My Happy Place

Yesterday I was looking through some photo's that we took at the weekend and this one really lifted my spirits.  Our life of late hasn't been without it's ups and downs, stresses and strains.  We have been hurt and disappointed with some personal and family issues and, for a while, these took their toll and they still do if I allow myself to dwell.  However, I looked at this picture and some others we took and I suddenly felt very grateful and lucky.  There are those who don't agree with how we choose to live our lives, and those who refuse to try and understand.  They can be hurtful.  But equally there are those who love us for who we are, and accept us, they understand and support us. They do not look at what we can give them, they especially don't expect us to give them what we don't have.  For these people in our lives I am grateful.  I am also now at peace with where we are, happy that we made the right choice and more determined to enjoy it all.  And with this right at your backyard gate...well who wouldn't count themselves lucky?

I love this little Northern Ontario Township!

Week 15 - 52 week project

first up this morning I decided to check in and catch up with blog posts, e-mails and so on.  My dear friend Lorrie had just posted her submission for week 15 - the 52 Week Project 2011 and I simply couldn't resist following suit...

 

Do hop over and have a read !  This is my entry dear Lorrie!  Now it isn't a true indication of the amount of snow we had because I am on the edge of my deck underneath the porch.  Had I waded out any further you would not be able to see my boots as the snow would be up to my knees!

Oh yes my lovelies read on do, for a true picture of life in the Great North!

This whole little exercise turned into something a little bigger this morning as I got snap happy with the camera!  I then raided my photo library for some shots of the back yard and so on taken from a similar position.  So here are some June 2010 shots alongside April 2011! 

You get the picture?

Only this Friday I sat outside on my deck at the picnic table watching several birds on the lawn, yes there is a lawn under there, basking in the warm sun.  I felt I more than deserved this little break, after all I had just written my column in record time AND submitted it to my Editor way before the 'close of play Friday deadline'.   "Articles should be relevant to Manitouwadge and written in a timely fashion" was my brief.  The Ed. doesn't want old news and neither do my readers, so I duly twittered on about the Spring, the garden, the imminent Big Spring Clean Up (an annual event here in the Wadge).  Low and behold look what happened next:  7 a.m. Saturday morning it started to snow, by lunchtime they had the snow plows out.  Around 4.30 p.m. said snow plow left a bank of snow some two and half feet high across my drive.  I was actually out so Lovely Man, who had been working since 7 a.m. had to clear said drive entrance so that I could get in on my return!  7 p.m. Saturday Evening, went out to supper.  Darned snow plow did the street where our friends live.  Lovely Man and New Best Friend shoveled another 2 foot bank of snow from another driveway so that all visitors could go home after supper!  8 p.m. Sunday evening, finally stopped snowing!

Oh and I just heard... forecast for this Wednesday... MORE SNOW!  Well color me silly!  Out of Sync Lorrie?  I should coco!

Sold out!

Well almost!  Yesterday I did my first ever craft fair.  I sold 8 of my twelve bags and had four enquiries for my silk keepsake books!  For some reason my red velvet xmas stockings and gift bags didn't tempt anyone at all.  I made these last minute to make things look a bit christmassy as it was a christmas craft fair, perhaps people are not so keen on this sort of stuff anymore?  Never mind! 

Earlier in the week we did Thunder Bay one last time before the winter really set in.  The road was really pretty this time! Last time we passed through Schreiber I was intrigued by a number of trees bent over, almost in a perfect arc, at the side of the road.  Our friends, who have lived here for years, explained that there was an ice storm a few years ago and this was the result!  Fascinating! The frozen 'waterfalls' on the rocks at the side of the road are pretty impressive too!

So this week really saw the arrival of winter with our first real snow of the season, although I guess by local standards this still isn't anything to get too excited about!  It dropped to about -18 yesterday then rose back up to about -10!  After the craft fair Lovely Man and I decided to take a walk in the snow.  Having been shut indoors for two days sewing I was eager to get out there.  So eager I did the usual 'grab your boots and coat and out the door' thing.  Note to self - choose something you think will be warm enough and add another layer underneath!  Although I am told we will acclimatize eventually.  It was a strange experience.  Wearing only thin brushed cotton jeans my thighs got real cold even though I was walking quite quickly.  Within minutes of being back indoors they were suddenly on fire!  At one point they were SO hot I considered taking a cold shower!  I did, however, manage to get some nice shots of the beach and lake - all frozen of course!

 

So today is lazy Sunday.  Cooked breakfast, a little tidying up and then a whole day just painting and maybe another little walk in the bush!  Have a great week all!

Early one morning..

just as the sun was rising...nope, sorry, no maidens singing just us two setting off for Thunder Bay!  We needed to drop off the garbage at the bear proof dumpster before heading off and it just happens to be right near the beach.  I simply couldn't resist taking this these photos of the lake.  It looked so peaceful and serene.  I feel SO lucky to live in such a beautiful place.

Lion Beach, Manitouwadge

So we set off for our two day shopping trip some 5 hours away! The views just got better and better

 

And better!

 

We found a lovely little B&B, called Kaylees, the rooms were spotless and the food was very good and at $65 per night for both of us all included, excellent value.  We shopped, and shopped some more.  We had our first chinese meal since we arrived!  We had our favorite ribs and wings at Swiss Chalet and generally had a jolly good time!  I have a hilarious story about our adventures in the latter diner which I will share...one day!  

My only regret?  Well, they always say you regret what you don't do, not what you do.  I planned to have a go at some night photography.  I packed spare batteries, camera, tripod and my trusty 'how to' books by Scott Kelby.  But...the first night it drizzled and I really didn't want to get my camera wet and the second night I was just SO shopped out I ate dinner, shopped some more and went back to the B&B where I fell asleep!  Never mind, another day - or night - as the case may be!  However, upon my return home I decided to catch up with my blogger pals.  Can you believe it?!  The lovely Cathy, who by the way, has got this night photography lark down to perfection, is only going to give away two of her wonderful photo's for free in a draw.  All you have to do is visit Cathy's Blog and leave a comment!  So. What are you waiting for?  Get on over there and check out her lovely blog!  Not only is Cathy a fab photographer she is also a great artist and has written a book.  One talented lady.

Sunday Stroll

Thankfully another sunny day!  Hydro One scheduled a power outage from 8 am till gone 3 pm so there was nothing for it but to take to the streets!!  Well actually we had to walk to the Friends Cafe for a hot drink!  So we went via the Perry Lake Walking Trail.  Some lovely views although I have to confess I was a little nervous as this end of town has had numerous sightings of bears!  We didn't come across any, thankfully!  I love the bears I just don't fancy meeting one face to face right now while they are trying to stock up for the big sleep!

Perry Lake Walking Trail

After coffee and a lovely Butter Tart we walked back through town and decided to take a hike along Wilroy Road, a bush road which runs from the beach up along the edge of the bush behind our garden and on down to Caramat Road which is the road to the landfill and beyond!  On the way up we stopped to see the two horses at the local stable.  I haven't got to know them or their owner yet but already have a plan to take the winter sleigh ride which they offer.

Wilroy Road

About 3.30 the power finally came back on and I finally got out my new sewing machine.  We now have net curtains in the kitchen!  And I am working on the lounge ones.  Yesterday we triple glazed our windows with this neat stuff.  You stick up this sheet of plastic with double sided tape to the window frame and then...you heat it up with a hairdryer!!  It sort of stretches and becomes invisible and more to the point it's supposed to make quite a difference to your heating bill!  Sounds good to me!