Antipasto with Joan - October 2014

Antipasto With Joan

Our good friend, Joan Beck, invited me to her and Art's home in Gibsons to spend the day making antipasto.  I jumped at the opportunity.  I hadn't made antipasto in 6 years.  Jeremy was the biggest fan of my antipasto and my heart just wasn't in it.  But time has passed and Joan, with 3 new recipes to try, was game to try my one and only favorite for all time.  And darn, we were so busy, I forgot to take photo's of the process.  

Joan has the perfect kitchen set up for a day of chopping.  And if you want organized.  She is the gal.  I know, I know, most people think I'm 'Ms Organizer extraordinaire' but I don't hold a candle to Joan's talents.  Besides being a gourmet in the kitchen (she is writing a cook book), she is charming and fun.  We had a delightful day.

And the day, I couldn't believe what we accomplished in 5 hours.  78 jars of 4 varieties of antipasto.  Joan's trick was to pour the hot antipasto in hot jars from the oven,   No processing.  I have always put tuna fish and sometimes shrimp in my antipasto which would not bode well if it were processed.  So for this batch I forego the seafood ingredient, knowing I can add it fresh when serving.

Roasted Vegetable Anitpasto:  Yummm, this recipe had capers in it.  Roasting the vegetables gave it that full smokey flavour.  A bit saucey.

Old Italian:  Straight forward 

Calebres:  Wow, this had horseradish, artichokes, worchestershire sauce and even pizza sauce.  Very nice with bite.

And ofcourse, there was my 'go to' forever Antipasto.  See recipe below. 

Nadine's Antipasto

Ingredients

1 lb. pickling onions

1 lb. cauliflower

1 lb. green peppers

1 lb. red peppers

1 lb. celery

1 lb. green beans

1 qt. dill pickles

4 tins sliced mushrooms

3 tins black olives

3 jars stuffed green olives

80 oz. Ketchup

1 large chili sauce

1 cup Olive Oil

1 cup white vinegar

4 tins solid white tuna

Method

Cut all vegetables into bite size pieces and add all other ingredients but fish.  Stir constantly until full boil is reached and add tuna.  Boil for another 10 minutes and seal in clean, sterilized jars.  Process for 25 minutes (after water starts to boil). 

Having the exact quantities is not important.  If you have more celery than green peppers, if you like more olives, be creative.  The sauce for the quantity is important.  Make sure there is plenty of sauce to cover everything.  Antipasto is a lot of chopping.  I've been known to prepare one day and can the next but then I double and sometimes triple the recipe.  Good luck.

31 Years of Wedded Bliss

Owen's card read:

It's our Anniversary

our 31st as you can see

so many more will surely come our way.

The years of bliss were meant to last

so many things have come to pass

we reflect upon them on this very day.

We've been together for so long

with our commitment staying strong

we'll keep going right through 'til the end.

And with our vows from old John Quirk

we took it on and made it work

my wife, my lover and my dearest friend.

A day of Art and Entertainment

On April 5th, Vivian, Lynne, Jan and I started our afternoon off by attending Marleen Vermeulen's Gallery Showing Open House at GPG.  It was packed but we did get to view her beautiful work, have a couple of nibblies, and chat and schmooz with lots of people.  See Marleen on FB or on her web site.

Then off we went to the Ruby Slipper Fund Event.  Another packed house with 250 women and a sprinkling of men.  The silent auction had hundreds of items from new and lightly used shoes, handbags, scarfs and jewelry to lots and lots of items donated by local businesses.  I bought the $60 ticket package and began my rounds of putting tickets into the bags of the items I most wanted.  The biggest being the Michael Buble tickets in the Coca Cola box at GM Place.  I did not win it but I did not go away empty handed either.

Wish now that I had taken a photo before I ripped open my winning prize.  It was a large cello wrapped basket donated by Flemming and Sombrowski.  #26. The Ladies Party Package - A basket of assorted liquors.  Good time guaranteed - valued at $250.  I am not a huge drinker but no complaints.  With the 65th birthday pending, it will come in handy.

Grand Marnier

Baileys

Rum

Amaretto

Sambucca

Cointreau

Long Island Ice Tea

Skinning Girl Cranberry Cosmo (what is that?)

Baja Rose (what is that?)

Shooters

Ciders

and a few Breezers

Yep, it was quite a haul.  I needed someone to carry it to the car.  And Dave and Owen helped get it inside.  They also were on hand as I opened it up and lightened the load!

Funny how these things happen.  I must have put a dozen tickets in the MB concert bag and a couple for an IPad, and maybe a couple somewhere else and I vaguely remember putting 1 ticket in the Ladies Party Package.  They say it only takes one ticket and here is proof.

 

Tilford Sebion

July 28, 1927 – December 8, 2013

Tilford “Til” Sebion died Dec. 8, 2013. The Master came for Til, obediently he complied.

Tilford was the youngest and only son of Thore and Mabel (Nerison) Sebion. Sadly, both parents died before he reached the age of four, creating a huge void. Needless to say, life’s tasks were taken on with the determination of a self-made man.

At 15, he worked at a gas station while attending Westby High School. World War II had him enlisting before finishing high school. He was a paratrooper in the 505th out of the 82nd Airborne under General Gavin.

Til was discharged in Montana; he had various jobs, telegramer in an isolated railroad outpost, formidable driver at the Kalispell race tracks and operator end loader in construction.

Rainy season found him seeking work in Wisconsin. The RADFORD Co. hired Til as a driver. He found a major piece of his life puzzle in a waitress at a truck stop.

Survived by his wife of 42 short years; children and their families; and sisters, Adeline and Lorraine and their families. Also the numerous friends he made along his life’s path.

 

 

It was with great sorrow that I heard last Friday of my stepdad’s passing.  I know he is missed.  Tilford was the man that was there for me during my impressionable years (3 – 18) and the man I called Dad.   I am so grateful for the many lessons he taught me.  I loved his sense of humour and the laugh lines around his eyes.  It took me a while to learn what a generous and difficult task he had when he took on my mother and her two children.  I remember riding with him in his ‘big truck’ on one of his short hauls, I remember helping him put up the siding on the new addition of the house we grew up in, I remember him teaching me how to drive (and that couldn’t have been an easy task), I remember the family dinners with Lorraine, Adeline, Harriet and Lawrence, and the cousins.  I remember the farm, the fields, and the garden.  I remember sledding in the winter and freezing cold feet at the ski jump hill in Westby.  And ofcourse, there are the memories of the worry and heartache that I put him through during my teen years.  But mostly I remember my last visits with Dad.  The sharing of stories and good things.

Dad, I love you and I miss you.

2003 Introduction to the blog group Belle Papier

Forever young at 54 I live on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia with my wonderful DH of 20 years, a view of the ocean and cedar trees that sway in the wind in our yard.  Our 30 year old son lives in Vancouver (a 35 minute ferry ride away) and works in the movie industry.  And the good news is I am approaching early retirement next May (YAHOO!!!)  we broke ground on July 15, 2003 for my new studio.  From this 600 sq. ft. addition I will be able to pursue my passion.  Making and teaching book arts.  I have "created" in some form of art all of my life - weaving, spinning, dying was an earlier passion.  I've dabbled in fimo, sculpting, painting, always creating in various forms of paper art.  I have made it, painted it, pasted it, stamped it, folded it, scultpted it, cut it, printed it and collaged it.  And for the last few years I have been making books.  I love making books, altered books and recycled books.  I teach book arts and travel to workshops and classes where I learn and share and gather inspiration.  I include found objects and collage in my pieces.

 

Vancouver Art Gallery

Every child has their '1st' visit to an Art Gallery.  Luke had his.  I'm not too sure he was as impressed with the work of Lawren Harris (Group of Seven) as we were but he covered the first two floors before he let us know it was time for a break and a breath of sunshine.

 

What have I been doing since I was diagnosed. Well lets see....

Family 

                                                   

   

Spending Time with Little Luke (20 months)

Drinking Smoothies

Knitting 

Special time with Chloe and Sage

Spent lots of time back in the studio

Missed the Aquababes in the Desert

Radiation has begun

I started my radiation treatments on March 26th.  It will all be over on Wednesday, April 16th.  Yep, that's my 65th birthday.  16 treatments - I have 6 to go.  I haven't documented much about this journey.  It's been a long winter here in British Columbia.  There have been medical exams, xrays, specialist appointments, surgery's (2), tatooing, and a lot of waiting.  It's been frustrating but it's almost over.  I've maintained a positive attitude.  What better diagnoses than to have a small lump, found early in my right breast - called insitu.  Ofcourse there is a lot of medical jargon that goes with that, but let's keep it simple.  I'm going to post some photo's and maybe a little story here and there - maybe not.  But I've been away from my Blog for way too long so this might be a 'beginning'.

And it snowed!!!!

24 hours of big, wet sloppy snow flakes.  Quiet and calm continued throughout the day.  It's been beautiful.  Treacherous on the road but warm and cuddly by the fire.  No power for a couple of hours.  Enough time to heat up dinner on top of the wood stove and dine by candle light.  Lovely.  What will tomorrow bring?

My Valentine's Day card from Owen.

How perfect is this?

And the mother load

In my last e-blast to friends of AES, I asked if anyone had or had access to bits of lace, tapestry, jewelry findings, or all other types of 'useful' things I could use in my lace vignettes and mixed media jewelry.  Vonnie works across the street from the Ladner thrift store.  One of the best I've been in.  And here is what arrived in the mail last week.  The 'mother load' of finds.

Jewelry Findings and Lace

Anne from Saanich sent me these in her most recent package (including pieces of leather).  The envelope that arrived a couple of weeks before has already been sorted and put away.  I'm going to make her a mini leather booklace.

Forever in our hearts. Happy Birthday Jeremy.

Born July 15, 1973. 

Happy Birthday Jeremy.

You were an awesome baby, child, boy, young man and man.

We love you and miss you.

In our hearts always.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Vonnie and Garry

 

Same bouquet in full bloom.  Gorgeous!

 

A Birth Day 40 Years Ago

Written on Ruxton Island, July 14, 2013 for Jeremy’s birthday July 15

To my dearest baby boy,

40 years ago today I brought you into this world and we were together for just over 36 of those years. We will be together again one day but until then I carry you in my heart. So many memories and so many stories.  When I wake up on Ruxton Island in the loft... oh you would be so pleased with the ladder. It is a work of art ~ Owen poured a lot of love into that ladder and knew that with every swipe of the plane, you were by his side and the words he spoke were for you to hear…  Back to waking up in the loft.   The night sky is just beginning to brighten and the birds chattering wake me before dawn.  I think they know the sun is getting closer and start to sing as the sky lightens and begins to turn shades of red, pink and then into a milky blue and then a full on, sky blue.  And I think the eagles are back nesting high above Nelson’s.  You can hear them.  As my eyes peer into the lightening of day, I have a ritual where I trace the Celtic geometric cloth in my minds eye that hangs over the bed.  Did you?   The leaves and needles flutter in the trees when there is a breeze and sometimes the breeze sneaks through the screen window (yep, the window has a screen on it now) and caresses my face.  I love your loft Jeremy, especially in the early morning and there is not a morning, where ever I am, that you are not in my mind and bring a smile to my face and sometimes the ache sneaks up on me and my cheeks moisten as the tears fall ~ the ache of missing you.

 

 

4 years ago today, a little after the sun rose, we walked down the trail together with Mystic in your arms.  I held your beautiful cat while you got the boat and together we took Mystic to the Vet and there he went to sleep for the last time.  This time as you carried Mystic back up the hill from the beach, tears streaked your face.  Losing your kitty after 17 years broke your heart.

 

 

You created a beautiful resting place for Mystic and a part of you is there too. 

As the day wore on, we kayaked to Valdez and along the rock cliff shores.  A beautiful hot, sunny birthday.  Deep in our thoughts.  Dinner and birthday cake.  Another memory I’ll hold with me forever. 

I can feel your arms around me, you sitting quietly beside me, your breath blowing gently across me, your strength helping me through each day.  I miss you Jeremy Moon today and every day.  You are the stars and the moon that light up the night sky.  You are the sun that leads me through the day.  You make me laugh and you make me cry.  It’s here that I feel closest to you but you will always be with me.

 

 Happy Birthday.  I love you.

 

Owen wrote:  Happy Birthday.  Missing you Magoo.  Thank you for this wonderful place.  We’re doing our best to make it a nice cabin.  Having fun with neighbours.  Keep a place in your heart for us as we do for you.  'til we meet again.

Happy Mother's day to all of my family and friends.

There are those of us who may be having a more difficult day. Those whose mother's and children are not here. Some of us will not get a phone call today, or be sharing Mother's Day brunch and if we are, we are faking a smile. The house is empty and we feel the pain. It's okay to let go and let the tears fall and at the same time be remembering all of the wonders of our mother and our child. 

 

With love to you - we are not alone.

 

 

left to right:  Nadine, Gar, Karen.  Debbie is in Mom's arms.  Diane isn't born yet.

 

From my husband on Mother's Day

This has been an unusually hard week conjuring up all the memories of my mother and of Jeremy.  Memories of Owen's mother, Mary and Phil's mother, Kathryn.  Memories that bring smiles but also some pain. The ache that they are not here and that I cannot pick up the phone and say hello, or share or laugh, or get and receive a hug. But I remember their laughter, their wisdom, their unconditional love. And today, Owen helps me celebrate in the memories.

This morning, when Owen got up, he handed me this card. I give him 'grief' about buying cards and tell him to write me a note saying something from the heart or make me a card with humour only Owen can muster. And this is what I got. An amazing man, husband, son and super friend to Jeremy.

 

Canadian Commonwealth Day

Something you don’t see or hear very often

Tonight John and Marilyn invited 20 of us Canadian Snowbirders to their home, here in Hidden Springs, to celebrate our friendship with good food and libations.  Apparently it was Canadian Commonwealth Day.  Fortunately I googled it before we went over because we didn’t have a clue what it was.  There is little public awareness of it.  The most descriptive definition I found said “Commonwealth Day is celebrated on the second Monday of March.  Commonwealth Day is the day when Commonwealth countries, which represent a quarter of all humanity, acknowledge their common bonds and the contribution of the Commonwealth of Nations to the creation of a harmonious global environment. The holiday is celebrated with a different theme every year.  The second Monday in March was chosen as Commonwealth Day because it is a day when all schools throughout the Commonwealth are in session. Commonwealth leaders agreed that the day should be used to promote knowledge of the Commonwealth, particularly among the young people of their countries. Since 1977, schools all over the Commonwealth have organized special activities to promote the understanding of the association. Many places hold events such as games, exhibitions and parties. There are folk dancers and displays of national costumes, and parades of national flags. Many children correspond with pen pals from schools in other Commonwealth countries. Such activities are mainly designed to stimulate the children's interest and make learning about the Commonwealth fun.”

Prompted by one of their guests, all of us sang the Canadian National Anthem.  Do you know all of the words?  The Canadian National Anthem was followed by God Bless America which was a patriotic song written by Irving Berlin in 1918.  Shortly after I told a few of the folks standing close by that the American National Anthem is the Star Spangle Banner.  We knew the words and were able to sing it too.

 

Christmas 2012

Christmas decorations on El Paseo
Christmas in the Desert
A different lifestyle

From Owen and Nadine – Our Christmas note 2012

From Desert Hot Springs, the Coachella Valley, Southern California

This year we have decided to send the money it would have cost to make and mail Christmas cards to the Food Bank and Arrowhead (non profit organizations on the Sunshine Coast).  Hence this letter via e-mail.  The written words in Green is Owen sharing his views on the season and the written words in Red is Nadine catching up on 2012.  When you have time, grab a cuppa tea or something stronger and have a read.

Dear Friends and Family,

Well shut my mouth, its Christmas down south.

The Mountains have snow, but not the valley below.

You can buy a Christmas tree down here but a lot of folks decorate their Christmas cactus.  That’s a little too prickly for me.  Lots of Canucks in Southern California golfing.  Too bad they are not playing hockey.  But look at the bright side, there is no Stanley Cup to lose.

Gee whiz, gosh, by golly, it’s Christmas ‘time machine’ time.  Rod Stewart is singing with Ella Fitzgerald.  Michael Buble is singing with Bing Crosby and I’m singing Blue Christmas but not with Elvis.  Too bad.  We’ll go out on our ‘souped’ up golf cart to sing carols with our neighbours.  Guess what?  The Americans know all of the words to our Christmas Carols.  They are pretty clever.  But they still haven’t figured out our Boxing Day.  Better get off the air for now – have a Merry Christmas.

We have had a full year.  We brought in the New Year in Southern California at Hidden Springs in the Club House.  Owen and his friend, Nathan, provided the music.  Lots of dancing and sing a-longs.  About 70 people.  We enjoyed the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January.   Nadine’s highlite in January was going to the Pasadena Rose Bowl parade.

We spent the winter in the Coachella Valley golfing, exercising and doing a lot of visiting.  Friends from home and new made friends; Snowbirds and locals.  Social butterfly’s! 

We drove to Phoenix in February (270 miles) to visit our niece Sara, Matt & Aidan and Nadine’s Uncle Jack & Aunt Pat.   Sister Karen spent two weeks with us and Sister Debbie and our brother-in-law Rocco were here.  Niece Cara came for a short visit too.  Another highlite for Nadine was volunteering at the LaQuinta Art Festival – the 2^nd largest in North America.  She is looking forward to volunteering with them again in 2013. 

We headed home the beginning of April in hopes of an early sunshiny spring.  That was not to be.  But finally in mid July summer struck with a vengeance.  Big improvements on Mystic Manor, Ruxton Island.  A cart path was ‘cut’ to the cabin, lumber and cement were hauled and a new (not yet completed) 400 sq. ft. deck was added.  The cistern is now filling and one of Owen’s first jobs when we return this year will be to get the pump operating.  We now have a propane refrigerator too.  It is wonderful to have friends visit and a big Shout Out to those who lent a helping hand.  Thank You.

Keats Island remains a constant in our lives.  We have a wonderful community of ‘family’ there.  We enjoy everything about the Island.  Potlucks, visitors, swims, boating, music, memories and sunshine.  Owen continues to whittle away at projects.  There is always something that needs fixed and worked on.

Most of the unpleasant weather was spent at our home in Halfmoon Bay.  It’s a great place to ‘hunker down’.  Nadine spent time in her studio and Owen spent time in his shop.  Owen had a few ‘gigs’ on the SC this year too.  They were time consuming but he had fun and when we are home, he continues to make music with his buddies “The Greyful Dead”.  Besides his music, Owen got out sailing with the same buddies and had a 3 day fishing trip.  No fish.

The big news of the year is the birth of our honourary Grandbaby, Luke.  Luke was born June 29^th to Jeremy’s best friend, Mark and his partner, Jennifer.  We both find ways to get into Vancouver to spend time with Luke and they came to the SC for Canadian Thanksgiving.    We are missing him and can only imagine how much he will have grown when we see him in April.  5 months is a long time.

We have enjoyed decent health.  Owen has had hip issues which also cause him knee and back pain.  We are told that one day he will have a hip replacement.  Sooner is better.  As we get older, we get these little aches and pains.  But most of you know that.

We have returned to California for the winter again.  There is a name for us.  Snowbirds. 

New Years.  Let’s see who can last ‘til midnight.  Around here they all pull the plug when they drop the ball in New York.  That’s 9:00 pm PST.   Hopefully we’ll carry on later than 9.  Next is Couch Potatoe time with all of the college bowl games and guess what?  More food!

Don’t make any New Years Resolutions you can’t keep.  Just pick an easy one and recycle it every year.

We keep Jeremy and all of our loved ones, who have passed on, in our hearts during the holiday season and throughout the year.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest and Healthiest of New Years.

Love from Owen and Nadine

 

Mark and Jennifer

Jeremy’s Best Friend
Jeremy had many wonderful friends that he cultivated and shared his life with.  Mark was his Bro’.  Mark was someone that Jeremy played hard with, had long evenings with, laughed, cried and argued with.  They helped each other when they were ‘down’ and perhaps knew each other as well as brothers.

Our friends Mark and Jennifer
Fortunately we have maintained a relationship with Mark.  It wasn’t long after Jeremy died that Mark met Jennifer and not long after that when Mark brought Jennifer to the SC to meet us. 

Visiting Ruxton August 2010
Mark works along side Owen at things that need done around Ruxton.  Finishing the tar papering before the shingles go on and helping install the window,  Jennifer and Nadine share a love for art and work well together in the kitchen.   Mark and Jen arrived for 2 days and stayed 5.  Gotta love it.

Jer’s bro’ Patrick came along too for a few days.  Are we ever fortunate to have these wonderful people in our lives.

Honorary Grandparents 2012

Sometime after Christmas we received an e-mail and then a phone call from Mark telling us that he is going to be a Daddy.  Oh my gosh, did we hear him right?  A new baby.  Due June 24^th. 

We were back in Canada to attend the baby shower in May.  A great gathering on a beautiful sunny day at Jericho Beach.  Owen helped Mark set up and we all did the decorating.  A wonderful group of friends come out to support Mark and Jennifer before their baby boy is born.

We went back into Vancouver the middle of June to pick up the propane fridge and stove that Mark has ‘scored’ for us and the four of us go out for a lovely breakfast.  Jennifer is only 8 days or so from her due date.  Mark and Jen tell us that they’d like us to be their baby boys’ Honorary Grandparents, if it’s something we’d like.  Duh???  We are so excited.

 

Nadine Meets Luke

Jennifer delivered Luke Samuel Derek Chinque on Friday evening, June 29^th at Women’s Hospital on Oak Street in Vancouver.   He weighed 7# 9 oz.  Mark, a midwife and doula were there as Luke slipped into our world somewhere around 9:30 pm.  A perfectly healthy baby boy.

Mark had 'text' early that day to say that Jen was having contractions and that they were certain that today was the day.  Mark called me at 5:30 pm to tell me that Jennifer just called and he was to ‘get home’ to take her to the hospital.  Everything happened pretty quickly after that.   Jennifer was in a delivery tub and altho Luke was delivered in water, he was immediately put on Jen’s belly so Mark could cut the cord and then the baby was given to Mark to hold while Jen (abate shaky) got out of the tub and dried and was put into bed. 

A picture arrived of the 3 of them shortly after.  I love technology (most of the time).  We get photo’s almost daily of the baby. 

Baby Luke went home on Sunday, July 1^st.  We didn’t get to see Luke until Thursday, July 12.  He was already 13 days old.  Owen and I are both infatuated with the little guy.  Okay, maybe I am a little more than Owen, hmmm, maybe not.  Either way, I was able to spend 5 hours hanging out at the house.  Mama even took a wee nap.