Sugaring off time

Yesterday we headed down the road a piece to Sand Road Sugar Camp to see them making maple syrup.

 One of my favourite things of all time is when they boil up the syrup to make taffy and pour it on the snow so that it can be rolled up on a wooden stick.

 It tastes like warm maple-flavoured caramel!

 Meanwhile, indoors we sampled the all-you-can eat breakfast including pancakes, eggs, ham, beans and all the maple syrup you can pour. The bacon was called "oreilles de crisse," apparently "green bacon" which is very thick and very crisp and unlike anything I've ever tasted.

 There were horse wagon rides through the sugar bush...

...instead we walked one of the many trails that runs through the property. About 8C, warmish, and all the snow is melting fast so it seemed like our last chance to be out in it. A perfect day.

Locavore Supper

The other night's supper was almost entirely from local sources. The hart's heart was from my neighbour, who once a year shoots a buck and gives me the heart. While I pan fried it in local onions, Richard boiled up some of my red-skinned potatoes with some of his own carrots. He mish-mashed them together as a side dish. Talk about your 100-mile diet. This one was the half kilometre version.

Peppermaster

We found this fantastic salsa at the Vankleek Hill Farmers Market from a place called Peppermaster located in Rigaud, Quebec, just down the road from me. There are a ton of products to choose from and all are Fair Trade. Some of the money from this salsa is going to help folks in Haiti.


A few weeks after I bought it, I saw our MPP, Jean-Marc Lalonde trying some salsa too!


Really delicious. And hot but just right (I think I tried the medium heat version).

Farmers Market

I just love our local farmers market in Vankleek Hill. This time of year is perfect for getting any number of zukes, cukes or tomatoes.


Lots of homemade muffins, these ones sweetened with honey.


Or how about some organic granola cakes?


The air was fragrant with the sweet sounds of ian hepburn's harp music.


The light dazzled on jams and jelly jars.


The heirloom tomatoes were as colourful as a painting...


...in varying shades of yellow, red and green.


Time to get out my paint brushes I think.

Beau's All Natural Brewing Co.

In Vankleek Hill, about a 15 minute drive from me is a fantastic micro-brewery called Beau's. It's won a ton of awards and is really popular around here (and everywhere it seems)!


We went for a quick visit, while my sister was in town. The brewery had blackboards with info letting you know which brews were available...


...and tanks where they brew the beer. They'll even give you a tour if you ask them.


The fridge is full of various sized bottles...


...and the folks behind the counter couldn't be more enthusiastic.


My sister Marci and I each tasted a glass full and bought some to bring home. It's great to have Beau's All Natural Brewing Co. just down the road from me!

Vankleek Hill Winery

Just down the road a piece from me is a delightful new winery called Vankleek Hill Vineyard. Don't you love the cow logo?


Once inside, there are more fantastic cow paintings done by the vintner's partner, Laurie Kral.


Marty Kral, owner of Vankleek Hill Winery told us of his impressive background, having worked in France for B&G and Mumm's, I guess he picked up a few things.

The showroom is outstanding. Eventually Marty will offer red wine ("purple cow") and rosé ("pink cow") but for now we settled on a delicious, cold white called "Yellow Cow."


Free samples are offered and there's even a place to sit down and enjoy them.


We even got a first hand tour of the vineyards...


...and a close up look at the grapes.


Back inside, beyond the French doors are the vats where all the wine is made.


A lovely light drink for summer. Here's to drinking locally. Cheers!

Vankleek Hill Vineyard is located at 3725 County Road 12 just east of Vankleek Hill. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To see more, visit their website at: Vankleek Hill Vineyard

Cheese Please

On the outskirts of Lancaster (about 20 minutes from here) is a fabulous new cheese factory called Glengarry Fine Cheese. It's just north of the village and pretty much at the edge of a farmer's field.


You can't miss the large sign on Highway 34 that beckons you to taste some fine cheese. And once you get through those doors, it's heaven! A pressed tin ceiling, lovely displays of all manner of fine foods from olive oil and syrups to artisanal bread.


Every cheese they have for sale can be tasted. (I tasted a wee bit of each!)


And each cheese has a little write up about it so you know exactly what you're getting.


I like how the names are based on local places: The Glengarry Fen, the Lankaasster, The Alexandrin.


In the end, I brought home the Celtic Blue and the Fleur-en-Lait.


Richard and I enjoyed these after a long weekend of lumber jacking and bringing in wood.