Earth's Own Oat "Milk"

 Out of the milk alternatives my wife and I have tried, this one is the best. It is the only one I not only like but see to use in my weekend coffee and will use it with cereal. The reason I prefer it in coffee over milk is the slight nutty taste. Could be the Canadian oats but probably the process they use.

The ingredients are nice too. The container is made from plants too.

Back garden

Each year we have also planted various vegetables on our back deck. They have mostly been successful from year to year.

Here are two varieties of tomatos plants, which we started inside some weeks ago. The bamboo trellises were made by my wife and I from the bamboo in our back yard.  

Here is a bunch of garlic with non-edible green plants.

Some more tomato plants, reluctant bean seeds in the large pots, and various herbs on the right.

Vegepod Raised Garden Beds

 Here is the replacement for the old raised garden beds I made over ten years ago, the Vegepods! They are made in Canada and fit together without too much trouble. We got the large models with optional legs, to wok on them without hurting our backs, and optional mesh covers, because of deer.

The large model does not take up a lot of space but is big enough to grow a variety of vegetables.

The mesh cover also comes with a misting hose that works very well with a large and powerful spray. After a few days or 15 minute sprays, it only needs 3-5 minutes each day.

Here is the growth after just under two weeks...

...and here it is two weeks after that. 

We may be replacing our other old raised garden bed next year if these work out.

Raised Garden Bed Destruction

Co we have had these raised garden beds for a little over 10 years. I made them out of cedar planks and the outsides have stood up quite well. It has been the insides that have caused the greatest problems, as every year we have to pull up a LOT of tree roots. We thought it was far enough away from the trees in our frount yard but there is not a lot of options with our tiny plot there. The time has come to replace the back one with something better.

First the dirt was separated from the roots and temporarily stored off to the side. It took nearly three weeks of working on it in short durations.

You can see the density of the root system!

The good thing is that this dirt will be reused in the replacements.

There were many roots this thick.

Lindt Chocolate Ladder Taste Test

My Lindt chocolate ladder test is complete! I started with the 70% and moved up once the bar was complete. I took one or two smaller portions during a sitting and finished a bar over two weeks.

As expected, at the 90% mark I needed less chocolate to feel sated and at the 99% mark I still have not finished it. I think I will use the 99% and 100% bars in some sort of dessert. 

Takeout

 Over the last year, we have been getting more takeout food as a break from making suppers and to support the local restaurants. As more people are vaccinated and restrictions in BC are lightening, here are some standouts not only for excellence but their packaging keeps the food in a state that does not diminish the quality:

Caffe Fantastico (Dockside Green): Date night pizza box with charcuterie

Il Covo: Italian dishes

Lotus Pond: Buddhist vegetarian delights

Nubo Japanese Tapas: Wonderful sushi and interesting variations

Ottavio's: local, Canadian, and foreign meat/cheese/delights for charcuterie 

Prima Strada Pizza: Closest you can get to Italian pizza on the other side of the world

Sizzling Tandoor: East Indian

Spice Valley: East Indian

Standard Pizza: West coast style and wood fired

Thai Green Elephant: Comfortable Thai dishes

Zambri's:  Italian dishes

Landmark Ancient History Series So Far

The Landmark Ancient History series of books that I have read in the last several years (Thucydides, Xenophon, and Julius Caesar) have been amongst the most enjoyable historical source material I have ever read to date. The generous amount of maps, helpful footnotes, and knowledgeable essays are all aimed at people who like history. It matters not if you are a scholar or just interested, there is something in these books for everyone. Don't be put off by their thickness because once you start into them they flow very well due to the excellent translations.

The first two dealt with the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, was of particular interest of mine. Late last year I finished Julius Caesar which was his writings on the Gaelic Wars in modern France and Germany as well as the Civil War with Pompey and his successors. The work also included the final part of the Gallic War, Alexandrian War, Spanish War, and African War which were written by others based on first and second hand accounts during the time these conflicts occurred. 

I have already purchased the Landmark Herodotus and Arrian (Alexander's campaigns). These I plan to read one each year. In the works by the company are Polibius and Xenophon's Anabasis. The last one I have read but looking forward to a better version.