March was typical in many ways. Ontarians spent the days waiting for the weather to change, and the ice and snow to melt. And it did! We had a glorious day on Friday:
Then Saturday came and brought steady, heavy rain. Joanne of My Life Lived Full came to visit for the weekend and join me for a couple of events. We didn’t let the rain stop us from heading out to Crawford Lake Conservation Area’s Sweetwater Festival, and A Taste of Maple, presented by Chef Johl Whiteduck Ringuette of NishDish Marketeria, a Toronto restaurant and catering business serving Indigenous cuisine.
Joanne and I were so engrossed in Chef Johl’s talk we (almost) forgot we came also for a food tasting. He spoke so eloquently and passionately about his culture and experiences growing up, lacing them with traditional stories about Nanabozho and the origins of maple syrup making. His honest, heartfelt stories of working with Aboriginal Legal and the treatment of the native people in Toronto made me tear up.
Once back at Chez Badass, Joanne and I spent a delightful evening and the next morning trading information. I showed her how to make art with spray inks and shaving cream, and she taught me all about Airbnb (teaser: more about why in an upcoming post…hehehe). This was awaiting us outside in the morning:
Late morning it was off to our second event of the weekend – exploring St. Jacobs and taking in a show at the Country Playhouse.
Before the show started, we had time to do some shopping and eat lunch at the Stone Crock.
I was so excited when I found something I had been searching for since I saw one at Karen Hume’s (of Profound Journey) last summer. (Bloggers: always learning from each other!) It is going to solve one of life’s big (hah!) problems for this badass widow.
And so ended my March, absolutely delightfully despite ALL. THE. WEATHER!
The Changing Seasons is hosted by Su Leslie of Zimmerbitch. Please be sure to check out her blog!
Rock on,
The WB
Hi Deb, I was definitely a little curious when I saw Joanne’s photo on Instagram. The water in your first photo looks like a sheet of glass. Beautiful photo! And then, such a contrast in weather. It would be really interesting to watch the making of maple syrup. I will google the difference between the syrup and maple butter. Thanks for sharing the titles of the books on wild plants. The both of you look like you were prepared for all types of weather, especially wearing the “smiles.” 🙂. Thanks for sharing.
Hehehe. Joanne was prepared for everything this weekend. Woman comes with a lot of baggage…er…I mean luggage.😜 Thanks Erica/Erika!
HAHAHAHA!!! No one has ever accused me of travelling light 😜
Beautiful photos -and looks like you all had great fun. And mple butter – yum!
We had so much fun, Janet! Never mind the crazy weather!
Food, fun, friendship and spreadable butter….what could be better?
BTW – I especially liked the colourful rainboots! 🙂
Well, I forgot to mention Joanne makes a killer martini… 🍸 That helped us forget the crappy weather too. Thanks Donna!
Now that’s seriously perfect!! 🙂
Hi Deb! It sounds like you are making the most of your cold weather. What better way than getting together with friends AND food. And yes, before you know it, the weather will turn and those of us in the desert southwest will be hoping for the cool! ~Kathy
Yes, Kathy! To be Canadian is to complain about the weather. It’s usually “too” something most days – cold, hot, windy, rainy, snowy. We’re all Goldilocks. 😜
I’ve never seen one of those butter keepers. I didn’t realise you needed to keep your butter in something special. Our butter sits in a plastic container (with a lid but the clip is broken so it just rests on top) all year around (and that includes days with temps in the 100’s). Our butter never seems to go bad. But the thing I noticed in the States (many, many moons ago when I was holidaying) was that their butter is white while ours is yellow. Yours looks more yellow? But maybe it ahs something to do with fat content or something?
Our cows (like in the US) give milk all year round and the butter colour used to vary depending on season and what the cows are eating. I think annatto (a natural colourant) is added to keep the colour consistent year-round. My butter never used to go off either. But now that I am trying to lose weight, I sometimes go weeks between using a bit of butter and even then I use it sparingly. So it can get funky before I get a chance to eat that 1/4 cup I have sitting in a glass dish!
We don’t have colour added to our butter – it’s just cream and salt. Most of our cattle are grass fed which might be where the difference comes from.
Yes, I believe you’re right. You also have a calving season and dry season for your cows too, right? Our cows are bred at all times of the year so that milk supply is constant.
You always have such interesting things to share. Loved the rice pudding boats and butter keeper.
Thanks, Jean! I feel the same way about your blog! 😘
Wow – you certainly were busy after I left to get this post together 🙂 You did a wonderful job of capturing the essence of our weekend together. Thank you again! I had so much fun … with so much still to look forward to!! 😁
Joanne, I was so happy to have you stay with me again and be my “partner in crime”. I could have written so much more (and added more photos) but I wanted to make sure I left you plenty of material to blog about. Also, I was beat!!!! 😆
Let’s just say I’m having a very late start this morning 😉
I have so much to do today, but I’m hoping I can get my Changing Seasons post done! I have a feeling that this past weekend may end up as one than one post … assuming I ever get around to writing them 🙂
… and I think another trip to Michaels may be on my agenda today 😉
Hehehe! And maybe to the drug store too I am thinking? Shaving supplies section?
Sounds like a great time. Friends, food and spreadable butter. Yes, that’s how I like my butter too. There is nothing more frustrating than going to a very nice restaurant with great bread but you can’t spread the butter! Love the rainboots. That’s something I would buy. Maybe in purple though.
Kate, you are a woman after my own heart. Believe me – if my boots had come in purple they would be in my closet right now instead of the blue. Thanks for chiming in!
You really packed your weekend – and the month – with fun cultural outings. I’m curious how the play was at the St. Jacob’s Playhouse?
Susanne, I enjoyed this musical so much I wish I could go again. The singing/dancing/costumes/stagecraft were easily on par with Stratford, in my opinion. Confession time: I enjoyed this show much more than Rocky Horror 🤭🤫😱
We’re heading to S/W. Ontario in early May so I’ll look to see what is playing, And so fun that it’s right there in St. Jacobs, with all that great shopping and food. Mmm. Fritters.
Yup! I don’t think there is a bad seat in that theatre either. Not too small, not too big.
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Looks like you and Joanne had an amazing weekend. The food talk and tasting has me absolutely salivating. I’m not a big fan of musicals, but I loved the Priscilla movie. Wishing you a fun and creative April.
Thanks Su! It was a wonderful weekend.
The butter keeper looks interesting. But I wonder, how do you put the butter in the keeper in the first place, if it’s not spreadable? And when you do put it in there, how do you keep it from plopping down into the water?
The butter has to be soft when you put it in the keeper, TG. You pack it in and then it just stays there. If you put cold butter in the keeper it would fall out, like you said.
HiDeb,
Looked like a fabulous couple of days spent with another of my favorite bloggers…and now I know she makes a killer martini, to boot! Who knew?
Don’t worry…spring is fickle…she’ll change her ways soon!
From your mouth…er…keyboard to Mother Nature’s ears! Thanks Nancy!
Your photos of your month are lovely, even the snowy ones. You did the month proud and put a great spin on it, like a badass blogger. I enjoy this feature on your blog [and other ones].
Thank you Ally! 😘
You and Joann are adorable! How great to connect in person with fellow bloggers.
Thanks Tracey! Yes, it’s great to connect in person. Especially when you already “know” the person through their blog.
It looks like you had so much fun, Deb. I need to go on an adventure like that soon. I haven’t been to St. Jacobs in ages. The maple syrup is amazing, but I also love the homemade jams and window crystals you can get there. I also have a butter keeper, I bought it at a kitchen store many moons ago. Mine is red. 😀 I’d love to try the pudding in the corn husk bowl. That looks so good. I want to read those books too, they look really interesting. Thanks for the blog journey, it was really fun to read. 😀 x
You’re welcome, GW! I’ve been googling wild rice pudding recipes but not having much luck so far finding anything like what was served. I ordered the Plants (green cover) book. It should arrive tomorrow.
Sounds awesome: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, some butter, and some maple taffy on ice and I’m there! Glad you had a great time
Thanks, Clever Girl!