Rabbit Rabbit & Farewell to Summer

Summer is coming to an end in western Newfoundland; cooler nights and changing leaves are as sure a sign as the calendar. And while I love Autumn, I am reticent to say goodbye to summer. It's never quite long enough for me because I know fall will come and go in the blink of an eye and then long winter will arrive. But before that beauty sets in, let's stay focused on the beauty of this dying season. 

I took my daily walk one early evening last week just after two days of rain had finally stopped and the blessed sun came out blazing. It was at the perfect angle when I reached 'the promenade' as the sun shining on the green trees behind the tall birch and spruce created the most amazing glow. Magic!  

We had mostly cloudy nights during the end of the month when the super blue moon was to be seen. But I did manage to snap this rather inferior but still quite dramatic photo. August was a good month!

      

August was good to me at the thrift stores. Here are my top finds:

• The complete series of "The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel" by Michael Scott
• This gorgeous 4 piece cannister set
• 100% cotton/linen tunic in a gorgeous golden sunflower color with really pretty detail down the front-sides.
• 100% cotton maxi dress with this lovely pink cotton-ribbon edging detailing.

And one of my favorite memories of this month was a trip I took with my oldest friend, blood sisters since we were 10 years old. She with her replaced hip, me with my crunchy knees and orthotics, both with our walking sticks, we creaked and puffed and cackled all the way round our wee hike and picnic.  

I don't know about you, but I can feel a busy September in store as the harvests come in. 

Until we meet again, keep healthy, active and happy. Namaste, y'all!

Hot and Sticky and Sweet

What a month! Like the majority of Newfoundlanders, I don't have an air conditioner as there usually isn't much need: our summer temperatures normally sit around 20-24℃ (70-75℉) with perhaps 2-3 days of high heat. But like the rest of the world, we are experiencing extremely high temperatures (30sC / high 80sF). And as I'm mostly made of sugar, jelly, BS & asthma), I can't function in hot weather. I have at least 1 fan for every room. But most of the time, I'm just sitting on my couch with 3 fans pointed at me. Two are fairly new. But the one that does the best job is a old yellow metal 1960's model I bought at a recent yard sale. Although she sounds like a jet engine, man! Can she blow! Here's a depiction of me relaxing in front of the fan:

Trying to read captions on Netflix as I can't hear a thing over the sound of Old Yeller!

Before the really high heat struck, strawberry season happened and I went to a local U-pick. With the addition of some rhubarb, I froze some, made jam, tarts, muffins, a cobbler and a failed but still tasty cake. Yummy!

But one of my favorite things to preserve for winter is rhubarb/strawberry syrup. You simply add a little water to rhubarb & strawberries (I use a 4-1 ratio R to S), add some sugar to your taste (mine is slightly tart), stew this, strain into bottles; and when you're ready to use, pour over ice and add sparkling water (on a 1 to 3 ratio or to your taste). [Tis' also grand added to a G'n'T😜] And it's such a wonderful hit-of-summer in the middle of winter!

I have managed to walk the brook path most every day (which someone has named Rusty's Run) as long as I go early morning or just before sunset. The bugs can be a bit fierce, but it's always cooler, quieter and so serene in amongst the trees and ferns. 

  

Temperatures this week are supposed to be slightly lower, but now the humidity has begun to set in!  So, I shall have to endure the roar of Old Yeller for a while yet.

Stay cool and hydrated, my friends. Namaste!

Welcome to July!

My apartment is painted, and just about everything has been put back in place.  I did some fun tweaking and added some summery cushions and a throw. (Now my area rug doesn't quite 'go' with everything ..... so do I need a summer carpet?) Hmmm! I shall be scouring the thrift stores and FB marketplace.

The weather has been what I consider perfect with temperatures mostly in the mid 20's (80's). I've finished working on the community garden, and it looks so lovely! The Peonies are in full blossom, and the Roses, Lillies and Foxglove are ready to open any day. Summer has finally reached Newfoundland.

Canada Day was a fun day with family and their friends' families; there were lots of happy, sticky children, laughter and great food. I spent most of the day in the pool repeatedly catching my 2 yr old dare-devil grandson who would recite "Weddy, Set, GO!" and then jump off the side into my arms. Hahaha! My arms ached so much. 

Although the black flies can be a challenge, I'm still walking brookside every day, and I love watching the changing flora and fauna. Things change on a daily basis. One day, the path itself was strewn with white and yellow pollen -- like confetti at a wedding. The next week, the ferns were covered with fallen blooms from the trees. The ditches are full of color! Purple Lupins & Vetch, yellow somethings, Oxeye daisies and bright, beautiful reddish/orange Fireweed.

I almost always bring home a bouquet. 

Today will be in the high 20's; so it's a picnic and swim day with my eldest daughter and wonderful 10 yr old grandson. Being a grandma is one of the best things about aging for me!

Namaste y'all! Stay cool and hydrated, and seek out the small joys!

 

The Passing of Summer

August is going by so quickly and summer is flashing before my eyes as we speak (type?).

Earlier this month, I spent a few days with my brother at his cabin. Oddly, most residents don't spend summer weekends at the cabin;  they travel around the province and go to the cabin in winter! Well, that was fine with me as it was so peaceful and quiet. It was warm but overcast on this late Saturday morning; so after our huge brunch, Bob suggested we take the rubber boats out on the pond. Sure, I thought! I'd love to learn to row.

Well, perhaps others have what it takes, but I certainly didn't! Try as I might, rowing was not to be added to my list of accomplishments. My arms and hands didn't want to work in conjunction with one another; so I spent quite a bit of time going round in circles until my brother took pity on me, attached a line and rowed me to the other side before setting me free to make my own way back. I did eventually make it back to the other side, but little of my rowing was in a straight line. I zig zagged back and forth, stopping periodically to laugh at myself and refuel from my bag of almonds and juice pack as it took longer than was probably necessary! 

It was so lovely on the water! Just the sound of Bob's oars slipping in and out of the water and the occasional loon or woodpecker, the tranquility only broken by the sploshing and splatting my own oars like some drunken, anxious beaver! 

Back onshore, we changed into dry clothes (bums always get wet in rubber dingies). Then we took the radio out on the deck to listen to any Newfie's favorite Saturday radio program, "Big Tom's Shed". They play hits of the 70's and 80's; they also take song request calls from people around the province which can make for a lot of funny calls and a lot of laughs. Then just as we finished pouring a cold, frothy brew, the sunshine came out from behind a cloud as if to say "Sit. Relax. Enjoy."



There we were, sitting in our deck chairs overlooking the calm of the lake, sipping a much needed cold one, deliciously tired after our exertions, the sun warming our now-dry bodies and the dulcet sound of Neil Young's "Sugar Mountain" began to play. It was pure magic! One of those moments that I purposely ear marked.

"THIS is what life is all about", I thought. "Moments like these are what make life worth living; simple pleasures!"

Get out there and enjoy summer before it leaves again!




Footnote: This took place 3 weeks ago, but both my hands and wrists are suffering from terrible arthritis pain now after my feeble attempts at rowing. Sometimes, it's maybe better NOT to try something new. Oh well! C'est la vie! This too shall pass.

Still Crazy after all These Years!

The weather here in western Newfoundland has been wonderful for the past couple of weeks: sunny day and cool evenings are perfect for my tastes!

I'd been nursing a sore calf muscle that I believe was the result of walking twice in one day; neither walk was particularly strenuous, but I'd been suffering chin-splint discomfort in my right calf: so I decided to stop walking for a week. Then after doing the hike with my brother and my usual easy walks at home, I felt I was ready for a more challenging hike this past weekend.

My memory bank told me that last year's Corner Brook Stream Trail hike was a really easy one because it was one of two done on the same day. So, I thought I'd add the Ginger Root Trail to my hike because it actually which meets up with the CB Stream Trail. And according to the map trail map I found, it was a 4 km return hike. 

I think I misread, and it was actually 4 km ONE way! Just before I reached the falls, I began to suspect it was longer than I'd anticipated ...... but of course, it was too late to turn back then.  

It was pretty difficult, uphill almost all the way over rocks and tree roots; but I knew the falls were waiting for me. I ate lunch at the top, all alone, the sound of the falls in one ear, birds singing in the other. I stayed for about an hour, and it was blissful. The weather was cool at the start -- perfect for climbing -- and the woods were alive with bird song, squirrels and a number of friendly toads. It was warmer on the descent; so I spent some time talking to those creatures on my way down as I needed someone to commiserate with over my folly (and none of those creatures judged me). Here are some of the highlights of my hike. 

Here I am 4 days later and only now beginning to recover from what turned out to be 9.5 km (6 mi) of walking! Egad! 


My feet didn't suffer as I have good hiking sneakers. But my legs, butt and lower back were been seized up tighter than an 8 day clock, and I've been waddling around like Jemima Puddle Duck! 

Oh the follies of the growing-elderly!

I should be recovered enough to take on a small hike this weekend .... fingers crossed and brain engaged this time round!

 

Old Friends ..... Bookends!

What's sweeter than an unexpected visit from a long ago, absent friend.  25+ years since we'd sat and laughed and shared.  And although we'd kept up via others, it was wonderful to wrap arms around each other in greeting, look deep into each others eyes and say "Hi!  Long time, no see."

The weekend also contained beautiful sunshine, a trip to my local Frenchies thrift store (where I scored this pair of Tom's for $10), brunch at the farmer's market, and lots of relaxation on the deck with my Saturday crossword puzzle and a beverage.  

One of those beverages was a cocktail made from soda water and the Strawberry Vodka that I made last weekend.  Look at that beautiful color.  And it tasted like fresh strawberries.  So yummy!

I used the "bleached" strawberries and a couple of quarts of fresh strawberries to make strawberry freezer jam ..... but all the strawberries floated to the top of the jars!  Sad?  No; not at all. I get strawberry jam on the top layer and strawberry sauce on the bottom. 

The weekend included a much anticipated, much desired visit to 
Hell's Bay microbrewery  in Liverpool NS where I picked up a couple of growlers (large, brown jugs) of beer -- one as a gift and one as a sampler for Amy and I.  There's a lovely relaxed attitude between us both concerning things like formal mealtimes, so that means plenty of opportunity for impromptu snacking on delicious treats.   

Do try these "Beanitos"; they are scrumptious ..... especially with a roasted red pepper dip.  

Sunday morning, I attempted to counter my weekend indulgences with a 1/2 hr walk to meet another friend for our monthly coffee chat; and then my return walk home was to be on the trail/old railway line which I'd never attempted before.  What fun! 

Note of advice:  Do not attempt to walk for 1.5 hr at noon on a hot summer day when your water bottle is only half full and the last half of the walk is uphill! Oy vey! Thank goodness for the A&W at the 3/4 mark. That ice cold root beer and padded swivel chair felt soooo good.  I made it home in one piece thanks in part to Albert and Walter!

This week has been much less adventurous as my shins and feet are still recovering.  How easily we forget our age and ability, huh!

Don't you wish your girlfriend was HOT 'n' Spicy like me!

Little ole' Nova Scotia has known it's share of hot humid summers, but never like this August is giving us.  Oh my goodness!  I have such compassion now for those of you in the southern US.  

I don't have air conditioning.  I live in a lovely, shady spot where on average, you can honestly complain 3X during the summer of the excessive heat and humid conditions.  But this summer, the fans are on full blast all day long, the refrigerator is stocked with ice water, ice tea, fruit juice and popsicles.  I need only sit and I'm sweating; and any movement at all brings on a deluge of water dripping everywhere.  

Why didn't I do my summer household chores in early July?  Still, with students starting to return next weekend, it has to be done.  So, I've been painting walls and trim, recovering bedroom chairs, refurbishing lampshades and rearranging pictures to be hung and books etc to be discarded.  I work, I sweat .... I shower and I pop open a cold one.  (I thank God for the guy who invented beer and for the next guy who thought about dropping in a slice of lime!  And yeah, kudos to the refrigerator inventor!)

I also spend Saturday mornings at my local Farmer's Market.  (I have become the new Sat morn Market Manager/Wrangler.)  And even though we should be living on a steady diet of fresh peaches, blueberries and yogurt during this time of year, I am seduced by fresh veggies -- the multi-colored beets; the different greens of the lettuce, kale, chard; the silky ears of corn; and the unknowns ......... such as this Kohlrabi.  

Wiki says:  " The taste and texture of kohlrabi are similar to those of a broccoli stem or cabbage heart, but milder and sweeter, with a higher ratio of flesh to skin. The young stem in particular can be as crisp and juicy as an apple, although much less sweet."

I haven't tried him yet, but I've searched out recipes and plan on roasting cubes in olive oil and garlic and just before eating it, splashing it with a good vinegar.  A good vinegar like the Maple Rum Balsamic I bought in July at the Lunenburg Farmer's Market.  (Do you remember me highlighting that booth -- Salty Betty?  She also sold Lemon Rose Sugar.)

I also brought home fresh garden carrots and parsnips from the Market and served them for Sunday's family dinner.

I heated olive oil & real butter, browned some pork tenderloin with sliced onions, deglazed the pan with the delicious Maple Rum Balsamic (WHAT an aroma!), added the scrubbed, chunked veggies along with a couple of cubed sweet potatoes, a sprig of fresh Thyme, a little salt and pepper, a generous splash of white wine, a small handful of dried cranberries & slivers of dried apricot; covered the pan and transferred the whole to the oven for an hour to roast.

Perfection!  The pork was tender and fragrant with thyme; the veggies infused with the sweet maple/rum flavor; and every now and then, your bite would be surprised by the soft dried fruit.

It was worth the sweat!

Now I'm off to try to find a recipe for Maple Rum Balsamic so I can share this treasure with my family and friends!

How are you spending your sweaty days?

A 1st Day of Summer Walk down Memory Lane!

I believe yesterday was the official first day; but for me, it's always the 21st because it has such significant memory attached to it.  When I was a budding young woman, on the first day of summer, you put your shoes at the foot of your bed, and that night, you'd dream of the man you'd marry.  (Some faceless male showed up in my dream that night.  But in my excitement, I didn't see the capless toothpaste tubes, rolled up undies in the corner or the sofa crotch-scratching!  If I had, I might have thunk twice about putting my shoes there the next year!)

And on June 21st 1967, I started my period for the first time.

Oh joy, oh bliss!

Not because I started my period in 1967, but because those days are over now!  I'm a much happier, little bit rounder, slightly hairier, Kotex-less version of the Sandy of old.

But I remember those younger days and what it meant to start your period in the '60's.  Do you remember those pamphlets they gave us in school after we watched "the film"?

Do you remember the belts that dug into your back and the diaper-sized napkins?  And all those silly ads telling us that it was okay to swim, play sports and wear tampons when we showered (Ewww!).  And of course, there were all those reminders to clean our nails and wear our prettiest dress on those "special days".

I'm not sure what they do in school these days.  My girls are all over 20; and I took care of telling them all about becoming a woman.  (And unlike my sister, I didn't tell them that those "things with the strings on the end" were for nose bleeds!)  I don't know if the school system still assumes a level of responsibility for informing our young people.  

But I would imagine that with today's hussle and bussle, they'd probably try to simplify even this topic.  So, I can see them showing this video which condenses the whole thing rather nicely!

For me, freedom from my monthlies comes at a cost:  I can no longer ride my bike and I've nothing to blame my bloating on.


Plus there's this unhappy fact:

PS -- I wouldn't change things though.  The money I save on sanitary products and Midol can now be spent on cheesecake and chocolate!

September Beach

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It was a beautiful afternoon to head to the beach with my international babies. Elly (in the middle) invited Eunjin (left) last spring when we went; they both loved it. It was Mariana's first look at the Atlantic Ocean; she dipped her toes, but then was afraid to even walk in the waves because it was just a tad cooler than the waters off the coast of Brazil where she lives! Yup!
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I, on the other hand, loved the water. Sure it was a little cool (read cold) when you first went in; but once you were knocked over by a large wave or two, it felt much warmer. Actually, it was so glorious! Large, foamy waves for body surfing, and then a beach chair and a good book for drying off.
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We got ice creams and walked the boardwalk and back around the beach. Man! It was just what I asked you for September!
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Back home while the girls showered, I lit a candle outside and sat with a glass of sangria in my salty bathing suit encrusted happiness with sand in all my nooks 'n' crannies and my wind-blown winged hair. Dinner on the deck was delicious -- home-made barbequed burgers flavored with parsley, cumin and a pinch of basil & chili powder and fresh corn on the cob slathered with oodles of butter and salt. Ahhhh!

And September -- corn on the cob wasn't even available here in August.
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So, who's a good month now?
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Thanks September! Can we do this again real soon?
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Green Festival July 23.11

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Bridgewater hosted it's 2nd Green Festival this past Saturday. The local community wants to bring even more awareness to taking care of earth and body through clean eating, drinking, living, etc. I was there by 9 am, bought myself a chocolate-dipped "waffle on a stick" and a most excellent cup of French roast coffee and sat to enjoy some of the local talent before the Town Crier announced the Street Parade. .
The parade was darling; lots of kiddies out on trikes and in the cutest butterfly and wizard costumes, among others..

There were vendors talking on clean drinking water, a bus system for the area to link the local villages, endangered species, etc. This lady had a wonderful display of felted items, and although I fell in love with the green purse with the blue flower, I only purchased a couple of felted flowers. .
This yurt (without it's outer walls) interested me and I spent some time talking to the young couple inside. They are currently building a 12 x 12 yurt and will live there this winter with their 3 yr old boy. Beautiful design! But I don't think I'll be moving any time soon!.

After indulging myself that morning, I scooted up the hill to help man the tables for our community garden's "Hodge Podge" luncheon. For Hodge Podge, you cook up fresh, baby vegetables, lightly season them and pour on the cream. Yum yum! So delicious! This free luncheon was open to the public as an introduction to our community garden. We also offered fresh rolls, watermelon and strawberries, fresh pressed local cider, blueberry and cherry juice and cake.

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We had music; and for the young (or young at heart), we had a water slide down the side of the hill. Hmmmm! That was one of the things on my bucket list. So guess who took the plunge? AND I successfully encouraged 4 other ladies over 50 to join in.

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But as I can't slide and take pictures at the same time, the proof will hopefully follow. It was such fun!

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Strawberry Sweetness!

I was going to pick strawberries this weekend, but it rained and the fields were closed. So I purchased a few boxes from the Farmer's Market. I ventured out early Saturday morning in flip-flops, raincoat and umbrella and felt like a kid in the rain. I paid $2.50 a quart -- not bad.
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That afternoon, I assembled the necessities for putting down a batch of Brandied Fruit. It can be an expensive little venture, and it's certainly not something I do often. (The last time was perhaps 12 years ago.) But I like to have something special for my Xmas gift baskets.
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My covered antique crock is perfect for holding the fruit. Use only the best of the berries, sugar, and some good brandy. I started with 2 qt of strawberries and 1/6 cup sugar for every cup of fruit. (Don't try to cut back on the sugar). Put this in the crock and cover the fruit with brandy. (I used about 2/3 of the bottle; so Yes, this will be an expensive little venture.) I placed a plate on top of the fruit to weight it down and keep the berries under the Brandy. We don't want the fruit to ferment; we want it to soak up the lovely flavor of the Brandy and infuse it with it's fruitiness!

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I carried the crock downstairs to the cool, dark cellar and put it in my preserves cupboard. As fruit comes in season, I'll add to the crock -- raspberries, cherries, peaches, pears -- remembering to add 1/6 cup of sugar for every cup of fruit AND make sure that it's always covered by Brandy. Then in the early fall, I'll process it in sterilized pint jars, label it all pretty, and store it until Christmas.
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The fruit will have a marvelous flavor, just the slightest bit of sweet bite to it and the juices will be syrupy. This is fantastic over good vanilla ice cream or a plain sponge with real whipped cream.

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Now, we all know that every strawberry in the box wasn't perfect. So, the remaining perfectly lovely berries were sliced, added to the rhubarb that was leftover from making Rhubarb syrup, a little sugar, a little grated lemon rind and Voila!

3 lovely pies for the freezer.

(I'll bake more pies this week when I do go to pick strawberries.)

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Don't you love the tastes of summer!
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