"Aunt Jan and her uncle famously known as The white Hunter"
Her father was the Sea Captain of the famous S.S. Neptune,
the largest sealing ship in Newfoundland.
It is this time of year that one reflects about
the people that are close to your heart.
I met Aunt Jan on our trip to St. John's a few years ago and
have never been able to forget her amazing strong spirit.
She may have been alone but never lonely.
My hope was always to land on her doorstep
on Christmas Eve for one of her amazing dinners.
Sadly she passed away a few weeks ago but memory of her
will be maintained by all that were so touched by her.
She made no bones ~ she liked you or she didn't.
The last of the old Empire on The Rock.
I was fortunate enough to spend one whole summer
and have dinners there every Sunday
with her nephew Bruce, his sisters
and the rest of her family, Lachlan and Annette.
From the simplest menu to the complex.
Each Sunday was such a treat.
How I looked forward to it!
How many people do we know
who have a harpoon next to the fireplace in the kitchen?
... and long long ski for a shelf.
The old table where the fish were always cut.
Fresh salmon with a squeeze of lemon. She had her routines.
And this is where she entertained her family and their guests.
But never take that for granted.
One day I drew up a postcard of her simplest menu and gave it out.
Everyone wrongly assumed it was an invitation to her dinner that Sunday.
NOT!
Walking into her house was like walking into history.
Same ancient wall paper, She kept everything as it was.
Oak furniture from England. Paintings of family portraits.
That long staircase leading to the top bedrooms.
Fabulous craftsmanship throughout that house.
My visits with her will be forever etched in my mind.
She will be dearly missed.
She is my Christmas Story
Season's Wishes to you all.
IS
