I am a sucker for a furry face. Our suburban backyard is an oasis for the neighbourhood "buns". I could not be happier. I admit to spending a little bit too much time gazing out the kitchen windows watching "the buns" nibble on clover and lounge in the summer sun. I've also seen what can only be described as "a bun-off" in which two "buns" jumped over one another over, and over, and over again, in some sort of dance.
(It was quote possibly a mating ritual, but this is a 'family blog' and so we'll leave it as "dance" and not really worry too much about what it's all about ...)
"Bun-spotting" has become somewhat of a sport at our house. The thrill of seeing "bun" in the backyard is matched only by the excitement of seeing MULTIPLE BUNS in the backyard. It is a thrill, like no other ...
Or so I thought, until a few weeks ago.
What was originally intended to be a week long holiday back in New Orleans, got turned upside down when work demands proved unavoidable. Ah the joys of being self-employed. I can't complain too much though, as we were able to shuffle a few things around and take two days mid-week to dash off to Prince Edward County. My hubby's old stomping grounds ... well, not exactly "stomping" as wine-country out that way is relatively new in comparison to say, Niagara on the Lake. He was also less of a foodie-nerd back in his teenage days (he's come a long way baby!) and sent more time at the auto wreckers looking for spare parts for his cars. I digress ...
We booked ourselves a room at Huff Estates Inn (near Bloomfield) and breathed a sigh of relief after FINALLY getting across Toronto (is the 401 ever NOT a total nightmare?). If you're looking for a great home-base for touring "The County" - I would highly recommend Huff. Beautiful setting, really helpful staff and even though you need a car to get around, you're minutes to great restaurants (Lake on the Mountain Inn & Restaurant), wineries galore and some of the most amazing scenery - the colour of the water was often 'like Bermuda' and the calm glassy waters of the inland lakes rivalled 'cottage country'.
What's nice about "The County" is that the terroir is so different from other places we've visited, that the wines have this wonderful mineral-ness (?!?!?!) ... minerality ... to them that we haven't found elsewhere. We came home with a trunk full of whites from Huff Estates, few cheeky rosés from Waupoos Winery, some easy-drinkin' ciders from The County Cider Company and unfortunately the beer we got from Barley Days Brewery didn't make it home ... 'cause we drank 'em all on our balcony at the Inn :)
