The Joy is in the Journey

I love to travel.  The thought of visiting new places and discovering new things thrills and excites me.  Every year, Nuno and I try to get away with our girls to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Some years we've stayed close to home, other years, we've flown to far-away places. But, my favorite way to travel is by car.  I love road trips.  As some of you may know, I am not a fan of air travel, although, if I have to fly to get somewhere, I will.  

This year, we decided to rent a car and drive down south to Florida.  We had flown to Orlando, Florida, once before, but this time, we drove - approximately 2100 km or 1300 miles (each way).  I cannot tell you how wonderful the drive was!  My girls were the most wonderful road companions.  Not once, did they complain about the drive or how long it was going to take to get there.  The joy was in the journey and in the places we saw along the way.  

OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO! 

On day one of our trip, we drove from our home in Barrie, Ontario to the Canada/US border at Niagara Falls, and on through the states of New York, Pennsylvania,  and West Virginia!

One of the most breathtaking sights along the way were the mountain views in the state of West Virginia.

We had to pull over to take in the majestic landscape.  It was simply stunning!

We stayed overnight in West Virginia and then headed out again in the early morning hours towards the state of Virginia; boasting equally breath-taking mountain and valley views.  

On day two, we continued driving through the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.  It was almost lunch hour as we neared toward the city of Savannah, Georgia.  We decided to stop there for lunch.  And thank goodness, we did!

 

GETTING THERE IS HALF THE FUN!

It was stifling hot and so humid when we arrived in Savannah.  Honestly, I couldn't care less because my heart skipped a beat when I found myself in this beautiful city.  What a wonderful, unexpected surprise!  This enchanting place stole my heart - the architecture, the gardens, the squares, the food, oh my goodness!  

 My girls and I in the city market square

For lunch, we ate chicken gumbo at the old Pirates' House restaurant 

We browsed through some of the shops and walked along the city streets and squares.

 Time flew way too quickly and we had to say goodbye to Savannah.  I hoped we would return here on our way back home.  The state of Florida was coming up next.  How exciting!  We were almost there!!

Stay tuned for my next post...

Fleeting Spring

I can hardly believe that two months have passed since spring's arrival back in March!  It seems like just yesterday, I was counting down the days till spring and now summer is just around the corner!

Spring is such a fleeting season.  Every day something exciting is happening in the gardens!  One week, the fruit trees are in full bloom, the next week, all the blossoms have disappeared with the wind.  The perfume of the lilacs is strong and enchanting , but that doesn't last long either.  So much is happening all at once, but much of it does not remain for long.  I have to remind myself to take note of every little detail; each new bud; every single flower; all the delicious new scents.  I make sure to thank for these tiny miracles of spring.  They are fleeting and I know that I will have to wait for next spring to be in their presence again.  

Spring has brought the return of many marvelous things!  The birds are back...robins, house finches, goldfinches, song sparrows, doves, starlings, grackles, and black-capped chickadees; just to name a few! 

One of my favorites, of course, are the robins!  This little guy was splashing around in our bird bath last week!  Isn't he precious?

This is a photo of our crabapple tree in full bloom, over a week ago.  I love how the scent of the blossoms is carried over to me in the breeze.  I drank up their scent while they lasted because...

after several days in bloom, the heavy rain and strong winds caused the delicate petals to fall.  It's funny how even the scattered petals are a pretty sight!



All sorts of things are blooming now...

the bleeding hearts

the irises

these beautiful tulips, planted by the former owner of our home.  Does anyone know the name of these?

And can you guess what this is?

It's rhubarb! I harvested it from my backyard!  Last Friday, I made a strawberry rhubarb pie using several stalks from our plant.

Some of you may remember my post from two years ago. I was given some free rhubarb by the kind ladies from our local Cookstown Antique Market.  I made a strawberry rhubarb pie with the stalks and my husband planted some of the rhubarb in our yard.  Now we have fresh rhubarb to look forward to every spring!

Here is the pie before...

And after!  I just love the black pie bird in the center!   There's just something about a blackbird baked into a pie!  Don't you think so?

Baking this pie makes me feel like I am taking nothing for granted this season.  I love spring and its whirlwind of daily surprises!   I plan on enjoying every single day and making the most of this glorious season because before long it will be summer!


Happy Monday!  Happy Memorial day to my American friends!  Have a wonderful week, dear friends!

The Week in Pictures

Sunday morning coffee on our front porch; watching the beautiful sunrise

My magnolia tree in full bloom!

Cherry blossoms blooming on a perfect spring day

Daddy teaching Annabel how to ride her two-wheel bike

The Spirit Catcher in downtown Barrie

I love it! 

Watching the sunset with my Mom

Re-filling the bird feeder with new food

A pretty new addition to our side garden - astilbe - thank you, Mom!

Hanging laundry out to dry in the warm sunshine

I found this brand-new-in-box bird clock while thrift-shop hunting with my mom.  It is now hanging on my kitchen wall!

My mom and I in the garden.  How I enjoyed spending this precious week with her!   

Wishing everyone a happy spring and a wonderful Mother's day weekend! xoxo

Letting Go...

Annabel woke up with a fever and a sore throat, so she couldn't go to school today.  Anita, however,  was feeling good and got ready for school, as usual.  Out of the blue, she tells me she could walk to school on her own.  I wouldn't have to drive her today, since Annabel was home sick.  I, of course, made up any and all excuses as to why I should drive her.  She explained how all of her friends walk to school on their own and why can't she?  It really took me by surprise.  I knew the day would come eventually, but I wasn't quite ready for it yet.  To be honest, I'm not sure I would ever be ready for it.

I thought things over in my head; things like, "After all, she is days away from turning twelve.  I have to let her go sometime.  I don't want to hold her back, but what if something happens to her, but what if she doesn't get there...but, but, but".  Anita said, "I know you love me and don't want anything to happen to me, but I'm going to be fine, Mom".  Deep down inside, I knew she was right, but I just kept fighting it.  I finally gave in, with a heavy heart, "Fine...you can go.".  

I called Nuno to see what his thoughts were.  He agreed with Anita and said I was doing the right thing.  So, I let her go...

It was time.  I went to the door.  Anita gave me a hug and kiss.  She said, `Have a great day, Mom.  I love you.  I`m going to be fine, don`t worry."  I said, "Okay, I love you too." and stood there in disbelief.  She walked out the door, down the steps, across the driveway and onto the sidewalk.  I closed the door slowly and peeked at her through the crack.  Tears rushed down my hot cheeks as I saw my girl walking quickly and confidently with a spring in her step; her hair bouncing from side-to-side.

I swung the door wide open; hoping she would turn around to look at me, possibly run back and say okay, Mom, maybe you should take me to school, but she never did.  I watched her from the door until she disappeared from view, with a heavy heart.  Memories came rushing back to me, of days when Anita wanted me to wait with her at the school until the last possible second before the bell rang. She would rather wait with me than go to the yard to play with her friends.  It doesn't seem like it was all that long ago.  

Time passes, things change, Anita's growing up and there's nothing I can do to stop it.  I called Nuno immediately and cried my heart out.  

100th Post Giveaway Results

Thank you to everyone who participated in my 100th post  giveaway!  There were sixteen entrees in total.  Click on the link to see the draw for yourself...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSMsTxXQc1A


I wish everyone could have won, but unfortunately there can only be one winner!  I hope to hear from XXXXXXX very soon!  Congratulations, sweetheart!  I am so happy you won!

Happy Saturday to all!  The sun is shining here, and it's a beautiful spring day.  I hope it's lovely where you are too.    Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! xoxo