Once Again

So here we are once again getting ready to enter another year with such uncertainty.  

2011 herald in the year with uncertainty about dad's cancer and a series of firsts without mom and grandpa.  We made it through all of the firsts, although some were rougher than others. Dad's stuff has pretty much gone as planned.  But in this last week plans are crumbling apart due to health insurance changes.

2012 is going to herald in the year once again filled with uncertainties about dad's cancer treatment and with needing to buy a replacement vehicle.  My trusty car of eight years as of Thursday morning is no longer trusty so we are faced with the option of a new engine or a new vehicle.  You can guess which one won out.  We have one last uncertainty looming . . . We will find out on Tuesday afternoon if Pumpkin needs to have surgery for a second set of tubes in his ears.  So 2012 will have a rocky start and our hope is that the year will find a way to level itself out.  If you are the praying type, we would appreciate any prayers that you say.

Once again this year, I am not going to set any New Year's resolutions.  Living life the best we can manage with setting tiny goals along the way is good enough for me.  Besides, reaching the tiny goals and setting new ones is more empowering that trying to reach those lofty goals and failing.  

I wish all those that I know and all those whom stumble across this blog a very Happy New Year filled with health, good wishes, and love of family and friends.

Guardian Service - A Family Tradition

Growing up everyone in our family used Guardian Service.  My maternal great-grandma, paternal great-grandpa, maternal grandma, paternal grandma, my mom and my dad all had this amazing aluminum cookware. 

After I got married my maternal grandma gave me an extra Guardian Service Roaster that she had stored away.  I only have one piece, but could not imagine cooking without it.  My favorite thing to cook in the roaster is pot roast, but I also use it for roasting chicken and the Thanksgiving turkey. 

My paternal grandma would make the most delicious pot roast in her roaster for family gatherings.  So I have learned my pot roast recipe from her and of course I have a few tweaks here and there.  Grandma doesn’t do as much cooking now as in her younger days, but the tastes and smells of those dinners with her roast and great-grandpa’s homemade applesauce still come to mind with happy remembrance. 

Grandma’s Pot Roast

Splash some cooking oil into the roaster (I usually use canola oil).  Then set the stovetop to medium and warm the oil.  In the mean time season both sides of the chuck roast with ground salt, ground pepper, and garlic salt. 

Place the roast in the roaster and brown both sides about 5 to 7 minutes each.   Turn the heat down to low and add a tall glass of water and cover with glass lid.  Careful, it will really pop and bubble when the water hits the oil. 

Simmer the roast for about one hour.  Flip the meat, then add a bag of baby carrots, one sliced onion, and three to four cloves of garlic- season to taste.  About an hour later add five to six peeled and quartered potatoes- season to taste.  Keep an eye on the liquid level.  If all of the liquid cooks out, then the carrots and potatoes may burn.

Cook approximately one more hour, then dish up some really yummy grub. 

Note:  Grandma would also make gravy from the drippings.  She would spoon some of the drippings out into a small tin cup and add some corn starch to thicken then stir it back into the roaster.  She would add a bit water to get it to the desired consistency.  I’m not huge on gravy, so usually skip this step.

The Gift Of Friendship

A friend is someone who understands your past, 

believes in your future, 

and accepts you just the way you are.

~ Author Unknown ~

During this Christmas season I had the chance to see one of my best friends.  We have been friends since the 5th grade, just months before my baby sister was born.  We spent hours at each others houses growing up.  She lived in an old white Victorian house in town and I in a log cabin out in the country along the river.  She introduced me to Tang and bagels with cream cheese. We played flute-clarinet duets together for solo ensemble during our high school years. 

College sent me one way and the military sent her another.  She was the maid of honor in my wedding.  We have kept in touch through the years and across the miles.  Even though we do not get a chance to see each other often and even though we do not get a chance to speak often, when we do get together it is like we have never been apart.  It is a real honor to have such a wonderful friend.  I am definitely blessed with our friendship.

Rainbow Chasers

Pumpkin and Princess delight in chasing rainbows this time of the year.  Last year for Christmas, I gave them a globe prism so we could have rainbows in our house like great grandma's house.

Earlier in the week the kids were chasing the rainbows through the sunroom.  They had quite a ball!

Merry Christmas

The kids sure do love Christmas!  

There is no snow this year, 

but it sure is a lovely day.  

We have been blessed by many 

wonderful gifts from our families and friends. 

 

Our family wishes you and your family 

many wondrous blessings today 

and throughout the next year! 

Merry Christmas!