Standing Into Danger: sisters

Showing posts with label sisters. Show all posts

Friday, April 26, 2024

For the Love of Sisters!

Finally I am back on track working daily on my northern memoir,
and it is such a great feeling!

I put my word-for-the-year, incrementalism, to work

and promised myself that I would write at least 10 minutes a day.

I've been pretty consistent since April 1st, missing only a few days

when we needed to go to Florida and when I had eye surgery.

Many days my 10 minutes turned into hours,

so I was feeling pretty good about myself!

Just Me and the Laughing Gulls ~ Only Journal Writing

T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

Port St. Joe, Florida, USA

April 8, 2024

Until, on Monday, when I had a long chat with my youngest sister Bertie on FaceTime.

She is the only published author of books among we five siblings.

Bertie with Her First Book at Colorado's CCIRA Conference

Denver, Colorado USA

February, 2009

CCIRA ~ Colorado Council of the International Reading Association

Bertie and I Presenting at Colorado's CCIRA Conference

Denver, Colorado USA

February, 2009

CCIRA ~ Colorado Council of the International Reading Association

One of the things we chatted about was how we would feel if we died right now.

That sounds morbid, but it really wasn't. We were discussing where we were in life

and if we were happy with how things had turned out so far.

Bertie Surrounded by Natalie's Partner Jake, Daughter Natalie,

Might-as-Well-Be-Daughter Olivia,

and Niece Heather

Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

August 1, 2016

Peter and Bertie Celebrating Daughter Sara's Birthday with Sambuca Shots

Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

August 8, 2015

Bertie remarked that her husband and two daughters were in a good place,

and that she had pretty much accomplished everything she had wanted to in life.

She said, "Yah, if I kicked off today I'd be okay with it, unlike you."

"What???" I exclaimed.

"Well, you're running around all over the place, doing this, doing that.

I'm happy to be at home right here in the Cove.

I don't have to go anywhere else or do anything else."

She told me that when our mother was dying she had said to Bertie,

"Don't feel sad for me. I've lived a good long life, and I'm not afraid to die."

"I feel that way too," Bertie said.

Our Last Picture with Mom

Bertie, Roy, Me, Barb, and Donnie with Mom and dachshund Daxie

Mom had insisted on having a big family get together and Sunday barbecue.

She died early in the morning four days later.

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

May 19, 202

"I'm not afraid to die!" I protested.

"But I definitely want to be around longer.

I still have things I want to accomplish."

"See," she said.

Barista Bertie Ready to Go with Sunday Morning Lattes for a Houseful

Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

August 2, 2023

"Like, I'd be really upset if I died before I finished my memoir.

I mean, really. That would bother me."

My sister Bertie was in an expansive mood,

perhaps because my FaceTime call had interrupted her mopping the floor.

She said, "I know you. You and I are alike. We're perfectionists.

You need to get that book out, perfect or not!"

"I am a perfectionist," I agreed reluctantly. "But my memoir isn't finished."

"I spent 14 years writing my book on spelling," Bertie said.

"I could have published it several years sooner,

but I kept letting perfect get in the way of good.

You're doing the same thing."

"You don't understand, Bertie. I've got a God-awful mess on my hands.

Hundreds and hundreds of pages. A dozen manuscripts,

almost two hundred blog posts, all those family letters..."

Then she interrupted me with a so-Bertie move, one she's notorious for.

She challenged me ~ She likes to challenge people! ~

She challenged me to promise her,

that one year from that day, Monday, on April 20, 2025,

I'd have my book in somebody else's hands.

"I might not have it finished. It might not be ready for a publisher."

"Then if you don't have it finished, you have it in the hands of someone who can help you.

Just get it out there!"

"Um, ..." At least I can remember the date. It celebrates smoking pot.

Enjoying Sunday Morning Lattes on Bertie's Deck

Roy, Me (Louise), Donnie, and Bertie

Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

August 2, 2023

"I'm serious, Louise! Write this down!

'One year from today, on April 20, 2025, I will have my book in somebody else's hands.'"

"Okay, okay, I'm writing it down. I'll put it in my journal,"

I said, scribbling on a big yellow sticky note.

"Write it down, every month, in your calendar.

No matter what shape it's in, you're going to get it to an editor to help you, by that day,

or to a publisher."

"I was thinking of self-publishing it."

"No, go for traditional. Like, say, Nimbus in Halifax.

They're a good publisher, and they specialize in books for the Atlantic provinces.

That way you don't have to do everything yourself."

Bertie Shares her Picture Book with Friend Penny Graham

who started Mariner Cruises with her husband

On Chad and Sisters Two, Brier Island, Digby County, Nova Scotia, Canada

July 31, 2014

Oscar the Herring Gull by Roberta Heembrock

Nova Scotia, Canada

August 3, 2015

"But, my book is about the North."

Bertie and I at the Fish House

Two Point, Lac Seul, Ontario, Canada

Summer of 1962

"You're Nova Scotian. Dad's from Prince Edward Island.

Your story happened here too. In Nova Scotia. I say Nimbus."

"I was thinking about Lakewood University. They have an indigenous program there.

I was even thinking of donating Dad's papers there."

"I don't care who you get it to! Just get it out there!"

"Aye, aye, ma'am!" She's as bad as Dad!

📚 📚 📚

Said I to my sister Barb on FaceTime the next day:

"You know Bertie's going to be on me. She's so stubborn!

There's a reason I call her The Mule."

"Oh, she'll be on you!" Barb agreed.

She's probably already written a reminder down in every month of her calendar.

Have you done it, yet?"

"No," I said sheepishly.

"Then, I'd get busy, if I were you!"

Barb and I at a Fundraiser for Digby's and Smith's Cove's Museums

Digby County, Nova Scotia, Canada

August 3, 2019

📚 📚 📚

"You've got to love sisters!

They're always ready to kick you in the butt if they think you need it!

Donnie and Me (front)

Just Because ~ I can't leave her out!

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

December 24, 2016

I'm linking to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date, Tom's Aloha Friday, and Nicole's Friday Face Off.

For Rain: Disco ~ On Christmas Night in 2016 Bertie, Peter, and their daughters Sara and Natalie, created Club 98 in their basement for a big family get together. All of us have been to the real Club 98 in the Fundy Restaurant in Digby, Nova Scotia, over the years.

Club 98 and a Disco Ball
The Heembrock Basement
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
December 25, 2016
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

After a great dinner, we all went downstairs for games, activities, and dancing.

Peter had a sound system, playlist, and disco lights all set up.

Peter Gets the Lights and Music Going and Donnie Tries a Move or Two

The Heembrock Basement

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

December 25, 2016

Peter's music provided a great background for a competitive game of beer pong.

We took a break from dancing to play beer pong ~
and Lisa (Donnie and Martin's daughter) takes a shot.
Blair (Roy and Sue's son), Roy, Donnie, Terry, and Sara (Bertie and Peter's daughter)
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserve

Terry's Team Loses a Round ~
Sara, Terry, Barb, and Pat (Roy and Sue's son)
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserve

For Tom: Aloha ~ Honolulu has a great zoo in Waikiki. It has three endangered, reticulated giraffes in its African Savanna exhibit.

A Reticulated Giraffe

The Honolulu Zoo

Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawai'i

February 29, 2024

For Nicole: A loopy face ~ Terry gets back at me for all the goofy photos I've taken of him.

I had just surfaced from general anesthesia after the operation on my eyes.

I Return to Consciousness

Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center

Denver, Colorado, USA

April 15, 2024

Have a great weekend!

Till next time ~
Fundy Blue

My next post will be

Wednesday, May 1st. 🤞

On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

Notes:

Heembrock, Roberta. (2008) Why Kids Can't Spell: A Practical Guide to the Missing Component in Language Proficiency. R&L Education.

Why Kids Can't Spell is a resource reference book for parents and educators who have an interest in and a concern for children's spelling ability. The purpose of this book is to encourage and foster good spelling practices in the home and at school to reflect modern teaching methods. ... Google Books

Heembrock, Roberta. (2010) Oscar the Herring Gull. Illustrated by Adam Murray. Bryler Publications.

Meet Oscar, a bold and adventurous Herring Gull who befriends Grammie Sara, a caring woman in a small seaside town in Nova Scotia. His dive-bombing antics and charming personality quickly win her heart. When Oscar doesn't show up for his daily feeding of scraps one day, Grammie Sara becomes very worried and fears the worst. She scours the beaches for weeks, listening for Oscar's unique call but he is nowhere to be found. Will Grammie Sara find Oscar? Follow Grammie Sara as she searches for Oscar and learn why Herring Gulls are important sea birds. Oscar may even have a surprise for you!

Friday, February 17, 2023

Barb's Nova Scotia Brown Bread and Newfie Toutons

My sister Barb's Nova Scotia Brown Bread always brings back memories.

One of my favorite memories as a young girl living in Smith's Cove

was stopping by my great grandmother's house on the way home from school.

Great Grammie would give me a snack of milk and warm buttered brown bread,

and we would chat, play a game of Chinese checkers, or work on a jigsaw puzzle together.

Great Grammie by Her Beloved Snowball Bush

Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

October 1959

Today it's my sister Barb who makes the best traditional Nova Scotia Brown Bread,

and I use her recipe to bake this nostalgic taste of home.

Last night, after searching my computer for over an hour, I could not find her recipe.

I was determined to because Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date

theme for this week is Bread, and Barb's is delicious.

No such luck.

The only copy I have is in my recipe box at home in Aurora.

So before going to bed I texted Barb for her recipe,

and it was waiting for me when I woke up.

I can always count on Barb!

She has been with me during some of my darkest and happiest hours

and everything in between. She's the best!

Barb (on the right) with Me

Beautiful Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

December 25, 2016

Nova Scotia brown bread is rich and flavorful, but not overly sweet.

I love to toast a slice and spread it generously with butter.

It's scrumptious with hot soup or homemade baked beans.

It's the perfect comfort food!

Barb's Nova Scotia Brown Bread

Aurora, Colorado, USA

September 20, 2020

During the Covid pandemic I made Barb's bread a number of times.

I'm using my photos to illustrate making her bread.

I divided the dough into loaves differently from her recipe,

so don't be confused by the discrepancy.

This is perfectly okay to do.

When I'm making anything, I like to assemble all the ingredients first,

in this case old fashioned oats, butter or shortening, molasses, yeast,

salt and water, as well as a little sugar for proofing the yeast.

Impulsive me has learned from sad experience

that it is important to have all the ingredients

actually in the house when I start cooking or baking.

Ingredients Assembled, Recipe at Hand

Aurora, Colorado, USA

September 20, 2020

Bread is really quite easy to make, but it does take some time.

When making bread that requires yeast and rising,

I usually plan for about three hours from start to finish.

Barb's Nova Scotia Brown Bread Recipe

In a heat proof bowl:

3 cups boiling water

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/4 cup shortening or butter

Put all ingredients in a bowl and set aside to cool (about 20 minutes).

After the mixture has cooled,

add 3/4 cup molasses and set aside.

In a second bowl:

Dissolve 2 teaspoons sugar in 1 cup warm water

Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of yeast in the solution.

- if regular yeast let stand for 10 minutes

- if fast acting, let stand 4 minutes.

Time to Add Molasses to the Cooled Oatmeal Mixture While Yeast Is Proofing

Aurora, Colorado, USA

September 20, 2020

In a large bowl mix together:

8 cups flour

4 teaspoons salt.

Make a hole in the center of the flour.

Pour oatmeal mixture and yeast into the hole in the flour.

Ready to Mix Before Kneading

Aurora, Colorado, USA

September 20, 2020

Mix with wooden spoon and/or hands.

Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes.

Place the kneaded bread in a large bowl greased with butter.

Ready to Rise

Aurora, Colorado, USA

September 20, 2020

Cover the bowl with a cloth and let the dough rise in a warm spot

for one hour and 15 minutes or until doubled in size.

Ready to Rise

Aurora, Colorado, USA

September 20, 2020

Punch down the dough and divide into 3 portions.

Shape each portion for a bread pan.

Grease the bread pans well with butter.

Place the portions of dough in the bread pans.

Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until the dough is doubled in size.

While the dough is rising for the second time, preheat the oven to 350ºF.

Ready for a Second Rising ~

Note: Louise chose to divide her dough into four portions in two bread pans.

Aurora, Colorado, USA

September 20, 2020

Bake for 30-35 minutes. (I often bake the bread for 40 minutes).

Test for doneness by tapping or knocking on a loaf.

The bread sounds hollow when it's done.

Let the bread cool in the pan before turning it out.

Ready to Eat!

Aurora, Colorado, USA

September 20, 2020

Making bread is more than baking something to eat.

To me it's an act of love.

It nourishes the heart and soul as well as the body.

It connects me to all the strong women in my family who baked it before me.

When I make Barb's Nova Scotia Brown Bread it reminds me of

happy times with her and how important she is to me.

Sisters are the best!

Digby, Nova Scotia, Canada

August 3, 2019

Here are pictures for Nicole's Friday Face Off.

Sisters Share a Special Bond

A Sleepy Me with Donnie and Barb

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Late Spring 1957

We Five: Barbie (5), myself (11) with Bertie (2), Roy (10) Donnie (7),

and three lake trout barely out of the waters of Lac Seul

Lac Seul, Ontario, Canada

July 1961

Family Is the best!

We Five: Donnie, Bertie, Roy, Barb, and Me

Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

July 31, 2018

Happy creating. Take care!

Till next time ~
Fundy Blue

My next post will be on

Friday, February 24, 2023 🤞

Notes:

Making bread is more of an art than a science.

Humidity, air temperature, and elevation can impact rising and baking times.

That's why ranges are given.

My mother always said to knead bread dough until it felt like a baby's bottom.

My friend Jeff left a good tip in the comments:

"When dough is properly kneaded,

if you push in the dough slightly with a finger and then let go, it should spring back."

He learned this while working as a baker when he was in university.

Proofing the yeast means testing it to make sure that it is still alive.

This is done by gently stirring the yeast in warm water with a little dissolved sugar and setting it aside for 5-10 minutes.

If the yeast is good, it will form a creamy foam on top of the water.

Yeast Proofing

Aurora, Colorado, USA

September 20, 2020

If, for some reason, you have left over bread dough of any kind,

you can follow the time-honored tradition of thrifty Newfies and make Toutons.

Take roughly biscuit-sized pieces of dough, drop them in oil in a frying pan,

fry until browned on each side and cooked through,

dust with powdered sugar and serve with jam,

or plate them like a pancake and serve with butter and maple syrup.

Yum yum!

Toutons Straight from Barb's Kitchen!

Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

February 2023

I wish I could say that Barb's Bread was my Great Grandmother's recipe,

but it's a traditional recipe from another family in the area.

We aren't sure whose. Our only clue is "Aunt Geraldine."

Barb's Nova Scotia Brown Bread Recipe

In a heat proof bowl:

3 cups boiling water

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/4 cup shortening or butter

Put all ingredients in a bowl and set aside to cool (about 20 minutes).

After the mixture has cooled,

add 3/4 cup molasses and set aside.

In a second bowl:

Dissolve 2 teaspoons sugar in 1 cup warm water

Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of yeast in the solution.

- if regular yeast let stand for 10 minutes

- if fast acting, let stand 4 minutes.

In a large bowl mix together:

8 cups flour

4 teaspoons salt.

Make a hole in the center of the flour.

Pour oatmeal mixture and yeast into the hole in the flour.

Mix with wooden spoon and/or hands.

Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes.

Place the kneaded bread in a large bowl greased with butter.

Cover the bowl with a cloth and let the dough rise in a warm spot

for one hour and 15 minutes or until doubled in size.

Punch down the dough and divide into 3 portions.

Shape each portion for a bread pan.

Grease the bread pans well with butter.

Place the portions of dough in the bread pans.

Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until the dough reaches the top of the pans.

While the dough is rising for the second time, preheat the oven to 350ºF.

Bake for 30-35 minutes. (I often bake the bread for 40 minutes).

Test for doneness by tapping or knocking on a loaf.

The bread sounds hollow when it's done.

Let the bread cool in the pan before turning it out.

When Barb Was Barbie ~ Such a Cutie!

Digby, Nova Scotia, Canada

Summer 1959

Pages

Friday, April 26, 2024

For the Love of Sisters!

Friday, February 17, 2023

Barb's Nova Scotia Brown Bread and Newfie Toutons