Snowbird Lifestyle, Cuisine, Entertainment and Travel
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I had never heard of Burns Night until reading a chapter in a European book featuring Burns Night as part of a "year of festivities for families and friends." I have to admit, my first impression of Burns Night was that it's a romantic dinner for two in front of the fireplace on a cold winter night. Burns Night is actually a historical celebration of the life of Scotland's widely revered national poet
and lyricist, Robert Burns, whose most famous work is "Auld Lang Syne," published in 1788. The traditional Scottish Burns Night celebration centers around the poetry of Robert Burns, whiskey and a main course of haggis with mashed potatoes and turnips. My simplified American version of Burns Night features a warm, cozy ambiance, a menu honoring Scottish comfort food and a nod to the history and influence of Robert Burns. Burns Night is perfect for snowbirds with a menu of simple ingredients steeped in tradition and offers an interesting alternative to the typical date night or dinner party.
A few observations of the authentic European Burns Night celebration compared with my
Americanized version. The proper celebration is held on or near Robert Burn's birthday, January 25, but my take is go ahead and host Burns Night anytime during the winter. Setting up a small table next to the glow of a warm fireplace and having a relaxing meal for two or more people is not only romantic, but memorable and distinctive. If no fireplace is available, improvise by placing the table in a cozy corner of your living room. The point is to not sit at your regular dining room table to get a new perspective, as if dining in a quaint restaurant. Scottish plaid tartans, dim warm lighting, a white tablecloth and napkins, flowers or greenery and flickering candlelight make a charming ambiance. Creating an unusual backdrop appealing to all senses is key to emulating the feel of the Scottish Highlands. Why not create your own Burns Night in the midst of the December holidays, on New Year's Eve, an anniversary or any special occasion when darkness falls early on chilly winter nights.
Your menu should offer several courses and closely resemble the simply delicious traditional comfort food of Burns Night, of which haggis is always, always the focal point. After all, Burns' poem, "Ode to a Haggis" is traditionally read aloud to guests when the haggis is ceremoniously brought to the table by the cook, accompanied by a lone bagpiper or Scottish music, which is referred to as being "piped in."
Haggis is a Scottish delicacy composed of minced sheep organs, oatmeal, onions and seasonings stuffed in the lining of the intestine. Because Americans are typically less comfortable eating organ meats and more importantly, because haggis is impossible to buy in the United States (unless you have access to sheep lungs, which are banned from sale), my version of the Burns Night entree features a soup course, then sausage, mashed potatoes and turnips with a whiskey cream sauce, plus a berry parfait for dessert. It takes time to get accustomed to the Scottish terms and unfamiliar food combinations, so don't let it put you off. The meal truly tastes amazing!
A few facts about Burns Night -- it was first held in 1801, five years after Robert Burns passed. Classic celebrations may be elaborate, loud and festive with many guests or quite intimate and cozy. The meal starts with a prayer of Burns' poem, "Selkirk Grace." The haggis is "piped in" with pomp and circumstance, then a whiskey toast is made to the haggis -- which is why a shot of whiskey is presented on each dinner plate. Apple juice is a good alternative to serving whiskey with this meal. Burns' poetry, songs, dancing and toasts to the lassies and lads are central to the authentic celebrations, which always end with guests joining hands and singing Auld Lang Syne.
Creating your own version of Burns Night may be inspiring to learn more about Robert Burns, his poetry and Scottish culture and cuisine. I adapted my recipes from the simple, yet rich recipes on page 164 and 167 of Pippa Middleton's book, "Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends."
Starter: Cullen Skink Soup
Main Course*: Haggis and Clapshot, also called "Neeps and Tatties" with Whiskey Sauce
*Served with a shot of whiskey
Dessert: Cranachan (Raspberry Cream Parfait) or offer a cheese course
Starter: Scottish Winter Soup (Cullen Skink)
Main Course*: Sausage Crumbles, Mashed Potatoes and Turnips with Whiskey Sauce (Clapshot / Neeps and Tatties)
*Served with a shot of whiskey (or apple juice)
Dessert: Raspberry Cream Parfait (Cranachan)
Ingredients
2 cups Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled, quartered, then halved
1 1/3 cups turnips, peeled and quartered, then halved
6 T. unsalted butter
1/4 cup half and half OR fat free half and half
1 t. garlic salt
1/4 t. fresh cracked pepper
1/4 t. dried parsley or 1 T. fresh parsley or chives (garnish)
PREPARATION TIP: It may seem simpler to cook the turnips and potatoes in the same pot, then mash with an electric mixer. However, I tested the process both ways and it does make a difference in texture to follow the recipe exactly as written: boil potatoes and turnips in separate pots, then mash each separately with a fork by hand. I prefer the method as shown here.
Preparation
Peel turnips and cut into quarters, then in half.
Cut unpeeled Yukon Gold potatoes into quarters, then in half.
Bring two separate medium pots filled 2/3 with water and a pinch of salt to a boil over high heat.
Add cut turnips to one pot and potatoes to the other pot.
Reduce the heat and boil both vegetables until fork tender, approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
Drain the water from potatoes and turnips, keeping each vegetable separate from the other.
Add half and half to the potatoes.
Add butter to the turnips.
Mash the potatoes with a fork. Repeat for the turnips. The texture can retain some chunkiness and doesn't need to be pureed.
Gently combine the potatoes and turnips into one pot. Stir in seasonings and keep warm.
Ingredients
12 oz. package sausage (seasoned or plain)
1 shallot, minced
1 t. fennel seeds
3/4 t. garlic salt
1/4 t. fresh cracked pepper
Optional: garnish with one tablespoon toasted oatmeal (in a nod to haggis) and dried or fresh parsley
Preparation
Toast oatmeal in a small sauce pan over medium heat until golden brown. Stir frequently, remove from heat, set aside in a small dish and let cool.
Saute crumbled sausage in medium skillet until browned. Drain excess grease. Add seasonings and minced shallot, stir until combined and shallots are softened. Remove from heat and keep warm.
Ingredients
2 T. whole mustard
2 T. whiskey
2 T. butter
2 T. flour
3/4 cup half and half OR fat free half and half
1/2 t. garlic salt
Preparation
Gently heat whiskey over low heat in small saucepan until alcohol evaporates.
Add butter and flour, whisking until smooth.
Add seasonings and whole grain mustard, whisking until combined.
Stir in half and half in small batches and whisk until smooth.
Reduce heat and keep warm.
Suggested Brands: Jimmy Dean® Reduced Fat Premium Sausage, Yukon Gold potatoes
If available, use a chef's ring to hold the shape of the potato-turnip mixture. Place chef's ring on a plate, then scoop mashed potatoes-turnips into the chef's ring and fill to the rim.
Pull chef's ring up above the edge of the mixture and scoop sausage mixture on top.
Garnish with toasted oatmeal and parsley or chives.
If not using a chef's ring, place a portion of mashed potatoes-turnips on the plate, top with sausage mixture and garnish with toasted oatmeal and parsley or chives.
Spoon whiskey gravy in a circle around the edge of the mashed potatoes-turnips.
Add a shot of whiskey to the plate.
Repeat for each serving.
Serve warm - don't forget to toast the "haggis"
Servings:
Two or three -- there may be extra sausage crumbles and whiskey gravy
Serving Suggestion:
--As the main course for Burns Night
--Main course for lunch or dinner
Equipment List:
--two medium pots
--one small sauce pan
--one medium skillet
--colander
--whisk
--measuring utensils
--cutting board
--knife
--fork
--spatula
--A 3" diameter chef's ring is recommended for stacking the entree, but not required
"My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart's in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer;
Chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe,
My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go."
--Robert Burns, Scottish Poet and Lyricist, 1759 - 1796
Chef Patrick Whetstone expertly demonstrated elegant hors d’ oeuvres for the community cooking class Thick cut candied bbq rubbed bacon topped with garlic sauteed shrimp and fresh minced chives Beautiful bite sized purple potato salad bites stuffed with mustard aioli, hard boiled egg, bacon bits …
Snowbird hobbies can be simple, creative and distinctly unique, such as constructing sand castles on the beach. SNOWBIRD HOBBIES 125 Ideas For Snowbirds A hobby is defined by Wikipedia as, “An activity, interest, enthusiasm, or pastime that is undertaken for pleasure or relaxation, done during …
Recently I was asked by a reader about coping with the challenges of living in and between two homes and communities. Specifically, regarding the bittersweet emotional process of physically letting go of one set of friends/family, residence and community to move into an entirely different place. And once there, to feel fully engaged and a sense of belonging without longing for one's other "home." To those who have not experienced life as a seasoned snowbird, it may come as a huge surprise that it isn't as easy as simply packing your bags to travel back and forth from one residence to another without a second thought. It's a series of mixed emotions that can make or break your happiness as a snowbird and make yourself ponder, "Where do I belong?"
There's a common misconception that snowbirds are just "visitors." A common alternate term for "snowbird" is "Winter visitor." In my opinion, these terms are completely inaccurate.
Is there anyone who still feels like a "visitor" after spending more than a short time in your warm weather residence? I doubt it. Snowbirds usually consider themselves fully invested in their southern communities on many levels, so a better term is "Winter resident" or "Winter Texan, Floridian, Arizonan," etc.
There's also a common misuse of the term "house" vs. "home." A "house" is a building or structure used for human habitat. A "home" is a place of emotional connection where one feels comfortable, safe and a sense of belonging.
Before anyone starts judging about "first world problems," let's cut to the point. There's a lot at stake financially, physically, emotionally. Many modern snowbirds are middle class and have worked, sacrificed and saved their entire lives to achieve this goal -- it isn't a lifestyle exclusively for the wealthy. Nor is it a lifestyle that anyone takes for granted. It's a conscious choice to be a snowbird.
It's not all that uncommon in today's society to live in two homes. Children of divorced parents need to feel "comfortable, safe and a sense of belonging" in each home, as do adults.
It makes no difference if you own or rent your home -- just ask a child. They don't own their home, but they sure know if they feel they are "home." The emotions of one's "home" are the same for everyone, regardless of age, marital status, geographical location, ownership or the size of one's bank account. If you have a lot or a little, recognizing and acknowledging the psychological issues of living in two homes can provide a huge advantage to feeling well adjusted vs. floundering.
Snowbirds typically live in two modest homes or one modest home and one rental home, park model, condo or some combination of all of these, anywhere from a few weeks to half of the year or more. Most of the time, all is well and although there is some psychological adjustment, surface feelings are kept in check.
However, many snowbirds don't openly share the deep emotions of living in two communities. To an outsider, it may seem like a carefree life, yet there is a wide range of emotions of living in two homes that fall into several categories. At times it might seem that this is part of some sort of midlife crisis. Based on years of experience, I've identified common psychological issues of living in two homes, personal accounts and coping strategies to bring more balance based on my own experience, as well as others. By confronting one's emotions, it can be therapeutic. As they say, "What you recognize, you energize."
Issues:
--Coping with the emotional struggle of anticipating and letting go when transitioning to/from one home to the other
--Feeling unsure of where "home" actually is, for example, if someone spends half of their time in the south, but feels the north is one's "real home"
Personal Account:
There are snowbirds with a more complicated situation than others. For example, the reader who inspired my post shared that she works part time in her southern community, which is where she and her husband live most of the year. Their son also lived in the south, but moved back north two years later and it’s very hard for her being away from him. She lives in her northern home for two warm months of the year and at Christmas. Her mother visits for two weeks in February. Her husband has absolutely no problem with the transition of having two places, but despite having great friends, she struggles with, "Where do I belong?"
Strategies:
Know your triggers. Recognize that there are many emotions interacting and it could be a mix of many different issues.
Ask yourself: "If I were at my other home right now, would I be missing my present home?" And then answer why or why not. It will likely be a good reality check. You may be forgetting many of the qualities that long ago attracted you to your choices of homes.
Apply the same principles that divorced parents of children living in two homes instill in their kids: acknowledge that the range of emotions you're feeling are normal and not bad. Tell yourself it’s OK to go to the other place, have fun while there and enjoy being at each home. Remind yourself of the different benefits to each place and that although each home is entirely different, everything will probably be OK. You're not going to do things the same way in each home and that’s fine too.
Reevaluate and examine if any changes need to be made? If you're stuck in a rut, it may be time to take steps in a new direction.
Plan a list of goals, projects and objectives for your time in each place. As an example, "While in my southern home, I want to: explore new geographical areas, try new activities and learn a new skill." And "While in my northern home, I want to reconnect with loved ones, take a community class and make some home repairs and upgrades."
Issues:
--Feeling disconnected, isolated, left out, empty or unsettled, regardless of having friends in both places
--Missing family and loved ones and/or fears of abandonment
Personal Account:
We have a senior family member who truly wants to spend time with us in our southern home. To date, primarily due to mobility issues, she has been unable to travel that far. Of course, she is greatly disappointed to be left behind and miss out on time in a warm climate. She worries about who will help her at home with mundane tasks or anything major that might happen. Of course we feel the pressure and guilt of leaving not just her, but everyone else, even though we are away for weeks, not months at a time.
We have snowbird friends who stay months at a time. By the time we join them for the last portion of the season, at times we know we've already missed a lot.
Strategies:
Admit, you and they will miss big and small happenings and things will not be the same, but life will go on. Acceptance is the first stage of coping.
Remind yourself and those left behind that no place is perfect and the perceptions vs. reality don't always match. As an example, even if our loved one was able to visit us, there would be a whole new set of problems, such as our vehicle that she is physically unable to climb into, plus a lack of furniture that would accommodate her mobility issues.
Help your loved ones understand that as much as you might want to, you can't just pick up and return back and forth between your homes for a host of reasons. But you will do your best to communicate regularly and help solve their problems from afar.
Make small changes to stay in contact. If you don't already use video conferencing such as Facetime, Zoom or Skype, learn how to do it and then make regular contact with loved ones.
Try sharing your emotions with your spouse, closest friends and loved ones if you haven't already. Let them know you are having feelings of abandonment, fears of missing out, feeling stuck/trapped and so forth. Chances are, they feel the same way about your absence and may need to express their feelings as well. Communication is key.
Keep up with your regular online social presence. If you typically stay in contact via social media such as Facebook or Instagram, make sure you are checking in regularly to feel connected.
Send care packages. A bouquet of flowers or thoughtful small box of cookies or treats with a letter or note at regular intervals can help you and your loved ones bridge the distance.
Issues:
--Feelings of depression or being in a funk despite living in a warm weather climate. In other words thinking, "I shouldn't feel this way."
Personal Account:
I have a friend whose husband is not yet retired so she is a solo snowbird four months of the year. Her first season she was so excited to experience beach life she kept very busy. There were many, many groups of friends she hosted who came to visit and she spent time traveling around the region exploring exciting new cities, such as New Orleans. The following year, the newness wore off and she realized she was feeling depressed and didn't leave her condo for days at a time, despite being in her beloved
Strategies:
Recognize that you may be prone to feelings of depression or feeling down, regardless of where you live. It may be due to an extended drop in the weather, a lull in activity, being away from loved ones and/or biological predispostions.
Make sure you create daily and weekly reasons to get out of bed, dressed and into your environment before you get caught in an emotional quagmire.
Plan more exercise and physical activities, such as a long daily walk. Reach out to a friend or neighbor to make social plans. Take care of your health by eating clean and nurture your intellectual side with a good book. Take up a new hobby or expand one you already have to give yourself direction and purpose. In other words, make a conscious commitment to self-care for the sake of your sanity.
Acknowledge if you took on too much for too long of a time. Realign your goals and priorities.
Issues:
--Fear of change, such as not being able to come back to one's southern home
--Fear that one's friends and loved ones will no longer be there upon return to either place
--Fear that one's northern or southern home will not be the same due to uncontrollable reasons, such as health or financial
Personal Account:
I realized I was having mixed feelings about returning to either my southern or northern home after a series of negative events in each place.
The first year, our beloved dog became gravely ill and died within two weeks of arriving in our southern home. After Reilly passed, we felt empty and hollow without her. It was a very tough start to what I anticipated as a very happy chapter in my life. When we returned north without our dog, I felt I had nothing to look forward to -- no plans, no dog, just an empty house. And I do mean house. It took a long time and much effort to cope with the unanticipated negative emotions before it felt like home again.
Our fourth season, despite the fact that our northern home was occupied at the time, we had an undetected major flood in the lower level within days of arriving in our southern home. It caused huge stress for my husband and I while away and upon our return we had to deal with the aftermath and expense of repairing and putting our home back together.
Strategies:
Recognize that nothing is static, problems happen regardless of where you are and that life is a series of large and small changes.
Dump the baggage. Admit that just because something horrible happened in the past, it is time to let go of the blame and negative energy to redirect towards the future.
Make social plans before departing for either home. It's important to have events on your calendar so you don't feel there's nothing to look forward to upon returning home.
Have a Plan B, C and D. Don't lock yourself into only one trajectory to feel happy in either of your homes. Evaluate and make adjustments if you need to, such as spending less time in one home in favor of the other. Downsize your accommodations or time away or take a year off for health, financial or other reasons.
Seek good self-help books on a range of general topics related to the emotions you're experiencing. Libraries are a great place to explore the options before committing to buying anything. If it's a great book, buy it and re-read it as needed.
Find someone who can work with you one-on-one to discuss the issues. It may be a clergy member, professional counselor or a trusted friend.
Look for some sort of support group -- online or a civic or religious community group. Perhaps a group designed for people of a similar age, especially if you are retired or semi-retired.
I have not found much information specifically relating on the topic of the emotional toll for snowbirds of living in two homes. Sharing common concerns has been very therapeutic for me. Those who have never been a snowbird see a different picture from the outside looking in, but it's never as easy as it may seem.
Where do I belong? The answer is quite complex.
-- Erwin Raphael McManus, Author, Futurist, Filmmaker, and Designer
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Grilling meat, fish, vegetables and poultry is a favorite activity of many snowbirds, including my husband. Our first season, we tried the community charcoal grill and it wasn't a good fit for us. Purchasing charcoal briquettes, lighter fluid and trying to store them in a condo with no garage is not practical. So the second year, my husband ordered a new portable infrared electric grill that was delivered to our snowbird home. At the end of our stay we shipped it home. We liked the grill so much we now haul it back and forth with us every season. Our infrared grill is so amazing, we use it all year round more often than our gas grill. Here's why we love it.
Flavor, flavor, flavor! Because infrared heat sears food quicker at a higher temperature, the flavor of the food is noticeably enhanced. Juices are retained within the meat, fish and poultry for the best possible result. I must admit, I was a little skeptical about an electric grill until I tried the food cooked on our Char-Broil® TRU-infrared™ grill and now I'm an enthusiast. Of course, upon removing food from the grill, don't forget to tent your food and let it adequately rest for best flavor.
The tabletop style grill is compact and easily moves.
The grill preheats in about ten minutes, has an easy-to-adjust dial with five temperature settings, is reliable and never requires refilling the fuel source as gas or charcoal grills do.
Just burn off the excess grease or food debris and let the grill cool down. Use a nylon brush to scrape any remaining particles.
The cost of approximately $129 is not that much considering the value of having a quality infrared electric grill
Snowbirds who live in a community with fire code regulations are most affected by the type of grill they can have. Some considerations include:
First, check with your local officials regarding fire code. There's no point in considering a grill if it won't meet code. It's almost 100% certain every community is going to prohibit gas or charcoal grills on multi-unit balconies or patios, but electric grills / cooking appliances may be exempt.
Upon request prior to our arrival, the county fire inspector for our community sent the specific code regarding "cooking equipment." My goal is to always be ready with a copy of the specific fire code in case of any complaints from neighbors. However, there is something to be said about not drawing a lot of attention either. Just because you know you're within the rules, doesn't mean your neighbors in the building next door can see from afar that your red domed table top grill is electric and not gas.
Check your lease contract and Homeowner's Association (HOA) rules to see if there's any language prohibiting electric cooking appliances. HOA restrictions are generally public information and can be researched online prior to arrival.
A snowbird's grill must be portable. Sure, you can use the community grills, but they are not right outside your door and usually require messy charcoal briquettes and lighter fluid. With no garage or shed, storing these items is problematic.
A portable grill can be transported to and from your snowbird home every season. If you own your place, a portable grill is small enough to store indoors when away for the off-season.
Because fire code prohibits hibachi, gas or charcoal grills anywhere near a balcony or patio, electric grills solve safety issues related to open flames. An electric grill never needs refueled like charcoal or gas grills. The biggest disadvantage to an electric grill is not being able to use it outdoors in inclement, rainy weather.
Cooking surface size does matter. Electric grills on a balcony or patio must be adhere to the acceptable range of surface area or they likely will not meet fire code, as stated above. Of course, the smaller cooking surface will require cooking in batches if you are serving a crowd of more than 2 or 3 people. Because of the smaller surface size, proper heating zones are not possible as with a larger grill.
We chose a table-top model. Not only will it fit into our SUV, but it is the only style that meets fire code in our snowbird community.
By far, the secret to obtaining great flavor with an electric grill is infrared heat. An infrared grill uses electromagnetic radiation infrared technology as the heat source, similar to how a microwave works. An infrared element is located between the grates and the heating element.
Because infrared heat penetrates and agitates food molecules instead of heating the surrounding area, food sears and cooks hotter, quicker and more evenly for maximum flavor. Infrared heat is also more energy efficient due to less time to preheat and less cooking time.
Never use an electric grill near any water source or during wet, misty or rainy weather.
Use the product in a well-ventilated outdoor area.
Never leave your grill unattended when it is on.
Keep your pets and any children away from your hot grill. Infrared heat can quickly reach very high temperatures, so forewarn your guests who may be unaware. We do not ever allow our large dog alone with the grill. It's too tempting for most pets unless you are very confident they cannot possibly reach the grill.
Always keep a supply of water nearby in case of grease flare ups. Avoid pouring water on the heating element.
Use a surge protector with your electric grill.
Additional considerations include quality, ease of use in comparison to the price for an overall value. Typical pricing for an electric infrared grill is less than $150. Shipping will add to the cost. If you need to ship your grill to/from your snowbird home, estimate about $50 each way and don't forget to save the box. If hauling the grill back and forth in your vehicle, clean it up, drain any liquids in the grease trap and wrap it in an over-sized 55 gallon lawn bag.
There's nothing quite like fresh grilled seafood and burgers at the beach.
DISCLAIMER: Follow all safety precautions per the manufacturer's instructions.
NOTE: This grill review is based on personal experience with the product. No paid endorsements of any kind were made by the manufacturer.
--Guy Fieri, American Restaurateur, Author
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