Gooddmorning all!  I just thought I'd pop in on this bright and sunny holiday Monday morning.  Just a little fire in the fireplace to burn off the morning chill.  Coffee and toast for breakfast.

The fiddleheads are at their peek in this part of the world.  I bought some at a roadside stand for $2.50 a pound.  Then Seelerman had a big bag given to him (in lieu of a tip while driving taxi).   So I'm making fiddlehead soup.  Through the magic of being virtual, it will be enough for everyonee.  Jusst drop in any time today and help yourself.  I'm leaaving sour cream and lemon zest to dress it up, and crusty rolls on the side. 

Ladle out a bowl of hot soup, add a swirl of sour cream, sprinkle with zest and yum yum.

Never eaten fiddlehead soup or eaten fiddleheads....one of those Maritime delicacies I need to experience.  Sounds yummy!

Gecko - a nature lover like you?   Fiddleheads are one of God's gifts.  The earliest spring greens - I can imagine how welcome they must have been to the early settlers fighting off scurvy at the end of a long winter.  Free for the picking, if you have access to the edges of woodland streams or riverbanks - especially plentiful on low-lying islands, poking their heads up soon after the high-waters recede.

Seeler - how do you know which fiddleheads are good to eat?  I've looked at the ones in my garden & wondered often if they're edible.   Like gecko, I've yet to try some.  We enjoyed some fantastic Ontario asparagus yesterday, and my husband made the most delicious rhubarb crumble with rhubarb from our neighbours garden - there's a bit left - so help yourselves!

Gorgeous and sunny weekend so far - I've been continuing my gardening - almost finished now - hopefully will sit back this afternoon & enjoy some reading while surveying the results of my labour.  

Happy Victoria Day to all!  Anyone celebrating with fireworks?  There have been many going off around our neighbourhood these past few nights. 

I've never had fiddleheads either.  It looks like it's an Eastern thing?  Can you still buy them in the fall?

Carolla, as far as I know there's nothing planned here for fireworks.  Isn't it difficult to get a permit?  I know some people do it illegally, but that's pretty rare as they aren't easy to obtain in the first place!

I've always heard that Victoria Day fireworks is a bit of an Ontario thing, chemgal, but who knows? It is one of two days around here (the other is Canada Day) when you can obtain and use them privately. Last night, some folks were at it already including, I think, the court behind us. I can do without it but I suppose it's fun every now and then. Last time we lit them off ourselves was for Chinese New Year in Shanghai (we went in 2005 to celebrate with my wife's family). That was, pardon the pun, a blast. Non-stop fireworks across the city until well past midnight on New Year's Eve and on and off for the whole week (it's a week long festival over there).

No need for a fire here. We're having our first "heat wave" though it's not too bad. High of 28 today and then dropping as the week goes on. Was out biking this morning and it was a great ride but I worked up quite a sweat.

The local asparagus is in, carolla? Wow, that's early, isn't it?

Mendalla

I am  sure that Beloved would like a bowl of fiddlehead soup.

Mmmm!  I've never tried it, crazyheart . . . but I'm in.

Hi everyone - I have missed the room and all you roomies!

I have checked in now and again and read some posts over these last weeks/months . . . and when I checked again the other day I was sad to see Room - Part II was closed.  Thanks somegal for initiating Room III :)

I've continued to struggle with my health over these last weeks.  In most ways I am better than I was . . . and yet, no where near where I need to get.  I've lost a lot of weight, very quickly (I'm one of the ones who used to whine about dieting and losing weight not too many months ago).  And am at my lowest weight in almost 30 years.  No DC for me . . . and no others treats either - pretty much a plain, fresh food, cooked diet.  I am sure it isn't anything serious - but dealing with a gastro thing (awaiting an appointment with a gastro doctor) - and awaiting results from thyroid investigations.  It has been a long haul . . . and when I get whiney (which my hubby would say is more often these days) . . . I just long for the haul to be over.  I certainly have developed more empathy for those with very serious, chronic, long-term illnesses.

No fireworks here this weekend - lots of campfires though, I'm sure.  I'm not sure if you can legally buy fireworks in Manitoba.  We do have a local committee that does fireworks on July 1st.

I am certainly intrigued by these "fiddleheads" - I wonder if they grow in Manitoba?

I think they grow most places but we just don;t know how to make soup with them but I could be wrong

Aren't they the end of the ferns?

seeler, is this what they are like when you pick them. google is good for something lol

Read more at http://www.ifood.tv/recipe/cream_of_fiddlehead_soup#qClxj0spBAxjglQ2.99  

From Canadian Living:

Fiddleheads are one of the world's coolest greens. These unfurled fronds of the ostrich fern (matteuccia struthiopteris) are known as fiddleheads because they resemble the finely crafted head of a fiddle. Depending on the weather, they begin to appear around late April to early May along river and stream banks, in open woodlands and at the edges of swamps and marshes across New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario. They are harvested when just a few inches off of the ground so they are still tender and tightly coiled.

My mouth is now watering at the thought of fiddlehead soup!

I am sitting here kind of wasting a day watching the Twitterstorm about Canadian politics, and playing the occasional move on Scrabble on FB. Oh, I am doing laundry and knitting, so perhaps the day is not a complete waste.

chemgal, I am sorry to hear you are still struggling with your health. I hope you find a solution soon. More importantly, I hope you find health soon. That is a hell of a weight loss plan.....

In Ont. we had fiddlehead-up muskoka aay in Haliburton.

I didn't care for them at the time. Mind you I didn'y like aspargus then either and now I do.

Let me add some virtual quilts to the room. I'm certianly enjoying quilting these days and  virtual quilts are so quick. I've backed them with flannel so they are nice and cosy!

Thanks somegal for reopening the room!

That's Beloved and not me!  My thyroid is fine as far as I know.  Nothing related to it showed up on an ultrasound.

Beloved, I didn't know you were also dealing with any gastro issues other than what you mentioned earlier.  Losing that much weight is a little scary!  I hope you get things diagnosed soon and get a working treatment plan.  Waiting for doctors is no fun.  I still have months to go for an allergist.

Seeler, I have some fiddleheads to cook up for dinner tomorrow night, but, the price I paid was 6.00/lb  soyours were a lot better deal.  

Folks, they are available at market in s. ontario this time of year, or even the grocery store.   They are full of iron and good for you.

Asparagus was last night, yum...and also have sme more asparagus to eat.   

The rhubarb crumble sounds great.

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I was just going to celebrate seeing a beloved sighting, when i found this new htread and low & behold beloved is here as well as a bunch of other friends.

Good to see you folks, 

Crazyheart, your picture shows ostrich ferns well past their fiddlehead stage - but yes, they are the same plant.  To be fiddleheads they have to be picked much earlier, while the head is still tightly curled like the head of a fiddle.  They grow quickly.  In a few days they are out of the ground and ready to pick - a few days later they are unfurled and past their time. 

Your recipe contains much the same ingredients as the one I developed a few years ago.  But my directions are different.  Boil the fiddleheads separately.  When they are done, rinse with cold water and chop in the blender.   Then cook onions or leeks in margarine.   Add to fiddleheads in the blender and run a few seconds.  Return to cooking pot with chicken stock, bring to a boil, add other ingredients (I don't use cayanne).  Reheat.  Sprinkle with paprika.  Serve with sour cream and lemon zest. 

The water fiddleheads are cooked in tends to get dark and I believe it may be bitter.  It doesn't sound appetizing. 

I have never tasted them but they do sound good the way you do it seeler.

Ooops sorry chemgal. I knew you were struggling with your health a little while ago. I guess I got confused.

Beloved I'm sorry to hear you are having health problems, (see my note to chemgal above) I do hope you find an answer and more importantly, that your health returns soon.

lol That's understandable Northwind.  I just don't need to take any new ones on! 

I don't blame you chemgal! Stay well.

I see this room has been busy today! I've never had fiddleheads, but the soup sounds delicious!

I think Victoria Day fireworks must be an Ontario thing as I've never heard of them out here. We do, however, have a fantastic parade which I go to every year. It's a huge event - about three hours long and has dozens of marching bands and floats - as well as past and present members of the military and all emergency services. It's always lots of fun, and this year was no exception. 

To add to the food already on the table, I have brought some Bliss Balls - made with chocolate, cashews, dates, pecans, raisins, cranberries, brown rice syrup, cocoa powder and maple syrup. Yummy!

Goodness somegal - it does make sense that Victoria would have a giant parade on Victoria Day!  Must be amazing.  

Yup, Mendalla - it did say "Ontario" asparagus. So the season has begun!  Now on a related personal issue ... anybody else get 'asparagus pee'?   It's fairly common I think! 

So nice to see you back Beloved - I missed you! 

Curling up here in a cozy quilt & enjoying my soup and bliss balls!  Thanks friends. 

Carolla, I think most people create the smell, there's more variance as to whether or not someone can smell it as I recall.

It is really cool Carolla - a real community event!

Thanks, carolla.

Well, been a busy week, with some hopeful items put in place.

A family member is interested in doing the caregiving for my father, replacing the one who gave notice.  This is a good thing for multiple reasons, and though it has potential negative consequences, I think the positive greatly outweigh the negative for both.

I got some gardening done in a garden that is significantly out of control.  

I cooked up a bunch, which felt good.  I also have an appreciative son who enjoys good food, with spices, vegetables, flavours...so that feels good

I went to see a movie tonight with a good friend, which had multiple levels and was good entertainment:  The Sapphires.

My husband bought a kayak and he & oldest son put it in the water, along with the springer...and my youngest went to grand bend for the day...with a minor sunburn being the only negative consequence

all in all, a pretty good long weekend.

May is just flying by. My newest passion-quilting is keeping me busy.

It s Tabitha.

setting out some breakfast for folks...the mangos are good in the stores now, so cut one up the lazy way, eat it like an orange

Life (never mind just May) seems to fly by after you get past a certain age. Had my 25 year celebration at the College yesterday and received a tiny diamond in my commemorative pin.

Vacations, in particular, fly by. I'm having a week off this week, and it's more than half over and I've only done a quarter of what I was going to get done. Isn't that always the way!

However, I am making scones this morning, so here's a few - currant, walnut/cheddar, to add to Pinga's lovely fruit.

One of the store managers in my local grocery is from Newfoundland, so we always get fiddleheads at least once, but I guess I must have missed them this year. Always lovely to see the asparagus; we have a local grower where I go to buy pounds of it for the brief time it's in season. I pickled some a couple of years ago (dilled - sort of like you'd do up green beans), and it was very nice. I should add a patch to my garden...

Congratulations BetteTheRed

Congratulations BetteTheRed - that is a wonderful milestone and achievement - especially in today's world when job longevity isn't like it used to be.  May you be blessed with many more.

Agreed, good news BettetheRed.

Love the asparagus pickling.  I have bought it through the winter for alternate lunches.  Nice when luncheon meat iswrapped around it.

nice to see you folks in this post

Yay Bette! Twenty five years is a long time!

congrats Bette - 25 years is certainly significant with one employer these days!   

I've just wandered in with an armful of fragrant lilacs from the garden - I'll set them in a nice crystal vase over here for all to enjoy - hopefully the scent is not overpowering for anyone!   Mixing with the aroma of pinga's delicious mangos ... delight for all the senses! 

I agree with that 'time flying' thing - I've got a "to do list" that seems to be getting away from me this week ... 

Not too many more though!  :)

Congrats Bette!

Pinga's mangos reminded me of papayas . . . does anyone know anything about buying papyas . . . the young man in my grocery store said they were seasonal and didn't have any - when are they in season?  I heard they were supposed to be good for you.

Lilac blooms - wow - we just started getting green leaves on the trees this past week - flower blooms are a long ways off here . . . it is cool here today with a cool wind, but sunny.

I can't believe it is Friday already - where did this week go?

Beloved, we had a few flakes of snow today -- seriously, that is silly.

I am reminding people to drive safely.  Lots of accidents around here the last few weeks.  Most have had impact to traffic but not so badly to people, but, well, another one just blocked the intersection by my house.  

Papays, I have eaten, but not bought and don't know how to buy. will be interested to hear others reports.

Beloved, I have taken to eating dates.  really enjoying them!~

wow, some person will have a lot of explaining to do, driving an Envoy (big SUV-type vehicle) hit one vehicle by my house, then drove up to a major intersection and hit a bunch more...in all, 8 vehicles involved...luckily no one hurt badly...crazy day.

Went a visited my coworker & her husband at the hospital today.  Work contributed to a gift, so bought a plant, but, also some quiet toys, crafts for their daughter.  crappy times.

headed to milwaukee on sunday, there to saturday

life is busy

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In the room, the place seems quiet .  Hubbub of activity, then peace settles in.  I'm thinking the spring is having people out & about, 

grilled up some fresh veggies, which in the room are always fresh...kinda nice that way.

Weekend! plans are some quilting time and then helping at a birthday party for 12 year old triplets!

Went for son'sregular doctor visit-still the same-and then bought him dress shoes for grad.

Tabitha, I am thankful that I can read of your craft and activities through virtual space, though, it would be even better to be able to participate in real life.

Pinga-there are a few things in my life I can't control right now-like my son's school attendence-but crafting let's me create something I can feel good about!

I'm just back from youth group. They really are a neat group of kids! They invited me to come because they wanted to tell me all about the retreat they went to last weekend. They even prepared a delicious dinner! 

Goodmorning, goodmorning!   (If you can call it good when it's been raining all week and no end in sight.  Oh, we did have an hour or so two days ago when the sun tried to peek out between weather systems.  Last week it was cooler rain from Ontario.  Now it is warmer, muggy stuff from the Carolina's.  Give me the Ontario stuff.  Better yet - give me sunshine.)

Anyway- I wish you Goodmorning.  Just don't look out the window and check.

This weekend is Martime Conference.  I just heard mention of it on the CBC.  Apparently church news is still worthy of a mention.  Ministers and lay people are off to Sackville - a pretty central location for NB, NS, PEI, Gaspe (Quebec), and Bermuda - that make up our conference.  I should be there - as a Presbytery delegate I'm more or less expected to attend.  But five others from my church are going as delegates and a few others to see one of our own being ordained - so I choose to stay here.  With a retired minister, new to our area, I'm holding the fort.  Tomorrow I preside, she preaches.    "They also serve who ...."  Stay home?  Guard the homefront?  (What is that quote?)

Wow, Seeler, that is great that you someone with as much experience as you of conference is staying home.  You can help share with others the stories of conferences past, the work that people will doing, and be thankful for those who offer to server.  good for you.

Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario conference is this weekend also - our minister and two delegates are attending.  I wonder if there are any being ordained there.  Seeler, your congregation(s) are blessed to have you.

Pinga - safe travels tomorrow.  Wow, what a bang up . . . amazing noone was seriously injured.  Wonder what happened.

Hope you had a nice shoe-shopping outing with your son, Tabitha - graduation everywhere is coming up soon.

That must have felt good to have been invited, somegal :)

(Oh yes . . . I bought a mango )

No BC conference this year.

Yeah, beloved...glad you bought a mango, aren't they yummy!

Not sure, the driver was charged, could be lots of reasons.....

Good morning folks.  May the sun shine upon you, and may the snow not snow on your for at least a couple of months...

Hope you have a great day.