1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:08,440 Thank you for tuning in to YQG In Bloom. 2 00:00:08,440 --> 00:00:14,320 I am your host Tracy Martens and I want you guys to make sure to follow, like or subscribe 3 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:21,080 to either YouTube, Spotify or any of the podcast platforms that you catch us from because this 4 00:00:21,080 --> 00:00:24,660 is an episode you want to watch. 5 00:00:24,660 --> 00:00:29,920 Today I have again with me Marija from So Cool Local on Instagram. 6 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:30,920 Morning! 7 00:00:30,920 --> 00:00:31,920 Cheers! 8 00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:32,920 Good morning! 9 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:33,920 No it's not coffee. 10 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:38,280 It is 11 o'clock in the morning and we decided that we are going to enjoy the spoils of the 11 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:45,500 Windsor-Essex County area and everything that we have here is local today. 12 00:00:45,500 --> 00:00:47,320 Thank you so much for coming again today. 13 00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:51,800 Thank you for having me and thank you for bringing some interesting drinks to share 14 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:54,640 because we have some things to talk about here as well today. 15 00:00:54,640 --> 00:01:01,200 Now we are on location today and we are coming from Maria's kitchen and her husband graciously 16 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:08,200 just made me the best espresso martini ever and so pardon me if there is a little bit 17 00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:10,000 of a slur going on. 18 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:18,520 But we wanted to talk about this last weekend it was insane how many events that we have 19 00:01:18,520 --> 00:01:22,320 had going on and like you can't even catch them all. 20 00:01:22,320 --> 00:01:28,200 Windsor-Essex County I think has really become a destination area that people need to start 21 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:35,080 coming to like as a staycation if you are in Ontario or from over in the states come 22 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:38,440 on over here for a vacation because we have a lot going on. 23 00:01:38,440 --> 00:01:43,840 And we feel that even with just talking with different people in the community they don't 24 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:50,960 really realize how jam packed the weekends are with events from even weeknights we have 25 00:01:50,960 --> 00:01:55,200 things happening locally in Harrell with Daisy Wine Bar. 26 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:57,480 She has things happening on Wednesdays and Thursdays. 27 00:01:57,480 --> 00:01:59,280 She is doing everything. 28 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:04,400 Some people have a week day off they don't necessarily have a Saturday and a Sunday off 29 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:09,440 so there are things happening all the time and I just don't know if people are aware 30 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:14,400 of all the variety of the exciting events that we actually have available to us in the 31 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:15,400 region. 32 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:21,960 Now this weekend alone just to tell you and explain to you what Windsor-Essex County is 33 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:28,560 like we had the Carousel of Nations which is Friday to Sunday each it's all throughout 34 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:30,240 Windsor-Essex County. 35 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:32,320 We had the Wolfaroo this weekend. 36 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:33,920 The Lavender Fest. 37 00:02:33,920 --> 00:02:35,280 That's right. 38 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:41,080 Open Streets will be next weekend for Harrow we will get to that but they had activities 39 00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:42,840 too set up. 40 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:48,120 I know you said Lavender Fest Friday night Lee and myself and some of our neighbours 41 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:57,120 actually went to Oxley Winery and they had the Howl at the Moon which was just phenomenal 42 00:02:57,120 --> 00:03:02,640 like live music, specialty menu, outdoor seating. 43 00:03:02,640 --> 00:03:08,000 They had the mister fans so those of you who think this is too hot to sit outside they had the 44 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:13,560 mister fans going on to make everybody comfortable, special cocktails. 45 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:20,880 That was a really really nice event and it's going forward every full moon so it'll be 46 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:23,120 I think the next one is July 21st. 47 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:25,320 Oh my birthday is the 22nd. 48 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:28,600 There you go and that's the Buck Moon and Buck 20 will be playing. 49 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:30,600 Oh yes I love Buck 20. 50 00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:35,880 That is another local band and you can find them on Apple Music and Spotify. 51 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:42,160 And then I think what they have advertised up until now is Oxley has it advertised into 52 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:44,640 October which is the Hunters Moon. 53 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:50,000 I don't know if anything continues after October but they do have every month advertised up 54 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:52,060 until the October full moon. 55 00:03:52,060 --> 00:03:56,680 And I know they usually do stuff at Point Pelee for the moons and stuff. 56 00:03:56,680 --> 00:04:01,960 That's correct and they actually have a like a night hike. 57 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:02,960 Yes. 58 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:06,040 And that was very interesting because I had no idea that they did that. 59 00:04:06,040 --> 00:04:12,560 I didn't either and I haven't gone because all the right now we are going through such 60 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:14,600 a hot spell with the humidity. 61 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:20,760 The bugs are insane so you do not want to be outside after dusk. 62 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:24,980 The mosquitoes and probably the black flies and the other interesting thing I think you 63 00:04:24,980 --> 00:04:30,200 and I ran into somebody locally here in town on our way to Lavenderfest yesterday was that 64 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:36,960 people either feel that they're not aware of the events or that they're too jam-packed 65 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:37,960 close together. 66 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:38,960 Right. 67 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:40,320 Especially in the month of June. 68 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:46,840 In June and that's the thing that I wanted to bring up is there are so many people that 69 00:04:46,840 --> 00:04:52,140 I know that Marija knows that say how do you know about all of these events? 70 00:04:52,140 --> 00:04:53,400 How are you aware of it? 71 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:58,960 Well first of all we follow locals so we're following the different BIAs. 72 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:04,840 There's a ton of BIAs just in Windsor and then any of the cities like Amherstburg, Harrow 73 00:05:04,840 --> 00:05:08,920 has a BIA, LaSalle has their own website. 74 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:09,920 Kingsville. 75 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:13,720 Kingsville but Twepi tours in Windsor Essex County. 76 00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:24,320 If you hit visit Windsor Essex.com they have this which is a schedule of events that runs 77 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:31,160 until oh my gosh they have some all season but it's going until October and we've already 78 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:36,060 done all of these events and that's just in May and June. 79 00:05:36,060 --> 00:05:41,400 So we're just starting we have and you know what else to add to what Tracy's saying as 80 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:45,520 well she has a printed version but you can actually get on their mailing list. 81 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:46,520 Yes. 82 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:51,640 I'm on their mailing list so I receive an email with the upcoming seasonal guide and 83 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:55,280 it has all of the upcoming events which is nice because you could just pull it up on 84 00:05:55,280 --> 00:05:59,400 your phone when you're having your coffee and be like oh I want to see what I could 85 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:00,400 do this weekend. 86 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:02,160 Like what could we do right? 87 00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:10,560 Yeah and if you are even driving on the 401 and you hit any of the Tourism Ontario stops 88 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:16,800 or a lot of different local stores in the Windsor Essex County area you can pick this 89 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:23,680 up and it has a lot of things about local businesses, the wineries, this one has Pelee 90 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:29,800 Island it has a whole bunch of events and things to do for kids and I was lucky enough 91 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:37,320 to find this in Marija's bathroom so along with nice toilet reading the Walnut Grove 92 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:40,400 we love Bob and Leslie bed and breakfast. 93 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:42,020 I have not gone there yet. 94 00:06:42,020 --> 00:06:48,240 So Lee and I actually stayed there and dog friendly which we love our dogs so Bob and 95 00:06:48,240 --> 00:06:55,120 Leslie have wonderful wonderful they have 10 acres it's a bed and breakfast old farmhouse 96 00:06:55,120 --> 00:07:01,320 and they have add-ons like we did a special dinner because we went for Lee's birthday 97 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:06,400 and they just made us the most fabulous meal and since she's a sommelier at North 42 as 98 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:07,400 well. 99 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:08,400 Oh yes. 100 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:11,160 Every course came with a local wine pairing. 101 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:13,780 Is that the one we met yesterday? 102 00:07:13,780 --> 00:07:18,880 She was at North 42 when we were there for the Lavender Fest so this is also bathroom 103 00:07:18,880 --> 00:07:28,640 reading as well as the 2024 Peely Island Sailing Guide which I feel that Peely Island is just 104 00:07:28,640 --> 00:07:30,900 so overlooked. 105 00:07:30,900 --> 00:07:35,520 That is something we're definitely going to hit this year because sadly enough my older 106 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:41,440 dog passed away and she wasn't other dog friendly or people friendly when she was on a leash 107 00:07:41,440 --> 00:07:48,280 but we do have a puppy and Peely Island you said is dog friendly and I've never been there. 108 00:07:48,280 --> 00:07:54,480 Tracy we went with both dogs and it was Lee's birthday again and we wanted something that 109 00:07:54,480 --> 00:08:00,720 made us feel like we were going away but didn't waste the travel time in the car with two 110 00:08:00,720 --> 00:08:08,080 dogs because we were considering Mackinac Island but the travel time, the border crossing, 111 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:09,620 the dogs. 112 00:08:09,620 --> 00:08:14,480 And now they have all that new stuff you have to have for your dogs to cross the border. 113 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:19,780 So we said you know what for a three day weekend I don't want to spend 12 hours of it or more 114 00:08:19,780 --> 00:08:21,380 in a car. 115 00:08:21,380 --> 00:08:25,200 So we looked up Peely Island and the ferry is currently going from Leamington. 116 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:31,160 I believe that changes once July hits it's all in the Peely Island sailing schedule. 117 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:37,120 It either goes from Kingsville or Leamington and you and I were chatting why not hit up 118 00:08:37,120 --> 00:08:41,720 a lovely brunch breakfast at the Beach House Grill while you wait for the ferry to arrive. 119 00:08:41,720 --> 00:08:46,960 In fact after I leave here I am going to Kingsville to the Beach House Grill which usually me and 120 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:53,720 my husband hit once a weekend because they have perch that is caught literally down the 121 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:56,800 street because it is right on the water there. 122 00:08:56,800 --> 00:09:03,680 Or I will go for the big honking thing and I am only going to eat once today is the Eggs 123 00:09:03,680 --> 00:09:08,280 Benedict bacon and chicken waffle. 124 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:09,920 Amazing to die for it is huge. 125 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:12,080 Even the pancakes massive. 126 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:16,440 I heard the breakfast is great I never went for breakfast but Peely Island again I feel 127 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:21,640 like it is something so the ferry ride is an hour and 30 minutes but I mean just to 128 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:29,280 drive to the dock depending on where you are coming from could be 30 minutes 10-15 minutes 129 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:31,680 for us once it starts sailing from Kingsville. 130 00:09:31,680 --> 00:09:37,200 But the island itself the beaches are beautiful the trails there are bike rentals golf cart 131 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:41,920 rentals the wineries dog friendly and kid friendly. 132 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:47,400 The brewery is dog friendly Stone House restaurant you can bring your dog out on the patio they 133 00:09:47,400 --> 00:09:52,840 have a cute little gift and surf shop Lee and I bought some pure Peely gear just to 134 00:09:52,840 --> 00:09:55,040 support local right. 135 00:09:55,040 --> 00:10:00,920 It was amazing we stayed at the wandering dog I can't say enough about Kathy and her 136 00:10:00,920 --> 00:10:06,920 husband the Millers who are the innkeepers we are actually looking to book for next year 137 00:10:06,920 --> 00:10:11,560 May long weekend for Lee's 50th so his brothers will come from out of town. 138 00:10:11,560 --> 00:10:16,840 We have always done Peely Island as a day trip we would walk on with our bikes enjoy 139 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:21,080 the day have all of our drinks because we are not driving enjoy the winery get back 140 00:10:21,080 --> 00:10:23,940 on the ferry with our bikes and come home. 141 00:10:23,940 --> 00:10:29,040 This is the first time we went saw bikes but with our car and two dogs and it was an experience 142 00:10:29,040 --> 00:10:34,160 it was an entire weekend and people are like what is there to do on Peely Island there 143 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:38,340 I said are you kidding me we could have stayed like all week it was and people don't realize 144 00:10:38,340 --> 00:10:43,400 the size of the island like I was in Toronto recently a couple weeks back we walked the 145 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:48,360 whole island in a couple of hours the three because they are all connected right but this 146 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:53,560 island is actually pretty massive and it's I heard through other bikers on the island 147 00:10:53,560 --> 00:10:59,640 it's about four hours if you want to do the entire perimeter on a pedal bike so a car 148 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:00,640 is handy. 149 00:11:00,640 --> 00:11:02,140 I really have to get there you'll love it. 150 00:11:02,140 --> 00:11:09,560 I was there once I was probably about 19 years old we just hit a beach it was just a beach 151 00:11:09,560 --> 00:11:18,320 so I didn't see any of the island and then I hidden down in the boat on the way home 152 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:19,920 because there's massive storm. 153 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:25,360 Do you know how many people say to me like who goes there we met people mind you it was 154 00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:31,680 long weekend all over from the GTA area like there are people from Oshawa Toronto Hamilton 155 00:11:31,680 --> 00:11:37,020 avid bird watchers bikers a lot of Americans. 156 00:11:37,020 --> 00:11:43,760 This is a place that I think is really overlooked and we've always said when it comes to Ontario 157 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:50,400 it stops at London everybody knows Toronto everybody knows London everyone knows up north 158 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:57,180 yeah they tend to forget Windsor but and Essex County but I was looking at it last night 159 00:11:57,180 --> 00:12:04,400 and we have 18 unique wineries so we're getting up there near Niagara-on-the-Lake we have 160 00:12:04,400 --> 00:12:13,560 a lot of wineries we have 14 craft breweries which I was shocked to and then we also have 161 00:12:13,560 --> 00:12:20,520 Hiram Walker's JP Weiser's and Wolfhead Distillery and of course with that comes the bed and 162 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:26,320 breakfast the hotels and I couldn't even count I was looking and I could not get the amount 163 00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:27,320 of coffee roasters. 164 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:31,680 I was just going to say for those people who aren't necessarily drinkers I know like the 165 00:12:31,680 --> 00:12:37,600 mocktails are really popular now but we have 14th coffee where you could do a coffee roasting 166 00:12:37,600 --> 00:12:44,560 experience I think Anchor Coffee House also does coffee like a coffee class and then Chance 167 00:12:44,560 --> 00:12:51,880 and there's so many corner Montaneros okay they actually have a their family is in Columbia 168 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:58,560 okay and they have their own farm and they bring the the beans from Columbia and then 169 00:12:58,560 --> 00:13:02,920 they roast them in their roastery and then they sell them here in Windsor but they're 170 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:10,000 also sold to various any of our coffee shops and you know what I'm especially liking is 171 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:16,920 seeing local support local which is the way it should be yes there should be we all have 172 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:21,480 each other's backs and we're working together so King Street Bake Shop is a brand new great 173 00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:27,160 example Lisa's wonderful the owner here in Harrow almost everything she carries is local 174 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:32,440 she carries acorn and oak coffee because when I heard she was opening my first comment on 175 00:13:32,440 --> 00:13:37,080 Instagram was please tell me that your coffee is going to be local like we have a Tim Hortons 176 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:40,840 here in town and I don't want to knock Tim Hortons but mind you they don't need the business 177 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:46,640 they're all over the place right when I found out she was carrying acorn and oak love them 178 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:53,040 whenever you're in Essex to actually visit their new location in their coffee shop I'm 179 00:13:53,040 --> 00:13:57,080 just excited I can get and I could buy it in the bag and wrote like you know grind my 180 00:13:57,080 --> 00:14:02,960 own beans here and I'm like yay I can have my own coffee so kudos to Lisa for caring 181 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:07,960 she's carrying nuts for dates love Lena and Fatty she's carrying there so local is some 182 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:13,400 blackstone flower farm now selling little flower jars for the people that don't know 183 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:20,200 what is nuts and dates so it's actually nuts for dates nuts for dates can't say enough 184 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:27,720 about I love it them I really can't wonderful couple who just not only loves to support 185 00:14:27,720 --> 00:14:33,480 local as well but gives back to the community in so many ways they're everywhere they're 186 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:40,360 booming and exploding and it's a vegan and gluten free dessert all natural and they're 187 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:45,720 doesn't taste like dates they're dates and there's a variety you can get a variety pack 188 00:14:45,720 --> 00:14:52,120 of up to six they can also customize nice mason jars or box if you like all one flavour 189 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:55,840 you can find them anywhere they're at Mercado now they're at willow tree which is where 190 00:14:55,840 --> 00:15:02,960 I first found them when fatty was doing his very first I think pop-up given out samples 191 00:15:02,960 --> 00:15:10,240 he's now at the coffee shop here in town he was for a limited time or he might still be 192 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:16,840 at uptown meets and deli here in heral he's all over Windsor yeah it's amazing they are 193 00:15:16,840 --> 00:15:22,240 great I'm actually doing a local gift for my teacher friends do they still make the 194 00:15:22,240 --> 00:15:30,200 cheesecake oh the key we need a moment for this cheesecake a special shout out to your 195 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:38,440 pistachio it's in a several of my posts yeah but it's a pistachio crust yes because it's 196 00:15:38,440 --> 00:15:44,320 gluten free and keto I think so the people who are watching their carbs and their sugar 197 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:51,560 we were eating the keto lifestyle for a long time it is wonderful guilt free and delicious 198 00:15:51,560 --> 00:15:56,480 and not sweet so they don't only have the dates that's what they're known for but their 199 00:15:56,480 --> 00:16:02,320 killer cheesecake that I believe Lisa's also carrying I was doing because I'm also a maker 200 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:08,560 I do a lot of knitting and crocheting and I was doing a night market in Amherstburg 201 00:16:08,560 --> 00:16:15,880 and I was right across from fatty and it was the first time I had ever met him and I just 202 00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:21,200 kept going over for samples and the cheesecake I think I ate all of his so did you try the 203 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:25,320 dates I'm curious which one I like the best you remember my god because I think there's 204 00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:31,120 there's six flavors I definitely I which one you like the best you know what that one was 205 00:16:31,120 --> 00:16:38,720 a hard call but I think probably the pistachio because it made a good combination with the 206 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:45,040 dates where the dates didn't really taste like dates and but it wasn't overly nutty 207 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:49,440 as well it was just it was a perfect combination and you know the other good thing about that 208 00:16:49,440 --> 00:16:52,840 is it's a sweet treat that you could take along with you and you don't have to worry 209 00:16:52,840 --> 00:16:57,560 about really refrigerating it you know in this heat yes you don't want to take the cheesecake 210 00:16:57,560 --> 00:17:02,520 along in the car because let's be honest the cheesecake doesn't last long but the dates 211 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:08,720 great so local supporting local to me is like like I said Lisa she's got the nuts for dates 212 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:13,400 she's got the acorn and oak she's got the black stone flower jars for sale you can buy 213 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:20,600 a little floral arrangement like it's just everyone working together we have so many 214 00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:26,320 talented people in the Windsor Essex County area but they also do have a day job so they 215 00:17:26,320 --> 00:17:34,360 can't always do our markets but you can find like Tara Green Gardens nuts and dates a ton 216 00:17:34,360 --> 00:17:41,200 of them are not just putting in them in small stores they're all over Ontario I was just 217 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:48,660 watching Jodie from Tara Green Gardens she did stories on Instagram of all of her drop 218 00:17:48,660 --> 00:17:55,040 offs and they also a lot of them Iris and Marnie who by the way shout out Lavender Fest 219 00:17:55,040 --> 00:18:04,280 yesterday beautiful beautiful is a nice necklace that has lavender in it and then she has made 220 00:18:04,280 --> 00:18:10,480 the jewelry around it but she does markets from here to Niagara dazzling decor with destiny 221 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:16,960 she does macrame she's all over the place Auntie Aldo baked she goes around caught them 222 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:22,560 well I believe nuts for dates goes all over too like this was my I had my earrings to 223 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:27,480 my are owed to Kensington Market which was everything local visiting Toronto I knew we 224 00:18:27,480 --> 00:18:31,240 talked about this at the last podcast so I made sure my best friend we did the Toronto 225 00:18:31,240 --> 00:18:36,780 Islands we did Kensington Market and we did a lot of really cool eateries but the earrings 226 00:18:36,780 --> 00:18:43,560 are handmade owed to Kensington Market the t-shirt as well oh yeah Kensington Market 227 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:48,040 flea artisan market yep and I and this was a local artist actually designed the t-shirt 228 00:18:48,040 --> 00:18:52,520 really cute so I said I gotta pick that up because it's you could dress it up you could 229 00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:58,000 wear it casually so again it's and I and I love your hoodies your shirts everything's 230 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:06,240 promoting local hey this one is our beads Amisburg uncommon fast common festival is 231 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:11,840 that an August or September that's September that is September I looked it up when I picked 232 00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:17,400 the shirt out this morning and I went to it last year and I did if you look on my Instagram 233 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:23,240 I actually did a story about it to the monster mash because it's just it's very eclectic 234 00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:29,600 and it's very very odd and it's a lot of fun like we've been fire throwers and that so 235 00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:36,000 that is coming up again this year September 20th to the 22nd and that's on the housey 236 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:43,840 street in Amisburg Ontario Iris Amarni made this and also my jewelry or my earrings are 237 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:54,400 Meg's and then Brynn from TLC wellness she gave me this this one is oh gosh I forget 238 00:19:54,400 --> 00:20:02,080 her name at the moment she's gonna kill me from yesterday no no no no this one is another 239 00:20:02,080 --> 00:20:09,720 local bracelet and then everything I wear this is waterside boutique and this is from 240 00:20:09,720 --> 00:20:16,960 Blimey's granted the jewelry actually is not local but but shopping in Essex alone you 241 00:20:16,960 --> 00:20:21,320 could do if you're not looking at an outdoor experience and it's hot we were talking about 242 00:20:21,320 --> 00:20:26,040 all the local shops to hit up all right around each other like within two blocks of each 243 00:20:26,040 --> 00:20:30,120 and then you can stop and have like a local lunch you can go to Acorn and Oak Cough like 244 00:20:30,120 --> 00:20:36,480 there's Blimey's fate stepping out HV and Co. oh yes who else there's so many in Essex 245 00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:43,760 shankles deli of course Acorn and Oak I'm thinking like Branco's Pizza House Billy's 246 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:49,680 Tap House carries local wines and beers and seasonal things on their menu which I love 247 00:20:49,680 --> 00:20:53,920 that I like to support those types of places when I go to eat and I always go down the 248 00:20:53,920 --> 00:21:01,320 street from Blimey's is Essex feed warehouse and I'm by the 50 pound bag of peanuts because 249 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:08,360 I feed my squirrels and my blue jays and found out that the starlings eat them as well this 250 00:21:08,360 --> 00:21:15,240 area is so much fun we have so much to do like Monday night downtown in Windsor we have 251 00:21:15,240 --> 00:21:22,960 the international Windsor Detroit the fireworks as well as Windsor downtown is doing a street 252 00:21:22,960 --> 00:21:30,640 party for the hockey game which is great the Canadian oilers right and I made it so that's 253 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:35,240 lovely and actually all the local pubs and restaurants are doing a lot for the soccer 254 00:21:35,240 --> 00:21:41,640 games right like Croatia and Italy Windsor Eats just did it the other day a lot of viewing 255 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:46,520 parties which is great so get out there support local try some local food and drinks and cheer 256 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:51,560 on your favourite teams or just go out and have a good time like my we were talking about 257 00:21:51,560 --> 00:21:57,520 Essex there's the Essex Centre Street Fest that's happening August September and October 258 00:21:57,520 --> 00:22:03,000 and a lot of them do like a sipping shop so if you check out Essex Centre Street Fest 259 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:08,400 you can actually enjoy local wine actually I wrote on here the sipping Essex fun fest 260 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:15,440 which is coming up July 4th weekend they have six wineries that are participating and you 261 00:22:15,440 --> 00:22:21,320 can sip and all the shops are open till I believe like like late later ish well past 262 00:22:21,320 --> 00:22:27,000 normal business hours so you can sip and you can shop all the doors are open so that's 263 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:32,160 wonderful I wanted to make sure that I mentioned that in addition to all of the open streets 264 00:22:32,160 --> 00:22:37,920 yes Amersburg they are open Friday nights and I know they do have some open streets 265 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:43,700 on the weekends and that started during covid when they shut down down Howsie Street because 266 00:22:43,700 --> 00:22:48,200 we couldn't go into the restaurants and they shut that down and they made it all patio 267 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:55,280 seating and it was all appropriately far enough so that people could still go out to a restaurant 268 00:22:55,280 --> 00:23:01,080 a very European feel it was Europe is like that and it's kind of stuck because everybody 269 00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:05,400 loves it and they'll have games for the kids they'll have the corn hole they'll have the 270 00:23:05,400 --> 00:23:12,600 giant bring their dogs bring their dogs and bring your bikes like we went on bikes yeah 271 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:16,080 because everything shut down so you can kind of navigate through with your bikes which 272 00:23:16,080 --> 00:23:22,360 is nice if you want to have a couple drinks just in just in a couple block radius you 273 00:23:22,360 --> 00:23:29,320 have your River bookstore you have Evelyn's candy shop the Richmond popcorn you there's 274 00:23:29,320 --> 00:23:30,920 caffeine and co. 275 00:23:30,920 --> 00:23:36,400 That's right it's downtown espresso bar espresso bar I love that place oh that is amazing 276 00:23:36,400 --> 00:23:44,200 yeah is it pepper cat and salty dog and then the ice cream shop everybody in this area 277 00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:52,640 knows that every Saturday from now until I'm not even sure when in the fall on Polisher 278 00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:58,160 Street in Windsor Ontario we have a downtown Windsor farmers market and they shut down 279 00:23:58,160 --> 00:24:06,400 Polisher Street and we have our local farmers and our local artisans we have vendors little 280 00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:12,980 food pro geez but July 27th they're also going to have a pet fest it's free for you to go 281 00:24:12,980 --> 00:24:18,280 and there's going to be costumes there's going to be stuff for you to buy for your 282 00:24:18,280 --> 00:24:24,720 dogs there's going to be training I was looking at the website so it looks like a lot of fun 283 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:28,400 I'm thinking about also the local markets because I just kind of feel like there really 284 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:32,360 is no need to hit up grocery stores this time of year like there's the downtown Windsor 285 00:24:32,360 --> 00:24:38,520 farmers market there's the GL heritage there's the Colchester market that I haven't heard 286 00:24:38,520 --> 00:24:44,520 about it's not as frequent I don't have the dates with me but you could find it if you 287 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:47,760 look online it's really and then you just go for a walk at the harbor you can have a 288 00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:52,720 drink at the wreck and overlook the water you can have their wings even if you go from 289 00:24:52,720 --> 00:24:58,920 Kingsville to Leamington there's always pop-up well Leamington has the mill street market 290 00:24:58,920 --> 00:25:05,080 where they watch my skirt is thrift on mill I'm a huge thrifter love thrifting and so 291 00:25:05,080 --> 00:25:10,160 does my husband so it's great but they have they block off a section too and it was all 292 00:25:10,160 --> 00:25:17,160 local vendors local artisans like the brewery there also was open late dog friendly the 293 00:25:17,160 --> 00:25:21,240 stores were open later and they shut the roads down too which is nice because people probably 294 00:25:21,240 --> 00:25:26,040 don't think that there's one in Colchester and you don't have to go far we have Cindy's 295 00:25:26,040 --> 00:25:32,140 we have Anna's and they sell local as well Colisani's Adams garden of Eaton everyone 296 00:25:32,140 --> 00:25:36,520 like that's a small on a smaller scale but they're growing and they're carrying a lot 297 00:25:36,520 --> 00:25:42,280 of like healthy snack foods from ME wellness that's also from Windsor and a local company 298 00:25:42,280 --> 00:25:48,580 Fred's Farm Fresh in Windsor as well as DeMarcos Market and you know what which one I really 299 00:25:48,580 --> 00:25:54,200 wanted to give a shout out to I made a note here was the farmhouse market in McGregor 300 00:25:54,200 --> 00:26:01,400 on middle side road I have not hit that one yet not only is every treat item handcrafted 301 00:26:01,400 --> 00:26:07,960 soap grass-fed meats snacks and treats are they local they also have they said to keep 302 00:26:07,960 --> 00:26:13,240 an eye on their social media they do a lot of make your own charcuterie where it's like 303 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:17,640 a sipping shop and their private events that you sign up for and you make your own charcuterie 304 00:26:17,640 --> 00:26:25,960 boards so the farmhouse markets got they even bring in like local flowers a hidden gem just 305 00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:30,800 like so I figure if you wanted to go to McGregor you could do 14th coffee then you can go to 306 00:26:30,800 --> 00:26:37,160 the farmhouse market you know oh there's the cheese bar you could go there too so I wanted 307 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:40,480 to make sure that I mentioned the farmhouse market in there as well to keep an eye on 308 00:26:40,480 --> 00:26:44,840 their social media for their next make your own charcuterie it's great for a girls night 309 00:26:44,840 --> 00:26:50,720 or for a birthday event if you wanted to do something you just reminded me of another 310 00:26:50,720 --> 00:26:59,120 one that's coming up is dropped on Drouillard now Drouillard Road in Windsor Ford City it 311 00:26:59,120 --> 00:27:05,400 is Saturday August 17th from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Drouillard used to have a really bad 312 00:27:05,400 --> 00:27:13,160 reputation and they the Ford City BIA has really put a lot of time effort and money 313 00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:19,800 into revitalizing that area there are so many small businesses and events that they put 314 00:27:19,800 --> 00:27:24,480 on and I know we'll have the open streets in Windsor again but dropped on Drouillard 315 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:30,280 is fun because you have not only your stores they'll put their stuff outside you have I 316 00:27:30,280 --> 00:27:35,920 think last year they had the circus school doing different events and so I'm curious 317 00:27:35,920 --> 00:27:40,200 what eateries like the Grand Cantina has recently moved out of there but what are like 318 00:27:40,200 --> 00:27:46,640 some local eateries and Chance Coffee is right next to Sawyers and then there's Bunch which 319 00:27:46,640 --> 00:27:54,720 is a thrift store for furniture and that Reno Bordelin he him and his sons just opened up 320 00:27:54,720 --> 00:28:01,160 an Italian sandwich shop there and then we have Michael DeFazio it's not he he does woodworking 321 00:28:01,160 --> 00:28:06,360 that's right but then down the street from them is the cookie bar just opened up their 322 00:28:06,360 --> 00:28:12,840 new and that's new and then you have Drouillard and Seminole you have Wolf and Rubble which 323 00:28:12,840 --> 00:28:19,880 is a really nice local shop they have an entire wall that is just face masks they have a tattoo 324 00:28:19,880 --> 00:28:27,240 artist in there they also have the avocado pit it's a vegan sushi which you'd never 325 00:28:27,240 --> 00:28:32,840 know that it does not have fish oh so you've tried it it's amazing and then they have their 326 00:28:32,840 --> 00:28:37,800 match bar it's like the only match bar around and it I'm gonna have to make my way to that 327 00:28:37,800 --> 00:28:44,120 area it's really good really really good it's an enjoyable area but I was asking a lot of 328 00:28:44,120 --> 00:28:49,160 different different people that I know on social media some of their favorite spots 329 00:28:49,160 --> 00:28:53,960 because okay knew we were gonna forget too right so when I still have my list going to 330 00:28:53,960 --> 00:29:01,840 one said fog lounge that that is an icon in Windsor and fog lounge and craft head brewery 331 00:29:01,840 --> 00:29:07,720 they will be moving soon not too far they're going to be on Erie Street right next to Windsor 332 00:29:07,720 --> 00:29:15,240 eats but fog lounge they are known for really supporting the local musicians in this area 333 00:29:15,240 --> 00:29:23,080 and we have so many local artists artisans musicians comedians but I did not know that 334 00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:30,440 on occasion they have amazing hot dogs and poutine had no idea well recently I just saw 335 00:29:30,440 --> 00:29:36,540 about their DJ tiki bar yep open deck night I've been following that that sounded really 336 00:29:36,540 --> 00:29:41,480 interesting but I didn't know anything about the I had no idea about that oh and then somebody 337 00:29:41,480 --> 00:29:46,800 else was saying and I think everybody knows about point Peely it's the southernmost point 338 00:29:46,800 --> 00:29:52,760 of Ontario right but it's amazing you can do a lot there's canoeing and all kinds of 339 00:29:52,760 --> 00:29:57,880 things there's biking and we have so many beaches and then we said Peely Island but 340 00:29:57,880 --> 00:30:03,400 holiday beach conservation area I actually completely forgot about that I just did a 341 00:30:03,400 --> 00:30:08,200 dare to be challenged for underprivileged women in Windsor Essex County I did a 10k 342 00:30:08,200 --> 00:30:13,600 with my local gym here to find fitness and hero at holiday beach and what a beautiful 343 00:30:13,600 --> 00:30:19,700 day trip it is get out and walk and then explore the shore while you're out there yes you could 344 00:30:19,700 --> 00:30:25,280 go to Joe coffee at the new Grove Motel which I have not hit yet and I want to see that 345 00:30:25,280 --> 00:30:32,000 motel because it has all different themed rooms some pet friendly rooms you can grab 346 00:30:32,000 --> 00:30:37,560 a bite with some coffee you can walk across the street to the Colchester harbour enjoy 347 00:30:37,560 --> 00:30:43,760 the view it's dog friendly the dogs are welcome on the patio they have pet friendly rooms 348 00:30:43,760 --> 00:30:48,920 I think there's two or three that you can rent that are specifically for pets and again 349 00:30:48,920 --> 00:30:54,240 like just keep going along counter road 50 explore that shore on the topic of themed 350 00:30:54,240 --> 00:31:01,800 rooms we have the old white chapel at the very end of Howard yeah and that has now turned 351 00:31:01,800 --> 00:31:09,400 into I don't know if it's an Airbnb or if it's a hotel but each room is a different 352 00:31:09,400 --> 00:31:15,080 theme right so that's just from jail cute right jail is right there down the street 353 00:31:15,080 --> 00:31:22,840 from there I also added on here I know we talked about Daisy wine company here but I 354 00:31:22,840 --> 00:31:28,560 wanted to throw in all of the different events that she has so not only does she have wine 355 00:31:28,560 --> 00:31:33,280 because not everybody drinks wine we just recently did the wines of Portugal which 356 00:31:33,280 --> 00:31:39,760 was an amazing event with pairings of food that is from Portugal like things that you 357 00:31:39,760 --> 00:31:46,200 would eat in Portugal it was a wonderful pairing but the next upcoming thing that Lee and I 358 00:31:46,200 --> 00:31:51,000 bought tickets for is whiskey education we are whiskey drinkers so she's doing a whole 359 00:31:51,000 --> 00:31:55,540 whiskey thing in the month of July so we already bought her tickets for that with some neighbours 360 00:31:55,540 --> 00:32:00,540 and that'll be great she just had a paint your pet night and she has an upcoming beach 361 00:32:00,540 --> 00:32:06,640 glass art class oh I love I definitely want to go to that so send me the information for 362 00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:11,360 that so it's not just let's go and drink wine like it's it's about just coming together 363 00:32:11,360 --> 00:32:16,000 and doing some different I think you said who was there doing cheers and chill you did 364 00:32:16,000 --> 00:32:21,160 something there I went to an event that they held there where they showed us how to make 365 00:32:21,160 --> 00:32:26,960 four different drinks and we had a small um charcuterie board wonderful but they had that 366 00:32:26,960 --> 00:32:32,220 back room where people who weren't part of the event could go in and still enjoy the 367 00:32:32,220 --> 00:32:37,120 night there and then I shut the door it looks like a library it's cozy with the fireplace 368 00:32:37,120 --> 00:32:41,800 and the and the chairs there's actually how fit here in Kingsville is doing a puppy Pilates 369 00:32:41,800 --> 00:32:46,840 event it's a charity event you can either enjoy the dogs that will be present or you 370 00:32:46,840 --> 00:32:51,120 can bring your own as long as they're people friendly so I thought that was adorable that 371 00:32:51,120 --> 00:32:56,240 's coming up how fit local little gym maybe would jump on everybody I don't think I could 372 00:32:56,240 --> 00:33:00,200 bring our goal maybe why I don't think I can bring our goal so I wanted to make sure I 373 00:33:00,200 --> 00:33:08,000 mentioned that oh what about longavita oh yeah it's just a nice station place too county 374 00:33:08,000 --> 00:33:12,800 road 50 the old kabo to park yeah people may know what is kabo to park they've they're 375 00:33:12,800 --> 00:33:18,440 actually I just saw a post this morning they're installing new hot tubs now it is a glamping 376 00:33:18,440 --> 00:33:25,800 area so you could either stay in a yurt which we did two summers ago with the dog waterfront 377 00:33:25,800 --> 00:33:30,720 there's canoeing there's kayaking free bike rentals were always included but there's stand-up 378 00:33:30,720 --> 00:33:35,680 paddleboards you can hop on your bike go to Garfield's for brunch hit up a winery now 379 00:33:35,680 --> 00:33:43,120 what are those big white round I think you might call it a geodome something like that 380 00:33:43,120 --> 00:33:50,960 yeah but they have yoga retreats from time to dine there's bonfire pits there's the 381 00:33:50,960 --> 00:33:56,720 washrooms are amazing to shower and freshen up and you're right along county road 50 so 382 00:33:56,720 --> 00:34:00,760 if you don't want to bring your own food to throw on the grill you can hit up any of the 383 00:34:00,760 --> 00:34:07,720 wineries you can go to Garfield's Colchester barn grill the rack Joe for coffee but what 384 00:34:07,720 --> 00:34:13,480 nice grounds it is really nice we drove by it yesterday and it's the first time I've 385 00:34:13,480 --> 00:34:19,360 seen it but I know a lot of friends that have gone there to view it and I can also talk 386 00:34:19,360 --> 00:34:27,720 about the LaSalle fairy forest it is the cutest little thing between LaSalle and South Windsor 387 00:34:27,720 --> 00:34:34,800 we have a lot of nature we have that's right coyotes we have deer we have tons of deers 388 00:34:34,800 --> 00:34:42,840 we have wild turkeys we have hawks we apparently have fairies as well and then that just goes 389 00:34:42,840 --> 00:34:51,080 into the trails that start on here in line and they go right until you hit the highway 390 00:34:51,080 --> 00:34:59,160 three roundabout if you look online through Trails Ontario we have trails that you can 391 00:34:59,160 --> 00:35:06,200 go from Old Castle in the Windsor area all the way out to Colchester you can bike the 392 00:35:06,200 --> 00:35:11,080 entire Essex County area and there's so many places you could stop to have a bite or a 393 00:35:11,080 --> 00:35:16,880 drink or a freshman or pick up some local stuff or have too many of these local things 394 00:35:16,880 --> 00:35:22,200 that we have to sip and sample along the way and then you can't drive so it's good that 395 00:35:22,200 --> 00:35:28,440 you're on a bike yeah we're going to talk about these really quickly this one is from 396 00:35:28,440 --> 00:35:34,600 Dancing Swallows Vineyard which I have not been yet but I bought this at the downtown 397 00:35:34,600 --> 00:35:40,600 Windsor Farmers Market because I have a friend that works with them and this farm has been 398 00:35:40,600 --> 00:35:48,800 in the family for generations it's a unfiltered Chardonnay from 2017 and it's amazing with 399 00:35:48,800 --> 00:35:54,320 a spritzer really good if you don't like a dry white wine which I'm not a huge fan of 400 00:35:54,320 --> 00:35:59,560 dry white wines but with the spritzer it was really good so I haven't been there yet either 401 00:35:59,560 --> 00:36:06,300 but I do know Nancy at Daisy Wine Bar does carry Dancing Swallows a red so if you would 402 00:36:06,300 --> 00:36:09,880 like to try something and maybe you're not making your way out there which really isn't 403 00:36:09,880 --> 00:36:14,600 far from here anyway you could try it at Daisy Wine Bar another one I have here one of my 404 00:36:14,600 --> 00:36:20,080 favorites because I can't do too sweet but you want something cool and refreshing in 405 00:36:20,080 --> 00:36:25,640 the summertime to maybe drink during the day Lee and I usually split one of these I went 406 00:36:25,640 --> 00:36:31,400 to Cranet's Orchard which again supporting local local peaches this is a Windmill Ridge 407 00:36:31,400 --> 00:36:39,000 Craft Cider Peach Apple very refreshing very light and crisp we serve it with ice cubes 408 00:36:39,000 --> 00:36:43,440 and some fresh mint from the garden you can also maybe make it if it's strong I don't 409 00:36:43,440 --> 00:36:48,720 find it strong you could put some club soda in there some sparkling water and just make 410 00:36:48,720 --> 00:36:53,120 it a little bit more refreshing so that one is wonderful as well and one of my favorites 411 00:36:53,120 --> 00:36:59,760 for summertime and then you also have a couple more from there so this was a pear apple this 412 00:36:59,760 --> 00:37:04,400 was a peach apple I believe I have another flavor I tried there just peach and it was 413 00:37:04,400 --> 00:37:10,840 really really good so we discovered this one at the farmers market at GL Heritage fell 414 00:37:10,840 --> 00:37:16,000 in love and it's a great thing to bring to a party yeah you could always go to LCBO but 415 00:37:16,000 --> 00:37:20,960 why not go to the actual storefront on Ridge Road not far for us although do shout out 416 00:37:20,960 --> 00:37:28,280 to LCBO that does carry a lot of our craft beers and our alcoholic beverages from this 417 00:37:28,280 --> 00:37:35,200 area so if you're in Toronto if you're in London you can find it at LCBO and one more 418 00:37:35,200 --> 00:37:40,480 thing that I brought to the table that I wanted to mention was also at Cranet's Orchard there's 419 00:37:40,480 --> 00:37:48,080 a brother and a sister who decided to try a small batch from farm to glass which I thought 420 00:37:48,080 --> 00:37:52,520 was really interesting it's an orchard ale we just had one of our neighbors try this 421 00:37:52,520 --> 00:37:57,040 on Friday night prior to going to Oxley and he loved it it's a craft brew Windmill Ridge 422 00:37:57,040 --> 00:38:03,440 again five percent alcohol and apparently it's really good I'm not a beer drinker but 423 00:38:03,440 --> 00:38:08,560 I mean again conversation piece supporting local nice having to have a nice selection 424 00:38:08,560 --> 00:38:14,440 in the refrigerator so I wanted to make sure I gave these a mention and on one of my earlier 425 00:38:14,440 --> 00:38:23,080 podcasts I did a podcast with Wolfhead Distillery they made a strawberry gin which is going 426 00:38:23,080 --> 00:38:29,080 to be available all summer and we and I'm not a gin person whatsoever and I've tried 427 00:38:29,080 --> 00:38:34,760 this they've made this with basil and with strawberries can we do a cheers oh we can 428 00:38:34,760 --> 00:38:42,040 do a cheers yes it's five o'clock somewhere I keep telling myself I can honestly say it 429 00:38:42,040 --> 00:38:48,520 does not taste like fir trees which most people think with gin that's nice tastes I like I 430 00:38:48,520 --> 00:38:52,360 like it tastes like fir trees but a lot of people don't like it and they don't understand 431 00:38:52,360 --> 00:38:57,840 that gin has come a long way and they also do have a regular gin but it's the slightest 432 00:38:57,840 --> 00:39:04,620 hint of strawberry in here it is very nice I picture this with a club soda yeah some 433 00:39:04,620 --> 00:39:10,120 fresh mint and basil maybe and the straw and the strawberries you muddle it in they were 434 00:39:10,120 --> 00:39:15,680 making that at strawberrylicious they were actually making a variety of drinks that usually 435 00:39:15,680 --> 00:39:22,200 does not have gin and they were making it work and then you know because it's only 436 00:39:22,200 --> 00:39:26,160 are you going to show how much we drink yeah it's only a quarter to twelve here we've 437 00:39:26,160 --> 00:39:32,240 already had the espresso martini I did and then me and her who is not a wine drinker 438 00:39:32,240 --> 00:39:37,880 wolfhead for the strawberrylicious festival has they made a strawberry wine and wolfhead 439 00:39:37,880 --> 00:39:43,320 distillery does not make wine so this is the very first wine they've ever made and I found 440 00:39:43,320 --> 00:39:48,240 this at the downtown winter farmers market last weekend and they're seeing how it goes 441 00:39:48,240 --> 00:39:55,680 it might last through the summer it might not I'm not sure but it is amazing it tastes 442 00:39:55,680 --> 00:40:01,800 almost like a juice in it but it doesn't have a high alcohol content and it's not too sweet 443 00:40:01,800 --> 00:40:09,400 which is why it's almost like a Zinfandel flavor like a nice light wine not heavy when 444 00:40:09,400 --> 00:40:17,500 it's this warm and this early in the day but yeah like I help myself and normally I don't 445 00:40:17,500 --> 00:40:24,860 drink that much but this is nice summertime supporting local refreshing we have so many 446 00:40:24,860 --> 00:40:31,760 different areas the food the food it our pizza Windsor is known for the pizza we have local 447 00:40:31,760 --> 00:40:37,400 pizza the wineries believe it or not serve pizza and gelato then you have like your little 448 00:40:37,400 --> 00:40:45,120 ice cream shops and bakeries that again you just on your little adventure you get up on 449 00:40:45,120 --> 00:40:52,600 Erie Street in Windsor which is we call it Via Italia at Erie Street Gastro Pub and they 450 00:40:52,600 --> 00:41:01,120 are working with a gentleman and they've made alcohol infused ice cream which was completely 451 00:41:01,120 --> 00:41:06,680 amazing and they also had regular ice cream but it is all handmade and it was so good 452 00:41:06,680 --> 00:41:12,680 surveys ice creams it was amazing but then if I mean if that's still not enough for you 453 00:41:12,680 --> 00:41:19,960 and you want to do something different we are literally within viewing distance of Detroit 454 00:41:19,960 --> 00:41:25,560 and Detroit oh my gosh and that's still supporting local it is supporting the border city right 455 00:41:25,560 --> 00:41:30,960 yeah we do a lot together and they come over here a lot they do they really support our 456 00:41:30,960 --> 00:41:39,400 community but Detroit has done a huge turnaround when it comes to their downtown area it is 457 00:41:39,400 --> 00:41:44,540 amazing how they've cleaned it up they have the Greentown casino and all the different 458 00:41:44,540 --> 00:41:49,840 restaurants in Greentown down that street campus marshes oh in the summertime campus 459 00:41:49,840 --> 00:41:54,920 marshes Park turns into a beach and in the winter time it's an ice rink with a gigantic 460 00:41:54,920 --> 00:42:01,600 tree that's family fun yeah just for adults shops and markets and coffee shops and if 461 00:42:01,600 --> 00:42:07,640 you go down a little bit you have Corktown so much fun well I know they have like we 462 00:42:07,640 --> 00:42:12,040 did for an end of year staff party we did the handlebar bike and you know it's now 463 00:42:12,040 --> 00:42:16,520 in Nashville and downtown Buffalo where you can booze and I went there too what you can 464 00:42:16,520 --> 00:42:21,840 bike to the various areas but and I think they have something newer now too that I was 465 00:42:21,840 --> 00:42:26,760 trying to convince my staff to go to but I feel like it's we have four days left of school 466 00:42:26,760 --> 00:42:34,380 but it's a Motown bus and it's a school bus converted into a party bus but the roof has 467 00:42:34,380 --> 00:42:40,400 been removed and there's only like a glow stick where it's an open-air bus so you're 468 00:42:40,400 --> 00:42:45,320 partying and drinking there's a driver of course and it's not peddling where you're 469 00:42:45,320 --> 00:42:49,920 covered but it's an open-air party bus that just kind of takes you around well we have 470 00:42:49,920 --> 00:42:58,840 a lot of that being that we have so many breweries and wineries and that that there are always 471 00:42:58,840 --> 00:43:04,160 excursions well I need to know what also I wanted to mention like Tracy and I were talking 472 00:43:04,160 --> 00:43:09,600 obviously about not everybody drinks so we've got to take the coffee roasting experiences 473 00:43:09,600 --> 00:43:13,960 and everything else but I also I did talk about the walnut grove they do really cool 474 00:43:13,960 --> 00:43:19,800 things like a stargazing picnic that could be a date night you can do a photo shoot there 475 00:43:19,800 --> 00:43:25,320 they do a pollinator experience that Lee and I were a part of well actually wolf is amazing 476 00:43:25,320 --> 00:43:33,280 wolf had distilleries they were telling me that it's massive in this area of mocktails 477 00:43:33,280 --> 00:43:39,840 so they have a huge selection of mocktails and how I found that out was they used to 478 00:43:39,840 --> 00:43:45,200 serve a brunch on the weekend which unfortunately I'm very sad that I think they need to go 479 00:43:45,200 --> 00:43:53,440 back it was with the Caesar bar okay and this gentleman was with his son and the gentleman 480 00:43:53,440 --> 00:43:59,560 ordered a cocktail and the son was just really young and he had the exact same thing as mocktail 481 00:43:59,560 --> 00:44:06,040 and that's where I found out that it is apparently huge in this area that a lot of the wineries 482 00:44:06,040 --> 00:44:12,600 the distilleries are making mocktails as well as the cocktails so yeah we really are serving 483 00:44:12,600 --> 00:44:19,920 everybody we also have I wanted to bring up Valera wellness with bespoke she does she's 484 00:44:19,920 --> 00:44:25,480 wonderful she does make and take aromatherapy workshops I know we spoke about her last podcast 485 00:44:25,480 --> 00:44:30,680 but again a make and take something fun to do that's maybe indoors if the weather is 486 00:44:30,680 --> 00:44:35,440 not cooperating and you don't want to get on a bike or get or it's too hot or you just 487 00:44:35,440 --> 00:44:39,360 don't do well with the weather they always have some kind of cool workshops going on 488 00:44:39,360 --> 00:44:45,040 there now always so I wanted to bring them up as well bespoke aromatherapy she has been 489 00:44:45,040 --> 00:44:51,400 on my podcast before earlier on and I've been to one of her events when Tara Green Garden 490 00:44:51,400 --> 00:44:58,840 the the physical store was there and she is amazing at really making sure of what you 491 00:44:58,840 --> 00:45:05,120 need what you want there we filled out a lot of different forms and I have epilepsy so 492 00:45:05,120 --> 00:45:09,840 there are some essential oils that I can't have so she was making sure that the blends 493 00:45:09,840 --> 00:45:16,760 that we do have and you said that also the new earth wellness the egg so they had their 494 00:45:16,760 --> 00:45:22,240 harmonic egg so I think it was only a June promotion so you'd have to contact Valero 495 00:45:22,240 --> 00:45:27,480 or check online there was a June promotion where they were collaborating together where 496 00:45:27,480 --> 00:45:33,360 I think there was like a certain amount of money off but Valero wellness has got so many 497 00:45:33,360 --> 00:45:38,200 things like you can do IV therapy you can have reiki and sound healing treatments done 498 00:45:38,200 --> 00:45:42,880 there they have hydrotherapy with infrared sauna therapy although I think I'm going 499 00:45:42,880 --> 00:45:47,760 to need an IV therapy after this morning maybe you and I both we'll see if there's an opening 500 00:45:47,760 --> 00:45:54,120 back to back but honestly you could go there they have a new something that I'm interested 501 00:45:54,120 --> 00:46:00,000 in because it's not for me doing like the Botox and all that into each their own I understand 502 00:46:00,000 --> 00:46:07,480 they have a new treatment there it's the Saluma I did post about it where they actually take 503 00:46:07,480 --> 00:46:15,320 acupuncture needles and put it in your face and then take a big red light lamp that comes 504 00:46:15,320 --> 00:46:21,840 over top of the needles it heats the needles and supposed to naturally because you're not 505 00:46:21,840 --> 00:46:28,400 injecting anything right and improve circulation reduces aging fine lines and wrinkles so I'm 506 00:46:28,400 --> 00:46:32,760 actually looking to book an appointment there and I'm like while I'm there what else could 507 00:46:32,760 --> 00:46:38,920 I do could I do like a reiki and a sound therapy or should I do a hydrotherapy they have colonics 508 00:46:38,920 --> 00:46:44,160 and all kinds of things at Valero wellness it is amazing and there's the apothecary right 509 00:46:44,160 --> 00:46:50,800 next door so that is definitely a place to check out if you even want a massage if you 510 00:46:50,800 --> 00:46:56,520 like it I was very impressed with the facility when I was there a couple weeks back very 511 00:46:56,520 --> 00:47:00,920 worth looking into so that's something else that could be done and that's another thing 512 00:47:00,920 --> 00:47:05,520 that we do have a lot of in the Windsor Essex County areas we have a lot of Pilates and 513 00:47:05,520 --> 00:47:13,200 a lot of yoga a lot of reiki registered massage therapists and we have facials whether they 514 00:47:13,200 --> 00:47:20,460 are just relaxation or whether they're medical I talked about gem last time but I did want 515 00:47:20,460 --> 00:47:25,040 to talk about I don't think I brought up a state of health I had a day pass there and 516 00:47:25,040 --> 00:47:33,800 I thought I died and went to heaven like from silent treatment rooms dry sauna pool Lee 517 00:47:33,800 --> 00:47:38,880 and I actually booked a private sound healing session in their yoga room Jordan the owner 518 00:47:38,880 --> 00:47:46,720 of the facility did a private sound healing session for Lee and I that was wow Green Heart 519 00:47:46,720 --> 00:47:50,920 brings in lunch Green Heart from Kingsville so if you want to treat yourself to lunch 520 00:47:50,920 --> 00:47:56,160 they have infused pitchers of water with rosemary and lemon and lavender you can walk through 521 00:47:56,160 --> 00:48:01,400 the meditation gardens you wear a robe all day and slippers you're not even clothed I 522 00:48:01,400 --> 00:48:05,920 would love that it's right here in Kingsville I think it's on four acres you wouldn't even 523 00:48:05,920 --> 00:48:10,700 know it was there that's definitely worth like to treat yourself or do a couple's day 524 00:48:10,700 --> 00:48:15,800 or girls there just I've done it by myself I want to go alone I don't talk to anybody 525 00:48:15,800 --> 00:48:24,600 exactly exactly and I have a friend Ali Stewart who is an RMT but she works at a few different 526 00:48:24,600 --> 00:48:34,960 places she is amazing she's done working on me she's done some Gua Sha which she actually 527 00:48:34,960 --> 00:48:39,440 made a Gua Sha treatment for people that are crafters that do knitting crocheting that 528 00:48:39,440 --> 00:48:45,040 it really helps and I haven't heard of Gua Sha on your face oh yeah no I didn't know 529 00:48:45,040 --> 00:48:49,720 you can do it yeah she did that and it was from the elbows down and then she did a Gua 530 00:48:49,720 --> 00:48:55,200 Sha treatment on my foot because I have plantar fasciitis I've never heard of that over a 531 00:48:55,200 --> 00:49:01,080 week it had to been a couple weeks I didn't feel any pain in my foot it's effective yeah 532 00:49:01,080 --> 00:49:06,200 she's done Indian head massages she's just the most wonderful soul I've ever met in my 533 00:49:06,200 --> 00:49:11,760 entire life she's just amazing well I do know that dreaming tree also here in here yes I 534 00:49:11,760 --> 00:49:15,920 was gonna ask what that was because as I was coming down to King Street I noticed that 535 00:49:15,920 --> 00:49:23,520 and it's behind King Street bake shop that's correct in the back end of the unit and Jenny 536 00:49:23,520 --> 00:49:28,000 has some phenomenal treatments there too she was doing salt therapy for all there's a salt 537 00:49:28,000 --> 00:49:36,040 wall the treatment room is a salt wall which is amazing they do reiki there as well I think 538 00:49:36,040 --> 00:49:39,800 I've had two treatments there with Barb back in the day when Barb was there Jenny did 539 00:49:39,800 --> 00:49:46,680 a treatment on me as well they always have something up upcoming and she also has a subscribe 540 00:49:46,680 --> 00:49:51,040 to her newsletter yeah so you could see what's up and coming if you're ever in this area 541 00:49:51,040 --> 00:49:59,280 they have rocks and gems that you could purchase aroma sprays for a sage for smudging she's 542 00:49:59,280 --> 00:50:05,280 got all kinds of really neat gift ideas and natural healing gems and stones in there okay 543 00:50:05,280 --> 00:50:12,560 and then that could bring me into smudge metaphysical which is in Windsor as well is that near biblioasis 544 00:50:12,560 --> 00:50:19,080 it is it used to be right next door to it and now it is right next door to anchor coffeehouse 545 00:50:19,080 --> 00:50:25,840 which is another local okay but honestly we could sit here all day and right this is we're 546 00:50:25,840 --> 00:50:31,480 just touching the surface of what there is to offer people need to realize that Windsor 547 00:50:31,480 --> 00:50:38,600 Essex County is a destination spot and there are things to do if you follow me or follow 548 00:50:38,600 --> 00:50:49,280 so cool local on instagram follow tweppy tourism Windsor Essex County visit amesburg lausalle.ca 549 00:50:49,280 --> 00:50:56,280 just any of the BIAs in the Windsor Essex County area you will find out all of the events 550 00:50:56,280 --> 00:51:02,480 that we have that are up and coming as well because we have I mean right here just from 551 00:51:02,480 --> 00:51:07,240 tweppy and they don't know all of the events because these are just ones that are sponsored 552 00:51:07,240 --> 00:51:13,480 through we have other ones that have come up but we have from here all the way through 553 00:51:13,480 --> 00:51:20,160 still to come so we didn't even touch base even either on like the active things like 554 00:51:20,160 --> 00:51:25,160 heartbreaker challenge dare to be challenge the marathons like those kind of things we 555 00:51:25,160 --> 00:51:29,240 didn't even get into that because that's a whole other can of worms oh we just did one 556 00:51:29,240 --> 00:51:35,600 on last week where people were repelling off of a building in downtown Windsor to raise 557 00:51:35,600 --> 00:51:43,200 money for charity right we have a ton of things to do always so definitely for everyone definitely 558 00:51:43,200 --> 00:51:50,160 make sure to like follow and subscribe to this podcast as well as follow me on instagram 559 00:51:50,160 --> 00:51:55,840 or facebook and so cool local on instagram are you're just on instagram which is pretty 560 00:51:55,840 --> 00:52:00,880 much it's a lot to handle so i'm keeping it for instagram for now so we'll see where 561 00:52:00,880 --> 00:52:06,720 it takes me and make sure to get your button down to the Windsor Essex County area to one 562 00:52:06,720 --> 00:52:14,120 of our small towns and see everything that we have enjoy some strawberry gin before it 563 00:52:14,120 --> 00:52:19,640 goes away in the fall and again my name is Tracy Martens i want to thank you so much 564 00:52:19,640 --> 00:52:25,480 for joining us for a long episode of YQG and Bloom thank you for having me it's always 565 00:52:25,480 --> 00:52:29,200 so much fun i don't even know what our next topic will be but we always find something 566 00:52:29,200 --> 00:52:35,240 to talk about oh yes and i have to thank you for letting us use this beautiful kitchen 567 00:52:35,240 --> 00:52:40,640 table and enjoying all the alcohol and good thing you're not driving home and i'm not 568 00:52:40,640 --> 00:52:45,120 driving anywhere either because i'm at home oh i'm going to beach house grill in kingsville 569 00:52:45,120 --> 00:52:50,640 and i'm going to the polish um polish festival right here on the water for some lunch and 570 00:52:50,640 --> 00:52:55,320 my husband's driving you guys have a great day and i hope you enjoy your day as much 571 00:52:55,320 --> 00:53:15,720 as we've enjoyed ours cheers have a good one