Mr. Happy and I have had a very busy weekend!
On Saturday morning we woke up to CBC's Weekend Mornings around 7:30am - Around 8am, I convinced a sleepy Mr. Happy that we should get up and go to the market before I had to be at Tangled Skeins.
We were out of the house in 15 minutes - with is nothing short of a miracle if you know either of us well. We had a lovely stroll around the market, sipping our Steve O Reno's coffee, munching croissants from Mary's Bread Basket (me: chocolate raspberry, Mr. Happy: strawberry and cream cheese). We saw lots of locals out shopping for their produce, carrying their tote bags and baskets full of greens and fresh baked bread... I love the market - there's something magical about it, especially in the spring and summer.
On Saturday morning we woke up to CBC's Weekend Mornings around 7:30am - Around 8am, I convinced a sleepy Mr. Happy that we should get up and go to the market before I had to be at Tangled Skeins.
We were out of the house in 15 minutes - with is nothing short of a miracle if you know either of us well. We had a lovely stroll around the market, sipping our Steve O Reno's coffee, munching croissants from Mary's Bread Basket (me: chocolate raspberry, Mr. Happy: strawberry and cream cheese). We saw lots of locals out shopping for their produce, carrying their tote bags and baskets full of greens and fresh baked bread... I love the market - there's something magical about it, especially in the spring and summer.
Flowers at the Halifax Market
This morning I was up early again. After hanging clothes on the line, I went upstairs to open the window and noticed that the neighbours across the street were having a yard sale. Again, I was out of the house in less than 15 minutes. Not wanting to rouse Mr. Happy early two weekend mornings in a row, I let him sleep. Here are a couple of things I bought at the sale:
I'm not sure which I like better - the floral plate or the Harvey's mugs. Or perhaps it's the sharp contrast between the two that I like. There were quite a few Harvey's mugs, I almost wish I had bought more. I also bought a dictionary for Canadian schools, a few Hawaiian LPs and a mug which I'm going to give to someone the next time we play crib. (Dad, that's you - I've found the perfect cribbage trophy.)
Mr. Happy and I spent the rest of the day working in the yard. Mr. Happy harvested our crop of dandelions and I planted a tree. We had bought a pear and a plum tree during the end of season sales last year ($15 each - suh-weet!) and despite our neglect, they have both survived the winter. I planted the plum tree today. The pear tree will have to wait a bit - it's blooming right now.
What I really like about days like today is that we see all of our neighbours. During the winter, it's like we all hibernate. We rarely see some of our neighbours. In the spring, everyone comes out, hungry for sunshine and conversation. We lean on our fences and catch up on all the news. Jack, the elderly gentleman whose back yard borders ours, was out today. He was working in his rhubarb patch when I went to get something out of the shed. He's a dear man. His wife passed away two winters ago and I think he's managing well enough, but he's had to give up golfing this year. After our chat, he hung a bag of rhubarb on the fence for me. I just love Jack!
The house next to us has sold - we were talking to the owner's daughter and her husband. We were happy to hear that our neighbour, who has recently moved to a senior's assisted living complex, is really enjoying her new home. We're worried that the person who bought the house will break up the lot for construction. We've really enjoyed the garden - it's quite beautiful. And then there is the rhubarb patch. That's my biggest concern with the new owners - will they share the rhubarb? The daughter told me that I am welcome to dig up some roots before the deal is sealed on the house. I'm going over there tomorrow night with my shovel. I wonder if they'll take? I admit, I jumped the fence this afternoon and pulled some of their rhubarb as well - This recipe, for rhubarb crisp, takes 8 cups of rhubarb!
Mr. Happy and I spent the rest of the day working in the yard. Mr. Happy harvested our crop of dandelions and I planted a tree. We had bought a pear and a plum tree during the end of season sales last year ($15 each - suh-weet!) and despite our neglect, they have both survived the winter. I planted the plum tree today. The pear tree will have to wait a bit - it's blooming right now.
What I really like about days like today is that we see all of our neighbours. During the winter, it's like we all hibernate. We rarely see some of our neighbours. In the spring, everyone comes out, hungry for sunshine and conversation. We lean on our fences and catch up on all the news. Jack, the elderly gentleman whose back yard borders ours, was out today. He was working in his rhubarb patch when I went to get something out of the shed. He's a dear man. His wife passed away two winters ago and I think he's managing well enough, but he's had to give up golfing this year. After our chat, he hung a bag of rhubarb on the fence for me. I just love Jack!
The house next to us has sold - we were talking to the owner's daughter and her husband. We were happy to hear that our neighbour, who has recently moved to a senior's assisted living complex, is really enjoying her new home. We're worried that the person who bought the house will break up the lot for construction. We've really enjoyed the garden - it's quite beautiful. And then there is the rhubarb patch. That's my biggest concern with the new owners - will they share the rhubarb? The daughter told me that I am welcome to dig up some roots before the deal is sealed on the house. I'm going over there tomorrow night with my shovel. I wonder if they'll take? I admit, I jumped the fence this afternoon and pulled some of their rhubarb as well - This recipe, for rhubarb crisp, takes 8 cups of rhubarb!
Rhubarb crisp and vanilla ice cream? That's springtime in our city.
Mmmmm, I love rhubarb crisp. SO nice to finally have a sunny weekend!
ReplyDeleteMy rhubarb is still very small - I had to transplant it because it was in the shade and not growing at all.
ReplyDeleteIt really was a lovely weekend.
I love rhubarb, but I very rarely get rhubarb crisp... Mr. No Sheep doesn't like it... so I don't have anyone to share it with, and who wants to eat it alone? :(
ReplyDeleteRhubarb is easy to grow, just get a good big chunk of the roots from the original plant. Anything larger than the size of your shovel is good. Pick a spot that is out of the way of your main yard, as rhubarb gets very large. Dig a hole deep enough so it will sit at the same level that the rhubarb was growing at previously. Back fill with soil, press soil into the roots. If you keep picking off the rhubarb stocks, you will have a good crop of rhubarb all summer other wise it will go to seed… which you don’t want. The rhubarb patch should be divided every few years and the roots given to friends, neighbours, strangers etc. The patch will stay healthier this way. It is cooler here my rhubarb is just comming up. it should be ready next week.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great weekend! The market is always much better when the weather is nice. Yay for rhubarb crisp!
ReplyDelete