My Neighbours are Idiots

Yes, this is a can of paint poured over the curb and clearly running into the storm drain.  They left this right out front of their house as if there is nothing wrong with any of this at all.

It's HOT out there!

Southern Ontario is in a heat wave.  Even the squirrels are trying to keep cool!

With temperatures regularly over 30 remember to stay hydrated!  Remember that animals also need clean water, especially if there has been no rain for several days.

Be sure to slosh out bird baths everyday.  This not only help to keep water clean but prevents mosquitoes from successfully spawning in your yard. 

Here is my bird bath.  Clean water, a little algae, no mosquito larvae.

Birthday Wheel

Meet my new Ashford Traditional Double Drive wheel

Wheel spokes

The hub

Maker's mark under the shadow of the Scotch tension spring

The flyer in double drive mode

  One drive band loops around the flyer whorl (leftmost) and the other half of the band in on the bobbin whorl.

On the bobbin is Fine Black Shetland wool.  Overspun but I can live with that for now.

Uncle Brian's Maple Syrup

Isn't that pretty?

Uncle Brian tapped the Maples at the cottage and made his own Maple Syrup.  The wonderful thing is that for all his effort, he truly does have a unique product, the flavour is smoky and not overly sweet. 

Market Day

Produce Haul

Top shelf, left to right: Sage leaves (my garden), raisins (homemade) field tomatoes, Niagara peaches, purple heritage tomato, mushrooms, corn, blueberries, carrots, avocado, lime, ginger, raspberries, garlic, lemon.

Bottom shelf, left to right: grapefruits, Ontario new potatoes, sweet potatoes, St. Remy French Brandy.

We bought chocolate milk at the market.  It's hands down better than what we have ever got at the grocer's.  You have to get up early for this stuff, they generally sell out before 9am.

Save your peppers!

Did you get peppers from the farmers' market (or better yet your garden) and now you have more than you can use?  Don't let them go to waste, put on some gloves (please trust me on this tip & don't rub your eyes) get yourself some twine and tie 'em up.  Don't worry about even spacing or fancy knots, just get it done.  To make things go faster for me I crammed two peppers in for each one knot I tied.  Put a loop on the cord after you have attached the last pepper and you can hang them from a hook or nail.  They dry nicely.  I used them all winter long, cooking food that made even the dish water steam spicy! 

In this picture you can see two stems tied in one simple knot.  You can also see the silhouettes of seeds inside the dried fruit.  I sued these to start the peppers that I moved into my garden.  This past week they began to blossom.  I can't wait for the new crop.

These are such a lovely red that I'm posting two pictures for you.  : )

The Char is delicious!

Mmmm.  Grilled tomato, zucchini, and asparagus.  Hubby calls this 'grilling things that don't need to be grilled.'  He also says 'You know, the char is essentially cancer.'  Maybe so, but I say it's delicious and if he would eat it while it's still hot he might think so too.  This selection is done in garlic & pepper jelly (sage garden) and olive oil, lightly salted.