The last of Christmastide...

The Christmas season, liturgically, ends with the 

Feast of the Presentation in the Temple,

when Christ as babe is held in St. Symeon's arms.

So I thought before it is all over, 

I would show a few of my beloved Christmas things...

The cute church is from a dear local friend!

I love this boat..

from Holy Dormition Monastery,

for my kids corner...

St. Nicholas and Christmas...

I have lots of Christmas books now :)

Icons in the kids corner...

So many things here from various stages of my life;

I think the bag is from my childhood;

the rocker and bunny somewhere in undergraduate;

the box is Mr. Husband's; the knitted and crocheted items from my Oma;

Christmas icon from a dear friend and other icon from Holy Dormition Monastery

as well... Christ holding children and the words 

Little Children Come to Me...

Little nativity scene my Mom found me years ago,

a new Angel, beautiful icon card,

my little Christmas tree I got years ago in Ottawa...

Table cloth from my Mom that I also use for the Holy Supper.

Tree skirt quilted by a TX Khouria (priest's wife) that I've known for years;

she did a really good job!

*

Well, the Feast of the Presentation is this Sunday

and next week I will complete taking everything down...

our first Christmas in our new home...

It has been a beautiful time....

not always easy but since when is life so

and it contained much goodness...

Goat Cheese and Cream Casserole with chicken, potato and portobello mushroom

As I shared on FB:

 I think I made my first casserole (my own recipe) that is very good. 

Here's what I did: 

fried sliced potatoes in one pan with extra virgin olive (E. V. O.) oil, 

on sale portobello mushrooms sliced and chopped in other pan with E.V.O. oil, 

garlic minced and put in with one of them (I think the mushrooms). 

I added some salt and pepper (fresh ground) in both. 

When done I took two goat cheese 'circles' (the small pods as it were) and crumbled them, placing them on top of potatoes. 

I had cut up a medium size onion 

(in half moon and then in small slices that I separated into half moon slivers)

 caramelized in E.V. O. oil with minced garlic (I used about 3 cloves total).

 The onion was placed on top of the goat cheese. 

I had container of thawed roast chicken from an earlier dinner. 

I put some of the chicken over the onion, 

and then mushrooms on this, the rest of the chicken, 

possibly more onions and then more mushrooms and 

white cheddar cheese shredded on top, putting about 2 tbs of fresh cream 

over the whole casserole before shredding the cheese. 

My beloved husband was on his way home in a 5 minute cab ride by this point

 and dinner needed to be done quickly; 

I heated it all up 

(as everything by this time other than cheese and cream was cooked)

 in the microwave for about 3 minutes, 

put it on the table, put a big pot cover and towels over it to keep it warm. 

It was just lovely; the goat cheese, the oil and flavours melded really well. 

I just had it again for lunch, heated up in the microwave and can officially say, I've made my first ever really good casserole of my own devising!

It made a lovey dinner for the last week 

we eat meat before Great Lent begins in less

than two weeks 

(so quickly this year!)

I have figured out that I love salads with 

raw slivered almonds and cranraisens

with oil and balsamic vinegar. 

*

I guess I will name this casserole this way...

Goat Cheese and Cream Casserole with chicken, potato and portobello mushroom...

Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Severed Wasp, Remains of the Day and knitting progress

The Checkered Blanket is continuing;

started scarf on size 3 needles.

I am now re-reading A Severed Wasp by Madeline L'Engle.

It's very absorbing.

It is not a tale for the faint of heart; 

it is bringing together and seeking to make sense of some

really difficult times not only in the character's lives

but in history, in this place the time and circumstances of World War II

and loss of faith, horror, relational complexities, 

a changing world and a changing moral set.

It's worth reading and gives much food for thought,

but if you are looking for a cozy, simple and light read,

this is not the book for it.

If you want to read about music, NYC, culture, questions of faith,

growing up, relationship complexities, with tragedy, horrors and hope,

than this may do the trick.

I did not really remember much of the book when I suddenly 

had this very sudden focused want of this book

that I read in my undergraduate years.

It brings together not only L'Engle's Small Rain but her

YA book The Young Unicorns and the Austin Family 

books that L'Engle has written.

*

I read so many of L'Engle's books when I was in undergrad;

they helped me process things, move towards further light

and influenced me in areas of music, books, culture but also

city life, need for quiet, baths and things like bath salts and power.

She really is an all encompassing author that way.

Remains of the Day: another my husband listened to 

in graduate school.

My next read after L'Engle's book.

I am trying to get through them before Great Lent.

I finished A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

I kept feeling at places that I'd read it before;

like when the teacher of music gets tea or coffee at the pupils house

or other details; I kept feeling like I'd read of them somewhere else...

This book to me is clearly autobiographical.

There was an irony of how Francie is growing up and questioning the

theatre and what happens if the heroine is not rescued; 

what about the continual predicament of the poor, the immigrants

and then at the end of the book there is this huge

comic reversal where the poor Mother of Francie and thus Francie and her brother

are rescued from their own poverty. 

*

What is being documented in this book is important not only

culturally but as a historical record of huge social and technological changes.

One of them is the loss of Francie's faith in God; 

her Grandmother Mary's character is crucial; she is not just

'the good woman/ the Saint' but a picture of the innate piety and 

love for God, the Saints and Others that 

is so deep that she can endure much suffering and

have such a meaningful death. 

I think she is painted in ways as rather weak / helpless

but to endure what she did, she had to be very strong.

The changes in the Catholic church that happened after the book was 

published in 1943 are very far reaching.

*

Catholics used to all fast from midnight on for Holy Communion as

Francie fails to do early in the book; the regular confession and 

monastic presence (the Aunt who is sent off to a Convent early on 

and not seen again) is significant. 

*

While Francie clearly still believes in the existence of Christ 

and maintains some piety, she seems to be well on her way to

being hardened to faith as something that can really be a source of help.

Of course we don't get to see Francie later on,

when she is done growing up or at least not in her teens.

*

This book has much to show about the power of woman for 

enduring and loving life; but it also shows a lot of

compassion for most, nearly all, the characters in the book;

and not just triumphs of woman but of Francie's Dad,

Johnny licking his alcohol addiction just days before he dies.

He dies a broken man, stripped of his union and of his strength 

but yet he won over the very thing that killed him

and the point of him doing it for the child to be born

is not lost.

*

It's a well written book and you can tell that the author had

been writing plays by this time; the book lends itself easily,

esp. with the dialogues, to theatre. 

*

And that's what I've read, am reading and hope to read...

and what I am creating.

*

What are you reading and creating?

Yarn Along with us!

House Blessing Dinner 2015 {at our dear local friend's home}

A beautifully set table...

First course: a creamy squash soup, 

with butter and cream...

and wonderful bread enjoyed along side...

It was very good...

Beef Bourguignon (Stew) by Ina Garten

and Yukon gold baby potatoes.

I brought dessert.

What I hoped would be a chocolate chiffon pie

and a lemon pie

ended up being instead...

Chocolate Fudge Cake with a Ganache on top, 

with a side of Whipped Cream...

The Ganache I learned a lot from:

1. heat the cream to boiling (the recipe I was using said

till almost boiling)

2. have the chocolate in smaller pieces; much of it was

in shavings but I got tired and then chopped some.

So it did not melt evenly and so the topping was more 'choppy'.

The good news was that the cake itself was quite good.

I will make it again,

remembering to melt the butter and mix it a bit more before baking;

the baked batter in places looked like it has small peices of 

butter that had not melted in.

However, it was a light crumbly chocolate cake that

was really delightful to eat, so the recipe itself will stay

in my roaster, just with some notes...

And a Junior's Cheesecake... you can never go wrong with 

a Junior's Cheesecake... :)

*

It was a lovely time and with a lot of interesting and 

enjoyable conversation... 

One of our friends told our beloved hostess that

dinners at her house are like being in 

an English Country House.

And finally, I was given some words to describe 

a home that I find so lovely and visually pleasing that

I have yet to know how to describe it...

*

It's so wonderful to have one's house blessed.

It feels like everything is perfectly in order and clean 

afterwards...

Mr. Husband and I's joy on coming back home after the

lovely dinner party was palpable and we are so happy

to have a blessed house...

*

It all seems like things that are moving us (quickly!) towards 

Great Lent... It's only two weeks away now... so much

to do to prepare yet but I am so glad in this moment

to just be in our home so newly blessed....

The Simple Things of Daily Life...

The orchid bloomed again.

It's one some dear friends of us gave us when they first had dinner 

with us a few years back... 

I feel like it is always a special blessing when it blooms,

an encouragement, esp. in the deep of winter....

I wish I lit my lampadas everyday;

but I don't.  I always have a candle or two burning

but would love if my life could fit in daily lampada lighting;

it is such a lifting up of one's self when they are lit....

We had fish fillets and some of my homemade bread for dinner

the other night...

Sometimes the simplest meals are the best.

About that cheesecake (and chocolate...) and remembering winters past

So last week I made a cheesecake, on Tuesday

when Mr. Husband was home because of the weather

 and I was 

listening to this book 

via my headphones and phone,

and the phone rang, Mr. Husband was talking to our

electrician and I forgot after each of the 5 eggs to mix more

and I did not realize that the cream cheese should be softened

and so after worrying about the seemingly undone middle,

I put it the fridge. 

It waited till Thursday for us to try it,

as Wednesday was a normal fast day.

*

Well, the texture was wrong; had lumps.

Tasted to me, who expected greatness,

like the worst cheesecake I've ever made.

I realized later that I simply found it too sweet.

I thought of making it into a pudding but

then tried it again; it was not worth the trouble 

and my husband liked it enough to eat it...

So we've had some,

Mr. Husband most.

It does not come out well, crumbling into soft pieces of 

sweet cheesecake.

*

I will try again next time....and remember to add less sugar,

mix it better and with every egg added 

and to have the cream cheese warmed for 5-6 hours first.

After shoveling this week,

our sidewalk is pretty clean but not everyone is shoveling or

keeping things clean...

I made hot cocoa. 

We opened a special box of chocolates,

the front of it Mr. Husband just loving for it's beauty.

Very chocolaty. 

Well,

It's official.

I tried to make good hot cocoa but Mr. Husband,

while he drank his small cup,

a cup I got in my days in Sweden almost 20 years ago,

he just does not care for it.
He was very nice about it though and thank God
he loves to drink tea of all sorts with me!
I am wondering if I actually should thank God that
my beloved does not really care for hot cocoa as
it is one of my favourites and I am of a
conserving type who worries of running out of
a favourite, even though if you saw my pantry
you would see I am well stock in the cocoa department... :) 

*

I've been thinking of when I lived in Cooper street in Ottawa;

in an old brick building with a beautiful wood banister.

The place was really going downhill and I've heard it is even

worse than when I lived there.

I remember homeless men sleeping in the vestibule,

trying to stay warm on the hard old tiled floor,

I would step over them to get to work;

I felt more pity for them than annoyance and while 

they smelled strongly of rough living and the streets,

I don't remember being angered by them.

Only bewildered and a bit guilty to
why they were suffering so and sleeping nights in winter
in the outside vestibule of the apartment building while
 I had a warm place, food and at times a very good job.

*

The place got worse though and they were letting people rent

whose type had not been seen there before;

more skanky in immediate feel, not the well dressed young students or 

government workers.

*

One night the inner door of the vestibule, which was a thick new

modern glass door, was shattered; I woke up to the sound 

in the only panic attack I've ever had.

*

But what I remember most right now was not this as much

as the grey slush of winter months and no one mopping the wood floor

after the black rug stopped being enough to keep the slush and mud

at bay, and I would just go up to where I lived on the fourth floor

and try to keep my own place clean.

*

It was a lovely space, a huge kitchen, big windows, good light. 

It held a lot of my life for those two plus years,

years when I had good work and years when work was souring.

It's funny, some people had the same job for their whole life,

others many; but I am seeing that almost for all,

even though I love winter so much, 

at least those bright sunny brisk days with white snow,

 winter is hard; cold, slushy with some mud.

*

Staying inside, drinking lots of hot tea and reading books,

this is what seems the best during these days;

and trying to bake and make things to enjoy

with friends.

*

It is a question though of how to spend those days,

at least for me;

I will want to do something for someone 

and then I will have a day in NYC and then 

seem to need days to recover and what can I do

for another and what virtue can I hope to obtain?

*

I think and hope that Great Lent can help me

in this quest...

Done in again... {NYC redux}

Well, NYC did it again.

I think the most strategic mistake I made was not to bring 

my red cart with me.

*
I had the loveliest of breakfasts...Mr. Husband had fruit and yougurt
but I had baked lady apples, turkey sauce cakes, scrambled eggs,
strawberry yougurt with granola with some old fashion peanut butter on the side...
Those baked apples were so very warm that I think
I need to learn to make them at home.
A warm winter cooking revelation.
*
My perhaps biggest accomplishment in NYC was that:

I found BOOKS.

A Christmas Recipe book with stories from the bakers;

a book on Chocolate. 

I think three or four kids books,

and the book I came there looking for:

Madeleine L'Engle's

A Severed Wasp.

And I bought 2 postcards and a magnet. 

All for about 22.00 I think; most of the books were on the sale rack

and the L'Engle was less than $6.00.

I have just had this deep gut longing to read that particular L'Engle's book again.

The Strand bookstore said they had it

before and did not and this time they had it, again 1 in stock,

and it was found and I bought it.

The book is set in NYC and it's almost surreal reading it
in the city where it is set....

*

On my way I found a food store;

I was thinking that I am so busy the rest of this week,

I must get these things now, it will be perfect and 

no more worry about them.

Well, that worked, kind of.

I got sunflower oil for the cake, a large one that was 

not that costly and only one they had, 

1 L size and some heavy cream and some special chocolate

that will be chipped at for making the ganache..

I would of gotten eggs too, they make them in doubled packaging 

but did not as Mr. Husband thought they would break.

So we ended up going to the store at night after going out to eat

at a restaurant back home

and it ended up being a long and tiring day.

And then I realized I already had bought sunflower oil earlier;

I did not have to carry that heavy 1 L bottle! :(
So I admitted a bit of disappointment in what seemed
such a good idea at the time and that store was so lovely.
But the mistake really was not having that cart!

*

Meanwhile, in NYC I did not know that I had
sunflower oil and was relieved to find it,
and that good chocolate and cream as well...

So I carried those items, the food items and new books,

along with my purse and other bag and it was much too heavy.

I had forgotten how bad it could be in Ottawa

carrying groceries home without a cart or suitcase...

and well, I should of had my cart with me to bear the weight.

*

So muscles not used to being used got sore,

I was tired....

it's funny how even the best of meals, full of protein and greens 

and some great carbs, when faced with NYC,

winter sidewalks and not having my cart just does not protect
one from the weariness of the day,
though they were delicious.

*

Mr. Husband was surprised to hear that the L'Engle book I got

is out of print; I am afraid that many of her 'adult' novels are

which is a shame, they should be read; they would help us

process a great deal.
*
I can't tell you how greatly I had suddenly been wanting that L'Engle book.
And that it was worth the tiring day.
*
I began reading it already...
*

I took the other book I am reading along and read that one a bit as well...
there is so much depth and, frankly history of cultural losses in
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

that I will have to write about it at another time.

*

I am not sure how to make myself learn the subway;

I find subways dark, way too hot and mostly oppressive,

esp. if full with people.
My husband compares them to a cattle car
when they are full of people like this.
It can be quite difficult.

But the city sometimes is so large,

it is NYC after all, that I guess I should learn;

I just have dreadful memories of me getting totally turned around,

not understanding that I went the wrong way and

being an exhausted mess calling Mr. Husband that I would be late for lunch

and where in the world am I anyway.

*

Really, I should just take cabs; that would make it a much 

better experience;

except that miserable day in NYC when I was there and it was raining

and everyone I talk to in NYC says when it's raining,

you'll never get a cab.
And I was lost...again...that time in the rain...

*

I've had a few good NYC experiences and my times

when I am there with my cousin who as a clear sense of direction

have been quite nice.

*

But I must try to be better prepared next time.

I need my red cart.

I really need to understand subways.

It makes me miss my Aunt and cousin and her son,

being there without them.
But thankful for them too, all at once...
*
And, lest it sound like I totally dislike or even hate NYC,
that's not it; it's just so unconquerable and I have yet
to learn to tricks to survival in it; or
even more, how to flourish.

*

I had this quotation in mind as I was carrying 

the heavy food items to make desserts that

could be called

frou frou or as my cousin would say, 'posh, posh':

How will it be with us in the future life, when everything that has gratified us in this world: riches, honors, food and drink, dress, beautifully furnished dwellings, and all attractive objects — how will it be, I say, when all these things leave us — when they will all seem to us a dream and when works of faith and virtue, of abstinence, purity, meekness, humility, mercy, patience, obedience and others will be required of us?

St. John of Kronstadt, “My Life in Christ”

*

I don't know how to answer this question yet by St. John

other than it was a perfect one to have suddenly upon me

in this week of the Publican and the Pharisee

where humility is the thing we are to learn this week...

*

I am so glad that the day after NYC was a day 

that I would be alone during the day....

I am realizing in new ways how I need 

time alone to recover from things and if I get that time,

I can regain strength much more quickly.

*

And so that was how NYC was this time....
I got the book I wanted plus more;
I never made it to the knitting store but
today ordered the needle I needed online via amazon.

*

I wish I could say it's always a fun or easy city

but for this introvert, 

it's just not so.
*
I actually find often it a city that is more fun with another
or at least with one's red cart.
*
Well, NYC, you may had did me in for the moment but
I know I will return...

A Simple Meal for the Weekend

When making a simple spaghetti from a jar,

sauteing onions, garlic and celery,

with adding some ground thyme and oregano, 

makes it more flavourful.

Organic sauce and meat that I did not realize we had in our

freezer.

Topped with white cheddar cheese and

resting on rice vermicelli. 

*

It was a lovely meal for this past weekend.

*

It was St. Athanasius' day so I used our blue willow.

St. Matrona ~ a riveting painting

{Via Google Translate}: Natalia Klimov - the chief artist of the publishing house " Dar ". Illustrations for the book " heavenly intercessor . Lives of the Saints for girls . " Taken here and here.

*

Found here

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Checked Blanket, Tartine and A Future Pretty Scarf

I have begun my second textured blanket,

the blanket that I think will be a checkered blanket,

with big 'checkers' as it were. 

I am really enjoying it so far;

I am doing it on a bigger needle size (10)

and it is making for a soft draping blanket....

I still have to find a size 10 circular needle though! 

We will see if I have luck finding on in NYC today!

*

I've been reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn...

I thought I had not read it before but I have a feeling I did 

read it now, maybe the year I was in library school

in London Ontario (so about 10 years ago).

I got some cute shimmery cotton yarn on sale  

that I hope will become a pretty 

scarf, based on this pattern

(thanks TJ!)

I am thinking of doing it in this colour lineup, 

cream, the pale blue, the sea green and the light shimmery brown...

*

I am also scanning the Tartine Cookbook I got for Christmas.

I have some serious desserts to contemplate...

*

I am posting this a day early as I fear it will not get done otherwise!

With NYC today, it will be busy and I am guessing tomorrow will be 

a rest day for me!

*

What are you reading and making?

Yarn Along with us! 

It feels like Tuesday already!

I don't think I ever posted all of the

Holy Supper pictures from

this past Christmas Eve...so here they are...

A lot of our food was take-out Chinese and veggie Sushi! 

Rice, dried fruits, nuts...

I had these tea light candle holders, our small Nativity

for the centre, two tall candles

and two laminate icons (St. Nicholas and Nativity) that I use at home

and for Sunday School...

My Mom's old Christmas table cloth that she 

gave me years ago... 

And other special Lenten treats...

*

I am a firm believer that you can make a little bit

of beauty anywhere, with just a few candles,

a table cloth and a meal. :)

*

Well, today is snow and ice.

Tomorrow DV I am going into NYC.

I am hoping that the roads and sidewalks will be MUCH better than they are

at present!  Today Mr. Husband stayed home to work

since there's been freezing ice and snow all day.

*

It was the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee yesterday.

That means this week is Fast Free Week!

That means chocolate via IV right? (Kidding...well, kind of kidding :) )

*

It does mean we are gearing up for Lent.

I just got some lovely Lenten things for Sunday School

and some books too, including this one on 

the history of Orthodox Christian Britain

that you can get cheaper here.

*

This weather has me thinking of Madeline L'Engle 

and a desire to read lots and lots of books...