"MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MY MOTHER'S HOUSE"

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS PORK PIE (Tourtière)

Aurore 1898-1974 Mémère (Grand Mother)

Meet my Father's Mother, Aurore. Remembering Grandma (Mémère) just as yesterday stood still.  Our first welcome visit to her on Sunday's or sometimes during the week, was a hug and kisses be sweet on and exclaim, "Hello Mémère."  Dad's ancestral home being French, always expected us to regard his mother by greeting her just as that. However, Grandma would soften her ways and reply, “Now toots...." "They're just kids." (By the way, that is my Dad's nickname for Lawrence.)  Stillness came over dad as his eyes glanced to view his mother's care for approval, "Okay," he replied.

Usually my siblings would try to sit at the table with older folks though understanding French was not our first language, but Grandma (Mémère) had a piano in the living room just waiting to be played. Of course, will all wanted to hammer those ivory keys, but somebody would have to be first otherwise, arguing abruptly in a quiet seniors home is not what one does. It started with who is seated on the piano bench, as it had only room for two. Who would be the first to play and how long will that person be playing piano for.


Well, it started in quiet gestures, whispering slapping punching, then yelling at each other until someone hit the hardwood floor on impact facing an offensive push arising from a raving lunatic virtuoso demanding more time exclaiming, “Just wait a minute, I’m not finished.” In the same manor expressing rage like some frenzy musician not able to find his music notes. I could hear Grandma (Mémère) say, "Toots?” “Lawrence?” “Your kids are destroying my living room." My father came running through the dining room way into the living room area where the piano lie placed. No questions asked, we were hauled away like harden criminals by the seat of our pants. My dad had no patience and Grandma could not take uncertainty from exceeding noise takeover of children running about, gave her the jitters which contributed to worrier panic, especially if, an accident would happen around her fine china and rare living room furniture ornaments.


I don't blame Grandma (Mémère) for feeling that way and of course we never knew the difference, as everything was a new form battlefield of adventure, flawless, that held a peak of excitement. We always felt time visiting Grandma's (Mémère) home belong to a museum of sorts and of course having congenerous sense of who let the dogs out, held enjoyment in everything her house occupied remain open game. Dad got use to taking one or two of us when it came to visiting Grandma spending time in her secure immaculate household without children’s mischief suffering damage. After some time, Grandma (Mémère) became less and less social with her grandchildren as result, so when she got news that dad was going to visit over the weekend; she locked her doors and barricaded the windows. She called dad with many excuses not to visit that weekend; “Maybe another time.” Grandma replied.  Grandma (Mémère) was resourceful keen at the ready and seen as a stylish fashionable lady.

Grandma (Mémère) always surrounded herself by natures beauty of late spring flowering shrubs planted near distant to sliding windows with an open view from her home, to  experience another years spring valued for the floral fragrance of flowers she nurtured,  bursting drifting amid breeze of early sun filled days of spring. These flowering shrubs perennial plants Grandma loved were grown mainly for their specific color, herbaceous fragrant blooms with deeply lobed leaves large that gave way to late spring and early summer. These plants made up of tall woody shrubs were easy to maintain.
 

From left is spring’s most elegant flowering shrub Chinese Snowball-like hydrangeas this classic viburnum graced southern gardens for generations. Grandma (Mémère) had this shrub for 25 years stood 10 feet tall. When Grandma could no longer prune this shrub, my father use to go over to prune it for her and of course with her guidance as precious as children she guarded. Far right is the Peony native to Asia, Europe and Western North America; it is a selection of exotic plants that fragrantly hold beauty. Grandma had many Peonies’ at her home in the city and her cottage.

Syringa Vulgaris-is a species of flowering plant in the olive family Oleaceae, native to the Balkan Peninsula, native to woodland scrubs from southeastern Europe to eastern Asia widely commonly cultivated. Lilac naturalized in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy. The Common Lilac, French Lilac is multi-stemmed deciduous shrub. This White Lilac was one of Grandma's favorite shrubs. She grew White Lilac's integrated with mauve at the cottage mostly to cast shade during hot days, but provide early spring color contrast among evergreens having an extremely attractive effect and sweet-smelling blooms.  

Grandma (Mémère) had special connection to White Birch trees and their purpose together; my Grandfather selected various for landscaping form, placing paired trees common before the shoreline of the lake property.  The trees provided shade in summer, served as retaining boundary for soil from eroding as result, to changing seasons, rain storms, melting snow run off into waterways towards the lake. The birch tree seeds were important diet of many birds and mammals; chickadees, redpolls, yellow bellied sapsuckers drilling holes into the White Birch bark to get at the rich sap. Also, the Birch trees provided song birds a place to establish a perch. Some of the trees served as firewood; its oil had waterproof qualities. Grandma (Mémère) was proud of her White Birch trees in that; held spiritual gifts from nature, retained essential healing elements and beauty. I can still smell the fragrant essence linger close in memory; noted exceptional, offering its rich incense of black peppercorn during pollination producing a pleasing scent, famous amid afternoon late spring with the onset of summer. At best, daydreams captivated each thought while walking along the deserted shoreline of my Grandmothers cottage.  

Grandma's (Mémère) evergreen trees were as special to her living elements on her property in the city as well her cottage. They provided privacy shade and beauty. Cedar and Pine were admired treasures from nature as a pivotal point for shelter of migrating birds, squirrels and protection from harsh winters blowing snow drifts accumulating, causing spring thaw damage from excess water. The trees provided natural oil used to keep moths away, ticks and fleas, also, a fly repellent. Evergreens held a rich history adding beauty to large properties.

They reached glorious height ascending branches in various shades of green. Cedars provided ritual smudges; accepting remedy belief moved into a higher spiritual configuration of healing. I can remember my grandparents planting these trees equal with the side road footing reached, to the open gravel road we hiked along by foot down to the village farmer for the best dairy cream I ever tasted. Saturday’s, Grandma (Mémère) gave us money to retrieve a quart of dairy cream to compliment summer berries she picked that morning. How many times I reflect on walks we had as children counting the bright multicolored summertime flowers, fragrant beauties of yellow, white daisies, buttercups mixed with wild Victorian Lace ; to the summer breeze from late afternoon sun; thirsting for a cold drink of berry sweet fronting a refreshing quench. How I wish to recall those moments one more time. A passage of years changed everything, even the landscape to the picture of the countryside where the farmhouse once stood; to the barn of livestock trailing odor after manure freshly gathered in a mound occupying a place by the stable yard no longer there.

Music was a living element contributing to harmony in her life with an inherited ground, modeled by large families. Not everyone could play an instrument, but Grandma (Mémère) did. "The Piano." Grandpa (Pépère) "The Violin." Their family was blessed with the art of music expression and dance.
 

Grandma (Mémère) was notorious for being competitive in cribbage, card games, rational thinking during board games. If, she had no partner to play with....well, solitaire was her favorite of all. Peace of mind was a point of pleasing luxury in her home with calming background effects mindful to the only sound of her 1930’s Westminster chime mantel clock; to the distant smells of cherry pipe tobacco lingering from my Grand Father's (Pépère) exhaled smoke. Today, I have my own Mantel Clock with Westminster chimes and hear those echoing sentiments of long ago; a reminder to me of Grandma (Mémère), especially every day when chimes sound at 4.00pm. I can relate to steeping tea lingering mood, to Grandma's famous pork roast baking in the oven.

  

  

She was a proud Grand Mother, reserved to faith. She recognized holiness to church and God, beliefs and practices of Christianity. She had a deeper meaning for Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine, made many visits during her life. She had a 3 foot Statue of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux placed on her night table near her bedside. She was one of Generations of Catholics having admired this young saint, called the "Little Flower."

Living at the cottage during the summer had many opportunities as she took time out for herself getting into a rowboat using the ores to paddle offshore slowly into a peaceful drift . It was among nature Grandma (Mémère) found true love solitude in life and a favorite pastime of line fishing. Visiting Grandma (Mémère) during her summer place at the cottage made famous memorable fish fry’s. Sometime Bullhead Catfish fillets were breaded and deep fried on a stick also, known as La Barbotte ou poisson chat. 

Grandma's wash day was Monday mornings rain or shine. Her washer was a ringer washer on wheels. She used Ivory Soap flakes, Borax and Starch and hot water only. Grandma was very particular with everything placed in her home and linen was carefully washed pressed and brilliantly white. She ironed everything from linen to undergarments. Don't ask me why, she just did. The starch gave rigid appeal form to clothing and bed linen. It was fresh bright looking wears; hanging lined to dry followed by scent interpretations so fragrant facing the open wind, was valued as nature’s fabric freshener ingredient for pleasing perfect good night sleep.   

   

Grandma was a wife, mother, grandmother and family manager maintaining many duties for being the lady of the house. She had a wide view of responsibility, undertaking outside care of gardening work on lawns, pruning, planting her yearly vegetables was not a chore, it was a role to play raising her family and living charge to grounds keeping beauty. During the winter when cold consumed her days had limitations keeping her inside most of the season. As little girl acquired talent from her mother as a master of quilt making. Grandma and her sister Great Aunt Helen spent most winter seasons creating the most exquisite stunning quilts, I have ever seen. Some of which made there way to family members and other charities. Her divine works remain in memory and hold an important time while she lived giving to others.

Grandma (Mémère) was a real disciplined lady. Her personality; entertaining, joking, clever, wise, lenient, being serious; was a necessity to disciplinary correctness. She loved desserts, puddings, berries and cream to homemade pies sweet to savory. Celebrated all holiday's with her children, grandchildren until she was not independently able to do any longer. It did not stop there. Grandma (Mémère) was part of all families’ events and holiday's. She is missed, but her legacy of love, music, peace, harmony in life, one with nature. Food will remain always a part of our heritage. Her recipe’s live on among family traditions placed at our dinner tables.

Pork Meat Pie (Tourtière)

Our family always looked forward to Christmas at Grandma's (Mémère) house to enjoy those savory meat pies. Grandma made her pies with 100% pork, often in tradition would add mashed potatoes for thickening firming the meat filling while adding flavor.

Tourtière is a pie with a flaky pastry top and bottom with a lightly spiced pork filling. Every year on Christmas Eve; our dinner table presented, Tourtière as popular as awaiting Saint Nickolas himself.  It was a specialty at our home, as my mother prepared 12 pies sometimes more, several weeks before  to supply the festive season. Mom was a fantastic cook; I praise her each time I raise my fork of pie to enjoy moments of memory with her seated at our table by my side. Mom is remembered every day, even when I write about times of Grandma my mother comes in a vision of light. I love you with all my heart mom.

Tourtière is served with dill pickles, ketchup, or with Sweet Sour Savory Zesty chili sauces.

Ingredients-Filling

Ground Pork
Spices
Salt and Pepper
Water

Ingredients-Pastry

Flour
Salt
Butter/Shortening
Lemon Juice
Water

Bake at 350 degrees F for 50minutes until edges of pie crust are brown.

 

 

　

CHRISTMAS PITTA "mpigliata"

"Christmas Pitta"

 Welcome honey lovers craving something nutty rich having sweet whisky flavors....a dessert course that's symbolic while expressing another story after main meal . Their is loyalty at play....interactions social sharing being custom to impart knowledge of great food. Are you surprised! "Pitta 'mpigliata" or "Pitta nchiusa".  "Christmas Pitta"

Our Great Mother's of the 17th century....this was the century that lasted from January 1, 1601 to December 31, 1700, in the Gregorian calendar. The 17th century falls into the Early Modern period of Europe. The Country of Italy has 20 regions....one of which we celebrate this artistic, surprisingly decadent, sweet-bake among raisins, nuts and pastry, "Christmas Pitta", a recipe from the region of Calabria.

  

The original Christmas Pitta began in San Giovanni Fiore, a Town in the Province of Cosenza in Calabria region of southern Italy built by monks in 1188. Christmas Pitta was widespread throughout Cosenza beginning of the 1700 century. The Pitta was prepared for weddings mainly and variations of the Pitta are created uniquely personal using various nuts, dried fruit, quality of honey flavours and pastry dough made with whisky or cognac and red wine. The shape of Christmas Pitta is round though presentation has changed.

The unique decorative crisscrossed strip pattern topping the Christmas Pitta is called "Pastry Lattice" adding a delightful surprise having power of Mother's enchanting nature. Underneath the "Pastry Lattice" is the round Honey Pots filled with various nuts. If you look carefully as sometimes we find symbols at the end of greeting cards XOXO (Hugs "N" Kisses). What is behind the decorative meaning..... "LOVE" . These Christmas Pitta's are given away at Christmas toward a person whom love is felt and care of the poor.

                                                                                                                                       

The Filling Recipe consists of combining raisins, four types of nuts, honey prepared the day

before. The Dough consists of Canola Oil, Shortening, Red Wine, Cognac or Whisky, Eggs, 

Unbleached All Purpose Flour, Salt, Baking Powder. Baking time for Large Pitta is 2hrs 40minutes. 

The  "Pitta Crust"  captures noticeable rich quality that carry mouthfuls of flavour and taste.

                                                                                                                                                                  



SCALILLE

TURDILLI or CRUSTOLI

DECEMBER....A MONTH OF HONEY DESSERTS AND FEAST OF SANTA LUCIA