quick hurry

 

To the best of our ability, keeping our family life relatively simple is key to making it run smoothly and happily. Sometimes there are speed bumps...other times there are road blocks...navigating the rocky road to keep our family harmonious in an unsettled economy.

We have been very fortunate that we were able to sustain our modest home, and even if it's size (or lack thereof) can be frustrating, at least it is manageable for our current hectic lifestyle.

I can't imagine what it would be like to live in a monstrosity of a home...you know what homes I'm talking about...those that are so big that it would take a whole crew just to maintain it.  I'll admit it...i've been wanting to move to a larger house for quite sometime now.  As our kids get bigger, we are starting to outgrow our house.  But logistically, geographically and financially, we are very comfortable with where we are right now.

After hearing that Warren Buffet has lived in his modest 3 bedroom home for over 50 years, I think we can do the same thing (well, maybe not 50 years, but maybe a few more).  Afterall, he's worth billions of dollars and it has been well documented that he lives a very simple life, enjoying simple pleasures (plays cards with Bill Gates), and doesn't believe in keeping up with Joneses (he owns a private jet company, but doesn't travel on one).

"I have an ideal life. I get to do what I want to do everyday. 

And money can't buy any more than that".

I think about that quote every time I get frustrated with the little things.  I get to do what I want to do...to nurture our family in our cozy home, raising amazing, responsible, respectful, kind and loving children, with the company of wonderful family and friends.  So instead of hurrying to find a bigger house, we'll wait a bit, enjoy what we have now, and share these simple chocolate butterscotch bars instead...and let them be made, in a hurry.

Chocolate Butterscotch Simple Fix Bars

(adapted from the "Quick Hurry Bars" from the 150 Delicious Squares book)

Ingredients

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 1/3 cups medium unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 can (11 oz) sweetened condensed milk.
• 1/2 cup of President's Choice "Mini Butterscotch  Melts" (butterscotch-filled mini chocolate cups)...or mix 1/4 cup each of butterscotch and chocolate chips.

Directions

• Combine first 3 ingredients in medium bowl.  
• Add condensed milk.  Stir well.  
• Spread evenly in well-greased 8x8 inch pa.  
• Bake in 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes until golden.  
• Let stand in pan until  cool.

Makes 25 squares.

worth a thousand

Elounda Gulf Villas, Greece.

Amazing infinity pool!

feeling blue

I'm feeling blue...but a blue of a different kind.

It is now March, and I'm starting to feel that summer is just around the corner (yes, I know...it's not even Easter yet). However, since March Break is just next week, I find that time flies so quickly that next thing you know, it's summer, and we're by the water at the cottage.


When I did a search on Pinterest for "blue", so many beautiful images came up.  The consistent theme of course, is the water.  Nautical themes.  Beach inspired loungewear.  Photos upon photos of oceans.

Pinterest

Such beautiful places!  Makes me dream of white sand and cool turquoise waters...(*sigh*)... well...we're not there quite yet, so I guess I'll just have to settle for a different kind of blue. 

Fig and Balsamic Jam on Blue Cheese

Adapted from Kitchen Konfidence

Fig and balsamic vinegar jam topped on blue cheese and baguette crisps (you can use sliced and toasted baguettes to make like bruschetta) makes a wonderful appetizer or snack.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh figs, stemmed and roughly chopped
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (or to taste)

Directions

• In a large saucepan, combine chopped figs, sugar, balsamic vinegar.  
• Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.  
• Reduce heat to low and simmer stir occasionally while the mixture is simmering.  
• Try to break up any large chunks of fig while stirring; however, you want to keep the consistency of the jam chunky.
• Once it appears to have boiled, remove the saucepan from the heat.  
• Test the consistency of the jam by placing 1 tablespoon of the mixture in small bowl.  
• Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.  If you find the jam is a bit too runny after 10 minutes, return the saucepan to the heat and simmer away for another 5 – 10 minutes.
• Stir in 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and taste the jam.  Add more lemon juice if needed.  
• Transfer mixture to a canning jar or other container.  
• Once the mixture is completely cooled, store in the refrigerator.

Makes 2 – 3 cups.

karmic bank

   
Although there were some wonderful films celebrated at the Oscars this year, one of the categories of film that I am drawn to are documentaries.  When I go to a film festival, I usually attend the screenings of films that are unlikely to get major international distribution...put together with very little money, but a lot of passion and a powerful story to tell.  The audience gets to experience and discover raw and interesting talent that hasn't been influenced by a major Hollywood studio or big budget marketing campaigns.

One of my favourite authors is Margaret Atwood.  Her ability to write stories with such layers and depth has been an inspiration to me both as a writer, and previously as a film maker, (her stories are beautifully descriptive and cinematic in nature).

{source}

One of her non-fiction books, Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth; (Anansi Press, 2008) a visionary book of essays about systems of wealth, justice, and reparation, was used as a narrative for a documentary that was previewed at this year's Sundance Film Festival.  

In her book, Atwood explores the history and meaning of debt, which is an especially poignant topic particularly for this moment in time where the economic world is in turmoil.  Her book delves into, what she considers, "the other meaning of debt, the debt of the the human spirit".  In an interview promoting her latest film collaboration, Atwood states that debt is not just financial debt, but a karmic bank...that we are indebted to those who have influenced us in the past (influenced with their help, their teachings or an emotional effect, positive or negative)

I like this idea of a karmic bank.  As much as we often feel grateful to those who have helped or taught us, sometimes we forget that we also hold on to the negative feelings inflicted on us which also influenced or shaped how we view ourselves today.  I often witness people who fixate on the negative, on the "revenge" of being done wrong...when bad karma goes around and around, it almost becomes never ending.  

But instead of allowing negative karma to continue, I like the idea that the act of forgiveness can help alleviate psychological debt or burden in that "karmic bank", and make one feel truly (debt) free.  And as difficult it is to forgive, it's like that feeling of trying something new for the first time.  You might be apprehensive at first but when once you take that leap, you'll feel the burden off your shoulders, and just might enjoy it.

Just let it go.

That's an idea that we can all bank on.

not a chilli reception

Some of the funniest things to listen to are the Oscar speeches (or any award show speech).  Besides the red carpet fashion, I also look forward to hearing the funny, moving or awkward speeches by some of the winners. Those speeches can be so cheesy sometimes!

I can't imagine what it's like to be on stage, televised in front of millions of people, receiving an award for a role of a lifetime.  When I was little, I used to rehearse my own little speech time and time again, influenced by many of the speeches I've heard.  Here's a few memorable quotes from last night and previous Oscar speeches that were either funny...or received a chilli reception.

Christopher Plummer, 2012 
(Oldest actor to win an Oscar)
(To the statue) "You're only 2 years older than me, 
where have you been all my life?" 

Christopher Plummer, 2012
(He deserves two quotes, his speech was that good!)
"To my long-suffering wife who deserves the Nobel Peace Prize 
for coming to my rescue every day of my life"

Meryl Streep, 2012
"First, I'm gonna thank Don, because when you thank your
 husband at the end of the speech they play you out with the music, 
and I want him to know that everything I value most in our lives, you've given me".


Meryl Streep, 2012
(She too, deserves two quotes, for her classy speech)
"I look out here and I see my life before my eyes. 
My old friends, my new friends and really... this is such a great honor, 
but the thing that counts the most with me is the friendships 
and the love and the sheer joy that we have shared 
making movies together. Thank you all - departed and here - 
for this inexplicable wonderful career."

Billy Crystal, 2004

“Good news, they found Nemo. The bad news is, they found 

him in one of Wolfgang Puck’s puff pastries”.

Kathy Bates, 2003

“Every time an Oscar is given out, an agent gets his wings”.

James Cameron, 1998

“I’m the king of the world!” 

Jessica Yu, 1996 

(short documentary film producer)

“What a thrill. You know you’ve entered new territory when you 

realize that your outfit cost more than your film”.

Sally Field, 1984

“I can’t deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!” 

{sources: Listverse & Whyfame}

Now that I'm just a tad older, I don't really rehearse my own Oscar speech anymore. (okay, maybe once in a while...shhh, don't tell).  Funny thing is...now I really do have the most amazing role of a lifetime: 

Mother. Wife. Sister. Daughter. Friend.  

With these strong women "roles", although we don't get to attend Wolfgang Puck luncheons, receive free designer gowns, or televised recognition on a world stage, I think our "award" is worth way more than the weight of that gold statue.  So quoting the always classy Tom Hanks, here's what my speech would be today (just imagine I'm on stage holding a little gold man, wearing a beautiful Armani, Monique Lhuillier, or Marchesa gown...oh just humour me, okay?). 

"I am standing here because the loved ones I share my life with

 has taught me, and demonstrates for me every day, just what love is."

I hope all of you with strong "roles" feel awarded too.  This simply said it all...a sentiment that I hope, is warmly received.

Slow Cooker Chicken Chilli on Nachos

I just made a simple slow cooker chilli, using ground chicken to make things a little healthier.  Great on organic nachos topped with cheese, sour cream and avocado.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground chicken
• 2 (15 ounce) cans chili beans, drained
• 1 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 tablespoon bacon bits
• 1/2 cup beer (optional)
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 (10.5 ounce) bag corn tortilla chips/nachos
• 2 cups of  shredded Cheddar and/or Mozzarella cheese (or more for garnish)
• 1 avocado (for garnish)
• 1 tub of sour cream (for garnish)

Directions

• Heat a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Brown the ground chicken until evenly cooked. Drain off excess grease.
• Pour in the chili beans,diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Add the onion, celery, green and red bell peppers, bacon bits, and beer. 
• Season with chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, oregano,  basil, salt, pepper, chilli powder, paprika, and sugar. 
• Stir to blend, then cover and simmer over low heat for at least 8 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat and serve
• To serve, ladle into bowls filled with nachos and top with sour cream, shredded cheese, and avocado.

Enjoy.

worth a thousand

Fregate Island Private, Seychelles

Romantic.

waiting for gold

The Greenroom, LA

Although there are so many luminaries nominated at this year's Academy Awards, I'm particularly interested to see Christopher Plummer win for Best Supporting Actor.  Not only is he a fellow Canadian, but I personally had the honour of working with him (in my past life when I worked in film and television).


There's a old saying in the film industry that what we did most of the day was "hurry up and wait".  Makeup artists and hairstylists quickly priming the actors for a scene.  Light and sound crews quickly setting up for the actors to arrive. This flurry of action immediately preceded a stillness...where time seemed to stop while we waited for the right quiet moment to occur before we heard the word, "action".

"Interior designer Michael S. Smith was inspired by the 1930s and ’40s
when creating his 2011 greenroom design, because it was a period of time,
he says, that “really established what we think of as Hollywood glamour.” {source}  

Doing a film is like playing a unique "time game".  It's about "Let's see how fast you can get ready, and then let's see how long you can wait until it's your turn to do what you're paid to do".  While you're waiting, everything better be picture perfect ready.

"Dorothy and Roy Christopher described their design for the first official Architectural Digest Greenroom as “a tip of the hat to the glamorous settings from Hollywood’s Golden Age.” With a sleekness associated with the Art Deco era, the room matched the elegance of the stars that filled the space that evening."
{source}

It was an amazing experience to witness Christopher Plummer play this "time game".  His professionalism was the epitome of what the golden era of the film industry must have been like.  He was a true gentleman. He opened doors for others, spoke with a charming sense of humour, and never raised his voice even in a creative disagreement (and there were quite a few).  For someone who has worked with the best in film and television, he was very patient with those of us with less experience (or those who were obviously in awe with his film history...not a day went by when the Sound of Music's "Edelweiss" didn't play in many of our heads!).  He knew that great art couldn't be rushed.  And he modelled that patience...waiting "in character", extremely focused and being very still...until it was his moment to shine.

I love how this greenroom at the 2006 Oscars looked...neutral colours,
peaceful, but still glamourous.  It makes one feel that although you're waiting,
you really have arrived...and that moment to SHINE is just outside the door.
{source}

Mr. Plummer has waited quite a while to win an Oscar (he's been nominated, but never won), and I hope it is his moment to shine again, when he takes home gold this Sunday.

Academy Award 2012 Predictions

Here's my predictions for the top categories for the Oscar's this Sunday.


Best Picture: 
Who will win:  The Descendants
Who should win:  The Artist or Hugo (a silent film or Scorsese...that's a tough one for me)


Best Actress in a Leading Role:
Who will win:  Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady 
Who should win:  Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs (we've seen male actors win Oscars when they portrayed women, like in "Tootsie" or "Mrs. Doubtfire", but I'd like to see the reverse)


Best Actor in a Leading Role: 
Who will win: George Clooney, The Descendants 
Who should win:  Demián Bichir, A Better Life (I like rooting for the underdog!)


Best Actress in a Supporting Role:
Who will win:  Octavia Spencer, The Help
Who should win:  Melissa McCarthy, The Bridesmaids 
(that epic bridal store/food poisoning scene had me in awe and in tears from her effortless performance, and for me, might go down in film history as one of the most disturbing female bathroom scenes)


Best Actor in a Supporting Role:  
Who will win:  Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Who should win:  Christopher Plummer, Beginners (of course!)




Who do you think, will take home gold this Sunday?

not having your cake

Sometimes I stumble upon a recipe and think to myself that it is something I NEED to make. Right. Now.  

One of these "need to try" recipes was Martha Stewart's "Three Tier Candied Pecan Cake with Brown Butter Pears".  It's one of those recipes where you stop reading and rummage through your cupboards hoping that you have the ingredients on hand so you can make the darn thing....right this moment.

Did I have pecans?  No.  Did I have pears?  Still no.  

So the ingredients went on my shopping list, and the next time I was at the store, I purchased those items.

Did you ever have a list and by the time you go grocery shopping, can't remember what the ingredients were supposed to be used for?  Yup. That's what happened here. By the time I remembered,  we ate the pears already, but I still had pecans. And still no cake.

Oh well, part of the recipe was candied pecans.  It sounded good, simple and easy to do right now, so that's what I ended up making.  At least I can say I started making the  "three tier candied pecan cake with brown butter pears".  I just made it...minus the cake part.  

Maybe some day.

Candied Pecans

(Extracted from Martha Stewart's cake recipe)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups pecans, toasted 
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temp
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tbsp.  pure vanilla extract
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. grated nutmeg

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Toss toasted pecans with butter, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg on a rimmed baking sheet
• Roast, stirring halfway through until toasted, about 10 minutes.
• Let cool.

Enjoy.

baste not, want not

I often hear the phrase, "waste not, want not".  I had a general idea of what it meant, but wanted to know more, so I looked it up and found a clear definition:  "If we don't waste what we have, we'll still have it in the future and will not lack (want) it."


I usually heard this phrase over a meal, and it is often referenced to having too much left over food on the plate creating waste.  This is something that is often found in our house, especially since we have children.  Getting them to eat everything on their plate can at times be trying, and at other times, impossible.


There's nothing that grates me more than waste.  Throwing things away, to be exact.  I always have the notion that if  you spent hard earned money on something, it better be used to it's fullest, so nothing was wasted. Or at least save the remaining portion to be used at a later time.  But after a two hour excursion at Whole Foods, looking deeper into this phrase, I realized that it's the quality not quantity that needs to be re-examined.  Spending more money on smaller portions of quality food meant every bite counted (and costed), so every bite better be quality, and it forces you to eat what's on your plate.


I think "waste not, want not" however, also applies to other things in life other than food.  I think it applies to the quality in love and friendships too.  It means not taking for granted the things people do for you.  Like making an early breakfast to go or having a hot meal ready at when you come home from work. Or taking a break from your busy schedule to just sit with a coffee and an ear (or a shoulder).   Or an out-of-the-blue acknowledgement and compliment about work you've done.

So on Family Day today, enjoy spending time with those who've put love and effort into the quality into your life. In this world of time constraints, it's about the quality of time, not quantity of time that matters.  So make every minute count, and don't waste those treasured relationships you have....if you appreciate them, they will still be there for you in the future.   

Herb Butter Basted Chicken

(inspired from this Thanksgiving recipe)

I re-used a great herb butter recipe that was from our Thanksgiving turkey for this chicken.  It's really tasty and simple to make....that can be re-used over and over again, on various poultry, whole or in pieces.


Ingredients

• 5 tbsp. butter, room temperature
• 1 tbsp. each chopped fresh rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley
• 2 tsp. garlic, chopped
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 whole chicken (or approx. 4-6 pieces of breast, leg or thigh)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in the lowest position. Make herb butter: In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons butter with chopped herbs; season generously with salt and pepper.
• Loosen skin and rub the herb butter under the skin. 
• Rub with remaining 3 tablespoons of herbed butter. 
• Season generously with salt and pepper. 
•  Roast 1 hour, then baste every 20 minutes with pan liquids.

Enjoy.

worth a thousand

Pangkor Laut Resort,  Malasia

Absolutely stunning.