family routine. Every second weekend and two weeks in the summer were spent at my father's house. As a child I was frightened of my father. His bigness, his loud voice (which half the time I could never understand him because of his thick Jamaican accent), and mostly his hand which was the size of a bear paw and you didn't want to know what that felt like on your ass...trust ME!. Every time I was in a situation where there was possible trouble, you know those ones...where you can smell the trouble and instantly have a flash in your head of how your father is going to kill you and no one will ever find your body. I just knew that I needed to get out of that situation because if I was caught...there was going to be some serious discipline going on. My younger brother never seemed to have this fear. He could get beat day in and day out and never learn and still do what he pleased.
My theory is that as my dad has aged he has lost his power. He went from the warden to the guy that sits quietly watching wrestling on t.v. all day. I am no longer fearful of my father. On some good days he is one of the funniest people I know. On other days, he drives me crazy and I wish he would grow up sometimes and let me be the kid and him the parent.
My brother and I have a bag full of jokes we continuously regurgitate. Laughing deep from the belly I don't think these stories will ever get old. Like the day he was trying to tell us about a car he seen on t.v.
Dad: (please think very Jamaican accent...like right off the boat) "Ah wha pon di name of dat car?"
Matt: "What car dad?"
Dad: "Me tink its a Mitsufeeshi?"
Mitsufeeshi??? Man that one made me tear right up!
Or the time when he was trying to tell me what is new in the entertainment world. He just watches television all day so he is on the up and up. He tells me a story about Lisa Simpson when what he really meant was Jessica Simpson. Or telling me about a t.v. show he watches called, "Man onna da Mountain". Which is actually King of the Hill. Don't ever tell him he is wrong or you will be up for a marathon of arguing. Stubborn.
He also told me about a story a couple of weeks ago about how he picked up some random chick on the street and drove her around all night and even went to Mickey D's for her. My dad may be old, but he is a pimp! No really he is not, but for all who know me closely you know my dad is a ladies man. I don't know what it is, but these women fall for my dad like he is their very own Justin Timberlake. I have been with my dad at a restaurant where he even tried to pick up some lady right in front of me!
Lady from behind the counter: (who let me explain does not know what she is getting herself into) "Where in Jamaica are your from?"
Rico Suave: "I am from Maypen...why do you ask?"
The Prey: "I just wanted to know where you were from"
Fabio: "Why you like me?? Next time I come here I will come by myself...(wink wink)"
BARF!!!! I would also like to add a side note...my dad is 75. I know I know...he just never knows when to stop.
Sitting down and listening to my father talk is defiantly going to keep you interested and defiantly keep you laughing. Even though there has been some hard times with my dad I am happy that I know him and all the things he has done for me...even if they are small. He in a twisted way with his faults and issues has made me who I am today. I really can't complain about that now can I.
Here is to always looking for the good in people! Cheers!
My parents split up when I was young and I was raised with the typical split family routine. Every second weekend and two weeks in the summer were spent at my father's house. As a child I was frightened of my father. His bigness, his loud voice (which half the time I could never understand him because of his thick Jamaican accent), and mostly his hand which was the size of a bear paw and you didn't want to know what that felt like on your ass...trust ME!. Every time I was in a situation where there was possible trouble, you know those ones...where you can smell the trouble and instantly have a flash in your head of how your father is going to kill you and no one will ever find your body. I just knew that I needed to get out of that situation because if I was caught...there was going to be some serious discipline going on. My younger brother never seemed to have this fear. He could get beat day in and day out and never learn and still do what he pleased.
My theory is that as my dad has aged he has lost his power. He went from the warden to the guy that sits quietly watching wrestling on t.v. all day. I am no longer fearful of my father. On some good days he is one of the funniest people I know. On other days, he drives me crazy and I wish he would grow up sometimes and let me be the kid and him the parent.
My brother and I have a bag full of jokes we continuously regurgitate. Laughing deep from the belly I don't think these stories will ever get old. Like the day he was trying to tell us about a car he seen on t.v.
Dad: (please think very Jamaican accent...like right off the boat) "Ah wha pon di name of dat car?"
Matt: "What car dad?"
Dad: "Me tink its a Mitsufeeshi?"
Mitsufeeshi??? Man that one made me tear right up!
Or the time when he was trying to tell me what is new in the entertainment world. He just watches television all day so he is on the up and up. He tells me a story about Lisa Simpson when what he really meant was Jessica Simpson. Or telling me about a t.v. show he watches called, "Man onna da Mountain". Which is actually King of the Hill. Don't ever tell him he is wrong or you will be up for a marathon of arguing. Stubborn.
He also told me about a story a couple of weeks ago about how he picked up some random chick on the street and drove her around all night and even went to Mickey D's for her. My dad may be old, but he is a pimp! No really he is not, but for all who know me closely you know my dad is a ladies man. I don't know what it is, but these women fall for my dad like he is their very own Justin Timberlake. I have been with my dad at a restaurant where he even tried to pick up some lady right in front of me!
Lady from behind the counter: (who let me explain does not know what she is getting herself into) "Where in Jamaica are your from?"
Rico Suave: "I am from Maypen...why do you ask?"
The Prey: "I just wanted to know where you were from"
Fabio: "Why you like me?? Next time I come here I will come by myself...(wink wink)"
BARF!!!! I would also like to add a side note...my dad is 75. I know I know...he just never knows when to stop.
Sitting down and listening to my father talk is defiantly going to keep you interested and defiantly keep you laughing. Even though there has been some hard times with my dad I am happy that I know him and all the things he has done for me...even if they are small. He in a twisted way with his faults and issues has made me who I am today. I really can't complain about that now can I.
Here is to always looking for the good in people! Cheers!
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