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04-17-2013

{See} The View from Here – An Early Spring Paddle

I really enjoy my daily vicarious adventures in rural Ontario via Instagram. It’s inspiring to see how other ruralists experience life in different parts of the province. Last week, this picture, taken by natemuskoka, caught my eye. Doesn’t it just speak volumes about the anticipation of warm summer weather? I think Nate has the right idea – get out and enjoy the sunshine whenever you can. On the next sunny day, why not grab a canoe and paddle your way to peaceful bliss?

“I was getting pretty sick of the crappy weather this month and had been waiting for a day in the forecast that at least got above freezing, which was last Tuesday. I usually paddle and/or float the Big East River in Huntsville half a dozen times a year. It’s a long meandering river that starts at the eastern border of Algonquin Park and makes its way all the way to Lake Vernon in Huntsville, and the way most people paddle it is from around Arrowhead Provincial Park out to Lake Vernon. It’s by far one of my favourite things to do in the summer – the water is warm, the current is lazy and you’ll see everything from towering white sand banks to rustic cottages and usually a good amount of wildlife. The section I took this picture on is between Ravenscliffe road and Lake Vernon. There were still ice chunks drifting by and the current was calm but fast. I just needed to get on the water, and despite having some minor trepidations about an accidental swim while paddling alone, it was an awesome afternoon. Quiet and calm, full of the promise of the summer to come.” – Nate

–Erin

 
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    04-15-2013

    {Get} Sign Up for Local & Organic Food Delivery

    {Get} Sign Up for Local Organic Food Delivery

    A few days ago, I got an email from EcoPlace Organics, letting me know that they are taking pre-orders for organic food deliveries this year. The idea of getting fresh, local, organic food delivered right to your door is an exciting one, and I thought you might be interested in this idea!

    Organic food delivery is a great option for those who aren’t able to grow their own vegetables, or those who can’t make it to a local farmer’s market. Most such services are small businesses that adhere to a Ruralist-approved ethos and which literally bring country to the city!

    What is Local?

    Local does not necessarily mean organic. It means food sourced from a certain geographic radius around your location. It means supporting your local economy and implies avoiding big corporate stores.

    What does Organic Mean?

    Organic agriculture puts nature first. It is a method of producing that takes factors like soil quality and degradation, environmental protection, biological diversity, animal health, and renewable resources into consideration.

    Organic foods certified according to Canadian Organic Standards have more nutrients, less pesticides, no genetic engineering, and little contact (if any) with synthetic substances. Look for the “Canada Organic” symbol on a product to be sure that it complies with Canadian regulations.

    Do they Actually Deliver?

    Yes! Different services will deliver to your choice of home or workplace, and other services will deliver to different community drop-off sites.

    Why Should I Pre-Order?

    Farmers are planning their gardens now, and it would benefit them to know how many people they are growing for. They will of course plant extra, but your local organic food delivery service may only offer one-offs for those that did not pre-order. Pre-ordering also ensures that you will get your regular delivery and means you don’t have to worry about it later!

    Where can I Sign up?

    Most urban areas have more than one such service, and Toronto has several. You don’t have to live in the city to enjoy this kind of service, though: many towns now have Good Food Box programs or other fresh local food delivery programs.

    Here are a few services across Ontario that are worth checking out:

    Is anyone else as excited as I am about fresh local produce?

    –Sarah

     
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      Bri - Awesome. Don’t forget about http://www.gumbootgourmet.com :)

      Lise - We’ve been with a local organic CSA for several years and I couldn’t imagine getting through summer without it! One that delivers to your house in the Ottawa region year round is Bryson Farms (http://www.brysonfarms.com/) Although they’re technically in Quebec.

      Tanja - In London ON, On The Move Organics is even delivering with bicycles! They rock!

      Sarah Koopmans - Wow, that’s fantastic! Perhaps I should contact them for a story! :)

      Sarah Koopmans - Thanks for sharing that link with our readers, Lise!

      Sarah Koopmans - Thanks for the reminder, Bri! :)

      04-12-2013

      {Celebrate} Five Unique Places to Hold An Event in Rural Ontario

      Often our first thought when planning a special event is how to make it memorable for our guests. Choosing the right venue can make a huge difference to your enjoyment of the day and the memories you will treasure for years to come.

      These five special venues have been carefully chosen for their unique qualities, whether it’s the gardens, the buildings, the location or the scenery. Each one will wow your guests and make your event unforgettable.

      Cranberry Creek

      Located in Delhi, this heritage chapel and botanical gardens is a rustic outdoor wedding and event facility that features a breathtaking collection of heritage architecture. Six of the property’s 100 acres are now gardens, and the rest include a circa 1890 farmhouse and a large, weathered barn. The gardens feature a central chapel that is perfect for weddings, baptisms or vow renewals. Cranberry Creek is gorgeous year-round making it a top-notch event location in any season

      Lake on the Mountain

      There really is a lake on top of the mountain! This unique Muskoka-style resort features an event pavilion on the shore of picturesque Lake on the Mountain, which is 200 feet above the Bay of Quinte. The pavilion can accommodate up to 120 people. An outside platform overlooking the lake is available for wedding ceremonies.

      Lake on the Mountain is rustic and relaxed yet elegant at the same time. The venue actually juts out over the lake, giving it that boathouse feel. With eight different styles of cabins on site to accommodate your guests, Lake on the Mountain is a perfect spot for a wedding or family party.

      The McMichael Art Gallery

      Located in the historic community of Kleinburg, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection offers its visitors a unique and truly Canadian experience. Renowned for its devotion to an exclusively Canadian collection, the McMichael permanent collection consists of almost 6,000 artworks by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, their contemporaries, and First Nations, Inuit and other artists who have made a contribution to Canada’s artistic heritage.

      Set amid 100 acres of natural wooded landscape, the gallery’s picture-perfect location, both indoors and out, makes any occasion a memorable event. Having just completed a 4.2 million dollar landscaping improvement in July 2011, the grounds themselves look like a Group of Seven painting. The event space can accommodate 50 to 220 guests.

      The Westover Inn

      Beautiful and stately, the Westover Inn is a charming venue year-round. This historic inn, built in 1867, is situated on the Thames River in the picturesque town of St. Marys, Ontario, which is a short drive from the city of Stratford and its renowned Stratford Festival.

      The historic ambiance of the 22 guest rooms and award-winning cuisine make this a special destination for your guests, who will not only enjoy the Inn, but also the rest of the charming town. One of the unique characteristics of the Westover Inn is its onsite chapel. The beautiful stone chapel was built in the 1930s and overlooks the Inn and the landscaped grounds from its perch atop a small pine tree-covered hill.

      Steckle Heritage Farm

      Located on Bleams Road outside of Kitchener, the beautiful Steckle Heritage Farm property is comprised of 10.2 acres. The glorious post and hand-hewn log beam construction that you see when you enter the barn will take your breath away. Its original construction, high ceilings, wide open floor space and heritage implements all add incredible ambiance. With the convenience of modern electrical and stage facilities, the Barn is equipped to hold 225 standing and 170 seated.

      Birthday parties are also a hit at Steckle Heritage Farm. They are coordinated by an experienced staff member, and all activities are pre-planned to include 1.5 hours of programming. Possible activities include a farm tour, visiting the animals, a scavenger hunt and a “crafty fun activity.” Birthday parties are for up to 10 children, and run for 2 hours with approximately 1.5 hours of programmed activities. The cost is $125.00 for up to 10 party-goers, with a cost of $10 each for additional child.
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        04-10-2013

        {Try} Iron Spike Beer Bread

        Ontario micro-brew beer is very popular in our house.  My husband enjoys everything about it, from the craft beer-making process to the complex flavours of different craft brews.  I respect his passion for locally made beer, so from time to time I try to impress him with something beer-inspired in the kitchen.  I’ve done ribs and chili with great success, but today I tried my hand at beer bread.

        This recipe comes from the Railway City Brewing Company in St. Thomas.  We love Railway City because their all-natural beer is craft brewed in small batches using only the finest ingredients, premium locally grown hops and Ontario-sourced malted grains, with no artificial additives or preservatives. Their signature “growler” bottle is actually returnable to the brewery.  This is the simplest bread recipe I have ever tried, which made me a little skeptical at first, but this beer bread was every bit as good as they promised.   The top is crunchy while the inside is soft and delicious.  I used Iron Spike Amber Ale for its excellent flavour.  Serve it with your favorite soup, stew or chili for a hearty and delicious meal.

        –Erin

         
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          04-08-2013

          {Get} Get into Spring with Chickadelic

          Chickadelic

          1. Nature illustration cards – $2, blue crate – $18 2. white bird house – $15 3. White bird – $15 4. Pink lemonade (served at special Chickadelic events) globe – $25 5. White bird – $15, bird-themed sap bucket -$20 6. Vintage wooden crates -$25, decorative burlap bag – $20 7. White birdcage – $20, vintage bluebird salt and pepper shakers – $15/pair, white child-sized chairs – $20, decorative burlap bag – $20, green wooden birdhouse – $10, robin’s egg blue antique chair – $45, cottage chic pillow – $10 8. White birdhouse – $15, white bowl with candle eggs – $15, 9. Fresh new business cards for Chickadelic 10. green wooden birdhouse – $10, Prairie Style book – $20

          Inspired by Spring and Chickadelic

          All of this sweet Spring inventory is a welcome respite from the drab colours of late winter; there’s something about pink and robin’s egg blue that makes me breathe a sign of relief at this time of year. Pastel colors are definitely a sign of rebirth in the town of Stirling this Spring as these pretty colors signal the opening of Chickadelic’s new retail location.This weekend the streets of Stirling were buzzing with excitement as customers clamored in get a look at the opening of this much anticipated vintage retail store. Chickadelic carries everything from shabby chic furnishings and milk paints to recycled yarn, eco-friendly stationery on top of the offerings of more than a dozen local artists.

          Chickadelic should have a familiar ring: you may remember it from our Ruralist feature from earlier this year about Owner Kerry Ramsay’s generous online apron fundraiser which raised nearly $500 for the teen book section of the Stirling-Rawdon Public Library. The more we get to know Kerry the more she inspires us. Highly active on both Twitter and Facebook, Kerry is successfully building her Chickadelic brand by carving out a local following among vintage design fans. We got a hold of Kerry to ask her more about Chickadelic and her passion for vintage and here’s what she told us:

          Meet Kerry Ramsay- Owner of Chickadelic Salvage and Design

          Q. We’re very impressed with Chickadelic’s online presence. Can you tell us more about your business?

          Chickadelic Salvage & Design is a vintage-inspired lifestyle shop and creative gathering space located at 34 Mill Street in the beautiful Village of Stirling (just 20 minutes north of Belleville). Besides offering a wide range of vintage wares, linens and furnishings as well as Canadian-made gardening gloves, upcycled aprons, locally made handmade soaps, vintage solar lights for the garden, delicious teas and much more.

          The products we carry in our shop must meet at least four of the standards on our Six-Point Product “Chicklist:” 1. Does it inspire creativity? 2. Does it embrace the environment? 3. Does it empower women? 4. Is it locally or Canadian made? 5. Does it celebrate loveliness? 6. Does it bring people together? Our mission is to inspire women everywhere to follow their bliss.

          Q. What do enjoy most about Chickadelic?

          What I enjoy most about this business is interacting with our customers, both in person and through our various social media properties (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Flickr, Foursquare and our blog). It’s such a rewarding experience to get to know these amazing people! I have met so many kindred spirits through this business already, and we’re just getting started.

          Q. What inspires you?

          I’m inspired by the simple things in life: good music, a well-brewed cup of tea, a tasty treat, a great book, a cozy armchair, a furry companion, a child’s hug, a loved one’s kiss, and always — yes always– a dream and a wish floating somewhere in the back of my mind.

          Q. How did your business get started?

          Chickadelic Salvage & Design was an online business initially, but we quickly realized that we craved interaction with our customers. Soon after, we extended the Chickadelic brand to include a bricks-and-mortar retail space where we can bring people together, and hopefully inspire them to pursue their own creative passions.

          Q. Can you tell us about any new or exciting things you have coming up?

          Thanks to the spacious gathering place located at the back of our retail shop, we have the capacity to hold regular creative workshops on a wide range of subjects. Our spring events include free milk paint demos and milk paint parties, an “Always Audrey” celebration on May 4th (Audrey Hepburn’s birthdate), a “Dreaming of Gatsby” garden-inspired event on May 25th, as well a number of creative workshops ranging from photography to floral arranging. You can check out our website under “Upcoming Hen Parties” for more information.

          Q. What are few things you wish people knew about Chickadelic?

          We get a lot of questions about how we define the terms “antique,” “vintage” and “retro.” At Chickadelic Salvage & Design, we consider anything pre-1960 to be “vintage.” Anything dated pre-1913 (i.e. more than 100 years old by 2013 standards) would be considered “antique.” “Retro” on the other hand, refers to items created post-1960. For merchandise to be considered “retro”, we feel it should be at least 20 to 25 years old (i.e. early 80s at the very latest). Of course, we know the words “vintage”, “retro” and “antique” hold different meaning for different people — but we like to clarify what we mean when we’re speaking in Chickadelic terms.

          Q. What are some unique aspects of your business?

          We are known for our unique “chick thrift” approach, which is the joyful mingling of vintage and modern elements to create endless style and design possibilities. We like to say our shop can be enjoyed by urban cowgirls, prairie princesses and downtown divas alike!

          Q. Tell us a bit about yourself, Kerry. How did you come to be the owner of Chickadelic?

          I’m a prairie girl at heart, born in Manitoba, where I grew up spending summers on my grandparents’ dairy farm. Winters were spent attending school in Ottawa where my father’s government job eventually led us. After earning a Master’s degree in communications, I lived and travelled throughout Europe before settling down north of Belleville with my husband and two children. Together, we share a number of hobbies such as travelling, reading, hiking, going to the theatre, playing board games (Clue is the current family favourite!), helping out at our local church, and of course – thrifting!

          Q – What other local businesses do you recommend for when we visit Stirling?

          Stirling is a wonderful place to spend the day, thanks to the many thriving shops and businesses located in the town’s vibrant downtown area. We encourage daytripping customers to make it a “Girl’s Day Out” and spend a few hours downtown before heading home. We truly believe Stirling is one of Ontario’s best-kept secrets!

          When visiting Stirling, be sure not to miss out on the following businesses: Allure Day Spa, Bella Ever After, Blooms, Cakes by Erin, Fine Line Design, Greenhawk Stirling, Hearts to God Books & Gifts, Jenny’s Country Lane, Julia’s Women’s Wear, Lullidaza, Mill Creek Spa, Rustic Routes/Hi Country, Stirling Festival Theatre, Stirling Flooring, Stirling Heritage Wines, The Old Carriage House B&B, Vintage Junction and West Wings – just to name a few!

          –Erin
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            Julie - Great article! I did a post on Chickadelic too. Wonderfull store. I hope it is very successful and I’ll be back to purchase more soon! J

            Kerry Ramsay - Thanks for the lovely post – we’ve had many people comment that they read it!

            Have a wonderful day,
            Kerry
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