old things, part the second

I am incredibly fortunate. For a variety of amazing reasons, but today I'm feeling particularly appreciative of some 'new' cookbooks that were given to me after Nana passed away. They're about as different as you can get from my somewhat sterile, super-perfect Martha collection. And that's what I love about them. Nana has written all over them, spilled and splattered on the pages, and enjoyed the meals made from them.
One of the books is the Barbour's cookbook, a New Brunswick household staple in years past, it would seem. Turns out that there is a reprint of the 1950's edition that you can purchase. The latest edition was printed in 1988. I especially love the quotes throughout, and the vague instructions.
In true Nana form, this book was opened to the doughnuts page and held there by an elastic.

I am so pleased to have these little pieces of Nana's life to relive and enjoy with my own family and friends. I think she would be pleased, too.

nana

Adam's Nana passed away on Friday. She turned 95 on Wednesday. I am so happy that she got to meet both of our beautiful boys, and that they got to meet her. She is the Nana of the delicious biscuits, the quilt, and hugs, kisses, and cheek-squeezes like you wouldn't believe. The funeral was really a celebration of her long and full life, and a testament to all of the friends and family who loved her so much.

So we're with family for a little bit, which is why I was going to be away from the blog. But I obviously can't handle not posting for more than a few days. So please give someone a hug today and mean it - Nana's life reminds me how much that can really make a difference.

nana's biscuits

I don't think I've shared this recipe here before, and it's a good one. It's Adam's Nana's basic biscuit recipe, which I made some changes to a couple of days ago. At Adam's request, they ended up as cheddar and chive biscuits, using chives straight from the garden. They make a perfect toasted bread for a breakfast egg sandwich, which we enjoyed yesterday. Holy yum.

Just follow biscuit protocol, and they should turn out beautifully, unlike mine which are admittedly not the fluffiest this time around. I changed several things: I used powdered milk, which I've been using for baking lately. It works well in everything I've tried so far, and it's a lot less expensive than fresh. I also added the cheddar and chives, and used butter in place of shortening. And I overmixed it. So perhaps yours will be perfect.

The recipe pictured is part of a book of recipes that Nana (who is now ninety four) put together ten years ago. She gave one to each of her grandchildren for Christmas. I couldn't be happier to have it in my cupboard.

blue bedroom

Here's P's newly redone bedroom! It's obviously not complete, but is well on the way. Adam took the picture this morning, and we've been putting fresh wallpaper in the closets today (another snow day!) Adam's Nana (P's Great-Nana) made the quilt for us as a wedding gift. It matched so nicely, I washed it up and moved it from our bed to P's new one. Once P's moved in, we'll be able to set up Son #2's digs in P's current room - exciting times!

Happy Wednesday!

meeting great-nana

My favourite picture (taken by MIL, thanks!) from our long weekend with the fam.

Yay, Frenchy's!

Up until this morning, I was starting to wonder if I would have to pay full price for a few pairs of maternity pants to wear to work. I was having decent luck finding shirts at Frenchy's (and Value Village when I was in Saint John), but suitable pants were scarce. As in non-existent. Until I stopped at Frenchy's on the spur of the moment this morning after dropping Adam off at work, where I found not just these brand new Gap maternity pants in my size exactly, but two other pairs of Old Navy and Gap pants perfect for work. Also a red t-shirt and a really cool red shirt which I will post a picture of post-wash (far too wrinkly at the moment) came home with me. Grand total for the three pair of pants and two shirts? $15.72. Ahhhh. The pants need to be hemmed, of course, but that's certainly nothing new. I'll whip out the sewing machine this weekend.
Is this not the cutest hat EVER? I hope we have a girl, just so I can see this hat on our baby! Predictions are in from most people, and the general consensus is that it is a girl. Nana even said so, and apparently she knows. I found some other cute baby things this morning at the first Frenchy's I went to (where there have been no new maternity clothes put out in the last week and a half) like pale yellow pants with little feet and funny yellow and green striped velour pants which I get a kick out of. And so cheap!

cookings

So, not only is my handsome husband handsome, but he's quite a cook and baker, as well. He's made crepes a few times lately, and they are heavenly.With natural peanut butter and sliced strawberries, or stewed rhubarb (would be even better with whipped cream!) - they're delicious. And easy! (Or so he tells me.)


He's also made his Nana's biscuits, using the heart cutter from Austen. Aren't they beautiful?

And soap! (I handle the soap, not so much Adam.) Tomorrow is the March Winds market at Beacon, from 9:30 until 1:00. My soaps (not these particular ones, obviously) are wrapped and ready to go - I can't wait to see everyone! There will be freebies with sales until they run out, so be there early!

I've been having a lovely week off - Ingrid and I went for a drive yesterday and ate at Tempest for lunch. It was delicious, and the service was amazing. I also stocked up at Fox Hill Cheese - more about that soon. Also, I now have tickets (and a handsome date) for Old Man Luedecke in Wolfville on April 29! I am SO excited.

I hope that you've had a good week, too!

biscuits make anything better

I had no idea that having kids would involve this amount of being sick. Really, it's starting to get a bit ridiculous.

Phillip started feeling terrible on Thursday. He was throwing up (that's done now), has a fever, chills, headache, is dizzy and can't walk unassisted as he's still too unsteady on his little feet. When I started to get really concerned yesterday, I called 811, which is a way to speak with a nurse here in Nova Scotia who can advise whether a trip to see a doctor is warranted. After her assessment, she told us to go right to the hospital and she would send her information to them. Off we went, and it turned out that Phillip was dehydrated enough that he needed an IV. The nurses were wonderful and explained everything that they were doing; he was a champ and didn't mind much at all, probably partially because he felt so terrible. As long as he knows exactly what's going on, he's usually fine. (And surprisingly, I was fine, too.) After that was done last night, he felt quite a bit better. Today, he's still feverish and really dizzy, with the chills; I had to carry him from place to place around the house. He did keep a little bit of food down, though, and drank enough to pee several times. The poor kid started to fall asleep in his chair when he was at the table having some toast this afternoon, and he asked to go to bed at 6. He's been sleeping since, the poor little guy. The most pitiful thing he said was after a particularly vicious bout of vomiting yesterday: "But Mama, I wash my hands! And I still got sick."

So this afternoon, I made Nana's biscuits. She raised a pile of children, and I know that she would have some wonderful, time-tested advice. And a big hug, of course.





Oh, and this is the rhubarb jelly that I made from Marisa's book - isn't it beautiful? (And sooooo tasty.) Perfect on a biscuit.

I'm going to head up and check on everyone and give P some Tylenol and try to get him to drink a bit. Hopefully he'll be a new boy tomorrow.

Goodnight!

*Edited to add: I just went up to check on everyone, and Phillip's temperature is finally good! He needed to pee, had a little drink and is settled in for the night. I think he's through the worst of it now. It was so nice to kiss his sweet little forehead and it wasn't scorching hot.*

quick quaker muffins

Thank you, Ruby Grant. From one of Nana's cookbooks that we've been enjoying lately. (Phillip can read her cursive writing. I thought that was pretty amazing.)