How To Have A Harmonious Christmas November 21, 2010

It was a terrific turnout for last night’s Santa Claus Parade in Bradford.  With a chill in the air, a nip on the nose and twinkling lights as far as the eye could see, we watched the parade of Christmas cheer from our perch at the town’s “four corners.”  I could actually feel the Christmas spirit tugging at my heart – upon deeper reflection I realized what I’d mistakenly called Christmas Cheer was actually my elevated blood pressure due to the anxiety that goes with not having prepared enough, decorated enough, or put any kind of dent in my Christmas shopping… how many weeks away is it!!?

 

I really wish I was one of those people who effortlessly floats from one season to the next — Thanksgiving turkeys melting into Halloween pumpkins then flowing perfectly into Christmas Trees and New Years Resolutions — the accompanying decorations, food, clothes all appearing on cue, at exactly the right moment and then seamlessly melting into the background once their close up is finished.  Seems I am destined to be a seasonal scrambler, madly carving pumpkins while kids are knocking at the door looking for candy.  It’s not as if I can’t follow momentous occasions on the calendar – it just seems they surprise me by arriving more quickly each and every year.

 

So where am I going with all of this?  A one-way trip down a path laden with heavily punched up egg nog?  Not this year because I’ve finally come to terms with my scrambly approach and am learning how to make it work to my benefit. This year technology is my friend, I am the in receipt of an evite to attend Harmony House & Home’s Open House on Thursday, November 25^th from 6:00pm to 9:00 pm.  Not only will they have a spread of wine and cheese to help spread some Christmas cheer, they’re also offering a whooping 25% off ALL Christmas items.  Feels like Christmas is coming early to Bradford – at least, Black Friday (the busiest US shopping day) will arrive a few hours early!

 

I encourage everyone to take advantage of this event and let Harmony help you deck your halls this year!  I don’t know what I’m going to do with the extra four weeks of lead time – perhaps I’ll attempt some Christmas baking… – that’s probably not going to happen either but I’ll be uploading a post about a home-baking solution I sourced this past weekend!  More to come…

 

Helen and David Crocker

Harmony House and Home

905-775-7579

126 Bridge Street

Bradford, ON L3Z 3H2

 

Flower To The People June 16, 2010

I’d rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck. ~Emma Goldman

I love flowers –  the more colourful and fragrant, the better.  From the blooms in the garden to the fresh-cut beauties that sometimes grace my home.  I really would choose them over jewelry any day of the week.  Flowers brighten up our spaces, our attitudes and our lives.  For all their uses, from ceremonial to medicinal, they are one of the few things we purchase for pure enjoyment.  They are joy to give AND to receive – how many other things can you say that about?  Other than chocolate, nothing brings a smile to my face quite like flowers.  My only complaint is that I don’t have near enough of them in my life – I find most flower shops expensive and grocery stores lacking so even though I enjoy browsing the blooms while out-and-about, I more often than not come home empty-handed.

That is until I discovered The Flower Merchant.  Located slightly north of the four corners in Bradford, this artfully arranged flower shop is the brainchild of Hank and Linda Alsemgeest and business here is, well, blooming!  Spend a few minutes with Hank and Linda and you will come to understand how important it is to have a terrific florist on speed dial.  As third generation flower merchants, flower power is practically encoded in their DNA.  They are so knowledgeable and eager to share tips on flower/plant care, from nourishing your blooms to prolonging and maintaining your arrangement for maximum enjoyment.  They really know their stuff.

If you don’t find what you want among the assembled works-of-art in their cooler, you can dream up your own bouquet which they will enhance with their exquisite wrapping job.  They have a wonderful cross-section of blooms and plants for all occasions, or in my case, no occasion.  They are also so reasonably priced that there won’t be any need to plant a money tree in the back yard to pay for my newfound flower habit! Inexpensive and beautiful — a fleur after my own heart.

The Flower Merchant

22 Barrie Street

Bradford, ON

905-778-8818

www.theflowermerchant.ca

A Market That Is Truly Super! April 27, 2010

Grocery shopping has to be one of my least favorite things to do. I’m overwhelmed by the sheer volume and diversity of things to buy – from salad fixings and clothing, to new tires and a tune-up!  Canyons of shelves stocked floor to ceiling with lots of extras I’m certain I don’t need and yet somehow these items make their way into my cart.  The buyer’s remorse sets in once I’m home and unloading my haul.

Lucky for me, I live near Vince’s Market. This is what grocery shopping is meant to be – a store that’s full of groceries!  It’s about a 1/10 of the size of the giant retailers and so easy to navigate that I’m through it quickly and my cart is full of items I actually went to the store intending to purchase.  Vince’s also supports and promotes local farm-fresh goodies and they make tons of delicious and healthy prepared meals to take-away . They also have a fabulous little bakery, chock-a-block full of fresh breads, scones, pies, cakes and other treats.

For a nominal fee, Vince’s Market will shop and deliver your groceries directly to your door!  Need I say more!

Support your local green grocer!

Vince’s Market

19101 Leslie Street

Sharon, ON  L0G 1V0

(p) 905-478-8241

 

 

 

 

Open Your Art To Me September 18, 2009

Bradford is hosting its first ever Studio Art Tour. The open invitation to the community and public at large extends from today through till Sunday (Sept 18, 19 and 20^th.)

Embark on a self-guided tour of 13 studios sprinkled throughout Bradford West Gwillimbury showcasing the work of 23 talented local artists.  It’s a fabulous opportunity to meet the artists and artisans on their own terrain and check out their creative process up close and personal.  It’s also a great opportunity to snap up some early, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts or simply add to your own collection.  Let the pigments of their imagination inspire you!

Click on the South Simcoe Arts Council link http://www.southsimcoeartscouncil.com to download a copy of the tour map.

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This Little Lady Went To Market July 24, 2009

When I first moved to Bradford in 2002 I was amazed to find myself surrounded by some of the richest farmland in the world.  The Holland Marsh is 2,900 ha (7,200 acres) of inky black, fertile soil and it produces carrots, onions, potatoes, lettuce, celery, parsnips, cabbage, and beets as well as a number of greenhouse cucumbers, tomatoes and flowers.  Though it is home to a large Dutch community the marsh is actually named for Samuel Holland, the surveyor general who encountered the area in 1791 on his way from Toronto to Balsam Lake.  In the 1930’s the marsh was drained, dykes were created and the flat, rich earth was revealed and ready to get growing!

I live literally minutes away from some of the freshest, local produce on the planet and yet these farm fresh goodies were routinely packed up and trucked off to the city for distribution to faraway places. It seemed outrageous to me that we didn’t have a vibrant, local farmers market especially living so close to the source!  Bradford is considered Canada’s vegetable basket.

That all changed when the seed of a street market was planted by Iggy Natoli of Buncha Farmers Country Store and Take Out. What a difference a year makes, the market has taken root and continues to grow in size and stature.  It operates every Saturday (rain or shine) on John Street from 8:00 am until 1:00pm.  Part of the street is closed but you can access the public parking lot quite easily.

I’ve been a number of times and part of my ritual is to purchase a delicious jerk chicken sandwich on a cocoa bun from Big Mama’s Soul Food stand (the restaurant is also terrific but you can only get the sandwiches at the farmers market) I devour my “breakfast of Champions” while strolling through the mix of vendors peddling baked breads, pies and cookies, honey, candles, flowers, farm-fresh eggs, cheese and meat and of course some of the freshest produce around! It’s a charming and wholesome way to shop and you even get to sample the goods before you buy. I urge everyone to help increase local market share!

Bradford West Gwillimbury Farmers Market
John St. West, just west of the Post Office
Saturday mornings from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
From May 23 until October 17

The Real Scoop July 14, 2009

To every season churn, churn, churn… Summer to me is all about the ice-cream and nothing says summer more than an early evening stroll along Bradford’s downtown core to one of my favorite (and sweetest) shops – The Upper Canada Ice-Cream Company & General Store.  It’s the teeniest store but so full of mouth-watering treats including Kawartha Dairy ice-cream. They offer up 24 flavours of creamy goodness to satisfy whatever craving you may have.  You can stop in for a cone (and I recommend you do!) and enjoy your treat on the benches in front of the store while the whole town passes by you. For those who want a more healthful treat – they’ll whip you up a fruit smoothie complete with protein powder.

If you’re in need of a hostess gift for the umpteenth BBQ you’re attending – they’ll make you a beautiful and tempting gourmet basket or you can select a lovely assortment of delicious dips and spreads.

They also offer catering in the form of a sundae bar or an ice-cream social – what better way to augment your savory catering selections than with a unique and crowd-pleasing dessert comprised of the dreamiest, yummiest ice-cream around!!

In the winter months they have an amazing variety of hot chocolates to please any palate from banana infused hot chocolate to spicy Mexican.  Chill-out in the summer and keep the chills at bay in the winter — this delightful shop has something for everyone and every season.

11 Barrie St.
Bradford, ON L3Z 2B3
(905) 775-6777

http://www.uppercanadaicecream.com

Ontario STAYcations June 18, 2009

It must be summer in Ontario because school is winding down and National Tourism Week officially kicked-off.  I attended a ceremony in Barrie to celebrate the event, complete with speeches and cake.  The Honorable Monique Smith, Ontario Tourism Minister, was on hand.  She gave a glowing speech about the wonders of vacationing in your own backyard – she called it a STAYcation.  I’m a big believer in the STAYcation. Yes, there are plenty of exotic locales around the globe that pull at my imagination but Ontario is a dynamic and diverse province with loads to see and do.

Building on the STAYcation theme, I would like to propose the notion of the DAYcation.  A DAYcation is just as it sounds, day trips in and around your local area, touring the many wonderful towns and cities that make up your region.

With the current economic realities, people are spending less and seeking ways to stretch their nickels into dollars.  Travel to international destinations is out of reach for many at the moment but a huge bounty exists only a stone’s throw down the road.  No need for passports, airport parking, and long lines at security checks – you can trade in crowded flights for flights of fancy.  You can do a bike tour of wine country in the Niagara region, or head to St. Jacob’s area and spend the day antiquing or browsing through the incredible farmer’s market.  Stratford is renowned for it’s summer theatre program or head North to Wasaga for beaches that rival Santa Monica, CA. If wildlife is your thing you’ll find one of the coolest zoos is located in Elmvale.  Ontario also offers some of the most pristine national parks, perfect for picnics, hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing, and generally enjoying the great outdoors.

Ontario Travel has a terrific website where you can find out about festivals, attractions and getaways. There’s something for everyone, from the avid golfer to those seeking fun for the whole family — you’d need a lifetime of summers to see and do it all.  So embrace the STAYcation or become a daytripper and help strengthen your local economy.

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The Cure For Furniture Fatigue April 16, 2009

My recent dip into the matrimonial pool resulted not only in the combination of two families but also two households.  A purging of furnishings and items that didn’t quite make the cut soon followed and since then I have spent more time in furniture stores than I ever would have imagined.  I caught a bad case of Goldilocks syndrome. Couches were too hard, chairs too big or too small– anything we did like was so expensive you’d never in a million years let anyone look at, let alone sit on it.  Furniture fatigue had set in and we didn’t have the right bed to sleep it off.

That all changed when I discovered Harmony House and Home, a haven of furnishings and home accents.  The moment I walked through the front door, the fog of furniture fatigue lifted and I instantly felt at home.

The delightful owners, David and Helen Crocker, are at the ready to help you create a home you will love to live in.  They are happy to take on as much of the heavy lifting as you need. They can provide inspiration for adding a dash of this or a splash of that to spruce up your digs or they can help you change your space entirely.  Their prices are also in harmony with a full range of budgets.

Everything in this store is just right!

Harmony House and Home
905-775-7579
126 Bridge Street
Bradford, ON L3Z 3H2

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Arriving Fashionably Great March 31, 2009

So often I’ve peered into my closet with a mixture of trepidation and frustration. It’s akin to kids opening up a fridge stuffed with leftovers and food requiring some thought and preparation and then saying “There’s nothing to eat!” Clothing, clothing every where and yet I struggled with putting together an outfit and getting out the door without people thinking “Wow, there must have been a fire and she had to get out of the house QUICK!”

Enter Cindy Wilding-Cordeau, the stylish owner of The Pink Closet clothing boutique.  Her clients and customers (from local residents to the hosts of York Region Living) benefit from her well-trained eye and impeccable fashion sense.  She recommends the most flattering clothing options to complement a person’s body-type.  Trends have a place in your wardrobe but the most important feature is the fit of the clothing. It’s the difference between a neckline that flatters and one that falls flat.

The Pink Closet also provides an array of fabulous finishing touches and accessories (earrings, necklaces, purses, wallets, shoes, coats, hats and scarves) so with a little thought and preparation you can revive a lot of your own leftover outfits.

Whether you’re dressing for 9-5 or need to do it up the nines for an elegant event, The Pink Closet will help you look, and more importantly, feel like a million bucks.

The Pink Closet
118 Holland Street East
Bradford, ON
(905) 778-8376

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Leave It To Green Beaver March 14, 2009

Green Beaver is a Canadian company with a big heart and even bigger mission to rid the world of beauty products containing icky chemicals and additives and anything else that doesn’t belong on your skin. The result is a family of products that’s 100% natural, biodegradable, vegan and gluten-free –good for you as well as the planet (Mary Brickell of Healthy by Choice turned me onto this amazing line.)

I’ve tried (AND LOVE) Green Beaver’s grapefruit and aloe face wash!  It has an exquisitely clean and fresh grapefruit scent and it leaves your skin baby soft, even during the dry winter months.  Their bamboo face-scrub is equally decadent proving you don’t have to give up luxury when you “green” your beauty routine. Their products are reasonably priced, often costing less than adulterated competitors, and leave your skin feeling and looking radiantly beautiful – your old products will turn green with envy.

The Green Beaver Company
2535 Front Road
Hawkesbury ON K6A 2R2
Tel: 1-888-666-1206

http://greenbeaver.com/