Where can you shop at a garden centre even when it's closed? And get advice from them at your home so they can let you know where to plant or not to plant? (Even though they really know the yard quite well since they know everyone in town by name...) Ile des Chenes, of course!
And the library... I admit I walked in with very low expectations. First, this is a French town, and I don't speak or read French. Secondly, it is a town where you can know everyone's name... how many books could they actually have in the library?! (Which, by the way, is only open 1 evening and 1 half-day each week.)
I was looking for an author which is new to me, but fairly familiar. Nope. Nothing by him. The aisle of English fiction isn't terribly big. But so far I've liked almost everything about Ile des Chenes, so I decided to join anyway. Maybe I'd find something I liked. The librarian came over to the section I was wandering through, apologized for leaving some kids books on top of the CD's (from the morning Kid's time), and gave me a tour. I wasn't sure I needed a 'tour' of this little place, but it turned out to be very helpful after all. Especially when she told me that if there were any books or authors I wanted to read, she could order them from any library in Manitoba. And that any DVD's or videos that were strictly French were marked with a green sticker. That will be helpful to know. I joined, took home 2 borrowed books, and bought a cookbook for 25 cents.
Yup, I love our chosen community.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Country Places
I find I am frequently amazed by country living. When we thought about it, it seemed we'd have to give up a lot of conveniences. Grocery stores aren't open as late. And grocery stores in the country have a tendency to just carry groceries. What's that about?? Could I really live without the one-stop Superstore shopping? What if I need groceries, household items, baby gifts, and hardware?
Ile des Chenes doesn't even have a grocery store. Not really. We do have a good-sized convenience store, and it is handy if I just need 1 or 2 items, but I am used to the Superstore prices, and that's not what this one is about.
Lorette's grocery store is a good size for a country store, and only about 10 minutes away. But consider my shopping trip last week.
I drove about 10 minutes... maybe a wee bit more, and picked up cheese at the cheese factory in New Bothwell, and then fresh sausage next door at the Country Smoked Meats. Across the highway... less than 10 minutes away, is the town of Niverville. The bakery (which is also a cafe and coffee shop) had wonderful fresh bread. (Although I was reminded of the 'small town' issue when I wanted buns, and was told those were available Thursdays, not Mondays. Quaint). Not far from the bakery, there was a small vegetable vendor with her garden produce. I went home with real food. Beats Superstore any day!!
By the way, they tell you that if you want to eat healthy, you should shop the outside aisles of a store and stay away from the middle aisles. I guess that's very much like what I did here! Only my 'outside aisles' were a bit further apart than they normally are.
Niverville also has a wonderful coffee shop/gift shop where I have had a wonderful London Fog or Vanilla Latte. Maybe I don't need Starbucks at all anymore! The MCC Thrift Shop there also ranks on my list of favorite places.
Other favorites.. The Back Porch is a coffee/lunch spot that a relative of mine opened in my grandmothers house. What a treat!! I think I'd love this place even if it wasn't my grandma's house, but of course this makes it a destination any time family comes. And it is also about 10 minutes away in Linden.
Then there is Apple Seed Attic. My daughter & I had seen the sign on Hwy 59 many times and wanted to stop in there. We finally did it when my sister was here from BC. The owner, who lives on the property, has set up a cute shop on the yard with gift items for the home. I couldn't leave emptyhanded, and made a small purchase. I love the entreprenureal spirit shown here and want to support that as much as I am able.
I'm sure my list of favorite places will grow as we live here longer. Yes, there will be city favorites as well, but I am glad I can find almost everything I need right here in rural Manitoba.
Ile des Chenes doesn't even have a grocery store. Not really. We do have a good-sized convenience store, and it is handy if I just need 1 or 2 items, but I am used to the Superstore prices, and that's not what this one is about.
Lorette's grocery store is a good size for a country store, and only about 10 minutes away. But consider my shopping trip last week.
I drove about 10 minutes... maybe a wee bit more, and picked up cheese at the cheese factory in New Bothwell, and then fresh sausage next door at the Country Smoked Meats. Across the highway... less than 10 minutes away, is the town of Niverville. The bakery (which is also a cafe and coffee shop) had wonderful fresh bread. (Although I was reminded of the 'small town' issue when I wanted buns, and was told those were available Thursdays, not Mondays. Quaint). Not far from the bakery, there was a small vegetable vendor with her garden produce. I went home with real food. Beats Superstore any day!!
By the way, they tell you that if you want to eat healthy, you should shop the outside aisles of a store and stay away from the middle aisles. I guess that's very much like what I did here! Only my 'outside aisles' were a bit further apart than they normally are.
Niverville also has a wonderful coffee shop/gift shop where I have had a wonderful London Fog or Vanilla Latte. Maybe I don't need Starbucks at all anymore! The MCC Thrift Shop there also ranks on my list of favorite places.
Other favorites.. The Back Porch is a coffee/lunch spot that a relative of mine opened in my grandmothers house. What a treat!! I think I'd love this place even if it wasn't my grandma's house, but of course this makes it a destination any time family comes. And it is also about 10 minutes away in Linden.
Then there is Apple Seed Attic. My daughter & I had seen the sign on Hwy 59 many times and wanted to stop in there. We finally did it when my sister was here from BC. The owner, who lives on the property, has set up a cute shop on the yard with gift items for the home. I couldn't leave emptyhanded, and made a small purchase. I love the entreprenureal spirit shown here and want to support that as much as I am able.
I'm sure my list of favorite places will grow as we live here longer. Yes, there will be city favorites as well, but I am glad I can find almost everything I need right here in rural Manitoba.
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