Baynoddy

This weekend, Andrew and I took a drive out to Fahey Farm in Chapel's Cove.

Fahey Farm was established in 1798, and is the oldest Century Farm in Newfoundland. The farm is owned by Linda and Bernard Lewis, and they work the farm together, taking care of the animals, growing crops of fruits and vegetables, and tending to all aspects of life on a farm. Bernard is the 6th generation to run his family's heritage farm.

The farm is home to sheep, llamas and angora goats that all provide material for Linda's work. Linda is a fibre craftsperson, and she creates one of a kind wools and garments under the name Baynoddy Knitwear, Spinning & Weaving. Linda shears the sheep, spins the wool, hand-dyes the fleece, and creates some beautiful knitwear that is available to purchase at the farm, or at the Craft Council of NL.

Baynoddy is so full of character and rich in history and charm. Linda's shop is generously stocked with such a array of treasures, I could have spent days just looking around. There are original designed sweaters, handwoven shawls and scarves, and hand-spun, hand-dyed yarns, all from fibre grown on the farm.

We had a great chat with Linda, and then spent some time exploring the property and visiting the animals. Bernard showed us around the greenhouses, where they have an incredible selection of vegetables and fruits in various stages of growth. Did you know we can grow kiwi here in Newfoundland?!! I had no idea!

The animals all looked so healthy and beautiful and well taken care of. I can just imagine the life that they have out here on such an incredible property. I think I could handle it. Andrew and I have agreed that we would seriously consider living on a farm one day. I mean, I know it would be a lot of work, but I'm pretty sure we would love it!

Watching Linda and Bernard work was so inspiring, and makes me feel thankful for the beautiful treasures that nature gives us. It was really something to see how they are so self-sufficient, and it reaffirms to me that you can be successful and happy doing what you truly love.
May we all be so fortunate!

-Julie xo

The Rooms

Last weekend, Andrew and Brennen and I spent Sunday afternoon at The Rooms.

The Rooms is perhaps Newfoundland and Labrador's greatest cultural institution, and it is the home of our Provincial Archives, Art Gallery, and Museum. With collections and exhibits changing regularly, The Rooms offers a tremendous reflection of our history and culture, along with incredible architecture, and a stunning view over the harbour and downtown St. John's.

We love that many of the exhibits are interactive and hands-on, allowing you to explore the elements of the displays in a number of different ways. Brennen loves anything with sound, and he really enjoys the various listening stations throughout the galleries here!

The Rooms has produced a comprehensive exhibit on Beaumont-Hamel that was unveiled on July 1st of this year - the 100th anniversary of one of the most brutal battles in our history.

"The First World War had a profound impact on Newfoundland and Labrador. It involved thousands of our people in world-changing events overseas and dramatically altered life at home. Our "Great War" happened in the trenches and on the ocean, in the legislature and in the shops, by firesides and bedsides. This new exhibition shares the thoughts, hopes, fears and sacrifices of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who experienced those tumultuous years - through their treasured mementos, their writings and their memories."

We spent time learning the history about what happened on the battlefields, but it was the personal stories that, for me, had the greatest impact. To see actual letters and postcards sent from soldiers to their mothers back home, and to learn the fate of many of these young men was heart-wrenching.

There are many artifacts and family keepsakes on display that were collected from across the province, and a database that allows you to search names and look up details on those who enlisted.

You can even try on uniforms and have your photo taken like they did a hundred years ago. Holloway Studios (on the corner of Bates' Hill and Henry Street) was responsible for photographing thousands of men from Newfoundland and Labrador who signed up for the war. They would take your photo for free if you came in with your uniform.

I just can't imagine, as a mother, looking at a photo of your son in full Army regalia before going off to war, and the thoughts that would go along with that. It breaks my heart. Many of the soldiers who enlisted were not much older than Brennen is today. I am grateful for the sacrifices of the many young men and women who served and continue to serve our beautiful country, and I am oh so thankful that my sweet boy isn't going anywhere.

This new permanent exhibit at The Rooms offers an incredible opportunity to learn about the courage and determination of some of our greatest ancestors, as it captures the personal stories of many brave men who lost their lives in battle a century ago. There are hundreds of stories shared in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Gallery, and many others can be found in the archives. A select few can be read HERE.

Royal Newfoundland Regiment Gallery

Newfoundland and Labrador has a tight-knit population and our roots run deep, so if you are from here, chances are you lost someone in this war. It is relevant to all of us, and I hope that everyone will take the time to visit this exhibit and to honour and remember those who served during the First World War both overseas and at home.

*The Rooms is fully accessible, and easy to explore with a stroller or wheelchair.
For a listing of current exhibits, visit www.therooms.ca

For the Love of Food Trucks

This Saturday was a busy one at Easter Seals NL! In the morning, they hosted a Family Fun Open House as an opportunity to promote their programs and services for persons with disabilities. The open house was followed by a Pop Up Food Festival, which featured some of the best food trucks that St. John's has to offer!

Proceeds from the food festival go towards supporting Easter Seals' many programs and services for persons with disabilities right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Oh my goodness, you guys! I didn't realize that St. John's had so many awesome mobile food vendors! Food trucks are super popular in bigger cities around the country, and many people frequent food trucks regularly, but here in Newfoundland I could only think of a couple that I knew of off-hand. The first, and probably the original food truck here in St. John's being Ziggy Peelgood's! Everyone knows Ziggy's has been on the go for over 25 years, providing THE BEST french fries from a number of locations around the city. Then there was Long Dick's Sausage Emporium, and that fiasco a couple of years ago with them not being allowed to park outside of City Hall. There's been a few new ones recently, like Hitchen the Kitchen, from the owners of Blue on Water, who serve tacos and burgers and pulled pork mac & cheese from their food truck on Elizabeth Avenue. And Happy Camper International Eats, which offers healthy options like noodle and curry bowls, jerk chicken paninis and Korean BBQ.

I was excited to see some new food trucks and pop-ups at this event, and also thrilled to see such a crowd come out to support our local vendors and Easter Seals!

We are a generation of foodies, and food trucks offer a great way to try new types of foods along with a novel dining experience. They provide fast, convenient - and most of all unique meals on the go. There's something so fun about walking up to a truck, placing your order, and sitting at a picnic table or park bench to eat your lunch outside. It's just exciting to eat food that comes from a truck! And food trucks are all about community. They are a great place for people to socialize, as they are typically located in high-volume areas, and you get to talk directly to the person who is making your food, which is nice.

There were many pop-up food vendors set up inside Easter Seals House as well, so we met up with friends and found a table where we could enjoy our snacks and watch the crowds.

 OMG, these fresh homemade doughnuts from Sadie Leighs were to die for!

Andrew and my Mom and I tried sandwiches from Oh My Cheeses, and though the lineup was long, they were worth the wait! Mom had the Caprese Sammy, with tomato, mozza and local basil. Andrew had honeyed pear with brie and basil, and I had the French Onion Soup Sammy, with caramelized onion, mozza and swiss. They were all SO GOOD!! 

This is a pizza kone from Kono Pizza NL. 

They make dough cones filled with amazing handmade pizza sauce and a variety of different toppings. Yum!

I am constantly amazed by all of the incredible concepts that food truck owners are coming up with! There is so much creativity and ingenuity in this industry, and I am excited to see how it will grow here in the future. This event was a tremendous success for Easter Seals, and they are already planning for the next one.

"In the end, every bit of food you ate helped support programs and services for persons with disabilities- and that was pretty nice of you."