Esoterica: ramblings, wanderings, photos & more

On the Brink of Spring

March 7, 2013
cherry tree1

I don’t know what it is but this cherry tree down the street has me in its power. I took this shot the other night in anticipation of the blossoms that will soon obscure its tangled branches. It still has that kind of spooky Halloween look. But that will all be gone in a couple […]

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Grasping the Nettle (with Care): How to Put a Delicious Spring in Your Step

February 21, 2013
Foraging: a great excuse for a walk in the woods, Tim Pawsey photo

Depending on where you are, chances are it’s almost Spring—which means that nettle season is here! If you know how to handle nettles they can be the most delicious and beneficial of ingredients. Armed with a good pair of gardening gloves (check for holes!) and a couple of stout plastic bags we recently set off to find a crop of […]

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Changing it Up: Less Words. More Images. But Not Always …

February 19, 2013
QWERTIO-DODO - TP Photo

I’m thinking of trying something different for this blog: making it more visually driven. I know some people appreciate the “longer read” which I still occasionally manage. However, judging by the stats, nowadays more people are drawn to imagery than to text. I’m also just as inclined to snap a shot that winds up more […]

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Be Careful Opening that Bubble—Even More So with a Sabre!

December 28, 2012
Harry McWatters Sabres sparkling wine

(Updated Dec 14, 2013) Last year the New York Times ran an interesting piece that explored the history of the Champagne cork. It wound up with a quick lesson on how to sabre. The only problem is, the instructions were a little light on detail. You really need to know how to do things right […]

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Julia Child: the Original Great Communicator?

August 16, 2012

At least one loyal reader questioned my unabashed reverence towrds Julia Child (who would have turned 100 today) in last week’s Vancouver Courier column, suggesting that I had overlooked truly great culinary writers such as MFK Fisher and Elizabeth David. My response was that the column  was as much about Julia Child the communicator in the new […]

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At Okanagan Crush Pad It’s (even more) All About the Eggs

June 9, 2012

Okanagan Crush Pad continues to add to its burgeoning winery empire, last week welcoming a flock of chickens to the team. In true Crush Pad style, the dozen or so Rhode Island Reds (with more to come) are housed in what may well be the most impressive chicken coop we’ve seen in years, complete with […]

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It’s Always Pimm’s O’Clock Somewhere

September 10, 2011

  Our Borage is in flower so it’s time to resurrect the Pimms bottle. Here’s an update to last year’s post (which our friend Ross says is way too long, anyway…) Pimm’s recipe:  You will need (per drink): • Borage flowers and small leaves (ideally) or Cucumber, or both • 2 oz. Pimms No 1. • 6 oz of […]

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Feds Farmers’ Loan Actually Funds Imported, Not ‘Canadian Wine’

September 7, 2011

‘Government of Canada Invests in New Technology for Canadian Wine’, … says the headline. Really? Not so fast. The key words here are ‘Canadian wine.’ Andrew Peller Limited has received a $1.04 million interest free federal loan to upgrade (and effectively double) bag-in-box production at its wholly owned Calona Vineyards subsidiary in Kelowna, and at Andrew […]

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A Tasty Adieu to Harry Potter

July 15, 2011

The Hired Belly’s better half is lovingly referred to as Partner in Calories, who, for many years, has been making cameo column appearances. It was ‘P-i-C’ who first turned us onto Harry Potter, dragged our initially cynical self to the very first movie; and has since shared her passion for J.K. Rowling’s truly remarkable grand […]

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Victoria’s Best Elevator View—and Other Uplifting Secrets of the Hotel Grand Pacific

July 13, 2011

When we were judging the Lieutenant Governor’s Awards of Excellence in Victoria, B.C., we stayed at the Hotel Grand Pacific, which, it strikes me, is one of the capital’s better, if largely unsung hotels.  In fact, we’ve rested our head on HGP’s pillows a number of times over the last few years but rarely had […]

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