Carrying my basket, with everyone else brandishing sharp, little knives; knives to clean cut mushrooms from their roots, we traveled down my little forest path, and into the Simcoe County Forests in search of the Honey Mushroom.
Reaping our rewards
Old friends, teaching us new skills, as we ventured out mushrooming for the first time.
Foraging in the forest, we have done in early spring for wild leeks and fiddle heads. This was our first foraging for mushrooms. Other than the morels and puffballs, that magically appear on our lawn every year.
Top. Honey Mushrooms, sautéed with garlic, parsley, and green onion from the garden, and sprinkled with wild leek powder. A delicious, little treat. Bottom. Dried Honey Mushrooms, if prepared properly will last several years.
When researching recipes, and the information that accompanied them, I came to understand the warnings of concerned friends when we told them we were going mushrooming. So we ventured on the safe side, and boiled the Honey Mushrooms before they were sautéed in oil. Thereby eliminating any health risks.
The end result was a delicious side dish, one that we will enjoy every fall, after a day of foraging in the forest.
This photo was taken a week earlier than our mushrooming expedition. We missed out on a plentiful harvest of oyster mushrooms. Next year we will be accompanied with knowledge, and, a basket.
Looking at the world, through rose coloured glasses. As the winds, and the clouds, roll by. Like thoughts, and ideas, they make smooth passes My feelings; like dots in the sky. Surrounding yourself pleasantly, is difficult sometimes. The flowers, and the trees, aren't always in rhyme. My expectations are like chimes, in what the world finds fair. So different is the light, that my daydreams share.
In the forest,near Vasey some lumberjacks passed. Removing trees, the slashes amassed.
For indigenous peoples, the spider is a symbol of patience and endurance; representing intelligence and skillfulness.
A couple of artist walked through the debris. The slash, all that was left of the tree.
And activists as they are Peter and Sharon, turned the waste Into ART!
Spots to rest, reflect, and listen.
Remembering the children, who once ran free. Moving swiftly, from tree to tree.
‘Trees are not simply the source of timber or pulp, but are a complicated, interdependent circle of life. ‘ Suzanne Simard, author of Finding the Mother Tree.
Colonization began, and, their spirit removed.
Today, we mourn the loss; That came at such a horrific cost.
Two grandmothers, braiding sweetgrass. Together.
Today, we remember, acknowledge, repent. So that we can work together. Healing, as we pass the feather.
We returned to this spot in the forest, a week later, and found these beautiful red dresses adorning the trees. To tell there story.
Red dresses. Representing missing indigenous women.
Found at the centre of a community garden, surrounded by shrubs and trees baring edible fruits. A wonderful work of art, a perfect spot to rest, to reflect, to rejuvenate.
Love the wildlife tree.
A beautiful, edible garden. For humans, and other earthly friends.
Jam Cafe
Brunch for the three of us, at the very cool, Jam Cafe. Great food, great service, and, great ambiance.
Shortly after arriving back in Ontario, I happened to be watching the Canadian TV show ‘You Gotta Eat Here’. The feature restaurant being, the Jam Cafe, in Victoria!
I’d loved thinking ‘been there, done that, will do it again!’
Like John Catucci says, ‘You Gotta Eat Here!’
Johnson St. Bridge
The Johnson St. Bridge, Canada’s largest single-leaf bascule bridge, spans the distance between the Inner Harbour and the Upper Harbour of Victoria, BC.
Opening in 2018, fifty percent of the bridge accommodates pedestrian and cyclist traffic.
This week, September 19th through to September 25th, is National Forest Week.
This year’s theme is “Our Forests, Continually Giving. “
‘A beacon of renewal, resilience, and hope, for the future. ‘
Simcoe County Forests
The top photo demonstrates what our neighbouring Simcoe County forest looked like 40 years ago.
The bottom photo was taken today. It shows the changes that have taken place as the pine trees were harvested, and a deciduous forest allowed to prosper.
Autumn, in the Simcoe County forest.
Simcoe County has been named the Forest Capitol of Canada, for 2022. For the second time.
Back in 1982, the County recieved the award for the first time.
Winter, in the forests of Simcoe County.
Simcoe County is being recognized for the role forests play in socio- economic, and environmental health. Plus it’s sustainable forest management practices.
A great way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Simcoe County Forests.
Cathedral Grove, MacMillan Provincial Park, BC.
On the way to Tofino, 800 year old trees, 80 feet high, in a bed of ferns and dripping with moss.
Mount Maxwell Provincial Park, Salt Spring Island. BC.
Old growth forests, planted forest, forests like our own little forest that has developed on it’s own. Gradually populating an acre of field with pines, spruce, maple, oaks, and any other tree that wants to call our little plot of land home.
Black and white Shade and sun Cold,cold rocks And lots of fun!
Exploring new trails
An amazing trail of root paved paths, winding through the forest. A forest full, of rocks, of caves, and of crevasses.
Shades of white and green
White birch bark Streams of sunshine Texture and colour Birds in rhyme.
Cool and dark
The temperature change, deep in the caves and crevasses, was a welcome cooling, on a warm September day.
Down in….
A wonderful, young couple helped us navigate our way through the maze of crevasses, and rock. They were in the early days of their relationship, and I enjoyed the privilege of taking their first ‘as a couple’ photos; other than the selfies that they themselves had taken.
Reaching the top
Rays of sunshine Old,old rocks Good foot wear and dry socks.
Exploring
We met lots of wonderful people today. Most moving twice as fast as we were. But, we were twice as old as they were. So we called it even.
Beautiful rocks
Dark green moss Cool, dark rocks. Well marked trails No hand rails.
A view from the top.
Through the trees, Behind the leaves, Lies the beautiful Georgian Bay!
Edmonton, home to cold nights and hot days. Beautiful skies, and few horizons. Snow any month of the year, and home to a most, amazing little family.
Happy birthday to our beautiful, little granddaughter on her seventh birthday. Rainbow pancakes, tye-dyed t-shirts, and the best mom and dad ever.
I love being Grandma to this precocious and precious seven year old. Words and phrases like; hilarious, that’s adorable, that’s amazing, show me your crying voice, that’s just how life works, I love you so much, and ‘ why are some people vegans?’ ring in my ear.
Memories of shadow puppets, signing my life away; Stuffies, Stuffies and more Stuffies, fill my brain.
Practicing grade 2 readiness skills
Writing a letter to Mr A-Game.
First day of Grade 2!
So excited for Grade 2! With a Vice-Principal ever ready to take that perfect family picture.
St. Albert’s Farmers Market
St. Albert’s Farmers Market. With the sights and sounds of late summer. Lots of fruits and vegetables, music, and, arts and crafts. And a wonderful seven year old who filled so many buckets, complementing everyone from vendors with their colourful cauliflower, to Rabunzel and Anna on their beautiful gowns.
Salsa day!
When the workday is done, it’s time for adult fun. We spent a relaxing afternoon turning, fresh from the market; ripe roma tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, and local onions and garlic, into delicious pints of salsa.
A dill pickle kind of day
Another afternoon of canning. Cucumbers, dill, and garlic, from St. Albert’s Farmers Market.
There were a couple of sad faces when two people discovered that they would have to wait until Thanksgiving Day before opening the first jar.
Tree art!
From the tree, that earlier this year adorned the front yard, these beautiful works of art were born. These three pieces were created by a seven year old, her mommy, and her grandma. With supervision provided by grandpa.
We loved our time together in Edmonton. Leaving made easier by knowing that, before to long we will all be together again! For another Catan marathon!
Sooke River, a cool spot, for rest and relaxation, on a warm summer’s day.
We knew it was going to be a perfect day when we stopped by a little Cafe, and a chorus of Bye Bye Miss American Pie, broke out amongst the staff and patrons.
So inviting.
Sooke River, a series of deep, naturally carved and polished rock pools.
Glacial action carved a pathway into the natural bedrock. Huge boulders carried along by rushing waters, carved the infamous potholes of Sooke Potholes Provincial Park.
The beauty of nature.
A narrow staircase was left behind by a developer who decided that a Provincial Park would be more beneficial than a resort.
A perfect place for a summer swim.
A wonderful place for a picnic lunch, hiking, relaxation, and finding that perfect rock.
A fear of heights, lost, after ascending one of the highest spots on Salt Lake Island. A view of the cliff peak, and drop, from the ferry. A view from the top of Baynes Peak, in Mount Maxwell Provincial Park, on Salt Spring Island.
Old Growth Forests
Mount Maxwell Provincial Park, home to old growth Douglas Firs, and Garry Oak meadows, is one of the Gulf Islands largest, contiguous protected areas.
Overlooking Vancover Island.Nature, and life, at it’s finest. Enjoying nature, and altitude changes.Salt Spring Wild Cider House
Enjoying Cheese, and Charcuterie, and a Full Tasting Flight of Special Blend Ciders, at a wonderful spot overlooking orchards of apples and pears. Enjoying the Ciders made from the fruits shaken from the boughs of the gnarly old fruit trees native to this area.
The town of Ganges
Feeling like we are in the late 1960’s, early 1970’s, as we explore this lovely little town’s afternoon market.
‘Sitting on the dock of the bay’
Waiting for the ferry, to take us back to Vancouver Island, and the beautiful city of Victoria.
‘A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.’ Greek Proverb
In 1904, Jennie Butchart had the idea to beautify the worked-out limestone quarry which had supplied her husband, Robert Pim Butchart’s, nearby cement plant.
As we walked through the gardens, we reminisced about our flower beds back home. Reflecting on the plants gifted and traded for, from friends, and from relatives. I thought about all of the Soul Sister creations, and other pieces of art that adorn the gardens, pathways, and forest, of our little piece of Eden, a five hour flight away.
Each day Requires us to receive Linger long Under waterfalls of grace Get saturated,satiated. Author Unknown
Flowers are the music Of the ground From earth's lips Spoken without sound. Edwin Curran
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? Bill Martin Jr/Eric Carle
Advice From a Tree. Stand tall and proud Sink your roots into the earth Be content With your natural beauty Go out on a limb Drink plenty of water Remember your roots. Enjoy the view. Created by your true nature.com
Roses are red, my love Violets are blue. Sugar is sweet, my love But not as sweet as you! Bobby Vinton
A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms. Zen Shin
‘You must be absolutely honest and true in the depicting of a totem for meaning is attached to every line. You must be particular about detail and proportion. ‘ Emily Carr
Be silent my dear, and enjoy the scene As we walk in this Japanese Garden serene. The sun is shining in the afternoon sky, And treeline bamboo catches the eye. Joyce Hensley
'I think that I shall never see, a poem, as lovely as a tree.' Kilmer 1913
Groovy Tales of a Well Adult 