I’ve got a gaggle of girls in my house today. This afternoon, Mouse has 2 girls from her class over for a play date. In the car on the way home from school, they were all singing a song they learned at Halloween, and Baboo though only knowing the first line, was not to be left out, so she kept repeating it. I now think I’m a mean old witch with my hat, riding on my broom with my cat… I think I’ve been brain washed.
While they were eating lunch (a child’s buffet of grilled cheese, mac ‘n cheese, O noodle soup, apples, grapes and grape juice) they kept taking “polls”. One of the girls would YELL “Raise your hand if you like RAINBOWS!” and whip her hand into the air. Of course, the other girls would wave their hands as high as possible (cos, really, who DOESN’T like rainbows??) . They’d look at each other around the table, smile knowingly then yell… It’s UNANIMOUS!! ( A new word they learned at school recently).
Then Baboo enthusiastically raise her little hand up and yell after the big girls “It’s Hippopotamus!”
Close enough. I think I might have snorted some of my very grown-up pumpkin soup trying not to laugh.
Repeat for the yellow, blue, orange, green cups, kitties, and all things sparkly. Apparently, everyone hippopotamusly, I mean, unanimously loves these things.
I guess this is table conversation when you’re 5.
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
It All Adds Up To a Hill of Beans
No, really, it does. A hill of beans and a mountain of apples.
And you’re wondering what the HECK I’m talking about. I know you are. It’s ok, it’ll all become clear in a moment. Clear as mud.
Yesterday, we rounded up the neighbours (or rather, they rounded us up) and we headed out to a local apple orchard for their “kick off fall” festival. We met early, grabbed a wagon with 2 bushel baskets and headed down the rows to pick sweet galas, tender cortlands and tangy jonathans. It was sunny and pretty and warm. Not overly “fall like”, but still lovely regardless. We picked a peck of pretty apples. (haha) And tasted a few as well.
The kids did really well selecting some of the nicest apples, and of course loved being lifted to reach the highest branches. At one point, I lifted Mouse up to reach a particularly pretty red jonathan, and we came eye-to-eye with a “golden ticket” for a free caramel apple. Jackpot!
Of course, then the hunt was on to find enough for all the kids. We found enough and more to share, which was a super bonus. After we almost filled 1.5 bushels of apples, we moved on to play in the haystacks and corn maze. The girls rode the toy tractor and swung on the swings, surrounded by apple trees, farm houses and corn fields. It was idyllic.
We learned that the orchard offered u-pick green beans, and since us Lefty girls love us some green beans, (Hubster despises them with a passion), we loaded up with a ½ bushel basket and headed down the dirt road to where there is a pond surrounded by cattails and a tree. Seriously, those were the directions. The girl who was directing me told me it was about ½ a mile walk. She suggested we drive with the kids because it was so far away. And then she asked me if I knew what cattails looked like. And what green beans looked like. Oy.
Despite thinking it might be a bit of a distance, it was a lovely day and we decided to walk. We had 4 adults, a 5 year old, 4 year old and 2 year old. We were expecting a bit of a trek, and already had Baboo on our shoulders in anticipation of the ½ mile walk, when we rounded a corner, oh, 100 meters from the store. In the distance, about ½ mile away, we saw a green house and figured that the green bean field would be there. But then Hubster stops and says “Hey, cattails and a pond!” We looked to our left and there they were, with a tree and a hand painted sign pointing to “Green Beans” just past the pond. It took us all of 3 minutes to get there. Certainly way less than ½ a mile. We all laughed in relief as we realized that a) we didn’t have to walk any further in the hot sun and b) we did NOT go through the hassle of trudging back to the car, putting kids in and out of car seats and crossing traffic to go 100 meters.
The beans were plentiful and delicious. I felt like I could have taken more home, but didn’t. But now I’m wondering if I should have. Was 5 lbs REALLY enough?? It only cost $4. Seriously. We came home with an enormous bag of perfect green beans. I think we ate a pound of them in the field too.
After that, we had lunch at the orchard. How we had room after apples and green beans, I have no idea. But the brats were yummy and had had been cooked in fresh apple cider before being grilled. Then we had desert by tasting the contest apple pies, while sitting under the shade of an enormous oak tree in front of a pretty little farm house.
I know, it sounds like some weird country-bumpkin fantasy world, but it’s all true.
On the way out, we stopped and traded in our tickets for our fresh caramel apples. They were pretty tasty. And sticky.
We came home dusty, dirty, hot (it was over 80F), sneezy (from the hay), sticky and a bit sun-kissed, but satisfied with a beautiful and fun day spent with family and friends.
Today, the girls and I washed, sorted, chopped, blanched and steamed a bunch of beans for freezing. Then we sorted out our apples and made a pie that turned out pretty well. I felt like homesteader Suzy homemaker with all my homey “puttin’ up”. We had fresh steamed beans with our BBQ chicken and baked potatoes tonight. Divine. The girls and I vowed to put in beans in our little garden next summer. Maybe not a whole field worth, but definitely some.
I know that later this winter, when it’s cold and nasty, we can pull out some of these delicious beans just waiting to be devoured in our freezer, to have with our dinner and remember the fun day we had picking them.
And you’re wondering what the HECK I’m talking about. I know you are. It’s ok, it’ll all become clear in a moment. Clear as mud.
Yesterday, we rounded up the neighbours (or rather, they rounded us up) and we headed out to a local apple orchard for their “kick off fall” festival. We met early, grabbed a wagon with 2 bushel baskets and headed down the rows to pick sweet galas, tender cortlands and tangy jonathans. It was sunny and pretty and warm. Not overly “fall like”, but still lovely regardless. We picked a peck of pretty apples. (haha) And tasted a few as well.
The kids did really well selecting some of the nicest apples, and of course loved being lifted to reach the highest branches. At one point, I lifted Mouse up to reach a particularly pretty red jonathan, and we came eye-to-eye with a “golden ticket” for a free caramel apple. Jackpot!
Of course, then the hunt was on to find enough for all the kids. We found enough and more to share, which was a super bonus. After we almost filled 1.5 bushels of apples, we moved on to play in the haystacks and corn maze. The girls rode the toy tractor and swung on the swings, surrounded by apple trees, farm houses and corn fields. It was idyllic.
We learned that the orchard offered u-pick green beans, and since us Lefty girls love us some green beans, (Hubster despises them with a passion), we loaded up with a ½ bushel basket and headed down the dirt road to where there is a pond surrounded by cattails and a tree. Seriously, those were the directions. The girl who was directing me told me it was about ½ a mile walk. She suggested we drive with the kids because it was so far away. And then she asked me if I knew what cattails looked like. And what green beans looked like. Oy.
Despite thinking it might be a bit of a distance, it was a lovely day and we decided to walk. We had 4 adults, a 5 year old, 4 year old and 2 year old. We were expecting a bit of a trek, and already had Baboo on our shoulders in anticipation of the ½ mile walk, when we rounded a corner, oh, 100 meters from the store. In the distance, about ½ mile away, we saw a green house and figured that the green bean field would be there. But then Hubster stops and says “Hey, cattails and a pond!” We looked to our left and there they were, with a tree and a hand painted sign pointing to “Green Beans” just past the pond. It took us all of 3 minutes to get there. Certainly way less than ½ a mile. We all laughed in relief as we realized that a) we didn’t have to walk any further in the hot sun and b) we did NOT go through the hassle of trudging back to the car, putting kids in and out of car seats and crossing traffic to go 100 meters.
The beans were plentiful and delicious. I felt like I could have taken more home, but didn’t. But now I’m wondering if I should have. Was 5 lbs REALLY enough?? It only cost $4. Seriously. We came home with an enormous bag of perfect green beans. I think we ate a pound of them in the field too.
After that, we had lunch at the orchard. How we had room after apples and green beans, I have no idea. But the brats were yummy and had had been cooked in fresh apple cider before being grilled. Then we had desert by tasting the contest apple pies, while sitting under the shade of an enormous oak tree in front of a pretty little farm house.
I know, it sounds like some weird country-bumpkin fantasy world, but it’s all true.
On the way out, we stopped and traded in our tickets for our fresh caramel apples. They were pretty tasty. And sticky.
We came home dusty, dirty, hot (it was over 80F), sneezy (from the hay), sticky and a bit sun-kissed, but satisfied with a beautiful and fun day spent with family and friends.
Today, the girls and I washed, sorted, chopped, blanched and steamed a bunch of beans for freezing. Then we sorted out our apples and made a pie that turned out pretty well. I felt like homesteader Suzy homemaker with all my homey “puttin’ up”. We had fresh steamed beans with our BBQ chicken and baked potatoes tonight. Divine. The girls and I vowed to put in beans in our little garden next summer. Maybe not a whole field worth, but definitely some.
I know that later this winter, when it’s cold and nasty, we can pull out some of these delicious beans just waiting to be devoured in our freezer, to have with our dinner and remember the fun day we had picking them.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Winding Down
We’re still at “Rural Canadian Cottage”, at least for a few more days. I think. The girls and I have been away from home for almost 3 weeks and I’m starting to feel my head switch back into “home” mode. Next week will be a busy week, after a 2 day drive home that I’m NOT looking forward to. However, I do want to get home, so it’s one of those necessary things. Hubster is missing us something fierce and wants us home. I know that when we once we’re home, we’ll be in the downward spiral towards fall and school. It’s already half way through July. How is that possible? Time seems to be passing so, so quickly.
This has been an interesting trip. In the first leg, as I mentioned before, we were visiting with family and celebrating Hubster’s Mom’s 60th birthday in our hometown, where Hubster and I grew up, went to school together, met and were married. We had a great time catching up with family and the few close friends that are still around. It was weird to be back. It felt familiar and strange at the same time. Things have not changed much in the 10 years since we’ve moved away, but it definitely doesn’t feel like “home” any more.
Then the girls and I headed up to my family’s cottage, a place I’ve been coming to during the summers since before I was born. (Yes, this is possible because my Mum came up when she was pregnant with me. So there). My Dad grew up here as well. There’s history and memories and despite the fact that things have changed pretty dramatically (we have more sleeping space, indoor plumbing (whohoo!)) and the whole place while still structurally the same, has morphed into a “new” place. It’s fun and comfortable and I’m glad to have it to share with my girls. They love being here. Swimming in the lake, going for ice cream in town, playing badminton, going for boat rides and fishing, and having chipmunks eat right out of your hand. It feels wholesome and good.
Local "Zippy" chipmunk. Will beg for peanuts. Or climb on your shoe. Or take it out of your hand.
And I turned 35. So, I guess I’m on the downhill slope to 40. I suppose at some point I should start feeling my age. My head has caught up to about 25ish, I think. I’m always surprised to think of how “OLD” I am. And as far as I can tell, my arms haven’t gotten any shorter. (thought, I’m sure my hair is greyer). I ended up with 3 cakes (since coming north, not all in the same day) to celebrate my special day, a chance to sleep in, some fun presents and a “party” put on by Mouse and my Mum and my Dad did a fireworks show off the dock for me. I rang in 35 with a literal BANG! All in all, a good transition to almost middle age. Ha.
Spice Cake (my fav) made by Mouse and Mum
Cool fireworks effect.
I’ve been really fortunate to get a lot of time to visit this trip. Visit with extended family, friends, my Grandfather (who didn’t remember me, but that’s ok), catch up Aunts and Uncles I don’t get to see often, see my little brother and meet his wonderful finance. This is all good for me. I feel like it fills me up and connects me to the life I don’t get to mesh with very often living so far away.
I always catch up on my favourite “food” while I’m up North, by which I mean crap food. Cadbury chocolate, Coffee Crisp, Smarties, Dare Real Fruit Gummies, Voortman Flakie Pastries. Mmmm. And I SWEAR that Kraft dinner (which I can barely stand the smell of at home) tastes better here as well. And my Dad BBQs a mean steak. I’m going home with some “work” do to. A lot of walking. Oy.
The weather has been way less than stellar this whole trip. Cold, rainy, windy with just a few sunny, warm days thrown in just to keep you optimistic that tomorrow will be better. I wonder what happened to summer! And while the girls have done very, very, VERY well with all of the moving around, visiting, travel, transition stuff, its’ life on the road for us. Its’ late bedtimes, off schedules, weird eating (if any at all). I think I’ve handled things pretty well and I’ve had a lot, A LOT of help from many people, its’ hard being Mom when I’m away. It’s my life in a different place but without all the things I’m used to. I love to travel and enjoy being in different places, but at heart I’m a homebody and like my space.
So after almost 3 weeks, we’re wearing down and chomping at the bit to get home. But it makes me feel like I’m not appreciating and taking advantage of the time we have here. It’s gone by so fast, but at the same time makes me feel like we’ve been away for AGES. It’s a travel time-warp. However, I know the last few days will fly by and we’ll be crash landing back into real life before we know it.
This has been an interesting trip. In the first leg, as I mentioned before, we were visiting with family and celebrating Hubster’s Mom’s 60th birthday in our hometown, where Hubster and I grew up, went to school together, met and were married. We had a great time catching up with family and the few close friends that are still around. It was weird to be back. It felt familiar and strange at the same time. Things have not changed much in the 10 years since we’ve moved away, but it definitely doesn’t feel like “home” any more.
Then the girls and I headed up to my family’s cottage, a place I’ve been coming to during the summers since before I was born. (Yes, this is possible because my Mum came up when she was pregnant with me. So there). My Dad grew up here as well. There’s history and memories and despite the fact that things have changed pretty dramatically (we have more sleeping space, indoor plumbing (whohoo!)) and the whole place while still structurally the same, has morphed into a “new” place. It’s fun and comfortable and I’m glad to have it to share with my girls. They love being here. Swimming in the lake, going for ice cream in town, playing badminton, going for boat rides and fishing, and having chipmunks eat right out of your hand. It feels wholesome and good.
Local "Zippy" chipmunk. Will beg for peanuts. Or climb on your shoe. Or take it out of your hand.
And I turned 35. So, I guess I’m on the downhill slope to 40. I suppose at some point I should start feeling my age. My head has caught up to about 25ish, I think. I’m always surprised to think of how “OLD” I am. And as far as I can tell, my arms haven’t gotten any shorter. (thought, I’m sure my hair is greyer). I ended up with 3 cakes (since coming north, not all in the same day) to celebrate my special day, a chance to sleep in, some fun presents and a “party” put on by Mouse and my Mum and my Dad did a fireworks show off the dock for me. I rang in 35 with a literal BANG! All in all, a good transition to almost middle age. Ha.
Spice Cake (my fav) made by Mouse and Mum
Cool fireworks effect.
I’ve been really fortunate to get a lot of time to visit this trip. Visit with extended family, friends, my Grandfather (who didn’t remember me, but that’s ok), catch up Aunts and Uncles I don’t get to see often, see my little brother and meet his wonderful finance. This is all good for me. I feel like it fills me up and connects me to the life I don’t get to mesh with very often living so far away.
I always catch up on my favourite “food” while I’m up North, by which I mean crap food. Cadbury chocolate, Coffee Crisp, Smarties, Dare Real Fruit Gummies, Voortman Flakie Pastries. Mmmm. And I SWEAR that Kraft dinner (which I can barely stand the smell of at home) tastes better here as well. And my Dad BBQs a mean steak. I’m going home with some “work” do to. A lot of walking. Oy.
The weather has been way less than stellar this whole trip. Cold, rainy, windy with just a few sunny, warm days thrown in just to keep you optimistic that tomorrow will be better. I wonder what happened to summer! And while the girls have done very, very, VERY well with all of the moving around, visiting, travel, transition stuff, its’ life on the road for us. Its’ late bedtimes, off schedules, weird eating (if any at all). I think I’ve handled things pretty well and I’ve had a lot, A LOT of help from many people, its’ hard being Mom when I’m away. It’s my life in a different place but without all the things I’m used to. I love to travel and enjoy being in different places, but at heart I’m a homebody and like my space.
So after almost 3 weeks, we’re wearing down and chomping at the bit to get home. But it makes me feel like I’m not appreciating and taking advantage of the time we have here. It’s gone by so fast, but at the same time makes me feel like we’ve been away for AGES. It’s a travel time-warp. However, I know the last few days will fly by and we’ll be crash landing back into real life before we know it.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Rest In Peace
When we lived in Eastcoast-ville, the girls and I would walk to a nice playground about 15 minutes away a few times a week. We met many people there and in fact formed a playgroup of some of the best friends I’ve ever had in my life there.
There was one woman I didn’t get to know well, but I saw her or her children almost every time I was at the park. As Mom’s do at the park, when we’d see each other, we’d say hello and chat about our kids. A few times, we sat and talked while our kids played together. She had 2 kids; a boy and a girl; and truly they were great kids. As though its’ freeze-framed in my head, I can almost completely recall a conversation we had one sunny afternoon, munching cookies at the picnic table in the shade of the big oak tree, while our kids practiced hitting baseballs, at least 2 years ago. After that conversation I wished to have the chance to know her better. She was funny, smart, honest, sharp witted, opinionated (in a good way) and one of the most patient and kind mothers’ I’ve ever met.
She lived close to the park, so I’d see her often. We’d wave, I’d always say hi to her kids when I saw them but, we never really got the chance to connect again.
Then a friend, who knew her quite well, told me that she had had a rare throat cancer, but beat it. However, shortly after meeting her I learned that her cancer was back – in her hip. Then her liver, then it was gone. Then it came back and it was spreading fast and attacked her brain with a ferocity that took our breath away.
Before we moved, I had signed Mouse up to start preschool. It was a busy preschool that was filling up fast and I was hoping for a spot in a morning class. There was one spot that might have been available, so I was put on a waiting list. After talking to the director, she told me that the child’s mother whose spot we might be taking was very ill and they weren’t sure if he was going to be attending. I realized immediately who she was talking about and felt a little sick to know I could be taking her son’s spot.
After we moved I followed her treatment, care and progress on Care Pages. In October, she went home. She likely didn’t have much time left.
The other day I was thinking so strongly about her that I went to check her site, but there weren’t any updates. Though it broke my heart to do so, I Googled her name for an obituary. Again, I didn’t find anything.
This morning there is an email with an update from her husband. She passed away last night with her family and friends by her side.
Though I have already cried many times, for this woman I don’t know very well, and I don’t even know if she remembered me, I’m crying again this morning. My heart cries for her family. In sadness, it cries thinking of all they’ve been through this year; of all she’s had to endure. In unfairness, it cries thinking of 2 children without their mother. In relief, it cries because she’s not suffering any more. In frustration, it cries because it seems as though this world should not have lost this special person. And, selfishly (and guiltily), I’m looking at my girls and crying; knowing there are no guarantees.
Keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. Send them strength to get through the holiday and the weeks and months ahead.
Rest in peace, Laura. I hope you know your special spirit has touched many people’s lives.
There was one woman I didn’t get to know well, but I saw her or her children almost every time I was at the park. As Mom’s do at the park, when we’d see each other, we’d say hello and chat about our kids. A few times, we sat and talked while our kids played together. She had 2 kids; a boy and a girl; and truly they were great kids. As though its’ freeze-framed in my head, I can almost completely recall a conversation we had one sunny afternoon, munching cookies at the picnic table in the shade of the big oak tree, while our kids practiced hitting baseballs, at least 2 years ago. After that conversation I wished to have the chance to know her better. She was funny, smart, honest, sharp witted, opinionated (in a good way) and one of the most patient and kind mothers’ I’ve ever met.
She lived close to the park, so I’d see her often. We’d wave, I’d always say hi to her kids when I saw them but, we never really got the chance to connect again.
Then a friend, who knew her quite well, told me that she had had a rare throat cancer, but beat it. However, shortly after meeting her I learned that her cancer was back – in her hip. Then her liver, then it was gone. Then it came back and it was spreading fast and attacked her brain with a ferocity that took our breath away.
Before we moved, I had signed Mouse up to start preschool. It was a busy preschool that was filling up fast and I was hoping for a spot in a morning class. There was one spot that might have been available, so I was put on a waiting list. After talking to the director, she told me that the child’s mother whose spot we might be taking was very ill and they weren’t sure if he was going to be attending. I realized immediately who she was talking about and felt a little sick to know I could be taking her son’s spot.
After we moved I followed her treatment, care and progress on Care Pages. In October, she went home. She likely didn’t have much time left.
The other day I was thinking so strongly about her that I went to check her site, but there weren’t any updates. Though it broke my heart to do so, I Googled her name for an obituary. Again, I didn’t find anything.
This morning there is an email with an update from her husband. She passed away last night with her family and friends by her side.
Though I have already cried many times, for this woman I don’t know very well, and I don’t even know if she remembered me, I’m crying again this morning. My heart cries for her family. In sadness, it cries thinking of all they’ve been through this year; of all she’s had to endure. In unfairness, it cries thinking of 2 children without their mother. In relief, it cries because she’s not suffering any more. In frustration, it cries because it seems as though this world should not have lost this special person. And, selfishly (and guiltily), I’m looking at my girls and crying; knowing there are no guarantees.
Keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. Send them strength to get through the holiday and the weeks and months ahead.
Rest in peace, Laura. I hope you know your special spirit has touched many people’s lives.
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