In the Garden this Morning.

Our little robin family has been a bit obsessed with our serviceberry tree this week.   In fact right now they are having a little squabble about it underneath the tree.   It was only after my sister had posted this beautiful photo of her homegrown salad that I remembered you could eat these little berries.  In the past we had tried them but they were very bitter.  I guess our little tree has matured enough now to produce this sweet, blueberry like treat.

Photo by Kathleen Maunder.

We don't have as many on our tree as Kathy has in this bowl but I think I may know why.

I really couldn't believe he let me get this close.  He gripped the berry in his hands until the very last moment. While amazed and snapping photos I did have visions of him  leaping from the branch into my hair.  The memories of a recent dream of flying squirrels is still rather vivid in my mind. :)

The coveted prize.

Yesterday, while weeding in our back garden for the first time this season. (I know some of you are shaking your head in disbelief and disgust!!)  I found this lone, slight stem.  I was pretty sure it was a poppy that had seeded from our neighbour's garden.  Although it had landed in a bit of a strange spot I weeded around it.

Today this beautiful poppy is starting to open up.  I must try to plant these again.  I just love poppies.

On the grill.

I think I may be in complete denial about the summer.  Tomorrow is the last day of regular classes and by the end of the week both girls will have finished exams and done for the year. By Wednesday my days will not be my own.  I do love spending time with the girls and I really want the stress of final assignments and exams behind the household but it's always an adjustment for me.

One thing (of many) that I love about summer is cooking on the BBQ.  This hasn't been so much fun in the last year as our grill was quickly falling apart.  So frustrating when yet another appliance breaks down in a short period.  We celebrated Father's Day with a new BBQ for my husband.  They are so beautiful at the beginning with that never been touched grill.  An actual working electronic starter is also such a treat!

Homemade burgers on the grill.  These were made by Sydney and we got the recipe from Canadian Living.  Best Beef Burgers.  Grilled asparagus from our farm box.

 What's a burger without all the fixin's?  This year President's Choice has brought out a Carmelized Red Onion Chutney that is delicious with a burger.  Eating outside is always so great as well.

These boiled new potatoes are so easy and such a hit.  A friend of mine mentioned she puts Club House La Grille BBQ Chicken seasoning on her potatoes.  I've added a drizzle of olive olive oil and sprinkled some garlic chives from the farm.  You can have them hot or cold and if you have any left they might even taste better the next day!

Oh, you're so fresh!

Coming back to the house with Sydney from an appointment this afternoon we were greeted at our front door with our first farm box of the season.  It has been so busy today I had almost forgotten about it.  This will be our third year participating in a local organic farm share.  We just love it.  It's so exciting to get fresh vegetables at the door every Friday.

We have a nice assortment of lettuce, swiss chard, baby bok choy...

...radishes, garlic chives, rutabaga, rhubarb and asparagus.

We were lucky this week to even get a small box of strawberries. Yum! Tonight we'll start with a big romaine salad with strawberries and maybe some grilled asparagus to go with it.  I'm already thinking of a rhubarb coffee cake for tomorrow.

It may not be official until next week but for us this marks the first day of summer!
Happy Weekend friends.

Rehearsals, Finales and Birthdays

Hello Monday.We had another busy weekend.  I`m not sure I`ll know what to do with myself if we ever get a weekend off!

We went to two performances of Westside Story at the school.  Erica took Musical Theatre this semester and her and 60 other students have been pouring their heart and soul into the production.  It showed.  It was amazing.  We saw Westside at the Stratford Festival a couple of years ago and this show was equally as good (I think even better!).  Erica was in the pit band playing tenor sax.  These kids literally rocked this extremely difficult score.  Music, band and theatre were such a big part of my life growing up and I`m so happy my girls have been able to experience the thrill of performance and the everlasting friendships it creates.

On Saturday it was the finale of the show and also Erica`s 17th birthday.  Happy Birthday Erica.  This has been quite a year! Show Choir, Westside, Africa!!!!, ski team, working! Wow! We are so proud to you.

While we were at the show on Friday Sydney baked dozens of cupcakes for Erica.

They were delicious!

Sharks vs. Jets!

On Sunday our attention moved to dance rehearsals for Sydney`s recitals this week.  

I can`t wait to see the show!

To Do and I Do.

Rainy days and Fridays never get me down.  Despite the monumental rain coming down today I had a great day!  I was able to complete this gorgeous wedding order of my vintage glass jewels.  The rich amethyst colour is so beautiful.  Somehow in all the doom and gloom the skies became just bright enough for me to take these pictures.

oh! so lovely.

If you ask me if I do custom work I would say 'I do'. I especially love to work on wedding orders.  I can work with you to create the perfect design for your wedding party that really reflects your style.  You can even send me a swatch of your dresses and I can help you colour match.

So for my other to do list - the garden did not get crossed off today (and it might not even on the weekend).  Our forecast is for rain, rain and more main.  This weather combined with our weekend activities which includes Erica's birthday, cupcakes, attending the school play, dance rehearsals, lacrosse equipment to purchase, etc. doesn't leave much time for gardening.  Anyways, garden work can wait and there's always next week.  This rain was really well needed so I'm sure the grass and garden are happy to soak it all up. 

Have a great weekend friends!