Scotland: Harris Peat Harvesting

Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

June 26, 2012

A close up shot of peat harvesting from one of our many jaunts between Tarbert and Leverburgh.  I can still smell that acrid peat smoke in my nose!  

This was a common site in the Hebrides, where many people still heat their homes with peat.  

Here's a short video that illustrates the process.

Two bald eagles, sittin' in a tree

Riverport, NS

Oct. 18, 2012

F-I-S-H-I-N-G.  Actually, they were just sitting there, enjoying the amazing, warm Fall day.  What a beaut!

What's on this weekend? Turkey! Corned Beef! Kohl Canon! Chowdah!

Sorry early risers, no breakfasts this weekend.  Thankfully, no shortage of suppers!

I get the odd person wandering to my blog after searching for "Kohl Canon".  Since there's the annual Kohl Canon supper happening this weekend, I'll just re-scrape this explanation from an older blog post:

"Kohl Cannon can be made in various ways, depending on whether you are Irish, German, or Scottish. No matter how it is made, the eating of Kohl Cannon was a common custom on Halloween. In it would be buried, well wrapped in waxed paper or foil for today's world, 4 favors. A penny (for wealth), a button (for poverty), a ring (for marriage, and a matchstick (for spinsterhood). Much excitement was aroused, especially among the young lassies who were hopeful that the Kohl Cannon would foretell their future happiness! This recipe is the Scot's Way!" 

Also, this interesting Wikipedia entry for Colcannon.
The awesome Colcannon song!:

"Did you ever eat Colcannon, made from lovely pickled cream?
With the greens and scallions mingled like a picture in a dream.
Did you ever make a hole on top to hold the melting flake
Of the creamy, flavoured butter that your mother used to make?"

The chorus:

"Yes you did, so you did, so did he and so did I.
And the more I think about it sure the nearer I'm to cry.
Oh, wasn't it the happy days when troubles we had not,
And our mothers made Colcannon in the little skillet pot."


Suppers

Saturday, October 27
Annual Women's Institute Turkey Supper
North Brookfield Community Hall,
4:30- 6:30 p.m. 
Complete turkey dinner with pie and sweets for dessert. 
Adults $12, children 5-12 $6, under 5 free.

Saturday, October 27
Kohl Canon Supper,
Basement of St. John's Church, Chester Basin, 
4:30- 6:30 p.m. 
Ham, baked beans, brown bread and rolls, apple crisp for dessert. 
Adults $10, child 5- 12 $3, under 5 free. 
Takeouts available

Saturday, October 27
Turkey Casserole & Dessert Buffet 
Brooklyn Baptist Church
5:30 P.M.
Tickets: $10.00
Proceeds for Church Purposes 

October 28
Corned Beef and Cabbage Supper
Hebbs Cross fire dept.
4-6:30 p.m. 
Includes dessert, tea and coffee
Adults $10; children 5-12 $5; under 5 free.
Everyone welcome.

October 28
St. James Lutheran Annual Soup and Chowder Supper,
Branch LaHave community hall. 
Rolls, apple crisp with ice cream and beverage included.
4-6 p.m. 
Adults $8; children $2; under 5 years free. 

Love where you live

Upper Kingsburg, NS

Oct. 19, 2012

Love the bands of colour, light and shadows in this one.  I shouldn't need to remind myself to walk down the road and soak in this vista, but I do.  

The Big Ex: Laughing the Day Away

The Big Ex Dining Hall

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

These two women were having a good time serving up a delicious corned beef dinner this summer at The Big Ex.

A little levity at the workplace sure goes a long way!

The Big Ex at Night

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

After a riveting evening of watching miniature pony races, I snapped this shot from the stands before leaving the exhibition grounds.  

My favourite fish and chips stand is in the foreground: Italy Cross and Middlewood Fire Department!

What's on this weekend? Many breakfasts! Salt cod! Roast Beef! Baked Ham! Sauerkraut!!!!

Breakfasts

Sat. Oct. 20
Bridgewater Fire Hall

7-11 am
Eggs, bacon, beans, toast, hasbrowns, coffee, tea, juice.
Only $6 for adults; 12 and under $3; 5 and under eat for free. Come, bring your friends AND your appetite!
Takeout available

October 20

Parkdale/Maplewood Hall

7-10:30 a.m. 

Home smoked bacon, eggs, homemade pancake with pure maple syrup, sausage, toast, juice, tea and coffee. 

Adults $7, Youth $3.50, under 5- free. 

Information, Joanne 644-2877.

October 20, Saturday: 

Riverport and District Firemen's Breakfast, 

7:30- 11:30 a.m., 

Usual menu, 

$7 adults; $3 children 6- 12; children 5 and under free.

Saturday, October 20

Fireman's Breakfast. 

Petite Riviere fire hall,

8- 11 a.m. 

Full menu, adults $7, under 12 $3, under 5 free. 

Information 688-2117

Sunday, October 21

Chelsea Fireman's Centre,

7:30 until 10:30 a.m. 

Adults $7, children 5 and over $3.50, under 5 free. 

All proceeds for the Chelsea and District Fire Department.

Suppers
Oct 20 - 

Blandford Community Centre Saltcod Supper, 

4:30- 6 p.m., 

$12/person.

Saturday, October 20

Harvest Supper and Sale,

Holy Trinity Anglican Church hall, 78 Alexandra Ave., Bridgewater, 

4:30 - 6:30 p.m. 

Adults $10, children 12 and under $6, under 5 free. 

Menu: Baked ham, scallop potato, baked beans. 

Tickets at door or call 543-2651, 543-9959 or 543-1357

Saturday, October 20

Roast Beef Supper.

St. James Anglican Parish Hall, Mahone Bay

4:30- 6:30 p.m. . 

Adults $10, children 5- 12 $5, under 5 free. 

Takeouts available

Sunday, October 21

Oktoberfest Sauerkraut Supper,

Forties community centre, 1787 Forties Road, New Ross. 

4-6 p.m. Doors open at 4 serving starts 4:30

Sauerkraut, sweet pickled pork, mashed potatoes, dessert. . 

Adults $10; 5-12 $5; under 5 $2.50. 

Sponsored by Canadian Heritage. 

Entertainment by "Notes from Home" Myrna Reeves, Richard Eldridge and Agnas Clinton. 

Call 689-2612 or 689-2000 for information.