Monday, November 30, 2009

So much to do

It's time to think about Christmas. Well...to continue thinking about Christmas. The food in particular. Audrey helped make some molasses toffee.

It's time to start thinking about snowboarding.

Uhm... Emma taking advantage of an empty sofa (and pillow?). Weekends are exhausting for dogs. I guess.

I love the concentration of players on the bench, watching and waiting, trying to remember what their coach has taught them.

Oh the much practiced layup.


Friday, November 27, 2009

Picton Castle

Another day on another boat. This time we had the GRAND tour. We visited the Picton Castle docked in Lunnenburg for the winter. This is a cargo ship that is also being used as a teaching vessel. Those on board learn about sailing from hoisting up anchor (man power), to making and repairing sails and ropes. We were fortunate to have a patient guide and sailor who was willing to show us everything.

Really... every nook and cranny.

If there was room for a body, we went there.

The chain room was a particular treat as the entry was an opening in the cabin floor and going into this space meant we were below water. This is where the anchor chain feeds into when it is hoisted.

For over a year, this ship sails around the world carrying cargo and visiting ports all the while the crew is teaching new sailors how to work on a boat.

No work for us today but plenty of time for fun.







Monday, November 23, 2009

Away

A weekend away with girlfriends. Time without schedules. Time for quiet mornings...

in a hot tub overlooking this beautiful bay (evenings too!). Of course there was PLENTY of good food and, most importantly, time spent with friends.

We found this ship looking for visitors at the harbour.



A weekend spent seeing new places, meeting new people and appreciating time together.







Antics


We seem to be out of the sick fog...perhaps. Only Andrew and Joseph have been sick. I am hoping the rest of us have avoided it for now. Adam has spent most of his week helping to prepare for the annual town Christmas play. He has spent hours painting and building sets and learning about the behind the scene responsibilities of a crew member. Dedication and commitment are not a problem for that young man.



With so much extra recovering time on our hands there was plenty of entertainment every day.








Joseph perfected his 360 spin. Even Doris came for the show.








While waiting for people to feel better, Audrey worked with Doris on her jumping.







With many treats in hand ( and in dog mouth), Doris was taken through the course over and over again. Such style and agility often seen in a dog.......could not be found in Doris.








Although she was happy to chase treats over poles not even the most tempting morsel was going to get her to jump this last rail.
She will definitely never be a horse!





Friday, November 13, 2009

A Quiet Week

We seem to be at the beginning of our flu extravaganza. Not everyone is feeling yucky but it only takes one to keep everyone needing a little extra home time.

That, of course, includes a walk in the woods. Adam found a new path to follow which led to many fabulous finds including a deteriorating bridge and a faerie house (Joseph agrees).

So after time outside we were back to quiet indoor activities.

Games and obviously some knitting. He may not be feeling well but Joseph is always a willing model.



Monday, November 9, 2009

more wool

This is what becomes of more felting. I hadn't planned on adding flowers but when the needle felting bug hit, it just had to be done. Now they are really ready for the next step. Time for some sewing... but first, more felting.

Audrey made a beautiful ball. She worked on it all evening until it was done (a patient girl)adding colours and designs in all the right places. The next morning I came down to find that the cat had LOVED it and once she had deposited it onto the floor, the dog (Doris) LOVED it more until all that was left was fluff in every room. Dissapointing.You bet. Was she devistated? Nope. Time to try something different. She's just that good.





Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Now that we have had a time change, early mornings have become even earlier. The benefit is that even the dogs aren't interested in being awake at 5:30 am and I have a quiet house for at least an hour. This means time to sit uninterupted in front of a fire with coffee and knitting. So today a new project has begun.

By lunch it was a fabulous felted piece of material waiting for the next step. Perhaps that will happen tomorrow morning.

Audrey led the way to more felting. A trip to Gaspereau Fibres and choosing some marvelous wool and we were set to try felting balls. A success and maybe even a new obsession. Joe couldn't stay away for long. Ahh, a day spent with wool.


Monday, November 2, 2009

This is how it goes when waiting for a friend. First the calm watchful pose.

Then the taking advantage of one's surroundings.

Finally, just read (books being loaned to expected friend). Every moment put to good use by this young man.

Apparently we missed the harvest moon, but this evening's moon did not disappoint. This was the ideal Halloween moon, a couple of days later but just right for autumn. Eerie and comforting. Quite the combination.







Fourteen

Festivities this week begin and end with Adam's birthday. One day for a celebration is never quite enough. Nanny and Grampy Pete know this and are always keen to celebrate birthdays with us. Joseph is always keen to have Nanny and Grampy to play with. Amidst all this birthday bash stuff is Halloween. Thanks to Audrey and Joseph, we had Jack-O-Lanterns once again.


And so we were ready for the day. Come to think of it Audrey prepared most of the decorations. Good thing she's ours.
How about a boy who is fourteen? He has plans. Knows just what he wants to accomplish with this year ahead of him. Some snowboarding, some sailing, maybe a little biking in between. I love to watch him discover his passions and go after them, nothing will get in his way.

Fourteen....I think I'm going to love it.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADAM!






Sunday, November 1, 2009

farm life

We headed out to New Ross Farm this week with our Homeschool group. Some of us (insert parents) were loving the buildings and idea of having animals around us every day. In particular, this fabulous shed. perfect for a horse and even a few chickens!

And so while Audrey and Joseph discussed math equations (love those kids), Adam was making a new friend.

Perhaps we need sheep to go with the horse and chickens.


Who new the school house would be such a hit with the kids! They sort of moved right in, making themselves quite comfortable. Was it the heat of the woodstove on a cold day or the comfortable seats?






Yep! The school house was a hit, but there was more to see.



We spent much time checking out the large animals and even more time in the farmhouse where fresh biscuits were being served right out of the oven but not before adding the fresh butter. Ahh..loving this.
A great day left each of us thinking about a better way, a more fulfilling way to live.