Random Thoughts...

An Ivory Elephant, a Princess and Me

2012-02-02T22:21:00.003-03:30

Last week, the discovery of a time capsule at the Maple Leaf Gardens made headlines. In particular, a small ivory elephant resulted in a bit of discussion, I suppose because of its unexpectedness. It actually reminded me of my own experience with a time capsule.

In 1988, the Newfoundland Historic Trust initiated a Time Capsule Project. Participating groups could place personal mementos and documentation in a sealed box. One hundred and seven plastic containers were bricked into a city wall at the City Hall Annex on June 22, 1990, not to be unveiled until 2088. The Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra had a box I do believe and inside that box is a picture of me. Yes, yes, Princess Diana is in the picture too. Details, details! I was playing in the Youth Orchestra during their visit to Newfoundland when she marched right up to me. So for any of you around in 2088, tell them the girl next to the Princess is me will you?

Weblog Award Winner - CornerBrooker.com

2012-01-31T22:46:00.003-03:30

The winners of the Ninjamatics' Canadian Weblog Awards were announced today. In particular, I note the third place finishes of www.CornerBrooker.com in both the Placeblog category and the Group Weblog category. Congrats! The site is a great asset to Corner Brook and really is a one stop must visit for people living or visiting that area.

NL Restaurant Industry Demonstrates Partnerships

2012-01-30T23:15:00.000-03:30

Partnerships can be tough but this week the restaurant industry showed that when it works, it can be delicious! While the powers that be at Bacalao Restaurant in St. John's will be competing in the Gold Medals Canadian Culinary Championships in BC, a team of chefs will be volunteering their time to keep that restaurant open with what is being called Operation Occupy: Bacalao. From Feb 8 - 11, guest chefs will create a different five-course menu each night. One of those chefs is Clarenville's own Chris Sheppard.

Here's what I love about this partnership:

- The chefs and their restaurants are competitors but they recognize that if one fails, they'll all suffer.
- They recognize that together they're stronger than any one individual.
- The partnership has resulted in a very creative approach (creative name, menu, etc.)
- The partnership has resulted in extensive media play, resulting in great (free) promotion for all involved, not just for Bacalao.

There are many industries that could follow this example.

A Delicious Salad

2012-01-29T19:58:00.000-03:30

Here's an excellent salad - very healthy and filling - from Chatelaine. Instead of feta cheese, we used goat cheese.

Hugely Successful Coffeehouse in Clarenville

2012-01-26T23:09:00.004-03:30

What a great coffeehouse tonight in Clarenville. Organizers had hoped for 40-50 people and instead 135 squeezed themselves into the basement of Memorial United Church. There were about 9 acts with such diversity you couldn't have planned it any better - a bit of Hank Snow, Jim Payne, Rita McNeil, Newfoundland and Irish traditional and even a joke. All for $5 plus $2 for a lunch and hot drink. Can't beat it!
The MC was great - everyone laughed heartily at with him.

My little group played, and we unveiled our newest addition - Louie the singer! He was obviously well received as another group asked him to join in for a song. If he defects, I'll kill him.

It seems this event will occur the fourth Thursday of every month. So start practicing and come on down! I also understand that the (famous) Jamestown coffeehouse will take place on Feb. 18. And The New Curtain Theatre Company is due to start coffeehouses at White Hills this winter. These community events showcase great talent.

Canada Reads: Two Down

2012-01-25T22:25:00.001-03:30

I've been making good progress with the Canada Reads contenders considering my late start. I began with the two that seem to have the most buzz about winning Canada Reads, Marina Nemat's Prisoner of Tehran and Ken Dryden's The Game.

I really enjoyed Prisoner of Tehran. It's incredible the challenges that people survive, and this book tells the story of Marina Nemat's imprisonment while she was just a teenager. It's a story about overcoming terror and tragedy that hardly seems able to be overcome. A very powerful read.

I didn't expect to like The Game. I thought it would be focused on players and particular games (as in remember the game of 1976 when so-and-so hit the goal post), but it was so much more than that. Introspective and insightful, it not only brings you into the locker room, it takes you into 1970s Quebec, the culture of hockey and the growth of its celebrity players, the evolution of hockey around the world and the thoughts of a great goaltender.

Next up - The Tiger by John Vaillant.

A Great Start to Ski Season

2012-01-22T18:22:00.001-03:30

I had a small ski a couple of weeks ago (2 km) but this weekend really marked the beginning of the ski weekend for us with about 20 km under our boards between yesterday and today.

Saturday morning, I thought the conditions would be epic given Friday's snowfall but there is clearly a snow science that escapes me. Friday's storm was full of fluffy snow which gently landed on the icy trails but didn't stick to the ice. This caused very slippery conditions. So slippery in fact that our Zoomer Groomer couldn't even get up the hills to the summit. And the snow was sticking onto skis.

Today was much better. The view from the Bear Pond Hut is fantastic.

The stove in this particular hut is the best stove of all the huts (says hubby, and I would have to agree). If it wasn't so heavy, I'd be tempted to bring my laundry in. And today, there was a lovely fire when we arrived.

And, the real reason, I ski: the fruitcake and hot chocolate. Now I really prefer my fruitcake with port but hot chocolate is a close second. And amazingly, I never have to make a fruitcake. I usually get a couple for Christmas and stash them away for the ski season. If my mother makes the fruitcake, there's enough rum to keep it moist for years.

We're very fortunate in Clarenville to have a great ski club. This morning, I saw a couple getting out a carrier to pull a baby as they skied and just before that, I saw one of our 80+ members skiing. There aren't many sports that can cover off that wide an age range.

Coffee House in Clarenville

2012-01-19T22:38:00.001-03:30

Jamestown has had a coffee house on the go for a few years now. I understand it's quite the time. Now, Clarenville is also getting into the act with a coffee house of its own. The first one will take place on Thursday, Jan 26 at 7:30 in the basement of the Memorial United Church in Clarenville. Admission is $5 and this includes food and hot drinks. But of course, you'll be going for the entertainment and the open mic. The coffee house is set to be a monthly gig, assuming there's good attendance of course.

Smoking on the Job...or Not

2012-01-17T22:10:00.000-03:30

The other day, I was behind a City of St. John's truck which stopped in the middle of the road to, I assume, do some repair work. One of the employees came around the truck smoking a cigarette. (I'm not suggesting he was smoking in the truck). The City has a no smoking policy. So if a Public Works employee smokes while working outside, is that considered in violation of the policy? The policy is very sparse and includes a line that says "smoking is permitted outside any City owned buildings unless otherwise noted." So perhaps technically you are indeed allowed to smoke while working outside. But, isn't that in violation of the intent of the policy? And what sort of message does it send?

Ashley Fayth and Peanut Butter

2012-01-15T15:58:00.001-03:30

Courtesy of a Facebook friend, I came across a video of the song Peanut Butter by Ashley Fayth who is originally from Random Island. LOVE this song. I vaguely recall my brother telling me he laid down some tracks for someone from Random Island. I'll have to check to see if it was Ashley. Have a listen! The words, the melody, the voice... all silken gorgeousness. Her website also features a blog.

Have a listen.

Rainy January - Sunny Videos

2012-01-14T19:41:00.000-03:30

Rainy days in January should not be permitted. To help deal with the crappy weather, here's a few great videos. The first is of the St. John's Ukulele Orchestra. This group has recently gained some media traction, and understandably so. This video is just one example of a lovely song with a wonderful video.

The Hill from Jamie Skidmore on Vimeo.

These are a couple of new Tourism Newfoundland and Labrador ads. I love watching them and figuring out where they were filmed. The first one starts in Tilting on Fogo Island.

This one features the Barbour Living Heritage Village in Newtown, well worth a visit.

Now let's hope for snow for the rest of January.

Development, DFO and Band-Aids

2012-01-12T22:26:00.001-03:30

This week's Packet (paper edition) includes an article entitled "Brown Water Worries Local". I was pleased to see that a local resident, concerned about the brown water coming over the Lower Shoal Harbour River falls, called the Department of Fisheries and Ocean (DFO).

However, I was also disappointed. I called DFO in the Fall over concern about a development that seems to be causing silt to slide into the river. And like the most recent call made by a local resident, I was also told that a visit was made to the developer, resulting in recommendations and a promise to monitor the situation.

I wonder how many calls need to be made before recommendations for a permanent fix are made.

The Town of Clarenville is looking for a Director of External Operations whose primary responsibility will be "planning, organizing and directing development, planning and public works activities." That's like putting a band-aid on a broken leg and hoping it heals.

Love Food Hate Waste

2012-01-10T22:10:00.003-03:30

I love the Love Food Hate Waste campaign in the UK, about raising awareness about the need to reduce food waste. It delivers an important message in a fun (note the connection between the photos of people and food) and practical way.
The site includes a portion planner, recipes searchable by what food you need to use up, storage tips, money-saving tips and information about food expiry dates.

Bean Boozled!

2012-01-09T23:12:00.000-03:30

My friends, I have been bean boozled. This shocking event happened just before Christmas while at the popular Barn Loft in Clarenville shopping for stocking stuffers. A box of yummy Jelly Belly jellybeans lay before my eyes and I scooped them up.

It wasn't until this past Saturday when I heard my husband snickering away that I realized I had been had.

I swear I didn't see the caution note which says: "Contains weird and wild flavours."

Worse, I didn't look at the back which explains that you might pick up a white jellybean and it could taste like coconut or it might taste like baby wipes. Or the yellow could be carmel corn or it could be moldy cheese. Or the black one could be licorice or skunk spray. It gets worse. And these people are a master at flavours. I must admit to being somewhat relieved to see the small print "naturally and artificially flavored". Wisely, I agreed to only have a white one, limiting my chances to coconut or baby wipes. It was baby wipes. But what's not to love about baby whites. The flavours were spot on.

So what do you do when you discover this? You break it out at a dinner party with people you've never met before of course. Only the men signed on. Luckily, no one threw up (that I know of). I wonder if my guests will remember the creme brule I made, or the jelly beans tasting of skunk spray and barf that my husband generously offered?

2012: The Year of the Daybed

2012-01-08T22:40:00.001-03:30

I remember visiting my grandparents' house and the first thing I'd see when I entered the main room (the kitchen) was my grandfather from the knees down. He was quite a tall fellow and being 20 years older than my grandmother, he always seemed old to me. He also always seemed to be lying down on the daybed which was tucked between the wall and the stove, exposing only his legs and feet.

Daybeds in the kitchen were pretty popular in Newfoundland houses. The kitchen was often the only room with heat and the daybed allowed the old timers to rest comfortably.

While doing some Christmas visiting, I came across this daybed.

Isn't it gorgeous? And it made me think that we should bring that piece of our culture back. If we can sell ourselves on our unmentionables flapping in the wind, surely the tourists would be impressed with the charm of snoozing in the kitchen.

Now the daybed pictured above is not in the kitchen. But it does have the one thing you need for a successful daybed placement: heat. In this case, it's from the sun.

With the power not invested in me, I hereby declare 2012 as The Year of the Daybed.

Back-to-Ski Weekend Coming Up

2012-01-04T22:02:00.001-03:30

This coming weekend is known by some as the Back-to-Ski weekend in Clarenville. The local cross-country ski club starts to dust off its skis and get back into the swing of things.

I remember the first time I skied on a trail at White Hills. I screamed by way around the 3.5 km trail (now known as Harry's Loop). It took me about two hours and I came home and slept for three hours. I lost count of the number of falls. Thankfully, I've improved. Although I do silently curse when one of those 80-year-old skiers flies by me.

The weekend includes registration, an information session about the club, a waxing clinic, instruction clinic, ski tour and social. The weekend kicks off on Friday, Jan. 6 with registration at the Clarenville Events Centre lobby from 6-8 pm followed by an information session and a waxing clinic.

You can get more information on the Club's Facebook page.

The winter months go a lot faster if you enjoy them!

Reading....Canadian

2012-01-03T22:10:00.000-03:30

Today, while at the Clarenville Public Library, I decided to check out Prisoner of Tehran by Marina Nemat which is currently part of CBC's Canada Reads. This book of non-fiction has rave reviews. Only five pages in and I suspect I'll be adding to those raves. I think I will try and read all of the Canada Reads contenders.

While at the library, I was thrilled to learn that Patrick DeWitt's The Sisters Brothers is available for downloading. I had thought it was too new to be available electronically. While not part of Canada Reads, it has won and been nominated for so many awards I figure I must put it on my list.

I enjoy reading and supporting Canadian literature - there's so much good stuff out there! And thanks to our public library system, it's readily accessible.

An Eating Tour of Christmas

2012-01-02T22:26:00.000-03:30

I'm guessing you won't be shocked when I say that I ate well during the Christmas season. Too well probably, but I enjoyed every bit of it. In particular, I so appreciate gifts of food. Food shared with and by others is so wonderful.

My mother got me in the Christmas spirit early with a colour-appropriate and delicious beet and tomato soup. Like how she spelled out my name?

My sister-in-law presented a lovely winter pudding bombe, recipe from Jamie Oliver. She says it was very easy to make. It looked and tasted very impressive.

I had a gorgeous selection of cookies given to me and a few fruitcakes since people know how I love to have them for skiing. And my office's own Martha Stewart generously gave me an amazing chololate carmel apple to call my own.

And, a wonderful coffee cake given by a lovely work colleague. We went for a hike one day and I brought along a few slices. When my husband bit into it, he said "Wow!" as did I when I tasted it.

Of course, I didn't just eat the season away.

But tonight, I ended all of this debauchery. Thanks to the New Curtain Theatre, who kindly dropped off a gift in gratitude for playing a few gigs for them, I poured myself a glass of wine, had one of their Christmas puddings and toasted the season.

Tomorrow, I swear, I'm having a salad. Or that mummer with the 42 inch bust and 42 inch arse? Well, she won't be a mummer.

A Mummering We Did Go

2011-12-31T16:31:00.000-03:30

Last night, I did something I've wanted to do for years - go mummering. With four musicians and two dancers/rhythm section we were a fine looking lot.

Over about a six hour period, we visited seven houses starting with a bang at a packed open house. Lots of cheers went up when we entered, a great way to start the evening.

At one visit, the children were warned that "people they knew were dressed up and coming for a visit." So when we arrived, we were greeted by a three-year old Cinderella and a five-year-old transformer since they too wanted to dress up. They are on the recruitment list for next year.

At another house, we were introduced to grog (yummy!).

The most popular mummer was the tart. Isn't that always the way? Her 42 inch bust was matched only by her 42 inch arse. Proving that, like Kim Kardashin and Jennifer Lopez, you need no other talent.

One of the challenges of being one of a handful of fiddlers in a town is that you're easily identified. Didn't matter - meant I had an early start on the drinks.

Whether people were expecting us or not, we were welcomed so warmly and with such enthusiasm. The hospitality of people was incredible (there's a lot of booze in the cupboards of people in this town) and the ability to put out a spread in minutes is pretty impressive. The pleasure that people received from our visit was reflected back to us tenfold, making me wonder why I hadn't embraced this tradition earlier. A great way to start the New Year.

Another great way to celebrate is to attend the Town of Clarenville's New Year's fireworks at the Elizabeth Swan Park on Sunday, January 1 at 7-8 pm.

Happy New Year all!

Christmas Tree Ornaments: More Than Good Looks

2011-12-29T21:22:00.001-03:30

Last week, someone at work asked me about the ornaments I have on my tree - if I change them annually or if I use the ones I've used for years.

I admire trees that are covered in the latest designer colours, or ones that have some sort of theme. They are beautiful. My tree probably looks the same each year because I use the same ornaments each year. They are ones that remind me of something or someone.

The tree usually represents us in some way, through a hobby.

Or I might have picked up an ornament from a trip, like this cactus from our visit to the Grand Canyon.

Or an ornament might remind me of an event, like this stocking that my mother made to hold our Christmas wedding invitations.

Or they remind me of a person. Like the gentle soul at work who each year, for no other reason than her kindness, gives me a gorgeous ornament.

Or it might just be something that I think is adorable.

Together, they tell a story. And it's a nice story to think about each year.

Oh! Christmas Tree!

2011-12-28T20:35:00.000-03:30

I have previously posted about an environmentally Christmas tree being the one that travels the least distance to get to you. Although we didn't start out our Christmas tree tradition with that in mind, six years ago we clipped off a tree in our backyard that needed to go because it was too close to the house. That tradition has continued. This year, it was a tree that had intertwined itself with a honeysuckle. And while I admired its determination to thrive, with only two honeysuckles on the property, I thought it would go.

So I took four steps straight out the back door one one step to the right, grabbed by garden clippers and carried it inside.

Of course, when you go this route, you must put up with what you get. It's worth it just to see the reaction of people. There's the people who will come out and say it's the worst tree they've ever seen. There's others that try to pretend it's beautiful. It's a hoot!

In the stand this year's tree actually looked pretty nice.

But the poor thing was too young to hold the ornaments and by the time I finished with it, it looked a bit droopy and depressed.

I don't care - I still love it! So far, one person has called it charming and someone else claimed it "even has a bend in it for character!"

But just as I was congratulating myself on my environmental awareness, I went to my sister-in-law's house. She one upped me.

Her tree was made of sticks her husband picked up from around their garden, wrapped in lights and decorated. Unique, personal and gorgeous!

Christmas trees with a story - they're the best!

My Christmas Wish For You: Lots of Free Stuff

2011-12-21T22:54:00.001-03:30

A few years ago, we were in New York City in early December. I was captured by the beauty of the skaters at Central Park. If my fear of hospital bills hadn't ruled my brain I know for sure I would have landed a beautiful triple lutz.

That year, my astute husband gave me a pair of skates for Christmas. Now the last time I was skating was probably 25 years ago when my bestie Tanya and I linked arms and dragged ourselves around Twin Rinks in St. John's.

So we went to the Clarenville Events Centre and once I got over the shock of five year olds skating circles around me, though my legs and over me, I did manage to make a few laps around the rink. Even a rather unflattering praying position at one point didn't do me any harm.

But really, the outdoor experience was what we wanted. So this past weekend, after a day- before scouting mission, we grabbed the skates and headed to a nearby pond.

The ice was like glass - incredibly smooth.

Checking the ice first for depth.

The first steps were rather tentative.

Would you believe I just landed a triple lutz here?

But eventually, the brain remembers what it once did and the joy of a crisp morning and the freedom of gliding across the ice returned.

And eventually, you even realize that you can do cross-overs (at least one of us can).

And when I skated my name in the ice--knowing that it will never appear in lights-- I'm sure even the squirrels applauded.

As we skated, my husband remarked that the best things in life really are free. And so, my lovelies, that is my Christmas wish for you: that 2012 is full of those free best things in life. A positive attitude. A great sense of humour. A generous heart. A kind spirit. An appreciation for nature. And, most of all, hope. Hope in the future and hope for each other.

Merry Christmas!

Brrr - King's Cove

2011-12-19T21:42:00.000-03:30

I love King's Cove. So when we had to make a quick run there yesterday, we had to stop at Pat Murphy's meadow. The tune by the same name is one of my most favourite Newfoundland folk tunes.

Do I look cold?

Cold? No, I'm freaking freezing!

But the view and the song makes it all worth it (somewhat).

I love this church. There's something every aesthetically pleasing about it.

Snow Spirit Another Success

2011-12-18T23:07:00.001-03:30

Tonight's Snow Spirit production by New Curtain Theatre featured a reading of The Christmas Carol, traditional Christmas music and some delicious food.

Being read to is not something that most of us experience anymore. It's quite enjoyable and the popular readings of The Christmas Carol allows us to experience it.

The readers were all great and included Krystin Pellerin, Andy Jones, Steve O'Connell, Stephanie van der Linde, Bob Hyslop and Gordon Noseworthy.

The Readers

Musical guests included Krystin Pellerin, Caroline Matthews, Shawn Bennett and our little band, Goowiddy.

The readers and musicians

All seats were sold and it was a lovely evening, particularly when you look outside and see all of the snow-making going on at White Hills. Those hills are indeed looking white.

Nice also to see MP Judy Foote in attendance.

A Flash Mob and Melting Potatoes

2011-12-15T22:45:00.001-03:30

By now, I think most of Newfoundland and Labrador has probably seen the video of the Philharmonic Choir of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra performing the Hallelujah chorus from the Messiah at the Avalon Mall in St. John's. It looks and sounds fantastic. I love the lady at about the two minute mark who takes a deep breathe and seems to relax right in front of our eyes. And the little girl and the woman she's with at the end are fantastic. Perhaps the Ladies Chorale in this area will do the same thing at the local mall next year?

I had a couple of kiddies over for dinner the other night and attempted to make mashed potato snowmen. Well, as you can see, they were more like ghost snowmen. I think, though, that I managed to convince the kids that the snowman was simply melting.

Waste Management Plan Proceeding Ahead for Some

2011-12-14T21:29:00.002-03:30

At the Clarenville dump - some things saved from being buried.

An interesting story in The Telegram today about waste management in the isthmus area. The article indicates that curbside collection will be provided by Eastern Waste Management in communities from Chapel Arm to Swift Current beginning in January 2012 with recycling set to begin in July 2012. Along with weekly pick up, there will be six bulk pick ups annually. The price is $180 per household. Not sure how this cost will be administered - whether people pay the town they are living in or Eastern Waste Management directly. It will be interesting to watch this unfold. Many communities are not paying very much for garbage collection now and for a lot of people, waste management is not on their agenda. This might be a bit of a wake up call for people.

A Joy of Childhood From the Mixer

2011-12-13T22:10:00.000-03:30

I dug out the old mixer a few times this week. It reminded me of one of the great joys of childhood. And if you're like my husband, it's a joy that he hasn't lost.

Was there anything so great as licking the batter off the beaters? Racing to the kitchen once the mixer was turned off to ensure no deliciousness would be washed away. Is this still a childhood joy, I wonder?

Colour of the Year: Tangerine Tango

2011-12-12T23:14:00.001-03:30

Pantone has just released its colour of the year for 2012 - Tangerine Tango. When I heard this, I silently patted myself on the back for being so colour forward.

Last year, I purchased a--what I once called orange, but will now call tangerine tango--coat. According to the Pantone Color Institute, tangerine tango is “[r]eminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, [it] marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.” And that has been the impact of my coat. I call it my good karma coat because no matter when I wear it or where I go, it magnetically attracts people. It's a conversation starter. People seem to genuinely love the coat. And now I know why. Its magnetic hue emanates heat and energy.

Please! Use Exclamation Marks Sparingly!

2011-12-09T22:14:00.001-03:30

I receive infrequent communications from someone who ends every sentence with an exclamation mark! It drives me crazy!!! I can barely manage to make it to the end of the email and I find the message gets totally lost! Most of the time, the exclamation marks contradict the point he is trying to make! To add insult to injury, he will often write his emails in all capital letters! Isn't this crazy?! And it gets worse! Many sentences have multiple exclamation points!!!! In my school-aged days, we were taught that the exclamation mark was for emphasis only or to indicate strong feelings! People! Please! Use your exclamation marks selectively!

An Acoustic Christmas with Albedo and Slainte

2011-12-08T23:33:00.001-03:30

Two of difficult-to-pronounce-band-names joined forces tonight at the Clarenville Events Centre for An Acoustic Christmas. To a packed house, Albedo started the show with a great array of tunes. They're a talented bunch - only four people but they probably played twice as many instruments. My favourite tune of theirs was an original about a Christmas Anniversary written by Tina Bishop.

Albedo - with apologies to Leeland for cutting him off!

And then Slainte hit the stage. This group is very well known in Clarenville. For many years, they have been the first to sign up for any sort of charity event and it's great that they are now in demand across the province. They're true entertainers. I loved the recitation by Denis Sullivan (written by Rose Sullivan) which he learned from a tape of his grandfather. It was about someone who wanted to go mummering but thought he was too shy. I think the recitation was meant just for me because for a couple of years, I've wanted to go mummering and haven't. Well, this is the year. People of Clarenville, beware!

I think their signature song must be their original about cheesies and flakies, written by Denis Sullian. I'll be singing it in my mind for days. And for days, flakies will be calling me. Damn you Denis Sullian!

Two photos of Slainte are required - they don't fit into one frame!

Eating Organically at the Rooms Cafe

2011-12-07T21:25:00.001-03:30

The Rooms Cafe has pushed the bar in the restaurant world in St. John's with an completely organic menu (in addition to its regular menu). The organic menu consist of tomato soup (with popcorn on the side presumably instead of croutons), a cod dish, a chicken dish with lentils, a quinoa salad and a pasta dish with beef from the province's only organic cattle farm. There's also organic beverages, including coffee, tea, wine and beer. For those who are organically inclined, it's a nice option. The prices are quite reasonable and comparable, I thought, to the regular menu.

During my most recent visit, I selected the risotto cakes with vegetables (not from the organic menu). Delicious! Very filling! I love the Rooms Cafe - great food and the service has always been outstanding.

Remembering the Montreal Massacre wth a Rock

2011-12-05T22:17:00.001-03:30

Tomorrow is the anniversary of what we know as the Montreal massacre. Twenty-five year old Marc Lepine killed the following women at the Ecole Polytechnique:

Geneviève Bergeron (born 1968), civil engineering student

Hélène Colgan (born 1966), mechanical engineering student

Nathalie Croteau (born 1966), mechanical engineering student

Barbara Daigneault (born 1967), mechanical engineering student

Anne-Marie Edward (born 1968), chemical engineering student

Maud Haviernick (born 1960), materials engineering student

Maryse Laganière (born 1964), budget clerk in the École Polytechnique's finance department

Maryse Leclair (born 1966), materials engineering student

Anne-Marie Lemay (born 1967), mechanical engineering student

Sonia Pelletier (born 1961), mechanical engineering student

Michèle Richard (born 1968), materials engineering student

Annie St-Arneault (born 1966), mechanical engineering student

Annie Turcotte (born 1969), materials engineering student

Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz (born 1958), nursing student

He blamed feminists for ruining his life.

I remember that day very well. I was in university and a few days after it happened, I attended a memorial service at the Faculty of Engineering. As part of the ceremony, each person was given a small beach rock and at the end of the service you were invited to place your rock in water. The symbolism escapes me now and I guess it did then too because I kept my rock. And ever since, it has been in my purse to remind me of them. It also reminds me of the importance of being strong and how the things around you can shape you.

The Joys of Hiking and An Ode to Lowa Hikers

2011-12-04T20:22:00.001-03:30

The Town of Clarenville is starting a hiking/walking club to encourage people to use the local trail system. Each Thursday at 10 am, meet at the Bill Davis Chalet at the Elizabeth Swan Park, and discover the trail system around town.

Today was an amazing day to be outside and we hiked the Rotary Trail and the Bare Mountain Trail. I was very impressed with the number of people we saw on the Bare Mountain Trail, particularly young kids. It's a great way to get them active and outside.

Like all of my hikes for the past eights years or so, I've worn my Lowa hiking boots (unfortunately, I don't know the name of the style).

I will admit to having an unnatural attachment to them. I'm not sure why. A number of years ago, I had been looking for hiking boots and nothing seemed to fit me right. Finally, the salesman nodded knowingly and said "I've got the boot for you." The first time I put them on, it was like wearing a slipper. Gorgeous, soft leather. I had to have them. The salesman had to pry my credit card from my fingers and threw in a free pair of Smart Wool socks to help with my post-purchase cognitive dissonance (one of my favourite marketing phrases!).

And now, I'm afraid after about eight years or so of great service, they need to be put to rest. There are seams that are cracked and water is getting in. We've been to the Shoe Hospital but alas, it seems there's no hope. Dr. Shoe suggested contact cementing the seams but it's not working.

So my search for new boots begins. My husband likes his Asolos. But my Lowas have seen me through the Grand Canyon, Gros Morne, the Salkentay Trail to Machu Picchu, Colca Canyon, the East Coast Trail, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Yosemite and hiking in Zion Canyon. Hopefully, my search for won't last too long - my tender tootsies await!

Victorian Christmas Fayre at the Loft Theatre

2011-12-03T22:53:00.001-03:30

The New Curtain Theatre had its Victorian Christmas Fayre today. The decorations were wonderful.

The tea, scones, fruitcakes and other treats all looked wonderful.

The service was not at all Scrooge-ish.

The crafts were varied as was the music.

My little band played a few tunes. And, you never know who you'll meet. We had the pleasure of meeting a man from Arequipa, Peru - a town we had been to in May. He is now living in Clarenville working on on the Hebron Project. It is indeed a small world!

The New Curtain Theatre will be holding its annual Christmas Spirit on Sunday, Dec 18 at the Loft Theatre at White Hills. It will include a reading of the Christmas Carol as well as some musical interludes. Tis the season!

The Once and For All Christmas Time

2011-12-01T23:00:00.001-03:30

Through good fortune, I happened upon The Once (and for all) Christmas Time at the Gower Street United Church. At eight degrees and pouring rain, it was hard to get too excited about the hot cider and hot chocolate available during the intermission but a nice mix of Christmas and non-Christmas music helped to ease the transition.

The show had a number of special guests. Rick Boland gave a reading of O. Henry's The Gift of The Magi and told a great story about a Christmas adventure he had at the age of 21. Andrew James O'Brien sang a number of his own songs, including a newly written Christmas tune. He invited his girlfriend Catherine Allan to join him on harmony on two songs. I don't know anything about her but I'd love to know more - such a distinctive voice with gorgeous harmonies.

The Once are known for their great harmonies and they gave a show of some songs from their latest CD as well as their first.

Starting at 7:30 and running until about 10:20, the show will be repeated Friday and Saturday nights and in Burin on December 8 and Corner Brook on December 16. Information about tickets can be found here.

Building Healthy Communities...Very Slowly

2011-11-29T22:19:00.001-03:30

The Building Healthy Communities conference currently ongoing in St. John's looks fantastic. I wish I was there. Topics include town planning, land use, transportation policies and health policy.

On a similar theme, the Globe and Mail posted a story on Sunday about the Five Keys to a Healthy Community. Can you guess what they are? According to the article: sidewalks; hard numbers (quantifying facts); beyond hot dogs (food cards with nutritional standards); bicycling; smart parks.

The New Colonist has a great top ten list of characteristics of a healthy city.

There's no shortage of resources available on creating healthy, sustainable communities. But getting long-term, strategic action seems to be problematic. Part of it is a lack of mature governance model within the municipal sector in this province; part is because we're very silo-ed in our own worlds (health is health, municipalities are municipalities) and the opportunities for horizontal and/or vertical integration take a lot of time, effort and collaboration. Hopefully conferences like the Building Healthy Communities one will push this agenda forward.

The Things You See on Resettled Islands

2011-11-28T21:55:00.001-03:30

Comfort is secondary to adventure. That's my husband's motto. So yesterday, he packed up a kayak and paddled to Ireland's Eye, a resettled community in Trinity Bay, for the night. Here is a little video of what he saw. Hope you share the sense of humour!

Book Nook Closing

2011-11-26T15:57:00.001-03:30

I am sad to see that the our local used bookstore is closing. No doubt it was tough to make a go of it. The store was very popular with tourists during the summer but it's not enough to sustain it. And the ease of downloading books electronically also put some pressure on. Have no fear, though, the Clarenville Public Library is a great place to get your reading fix!

Hanging Out at the Clarenville Retirement Centre

2011-11-25T23:25:00.001-03:30

Tonight, we hung out with the lovely folks at the Clarenville Retirement Centre. Every now and again, I'll take my violin there and play a few tunes. This time I also brought along a little drummer boy - the spouse and his bodhran. I think the people in attendance really enjoyed it. I did save them from Entertainment Tonight after all. They sang along to traditional tunes and even a few Christmas carols. Music really is a unifying force and one that can bring back memories from many years back. I hope when my time comes to sit in one of those retirement homes someone comes to play a few tunes for me!

A Guide to Surviving Public Reviews

2011-11-24T21:34:00.001-03:30

The Hebron Public Review prompted this evening's post. If you ever find yourself wondering about presenting at a commission/review, here are some guidelines:

1) Participate. If you are questioning if you or your organization should participate in a review, the answer is yes. Reviews are done for a reason and that is to get input. It is your opportunity to have a say. You may not get another chance.

2) If you're part of a larger group that's presenting, should you still participate? Yes! Be a part of a coalition but also make your own views known. You will share some similarities with others but you have your own uniqueness as well. Acknowledge this.

3) Bring your colleagues for moral support. Participating in a review isn't a test. People are truly interested in what you have to say. But it can be intimidating to be in front of cameras and microphones. Drag someone along! Besides, there's always nice nibblies!

4) Stay for the whole session, not just your own presentation. This will avoid the possibility of contradicting others unnecessarily. It allows you to reference similar comments made or to make a different point. And of course, it shows respect.

5) Don't be a pain. In other words, follow the rules. If the review wants submissions prior to the session, provide them. If the review asks you to be in attendance 15 minutes prior to your presentation, be there. Be remembered for your content, not for being high maintenance.

Transcripts from the Hebron Project Review are available here 72 hours after each public session.

A Visually Stunning Soup

2011-11-22T22:01:00.001-03:30

Recently, I made a roasted yellow pepper and roasted tomato soup. I've made two soups in one before. They are visually stunning and this one was particularly so with its vibrant colours. The reviews for this soup on the Epicurious site are amazing. I can't say it blew me out of the water but it might have been because it took a bit of effort to make and by the time I could sit down and enjoy it, the enjoyment was gone. And, I eliminated one thing from the recipe - the cream! Sounds criminal I know. But my seeming inability to stop increasing my calorie count has forced me to take drastic measures. I thought the tomato soup was fabulous and I do plan on making that again. Who knows, perhaps next time I will add the cream.

Hebron Public Review Hits Clarenville on Thursday

2011-11-21T22:22:00.001-03:30

The Hebron Public Review started its public hearings today in St. John's with stops this week in Marystown and Clarenville.

The purpose of the sessions is to review the merits of the Hebron Development Application. The sessions are organized around the four main issues under review: human safety, environmental protection, expected benefits of the project and the general approach to project development.

The Clarenville schedule includes presentations by the Town of Sunnyside, the Town of Clarenville, the Eastern Suppliers Development Alliance, the Neighbourhood Family Resource Centre and the Regional Committee on Housing, among others. Some of the presentations are available online now.

The submissions from the towns that have registered for the session (Sunnyside, Clarenville, Marystown) are not yet online. It will be interesting to see how these towns present, walking the delicate balance of the pros and cons of such development. The City of St. John's submission is online but is not overly impressive. Perhaps their presentation will fill in the gaps.

The session in Clarenville is Thursday beginning at 1:00 pm at the Clarenville Inn.

Quilting for Ronald McDonald House

2011-11-20T20:21:00.001-03:30

My mother and two friends meet every Sunday to ~~bitch~~ quilt. They decided a couple of months ago, to make quilts for Ronald McDonald House Newfoundland and Labrador in St. John's.

The ladies plan on donating their quilts for the beds of children who will be staying at Ronald McDonald House. They're wonderfully colourful and are bound to provide some colour in an otherwise bleak time for families. They're not quite finished, but as you can see, they're looking great!

What's In Your Compost Bin?

2011-11-17T22:13:00.001-03:30

Encouraged by my garlic-growing success this summer, I have decided to expand my garlic bed. You can never have enough garlic is my one and only motto. So now, instead of a metre or so I have a lovely bed ready for the garlic to tuck into.

The soil came from the compost bin. I find it fascinating to look into the bin and see what we've been eating (minus the worms of course!).

Every now and then I see one of those blue banana stickers staring up at me when someone forgets to remove them from the peel. I'm somewhat disturbed by the number of egg shells. I think they just take a long time to decompose, otherwise, we're eating way too many. And those avocado pits - will they ever go away? Regardless, the resulting soil is well worth it and next summer when I'm eating my garlic, I'll think of all the composting that helped to grow my delicious fresh garlic.

Maldow: A Movember Moustache Alternative

2011-11-16T22:38:00.001-03:30

While hiking the Skerwink Trail in Port Rexton this Fall with my parents, we came upon

I know this by lots of names - old man's beard, caribou moss. But what I had not heard was what my parents called it: maldow (also spelled moldow). This is a new one on me.

The Dictionary of Newfoundland English has a long entry on this word. In addition to favoured food of caribou, the black maldow was also used for fake moustaches. Seems appropriate then to blog about it during Movember. And for those of you having trouble growing your own moustache, you might want to consider using maldow, as skipper below illustrates.

A Mid-Movember Check In

2011-11-15T22:23:00.001-03:30

Newfoundland and Labrador first had Junuary. Now we're continuing the month variation with Movember. It really is a brilliant idea - asking men not to shave for a month. Isn't this every man's dream?

The spouse's mo is a work in progress.

Supporting prostate cancer initiatives by increasing awareness and funds, Movember seems to have enjoyed a strong promotional campaign with many sponsors and celebrities participating.

At a time when fund-raising is becoming increasingly difficult, it's a fun, easy way to become involved. Hopefully, the mo growing activity does translate into dollars and sense!

The dollars are very much on track with over $16 million raised in Canada to date!

The Walls Are Closing In: The Issue of Housing Amid an Economic Boom

2011-11-14T22:08:00.001-03:30

Stakeholder meetings are being held this week in Clarenville, Arnold's Cove and Marystown about the Hebron Project (not to be confused with the Hebron Project Review established by the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) to complete an independent assessment of the Hebron Project Development Application). These sessions are an opportunity to hear about updates about the project and potential impacts on communities and individuals. Check out the very comprehensive website about the project.

The Gravity-Based Structure (GBS) associated with this project will be built at the Nalcor Energy Bull Arm Fabrication site, located just about 25 minutes from Clarenville. If you're not familiar with the site, check out this video. For the GBS construction, there will be a camp to house about 2,000 people at that site. Employees will be given a (one-time) choice to stay in the camp or to find their own accommodations. As we currently see in the Clarenville area, housing will be very much be impacted by projects such as Hebron. In addition to increased prices, houses are being bought for the rental market and large areas of land are being prepared for housing developments. In addition to this current impact, we will most likely see a glut of housing and falling housing prices as we come out the other side of this project and others.

I've written a number of postings about housing challenges. It's an issue in which many governments, agencies and private businesses have a role. And that's really part of the problem - there's no strong ownership in one place. It becomes very easy to pass the buck. It's in everyone's best interests to work together to ensure the issue of housing is not simply one where we all shrug our shoulders in dismay. It just takes leadership.

Two Hikes: Appalachian Trail and Bear Pond

2011-11-13T22:16:00.001-03:30

The past two weekends have been outstanding ones for hiking. I think in Newfoundland we will have to eventually come to terms with the fact that our summers are pathetic and our falls wonderful.

One of the best things to do during good weather is to go hiking. While the spouse has been on a couple of long hikes of the International Appalachian Trail in NL, my first time on a part of that trail was last weekend in Steady Brook. The Humber Valley Trail offers up wonderful views.

In Clarenville, we're very fortunate to have some great cross-country ski trails. They also make for some good hiking, especially on a day like today. In places the trail was very wet but otherwise, it was a lovely hike. The spouse thought my outfit had a "homeless hunter" sensibility about it.

Upon my return, I read on a friend's facebook status that she was hiking, fell and broke her fibula and her husband carried her on his back for two hours to get her assistance. I wonder what would happen to me if I broke my fibula in the middle of nowhere??

Remembering

2011-11-11T08:20:00.001-03:30

Prior to Newfoundland joining Canada, the forget-me not was used as a symbol of remembrance of Newfoundland's war dead in 1917. Whether you wear a poppy or a forget-me-not, the point is to remember and be thankful.

Terry Kelly's song Pittance of Time gets lots of airplay this time of the year. The inspiration behind it, and the story of the song itself, was his way of dealing with someone who didn't have the time or understanding to offer up two minutes of silence.

Creativity Mixed with a Bit of Procrastination: A Quilt with a Story

2011-11-09T21:11:00.001-03:30

This post is about creativity. It's also about procrastination. I have a lovely relative who has both of those traits in spades. Thirty-two years ago, a niece of hers was born. She generously decided that she would make her a quilt to celebrate the occasion. Here's a photo of the quilt.

It's gorgeous isn't it?

So the procrastination part? It's still not finished.

I think it would still be a great gift to send to the no-longer-eight-pound-nine-ounce Christine; a quilt with a story.

Wanted: Blog Jurors

2011-11-08T21:54:00.002-03:30

If you like reading blogs and you're feeling a bit judgemental, do I have a job for you! The Canadian Weblog Awards is now accepting applications for jurors. Sounds like a fun job. You have until November 14 to apply.

Lots of blogs are nominated. There's no end of creativity. And while the role is serious, I have no doubt you'll enjoy it. Happy blog reading!

Madison's a Hit on the Restaurant Scene

2011-11-07T22:20:00.002-03:30

The restaurant scene in St. John's is very well known for variety and quality. But that scene also spreads outside of the capital city. Most recently, I had the opportunity to eat at Madison's at Marble Inn Resort. The restaurant re-opened last week after some renovations with a new menu.

By chance, our table was one of three that was directly across from the open kitchen concept. And I had a bird's eye view of the inner workings of the kitchen - a dinner and a show! The spouse was tolerant of my gaze over his shoulder and my ability to hear (I think) what he was saying while also listening for any kitchen talk. And I do have a secret talent for reading lips - shhh. I tried not to stare too hard in case or be too obvious in my photo taking in case the chef thought I was Karl Wells in drag.

I've heard that the sign of a good kitchen is a quiet one. If that's the case, this is a great one. The conversation was at a minimum and mostly seemed to consist of the chef, Derek Ingram, being very picky about what left his kitchen - also a good sign.

One of the hazards of seeing all of the food that comes through the kitchen is changing your mind on your order which is what the spouse had to do when he saw the bowls of parm fries fly out of the kitchen. And I have to agree, they were excellent - crispy with lots of rosemary and thyme and of course, a healthy dose of Parmesan cheese.

I opted for the crab cake.

There are a couple of things that I never cook at home but I love. These are the things I tend to order at restaurants. One of them is duck. I had the bakeapple glazed uck breast with lentils and mushrooms. Deliciously moist!

The spouse went for the roasted chicken with potato parsnip purree and roasted carrot (with a piece of my duck on the side!).

And my favourite - the desserts! This pecan tart with homemade ice cream was fantastic.

And the peanut butter cheesecake was divine.

Both desserts were topped with a gooseberry. The spouse was hesitant to eat this; neither one of us had seen a gooseberry before (this from a man who ordered guinea pig while in Peru!). I had no qualms about biting into it - delicious.

Madison's comes very highly recommended from me. I can't imagine a better day than going downhill skiing at Marble or cross country at one of the trails in Corner Brook or Pasadena and ending it at Madison's at Marble Inn.

Sinning Stops Here - Right Near Lewisporte

2011-11-06T19:00:00.001-03:30

Coming home from Steady Brook this weekend, we couldn't help but stop at a sign that caught our attention on Friday while driving to our weekend destination.

Apparently, sinning stops at the Miracle Temple on the Trans-Canada Highway near the Lewisporte turn-off.

Still not convinced? Perhaps this sign on the side of the building will help.

And, if you dare, go inside, where the same message is available in neon lights.

The Gril With the Dragon Tattoo Meets with Girl with the Nachos

2011-11-02T22:31:00.000-02:30

The Clarenville Public Library has a good collection of movies for borrowing. Last week, the Swedish film adaption of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo caught my eye. It was fantastic. This might be the only time I've thought a book and its movie were equally great. But you must not have have an aversion to sub-titles to enjoy this version of the film. The spouse, who didn't read the book, also loved it. Can't wait to watch the next two instalments.

To accompany our movie watching, I made nachos, salsa and guacamole. Homemade salsa is gorgeous to look at - so colourful - and it has a great smell of freshness and healthy goodness! Other than the chopping, which I hate, it's pretty easy to make: fresh tomatoes, green pepper (I was out so I used yellow this time), green onion, canned tomatoes and the best part, lots of cilantro.

And the guacamole - avocado, tomato, onion and cilantro.

Dump lots of veggies on the nachos, pour up a beer or two and you got a pretty good night.

The Queen of Candy Apples

2011-11-01T21:16:00.003-02:30

There's something about candy apples. The few times I had them as a kid (most likely at Thomas Amusements) I just thought that they were the best things ever created. And that joy of childhood sticks with me today.

So when I heard that a work colleague, our own Martha-wannabe, actually made candy apples and chocolate-carmel apples as her Halloween treat, I had to ~~demand~~, ~~harass,~~ kindly ask that she share with her beloved co-workers. And while I feared I might have to resort to dressing up and crawling on my knees to her front door, she did indeed deliver her goods.

And they were unbelievable.

Next Halloween, I will be looking to borrow several young children to drag them to her house so I can collect some.

A Root Cellar That Rocks

2011-10-31T22:03:00.002-02:30

I recently attended a brief presentation by the Food Security Network of Newfoundland and Labrador. I was very impressed by all of their activities and resources. They also have a Root Cellars Rock! provincial project aimed to stimulate healthy local food consumption and production across the province. These two website are a real wealth of information for people increased in ensuring the security of their food.  As we've seen from the impact of Hurricane Igor, this island is very dependent upon external food sources. We need, essentially, to be able to take care of our selves.

With the increased interest in organic food and the importance of becoming more food secure on the island, the emphasis on root cellars seems very natural. And it probably doesn't hurt that many of our small communities have lots of examples of root cellars still in existence.

So when I was visiting the in-laws on the Burin Peninsula this weekend, I paid particular attention to FIL's (father-in-law's) root cellar which he built about five years ago or so.  It's built into the side of a hill, double doors, light inside, shaded by trees; a root cellar aficionado's dream.

And inside, some of the creamiest, smoothest potatoes you'll ever eat!

Because the thing is, if you're going to grow enough potatoes to feed most of the Burin Peninsula, you need to store them somewhere!

Canadian Weblog Nominee

2011-10-30T18:09:00.001-02:30

Just as I was thinking my blogging life was about to wind down, some kind soul nominated me for the Canadian Weblog Awards in the Best Life Blog Category and Best Place Blog (local political/social/arts/community articles about a place). So that's lovely. And I don't even need to beg for votes (been there, done that). While Sally Field's "You like me, you really like me" is ringing through my brain, I'm aware that the you is more singular than plural. The judging is completed by a panel of experts (yes, I'm sucking up) based on ten criteria. Exciting stuff! Well worth checking out the nominees. There's some great stuff out there. I notice another Newfoundland blog, CornerBrooker.com, is nominated in the Best Place category too. Good luck to all!

Thank Heavens for Development Regulations in Clarenville

2011-10-27T22:06:00.001-02:30

Town of Clarenville Development Regulations 2010-2020

Site Development Requirements

The following requirements will apply to all proposed site developments involving newstreet construction or large sites for commercial or other development.

(a) Council shall consider the suitability of the site in terms of steepness of grades, soils and geology, and environmentally sensitive areas, including watercourses,wetlands, and coastal shorelines when reviewing a development application.

(b) Council shall ensure that the proposed development will not be unsuitable by reason of resulting in pollution, erosion, sedimentation ofwatercourses, other environmental damage, or aesthetic degradation of the site or surrounding area.

otherwise would be permitted under these development regulations when, in the opinion of Council, the site is marshy, geologically unstable, excessively steep, or

otherwise unsuitable for a proposed purpose by virtue of its soil or topography.

Development Within or Adjacent to a Watercourse or Wetland

(1) With the exception of areas where the boundaries of the Environmental Protection

zone are less than 30metres froma watercourse or a wetland, all portions of a lot that

are located within 30 metres of the top of the bank of a watercourse or the edge of a

wetland will be subject to the following:

(b) In any ten (10) year period, tree removal shall be limited to a maximum of

thirty percent (30%) of the number of trees on the portion of any lot located

within the 30-metre buffer area,

limited to a maximum of ten percent (10%) of the portion of the lot located

within the 30-metre buffer area,

Paradise Lost

2011-10-25T22:12:00.001-02:30

I'm a big fan of public engagement as you may have noticed. And that's what the Town of Paradise and other officials received when they went to talk to the community about a new mental health facility that has been approved at the former Paradise Elementary School. But rather than dialogue, the engagement, as portrayed in the media, mostly consisted of shouting and interrupting speakers. In other words, more of a protest than a dialogue. Are a loud minority speaking for a silent majority in Paradise? Hard to say but I know one thing. If there were 60 people in attendance, in a few years from now, about 12 will realize that that their child needs access mental health services and they will wish they hadn't been so quick to judge.

Ablaze in Colour

2011-10-24T20:10:00.001-02:30

The colours of autumn have been spectacular. I'm not sure if it's because we've lived in grey for most of the summer or if the gorgeous bright sun and blue sky having set off the colours more than usual.

Driving through Swift Current last week was stunning. It's such a beautiful community, even more so with the yellow birches ablaze.

Similarly, Port Blandford did not live up to its name and was anything but bland.

And finally, the gardens which seem to think it's only the end of August continue to provide gorgeous colours.

Nutmeg Nanny's Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

2011-10-20T22:57:00.001-02:30

Oh Nutmeg Nanny, you're the bomb! Who can resist these Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries. I always ~~want~~ need dessert. These are the perfect little finish (like I'd have just one!)

An Orange Supper for Halloween

2011-10-12T22:10:00.001-02:30

When I lived in Toronto, a work colleague hosted a potluck. She had trained as a chef and impressed us all when she hauled a huge pumpkin filled with stew out of the oven. I've been making it ever since.

So when I had a couple of young visitors for supper this evening, it was the first thing that I thought of to serve. I made the stew the night before and then put it in the pumpkin and cooked it for about two hours. I also focused on orange veggies - carrots, sweet potatoes, orange pepper - and sliced off pieces of pumpkin when serving the stew. The kiddies were suitably impressed, particularly at seeing a whole pumpkin in the oven.

Dessert was not as I wanted it but creating a few meringue ghosts on top of an angel food cake served with mandarin oranges was all that was needed to get a few smiles. A couple of poppy seeds for eyes and we were all set!

A great way to start the Halloween countdown!

Vote Vote Vote

2011-10-10T09:18:00.001-02:30

Tomorrow is election day in Newfoundland and Labrador. About half the people in the province will cast a vote. I wish it was more. I know all the reasons why people don't vote - too busy, won't make a difference, don't like anyone running... It goes on and on. They're excuses. Voting is our right that our ancestors fought to secure and others around the world are dying to get.

Our older generation understands that. My 93-year-old grandfather understands it.

Or, for a real kick in the pants, read about it from Derek Miller's perspective. He's the Canadian who made worldwide headlines for a blog posting after his death from cancer. Just before his death, he managed to drag himself out to vote.

Think one vote doesn't matter? Tell that to Ralph Wiseman or Curtis Coombs who tied for the mayoral chair in Paradise.

Don't like anyone running? Well next time, throw your own hat in the ring.

Another Garden Goodie - Zucchini

2011-10-09T13:02:00.000-02:30

The large zucchini I raided from a garden on Friday provided another yummy goodness last night when I made Martha Stewart's Zucchini Spice Loaf. Delicious and easy. Actually, I think I'll go grab so now along with a brewed tea from Britannia Teas - a nice treat after a stroll through the town.

Thirty Minutes From Garden to Mouth - Happy Thanksgiving

2011-10-07T21:38:00.002-02:30

A friend is spending Thanksgiving in Turkey (I've always wanted to say that) and before she left she invited me to raid her garden. The things I do!

After waiting several days for the rain to stop, I walked down to pick a few things. There was lots of zucchini and lots of different peas. I loved the crispness and the colour of the veggies.

Inspired by the bounty, I raced home and grabbed the wok. I added a bit of olive oil and garlic but otherwise left everything as it was and enjoyed a wonderful fresh meal. Thirty minutes from the time I took it from the land to when I put it in my mouth. Now that's a great way to start the Thanksgiving weekend!

Welcome Stellar Bistro and Lounge at the Clarenville Inn

2011-10-06T21:05:00.002-02:30

A luncheon meeting today brought me to the new restaurant at the Clarenville Inn, the same spot recently vacated by Bacalau. With the faint smell of fresh paint and other changes still ongoing, Stellar Bistro and Lounge looks to be a great addition to the restaurant scene in Clarenville.

I had a delicious roasted beet salad which included lots of goat cheese and greens with an apple cider vinaigrette. Very nice.

Our host had the butternut squash and apple soup with a sandwich. The soup got rave reviews. Doesn't it look pretty?

And the third guest ordered a cod dish with creamy potatoes. It also got great reviews. He must have looked very hungry - I didn't take a picture!

The prices were reasonable too with the soup less than $6, salad $8 and the cod at $14. Service was excellent.

While everyone passed on dessert, Stellar makes their own desserts. Today, they had three offerings, including a break pudding and a cheesecake.

Dying Hard: Wow

2011-10-03T22:15:00.002-02:30

Mikaela Dyke

Dying Hard played tonight at New Curtain Theatre's Loft at White Hills. Wow. It is simply incredible.

It is a series of interviews with miners and their wives who suffered from diseases contracted while working in the fluorspar mines. It is based on Elliot Leyton's 1975 book Dying Hard. You will see your grandmothers, fathers and grandmothers reflected in each of the characters.

The play is being performed in 20 communities around the province. I can't imagine what it felt like for actor Mikaela Dyke and the people of the Burin Peninsula when she performed it in those communities. The remaining list of communities can be found here. At about 65 minutes in length, even those most fidgety will pay attention. You must go see it.

Sixty Years and We Haven't Come A Long Way, Baby

2011-10-02T20:56:00.000-02:30

This weekend, the Town of Clarenville celebrated its 60th anniversary with a meet and greet and theatre production on Friday night and a dinner on Saturday night. While work and volunteer commitments prevented me from attending Friday's event, I did make the Saturday soiree.

Each person in attendance received a booklet listing all of Clarenville and Shoal Harbour's elected officials for the past 60 years. It was fun to read through the names and to see the large number of people who dedicated themselves to improving the town and the quality of life it offers.

While going through all of those names, representing 22 councils, I was struck by the so few females listed. In fact, there are nine. We've come a long way baby? There was only one council where there were two women serving at the same time.

There were the usual speeches. I was struck by the initiatives of the Gerald Duffitt council from the early 1970s and the many initiatives they began which are still ongoing.

Each person in attendance who had served on council or on staff received two 60th anniversary mugs. The delicious meal was catered by Lloyd Sheppard. After the formalities singer/songwriter Darrell Duke provided great live music.

A New Blog and Memories of a First Cooking Experience

2011-09-29T22:01:00.002-02:30

Here's a new blog to love - Life is Good When Food is Good. Hard to argue with the title, isn't it?

The creator of Life is Good
When Food is Good -
clearly crazy about apples!

I remember my first cooking attempt. Prompted by the promise of a cooking badge to adorn my Brownie sash, I chopped, chopped, chopped vegetables in our tiny kitchen in order to make chicken soup. It was the first time I learned that onions make you cry. The soup was edible, although it took me a very long to finish it, resulting in a very late supper time. I got my badge. And to this day, I hate to chop-although my Global chef's knife has eased the burden somewhat. Clearly, from a young age I knew the answer was to have a sous chef.

Go to the Roots, Rants and Roars Festival

2011-09-27T20:30:00.000-02:30

I am so rotted. The Roots, Rants and Roars Festival looks like it will be the best festival in eastern Newfoundland (and western?) this year and I can't go. Nope, something about a job and a volunteer commitment. Why oh why am I so reliable? The spouse has generously offered to go and take photos. If you live within three hours of Elliston and there are still tickets available and you like food and music, you must attend. And Fishers Loft is currently on Groupon with rooms for $65 for bookings until Oct 31. What are you waiting for?

Exercising the Body and Mind in Port Rexton

2011-09-26T21:11:00.000-02:30

I was seniorsitting this weekend. So we took off to Port Rexton where there was a multitude of activities to enjoy. Any visit to Port Rexton requires a hike of the Skerwink Trail.

This exercise of the body was followed by an exercise of the mind by attending
the Just Before Dinner series with author Kate Evans at Fishers Loft. The last of the series is Saturday, Oct 1 with Bill Rowe. Authors read from their works and answer questions from the audience. No admission charge.

Then you might as well stay for dinner.

Saturday's menu featured a leek and potato soup, greens, a blackened salmon entree and chocolate torte. Delicious.

The seniors really enjoyed themselves.

With the Skerwink Trail, Fishers Loft activities and the Two Whales Coffee Shop, Port Rexton and area is an ideal weekend getaway. And you certainly can't complain about our Fall weather.

Brand New Beat Touring Province

2011-09-22T22:07:00.004-02:30

Brand New Beat, which debuted at Rising Tide's Seasons in the Bight Festival in 2010, is currently touring the province and had a stop in Clarenville tonight. The show had been getting rave reviews in Trinity since it began and is the perfect show to tour the province.

The plot revolves around four groups of people who each have their own story but whose lives are intertwined with each other. I thought it was very cleverly written by the very talented Amelia Manuel and Petrina Bromley.

Hope people around the province take advantage of the show coming to them. It's lots of fun!

An Easy Volunteer Activity - Shoreline Cleanup Results

2011-09-21T19:59:00.000-02:30

Tonight, members from the Rotary Club of Clarenville, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) from the College of the North Atlantic and interested individuals participated in WWF's Shoreline Cleanup.

We gathered along the shoreline.

And found an interesting collection of odds and ends like tennis balls, beach balls and flip flops.

There was the standard amount of coffee cups. Lots of cigarette butts. And even a cuddly stuffed bear that looked both sad and maniacal.

And, we found out it even pays to clean up when one of the volunteers found $5!

Some of us got our picture taken by a roving Packet reporter who doesn't look at all happy having her picture taken.

And after about an hour with 13 participants, we had this to show for our efforts.

A very quick, fun event that makes a difference to the community. Looking forward to even greater participation next year.

Cruising Downtown

2011-09-20T20:39:00.001-02:30

It must be stunning to be on the ocean on a cruise ship, seemingly headed towards cliffs when suddenly you squeeze in through the narrows. I was surprised how much I enjoyed watching a cruise ship in St. John's harbour the other day. I hadn't realized how they maneuver so well - they can really move. I don't think I'd want to be the skipper of that thing though - talk about performance anxiety!

Took a quick stroll into Britannia Teas and had a chat with the owner who indicated that her success with sales to cruise ship passengers depends on nationality. The Americans tend to flock to her store. Not so much for the English. The Germans, she indicated, put a good dent into the goods at The Outfitters just down the street.

Gunpowder green tea with a favourite cup and saucer.

Far Away Close By and Well Worth It

2011-09-17T22:04:00.002-02:30

From Away, written and performed by Dolores Drake, is an amazing piece of theatre and we're very fortunate to have had a few shows in Clarenville at the New Curtain Theatre's Loft Theatre at White Hills.

The play is a one-woman show about Donna Molly who returns to her roots in Newfoundland to bury her father and learns a lot about herself and her family in the process. It truly does capture the province. We all know an Aunt Lil or an Aunt Rose. It's incrediable that Vancouver-based but Newfoundland-born Drake can become so many characters as she tells the story.

There's only one more show left in Clarenville - tomorrow at 2 pm. No intermission; 85 minutes that flys in a flash. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors/children.

Correction: Should be Donna Molloy; tix for seniors/students $16, not $15.

A Great Appetizer and Dessert Recipe

2011-09-14T21:19:00.001-02:30

With friends over for dinner on the weekend and a lot of carrots in the fridge, I looked for a carrot soup recipe and found a promising one at Epicurious.com. This carrot soup with ginger and lemon was delicious. I think I would add a bit more ginger next time (as most reviewers suggested). Loved the lightness and the colour.

My favourite dessert is certainly tiramisu but this winter-spiced molten chocolate cake with rum-ginger ice cream is so amazing, I might have to reconsider my dessert rankings. The cake is the most perfect cake I've ever had. Such a dense chocolate taste but yet not at all heavy. And the ice cream is quite something. Although I was a little over zealous on the rum. I was sure the recipe said to add 1/2 cup (it didn't). Best of all, you can make it ahead and just bake for about 15 minutes or so and serve warm. And watch all that chocolaty goodness go to your ~~hips~~ heart.

Toned and Tanned Townies and Bike Lanes

2011-09-13T19:56:00.002-02:30

Dear St. John's:

I find your bike lanes terribly confusing. I love the concept of it - truly I do. But the other day, had their been cyclists on Cowan Avenue, I would have created a streak of toned and tanned townies - flattened. Why is the bike lane in the middle of the road?

At the intersection of Cowan Ave and Canada Drive, I patiently waited at the red light comforted in knowing that cyclists would be panting next to me in their lane when suddenly that vision, too was flattened by cars who greedily zipped into the bike lane to take a right turn.

And in Cowan Heights, the poor things will need to navigate between moving traffic and parked traffic. Would you like ketchup with that bicycle sandwich?

Oh dear. I fear for the lot of you.

I know, I know, I need to wait until you come out with the rules in November - just in time for the winter cyclists.

I'd also ask about the multitude of downtown sidewalk joggers which I find incredibly annoying but I'll save that for another time.

Yours truly,

A Reformed Townie

An Author and a Book Club

2011-09-12T22:45:00.000-02:30

Tonight was a first for our book club. The author of the book we were discussing was in our midst. It was very exciting and inspiring to meet Kate Evans. Her novel, Where Old Ghosts Meet, now in its second printing, was short-listed for both the APMA Best Atlantic-Published Book Award and the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award.

Kate must be a book publishers dream - articulate, charming and warm with an inner and outer beauty that shines through. It was great to be able to ask an author questions about the characters or the plot and to have her ask us questions about what we thought of the book.

Where Old Ghosts Meet is a novel about a family and the complicated relationships that bind or separate. We can all relate.

Kate will be at the Just Before Dinner series at the Fisher's Loft Inn on Saturday, Sept 24 and will be featured at Halifax's Word on the Street on Sept 25.

A Great Time at a Coffee House at CNA

2011-09-08T22:37:00.000-02:30

We attended a great coffee house tonight at the College of the North Atlantic to raise funds for their Heart and Stroke Foundation Big Bike Team.

Five bucks got you coffee/tea and dessert. Lots to chose from but the pecan cheesecake was incredible (thanks Holly!).

My little band played a few selections.

Goowiddy

And then we had the pleasure (unexpected as it was) to accompany a couple of guests (one more reluctant than the other!). That was my favourite part. I'm still getting comfortable with the whole jam session thing but it's coming along and of course the more often you do those sorts of things, the better you become. At least I hope that's the case.

Goowiddy with a singing solicitor.

Goowiddy with Clarenville's best known musician

All in all, a great, fun evening; one that I hope is repeated again soon.

A Look at a Few Books

2011-09-07T21:46:00.000-02:30

I so enjoyed Terry Fallis' The Best Laid Plans. I can see why it won the Stephen Leacock Award. If you have an interest in Canadian politics and/or engineers, you will love it.

I've wanted to read The Sentimentalists to see what the fuss was about with Joanna Skibsrud's Giller award-winning novel. I have mixed feelings about it. The writing was spectacular. I could almost hear a voice saying the words as I read, making me feel a bit like a therapist really. But I also found it a bit disjointed and sometimes hard to follow.

Bill Bryson's In a Sunburned Country, all about travelling in Australia was hilarious. He brings travel writing to a whole new level.

Lunch at Maggoty Cove - Better Than it Sounds

2011-09-06T22:31:00.000-02:30

I've always wanted to go sailing. It looks so serene and calm - at least from land. But my propensity for motion sickness has always made me hesitant - that and the lack of a sailboat or an invitation from anyone with a sailboat. Would my streak of vomiting on all modes of transportation in countries everywhere get me the same looks of empathy from nattily dressed sailors?

Well, a brave couple took us me on. After filling up on ginger tea, we strolled down to the expanding marina to meet our hosts. You know you're in good hands when your hosts have brought fresh ginger, ginger brew and your own personal bucket.

Ginger brew (non-alcoholic) and very gingery

The skipper didn't sit still - leaping from sail to sail.

The spouse stood at the wheel.

The first mate was kept busy making sure everyone was ok and doubled as chef and server.

And I sat like a contented lump. But of course, I was indeed working and contributing to the journey by ensuring my delicious breakfast of blueberry pancakes stayed where they should. (I recall once when my delicious breakfast of a bagel with peanut butter and banana slices tasted almost as good coming up as it did going down. But that's for another time.)

We moored at Maggoty Cove and had a delicious lunch.

After arriving back at the marina, we stayed on the boat for another few hours, ate the remaining food from lunch, enjoyed the company and marvelled at the peace and beauty around us.

A truly outstanding day!

Staycationing in Eastport

2011-09-05T20:10:00.000-02:30

The great weather continues and we certainly took advantage of it this weekend. Today, we had another staycationnette with a visit to Eastport.

Given the sun and 25 degrees, I was a bit surprised by the lack of people on the beach when we arrived at noon.

The spouse had heard if you take a short jaunt down the beach there's an equally beautiful beach. So he took off in his kayak and I took off on my feet. I had thought that kayaks were pretty ho-hum to most people these days. But he only needed to unload the boat and a church group from Hare Bay came running over. I knew he felt the pressure to perform and perform he did with a few practice rolls, much to the delight of the audience. They were particularly impressed that his hat remained attached to his head, roll after roll.

So off I headed down High Tide Trail which consists of both boardwalk and rocky beach walking.

Twenty minutes later, another gorgeous beach with sand Eastport is known for.

The spouse went for a snorkel.

And found a treasure.

I read The Best Laid Plans (hilarious).

And after a little picnic, decided we needed to eat at Rosie's Restaurant and Bakery where we both lapped into the homemade bakes beans with bread.

Least we starve on the way home, the spouse purchased some chocolate chip cookies for the ride back. "Disappointing," he murmured as he munched away on the first one. Presumably he felt the same way after the second....and the third....

Striving to be a Model Citizen

2011-09-01T22:31:00.000-02:30

I love Model Citizen. It's so cool I shouldn't even go in there. I particularly love the dress selection.

For a recent family wedding with a vintage theme, Model Citizen was the obvious choice. With the help of a great staff member, I struttered out the door very pleased with an Anne Taylor dress and sweater. And should I mention that it cost less than $65?

When I told one person that I was headed to a vintage shop, she told me she didn't think I would be the kind of person who would shop at such a place. Look great and not spend a fortune? Why yes, that's me.

Quality of Place

2011-08-31T22:46:00.000-02:30

Last month, I posted about the need for the town to have an arts strategy. Today, the Globe and Mail had a great article about the importance of cultural strategies and town planning. And, this is what I was trying to say. Why say something when someone else can say it better? That's my motto and I think others can learn from it!

The article talks about quality of place. Isn't that a great term - quality of place. The article focuses on three ways to improve quality of place, according to Michel Trocmé, partner at the Toronto-based urban planning and design firm Urban Strategies Inc.:

Think of cities as city regions: “Often we’re focusing on city centre projects – ones that are quick wins or have a sex appeal that gets a fair bit of political mileage – and we’re forgetting about the Scarboroughs and the Etobicokes [suburbs] of the world.”

Be smart about high-density development: “As you make things more dense, you’re doing a number of fabulous things. You’re increasing the sustainability of a place, for sure. But how you bring things together in a way that isn’t a total mess – but on the contrary, maximizes the benefits of each one – gets more and more critical.”

Don’t sacrifice quality for speed: “Now we have these cities that are mushrooming overnight, especially in Asia. The challenge there is how to create quality of place in a city that doesn’t have the same time to mature as the cities we’ve learned to love in North America and Europe and elsewhere.”

My favourite? Don't sacrifice quality for speed. We're doing that in Clarenville. And we're letting it happen. And it's not just in Clarenville. It's in every small town that doesn't have solid management. We're in desperate need of ensuring sustainable land management, one that means enjoyment for current and future generations.

Power to the People

2011-08-30T22:14:00.000-02:30

The Concerned about Balbo Elementary Traffic committee in Clarenville has been battling to get some work done for the safety of area residents and school children who will be attending the newly expanded Riverside Elementary (formerly called Balbo) in September.

The committee can take credit for a number of initiatives that will help to increase safety in the area. They include upgrades to Huntley Drive (street widening and sidewalk installation) and a secondary exit from the Shoal Harbour Valley (the collector road) which has gone to tender. The committee, and those who supported them, should take credit in what they have accomplished. While it is unfortunate that these changes won't be ready by the time the school year starts, without their lobbying efforts, it is very unlikely that any of these improvements would have happened. The committee has proven that active and engaged citizens can enact change, if they want to.

26 Hours in Trinity Bight

2011-08-29T22:48:00.000-02:30

Glorious. That's the best word to describe this past weekend. I think everyone was high on the sunshine.

The great temperatures, blue sky and sail boat in the distance gave a great Mediterranean feel!

We decided to have a staycationette and headed to the Trinity Bight area. Most of our time was spent in Champney's. It's a gorgeous little community and the Fox Island hike has to be one of my most favourite hikes around. The Fall is a great time to do it as the trail is full of partridgeberries along the way. While the hike starts pretty close to the beginning of the community and has signage, the signage to get to Fox Island is a bit lax. But if you go across the neck (and away from the inukshuk, you're bound to find it).

This will not lead you to the Fox Island trail!

On Fox island overlooking English Harbour

After the hike and some beach reading, we had a great BBQ on the beach followed by an excellent night of stargazing. It was such a clear night and the moon was nowhere to be seen. Satellites and shooting stars abound!

The next morning, the spouse kayaked from Champney's to Trinity. Unfortunately, I have not been in my kayak since "the incident". The less said the better.

I took the less safe mode of transportation, the car, and headed to Two Whales for a coffee and a treat. The Two Whales just keeps getting better and better. Their facebook page is really worth checking out for the latest menu selections. In addition to my (strong) coffee, I had an Earl Grey Tea loaf. If I had seen it before I ordered it, I probably wouldn't have requested it simply because it was chalker block full of raisins. I'm not a big raisin fan. But there was quite an Earl Grey tea taste to it - perhaps the raisins are soaked in the tea?

On to Trinity where I walked the perimeter of the community and stopped in a few shops. For such a beautiful morning, it was surprisingly quiet.

For lunch, we headed to the tearoom at the former one room school room in New Bonaventure just outside the Random Passage set. It was great. For $12.95, we had the special which consisted of a delicious cod au gratin with a roll, dessert and tea/coffee.

Took a few bites before I remembered to take a snap!

From there, we did a quick hike to Kearley's Harbour, an easy walk to a community resettled in 1963. For those with more time, a hike to British Harbour would be well worth it, although I gather Hurricane Igor had some impact on this trail.

A quick stop at Thorburn Lake ended our little staycationnette. A completely refreshing and rejuvenating 26 hours in the Trinity Bight area.

A Musical Journey to Morocco

2011-08-25T22:03:00.001-02:30

My brother, the great musician, is taking off on another musical journey this weekend. After coming back from a three-month European and Canadian tour with The Burning Hell, he is shortly headed to Morocco for a four month gig in Agadir and Marrakesh. What a great opportunity for travel and adventure, although I know the 16 bands he plays with in Newfoundland will certainly miss him, as will we!

Bon voyage!

Love, Hope, Optimism

2011-08-22T22:30:00.001-02:30

It was a stunningly gorgeous day in Clarenville.  The temperature was hot, the sun was blinding and the earth still. It was one of those times when you can't imagine a more glorious day.

Then the news broke about the passing of the leader of the national NDP party, Jack Layton.

Although he had passed away, he had something left to say in the form of a letter he left for all Canadians.  It is touchingly motivational and reassuring. As is often the case, it is the person who is sick who is comforting those who are well.

Jack's message of love, hope and optimism is resonating throughout the country tonight.  I'm hopeful that it will continue to ring true to Canadians for many years to come. Love, hope and optimism and the values and actions they inspire can indeed change lives, but it's up to each of use to fully embrace and live those words. And that will be Jack Layton's legacy.

OPA!

2011-08-18T22:38:00.001-02:30

The Forgotten Bouzouki played tonight at Arts Under the Stars. I really enjoyed them and the opportunity to hear a very different band with music we don't often get to hear. But was it ever cold! Even with the sun and warm temperatures, by 7:30 it was very very chilly. It has been that type of summer. At 8:30, the poor man next to me was shivering but refused to leave because the music was so good.

Next week will be the last Arts Under the Stars performance for the season, Shawn Beresford. It's hard to believe that six years have gone by since we started this initiative. It's incredible the artists that have come to Clarenville because of this program: Old Man Ludeuke, the Novaks, Ron Hynes, Matt Hornell and the Diamond Mines, Colleen Power, Kelly Russell...It has made a great contribution to the community.

A Fish Tale

2011-08-16T22:34:00.000-02:30

Thanks to a generous friend, I got my mitts on some fresh cod the other day. Is there anything like fresh cod and all of its flaky goodness? I'm always struck by the complete whiteness of the fish when it's cooked. It makes potatoes look beige. I remember going to my father's cabin in Placentia Bay and having cods' heads stew. YUM! Although all those bones were a killer. And don't get me started on the britches.

Now contrast cod with the sculpin. They are mean lookin' things. But dad had heard an old-timer just the previous day say that he ate sculpin growing up because it was either that or starve. So we thought we'd give it a shot. There wasn't much to the fillets for sure. But it was pretty good, not flaky like a cod, but more like a squid (that's calamari to some).

And that is this week's fish tale.

Garlic Success: Vampires Evaded

2011-08-15T22:13:00.001-02:30

The more dedicated readers amongst you will recall that I planted garlic for the first time in the fall. And despite our ~~summer~~ sinter weather, I actually got some good results. They're small I know. But are the ever juicy! You can smell me a mile away. Looking forward to a bigger harvest next year.

That success, however, doesn't make up for my raspberries which, like a lot of us, seem to be perishing from a lack of sunlight.

I'm waiting to see how my blueberries do. They're looking very green still.

A Fascinating Tale

2011-08-11T22:59:00.002-02:30

My mother decided that she would dress the part at a recent family wedding which had a vintage theme at the reception. So she made herself a dress modelled from the 1940s. Her sister (one of those Newfoundlanders who moved away to Toronto many years) was a partner in crime and when she happened upon a fasinator at The Bay for a mighty fine price, she promptly purchased it and shipped it home.

I guess the recent Royal Wedding has increased the spotlight on fascinators. Retail outlets in St. John's have noticed and are stocking up on them. Wink on Duckworth Street in St. John's has a number of great ones, from the demure to the outrageous.

I'm trying to convince my mother to prop hers on her head as she takes her daily walk through the neighbourhood, but she won't have any of it. But I think she could easily start the purple fascinator society.

Sick to Death of Development in Clarenville

2011-08-10T23:14:00.002-02:30

There are many posts on this blog about development in Clarenville. This is because development occurs with complete disregard for development rules outlined in the town's own Municipal Plan (and which it played a pretty penny for).

The latest housing development has created a big mountain of fill which is working its way into the Shoal Harbour River. It area includes a huge hill literally cut in half waiting for a child to plunge over it. It's unbelievable.

But it continues to happen over and over. If those who are hired to oversee development cannot do their job then actions need to happen to hold them accountable. And ultimately, councillors will have to be held accountable.

Over the past three months or so, not a week goes by and I'm asked if I'm running for Council again. I do know of people who are intending to run. Whether I will or not, I will be making sure that I play an active role in helping to get elected people who have leadership abilities and have the future of the whole town in their perspective. Unfortunately, by that time, it might be too late.

Hurricane Igor Damaged Trail Being Fixed

2011-08-09T22:54:00.002-02:30

While many in the area are not happy about post Hurricane Igor repairs, the Rotary Trail in Clarenville has been undergoing quite the clean up. The trail had been heavily damaged both by Hurricane Igor and vandals. But work over the past few weeks has made some great improvements.

The trail is fairly infrastructure heavy with many bridges, steps and railings which can be fairly maintenance intensive. Hopefully this latest work will last a while.

Weddings Reveal Weather Woes

2011-08-08T22:00:00.000-02:30

I was married on a rather mild December day. The proof is in the picture below and the excess amount of grey hair perched on my head. (Note: the black and white picture was a stylistic choice and not before the creation of colour photos.)

The townies amongst you will recognize the setting as the archway in front of the Basilica. No snow. No fog. No rain. Lovely really.

Compare that to last Friday when the Basilica was again the scene of a beautiful wedding (not mine mind you).

It was August, no, Fogust. And I was bivering more here than in the December photo above.

Will this weather madness end?

24 Hours and 20 minutes in Twillingate

2011-08-01T23:15:00.002-02:30

We had another staycationette this weekend. It was in one of the prettiest towns in the province, Twillingate. The three times I've been in Twillingate have all been during the Fish, Fun and Folk Festival. Perhaps this does not give me an accurate view of the town but I'll take it.

Our visit started on Saturday at 12:15 when we drove to Crow Head to visit what was once a municipal park for potential camping options. This is a gorgeous area and it's too bad it's no longer maintained.

At noon we hit the Women's Institute afternoon tea. Trust me when I say there's nothing better than a WI afternoon tea!

On to the Country Outport shop at Long Point where my little trio played just outside the shop. The shop has delicious fudge. After playing I had a yummy mint chocolate trip ice cream cone. Next time I'll ask for a slab of fudge on top. Perhaps I'll call it an icecap.

Onto a friends house where I had the best fisherman's brewis I've ever had and we watched a couple of ~~fools~~ fun-loving people wade into the ocean.

Our second gig of the day was at Auk Island winery where we had a great time and encouraged some audience participation thanks to a few ugly sticks for sale.

A bottle of wine and a sunset later and we were ready for bed.

The morning started with a quick little hike around Sleepy Cove, about four km and then to the newly opened (Day 10!) Crow's Nest for coffee and muffins. The rhubarb muffin was amazing! Great artwork available here too.

We crossed the street and hiked up to the Lighthouse - a surprisingly strenuous hike around Horney Head Cove (yes, really) and Devil's Cove to Long Point, about 8 km in total.

And that was our 24 hours and 20 minutes in Twillingate.

But no trip to Twillingate is complete without a stop at the Morton's Harbour Museum for a $5 mug up.

Now that's a great weekend!

Hungry Heart Cafe: Food for the Belly and the Soul

2011-07-27T20:59:00.000-02:30

I love everything about the Hungry Heart Cafe (except perhaps the hours). The food is fabulous: it's fresh and healthy with a twist of the exotic. And reasonably priced. Take for example, the curried sweet potato soup with coconut or the cousous salad at $10.95.

More importantly, though is the mission of the Cafe: To transform the lives of our participants through culinary arts training, instilling a love of great food and ingredients, in ways that the entire community can participate in, support and celebrate.

The Cafe is the brainchild of Stella Burry Community Services, an organization for adults and youth who have experienced personal or family breakdown brought about by mental health issues, addictions, abuse, illiteracy and the lack of education as well as poverty. The Cafe provides education and training for people interested in working in the food services industry.

They do lots of catering as well.

The cafe, and the organization behind it, is well worth lots of support.

Two Great Books

2011-07-26T21:53:00.001-02:30

I've decided to keep track of the books I'm reading since my mind no longer seems capable of doing that. They're listed to the right and an * indicates that I would recommend the book. For my July reading, there were two books that were extraordinary.

I absolutely loved Deepak Chopra's The Soul of Leadership. I downloaded the book from the library, really as a means to test the system. I've never read any of his books before. I found this one to be the best book on leadership that I've ever read. Inspiring but practical all at the same time.

The second extraordinary book was Room by Emma Donoghue. I could not put this book down. And even when I wasn't reading it, I was wondering about the characters. It really is incredible. A must read in my book!

Up next for me is Carol Burnett's This Time Together.

Politicians and Their Health

2011-07-25T22:35:00.000-02:30

I was impressed with Premier Kathy Dunderdale for the leadership she showed this weekend by running the Tely 10. Leadership by example speaks volumes and her commitment to good mental and physical health is important. As premier, her schedule is no doubt very full but she seems to be making her health a priority. We can all learn from that.

I was saddened to hear the news that national NDP leader Jack Layton must now face another cancer battle. He certainly does not look well and while many questions are being asked about the type of cancer he has and his treatment, I think it's important to give people privacy during these difficult times and to let them dictate how much they tell the public. But increasingly, there is public appetite for more. I'm not sure if those hunger pangs come from the media or the general public. But let's instead all focus on sending positive thoughts and prayers to Jack and his family.

The Exorcist

2011-07-21T23:10:00.001-02:30

Doesn't everyone like a clever commercial? I think this one, the exorcist, is great! I wonder if it did anything for sales?