On Golden Pond...

This is positive thinking at its best. Our pond (which really is more of a mini lake because it is fresh water fed) is covered in algae. We don’t know why. Seems like the township of Langley doesn’t understand why Brydon Pond is covered in algae either so Trinity Western University is doing a study. The initial report was that it isn’t toxic (phew!) but that it could be brought in on the ducks feet (that could be a problem).

We’ve done a lot to encourage the birds, bees and butterflies by choosing a sustainable life style by not using any chemical sprays in the gardens, making the pond in the first place and planting native trees and shrubs. So we can’t just tell the ducks to go home. Besides, they absolutely love this fluffy alga. (By the way, the water is crystal clear under the algae). Mother duck just had another flock of babies. We tend to get a bit distracted with the “wildlife” around here… bunnies frolicking on the front lawn, pheasants taking over the tall grass outside our bedroom window, the birds insisting on making a nest in the entryway beams, and a convalescing crow. No I’m not doctoring the crow! We have provided the gardens, a sanctuary, where he can die with dignity.

Meanwhile in the garden we are wondering what we did in our past life to deserve HORSETAIL in this one. Where it is the worst, we’ve planted lawn so we will just cut it. In the other areas Arleigh will try to dig it out and I will just cut it off at ground level. We don’t see eye to eye on this one. My friend Betty Lou has another take on it…its green, what’s bad about that?

We have always tried to keep the gardens clean the carbon neutral way (read: hands down, bum up) so when you come to visit the Apothecary Shop you will see a few weeds. Hey, if you ever visit a garden that is perfectly manicured with nary a weed in site, think of how it got that way…

I think the “Vancouver Sun”:http://www.canada.com/vancouversun “Ruth and Brenda” (what’sstiring@png.canwest.com) were in my recipe book this week! Get a copy of June 18 Vancouver Sun and go to Arts & Life Section for Raspberries with Lavender Cream. It reminds me of the Strawberry Tart we used to make for Mother’s Day Tea. Also in this section, Karen Barnaby of the FishHouse Restaurant in Stanley Park has a fabulous take on my recipe for Panzanella (Tuscan Bread Salad) but she GRILLS her veggies and bread first taking this peasant food to exotic heights. Epicurious has a good recipe for panzanella. Check out “Krause Berry Farms”http://www.krausebrothersfarms.com/ for fresh, local strawberries now.