#creating traditions

[echolaveaux]

A new cold weather tradition

A new cold weather tradition

As I’ve gotten older, my body is getting used to the hot, humid days of summer in the South. It hasn’t always been this way. (more…)

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[avinton]

Get Time Out of the Bottle {monday's remedy}

New on the Blog: why we need to stop waiting for time to pass.

Last Friday I watched Peyton Place while folding laundry. It was the first time I had actually watched a majority of it in one sitting (I’ve always caught parts of it so it’s seemed rather disjointed for me). The movie could easily fit into a modern-day setting. Overbearing parents laying down the rules. Curious teens rebelling against the rules. A sympathetic teacher. The nosey next-door…

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[avinton]

Happy Father's Day! {friday's wrap up}

New on the Blog: Let's hear it for Dad! Grill tips, dad blogs & a sweet baby's giggle for Dad.

my sweet loves.

Father’s Day Weekend is upon us. And I’m a big fan. The Misters in our lives deserve a huge round of applause. Whether married or partnered, as a single-parent, sibling, or friend, they are always there for us whether we realize it or not. More and more, we see Dads being there for each other, which is awesome (seriously, Dads helping each other out and being supportive of one…

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[whowantscake71]

For the Love of Scones.

I love brunch.  I learned to hone my speed and skills prepping and cooking brunch.  Most chefs in this town will tell you that they hate cooking brunch, but I have always loved it.  It's a different kind of rush than cooking a dinner service, there are no appetizers to buy time, the customers want their food fast and some people are very particular when it comes to breakfast and eggs, so there was always special orders that would keep us on our toes.  And the crew that I worked with were always a blast, we blared music while we worked so we could sing and dance along while we busted our asses pumping plates of food out in a way that if you stood and watched you would think it was choreographed, we knew each other very well.  Whenever I think of those times I feel proud, and miss it like crazy.

When we lived above the Restaurant and I was on maternity leave, it was so easy for all of us to just go down the stairs, sit at the bar and have a great brunch.  The Lady looked forward to it, she always ordered chocolate chip pancakes and chocolate milk, specially shaken in a martini shaker so that it was all bubbly, she thought it tasted the best that way.  The Babe was so little then, the Hub would eat his food with her sleeping and snuggled up against his chest in the carrier.  I liked being part of the chaos in the dining room, watching people enjoy their food and being able to participate in eating too, because for years I was always the one cooking and looking out into the crowd and wishing it was me being served.

Since we moved and then later when the Restaurant closed, I started making brunch at home.  At first I only made it on Saturdays, with pancakes, eggs, bacon and sometimes a fruit salad, or cheese, maybe toast.  The Lady helps to mix the pancake batter, and she sets the table, complete with maple syrup, butter, jam.  I liked having this little tradition, they have been some of the most memorable and fun meals that we've shared together.

About a month ago I started making scones with brunch.  They are so easy to make and I have always had a sweet spot for them.  The first time I made them I made simple buttermilk scones, with a sprinkling of sugar to finish, they were delicious.  And addictive.  The next time I added some old cheddar, as per request from the Hub.  Again, a hit.  

Two weeks ago I decided to make brunch on Saturday and Sunday, the reason being that I didn't have enough butter to make scones on the first day, and had to make them on the second day.  I had leftover vegetables from the night before so I made a frittata, all the while I was sick as a dog, but somehow found the strength to make brunch.

I did it again this weekend, pancakes on Saturday, scones and frittata today, Sunday.  I put currants that I soaked in orange juice into the scones, and they were my favourite so far.  I may have to repeat them next week, they were so good.

Growing up, I don't think we had food routines like this, and I sometimes wish we did, it's fun.  I have some good memories of family meals though, and that is what counts, I guess. It will be cool to look back at these meals and talk about them when the girls are older, to see how they remember them.  Hopefully they will remember them fondly, because I look forward to making brunch every week.  I hope they remember the love that I put into it every time.

It hasn't been an easy week, the Babe recovered from her cold only to get sick again after getting some shots at the doctor.  She was back to her old self for a bit, happy and affectionate, sleeping well, but the last couple of days she has been feverish and tired, but not sleeping.  I hope she gets better soon.

The haze from my last post has lifted for me, thankfully.  I reread it a couple of days later and didn't hate it so I kept it.  I haven't been that sick in a long time.  It's funny to me that I still made brunch in that condition.  But the scones had to be made, what can I say.