Summer is supposed to be about sitting on the patio under an umbrella, sipping an icy cold beer, playing cards or reading a book, and letting time just ease past you as you enjoy the weather, the sights and sounds around you.

Well, things started to go downhill when we visited Churchill Square on Canada Day. The beer garden sold only beer, wine and cider. Here’s my unhappy husband sucking back a plastic glass of warm white wine.

As this is a food blog, I thought I’d toss in a shot of a canola field at the family farm for you people who may not know what a canola plant might look like. It’s quite pretty this time of year, but as you approach the plants, they look rather creepy. The sort of thing you might dream about at night and will result in you tossing and turning and shouting things like “Nooooooooo, get off get off!”.

In farm news, our family farm has been sold. It’s the end of an era. Our family is attached to this place, but the time has come to let go. It’s not been an easy transition, and its been hard physical labour for my grandfather, Mom, aunts and uncles. For most of us, its an emotional attachment. This farm has raised kids, cattle, chickens and grain. We’ve spent many summers out there just hanging out, camping in the yard, playing games, drinking, building a fire, having wiener roasts and having a great time.

This year, it’s all about getting stuff ready for a garage sale on July 30, 31 and August 1. If you are looking for stuff, anything from retro home wares to tools, this is the place for you. The farm is located west of Edmonton on Highway 16. Turn into Seba Beach using Range Road 55A, and follow the signs. Heck, come out on the Saturday and take in the Seba Beach Farmer’s Market. It’s a treat. It’s only open for one and a half hours from 11 – 12:30. There is no early entry. They are militant that way.

In my own world, I found out I have to have some major work done on a eyeball…. ewwwwww. The heebie-jeebie factor is huge, but it is something I have to do.

Stress levels have been a bit higher than normal, so as you can see from the picture above, I am handling it as any hormonal woman would, with beer and Duchy Original’s Stem Organic Ginger biscuits covered in dark chocolate. A whole box. Gone. In less than 10 minutes.

And if you happen to be Doug from the Bothy, that is not the same World Cup football bracket pool poster you have. It just happens to say The Bothy on it. Imagine! The coincidence!