Day One Hundred and Two - Husky Farm

Dear all

Today, Darren and I, Karla, Jay and the tribe from the Inn were taking a hop, skip and a jump over the escarpment to our neighbor, Doug who was holding his annual Summer Solstice Party. It seems as with everyone in the local area, Doug is no ordinary chap. he used to be a big wig in the music industry and now houses a pack of huskies in an idyllic property on the escarpment.

Doug is a good friend to the inn (he gives us our Guineas. We haven't therefore introduced him to Mac) so invites us all every year, but the only specification on the invite is that the party is that it is a pot luck dinner.... next challenge afoot!

Linda hinted that she wanted me to try a new appetizer recipe so I took the helm and went for it whilst in the safe environment of the homestead. Darren is so calming. I boiled up some sushi rice ( very specific instructions followed yet again! I am advancing as a human being) and then added some rice wine vinegar that had been boiled up in a seperate pan with sugar. This is what makes the rice sticky ( and after all my years in Japan... I finally learn this)!

I then sliced cucumber thinly to form the base, laid smoked salmon on top, a layer of the rice, a layer of mayonnaise/ wasabi mix ( the vital ingredient), a layer of seaweed, one last layer of rice and then sprinkled with sesame seeds. It looked rather more like a 'sushi cake' that a delicious appetizer that you might take to a rock star party... but none the less, we cut it up and set off into the night!

And the party was fabulous! We scooped up Karla and Jay en route and arrived just in time for a dewey thirty minutes of dusky daylight perfect for checking out the huskies ( hilarious to watch. They have ALOT of energy ). Huskies are gorgeous dogs and Doug has a great business taking out folks over winter to try their hand on the husky sled. http://www.dogsledfarm.com/

Doug keeps the huskies in the equivalent of a 'Husky Haven' up on the hill at his farm. They all have individual houses that look like a playing cards that have been leant together to provide shelter. All the huskies are on lead reigns but as Darren was explaining, this is absolutely critical as if they escaped, they would off on a trip to Siberia with not a moments notice and would probably take them a couple of days. No joke (it happened to his buddy) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_Husky

But aside for his dog and exotic bird obsession, Doug loves a good knees-up! The party meandered all over his amazing property ( I want to live there) including in his beautiful barn where bands traded places to entertain us all throughout the night, various outhouses, a campfire and extensive buffet. We had a brilliant time, the music was awesome, it was wonderful to spend some time with the gorgeous Karla and Jay and the food was fabulous. Thank you Doug!

Note to all: I love this photo, check out the saddle randomly positioned in the background.

And in other news:

1. Whilst out and about whilst running, I crossed paths with a family of Raccoons lazily walking along the road side behind their mother. I know they turn into lettuce gobbling, chicken terrorizing monsters.. but the babies are very cute!