what do i do with that?

kohlrabi = yummy?

we are now 3 weeks into our first CSA. so far its been very good. i am finding it a bit challenging to eat all of the food before the next round gets picked up. we do eat a lot of vegetables in our house but even with a half share i am finding it difficult to use everything up. in addition, there have been some interesting inclusions in our pickup which i am preparing and/or eating for the first time ever! i am no stranger to vegetables but this is the first time that i have eaten celeriac or kohlrabi. i have now sampled hakurei turnips and rapini! i've added at least 2 new recipes to my repertoire and am sure to be seeking more. i have been checking out a few CSA websites that have recipes, such as A Bushel of What? our CSA does provide us with a weekly newsletter that includes recipes as well. last night i made kohlrabi potato pancakes. we will be making those again. it was amusing last night when i had to go to the computer to figure out if i had to peel the kohlrabi first! for the most part i have been able to modify existing recipes to incorporate the enormous pile of greens that we are now eating, like making giant stirfries with rapini instead of spinach, using fresh garlic instead of bulbs. this weekend i think i will make a kale tofu curry (instead of palak paneer). i can't wait to see whats in the bin next week!

see you at the cottage

we recently hosted what we hope will be an annual tradition of a wonderful summer weekend at the cottage. we invited JC, Anne Marie, Claire, Curtis, Jan, Caroline and Julia. and of course, Alex, Grace and I were there as well. the weather forecast was calling for thundershowers but we decided to chance it anyways as staying in playing boardgames at the cottage is not a bad way to spend a weekend.

Alex and i arrived Friday night and decided to make the most of what might be the only nice weather we were going to have all weekend. we lit the bonfire and grabbed some caesars and decided to wait for the arrival of Anne Marie and JC. after sitting outside for about an hour, enjoying the calls of the loons, the stars and the crackling fire, the rain began. we raced in and waited another 2 hours before JC and Anne Marie arrived to regale us with their tales of getting lost on the way to the cottage, a common occurrence for people arriving late at night.

saturday morning was overcast after a night of pouring rain. and although it remained overcast for the rest of the day, we were lucky enough that the rain did not make its forecasted appearance. the weather encouraged us to make the most of the day, in case it did turn to rain. we spent time fishing with the kids, making a bonfire, toasting marshmallows and relaxing on the docks. the day was capped off by a delicous adults only dinner of shish kebab and taboulleh.

sunday broke with a more promising outlook as the sun shone down on the early morning water. again, we felt like rushing out to enjoy the day and Anne Marie and i spent some time fishing before breakfast. we were lucky enough to catch a big one (which we threw back of course). we bundled the kids into their bathing suits and headed out to the beach to swim and catch some rays. all in all it was a great weekend at the cottage, and we all stayed later than originally planned just to squeeze the most out of the nice weather. everyone left with full bellies, the glow of the sun on their faces (some a little TOO much sun), and good memories. we're really looking forward to next year. see you then!

pics are posted on flickr, or see the sidebar!

Summer CSA

since i am finally living at home full time(after 2 years), we have been able to sign up for a CSA this summer. when we were living in our house i faithfully tended our vegetable garden and was able to raise a number of delicious things to supplement our storebought food, including strawberries, raspberries, peas, beans, zucchini, butternut squash, cucumbers, tomatoes and of course hot chilies (i still have a lot of dried ones left). the last year at the house, the garden lay neglected as i was never home long enough to keep up with the weeding and tending needed for it to be a success. now that we are living in the condo, gardening is no longer possible so the CSA seemed like a great idea.

finding a CSA in Guelph took a bit of work, but i was lucky enough to find one that has a pickup 1 block from our house which is great, as it will still be a struggle for me to get home in time to pick up the box. we have signed up at Whole Circle Farm. tonight i will be picking up my first batch of veggies and i could not be more excited. i have a fresh spinach salad in mind that will go well with the quiche i am making for dinner.

save 1 turtle, save a species

it's turtle nesting season again and i am more aware than ever of the number of turtles dead on the road at this time of year. last week on a short drive to Peterborough i saw at least 4 dead adults. i also stopped on the 401 near Guelph to remove an adult snapping turtle from the road and out of danger.

moving turtles off the road is contentious and SAFETY should always be considered first. here's some advice i found online at Turtle S.H.E.L.L, a company that make turtle crossing signs.

"If you believe the animal to be in immediate danger and you wish to help, make a safe stop. Help it across the road in the direction in which it was heading or if it appears to be advancing toward more danger, take it to a nearby suitable environment. A swampy area with a sandy bank behind it would be ideal. If the turtle is obviously headed away from the water body in which it lives, do not take it back to the water. It will only retrace its steps to get to the nesting area.

Smaller species such as Painted Turtles or Blanding’s Turtles can simply be lifted and carried by hand or in a bucket or box. Be aware that they have claws and do not put your fingers near their beaks -- they are frightened and might bite. Large Snapping Turtles are likely to bite and scratch so they should be handled carefully and by adults or older children only."

injured turtles can be taken to wildlife rehabilitation centres, but you must make note of EXACTLY where the turtle was found so that it can be returned to its home once healed. if the turtle can't be healed, a vet will be able to put it to sleep. sightings of rare species should be reported to NHIC so that they can be protected in future.