Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Strawberry Ebelskivers for Old Doug in BC


Life is made up of a series of paths taking us from one place to another.  As we meander through this life, these paths sometimes join others and others sometimes join ours.  Some people remain on our path for a lifetime while different people pop in and pop out, and still others may join for a while and then leave all together.

Along the way certain people who cross your path become special, and such is the case with my friend Doug.  Old Doug from BC, he calls himself.  Some of you may remember a post we wrote for his wife, Miss Marie, when she was in the hospital last October struggling with some heart issues.  Doug and her family nursed her through, and though it was a long haul she made it home and returned to the kitchen.

Doug's path is one that has touched mine on occasion, and though we've never actually met in person, I know the world is a better place for having him in it.

Shortly after starting Liv Life, Doug emailed me with a glowing review of a recipe I had posted and sent along some recipes that he thought I might enjoy.  Over the months he's emailed numerous times updating me on his and Marie's latest cooking ventures and occasionally sending photos of their finished products.  Marie is quite the bread baker.

I've heard about new births, grand children's dance competitions (he has 9 great grand children!) and birthdays.  In addition I've enjoyed reading about Doug's days in the Royal Canadian Air Force where he spent some time as a photographer as well as some of his travels which have taken him around the world.  Through our email exchanges his love for his Marie is abundantly evident, and I take joy in reading the love that comes from his heart.  I'm thankful that Doug's path has crossed mine even if it has only been by email.  He has brought a smile to my face time and again and has encouraged me to "Liv Life".

Continuing on our paths of life, we all eventually find an end.  Hopefully we have lived full lives when we reach that point, but I'm certain that coming upon that point is never easy.  My friend Old Doug is facing that point.

Earlier this year he wrote to tell me that he and Miss Marie had spent their last Christmas together (they spent it alone, refusing all invitations and enjoyed a beautiful roast chicken together).  He was now living with an air machine to help him breathe and the doctors had delivered that never welcome news that they could not cure him.  Miss Marie had taken over all of the cooking, though Doug mentioned that he did still make suggestions and he confided that Miss Marie "usually" followed them.

A few weeks ago I received an email from Doug's daughter letting me know that my friend was in the hospital and would most likely not return home.  But last night I received an email from Doug himself!  He's hanging in there, but says he's not in good shape and he wanted to send me his best wishes.

My dear Doug... we are sending our best wishes back to you along with hugs from Liv and me.  Thank you for crossing my path.


Strawberry Ebelskivers for Doug
As I read Doug's email last night, Liv said, "We should make him something!".  She immediately suggested the Strawberry Ebelskivers that we have enjoyed the day prior as she said they "Always make me happy, and I think he could use some happy.".  Sweet and filled with strawberry goodness, these little round pancakes do just that.  My dear Doug... these are for you.
Adapted from Ebelskivers: Danish-Style Filled Pancakes by Kevin Crafts, pg 99

Vanilla Batter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup spelt flour (or whole wheat or all-purpose)
1 1/2 tsp sugar (or honey)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs, separated
1 cup rice milk (may use milk)
2 Tbs unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (we enjoyed vanilla beans scraped from 1/2 of a bean pod)
1 cup chopped strawberries sprinkled lightly with sugar
powdered sugar

Add the flours, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Whisk lightly to combine.

In a small bowl lightly whisk the egg yolks and then add the milk, melted butter and vanilla.  Whisk to combine.  Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until blended.  Batter will be lumpy.

In a small bowl whisk the egg whites until stiff, but not dry peaks form (may use an electric mixer, but we suggest a good ole whisk!).  Fold about 1/3 of the beaten egg whites into the batter and then fold the rest in just until no white streaks remain.  Use the batter right away.

Cook ebelskivers in an ebleskiver pan according to pan directions.  (Pour a small amount of batter into the cups then top with about 1 tsp of chopped strawberry.  Add more batter and cook according to pan directions)

Liv Life Note:  Liv says these are best served with LOTS of powdered sugar as well as a good dose of maple syrup.

Miss Marie & Doug

 



19 comments:

  1. Very light and beautiful post. I'm in love with the second photo, It's soothing to my eyes, maybe because the sprinkling of the powder sugar looked like drops of rain, I've been staring at it for a while :)

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  2. Why oh why Kim do you have to write posts that make me cry!! xoxo
    I'm sad that your friend is at the end of his life.. but what treasured memories in the many emails you have had with him and the recipes he has shared. My thoughts will be with him and for his wife. wow. What a sweet life to have shared so many Christmases with the one you love.

    My mom makes apple ebelskivers.. but I bet she would LOVE the strawberry! yummy recipe!! Love you and missed you this past week. We all did! :)

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  3. What a beautiful and poignant post :-)

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  4. As someone who provides hospice care, this story brought tears to my eyes, thank you for sharing such a lovely story

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  5. Beautiful post my friend - you had me on the verge of tears
    Special, very special and thoughtful too.

    Choc Chip Uru

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  6. Hello Kim and Liv, reading your post brought tears to my eyes... not of sadness but of compassion and joy... Every one of us will have to come to the end of this life, but just look back at the journey each of us went through... and the photograph of your friend Doug and Miss Marie said it all... It has been the journey of love and happiness for them... Bless your heart Kim, I am very grateful and feel blessed having find you (your blog) at this close to end journney of myself... xxoo to Liv.

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  7. I can't type well because of the tears in my eyes. What a gift you've been given to have such a wonderful relationship with Doug and Marie. It sounds like there is so much love in that family; from the two of them down to the nine great grand children (wow).

    I've never heard of ebleskiver, but they look delicious, especially with the strawberries.

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  8. Isn't everything just better with powdered sugar?! Must agree with Liv on that one :) I've never heard of these before but they look amazing!

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  9. I stopped by to read your post because I grew up eating ebelskiver and I was thrilled to see another person who loves them. I am so happy that I stopped to read, your post was lovely. Such a sweet and beautiful story....thank you for sharing it with us.

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  10. Bitter sweet, a touching post. I will be sure to give this recipe a try!

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  11. What a touching post - so sweet to have such a wonderful friend in your life. I'm sure Doug would appreciate these strawberry ebelskivers.

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  12. Aww best wishes and thoughts are with Doug. Such a sweet post in honor of him. I am sure he just loved these ebelskivers. They look amazing.

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  13. Such a beautiful post, I wish your friend and hi family ease.

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  14. This post almost made me cry. It's so sad, but such a sweet gesture. I hope that Doug makes it through and hopefully able to try this delicious looking recipe himself.

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  15. I remember your other post about Doug and his wife, Marie. How lucky you two were to meet through your blog...I imagine he's touched many lives in his long life. I wish him much comfort curing this latest health struggle~

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  16. What a lovely post and a delicious sounding recipe!

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  17. Oh, Kim. This post is so sweet and sad at the same time. Doug seems like a good soul and I bet every life he's touched has been all the better for it. So glad you had the chance to become his friend.

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  18. What a nice post Kim, how sweet that his family has let you know what is going on and that Doug himself email you lately. Best wishes to him and his family since the future will not be easy. The recipe looks wonderful.

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  19. I was going through some old bookmarks on my computer and came across this one you wrote for my Dad, it brought tears to my eyes but joy too as I remember how proud he was to show that post (we printed it for him) to anyone and everyone in the hospital. He had many friends and lots of family who stopped by the hospital in person to visit with him but he equally cherished the folks like you who took the time to write to him an encouraging message. It's hard to believe he's been gone for almost 8 months and I' sorry it has taken me this long to write an answer to this post to thank you and let you know how much it meant to him. Love Jackie

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