It’s pruning time
Its officially time to prune your fruit trees! I know it seems like an odd time to be pruning your apple, pear, plum, and cherries, but the deep part of winter is the perfect time to start trimming. This year I have to take it one step further than just a little trim on my […]
Seasoning
When it comes to bagels my favourite is Montreal sesame. New York style bagels are too big and bready for me. I like the chewy, crisp taste of a well toasted Montreal bagel. I also like the Country Harvest multigrain bagels. I really don’t like everything bagel; not the taste nor the smell which is […]
Too soon and too late
My dad used to say, “Too soon old. Too late smart.” I’m sure this old saying was inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s, “Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late”. Anyhoo, the first time I can remember my dad speaking those words I thought it sounded very grown-up. I wished I’d […]
Wine trends
We often forget that wine, like fashion, runs in cycles. What we drink today says as much about the moment we’re in as it does about what’s in the glass. Take German riesling. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, sweet rieslings from the Mosel were the height of sophistication, commanding prices higher than First Growth […]
Invisible cake
I have been intrigued by this apple cake on Instagram for the last year called thousand layer apple cake or French invisible apple cake. But can you really call it a cake? Although I have seen some recipes using baking powder or self-rising flour, most of the recipes don’t use any leavener. It is basically […]
The nightmare next door
Once, in another lifetime, I was an eleven-year-old kid sitting in the back seat of a car being driven around by a drunk driver. I thought I could never again be so utterly frightened. And, until very recently, nothing much compared to that life/threatening-changing event. I felt as if nobody could feel my angst, and […]
Cleaner air
A few years ago I had the privilege to go down to Costa Rica for a vacation and an opportunity to explore different eco systems. I travelled between mountains peaks, cloud forests, desert zones and beaches. While this was definitely a trip of a lifetime for me, it was also an incredible learning situation as […]
Korean cuisine
I went to Sujeo restaurant last week for the first time and I can’t believe that I haven’t gone before. Every table was full and the kitchen was hopping with non-stop take-out orders. Despite that, our food came out quickly, piping hot, and we got fairly large portions for a decent price. The handmade dumplings […]
Downsize? Never!
After reading last week’s column, someone asked me if LOML and I were getting ready to “downsize”. Who the H E Double Hockey sticks came up with that word and why do so many folks think every old fart is interested in downsizing? I do dream about living in a house that is level and […]
Clutter challenge
It feels as if it’s been a very long time since I sat here and wrote a column. By “here” I mean, “Sitting on my couch, in my living room while watching CBS Sunday morning.” So, here I am. So much has happened in the two weeks since the last publication of The Times. So […]