I just visited my siblings the past few days in the Prince Edward County area of southern Ontario. Temperatures were in the 70′s and no rain. Most importantly, it was harvest time. Old memories flooded in. The first night there, I visited my college roommate (and Maid of Honor at my wedding). Dinner was pan-fried pickerel and bass caught the day before. It was so good – the pickerel was almost sweet in flavor. Fresh chard, potatoes, peppers – all from the garden rounded out the entrée. Dessert was the most incredible blueberry pie – the blueberries had just been picked. Breakfast the next morning included her homemade red currant-raspberry jam (I remember so well my mum’s red currant jam) and peaches from the Niagara Falls area. And that was just the beginning of many incredible meals we had, so many of them sourced locally.

We drove the area, passing PYO (Pick Your Own) blueberry, strawberry, apple and tomato farms. We stopped and ate apples straight from the tree. I had forgotten how crisp they could be.  We passed several organic farms. A highlight was a wine and cheese tasting at Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company. Every other day, their own truck picks up the goat and sheep milk to ensure freshness. Their mechanical engineering system is Platinum LEED certified. The cheese itself – Bagel Chevre, Bedda Feda, Operetta, Nettles Gone Wild – I loved them all so much.

What a treat this was – I returned so inspired. By the way, in case you read this, I did so much enjoy my weekend with you as well, my dear sisters and brother!

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