A Seasonal Rant With A Side Of Tea
Well I don’t know about you but I’m feeling this whole summer thing came and went way to fast. There has been no gradual easing into the crisp cool of fall.
Leaves are turning scarlet and crimson, they magically lull me into seasonal tolerance. Yes it’s beautiful, but I am never ready to say goodbye to summer. Never.
A list of some of my favourite coping rituals for easing into the fall season, below.
1. Morning coffee on the deck - although this takes place lately in toque, mitts, and a blanket. I stay true to this ritual until there is risk of frozen appendages.
2. Hot tub - It keeps ya toasty warm but still feels like i’m indulging in an outdoor activity.
3. Shopping for fall wardrobe - Although the fall thing is depressing, the shopping is therapeutic. And I always need a new sweater.
4. BBQ’ing - Until -40 and deathly wind chills make this favourite summer past time impossible.
5. Sunday cooking in my kitchen- Fresh summer produce, and cooler temps make Sunday Funday in my cozy kitchen a must.
6. Drink wine - Although not a seasonally specific past time, it goes exceptionally well with all of the activities listed above.
Enjoy -
xo Tam
YOGI TEA
In big soup pot full of water
WholeBlack peppercorns - about 20
Whole cloves - 15’ish
Whole Cardamom pods split (smack with the flat of a knife) about 20
Cinnamon 3 - 5 sticks
Ginger root - no need to peel. Slice the ginger about 8 slices (I keep mine in the freezer)
Black tea bag
Low boil for 30 - 45 minutes
then add tea bag
low simmer for another 30 mins or more depending on how strong you like your tea
Smells amazing!
Strain it through a mesh strainer and discard.
Pour into mason jars - I use a glass 4 cup measuring cup
Store in fridge
Drink hot (reheat in small pot) microwave not recommended.
Just as delicious cold
Summer in the Sask
Two things I know for sure. Summer is most definitely the best season of all in here in Saskatoon. But the heat can be downright oppressive when one is not prepared, nor climatized.. or summerized if you will.
And winter weather sucks ballz.. In a -- My skin on my face hurts and my lungs are collapsing from frozen air inhalation kind of way.
And the reason for this opinionated outburst? Perhaps the fact that upon writing this, it had been in the plus 30's for over a week, and in home air conditioning is a luxury I do not possess. Dyson and I are having a turbulent love affair. It’s like he gets me, like really gets me. Don’t tell Brad.
Oh yes I do have air in my SUV, and the trailer. Living the dream people. It is not unusual to see me driving around aimlessly in 30+ above. Or taking a random road trip to the lake, so my trailer can become my editing cave until mother nature regulates herself.
And really is it that bad? Probably not. But in my defence I am a Canadian girl, born and raised, and we just are not used to long stretches of intense jungle heat with hormonal hot flashes on the side. I am used to sledding, snow banks, blizzards, and frosty beer by the backyard fire pit. Between the hours of 2pm and 11:01 What can I say I'm a rebel.. ( damn you city of saskatoon)
Thats Abby, clearly annoyed by the 2pm - 11pm Fire pit burning bylaw
Now it may seem like I’m bitching. I kinda am, but deep down, not really. Just voicing my discomfort and sweaty distress. There is a difference.
Here is what makes this perspiring, peri-menopausal, on the verge of self combustion - glorious bitch smile.
I swear I’m more creative in the summer. Ok probably not. But it feels that way. It’s the energy in the air, and it changes for sure. That chillin’ summer vibe if you will. The newly emerged greenery and all that springs to life after the chilly winter slumber.
Or maybe it's our mischievous, backyard, nut hunting Squirrels hopping and running along the top of our fence tormenting our dogs.
It's most definitely our delicious bountiful gardens, and giant shady trees. Camping and campfires. The smell of fresh cut grass, rolling thunder and fresh rains. Walks along the South Sask river.
My overgrown ferns to my right, rustling in the breeze, and straight ahead our giant towering poplar with leaves waving. They sound like ocean waves rolling up to shore. And all this as I sit outside, under my gazebo, writing these words.
And nothing tops our bright burning, horizon dominating sunsets, hence the handle "land of living skies".
Ahhh yes, it's summertime.
With heat stroke looming I need to remind myself that our summer heat waves are so worth it. And there are always a million and one kick ass things, (slight exaggeration but it's how I roll), going on here in this great city/province this time of year. It's like we need to cram every festival and function into a hot and steamy 2 month period. Without a doubt there is something for everyone.
Jazz Festival, music festivals, food festivals, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan , PrairieLilly river tour, hiking, camping, Lake life, ball games, football, picnics, BBQ’s .. Over 100,000 lakes, Waterfalls, ancient ruins, art galleries, museums, micro breweries, wineries, canoe trips, Kayaking, amazing golf courses, You get the idea.
Jazz Fest dog - On a side note, bangs can be such a commitment.
Oh Saskatoon, you really are absolutely beautiful in the summertime with a river running through it all.
Breathe deep and soak it up my friends. It always seems to go by way to fast. That miserable ass old man Winter is lurking in the background awaiting his icy return.
So despite my temperature discomfort, am I gonna let this heat keep me down? Hell no!
Am I going to run naked through town square?? Still nope! Ok the thought may have crossed my mind but I am fairly modest, and not that hormonally unstable, yet. And does Saskatoon even have a time square?
I do love this place in all it’s summer glory. It is, despite my rant my most favourite time of year. I hope if you ever come to visit, you get to enjoy every perfect hot steamy moment, sprinkled with a few of our awe inspiring sunsets.
xx TD
Childrens Hospital Foundation Radioathon
There has to be a million great causes to part you from your money now a days. But I’m telling you, sick kids has to be top of the list. Come on.. Sick kids? Oh my heart! Alright and puppies, ok dogs.. I’m a sucker for dog rescues. Wait, and elephants, Ok maybe dolphins too. For love of god, I need a second job. My point is, when it’s local, and there’s sick kids involved, it is worth the time and the $$ to get involved, always..
And I'll tell ya what- Saskatoon is the best at this rally and support thing, yes we are! Look at the love, money + efforts that come together for the Kinsmen Foundation's annual Telemiracle here in Saskatchewan. Going into their 41st year this coming March 2017. They've raised millions for Saskatchewan residents helping those with physical challenges access to special needs equipment and medical assistance that wouldn’t otherwise be attainable. Thats how we do things here on the prairies. It’s how we were raised. Spreading the love regardless of race, creed, or religion. Take that Trump.
To read some of their stories go to Children's Hospital Sask
Unfathomable to imagine, and thank god for small mercies, that most of us will never have to know the pain, suffering, and anxiety these children and their families endure. No one ever knows what the future holds regarding the health of a child, grandchild, niece or nephew. It takes a a lot of dedicated and caring people to build a successful fundraising effort such as the Children’s Hospital Radioathon .
Piper and Marcus
There is a small army of volunteers, supporters, sponsors and donators that pull off this three day event. And with a 6am start time daily, my level of 'you people are THE shit' kinda went up a notch. Ya ya, I know there are waves of shifts and replacement volunteers, but there are also individuals that are there for the full shindig each day. The funds being raised are for the sole purpose of pediatric care and equipment for the province of Saskatchewan. And without a doubt we will be needing a lot of it to fill that brand new children's hospital with some top notch, cutting edge technology and equipment.
Great vibes - fun people. A big high five to all that selflessly come out to do their part, ring those phones, and help raise some serious moola. All $431,409.60 of it!
Until next year folks
~TD
Photographing The Chill
Well it’s fourty below and a don’t give a f#ck… That’s right, 40 below with the windchill folks, once again. It could be worse, It could be -40 before the windchill. These are the small blessings us Saskatchewanians are actually thankful for in mid-January here on the prairies. Sad isn’t it?
Early morning downtown Saskatoon- 20th street
It’s 7 days past Christmas, plenty of time to come to terms with the fact its all over and get back to the reality of the daily grind. It’s also fly day for Ma & Pa. I am driving them to the airport at 7:30am so they can catch a flight back to Parksville B.C. Where they now live. Sask. born and raised, even they threw in the towel when it comes to dealing with our cold prairie winters.
Hard to believe Christmas has come and gone. The house will be empty once again. Quiet, lonely, void of all family. But I am not going straight home after I deliver these precious packages to the airport, I’m going to photograph the chill. Who’s brilliant idea was this you ask? Oh ya, mine.
This city of Saskatoon is beautiful. It really is, even in the cold, I promise. And the weather is not always frigid. I promise this to. This engaging and divine city is just the right size, and oh so friendly! Yes yes, in the winter it does have it's moments of sub-thermal. And some days not just cold, but fucking cold. I don’t like it, not one bit.
But the other seasons in this place are stunningly beautiful, colourful and inspiring. Summer is most definitely my favourite. It’s warm, sometimes too damn hot believe it or not.. The anticipation of those muggy summer days, and late night barbecue suppers on the deck. Forests of green, barefoot on a beach, green and yellow rolling fields stretching as far as the eye can see, all the way out to where land meets the sky. Fiery sunsets, oppressing humid heat, and dark thunderous looming skies. That eerie quiet calm before the summer storm. And oh the camping, with those lazy summers nights around a lake front campfire.
So you see, this my friends, is what keeps us going through the inevitable onslaught of blistering cold. Trust me, its worth it. Most days anyway.
So stay warm fellow Canadians for the ice will melt, and buds will soon bloom, a sure sign of a joyous and much anticipated reprieve from this frigid hell. Just kidding. Hell is hot.
P.S. Miraculously enough no fingers or toes were lost during this frigid shoot.
Brrrr
TD