Feature: Hy-Hope Farm

Posted on March 1, 2013 by chestimer — 1 Comment

Hy-Hope Farm

5450 Lake Ridge Brooklin, ON L0B 1A0
(905) 655-4123

www.hyhopefarm.ca/

More than just your average farm! Hy-Hope is one of my favourite local destinations for many different reasons. My first favourite thing about this little market is Farmer Dave’s fresh, homemade bread – especially the Whole Grain with Molasses (Farmer Dave, if you’re reading this – you’d better make sure there’s still some left for me! Make EXTRA!!). One Christmas, I surprised my husband, Mr. C, with 12 loaves as a Christmas gift (did I mention the bread freezes beautifully??). It only lasted us until Valentine’s Day! Their bakery boasts scrumptious pies, tarts, and scones too. And, if there is any left, don’t miss out on their bread pudding if you get the chance. Your tastebuds will thank you!

My second favourite thing, are all the delicious apples! There is nothing like an orchard fresh Honeycrisp on a cool fall day! I see, on their website, that they offer farm tours too. I’ll definitely be putting this on our autumn “To Do List”.

Number three: Toboganning! Awesome! Oh, and in the warmer months, the hills turn into a golf course – cool eh?

And last, but don’t tell Mr. C or any of my mommy friends that I actually admitted this, Hy-Hope makes the best Pickled Eggs. I know, you’re thinking, “Pickled eggs? Really??”. YES! Try them! Your secret will be safe with me!

Tagged with: apples, Ashburn, bakery, bread, family fun, farmers market, golf, orchard, pickles, pies, tobaggaining
Posted in Ashburn, Bakery, Outside Adventure, Toboganning

Feature: Lynde Shores Conservation Area aka “Chickadee Heaven”

Posted on February 20, 2013 by chestimer — 1 Comment

Victoria St. W., Whitby, ON

http://www.ontarioconservationareas.ca/test/conservation-authorities-of-ontario/central-lake-ontario/lynde-shores-conservation-area

cost: FREE admission + $2 for parking

I am a little ashamed to admit that I am one of those people who tend to hole-up in my cave for the winter. In fact, at the mere mention the possibility that i might brave the subzero temperatures and actually join my kids outside to play, elicits a response from them that is something akin to receiving a pony for one’s birthday. Utter shock and disbelief. And I mean, UTTER!!

I’ve known about Chickadee Heaven for some time – my husband raves about it. But for one reason or another (mostly because I HATE being cold) we have put off going. Then, one day, I looked into their sad little prison-grey faces…”ok, fine. Everyone get your suits on and get in the van! Let’s go on an adventure!” All I can say is, boy am I sorry we didn’t go sooner. It was Awesome! There is absolutely nothing like seeing the look on your 3 year old’s face when a wild bird lands on their hand for the first time! Super cool!! We encountered lots of friendly little Chickadees and squirrels, and had a posse of ducks and Canada Geese following us along the beautiful trail. We saw a wild turkey, deer and rabbit tracks, and even heard a robin in the distance (a ray of spring sunshine on a cold winter day!). And that’s only the first 100m of trail! We have so much more to explore, and, without a doubt, we will be back!

So, pack a toonie for parking, some sunflower seeds and a little snack for yourselves, and hit the trails at Lynde Shores CA. You won’t be sorry that you did.

Posted in Conservation Area, Outside Adventure, Parks