My First Winter Escape! - Part 1

For the first time ever, I had a brief escape from winter. The trip was an ever so generous Christmas present from fam to spend a week with them at their winter home in Mesa, Arizona. I flew out of Winnipeg on the edge of an incoming blizzard on Jan 11 and landed in Phoenix that evening to what turned out to be a week of record low temps! So cold, that there were deep frost warnings most nights and I was often asked if I had brought the cold weather with me!!

I'll admit, that I've said a lot of nasty things about how Mother Nature handles the weather in my part of the world but I really hoped this wasn't my karma for the comments!

Saturday dawned clear and cool. After breakfast, we took a walk around the Rec Park that their park model is located in. The lots aren't large but several residents have added a guest room - commonly referred to as an Arizona Room. The well groomed lots and common areas are landscaped with several types of native plants, cactus and fruit trees.

How lucky they are to have fresh lemons and oranges growing right outside their doors! If I could have, I'd have brought fresh lemons home with me but customs doesn't allow that!

If you get bored at this place, it isn't for a lack of things to do! From fitness, to crafts/hobbies, games, other amenities and a countless choice of activities, it is a very social place! 

Since the first few days were so cool, we opted to spend a fair amount of that time shopping! (I'll write more about that and some otherthings from the trip in a future post!)

By Tuesday, the weather was a bit warmer so we headed out for some sightseeing. We drove towards the Superstition Mountain Range then turned into an old mining town called Goldfield. It was still quite cool and a bit of a wind so we didn't take the train tour but we did drive around to take pics. I would love to go back for the train ride and to explore the buildings!

Then, it was further up the road, past Canyon Lake. A spectacular view of desert and mountain scenery at every turn!

Our destination was Tortilla Flat. Originally, a stage coach stop, this little town is full of character, great scenery and good food! Our lunch was delivered to our table within minutes and was delicious! We stopped at the Mercantile to pick up some souvenirs and then the Country Store for some chocolate and peanut butter cup gelato! OH SO GOOD!

I was so busy enjoying the scenery and atmosphere, that I neglected to take pictures of the unique wallpaper that lines the walls, posts and beams of the restaurant and store - it is made up of real $ bills that are signed by visitors from around the world! Guess I'll have to go back someday!

On Wed, we took a drive out to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. It is home to a wide variety of desert plants including cactus, trees and bushes. There are numerous trails to explore - most of which are on fairly accessible levels. When we started walking, we inadvertently took one of the side trails. The side trails are far more challenging than my vision or legs could handle though so we only went a short distance before turning back and getting on to a main walkway. We only made it through about 1/3 of the main walking paths as there is just so much to see! If I make it back, I'd go for the day and pack a picnic lunch!

Thursday was the warmest day of my visit - and the only one I could have worn my carpri's and sandals had I not been boarding a plane back to Winterpeg in a few short hours! (Yup, Mother Nature may well have been sending me a message - you're leaving soon, so time to warm things up around here!)

Since I'd flown in at night, I wasn't able to observe the true landscape that surrounds Phoenix. When we headed out of the park for our various destinations, I was surprised to see just how close the mountains were. I could just make out the outline of the mountains along the horizon without using my monocular - and with my limited vision that is saying a lot! 

I was impressed with how much landscaping is done along the various roads and freeways in the Mesa and Phoenix area. Out on the highways, I was a bit surprised to see so much scrub brush and even small boulders in the open areas. I think I expected to see more actual sand. Naive to the area? Yup, but I also loved the beauty of it! A sight to behold at every turn!

There are countless places to enjoy walking and hiking regardless of your physical agility. The numerous Rec Parks for those of a certain age, provide many amenities and socializing opportunities. However, from what I saw, it would also be difficult for anyone without a vehicle to live independently there. Stores - grocery or otherwise - were not within walking distance of the parks.

Even so, I can certainly understand why so many snowbirds make the trek to Arizona every winter! It is a beautiful area with much to see and do. The winter temps there are generally warm enough for capri's or shorts during the day but it also cools down nicely for sleeping at night.

My time in Mesa was short, but I loved it! Hopefully, I will be invited back for another winter getaway so I can see and experience even more of this picturesque area!

dn

Flying - The Highs And The Low!

I haven't had a lot of opportunity to travel in my life, but as I told you in a recent post (A New Year, A New Adventure!), I was about to embark on an adventure.

Well, it was a wonderful trip! There is far too much to tell in one blog post though, so today I want to focus on the actual travel part rather than the destination.

I hadn't flown since 1999 and that was only to Calgary, so rules and procedures have changed greatly.

Luckily for me, I was flying with WestJet - an airline with an excellent reputation for customer service!

The only issue I had was in advance of the flight when I called customer service to add my name to the "meet and assist" option for those with a disability. I wasn't impressed that I had to wait on hold for almost 45 minutes before speaking with a very helpful rep who patiently answered all my novice flying and security questions.

As a friend drove me to the airport on the morning of Friday January 11, a blizzard was approaching Winnipeg. The only problem I had though, occurred while walking through the airport parkade. I didn't see the edge of a curb and fell. I scraped the base of the knuckle of my left hand (to the point of bleeding). I also managed to go through the left knee of my pants! Luckily, my injuries were not serious. I went to the washroom, cleaned up my knuckle and changed into a different pair of pants before checking in. (I had colourful bruises on both knees and a nasty looking knuckle for a couple weeks but at least I hadn't broken anything in my fall!)

A WestJet rep, met me and escorted me through all of security, showed me my gate, where the ladies room was and where to get some water. WS 493 de-iced before takeoff but the flight was smooth with a friendly crew. 

When we landed in Calgary, I was assisted by a very helpful WestJet fellow who filled out my customs form for me then showed me where to check in for my connecting flight later that afternoon and he pointed out washrooms and eating/shopping areas for me to check out during my layover.

I spent the next couple of hours walking and exploring some of the shops but also enjoyed the big comfy chairs for waiting passengers! The White Hat volunteers were also very friendly and helpful!

When I checked in with WestJet at 3:50, for my 5:50PM WS 1494, I was met by an incredibly helpful woman! We chatted about my trip as we collected my checked luggage and transferred it. At the security and customs, she helped me with everything! Once through, she showed me where to sit to put my shoes back on - then she got all of my belongings from the bins and put the zipped bags back in. She showed me where my gate would be (it was closed off at that time as other flights were landing). She guided me to a restaurant so I could eat before the flight, spoke with a server to make sure they would assist me with reading the menu and even made sure they refilled my water bottle! Before this angel left she gave me a big hug and told me to have a wonderful trip! WOW! Talk about making a person feel special!

The flight to Phoenix left about 25 minutes behind schedule but the crew were very friendly and extremely helpful! We landed only a few minutes late.

The ground service assistance in Phoenix is apparently contracted out, so I was not met by a WestJet rep. The Red Vested man who assisted me was helpful but merely doing his job. My family met me part way to the luggage carousel. Once arriving at the carousel, the luggage was very slow to come down and it took close to 45 minutes before my luggage came out the chute! This is apparently, not that uncommon at that airport.

~*~*~*~

On the return trip, Thursday January 17, I checked into WestJet at about 6PM for my 8PM WS 1343 flight home to Winnipeg. I was passed off onto a Red Vest fellow who was also assisting a woman unable to walk the distance to the gate so was using a wheelchair. Our departure gates were close to each other as were our flight times so he was attempting to help both of us. 

For a competent staff person, this would not have been a huge challenge but in my opinion, assisting one would be more than enough for him. He was also soft spoken - normally a good thing - but often hard to hear amongst other airport sounds.

It started well enough. He pushed the wheelchair and I walked behind carrying my winter coat, pulling my carry-on and using my white cane. At security, he placed both our carry-on bags on the conveyor, and placed a couple of bins on the table for our personal items. He then helped the other woman get up and to the screener. I was pretty much left on my own to place my items in the bin and remove my shoes. Our bags were already on the other side and out of sight. I neglected to remove my passport holder from around my neck so was delayed further. When I finally got through the screening, he was busy helping the other woman get resettled with her possessions and only gave me minimal assistance. Luckily, there wasn't a line-up behind us.

We asked him to stop at a washroom near our gates in terminal B. While there, I realized that I didn't have my coat and neither did our assistant! It was still back at security!

I, of course, started to panic!  He assured me it would be fine and that as soon as he took the other woman to her gate, he would come back and escort me to security to claim it. I stressed the necessity of my winter coat for our winter weather but he seemed unfazed by my concern. 

Since I wasn't sure of the way back, I had no choice but to wait - although I do feel that he could have had another staff person assist one of us. It was several minutes before he returned and a long walk back to security. We did use the moving sidewalks but regrettably. he had little training in assisting a visually impaired person as he grabbed my arm as we got on or off rather than having me take his!

Thankfully, the much needed coat was still there and I reclaimed it. On the walk back to the gate, I asked where I could refill my water bottle. He showed me a drinking fountain! It is impossible to fill a water bottle from the average drinking fountain!

Needless to say, his assistance was subpar at best! 

After I sat at the gate for awhile, I walked back to a Starbucks and got friendly assistance from the counter staff to get a snack and a new bottle of water.

At the gate and on my flight home, the WestJet staff were a refreshing welcome after the unnecessary stress of earlier! The flight attendants were very accommodating and friendly - engaging myself and others in conversation en route.

On landing in Winnipeg shortly after midnight, I was met by a WestJet rep who guided me through customs and collecting my luggage. A second rep (wearing a winter overcoat) helped me get a taxi and ensure my luggage was loaded. I was back in my apartment just before 1AM!

I could easily have been soured by my experience with the ground service assistance in Phoenix, but thankfully, the WestJet flight crews and those who assist on the ground in Calgary and here in Winnipeg, soared high above the expectations of many who travel!

Thank You WestJet! I hope I get to fly with you again!

dn

Orange and Chocolate Cream Pie

Over the years, I've made it a tradition to come up with a new dessert to serve for my annual get together with the girls. This past holiday season was no exception!

Of course, it contains chocolate - both in the cookie crust and the filling. The bittersweet chocolate in the filling is also enhanced with the juice and zest of an orange and I added some Grand Marnier liqueur! I used light cream cheese and light whipped topping, but didn't add any sugar. Sugar would only distract from the sensational flavour combination of the chocolate and orange!

The result, is a decadent looking dessert that is a much lighter texture and less caloric version of a chocolate cheesecake. Despite all the chocolate and orange flavour it isn't overly rich or sweet either!

I've made this dessert a couple of times over the last few months and everyone who has tried it has thought it was delicious! 

The dessert I came up with isn't just for holidays or special occasions though. It is simple enough to make and enjoy at any time of the year!

That being said, with Valentine's Day just a few short weeks away, and the abundance of fresh oranges in stores right now, this pie would be a perfect way to finish off a meal! 

Orange and Chocolate Cream Pie

22 Fudgee-O* cookies (1/2 of 550g bag)

3 Tablespoons margarine, melted

8 ounce/250g light cream cheese, softened to room temperature

6 ounces bittersweet chocolate

1 orange

2 Tablespoons Grand Marnier**

1 Litre container light whipped topping

Break cookies into smaller pieces and place in food processor. Pulse to form crumbs. Add melted margarine and pulse to blend. Reserve 2 Tablespoons of the crumb mixture for topping. Place the remaining crumb mixture into a very lightly greased 9 or 10 inch deep pie dish. Gently press onto bottom and up the sides to form an even crust - about 1/8 inch thick. Chill in refrigerator for at least one hour.

Chop the bittersweet chocolate into small pieces and place in a microwave safe bowl. Melt on medium power, stirring every minute until thoroughly melted - about 2 - 2 1/2 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Zest the orange as thoroughly as possible without going into the really white pith. You should get about 2 Tablespoons from a good size orange. Set the orange zest aside and juice the orange. You will need a minimum of1/3 cup but can use up to1/2 cup of juice. (If you have more than that, either drink it or reserve for another use.)

Cream the softened cheese to make it really light and smooth. Add the cooled, melted chocolate and blend thoroughly. Add the orange juice, Grand Marnier and about 2/3 of the zest. Mix till well blended. Stir in about 2/3 of the 1 litre container of whipped topping. Combine till smooth and creamy.

Pour the chocolate cream cheese filling into the chilled chocolate crust and spread evenly to edge of crust. Top with the remaining 1/3 of the whipped topping.

Garnish with the reserved cookie crumbs and orange zest.

Chill at least 3 hours or overnight before serving. Makes 6-8 servings.

* Fudgee-O's are pretty much the same as a Oreo with the major exception of a chocolate filling rather than a white cream. I have also found that the No Name version of this cookie sold by Canadian Superstore is a suitable substitute in flavour and texture - and a lot cheaper!

** This isn't a lot of liqueur, but if you prefer not to use it, then you can omit and just add the equivalent in orange juice. If you don't have Grand Marnier, you could also substitute Amaretto or Frangelico.

Enjoy!

dn

A New Year, A New Adventure!

Happy New Year!

We are just a few days into a brand new year. For most, the often hectic pace of the holiday season has pretty much settled back into normal routine. The decorations are put away, the turkey and holiday treats are gone from the fridge and the temptation!

Some have made resolutions - and a percentage have already broken them!

I used to make resolutions when I was younger, but I just never seemed to be able to follow through on most of them. The resolutions were made more out of good intentions rather than true desire to make changes.

I don't make resolutions anymore. Not that I am perfect! Not by any means am I perfect, I just choose to live every day as a gift and be the best person I can be.

As I grow older, I find it harder to make changes. I get used to doing things in certain ways. I make minor adjustments when I have to, but even those can sometimes be a challenge.

Yup, I am slowly turning into one of those "set in their ways" folks! Not that I'm really THAT old as I am only 55 - I'm just comfortable in my routine!

However, this year there will be a change!

This year is different. I will have an adventure.

I am about to go on my first ever winter trip!

Aside from a few medical related trips in the 1990's to Toronto and Calgary - for various eye treatments, I've never really had much of an opportunity to travel more than a couple hour's drive from my home. Okay, there were a handful of trips in my late teens and twenties to Alberta, Southern Ontario and Colorado - but those seem like a lifetime ago!

It has been just over 13 years since I've been on a plane and 30 years since I've crossed the border from Canada into the USA.

It's not that I never wanted to travel. There are lots of places that I'd love to visit. Lots of things I'd like to experience and places to explore. I've just never had the extra resources to make any of those journeys.

Now before, you go jumping to conclusions, this probably wouldn't qualify as an adventure to anyone who has done some traveling. I won't be going hang gliding or swimming with sharks or white water rafting! Nope nothing that outrageous. Well, outrageous for me anyways! Besides, I don't want to have to make use of the medical insurance I bought!

Nope, I am just headed south - out of our "Winterpeg" cold and snow for a few days! A few days of snow free, warm temperatures. It will be a shock to my system but I am prepared to make that sacrifice!

How did all this come about?

As a Christmas present, I received a trip to fly down and stay with my amazing, beyond generous, familial snowbirds for a week at their winter home in Arizona!

The idea of the trip first came up last September. To say I was shocked and overwhelmed is a bit of an understatement! It just never occurred to me that I would ever have the resources to take a trip given my limited finances and visual limitations! I didn't want to jinx my good fortune so I didn't tell too many people about it - in case it didn't work out. There was a lot to figure out and organize before any trip could happen.

But, it has all worked out. I applied for, and received my first ever passport. Some of my awesome friends contributed to my "new luggage" fund rather than buying me individual Christmas presents. I looked in quite a few stores and on several web sites to find the right luggage for me - and finally settled on a model by Samsonite from Bentley's online site. It arrived a few days ago.

The flight is booked. I've made a list of things to pack. I've made a list of things I'd like to shop for while I am in the states. I'm slowly crossing things off of the "to do" list before I go.

To be honest, I'm not looking forward to going through security as so much has changed since I last flew. I've been reading the do's and don'ts on the Canadian and US government and travel web sites. I've been talking to my more seasoned traveling friends for tips and advice. Hopefully it will all go well - both going and returning home.

All in all, I think I've pretty much got it all sorted out. I just have to pack and get to the airport.

It has been an adventure just getting to this point, but I know that once I get on that plane, that will be when the real adventure begins!

dn

Turkey Lurkey

If you’ve ever listened to the Vinyl Cafe on CBC Radio, you’ve no doubt heard the story of how Dave cooked the turkey. One Christmas, his wife Morley had put him in charge of cooking the turkey. Late on Christmas Eve, Dave realized - too late - that had also meant buying the turkey! He found an all night store and purchased the last turkey. He spent the rest of the night defrosting it with an electric blanket and a hair dryer. When he went to cook it, he was unable to get the stove to work as it had been most recently used on automatic timer. Time ticked on and Dave had to resort to drastic measures to get the turkey he named “Butch” ready in time for his families dinner. (You can here the story here or here.)

Well my turkey story isn’t as extreme as Dave’s but it did have its moments!

Believe it or not, at age 53, I'd never actually cooked a whole turkey by myself before. I used to help my mom get the turkey ready but she was always in charge of actually roasting it.

What had I gotten myself into!?!

Years ago, I occasionally cooked a small 2-3 lb chicken and made it into TV dinners to freeze. I quit doing that as I found it was a lot of work dealing with the bones and I really wasn’t that fond of dark meat. I generally bought boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Occasionally I’d bake a couple over a batch of my mom’s stuffing. Simple, ready in about 45 minutes or less and delicious! Once or twice a year I’d buy a turkey breast roast if I found one at a good price.

So, a few days before Thanksgiving 2011, I went looking for a turkey breast roast but couldn’t find any. A boneless, skinless turkey breast was over $7/lb and I refused to pay that much. I had lots of chicken in the freezer but I was hungry for turkey. Safeway had frozen turkey’s on for $.99/lb. The man in the meat department found one in the back for me that was only 3.9kg/8.6lb. I bought it and stuck it in the freezer.

On the Saturday afternoon before our Canadian Thanksgiving, I started posting turkey updates for my friends. One of them suggested using a technique from Martha. Another said they were going to write a sitcom about my adventure. I asked if they’d be consulting Stuart McLean for info on how not to prepare a turkey – at least not the way Dave had. My friend asked if I had a hair dryer...

I informed my friends that I don't own a hair dryer or an electric blanket. My stove does not have an automatic timer setting, I don't drink scotch and I haven't named the turkey "Butch"! Despite being an experienced cook, this was also a Martha free zone! I was aiming for somewhere in the middle.

Late Saturday afternoon, I took the bird out to thaw. I didn’t want to use the sink or even the bathtub to thaw it in as I knew I would need to use both before the bird was ready for the oven. I finally remembered that I had a decent sized canner that it would likely fit in. I had to put it in at an angle but it just fit! I weighted it down with a heavy cutting board so it would be totally submerged in cold water.

Now what was I going to cook it in? The roaster I had wouldn’t hold more than a 3lb. bird. I used to have a shallow rectangular roaster that it would’ve fit nicely except that I’d given it away less than a year ago since I hadn’t used it in over 10 years!  I could have used the base of my oven broiler pan except that I’d also given it away as I never used it either.

I guess I could have gone to a store and bought one of those disposable pans but by then, it was too late Saturday night and I wanted to get it in the oven by 12:30 or so on Sunday so there wouldn’t be time to go when the stores opened at noon. I may have been able to borrow something from a neighbour but the ones I knew who might have something that large would be cooking their own birds.

A friend suggested I take the turkey to a hotel room... I wasn’t that desperate!

What to do? I finally decided to improvise by putting a wide swath of foil in a rectangular pan I had. The foil would hang out about 3 inches on all sides. I’d set the pan on a cookie sheet to catch any drips.

As I crawled into bed Saturday night, I thought I had everything under control. Turkey Lurkey was thawing and I knew what I was roasting it in.

Then it hit me. Did I still have string to tie up the legs? What about metal skewers to pin the wings? Did I still own a baster? Did I even own a platter? Curiosity got the better of me so I got up to check. I had the string and I found a “Chinet” plastized platter in the cupboard. No idea how long that has been there but I could cover it with foil to serve TL on! Oh well - two out of four ain’t bad!

Sunday morning I made my mom’s stuffing recipe. Turkey Lurkey was thawed so I took it out of the bag, removed the innards, washed the bird and dried it out with paper towels. I laid TL in the improvised roasting pan and put as much of the stuffing in as would fit. (I’d bake the leftover in a casserole dish later.) The skin around the bottom cavity wasn’t complete, so I couldn’t pull it all the way over the stuffing. I used the string to tie the legs together but also used several lengths of string to pull the legs and the wings closely into the bird so they wouldn’t burn or dry out. I took another couple of lengths of foil and fashioned a lid over TL.

I had TL in a 325F oven by 12:20PM. Basting TL wasn’t easy. I tilted the pan to one end and used a tablespoon to pour the liquid over the bird. 

Oh, and one other thing – I didn’t have a thermometer either. By the way, you knew I am legally blind didn't you? I have a large number digital one thermometer but the battery was dead and the old style one I found in my utensil drawer was too small for me to see the numbers. I’d have to “wing” it!

TL was done before 4. I baked the rest of the stuffing and also stuck a potato in to bake. Steamed broccoli and a glass of sparkling apple juice rounded out a delicious meal!

I deboned TL and got about 3 1/2 lbs of meat – 2/3 of which was white. I kept some in the fridge for sandwiches and a couple of suppers and froze the rest in individual portions with a bit of gravy added to keep them from drying out.

It was a lot of work but I’d be enjoying TL for several weeks – probably till sometime after Christmas! 

Would I do it again? Maybe – but if I do, I’ll get a better pan, some skewers and a baster!

Funny thing is, I am normally very organized and over prepared for anything I attempt in the kitchen or almost anywhere else for that matter. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t really thought all of this through or missed that many things. I guess I could have gotten upset at all of the obstacles along the way, but I just kept thinking about Dave and his adventures with “Butch”. I decided to laugh at my adventure.

I laughed a lot that weekend. Besides I thought it would eventually make a good story for the blog!

Merry Humbug!

dn

dn's Chocolate Sin Cake

If you are looking for a decadent dessert to serve this holiday season - or any time of year for that matter - look no further!  Have I got a chocolate dessert for you!!

Just over a year ago, while having dinner out with some gal pals, I had THE most decadently chocolate dessert that I've ever had in my life! It was called Chocolate Sin - a dense, moist dark chocolate cake with a creamy chocolate filling and a bittersweet chocolate ganache! It truly was to die for!

I decided to attempt to create my own version of this amazing dessert. I looked for recipes online but what I found was far more complicated and fussy than I was willing to attempt - even for that intense chocolate fix! I wanted something that was fairly simple to do - that didn't require major baking skills.

Yup, I wanted a lazy version!

The cake itself was the easiest part. I used my tried and true Better Than Sex Cake recipe. If you have a good dense dark chocolate cake recipe, you could easily substitute it for the cake - assuming you want to make it from scratch! 

The filling and ganache would be trickier. Real ganache is made with high quality chocolate and whipping cream. I refuse to buy whipping cream as it is ridiculously expensive and way too rich for my taste.  I also hate trying to heat it then temper it with the chocolate to make a smooth ganache. It is finicky and prone to disaster if you aren't really careful!

There had to be a simpler way that I could imitate the original without all the fuss and bother!

With a bit of thought, I decided to try doing the filling with a combination of melted bittersweet chocolate and Nutella combined with softened light cream cheese. The first attempt at the filling was a bit on the dry, crumbly side but with a bit of tweaking, I came up with a smooth creamy filling. The ganache to spread over the entire cake would be made with additional melted bittersweet chocolate and Nutella.

I made the cake for a friend's birthday and they raved that it was the best cake ever! I also made the cake for the same gal pals I had dined with and they thought I had indeed captured the flavours and textures of what we had devoured at the restaurant!

This recipe can be made using two 8" or 9" round cake pans. I have also used smaller round pans to make mini cakes - see near the bottom of this post for smaller pan sizes, bake times and altered quantities for filling and ganache. There is also a version for a lemon cake with the chocolate filling and ganache!

A little goes a long way with this cake so the full size will easily serve 12-14.

dn's Chocolate Sin Cake

1 devil's food chocolate layer cake mix

1 instant chocolate pudding mix - 4 serving. Not the low cal variety!

3/4 cup chopped almonds - toasted

1 cup semi sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

4 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable/canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup fat free sour cream

Pre grease two 8 or 9 inch round pans.* Preheat oven to 350F

Combine the cake mix and pudding mix. Remove about 1-2 Tablespoons and mix it with the chocolate chips and almonds. Set aside.

Add the eggs, oil, extract and sour cream to the remaining cake/pudding mixture. Mix on low to combine then increase to medium and beat till light and smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips and almonds.

Divide batter evenly among the pans and bake till toothpick test comes out clean - about 30 - 35 minutes depending on pans and your oven.

Remove to cooling racks and let cool for about 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen any edges from the side. Place a second cooling rack on top of the pan and carefully invert the cake to remove from the baking pan. Allow the cakes to cool completely then chill for a couple hours or overnight.

Filling and coating

2 Tablespoons liqueur such as Cherry Brandy, Kahlua, Frangelico, Amaretto or Grand Marnier 

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces

1 cup Nutella (Hazelnut spread)

1 8 ounce light cream cheese, softened to room temperature

toasted almonds for garnish

With a pastry brush, gently brush the liqueur on the bottom of each layer.

Place strips of wax paper along the outer edges of a cake plate - overlapping so that it forms a full border around the edge of the plate. Lay one of the cakes - top side down in the center of the plate.

Place the chocolate and Nutella in a microwave safe bowl and melt on medium heat - stirring every minute till fully melted and smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.

In a medium sized bowl, beat the softened cream cheese till light and fluffy. Add about 1/2 of the chocolate mixture and mix thoroughly. Carefully spread the chocolate cream cheese mixture evenly onto the bottom layer of the cake. Spread evenly to the edges but do not go over the edge. Align the top layer - top side up.

Carefully drizzle the remaining chocolate/Nutella mixture over the top of the cake - allowing it to drip down the sides. With a knife, carefully spread the melted chocolate to cover all sides. Sprinkle the top with toasted almonds. Chill in fridge for at least 30 minutes. With a sharp knife, carefully cut around the bottom of the cake to separate any dripped chocolate on the waxed paper from the cake itself. Gently slide the wax paper out from under the cake. Return cake to fridge to chill.

Remove cake from fridge about 15-20 minutes before serving to allow chocolate coating to soften slightly before slicing.

Notes:

*If using smaller pans adjust baking times. I generally use 4 smaller pans and find it takes about the same amount of time as an 8" round does. Even though the pans are smaller around, the cake is deeper so the time really isn't that much different. Check them after about 30 minutes.

Make a separate mini cake from each pan. Once the cakes have cooled and chilled slightly, using a sharp knife, carefully slice the cakes horizontally so that you have two layers from each pan. You can also freeze any of the mini cakes BEFORE frosting them. Allow to thaw in the fridge before slicing and frosting.

For the smallest (5"-6") cakes, I use 1/2 the quantity of the filling and coating recipe.

1 Tablespoons liqueur such as Cherry Brandy, Kahlua, Frangelico or Grand Marnier 

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces

1/2 cup Nutella (Hazelnut spread)

4 ounces light cream cheese, softened to room temperature

toasted almonds for garnish

For a 7" pan, I use a 3/4 recipe.

1 1/2 Tablespoons liqueur such as Cherry Brandy, Kahlua, Frangelico or Grand Marnier 

6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces

3/4 cup Nutella (Hazelnut spread)

6 ounces light cream cheese, softened to room temperature

toasted almonds for garnish

Flavour variation:

Substitute a Lemon layer cake mix and lemon pudding mix for the chocolate cake and pudding. Make the cake as above. For the liqueur, I use Bacardi Limon but you could use Frangelico or Amaretto. The rest of the recipe and procedures are as above.

Enjoy!

dn

Shopping For Clothes

I HATE shopping for clothing! Yup, I admit it! I am a female who does not enjoy shopping for clothes!

For many years, I was able to find much of my wardrobe at a Canadian chain called Cotton Ginny. I LOVED that store and spent a great deal of money over the years! Sadly, it closed down a couple of years ago. Many items in my closet bare the Cotton Ginny label. I LIVED in their Organic Cotton jeans! They had just a small amount of Lycra for stretch but - OH they were SO comfortable!

I'd been dreading the day, when I had to shop for new jeans. Those beloved organic jeans have been getting a little thread bare in the last year and wasn't sure they'd make it through another winter. I really should have stocked up before the store closed for good.

Oh well, this past September it was time to face the fact that I needed new jeans. Where to start? Mark's Work Warehouse has a wide selection of garments and I'd found a few tops there over the years, but I'd never gone jean shopping there. Warehouse One was another option. I vaguely recall finding jeans there in the late 80's or early 90's. Oh, for the days of my youth when I could just pick up a pair of Wranglers without having to hit the fitting room!

I'd heard some great things about a store here in Winnipeg on Sargent Avenue called Sargent Blue Jeans. Lots of styles to choose from, knowledgeable staff and free alterations - all at very reasonable, competitive prices. It was a bit out of my way, but if I had to find jeans, I decided to start there.

Sargent Blue Jeans isn't a fancy clothing store. It's focus is on the clothes it carries and the service it provides its customers. As you walk in, the sales counter (large enough to use for a cutting board) is on the right. The fitting rooms are on the left with a commercial sewing machine nearby. Clothing hangs on the walls. In the middle are long rows with a huge assortment of neatly stacked jeans.

The woman at the counter greeted me within seconds of my entering the store. She explained that the owner had stepped out for a few minutes and she was very busy, but would help me when she could. She was in the process of altering a pair of pants, but asked me what I was looking for in a jean. I showed her the CG ones I was wearing and said something like this! CG, had had their own sizing so I had no clue what size to ask for. She looked me up and down and said she would find some to fit me.

A few minutes later, she walked up and down the aisles, stopping occasionally to check through the stacks for a size. She returned with three pairs thrown over her shoulder - showed me into a fitting room and gave me the jeans.

I tried on the first pair and was stunned to realize that they were a perfect fit! I tried on the other pairs. Over the next 15 or 20 minutes, she knocked on the door a couple of times to ask if I needed any help or other sizes. I told her what fit, what didn't and where they didn't fit. She removed the ones that didn't fit and brought more to try on.

This woman was amazing! She just looks at the customer - then walks down the aisles stacked with piles and piles of styles & sizes - picks out a few that she thinks will fit you! She was helping about 3 or 4 of us at the same time AND doing the alterations while we were trying things on! She never once got any of our sizes or style needs mixed up!

By the time I was done, the owner had returned. He was working the cash register, helping customers and ironing newly altered seams.

I tried on eight or nine pairs and purchased two very comfortable pairs of jeans that day - one a dark denim (the first pair I had tried on) and the other a charcoal grey. The total was just under $90 including taxes!

Needless to say, I will be returning to Sargent Blue Jeans for any future jean purchases!

That same day, I was also looking for a wind-breaker. I had been to Mountain Equipment Co-op a week or so earlier but hadn't found anything that I liked that was under $200! YIKES! That was more than I had paid for my winter jacket! Since I was already out, I decided to push my luck and keep shopping!

Wilderness Supply on Ferry Road at Ellice was my next stop. I found a summer weight rain jacket I liked but I wanted to check out Cabela’s while I was out in the area as I REALLY didn’t want to spend $130! The clerk said it was a 14 day return policy or she could also hold it for me for up to a week, but suggested that I should come back on that Saturday as there was going to be a big sale and I could get 60% off! I said that bus service on Saturday wasn’t great so the manager gave her the okay to give me the discount while I was there! With taxes it was $58 and change!!!! Kudos for telling me about an upcoming sale AND giving me the price in advance!!

I was on a roll! I caught a bus back down Ellice to Cabela's. I had to wait a while for a clerk in the women’s wear to be available but it was worth the wait as I found a rain jacket with a light fleece lining that is great for spring/fall and easily layered with my heavy weight hoodie! With taxes – $78 and change!

A VERY successful shopping trip! Three stops, two pairs of jeans, and two jackets for just under $230! If only all my future clothing excursions could be that successful!

A couple of weeks ago, I did return to Cabela's and purchased a pair of water/wind proof pants. I tried on the women's style but they were too short but the men's fit. I'll be layering them over long johns and jeans on the really cold days I venture out this winter.

I don't know how often I'll make it to Cabela's come the new year though as they are moving out near the new IKEA store. At the moment that area has extremely limited and very poor bus service.

I've yet to find suitable locations to buy most long sleeved items or dress pants but I'll keep looking.

With any luck, I'll find more stores that carry items I like before I have to join a nudist colony!

dn

Remembrance And A Hope For Peace

Today is November 11. In Canada and most Common Wealth countries today is known as Remembrance Day.

At the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, citizens pause to pay tribute to those brave souls of the armed forces who have served and especially to those who died in the service of our country.

I can remember going to services in elementary school. The school would hold a service in the gym on the school day closest to November 11. All students were expected to attend - parents and guests were also invited. There would be bagpipes and some other music, readings, as well as a laying of a wreath. We'd hear veterans from WW1 and WW2 talk about service and freedom. I don't think they told too many war stories, but then again, I was very young.

My maternal grandfather served in WW1. Several uncles served in WW2. To the best of my recollection, I can't recall hearing war stories from them or anyone I knew when I was growing up.

To be honest, I never really understood the meaning of the day when I was a kid. I don't remember being taught a lot about war and its consequences until we reached junior high or even high school. History was never one of my favourite subjects though, so whatever we were taught, pretty much left my memory as soon as the tests for various eras were over.

Even so, the concept of a nation at war and people being drafted into military service or freely signing up to fight anywhere in the world seemed like a very strange concept to a farm kid on the Canadian prairies.

Naive? Yes, I was somewhat sheltered, but that was the early 1960's. The Cold War was looming and the Vietnam War was heating up but both seemed obscure in my world. My parents followed the news and read the papers, but media did not have the ever intrusive roll that it does nowadays. Talk of wars half way around the world or demonstrations against the wars, were not common topic in our area. My parents were more focused on the day to day responsibilities of running a farm. They focused on the weather forecasts as well as the livestock and commodities markets. They focused on raising their children.

My parents did tell us some stories of what it was like for them during the depression of the 1930's and the struggles of rationing during WW2. Given our relative state of abundance, it seemed hard to believe that things had been that difficult only thirty odd years earlier.

As I grew up and was more exposed to the state of the world outside of my prairie home, I saw more reports of world conflicts, civil wars and sadly, even more senseless deaths.

Some want all the toys and all the land and the blind, undying loyalty of the people that they rule.

Some refuse any and all rights to women - including the right to be educated.

Some believe that their religion or language is the only one of value.

Some are all too eager to pick up a weapon and go after their version of justice.

Some choose to believe in the necessity of war - the concept of an eye for an eye and all the destruction that goes with it.

Not me. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't seem to wrap my mind around any reasons for people to go to war. Why couldn't they find a way to get along and live in peace?

I was a pacifist long before I even knew that there was a name for what I believed.

Strange as this may sound, I think it was while watching TV shows like "The Walton's" and seeing their day to day trials through the 30's and 40's that made war and hardship more real for me. I've never been comfortable watching war movies or documentaries though as the emotional and physical consequences of war, were just too painful for me to watch. The images would haunt my mind for days and nights after. The only two movies that I can recall managing to watch in their entirety were "Mrs.Miniver" and "Schindler's List".

In more recent years, I've had the opportunity to hear many radio broadcasts from the war years. They often included stories from the home front of how WW2 was affecting their lives and how citizens could help the efforts of the allied forces fighting on so many fronts for freedom. It hasn't changed my beliefs on pacifism - it has just helped me to understand more of the circumstances and realities of those times.

Today, there is a multitude of media formats to keep us apprised of the seemingly countless conflicts of the world. Despite all the hardships and lessons of the past, there are still those who feel the only answer is to go to war over lands, possessions and beliefs.

Why can't we find non violent ways to resolve the differences?

Why can't we learn to accept each other equally?

Why can't we learn to share?

Why can't we learn to be tolerant of others, regardless of our languages, religions, beliefs and abilities?

My heart breaks for those who have had to endure war. For the innocent victims of war. For those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of freedom and equal rights for ALL citizens. For those who have lost friends and loved ones. For those families who must cope with the absence of a loved one who is serving. For those brave souls who come home broken, scarred and disabled.

However, I choose not to wear a red poppy to honour those who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms.

If I were to wear a physical symbol of Remembrance Day, it would be a white poppy. A white poppy is a pacifists symbol of showing respect for, and remembrance of ALL victims of ALL wars. The word peace is written across the black center to symbolize a hope for the future.

I know that my opinions aren't shared by all and that some will be offended or feel that I am being disrespectful of those who serve. Not so. I am deeply grateful for the sacrifices they have made. With all of my heart and soul, I just wish that war and it's consequences were not even a possible answer to settling differences.

So, on this day of Remembrance, I stop to think of those who have given so much and to hope that someday, there will be Peace throughout the world.

dn