Month: December 2011

Reflecting

On By thestampsinmypassportIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about 2011, and how I really wanted this year full of ups and lots of downs to end. I even commented to a friend the other day that I was really looking forward to ending this year and moving on to 2012 and hopefully a better year. 

This friend, who is very wise and highly respected by me, replied to my email and kindly kicked me in the butt with a reality check. I hope this person doesn’t mind if I quote directly from the email, but I am going to do it anyways, because I think it has a purpose.

“The truth is, “years” don’t bring us good or bad. Life is life. There will be bucket list moments. There will be deaths of those close to us. There will be medical diagnoses. This is all part of life. If you have diabetes on December 31, 2011, you will have it January 1, 2012. The year doesn’t change that, and it doesn’t change anything else.”

The email went on to talk about all the amazing things that were part of my life in 2011 – an amazing trip in the spring to California and Vegas, and then another trip to Vegas and then of course my most recent bucket list trip to see the tree in New York city. And there are so many more moments that are not just travelled related, like having my niece sleep over at my house for the first time last week. My amazing birthday party, where almost 75 people came and celebrated on a very snowy February night, my 40th birthday.

I am putting all of that into perspective and thinking that maybe 2011 wasn’t that bad afterall. I have had some experiences that have helped me learn and grow, personally and professionally. My full potential isn’t even realized yet. I am just starting to realize my potential and hopefully see brighter lights in my future in 2012.

So, tomorrow I am going to end 2011 singing and dancing in my seat to Hair at the Royal Alex. Last year I ended my year singing and dancing with Pricilla Queen of the Dessert. I think it is a great new tradition that I have started…I wonder what will be in town for new years 2012? Who knows….next year has yet to be written.

Happy new year everyone. Be safe and happy and most of all next year…healthy!

Oh Latke, how we love you…..

On By thestampsinmypassportIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

For several weeks now, everyone is gearing up for the holidays that are upon us this coming week. Whether you are putting up your tree, or finding your lights to your menorah, it is a frenzy state of preparing. It really doesn’t matter if you are preparing for your Christmas dinner or making your reservation at your favourite Chinese food establishment, we are all looking forward to celebrating this week.

This past weekend was the start of what can be deemed Latkefest 2011 (sounds good, doesn’t it). Many people celebrated this past week with their friends and family for the start of Chanukah which begins officially tonight.

The latke….a potato pancake….and round patty of yummy goodness of fried potato and onion. The treat that we all love, that is time consuming to make, but tastes and smells oh so good. How could something so good, be so bad (because it is fried). And yet….everyone partakes because it is tradtion. Traditions are the fabric of our lives.
How you make them is interesting as well….some puree the potato, and others shred the potatos by hand (my way). But no matter how you make them, they taste oh so good.
For those who have been asking for the recipe I use, here it is:
Potato Latkes:
(yields about 2 dozen)
6 Potatoes, grated (pureed, whatever your pleasure)
1 small onion, grated
3 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 c. flour
1 tbsp. oil
2 tsp. baking powder
Oil for frying
Grate potatoes and drain well. Blend in remaining ingredients. Drop from a spoon into hot oil and brown on both sides, turning only once.
**NOTE: depending on where you are from, you may opt for different toppings – apple sauce, sour cream, salt and pepper. You could be a traditionalist and eat them plain. Usually the one who makes them has to “taste” a few as they come out of the skillet. (wink wink)
No matter what you are celebrating this week and the weeks to come, enjoy. It is a time for family and friends and we should always remember that.
So put on your yarmalke, it’s time for Chanukah….Chag Samach everyone!!!
turn up the volume and enjoy your music video of the day!

Paying it forward…the follow up story….

On By thestampsinmypassportIn Donations, Gift cards, Sick Kids FoundationLeave a comment

Back in November I wrote a post about paying it foward at this time of the year. I told you about an idea that a friend of mine had about collecting gift cards for the Hospital for Sick Kids so that parents/children could benefit in a different way than recieving a toy or a financial donation to the hospital.

My Hadassah chaper embraced the idea and at the annual Chanukah party and gift exchange we received $140 in gift cards to give to the hospital.

One of the chapter members happens to be going to the hospital this wednesday and wanted to bring the cards there and asked if I knew where they could be dropped off. Seemed easy enough to find out….or so I thought.

That started me on a two hour mission to find a LIVE person to speak to at the hosptial. I was finally able to reach someone in that division and when I told her what we had done and what we wanted to bring to the hospital she thought it was an amazingly gracious gesture.

She actually said, “we have SOO many toys, and this is something that there is a need for, and people don’t think about doing something like you have done”.

I told her that I wasn’t worried about the holiday crunch time, because our donations were a year round benefit and she agreed.

If you know any business or organization that is looking to do some sort of fundraiser during the year, think outside the box, a little goes along way!

happy holidays everyone!!