Change of orders, joining in Goderich later today.

Good morning. I hope your virtual seabags are already packed, we have a change of orders! We are joining in Goderich later today. I could not ask for a better scenario. I was originally asked to join the Algoma Buffalo in the canal downbound tomorrow, the 15th. It's never easy to join in the canal because there is a lot of waiting and then when the ship is finally in the Lock you have to hurry. For those of you who have followed me for a while, you are aware that I travel with two suitcases, one for me, one for the galley. There are a lot of strict rules in place at the canal. You cannot get in the fenced-in Lock area early. Nobody is allowed to enter the fenced-in area with me, so I am often stressed trying to make sure I get my luggage in place, by myself. If the ship is upbound, the boat comes in low in the Lock. You have to peek over the side of the lock wall and look where the gangway is and line your luggage up with that. Sometimes I am lucky and there is someone else there who is getting onboard and they help me. A few years ago one kind security guard let Lorraine (my sister best friend and publisher) in to help me at 01h00 on a cold December night. I am so pleased with the change to join in Goderich. It is much easier to join a ship that is at a dock. As I look out the window at the bright sunshine, the weather is perfect. These two facts would have already been enough to make my day, but there is more. It was just confirmed that I should be there at 1730. Joining at the end of the day is perfect. I can get onboard and not have to rush into the galley to continue cooking a meal that someone else started. I know that it will be busy when I get there because they have a grocery order coming. Algoma works with a great family-run ship Chandler. I was so pleased to find out that Elliott Ship Chandler supplies the Algoma Buffalo. They used to supply the Algoma Hansa when I was there for a year. There is such a difference from the Sysco groceries that CSL uses. I sometimes feel like Sysco tries to get rid of the things they can't sell and knowing that the ship is leaving, they are not that concerned about the quality. Getting groceries from Elliott Ship Chandler is such a bonus to my job! It's like they hand-picked everything for their own fridge. They go above and beyond to make sure you get good quality, fresh produce and items that will make your meals great. How lucky am I? This is a great Christmas present. I still have some last-minute packing to do, but I will quickly share with you what I have been up to. I am working on some new recipes and will share the photos with you.

I am trying to recreate the egg souffle from Panera bread. This was my first attempt. It still needs some adjustments.

While visiting the Heavenly Haven outside Brockville this past fall we were talking about the Sausage soup from the restaurant Olive Garden. I tried to recreate it. I did one version with potatoes and a puff pastry cheese crouton and another version pureed with no potatoes and a parmesan almond flour crouton. Both were winners! (in my opinion and the guests I made it for)

I love this Thai recipe. I used shrimp this time. It was delicious.

This is a recipe I am working on. the gravy has no flour in it and it came out so light and tasty. I really liked it served over cauliflower gnocchi.

A beautiful evening walk in Port Colborne.

There is lots of parking in front of the coffee shop that I like to visit in Port Colborne.

The Pie Guys Bakery and Cafe is the perfect place to sit and watch ships. They have a fixed menu Friday nights. It smelled delicious as they passed by me on their way to serve another table. I was just there for a tea cand to watch the ships. I looked like a tourist snapping pictures, not like a sailor who would join a ship the next day. I am a true ship lover.

I love this time of year. I love seeing the Christmas lights and decorations. I often sail over Christmas and for 24 years spent every Christmas working in our restaurant. We were located at a ski resort and it was the busiest week of the year. Our mom always sent us an E-Advent Calendar to enjoy. Our mother loved her computer and talked about it like it was her friend. Skype allowed her to talk with her cousin in Germany regularly. Our mom was famous for remembering everyone's birthday. She would send birthday card emails to everyone. Occasionally the recipients would say Mom remembered their special day before their family did. For close family and friends, Mom would have my Dad set up with his accordion to play Happy Birthday as soon as the phone was answered. They were a great duo! Every year in late November, Mom would send each of us an E-Advent Calendar from the Jacquie Lawson website. The site where Mom bought all her birthday e-cards and every special event card. There was always a cute video card with a personal note included at the end. I loved getting those e-cards. The E-Advent Calendar she sent every year was especially fun. She would send it to each of us and during my daily phone calls we would talk about the scene behind the door we clicked open that day. Behind the door, there was always a story or game to play. Mom loved playing games on her computer, and she especially liked the games that came with the Jacquie Lawson Christmas Advent Calendar because it played Christmas music behind the game. There were activities in the calendar. You could decorate your own Christmas tree. Arrange a vase of flowers. Our mom loved flowers! It was fun. Lorraine has continued this fun tradition from our mother. Normally, I am already sailing in December, but this year, like last, I spent the first few weeks waiting for a job. On December 1st I downloaded the Advent Calendar and had the luxury of time to find all the treasures it has to offer. Every morning I would return and open the next door. Lorraine suggested I play the games and said try the Santa Claus game. It was so much fun. As I clicked away, the Santa eluded me each time. I knew my mom would have loved this game. Every day when I open the calendar, I feel like I am entering a secret place where I can hear my mom's joyful voice and laughter; it's like she is sitting beside me. It's such a wonderful tradition.

A few screen shots of the beautiful Jacquie Lawson E-Advent Calendar. It takes place in Paris this year. There is a book lying on a table and when you click on it you can read about Paris. When you click on the famous Louvre Museum you can read about the paintings that are hanging on the walls and information about the artists that painted the.

This is the imaginary place you stay while in Paris. I decorated the tree in the room. It was an activity that gave me an endless supply of decorations. There are presents to open that reveal games or books. All the games around the room can be opened and played. My favorite is the Santa Claus game.

This is my favorite game. There are more games but I have trouble stopping once I start. They are so much fun! I love thee music that plays too.

I have to return to reality and get ready. I have reached my cutoff time and must put together my last items. I recovered some space in my suitcase, knowing that Elliott would deliver some of the things that I normally carry with me (Chicken soup base, Beef soup base, Onion soup base and fish soup base.) The empty space left when I removed these items did not last long because I purchased a few fun things for Christmas, I gave myself a budget and picked up a few decorations that I could use to make my Christmas table festive. I chose a Poinsettia theme because my mom loved the beautiful Christmas flower. I wish you all a wonderful day. I will keep you posted and share the meals and photos that I make for the crew on the Algoma Buffalo. Stay tuned. Lorraine asked me to mention to you that she will make her last trip to the US post office on Monday the 16th to make sure the US books and calendar orders make it to you before Christmas. The Canadian Postal workers have been on strike for nearly a month so it is unlikely that the Canadian orders will arrive in time. We are sorry about that. Lorraine will mail them as soon as the Canadian post office re-opens on Monday. Stay tuned for updates from my time on the Algoma Buffalo.

I’m sure there will be more Adventures for Mitchell Mouse on the next ship. The first book is a great Christmas gift for the young ship enthusiast. Just click on the link: The Stowaway Adventures Children's Book – Ship to Shore Chef

I love watching the ships

Lorraine says hello. She will mail out book and 2025 Porthole calendars to both the US and Canada on Monday.