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Monthly Archives: August 2011
Salmon with golden beets and baby fennel
I never liked beets. Every year my husband would pickle half a dozen jars of red ones in brine. They look beautiful with their deep crimson colour, but they always tasted too strong and too sour for me. The first golden beets I ever ate were from a … Continue reading
I’m not going to move to Elliot Lake
This morning I was reading about how great it is to leave Toronto and retire to Elliot Lake in Northern Ontario, several hours’ drive away. It’s cheap, the article said, and showed pictures of happy, healthy people riding bicycles and walking their dogs. There is lots … Continue reading
Gardening may not always be serene
Gardening is often thought to be a quiet activity. Here on sabbatical, you might imagine me spending my time among the flowers in a haze of peace and tranquility. In your mind’s eye there is only the humming of bees or the singing … Continue reading
Can gratitude taste like broccoli?
Months ago, when I began my sabbatical it was my father-in-law, Clarence, who helped me with my front yard garden project. It was him who designed the boxes, based on my comments and a few pictures I found (not surpisingly, his are … Continue reading
Reading the newspaper in the garden is a good idea
I read the newspaper every day. I like to take a few minutes to drink my tea and read the comics, but I also think it’s for preachers to know what is going on in the world. Even when they’re on … Continue reading
Oh, deer
Our family just returned from a few days in Killbear Provincial Park. We had never camped there before and had a little trouble finding a suitable site. In the end, we found a spot in one of the small campgrounds with only about … Continue reading
Brown boulevards
This year, July was full of sun–and lots of it. Day after day the sun shone, interrupted by only a few clouds and even less rain. A month like that is perfect if you love to go to the beach or host a picnic or sip … Continue reading
Cool cucumbers
As cucumbers come into season, our family devours a few every day. The more they are picked, the more they grow and we’re hoping for a bumper crop. We eat them sliced, with the skins on and a little vinegar (OK, my … Continue reading
Gorgeous blue poppies
The Reford Gardens in Quebec are famous for the blue Himalayan poppy which has grown there since the early 1900’s. This summer I saw it for myself as I wandered through the Blue Poppy Glade. Although the plant itself is rather insipid, … Continue reading
The tale of two pots
This year in Ontario is hot and dry. In between feeding the kids cold watermelon and closing the blinds to keep out the sun, I spend a great deal of time filling and carrying both of my watering cans. I go from the rain … Continue reading
