I’m enjoying my morning mug of hot, frothed milk and about to head out to pick Saskatoon berries. I have some butter culturing and a new batch of kefir on the counter. The fridge is full of fresh veggies, yogurt, goat’s cheese, eggs and milk. There are rye crackers on the counter and pumpkin Saskatoon berry muffins in the freezer.
Our meat and fish stocks are low – but there are still a few meals left to sustain us until salmon fishing and moose hunting seasons begin again. Grayling is in the river and fresh local chicken is now available again. Just as we finish up last year’s potatoes, new potatoes are being harvested.
The cycle of life has a whole new meaning to me. My feelings are a mixture of sadness, knowing that grocery store food will inevitably return to the house tomorrow, and celebration at how far I’ve come in the past year. I certainly did not accomplish this on my own. It takes a community to feed a family! Amazing farmers, the boreal forest and northern rivers, all the people of Dawson who were lending me gardening space, sharing berries, knowledge, recipes and cheering us on. T
he time for reflection will be tomorrow. Today there are berries to be picked! And for the rest of today I’m just going to bask in the joy of another day eating 100% local.
Good for you, Suzanne, you did it!
Remember at the beginning trying to figure out the rationing of things like potatoes? You never ran out! Well done. A huge accomplishment.
You must feel satisfied that you did achieved your goal.
I can’t imagine that anyone will be challenging your record of one year eating locally in the Yukon. Do you suppose Guiness Book would be interested?