It hasn’t been our best summer weather-wise in Newfoundland this year, but thanks-be-to-goodness we are now in growing season. We have some beautiful greenhouses, but it’s time for those sheltered plants to have their day in the sun. Here’s Barb wheeling another load to be planted by The Guest House (where our Ladies’ Retreat package is still available, by the way). I think that old adage rings true – better late than never!
Spring has Sprung (Fresh Food for Fine Dining!)
Yes, there’s still snow, but there’s already signs of sprouting spring at The Doctor’s House. We’ve just announced our new menu for Fine Dining at The Doctor’s House (!), and in our quest to be a Farm-to-Table organization, we’ve recently begun planting our seeds in the greenhouse.
We have our gardening plan set out, and our goal is summer sustainability. Our salads, flowers, trees and bushes will be planted in sequence and transferred to the garden as the sun allows.
But unbeknownst to us, Barb George, our garden and greenhouse keeper, had a little surprise for us. She’d secretly bought a home growing system, and she’s gotten a head start on the the lettuce, kale and other early starters. She’ll be bringing them to the greenhouse soon.
That means, we should be having our organic lettuce is a couple of weeks (remember, we’re opening April 10). That’s almost three months ahead of last year! Pretty awesome.
We’d love to know in the comments – are you big gardeners? What do you do to make the best of our Newfoundland climate?
Summer’s Last Hurrah
Since this is the last long weekend of the summer, we know it will soon be time to say bye-for-now to our beautiful gardens at The Doctor’s House. They’re been a highlight this season, as we’ve lived here and gotten acquainted with this beautiful property. Thankfully, we’ve got lots of walking trails, lots of trees, and lots of beauty coming as we get into fall. But for now, here’s one last celebration of our beautiful flowers! And thanks again to Shirley George for the lovely photos.
Your Sunday Bouquet
There’s nothing like a fresh bouquet of flowers on a gorgeous summer’s day – unless, of course, than a bursting garden in your own backyard. The Berry and I have always been amateur gardeners, but living surrounded as we are by all the greenery of The Doctor’s House has been a real blessing this year. Thank to Shirley George for taking the lovely photo and letting us share it with you. Not quite fresh, but still up-close-and-personal!
Shag It – We’re Growing Our Own!
Here’s a photo taken by the lovely Cate Dore, who runs and cooks all our lovely meals at the lovely Shag It. This is the budding garden she is growing, full of fresh greens to use in her creations. It really is a ‘living’ salad when it was growing just minutes before being (lovingly) thrown in the bowl! Just a reminder that it’s Friday, and Friday means one thing here at Ocean Delight – time to chow down at the Shag It. Hope to see you – today, tomorrow, or Sunday!
Sunday Greetings
Sunday greetings, everyone! Jerry is away visiting his daughters in British Columbia, enjoying some sunshine and some much needed R&R. In the meantime, here’s a shot from The Doctor’s House in winter, to remind us that things are going to start looking beautiful here really soon. Jerry brought great weather with him to B.C. – and maybe he’ll bring some back with him when he gets home next week!
Still Blooming
Here are some flowers The Berry’s daughter, Rebecca, gave her last Mother’s Day. They are still blooming beautifully at The Doctor’s House, and making us smile. The Doctor’s House is magical. The colours are starting to change around the fields, and they say it will be spectacular in a couple of weeks. I can’t wait to see it. Stay tuned to the blog for what I hope are some gorgeous fall colours!
Stop and Smell the Roses ….
…. at The Doctor’s House!
Here’s a bit of a departure from my regular Sunset Sunday posts – because like many of us I find inspiration from Nature wherever I find it. That’s often in sunsets, but just as often in beautiful gardens and flowers. So The Doctor’s House in a dream come true for me. The scents, aromas, vibrancy … it’s just amazing. So I hope on this long weekend you get a moment to stop and smell the roses, too. And don’t forget to check out our weekly spa specials, too.
Some Roses for You
Here are some of the 40 large Newfoundland rose bushes we’re collecting from neighbours who wanted nothing for them other than to see them grow where they would be appreciated – so we moved them to the cottages. They really help with our ongoing landscaping efforts. Greed does not thrive around the bay. These roses were given freely, and we are so grateful. No doubt, life around the bay in Newfoundland is just a little bit different. We have found, “it is one for all and all for one all.” That’s why we love it here.
Drain Ditched for Beauty
What a difference Nature – and a bit of elbow grease – can make in a month! This drain used to be just that – a drain, a ditch, a neglected area that gets forgotten. Now, although far from finished, it’s becoming a thing of DIY beauty (if I do say so myself).
It’s my labour of love – which with our busy summer season has meant it is usually usurped by labour of necessity – but I still get to dabble here and there. And by the end of the summer, we’ll have a fabulous foundation for a great showing next year. (And check out below if you’d like to see the ‘before’!).