Celebrating the family
In today’s society, when many of us are so busy, it is easy to overlook the importance of things that are closest to us.
Too often, our families are the first thing we take for granted. It is important, then, to take the time to celebrate them. National Family Week, Oct. 6-12, is a chance to do this. As the week right before Thanksgiving, we have the opportunity to honor our own families and their achievements, and to contribute to building family-friendly environments in our neighborhoods and workplaces.
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Recently, I was made more aware of one of the family relationships that we may not think about often, sibling relationships. Your children may be each other’s best friends or greatest rivals. As adults they have a shared childhood family experience but may not spend a lot of time together or communicate often.
During the sadness of Princess Diana’s death I was moved by the protectiveness and love of her brother Charles Spencer. In his tribute to her he recounted some of their childhood experiences and how they had relived and remembered them together as adults.
This past month I have had an opportunity to spend several hours with each of my brothers, Ron and George. Ron and I shared many childhood memories of summers on the farm, when we only had each other as playmates. We also reminisced about family camping experiences and relationships with friends.
George was at school or working during most of those years so for us, his trips home were full of stories and teasing. George has many memories of the farm and of the values that Mom and Dad tried to instill in us. These common values and experiences that we shared are valuable to us now as we work together with Dad managing our intergenerational farm.
I have come to appreciate my brothers’ friendship, opinions and willingness to have “rave sessions” when we share ideas, express opinions or just vent and move on.
As parents, we need to encourage our children to develop friendships with their brothers and sisters. It is important to discourage hurtful teasing, abusive behavior and the intrusion of privacy. Children need to spend time together, both privately and as a family, to learn how to become friends, share experiences and make memories. I can remember one friend telling her children “they always have to look after each other and stick together because friends may come and go, but family is always there for each other.”
During Family Week why not reconnect with your own siblings? Invite them for Thanksgiving and spend time together. Forgive each other’s childhood hurts and get to know each other as unique adults who have a shared family history. Relive and make some new memories together.
National Family Week is sponsored by Family Service Canada in partnership with Health Canada. For more information call 1-800-668-7808 or on the worldwide web at: www.cfc-efc/fsc.
Crafts and healing
Veronica Longmuir, a home economist and owner of Veronica’s Sewing Supplies in Kindersley, Sask., recognizes the emotional healing and creativity that quilting, sewing and crafting provide.
Her sewing centre is a fabric oasis in the middle of west-central Saskatchewan that attracts customers from Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Each spring she invites anyone who has worked on sewing, quilting and craft projects during the winter to a “Tea/Show and Tell” to share their projects. She said she is always amazed at the variety, beauty and quality of the work.
Veronica has noticed through the years that often the reason individuals get involved in sewing and handiwork is because of a death, accident or other changes in their lives.
The projects provide a creative outlet for their pain and grief, and the beauty of the finished project provides a sense of accomplishment and healing.
Sense of purpose
Mona Maharaj, a mental health nurse with the Midwest Health District, agrees that something constructive with your hands, such as pottery, crafts or quilting, can provide a sense of accomplishment, purpose and self-worth.
Illness or grief can make individuals feel they have lost control of their lives, a control that can be re-established through creative, hands-on activities. She said it is important for individuals in remote and isolated areas to stay active, especially during long winters. Creative crafts and handiwork projects are good ways.
Each fall Veronica offers craft and quilting classes so individuals can develop, improve and share their skills. She is always open to ideas and suggestions from her customers. You can contact her at Veronica’s Sewing Supplies, 100 Main Street, Kindersley, Sask., S0L 1S0, 306-463-4505.
Warning: product alert
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a warning to consumers on Aug. 28 that 10 oz. (284 mL) cans of mushrooms (pieces and stems) sold under the name Casino brand and Casino and Pantry Shelf brand may contain dangerous bacteria toxins.
The canned mushrooms are distributed by Les Aliments Heritage Foods Inc., Westmount, Que. Product codes for the affected cans are HPMC7 2 18A and 7 E 375 1B 156.
The company has initiated a recall. No illness has been reported.
For more information contact Jacquelin Cote, Dairy, Fruit and Vegetable Division, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, 613-225-2342, ext. 4723.
A favorite meringue
Dear TEAM: I was wondering if you can help me. I’m looking for a recipe. I don’t know the name of it but it’s a delightful, simple dainty. Sort of a dried-out meringue. I think the only ingredients are egg whites, icing sugar, cream of tartar and vanilla. They are dropped onto a cookie sheet and baked in a very slow oven or left in the oven overnight. They don’t get hard, just dried out, and they are so-o-o good. – G.C., Lampman, Sask.
Dear G.C.: The meringue recipe that you are looking for is very easy, low in fat, versatile and goes by several names.
Coconut macaroons is the one I remember best as a favorite at my Aunt Merle’s house. Meringue cookie is another name. The egg white and sugar mixture can be cooked as small drop cookies, or spread into a nest shape for serving fruit, ice cream or pudding. When the meringue is spread into a 12 inch (25 centimetre) nest shape and filled, after cooking, with whipped cream and fruit, it is known as a pavlova.
The secrets to making perfect meringues are:
- Use a bowl and utensils that are completely clean and grease free. A little egg yolk or oil in the bowl will stop the whites from beating to their greatest volume.
- Do not add sugar to the egg whites until they have been beaten enough to become opaque, then add the sugar, very slowly while you continue to beat.
- Don’t make meringues on a humid day, or they will stay sticky instead of becoming crisp.
Basic meringue recipe
4 egg whites 4
1Ú8 teaspoon salt 0.5 mL
1Ú4 teaspoon cream 1 mL
of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla 5 mL
1 cup sugar 250 mL
Preheat oven to 400 F (220 C).
Separate egg whites into a bowl; sprinkle with salt and cream of tartar; beat until foamy.
Add sugar and vanilla, a small amount at a time, beating continuously.
Cover a baking sheet with lightly greased foil; spoon on the mixture making rounds with a hollow in the centre, or force the meringue through a large pastry tip.
Place the meringues in the oven, turn off the heat and leave without opening the door for at least two hours or overnight. If the oven is not well insulated and the temperature falls, bake the meringues 50-60 minutes at 250 F (120 C). For the pavlova bake 1 to 11Ú2 hours.
Yields 12 meringues three inches (seven cm) in diameter, or 40 meringues one inch (2.5 cm) or one 12 inch (30 cm) pavlova.
Option: 1 cup (250 mL) of coconut, chocolate chips or rice cereal could be added to the drop cookie size for variety.
