NANA SAYS BLEND SOME CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS WITH MODERN IDEAS

Family traditions are okay but they should not get in the way of how a modern family needs to function during the holidays. Some parents can take time off work to be home during the school break but many need to work. Not everyone can afford a trip south to get away from it all. Then the demands of " this is the way we always did It!" Yes when you were a child but now the two parents both bring traditions to the table. My husband and I blended the Italian-Canadian aspect of our family. Christmas Eve with the seafood dinner and 7 dishes that came from his home country of Italy was always welcome. Christmas Day with the Canadian turkey dinner and all the trimmings with the Christmas crackers- English idea gave the Canadian tradition I experienced as a child. The stockings for the children were hung with the goodies to come from Santa. Adolph did not have a stocking as a child so never rose to the occasion of wanting a stocking. So we do not do it now that we have been empty Nester! Although I miss the idea of filling a stocking at Christmas. Of course my house was always decorated for Christmas with the tree and lots of lights. My mother always made our childhood home very festive with lots of baked goods. Making new family traditions work. My children were always allowed to open one present Christmas Eve, where as a child I was not. My children love the idea that Christmas dinner is still at home with the parents. They do have some events during the season we attend. Perhaps the children in the family will bring an idea for everyone to do thus creating a new family tradition. Some couple still spend Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day driving to family events all over the province. Not a great tradition. Some families should rethink how to get members together without the stress of all the driving. There will come a day when these parents will go to the children's home for the dinner. As children grow, they want to stay in their own home Christmas day to play with their stuff. There are plays and concerts and ballets at Christmas that can become a tradition too. Some people like to see the National Ballet Nutcracker every year in Toronto. I have seen it with the girls when they were younger. Perhaps it is time to take the grandchildren to see it- a new tradition. Parents are trying to create memories and traditions for their little ones to capture. Less is more! The simple things are the best things. Rather than trying to bake for an army, maybe just make some simple sugar cookies to be decorated as an activity. Bringing those cookies to the Christmas dinner are always welcome. Those boxed gingerbread houses that many children love to make are fun too. But less is more, so attending all the functions that come with the season is cumbersome, try to slow down all the rush. A good hot chocolate with marshmellows while watching a favourite Christmas movie while cuddling on the couch is a good simple, fun event. Maybe while the kids are watching, the weary parents can take a short nap. One of the best Christmas traditions is you the parent! How you handle the season makes the memories. If you are tired and nagging and just complaining about all the work that is the memory you are creating. So check yourself periodically. If you are not enjoying yourself, try to cut back on some aspects. Life is not perfect, so Christmas will not be perfect either. Just aim for a good one. December events are just gearing up, so remember your support team- the grandparents and the siblings without children. How can they help!

A WEEKEND OF COOKING

Easter brought its share of cooking and eating. Families together for various meals. Church, egg hunts, and lots of dessert. Rebirth, renewel and review are some of the concepts that come to light for many. For some it is just a weekend off from work. For many family cooks it is a busy time making ham, lamb or turkey depending on your own family traditions. My husband Adolph decided to make some traditional Ciociaria foods. One food he made was Canascione- an Easter treat from that region in Italy. You can read about it at http://granpalovestocook.blogspot.com/ How was your weekend of celebrating. Was it eventful?
Our Easter treat has cheese, egg noodle and sausage in some.

It was baked then cut into pieces and served as an appetizer. As the cook's assistant I cleaned the kitchen afterwards. Do you have a favourite recipe to share with Adolph?

#canascione#eastertreatfromciociaria#reglectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#adolphlovedcanscione#adolphmadecanscione#granpalovestocook#sausagecheeseinthecanascione

CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS

Christmas can be a time to remember, to reflect on the past year. Our Christmas cards or emails with a newsletter of the year's events brings everyone up to date on our lives. Little traditions from our childhood can come forward into the present.
I bought some fruitcake- a little one as it reminded me of the ones my Mom would make when I was a child. Some panetone for Adolph's Italian tradition! Delicious apples and large oranges- they were regulars in our Christmas stockings. My Mom grew up in the Canadian Depression so were reminders an apple and orange were a special treat in the 1930's. Eggnog is in the fridge since my Dad always wanted a drink of it at Christmas. Vermouth is in the house as I like to have at least one drink with some lemon and ice to remember my mother-in-law Concetta. We would always have a little "toast" together Christmas Eve. I put a picture from one Christmas past on my fridge. This year it is one of Sonya and Natasha as little girls. As many Canadian traditions are included in my home- singing-christmas carols, christmas trees,  lights, stockings, Santas, reindeer, snowmen, hats, scarves, winter wonderland, church and the turkey dinner with the bread stuffing and all the trimmings! Especially cranberries from our aboriginal people's heritage!
Missing people in our lives can be honoured by all our little gestures that are significant to us but may be lost on others.
Christmas can be whatever you want it to be. Many make the effort to go to church. Or the focus is gathering at family homes!
Do you find yourself remembering? Reflecting? Thinking about others? Are you excited for the day to be here finally?

OUR CHRISTMAS TREE

A house is not fully decorated for Christmas without the tree. We usually get our real tree about 10-14 days before Christmas. Decorated with lights and our favourite bulbs with an Angel with a light and Tasha's little toilet paper creation from Kindergarten, it sits in our Family Room to enjoy.

Christmas trees have their roots in many ancient traditions. From the Egyptians to the Romans and the Druids in Great Britain, everygreen trees were symbols of lasting through winters. Our more modern traditions come from Germany and Scandinavia. We are told Martin Luther put candles on his tree in honour of Christ's birth.

Those traditions were brought to North America when the various immigrant groups arrived. Of course the coniferous trees are prolific here making it easy to have Christmas trees. Now the tree industry is a staple. We can buy a tree from many sources. Our local malls or stores have sellers or go just a little north of the city to a Christmas tree farm, cutting your own tree. Of course you can get an artificial one that are prelit for your convenience.

I like to add these little artificial trees in various spots around the house. The grandchildren can touch and play with them.
The Christmas tree is a highlight in many town squares throughout the country. Even our local town has its own tree in front of the Centre for Performing Arts in Richmond Hill.

As the tree grows over the years, then the light display will become bigger. Actually the Spruce tree on our front lawn is huge now. A testament to Coniferous trees everywhere.
But tell me- do you put a star or an angel at the top? And why did you chose one over the other? Is there a religious reason for you? A family tradition? Or do you just like it?
O Christmas Tree!! Another wonderful song. For all those little children who think their Christmas tree is the best, make sure you make the effort to let them know- yes it is!!

FRESH- LIVING IN THE MOMENT

Do you ever think the word fresh really means living in the moment? You're a breath of fresh air. Fresh fruit, fresh vegetables- go to the farm for fresh eggs! Don't be fresh with me young man! Go outside to get some air- it's stuffy inside! Your freshman year at university! New or renew! Adolph made homemade spaghetti using those fresh farm eggs for Natasha's birthday dinner! Makes it taste better! Is there a time every day to refreshen what we do? Lately, I have been experiencing the boredom factor in several areas of my life. How about you?  Looking at what I have and refreshing my thinking has helped to find some renewel! Decorating for Christmas brought some changes! Declutted my office space at work! And you? Make a fresh start every day! Decide to add new and let go of old! No long range plans-just a look at today! Is there a new idea or tradition to add to your festive season! Or revisiting an old tradition making it fresh! Does the word fresh conjure up any thoughts or ideas for you? Are you feeling fresh right now?

EASTER THURSDAY AND PASSOVER

A holy time of year for Christians and Jews. A time to stop and remember the significance of the stories. Religious, spiritual or otherwise, there is so much to include in our lives from the Bible and the parables told. May we continue to count our blessings and pray for a peaceful world. To those suffering today, may others reach out to you and aid you! Take time to make the holidays joyous! Especially when you have little children to pass on the traditions. Whether it be the special food you may make or a time to have a special dinner together- it is a time of celebration and reflection! Do you have traditions you follow? Tell me what they are. I was fortunate in 1991 to visit Jerusalem and follow the steps Jesus took. A wonderful local Rabbi was our guide. A holy city for- Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Something to think about!