Well Preserved

We have a very specific focus at Well Preserved – food, design around food and those things that relate.  Today’s post is a stretch from that focus but still related and we’ve been so touched by so many people (many of whom we don’t actually know) who smothered us in such kindness that I find myself at a rare crossroads – a virtual loss of words.

The kitchen table is a special thing in Nova Scotia (where my Mother is from).  It represents food, gathering, family, friends, music, preserving, community and togetherness.  It is a place where those you care the most about gather together to share the things that matter most – one another.  It is the center of the most important occasions and it is a big deal – regardless of the value, quality or history of the actual piece of furniture.

Our cabin in the north is also a place of gathering for family and friends together.  It is one of the most important places I have in my family history.

Dana has similar connections through her family…  Gathering is an important deal and our personal favourite days are Christmas and Thanksgiving when both of our parents and other family members gather, often around a table.

I received a phone call at 4:00pm today at work (in Newmarket).  My father asked me if I would come downtown (55 kilometers in rush hour), pick up Dana and drive to Markham (40 kilometers in rush hour) to visit.  This is not like him and Dana scrambled to grab a train and meet me part way so we could make double time.  We arrived with only the promise of good news and a lot of mystery – I was a nervous wreck and handling the surprise poorly.  I wanted to believe this would be good news but my nerves were prepping for the worst.

After teasing my nerves for some time, the surprise was unveiled:

My Father’s truck was backed into the driveway and it’s contents opened to us.  12 boards (more than 1 inch thick) that are 13 feet long plus thick ties that can be spun into legs – all of cherry wood.  Long story short, we have been dreaming of making/ having a table made with wood from our land and designed with help of the family – this surprise showed up today.

Shorter story long: My father offered to help some fairly new friends (they actually hunt at a different camp than ours and have him as an honorary member for the last two years – hardly the spirit of competition some may expect) cut some wood last winter.  They had a small mill and he asked for a tree worth of lumber in exchange.  They never took him up on the offer.  He was up north 2 weeks ago helping them with some small chores and, again, they never asked for help.  A phone call came last night – they asked him to head up north and pick up his wood (that he had no idea that was actually his).  They cut the tree, milled it to large boards (some are 13 inches wide), and stacked it for him to pick up.  All of this by simply asking – they are unbelievably kind.

My Father drove 2+ hours (each way) with another friend today to pick it up.  Jack (the friend) has offered to make the tabletop (he is exactly the right man you’d want to be on this project).  My aunt has offered to store the wood for a year (it has to dry).  Dana’s Dad is going to help design it (he, again, has the perfect background).  Another friend of her family is likely going to make the metal legs that we dream of.

In short, more than a dozen people – many whom don’t know each other and many who don’t know us have contributed to this project.  They have offered their wood, their land, their time, their labour.  By next summer we will hopefully have all of this come together to a most wonderful heirloom that will last beyond the rest of our lives.

The first “seating” at the table:

While this is not a direct post about food – this is the first of a lifetime of food based memories that emanate from the kind actions of so many.  Thank you.