I’ve decided to invent a new phrase: PRETTY AS A PICKLE. Do you think it’ll catch on? My parents used to preserve cherries we harvested from the trees in our backyard. The idea of canning berries and fruit and pickles and beans has always intimidated me, mostly because of the huge amount of effort involved and the fact […]
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I felt adrift all day yesterday, not like myself at all. I did a load of laundry, some gardening, and tidied a bit. It was hot, for starters, very hot and humid. I couldn’t decide whether to stay indoors or out, and I found myself oscillating between A/C and jungle-like humidity. Our youngest had a sleepover […]
01 Jul, 2014
Enjoying the fruits of our labour on Canada Day
Posted by: andrea tomkins In: - Ottawa for kids|Easy ways to make kids happy|Ottawa|Recipes and Food
It’s not Canada Day in Ottawa if it doesn’t include some strawberries. We went to our usual U-pick strawberry farm the other day: Richmond Nurseries on Richmond Road at Fallowfield. It was stinking hot, but when there’s four people filling three big baskets (and a promise of strawberry milkshakes afterwards) it goes pretty quickly. Richmond Nurseries […]
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- My new life mantra
- Sharbot Lake Provincial Park dog beach
- Spring is a time of transition (and peonies)
- It’s in you to give
- Ottawa summer bucket list 2026
- Rum punch
- Archery in Ottawa: Try a beginner lesson at the RA Centre
- Winter ramble to the Mill of Kintail, Almonte
- The Mental Hygiene Challenge
- Friday things
- Jeanie Maennling: I spent many wonderful days visiting my cousins and Uncle Herb and aunt Eleanor at the Farm in the 1950's. Mycousin Skippy (Sharon) and I got into l
- alex: For a classic Canadian treat for valentine day , try a BeaverTail (a fried dough pastry) there its yummy
- Juliet Luiz: I was at this park today and saw the foundation and historical sign which got me curious and let me to your blog post! Great information:) too bad t
- Rowyn Tape: Hello, I was sitting at Easter dinner with my grandmother and she was telling me this story. She is Herbert Lytles daughter who eventually bought the
- Bernie: I freeze ball sizes of bread dough for beavertails each winter season.Easy to thaw, roll out and fry. Best winter treat!
- Jen_nifer: I feel very much the same about my SUP. Floating with snacks is fantastic! When I go on water with some current, I make sure that I paddle into the cu
- sam: Great article. This is very insightful. Thanks for sharing
The Obligatory Blurb
My name is Andrea and I live in Ottawa with my husband Mark and our dog Sunny who is kind of a big deal on Instagram. During the day I work as a freelance writer. I am a longtime Ottawa blogger and I've occupied this little corner of the WWW since 1999. The Fishbowl is my whiteboard, water cooler, and journal, all rolled into one. I'm passionate about healthy living, arts and culture, travel, great gear, good food, and sharing the best of Ottawa. I also love vegetables, photography, gadgets, and great design.
If you're so inclined, you can read more about me here.
I've deactivated the commenting function as well as my contact form so if you want to get in touch, please drop me a line at quietfish@gmail.com. Thank you!