Whoever described summer days as “lazy” wasn’t a gardener. I am, and this time of year is far from lazy around here. Yesterday, after an early trip to the garden to water, weed, and harvest, I spent the rest of the morning washing, chopping, and bagging while I sent Gerry out to foist some cucumbers
It’s windy, so shooting outside isn’t an option for the kind of photography I’m hungry for. Fortunately, there’s a pretty bunch of pink alstroemerias on the dining table that will do nicely. In the past, when I shoot indoors, I’ve liked to work in the woman cave using the natural light from the big north-facing
After a couple of games of chess, we go to the community garden. Gerry drags out the hose to water while I head to the basil and start cutting. The sweet, fresh aroma wafts up—so fresh!—and a woman working in another plot calls over that she can smell it from there. I fill a large
I tucked bean seeds in the ground where we harvested the garlic a few days ago. There’s still plenty of growing season ahead for a second crop. Meanwhile, I’m picking yellow, green, and purple beans from the first sowing. I tried something different by planting a mixture all together. I won’t do this again because
In the afternoon the smoke clears and we go outside in the backyard just because we can. Gerry cleans and refills the birdbath. Murphy walks the perimeter of the fenced area again and again. Maya does her best to encourage us to go inside because her belly tells her it’s dinner time. And I take
It’s felt like a heavy week with the concern about fires and the oppressive smoke blanketing our city. Can I come up with five things? Maybe I need to try more than ever this week, so here goes. Blueberries. My favourite summer fruit is in season and, unlike raspberries which were burned by the extreme
The smoke is so thick we can’t see the hills on the other side of the valley. After being outside for a while, my head aches and my eyes burn. We take the dogs out for one last sniff around the backyard before bed and I am struck by the brilliance of the sun in
Now we watch the weather forecast for signs of much-needed rain or, worse, lightning. We check the news to see the status of existing fires and how many have started since we last checked. We watch planes and helicopters fly overhead, fighting war against fires burning all over the province. We lift our eyes to the
I’m tired in a good way after a busy Saturday with Gerry and the girls. To start the day, Laurinda and I went to the park to walk and enjoy mother-daughter conversation. Then the four of us went bowling—and I was excruciatingly bad. We went to a nearby lake where the girls had a swim,
It’s become a summertime tradition ever since I was blessed to enjoy the Mennonite treat with cousins for the first time a few years ago. Roll kuchen. It’s made with a simple dough, deep fried, and served with watermelon and Rogers Golden Syrup. The recipe I use is written on an index card that says
We score a flat of raspberries. They’re a little burnt from the record-breaking heat, but fine for making jam. It’s a little dream come true, working side by side in the kitchen with Laurinda and Makiya, teaching them how easy it is to make jam. I make the first batch, offering tips while I go, then