Happy National Cat Day

I love animals but in particular, I adore kitty cats. Here I am with a few sweeties. At left: Cinnamon, Richard's cats Barney and Skanoo, Domino celebrating her 20th birthday and my latest fur baby, Matzo Man.
Every day is National Cat Day around these parts!

Smyth's Apple Orchard

On Sunday we headed out to visit Smyth's Apple Orchard the place that grew the first McIntosh apple.

 Inside there is a myriad of choices of types of apples. We ended up buying a basked of McIntosh (natch) and a basked of Pink Lady.

 We asked if we could walk around the orchard a bit. Picking time is long gone but we were still curious and they said we were welcome to go for a walk.

 There were still plenty of apples out back waiting to be sorted.

 The orchard was absolutely huge. Lovely trees, each one had a support stick and tied up. What a lot of work!

I was looking for a real old-timer...maybe one of the original McIntosh trees? Then I read this article from CBC about the last McIntosh tree.

 On the way back there was a bit of a commotion. The friendly farm dog had to be distracted and just rubbing his belly did the job.

 A piggy had ventured over from the farm across the road.

 He was far more interested in the fallen black walnuts than the offered apple. I'm assuming the little guy ended up back across the road...

Hermit thrush

 The sweetest little bird was sitting outside my window yesterday so quick like a bunny, I grabbed my camera to get a shot!

It looked like somewhat like a young robin, but I know in late October that's not what it was. Perhaps a female purple finch? The beak was all wrong. Thankfully, I have a few trusty birders who pointed me in the direction of a hermit thrush, one of the later birds that fly south.

A weekend away

 Last weekend was Canadian Thanksgiving when we go up to Richard's sister's house for a grand Thankgiving dinner with family.

 This year we decided to rent a wee cabin at Dwight Beach instead of staying in the big house with the family.

 The cabin was sweet and it was right on Dwight Beach. I imagine the place is hopping in the summertime.

 Misty mornings made for moody photos.

 On Sunday, before the grand meal, we decided to explore Oxtongue-Ragged Falls Provincial Park, just a stone's throw from Algonquin Park.

 The water patterns were very painterly.

 Selfie time!

 There's a short trail to the top of a rocky ledge where the water flows down. Amazing view!

Very, very rocky!

1st anniversary celebration

 How to celebrate the first anniversary of a sweet café? Pennants running alongside a cake...

 ...filled with colourful confetti sprinkles, of course!

Pop-up supper

I went to a pop-up supper the other night. It was hosted by The Quirky Carrot in Alexandria, in collaboration with the Farmhouse Tavern, whose staff came all the way from Toronto.

In case you're curious what a pop-up dinner is, here's Wiki's definition: Pop-up restaurant

 Julia and Darcy, owners of The Quirky Carrot and The Farmhouse Tavern oversaw all the details.

 Each course was paired with a delicious wine. I forgot to photograph the oysters with which we started. Next was this amazing ploughman's platter: two kinds of Glengarry Fine Cheese, marinated colourful carrots, sausage, duck eggs soaked in beet and a fantastic sort of mousse liver-y type thing that I loved!

Next was a seared scallop with a smoked sturgeon and creme fraiche croquette with carrot romesco. Tasted great and lovely presentation.

 Then there was a smoked veg course with roasted squash, carrots, beets, brussel sprouts, brocco-flower on a bed of, was it a kohlrabi mousse?

 And finally, there was a blue plum walnut tart with concord grape sorbet and honey cream. Yum!

 Everyone worked very hard to get 40 or so plates to the table. 
And each course was paired with a complementary wine, so the sommelier was run off his feet!

 I was lucky to have such charming dinner companions. A wonderful evening, my first ever pop-up supper and what fun. Hope Darcy and his gang at the Farmhouse come back to Alexandria from the Big Smoke for a repeat performance. Truly a delightful evening.