- Set oven to "warm" or preheat to 200F and then turn off.
- In a large bowl, soak Red River Cereal and Rolled Oats in boiling water. Let stand 15 min. (Can substitute cracked wheat, or another cup of rolled oats for the Red River cereal. Bowl should be large enough to bath a baby in... ;p~)
- Stir yeast into warm water, using a fork. Add a pinch of sugar to aid rising action. Let yeast rise until double in size.
Stage 2:
- Add salt, butter/shortening & brown sugar to cereal/oat mixture.
- Using a wooden spoon, mix in whole wheat flour
- Add proofed yeast.
- Continue to work in 4 or 5 c. white flour. Eventually you'll need to use your hands to mix it. (Take off your rings!)
Stage 3:
- Knead the dough, adding flour as necessary, until it is smooth and elastic, not sticky (10 min. or so?). Humidity and elevation will affect the amount of flour required.
- Shape the dough into one huge ball, set it aside for a moment.
- Clean and then grease your large bowl (I use olive oil).
- Turn dough ball into greased bowl and "knuckle it in" side-to-centre all the way around.
- Flip dough over so that the top area of the rounded dough is covered in oil/grease
Stage 4:
- Cover (with a tea towel or plastic wrap) and let rise for about 1.5 - 2 hours in the warmed oven.
- Grease and set aside desired baking pans.
Stage 5:
- Punch dough down (Literally, punch the middle of it a few times to deflate it a bit.)
- Shape into desired size loaves/buns/cakes. Cut a few slits across the tops of loaves, or a cross into cakes. (I like to roll out three strands and braid them into loaves or buns.) Cover again and let rise until doubled in size (about 45 min. - 1 hour)
- Preheat oven to 350F
Stage 6:
- Baking times vary...
* Loaf pans - 35 to 45 min.
* Pizza pans - 45 min. (for large cakes of bread)
* Cookie sheet (of 12 buns) - 27 min.
Stage 7 (optional):
- brush with egg or milk before baking and sprinkle with sesame, flax or poppy seeds, or brush with sugar water after baking for a sweeter crust.
We visited the store in Antigonish this summer and then I was delighted to find that my local grocery store in ON stocks their chocolate bars! 😊 Everyone got Peace By Chocolate in their Christmas stockings this year. 🥰
I am the daughter of a soldier who was with the liberating forces in Holland in 1945. I am the mother of children who travelled in Europe with a Canadian logo on their backpacks and were met with smiles. I am the grandmother of children who don't fear today with be the day someone shoots up their schools. I am an elder who still is brought to tears when our anthem is sung and our flag raised because warts and all, I am proud to be Canadian for all that you have stated, and more. I have an ingrained humility that resists blatant nationalism but it is in my blood to hear the call to defend this country and stand up to protect what is truly worthy. The words of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" will be my ear worm.... !
It feels impossibly like terrible backwards time travel. Back on the playground playing dodgeball while the jerk a year ahead of me has the ball. Without fail he always aims for our faces. It’s a cold spring day in central Illinois and that red rubber burns as it smacks into your face and you struggle to stay on your feet, as falling down would add to his evil pleasure. The leadership of both parties put the US in this terrible position. It’s not JUST the voters, as folks outside of the US keep saying. That line of thinking greatly simplifies the workings of our system. You can only vote for the candidates on the ballot. And it’s pretty rare for anyone with actual values to make the ballot these days.
That’s a long winded way to say I and mine certainly support Canada’s sovereignty. But then again me and mine didn’t sleep through history class. :/
Thank you for saying this! I literally feel the same way in regard to not having a good candidate to vote for, while at the same time wanting to exercise my hard fought right to vote. It very much felt like choosing between the lesser of two evils, or the frying pan and the fire. We didn’t know what to believe from either candidate before the election, nor did we have any way of knowing what either of them would actually do once elected. It breaks my heart and I feel so helpless, except to keep praying.
Sob. I wasn’t expecting to cry at work in rural Ontario this morning. Love you so deeply, Sarah. Thank you for being a truth teller and relentless hope spreader.
Loved this entire thing. This one made me especially smile/tear up: “the barista at Tim Hortons happily teaching new Canadians exactly how to roll up the rim tonight” 🥹
A few more: "Good, good whole wheat Shreddies" for breakfast as a kid. Corner Gas. 54-40. Smarties. Indigenous comedies - North of North and Acting Good. Leonard Cohen. (Hallelujah.) The smell of pine trees and lake water in summer. Long, long road trips through mountains and prairies and boreal forest with only the CBC available on the radio (cutting in and out in the mountains). My first bike, a CCM. "In Flanders Fields" and Remembrance Day ceremonies. I am also old enough to remember Chez Hélène, a uniquely Canadian TV show that taught French to English speaking preschoolers. "Bonjour, Mes Amis!" Thank you for this meditation, Sarah. I am praying for our American friends these days.
Amen to Smarties! I miss Remembrance Day ceremonies. Every small town I ever lived in had a proper formal ceremony on Remembrance Day followed by a delicious meal served at the Legion.
I am a proud Canadian, however, I have been living in the US after marrying my American husband.
Yes to Shreddies!! (Whenever we go up to see my folks, we both reach for the box of Shreddies!). Shreddies in Nuts & Bolts vs Chex Mix, which is still tasty, but a different texture/than N & B).
knowing all the lyrics to Jann Arden's 'Good Mother' and singing it as I do dishes / Peter Mansbridge / Routinely running into our Member of Parliament at neighbourhood events / using tobaggans to get to school / Algonquin Park / the Newfoundlander accent / milk in a bag / toques
I love that I grew up on the East Coast and you grew up out west and we both feel so very strongly about this entire list! So many smiles, so many heart twists, even a few tears. I love this country. We have our problems, sure, but I am so proud. My kids and hubby tease me that whenever we leave Canada I somehow find a way to work the fact that we are Canadian into every conversation. As a grade 6 teacher in Ontario, I want to share this list with my class as we learn about Canadian identity. I'm sure I have points to add, but this feels pretty complete! I have never felt so passionate about this part of the social studies curriculum as I do this year. Thank you, Sarah!
Seriously! Our Joe is in grade 11 and he was studying the rise of nationalism in school last year: let's just say that he is well-equipped for talking about these bonkers days now. So grateful for social studies teachers right now! You all are doing God's work.
Good for Joe! We need our kids to recognize and be able to speak intelligently about what is happening! They are the future of this beautiful country -- and I do think the future is in good hands. ❤️
The way I'm weeping in my office so early in the morning, as this spoke to the very depths of my proud Canadian soul. The last few years haven't been easy for us Canadians, and I found myself with a strained relationship with my own national pride and changed views of our flag and so many other national symbols. But now I'm crying for the way that we've all had a sudden collective realization of what truly matters and had our eyes opened to all that unites us and makes us proud Canadians.
Thank you for this completely perfect devotion and for the hope and love that it sparks.
As an American, this piece made me sadder than anything has in a very long time.
I'm sorry, Greg. As scared and angry as we all are right now, I know you all are in the centre of it.
🇨🇦ian hugs.
Same
Agreed. And I've been pretty sad about the current state of affairs lately.
Me too.
Same. Makes me wish that past generations of my family hadn't decided to cross the Detroit river...
Same.
Yes.
Yep.
Ditto
The only thing on my list that wasn't on yours is "Sarah Bessey"
🥹🥹 That's lovely to say, thank you!
Bruce Cockburn, Sarah McLachlan, Shania,the Wailing Jennys, Margaret Atwood, Kit Pearson, Farley Mowat, Rohinton Mistry, LM Montgomery, Peanut butter, Paint roller, egg carton, jolly jumper. OH CANADA 🇨🇦
This was my morning devotion. I am happy that there is a country such as yours in this world. Pray for us Canada and hold strong.
🍁Maple taffy that has just been poured onto the snow and wrapped around a popsicle stick at the sugar shack/cabane à sucre.
🍁Skating on a frozen lake at dusk or dawn...and the *whump* (or CRACK!) of the ice settling.
🍁Gurdeep Pandher's joyful bhangra dancing in -40 😆
🍁The sound of coss country skis slicing through the snow, and then the call of chickadees and maybe a few trees creaking slightly.
🍁 Leaping off an outcrop of of Canadian Shield into the deep, cold tea-coloured water of a northern lake or river.
🍁Homemade bread recipe using Red River Cereal.
🍁Peace by Chocolate!
Are you willing to share the bread recipe?
That Red River Cereal bread is a staple and most folks have their own recipe but the official one from Robin Hood Flour is here: https://www.robinhood.ca/En/Recipes/Red-River-Cereal-Bread It's a good start!
Red River Oatmeal Bread
Ingredients:
1 c. Red River Cereal
1 c. Rolled Oats (not minute or instant)
4 c. boiling water
1 Tbsp. yeast
1/4 c. warm (*not* boiling) water
1 pinch white sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. butter or shortening
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 c. whole wheat flour
~5 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
olive oil
Stage 1:
- Set oven to "warm" or preheat to 200F and then turn off.
- In a large bowl, soak Red River Cereal and Rolled Oats in boiling water. Let stand 15 min. (Can substitute cracked wheat, or another cup of rolled oats for the Red River cereal. Bowl should be large enough to bath a baby in... ;p~)
- Stir yeast into warm water, using a fork. Add a pinch of sugar to aid rising action. Let yeast rise until double in size.
Stage 2:
- Add salt, butter/shortening & brown sugar to cereal/oat mixture.
- Using a wooden spoon, mix in whole wheat flour
- Add proofed yeast.
- Continue to work in 4 or 5 c. white flour. Eventually you'll need to use your hands to mix it. (Take off your rings!)
Stage 3:
- Knead the dough, adding flour as necessary, until it is smooth and elastic, not sticky (10 min. or so?). Humidity and elevation will affect the amount of flour required.
- Shape the dough into one huge ball, set it aside for a moment.
- Clean and then grease your large bowl (I use olive oil).
- Turn dough ball into greased bowl and "knuckle it in" side-to-centre all the way around.
- Flip dough over so that the top area of the rounded dough is covered in oil/grease
Stage 4:
- Cover (with a tea towel or plastic wrap) and let rise for about 1.5 - 2 hours in the warmed oven.
- Grease and set aside desired baking pans.
Stage 5:
- Punch dough down (Literally, punch the middle of it a few times to deflate it a bit.)
- Shape into desired size loaves/buns/cakes. Cut a few slits across the tops of loaves, or a cross into cakes. (I like to roll out three strands and braid them into loaves or buns.) Cover again and let rise until doubled in size (about 45 min. - 1 hour)
- Preheat oven to 350F
Stage 6:
- Baking times vary...
* Loaf pans - 35 to 45 min.
* Pizza pans - 45 min. (for large cakes of bread)
* Cookie sheet (of 12 buns) - 27 min.
Stage 7 (optional):
- brush with egg or milk before baking and sprinkle with sesame, flax or poppy seeds, or brush with sugar water after baking for a sweeter crust.
Yes to Peace by Chocolate!! I visit their shop often 🙂
We visited the store in Antigonish this summer and then I was delighted to find that my local grocery store in ON stocks their chocolate bars! 😊 Everyone got Peace By Chocolate in their Christmas stockings this year. 🥰
I am the daughter of a soldier who was with the liberating forces in Holland in 1945. I am the mother of children who travelled in Europe with a Canadian logo on their backpacks and were met with smiles. I am the grandmother of children who don't fear today with be the day someone shoots up their schools. I am an elder who still is brought to tears when our anthem is sung and our flag raised because warts and all, I am proud to be Canadian for all that you have stated, and more. I have an ingrained humility that resists blatant nationalism but it is in my blood to hear the call to defend this country and stand up to protect what is truly worthy. The words of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" will be my ear worm.... !
It feels impossibly like terrible backwards time travel. Back on the playground playing dodgeball while the jerk a year ahead of me has the ball. Without fail he always aims for our faces. It’s a cold spring day in central Illinois and that red rubber burns as it smacks into your face and you struggle to stay on your feet, as falling down would add to his evil pleasure. The leadership of both parties put the US in this terrible position. It’s not JUST the voters, as folks outside of the US keep saying. That line of thinking greatly simplifies the workings of our system. You can only vote for the candidates on the ballot. And it’s pretty rare for anyone with actual values to make the ballot these days.
That’s a long winded way to say I and mine certainly support Canada’s sovereignty. But then again me and mine didn’t sleep through history class. :/
Thank you for saying this! I literally feel the same way in regard to not having a good candidate to vote for, while at the same time wanting to exercise my hard fought right to vote. It very much felt like choosing between the lesser of two evils, or the frying pan and the fire. We didn’t know what to believe from either candidate before the election, nor did we have any way of knowing what either of them would actually do once elected. It breaks my heart and I feel so helpless, except to keep praying.
Sob. I wasn’t expecting to cry at work in rural Ontario this morning. Love you so deeply, Sarah. Thank you for being a truth teller and relentless hope spreader.
An add on to your list. I am quoting here our Prime Minister Trudeau: “ You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.”
"Being able to swear proficiently in 2 languages." Envy.
Loved this entire thing. This one made me especially smile/tear up: “the barista at Tim Hortons happily teaching new Canadians exactly how to roll up the rim tonight” 🥹
A few more: "Good, good whole wheat Shreddies" for breakfast as a kid. Corner Gas. 54-40. Smarties. Indigenous comedies - North of North and Acting Good. Leonard Cohen. (Hallelujah.) The smell of pine trees and lake water in summer. Long, long road trips through mountains and prairies and boreal forest with only the CBC available on the radio (cutting in and out in the mountains). My first bike, a CCM. "In Flanders Fields" and Remembrance Day ceremonies. I am also old enough to remember Chez Hélène, a uniquely Canadian TV show that taught French to English speaking preschoolers. "Bonjour, Mes Amis!" Thank you for this meditation, Sarah. I am praying for our American friends these days.
Amen to Smarties! I miss Remembrance Day ceremonies. Every small town I ever lived in had a proper formal ceremony on Remembrance Day followed by a delicious meal served at the Legion.
I am a proud Canadian, however, I have been living in the US after marrying my American husband.
Yes to Shreddies!! (Whenever we go up to see my folks, we both reach for the box of Shreddies!). Shreddies in Nuts & Bolts vs Chex Mix, which is still tasty, but a different texture/than N & B).
Ellen, thank you for the prayers! 💕
Ditto
Could also add:
knowing all the lyrics to Jann Arden's 'Good Mother' and singing it as I do dishes / Peter Mansbridge / Routinely running into our Member of Parliament at neighbourhood events / using tobaggans to get to school / Algonquin Park / the Newfoundlander accent / milk in a bag / toques
And so many more!
I love that I grew up on the East Coast and you grew up out west and we both feel so very strongly about this entire list! So many smiles, so many heart twists, even a few tears. I love this country. We have our problems, sure, but I am so proud. My kids and hubby tease me that whenever we leave Canada I somehow find a way to work the fact that we are Canadian into every conversation. As a grade 6 teacher in Ontario, I want to share this list with my class as we learn about Canadian identity. I'm sure I have points to add, but this feels pretty complete! I have never felt so passionate about this part of the social studies curriculum as I do this year. Thank you, Sarah!
Seriously! Our Joe is in grade 11 and he was studying the rise of nationalism in school last year: let's just say that he is well-equipped for talking about these bonkers days now. So grateful for social studies teachers right now! You all are doing God's work.
Good for Joe! We need our kids to recognize and be able to speak intelligently about what is happening! They are the future of this beautiful country -- and I do think the future is in good hands. ❤️
Love this all. I would like to be Canadian at this very moment in time...for reasons.
The way I'm weeping in my office so early in the morning, as this spoke to the very depths of my proud Canadian soul. The last few years haven't been easy for us Canadians, and I found myself with a strained relationship with my own national pride and changed views of our flag and so many other national symbols. But now I'm crying for the way that we've all had a sudden collective realization of what truly matters and had our eyes opened to all that unites us and makes us proud Canadians.
Thank you for this completely perfect devotion and for the hope and love that it sparks.