Monday, March 30, 2009

UtHC Bulletin

Under the High Chair bulletin is a scattering of various and sundry happenings, discoveries and news.Keep reading...

Garden News

"This is what's cruel about springtime: no matter how it treats you, you can't stop loving it."
Barbara Kingsolver
Truly March is the most frustrating month. It brings sunny warm days that cause you to cast away the wool scarf and haul out sneakers from the back of the closet, and then slams the door in your face with its plunging temperatures and occasional snowfalls. Still, I admit that I give in to its games and occasionally allow myself to believe that it is spring. My hope was validated today by the discovery of some very brave rhubarb poking its little heads up in the garden.
Consider this a warning that I will probably begin blathering about seedlings, compost and my garden in future posts and won't let up until about mid-October or so. It's almost gardening time!!

* * *

Interview with Aimée
Mother of three and food blogger, Kate of A Merrier World, has decided it's high time to discover the stories behind some of her favourite food blogs and guess who she picked to go first? Yep, in the very first installment of her fascinating Edible Lives series, you can read all about Under the High Chair's humble beginnings and the journey to what we are today. Curious as to how everything began? Head on over to the interview for a trip down memory lane and also discover which popular blogger she'll be interviewing next!!
Thank you for this opportunity, Kate!

* * *

Raw Pet Diet
Alright, so after the last fiasco with our cat, Cassis, I decided to put him on a raw diet to avoid going through anything like that again. Correction, I didn't really 'decide', more like I was told to by my little sister, resident family pet expert and B.A.R.F pioneer (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) around these parts. Note that I don't usually take commands from a sibling seven years my junior, but believe me when I tell you, if Miranda strongly suggests something pet related, I know I'd better listen up.
If you want to find out what is involved in committing to a raw diet for your pet or how to transition, my sister outlines the process at her informative, easy-to-understand blog My Mini Zoo. You can also follow her on Twitter.
Raw pet diets are not for the faint-of-heart, let me just say that! There's nothing quite like hacking up chicken carcasses (bone shards flying everywhere and the baby trying to eat them off the floor), mincing chicken hearts & livers, tossing in a raw egg, serving it to your cat--and then sitting down to your own dinner. They don't call it B.A.R.F for nothin'. Just saying.

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Making Baby Food 101
From cat food to baby food, the lovely Cheryl from Backseat Gourmet has two articles on making your own baby food that I wanted to recommend to all my mommy readers out there. I've always made all my own baby food, but never got it together to post a how-to on the subject, even though more than a few of you have asked. (Sorry!)
Cheryl lays out the steps simply and smartly, without lecturing or sounding 'preachy', so if you're expecting a little one or about to transition your baby to solids, be sure to check out Step 1: Purees and Step 2: Textures.

* * *


So, it's only right that I share what has been both an inspiration and a kick in the pants these last few weeks (not to mention a darn good read). Barbara Kingsolver's book "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life"
Written as both a love letter to the land and a wake-up call to the consumer, I haven't been able to put this book down. Even my Tweets are suffering. Her ode to asparagus alone had me weak at the knees.
Suffice it to say, this book is a must-read for any gardener, cook, environmentalist or the like.

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Sugar Shacks
Lastly, I guess my last two posts about sugar shacks got you all fired up about sugaring off season and now you have a hankering for all things maple. Just so you know, I've considered all your requests and am now giving my recommendations! Unfortunately, I am not aware of any places that collect sap in the traditional method and allow you to participate as I did (lucky me! OK, now you just want to smack me). However, here are two places that allow you to get out of the city, admire the tall maples and feast to your hearts content.
  • For families, you won't regret a visit to Cabane à Sucre Bouvrette, which we visited last spring. If the amazing pea soup and tire d'érable don't do it for your little Johnny or Jane, the tidy petting zoo and old fashioned train ride will.
  • For grown-ups, gourmands and anyone who has $45 to spend very wisely, get yourself to Martin Picard's sugar shack: Cabane à sucre: Au Pied du Cochon. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time to ensure there is some maple-poached lobster left for you.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Muhaha... another convert! I am glad I finally won you over... hey, sometimes its good to listen to your little sis ;)

PheMom said...

What a fun post! BTW I had a black cat years ago that was always napping in the sink too. Go figure!

My ideal hair... I'm going to have to go with either Teri Hatcher or Jessica Alba.

Culinary Wannabe said...

I love the Bulletin! It's like a quick catch-up. I should start getting my friends to email around something similar each week. Can you imagine how much phone time we would save?! And I just want Victoria Secret hair. I'm pretty sure my husband would concur.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Yes we would have loved to spend some time helping out in the sugar bush, I am sure your friends appreciated the help!! Who has my hair....Beyonce!!!!!!

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

The person with the hair I envy most is Betty Paige - the cut, the colour, I love it!

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

Tweeted! :) http://twitter.com/antispamgirl/status/1424173980

Thank you!

Jennifer said...

Terrible movie, but I loved Meg Ryan's "before" hair in The Women. It was really wavy/curly and big- just like my fine, straight hair will never be!

tara said...

Jennifer Anniston!

Hoping I win b/c I just moved to a humid climate and my hair won't do diddly!

Mandy said...

I'd have to say one of my favourites for her many different hairstyles over the years is Reese Witherspoon. I love that she usually has bangs. I love bangs!!!

mlindley said...

I am so excited about this new give away, and I am going to have to go with the Heavenly Angel hair from Victoria's Secret :)

Cheryl Arkison said...

Wow, that was quite the bulletin. I'm glad I don't come across as preachy when I write because I sure love to spew advice! Ask my sister-in-law!

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Fun post. So much good stuff!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

After finishing up that post did you lean back and let out a big sigh of satisfaction?! :-)
~ingrid

Emily said...

I'm eager to read about that pie! I had a guy ask me in an email if I wanted a sample of Canadian maple syrup, but I didn't know what to tell him. You shouldn't give out your address to random strangers!

This was a cool little post you put together. It's full of potpourri. I need to read your interview.

Reva Skie said...

Jennifer Aniston. Her hair is made of awesome. Always so shiny and smooth. Of course, she reportedly spends a ridiculous amount of money on it.

mindy said...

actually it is not a person i was always amazed at the women in the olden days that would pile the hair really high and it never toppled over that to me is ideal thanks for the giveaway

Kimmer said...

I love Anne Hathaway's hair! :-)

Tanya DeJager said...

i would have to say that I would like either Gywneth Paltrow hair or Jenifer Aniston, I guess Brad Pitt liked women with good hair...

Eileen Likes To Eat said...

Gwen Stafani! Her platinum blond hair always look so glamorously done!

tatertot374 said...

My ideal hair would be Heidi Klum. Very simple and beautiful
Thank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

Amber said...

Hurray for your brave little rhubarb poking out of the ground! What a welcome sight :) We had a taste of Spring last week but tonight there is snow in the forecast yet AGAIN. Sigh.

My best hair vote goes, hands down, to the muy bonita Penelope Cruz.

divaqueenie said...

I love Sarah Jessica PArker's hair, just about any way she wears it!

Michele said...

Thank you for the great giveaway!

Jennifer Garner has beautiful hair.

daiseechain said...

I've always been a Meg Ryan hair fan but when I saw her big beautiful head of curls in 'The Women', I'll admit, I was supremely jealous. -Kate

Abby said...

Thanks for the baby-food links!

Carolyn G said...

Penelope Cruz! I love her hair and she wears it up and down and it always looks good.

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