Posts from the ‘People and places’ Category
I am late with the running update! The ankle sprain really messed with my rhythm. I did run the Marathon. It was beautiful and everything I had hoped for…. until about mile 21. After over 4 weeks off, I really had no idea how I would perform OR how my ankle would hold up. Well, my ankle held up (it was weak, but ok!), but my training had suffered. I bonked. I walked. I shuffle-ran across the finish line. Really not a big deal, but I am determined to claw my way back into shape and run another marathon at some point… soonish.
My sisters dominated their relay. I think fitness-goal trips are an amazing thing to do together. Maybe we can do a cool hike or cycling trip next?
Racing is so much fun. Especially ones through the trails – the people, the mud, the gnarly terrain, the smell of the woods. I ran one yesterday, grinding up the hills and laming-out on the downhills. Yes. I got passed big-time on the downhills! I forgot to tape my ankle and stressed the entire time about re-injury. So I have vowed to take this rehab thing more seriously – strength-training, icing, taping – because the nutty, marginally-controlled downhill sprints, over rocks and roots, is one of the best parts of the sport.
If you are looking for inspiration, try reading this book. I am about half-way through and am trying to figure out how to fit rambling five-hour runs into my schedule. That, and I have to cook beans more often.
A week or two ago, I received an email from the Vancouver International Writers Festival, asking if I would be willing to review a book for them (How COOL is that?!). I replied ‘yes’ and Simon and Schuster sent me a shiny new hardcover to read!
Anyhow. I am embarrassingly late posting this review, because Jodi Picoult will be reading from her book Sing You Home at Saint Andrew’s Wesley Church TOMORROW at 7:30pm.
Sunday, March 13, 7pm
St Andrew’s Wesley United Church
Vancouver, BC
1022 Nelson Street (at Burrard)
I have some adventures going on with the kiddies tomorrow and am hoping I will be back in time to be able to attend – because I did like the book and would love to hear Picoult speak.
Sing You Home is the story of a woman desperate to have a family, despite a horrific string of losses and challenges. Told from the perspective of three main characters, this book had me hooked from the first few pages.
Now, I started one of Picoult’s books a few years ago. I was sick with the flu and in need of some escapist fiction. Unfortunately, this particular book told the story of a father dealing with the date-rape of his daughter. You know how sometimes you just don’t feel like being sad and horrified? I didn’t finish it.
Sing You Home wasn’t like that. You kind of knew it would turn out well in the end. It was like a girly John Grisham. I was fully entertained and quick to pick up the book whenever I had a spare moment.
It also made me realize that I should really lighten-up when it comes to selecting novels. I tend to think I either need to read a classic, or a literary prize-winner, or a work of heavy historical fiction (so that I can learn something while I am reading.). As a result, I don’t read nearly as much as I should – which is ironic because I am the type of person to watch the same romantic comedy over and over again. Escapist watching, OK…. escapist reading, Not OK. Sounds dumb, right? (I watch way too many movies and Grey’s Anatomy DVDs). Anita Shreve, Stephenie Meyer, Jodi Picoult, John Irving…. all writers of good escapist fiction.
Another reason I would like to hear Jodi Picoult speak is because she is an insanely successful and prolific writer who also happens to have three kids. We all know how curious I am about moms who can juggle creative work and babies. So, I would like to see her in person.
Anyone want to come with me?
These photos were taken just before Christmas. We made traditional Latvian buns for the festivities. I seem to blog about these a lot. I am starting to think I am neglecting my own Scottish and Norwegian heritage. Though, I can’t say I am in any big rush to put together a Haggis. Maybe it is time to celebrate Robbie Burns Day with my loves? Cock-a-leekie soup and oatcakes are yummy. And, as I get older, I can appreciate a good scotch (now that I have stopped trying to mix it with Pepsi, for a teenagehood-night on the town with my friends).
It is so great that my babies can finally help with assembly! Even W. Though, he got tired pretty quick and just made bun blobs, without filling.
Piragi
Dough:
¾ cup milk
¼ cup soft butter
1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. sugar
1 envelope dry yeast dissolved in ¼ cup warm water
1 beaten egg
3 ¼ to 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 egg (for glaze)
Method:
1. Scald milk and add butter, salt and sugar. Stir until butter melts.
2. When milk mixture is lukewarm, add the yeast mixture and beaten egg.
3. Add 2 cups of the flour and beat well (2-3 minutes).
4. Slowly add the rest of the flour (if necessary), beating after each addition. The dough should be pliable and not too stiff.
5. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
6. Spill dough onto floured board and knead for 5-6 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
7. Place dough in lightly oiled bowl, cover and let rise until doubled.
Filling:
4-5 slices bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped fine
1 cup chopped, lean ham
¼ tsp. nutmeg (optional)
freshly-ground black pepper
Method:
1. Saute bacon and onion on medium heat until slightly browned. Drain off most of the fat.
2. Add the ham and heat through. Let cool.
3. When filling is cool and the dough has risen, form the piragi into crescent shapes.
4. Roll out a portion of the dough until it is quite thin.
5. Place a scant tsp. of filling in the center and fold the dough over. Cut the dough with a round cookie cutter and carefully press the edges closed. Shape into crescents, and place seam-side down on a lightly greased baking pan. Brush with a beaten egg.
6. Bake at 400 F for 13 to 18 minutes, depending on the size. Makes about 40 rolls.
I thought I would put in another plug for my mother-in-law’s book. I reread it over the holiday and I highly recommend it. It is packed with history, folklore, entertaining anecdotes and insight into what it felt like to be uprooted from your life and culture. Really, I couldn’t put it down.
Sorry for the delay! Here she is! Miss Erin in Nelson will receive a super-fancy Swedish fleece vest – to wear cross country skiing and frolicking with her babies in the snow – and while stoking the fire at home! A perfect fit, I would say!
Me and AZ continued with our tradition of allowing the girls to pick our clothes for our quiet Christmas Eve at home. We focus on setting out a cold dinner of cheese, pickles, piragi, champagne and other goodies, while the girls go to town, choosing a dress and jewels for me and a shirt and tie for AZ.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. See you in January…
My friend J (the one with the best ideas) has inspired me again. Last night, we attended a craft fair and Culture Crawl, with other beautiful women from my old neighbourhood, dreaming about art studios and sharing ideas for new projects. We ran into friends and acquaintances selling their wares, doing what they love… making stuff, not necessarily for money, for fun. We agreed to spend more time making things. It’s so good to be reminded to do this.
Another one of J’s ideas:
Secret book boxes, for birthday presents:
Rough instructions:
- Using Mod Podge (Matte), paint along the sides of an old book so that the pages stick together (I did two coats).
- Once the sides have dried (and your pages aren’t going to move around on you), use an exacto knife to cut into the centre of the book, creating a tidy little box. For added loveliness, I like to leave a few pages at the beginning of the book (the cover page, the dedication page, etc.) If you can, stop on a page with a nice passage or illustration.
- Once you are happy with your cutting, Mod Podge the inside and edges of your new box (again, two coats).
Fill with treasures.
I am a little late with this post… because I want to give you all lots of time to order your copy before the holidays.
My mother-in-law wrote this book. It’s about her childhood, fleeing Latvia as the Soviets took over, then being moved from Germany to Sweden, and finally, to Montreal. She recounts the strength and bravery of her father in creating a new life for his family, and describes how her family held on to their cultural identity during this long period of upheaval. As a mother, it was especially moving to read about the stress and strain the whole experience had on her mother, dealing with uncertainty, illness and isolation. Even if you aren’t family, The Amber Coast is an absorbing read. I am so glad Ilse wrote this book. I think she should write more!
For additional inspiration, go to her Cultural Page for the Piragi recipe (E’s favourite food).
In the backyard (different from coffee and cinnamon twists on the Drive, but no less awesome). We are going to have to learn to skate! Rookie skate mom: we went glove-less.
‘Grinder’ the Grizzly. And E, kissing him. Grouse Mountain cares for two of these. E, S and W loved seeing this one up close after our camping experience with Grumpy the Grizzly over a year ago. This electric fence is far more comforting than our thin nylon tent:
Every year, my grandmother hosts a big Halloween party for all sixty-four of my aunts and uncles and cousins. She cooks beans. And a big ham. Everyone dresses up. Even the grown-ups. I have to admit that AZ and I suck. We only manage costumes every second year, or so. Last night I wore black, feeling twinges of inadequacy as my more spirited cousins pulled-off a Ghostbuster, a Chilean miner, Dexter, a Na’vi and a hockey puck (complete with bloody tooth) – to name just a fantastic few! My uncle always manages to wear something to convey a scary political statement. Maybe next year I should make a counter statement?! Sigh… or not.
My babies, in character:
E as the Red Queen. “I need a pig belly for my aching feet!”:
S as Suki, from one of our favourite books. Um, she actually is Suki (Halloween or not):
And W, just being super:
What a great weekend! Same lovely girls, same sporty town, different windswept beach. I heart AZ for taking on so much at home.
I wish I could say that I love surfing (the beginner boards are heavy and I am a grand master klutz). Next year, I think I’ll frolic on my tummy… on a boogie board… because the waves are fun and the wetsuits work well. B, M, A and A rule:
Day one:
Day two:
The barrista must have known how much M missed Bradley:
Now… back to real life…
now I am posting too often… but I couldn’t resist more childhood shots:
We look like angels… or trouble. I can’t decide. I still miss knee socks (calf hug).
My uncle used this one in the advertisement for his 1980s band, The Beverley Sisters. “The Beverley Sisters go boom-boom”. (this is the only band link I can find: They collaborated on this tune):
