Summer. The best season - BBQs, watermelon, corn on the cob, cold drinks on the patio... Yes, summer revolves around all things food in this house!! And we absolutely love to stock up every week at the Fort Sask Farmer's Market to support our local growers and producers, and eat the best food the region offers.

The 2017 season of the Fort Saskatchewan Farmer's Market starts June 15 and runs to September 21. The market operates behind the 99th Ave CN Train Station and is open every Thursday from 4:30pm to 7:30pm (weather permitting). With up to 70 local vendors, this is a great event with fresh produce, plants, baking, homemade crafts, international foods, and lots more. There are also food trucks, kettle corn, and other snack options so head down with the whole family for an easy dinner on hot evenings! (Except the four-legged family members - no pets are permitted in the market)

I look forward to seeing you there!!

 Everyone is always asking how the market is doing. Here is the latest snaphot of what's happening in the Fort Saskatchewan market. To date, there have been 199 homes (includes single family, duplex and condos) sold in 2017 with an average sale price of $376,000. Detached single family homes have sold for an average of $432,000 while duplexes are a bit lower at $328,000.

Currently there are 240 single family homes on the market and in the last 30 days, there have been 3 new listings for every 2 solds.  This is definately a reflection of a busy market in Fort Saskatchewan. The spring market has been busy and if your house is priced properly it will sell. For your free market evaluation, or if you're wanting to get into the market, please don't hesitate to call. Welcome home!

Victoria Day - aka May Long - was almost a sacred holiday in my younger years, growing up in Prince Albert, SK. After finishing up my day shift as a Security Guard at the Gateway Mall, 6pm on Friday held the promise of sun, campfires, and Vanilla Ice on the stereo. We'd pack up the old '79 Pontiac Firebird with tents, pillows and as much...refreshment... as the cooler would hold. Then off to Emma Lake for 3 nights of shenanigans. I'd like to say it was mostly fishing in the lake, but anyone who was there know there was plenting of fishing going on at the local Sunnyside Bar too 

With the advantage of 'wisdom' these days, this weekend now usually revolves around hitting some golf balls, doing the yardwork bidding of my sweetheart, and enjoying some time with the dogs. But we'll still fit in a campfire, for old times sake.

Please share your May Long memories below - I'd love to hear 'em! And to make some new ones, check out www.albertaparks.ca. Have a safe and fun long weekend everyone!!

Mom, Mum, Mere, Mama, Mai, or Ina - she's the reason you're here and one of the most important people in your life! This weekend we'll celebrate Moms around the world and thank them for all they do for us. Whether it's a card, bouquet of flowers, taking her out for brunch/dinner, or your unique expression of gratitude, there are many ways to celebrate your fantastic Mom.

Here are a couple fun facts about Mother's Day:

1. Mother's Day was started through the efforts of two women - Julia Ward and Anna Jarvis - who each played a key role in the initiation of a day dedicated to our Moms, which was officially introduced in the US in 1914.

2. Americans alone are expected to spend approximately $21.4 billion dollars this Mother's Day...ranking it second only to Christmas on the list of highest spending holidays. In Canada, it comes third only to Christmas and Valentine's Day!

3. There are more phone calls made on Mother's Day than any other day of the year.

4. Mother's Day is the single busiest day for the restaurant business with a whopping 62% of North Americans taking mom out for brunch/dinner!

5. One quarter of all flowers purchased for holidays are purchased on Mother's Day. ChrysantheMUMs (hmm?) and carnations are the most popular.

For all the Moms and Moms-to-be out there, I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day!

I don't make this stuff up....This Saturday, May 6th, is the 13th annual World Naked Gardening Day! Luckily for us here, snow is not in the forecast and temperatures are set to be in the low to mid 20's. With that being said, here are a few tips for gardening, whether you partake in the clothed, or clothes-less, variety.

1. Clean out the old garden. That means removing all the old debris, leaves, weeds (to the roots).

2. Revitalize the soil. The soil is likely dried out after winter. You will need to add moisture. Adding organic compost or maure will give that soil a healthy boost. You may need to test your soil to see what nutrients it lacks, and might possibly want to add fertilizer to increase the health of your soil and plants.

3. Trim old plants. Any plants that survived the winter should be pruned and they will grow anew this spring. Pruning might best be done after threat of frost has passed - be sure to check online for advice specific to your plants. 

4. Add mulch. In addition to the organic compost and manure, adding a couple inches of mulch to the flower bed will help stave off weeds and disease, and will help retain moisture.

5. Plant new flowers and shrubs. Perennials vs annuals? Perennials will last 3 or 4 years, so are more of a long term investment. They are hearty and normally survive the winter months. Annuals allow you to switch things up. For example, if you are planting annuals, this year you could plant a lot of red and white to help celebrate Canda's 150th. Some other points to plan for:

• Don't forget the bees! If you are planning on planting some bee-friendly flowers, remember to check with the Alberta Invasive Species Council to ensure there are no threats to local species.
• Check whether the flowers may be harmful to your pets - foxglove, for example, is very toxic to dogs and cats!
• Include some edible flowers, like nasturtiums, for pretty summer salads!

Just a reminder, this week April 24-28 is household large item collection week. Leave them out (maximum 2 items per household) on your regular waste collection day in an accessible location.