First snowfall of the season and what we did with it.....

I instagrammed everything and had some fun...

Currently..... Christmas

This Christmas was another green one, much to my childrens disgust. But despite the lack of the white stuff and the punishingly warm temps we managed it. There was a lack of Christmas crackling logs on the fire as it was way too warm for that on the big day and absolutely no reindeer tracks on a white roof but it was a festive and merry event.

But first... backing up a bit to a couple of weeks ago when I discovered Instagram and got this shot:

Which got me to thinking and resulted in this hair cut (for the season ya know):

Instagram also featured in our Christmas walk around Oakfield park and enabled me to get a picture of Duke that shows his coat colours way better than before;

Our Christmas living room;

My youngest rocking the polar bear onesie on Christmas morning;

It was a polar bear event:

According to the weather network its going to snow today, so I am waiting for the commencement of this event to see if it will require the use of the snowblower thats currently resting its heels in the garage.

November cookie exchange

Still waiting for it to get truly cold, it rained today so there's mud everywhere which is horrid. It's been hard to get the motivation required to get Christmas off the ground this year and I am sure that's weather related.
Tomorrow I am at a cookie exchange which was a great idea three weeks ago when I signed up for it, not so great this morning. The prospect of whipping up 6 dozen cookies broke me out in a cold sweat, but Pinterest prevailed and today I discovered the beauty of cake mix and Kool whip and peppermint chocolate chips. Voila I have managed 6 different cookies and impressed myself actually.
I had some help to be honest, Lily hung around and got involved which turned it into a great afternoon.

M&M and confetti cookies

 Peppermint and white chocolate bark

Lemon crinkle cookies

My little sous chef

Oh and I discovered how incredibly easy it is to make fudge too - go me!

And then I went to the barn and hung out with the cuddliest horse on the planet:

Here's one from September with his pal Tommy, they are a funny pair:

I know I will regret this statement come mid February - but here goes - "bring on the snow!", it looks all kinds of wrong to have a lit snowman on the lawn when its still green. There its out in the Universe now!!!

my trip to England

Its raining outside - buckets! But its warm, at 12C I think its one of the warmest November 13th I have seen since moving to this spot on the planet.
I feel thankful that I have a window at work, the sound of the rain against the glass is soothing (although frankly it can stop by the time I need to leave work, please and thankyou)

So I had a week in England recently and it was pretty nice actually.
It was warm.
People know how to drive and I mean they know. I zipped around in a Kia Piccanto and navigated narrow streets and congestion pretty expertly if I say so myself. This is entirely due to the way English drivers conduct themselves and also due to my traffic jam attitude of "lets bypass the time of sitting here by gazing around at my surroundings" - namely the English countryside outside of Arundel - its beautiful there. (And I really miss stiles and footpaths and I was stuck right next to one - happy days).

I took in (in awe) the 89p price for 2 litres of milk at Asda (how are farmers feeding their cows?) and the 3 pounds for a bottle of wine - 3 pounds!!!
And it wasnt any old wine either, this is wine I would happily drink and did!
I discovered too that I had forgotten the depths of English bath tubs differ to Canadian ones. I nearly broke my leg stepping down way further than I had expected when getting out and taking a slide across the floor.

I ate way too much chocolate and spent way too much time getting lost. It was a case of "yes I can drive to Lingfield, absolutely" and then the realization that I can no longer remember which village is which and there is some distance between Lingfield, Cuckfield, Ditchling and Faygate. I had to resort to GPS and then I couldnt easily recall the best and fastest routes. I was a true tourist in my home country.

So back to here in Nova Scotia. Its raining, its warm, its windy and I am wondering if having winter tires put on in October (new ones too) was the smartest choice.

Halloween and my Fitness pal - yes they dont have to be mutually exclusive....

So I have failed dismally at really enjoying Halloween at its finest. I didn’t make toffee apples, I didn’t dress up (walking around in my Wonder Woman onsie under my winter jacket doesn’t count when you have short blonde hair!) I didn’t make my children amazing outfits and I didn’t manage to watch a Halloween horror movie – AT ALL!

I have come to the realization that my horror movie options are a tad limited. I cant do these new fangled ones with “jump scenes”, I can’t do chase, I cant do gore, I can barely do paranormal and that’s limited to pots and pans moving around on their own and absolutely does not include scenes of people twisted into abnormal grotesque shapes as they fight off some demon. I cant watch anything that suggests that 3am is a dangerous time to suddenly and for no reason wake up at night…

I decided to watch The Conjuring as it had almost 5 stars but sensibly opted to check out the trailer on you tube first. I didn’t make it through. Waaay too freaky for me.

So with a lack of easy to watch Halloween horrors on Netflix I gave up. Nothing on there that I can deal with. No Poltergeist, no original Amityville (the new one is hideous), no Scream, no Jeepers creepers, no Stephen King anywhere at all….

Girls were happy though, they came home with an abundance of sugar and fat laden treats that now mock me because I am not allowed them. I have decided to have a “good” November so that I can enjoy December (in a conservative eating fashion admittedly but still EAT without too much guilt tacked on)

We are now on November 3^rd. 3 days in and I am updating my Fitness Pal religiously and climbing stairs at work like theres no tomorrow. I am embracing the 10 minute brisk walk from where my car is parked to the office and back (so 4 lots of that trip each day – get in!) and trying to ignore my inner voice that pipes up that its easy NOW of course as its not actually what one would call “cold” yet. I gleefully complete each day on that bit of software and its promised me each day so far that “if every day were like this you would lose like 10 pounds in 4 weeks” Now this all sounds good but I have in fact seen this before and I think it lies frankly to keep you going. Still that completion each day is still something to look forward to.

Watch this space... I am hoping to be able to report in at the end of this month that this time it told the truth.

early October in this house

I am writing this whilst staring at the trio of baby pumpkins on the dining room table. The remains of this bad boy are also in my line of vision (the remains equals the cupcake case btw)

I know I should have ironed the place-mats but on a good weather Thanksgiving weekend who has the time?

Its been a good one. The weather has been ace - today is REALLY warm and has allowed me to go and see to the horse, go for a 10km bike ride and walk the dogs. I needed all that exercise frankly to enable me to snarf that cake down.

So a mini update:

Loving - the weather, my new boots, pumpkin pancakes
Wanting - Starbucks pumpkin spice latte - that desire started last week but there is no Starbucks on the west coast of Newfoundland (where I was) - FML

Feeling - tired still from the whistle stop tour of the West Coast and the boat ride that got me there. The overnight one where I got no sleep and suddenly decided that I had a fear of being on a boat.

Sunrise at Port aux Basque as we arrived (it was mighty early!)

Watching - Blood and Oil - new awesome series on CTV and Quantico (that had all the makings of something good but so far the jury is out) oh and the new series of Nashville.
Wondering - if I will ever be in a position to own a home in Florida (one can dream on right?!!)
Knowing - that I could never ever ever ever ever live in the UK again. If I had to I dont think I would ever get over it.
Enjoying - evenings in the hot tub. The weather is perfect for it.
Re-finding - my love of running. Its a slow return but by jove its a return!!!
Changing - the house slowly to Fall. I managed to change around the living room to red

fall weekend day

It's been a gorgeous Sunday. A typical Fall day here in Nova Scotia and I got some photos of our road, which I love.

I managed to spend some quality time with Ace, with my friend ( yeah whilst grocery shopping but that still counts right?) and walking the dogs. I feel kind of sad still that Autumn is now here, I am just not ready. I don't want to let go of summer yet.

Raining and the love of horses

It's raining, like a goodun outside and I love the sound. Last night it was hot still at 10pm and the wind was as Chloe put it "roaring" outside.
For someone who wants to be a meteorologist she really doesn't like any extreme of wind or rain, that could be a deal breaker in that kind of career... Anyway, the windows were open all night as I insisted on it and it was great.
It went on all night and now it's rained all day, it's raining now as I write this, the tap tap tap against the side of the house.

I managed to get up to the barn this evening to a bunch of wet horses. No riding this evening but just being there was truly enjoyable. I saw this earlier and it's one of many very true little ditties... I think I have experienced everything in there including the crazy horses.....

September

It almost nearing the end of September and so heres a quick run down:

Feeling - definitely cooler at night although the days are still lovely and warm. I would say its now crisp at night, yes thats the best word for it.

Listening to - Taylor Swift 1989 - I love it, I think its my guilty pleasure. Especially Wildest Dreams.

Into - overnight oats for breakfast, the current fav is apples, sultanas, cinnamon and greek yoghurt with chia seeds (I am SO healthy!) and coconut almond milk. I read earlier that the second ingredient in that milk is actually sugar so I am thinking of returning to an old love - Silk Soya milk after finding out that it is in fact not actually dangerous for me.

Working - too hard on budgets, I love budgets but I am not a fan of cramming it all into one week, it removes some of the love....

Craving - nothing actually, I just had to think about that and I figured that if I have to think that hard then there cant actually be anything although I would rather love a good nights sleep right now.

Wishing for - a return to running. I miss it and the pounds have crept back on. I need to get my shit back together and make a return.

Enjoying - the world of horses again. I love the being at the barn at night with the smells, the sounds, the ambience. Being able to get a great response from a horse when you ask him to do something, having a great ride where you achieve something together, theres no feeling like it.

Appreciating - my children, I am so lucky to have them.

Waiting for - Nashville to return tonight, the DVR is set as its on way too late for me and then Blood and Oil starts this weekend and something called Quantico that looks wildly exciting. Its the return to Fall TV shows and they had better live up to all the advertising hype.

Wondering if - the pumpkin in the fridge will be ok to make into pumpkin pancakes on saturday morning when its sat there all week. The pumpkin pancakes rock!

A couple of photos from a few weekends ago, we were getting ready to go out to an English tea party

And the latest one of our house, note the leaves are still green, long may they stay on the trees....

Ace and the girls

We had a great horse weekend and introduced Ace to Lauren, Chloes friend. They had a great time hanging out with him and I loved watching them all interact.
I think it was the last of the hot weekends though, we had to close the windows last night as its cooled down considerably at night. I think summer is finally say "Au revoir"

Hubby away in the UK

Hubster has been in the UK for almost a week now hanging out with his family, my dad and our almost family Angie. Hes eaten a variety of Brit food and I have been wildy jeaous but hes promised to bring back the French fancies and bakewell tarts ( but no aromatic crispy duck - I wish we could figure out a way for that one). Today he had lunch with my dad in this place:
The Friars Oak in Hassocks

And I suddenly felt an overwhelming longing to be there too. I have driven past this place since I was a little girl and of course spent time there. I even went so far as to lookup houses for sale on Rightmove. That was shortlived! All hideously expensive, too small, no land blah blah blah under $1m
There was one place that was going for GBP357k that was on a main road, too small and in dire need of renovation. Who needs it?!! And they dont have a proper summer. I got over it. (or a proper winter for that matter) But their spring is hard to beat...I will give the British Isles that.

So he comes home bearing goodies tomorrow and the girls cant wait. I have heard on more than 10 occasions how much they miss daddy and that "its not the same"
Of course it isnt. I have been in a state of mild aggravation all weekend because I just cant sit and do nothing as theres too much laundry, dishes, meals to cook, cleaning up to do, dog hair to remove and dogs to walk. And then of course we spend waaaay too much time at the barn because its so lovely there but it eats into all my time to do all the above.
I take my hat off to all the single parents, those with partners that work away or are in the military and those married to lazy asses. I dont know how you do it!

Quick weather update - still warm, it has a feels like 30C today although its horribly overcast out there and its rained all weekend so that back garden is back to being a bog, happy days,

Is Fall on its way already?

This last week has seen a marked differnece in the weather. In the day there is still overwhelming heat but the humidity is not so intense and its cooler at night. This means of course that darling hubby is back sleeping upstairs and I need to actually make an effort in the morning now with my appearance.
Its also going back to school week so the girls are bringing the out of control bedtime routine back down to normal, under duress of course but we have a plan.
Last night I imposed the 10pm lights out. This had been agreed in advance with the whippersnappers but was of course met by grumbles. They were out for the count within moments. High five for good parenting to me.
Tonight I am bringing it right down to shock horror 9.30pm! And tomorrow night too. And then on Wednesday night they will be in a normal bedtime for school routine. Wish me luck.

These cooler evening temps mean a return to the hot tub. This is rather nice. I love that its dark at 8.15pm now ( I know, I am weird) but the windows are still open , the crickets are still making a racket and I can put all my scentsy lamps on and actually see the ambience again.

Chloe is all about Fall, shes already making plans for chicken pot pie and Fall wardrobe choices. I am not 100% there yet even though I like the darker evenings. I am in no way racing back to cooler temps (you know COLD temps with frost and woolies and dare I say it SNOW) As far as I am concerned what we have right now can hang around for another couple of months, I still have beach plans.

Below are some pics from our weekwed tubing, it was rather fab, especially the slow fly by of the bald eagle.
We are go for launch:

He sat and watched us as we floated by:

 Lily and I:

 Goodbye Mr Eagle:

Pedestrians and fog

So the other day I went on a tirade about the thrills and spills of being a driver here. Yesterday I was a pedestrian out for a stroll and this is what was fun about it.
I stopped at a crosswalk like the responsible adult I am always harping on about and waited for the driver of the first car to spot me before I crossed. It flew by. So glad I didnt move. By the time the next four cars had also driven through the crosswalk at speed I began to "get it" - the pedestrians point of view. So for some drivers "does one have to step out to be acknowledged as wanting to cross?"
Is this why seasoned pedestrians here just walk out and ignore the screeching brakes?
Is there a war between drivers and pedestrians here? The "I have the right of way" war? The "one hates the other" kind?

Lets compare it the UK where I spent most of my life. There the car has the right of way. Pedestrians have to wait for lights to cross or choose the "stop, wait,look and listen" at any place on any road - not anything with 6 lanes of course as that would be stooopid!
Then they can cross when its clear or when a friendly driver stops for them and that happens a lot.
If on the other hand they dare to step out into traffic without that friendly driver wave they are immediately cussed at, glared at or in fact, driven at. I think this is a UK scare tactic and its very effective.

So -whats better?
Personally I prefer the UK way but maybe thats because thats what I am used to. The "friendly driver wave" or flash of headlights (same meaning) is everywhere. You never have to wait long to cross. Its certainly easier for the drivers as no one really jumps out in front of you unless they are nutty and have a death wish.


Outside its hot today, bright hot sunlight with an intense fog bank out in the water, its all a little surreal and rather cool, here are some pictures I just took at lunchtime:

 Container ship rolling past in the fog bank

 Fog bank off the harbour walk

This is the waterfront warehouse, where we sat in June 2010 and discussed moving to Nova Scotia, here we are (my babies were so little then):

And, from last night - Ace and I (hes so big we need a selfie stick)