Edward Street Apple Butter (2010)

And again, for the third year in a row, I am making apple butter to give to the people I love for Christmas. Apple butter is messy and time-consuming and noisy to make. But, it's spicy and my mum loves it and I can't think of anything better to give or to receive than a handmade gift.

The Sweater That Took Three Years to Knit

(my roommate Aurelie is modelling it here)

This sweater started at Birkeland Brothers back in September of 2007 when I bought 8 skeins of Berroco Peruvia in grey. I had in mind a different sweater to knit, but changed my mind when I came across the Drops Jacket pattern. I started the actual knitting a year later, after I'd left Vancouver for Halifax and was living in a lonely one bedroom apartment. Although I don't like starting one thing before the last is finished, I knit several other things (including a whole different sweater) before casting off and seaming this jacket in August of this year.


By the end, I tore apart and reknit so much of this that I could have knit two other sweaters. But, that's part of the process, and in the process, I'm learning patience.

The Good Lovelies

I first heard the Good Lovelies a couple of years ago when I joined my friend Teresa for their show during the In the Dead of Winter festival in Halifax in 2009. These ladies were fun and their music joyful. The Company House hosted them again last Tuesday, October 26th.


(photo found here)

The show was again a two-set night of hilarious stories (they must practice beforehand, they're so well-timed and funny) and heart-swellingly uplifting songs. I've never thought of myself as a bluegrass fan, but if this is bluegrass, I am.

These last days of October

bring early nights and cold, cold wind. But there's still some time for the kids down the street to get some sidewalk chalking in before winter sets in.

The Khyber Side

By Michelle SaintOnge

Sartorialist Archive

(found here: January 12, 2007)


(found here: September 12, 2006)

The Wilderness of Manitoba

The Wilderness of Manitoba played at the Company House for the Halifax Pop Explosion last Thursday. I told everyone I knew about the show and brought along as many friends as we could fit into our taxi. Other friends who'd already seen them spread the word as well. I've seen them play a couple of times already and am invariably moved by how beautiful they sound:



They played with Acres & Acres, Christina Martin, and Erin Costelo.

[Full disclosure: Melissa Dalton of WOM and I have been friends for nearly 20 years]