Snapshot: One last (busy) Quebec summer, part I

There's no denying it - we've put down roots here in Quebec. 

And yet, it's official that we're leaving. In fact, we're moving to Wyoming in early November! Knowing this, we've spent the summer cramming in everything Quebec has to offer and then some. In the next few posts, we'll share lots of photos that offer a glimpse of the various adventures and visitors we've had.

Snapshot: Winter cracked...

Snow melts into the earth and a gentle breeze   

Loosens the damp gum wrappers, the stale leaves   

Left over from autumn, and the dead brown grass.   

The sky shakes itself out. And the invisible birds   

Winter put away somewhere return, the air relaxes,   

People start to circulate again in twos and threes...

John Koethe (click here to read full poem)

Snapshot: Winter is the new spring in Quebec

In light of what seems to be the "new"spring around here, we've collected a handful of images that show the scenic side of wintry Quebec.

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Snow and sub-zero temperatures characterized the first few days of spring. In fact, the 5th annual Quebec City Saint Patrick's Parade took place last Saturday during a not-so-minor snow storm.  

3 local food ideas for your St. Patrick's Day smorgasboard

Tired of beer-based recipes for your Irish-inspired meal?  The following recipes are tried and true in our kitchen, and could give your St. Patrick's Day menu some festive flair.  Even better, you'll be able to incorporate seasonally available ingredients, some of which you can even grow yourself.

1. Homegrown green (sprouts)
Let's start with this guest post I did a few days ago on Foodies in Quebec.  Growing your own sprouts is a frugal way to incorporate highly nutritious fresh greens into your winter diet and into your St. Patrick's Day salad.  Watching roots develop is also a great "science" project, regardless of your age.  Since sprouting your own sprouts is really easy, it is a great activity for kids.  

How to: Click here for my 5 simple steps to growing your own sprouts.

Looking back on a great 2013!

2013 was a fruitful and busy year.  We crisscrossed the continent several times, for weddings, wakes, and work.  Admittedly, our eco footprint is heftier than usual, as is our sky miles account.  But all the time with family and friends, lots of home-preserved food and successful fishing and hunting seasons do help balance it out.

Here's a snapshot of 2013, and our best wishes for 2014!


Bethann & Jerod

Snapshot: A glimpse of pro cycling in Vieux-Quebec

A year ago, I'd never thought twice about professional cycling.  A year ago, Lance Armstrong still had all his accolades, and the Tour de France was as unfamiliar as Quebec City felt when we first moved here.  Then, last September, I received an assignment to cover the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec, one of only three world class pro cycling races held in North America.  

Snapshot: Behind every glass of wine...

There is definitely a story....

That is most certainly the case for three special glasses of wine I sampled recently.  Thanks to a tip from a fellow writer at the QCT, I made contact with a fellow whose business it is to navigate the complex regulations governing how wine, beer, and other spirits make it into Quebeckers' glasses.

Sometimes...spectators have all the fun.

 

 They say it takes 10,000 hours to become the best at whatever it is you want to do.  I have no idea how much time military musicians spend rehearsing, but upon close inspection, there's no question they start at a young age.

Snapshot: Sturgeon Crossing Station

It's been a little while since we posted, with good reason. We've been criss-crossing the country (photos coming eventually), and getting ready for a cross-country road trip. I'm working for Jerod on his bison study this summer, which is based in Saskatchewan.

We spent the past three days on the road, en route from Quebec City to SK.  Yesterday evening, we arrived at the cabin in Prince Albert National Park where we'll spend the next three months. The wildlife of the park gave us a fine welcome.

Snapshot: Dog days

A couple of weeks ago, I tagged along while some friends went dog sledding.  Everyone thought I was nuts for passing up the chance to ride along, but all I wanted to do was wander around the kennel.  So I did.  The pictures are misleadingly serene - the din of 250 dogs barking, howling, and pumping themselves up about the day's run was indescribable.

Snapshot: Like riding a bike

During the winter, with snow piled high and falling often, our bikes rest downstairs, on a several-month break.  There are people who persist through the bad weather, biking alongside traffic with studded tires and ski goggles. But, we just aren't into it - higher potential for a bad accident than in the summer time, too many changes of clothes, and we would both need to upgrade to different bikes.

Jerod, Bethann, and Bertille, a friend from France
on a bike tour of an island upriver from Quebec City.
Photo courtesy of Mathieu Basille.

We bike most of the year, though - to work, around town, out exploring the countryside near Quebec City, and of course, Jerod bikes all summer chasing bison.  Snow was still falling here last week, but the roads have begun to clear.

I took my first bike ride today, and felt like a giddy kid again.  I am eagerly looking forward to another warm biking season.  To tide all us snow-stymied bikers over, here's a snapshot of one of my favorite bike moments from last season: the Grand Prix.

Snapshot: Way beyond 'Jingle Bells'

The 59th annual Quebec City Winter Carnival (of the modern version) is over.  

It ended with thundering hooves and cheering crowds.

Snapshot: Quintessential 'Dutchness'

Windmills will always symbolize my mom and quintessential "Dutchness" to me.  While I now know the Dutch aren't the only ones who use(d) windmills, that's not what we thought as kids!  Here in Quebec, I have spotted a number of historic picturesque windmills, which always strike me deeply with a sense of family, and heritage.

Snapshot: Spring in Quebec

Local seafood is a much-anticipated sign of spring.

(by Jerod Merkle)

Sunset casts a rosy light on the St. Lawrence River near Quebec City.