Wednesdays Wonders is back....

As the new year approaches the age old tradition of New Years Resolutions is once again passing through my mind.
Every year about his time I start strategically planning my successes for the coming year. I think it all through... fitness, financial, personal, relationships, work, you name it. Looking forward to set my future and improve my lifestyle. This year something new has come to mind, I should also take stock of the previous year that is winding down. Look back to ponder on my accomplishments of the previous year and inventory what went well and what could still be improved upon.
Like the origins of New Years Resolutions when the mythical god Janus is depicted not only looking forward but also behind we can take a lesson from that meaning and remember to take stock of the things we were able to accomplish as well as the things we still need some work on and like that mythical god, forgive those.
Suddenly by looking at what I have done instead of what I have not done and maybe even more importantly letting go of what I did not get done I feel a bit renewed. I have more energy to continue and do some more.
I suppose it may be a glass half full scenario, but since when is that a bad thing?
So here's to the new year coming, but also to the year in passing and to all the things that you DID get done and the many more that you WILL get done.

In her shoes....

The two women who influenced me most truthfully were my grandmothers. From the days of being a small child to short to reach the kitchen sink both of them always took the time to get a stool so I could reach and in turn they could teach.
From the days spent helping me understand the complexities of peeling potatoes to the fine art of timing the food to all get done at the same time. Something they gave to me even more important though was love, balance and strength.
Love of course to take in but also to share through food and the time spent preparing it. Balance because even when the day is bad the kitchen is zen, it brings all things into perspective and back to the basics of family and sharing. And strength, strength from confidence and knowledge passed on to me from two women who truly knew it all. Most importantly strength to resolve to pass it on to my children, nieces and nephews and some day my grand children. May I be as loving, balanced, fair and powerful as they were.
Thanks Grandma Belle and Grandma Oneita.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is of all the holidays the one that most represents what I love, good food, great family and even better wine. As I prepare for this occasion this year I am given to thoughts of my childhood when we would all gather from many corners of the planet to convene at grandma's house and partake of some of the best cooking one could hope to enjoy. But more importantly we came together and spent time sharing and remembering the year as it had gone by for each of us individually. Recounting joys, tragedies and many things in between. Some how this time of year has left an indelible mark of celebration of food, life and family. Happy Thanksgiving!

Weekend Buzz

I know it's Tuesday but I wanted to give you a little teaser of what the Weekend buzz will consist of. Every Friday I plan to share ideas about weekend fun and projects everyone can get into.
This last weekend our tribe set out on a little treasure hunt. We went looking for the illusive Huckleberry. Living in North Idaho has many benefits. None are more delectable than the amazing Huckleberry. With our buckets and a small brigade of pickers in tow we set out for an adventure. Driving through the back country here is such a rewarding effort. At every turn you encounter a post card moment and then suddenly you see the prize. The Huckleberry. These tasty little gems remind me of blueberries and grapes mixed together. For our family they are best in fresh home made ice cream. So after a good two hours of picking our prize, we ventured back to civilization having once again found a little piece of heaven right here at home.

Wednesday's Wonders

Living in suburbia doesn't always make you think "farm fresh eggs". Here at our own little private paradise we have decided to bring a little old school tradtion to the modern neighborhood.
This week our beloved"girls" Brizza, Sorcia and Betty started producing the most delectable Cadbury sized eggs. Determined to create my own Shangra-la, I set out to raise chickens early this spring. When I first brought home out little beauties my adoring husband thought I had lost my mind. A silly whim however has turned into a near family obsession.
First keeping them in a box with a heat lamp in my office, gradually moving them to the garage and finally creating button hollow for them (their own little Shangra-la).
After just a few short months of careful attention these darling little feathered diva's have started giving us a little bit of heaven in a hardshell.
Iam proud to share that just the other evening we produced an entire meal from our backyard bevy. I will be including recipes from our backyard market dinner in the next couple of days.
The most interesting thing that I found was that everyone even Nicholas, my 12 year old veggie hating step-son found great pleasure in our meal that we grew ourselves.
Call it pride, ownership, curiousity.... I'm not sure where it came from, but at the end of the day it turned out to be one of the tastiest meals we had eaten.
In a triumphant way our feathered friends have brought our little tribe together, each participating and developing ownership in a collective effort of mealtime and family. Ahh Shangra-la!

Genesis

This is my first blog ever. My mission is to share with anyone who would want to know the way that I choose to make everyday a blank canvas. I often think of telling stories and impacting people with emotion and creativity. My thoughts are random and frequent filled with small glimpses of tales like ripples in a pond, not easy to focus on and finally faded away from my vision. I think about the events in my life that are to many, simply pedestrian events, and many of them are, but the ones that frame the happiest times in my life have always been in the moment and carried out with great passion. May we all find courage in living the art of life.

Growing up, food was always a special occasion. Sitting around the table listening to sounds of family, laughter and sometimes tears but always memorable and important. As an adult food keeps it’s special place in my life. I have had the opportunity to do many things that I never thought possible as a child. The most fascinating thing out of all of the adventure is that the things that are dearest to me are right here at home with my family and friends. Eating amazing food, sharing even better wine, and just spending time together being who we are FAMILY.