To market in Leith

It's a sunny though slightly hazy day at the farmette. We're under an air quality warning with smoke from wildfires in western Canada hanging in the sky. Thinking about those who have to evacuate on a moment's notice. Hope everyone stays safe.

Yesterday, Rob and I did another wee day trip, up to Leith, just outside Owen Sound. We'd never been there, even though it's only a 45 minute drive. The Historic Leith Church (built in 1865)

held a fundraising market in the side yard.

Here's Rob, perusing the cards that Paula Clarke makes. I had a really good chinwag with this lady. She was a potter, but had to give it up. Age. But she's so creative she had to channel it somewhere, and so she makes these really clever cards with sassy images and really funny text. She's also a cat lady with seven felines outdoors and three indoors. So, as you can imagine, we had a really good visit. I ended up buying two of her birthday cards.

The market had lots of baked goods, second hand items and jewelry. One guy was selling funky bird houses. Rob got this shot of one of his creations.

Tom Thomson, the famous Canadian artist, grew up in Leith. Who knew? Well the locals sure do. The street on which the church is located is the Tom Thomson Line, this plaque is in the its yard, and there's a bust of the painter in its front hall.

The church itself is a beauty. Carefully restored and lovingly cared for, the building is also used as a concert venue and a place for weddings and other events.

It was locked, and we thought we were going to be disappointed at not being able to go in when one of the organizers happened by who also happened to have a key. She graciously let us explore the Church. Gotta love serendipity.

Rob took a ta-da picture of me in the sanctuary and I took one of him between the pews.

It's originally Church of Scotland, so everything is pretty spare, with little doors that open out for each pew. I can just imagine the number of families who sat here over the centuries. They still have service every Sunday, and they're having their 160th anniversary celebration today.

It was a spectacular morning, weatherwise. Not too hot, but sunny and the local musicians provided lovely old time tunes as a backdrop for the shoppers.

We also donated $5 for some baked goodies. Specifically butter tarts and haystacks. I haven't had the chocolatey treats for decades. Reminded me of my adolescence when my friend Cindy and I would make pots of them to munch down while watching television. I got six, but two might have been eaten on the way back to the farmette. Ahem. We've also chowed on two of the butter tarts. Yum.

Anyhow. The adventure continues looking for the tucked-away treasures that Grey County offers up all summer. Until next week.

Gratuitous cat photo courtesy of Hobbes and Wilma. She's a bit OTT about him, so he sometimes has to keep her under paw.