Quaintrelle Weekender

A good read, the best way to wash veggies, the best fruit fly trap(?), and what it means to be Canadian.

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I have a friend who just became a Canadian citizen.

She’s an English lass from Britain; she keeps telling me her hometown but regrettably I keep forgetting. Oxfordshire? Cambridgeshire? Lancishire? Some -shire about an hour outside of London.

Anyway, this girl knows more about Canada than anyone I’ve ever met.

She’s travelled to every province, taken the VIA across the country from Halifax to Vancouver (and experienced what getting snowed in (near Churchill) is like – a la Death on the Orient Express (but without the murder)). She’s seen the arctic, or at least as close as one wants to get to it; fished for lobsters in the oceanic waters off PEI, swam in all the Great Lakes, climbed many Rocky Mountains, been invited to witness sacred ceremonies with Canada’s indigenous, and is currently completely a documentary on Alberta’s Bow River.

I would bet a loonie she’s more Canadian than any naturally-born citizen I know.

Look at this handsome devil. (It’s John A Macdonald.0

Still, she was nervous about passing the test. Because, you know, being a productive, tax-paying member of society requires you to know the fifth Prime Minister’s mother’s maiden name.

Me? I majored in history during my drive-by of university and I’d be stumped at even the most basic questions.

Who’s the first PM? Erm… I dunno… John A? Is he the one who consulted with his mother’s ghost for guidance on leading the country? Quick, hand me a fiver so I can see who it was.

(FYI – John A Macdonald was the first Prime Minister of Canada – and again the third – and was a legendary booze hound who famously vomited on a stage during a campaign stop and frequently initiated brawls in the House of Commons. The PM who held seances was William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada’s 10th leader, who also summoned the spirit of his dog. But clearly the mystic help of the beyond was a boon for his career – he was the country’s longest serving PM, lasting more than 21 years. Who says Canada’s boring?)

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This Week’s Big 3

Wash veggies in baking soda. We haven’t discussed my love of baking soda for awhile, so let’s remedy that. Ditch the expensive veggie washes and instead give your fruits and vegetables a 2 minute soak in a solution of 1 tsp baking soda to 1 cup water.

Acid trip. I’m late to the game on the Hypochlorous acid craze, but now that I know about it, I’m leaning in hard. This naturally-forming stuff is gentle on the environment as well as the skin and respiratory systems of humans, but disinfects and deodorizes with such force that it’s the cleaning product of choice in hospitals. Have you tried it?

Shoo, fruit fly. OK. Less of a recco, more of a question. Has anyone tried this little zapper? I’m hearing loads of buzz about it (sorry, not intentional.) We’re headed into fruit fly season here in southern Ontario… I’m already seeing one or two eager ones flying around… What’s the word? Is this worth the $23 (Cad) investment?

This Week’s Read

The Mortons by Justine Larbalestier & Scott Westerfeld I’m 70% through this wacky novel about an old world, old money crime family. The protagonist is a college-level high performer who is ordered, by her grandmother, to kill her cousin. And from there, the exploits unfold. It’s become really good, though it took a bit of time to get there (there’s a lot that’s going on with a lot of characters and various subplots) but I think it’s coming together now and there’s some great intrigue.

I’ve got a long (and ever-growing) TBR list, but I will always take more. If you’ve got a great summer read please leave your recommendation in the comments!

The Weekend Menu

We’re headed into the August long weekend here in Ontario. I know everyone says it, but, holy smokes, summer if flying by. I am sounding the alarm to maximize all pool-and-sun time. Which is exactly this weekend’s plan.

Last Sunday’s Dinner: Well, TBH, last Sunday was mussels, fries and salad, a heavy-hitting summer menu around these here parts. But I’ve talked about that a lot, so let me tell you about last Saturday’s dinner, instead. Corn is now in season in Ontario, so a lovely pasta made with pancetta, corn, bacon, basil and shallots. It was sort of a throw-together thing, so I found this Melissa Clark recipe for you.

Tonight’s dinner: My sister’s making her moussaka (brilliant option for assemble ahead and throw in the oven without wasting any precious pool time.) I found this recipe which looks close to hers. She’s serving it with salad and lemon potatoes (Link not exactly the same, we cut ours into wedges not discs and we don’t roast the lemon slices. But it’s not a bad idea…)

The Weekend Cocktail: Colu Henry wrote a fun reminder about the joys of the Gimlet, which is one of my favourite cocktails of summer. Especially when made by the pitcher.

The Weekend Wine: Trius Cabernet Franc, VQA Niagara Peninsula $18

Look at this handsome devil. Lord Simcoe really owning the epaulettes.

Happy Simcoe Day!

The August 3rd civic holiday is in honour of John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, and the founder of York (now Toronto.) He wasn’t here long, only four years. His last post was commander-in-chief of India, but he died en route before being able to fulfill his duties.

Keep that knowledge handy in case you ever need to prove how Canadian you are.

Be good! (And report back on what that’s like.)

xo – Erin