Rural Living

When we moved to our 25 acre property years ago,

 it came with a variety of topography. The property was originally part of a large farm and our acreage is where the cows used to  graze. Behind the house is the largest plot with approximately 20 acres of forest and wetlands. The house and lawn itself sits on 2 acres and to the west is a 3 acre field where hay grows.

As we are not actively farming, we decided to give back to the community and have offered the field to a local farm just north of us.  Each year, the farmer dutifully comes at the end of August to cut and bail the hay, which at that point has many weeds in it.  The farmer is at the stage where he is starting to enjoy his retirement, so has passed the reigns on to his grandson.  Most farmers try to get 2 cuttings from their fields, so this year was a First for us, as all the equipment rolled down our driveway yesterday!!

It was a 'tandem team'...one tractor cutting and the other bailing. 

It was a graceful coordinated effort!

'I am sure I can get just one more on there!' 

'Ok, I will have to carry one on the front!'

As the sun starting setting, they were all loaded up and ready to go!

There are going to be some happy cows this winter.

Tranquility

During this time of social distancing and self isolation, my trip to France to visit my sister was cancelled.  Having video chats with her and my nieces only slightly makes up for not seeing them in person.

On a bright note, living where I do, there are many places to escape the boredom and find a tranquil spot to enjoy nature.

We took advantage of that by taking a little drive in our 1953 MG TD, heading north to the Rideau Canal locks, where we had the majestic scenery all to ourselves.

  

Our first stop was Davis Lock.  It was so quiet with nobody around.

They trees were bursting with colourful buds!

Even though the locks were not in use by boaters,

 they were still gushing water 

We drove another 20 minutes north to Chaffey's Lock

Although it was very peaceful, it was sad to see that this horrible situation has forced us all to stop enjoying what the warm weather would be encouraging us to do....seeing friends and enjoying each other's company

Wishing everyone a safe and healthy spring. 

Algonquin Park - Autumn 2019

My husband and I belong to an antique British Car Club.  One of our members had been very generous with his time and organized a 'Fall Colour Tour' to Algonquin Provincial Park.  It was a meandering car trip, that took 3 days and 2 nights.

Here are some of the highlights of the trip!

Our car is the burgundy E type Jag

Local artists capturing the beauty of the area

If you have never been to Canada in Autumn,

 you certainly are missing one of the wonders of the world

Reminiscing 5

Staying with the theme of our family getting together to celebrate, in 2014, many family members gathered in Montreal for a momentous surprise birthday party for Belinda,

 organized by her daughter, Mackenzie.

After the initial surprise for Belinda by walking into the party, 'surprise' people were brought out to her one by one, which included me and Ken, Trish and her daughter Clementine,

 and Nica with her family, Mark & Meredith.

The moment that brought tears to everyone's eyes 

was when my Dad came into the room!

There were enough tears to fill the St. Lawrence river.

The party started and everyone had a super time.

Belinda, Clementine & Trish

Mackenzie also did a fantastic job with the wonderful food

Dad, Trish & Clem

As the party took place in October, those of us who were still in town,
went to visit the Atwater Market the next day,
where all of Mum's girls remember going shopping with her!

My niece, Madison

We were also able to spend a lovely afternoon
 with my mother's sister, Francine

(all the way from Belgium).

The family event was capped off the last day
with brunch at a local eatery. 

Of course, everyone ordered fruit salad...NOT!

(Isn't that lettuce under those strawberries??)

The crowning glory was a family photo for all of us to remember this wonderful time together!

Happy Easter everyone....enjoy your family, and make memories!

Reminiscing 4

Still in the old vault, I thought it would be fun to share a momentous event in the Dale family...the 30th wedding anniversary of my sister Trish & her husband Francois.

Pretty much the whole family from many countries gathered in the south of France to celebrate.

My paternal grandmother had lived in Najac, in the Averyron, where Trish & Francois met, married and still live nearby.

Trish thought it would be the perfect place to have a party, so found a huge house in a nearby village for us to gather.

Uncle Andy giving us a history lesson about the castle that guarded Najac in the 1300's

A house big enough for 20...

Sister Belinda (Trish, background)  and me deciding what to make for dinner for the crowd

Niece Mackenzie looking at the village from the top of the Chateau

A gathering of cousins

Granny's house (at the foot of the castle)

Dad and Belinda hamming it up

The gang gathers outside the church where the wedding ceremony took place

Uncle Andy and me having a moment

My aunt Nicole (who is my Paris hostess) and me

The happy family being feted

On our way back to Toulouse, 

we stopped to admire another medieval town Carcassonne

It was wonderful to see the whole family again!

Reminiscing 3

I decided to dig deep into the vault today

 to share my trip to France from 2006.

That was a long time ago, 

and I am sure you will agree that we haven't changed a bit!

The fun started with my birthday celebration 

at my favourite French restaurant, L'Entrecote

All they serve is Salad, Steak & Frites! (and their secret sauce) Yummo!

After a few days in Toulouse,

 we then headed to Cap d'Agde on the Mediterranean.

En route, we stopped in Trebes for lunch 

and I had to get my Cassoulet fix!

I shared a room with my lovely nieces 

Now this is what I call a Fish Platter!!

It was so fresh!!

Back in Toulouse, another favourite eatery 

was the local pizza restaurant; 

no longer in business :(

Best ever pizza!

I just love the narrow, little back streets of Toulouse

More memories coming up!