The final Summer Saturdays of 2025! I know there are technically still three weeks of summer left, but with children going to school and the temperature already dropping - it feels like we should all move on from the season.

BAKING

I reached out to Spirit Tree Estate Cidery to see if they’ll give me the recipe for their carrot cake muffins because I will dream about how good those muffins were for the rest of my life.

COOKING

I bought a fresh seafood mix from the Halifax airport to make a chowder for my parents and thank god I used this recipe because it was heavenly.

CRAVING

Tiny Tom donuts from the CNE.

DRINKING

About to make a batch of this September sangria that sounds wild. Didn’t know blackberry brandy was even a thing.

EATING

I had an incredible panzanella salad (with fior di latte, heirloom tomatoes, marinated red onions, garlic toasted croutons, avocado, basil pesto with an aged balsamic vinaigrette) from The Bicycle Thief in Halifax. Also, the Digby scallops from Finer Diner were a dream.

Panzanella from The Bicycle Thief in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Digby scallops from Finer Diner near Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

EXPERIENCING

Peggy’s Cove! Absolutely beautiful, I’ve never seen a lighthouse I didn’t love.

LISTENING

The song My Kink is Karma on repeat. (Am I three years late to this song? That’s none of your business?)

LOVING

The basil soft serve from Dairy Bar in Halifax. UNREAL.

SHOPPING

An ungodly amount of corn from Allison’s Farm Market. I am definitely a corn snob (go bi-colour or go home), but this stuff is eons better than anything you’re getting at a grocery store.

WATCHING

We went to the Halifax Museum of Natural History to witness their 103 year old tortoise named Gus eat a snack. Seriously, he does this at 3pm each day. He eats or takes a walk, whatever he feels like doing. I am not being sarcastic when I say that this was absolutely wonderful to see. Gus for life.

WEARING

Sweatshirts in the summer. I never used to do this, but the air-conditioning in every single store is outrageous this year.

And that’s that! You’re sweet to read any of these little summer updates. I love doing them. Depending on how busy the fall gets, Fall Fridays might make a return…

You can find last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 12 over here.