I love to sail! I grew up in a family of avid sailors and my father’s prize possession was his sailboat. Aside from his passion for sailing I think he loved having us trapped together. He was the captain and his commands were obeyed with gusto. In hindsight, the power that came from the wind was the same power that brought us together as a family. We worked as a team with a common goal. My father passed in 2004 and although I miss many aspects of him I will admit that on windy days in Toronto it is our time on the boat that I miss most of all. There are many yacht clubs in the city and if you have never sailed and have always wanted to give it a go then you can crew for any number of seasoned sailors to get started.

I just discovered Great Lake Brewery! I found that their Orange Peel Ale’s lively carbonation is a craft brew that’s delightfully refreshing. The noticeable orange zest is balanced by the honey notes. However, it is the hopping that provides the backbone to this brew leaving a deliciously long lingering aftertaste. This translucent citrus hued ale holds a solid head. Easily found at the LCBO in the beer section.

There is a fascinating series which has passed through our home a few times. The Weather by the BBC features Donal MacIntyre, host and fearless explorer. The episode titled Wet tracks the remarkable flow of water which he reminds us is continuous and ancient. You might think you know all you need to about water but even if you really do I think you will find this series an entertaining and educational low carbon way to spend time and it’s easy to order at the library. Check it out if you can!

We had Bunny but Bunny died a few years ago. We were sad to lose Bunny because aside from being totally adorable and a ton of fun, she was also our compost. Bunny was so efficient that her litter was used for fertilizer mulch and produced some gorgeous gardens. Eventually, when time and space permits we will definitely add another rabbit to our family and continue that great natural cycle again.

When I turn the spotlight of hoarding on myself my weakness is glaring; books. I have way too many books and I am proud to say that I’ve read most of them which is why it is hard for me to let them go. I understand that in my community of Toronto it is difficult to now dispose of some books. So I am back to using the library. It’s easy to order books online and then you just pick them up at the desk. Perfect! Plus, there is a place for Ellie to play with other kids.

There is no better time to enjoy a beer than in the middle of renovations or building projects. Thanks to my neighbour, Rowan, I am now a fan of the locally produced Flying Monkey Hoptical Illusion beer! This Almost Pale Ale is a medium to full bodied rich amber beer with good effervescence. There is a lightness that belies the full hoppy finish. Taking into consideration that it is not a true India Pale Ale it combines the best attributes of flavourful hopping with drinkability. This beer will pair well with flavourful cheeses, pizza or your favourite smoked meat sandwich.

Well, no matter how hard you try, you cannot have a successful garden and we certainly would not have food without the bee. Anyone can become a beekeeper and more urban dwellers are taking up this important role of assisting the bees because they do not require much space or experience.

There is no better smell to me than a vineyard mid-summer. The dirt produces my favourite aroma for sure. Oh, sweet wine! We had a great trip to the Pelee Island Vineyard last summer and would say it rates in beauty and taste to any of the wineries we visited in California. Unfortunately, some of their best wines are winery exclusive but luckily the LCBO still offers some great bottles in red or white. We will definitely return. Also, they are on their way toward a goal of becoming the most environmentally safe community anywhere. I am keen to both watch and support their progress.

My grandmother always used Yardley and Pears and recently I decided to go back to it to eliminate my consumption of plastic bottles. So far, so good, I find the Yardley great in the shower and the Pears for hand washing and the box can go in recycling. Olive oil after a shower is also perfect in Toronto winters.

As all good witches, I am a clean floor freak. I love nothing more in a space than a clean floor. So, I use my vacuum a lot but have now reserved it for carpets and corners. I am silencing my home by sweeping. My curious toddler, Ellie, loves to sweep too since it gives us time to sing and dance.