October Daily 17:

 

Several years ago we planted grapes. They've flourished, but we realized that we don't eat them because they have seeds. Grape jelly isn't very popular, and we don't want to get started with winemaking. So what do we do with 27 pounds of grapes? 

I spent a good portion of the day making grape juice. Although we don't often drink juice, this is unsweetened and very refreshing on a hot day. It's also good to serve to guests who don't want anything alcoholic. But it was a LOT of work. Stripping the grapes, squishing the grapes, simmering the grapes, straining the grapes, then straining the grape juice, before finally bottling it all up and processing it in a hot water bath. 

I'm ready to pull out these vines. But do we want to plant some seedless grapes that we will eat, or do we want something else? Decisions, decisions.  

On the other hand, strawberries are extremely popular with everyone, particularly the younger set who love heading out into Nana's garden to pull the berries and pop them into their little mouths. I picked a small bowlful for the two of us yesterday - sun sweetened morsels made all the more precious for their scarcity. 

October Daily 16: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

 

We woke up this morning to the smell of wildfire smoke from fires in our province and in Washington State to the south of us. Another item to add to our strange weather - normally fires diminish during September, but it seems that that was just the beginning. I did a little gardening this afternoon, but I felt the smoke in my lungs and didn't stay out very long. 

A volunteer sunflower has provided an abundance of blooms this year. It grew so very tall and began breaking, so I cut it down and there are blooms continuing along the lower part of the stem. Good food for birds. 

This photo is not of smoke, but of morning fog one day last week. The pink tinge is due to light smoke in the air. This was taken at 7:25 am as I walked to a physio appointment. How welcoming it is to see lights glowing through fog or half-light. Definitely an autumn delight. 

Since I am still picking tomatoes, I use them in various ways. Yesterday, I halved cherry tomatoes and tumbled them into a shallow gratin dish, tossed plenty of chopped garlic on top along with a drizzle of olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Into the oven they went, to roast for 40-50 minutes alongside the chicken thighs I'd put in earlier. In the last five minutes of cooking, I sprinkled feta cheese and let it melt, then tossed fresh basil over just before serving. An easy and delicious side dish, and also great as an appetizer served with a sliced baguette. 

Any plans for this week? Mine will involve time with little ones, and dealing with apples and grapes from the garden. Friends are coming for dinner on Friday. And we're all hoping for rain on Friday, too. 

October Daily 15: Mid-October

 

Each day in October has been like a shiny bead, slipping softly one by one from a golden string. Today was exceptionally warm, and I wouldn't be surprised if we broke records. Late this afternoon the air was utterly still, as if a blanket lay across the land. 

I'm cutting dahlias with abandon these days, leaving buds that will likely still have time to open. I lay them on the grass as I cut them, then gather them up in my hands to take indoors. 

Everything in the garden seems suspended, waiting for a change. I've left the allium seed head to brown and dry, and today admired its architecture.

The oregano flowers still, and attracts bees of several kinds. I believe the fig tree is confused because it's putting out tiny new fruit that will never ripen. Does it think spring has come? 

What a rude awakening it will have. 

I arrange the dahlias and place them on the mantel, in front of the mirror where their form and colour are doubled. 

Today we voted in our municipal elections, and spent a little time in the garden, and doing a few house chores. How was your mid-October Saturday? 

October Daily 14: Where Autumn Comes Early

 

In the third week of August we were heading home from our trip to the Arctic, driving south through British Columbia. One of my aunts and her husband live in Granisle, a small town about an hour off the main highway. We arranged to stop for a visit on our way home. They took us on a very interesting tour of the area, once home to two copper mines. 

We noticed several trees already changing colour and could feel that autumn was just around the corner. 

Another sign of autumn's arrival was the spawning salmon. I was thrilled when I saw that I had taken several photos with fish jumping up the falls. 

It was such a beautiful day with the clear still water. There is a lot of effort put into providing spawning grounds for salmon in the area, with five kilometres of spawning channels in another part of the river. 

Logging is still a big part of the economy in the area, and this barge, holding four fully loaded logging trucks, was an impressive sight. It was interesting to see the work that goes on in our province. We are very much a resource-based economy, focusing on logging, mining, and fishing.

Today was a home-keeping day - laundry, a bit of cleaning, and baking bread. My youngest daughter, Ashley, and Iris and Cora spent the afternoon and we enjoyed a little tea and cookies together.  

This evening we're watching Dr. Blake, a mystery series set in Australia, on our public broadcasting station, and enjoying a cup of tea alongside. 

October Daily 13:

 

This morning I wished for gloves on my hands when I walked. I tucked them up as far as I could into my coat sleeves. When I got home a mug of hot chocolate seemed like just the thing. Roses continue to bloom, although these Secret roses are paler than earlier in the season, and looking a little tattered around the edges. They still smell heavenly. 

I'm keeping a close watch on the weather reports, to ensure that I bring in all the tomatoes before it freezes. We've been down to 5 or 6 thus far (Celsius), so there is a bit of time yet. The little grape and cherry tomatoes get eaten up quickly. For my solitary lunches I like to cut a handful in half, along with cucumber and red bell pepper chunks and eat them with cottage cheese, all drizzled with a bit of balsamic vinegar. 

This afternoon I picked a few apples and made an Apple Cake. It's a favourite recipe around here, given to me many years ago by a friend in Ecuador. It's equally good with whipped cream, ice cream, or caramel sauce, but I prefer my cakes plain. 

Our apples have quite a few worms in them this year, in spite of spraying them early on, before the apples formed. But there is plenty of good flesh on them, too. I hope to make more applesauce soon. 

October Daily 12:

 

These sun-filled days stretch on and on due to the strong high pressure ridge over Western Canada. Although we desperately need rain, the sun is so lovely, with crisp mornings that melt into golden afternoons, and I am enjoying it every minute. This morning I walked up Christmas Hill and stood on the top overlooking the city. I had the place all to myself, other than the many birds who whittered and chatted and sang their morning songs. The waning moon faded against the blue sky and all the golden brown grasses and leaves contrasted beautifully. 

My current reading stack. Joyful is about the aesthetics of joy - such as harmony, play, celebration, etc. I don't agree with all of what the author has to say, but there are many things that make me think about my physical world and my emotions. 

The two Martin Walker books feature the character of Bruno, a policeman in the south of France, who solves mysteries and cooks well! These are just two in the series. 

The Last Days of the Incas is a book I began awhile ago, set aside, and have picked up again. The author quotes Thucydides of the 5th Century BC saying, "And we cannot fix the exact point at which our empire shall stop; we have reached a position in which we must not be content with retaining but must scheme to extend it, for if we cease to rule others, we are in danger of being ruled ourselves." Those words made me think that nothing has changed over the many centuries, and that evil men commit atrocities in every era. My heart aches for the people of Ukraine who are undergoing such terror at the whim of an egotistical little man. 

Here in my own little bit of the world, the sun continues to shine. I nod my head in agreement to Anne of Green Gables words, "Dear old world," she murmured, "you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you."

October Daily 11

 

Have you noticed the increased use of the word "curated?" It seems that nowadays one can have a meticulously curated closet, carefully curated music, and read a marvelously curated menu at a restaurant. Doing a little desultory research, I discovered that curated is relatively new to the English language, first used in print in 1990. 

Before 1990 the use of curate indicated a parish priest who was charged with the care of souls. A later form of the word is curator, indicating someone who "oversees or manages a place" such as a museum or a zoo. This is often the person who chooses the art or animals. 

 

The question arises, can one curate anything? According to this article by Merriam Webster, maybe so, maybe not. 

I could say that I carefully curated the fabrics for the quilt I finally completed today. However, I used a variety of scraps - pieces of Tim's dress shirts, remnants from sewing children's clothing, etc, so that can hardly be called curated. 

The use of the word is increasing and causing some discomfort to English purists. I know that I find it somewhat pretentious, and there is nothing wrong with just saying "chosen", as in, "She has a carefully chosen collection of dahlias." 

My own dahlia collection is eclectic and that little pompom dahlia at the top is a tiny one, just 1 1/2 inches across. It has been in a pot, and I find they do better in the ground, so that's where it will go next year. 

How shocked I was to look out my kitchen window and see the clematis (General Sikorski) blooming again! That has never happened before. I also noticed new buds forming on my (carefully curated) rosebushes. 

Have you noticed the increased use of 'curated'? Do you find it jarring or odd?

October Daily 10

 

How luxurious life feels when a holiday falls on a Monday, particularly after a lovely family get together on Sunday. This morning we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, and I tidied up the last bits from our Thanksgiving feast before going for a walk. 

 

Living on an island, albeit a large one, and on a peninsula on that island, means that the ocean is never very far away. There are a multitude of places to walk along the water where the gulls bank steeply in the sunlight, crying as they turn, white feathers glinting gold. Or where cormorants perch on abandoned pilings, each intent on fixing their plumage just so. 

In Sidney by the Sea, huge boxes of petunias still bloom in October in this year of long lingering summer. The sea air rises and fills our senses with invigorating scents of salt water, the soft lap of waves against the rocks, and the view of islets big and small shrouded in cloud.

Later, we met friends for lunch at the Stonehouse Pub, located near the water in a quiet forest setting. We ate on the patio - fish tacos for me, and a burger and fries for Tim. Everything tastes better eaten outdoors. 

Later, we walked the docks in a nearby marina and saw one of our ferries slip by between the rocks and islands that dot this coastline. Although we had planned to take our boat out and go to another island for lunch, wind warnings caused us to change our plans and stay ashore on our own island. 

Tomorrow is back to a more regular schedule, with the refreshment that comes from having an out-of-the-ordinary day in which we focus on gratitude and simple pleasures. Wishing you a lovely week.

October Daily 9: Thanksgiving Sunday

 

Thanksgiving Sunday. In Canada the holiday falls on the second Monday of October, but our tradition is to have turkey dinner on Sunday, leaving Monday for relaxation. 

I was up early to put the turkey in the oven and puttered around setting the table and making things look pretty. I wandered out into the garden in bare feet to see what I could find, and ended up with dahlias, grapes, and marigolds to play with. It's still so very warm, although the morning dew was chilly on my feet. 

After morning church everyone converged here, and there was lots of chatting, playing, and helping out until dinner was served around 12:45. By then little Cora was napping upstairs, so she's missing from these quick snapshots taken around the table. 

When I was a child and visiting grandparents for special occasions, there was always one end of the table where we cousins sat, supervised by one of the aunties, I'm sure. There was likely a lot of silliness and fun back then just as there was today where the cousins sat together. 

Ashley brought brussels sprouts, picked fresh from her garden this morning, and how fresh they tasted. Katie brought a beautiful and delicious apple pie cake.

Cristal provided a family favourite - two Chocolate Pecan pies. How delicious everything was. We rolled away from the table. For a big meal such as this, we usually stop at the main course, clean up the kitchen, load the dishes, and wash up what's left (thanks Gerry and Cristal!), before making coffee and tea, and serving dessert in the living room. A little time to digest suits us all well. 

Before sitting down to dinner I had each grandchild choose a mini pumpkin and we went outdoors for a very quick photo shoot. What fun they are! How I love them! 

G. K. Chesterton once said, "I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that happiness is gratitude doubled by wonder." 

I sit here now in the quiet and watch the pink sunset steal across the sky. A white contrail catches the light as it moves westward. Two pine trees stand silhouetted against the horizon. The air coming in through the open doors and windows is cooling dramatically. This moment, this day. I am filled with thanksgiving to God for the people in my life. 

October Daily 8

 

Picnicking by the beach in October? Yes, we did! We packed a basket with dinner and the needed accoutrements and drove to Cattle Point. We were not the only ones with this idea - several other groups perched on the rocks and enjoyed the view, too. 

Soft light diffused over the water and the colours changed by the minute, shifting from yellow to pink to purple. Gulls sailed by, white wings glinting in the fading light. A sparrow perched on a piece of driftwood carved by someone with imagination.

Tim spotted this Sharp-Shinned Hawk blending in so well with its surroundings. It soon took off, swooping over rocks and sea.

As the light faded into grey, a gull faced the sun while waves lapped on the rocks.

This little outing felt like a mini-vacation after a day of cooking in preparation for tomorrow's dinner. All is ready, and I look forward to the family gathering. 

Before returning home we walked along the waterfront and watched the moon rise over the water. Not yet full, but almost (tomorrow), it glowed orange and pink, tinted by the wildfire smoke that continues. 

I know that one day these warm, dry, and unusual days of October will turn to cooler, wetter ones. We welcome those after our dry, dry summer, but for now, it's utter delight to picnic by the sea on an October eve. 

October Daily 7

 

A very quick post this evening. I spent today mostly in the house, chatting on the phone to a number of friends and family, doing laundry and tidying up. Tomorrow will be full on food preparation for our Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday. 

This evening we watched Dr. Blake, a murder mystery set in Australia just after the second world war. I made some popcorn to munch on while we watched. 

Meanwhile, I'll leave you with this close-up of Cafe au Lait - a truly stunning dahlia, and worth her fussiness to grow. Although our temperatures are cooling, the sun continues to shine with little hope of any rain. Tomatoes continue to ripen in the garden, and roses, dahlias, and zinnias make a colourful showing. 

Goodnight, dear readers.

October Daily 6: Dealing with Pumpkin

 

Problems with Blogger today - photos won't load as per usual, but I tinkered around and discovered I could copy and paste them from my picture folder. 

Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan) and Echinacea (Coneflowers), are developing huge seed centers as the weather cools down. I leave them in my garden for the birds to nibble on, and I was quite taken with the sculptural look of the dried petals. 

One of my daughter's friends has a farm and gifted this enormous pumpkin/squash to her. She's in the midst of a busy time right now and handed it over to me. It's been sitting around and taunting me with how to deal with it. Today was the day. I started cutting into it, but then stopped to weigh it. 18 pounds! Yikes. That's a lot of pumpkin. 

Pumpkin dominated the kitchen this morning. I roasted about half of it in generously sized chunks with the peel, then scraped it off and whirred it in the food processor to make pumpkin puree. That will go into the freezer for future pies or soups. 

I also made a very large pot of French Pumpkin Soup (somewhat adapted from the linked recipe). It's full of savory goodness like rosemary, sage, thyme, leeks, and onions. A small amount of cream smooths out the flavours. 

The remaining pumpkin was cubed and roasted until tender and slightly caramelized, then I made another soup with ginger, garlic, Madras Curry Powder, and coconut milk. 

Both soups were blitzed with the immersion blender into silky smooth mixtures. Some soup went to Ashley and her family, and some went into the freezer. I like to freeze in glass jars, leaving headspace for expansion. 

Which soup would you prefer - the herby one or the ginger-curry one? I like them both, but I really like the French-inspired one with herbs. 

October Daily 5: Morning Fog

 

On October mornings I am eager to get outside to walk. Yesterday, mist hung over the bog and drifted among the trees and bushes. I had my sleeves pulled down over my hands to keep them warm in the chilly air. 

My friend pointed out a cluster of house sparrows perched right along side the path. They hardly moved when we stopped to take photos, and continued to face the light and chatter. 

Here at home I've been engaged in various pursuits. Yesterday I tutored a student in Spanish, made several phone calls (oh, how frustrating to try and engage with a technical service), and made two new potholders. My old ones are looking quite bedraggled. A bit of print linen for the top (I have an apron in the same fabric), a layer of flannel and one of batting, plus a cotton back. I like the look of channel quilting and it all didn't take very long.

Canadian Thanksgiving is this weekend and I'm making some early preparations. Yesterday was cranberry sauce. They are fresh in the stores just now. I made five jars, plus a bit. It's good to have on hand to eat with chicken any time of the year. Do you enjoy cranberry sauce? Cranberry bushes are native to North America, but I think, like many other things, they've been introduced in other places. 

October Daily 4: Light and Tea

 

October sunshine bathed the park with such a melting light that it had the dimmed impressive look of a landscape by an old master. Leaves, one, two at a time, sidled down through the windless air.”

— Elizabeth Enright

The late afternoon light caught my eye while I prepared today's dinner, so I grabbed my camera and snapped a few photos of the hydrangeas bordering the deck. The glow is beautiful for such a short time.  

A pot of petunias still blooms and the light illuminated it beautifully, too. 

Today was spent with not-quite-two-year-old Cora. We walked to the park where she leaned on the split-rail fence and watched the ducks in the pond and on the shore. When a dog passed behind us, all of the ducks rose up in a grand whirring and flapping of wings, startling the both of us. 

Then to the playground, where the two of us held hands and slid down the double slide together. Home then, for lunch and a nap for one of us while the other did a little housework before Cora's mother and older sister arrived to take her home. How I love these days. She is so much fun!

French Food French Home 

I've included a link to a lovely, peaceful video I watched today. In it Marie-Anne walks through her property in Normandy and forages for edibles. At the end she recommends one of my favourite teas, or should I say tisane - fresh mint with honey. I've been sipping it this evening. So soothing. 

Do you drink any herbal teas?