Table of contents for Winter 2023/24 in Harrowsmith

Atlantic Provinces El Niño winters in the Canadian Atlantic provinces tend to bring slightly milder temperatures than normal. Regarding precipitation, there are equal chances for higher or lower precipitation than normal across all provinces. However, the coastal areas could see an uptick in precipitation due to some nor’easters passing through. El Niño conditions can increase the likelihood of certain storm tracks or atmospheric patterns impacting winter storm activity. Most storms, if not all, will be mainly rain due to a lack of prolonged arctic air. Quebec With a strong El Niño on the way, winter conditions will likely come late to Quebec, especially the southern half, and should also end early, except for northern Quebec, which is expected to have a more average winter. The southern half of the province…

We define the seasons by the location of the Sun against the background “celestial sphere” of stars. However, we experience the seasons by the climate and the more immediate day-to-day weather. Weather is driven by the seasons, but there is a lot of variability. So, just because it is winter does not mean it is too cold to enjoy the night. Over the year, the Sun’s height above the southern horizon varies considerably. It’s very high in the summer (June 22 - the official beginning of summer) and very low on December 22, the beginning of winter. For a month before and after these dates, the Sun is still very high in the summer sky and low in the winter sky, so why not associate a wider range of months…

In the hushed embrace of winter's tender grip, the Canadian garden transforms into a shimmering masterpiece of ethereal beauty. Each snowflake, a delicate work of art, adorns the landscape with its crystal facets. Trees stand as silent sentinels, their branches draped in glistening white. The garden's once vibrant colours now rest beneath a pristine blanket, awaiting spring’s awakening. Here, nature weaves a tapestry of tranquillity, inviting contemplation amid the serene stillness. The sun's gentle caress imparts a soft, golden glow to this frozen wonderland, illuminating the intricate frost patterns that adorn every leaf and petal. In the heart of winter, the garden whispers its own enchanting tale, a testament to nature's enduring grace and timeless allure. 6 Top Native Plants for Winter Interest The plant details you will notice the…

GOOD TO KNOW Woodstoves offer a charming and cost-effective way to heat your cabin and work even when the power’s out, ensuring warmth during emergencies. If you are considering adding one to your home or cabin, know that maintenance, like cleaning the chimney and ash removal, can be a bit of work but is essential to keep it safe and efficient. And, remember that you will need a reliable source of dry and seasoned firewood (fresh wood will produce unwelcome smoke). Wood stoves must be used with caution to avoid accidental fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Lastly, like any fire, don’t leave it unsupervised. Harrowsmith: There’s baseboard heading in your cabin, so why was it important to you to have a woodstove? Aurora & Adam: For Aurora, the beloved woodstove…

PEI Potato Chocolate Cake I know the title of this recipe sounds crazy, but trust me, this is one of those decadent, tender-crumbed cakes that are singular in its deep chocolatiness you will be coming back to this recipe again and again. What I really like about this recipe is how adaptable it is — going to a potluck? Cupcake it. Book club? Loaf it. Brunch? Bundt it! 1 cup mashed potatoes, still warm½ cup water, warm1 cup Greek yogurt⅔ cup butter, softened2 ½ cups brown sugar2 Tbsp vanilla (almond, cherry, or orange extract also works well)4 eggs1 cup cocoa powder2.5 cups all-purpose flour2 ¼ tsp baking powder1 tsp baking soda¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate chunks 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 11x13” cake pan or…

Our house will be 100 years old this year, and for decades now, every Christmas, it looks like this. Our home used to be my grandparents’ home, to whom I was very close, especially my grandma, so carrying on the tradition of decorating it for Christmas like she always did is very special to me, and I’m sure they would love to know we continue to this day. On the exterior of the house, we have 13 wreaths, 16 eight-foot garlands and 18 red bows. We decorate in mid-November when it’s not too cold, as it is much harder to put everything up with mittens on. Our family tradition is to attend a Remembrance Day service on the morning of November 11th and then spend the afternoon setting up together.…

November On the evening of the 5th, the waning crescent Moon does not rise until about 23:30, providing a pleasant time for star gazing. In the first week of November, Saturn is the brightest object when we look south, and Jupiter is the brightest in the east. Throughout the month, you will see them slowly move with respect to the stars around them. For those who work at night or don’t mind getting up at about 3:30 a.m. on the 9th, you will see the thin crescent Moon beside the Brilliant planet Venus. Find it low in the east. It will make a nice photograph when paired with interesting buildings or landscapes. December Two major planets are still visible, with Jupiter east of the meridian and Saturn lower to the…

There’s no time like the present to get back to the basic kitchen skills of knowing how to augment what you have in your fridge and your pantry to get more nutrients into every spoonful of food — and bread is one of the most versatile ingredients we can use. Lori Nikkel is the CEO of Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization and a global thought leader on perishable food redistribution. She encourages everyone to shop the sales, the “just past perfect” foods, and share ideas on reducing food waste. Different types and styles of bread have been a staple in diets in many countries for thousands of years. Depending on the type of loaf, it offers a variety of nutritional benefits like folate, iron, B vitamins and most…

Old-House Energy Upgrades harrowsmithmag.com/energy-upgrades How to Prep for a Power Outage That Lasts Longer Than 1 Day harrowsmithmag.com/power-prep West Coast Cioppino harrowsmithmag.com/cioppino The 10-Minute Sustainable Flower Arrangement harrowsmithmag.com/flower-arrangement Nerigoma Nanaimo Bars harrowsmithmag.com/nanaimo DIY Homemade Quilted Stockings harrowsmithmag.com/quilt-stocking Canada’s Urban Star Parks harrowsmithmag.com/star-parks Harrowsmith’s No-Fail Dog Biscuits harrowsmithmag.com/dog-treats DIY Fireplace Mantel harrowsmithmag.com/diy-mantel Stay connected with Harrowsmith wherever you are! facebook.com/harrowsmithmagazine Harrowsmith Radio @harrowsmithmag @harrowsmithmag…

Winter’s embrace invites a cozy ritual: backyard birdwatching. Amidst snow’s soft embrace, we scatter seeds, offer fruit and hang suet, and like clockwork, feathered friends arrive. Their vibrant presence warms our hearts, a reminder that even in frosty silence, life’s beauty thrives. Feed Suet Suet is a high-energy, animal fat-based food that is especially valuable in cold weather. Birds like woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees relish this human-made treat. It’s a quick source of calories to maintain their body heat. To make suet for birds, blend 1 cup of vegetable shortening and 1 cup of coconut oil until smooth. Mix 2 cups of birdseed, 1 tablespoon of unflavoured gelatin, 2 tablespoons of flour, and 1/3 cup of water. Combine, shape into moulds, chill, and hang for feathered friends to enjoy. Give…

Materials You Will Need • Wire wreath frame• Sphagnum moss• Floral wire•Variety of succulent plugs, approximately 50• Pencil or screwdriver• Greening pins This is one of my favourite mid-winter projects. The succulents used here are tropical and, therefore, need to be overwintered indoors, though the same wreath could be created using hardy, outdoor succulents, such as sempervivum sp., and left outdoors all year. How to Make the Wreath 1. The wreath frame used here is hollow with a cavity in the back. It is available through most craft or notions shops. Be sure to moisten the sphagnum moss before working with it. It is also possible to purchase wreath bases filled with moss. 2. Secure floral wire to the back of the wreath frame. Weave the wire in and out…