autumn

Rose Blanche Lighthouse, Newfoundland

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Hints of autumn had been evident in small ways over the previous weeks - cooler breezes, fall rains and a shifting of colours in the landscape. However, it was on the drive to the Rose Blanche lighthouse that we noticed how autumn colours dressed the hills and valleys, bright pops of orange and red against yellow and blue.

The Rose Blanche lighthouse was originally built in 1871 and restored in 1999. The day was gorgeous as we toured the granite lighthouse and surrounding rocky coastline. The sun shone brilliantly, reflecting off the water like diamond sparkles, the sky and ocean differing shades of blue.

Beach Days: Codroy Valley Provincial Park, Point Rosee and JT Cheeseman Provincial Park, Newfoundland

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The final days of September were spent on the beach, soaking in the warming rays of glorious fall sunshine. It wasn’t swimming weather. It could have been, I suppose, but we opted to walk the beaches barefoot and loll about on the warm sand instead. Over the course of several days we visited three different beaches: Codroy Valley Provincial Park, Point Rosee and JT Cheeseman Provincial Park. What splendidly luxurious and relaxing days!

Codroy Valley Provincial Park

Point Rosee

JT Cheeseman Provincial Park

A fall day in Montreal

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Montreal is a city that we always travel through or around without ever taking the time to stop and visit. Mostly, I think, because it's too close to home and when we're on a road trip heading east the goal always seems to be to drive as far as possible on the first day.  So when the opportunity arose a few weeks ago to spend several hours in the city, we started planning our adventure. Shortly after we arrived, however, it became clear that we weren't going to be able to visit even a fraction of the places on our list - the city was too big and beautiful.  It would take days, if not weeks, to fully tour this historic, interesting and vibrant place.

We decided to explore the area known as Old Montreal on foot, walking the cobblestone streets through the market, past old stone buildings and gorgeous storefronts to the Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal. The interior of the Basilica was stunning and well worth the modest entrance fee. Afterwards, we wandered down to the waterfront, along Quai Jacques-Cartier - where the fall colours were starting to appear - ending at Terrasse Bonsecours, as a golden sunset turned the city aglow.

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Thanksgiving

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A time to be thankful - for friends, family and all that life has to offer. 

Mushrooms stuffed with cheese and peppers and wrapped in bacon

Caprese salad

Chocolate mousse cake

Lemon cheesecake