Climbing up that MOUNTAIN of MUD...
It has been a difficult past few weeks. Feel the need to be very honest here...this most recent loss of life has shattered me and I am not even family, not particularly close to these people, but nonetheless have been suffering. I know that when I find out someone has taken their life, it takes me right back to the very moment I received the news concerning my son, Cory.
Proof that we never get beyond our pain, the sadness, and overwhelming loss, but we DO find a way to navigate through it ~AROUND IT. It is okay if this news set me back. Whatever we feel is okay...I have to monitor how long I stay in this mindspace though. My thoughts and prayers remain in the States with this wonderful, young man whom lost the love of his life.
Astounding, but, in the 18 years I have lived in Australia, I have never prepared Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving Day is the wedding anniversary of my parents and a lot of attention was paid to details on this day. It was always THE most important celebration of the year, obviously, for many sentimental reasons.
Thanksgiving Day is the best celebration overall because it does not involve gift giving - it only requires sharing your time, effort, love, and energy. It brings families together at a table. It provides a time for reflection and to give thanks and appreciation for all that we have and for the people we refer to as 'our tribe'. Tinto and I have an ecclectic, interesting, and rather large tribe and we are fortunate to have a tremendous amount for which to be grateful.
Australians have a keen curiosity about Thanksgiving. When dear mates ask what the fuss is all about and I explain...they get excited and want to do the same thing here. The gestures and meanings behind Thanksgiving - the spirit of the day - can be celebrated anywhere in the world ~ would you not agree?
I needed a reason to soften the grief I was experiencing. So, this past Thursday, since I cannot find any of my antique, much-loved, and over-used cookbooks...I went to my trusty fb folders where I have saved material under reading, recipes, yoga and exercise, health, environment, etc., etc., etc. I actually used two outstanding recipes that intrigued me. They were out of this world. I amazed myself and I will use these two dishes going forward for, hopefully, some future Thanksgiving dinners here...or...abroad. Good, wholesome food brings people together. Sitting. Laughing. Sharing a meal. THAT is what this Thanksgiving was all about. Being quiet and being silly - drinking that one extra glass that you knew you should have turned down...OR not consuming adult beverages at all - either way - when you are sharing a table with friends and family - it IS a reason to stop and be grateful.
So, this meal I prepared a very small turkey, stuffed with apricot, chestnut, and pancetta dressing. But, the sweet potato casserole was special. After baking a huge pot of sweet potatoes, I stirred crushed pineapple in the mix instead of sugar - surprisingly wonderful! And, nowhere in Kapunda OR the surrounding area could I find pecans for the dark brown sugar crusty topping, so I had to be creative and I roasted some pine nuts instead. Tasty ~ very tasty indeed and IF you didn't want 'sweet', one only had to dig deep! Tinto and I have a new oven and it is dreadful to get used to cooking in a new oven. I have burnt a lot of goodies since we returned. I watched over the bird carefully, but in the end I used apricot nectar for glazing and...the top got a little dark, but it was really quite good. We had fresh green beans, tossed with toasted garlic and slivered almonds - loved the crunch! But, the Brussels were the 'hit' - imagine that? Chopped shallots sauteed, sea salt, grated Parmesan cheese and Gruyere cheese, chopped pancetta, all tossed together with Brussels that had been baked - stirred with cream, fresh thyme, real butter, and a bit of olive oil - baked 'til bubbly. Hot, tasty goodness delivered from the new oven. And, the mashed...had a hint of Dijon mixed in with the melted butter. Oooooh-la-la. I might as well have rubbed it ALL on my thighs...
Peace.
Blanco of The Roaming Stevens
PS: Please excuse any typos.
Waiting for our guests!
Proof that we never get beyond our pain, the sadness, and overwhelming loss, but we DO find a way to navigate through it ~AROUND IT. It is okay if this news set me back. Whatever we feel is okay...I have to monitor how long I stay in this mindspace though. My thoughts and prayers remain in the States with this wonderful, young man whom lost the love of his life.
Astounding, but, in the 18 years I have lived in Australia, I have never prepared Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving Day is the wedding anniversary of my parents and a lot of attention was paid to details on this day. It was always THE most important celebration of the year, obviously, for many sentimental reasons.
Thanksgiving Day is the best celebration overall because it does not involve gift giving - it only requires sharing your time, effort, love, and energy. It brings families together at a table. It provides a time for reflection and to give thanks and appreciation for all that we have and for the people we refer to as 'our tribe'. Tinto and I have an ecclectic, interesting, and rather large tribe and we are fortunate to have a tremendous amount for which to be grateful.
Australians have a keen curiosity about Thanksgiving. When dear mates ask what the fuss is all about and I explain...they get excited and want to do the same thing here. The gestures and meanings behind Thanksgiving - the spirit of the day - can be celebrated anywhere in the world ~ would you not agree?
I needed a reason to soften the grief I was experiencing. So, this past Thursday, since I cannot find any of my antique, much-loved, and over-used cookbooks...I went to my trusty fb folders where I have saved material under reading, recipes, yoga and exercise, health, environment, etc., etc., etc. I actually used two outstanding recipes that intrigued me. They were out of this world. I amazed myself and I will use these two dishes going forward for, hopefully, some future Thanksgiving dinners here...or...abroad. Good, wholesome food brings people together. Sitting. Laughing. Sharing a meal. THAT is what this Thanksgiving was all about. Being quiet and being silly - drinking that one extra glass that you knew you should have turned down...OR not consuming adult beverages at all - either way - when you are sharing a table with friends and family - it IS a reason to stop and be grateful.
So, this meal I prepared a very small turkey, stuffed with apricot, chestnut, and pancetta dressing. But, the sweet potato casserole was special. After baking a huge pot of sweet potatoes, I stirred crushed pineapple in the mix instead of sugar - surprisingly wonderful! And, nowhere in Kapunda OR the surrounding area could I find pecans for the dark brown sugar crusty topping, so I had to be creative and I roasted some pine nuts instead. Tasty ~ very tasty indeed and IF you didn't want 'sweet', one only had to dig deep! Tinto and I have a new oven and it is dreadful to get used to cooking in a new oven. I have burnt a lot of goodies since we returned. I watched over the bird carefully, but in the end I used apricot nectar for glazing and...the top got a little dark, but it was really quite good. We had fresh green beans, tossed with toasted garlic and slivered almonds - loved the crunch! But, the Brussels were the 'hit' - imagine that? Chopped shallots sauteed, sea salt, grated Parmesan cheese and Gruyere cheese, chopped pancetta, all tossed together with Brussels that had been baked - stirred with cream, fresh thyme, real butter, and a bit of olive oil - baked 'til bubbly. Hot, tasty goodness delivered from the new oven. And, the mashed...had a hint of Dijon mixed in with the melted butter. Oooooh-la-la. I might as well have rubbed it ALL on my thighs...
Peace.
Blanco of The Roaming Stevens
PS: Please excuse any typos.
The HOST with with the MOST!
Small, yet TASTY! Yummy!
Dear Friend for Life...
'Fine Son' makes another appearance!
LIFE IS RICHER with GREAT MATES! xxo
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