A Good Clear-Out

As we ready ourselves to make our big trek east at the end of October, a Moving Sale was in order. We don't really need all that stuff anyway, so we emptied out our cupboards and crawlspaces and put it all on display for our neighbours to nose through. No worries though, they were all very friendly and carted off lots of good junk! The rest is going to be packed off to the Salvation Army or Freecycled. Freecycle is a great organization that lets people help out other people. When we were younger (and poorer) and starting out, Freecycling led us to an office chair, a patio table, and a computer monitor- FREE. So hopefully, we'll be able to return the favour and help a few folks out around here.

It was pretty chilly at 7:30 this morning, so the big cosy knitted sweater came out of hiding, and was partnered with a fetching vintage apron - with pockets perfect for lots of change.

Fall Frocks

Empty out your closets and find your prettiest gloves and hats, the ladies over at Sense and Sensibility forum have scheduled another Week in Feminine Dress from September 23 through to September 30. It's always great fun and a wonderful excuse to wear skirts and dresses all week long. The link is at the side, just go into S&S Message Boards and then the Off-Topic section. We all try to post our outfits everyday. Rumour has it we may even attempt a Week in Historical Dress within the next few months!

“I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little - if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.” -Coco Chanel

Potatoes A-Plenty

With Autumn arriving soon, I, along with gardeners all across the country, have been out in the crisp (and sometimes soggy) air harvesting the garden's plentiful produce. This past week it's been potatoes. Wonderful red, white, and purple beauties; a treasure hunt in every hill. With each dig of the fork I turn up miniature marvels and giant starchy wonders, and I am always amazed at how that little chunk of potato I planted so long ago in April has multiplied so much underneath the ground, hidden away from prying eyes. As a cook, I imagine the dirt covered lumps roasted beside a sizzling chicken, fried to a lovely golden colour beside a plateful of French toast and sausages, or serving as companion to the pale leek in my favourite soup. There is nothing better than fresh, organic, potatoes. Very easy and very rewarding.




Eating local and in season seems to be the hot topic in the media today. I've read a wonderful book this summer titled Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver, that follows one family's journey to accomplish this. There are numerous reasons to follow this path; it reduces carbon emissions, supports local farmers, cuts down on pesticide use, and is much healthier for you. But I don't grow and eat my potatoes because of those reasons, though I certainly agree with them. I do it because it's what people have always done for hundreds of years and it plain old feels right. A hot, steamy jacket potato with a dollop of sour cream and a pat of yellow butter on my plate when the wind blows chill, and the night creeps in early. Sounds just about right to me.