Bonfire party

 

 On a soft May evening

People gather

Bringing offerings for the bonfire

And food to share

Kids collect wood

The fire smokes

Then settles to burn

Branches, old furniture,

Construction waste

All consumed in the fire

As dusk falls

The fire burns high

Then low

Then settles to embers

The fire draws us together

Gives us purpose

Warmth of fire and friends

This is a bonfire party

The back deck

When we moved into this house almost four years ago there was a little back deck with very dated railings.  We removed the railings and added some lattice and a few potted plants and it's served us well.  

But my dream has always been to have a ground level stone patio where we could have a table and chairs set out for an al fresco lunch under a tree.  And recently I decided to spend the last of my little inheritance upgrading the back yard area.  I may never get to Provence but I can create my own French countryside, right?  This is where we spend most of the time in the summer so it only makes sense to create as much beauty as we can here.

My first plan was for two wooden platforms leading down to a large slate patio.  But when we consulted with the experts, we learned that natural slate is beyond my budget and not very practical either.  Now we've come up with a revised design using stone-like pavers on two levels and a granite wall.  The new design eliminates the wooden platforms (and the maintenance) altogether.  This is a boon!  The other good thing from Harry's point of view is that he won't have  to build the new wooden platforms.

We're going ahead with the design and over the weekend we prepared by removing everything from the deck... 

and today the workers arrived to dismantle it.  Here's what it looks like tonight after removing the deck and breaking out a couple of little concrete areas.  It's very bare and utilitarian looking right now.  (Not at all like Provence!)

Those little temporary steps are the way we get in and out for now.  My dear dogs are having some trouble adapting to this change.  They stand at the back door and look hesitant, then they go carefully outside.  Maggie (the princess) doesn't like standing on the gravel at all and stands way out on the grass waiting for the door to open.

Tomorrow they'll bring in the excavator and begin the real work. It should be done in about ten days.  I hope it looks as nice as it did in my fantasy!

Dog show contestants

I meant to post a couple of photos from last Sunday's dog walk but the week just sucked me in with a whoosh.  So here (a week later) are two of the cutest.  A big feature of our event is the fun dog show with contests for best dressed dog...

and dog that looks most like owner...

This girl won third prize I think.  She made use of the face painter from the kidz zone to help her out.

Our dog walk was a big success in spite of some rather cool weather. 

Tree peony shadow

Here, for Shadow Shot Sunday, is the very first bloom from my four-year-old Tree Peony.  Isn't it beautiful?  I bought it when we first put some plants in at the back of the house but it's suffered a few setbacks.  First of all it was in a pot, which kept it from properly rooting.  Then for two years in a row its bud was accidently broken off.  Last year it was moved behind something else and didn't get the water it needed.  But now it's found a forever place and it's taking off.

I just love the big floppy petals and the shadows they cast--plus that stunning centre bit.

Gardening just gets better and better for me!

Caffe Fantastico

We've been all over the west side of the USA and into Mexico and we've never yet found a latte that equals one from Victoria's own Caffe Fantastico.  This coffee is so rich and smooth and sweet that I don't even need any sugar with it.  (And that's unusual for me).

The people at the Fantastico are obsessive about coffee roasting--to the point that they won't allow fragrance in their shop, and they will refuse to make certain drinks.  All their coffees are doubles and so I order a "half-caff latte in the biggest take-out cup" to get it the way it like it, not too dark.   Sometimes the barrista will politely suggest that it might be a little weak but I tell them that's how I like it.  And it's not weak at all.  Compared to other burned coffees or weak lattes I've had, this is like nectar.

And look how artistically they create a design in the top.  If you're ever in Victoria, make sure you find the Fantastico and check out their coffee.  It's not a fancy place but the clientele is varied and interesting and the coffee is the best I've ever found.

The Omnivore's Dilemma--what should I eat?

A recommendation from my friend Ches has led me to a fascinating book about the farming practices in North America.  Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma, a Natural History of Four Meals" has completely opened my eyes to the dysfunctional agricultural system that has developed in North America in recent decades.  While this subject may seem dry or even boring, I have to say that Michael Pollan's elegant prose and graphic stories make this a riveting read. 

The question he addresses is one I've grappled with now for years:  what should I eat?  He's a journalist and a philosopher and he offers huge insights into how we eat and how we live.  It's been a very busy week for me but I've found a few hours to read halfway into this book.  Now it's due back at the library and since there's a hold on it I can't renew it.  I'm considering going downtown and buying this book because it's one of those that I'll be wanting to lend to all my friends.

So far it's been depressing to read about gluts of corn and cattle feedlots, but now we're into the organic farming section and things are lightening up.  It's my wish that this book will end on a hopeful note.  Check out the links above to learn more about Micheal Pollan and his ideas.