six degrees of bacon

As vast and wide our world is, I am continually awestruck with how connected we really can be. I truly believe there really is "six degrees of separation"...that two people at opposite ends of this earth can be somehow be six or fewer acquaintances apart from each other.

Obviously with social media and it's "domino chain" effect, it's easier to "meet" people through common links on Facebook, Twitter or even Pinterest.  But I think good old fashioned travel and the ability to make fast friends, especially when crossing paths with other travellers with similar (or even polar opposite) views...can help us expand our knowledge of the global world, feeling just a little more connected, and accepting of others.

Sometimes there have been moments while watching a movie, when I'd recollect working with the person on the screen, or recall stories I've heard from others who've worked with that very person.  We used to play "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" on set, and oddly enough, I'd come fairly close to winning (I'm only 3 degrees away).

It's such a funny game, but it demonstrates how we really have the ability to be connected to someone out there, some how, through the relationships we have currently...or had in the past.  

These connections whether brief or long term are just part of the path to finding out who we are.   I believe there is a reason certain people are placed in our lives, and these chance meetings, more than we will ever know, have long term effects down the road. Some people challenge us to rise to the occasion.  Others are there to support and guide.  And a select few are there to give infinite and unconditional love.

This Father's Day, I hope my husband (and all the Dads in our lives) relish the day, acknowledging their role in raising amazing children who challenge, as well as guide us, to be better parents.  And I will cherish my husband's role in our life story together, giving and receiving everlasting unconditional love to me and our kids and guiding all those who know him, whether directly or six degrees away from him...to rise to the occasion and be a better person.

To all the Dads this weekend,

Happy Father's Day!

Bacon Sausage Pasta

Serves 6-8

Although our kids have really great, diverse tastes and have a international palate, one of their favourite foods is a breakfast one...specifically bacon (although sausage runs a very close second). This dish uses up left over (if we ever have any!) bacon and sausages used at breakfast or lunch.  Perfect to go with pasta and make a quick meal for dinner.

Ingredients:

• 450g penne pasta
• 6 Breakfast Sausages (or Italian Sausages of your choice), sliced.
• 6 Slices of Bacon, cut into 1" pieces
• 750 ml of tomato sauce (or 300ml cream plus ½ cup of water, if you're doing a cream sauce)
• ½ cup of parmesan
• ¼ tsp. dried parsley (¼ cup fresh)

Directions:

• Cook pasta according to the package.
• In a sauce pan, cook onions and garlic with 1 tbsp of butter or olive oil, until tender.
• Add cooked sausages and bacon from breakfast. (if you didn't make this for breakfast, then cook the meat first, then add the onions and garlic to the meat). 
• Add the tomato sauce and parsley.
• Bring to boil, reduce and simmer for 5 minutes
• Add ½ cup parmesan
• Toss the sauce with the pasta.

Serve topped with more parmesan.

Enjoy!

happy father's day

It's funny how sometimes certain "Hallmark holidays" can bring the craziness out of people.  Rushing around to get gifts, cards and organizing to get together to celebrate a "holiday".

I'd like to think of Father's day as something more than celebrating the role of being a father.  Everyone's definition of a father's role is different, although strangely enough, all the father's day cards have things like golf, sports, bbq's and sailboats (how many men sail?) that are supposed to represent what being a father is really like.

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For my husband, I'd like to see a card that takes us back to the feeling of when we first found out we were going to be parents.  The anticipation.  The unknown.  The strangely existential feeling that we're never going to be alone anymore....whether the kids are in the house, or in our heart when they "fly the coup".  The sheer joy.

The life altering moment when our children first arrived...part adrenlinen, part euphoria...that complete feeling of exhaustion, but at the same time, the feeling of not wanting to go to sleep.  To capture every moment.  To reassure that everything is and will be, alright.  To hold on to our children tight, forever.

I know those sentiments are often found in Mother's Day cards...I know though, that a lot of Dad's feel the same way too.  I've often used photographs instead of cards (or gift card holders as shown here), to evoke those emotions.  So, to my husband, this is a kiss from one of our kids....

...and to all the Dads out there, this Sunday have a...

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day