Stratford 2 Waterloo

Last month, my world got rocked, which is the reason for my absence from Bloggerville.

It all started one seemingly normal Tuesday morning, when my husband and I were trying to get ourselves ready for work and our son prepared for daycare. I had a presentation at work that day, so I was a little more frazzled than usual, but in no way expected the train of events that would follow.

On our way into work, I realized I forgot something at the house, and so we had to turn around and go back home to pick it up. This wouldn't be a big deal for most people, but my husband and I both work in Waterloo (our son attends daycare there as well), so this small change of schedule threw everything off.

It's not that we aren't used to the drive; my husband and I have been doing it for the last 6.5 years. But something changed after I returned to work from maternity leave and suddenly we found ourselves leaving Stratford early and arriving home late. With the drop-offs, I was finding myself on the road two hours a day. And on that particular Tuesday morning, it all came to a head. Essentially, we snapped and realized what we had been denying for so long: commuting was getting the better of us and we needed to make a change.

The thought of moving to Waterloo had crossed our minds many times in the past (usually in the dead of winter when even the highways couldn't take the harshness of winter in the snow belt), but our decision always returned to staying in Stratford because we love it so much here. We're nestled on the Avon, a short distance from the theatre, the downtown core is vibrant and alive, creativity flows as freely as the WiFi and we've been so excited about what the University of Waterloo Stratford campus and Stratford Institute are promising our fair city. More importantly, we're close to family and have experienced a sense of community here like nowhere else.

But as pretty as this picture may be, it all comes at a price. And I'm not talking just gas or time: I mean sanity! We realized that we're living in Stratford for the weekends because on the weekdays, we're too exhausted to do much else.

And so, on the Wednesday following that crazy Tuesday morning, we made the bold move of peeking on a real estate website to see what was available in Waterloo and lo and behold, we found a house that felt right and was situated fewer than five minutes from our places of work and daycare. Long story short: we bought it, and moving day is just around the corner.

Before we could get excited about the many wonderful things Waterloo has to offer our growing family, we had to mourn the loss of Stratford. We saw ourselves here for a long time, but thankfully, we will be back often to visit family and friends.

One of the many benefits of moving to Waterloo will involve reducing our carbon footprint, which also feels right to us. We calculated that we'll be saving 16 days a year off the road (and I mean 24-hour days!). I grew up in the area and so I'm familiar with the city, but so much has changed since I lived there and I look forward to making many new discoveries that I will post in this blog, along with some old (and new) favourites from Stratford and the surrounding area.

So there you have it - my long story not so short after all. I want to thank the many people who have made my time in Stratford over the last 6.5 years so memorable. You are a wonderful community that I was proud to be part of and a little piece of my heart will always belong to Stratford.

In the words of William Shakespeare, "Parting is such sweet sorrow," but it's time to move on, and I look forward to discovering many of my own unearthed joys in my new but familiar city and surrounding area.

So stay tuned. And thank you for accompanying me on my journey.

Savour Stratford 2010: Sept 25 and 26

It's here, it's finally here! Savour Stratford is alive and well and bustling up Stratford this morning.

As I write this, artisan vendors are beautifully lining York Street and Veterans Drive like a Parisian Saxe-Breteuil Market. The day will be graced with outdoor concerts, a York Street Carnivale as well as Tasting Tent, Stratford Chefs School Learning Centre demonstrations, an Ontario wine and craft beer pavilion, a Culture Days Tent and so much more.

Tonight, sit back and enjoy the BBQ, Blues and Brews event and make sure you get lots of sleep tonight. Savour Stratford continues tomorrow with another full day of sumptuous events.

This event makes me so proud to live in Stratford. If you haven't been, you MUST GO! Each of your senses will thank me.

Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival: Sept. 25

When my husband and I started dating, I asked him if he would go to the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival with me. Part of my request was tongue-in-cheek; I had never been before but thought it sounded 'cheesy' enough to be a fun second or third date. When he gracefully turned me down because he made plans with a buddy to attend a Michigan football game, I thought I'd have a little fun with it. I decided to attend with a couple family members anyway and make a photo diary of my excursion (so he'd see all the fun he was missing!).

These were pre-digital days, and if I had a scanner I would show you some of the goofy pics I took for him. Pics of the blue grass bands, square dancers, long line-ups to delicious fritter- and dumpling-land, ice cream makers - everything you'd imagine from a typical fall fair scene.

The Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival is a riot. I've been several times and always get a kick out of it. It's happening TODAY, Saturday, September 25 (what isn't happening today?!) and if you feel like some ol' fashioned cheese, go and check it out.

More to do in Stratford this weekend!

At the risk of sounding like an informercial – wait, there’s more!

I forgot to tell you about the Stratford Fall Fair this weekend, September 25 and 26. I took my son last year along with a friend and her daughter. We were so surprised at the number of roller coasters, rides and carnival games available for kids of all ages. And imagine my delight when I discovered Ken's chuckwagon was even there. Who needs cotton candy when you've got the most delectable local fries on site?

If your kids love animals, you'll want to check out the petting zoo inside the fairgrounds, as well as the 4H dairy shows. Fun for the whole family.

One Tasty Week in Stratford

Culinary Week 2010 is on in Stratford, and it’s all leading up to the Grand Poobah of events: Savour Stratford, this weekend, September 25 and 26.

Perhaps you’ve already checked out Garlic Festival, the Edible Tour of Stratford, the "Farm to Table" photography exhibit, or the Shake Your Martini fundraiser at the Gallery Stratford this week. You might have even participated in the 'For the Love of Cheese' tasting at The Milky Whey, A Feast of Comedy or maybe you even have tickets for Pubs, Pilsner and Spirits tonight (complete with spooky stories about what haunts local establishments). But if you haven't participated in Culinary Week yet, don't worry - there's more.

Friday (September 24), another Edible Tour of Stratford is planned, as well as Beerology Craft Beer Tasting (unfortunately it's sold out), Food Doc Screening Tableland and let's not forget the Savour Stratford Launch at Fosters.

Graze and sample as much as you're able, but don't tire yourself out: more on this weekend's bountiful activities. Clear your calendar - you won't want to miss the many delightful festivities in store.

Dive into fall with sumptuous events: Sep 18 & 19

Once I got over summer's sudden dissolve, it was easier for me to embrace the amber warmth of fall, especially with all the festivities planned throughout Stratford and area in the coming weeks.

In fact, the multitude of events have transformed my September calendar into what looks like a football playbook sketch! Watch for a series of posts on all the fantastic activities you won’t want to miss, starting with Birtch Farms' Apple Festival, September 18 and 19.

You might have caught last year’s blog post about Birtch Farms and one of its treasured fall festivals. If you have kids or are in love with autumn delights, you'll want to put it at the top of your to-do list this weekend.

And it's only the tip of the cornucopia. We’ve also got the Stratford Rotary Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, as well as the delicious outdoor Stratford Garlic Festival.

To top it off, this weekend marks only the start of a week's worth of culinary events in Stratford, leading up to Savour Stratford, September 25 and 26: the Mac Daddy of all culinary festivals in Ontario.

So pull out your warm sweaters, rubber boots and fall palate for a gastronomic adventure that'll leave you hungry for harvest hootenanny.

Local vs. Organic - what do you think?

I'm having a local vs. organic dilemma. As you've read, buying local is very important to me, and harvest certainly is plentiful this time of year. However, buying organic is also near and dear, especially now: I'm 5.5 months pregnant and trying to provide my growing baby, 17-month old toddler, husband and self with ample nutrition, free of as many pesticides as possible.

While the grocery store isn't my favourite place to buy food, I find it difficult to completely avoid. I'm pleased that our Zehrs in Statford is promoting local foods in a prominent section as you enter the store, but much of its organic food comes from afar.

Just last Sunday, I found myself hovering over the produce section: do I buy my toddler Ontario peaches - local, fresh, his favourite and also part of the dirty dozen - or do I opt for the organic nectarines from California? It's not helping my cause, but this time I chose the nectarines.

Thankfully there are places like the Organic Oasis, Pfenning's Organic and the Gentle Rain in Stratford that offer local organic alternatives (which aren't as expensive as I initially thought). But their offerings are limited and won't help me come winter.

I suppose I could set aside some time to do some freezing and canning like I tried for the first time last year, although the energy stores are low these days! I wish a return to organic farming was as popular in Ontario as it is in California.

While 'organic vs. non-organic' is one of today's hot topics, I've read enough about carcinogenic effects of pesticides to steer me clear of the dirty dozen.

Maybe I'll chat with LOFT Market again at Savour Stratford in September to see if they're reconsider adding Stratford to their drop-off route.

And if you have any other suggestions (who's up for an advocacy campaign?!), I'd love to hear from you.