We lived in Jack Layton’s riding for quite a few elections.  We moved one riding over for this federal election and were part of the “Orange Crush”, electing a new NDP MP after years of a Liberal Incumbent.

On the night before the Federal election, we waited in the pouring rain outside Matthew Kellway’s Danforth campaign office for 2 hours.  It was important to us to go for many reasons but especially so that Rebecca grows up knowing that politics are import in our family now matter how she ultimately votes.

Now only a few months later we waited for another two hours to see him again.  The crowd had quite a few of the same faces, representing so much of Toronto’s diverse population. Although the crowd wasn’t as charged as the first time the energy from the people at Nathan Philip’s Square was incredible.

 Family portrait in line at Toronto City Hall.  Rebecca was a superstar of patience and was very well behaved when meeting the Layton Family.

Police on Horses, TTC Honour Guard, News Media everywhere, chalk inscriptions in so many languages, and crowds of families.  We talked to a couple that had flown in from Saskatoon to be there.

Woke up this morning to this photo of us on Torontoist.  We’re looking pretty orange while paying our  respects.

We added to the chalk memorials.  I’ve never seen anything like it.  its been washed away by rain 3 times and springs back up immediately. Even our stick-in-the-mud mayor has been quoted as liking it.

We brought sunflowers from our garden.  Rebecca finally reminded us that she is two by crying that she didn’t want to leave the flowers after she put them down. Much to the delight of the entire Canadian Media.

To sum things up I’d like to ask my Canadian readers to take a second and commit to voting.  In every election and at every chance offered to them.  Additionally, consider formally joining the political party of your choice.  Membership in the Federal NDP is as low as $5 for Youth and the un(der)employed and is really a simple way to be involved. Jack would like it.

 August 20th, 2011 Rebecca and her BFF at the Brickworks Blueberry Festival.

 August 21st, 2011 Buying a bushel of Bizjak Peaches at the Leslieville Farmer’s Market.

 August 22nd, 2011 1 Bushel of Peaches + 7 hours = 29 jars of assorted summery goodness.

 August 23rd, 2011 Collecting and Sorting Mizuna Seeds.

 August 24th, 2011 Pizza and Renovations. Basil, black cherry tomatoes, kale, red onion, sawdust?

 August 25th, 2011 Purple Peacock Beans from the bathtub garden.

 Like 20 year old cloth napkins stolen from your mother.

 Or actually using all those vintage handkerchiefs for something.

 Trading seeds for napkins on etsy is also nice.

 As is receiving kitchy gifts in the mail from Rosa.

 Matching dishes with napkins is strangely satisfying.

Gillian of Craftzilla agrees and she’s whipped up these charming summertime cloth napkins for one of my readers. Simply visit her new etsy shop and then come back here and share either what you like best in her shop or one of your simple summer pleasures.  Like napkins, or mismatched spoons.  Don’t forget to include your email or twitter handle so we can find you if you win. We’ll pick a winner at random on Friday September 2nd, 2011.

Zapotec Pleated Tomatoes are pretty much the best looking tomatoes ever.