Well what came through the mail this week?
The first piece of mail was from a boxed frozen food shop & as their advertisement tells me, they sell real food (as opposed to fake food?). I have purchased items from this shop before; they have a gourmet stuffed cheese broccoli potato that is quite tasty as a treat for special dinners at home. Their meal guide has several suggested meals including the main, veg & sides, all easily to prepare via their boxed frozen products. Oh & let's not forget afters (dessert) - oh now here is where they really shine with product. (just say no, just say no - think of the long game, not the short term delicious indulgences ...)
The second flyer that came through the mail was from our liquor control board. With our provincial liquor laws coming under review, the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) is creating a need & connection before any changes come about - you think, I need liquor, & think oh the LCBO & not the corner shop. Clever advertising. Oh yes I have shopped here! (just say no, just say no).
What's new from the patio? Extremely dreary overcast weather for the last 2 weeks. The forecast is no sunshine until next Saturday! While it has been rather mild & most of the snow & ice are gone, the lack of sunshine is wearing everyone down & I am certainly no exception. Today is another day of heavy fog although when this photo was taken Sunday afternoon, I could at least see to the end of the fence line. More snow to come Monday night.
And while it is dreary outside, I have spent my inside time thinking happy thoughts about story telling, something Alexa wrote beautifully about here: never-mind-the-photos-what-about the stories . I have created a list of stories I want to tell before they are lost & I want to tell them in the scrapbook page format. Some if not most of these particular stories do not have accompanying photos but I have an idea or two for solving that. So once the sun returns to this part of the world, I will be out there capturing symbolic photos for my stories.
I shall leave you with this thought for the day, it is most appropriate today: “The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.” ... Muriel Rukeyser
We have woken to a cloudy, foggy, frosty morning here - if only the sun would show itself!
ReplyDeleteLove your comment about the alternative to 'real food'! We have a shop in town called 'Cook' and they sell what are probably similar products. If I go in there I go round thinking that all of it looks fab, and then I think about what it costs and how much room I (don't) have in my little freezer and nearly always come out with just a tub of ice cream!
I think some of the problems with a lot of the "boxed frozen" meals is that they are usually very high in sodium,fats,sugars - all the things not good for us. I once read that we should only eat food that rots (meaning fresh & not processed). Oh you said two of the best words in combination - ice cream!
DeleteMy sister has made quite a few recipes found in the LCBO "magazines". It is funny because she doesn't really drink. Yes, damp, dreary and foggy again this morning. Wouldn't mind a bit of sunshine. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteJenn I know the LCBO magazine you are referring to, it does have some amazing recipes in it - one of my favs is the pesto & crumbs covered porkchop for Mr Man & soy for me & oh the glossy photos are amazing.
DeleteAfter gorgeous blue skies over London last week, this morning we have fog. I buy random bottles of alcohol in the supermarket, TBO deals with a wine merchant type organisation for larger orders (ahem).
ReplyDeleteThe closest we have come to supermarket wine is specific brands have an outlet set up in the store. Not sure (yet) what I think about the idea of a full one liquor store in the grocery store.
DeleteFor years here we had stricter licensing laws than the rest of the UK and so we couldn't buy alcohol in supermarkets. Going to England and seeing everyone put bottles in their trolleys was an eye opener! It has changed now and it is definitely easier for the teenagers to buy alcohol.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely no snow here. No fog. No rain. We're having weird weather.
Wishing you a great week.
Yes the weather is topsy turvy world wide & I cannot think it is good. At least with the rain we get some moisture into the very dry ground. With Ontario changing not only the liquor rules but drug rules, I worry about the mayhem that could abound ... I will say no more.
Deletesounds very interesting, looking forward to seeing some of your stories. It's been very foggy and cold here too.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking of stories about what I remember about my Mother, but we will see what it all sounds/looks like on paper. I miss sunshine.
DeleteCommiserations on your dreary weather. I hope it cheers up soon. We have had it cold (below or around freezing) for several days but the sun has shone and there has been a cloudless blue sky - one of my favourite types of weather! Looking forward to your stories. (I too am working on one as we speak.)
ReplyDeleteNow your stories are always a delight to read. I think my stories will be boring to anyone other than me. Family lore & tales are tricky things to unravel when there is no one to confirm or deny.
DeleteThere certainly are different (and diverse) definitions of "real food." I try to follow Michael Pollan's "Food Rules," as much as I can. I used to see the LCBO magazine at the B&B we stayed at in NOTL, and enjoyed it. If I recall, there were some good recipes in it. Dreary here, too, but we dodged the bullet with the big snow---enough to make it pretty, but travel was not difficult.
ReplyDeleteKaren, Michael Pollan is one of my favourite food authors, he's the one that says we should eat food that rots (fresh & not processed). Glad the travel was ok. Food & Drink from the LCBO does have fantastic recipes.
DeleteOh yes, Alexa's post was wonderful & stories are so important!
ReplyDeleteWe have lots of sunshine this week, although a cold front is moving in today. Temps will be lower but still showing sunshine at least part of every day - wish I could send some your way. Too many gray days in a row is no FUN!
I look forward to receiving that sun package from you Melissa - thank you. And the Universe would have it, everywhere I am going I am seeing books, magazines, tv shows all about capturing our stories so I think it is confirmation, I am on the right path with my ideas.
DeleteWe've had a really cold day here today, although probably;y nothing compared to what you have
ReplyDeletewe "enjoyed" a typical January thaw, it just went on longer than normal, very damp; we have returned to winter & a time to recall how to thoroughly enjoy hygge :)
DeleteI'm touched by the mention - thank-you - and so glad that even if you don't have photos from then, there may well by ways of obtaining photos now which will help. That's a great idea to make a list of stories you want to make sure you tell ... As for the weather, we're having a mild spell with lots of fog so you have my sympathies. We're not seen sunshine for about 10 days. It's like living at the bottom of a murky pond.
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