Thanksgiving 2010

In October I went home for Thanksgiving, it was as short trip, but it was relaxing and fantastic to see everyone again. Dinner was a great relief from the strange cafeteria food. They cook nice things but they put certain veggies in the wrong dishes like baby corn in vegetarian lasagna. Or corn in quiche. Its just strange.

Everyone was in good spirits and we had a great evening enjoying the fall feast classics! We used my home-grown herbs, beets and carrots! Not only were my veggies sweet and yummy, they looked fantastic. I couldn't help but say every 2 minutes "How are our organic fresh beets?! Did you know that the turkey is only seasoned with our herbs?! I mean wow, yum!" I'm so excited for next year's crop!

I would love to show you the beautiful pictures, but for what ever reason I don't have them on my computer. They are awesome I promise. I'll post them as soon as I can. Instead I will show you Scamp's first adventure to the big trail dog park in Guelph. We had great weather and Scamp voluntarily dipped his paws in the pond!

Scamp, Chip and Finnegan

Fall colours at the park!

Apple Picking in Oka, Quebec!

Today was so much fun! I got up early (for the weekend) and headed down to the sports complex to go apple picking with the girls in Oka. Turns out it was just me, Estair, Sarah, Jackie and Graeme and his kids; Gavin and Morgan. Jackie also brought her chocolate lab, Buffy. It was a beautiful ride and there were grey clouds all day. It didn't rain until we finished up at the orchard. The orchard is called "Jude-Pomme" they have 8 varieties of apples and 3 varieties of pears. The only apples available to pick were; Macintosh, Spartan, Lobo, and Crispin. I filled my 25lb bag with a mix of all of them. We weren't allowed to pick pears, but I snuck some grounders into my back-pack. There was also an Oka Cheese stand, where I bought some very reasonable "Fou du Roi" organic Oka 9 month cheese. Graeme's son, Gavin loved the strongest blue cheese and they bought a chunk of that. Later we drove to the ferry docks, past the Oka cheese factory and stopped at a Frits & Croutes resto for a quick lunch. I had the home-cut fries, the Quebecois love thier fries. We then boarded the ferry and drove home. It was a great relaxing day.

August 23rd- Garden Update!

This is "my" last garden update. My dad is going to inherit my massive seed collection when I move out and start some seeds in early April, and hopefully I will be around to maintain and enjoy the "fruits" of our labour throughout the summer. We have one PVC, make-due hoop house that will be great for carrots, onions, spinach, lettuce, peas and garlic in the spring. With two possible green houses we could have fresh produce, young perennials and annuals by late April.

I still have many surprises waiting in the garden that I will be unable to witness eye to eye. Like my multi-colour pack of tomatoes, I have no idea what colours they will ripen into. My luscious leeks, variety of unripe peppers, squash and odds & ends.

Hopefully I can return for Thanksgiving and enjoy them with all the family. But for now, this is what's happening in the Meredith-Thrifty garden.

A baby sparrow taking a flying break, about the size and weight of Toonie.

Tomatoes galore! Early Girl, Beefsteak, Big Boy, Cherry, Plum and surprises are overflowing the counter-tops and window-sill.

My big-giant-mammoth sunflowers are blooming. This one with a head size of 12 in. in diameter and a staggering height of 13.6 ft is a winner. Next year's giant here we go!

"Golden" or blush raspberries are finally ripe and juicy! They have a sweeter more subtle taste that seems smoother than the red raspberries. This is a production variety, thus the cane is loaded with large grade "A" berries!

Keep checking out my blog for photos on my garden, family and adventures! I'll be sure to be posting often about University, Rugby, Dorm-life, the garden back home and Montreal! Who knows maybe you can squeeze some more garden updates out of me.

Send garden questions to: sweeneymere@gmail.com, Subject: Garden Update Questions! Ask me anything from, my next garden plans, plant choices, seed selections, garden problems, thrifty ideas, getting started and unique varieties!

Hillside Weekend!

It was a fantastic weekend out at Guelph Lake. Friday night was hot, humid and energetic. I arrived early to register, set up my pop-up tent and get settled. I grabbed a quick vegan dinner and saw Beardyman (professional beat box artist) perform at main-stage. I met up with all my best friends and had a blast enjoying Brasstronaut, The Hidden Cameras and Yukon Blonde. That night all of the volunteers gathered around the large annual bon-fire to celebrate the opening of Hillside. I was up until 3am enjoying good company, drum circles, banjos and dancing. Saturday was slightly overcast but that didn't stop anyone as the rain was light warm and only pored hard for about 10 minutes. It was well received because it wiped out the hot, muggy air. I attended two Eco-workshops, hula-hooped for the first time, had free vegan food and danced the day away to Jason Collet, The Emerald City, Young Rival, The Wooden Sky, The Tabla Guy, Michou, My Son the Hurricane, Los Lobos and Grand Analog. I can't believe I saw and danced to that much music! That night I danced around the fire once again and the full moon fuelled the craziest volly-village night I have ever experienced, went to bed around 5am. Sunday was just as fun, starting with a refreshing swim! I ate dandelion ice cream, ate the home-made jam I made and enjoyed the best mushroom & tofu dumplings. The music was even better! Alex Cuba, Gord Downie, Digging Roots, Easy-Star All stars, The Folk, Holy F***, SHAD, Socalled, Zeus and one amazing Collosal Reggae Jam to end the night. Once again, feet sore and legs tight I had a blast in volly village, ending the night around 4am, did I mention I get up with the sun? It was great!