APRIL-A MONTH TO REMEMBER CANCER

Cancer can affect anyone in any family. It still really is a disease for the old even though we all have known people at all ages who may have experienced some form of cancer. Some types of cancers are treatable and curable with a long life span. Others are treatable but do shorten the life of the person. Some types go away for awhile with treatment but can return at a later date. Some are very aggressive! There is lots of literature available to discuss the types if you want to learn more. I just think Cancer Sucks! To those who are experiencing it- don't lost hope! To families and friends supporting the person- don't lost hope! To all the researchers, please keep researching and maybe there will be new hope for longer tomorrows! Thank you to the oncologists, doctors, nurses, dieticians and a social worker or two who work with the patients and families to try to bring a quality of life!
Do you know someone with cancer- give that person a hug for me!

THE STRENGTH OF FAMILY

We all have a family-love it or loath it! There can be conflict. There can be love. In times of adversity, family know our history and love us anyway. The death of a family member leaves a hole. Depending on the relationship, things are never really the same again. Memories of the good times and the bad times come flooding back into our consciousness. There can be a real disbelief the person is no longer with us. Coming together to honour the person, gives us all some comfort. Looking at our pictures! Telling stories! Family keeps the memory alive. Keeps the person with us! Family can include friends that are more like family than family! Are you glad you have your family to comfort you? Even when far away, there is the safety knowing there are others who care!

NANA SAYS CHILDREN NEED TO LEARN TO SHARE

Sharing is a difficult concept at all ages. The word mine is learnt shortly after the word No for little children. We all have our things or want the things to be "mine". Sometimes as adults we expect little children to be better behaved about sharing than the average adult. By teaching children to share, we also must be willing to share our things, our favourite spot on the couch, our favourite mug or do we? We can share a bag of cookies- everyone gets two, okay maybe three! Children must share their parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles.Is it reasonable to expect an older child to share age appropriate toys with a younger sibling? Sharing love is hard! There is sometimes a need to be the favourite! When there is only one of anything, like the wagon at my house sharing is a must! However, I want my grandchildren to have fun, play and honestly the less fighting the better- done that, been there! So some solutions! Each child gets their own spot at the kitchen table with their plate, cup, etc. For example, for the longest time, one grandson played with the little plastic wheelbarrow I have in the house. But this year everyone-all 4 want to play with the one wheelbarrow! Do I teach them to share so every time the whole gang is here they are fighting over a plastic wheelbarrow? No, I scoured many stores and finally found 3 more wheelbarrows, sets of plastic rakes, shovels and hoes! If they were here alone all the time, one would have been fine but often I have two or four at a time. Now outdoor play in the yard will be better and enjoyable for Nana. Each child will have a set of toys to perform their own creative play. Sharing the lunch platter of goodies will occur! Sharing the space! So learning to share as well as have some ownership can go hand in hand for little children, teens and adults! Do you have ideas of teaching children to share? Do you as an adult really like to share your things? What limits do you put on sharing in your home?

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

MORE SPRING FLOWERS-ANEMONE BULBS

I love all the new colours that keep emerging from the ground. These little blue flowers- Anemone- are all over my paths and garden now. Like all bulbs, they are planted in the Fall to bloom in the Spring! Do you have some in your garden?

VIMY RIDGE- A PROUD DAY IN CANADIAN HISTORY PART TWO

Last April 9, 2011, I posted about my grandfather's involvement in World War One. Vimy Ridge is a famous battle in that conflict that demonstrated to the world how important the Canadians were. My cousin Roy wrote about more of Ernest Adolphus Ellis role in the war in the comments section. Today there are memorials about the battle. 95 years later we continue to honour the sacrifices made for all Canadians who benefit today. Reviewing the post from last year will give a clear description of Ernie's role. One day I hope to visit Vimy Ridge in France- it is on my bucket list of places to see! Do you have a story about Vimy Ridge? Did you have a family member who served there?

GOOD FRIDAY BLESSINGS

Spending a day at home with grandchildren, cleaning and counting our blessings is a wonderful way to begin the Easter weekend. What are you doing to take advantage of a day away from work? Did you go to church? Do you have a special meal to prepare? How are you counting your blessings?