Wild Blueberry Day

Monday, July 22, 2013

It's such a great day today; sunny and cool.  Perfect for picking wild blueberries.   After Yoga I dressed in protective clothing (wide brim had, overalls, boots, long sleeve shirt and work gloves) and headed out to the bluff with two stainless bowls in search of blueberries.  Everyone that picks wild blueberries has their own different technique.  Our friend Rudy uses a Cranberry rake. Some pick one at a time.  I favor the two bowl technique.  

I pick my spot and place the large bowl at the edge of the field.  Then, with the small bowl in hand I wade carefully into the field of berries.  Looking for large clumps of fruit, I place the small bowl under the berry stem and carefully brush the ripe berries into the bowl.  I do get  unripe berries in the mix, but make an effort to carefully try to leave as many unripe berries as possible on the stem to ripen another day.  

No photograph can convey the pleasure of berry picking on the edge of the cliff  in view of Jordan Bay on a cool sunny day. If necessary, years past, I have picked in fog and rain to get enough berries for jam or a pie.  The berry plants are mixed in with Bayberry plants.  Just touching the Bayberry sets off the sweet smell of Bayberry mixed with salt air.  The background sound is small waves crashing on the rocky coast.  Sea gulls are calling in the distance.   An occasional Loon sounds somewhere on the Bay.  As the berries can be found all over the property, each location is different for a different experience.  Picking by the Roses and Bird Bath is different from the cliff as picking along the driveway is different from the Rose area.  

The best berry spot today was on the cliff side edge of the property.  Using care not to get too close to the cliff, berry picking requires patience and the ability to kneel or squat in the field.  This is were Yoga gives me an advantage.  Once the small bowl is full I wade out and pour the berries into the larger bowl and then place the large bowl at the edge of the field where I head back into the field.  I went back and forth and managed to cover about 500 feet of the property.  The large bowl filled up quickly, or did it take hours?  I have no idea, but when it was full I took a break.  

The next step is cleaning the berries.  Rudy recommended I spread the berries out on a sheet or towel and let the wind blow off all the grass and leaves, then it's time to hand clean.  Generally, I work the berries over at least three times before washing and measuring for the jam process.  

If you have never made jam, it's really easy and fun.  The important thing is to prep all equipment and ingredients in advance.  Measure the sugar with a cup measure.  Clean all the jars and lids and ready them in a line on the kitchen counter near the stove.  I use liquid Certo and follow the directions for cooked jam.   Once I make my jam any berries I pick thereafter, will be for pancakes, pie or cobbler.  Blueberry muffins are great, too!  It's illegal  to bring fresh fruit across the U.S., Canada border, so if I pick wild blueberries in Canada we eat them or I make jam. Since several jars are already spoken for, I hope to make two batches, if I can gather enough wild blueberries for the job.

Indian Basket

Sunday, July 21, 2013

It's our 34th wedding anniversary  today.  The dogs woke us in time to see the sunrise.  It's a clear, breezy day.  The wind is blowing out of the South East.  Jordan Bay waters are flowing toward Blue Island and the Atlantic.  The sunshine is lighting up the water with millions of shiny ripples as far as the eye can see.  

The plan for today is to go to town to investigate the final Founder's Day activities.  I hear there is an older gentleman there making and selling wooden splint baskets like the Mic Mac Indians make.  I will check it out and post an update later today.  

We went and met the Basket Man.  He was seated under a tent with tables of baskets in a long row stretched out to one side. He was not in the Loyalist Encampment, favoring the Indian Settlement side of the festival. 

It did not take long to decide on a large market basket with folding handles.  Practical and perfect for the Saturday Farmer's Market.  Large enough to hold fresh fruit vegetables plus a Growler and a bottle of wine.  Perfect! He kindly signed and dated my basket for me. 

The baskets were originally made by the Nova Scotia native Mic Mac's for storage inside their Tepee.  Cyril said when he was a nine year old boy, he knew a Mic Mac who taught him traditional basket making.  He learned to make baskets for fun as his real interest was wood carving.  He carved animal knife handles then lashed the blade in place.  Over the years, he became more and more a basket maker and less and less a carver.  He did show me one knife that he uses to make his baskets. Each basket is a unique one of a kind piece of practical art. 

Monday, July 22, 2013

Woke late today to a crystal clear sky, spiked with a high puffy clouds.  Jordan Bay is flowing in from the Atlantic and appears smooth as glass.  Everything about this morning is refreshing.  Sleeping in, the breeze and  the view. 

Last night was the full moon.  There will be another full moon on August 21, but we will be gone by then.  The tide was low and the moon light reflected onto the water.  As the moon rose, the sun set pink in the western sky.  

We are meeting with our new lawn guy.  After that we hope to get out on the kayaks.  Blueberry picking should happen this week!   

Saturday Farmer's Market

Saturday, July 20, 2013

The Shelburne Farmer's Market is held each Saturday from 8 a.m til 1 pm.  I decided to skip Yoga this morning in favor of heading into town for the market. 

Jumped in the car and headed up the drive to Town.  Parked on Water Street and walked down John St. toward Dock St.  Noticed a new bakery on the corner of John & Water streets.  Flying Fox Bakery and Cafe.  Opens at 12 noon.  Wifi and coffee plus homemade fudge and bakery items.  Shortly past the bakery I noticed this lovely old house:

John St., Shelburne, NS

 Down on Dock Street the wind was blowing and this Whirly Gig was flying.! 

I walked past the  Joseph McGill Shipbuilding and Transportation Co., Building and then over to the market. It was hopping!  First stop was the local farmer for his fresh grown Swiss Chard, then I wandered through all the vendors.  Met Kathleen K. Tudor (Rebecca Tudor's mom.  Rebecca is a well know tile artist). A former English Professor, Kathleen is a writer and so I bought one of her books:  Deep Roots.  She said she was "Nova Scotia through and through".  Also picked up her CD of short stories, "If it's Not One Thing, It's Another".  I hope the CD is like those old albums from Maine where they tell great old stories in a thick Maine accent.  Kathleen narrated the CD, so we will see. 

Then on to the local Beer seller, the Boxing Rock Brewery.  The Boxing Rock girl explained about buying a Growler.  It's a rather large resealable bottle.  You pay $11 and get your Growler filled with Boxing Rock beer.  There after you bring in your empty Growler and pay $6 for a fill up.  Seemed like a deal to me so I bought one bottle.  Have to say it was a big hit with Peter.  The best beer he has ever had and we do like Keith's Pale Ale, the  Nova Scotia Brewery, a lot. Also visited the LeHave Winery and bought a local bottle of white wine. 

By the time I was ready to head home a Banjo Player was starting up.  Folks were gathering under a couple of giant Maple trees and getting ready for the show.  I could hear the music as I walked back up John Street.  

The Flying Fox was now  open so I popped in and met Jonathan who had decided to move to Shelburne from the Yukon.  He said from the second floor window you can see the Harbour and it's the best place to watch the fireworks.  The Flying Fox had opened at Christmas time last year in a charming old house with local art and lots of little rooms to sit and enjoy coffee and a cupcake, while looking out at lush garden views..  I asked what was the best selling cupcake and ended up with two Peanut Butter Chocolate cupcakes to go. 

Pirates and Loyalists

If you want to know more about Shelburne, NS, here is a link: 

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelburne,_Nova_Scotia

The following are photographs of a few Pirates/Locals that we met on Dock Street:

Plus a couple of Loyalist Soldiers to keep the Pirates and Wenches in line.  Tonight there will be an epic battle in the Harbour.  The Loyalist Soldiers will blow up the Pirate ship at dusk.  There will be music and street dancing!

The Historic Cox Warehouse

You have go to admit that the locals play their parts very well . . . just like any typical day in Shelburne. If you think Founder's Days Celebration is interesting just wait a few weeks until the EX rolls into town.  That is The Exhibition with Oxen Pulls and all types of animals and events.  Every town has an EX and there will also be a Queen crowned and a street parade.  There is something for everyone to enjoy. 

Founder's Day Celebration, Shelburne, NS, Canada

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Woke this morning in time to see the fog roll off the water.  It rained last night and now the sun is peaking through the clouds.  

As soon as I get the call from Sheldon, I plan to go to town to pick up the computer part and check out Founder's Day.  Every year the celebrations get better and better.  I will be looking for the British Troops and local Pirates while strolling Dock Street.Last year there were lots of characters wandering around Dock Street adding to the atmosphere of Founder's Day.

Peter with Pirate

Tall Ship in Shelburne Harbour

Dock Street

Fogged In

Sunrise

Friday, July 19, 2013

I woke this morning to an overcast sky.  The fog was right up to the front window.  We are sitting here having coffee reading the paper.  A little while ago, we could hear rain on the roof.  Now, the rain has stopped and the fog has receded across the harbour.  I can see the rocky coastline of Lockport, again.  It's still very misty down by Enslow's Point, but the view to Blue Island is pretty clear.  There is an old Nantucket saying, Fog Happens.  Well, it happens in Nova Scotia, too!  The fog always adds a touch of  mystery to the atmosphere.

Waiting for Low Tide and the Sandy Beach

Last night while walking the dogs we started to find the blueberries.  The property generally bursts with wild blueberry plants.  Last summer there was a severe drought and I do not remember picking one berry.  Some of my local friends are already suggesting that I give them a jar of wild blueberry jam, if I'm inclined to make it.  It will take a few more sunny days until the berries are ready for harvest, but I hope to be able to pick berries, clean them, and make jam.  It is so easy and fun to make jam.  Plus it makes the cottage smell  good .

From this position in front of the window I can see the tide coming in and the wind blowing from the Southeast.  Last night the sky was clear.  The stars were out shined by a very vivid, bright half moon.  We often watch the moon through the sun room windows.  Next week it will be full and very special if there are no clouds to obscure the view. 

Moon Rise 2012

Today is a good day to hang out.  After Yoga, I plan to tidy up the place and maybe Peter will make a small fire in the wood stove?  I keep thinking there is something I should be doing, but in fact, there is nothing in particular on my agenda.  It takes awhile to shake off having a routine.  By the time I am used to no routine, we will be headed back to Hobe Sound and the routine!

I did finish the Glass Castle.  Reading that book reminded me of a friend who I used to share books with.  Gerri Kraft was a RN and lived in Niskayuna, NY back in the 1980's when we lived there, too.  Peter worked with Terry, Gerri's husband at GE R&D.  Gerri was a good and true friend.  Fun and full of life.  If I found a good book I would pass it onto her.  She would read it and always returned it to me.  But,  before returning it, she would write her thoughts about the story inside the the book.  It was such a thoughtful thing to do and it deepened our connection.   We both had our children around the same time as each other, which was another strong connection.  

Gerri was a nurse at the local hospital and an amazing horse woman.  She could ride any horse in the area and was often called on to exercise a variety of horses at the local barn.  I envied her this great ability and affinity with horses.  Gerri loved to travel. She loved Terry and her beautiful daughters, Rachael, Anna and Mary.  Terry and Gerri traveled a lot before they had children.  After we moved to Ft. Worth, TX, they came to visit us with their girls, for a long weekend.  We had so much fun.  During their visit I learned that Gerri had been diagnosed with skin cancer.  She survived the disease for about 8 years and then died from the illness.   I still think of her and I still miss her.  It's funny how some people touch your life so deeply that you can never forget how special they are to you.  No matter the time or the distance.  

While I have been writing this the fog has come and gone.  Now I can see the water and the sun is out.  The Lockport rocky coast is still obscured, but slowly it's coming into view. Sea gulls are soaring over the property and it's warm enough to open the front door and the windows.  What's that old saying, "If you do not like the weather, just wait a minute and it is certain to change!"

Grandview Cottage

Monday, July 15

Having departed Hobe Sound, Thursday evening after Yoga, about 8 p.m. we headed out on our road trip to Nova Scotia, Canada.  Although a long trip, it was good as the weather was overcast and cloudy for the entire drive.  Sunday morning we arrived in St. John, where we always encounter fog. It was amazing to pull up to the ferry to a clear blue sky sunny day!  

We walked the dogs on the beach by the ferry and they met a pet pig named Smokey.  All was well, then suddenly Nutty's eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed.  He had low blood sugar.  Luckily,I had syrup and Nutra Cal.  Took him to the car and he was conscious and was able to lick one and then the other and also water.  It took about 45 minutes before Nutty was himself, again.  Scared us very much.  About 6 months ago, one morning he collapsed and passed out which prompted a trip to Dr. Smith.  That's how we learned about the possibility of low blood sugar in small dogs.  I always have Nutra Cal in my "dog bag", even when I take them out on a walk.  

One minute Nutty was fine, barking away at people and the pig, then wham! he's on the verge of a convulsion.  Freaky to say the least!

Now he's tucked in next to me as I write.  The wind is blowing through the house and the wind chimes are chiming.  You could fly a kite in here!  Just lovely.  Thursday starts the Founders Day's celebration.  We spent most of today getting organized; getting supplies, etc.  We plan to stay until August 14 so that's four weeks which is something we have never done before. 
 
Tuesday, July 16
This a.m. Peter made coffee and then woke me up.  After coffee we walked the dogs on the property as it's another breezy beautiful day.  After walking we practiced Yoga.  Peter did pretty well for a new Yogi.  After Yoga, he went out to work in the yard and I hopped on the Nordic Track for cardio exercise.  

              

After a shower I am headed to town in search of a cable to make streaming movies on the TV more efficient.  In true Shelburne fashion, the first stop, the Video Store, did not have the part.  They sent me to a second place, a Computer Store.  I pulled up and a bunch of locals hanging out under a tree asked it I was headed to the computer store?  Yes, well, then come back in an hour as Sheldon just left for lunch.  You just missed him!  So I went in search of a second computer store up by Tim Horton's.  No luck, but I had time to kill and not wanting to eat a donut at Tim Horton's, I pulled into the lot for a little Country Craft shop just across the street. 

In the Garage was a nice lady using a table saw.  Impressive!  Very friendly she stopped and walked into the shop with me.  On the porch was some very cool birch bark chairs and a bench.  You know the kind with most of the tree branch used as part of the design (should have taken a photo).  Then I went inside and there were several rooms filled with all kinds of wood crafty items.  The lady said they had a wood lot, cut their wood and made everything by hand.  I had to buy something so not wanting a sign, from their room filled with signs (floor to ceiling) a sample of one of the many signs is:  Don't Worry, Changing the Toilet Paper Roll Does Not Cause Brain Damage!  I settled on several different items that make great gifts and then I made my purchase as I wanted to support their business.   Of course, before I left I met her husband and the three of us talked about all things Shelburne:  aquaculture, the ferry, the hot weather (70 degrees)and the fact that Shell Oil will be drilling in Shelburne Basin (deep water) for Oil and Gas which will improve the economy.  Thank God they said that Jordan Bay is not a oil target as it's too shallow!  YEA! Plus their visits to Florida and where we stay out here and how long, etc. . . .

I spent about $30 and got lots of crafty wood items and then headed back to the Computer store.  Sheldon was still not back from lunch but this time I was invited into the store to wait.  When he came he said he sold the last of what I needed the day before.  To try the other computer store and if I had no luck to call him and he would order the part for me.  He directed me to my next stop which was on Water Street near the Woodworkers Home Hardware store. The guy at this computer store said, no, he did not have the part to try the Dollar Store, he buys that part there all the time as it's the cheapest place to by anything in town.  Good advise.  I headed to the Dollar store.  

Searched the Electronics section at the Dollar Store but could not find the part so asked the women who worked there and they said they had not seen that part in 6 months!  Oh well, I called Sheldon and placed an order for the part.  On to Bargain Giant for some containers for tomato sauce that I made yesterday for pizza last night.  Then onto Sobey's (grocery) to buy my birthday dinner.  Peter had given me a list of what to buy as he is cooking over the campfire for me tonight.  

At Sobey's I checked all the cakes but there was no one around to help me so I pressed onto the fish department where there was no one to help me so I got granola and yogurt then went back and waited at the fish department.  I waited and waited and finally a lady shopper stopped and suggested I walk to the meat department to ring the bell.  Could not find the bell but found a door and a nice lady came out and helped me pick out a piece of salmon and some beautiful deep sea scallops.  I wanted 6 scallops, but she could only find 4 that passed her approval, so I went with four plus two giant shrimp at her recommendation.  

While she packed up the selection we chatted about how she likes scallops cooked and how her husband eats them raw.  Once all was priced and ready  I went back to the bakery where a lady was air brushing a cake.  I stood and waited for her to notice me.  No luck, changed position, no luck, finally, like any loud American, I called out over the counter.  She then helped me with a small "quarter size" deep chocolate cake.  I found candles and the little plastic holders that are no longer sold in the US.  Scooped up 4 packs so I will always have them for birthdays and checked out.

Parked the car and the dogs ran down to the hill to great me.  Peter appeared and helped bring in the packages.  Now I'm in the sunroom reading The Glass Castle which is hard to put down.  I think the book gave me the idea to BLOG about our vacation and so I started to put all this down, first in a letter to Lisa, and now to share with you all.  It's another lovely day!  Bright and very breezy.  The plumber should be by any time now to plumb up an outdoor shower for us.  We bought the half moon shower rod like at Mars and a outdoor fixture with us to set up a great outdoor shower here!  Happy Birthday to me!