Chief Cook and Bottle Washer

How much macaroni and cheese should you prepare to feed approximately 29 people? 

I felt a bit panicked, when I realized I had no clue how to answer this question. One, two, three, four boxes...I kept going, ripping open the boxes of pasta and pouring the tiny tubes into a huge pot of boiling water. As I stirred the bubbling pasta, I began to have other worries as well. Aren't kids the most notoriously finicky eaters? Gosh, is it possible to mess up simple mac and cheese?

So, how was it that I found myself cooking macoroni and cheese for such a large crowd? 

On the previous Friday evening, my son Daniel had arrived home from the office looking pale and complaining of feeling dizzy.

"Feel my forehead", he said to his father and I, "Do I have a fever? I don't know that I can go to camp."

This unexpected illness was a bit of a disaster, to say the least. Twenty-nine people were already on their way to the weekend Winter Camp, where Daniel was to serve not only as a leader, but as the camp cook and head bottle washer. My husband, who was also a scouter, could pick up the leadership slack, but who would do all the cooking? 

There was no time left to cancel out on the weekend camp now. So, despite the fact that I had my own plans, I dropped everything and volunteered to be the camp cook. After all, isn't that just the kind of thing we Mom's do!

The camp was held at the Blue Springs Scout Reserve, which was a spectacular setting for winter fun.

The boys and men, who where larger in number camped in the "Station Hotel", while the girls and woman had a cozy cabin just behind the main lodge.

 The atmosphere was very relaxed and casual. Don't you love this fashion-forward cub camp footwear!

Somewhere along slippery slope towards adulthood, most of us stop liking winter. Why is that?

Children have no such dread of the winter season. They may bock about putting on that heavy, cumbersome outdoor gear, and who could blame them, but they are only too happy to spend countless hours outside playing in the cold.

After breakfast on Saturday morning, everybody went tobogganing. 

Then the ball really got rolling.

Don't you just love snowmen? A single arm and a nose and you are good to go!

After lunch, there was a hayride.

Ahh, best friends forever!

And doesn't even the simplest food taste better at camp?

I don't know what I was worried about. After a morning in the fresh air, the macaroni and cheese was gobbled up in no time and I even managed to make just the right amount!

Cub camp is the one place were you won't get an argument, when you tell them 

that they have to help to do the dishes!

Dinner and breakfast the next morning also went off without a hitch thanks to some very helpful parent volunteers. 

The kids were so sweet and polite about the food. One adorable young fellow came out to the kitchen, without any adult prompting I might add, to tell me just how much he had enjoyed his dinner that night. Hey, it was a proud moment for someone who has never been particularly confident about her culinary skills.

As an extra expression of their thanks, the kids and leaders presented me with the flowers that you see pictured here at the next regular Cub Pack meeting.

Special Photo Credits for this post: While the pictures in this blog are usually my own, in this post, my own images have been augmented with those of Filipina Whittaker, Cub Mom and parent helper. Many thanks to Filipina and the other parent helpers for making the camp a huge success.

More Information and Links:

To find out more information about Scouts Canada, please click the link below.

http://www.scouts.ca/

Aargh! No Internet Service!

I am sorry there has been no new posts this week. The all important cable linking our home to the world of the internet came down on Sunday and has been lying in the front yard ever since. Numerous calls to Roger's Wireless to expidite the repair has only resulted in a fresh batch of grey hairs. It is hard to imagine worse customer experience than that which we have experienced.

I am typing away at the public library for now. Hopefully, the Three Dogs in a Garden blog and I will be back online in the next few days....

A Garden Alphabet: A is for Astilbe

Astilbe, False Spirea 'Rhythm and Beat'

Have you ever made a clean getaway from a store or nursery with impossibly good deal?

Very late in last year's gardening season, hubby and I happened into a local Home Depot where there was a large tiered display of perennials marked with a huge sign: 

One Dollar! Seriously! Sometimes fall clearance plants at these big box store garden centres can be pretty bedraggled after a summer of intermittent care, but these 2 gallon perennials looked great. Surely some salesclerk had made a mistake with the sign.

I grabbed a shopping cart and frantically started loading it up. Let's see: 4 euonymus, 3 pink hellebores, 2 daylilies, a couple of fancy heuchera, 2 pink astible...

"Woo, woo!", said my panic stricken hubby pointing to our mid-sized Toyota with 3 dogs already filling up the back seat, "Where do you imagine we are going to fit all those plant pots?"

"But how can I pass on such an amazing deal?", I replied pouting a little, "They'll probably be gone if we come back later."

"Fine", he sighed, a poor man long ago resigned to his wife's gardening obsession, "You go pay and I'll shift a few things around in the trunk."

"The sign in the garden centre says these are a dollar.", I insisted defensively to the sales clerk, as I placed the plants up on checkout line.

Twenty dollars later, I wheeled a packed shopping cart out of the store, feeling kind-of like that crazy lady in the Ikea commercial, who looks with disbelief at her sales receipt, and then anxious to make a clean getaway, yells to her husband waiting in the parking lot to "Start the car!" 

Amongst my purchases is the Astilbe that you see at the top of this post. 

When it comes to Astilbe (Common names: False Spirea, Meadowsweet), I can tell you best what not to do. Don't plant them in dry shade! Been there, done that! 

I have a fair collection of Astilbe and by mid-summer, when rainwater is scarce, they are looking pretty worse for ware. To keep them going, I have to water them faithfully. Astilbe actually prefer consistently moist, rich soil. 

They are a long-lived perennial that have lovely fern-like foliage (seen along the bottom of this picture). Most varieties have tall, stiff stalks of feathery-soft flowers that come in shades of white, pink and red. There are also varieties whose plume of tiny flowers curves downward. ( See Red, White and Pink Ostrich Plume Astilbe here at Vessey's Seeds.)

I have always thought of them as a half-shade plant, but this summer I saw them flourishing in a fairly sunny spot. In fact, the plants had far more flowers than mine ever do in half-shade and shade.

That leads me to conclude that good, rich soil and sufficient water are the most crucial factors in enjoying good success with Astilbe plants. 

Do you concur? What's your experience?

For fun, I will be running through a garden alphabet on Fridays in the weeks to come. Next Friday is B. No idea what I will do for Z , but thankfully that is a long way off!

Have yourself a great weekend!

The Royal Manor B&B Garden in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara-on-the-Lake, located at the mouth of the Niagara River and overlooking Lake Ontario has a long and distinguished history. Site of a major battle during the War of 1812, the town was burnt to the ground by invading Americans forces and later rebuilt.

Today, Niagara-on-the-Lake is filled with tree-lined streets and beautiful century homes. Surrounded by fruit orchards and vineyards, it is often referred to as "one of the loveliest town in Ontario".

Certainly, you would be hard pressed to find another place in the Provence of Ontario that has dedicated as much public and private property to the art of gardening. "Gardening is a hobby and a passion here in Niagara-on-the-Lake, we are fortunate to have an abundance of wonderful gardens and gardeners too!", explains Vicky Downes, host of the Royal Manor B&B in the historic district of "Old Town".



The B&B is a handsome two story Georgian home that was built in the early 1800's as a tavern for the ships arriving at the docks at Navy Hall. In recent years, the house has been lovingly restored in a way that is faithful to its 19th century origins. The original pine floors still remain and are in amazingly good condition.

The B&B is surrounded by mature trees and has a lovely perennial garden complete with a small waterfall and pond. "The gardens have all been built over the last decade.", Vicky tells me, "They continue to evolve yearly, as the plants grow and need to be trimmed, separated or moved."

Let's take a peak around, shall we?

"Perennials are my passion and I have planted as many varieties as I can afford over the years. After a decade, I now have colour throughout the growing season and lots of textures and greenery too.", says Vicky.

Main border looking back towards the driveway.

A pretty hosta and Giant Fleece Flower, 'Persicaria polymorha' in the near background

Giant Fleece Flower, 'Persicaria polymorha' and Black-eyed Susan, 'Rudbeckia hirta'

Black-eyed Susan, 'Rudbeckia hirta'

Many of the perennials have a sentimental history for Vicky. "Plants that have been acquired from neighbours and friends are a constant reminder of that friendship whenever I'm working around them in the garden."

"I am always delighted when I am asked to share a cutting, because I know that that person will always remember where the original plant resided, and hopefully think of me too."

Toward the back of the property, is a large pond that was designed by Clearwater ponds to be low maintenance.

"The pond was built over a large hole that the previous owners had called a sunken garden (but was filled with weeds) and that I believe was the location of a former building/shed on the property. The pond plants were a new endeavour for me and I'm still learning how to get them to bloom and how best to locate them for maximum growth.", Vicky tells me.

The pond and the adjoining patio is a perfect spot to relax and recharge. "The fish are a delight for my Mom who watches them from her windows and calls them to feed daily in the spring and summer.", Vicky says.

Red Hollyhock

A pretty combination of several Hydrangea shrubs and a Japanese Maple.  

As well as a wide range of perennials, there is a nice selection of trees and shrubs. "I have many trees around the property, but always wanted a Japanese Maple and a Dogwood, both of which I now have."

Purple Smoke Bush, Cotinus coggygria 'puroureus'

A beautiful mixed of plants and shrubs welcomes guests at the front of the house.

Large container plantings flank either side of the front door. (Love this mix of Coleus, Sun-loving Impatiens and golden hued Creeping Jenny!)

"The hydrangeas at the front were planted in 2000 just as the 18 month renovation was being completed on the interior and now need some severe trimming yearly so that they don't cover the windows. I am not sure of the name of the variety, but they are an 'old' variety that bloom off the old branches, so they can't be trimmed too much or no flowers will appear the following year.", explains Vicky.

I found colours in these hydrangeas so pretty that I couldn't stop taking pictures of them. I think I must have over 20 shots!

"I scatter aluminium sulphate on the soil annually in the spring to create the colour variations.", Vicky tells me.

Many thanks to Vicky Downes for allowing me to show you her beautiful garden.

Further information and Links: 

Thinking of visiting Niagra-on-the-Lake this summer? You my just want to time your visit to include the Shaw Garden Tour. Visit: www.shawfest.com/gardentour for more details.

For general information on Niagra-on-the-Lake: http://www.niagaraonthelake.com  and http://visitniagaracanada.com/

For information on the Shaw Festival visit: http://www.shawfest.com

A bit more about Royal Manor Bed & Breakfast:

The B&B is located in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake and is a few minutes away from shops, theatres, and restaurants. The manor offers three spacious and beautifully appointed bedrooms, each with a private ensuite bath.

The B&B promises the visitor an array of gourmet breakfast options including "eggs benedict, omelettes & quiches, fluffy buttermilk pancakes with maple sausages, or apple french toast" which are served in a bright and airy breakfast room. 

Royal Manor has central air conditioning, is smoke-free, pet-free and adult-oriented. Manor House Photo gallery.

I have never had the pleasure of staying at Royal Manor, but did note an abundance of favourable online reviews that spoke of the B&B as a "true gem" and described the hospitality as "gracious" and "welcoming".  

Royal Manor Bed and Breakfast

905-468-9145

http://www.royalmanorbb.com/

Growing Old

What struck me most upon returning home from Nova Scotia were the contrasts. The day I had left behind in Halifax was brilliantly sunny and warm, whereas the early evening in the Toronto, when I walked out of the airport terminal, was overcast and miserably cold. 

As I rolled out of bed at 5am the next morning, and my feet hit the cold, wooden floor, I thought about the differences again, this time between households. I looked across the bedroom at the mess of my half unpacked suitcase, and thought of the spotless, white interior of my sister-in-laws house, where I had been billeted during my stay. Where were those plush carpets when my cold toes really needed them? 

I thought too about the dark gloom of my in-laws living room, where the curtains are always drawn. (My mother-in-law, who is battling Alzheimer's, finds bright light hard on her eyes.) 

And then, I remembered the busy chaos of my mother's house, where my sister and her two teenage children had stayed. Sadly, it had turned out that the restless energy of a 14 year old boy, the distress caused by her two visiting daughters messing about in her kitchen and the simple change in routine had been really hard for my almost 90 year old mother to bear. We did our level best to make it easy on her, but one tumultuous evening in particular, she burst into tears and could not find comfort, even in my father's arms.

Have you had to come to terms with aging or ailing parents yet? It is a tough and heartbreaking experience, I warn you!

When we went for coffee and cake at my in-laws, I am not sure my mother-in-law, looking reed thin and ashen grey, really knew who I was, but she greeted me warmly anyway. She simply avoided any situation where she had to refer to me by name.

Though her memory may be failing her, my mother-in-laws pride is still in good working order. When it was time for coffee, she refused all offers of assistance and got up to make the preparations herself, because that is just what any good hostess of her generation would do.

As the polite living room chatter continued, we watched as she made countless trips back and forth from the kitchen, setting out all the plates, coffee cups, spoons and forks on the dining room table.

I am sure my father-in-law had cheated a little and laid out everything in the kitchen in advance of our arrival, yet I could see the worry on her face as she stood looking at the items she had arranged on the dining table, trying to make sure that she had not forgotten anything. When she finally announced that coffee was served in the dining room, all I wanted to do was to give her a big old hug.

It troubled me greatly to see too the toll my mother-in-laws illness was taking on her partner of over 60 years. My father-in-law seemed so deeply depressed that it was both shocking and heartbreaking to see. Throughout their long marriage, he has always assumed a very traditional role as a husband, and now in his late eighties/early nineties, he was starting over, and learning to cook and clean the house for the first time.

When, in life, does a house cease to be a familiar place of comfort, and becomes instead an untenable burden?

Honestly, there seems to be an overwhelming degree of denial in addressing this question on the part of both my parents and my in-laws. 

So far, my father-in-law has flatly refused to bring in outside help. 

My Dad is unsteady on his feet and walks with a crutch now. All to soon, climbing the stairs will become an impossibility for him, yet my mother continues to speak of any future transition in their living arrangements as something in the far distance.

I hate to be too grim about my trip home to Nova Scotia and give you a false impression. Though I did spend many a night tossing and turning, fretting about what the future will bring, there were many good times as well. At my sister-in-law's place one evening, there was plenty of lively conversation and laughter over plates piled high with chicken, massed potatoes and gravy. There was also a fun pizza night at my brother's house.

My sister N., who had come all the way from Ireland with two of her three children, managed to give her Irish kids a proper introduction to winters in Canada, with happy afternoons spent skiing and skating. We also went bowling, to the movies, to the farmer's market and shopped til' we dropped. 

Gosh, how I miss both of my sisters and wish we could get together more often!

This is my brother's dog 'Scout'. The arrival of a new baby at my brother's house has meant that Scout has been spending more time than usual at my parent's place. My mother simply adores him and we often joke that Scout is her favourite grandchild.

Scout is a Nova Scotia Duck Toller (a breed of dogs unique to Nova Scotia). It doesn't matter how cold the water is, give him even the slightest excuse, and Scout is off for a swim!

He is also quite the ham!

I will always have such fond memories of him riding around with my parents in their little grey Honda, Scout standing in the backseat, forepaws resting on the centre armrest, presiding over the two old people in the front passenger seats.

I will also treasure the lazy afternoons I spent sitting with my Mom, listening to family stories, hearing all about her wooden carving projects on-the-go and reviewing with the magazine clippings earmarked as ideas for future projects. 

It seems that those as-yet-to-be-completed projects are what keep you going when your almost 90! That and gardening!

Of course, we spent the good part of a morning making an all-important tour of the garden, despite the cool winter weather! These days my Mom keeps herself young, while serving as head gardener at my sister M.'s house.

Have yourself a great weekend everyone!