Welcome to another edition of this, er, blog. Why blog? Because its fun! And because I don't think you need another newsletter subscription. (I have so many that I don't pay for and lament the fact that they are not in a feed, that putting them in a feed would require its own feedly subscription and I'm Séraphin Poudrier as far as all that is concerned.) (Do you know what kind of monthly bill I’d have to pay for all the newsletters I like following? Uh…) On with the list!
1. Historical research detours
Sometimes history is taught from an arbitrary point... In Manitoba we might learn for example that Jean-Baptiste Lagimodière and Marie-Anne Gaboury were the first white couple to arrive on the plains of St. Boniface. They are, after all, Louis Riel's grandparents. So while we make do with this image of a man and woman arriving on this frontier in their uncomfortable clothes, on their uncomfortable cart, greeted with warmth by the busily harangued bishop, worry-worn but happy to see this nice white couple, it's exciting to to push that frame and pan out a little... This week I read a local history of the parish of St. Justin, from where they came, the priest that ministered there for 45 years (Denis Gérin) who was related to Quebec's first sociologist (Léon Gérin) and Antoine Gérin-Lajoie who wrote "Un canadien errant" - a ditty my father-in-law would sing to the grandkids.
2. Historical research finds the drama
One of the families who immigrated to Manitoba from Quebec, came from the town of St. Scholastique. To get an idea of where such a place is, research lead me to discover that the town was forced to give way to the Mirabel airport in 1969. In this case, history leads the willing person into a noisy and vibrant drama, the way, in winter, you could be driving along a lamp-lit road and only be greeted by people the moment you open the door to a raucous party. I find it just as exciting!
3. eating
A plate of sticky chicken, rice and pickled vegetables hit the spot with this week's warmer temperatures. I made Ali Slagel's version, but Lynn Crawford and Lora Kirk's "General Gemma's Chicken" in Hearth and Home is good, so is Julia Turshen's "Sticky Chicken" in Simply Julia, but she also has a recipe for tofu with rice and pickled vegetables that could rival the chicken options listed so far. Mmm... quick pickled vegetables feel so effortlessly summer. I also tried out Smitten Kitchen's Blondie Chipwiches. The cakey-cookie layer is easy-peasy, but assembly is a little tricky.
4. Teacher gifts
End of June marks the end of the school year and I have teacher gifts on my mind. Need some local ideas?
Black Market Provisions sells 12$ jars of La Lichée caramel with fleur de sel, coffee, and chocolate flavours.
Reusable bags are a must, and why not pick a pretty one from Kelly Lewis's extensive collection here.
A mug, but make it special! My aspirational gift-giving self would support potters like Pepo Cermics, and Meg Does Pottery. Isn’t this gold splatter wine mug pretty? (And I love this planter, priced like the piece of art it is.)
Summer is a celebration of fresh vegetables and fresh fruit and supporting local producers is a gift in both directions. How about a gift card to St. Leon Gardens?
If you really want to spoil someone, a gift card to Thermea.
Then again, a pretty card with kind thoughts inside and a gift card to the teacher’s favourite coffee stop is never a bad idea!
5. Scenery here
After the dandelions come the clover...
