Seems we are paying for the amazing December we had by getting storm after winter storm these past weeks. Spring officially started weeks ago but it sure hasn't felt like it. The weather man is promising warm days later this week though...hopefully he can deliver.
In the meantime, a few pictures of spring to get us through the last (hopefully) days of snow and sleet.
Early April. More than a foot of snow covers the ground. The temperature has dropped well below freezing. The sun struggles to peak through dark skies and a winter storm hovers, not certain whether it's coming or going. The tide is rolling in and the waves roil and crash.
But...
The sauna is hot - and that means only one thing - it's time for the first swim of the year.
Photos from our drive out to Nova Scotia are here.
Life is life, no matter where you live. That's something I learned living abroad. If you live in any one place for a period of time, the excitement of the early days changes to a routine of living the everyday. The new becomes familiar. Work is, well, work. And at some point you need a break.
One of our favourite places to run away to while living in Switzerland was the Ticino region in the Alps, near the Italian border. This was especially true when the winter blues were dragging us down. A few hours on the train from snowy and grey Zurich and we would find ourselves in a quiet, charming town where we could relax. And breathe.
Two days to escape, to dream, to lose oneself for a moment before heading back to the real world.
Take the funicular to the 15th-century Santuario della Madonna del Sasso. Walk around for hours. Eat lunch on an outdoor patio in the company of two older gentlemen at a tiny restaurant high up the mountain. Watch the paragliders fly lazy rings through a brilliant blue sky.
Wander through old ruins and sit in peace in a chapel.
Trip along cobblestone streets.
Join the rest of the town at the waterfront in the evening.
Rise early in the morning and walk along the River Maggia to Ascona. Enjoy a caprese salad in a sun drenched restaurant along the waterfront. Or amazing pizza at Ristorante Seven.
Take the evening boat back to Locarno.
Watch the town lights twinkle across the water in the dark.
Santuario della Madonna del Sasso - Locarno, Switzerland
River Maggia - Ticino, Switzerland
Ascona - Ticino, Switzerland
Sit in the sunshine at a cafe with a cup of coffee in hand. Don't move for hours.
Marvel in the palette of colours - red, orange, pink, yellow. No, make that crimson, coral, maroon. Peach, apricot, tangerine. Blush, fuschia, rose. Buttercup, turmeric, mustard. And the blues - skies, water, boats. Azure, cobalt, cerulean, indigo.
Walk along the cliff path to Gandria. Enjoy the solitude. The quiet early morning mist.
Ramble through the olive groves, up and down paths created by farmers tending their crops for generations.
Listen to the gentle lap of water on the shore. Watch the rise and fall of boats.
Get lost in the maze of streets.
Take the afternoon boat back to Lugano.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Brussels and Belgium during this difficult time. Stay safe, my friends.
One weekend in June, our beautiful niece informed me that she was sleeping over at grandma's and grandpa's with me for the weekend. So we packed up her bag and off we went on a grand adventure. We visited the new building lot (read more here) and watched the tractor break ground. An exciting step in any new building project - it signals the beginning of something new!
We skipped down forest paths, planted seeds in the garden, jumped on the tree tent, climbed hills, trees and trailers, walked through fields where the grasses were as high as her shoulders and played in the mud and sand (shh - don't tell mom and dad).
Summer was just beginning - the trees and hills were still lush and green. Wildflowers bloomed. A storm rolled in later in the day, bringing rain and interesting cloud formations. I can't wait for summer to be here again!
Leveling the building lot
The kids almost always run or skip along this path - they rarely walk
At day's end
Life is always so busy. It seems that regardless of our personal life circumstances, there's never enough time to do all that needs to be done. The important matters of life, those that make us happy - our family, friends, hobbies, dreams - tend to take a back seat as we get caught up in the act of living the every day. Work. Chores. Bills.
It's not always easy to find the extraordinary moments that make life wonderful. The opportunities do exist - we just need to grab them as they arise. Sometimes the moments can be found in the every day - especially if we look for them or are open to them when they occur. The first flowers in spring, a beautiful sunset, the sounds of children's laughter, a quiet, peaceful moment.
At other times, we need to actively pursue the moments by understanding the elements of our dreams and chasing them. What makes you happy? Music? Slip on the headphones and listen to a few of your favourite pieces. Family? Find a way to carve out time with a loved one - free from distractions and worries. Gardening? Buy a new plant.
Our recent trip to Ottawa for Winterlude was a mixture of some of my favourite activities - spending time with family, travel and photography. We enjoyed every moment!
Last week's post with more photos can be found here.
At the Canadian War Museum, we learned about the contribution of Canadian women in the war effort during both world wars and how the lives of Canadian women changed as a result. The World War Women exhibit is on display until early April.
The other galleries told the story of Canadians at war from the First Peoples to present day. Canadian soldiers and cadets joined us to view the exhibits, which included a Mercedes limousine used by Hitler at Nazi rallies, paintings, artillery and aircraft, sculptures and so much more.
World War Women exhibit
Listening to news about the war on the radio
A Canadian cadet views The Battle of Courcelette painted by Louis Alexander Weirter, which depicts the ruined French town of Courcelette during the Battle of the Somme
Hitler's Mercedes limousine
Tanks in the LeBreton Gallery
Regeneration Hall - Lest we forget - N'oublions jamais
On our final morning, we enjoyed some of the activities of Winterlude, including zip lining and the ice slides. The trip wouldn't be complete without maple syrup lollipops rolled on the snow and poutine.
Maple syrup on a stick - rolled on ice
Poutine - of course
Ottawa in the winter is usually very cold but we had beautiful weather for our trip to Winterlude this year. It was so nice that many activities - like skating on the Rideau Canal - were closed due to the unseasonably warm weather. Despite this, we packed a lot into our three day visit.
A stop at Byward Market is a must - if only for a quick coffee and pastry at Le Moulin de Provence, a bit of shopping or people watching.
The National Gallery was showing works by Monet but we didn't get a chance to visit this time. We did stop at the Maman spider sculpture for a few pictures.
We enjoyed Beavertails at Confederation Park - a must eat at Winterlude. We walked around to view the many ice sculptures - many of which were cracked or had melted because of the warm weather.
Hanging out with Oscar
The Viking Exhibition at the Canadian Museum of History is definitely worth checking out - it's on until the middle of April. The kids enjoyed being quizzed by museum staff about the Vikings - there was a lot to see and learn.
Viking game
Viking jewelry
Viking skull
