Memories of Michael Jackson

Haha. And no.

That was my standard answer to the question I was frequently asked from about the age of six through 12: "Hey, are you related to Michael Jackson?"

Despite sharing a name, I was only what you might call a mild fan of The King of Pop. I liked his music well enough, but I didn't own an original copy of the Thriller album (I guess in part, due to the fact that we didn't own a record player at the time, and I'm pretty sure cassette tapes were just coming into fashion when it was released). Newsflash: I'm old!


I was a fan of Michael Jackson's videos though. Videos were huge when I was a kid, and video channels actually used to play them instead of the reality shows and outdated Mike Myers' movies that get broadcast now (seriously MuchMusic -- a weekend airing of Wayne's World?). I used to love watching and then re-watching the newest releases after school on CBC's Video Hits. Or if I was lucky enough to stay up late enough on a Friday night (read: never happened), I tuned into Good Rockin' Tonight with Stu Jefferies. There's no doubt that Michael Jackson's Thriller video is one of the best of all times. I still watch the whole thing through whenever it comes on. Cheesy for sure, but very entertaining.

The first time I saw the Thriller video was in Grade 4. One of the boys in my class owned a new-fangled gadget called a VCR (see above reference to my advanced age), and brought in a taped copy of the video for the class to see. This was a BIG deal, let me tell you. I can still remember our teacher administering a warning before she showed it to us, explaining that we were about to see some scary images, like in a horror movie, and if anyone was frightened, we could stand out in the hall. Did she think she was teaching a bunch of babies? We were in Grade 4 for goodness sakes! We were all hardened to the ways of the world by that point -- especially growing up on the mean streets of Lakefield.

But watching a video, really any video, in class really was out of the ordinary. I'm sure I was genuinely excited, as I perched on on the edge of the desk, all of us crowded around the portable TV stand. The lights were turned off, the curtains drawn and those first howls filled the room. And then Michael was on screen in that red leather jacket, with its unnecesary zippers! Then his eyes turned yellow and began to glow! There were zombies, too! Ones that could dance! And in case they didn't freak us out, Vincent Price did with his creepy narration! In terms of pop culture, it really doesn't get much more 'thrilling' when you're nine years old.

I've seen the Thriller video many, many times since then, but that first viewing was undoubtedly the best. And sadly, it's my one real memory of Grade 4. I'm so glad I didn't miss it by standing in the hall.

Saturday morning market haul

What a difference a week makes! I usually try to get to either the Main Street market on Saturday, or the much larger Lansdowne Park market on Sunday, but this week's visit to the Main market was fabulous! In among the regular lettuces and herbs that have been available for a month or more, this weekend brought out baby beets, tiny carrots, new potatoes, peas and of course, strawberries. I didn't get any potoatoes, but came home with almost everything else in my shopping bag.

I also bought a dozen Beking eggs, which aren't pictured. Their little chickens get to walk around in the fresh air and scratch around in the dirt. Plus, you often get bits of straw in the egg carton. Bonus!

Improvised Sunday night sups!

While I have to admit that this show bugs me, (mostly the dippy theme song!) I do like the notion of making a meal out of what you have on hand. Of course, I don't really buy that the show is as improvised as it implies, especially when the chef has a pantry stocked full of stuff most of us never keep. And given the fact that the show's shot on location in PEI, I'm betting a good percentage of those ingredients are trucked in from the mainland. Even the house where they shoot isn't a real home, so I'm totally okay with being skeptical about the contents of Michael Smith's cupboards.

But anyway, as I said, I do like the thought of using what you have available to make a meal. So that's what I did Sunday night.

I'd bought some ground pork earlier in the day, and thought to combine it with a handful of fresh sage that I've got growing on my balcony, lots of cracked black pepper, a clove of garlic, some dried cranberries and some chopped walnuts.

I formed the mixture into patties and cooked them off. I have to say that served with a dollop of grainy mustard, they were quite delish.

As for sides, I bought this bunch of Easter egg radishes (couldn't resist the name) at the market in the morning.


I sliced them thinly and put them in a bowl, into which I'd added the zest of a lemon, the juice of half a lemon, some salt, a dash of cinnamon, some mint honey from the Carp Fair, and a bunch of torn mint leaves -- again from my balcony. Then I added some sliced carrots and tossed. The flavours were really bold, but it was a nice, refreshing salad. It would have looked better had I used carrots the same diameter as my radishes, but the bag in the back of my fridge was a bit mouldy, so I opted for the baby version instead. Wise choice, me thinks.

And here's what I had for dessert. First of the season. A bit small, but very sweet! Not a bad way to end a week at all.

Happy Father's Day!

Today's Father's Day, but because I can't be with my dad, I thought I'd post a photo of him engaging in a favourite activity. This shot was taken last year in Dublin. That's 100% local Guinness in his glass!


Happy Father's Day, Pops! xoxox

Cock a doodle do!

What I had to listen to all day at work.

Pretty peonies!

Even though I work very close to the Experimental Farm, I hardly ever visit. But on Friday, I made a point of going over a lunch to see the peonies on display. What a sight! Not all the blooms were open, but those that were were gorgeous. Here's a sample.

Asparagus soup

Asparagus season is almost over! It's a tragedy I know, but while the stalks are still available, I'm making soup -- which is a good thing considering how frickin' cold it has been lately.

I've been making regular old asparagus soup for while, but thought I'd try the roasted variety. Recipe's below, but it's pretty simple and I think the roasting makes the asparagus a bit sweeter than usual. It's definitely not as green as soup make with the unroasted stalks, but that's an okay compromise in my books.

Here's the asparagus after roasting in the oven.

And here's the final product.

And here's what I ate it with...a fougasse from True Loaf Bakery, stuffed with mushrooms and rosemary.

Roasted Asparagus Soup

Serves 6

- 1 pound (450 g) fresh asparagus

- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) olive or any vegetable oil

- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) butter

- 1 onion, chopped

- 2 garlic cloves, chopped

- 1 small potato, peeled, chopped

- 5 cups (1 L, plus 250 mL) water

- 1/2 cup (125 mL) light cream

- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) chopped fresh tarragon, chives or sage

- Salt and pepper, to taste

1. Wash asparagus under running water to remove any grit. Break off tough ends.

2. Preheat oven to 450 F (220 C). Cut stalks into 3 pieces and place on baking sheet with rim. Toss with the oil. Roast asparagus in oven for 15 minutes or until tender, shaking pan once during roasting. Remove from oven, cut off 15 to 18 asparagus tips to reserve for garnish.

3. In saucepan, melt butter; sauté onion, garlic and potato on medium-low heat, cover, and cook until tender, shaking the pan several times to avoid burning. Add cooked asparagus and water.

4. Purée the mixture with blender, immersion blender or food processor. Return soup to

saucepan, add cream and herbs. If soup is too thick, add a little more water. Add salt and pepper.

5. Serve hot or chilled and garnish each bowl with 2 or 3 asparagus tips.

Art in the Park

This weekend was Art in the Park in the Glebe. The event underwent a name change this year, and is now a juried show, called the New Art Festival.

It's always nice way to spend a weekend morning, and this year was no exception. The weather was cooperative, even if the mosquitos weren't.

Here's a sampling of what was on offer.



A crazy bug bike. Doesn't look too comfortable.


Folk art.....decapitated! (My photography skills are awesome, aren't they?)

This is the work of Neil Young (not the singer!) an Ottawa-born artist now living in Toronto. Up until a few months ago, he was working as an architect, but recently quit to pursue his dream of art full time. He creates pieces using paint, material, photographs and covers them in resin. The red piece above is titled Crimson and it was sold to someone I know.


And here's the one I bought, called Fresh. It's a very happy painting! Now I just have to find a spot to hang it....

Photo of the day

President Barack Obama bends over so the son of a White House staff member can pat his head during a family visit to the Oval Office May 8, 2009. The youngster wanted to see if the President's haircut felt like his own.

This is the best thing I saw today! From Whitehouse Flickr.