-8 and overcast in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 8:45 and Sunset at 21:18.
40 more minutes than my last blog! Will this nice weather stay or are there more freezing temperatures to come?
BINGO TALLY -11 Losses and 2 Wins!
I made meatloaf and mashed potatoes on Friday. Everything went well. I took Jello home the night before so it would be ready on time. Berry flavour blue jello just to make dessert a little freaky. Turned out great!
The meatloaf and mashed potatoes went well. I went back to the house once for an extra pan. Things disappear from the gym kitchen if they are left behind so there are no real pots and pans to use in the gym cooking area. It requires a lot of thinking to get all the right pieces together to cook a meal.
I was surprised to see the number of people that drive in Tsiigehtchic. Not surprised that people have licenses or cars but that they drive everywhere even if it their destiantion can be seen out their front window. I walk back and forth with all my pots and pans to the school and people wave at me from their cars. I usually can't wave back because I have my hands full. I figure it makes me look tough and people will be worried about trying to get in the way of that crazy wellness worker who walks through town carrying all those heavy packages.
I pulled an old dresser out of the Wellness Centre that was breaking into pieces. I set it out on the curb by myself one morning. Perhaps it will reinforce the message not to mess with the fiesty kid in the Magic Bus. I also made a list of all the things I cleaned and took care of in the Magic Bus when I first arrived and gave it to the landord. The faint of heart would have been hopitalized by now.
Bannock wasn't on the menu today but there was a young helper in the kitchen who really wanted to do some baking. She measured out the flour and labouriously patted it down evenly into the pan while I was stiring the potatoes. Yes, I didn't have a mixing bowl and we made the bannock in the same pan that we used to bake it in the oven. I intervened in the flour feng shui and added the other ingredients into the mix. My helper and I had all our hands in the dough and it was sticking to us more than it was being shaped into dough. Bannock is a stickier dough than traditional bread recipes. I pulled the extra dough off the little fingers of my helper to facilitate the process. I mixed up the ingredients more thoroughly and held the big ball of dough in my hands while my helper took the time to wash the pan. I had to enlist some extra help to stir the vegetables and potatoes while I was otherwise occupied. We shaped the dough into separate balls and placed them in the pan about 15 minutes before supper needed to be ready and put it in the oven. I developed a plan to have the bannock dropped off after it was ready and left with the meal.
I had my meal ready on time and my ride arrived to pick everything up with expert timing. Everythng was served on time and without incident. Then someone asked if I had made some bannock. I told him there might be some in the school gym if he was willing to go for a walk and pick it up. No takers. Probably a good thing because when the bannock arrived it looked suspiciously more brown that expected. It was also crunchier than expected. Oops! We forgot to turn the temperature down from the one it was set to for the meatloaf! There were some who ate the middle of the bun but most of the bannock was lost to the trash heap. Better luck next time!
The program is in process of ending until the application to continue the funding is completed and approved. We'll see if they invite me back for another season. The review on the meatloaf and potatoes definitely received a 10 strong stamp of approval. The effort on the bannock did not go unoticed and good graces were given for another try. Stay tuned for season 2 - more unconventional cooking with teapots and fingerprint patterns in the flour to die for!
I am looking forward to completing part of a special project this coming week. I am getting a picture of the church on the hill engraved into granite with a printed Gwich'in saying that recognizes the contribution of the elders to the community. We will be having a feast to show them community support and let them know who they can turn to if they find that they are being victimized by individuals in the community. I am working on addressing the issue of elder abuse and have a follow up speaker who is going to come in from Yellowknife to discuss it with the community. It is not uncommon for family members and bootleggers to take the debit card of various elderly individuals and get money for themselves. There is a strong community connection that obligates parents to care for their children's needs even when they are being taken advantage of by their own friends and family.
The RCMP are stationed in Fort McPherson about 45 minutes South of Tsiigehtchic. They patrol the area on a regular basis but need input from the community regarding issues of concern. When the roads are blocked during the ice break up in the Spring and freeze up in the Winter there are no RCMP in the community. There never have been. There is a nurse that stays in town twice a year for the six weeks the roads are blocked. A person can be removed for medical care by helicopter and there are people trained in first response medical care.
Tsiigehtchic is a dry community and alcohol is prohibited so bootleggers charge a lot of money for alcohol. The community is realizing that the RCMP needs to know what is happening in order to intervene and more efforts are being put in place to get the right information to the police. Bootleggers leave their stash on the side of the road and drive into town looking for police vehicles. They go back for the alcohol when they see that the coast is clear. It is easy to spot trails into the bush off the side of the road so many have figured out that you can throw bottles individually into the snow where they are relatively undetectable.
You may go hunting for some of this treasure and hit the jackpot on your own. This happens in the spring as there are many lost bottles that were not successfully retrieved. Not quite the same as the gold rush!
Drin Gwiinzii
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
G.I. Jane
-8 and clear in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 8:45 and Sunset at 21:18.
56 more minutes than my last blog! Time to break out the spring jacket!
BINGO TALLY - 9 Losses and 2 Wins!
This week's episode of Hell's Kitchen will be on Friday. I switched my cooking day this week so my firing and the hiring of my culinary successor will be postponed until a later date. Maybe I will stay in the game yet! Host Gordon Ramsey will let you know if he is here by then! I think he is too busy in California and the other sunshine states so I may make the cut and stay on as chief cook and bottle washer for another round.
Well this past week I have been contemplating the idea of joining the Canadian Rangers. There was a recruitment officer here last week and he will probably be back in the summer. The people registered with the Canadian Rangers survey the land for access points to remote areas in the case of an emergency. They map out dead radio areas and assist in search and rescue operations. The brigade monitors a 300 km radius around the city. That definitely does not cover Afghanistan so no worries. But there is a rifle involved. Seriously!
They use a #4 MK2(F) Lee Enfield Rifle. I missed the land and parade drills but can join in the next time a recruitment officer is in town. They are having a parade on Wednesday when they get back from their patrol.
It involves camouflage uniform pants, boots and we'll have to forgive them for the bright red shirts. Not so covert. I am not sure what colour the parka is as it is new I believe.
New on the adjustment front:
Wearing running shoes, capris and a hoodie outdoors is a sign of getting used to the North. This doesn't happen in really cold weather but even at -25 it can be seen. Today was a perfect day for it though. Awesome temperature! My amazing Canada Goose jacket was way too warm to wear.
I have been walking around with a shoe bag so that when I take off my boots indoors, I will have some shoes to wear. This week my shoe bag stayed home and I walked around in my socks like everyone else. Gasp!
You realize that animal fur really keeps you warm and has it's purpose in the North. You might even get a pelt to put up on your wall. It hasn't happened yet but just saying I drooled over a gorgeous fox hide today.
The store here is more expensive that in Inuvik and Fort McPherson. When you can pay $6.22 to buy a large bag of chips and a pop you are starting to fit in.
And here is the big one. This week I caught myself talking with an accent eh! Hoooneeestly!
Drin Gwiinzii
Sunrise at 8:45 and Sunset at 21:18.
56 more minutes than my last blog! Time to break out the spring jacket!
BINGO TALLY - 9 Losses and 2 Wins!
This week's episode of Hell's Kitchen will be on Friday. I switched my cooking day this week so my firing and the hiring of my culinary successor will be postponed until a later date. Maybe I will stay in the game yet! Host Gordon Ramsey will let you know if he is here by then! I think he is too busy in California and the other sunshine states so I may make the cut and stay on as chief cook and bottle washer for another round.
Well this past week I have been contemplating the idea of joining the Canadian Rangers. There was a recruitment officer here last week and he will probably be back in the summer. The people registered with the Canadian Rangers survey the land for access points to remote areas in the case of an emergency. They map out dead radio areas and assist in search and rescue operations. The brigade monitors a 300 km radius around the city. That definitely does not cover Afghanistan so no worries. But there is a rifle involved. Seriously!
They use a #4 MK2(F) Lee Enfield Rifle. I missed the land and parade drills but can join in the next time a recruitment officer is in town. They are having a parade on Wednesday when they get back from their patrol.
It involves camouflage uniform pants, boots and we'll have to forgive them for the bright red shirts. Not so covert. I am not sure what colour the parka is as it is new I believe.
New on the adjustment front:
Wearing running shoes, capris and a hoodie outdoors is a sign of getting used to the North. This doesn't happen in really cold weather but even at -25 it can be seen. Today was a perfect day for it though. Awesome temperature! My amazing Canada Goose jacket was way too warm to wear.
I have been walking around with a shoe bag so that when I take off my boots indoors, I will have some shoes to wear. This week my shoe bag stayed home and I walked around in my socks like everyone else. Gasp!
You realize that animal fur really keeps you warm and has it's purpose in the North. You might even get a pelt to put up on your wall. It hasn't happened yet but just saying I drooled over a gorgeous fox hide today.
The store here is more expensive that in Inuvik and Fort McPherson. When you can pay $6.22 to buy a large bag of chips and a pop you are starting to fit in.
And here is the big one. This week I caught myself talking with an accent eh! Hoooneeestly!
Drin Gwiinzii
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Back-up Plan
-25 and clear in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 9:15 and Sunset at 20:52.
32 more minutes than my last blog! The moon is beautiful in the clear night sky.
BINGO TALLY - 8 Losses and 2 Wins!
Spring ahead! All of you who have tuned in to my cooking adventures are wondering how today went in the kitchen. Things went better than last week but there were definitely a few kinks to iron out in the process.
This weeks highlights include switching todays meal menu with next weeks meal as not all the items were available. They are in process of being tracked down for next week. Stay tuned! Pork chops and mashed potatoes sound simple enough.
Today became beef rice casserole and beet salad. Woohoo! I also made another batch of bannock with help from the lovely gym custodian who was filing in for the regular cleaner today. She rocked! I was on an episode of Trading Places. I guess I should have cleaned while she cooked though if that was the case. I did tell her that she earned double pay today.
I was loaded up with my two pans and even a pot today. I had my measuring cups and spoons as well. No grater. I hesitated at the last second and decided against it after glancing at the recipe. I did add some token cheese to the top of the casserole but was not devastated by the missing cheese grater today.
I used my pot to brown the meat and added the extra ingredients. I started the beet salad in one of the pans wondering what was going to happen with this one and if anyone would eat it. It had beets, red onion, cucumber, boiled eggs and some spices. There was a yogourt and sour cream mix to put on over top. I have to say I ate beet salad today and it was definitely good.
As I was using my one pot for the casserole, I ran out of options for boiling the eggs. There was the iron pot I used last week to mix the bannock but it was a little questionable as the bottom seems to be a little rough looking and it is huge pot for a few small little eggs. I poured some hot water from the teapot into a mug and added a tea bag while I sat and took some time to consider the situation. I have probably had more litres of tea in the last month than I have had in my entire life! Damn my tea has gone cold while I have been writing. I will have to warm it up and add some honey. Yummy!
I brought mixing bowls from the Magic Bus to cook with this time and they played an important role in the success of this meal. Mixing the bannock was easier and making the dressing for the salad was easier. They were fantastic! A very wise and excellent purchase for the journey to NWT. I considered using one of the glass mixing bowls to boil the eggs in the microwave but I wasn't sure how long that would take or what temperature to use. I looked down at the large metal teapot on the stove in front of me and got an idea. Eureka! Yes I did make boiled eggs in the teapot on the stove. I hope the custodian keeps that one under her hat!
Definitely a good morning spent cooking with the custodian.
On to the next test. Eating the meal! I got a ride in a truck that I could step into without putting my feet up over my head to get in. Very nice. The meal was warm and on time. Wait until they hear they are being served beet salad. Eek. What will happen then?
I didn't say anything at first and then someone asked what was in the yogourt. Um...um is there a little too much yogourt? Stall...stall. He said, "No I just didn't know you could put vegetables is yogourt, it tastes good." Phew! I told them the ingredieats and they kept eating. Two requests for seconds this time. Going up in the world. Tea pot boiled eggs and all!
More wisdom:
I have learned that not all labels on toilet paper are true, The 176 sheet roll of 2 ply lasted three days this time. Rip off. The computer messed up when it counted the tissues!
I have come to learn some of the following signs of acclimatization to the North:
Eventually you stop pulling your pant legs over the tops of your boots when you put them on.
Eventually you stop holding on to recyclable products in the hope of finding some way to reuse and reduce them. You eventually just thrown them out and move on. There is a bin for pop cans in the band office though. They are dropped off at the scrap yard in Inuvik. Yeah! I have four cans so far. I forgot to bring them over today. At the going rate of $1.51 to purchase a can of pop, I don't think you even come close to breaking even.
You eventually find yourself walking around and enjoying the lovely weather at -20 and higher. It is possble to comment on the warm weather and complain about being too hot in the middle of the arctic winter. When that happens, take off a layer!
I am sure I will see more adaptational changes in my learned habits and behaviour to come...I will let you know!
Drin Gwiinzii
.
Sunrise at 9:15 and Sunset at 20:52.
32 more minutes than my last blog! The moon is beautiful in the clear night sky.
BINGO TALLY - 8 Losses and 2 Wins!
Spring ahead! All of you who have tuned in to my cooking adventures are wondering how today went in the kitchen. Things went better than last week but there were definitely a few kinks to iron out in the process.
This weeks highlights include switching todays meal menu with next weeks meal as not all the items were available. They are in process of being tracked down for next week. Stay tuned! Pork chops and mashed potatoes sound simple enough.
Today became beef rice casserole and beet salad. Woohoo! I also made another batch of bannock with help from the lovely gym custodian who was filing in for the regular cleaner today. She rocked! I was on an episode of Trading Places. I guess I should have cleaned while she cooked though if that was the case. I did tell her that she earned double pay today.
I was loaded up with my two pans and even a pot today. I had my measuring cups and spoons as well. No grater. I hesitated at the last second and decided against it after glancing at the recipe. I did add some token cheese to the top of the casserole but was not devastated by the missing cheese grater today.
I used my pot to brown the meat and added the extra ingredients. I started the beet salad in one of the pans wondering what was going to happen with this one and if anyone would eat it. It had beets, red onion, cucumber, boiled eggs and some spices. There was a yogourt and sour cream mix to put on over top. I have to say I ate beet salad today and it was definitely good.
As I was using my one pot for the casserole, I ran out of options for boiling the eggs. There was the iron pot I used last week to mix the bannock but it was a little questionable as the bottom seems to be a little rough looking and it is huge pot for a few small little eggs. I poured some hot water from the teapot into a mug and added a tea bag while I sat and took some time to consider the situation. I have probably had more litres of tea in the last month than I have had in my entire life! Damn my tea has gone cold while I have been writing. I will have to warm it up and add some honey. Yummy!
I brought mixing bowls from the Magic Bus to cook with this time and they played an important role in the success of this meal. Mixing the bannock was easier and making the dressing for the salad was easier. They were fantastic! A very wise and excellent purchase for the journey to NWT. I considered using one of the glass mixing bowls to boil the eggs in the microwave but I wasn't sure how long that would take or what temperature to use. I looked down at the large metal teapot on the stove in front of me and got an idea. Eureka! Yes I did make boiled eggs in the teapot on the stove. I hope the custodian keeps that one under her hat!
Definitely a good morning spent cooking with the custodian.
On to the next test. Eating the meal! I got a ride in a truck that I could step into without putting my feet up over my head to get in. Very nice. The meal was warm and on time. Wait until they hear they are being served beet salad. Eek. What will happen then?
I didn't say anything at first and then someone asked what was in the yogourt. Um...um is there a little too much yogourt? Stall...stall. He said, "No I just didn't know you could put vegetables is yogourt, it tastes good." Phew! I told them the ingredieats and they kept eating. Two requests for seconds this time. Going up in the world. Tea pot boiled eggs and all!
More wisdom:
I have learned that not all labels on toilet paper are true, The 176 sheet roll of 2 ply lasted three days this time. Rip off. The computer messed up when it counted the tissues!
I have come to learn some of the following signs of acclimatization to the North:
Eventually you stop pulling your pant legs over the tops of your boots when you put them on.
Eventually you stop holding on to recyclable products in the hope of finding some way to reuse and reduce them. You eventually just thrown them out and move on. There is a bin for pop cans in the band office though. They are dropped off at the scrap yard in Inuvik. Yeah! I have four cans so far. I forgot to bring them over today. At the going rate of $1.51 to purchase a can of pop, I don't think you even come close to breaking even.
You eventually find yourself walking around and enjoying the lovely weather at -20 and higher. It is possble to comment on the warm weather and complain about being too hot in the middle of the arctic winter. When that happens, take off a layer!
I am sure I will see more adaptational changes in my learned habits and behaviour to come...I will let you know!
Drin Gwiinzii
.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Kindergarden Cop
-22 and fair in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 8:32 and Sunset at 19:37.
32 more minutes than my last blog! The sun is shining directly through my window.
BINGO TALLY - 8 Losses and 2 Wins!
I had some questions about what I do from a few people. I am the Community Wellness Worker. I provide counselling and plan activities to promote good mental health and wellness in the community. Being here is the opportunity I need to get experience in the field of counselling and to move on to the next level in my career. Unfortunately, I can't talk about a lot of work related things in my blog.
I did spend some time in the school today. There are some new kids in town and the school population went from 25-30 overnight. I would like to go into the school twice a week and get involved with some of the special needs kids as well as plan some health and wellness activities. Anti-bullying, building self-esteem, drug and alcohol awareness...etc I played dress up instead of reading a book as my charges wouldn't settle down long enough for me to turn a page. I had a boy witch running through the library scaring people. Elmo and cookie monster puppets took their frustrations out on each other. Apparently they were not in the mood to play nicely. I almost lost a kid in the tickle trunk after it was completely emptied out and well in the end at least they cooperated in cleaning the whole mess up. I was thanked for spending my morning in the school. Apparently the teachers enjoy having other people see for themselves what they go through every day.
Things I have learned:
Princess Smartypants is one hell of a girl! by Babette Cole. Ok I got to read one kids book today.
Adults can benefit from strings attached to their mittens so that they don't get lost
Your exposed hair turns white in the cold when you walk outside.
One single female uses a 176 sheet roll of 2 ply toilet paper in five days.
Interesting info to use when planning your next shopping trip.
Always run all of your water taps for a few minutes after the sewage tank has been pumped.
Your eyes will permanently water when you get old and your cheeks will be red forever if you skidoo without goggles on all the time. Frost bite is not your friend.
Really big 12" deep dresser drawers are really cool
Jigging is a dance and a way to catch fish. Imagine that!
Don't get smarty with me is a catch phrase in these here parts.
Drin Gwiinzii
Sunrise at 8:32 and Sunset at 19:37.
32 more minutes than my last blog! The sun is shining directly through my window.
BINGO TALLY - 8 Losses and 2 Wins!
I had some questions about what I do from a few people. I am the Community Wellness Worker. I provide counselling and plan activities to promote good mental health and wellness in the community. Being here is the opportunity I need to get experience in the field of counselling and to move on to the next level in my career. Unfortunately, I can't talk about a lot of work related things in my blog.
I did spend some time in the school today. There are some new kids in town and the school population went from 25-30 overnight. I would like to go into the school twice a week and get involved with some of the special needs kids as well as plan some health and wellness activities. Anti-bullying, building self-esteem, drug and alcohol awareness...etc I played dress up instead of reading a book as my charges wouldn't settle down long enough for me to turn a page. I had a boy witch running through the library scaring people. Elmo and cookie monster puppets took their frustrations out on each other. Apparently they were not in the mood to play nicely. I almost lost a kid in the tickle trunk after it was completely emptied out and well in the end at least they cooperated in cleaning the whole mess up. I was thanked for spending my morning in the school. Apparently the teachers enjoy having other people see for themselves what they go through every day.
Things I have learned:
Princess Smartypants is one hell of a girl! by Babette Cole. Ok I got to read one kids book today.
Adults can benefit from strings attached to their mittens so that they don't get lost
Your exposed hair turns white in the cold when you walk outside.
One single female uses a 176 sheet roll of 2 ply toilet paper in five days.
Interesting info to use when planning your next shopping trip.
Always run all of your water taps for a few minutes after the sewage tank has been pumped.
Your eyes will permanently water when you get old and your cheeks will be red forever if you skidoo without goggles on all the time. Frost bite is not your friend.
Really big 12" deep dresser drawers are really cool
Jigging is a dance and a way to catch fish. Imagine that!
Don't get smarty with me is a catch phrase in these here parts.
Drin Gwiinzii
Monday, March 7, 2011
Hell's Kitchen
-22 with a few clouds in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 8:49 and Sunset at 19:22.
40 more minutes than my last blog! I think this counter will get stuck at 24 hours for sixty days eventually!
BINGO TALLY - 7 Losses and 2 Wins! There has been slightly more money lost than won but it all goes to programs in the community. The Spring Jamboree better be fantastic! I will likely end up as a volunteer manning some station in the festival...:)
The following is a description of my day. I have been attending the elders lunches every Monday and Friday. I breathed deeply and volunteered to do the cooking this Monday and for the next three Mondays.
On the menu was ham and cheese quiche, coleslaw, bannock and fresh fruit with yogourt.
The meal is served at 12:00 noon. I thought things through in the morning and figured that I will go to the school and start cooking at 10:00 am. I bring two pans and a cutting board as I know these supplies are not available. There were a few other things that were not available. I learned the hard way.
The kitchen is a rectangle and you stand in the middle of the surrounding cupboards and drawers. The one side with a window that opens into the gym has the clearest counter space.
The kitchen is just off the school gym and many a meal has been prepared there. I helped sort and put away the groceries for the elders lunch program for the month of March just a few days ago. No big deal.
I have the recipes that were left for me at my request. I can only cook from a recipe. I brought in my own recipe for coleslaw as I knew ahead of time that there was not one available.
I also knew that this quiche was going to be crustless. No way I am experimenting with pastry at this point. I had made a crustless quiche in the past and knew it would be ok to bake the ingredients in the pan without the crust. I thought maybe if I had time I might try to make the pastry. As it turned out, I did not have time!
I did not spot the recipes right away but someone located them for me and I was ready to go. 4 eggs. What, I will have to double this to feed 10 people. Alright. 1 can of cream cheese soup. Hey, that was not in the groceries. Double check. No. Ok, use milk to substitute and keep going.
I knew ahead of time that there was no ham as ordered but that there was plenty of chicken. I looked for the thawed out version in the fridge but no luck. I go over to the freezer in the storage room and the bag I found was not laying flat so all the chicken was frozen in one big pile at the bottom of the bag. Ok, there is a humungous microwave available. I have never seen a microwave that huge. I do a 360 search of all the cabinets around me. I am able to find a paper plate by standing on a chair and reaching into one of the top cupboards. I play around with the microwave settings and set the defrosting for 25 minutes. Cooking it will take another half an hour. Yikes! Keep going. Keep it moving. Forward motion!
I cut up the brocolli and add all the quiche ingredients to the pan. Next is grated cheese. I look in all the surrounding cabinets and drawers, There is a row above and below so it takes a long time and you forget what you saw in what cupboard if you don't follow a meticulous pattern. No grater! Time is flying by and there is no way I am walking home to get it. I cut the block of cheese into slices. I cut the slices into small strips and cut the strips into small cubes. I added it all into the pan.
The chicken is dethawed and looks almost cooked through so I cut it up and put it in the pan to bake for 50 minutes. The bannock needs to cook for 40 minutes. Conflict!
I make the bannock dough in an iron pot sitting on the counter. I don't have enough pans and do the circle of cupboards again looking for a pan. I knew I had seen one but I couldn't remember what cupboard it considered it's home. I get my hands on it and get the bannock on the pan. I have to race home to put it in the oven without warming it up first. This one is for 40 minutes and the other for 50 minutes but with the off start time they will be ready at about the same time. Pray for time to get back before either one burns. Get going. There is still coleslaw and dessert.
I get back and start on the coleslaw. I do another 360 in the drawers looking for a vegetable peeler. No deal! I use a knife. It is not a paring knife. It is a big knife so I cut away from myself as I get the peeling off the carrots. There is no chance they will be grated either. I eventually get all the ingredients in the pan I brought with me. I am glancing at the clock every minute on the minute. Down to 15 minutes and I still have to cut up the fruit for dessert. I have two bananas, two apples and a can of mandarin oranges. I get the bananas and apples cut up and I have no bowl or pan to put them in. I do another 360 and look in all the cupboards. I spot a shallow cookie pan sticking out above the cupboard and ask a taller person to help me. I put the cut up fruit on the pan with a tub of yogourt and the unopened can of mandarins. That is how it is going to get there. Things were getting down to the last five minutes. My quiche is going to be ready as well as the bannock at the house. I gather the coleslaw and fruit tray and figure I will head to the building where the lunch is going to take place. My house is close by and I will be able to get the bannock on the way by as well.
I call the band office right before leaving and let them know that the food is ready but there is no one to take it to the elders lunch. I get my jacket on and grab my things. I leave the counter in a mess and promise the custodian that I will be back,. He pulls the quiche out of the oven and puts tin foil over the top. He will pass it in to the driver when he arrives. My bannock is waiting! Please, please, please don't be burned!
I get down the stairs with my pans and start walking across to the band office. I see a truck pull up. News travels fast when there is food involved, it's my ride! I put my pan in the drivers seat and go back for the quiche. This truck is huge. There should be a step up but there is not. The gunnel board is at my knees. I am holding my pan and struggling to get up into the seat. I have to pass the pan over to the driver and struggle to get myself in that beast.
It is a short ride. I deposit my pans into the conference room and see that only two people have wandered in so far. It's noon but I am still good for time. Here's me running across the street to my place for the bannock. Please, please, please don't be burnt! I go through the kitchen/dining room/livingroom combo with my boots still on. There is no carpet to worry about. I pull open the oven door and take a breath. I am pleased to see that inside is absolute perfection. Yes!
The door on the oven doesn't close all the way so a little bit of extra cooking time seems to work out well. I scoot back to the band office with the last piece of my meal and am ready to serve the food. On time and fresh from the oven! I did get a scowly face deserter during the meal but 8 others ate and a few plates went to elders in their homes who were not able to make it to the lunch.
Phew! Let's take a little time to plan for next Monday on Friday shall we?
I will add my coleslaw recipe because this thing is amazing. It is weird all around but tastes amazing! I mixed red and green cabbage for a nice effect.
Mahsi Cho (Thank You) and Good Night!
Sunrise at 8:49 and Sunset at 19:22.
40 more minutes than my last blog! I think this counter will get stuck at 24 hours for sixty days eventually!
BINGO TALLY - 7 Losses and 2 Wins! There has been slightly more money lost than won but it all goes to programs in the community. The Spring Jamboree better be fantastic! I will likely end up as a volunteer manning some station in the festival...:)
The following is a description of my day. I have been attending the elders lunches every Monday and Friday. I breathed deeply and volunteered to do the cooking this Monday and for the next three Mondays.
On the menu was ham and cheese quiche, coleslaw, bannock and fresh fruit with yogourt.
The meal is served at 12:00 noon. I thought things through in the morning and figured that I will go to the school and start cooking at 10:00 am. I bring two pans and a cutting board as I know these supplies are not available. There were a few other things that were not available. I learned the hard way.
The kitchen is a rectangle and you stand in the middle of the surrounding cupboards and drawers. The one side with a window that opens into the gym has the clearest counter space.
The kitchen is just off the school gym and many a meal has been prepared there. I helped sort and put away the groceries for the elders lunch program for the month of March just a few days ago. No big deal.
I have the recipes that were left for me at my request. I can only cook from a recipe. I brought in my own recipe for coleslaw as I knew ahead of time that there was not one available.
I also knew that this quiche was going to be crustless. No way I am experimenting with pastry at this point. I had made a crustless quiche in the past and knew it would be ok to bake the ingredients in the pan without the crust. I thought maybe if I had time I might try to make the pastry. As it turned out, I did not have time!
I did not spot the recipes right away but someone located them for me and I was ready to go. 4 eggs. What, I will have to double this to feed 10 people. Alright. 1 can of cream cheese soup. Hey, that was not in the groceries. Double check. No. Ok, use milk to substitute and keep going.
I knew ahead of time that there was no ham as ordered but that there was plenty of chicken. I looked for the thawed out version in the fridge but no luck. I go over to the freezer in the storage room and the bag I found was not laying flat so all the chicken was frozen in one big pile at the bottom of the bag. Ok, there is a humungous microwave available. I have never seen a microwave that huge. I do a 360 search of all the cabinets around me. I am able to find a paper plate by standing on a chair and reaching into one of the top cupboards. I play around with the microwave settings and set the defrosting for 25 minutes. Cooking it will take another half an hour. Yikes! Keep going. Keep it moving. Forward motion!
I cut up the brocolli and add all the quiche ingredients to the pan. Next is grated cheese. I look in all the surrounding cabinets and drawers, There is a row above and below so it takes a long time and you forget what you saw in what cupboard if you don't follow a meticulous pattern. No grater! Time is flying by and there is no way I am walking home to get it. I cut the block of cheese into slices. I cut the slices into small strips and cut the strips into small cubes. I added it all into the pan.
The chicken is dethawed and looks almost cooked through so I cut it up and put it in the pan to bake for 50 minutes. The bannock needs to cook for 40 minutes. Conflict!
I make the bannock dough in an iron pot sitting on the counter. I don't have enough pans and do the circle of cupboards again looking for a pan. I knew I had seen one but I couldn't remember what cupboard it considered it's home. I get my hands on it and get the bannock on the pan. I have to race home to put it in the oven without warming it up first. This one is for 40 minutes and the other for 50 minutes but with the off start time they will be ready at about the same time. Pray for time to get back before either one burns. Get going. There is still coleslaw and dessert.
I get back and start on the coleslaw. I do another 360 in the drawers looking for a vegetable peeler. No deal! I use a knife. It is not a paring knife. It is a big knife so I cut away from myself as I get the peeling off the carrots. There is no chance they will be grated either. I eventually get all the ingredients in the pan I brought with me. I am glancing at the clock every minute on the minute. Down to 15 minutes and I still have to cut up the fruit for dessert. I have two bananas, two apples and a can of mandarin oranges. I get the bananas and apples cut up and I have no bowl or pan to put them in. I do another 360 and look in all the cupboards. I spot a shallow cookie pan sticking out above the cupboard and ask a taller person to help me. I put the cut up fruit on the pan with a tub of yogourt and the unopened can of mandarins. That is how it is going to get there. Things were getting down to the last five minutes. My quiche is going to be ready as well as the bannock at the house. I gather the coleslaw and fruit tray and figure I will head to the building where the lunch is going to take place. My house is close by and I will be able to get the bannock on the way by as well.
I call the band office right before leaving and let them know that the food is ready but there is no one to take it to the elders lunch. I get my jacket on and grab my things. I leave the counter in a mess and promise the custodian that I will be back,. He pulls the quiche out of the oven and puts tin foil over the top. He will pass it in to the driver when he arrives. My bannock is waiting! Please, please, please don't be burned!
I get down the stairs with my pans and start walking across to the band office. I see a truck pull up. News travels fast when there is food involved, it's my ride! I put my pan in the drivers seat and go back for the quiche. This truck is huge. There should be a step up but there is not. The gunnel board is at my knees. I am holding my pan and struggling to get up into the seat. I have to pass the pan over to the driver and struggle to get myself in that beast.
It is a short ride. I deposit my pans into the conference room and see that only two people have wandered in so far. It's noon but I am still good for time. Here's me running across the street to my place for the bannock. Please, please, please don't be burnt! I go through the kitchen/dining room/livingroom combo with my boots still on. There is no carpet to worry about. I pull open the oven door and take a breath. I am pleased to see that inside is absolute perfection. Yes!
The door on the oven doesn't close all the way so a little bit of extra cooking time seems to work out well. I scoot back to the band office with the last piece of my meal and am ready to serve the food. On time and fresh from the oven! I did get a scowly face deserter during the meal but 8 others ate and a few plates went to elders in their homes who were not able to make it to the lunch.
Phew! Let's take a little time to plan for next Monday on Friday shall we?
I will add my coleslaw recipe because this thing is amazing. It is weird all around but tastes amazing! I mixed red and green cabbage for a nice effect.
Mahsi Cho (Thank You) and Good Night!
2 cups cabbage
1 medium grated carrot
1/2 chopped green pepper
1 chopped apple
5 tablespoons yogurt, lowfat
1 tablespoon mayonnaise, lowfat
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon dill weed
Wash the cabbage. Cut it into fine shreds, until you have 2 cups of cabbage.
Peel the carrot. Grate it with a grater. Chop half a green pepper into small pieces. Remove the core, and chop the apple. Put the cabbage, carrot, green pepper, and apple in a large mixing bowl. Stir together.
Put the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and dill weed in a small bowl. Stir together to make a dressing.
Pour the dressing over the salad. Toss to mix. Add salt and pepper to taste.
1 medium grated carrot
1/2 chopped green pepper
1 chopped apple
5 tablespoons yogurt, lowfat
1 tablespoon mayonnaise, lowfat
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon dill weed
Wash the cabbage. Cut it into fine shreds, until you have 2 cups of cabbage.
Peel the carrot. Grate it with a grater. Chop half a green pepper into small pieces. Remove the core, and chop the apple. Put the cabbage, carrot, green pepper, and apple in a large mixing bowl. Stir together.
Put the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and dill weed in a small bowl. Stir together to make a dressing.
Pour the dressing over the salad. Toss to mix. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Stand By Me
-21 and clear in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 9:10 and Sunset at 19:03.
16 more minutes than my last blog! Enjoying every wind free second!
I found someone who reported on the media blackout this past weekend. Woohoo!
No one had any idea what was going on outside of the region.
I did find out later that there there were a few people on a different internet service that made some contact with the outside world. I will have to get in touch with them if there are any further situations like this one.
I have learned that the number of dishes in your cupboard directly influences the frequency that you wash dishes. One plate means that you wash the dishes after every meal. Four plates means that you wash the dishes after every four meals. Of course you can prolong the process by using bowls, small plates or napkins and then well I guess you are leaving things too long.
I am busy organizing things in my little space. I may need to send some back, or maybe I can keep it to sell when the next media blackout comes around and I get hungry. I may also need it for emergency funds during spring break up when there is no way out of the community until the ferry is in the water. Actually I have been doing well with the groceries I got in inuvik and the ones I packed with my things from home.
Better to lighten the number of possessions anyway. How silly it is that we clutter our lives with so many things. Maybe the garbage leaving our home should be equal to or less than the stuff we bring back into our living space. Might need to start weighing it to be sure the clutter is not getting out of hand!
Things are getting back to normal after the big storm. A few furnaces that froze up have been restored to working order. I have canvassed the community for a dog that I can take for walks once in awhile. I was not able to bring my Jack Rusell Terrier as they do not want any indoor pets in the residential buildings. I will have to work on the situation. I put up pictures over the weekend of my pups and some family photos.
I feel like something changed after sitting in the little Magic Bus for two days with the wind blowing at 70+ km/h and having no communication with the outside world. I am not sure how exactly. If I faced human vulnerability. If I was wondering what the hell have I gotten myself into this time. I think what really struck me was that no one knew what was happening. I knew people would be wondering why the communication was out but not know why or to what degree. I didn't have anyone to check in on me (although one of the maintenance guys stopped by to see if my furnace was working properly). I don't want to say I was feeling all alone. It was more than just the isolation. It was the fact that no one could do anything about the situation. Powerlessness.
Something horrible is going on and there is nothing you can do to change the situation. That was how I was feeling. I am usually a very positive thinker and I got through the situation all in one piece but it left something with me. When things are happening all around it's important to take the time to care for myself.
I missed BINGO on Tuesday and lunch at the school on Wednesday. I better get back into the game tonight! My steps are shoveled and the roads are all clear.
I may try to get in to Inuvik this weekend. I made some purchases at Sears and have to go to the "Beckett Business Centre," to pick them up. Hopefully they aid in making the Magic Bus a little more comfortable. Maybe I will even ask around and try to introduce myself to the infamous Mr. Beckett.
I met Dave in the Bookstore during my last two vists. I am enjoying the use of my Ebook but the bookstore also carries some crafts and paintings from local artists. The mittens and moccassins are beautiful. I don't know that I will be able to get to the point where I am willing to pay the 300.00+ for one of the items. I would like to and they are worth it but I don't know. I will see if I can get someone local to make something for me perhaps.
Drin Gwiinzii
Sunrise at 9:10 and Sunset at 19:03.
16 more minutes than my last blog! Enjoying every wind free second!
I found someone who reported on the media blackout this past weekend. Woohoo!
No one had any idea what was going on outside of the region.
I did find out later that there there were a few people on a different internet service that made some contact with the outside world. I will have to get in touch with them if there are any further situations like this one.
I have learned that the number of dishes in your cupboard directly influences the frequency that you wash dishes. One plate means that you wash the dishes after every meal. Four plates means that you wash the dishes after every four meals. Of course you can prolong the process by using bowls, small plates or napkins and then well I guess you are leaving things too long.
I am busy organizing things in my little space. I may need to send some back, or maybe I can keep it to sell when the next media blackout comes around and I get hungry. I may also need it for emergency funds during spring break up when there is no way out of the community until the ferry is in the water. Actually I have been doing well with the groceries I got in inuvik and the ones I packed with my things from home.
Better to lighten the number of possessions anyway. How silly it is that we clutter our lives with so many things. Maybe the garbage leaving our home should be equal to or less than the stuff we bring back into our living space. Might need to start weighing it to be sure the clutter is not getting out of hand!
Things are getting back to normal after the big storm. A few furnaces that froze up have been restored to working order. I have canvassed the community for a dog that I can take for walks once in awhile. I was not able to bring my Jack Rusell Terrier as they do not want any indoor pets in the residential buildings. I will have to work on the situation. I put up pictures over the weekend of my pups and some family photos.
I feel like something changed after sitting in the little Magic Bus for two days with the wind blowing at 70+ km/h and having no communication with the outside world. I am not sure how exactly. If I faced human vulnerability. If I was wondering what the hell have I gotten myself into this time. I think what really struck me was that no one knew what was happening. I knew people would be wondering why the communication was out but not know why or to what degree. I didn't have anyone to check in on me (although one of the maintenance guys stopped by to see if my furnace was working properly). I don't want to say I was feeling all alone. It was more than just the isolation. It was the fact that no one could do anything about the situation. Powerlessness.
Something horrible is going on and there is nothing you can do to change the situation. That was how I was feeling. I am usually a very positive thinker and I got through the situation all in one piece but it left something with me. When things are happening all around it's important to take the time to care for myself.
I missed BINGO on Tuesday and lunch at the school on Wednesday. I better get back into the game tonight! My steps are shoveled and the roads are all clear.
I may try to get in to Inuvik this weekend. I made some purchases at Sears and have to go to the "Beckett Business Centre," to pick them up. Hopefully they aid in making the Magic Bus a little more comfortable. Maybe I will even ask around and try to introduce myself to the infamous Mr. Beckett.
I met Dave in the Bookstore during my last two vists. I am enjoying the use of my Ebook but the bookstore also carries some crafts and paintings from local artists. The mittens and moccassins are beautiful. I don't know that I will be able to get to the point where I am willing to pay the 300.00+ for one of the items. I would like to and they are worth it but I don't know. I will see if I can get someone local to make something for me perhaps.
Drin Gwiinzii
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