To catch up on missed posting, I think I will just make a list of a few things that if I'd had more time and energy for writing lately, I would have probably written full posts on each.
Pelicans! I live in the boring suburbs but one thing that isn't boring is the retention pond a block away which attracts a huge variety of birds all summer long, including pelicans. They took a while to show up this year but I think they are so majestic and interesting, and I feel so fortunate that I can go watch them whenever I feel like it. We are really lucky to spend our summers with them here in SK - last summer my uncle from BC was visiting and he thought it such a novelty to be able to see the pelicans every day.
(Getting attacked by a red-winged blackbird for encroaching on his nest - I've been there too.)
Fresh produce from local farmers! We've been buying veggies from Kaleidoscope since the first week of May already. They've got an online store this year and offer weekly delivery in Saskatoon. I can't say enough great things about the consistently amazing quality of what they grow. Please throw your money at them (or other local producers of your choice). As a farmers' market junkie, it's now the point in the summer where I don't need to buy any imported produce from the grocery store anymore until well into the fall and I'm super excited about it. I also love that the Community Farmers' Market of Saskatoon is occupying the downtown outdoor market space every Saturday this summer!
The library is open again - at least for curbside pickup! I bought a few books and borrowed others from friends during the closure but it's so nice to once again have access to a much wider variety of free books! All of the library staff that I've talked to on the phone to set up appointments or while picking up books seem overjoyed to be back at work and it's just been such a positive experience to use this wonderful public service again.
Gelato for supper! My MSc conference schedule resulted in Italy trips the past two summers. This year that's very much not in the cards for a variety of obvious reasons, but having authentic Italian gelato at Beppi's has enabled the gelato addiction which started on my first trip. It has ruined us for pretty much all other ice cream vendors in Saskatoon (except perhaps Fable, which only loses our business for the unfortunate fact that it's not within as easy biking distance as Beppi's). It is not unusual for us to decide we don't feel like making supper and instead hop on our bikes and ride to Beppi's at 5:30pm. Frozen dairy and eggs is a perfectly acceptable summer dinner in my opinion.
Outdoor dining! I know restaurants are allowed to open, but my personal comfort level is not yet okay with spending extended periods of socialization time indoors. Thus I was super excited to get tickets for Farm One Forty's farm-to-table dinner on June 13. It was extremely windy but they pulled it off beautifully, and it was nice to be around other people again, but at a safe distance with outdoor ventilation. And the food by Odla of course was amazing - I'd highly recommend this experience if you can make it work this summer; the next one appears to be scheduled for July 12. We are looking forward to also checking out a Black Fox G&T night this Friday. I am hoping that there will be more opportunities created by the local government for restaurants to host similar outdoor dining experiences within the city limits - if they build it I will come!
Okay that's enough for now! Summer in Saskatoon is always incredibly lovely but also way too short, so hopefully being more limited in your travel options this summer will be a silver lining that allows you to discover some new ways to enjoy the season locally.
