My sister is a great one for revisiting previous homes of our growing-up family and there have been a few. Remarkably, my Dad remembered the address of the house in Stratford so we made a point of driving by it today on our way back from St. Jacob’s Village. I took photos and wondered, if it was indeed the same house. I had hoped the experience would spark something, but alas, nothing. If I had my son, James’ memory, I would not only remember the house but what I ate for breakfast in it.
St. Jacob’s Village was first on our list this early morning and since I have had it penned on my
“10 Things to Do Before You Die” list for 10 or more years, I was pretty pumped. The best part? We unexpectedly happened on the Mennonite Central Committee’s 2010 Quilt Show and the whole town donned quilts in some form or another (check out the Car Quilt Cover – the car is completely “workable” with the cover on). Quaint doesn’t begin to describe it.
It is on these kinds of days that I realize how much I love my husband. Not a word of complaint, not a sigh of boredom, not a derogatory comment of any kind, bless his soul. I 
tried not to tax his good humour and patience but I know it’s not easy being married to a quilter. One kindly volunteer remarked how lovely it was to see a man taking interest in quilting. He smiled amiably and I felt a little peccant. I’m sure he was the only man within 5 kilometers and in fact, he made that observation at the end of the morning.
The Farmer’s Market just
south of town took us on a welcome side trip as we shopped among a few bonnet-clad women and straw-hatted men of the Old Mennonite order who arrived at market by horse and cart.
As if that wasn’t enough fun and excitement on one sweltering Southwestern Ontario day, Shakespeare beckoned us inside for an afternoon telling of A Winter’s Tale. I laughed and cried and believed the thing was as real as the nose on my face. We left the theatre feeling elated and highly entertained until Gord asked, “Are you ready to go do laundry?” That brought us quickly back to reality and so, we spent the next 90 minutes eating DQ at the Laundromat and planning our next few days.
The food photo is a sample of what lunch looks like on any given day; Men
nonite Sausage, Carmelized Onion Marbled Cheese and fresh picked tomatoes. Gord adds bread.
