Review, Restructure and Hope for 2012
The past year, our own personal family, as well as our Doukhobor community family, was filled with a mixture of restructuring, challenges, as well as blessings. Yet there always was a glimmer of hope that lit the darkest moment and illuminated another pathway. For Walter and I, the year started in Vancouver, anticipating the arrival of our first baby granddaughter. During the time of our five week stay at Maya and Dave’s place in the Cambie Community of Vancouver, we spent the days, visiting, repairing, preparing and cooking the meals of the day as well as the days ahead. We also loved keeping track of Vancouver news and reading about the 125th Anniversary of Vancouver, which was on April the 6th. I’ve always felt a closeness to Vancouver, perhaps because I lived there for a year as a child in 1946, while my father worked as a longshoreman. Later, of course, we often travelled to Vancouver, as members of our family lived in Vancouver at different intervals. Some of the most memorable experiences were travelling by bus between the 1980s and 1990s to participate in the End the Arms Race Walk for Peace, right up until the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union ended and the threat of a nuclear war dissipated. I could go on with my “Vancouver memories”, but that should be another story…
After an almost three week stay, our granddaughter, Bella Valentina was born on January the 11th at the BC Women’s Hospital and we experienced the incredible joy of her birth, which we greatly relished, as our three grandsons were all born overseas. The care at the BC Women’s Hospital was professional and compassionate and Bella was welcomed to her home within three days and a “restructured” daily routine emerged. The welcome arrival of our blessed newborn warmed and filled our home, our life, and our hearts.
Later, in June of 2011, we travelled to Toronto, to participate in our eldest grandson, Kristian’s, graduation from Iroquois Ridge and we stayed on Glenvista Drive in Oakville with our son, Robert, his wife, Marja, as well as their sons, and Marja’s visiting mother, and cousin, Rita. Kristian knew that his graduation from secondary school signified a new era - away from home, coping with studies, meals and swim meets, as a very young man.
During the warm summer, our family came to visit us and spent some time with us in the Kootenays, celebrating Bella’s arrival with extended family and friends during a “baby welcome” at our home. My 92-year-old aging mother, Helen Novokshonoff, was still able to recognize and totally enjoy the blessed “newest arrival”. Later, in October of the same year, our family came to the Kootenays once again, to bid farewell to their special Baba who was buried in her beloved Grand Forks. For the past four years she had resided in Castlegar, the last two, in a care facility. In summary, our year was filled with an arrival, a graduation, a farewell - all examples of life’s restructure, both joyous and full of sadness.
The past year, our USCC community has also been facing challenges associated with the restructuring of our organization, establishing various committees and heads, replacing our community Trustees. The annual convention, which will be held in February of 2012, will continue smoothing out the wrinkles of our “new” organization. All of the new committees: Youth Membership and Communications; Finances and Asset Stewardship; Cultural and Spiritual Development; and the Communications Advisory Board have been diligently gathering throughout the year, working on various tasks entrusted to them. Our Doukhobor community has survived many periods of restructure, the move from Russia to Canada, establishment of the Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood, later in 1938, the formation of the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ… After so many years, life has presented its own restructuring process, but today in the USCC, the Trustees are being replaced by community representatives. At times I feel as if the renewal of our organization is like the birth of a child, as it requires patience, perseverance, effort and care, but ultimately the outcome holds promise, as long as hope glimmers in the distance.
When our Kootenay Ladies Organization was divided into North and South Clusters, our Lapsha, Bread, and Catering Groups were formed and the kitchen and banquet rooms buzzed with activity as they continued to function. At our dear neighbour and friend, Harry Vanjoff’s funeral, after the meal, even his grandchildren helped with cleanup. My hope is that if our groups diminish in size, others, both female and male, young and elderly, will pitch in with the tasks at hand.
Just when I begin considering my next month’s Kitchen Connections topic, an envelope comes in the mail, the telephone rings, an e-mail lands in my inbox, or a thought from the “Universe” graces me. I give sincere THANKS for all my contacts, and for this issue, first to Florence Swetlikoff who sent me an article that gives examples of ancient, natural whole grains that are gluten free. I’m including a recipe for a breakfast cereal with quinoa. Also, Mary Chernenkoff’s call was a welcome pleasure, when she, with such enthusiasm, excitedly explained about an absolutely delicious Pumpkin Ginger Cake that she loves to make. I greatly appreciate each commentary feedback, every idea, recipe and story line. God bless you all this New 2012 Year and always.
BREAKFAST OPTION – QUINOA
From Canadian Health & Lifestyle.
This ball of nutrition isn’t a grain. It’s related to leafy, green vegetables like spinach. A gluten-free source of all 9 essential amino acids, including lysine, not commonly found in grains, makes it an ideal vegetarian choice. Quinoa provides B vitamins, calcium, fibre, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and manganese. Quinoa was known as the “mother of all grains” by ancient Incas.
To prepare:
Soak 1 cup quinoa in 2 cups water for two hours, or overnight. Rinse and drain soaked quinoa. Combine with 2 cups water and ½ tsp salt (if desired) in a 2-quart pot. Bring to boil, cover. Reduce heat to simmer. Add about 4 tbsp total of seeds, slivered almonds, figs, dates, dried fruit or berries (Cook for 15 minutes, remove from heat. Let sit, covered for 5 minutes. Also serve as a side-dish in place of rice.
Fast Breakfast Tip: Add cinnamon, maple syrup and raisins to almond milk and heat leftover quinoa. Or toss some yogourt, your favourite fresh fruit and a dash of cinnamon on warmed leftovers.
POTATO APPETIZERS
(Pam’s Incredible Edibles)
2-3 large baking potatoes,
shredded and rinsed in cold water
to keep colour (squeeze dry)
Filling:
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 can roasted chiles,
or mixed hot pickled pepper, chopped
¼ cup onion, chopped fine
½ cup mushrooms, canned or fresh,
chopped fine
2 tbsp mayonnaise
Shred potatoes and line greased mini muffin tins with potatoes, shaping potatoes to fit pan. Fill with above filling and bake 375º to 400º for 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly and take out of pans. Serve warm or room temperature. Freeze well.
MARY’S FAMOUS SPICED PUMPKIN CAKE
5 eggs
1 cup each, white and brown sugar (packed)
1 ¼ cup vegetable oil
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder and baking soda
1 tsp each, cinnamon and nutmeg
½ tsp ground ginger,
½ tsp cardamon (optional)
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground cloves
2/3 cup chopped crystallized ginger
(boil until soft, then chop)
2 cups baked pumpkin or squash
1 tsp vanilla
Use a 10” x 14” Pyrex dish for baking
Method:
In large bowl beat eggs with white sugar until fluffy, (4 minutes). Gradually beat in brown sugar, a little at a time until thick and fluffy, (4 minutes). Beat in pumpkin puree until smooth, pour the oil in slowly, until well combined.
In separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, cloves and salt. Stir into pumpkin mixture, stir in crystallized ginger.
Bake in centre of oven at 3500F. Bake until skewer inserted in the middle of cake comes out clean (Thanks, Mary).
One of my mother’s favourite folk songs was “Хороши весной в саду цветочки” that their Starshiy Choir often performed, depicts the hope in life comparing it to weather:
In life’s journey many joys and sorrows
Often bring us darkness, thunder, rain,
As the clouds are swept across the skyline
And before you know it
Sun’s rays shine and take away the pain.
My translation is approximate, but the meaning is there, enjoy. Happy New 2012, everyone!
~Vera Kanigan