Late summer hummer

Richard snapped this shot of a female ruby-throated hummingbird trying to get some nectar from the remains of my bee balm.

Memories of Ben's Delicatessen

 If you're from Montreal (or have ever visited there), it's likely that you visited Ben's Delicatessen. Or maybe you wish you had.

 Ben's was downtown Montreal's hot spot for many years until 2006. I have many memories of tall smoked meat sandwiches and Ben's special drink, that kinda tasted like melted cherry Lifesavers. When I was young, my dad's office was right next door to this institution, so we visited it often.

 I had cousins visiting from the U.S.A. over the weekend and we ended up taking in the show at the McCord Museum, devoted the the history of Ben's Delicatessen.

A fun exhibit with clever displays (famous quotes were on the ketchup and mustard squeeze bottles) and a great place to take my visitors to ... what a fun day!

To read more about the exhibit, click on this CBC link. 

Bye Bye Hayley

 Our wonderful summer student, Hayley, is off to university next week so we celebrated her last day with cupcakes that I had made the night before.

 The gang at work was pretty happy to get CUPCAKES!

Ah...sweet sprinkles and a sweet girl. Best of luck to sweet Hayley 

in her life ahead of her. Very exciting times!

Thanks to you

 I made this cake for our lovely Jean, who after 26 years of writing a column in our newspaper, decided to call it quits.

We feted her with a party on Friday night. Jean's corsage matched the cake!

Deer oh deer oh deer

 Driving home the other day, I took the gravel side road and saw some critters. At first I only saw one deer but two little heads popped up.

 Mom was very curious about me and stared at me for a longtime.

 She wasn't in a huge rush to leave...and just one more look...

Okay, I'm leaving now! Look at those little tails in the air. So cute!

A day at the fair

 We went to the Williamstown Fair this past weekend; time to check out all the winning jams, jellies, sewing and quilting, baking and floral arrangements.

 Then over to the farm machinery. I got behind the wheel of this huge harvester.

 At a price tag of $700,000 I had to see it for myself. Ten steps up to get behind the steering wheel. It has its own computer and a jump seat for a friend to tag along.

 Then to the Rare Breed Tent. One of my faves.

 I got a kick out of these geese checking out the Indian Runner Ducks next door.

 These slim ducks are shy and stay together in a sort of pack.

 Outside the critters were cooling off in the shade. Looks like the little calf is smiling.

Inside were some longhorn cattle. Always lots to see at the fair!

This year we decided to try the Mexican food. "Authentic" Mexican poutine (Richard loved that) and fish tacos. The poutine had shredded pork and a hot chipotle gravy with caramelized onions. Pretty darn good actually!

The ultimate hen party!

 Natalie's hen Charlotte turned five years old last weekend, so it was time to celebrate!

Natalie went to get Charlotte to show her the cake.

 Charlotte was supposed to help Nat blow out the candles...well she tried!

 One happy chicken...doing the chicken dance perhaps?

Charlotte got some great gifts. Even better than the cake were the meal worms one of the partygoers offered her. All in all, a very fun day for chicken and humans.

The Monster Book of Monsters cake

My favourite triplets turned eight this weekend and their party's theme was Harry Potter. I thought The Monster Book of Monsters cake would be just the thing!
Happy birthday Ela, Leah and Nikki.

Climbing chipmunk

 I had no idea that chipmunks climbed. I just thought they ran around on the ground. Until I saw one of my hollyhocks starting to sway.

 The little guy reached for a seedpod and balanced on a stem while he ate the seeds.

Then a big reach for more seeds. Just amazing. 

So happy the seeds are filling a hungry tummy.

Matzo Man Then and Now

 This barn cat who I nicknamed "Red Boy" really wanted to come into the house...and he was so sweet, I couldn't resist him.

A year later, he practically runs the house and never, ever tries to get out.
He knows better!

Hollyhock heaven

The hollyhocks have been absolutely amazing this year. I don't remember planting these...I must've tossed a packet of seeds into my back garden about five or six years ago and last year they were lovely...but this year they are amazing!

Leopard print birthday

My friend Bonnie celebrated a milestone birthday over the weekend. Her boyfriend suggested a cake covered with leopard print as apparently it's her favourite. He also sent me a photo of wee Bonnie on a rug. Together, along with gold sugar stars, we celebrated Bonnie's big day.

Bobolinks

 The other day we came upon a unplowed field, full of bobolinks.

 I rarely see these birds and I know they are endangered in these part. They nest in fields and since most fields are usually hayed by now, there's little place for these guys to have their families.

Luckily, there is a huge field just around the corner from me and we counted at least 10 pairs of bobolinks. Wonderful to see so many of them all in one spot.

M&M wedding cake

Melissa and Mike (M&M) got married over the weekend. Melissa had ordered special M&Ms, in purple and grey, with little hearts and the word "love" on them. She asked me to integrate them into her wedding cake, along with calla lilies and purple ribbon. I'm happy with how it turned out. It's kind of elegant and whimsical at the same time.