CHRISTMAS GOODIES ARE ALWAYS FUN

 So many good things to eat at Christmas.

Tangerines

Panatone

Even Oreo cookies can be dunked in Hot Chocolate.

What are your favourite Christmas goodies?

#granpalovestocook#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#panatone#oreocookies#tangerines

GRANPA- BEEF STEW-SPEZZATINO DI MANZO

 Winter season is a good time to eat stew.

Adolph made a great stew. His recipe can be found on the link on the side of this page.

March 25, 2012 for the original post.

Sonya made his stew a couple of years ago and posted on her blog.

House of Kerrs

Her photo of the stew is better than mine.

#beefstew#houseofkerrs#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

NOVEMBER-TIME TO THINK ABOUT THE FESTIVE MEALS AHEAD

 Christmas Eve dinner was always a favourite for us.

Adolph made wonderful seafood dishes.

Parties with lots of appetizers prior to Christmas Eve and day made the festive season so much fun.

Or even a helping of comfort food like mac and cheese will do.

#comfortfood#gettingreadyforthefestiveseason#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BIRTHDAYS IN NOVEMBER-TIME TO EAT CAKE

 Time to eat cake and maybe pizza too.

A daughter, a granddaaughter amd a brother celebrate in November.

Eating well and especially cake is something that is always good for the soul.

#novemberbirthdays#celebratinginnovember#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#reflectivethoughtsbbarbara#barbaradimambro

OCTOBER WITH THE FALL BOUNTY- APPLES, SQUASH AND PUMPKINS AND MY FAVOURITE RED PEPPERS

 I love the Fall bounty. Just not the weather.

Pumpkins

Red peppers

 

And comfort food- macroni and cheese.

Need to find more photos of Fall bounty. Just getting hungry looking at all these photos.

#fallbounty#redpeppers#pumpkins#apples#macroniandcheese#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

HELPING GRANPA GAVE ME SOME LIKES ON A INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT-CHEFMARCO_NYC

 So like many people I pass the time reading Tik Tok and Instagram and Facebook stuff when I want to pass mindless time.

So on Chef Marco_nyc, he posted about making gnocchi from fresh potatoes.

I made a simple comment: 

FRESH IS ALWAYS BETTER. MY HUSBAND WOULD MAKE THE DOUGH AND I WAS HIS SOUS CHEF AND HELPED TO CUT THE SHAPES.

A simple comment. I write lots of intellectual wordy essays on my blog- Reflective Thoughts by Barbara.

Well in my Instagram notifications, there have been 943 likes to date over the last 11 weeks.

More likes than I get on my blog.

Funny how one thought received so many responses and likes.

It was a positive comment and no trolls gave any negative thoughts.

It is rather endearing to have so many like my simple comment.

Of course, I follow food, Rome, travel and some others on Instagram. 

I do not comment often. So other people pass the time on Instagram too, it seems.LOL

#chefmarco#instagram#tictok#facebook#granplovestocook#adolphdimambro#commentsdogetread

SEPTEMBER- TIME FOR HARVEST HOME

 With squash, tomatoes, red peppers and of course a bounty of apples, September bring lots of local produce for home cooking.

Squash is another great Fall food and can be kept for ages.

Oh. I love to eat local.

#september#fallfoods#harvesthome#squash#apples#lotsoflocalfood#granpalovestocook#reflectivethoughtsbybarbaradimambro#adolphdimambro#barbaradimambro

GRANPA HAD AN EYE FOR GARDENING AS WELL AS COOKING-LOVE MY HOSTAS

 Adolph gardened sometimes. He had a small veggie garden after his mother passed away.

But he did like to rearrange my flowers and other plants.

One year he transplanted a ton of hostas everywhere.

Initially I did not like to have them in every bare spot.

Then over the years and as a tribute to him, the ring of hostas in the front has become one of my favourite items.

A closeup of some of them.

See how pretty it makes one area of my front lawn. Even can see my granite rocks that I wish someone would buy.

It gives me such a wonderful memory of Granpa!!

#hostas#hostasinthegardenbyadolph#hostaseverywhere#lovingmyhostas#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

50 YEARS SINCE JOE DIED FROM ALS-HOPE FOR THIS CONDITION IS HERE

 August 4, 1974 Adolph's father and my father-in-law died after a 7 year run from ALS-Lou Gherig disease.

My first experience with the Di Mambro family and Joe was already experiencing the early symptoms.

There has been no new treatments or cure for AL.

Until recently, when the Western News newsletter wrote about Dr. Michael Strong and his team at the University of Western Ontario that is researching and coming close to finding a cure and a way to deter the illness.

Always good to know after all these years that is hope for patients and families in the modern times.

#als#lougeherigdisease#universityofwesternontario#drmichaelstrong#researchatwestern#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

SUMMER BARBECUES MAKES FOR EASY COOKING

 Adolph loved to barbecue.

Steaks, burgers, chicken and grilled veggies.

I do not have a barbecue and have to rely on family for a good barbecue steak.

I take the steaks.

Or a Friday night pizza with zucchini eating outside on the back porch.

Need to hunt down some BBQ pics.

#summerbarbecues#eatinganoutdoormeal#barbecuesmakethesummerlivingeasy#granplovestocook#adolphdimambro

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- THE DI MAMBROS CAME TO CANADA THIS DAY

 I was going to post again about the Di Mambros coming to Canada.

Then I checked this blog and well I have written several posts on this them.

So here is the ship- Queen Frederica again as a tribute to the family for being here.

#dimambrofamilycomestocanada#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

TIME FOR ANOTHER TRIP TO THE ST JACOBS FARMERS MARKET

Adolph and I visited the St. Jacobs Farmers Market in 2012 and 2014.

So I suggested to Sonya it would be a fun day with the kids and me. We could do the tour of the Mennonite Farm, buy veggies and fruit and have lunch.

It is on Saturday and Thursdays.

So on my summer bucket list.

Hope to have as much fun again.

#stjacobsmarket#tripstoafarmersmarket#buyingfreshfruitandveggies#fundaytripswithgranpa#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

FATHER'SDAY IS ALWAYS A GOOD WAY TO EAT GOOD FOOD

 

Sometimes something as simple as a tomato sandwich.

What is your way to start the day?

#tomatosandwich#easymealforafather'sday#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

JUNE REUNION TIME- LANGSTAFF LADIES LUNCH

 Grandpa Adolph attended Langstaff too.

The Ladies, my High School acquaintances remember him well. And they did like him.

It was apparent at our 50th reunion at the school in 2015 and later at the dinner at Milestones.

They were supportive after he passed away.

So it is a safe place to mention him.

#langstaffladieslunch#rememberinghighschool#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#reflectivethoughsbybarbara

HAWAIIAN MEMORIES

 WE honeymooned in Hawaii. So when I purchased a travel album from a flea market circa 1910 I was delighted to find some photos from Hawaii. This photo colorized by the My Heritage photo system shows a beach scene from 1910. Diamond Head in a view from Waikiki.

Here I am with the flowers my mother sent us. Do you know what they are?

My favourite pic of Adolph making pancakes. I should have known he always liked to cook.

Another beach scene from 1910. Do you recognize the historic hotel in the center of the photo?

Oh the memories from May 1971.

#hawaii1910photos#hawaiianhoneymoon#adolphmakingpancakes#memoriesofa1971honeymoon#buyinganalbumfromafleamarket#historicphotosofwaikiki#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

SPRING WITH OUTDOOR LIVING AND THOSE BEAUTIFUL TULIPS

As you know May is my favourite month. Tulips and outdoor living help to make it happen.

So a beautiful purple tulip between the rocks and you do know I love rocks too made for a sweet picture.

What you do not see is the porch with food on the table.

As the season progresses, more food will appear in this blog.

#tulipsinthespring#outdooreating#enjoyingthemonthofmay#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro
 

ANNIVERSARY MEMORIES

 May 15th will always be a special day.

Our wedding day.

A time to celebrate.

So today I have the memories and they were good ones.

25th anniversary trip to Rome.

40th a special anniversary book for the girls and us. The a jaunt to Montreal and Ottawa.

45th- a Harbourfront cruise and another day brunch at the Doctor's House in Kleinburg with the family.

Lots of dinners, day trips, family times, quiet Saturday nights, celebrations, family weddings.

And so much more. A lifetime.

#weddinganniversary#may15th#celebrations#trips#thetripstoRome#Montreal#Ottawa#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

TIM HORTONS FOR A FRIDAY NIGHT

 I love Timmies loaded bowl. Chicken, rice, some salad with hot sauce.

So I also had one of the new flatbread pizzas.

Cooking is okay but some takeout sometimes is good too.

Drank half my coffee so in the fridge. Will heat it up in the morning.

#timhortonsfordinner#flatbreadpizza#loadedbowlisamealinone#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

MAY-TIME TO LOOK FORWARD TO FARMERS' MARKETS

 Adolph and I had a good run at going to farmers' markets.

Our St. Jacob trips still get pageviews regularly.

The Collingwood market was a fun day.

I still go to the small Hillcrest market. 

There is something about fresh produce from the farms in Southern Ontario.

Day trips with Sonya and the kids in recent years have been fun too.

So nice weather bring on those quick jaunts. Reminds me of the fun I had with Adolph.

#farmers'markets#tripstothefarm#enjoyingtheniceweatherinsouthernontario#stjacobsmarketissopopular#collinwoodfarmers'market#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

SPRING INTO SUMMER BARBECUE WEATHER

 Okay.

I do not have a barbecue but the family does.

So I can purchase steaks to have them barbecued by my sons-in-law.

Barbecuing alone does not cut it for me. I pan fry a steak when I want one.

But with the warmer weather approaching I look forward to a steak on the barby!!

Or a fried chicken picnic lunch would be nice too!

#summercooking#steakonthebarbecue#friedchickenpicniclunch#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

APRIL-THE TIME BETWEEN SPRING AND SUMMER

 April showers bring May flowers.

So it goes with good eating too. 

Almost barbecue season. One of Grandpa's favourite things.

A good barbecue especially a steak.

Now it is something for me to share at the daughters' houses.

Oh the aroma of the barbecue!

#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#barbecueseason#barbecuesteak

EASTER-A BLEND OF CANADIAN AND ITALIAN FOOD

 Granpa loved to make lamb and a pasta dish.

So the tradition of lamb at Easter along with sausage and chicken breasts will continue.

A pasta. Probably Longos  Lasagna.

To decide on what veggies as there are many the family enjoys.

Grocery shopping for the event continues.

Easter. A time of celebration and quiet reflection.

#eastershopping#lambmeals#lasagna#fruitandveggies#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

FEBRUARY- A MONTH OF GOOD EATING AND SOUPS

 Adolph used to make the wedding soup.

Broth.

Meat Balls- very little ones.

Escarola

A delicious simple soup.

So I have made it only using another green veggie as I could not find escarola.

Used of my chicken leg for one broth. The chicken wing tips for another.

I had meat balls that I cut into tiny pieces.

With some parmigiano cheese- ecco- wedding soup.

Of course, I miss the taste of Granpa's soups. 

#soups#weddingsoup#februarymeals#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

GRANPA WOULD LOVE THIS HOUSE OF KERRS PESTO TOMATO APPETIZER-FUN FOR A SATURDAY NIGHT STEAK DINNER

 So like the last post implied I was going to make one of Sonya's appetizers. 

 

The ingredients are simple. Tomato from Longos. Jar of pesto although Sonya had made it fresh. Bocconcini  balls. Both purchased from Grande Cheese. 

Slice the tomato and bocconcini putting the tomato on top and a small spoon of pesto. I did not salt or pepper it as the pesto had its own flavour.

As a side dish with my Saturday night steak and roasted red peppers it was tasty as anticipated.

House of Kerrs has lots of other recipes to try.

House of Kerrs

The love themed or heart shaped terms can be put in her Search on the site to find Valentine related dishes.

Happy Hunting!

#houseofkerrs#valentinerecipesonhouseofherrs#tomatopestoappetizer#pestotomatobocconciniappetizer#appetizersaregoodwithasteakdinner#ideasforeatingalone#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

GRANPA LOVES CAPRESE RECIPES FOR VALENTINES FILLED WITH HEART FELT LOVE BY HOUSE OF KERRS

 Sonya has made some wonderful food recipes.

So previously she posted some delicious ideas for Caprese dishes.

Visiting her website House of Kerrs will find them.

Just type in Love-themed or Heart-shaped to find her recipes for Valentines or Couple time ideas made with love.

House of Kerrs

With permission from Sonya I reprinted her Caprese quick and easy recipe ideas.

 

There are more ideas.

I like this idea. So easy to make and when I do I am sure it will be so tasty.

So like Sonya said and Granpa would approve grab those cookie cutters and make some delicious delights for the family or your special somebody for Valentine's Day. It is times like this that I wish Adolph were still here to cook for me. He would have loved these ideas from his daughter.

#valentine'sdayloverecipes#capresesideasforvalentine'sday#capresewithtomato#capresessalad#ideasforsimpleValentine'sdayrecipes#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#sonyalovestocook#wonderfulideasforlovethemedfood

FEBRUARY-MONTH OF LOVE FOR FAMILY AND EVEN GRANDPA

 I do not have any original recipes to share.

However with permission from Sonya's House of Kerrs, I will be sharing some of her ideas and recipes for simple February meals.

Valentine's Day is a good place to start.

So stay tuned as over the next week I will be posting.

#houseofkerrs#februaryrecipes#valentineday#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

REMEMBERING A FRIEND WHO LOVED GRANPA'S COOKING

Adolph and I have January birthdays.

A close friend Larry had one too. His birthday was January 11th. Today

He died Dec.21 .2001. Always remembered.

So a memory came to me today.

We had a birthday celebration together for Adolph and Larry.

I find small construction trucks and equipment to put on the cakes for them.

It was corny but appreciated by both.

I still have those little toys on my bookshelf.

Funny how food memories are good ones.

#foodmemories#friendLarry#januarybirthdays#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

SURF AND TURF WAS ALWAYS GRANPA'S NEW YEAR'S EVE CHOICE BUTWHAT FOR THE NEW YEAR

 Adolph and I always liked a simple New Year's Eve.

Lobster and steak with veggies, fresh bread and a simple dessert.

Of course wine for me.

So for my last 2023 meal, Greek food with a daughter and family.

Taking leftovers home for a New Year meal.

What will be the themes of this blog this year?

To revisit some of Adolph.s dishes.

To use House of Kerrs food themes as they are good ones.

Just a start to 2024.

Happy New Year Everyone!

#2023#2024#themesfor2024#houseofkerrs#themesthatresonatewithreaders#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#canadianitalianfoodthemes