March Break and Maple Syrup Season

Last week was "March Break" for my girls - the week-long spring vacation students look forward to shortly after returning to school from Christmas holidays.  My mother took the week off work to stay with us for a few days and to spend some quality time with the girls.  She has been doing this for the past five years.  The girls and I look forward to it every year.  If you followed my blog this time last year, you will already know that.

One of the highlights of the week was our trip to Shaw's Maple Syrup Bush.  March is maple syrup season! As soon as the sap starts flowing, a visit to the farm is always in order.  After all, it's tradition!

My mom and I outside the pancake house...

My girls...can you tell they're happy to be here?

At the far end of the restaurant is this beautiful wood-burning stove.  It kept us warm and cozy throughout our breakfast!

Three generations of girls having breakfast together! Nuno's missing; he's the one behind the camera.

Pancakes, sausage and fresh maple syrup.  YUM!

This is the machine where all the maple sap is boiled.  Can you see the steam coming out of the open lid?  Inside, the sap is boiling and when it's finally ready, the maple syrup is released into the stainless bin below.

After our breakfast, the girls made their own maple taffy on snow.

Annabel gets a little help from daddy...

Our last stop was the gift shop, where my mom generously purchased a big jug of fresh maple syrup for us to take home.

Here is a photo of my girls with grandma on her last day before returning home.   My mom's March break visits are always so special.  We had fun hanging out every day, eating breakfast, lunch and dinner together, going shopping, and thrift store hunting. I miss our daily coffee outings, talks, and the extra help in the kitchen.  She is very dear to me, so when it's time to say goodbye, it's always difficult.  But, even so, I look forward to doing it all over again next year!   

Pretty smile...

Celebrating March Break With Mom & Daughters

It's Friday, the last day of March Break.  The girls and I have had an awesome week filled with sunshine, fun and adventures.  If you're a regular reader of my blog, you probably already know that my Mother came to spend the March Break with us.  She has been staying with us every March Break since we left Toronto and moved to Barrie; four consecutive years now.  She left for home, early this morning, back to her daily life waiting for her in Toronto. 

As usual, we loved having my Mom stay with us for a few days.  How I treasure these special times we spend together.  However, the day she leaves is always a melancholy day for both of us.   It's just so difficult to say goodbye.  It would be so much easier to stay in bed and let her leave without saying goodbye, but how could I not bid her farewell?  I choose to face it straight on and think of all the good times we shared, because those memories supersede the sad goodbyes.

These are my mother's hands; the giving hands of my dear Mom.

And here she is, Rosa, my Mom.  Every time she comes to visit, she gladly mends our clothing items that need fixing.  She is responsible for most of the mending and sewing of buttons at our house.  I am spoiled, and because of this, I am plain useless with a needle and thread.

  This photo of the girls and my Mom was taken on Tuesday.  We went thrift shop browsing that afternoon and then we went for a walk by Lake Simcoe, in downtown Barrie.  If you look closely, you can see the lake behind the trees.

We were blessed with a wonderful weather week.  Temperatures were mild and Spring-like and most of our days were filled with sunshine and blue skies! 

 

Annabel wearing her newly mended top and new tutu!

A brisk, early morning walk to our local coffee shop.  And guess what?  We heard robins chirping!

Last night, the girls made a special card for my Mom to take home with her today. 


I found this sweet poem about Mothers and Daughters.  I loved it and I thought you would enjoy reading it also...

Moms and Daughters

by Anonymous

You can see it in their eyes, in tender hugs and long good-byes, a love that only moms and daughters know. You can see it in their smiles, through passing years and changing styles, a friendship that continually seems to grow. You can see it in their lives, the joy each one of them derives, in just knowing that the other one is there... To care and to understand, lend an ear or hold a hand, and to celebrate the memories they share.



Stay tuned for my next post.  I'll be sharing this week's visit to the Maple Syrup Farm!  It was way too much for just one post. 

Although it already feels like Spring here, I am looking forward to its official arrival in just four days!  Isn't that exciting?  Enjoy the beautiful weekend and count your blessings!  xoxo

 

Marching Ahead to Spring!

Counting down eleven more days...

On Wednesday morning, the temperature was mild and the sun was shining!

The sun didn't stay long, but the warm 10 degrees C held on for most of the day

There was a whole lot of melting going on!

This calls for a celebration!

Don't you think?

Bubbles, bubbles, everywhere!

There is so much to look forward to this week...

The girls are officially on March Break and will be on vacation from school until the end of next week.  Sunday, I am told, should be a sunny, warm day, which will hopefully melt the rest of our snow.  The weather station is predicting mild temperatures for the entire March Break.  AND, Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, so don't forget to "spring" forward! 

This weekend, my mom will be coming to stay with us for a few days.  The girls and I are so excited!  It's going to be a fun week.  I just know it!  Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and happy week ahead!  xo