Tag Archives: Family time

Family, Food, Nature and Gratitude

15 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by in Our Family Adventures

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With Thanksgiving weekend coming to a close – a quiet one for us – I’d say our recurring themes were those of Family, Food, Nature, and GRATITUDE.

Pumpkin Patch

In the spirit of simple family day moments, we didn’t do anything grandiose.  Friday was spent hiking at Cold Creek Conservation with friends.  Saturday found us at the pumpkin patch at Chappelle Farms, running on the hay bale maze, and testing our courage in the haunted barn.  Sunday was a rainy day that kept us close to home, with the kids enjoying time with neighbourhood friends, and followed by our ‘turkey dinner’ (it was actually a roast chicken since a turkey would have been too big for the four of us), followed by a family movie.  And Monday was another beautiful day we spent hiking at Mono Cliffs – a part of the Niagara escarpement.

Audra Pumpkin Patch

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Our soundtrack was a mix of Ethan playing his first ‘mastered’ guitar song: Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty.  When he wasn’t singing or playing it, our moments were interspersed with some Dave Matthews, Black Sabbath and Metallica. (yeah, I admit we have diverse taste in music.  Listening to Audra list her favourite bands made me laugh:  Selena Gomez, Hannah Montana, Pink, Led Zeppelin, Metallica and Dave Matthews Band)

And we spent lots of time in the kitchen – with Chef Ethan being our primary breakfast cook with his eggs specialty, and with Audra helping me with a dessert experiment of a raw carrot cake with cashew nut frosting (it turned out to be quite yummy) – and of course our regular dinners (sausages and cabbage, pulled pork with veggies, and our thanksgiving dinner).  By tonight, however, I opted for sushi and a documentary.

The documentary – “I AM” – rounded out the weekend quite nicely (although it was only Dean and I home to watch it as the kids were both out with friends)  “I AM” documents the competitive, separate nature of today’s North American society, with interviews from many great minds about the science that exists supporting the truth of connection, collaboration, and how we affect the world around us.  Ultimately, it outlines the fundamental truth that we are all connected – as human beings, and as a part of all of nature.  It makes the point that our every action affects the whole – like an ocean being filled up with single droplets of water.  While there was nothing in the documentary I have not yet seen or studied, it was a welcome reminder.

What we do matters.  Who we are being matters.  Simple moments of appreciation matter.  Simple moments as a family matter.  Time spent in connection with nature matters.

It was a fitting end to a weekend dedicated to gratitude.

Simple ‘Family Day’ Moments

07 Sunday Jul 2013

Posted by in Fully expressed, Our Family Adventures, Pet lover

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This weekend was only the second of the summer – but after a busy past weekend at our friends’ cottage – followed by the start of the kids’ farm camp and our summer routine, it was lovely to have a quiet weekend at home.  I think it was exactly what we all needed.

Dean chuckled at me when I looked at him earlier this evening and simply stated: “I liked today.”  There was nothing remarkable about today, but it was a very good one in my books.

In the spirit of ‘quirky little things’, and enjoying the simple moments of life, some of the little moments from today included:

  • A breakfast on the gazebo as it rained around us.  Bacon, eggs, raspberries and watermelon in our lush back yard, spotting frogs as we ate and listening to the gentle thrum of rain drops on the canvas roof overhead.  Peaceful and simple.
  • A feeling of accomplishment as I folded a half dozen loads of laundry – envisioning how easy it will be to pack for our upcoming trip into the Algonquin outback when I have all the clothes laid out in front of me (one benefit from leaving laundry to the last possible minute – at least this way everything was dirty – now clean – to chose from).
  • An enjoyable (although not frugal) trip to Mountain Equipment Co-op to restock for our 4 day trip.  Leaving with more camping supplies, dehydrated meals to try (shepherds pie and bacon cheddar mashed potatoes – opinion is yet pending…!), much-needed clothes for Dean, and a new back pack for Audra.  (After all, if she has to lug all of her own gear as we portage, at least it will be in a pack of her choosing.  Somehow this makes all the difference with her – and whatever keeps her from complaining while we canoe, portage and camp works for me!)
  • Another pleasant dinner on the gazebo – not raining this time, but close to it – enjoying marinated steak, caesar salad, and tomato and goat cheese salad.  And a glass (or 2) of wine.  Interesting conversations led by the kids about topics such as: ‘Why isn’t there one world government?’  ‘What is the Lord of the flies about?’ and ‘When can we download my new mods on Minecraft.’ (as Ethan is inventing an elaborate world full of roller coasters and has spent many a moment imagining his new ‘world’.)
  • Listening to the kids play together lots – sometimes a little too loud for my in-house preference – but with most of it being great belly laughs, how could I complain?  With Ethan finishing his latest fantasy novel, and Audra playing happily with her stuffies – the house was quiet and peaceful for much of the day.  Following dinner, I relaxed by myself on the gazebo to finish my wine, read a few pages from my book, and enjoy the backyard – only to be laughingly led inside by Audra to ‘see what she did to Ethan’.

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  • Finishing our family day by taking our dog Casey for a walk (at a very slow pace these days, her walks can best be described as leisurely strolls).  After all, as a member of our family, we felt she should also benefit from some outdoor time with our whole crew after enjoying a few bites of steak. (although we have a ‘no feeding from the table’ rule, sometimes her smiling doggie face weakens our resolve.)
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Amongst Audra’s many names for me today (Shanike, Shanille, and the ages-old Molly), and hugs from Ethan, it was indeed a simple but perfectly lovely day.  One that perhaps I would never have appreciated at another stage in my life.

Really?!  A day doing house-stuff, eating dinners, and shopping?!  Lovely?!  But it was.

A day spent with my most loved ones.  After all, that’s what it’s all about.

Holiday Travels

23 Sunday Dec 2012

Posted by in Extended family, Thoughts

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Perhaps it is true that people will move mountains if their motivation is high enough.  In our case, the joy of seeing our nieces and newborn nephew motivated us to make a rapid change of plans to try to beat winter storms, and leave a day earlier for our holiday travels. We have joyfully arrived in Nova Scotia to spend the holidays with family.

For us, moving mountains means that after a busy day of work on Thursday, we packed up the truck to drive through the night.  We drove through torrential rain, snow, and ice, often traveling at less than 80 km/hr – finally to arrive, after minimal sleep and almost 24 hours on the road.

The excited reception was worth every minute of the drive.

The magic moments of community bubble baths, early morning dance parties, and the joy of watching the little cousins constantly following Ethan and Audra around makes every potentially nerve-wracking moment of our long drive oh-so-worthwhile.  And the best part is that the best is yet to come – all to be documented with a plethora of pictures and video – and memories to last for all time.  Who wouldn’t move mountains for that?!

Nanny from Newfoundland

07 Wednesday Nov 2012

Posted by in Extended family

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I may just have the most with-it grandmother in the world.  My Nanny lives in Newfoundland, and as of yesterday, is 94 years old.  My choices for wishing her a happy birthday range from a phone call, a skype call on her ipad, or posting it on her Facebook page.  Perhaps it’s a faux-pas to tell a lady’s age… but reaching 94 with a razor sharp mind, surrounded by loving family is a badge of honour that should be shouted from the rooftops, if you ask me.

I am certainly not surprised to hear that she had so many birthday calls yesterday from family across the country that by the night time her voice was hoarse.  This, of course, was following a birthday celebration on the weekend, and a Facebook page filled with birthday wishes.

When I think of all the changes she has witnessed in the world, from world crises to leaps in technology, I have to wonder if perhaps one of the secrets to a long life is being able to change with the times.  And to have lots of grandkids… and even more great grandkids.

With one of the most common life values being family, let’s imagine that life purpose can be measured by how many people we bring into the world.  This means that with 8 children (7 of whom are alive),16 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and another 3 on the way – she is the pinnacle of a life full of purpose.

A few months ago, Nanny flew to Halifax, and I jumped at the chance to go home with Ethan and Audra.  How could I miss the opportunity to spend time with our family matriarch now that they are old enough to remember? (And flying to Halifax is much easier and cheaper than flying to Newfoundland)

Upon asking Ethan and Audra what comes to mind when they think about Nanny, here is what they said:

  • She makes good bread 
  • She loves to knit 
  • She loved to talk to us (With a memory as sharp as a tack, and a gift for the gab, there was never a shortage of conversation)
  • She recently found out what an ipad is, and how to use it. We think that’s pretty cool for someone who is 94. 
  • Most of the time she sat in the same rocking chair looking at her great-grandchildren (often while knitting) 
  • She had lots of fun watching her great-grandchildren dance. (To songs that included “I’m sexy and I know it”, which I thought was funny considering how strict she reportedly was while my mom was growing up)

I had the best visit I’ve ever had with my Nanny. I got great pleasure out of watching my kids sit and chat with her, excitedly try on their new knitted goods, dance for her, and simply enjoy her company.  She was like a magnet, drawing the company of her young great-grandkids to her throughout the weekend.  And on her end, it seemed as though she got younger every day.  Her energy was amazing, as if the love and antics of being surrounded by 5 young children was feeding her full of life.  (which I’m sure it was)

As I said at her 90th birthday celebration a few years ago:  I see all of the things she does as acts of love.  Nanny bread fills you up with more than just calories; and Nanny mittens keep you warmer.

My memories of our Easter weekend spent with her will warm me and fill me up for years to come.  It just feels right right that my children will have lifelong memories of their Nanny from Newfoundland.  They are memories full of happiness and simplicity, with family time as the central theme.  So fitting.

We love you, Nanny!!