Happy New Year

I had a lovely Christmas here in Liverpool with my Aunt and Uncle, cousins and their children (second cousins once removed...?)and, though I really missed my kids and my Mum, managed to enjoy myself immensely. On Christmas Eve, I went to Chorley where my cousin Ruth lives, to sing carols in the village square. It was pouring rain but we had a lovely time anyway, ending up in the pub across the road afterwards. It always amazes me to see children welcome in the pubs. It was packed with people who all know each other, toasting to a happy Christmas. Later, I walked to midnight mass, which felt familiar and I really enjoyed the organ and choir in the church, putting me firmly into the spirit of Christmas. A few weeks ago, I asked if I could decorate the Christmas table so when my cousin's wife Maddy showed an interest as well, we put our creative heads together and designed a table even Martha couldn't pull off! It was fabulous!. The day unfolded much as any other Christmas with gifts, good food, visits from family and, of course, the turkey dinner with all the trimmings. I felt warmly welcomed by all my family and so appreciated being included.

So it seems that it is not possible to be spontaneous when it comes to international travel these days. I decided to go to India for a couple of months and applied for a visa with confidence that I, as a Canadian citizen, would be granted one without any trouble. Not so. Apparently they want me to apply from my home country. I am in the process of applying for my British passport which would make it easier. Since my parents were both born in the UK, i am already a citizen but need a passport to make it official. It takes 6 weeks to be processed and then I have to have an interview which means I\'m grounded here in England for the next six weeks. It\'s too bad I didn\'t think of this before I left home! But I didn\'t know I would be travelling for such a long time. Anyway, it is totally worth it to see it through while I\'m here and will just have to find something to do while I wait. I can think of a few: walking the Coast-to-Coast, or the West Highland Way, both would be great.....in the spring! It will be cold and probably rainy but I\'d like to do it nevertheless. I would also like to spend a good week in London and see all the sights as it really doesn't matter what the weather is like when you're in a museum or art gallery. Anyway, I am headed to Ireland next week to meet up with two Camino buddies (SO excited) and will send the paperwork after that as I need my passport to go to Ireland. So, instead of India, I will probably do more of east Africa and the middle east.

My great Aunty Margy passed away today. After three weeks of gradually slipping away, she died peacefully in her sleep and I am thankful that she did not suffer. Even so, it is sad when a loved one dies and I see from my relatives who knew her their whole lives, that her passing is hard for them. I visited her only yesterday and wondered when her time would come. She had a great, long life and was surrounded by so many people in her final days. I think that is how it should be. At age 96, she was the last remaining member of that generation on my mother's side, marking the end of an era. May she rest in peace.

Tomorrow I am off to Chorely with my cousin Rachel and her two boys to spend New Years' Eve with my cousin Ruth, and her family. It's beautiful there, typical English countryside and quaint village life. We will have a good time I'm sure, playing games and bringing in the new year!
I wish everyone a happy and safe New Year, sending much love from across the pond!
Xoxoxoxox

Recipe

Here is a truly English recipe:
ENJOY!!!!

Chocolate Guiness Cake

1 c Guinness stout
5 oz unsalted butter
3/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
2 c superfine sugar (caster sugar)
2 eggs
2 c all purpose sugar
3/4 c sour cream
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2-1/2 tsp baking soda

Topping:
8 oz cream cheese
1-1/4 cups icing sugar
1/2 c double cream

Method:
Preheat oven to 350*, line and butter a 9" springform pan.
Pour the Guinness into a large wide saucepan, add the butter in slices and heat until butter is melted, at which time you should whisk in the cocoa and sugar.
Beat the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla and then pour into the pan with the beer and butter, finally whisk in the flour and b.soda. Pour the batter into the greased pan and bake for 45min to an hour.
Leave to cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack; it will be a damp cake.
When the cake is cold, sit it on a flat plate ready to cover with the topping.
Lightly whip the cream cheese until smooth, sift the icing sugar and mix with the cream cheese in a processor or by hand. Add the cream and beat again until the mixture is spreadable consistency. Ice the top of the cake so that it looks like the frothy top of the famous pint!