Another Maritimer and my Holiday Traditions

Karen introduced me, through blogland, to another Maritimer Linda H and she has a giveaway... for her 300th post. Congratulation Linda.. Click here to enter...

As part of the CGQC activities for November/December Kelly has asked us to share some.......

On Christmas Eve the whole family attends the Christmas Eve mass at our church

in Saulnierville. Following mass we all meet at one of the Children's home, either Yvelle's Liette's or Adrien's to unwrap our Secret Santa gift. On our (Canadian) Thanksgiving we draw names for this Secret Santa. The gifts are all wrapped in the same paper and placed in a large garbage bag in the garage or entry before we actually come into the house, so no one can identify which gift we brought in. Then one of the grandchildren is chosen to pick the gifts from the bag and we get three chances to guess who drew our name. #1 When we first get the gift.. (Usually examine the wrapping technique) #2 when it is unwrapped and #3 another guess after everyone has unwrapped their gifts...

Then on Christmas day.. we all gather at our house for Christmas dinner. Santa still comes to our house even though there is just Gerald and I, so after dinner we gather in the family room and we get to see what he left at our house for everyone.

On the menu:

Lobster and various salads ...

Meat pie ....

and Rappie Pie.

What is Rappie pie you ask? It is an Acadian dish made of Chicken and potatoes. (The recipe is quite long as is the procedure to make it. You can find the full details of the recipe here

This is packaged grated potatoes. ( we used to have to grate our own but now they can be bought locally already grated)The stainless steel pans ( custom made to fit a big rappie pie) are well greased...This is the chicken broth with onions, salted shallots and pork fat.. which has to boil....

The broth is poured .. two cups at a time on the potatoes until about 28 cups of broth has been added and stirred well after each additions. The texture and color is never appealing to a new comer but I guarantee we Acadians do not see the color.. it just makes our mouths water..in anticipation for the finished product.Gerald needs to do the stirring. (This is where a man is really handy in the kitchen) A layer of potatoes goes in the bottom of the pan and the cut up chicken in the middle . ( Some people use other meat.. beef, wild meat and clams). Our preference is chicken)

And another layer of potatoes on top...And into the oven it goes at 400º for about 2½ hoursand voilà! Beautifully crusted ... Everyone wishes for a corner so they can get more crust...and it is served with pickles.. cranberry sauce and some like molasses on it...

So this is a traditional dish in most Acadian households at Christmas time and other occasions. It feeds a lot of people and everyone is sure to like their meal.

Good health, good food, good friends and lots of love is the tradition I hope will be kept alive in all our households for years to come...

Quick update

Whew! time sure flies around here .. It is a busy time of the year... and I realize how busy when I see on my blog the last time I posted... Lots happening.. I have been attending all kinds of meetings to get the Clare Quilt Guild going. I am getting lots of interests for the guild; ( numbers of people who want to join go up everyday) so it is a go and it will be starting in January 2011.

I do get some sewing done .. Here is my Layer Cake Quilt Along #2 block in the "Bliss".

Michelle shared one of her projects with us on her blog and I couldn't resist making these right away ... (check out Michelle's giveaway)

" Mug Mats" .. in the "Fruitcake" by Basic Grey
Perfect for that coffee break....

and perfect for Hostess gifts

Now, I bet we have some busy

Secret Santas out there. I am anxious to visit all those beautiful projects you made and of course get inspired by your many talents. Don't forget to go to Kelly's blog and add your link to Mr Linky so it will bring us to your blog for viewing that special gift you made your secret santa........

Happy sewing everyone!

Time Change, Time flies and Busy Times

I like the quote... "Time flies but the good thing is I am the pilot"!

It seems like I have been off the "Blog "radar for a while... It has been busy times, and my focus was on the I do hope everyone is enjoying the swap and will all be surprised with their special gifts. Please have your parcel ready for mailing no later than December 1st.

I do sew everyday and I did manage to keep up with the commitments I have enrolled in. First...and here is my Mystery Block #5 Next is the...

http://moosequilts.blogspot.com/2010/09/layer-cake-quilt-along-2010.html

I choose my new Layer cake...

And here is my first block!

I am so excited with a new adventure I am working on :

I am in the process of organizing a "Quilt Guild" in our Community. My goal is to have the first meeting in January so their are lots of preliminaries to work out. The response to the the local TV ad is certainly indicative there is an interest for this activity; which is sooooo exciting. The list of projects and fun adventures I am inspiring for the Guild, are endless and will all come about with friends coming together to enjoy a common interest. Quilting! This is what will keep the art of quilting alive ♥♥♥