Hanging out with Sandy

It's a sunny, chilly day at the farmette. The frost is definitely on the pumpkin and everything else.

Rob finished putting in the garlic yesterday. We'll have 20 big fat bulbs filled with juicy cloves come next summer. YUM.

In other signs of late fall, sister Sandy helped me put away the last of the deck furniture. I will miss the summer days sitting with Hobbes under the maple reading my books.

It's been a while since just the two of us hung out together. She's been busy with campaigning for council. I've been busy with, well, lots of stuff, including catching up with old friends.

Yesterday, we went to the Williamsford craft show. The village is only 20 minutes from the farmette, straight up highway six.

Part of the reason for the visit was to put together the basket I'm donating to the curling bonspiel we're hosting in November.

I decided on a locally made Christmas theme, including her maple syrup, my plum and tomato/apple chutneys and pickled beets, as well as honey and a beeswax candle from Chatsworth.

We got cool candlesticks and firestarters from this Christmas vendor, and a ceramic Santa Claus that lights up from another. I hope it does well in the fundraiser. We'll be wrapping it up nicely just before the event.

After picking up a lot more treasures, we came back to Durham for lunch from Rocky Raccoon. It's an eclectically decorated Nepalese restaurant in the middle of town that serves the BEST food. We both ordered Robin's water buffalo momos. They're steamed dumplings that taste heavenly. Highly recommend.

I read today that the craft show attracted 700 customers and raised $500 from a raffle for the local animal shelter. Pretty good for a wee town.

Spending the morning and lunch with Sandy was a treat and getting the deck furniture stowed away a bonus. Massively grateful for my sister. Until next week.

Gratuitous cat photo courtesy of Hobbes. This is one of his favourite places to snooze. I'm usually right in front of him on the chair. He has about a half-dozen through the house.