Spring seemed to arrive early this year, after a winter that really never was. I put away my winter coat and boots – never worn, even on my two-week trip to the Yukon in February, so warm was it there – in early April. Despite knowing better, I started looking in the garden for those first signs of spring – asparagus tips peeking through the soil, rhubarb beginning to unfurl its leaves, mint pushing its way into the sunlight – long before there was any chance of finding them. Even though we’ve had a week of hotter than usual weather, it’s still spring in my books, and I’ve enjoyed having a long season of it compared to those years when we move straight from winter to summer.
Savour
A couple of weeks ago, my partner and I spent a few days, along with good friends and our cat, in Prince Edward County. We had rented a house right on the shore of the lake, so we could watch the weather roll in and listen to the sound of waves when the wind picked up. Two swans graced us with their presence one afternoon; one of them gliding in a dignified manner, the other tipping itself ass-end-up as it searched for food. Our cat enjoyed her first holiday trip immensely, quickly scouting out the best spots for sun-filled snoozing.
We enjoyed some delicious food; in particular, a never-to be forgotten-dinner at Stella’s Eatery in Waupoos. The menu, heavy on local ingredients, consists of plates for sharing. The four of us couldn’t decide what our favourites were, although if I were forced to pick two of the several we enjoyed, I’d opt for the confit pork belly and the braised beets. It’s a tiny spot, and if you are tempted to give it a try, make a reservation so you won’t be turned away.
Smells
What is it about the scent of lilacs that is so intoxicating? Our trip to the County was just a couple of days too early for us to be treated to the full-blown lilac experience, but we had plenty in our backyard and languishing over the fence from our neighbour’s yard when we got home. My partner knows that I like nothing better than a house full of lilacs, so he got out the ladder and clippers and, in short order, we had huge vases of them throughout the house.
Recently, we met up with friends at The Opinicon, a beautifully restored historic lodge in Chaffey’s Lock, where we could smell the lilies of the valley long before we could see them. I know these are considered a pest by many – a couple of days after this outing, I heard a gardening call-in show during which most callers wanted help getting rid of this invasive plant – but I love them, so when I found a cultivated garden of them beside the walkway, I just stood and soaked in the scent for as long as I could.
Sounds
On our way to The Opinicon, my partner and I attended our first outdoor concert of the season. We drove the backroads north of Kingston to Leopard Frog Farm for an afternoon performance by Ottawa’s Lynn Miles and Keith Glass.
It was perfect: the day was warm and sunny, there were no mosquitoes, the audience members were keen fans and didn’t talk during the show, and the music was fantastic – I could easily have listened for another two hours. Even the outhouses provided for the event were beautiful.
Let’s hope this show was the first of many opportunities to listen to good music outside this year.
Sights
One of the things that made me fall in love with San Miguel, Mexico, when we began spending time there several years ago was the colour. It was such a contrast to the drab of Canadian winters. We haven’t been to Mexico for four years now and, by March, I’m desperate for colour and begin haunting local greenhouses to see what’s in store for the spring.
I started early this year with the purchase, in April, of a live viola wreath from Sun Harvest Greenhouse in Glenburnie. That proved to be just the first purchase of many my partner and I have made since, there and from Lockyer’s Country Gardens in Picton. We’ve made multiple trips to each so far this spring, returning home each time with the car full to the brim of — well — colour. I revel in those colours, even before the plants make it into pots or the garden.
Scrumptious
What would spring be without eating rhubarb and asparagus as often as possible? I’ve recently added rhubarb ginger ice cream to my repertoire. It’s easy to make, and roasting the rhubarb definitely adds some great flavour.
My favourite farmer at the Memorial Centre Market is growing and selling asparagus for the first time this year, so I’m in line early on Sunday mornings to scoop up as many bundles as I can. New to my recipe collection this year: grilled asparagus with blue cheese and toasted walnuts.
Summer will be here before we know it, but I’m hoping for a couple more weeks to enjoy everything spring has to offer.
