Lovely Lunenburg

 Okay, let's continue down the south shore to Lunenburg. Founded in 1753, Old Town Lunenburg was recently named to the UNESCO World Heritage List. It has also been designated as a national historic district by our federal government, both fitting honours recognizing the rich heritage of the town. Lunenburg was settled by German, Swiss and French immigrants who followed in the footsteps of earlier Mikmaq and Acadian inhabitants

View from our window at the Spinnaker Inn at 7a.m.

of the area. A vibrant economy was built on farming, fishing, ship building and other ocean-based commerce, all of which continue today. A view of today's waterfront reveals many well established marine industries, including High Liner Foods, the Lunenburg Foundry, Adams and Knickle (world famous scallop fishers) and the Lunenburg Shipyard to name just a few. (And by the way, Lunenburg has not one but TWO harbours!) Three famous tall ships call Lunenburg home: the Picton Castle was in her berth, just a block from where we stayed at the Spinnaker Inn. The world famous racing schooner the Bluenose was built here at the Lunenburg Shipyard, where currently her daughter Bluenose II is being rebuilt. You can watch her progress here. Having  a sail on her next summer when she's back in the water is on my Bucket list.

I loved strolling the waterfront- there is so much going on. From a visit to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, to fine dining, to deep sea fishing, whale watching excursions or a short harbour tour - they've got it all. And it's wise to keep one's eyes peeled- you might rub shoulders with a movie star- many movies have been filmed in and around Lunenburg, most recently Jumping the Broom with Angela Basset and the scifi TV series Haven. (Currently  The Disappeared is being filmed on Lunenburg Bay.)
But Lunenburg is so much more than it's waterfront: a charming town with no strip malls, no big box stores, no fast food drive-throughs, not even a Tim Hortons, and we didn't miss them at all. It's full of history, incredible architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene - more artists, galleries, charming shops and music than one can absorb on a short stay. Lunenburg is committed to preserving it's history and heritage and this is evident when you stroll the streets. It's architecture is unique and there is literally history around every corner. For example- the local elementary school is the Lunenburg Academy below, a stunning example of Second Empire architecture, built in the late 1800's and lovingly restored between 1998-2000.
  Perched on top of Gallow's Hill, and visible for miles around, it has been designated a Municipal, Provincial and Federal Heritage site. (This was where our 2 day class with Laurie Swim was scheduled to take place, but the venue was changed. More on that later.) Can you imagine attending school in such a beautiful building?
Other buildings in town truly create a smorgasbord of building styles. In several short blocks you can find a simple Saltbox, a Cape Cod more than two centuries old, a classic Queen Anne Revival, a grand Victorian and a revised Gothic church. Everywhere you look you see evidence of the extraordinary carpentry skills of the early inhabitants - intricate Gingerbread trim, extra wide corner boards, widow's walks, and the unique "Lunenburg Bump" - an extended five sided Scottish dormer. Some elegant homes once had their intricate trim painted to match the colours of the owner's schooner.

 Lunenburg's churches are equally fascinating. Probably the most well known is St. John's Anglican, the second oldest Anglican church in British North America. It is undeniably one of the finest examples of "Carpenter Gothic" architecture in Canada. A devastating fire in 2001 caused significant damage, and led to a four year restoration project which is indicative of the love and dedication of it's congregation and the Lunenburg community. Nearby St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church features a spire topped by a five and a half foot codfish weathervane! How fitting for a town so centered around the fishing industry. Or perhaps it's a reminder to us all that early Christians represented Jesus with the symbol of a fish, and that several of his disciples were fishermen.

  In my next post I'll tell you about our time with the wonderful Laurie Swim, master quilter, and take you down the shore a few miles to beautiful Blue Rocks. I'll leave you with several views at harbourside (below) as the full moon lit the sky. Sooo very beautiful.....

Peace,
Linda

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Moonrise over Adams and Knickle

Sunset behind the Picton Castle

Farewell to Nova Scotia, the seabound coast...

I cannot help but feel sad, each time I leave Nova Scotia. It is SUCH a beautiful province. Don't get me wrong, I do love my home province. But Nova Scotia holds a very special place in my heart, for sure. Each time I cross the Missaguash River at the border and see those Nova Scotia flags snapping in the breeze, and the lighthouse at the Tourist Bureau, my heart does a little flippy flop. I spent last weekend in one of the most beautiful spots on the south shore. I have not been to Lunenburg for a number of years, and what a pleasant surprise - it was even more beautiful than I remember. Or perhaps I just appreciate it more now?
Before I tell you about the fun we had in Lunenburg with quilter extraordinaire Laurie Swim, you might like to come with me on a visit to Suttles and Seawinds of Mahone Bay. One must pass through scenic Mahone Bay to get to Lunenburg, and..well, if you're passing through, you may as well stop in, right? After our long drive, we were ready to stretch our legs anyway.. wink wink***
It's been quite a while since I visited the South Shore, but I had no trouble remembering that one must stop at The Teazer. It's a wonderful gift shop- well worth the visit. And then, we made

 our way to Suttles and Seawinds. If you are not familiar with this name, let me acquaint you:  Suttles and Seawinds began as a cottage industry of sorts, when Nova Scotia designer (and fellow Acadia grad) Vicki Lynn Bardon returned home after studying design in New York City and founded this business to employ rural women. Initially the products were quilts and home decor items such as pillows, placemats, runners, etc. Gradually the line expanded to include clothing items which were pieced, appliqued and quilted. The business grew, and eventually moved from the small village of New Germany to the charming seaside town of Mahone Bay.

 Today's offerings include beautifully crafted quilts, clothing, nighties, placemats, tea cosies, cosmetic bags and more, all still made by local women. Also one can find a wide selection of fashion, jewelry, accessories, home decor items, gifts and hooked rugs selected from  the best suppliers across Canada and global markets. I have been a fan of Suttles and Seawinds since the 70's (okay, I'm dating myself here, aren't I?) and I still love her quilts. Now of course, you can purchase fabrics as well, so what were three gals to do- we HAD to go in... The fashionwear and
accessories are found in a large pink Victorian mansion on Main Street (above, left) and the quilts, rugs and fabrics are next door in the charming barn (above, right).. you KNOW where I headed... The photos here will give you a little taste of Suttles.... "Suttles", by the way, is the local name for fabric scraps used for making quilts and Seawinds refers to the link between generations of Nova Scotians and the sea. We could have spent much longer, but as it was, we kept the gal past their usual closing time. Just cause for another visit, I'd say...
Next I'll take you to Lunenburg...

Piece,
Linda

So farewell, farewell to Nova Scotia's charms
For it's early in the morning and I'm far, far away...

How many days 'til Christmas?

In early August, I wrote about some gals doing  "Christmas in July" projects. It seems I am always working on something Christmas-y... I showed you the beaded Santas I had underway and promised to update you at end of August.. and... I forgot! So, here they are. I finished seven over July and August. One has already flown off to Newfoundland to Jackie P. who won the giveaway.... Here are the rest, (plus two left from last year: on the bottom row- Father Christmas and St. Nicholas). All I have left to do is add the hangers.
By the time you are reading this, these ornaments and I will be on our way to Lunenburg Nova Scotia. I'm taking a 2 day class there this weekend, along with my buddy Sue and her sister-in-law from Toronto. SIL Marty is anxious to have one of my Santas, so she will get to choose which one she prefers.
Hope everyone has a great weekend. I'll be back here in a few days... Ta ta for now...

Peace
Linda

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year.
~ Charles Dickens

Small Finish

It felt good to spend some time in my studio yesterday, even though I did not accomplish anything big. But, I did complete two small projects that are long overdue. Two more pillowcases- for my  nephew's children. Nathan plays hockey all winter and baseball all summer. He loved the hockey pillowcase I gave him for Christmas last year so I was on the lookout for baseball fabric in my travels this summer. It was an easy find, but fabric to suit Mallory was tougher- she plays volleyball and is into drama - neither of which the fabric designers have done. I looked high and low, to no avail. So I ended up with ladybugs- she has had a love affair with ladybugs since she was a toddler, so I hope she thinks this is cool. Her room is purple, so that was my choice for the accent band, and I thought the yellow polka dots went well with the dotty ladybugs! I will deliver these this evening.
These pillowcases are so quick and easy to do and all seams are enclosed. Click on the hockey pillowcase link above to see the measurements I use.

Piece,
Linda

To be in your children's memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today.

Feelin' Blue...

I'm feeling a little blue these days.... It could be from the blueberry pie I've been eating... mmm... LOVE blueberry pie. It's one of hubby's favourites too. Each August when the fresh blueberries are available at our Farmer's Market, I buy one or more 5 pound boxes from Tuddenham's and put them in the freezer. That keeps me going through the winter for pie, blueberry muffins, blueberry crisp, etc. And since I had made several raspberry pies (MY fav but NOT his), I had to do a fresh blueberry pie for the hubster. This photo was taken in July at my friend Donna's cottage at the lake, just a few days before the birds totally cleaned her blueberry bushes... the little varmints!! I know they have to eat too, but it IS most annoying when they take your whole crop!
But probably my feeling blue is because my darlin' daughter is now back at University. The summer went by way too quickly and there were so many things we had wanted to do together, that just didn't get done. I miss her already. But she is looking forward to another year - remember that "first day of school excitement" - when you have all new binders, fresh paper, sharp pencils, new crayons...? Well, okay, she's past the crayon stage for sure, but each new school year always holds great promise and excitement. I'm hoping she has a better experience this year. It will be a tough year work-wise, with a full course load plus an Honours thesis to write. She will earn a little pocket money again by working at the DalPlex, hopefully she can be a note-taker for disabled students again too, as she did last year. She has already written an article for the first issue of  the student newspaper and has applied for another "writing job" for a provincial association's quarterly newsletter. SO I daresay she's not going to be bored and looking for things to do... Her apartment is all set up now and looking "homey"... snug and cozy. Miss you hon! Sending big hugs your way....

I never know what I'm going to see when I look out my kitchen window. This morning as I ate breakfast I was watching Mr. Woodpecker, once again drilling my apple tree for his breakfast... But look who was passing through the backyard a few days ago - Mr. Foxy Loxy! Bold as anything - at 3 in the afternoon - he was just out for a stroll. He looks thin, but his coat is in beautiful shape.... My paternal grandfather was a fox rancher for a number of years, selling the pelts to the Hudson Bay Company. You can read the story of the great fire that destroyed all of that, here... So foxes on our property is nothing new... For those of you who have never been close to a fox - they have an "odour" all their own.. very similar to a skunk.... yuch!
Guess where I'm spending the afternoon today? In my studio!! YES! It feels so good to be "back at it"... One might think I have forgotten how to sew by now- there sure hasn't been much of it going on through the summer. Just boring stuff like mending jeans knees for Mark, repairing clothing and a few sewing jobs for Laura's apartment (curtains, etc.) So now it's full speed ahead. Lots of quilting and sewing projects to get back to, classes to prepare for, etc. Whooo- hooo! Can't wait!

Piece,
Linda

"Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate accomplishments." ~ Napoleon Hill

More long weekend fun...

The Joslin Farm

Labor Day weekend around here also means a special weekend at Kings Landing- it's Agricultural Fair time. This is one of Laura's favourite "special event" weekends, albeit a bittersweet one. It not only means the end of her summer job for another year and saying Goodbye to her KL "family", it also means some good ole fashioned competitive fun with her co-workers. Handicrafts and baked goods made by the KL staff are on display at the Exhibit Hall. Laura was thrilled to win four ribbons this year- two each for her knitting and sewing - three "seconds" and a "first"! The public can also get in on the fun with the opportunity to try some of the games and friendly competitions that the villagers

would have enjoyed in the 1800's, such as corn husking and eating,  the log toss and cross-cut saw competition, tug-of war, wool carding and woolwinding, the dishwater toss, the laundry competition, childrens' games and so on. I'm not sure who has more fun, those competing, or those watching.

As well there are a number of interesting displays around the village - a number of carriages and wagons, heritage  vegetables, herbs and their medicinal uses, spinning and straw-braiding demos, and so on. There's something going on everywhere you look! And the day finishes off with a barn dance- well okay, this time it was a "street dance" as the barn was in use... I even joined in and kicked up my heels a bit. Yes believe it or not, I know how to do the Grand Chain, Promenade, Do Si Do and a few other sweet moves of the 1800's! lol  Enjoy some of my photos of the faces and places at the Landing... better still, get yourself up to Kings Landing tomorrow and experience it for yourself!!

Peace
Linda

Kings Landing is "History Well Told"...

Laura with Lewis, the Ox Teamster

Could these three ladies be gossiping?

Noah

The Morehouse garden and Scarecrow

Wagon and Carriages near the Morehouse House

One of this year's lambs

Window at the Heustis House

Graham in the Cooper Shop

Musicians waiting for the dance to begin

Dancing the "Tucker"

The last Hollyhock...

Labour Day weekend fun...

September already! How can it be? Labour Day weekend is upon us, and in this town that means several things: the start of school is imminent, the FREX is here again, and it's time for another NB Crafts Council Fine Craft Festival. The FREX (Fredericton Exhibition) is our annual fall exhibition with midway, entertainment, livestock shows and harness racing, provincial 4H Show and horticultural, craft  and "domestic" exhibits. In it's 184th year, the Frex has seen many changes over that timespan and I must admit, my interest in it has changed too. One visit is enough for me now - I just go to see the quilts and needlework, photography and floral displays. I usually know a few of the ribbon winners, so that's always fun! It's on my list for some evening next week.The photo you see above is the Old Exhibition Palace (built in 1864?) which stood on the current Exhibition grounds until it burned in 1877. It was, reportedly, "one of the greatest works of wooden architecture that Canada has ever seen". The dome was 86 feet in diameter. Naturally lit by day, evening illumination was from 650 gas-burning fixtures and lamps. Can't you just picture that? What a grand spectacle it must have been in those days...
This afternoon I visited the NB Craft Festival, held downtown in historic Officers' Square. This Festival is over 30 years old, and has seen it's share of changes too, but continues to be an exhibit of the fine work of the many skilled craftspeople of our province. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, the perfect type of day for browsing around the various booths. Pottery, jewellery, textiles, wrought ironwork, glass.. you name it- you can find it there.
I am not a huge lover of pottery, but I do have one favourite potter,and she was there today. I love the work of Rachel Morouney of  Hidden House Pottery of Otter Creek (near Port Elgin). Rachel was working on an amazing piece in the Demo area and I enjoyed chatting with her again. (I tell her I am her biggest Fredericton fan...) Being a lover of blue and white, you can see why I love her work. I don't know which I like better- the floral designs or the dragonflies. Both are so beautifully done- she has a magical touch when she gets the brush in her hand...

Below are a few other pics I took today at the Craft Festival. If you are a local reader, make sure you visit this special event, running until Sunday at 5. You'll be sorry if you miss it...

Peace,
Linda

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures."
~ Henry Ward Beecher

Feelin' Peachy

Well, Irene is behind us now. "Good Night Irene" is right! Good riddance! Actually we got off easy, compared to Vermont and some other areas. We had lots of wind and rain, but no major damage. Some trees down in the neighbourhood, but not on our property. Laura did get home on Sunday night, despite the wind and rain. She was lucky to get bumped up to an earlier flight- good thing as her original flight was canceled, as I expected. For those of you who have followed her journey with the March of Remembrance and Hope since March, she is still posting on her blog  http://pilgrimagetopoland.blogspot.com/    Her journey continues.... You can click here to read her latest posts.
So, my weekend in the kitchen yielded the Lady Ashburnham pickles, a batch of ratatouille and blueberries in the freezer, this Peach Jam, and now I have a large batch of sweet pickles underway. It's a new recipe for me so we'll see how it turns out. It takes 14 days.... I picked 22 large cucumbers from my garden today, and still have more... they're multiplying like bunnies....  
My Peach Jam recipe originally came from either Chatelaine or Canadian Living magazine- I can't remember which one. I have modified it slightly to make it a little quicker/easier. Here it is:

Brandied Peach Jam

9 cups peeled and sliced peaches (pretty much a 4 liter basket)
9 cups w. sugar
4 medium oranges
1 lemon
1 cup slivered almonds
1 6oz. bottle maraschino cherries, drained and quartered
1/4 cup peach brandy  (I have also used apricot brandy if I couldn't find peach, or Peach Schnapps)

Wash jars or bottles, rinse and place in oven to sterilize. Prepare sealer tops and screw bands for sterilizing. 

Remove skin from peaches by plunging into simmering water for several minutes, then peeling. Slice peaches into large preserving kettle or stockpot. Mash with potato masher. Add sugar, stir. Place over low heat to begin warming while you prepare the citrus.
Wash oranges and lemon. Grate the zest of each, and squeeze the juice. If oranges are large or peaches are particularly juicy, as they are some years, I use only 3 oranges. I add any of the orange fiber that I can scrape from skins as well. Add juices and zest to peach mixture. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook, uncovered, at a brisk simmer until peaches are translucent (about an hour). Stir frequently, especially near the end of cooking time, to prevent scorching.
(If you cannot find the small bottle of cherries, I use about 1/2 cup, once chopped up.) Add cherries and almonds, cook for 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and add brandy or schnapps. Stir. Ladle into hot sterilized jars, seal with melted paraffin and add tops and screw bands. This recipe makes roughly 12  8 oz. jars. Yummy!!  A favourite of mine on croissants for Christmas morning breakfast...

Peace,
Linda

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

Are you in a pickle?

At the request of several readers, here is my recipe for Lady Ashburnham pickles. I didn't realize they are a favourite with so many people!! I guess I didn't realize they are so famous far and wide!  lol
Before I give you the recipe- here's my best pickling tip of the day. I love making pickles but don't enjoy chopping the onions. No doubt I'm not alone. So here's what I do to make the job bearable: I take my largest cutting board, sharp knife and onions outside into our attached garage (right off my kitchen). I set up on my hubby's workbench and turn on the fan which sits there. It blows at my face and blows away all those onion "fumes". Works like a charm! I have brought the fan into the kitchen and that's not bad either, but I think being "outside" with more fresh air circulating around in a larger area seems to work even better. So there you go. I do this whenever I have a good amount of onions to chop...

Lady Ashburnham Pickles

6-8 large cucumbers, peeled and seeds removed
1/4 cup coarse salt
4 cups finely chopped onions
optional- finely chopped celery and/or finely chopped red and/or green peppers
2 cups vinegar
2 cups w. sugar
4 Tblsp. flour
1 Tblsp. dry mustard
1 Tblsp. turmeric
1 tsp. mustard seed
1 tsp. celery seed

Chop cucumbers finely, as for relish, into large stockpot. Add salt and let sit overnight. Drain in the morning, do not rinse cucumbers. Add chopped onions (and celery and peppers if desired). Mix together sugar, flour, mustard, turmeric, mustard seed and celery seed and add to cucumbers along with vinegar. Stir well.. Cook until cucumbers are translucent, probably 45 minutes or so, stirring often to prevent burning to the bottom of pot. Pour into hot sterilized jars, and seal. (I am assuming readers know how to clean and sterilize jars and tops, etc.) Let cool. Store in cool place. Easy peasy!! Makes approx. 5 pint mason jars.

Next: Peach Jam. It's peachy!!

Peace,
Linda

Law of Gardening: You get the most of what you need the least. (like cucumbers!)