Foodie and the Everyman

I don’t really have anything useful or profound to contribute to the website today.

I could sit here and tell you about the drink I ordered at Czehoski’s that the Everyman loved so much he had to chat up the bartender and then get denied the recipe (a tequila meggy, incidentally).  Or about how I’m still stunned that the local bakery owned by a guy I went to highschool with (Messa Bites) was supplanted by some hipster-looking coffee house called Ezra’s Pound.  Or I could even talk about how tired all the swine flu references are becoming (point it jumped the shark for me was when someone in my monthly all-hands meeting at work coughed on me and then said I hope you don’t mind, I had ham for breakfast).  But no, today I won’t dwell on those matters…

I’m a bit flummoxed. Over a week ago I sent in an order to Homeland to secure dirt for the garden that is rapidly expanding and outgrowing my basement.  After not hearing back from them for a few days, I decided to call.  The person I got on the other end of the line was at best indifferent and at worst rude, and basically told me they were on the other line talking to someone and they would call me back later.  So, being the kind-hearted soul that I am, I again gave them the benefit of the doubt.  That was 4 days ago.  I still haven’t heard back from them, and I refuse to call again.  Clearly they don’t need my business that badly if they can’t even be bothered to call me back.  To make matters worse, all of the other places I’ve contacted for quotes on dirt have not gotten back to me either.  Though in the process of searching I did unearth a new and potentially delicious garden product; cocoa nibs as ground cover.  I’m sure they smell heavenly, and as long as they mulch half decently, I think I know what I’ll be going for.  Unless, (as the Everyman suspects) they attract more rodents.  I spent all of last summer involuntarily giving my melons away to the squirrel and raccoon population that terrorized our deck; I do not plan on a sequel.

In the meantime while I wait to get my own garden in order, I can take comfort in the Trinity Bellwoods Farmer’s Market for homegrown produce, which starts a week tomorrow.  I was most looking forward to getting in touch with the cheese vendor who turned me on to Oh My Stars last year, but for the life of me I can’t remember who it was (my gut is saying either Monforte or Ewenity, though neither make mention of it on their website).  If it happens to be Monforte I’m essentially out of luck, because from what I read on their website recently, 2009 is their renaissance while they are in the process of raising money and building their new state of the art facility, thus no new cheeses are being produced.  Mostly, I just can’t wait to run my fingers over the bushels of fresh, local foods.  Get me to a farmer’s market and I’m like a kid in a candy store, unable to control myself.  If you’re an old reader, you’ll remember how crazy my coworkers thought I was when I showed up with 12 quarts of strawberries after visiting the Metro Hall market one lunch hour (the spoils of which are still cluttering my preserves cupboard).  Or how nutty the Everyman thought I was when I insisted I needed to buy 2 dozen ears of corn to roast on the bbq and save for winter (he rolled his eyes at the time, but once he tasted it, he changed his tune; too bad our cat sitter left the freezer open all Christmas break and all my quick frozen summer produce got ruined).  Primarily I’ve been wondering what else they’ll have for me that’s new.  I do so love the surprise and uncertainty that weekly fresh marketing holds because it’s impossible to plan a menu until you get there and feast with your eyes.  And feast I will and so should you!

Until next time…