OH THOSE SUMMER FARMERS MARKETS

Summer brings outdoor markets across the country. Fresh seasonal produce grown locally is always welcome. The markets support local farmers and growers. Taste better too. One of my favourite is St. Jacobs. May try to make a trip there. But there are smaller ones close to me too. So tell me about your favourite local market. Even send me some pictures.
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FARMERS FEED CITIES

Driving home the other day, this bumper sticker stood our- FARMERS FEED CITIES! What a thought! Buying food nicely packaged we can forget who put it on the table for us. The planting, the work, the picking, the shipping all takes effort. Many people make a living from the food industry. So next time you see a farmer, give the person a hug. That is if he/she is not too busy working!!

THE CANADIAN SUMMER VEGETABLE GARDEN

With the arrival of July, the vegetable garden continues to produce food for the table. Lettuce, beans, and a first little cucumber make the concept of self sufficiency feel good. One little plot can produce lots of food. Here in Ontario and especially Toronto, there are small garden plots. Some High Rise buildings open up garden plots for their tenants to have their own hand at growing some summer bounty. By toiling the soil and weeding and watering the garden responds. The vegetable garden is the work of my husband Adolph. World wide there are opportunities for people to maintain independence by providing some of their own food. Supporting our local farmers whether it is fruit, vegetables, honey or eggs, we all can have a part in sustaining the earth and using the resources wisely. We compose and use the broken down matter in the garden and flower beds. Back to our little plot and the minimal amount of work needed. Unlike the farmers, no $100,000 plus farm equipment- just some simple tools and lots of elbow grease!

Do you see any cucumbers yet? For a couple of months, fresh picked food from the garden or a local farmer's market sure make the summer months enjoyable!

THE SUMMER HARVEST

One of the joys of summer is the local harvest. There are so many outdoor markets and roadside stands with fresh produce. I went to a small one yesterday at our local mall. Wednesday and Sunday- just a few stalls but an abundance of fresh produce. With my baskets of tomatoes and peaches plus a cheese bread later returned home. I always like to support the local farmers. Grocery stores are needed but summer buying outside is fun! Do you have local markets you like? Do you ever go picking your own fruit or vegetables? Years ago when I made my own jam, I liked to pick the fresh strawberries. No one eats the jam or pickles anymore so I stopped making my own. We buy the bottled passata for sauce now. Do you still make homemade jams and pickles?

THE SUMMER SOLSTICE

Makes the longest day here in the northern hemisphere and the shortest day in the southern hemisphere. It is only a moment in time as the earth tilts on its axis but for most of us, we consider it as a day. Also the first day of summer! Although we do start to feel summer begins around the beginning of May. This year the weather has been cooler than normal so it feels like we have been ripped off! Then the floods in parts of Canada have affected many farmers and homeowners. Summer starts to conjure up plans for vacations, day trips, family reunions, barbecues and even what will be the summer reading! Camps for children who need to stay home- day or sleepover! With the long days, I find myself outside more. Eating dinner on the back porch. Crafting or reading outside to enjoy the longer days. Even staying up past 9 p.m. at night! The light keeps me awake so I feel like I have another half day after work to accomplish some personal activities. I love it! What makes the summer special for you? Do you enjoy the longer days? Do you become busier or just enjoy the " lazy, hazy days of summer"?

THE CANADIAN BARN

Barns are part of the Canadian landscape and can be found coast to coast. The barns pictured here are from Southern Ontario. From the small farm to the corporate enterprise, barns have such varied uses from horse barns to grain storage to livestock. There is an interesting book on my shelf entitled- The Barn-A Vanishing Landmark in North America by Eric Arthur and Dudley Witney published in 1972. The structure and designs are discussed in great detail. Several barns illustrated are from this area where I live. I look at the pictures periodically. I remember some barns that are long gone. At Dufferin and Steeles there was an Octagon Barn that I thought was so neat as I liked the shape. The barn- it is such a simple architectural design yet so functional. Even expressions encompass the barn- Where were you born, in a barn? A barn dance with lots of hay! A barn is so reflective of the hard work of our farmers who put food on our tables. A country drive can be so pleasurable when barns are on the horizon. Do you have favourite barns in your area? Do you find them symbolic of our culture? Does it conjure up memories of visits to a farm?