Everyone moves from time to time and in terms of life injuries, well, it’s just not that significant.
But when you’re preparing to leave the city where you’ve raised your children from infants to teenagers and every corner of every street flashes a memory, the task takes on a different weight.
Sure, there are plenty of good reasons to be attached to this city. Consistently ranked among the best communities to live in Canada and one of the cleanest and highest quality living cities in the world, there’s no doubt, Ottawa is a gem.
But that’s not what I’ll miss most about home.
No. My heart is breaking leaving this city because there isn’t a corner of this well-traveled neighborhood that doesn’t remind me of the fifteen years we’ve spent living it. From the crawling stage to the dirt eating stage to the mound of grass where our youngest found his first four-leaf clover, to the epic meltdown on Bank street that saw a certain three year old boy strip down to his bare skin one painstaking item of clothing at a time until he stood there planted in his resolve, his thirty pound frame shivering in the wind, casting a look back at me that let me know, we had just begun.
And the funniest things are occurring to me too. The thought that our phone number will never ring to us again; the idea that we are deserting the ash tree we planted in our backyard when it was only three inches tall — how long will it live and will I ever see it again? The fact that I won’t get to say goodbye to everyone including all the so-called strangers I run into every single day (is it weird that I am now possessed with an urgent need to meet them?) and the stretch of wall in our kitchen (the great wall) where our boys – and every guest, friend and family member – who entered our home measured themselves – a collection of graduated marks and honors, now covered over in builder beige.
Whenever I feel like I’m going to lose it, which happens a fair bit, I find myself holding on to Dr. Seuss:
We are so blessed to have spent fifteen incredible years in this beautiful city with its spirited inhabitants. I am now intimately acquainted with every tree-lined dog walking path, soccer pitch and hockey arena scattered across eastern Ontario (in fact, I can even tell you the mean temperature inside each of those arenas — yup, I’m even going to miss freezing my butt off!).
So we move forward, with open hearts and optimism. And we have so many people to thank for supporting us both while we lived here and during our warp speed transition out of the city. Family, friends and neighbors who have extended their hands and celebrated our final days — thank you for making us feel so well surrounded and loved. That’s what we will remember most.
Fresh Blueberry Salad with Chèvre Medallions & Champagne Vinaigrette
For the Salad:
- 4 cups (1 L) baby spinach or fresh greens of choice
- 1 cup (250 mL) arugula (rocket)
- 1 bundle seasonal white asparagus, gently steamed and cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 cup (250 mL) fresh blueberries
- 1/4 cup (62.5 mL) toasted pine nuts or nuts/seed of choice
- 8 ounces (225 grams) chèvre (goat) cheese log, I used one seasoned with herbs
For the Champagne Vinaigrette:
- 4 Tbsp olive oil (60 mL)
- 2 Tbsp (30 mL) champagne vinegar
- 1 tsp (10 mL) fresh lemon zest
- 1 tsp (10 mL) honey
- 2 tsp (10 mL) grainy dijon mustard
- sea salt and coarse pepper to taste
Serves 4
Nutrition Notes:
Rich in fibre and low in calories, blueberries rank among the highest in antioxidant value by weight in relation to other fruit. These dazzling blue gems obtain their color from a group of phytochemicals called anthocyanins that help guard against cataract, glaucoma, ulcers and even certain types of cancer.
Studies have also shown that blueberries may reduce LDL cholesterol levels and blood pressure. And there’s more. Research suggests that eating blueberries regularly may protect brain cells and lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by combating free radical damage, reducing inflammation and increasing the clearance of toxic proteins that accumulate with age.
All this from a brilliant berry that is bursting with flavor – talk about a great deal!
Directions:
Place spinach (or other greens), arugula, cooled asparagus pieces and blueberries together in a large bowl.
In a small dry skillet, sauté pine nuts over lowest heat just until they are gently browned and fragrant (be sure to watch carefully to ensure that you don’t burn the nuts — pine nuts are expensive!).
Add toasted pine nuts to salad bowl.
Meanwhile, in a small container with fitted lid, combine vinaigrette ingredients and shake vigorously before drizzling over salad. Taking care not to mash fruit, mix salad ingredients together until well integrated with vinaigrette.
Divide salad among 4 plates and top each plate with 3 slices (medallions) of chèvre.
I was 7 months pregnant, the tree was only 3 inches tall
moments after arriving home from hospital
(a tough thing to capture in all of its sacredness ;-)
every summer for most of the summer — shhhhh… don’t tell a soul ;-)
Dear friends and faithful supporters of Inspired Edibles, please bear with us as our family settles in to our new home and life in California — we can’t wait to reconnect and share our new adventures with you!
Wow! It will be a climate shock to you ;-) Just joking, but California is such a sunny state apparently… I bet you will be happy there, especially with all the bounty of product such a climate must be generous with. Good luck with your new chapter of life! I’m looking forward to reading about your first impressions.
The salad looks gorgeous and somehow very festive, so I suppose that in spite of the ash tree and lots of memories, the moving must make you happy!
Oh my God – California? Wow, that’s some change… did I miss something? I had no idea you were moving! All the best with the move Kelly – it must be so hard :(.
“how long will it live and will I ever see it again?”
My parents planted a prunus tree in their garden in the first house they owned. It was a wedding gift from my mother’s parents and it grew fast and tall and strong. We moved house about 20 years ago to their current home and I remember she went by about 5 years after they’d moved and found the new owners had cut it down :( She was so sad :(
Hi Kelly! So glad you’re back :) How coincidental that you’re moving out as I’m moving in. I think people go into a house not really ever knowing how long they’re going to be there and it’s wonderful that you’ve been able to spend 15 amazing years in that house and have so many memories that will live with you forever. I’m the kind of person that hates change and holds onto the past, so I totally understand your sadness. Just remember that anyplace where you’re with your family will feel like home. Plus, the next place will hold equally important memories- where your children continue to grow, where they tell you they’re getting married (!), where you play with your grandchildren. I also believe that everything happens for a reason. I know its not easy to accept it right now but I promise it’s true!
P.S. that pic of you when you brought your son home from the hospital is precious!!!
WOW! I had no idea that you were moving to California! What a HUGE move as you so eloquently expressed in this post. A beautiful post Kelly! I wish you the best in your move and your new life! I realize it’s quite hard on the whole family, but as close as you all are, I can’t imagine anything happening that you all couldn’t handle. You’ve got the love!!!! :) Another beautiful little salad that you’ve left us with! Looking forward to hearing how things went. I’ll be thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way.
Looks like I missed a few posts… after I changed hosts and switched my email address, I lost a lot of my subscriptions!
So you’re moving? To the States? No more winter for you, is that it? How come? What happened?
And can I say that I’m somewhat jealous? ;)
Best wishes on your new journey. I know it won’t be easy, but I hope you will settle in smoothly. xo
I know too well what you are going through, and can only offer a virtual hug and my electronic ears for your use, whenever you need/want. Moving is not easy, it is a small revolution and it comes with a lot of struggles and pain. It WILL be for the better, though…. I know that for sure!
Hang in there, thinking of you!
Kelly, a beautiful post leaving us with your touching memories of Ottawa… Love the Dr. Seuss line – so fitting :) Best of luck with your transition and we all look forward to more great recipes, photos and eloquent writing once you’ve settle in. Best wishes! Lynn
I’m sorry to here you’re leaving Canada, but California is beautiful. Where abouts are you moving? We head down to California often (couple times a year, sometimes for months). I think you’ll learn to love it even though the cultural differences always seem to astound me (and everyone says we’re the same, not so). Best of luck and I look forward to hearing your updates!
Kelly, I have been wondering where you’ve been and hoping that everything was okay. I can’t believe you’re moving to California- what. a. change! You had me all torn up with this post! What an emotional time…I wish you and your family all the best, and I so look forward to future posts from California. xox
Kelly!!!!!!! Your post couldn’t have come at a better time… we are moving too and it is truly bittersweet :( I was moved to tears from this post (did you rip out that wall yet? I would!)
I cannot believe that you are moving to California!!! I have so many nosy questions that I want to ask- (don’t worry, I won’t post them ha ha) Moving is such an incredible journey in every sense, and I wish you a peaceful, stress-free transition. Much love xx Em
What a huge move…Oh the amount of produce you will be able to get now in CA!!! And the weather….I would say you lucky lady you, but I understand how hard it must be to leave a place where you made so many beautiful memories with your growing family. Your oldest with the blond hair is reminding me of mine! I love all the sweet sentiments and memories you have shared. I know there is a salad in this post somewhere but I’m more interested in wishing you all the best of luck with your move and I CAN’T wait to hear all about your new adventures in California!!!!!
Kelly… this is huge!! What a move for you and your family… I can just imagine the range of emotions you must be going through. In your beautiful words and style, you convey it so well; in fact, I feel like I’m going through it too! My eyes are welling up with tears (I’ve told you this before but you are one of the most natural writers I know). Thank you for sharing these snippets of your life with us and the photos too… your boys are gorgeous! I will be thinking of you over the coming months as you make this transition – I know it’s hard but as you say, new adventures await and we can’t wait to read about them! Good luck with everything dear Kelly…All the best to you and your family.
Kelly,
What a moving, poignant post … you are such a good writer!
I love the photos and you know trees tend to endure and grow and before you know it well come back to see it, just like we went back that one time to the house on Browning. Life is about this.
Thanks for putting this together. Your memories are my memories.
What a move. Good luck in all things coming your way. How exciting for you but I understand your sorrow in leaving. Take care.
Good luck with the move, Kelly…from freezing-butt Canada to warm sunny California…that’s a long way..all the best, my friend.
The salad looks splendid!
Oh my…I’m so glad I found your blog. Your writing is so eloquent…and so very true. My husband and I recently left Austin to move back to Colorado. We didn’t have nearly the memories that you did, but I could still relate. And this salad looks heavenly. Thank you for sharing!
You’ve got me in tears dear friend. I can relate to so many of those emotions and I just wish I could give you a big hug. While I only spent a few years in Minnesota, it was full of new babies and toddlers. Those times are precious and hard to leave behind. I love the image of your son’s meltdown on the street corner – ah, he and Miss A sound so similar! And even though that corner may be far away – it will always be in your heart. I will be thinking of you and plan to visit you in your new city one of these days! Good luck with the move Kelly. Cry as much as you need too. It’s good to let go. I know this will be challenging, but it will also be wonderful in so many ways. Someone wise once told me during a difficult time that it’s a new beginning. :) xxoo