Cherry Hill - Cottage Pie and a New Friend

When last we left 1947 Cherry Hill Saskatchewan, young married mother Amanda prepared a lovely Sunday brunch for out of town visitors - friends of her husband Paul who were visiting from Montreal 

Join us now as Amanda writes another letter home to her mother in Halifax.

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May 3, 1947

Dear Mother,

So much has happened since the last time I wrote, I hardly know where to begin.

Paul's practice grows busier and busier and with it, his ambition - which has him setting his sights on more than just being our town's family doctor.

This has him away from home a lot, attending medical conferences and other events with his nurse Val Peterson.

I know I shouldn't let it bother me mother, but there is something about Val that doesn't sit right and I have asked Paul several times if I might travel with him.









 Last month he returned to Montreal and I would have loved to tag along for the opportunity to see Sophie and Denis again. But Paul insists my place is at home with the children and, though I know he is probably right, there is a part of me that longs to be doing more than keeping house.

Have you ever felt that way?  Like you were just itching to do something but you weren't sure what?

Of course, life was always so different with Father who was home at 5:00 on the dot every evening for as long as I can remember. Paul often works such late nights that he sometimes just sleeps at the office.

But who am I to complain? I am the wife of a doctor on the rise and, as Paul assures me, these sacrifices are temporary.

And it isn't all bad. Last month he surprised me with a brand new set of refrigerator dishes and Mother, they are just the niftiest thing! They come with the most darling glass covers to keep your food fresh and go straight from your refrigerator into the oven! Paul said they would be just the thing for storing his casserole dinners on nights he doesn't make it home.

Speaking of which, I tried the most brilliant new recipe for Cottage pie last week and, though Paul wasn't home, I tested it out on Mrs. Wilson's son Jack - have I mentioned him yet?

Jack had been living in England for the last few years after the war but returned home in February to take over a teaching position at Cherry Hill elementary. He's Sally's mathematics teacher and she absolutely adores him - as does Bobby who is on the baseball team Jack coaches.

As such, we've become fast friends - which is surprising given my relationship with his mother!

I don't know for certain, but I think the time he spent in Europe must have left its impression because there is a sadness in his eyes that I just can't place.

Sometimes I get the feeling he wants to talk about it but he isn't sure how.

As you know, I have always had that affect on people - though I won't say a word about it to Paul who is constantly reminding me to stay out of other people's business.








Anyways, I must share this delicious recipe for Cottage pie with you as I'm certain Father will love it.

 I was pulling it out of the oven the other day as Jack dropped Bobby off from baseball. He swooped in the front door with my mud stained boy and exclaimed he had never smelled anything better!

Bobby begged me to invite him to dinner and there was still enough left over for Paul's refrigerator dishes!












Well that's all the news for now. Give my best to everyone at home!

Your loving daughter Amanda.

xoxo

Visit the next installment in the Cherry Hill Series Here: Little League Weekend and an Old Fashioned Apple Cake

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I hope you enjoyed this week's installment of Cherry Hill. I'm sure you can sense a turn coming to the plot line and more adventure for Amanda in the near future...

To view other installments of the series, visit HERE