Family Day!

This is a relatively new holiday in Ontario having been proclaimed in 2008 but it couldn't come at a better time of the year.  Not being federal, we only share this 3rd Monday in February Family Day holiday with 2 other provinces:  Alberta who were the first to proclaim it in 1990 and Saskatchewan who started to observe it in 2007.  2013 marks the first Family Day holiday for British Columbia but they have designated the second Monday of February. To be sure,  it's been a long stretch since January 1st and having a holiday in mid-February is a welcome relief.
 Our Family Day also coincides with the American President's Day which lead to a very interesting conversation at the dinner table last night with my son's friend, an American in the MA program at U of T, who has had the opportunity to live among us during the last 6 months.  Although on the surface, Canadians appear to be much like Americans, she finds our temperaments to be kinder, more polite and easier to get along with.  There is a less fierceness, competitiveness to our nature; more supportive less combative, a willingness to get along.  Stereotypical, eh?  To her, Family Day is so Canadian and you know she is right. We have chosen a day to celebrate the family not a political leader or event.  We are the peacekeepers not the warriors.  We have earned our worldwide reputation.
So on this Family Day, take time to chase away the winter blues, embrace the great Canadian outdoors and savour some homecooked comfort food as you gather round the table with your family creating another happy moment together.   If you can't be with your family, give thanks to your family and remember we are all members of the family of mankind!
Peace, love and joy!       
Have a great day, Linda
P.S.  I am cooking up my kids' favourite Turkey Lasagne for dinner.  Comfort food at its best.
        Promise to share the recipe. 

Snow Day!

I can't remember the last time that I had a snow day. Karen and I had already decided the night before that we were going to take a snow day. The main story of Thursday's news reports had been the impending storm and how it was going to rage havoc across the entire province. We were almost gleeful in anticipation. No getting up at 6:00am to get ready to travel north to Markham by 7:00am in order to avoid the traffic.   We were to be snowbound.
Although it appeared that the storm held me hostage, the opposite was true. It gave me the freedom to get up when I wanted. My mind with its internal clock awoke naturally at 6:00am but my body rolled over and went back to sleep until 8:00am.  There was no morning rush.  A leisurely breakfast, checking emails, some business related phone calls and some work on a project all while in my pjs.  In fact, before I knew it, it was Noon and I was still in my pjs.  I could get used to this.   I felt relaxed, almost blissful.  Maybe this is why Oprah is known to spend Sundays in her pjs as it affords an opportunity to step out of the day-to-day regimented routine and just be. 
The snow continued to fall outside my window blanketing the city in a white shroud of calm and serenity and I felt it's effect.  The city sounds were muffled.  Less traffic, less noise, less hustle and bustle.
After lunch, I quickly dressed as I was anxious to get outside and walk in the snow.  There is something magical about trudging through newly fallen snow as you mark your footprints with every step.  It was exhilerating.  There is nothing like a good snow day to ignite child-like exurberance in the soul.
By the end of the day, I felt refreshed and rejuvenated.

Linda 











 

Meatless Mondays - A Cold February Day!

Meatless Mondays

A wonderful news item this morning brightened our day.  

Today, winter is half over!  

January flew by.  We are ready to enjoy February.  Here is

a tasty recipe from www.recipe.com.  You can use Prego, 

but any 24 ounce seasoned pasta sauce will do! 

Easy and delicious!

broccoli and cheese 

stuffed shells

Large pasta shells stuffed with creamy cheese and chopped broccoli are laced with seasoned tomato sauce and baked until piping hot.

ingredients

• 1  container  (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
• 1  pkg.  (10 ounces) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and well drained
• 1  cup  shredded mozzarella cheese (about 4 ounces)
• 1/3  cup  grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4  tsp.  ground black pepper
• 18    jumbo shell-shaped pasta, cooked and drained
• 1  jar  (24 ounces) Prego® Chunky Garden Combination Italian Sauce

directions

Stir the ricotta cheese, broccoli, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and black pepper in a medium bowl. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture into each shell.

Spread 1 cup of the sauce in a 13 x 9 x 2-inch shallow baking dish. Place the filled shells on the sauce. Pour the remaining sauce over the shells. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 400 degrees F. for 25 minutes or until it's hot and bubbling.

Super Bowl Sunday

The Blooming Rose

This nacho recipe has become our all-time favourite.  It was first
discovered by Karen in a little Mexican Restaurant in Palo Alto,
California over 9 years ago and we have been enjoying it ever since.
Not only is the presentation a "wow" factor, but each chip is dressed
with a nacho topping.  No disappointingly naked chips left at the bottom
of the plate!
Ingredients:
1 can of refried bean dip
1/4 cup of Salsa (choose your favourite)
1/2 cup of sliced black olives
1/2 cup of diced cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup of diced Jalapeno peppers
1/2 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Round Tortilla Chips
8" round oven-to-table dish

Spread entire can of refried beans on the bottom of dish.  

Top with salsa. Arrange the tortilla chips

in a "Rose-like"patten by securing them in the bean/salsa
mixture.  Scatter the olives, tomatoes and Jalapenos between
the chips.  Top with shredded cheese.
Bake in a 375F degree oven for 10-15 minutes

Serve with sides of guacamole, sour cream and salsa.  

Dig in!