monday showers

The rain is falling steadily outside my window this morning. That soft, really wet, soak everything kind of downpour. The Queen arrives today for a three day whirlwind tour. I think it is supposed to rain for the next few days. Ah well, nothing that a yellow sou'wester can't handle.

The picture above was taken at Uniacke House, a WONDERFUL somewhat forgotten, historic estate thirty minutes from Halifax. I will be posting about it soon. I've been visiting that place since I was a child.

Today I am making a plan. That is, I am planning on making a plan:)

Native Pride

Last night I went downtown to the Halifax Commons where a huge celebration of Aboriginal culture is taking place over the next few days. It is a Mawiomi-Powwow. I was tired after a busy day and was half thinking I wouldn't go BUT I am so glad I did!

The festival is Grand Chief Membertou 400 Last night Buffy Saint Marie gave a free concert. She's still a force to be reckoned with. There were lots of people out and about, it was a gorgeous evening with the setting sun as backdrop.

This was inside one of the teepees looking up to the sky.

Wonderful to see such beautiful costumes and pride in culture. I was enthralled. There were displays and talks and dancing and food sampling.

I chatted to these two guys for quite a while. The man on the right is Gary Knockwood from Indian Brook First Nation, N.S. He is also a member of the Mi'kmaq Grand Council which is considered to be the traditional (and original) government of the Mi'kmaw people and on the left, the chap is from Newfoundland.

I wish I had asked the man on the left his name..... he had one of the most extraordinary carved pieces of wood I've ever seen. It is a dancing stick, talking stick, prayer stick, medicine stick, holding special magic and meaning to the maker. It was made from one of the most difficult wood you can carve, full of knots and twists. A cluster of trees that grow together to support each other. (the symbolism starts with the choice of wood) You can see where an eagle feather has been inlaid into one of the knots. There were carved wolves heads, a sea turtle, native faces, it was topped with fish teeth, stylized hooks, had beads and tassels and a gorgeous eagle feather was tied to it.

Absolutely beautiful and very special.

Today there are dancing and drumming competitions, more music, lots to see and do and Mi’kmaq cuisine sampling, Mini venison burgers with blueberry preserve and crispy fried onions, Nova Scotia mussels steamed and drizzled with cider vinegar and nut oil, Wild mushroom caps stuffed with smoked salmon and mixed nuts. Concert by Shane Yellowbird tonight. Well worth a visit!

mmmm

Watched a story on the news this evening about this very useful site.
Fish and Chips Please Four pals have been visiting all the local fish and chip spots and rating them according to a list of criteria. So far, I agree with their ratings on the places I have sampled. There are a few I would like to try based on their recommendations. Putting the link on my sidebar for future reference:)

mini meditation

Need some space?
Stop for a second right now and become aware of your hands .
Look at them. Feel your back against the chair, how your spine is supporting you.
Breathe
........now carry on:)

Lynnes Garden

I painted this yesterday, inspired by the first day of summer!
A lovely friend of mine passed away on Sunday after years of battling cancer. I dedicate this painting to her. She was a cheerful soul who loved life and made the world a better place for being in it.
8 x 20 on eBay

Midsummer's Day

First day of summer:) Always a magical day. Summer solstice. Makes me think of fairies and fireflies and daisy chains. The word solstice derives from the Latin sol sistere - "sun stand still"

In Halifax today, our start of summer is cloudy and close but the sun is valiantly trying to break through. Last night we had wonderful thunder storms rolling through, the sky flashing and flaring, rain muffling the deep rumbling booms~ Good reading weather. Enjoy this long day where ever you are.

Foodie Weekend

It started on Saturday with Dim Sum. Yum. So much food.

Don't know what these were but they were DELICIOUS. First time I've tried them.

Sunday it was on to CATCH the Nova Scotia Seafood Festival. Great seafood, wine and music along with demonstrations and competitions.

This was Anthony Sedlak, one of the chefs from the food network doing a salmon demonstration. What a fun and engaging host.

This was not what he made but isn't it beautiful. Poached salmon w/new potatoes, Tokyo turnips, radish & tarragon and other yummy things. Made by Feisty Chef, Renée Lavallée

Anthony got down on his knees to plate the food to make it easier for everyone to see.

At one point he calls out to the audience, what do you call it when you roll up herbs and chop up finely? I immediately think chiffonade. A woman near me then calls out "chiffonade." "Hey," he yells, "You just won yourself a cookbook!" Drat. I should have thought out loud:)

TGIF

Yee Haw! Forecast is for a hot sunny day. These wee chaps ride the fountain in the Halifax Public Gardens. I've got some tomato plants to transplant, a bit of work to do and then I hope to escape the city! We shall see. Sensational Snap Society starts today, still time to sign on:).

Cat's Paws

Fun! These are my Cat's Paw shoes, (actually Ked's) available at Zazzle. Designer sneaks. For the person who has everything!! I'd seen these done before and thought I would have a go. Really fun designing them. These are 7.5 US but any size is available. You can make all kinds of things there. I'm going to try some others when I have time. This is all I have now but I am going to play around with other designs as I have time.

Quilter's Cottage

Ah back in the saddle, first one of these I've done in a while!
Quilter's Cottage, original available on eBay
Print version on Etsy.