wondering about sauna?
Now that the birds here in Prince Edward County are flying south, if I start thinking about it right now, could this be the year that the Winter sauna/outdoor hot tub gets built at the Nook?This Dutchtub seems a real stunner, with it’s colours and customized templates…but at a starting price of $6,000, there’s no way.
Lots of issues to work out for building an off-grid, lakeside sauna/tub. Safety, ease of operation, building logistics, cost, making sure it’s chemical-free and energy efficient.
I wonder what shipping would cost from New South Wales, for this portable tent sauna?
photo by Garr Renolds
Wiki says:”In the 1940s, the first home hot tubs began to appear, mostly in California, USA. Inspired by the Japanese Ofuru soaker tubs (above pic),these early prototypes were made from used oak barrels, wine tanks and olive vats from nearby wineries”. Nifty ! But how about this: a propane water heater and stock tank combo? That would be relatively easy to assemble and use,as I have an ample supply of propane. But I’ll need to figure out getting the water from the frozen lake into the tub in the Winter. Count on my friends at Cottage Life to have a water intake forum here. I’ll need to read it over later…for now I’m getting packed up and heading back to T.O.
accessing your inner pioneer
It’s getting to be that time of year when inquiries for renting my secluded cottage getaway here in PEC take a unique turn, with explanations of how “Quiet Season” hiking to the Nook becomes necessary, and when. But why? “Because the road is steep and narrow at the top of the hill ; because fallen leaves and possible rains make it treacherous.” And additionally,when there’s snow and ice, it’s also the occasion for heating water over the woodstove (which proves itself squarely as a non-decorative device) and for having a taste of living more like early pioneers (but with a Blackberry). Snowshoeing, simmering stews, striking full-mooned moonbeams shining through the woods, not wanting to get up to stoke the fire during the night, the sounds of ice crackling along the shores of the Adolphus Reach. It might even be the year of the sauna.(Ok, so I’m a winter person).
When I recently prompted a mid-photoshoot conversation with Claire Tansey (former Summer-time guest at the Nook, and Food Editor extraordinaire at Chatelaine Magazine) to the topic of “dining in the winter woods”, I liked hearing about a Coq au Vin supper she’d prepared in advance and warmed apres ski in a Mount Tremblant hotel room kitchenette, completed with crusty baguette to sop up the juices….and a bottle, naturally, of good red wine. Here’s her delicious recipe. More posts to come on these winter menu queries that I’ll solicit from other favourite foodies and outdoorsy types I know….
Meanwhile: a bit of necessary business to update on my website (as soon as my webmaster calls back):
Quiet Season Rates (Oct.-Jan) at the Nook are now :$650 per week, $290 for 3 nights, $220 for 2 nights. High Season Rates (May-Sept): at $790 per week (reduced from $850!), $390 for 3 nights, $290 for 2 nights.
Happy Labour Day and enjoy these last wonderful days of Summer ! and let me know what your favourite winter cottage meal might be. Ruth’s Canteen delivers customized picnics, by snowshoe if necessary. No dishwashing or soapmaking required…
photo James Tse Food Styling Ruth Gangbar Props Laura Branson
tomato heaven
I had a big need for heirloom tomatoes recently that landed me in the midst of my friends and neighbours Tim Noxon and Vicki Emlaw, from Vicki’s Veggies on Morrison Point Road in Prince Edward County. Not only are the tomatoes fabulous (with varieties like Berkley Tie-died, Black Pearl, Green Sausage, Vintage Wine, Peach, Peche, Purple Calabash, Pineapple Fog, Green Velvet, Black Krim, New Zealand Pink Pear….), but also fabulous is the feeling I get from being at close range. These remarkable folks clearly love what they do, share it generously, and do it very very well. Don’t miss the “Heirloom Hurrah” Tomato Festival on Sept 4 and 5, for a taste of all 240 varieties that they grow, and a charming way to meet on “their turf” (which now also includes both the Wychwood Green Barns and Brickworks Farmers Market. And don’t forget to eat their salad greens, garlic, potatoes, beets, beans, home made soups and pestos, squash, herbal tea blends….
John Cullen captured a taste of the farm in these images.
Rehearsal Dinner
Chatelaine Magazine’s Vanilla Cake with Summer Fruit….is one of those recipes that I’ll be guaranteed to make again. We featured it in a featured summer story shot by photographer John Cullen, with props (like the kind you’d like to keep, as usual) by Sasha Seymour, food styling by me.
wine and cheese for Canada Post
Ok, so these were released in 2006, but these stamps were the first with food and wine for Canada Post ever designed and printed.
Photography by Robert Wigington, Food Styling by Ruth Gangbar. Cheddar by the Black River Cheese Company.
dark chocolate tortes
Photography James Tse
Food styling Ruth Gangbar Prop Styling Laura Branson
end of the thread
Happened upon a wonderful spot called End of the Thread Cafe and Antique Emporium.
“An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place and circumstance”
Well worth passing through Brighton ON, on the way east (or west).
15 Main St. Brighton 613-475-4366 tel
Highly recommended for Gluten-free sweets, great atmosphere, and some really cool antiques to drool over. Lunches too. Go there!
Look what’s on the Queen’s Plate!
Congratulations to Fifth Town and Huff Estates Winery !
Savvy Sommelier Debbie Treholm blogs here (and below…thanks for your words Debbie )about the menu recently served to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth during her Canada day visit to Ottawa.
photography by Mark Bartkiw food styling by Ruth Gangbar
~ Upon Arrival ~
13th Street Winery Cuvée 13 Rosé VQA 2007, Niagara
A small number of Ontario’s 100+ wineries craft sparkling wine. 13th Street Winery is a boutique winery situated on the Beamsville Bench (Niagara Escarpment) renown for their sparkling wines. This rare sparkling Rosé made with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a splash of Syrah is extraordinary - dry, crisp with delicate aromas of wild strawberry, juicy red cherry with an elegant mousse that lingers as it refreshes. A delicious way to begin today’s celebration.
~ First Course ~
Green and White Asparagus Salad with Orange Segments,
Organic Baby Lettuces and Shaved Ontario Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Isabella’s Extreme Sheep’s Milk Cheese
Huff Estates South Bay Chardonnay VQA 2007, Prince Edward County
From Ontario’s fastest growing wine region – Prince Edward County – where over 20 wineries have emerged in the last 5 years and their wines are making a big impression in the wine world. This Chardonnay from Huff Estates won the prestigious White Wine of the Year from the annual Ontario Wine Awards and turned heads as it gained praises by British wine media last month when showcased at the Seriously Cool Chardonnay tasting at Canada House in London, England. This Chardonnay is a complex medium to full bodied wine, delicately threaded with French oak giving delicious tastes of vanilla custard, toasted nuts, warm spices with a hint of smoke.
~ Main Course ~
Roasted Breast of Barbarie Duck with Shredded Confit of Duck Leg
Mashed Potatoes with Wild Blueberry & Thyme Jus
Local Spring Vegetable Bundle
Stratus White VQA 2006, Niagara
Located in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Stratus Vineyards crafts an ‘assemblage’ using the estate’s best Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Semillon & Viognier grapes. The blend composition changes with each vintage. The result in the 2006 vintage is a medium bodied wine with aromas of peach & pear with a delicate hint of orange blossom balanced with the acidity & plush mouthfeel that will complement the ingredients in the main course for those who prefer white wine.
Lailey Vineyard Canadian Oak Pinot Noir VQA 2007, Niagara
A truly Canadian wine – this Pinot Noir has been aged in barrels made with native Canadian oak trees – an innovation in the Canadian wine industry. Lailey Vineyard is one of the original six wineries who were integral to this experiment. They now they craft four wines exclusively aged in Canadian oak barrels to rave reviews. This elegant medium bodied wine has aromas of cherry, cranberry & earthy tones that grace the glass with a soft texture of red fruit & fresh ground white pepper that lingers on the palate. Selected by the Sommelier as roasted duck & Pinot Noir are a classic food & wine pairing.
~ Dessert Course ~
Fresh Local Strawberry Compote with Lemon Poppyseed Shortcake
Vanilla Mascarpone Mousse
Maple Shortbread
Coffee and Tea Service
eat my ride
I’ve finally busted out from the city, and decided to spend the next 5 days eating what I can buy, grow, or scavenge within a bicycle range of my home near the Black Creek, between Picton and Milford, here in Prince Edward County.
Fortunately for me, I couldn’t have choose to try this experiment in a better location! Vicki’s Veggies is especially nearby, separated by the Black River Cheese Factory. For a well-motivated excursion over that’a way, is Long Dog Winery, near Pete and Barb’s farm stand where I may even find lamb….and peas yet? we’ll see.
I’ve been working alot in TO , but managed to bake Rhubarb Crisp from the garden; Steven Draper came by for tea..agreed the garden was chaotic, but gave food photography a whirl instead of the taking more of his panoramic landscape shots. Come back when the Columbia Blue Raspberries are ripe.
Ah…but help with garden planning is on the way. Ruth’s Canteen continues to develope organically; meanwhile it’s time to enjoy an appetite surrounded by harvests.
Tonight’s dinner ? Crispy Potato Pancakes with slivered fresh snow peas (from Vicki’s Veggies), topped with Chow Chow from Pat’s Jam’s…a departure from the classic theme of applesauce and sour cream for latkes, with a recipe here. I actually had to force myself to save a few for tomorrow’s breakfast hash with eggs (and snow peas….so good!)
photos by Steven Draper
Michael Graydon visits the Nook
I’m sharing a few of the luscious images taken by photographer Michael Graydon during his recent stay at the Nook.
I’m especially enjoying looking at them on this rainy morning here in Toronto, recovering peacefully after a terrific photoshoot with Michael yesterday, working together for Chatelaine Magazine again.
Thanks for the cozy pictures Michael (and the best studio coffee ever! from Balzacs)
Previous Entries