What I did in Moncton

First thing's first... we took out the garbage Friday morning. Than we headed out for some serious shopping.
I left home at 4:20 am on the Friday, was at my destination at exactly 9:20 am (5 hours straight driving). We had a beautiful sunny weekend. Shopped all day Friday, had a nice pasta supper with friends, Moncton Market Saturday morning, more shopping all afternoon, supper out for Ginette and I (André was working) than some christmas decorating to end the evening.

Puss relaxing on the wreath cover.

Meeko saying goodbye on Sunday morning. I left at 8:15 am and was home by 2:30 pm.

So what I did in Moncton is shop, eat delicious food, drank fine wine and visited with one amazing person and her new husband (and zoo of course).

Unrelated but here is another picture of the carolers that Dave gave me for my 50th birthday two weeks ago. I love this local artist's work.

Have a wonderful weekend friends !

Fifty

WOW, I don't know where to start. My husband, kids and friends (the best people in my life) made sure I had a wonderful 50th birthday celebration. My birthday is today but the celebrations started yesterday. Actually, Friday when Ginette and André arrived from New Brunswick. I had an all day meeting yesterday. Got home at 4 p.m. and the laughing, eating, hydrating started. We had a rappie pie supper and for dessert - yup, that's right BIRTHDAY CAKE. Ginette brought me this amazing and delicious cake from Croissant Soleil. The candles said ''OH NO THE BIG 50''.

Than it was time to head out and meet my wonderful friends at the home of one of them before heading out to the dance. (I have so many nice pictures of this part of the celebration but some people in the pictures I did'nt ask permission to post their pictures; and I won't).

Below - two pictures of Clarisse and I.


Laughing is good therapy.

This morning I was presented with fabulous gifts. This one is from Dave. Christmas carolers handmade by a local artist. I already have a few pieces from this artist and Dave knew I had my eyes on these carolers since I had seen them at an exhibit this summer.

Afterwards the six of us headed out for brunch.

Thank you a million times to everyone for the wonderful birthday celebrations. If I had known that turning 50 was so much fun I would have speeded up the processes...

In my 50 years - the two most cherished gifts I've received are Ginette and Luc. They put pure joy and love in my heart.

Hanging on

This little apple is hanging on, just doesn't want to give in to the cold weather.

Today here in Canada it's Remembrance Day. The day we pay respect to the men and women who have been to war or that are at war right now. This day is very special for me. I would spend most of the day watching the war documentaries on television with my father. He was a WWII veteran. We would watch TV in complete silence except for a rare comment here and there. The men (and women) of war did'nt really want to talk about their journey. Can you imagine what they saw; so horrifying. Thank you so much for everything.

My father died when I was 16 years old. I did'nt get enough time with him. I'm still hanging on to the memories I have of him. We were fishing buddies.

November 11th also marks the date when my favorite aunt died, 7 years ago. I still can't believe she's gone.

Today - I made bread. I forgot to take an after picture but take my word - it's delicious.

Books

As mentioned here a few weeks ago I've found an enormous amount of good books at Frenchy's in the past few months. Here are but a few I would love to share with you. I think the titles are pretty much self-explanatory.

But the best book to come into our lives lately is our daughter and SIL's wedding album. Dave and I picked it up from the photographer two weeks ago. The newlyweds have not seen it yet. They will be here Friday night for the weekend. They are going to love the pictures in this book (I know I did).

Acorns

The day ended up so nice and sunny. We did chores around the house outside and than we decided to go for a drive to the same spot that we went last year at this same date to pick acorns.



Wishing everyone a good start of the week tomorrow.

The Rebel is back

For a while now I've been using my old faithful point and click camera. My beloved Canon Rebel was in the shop getting repaired. It was'nt even a year old... something to do with the battery holder. I got it back on Thursday and look at the picture I found on the memory card. Ginette and Luc taken at our favorite restaurant last July when we went to celebrate Ginette's birthday (that's when the camera went dead).

How did I end up being so lucky; having these two in my life.

Wild, Wild, West

Last night we were invited to a small gathering (10 of us) at some friends' home. The theme of the night was cowboy. Here we are getting ready to leave.


You won't find guns or hunting knives in our home. However, Dave wanted to be an authentic cowboy so he put his childhood treasure on his belt - his spoon, knife, fork thingy. Well, well, everyone had a good laugh at ''authentic Dave''.

I have loads of pictures of the evening but I did'nt get permission from most of the cowboys and cowgirls to put their faces on blogland. But here is a picture of three very good friends that I know won't mind if I post this picture. On the left is the sheriff with two of the cowgirls.

We had a ball. We even had a tour of an awesome barn full of wonderful artifacts.

Kids night out

Tonight the younger crowd is going out and I'm the taxi. I just came back from dropping them off at the dance. I'll pick them up at 2 a.m. I soooooo don't mind driving them when they go out and have drinks. This way I know they're safe.

Liette (Luc's girlfriend) on the right ''the gold-digger'' and her friend in a cute orange crush costume.

Luc, the used car salesman. He looks so funny. He's been growing a beard for a few months now just so he could shave it this way.

The three together ready to leave.

Annual harvest walk

Every Fall Dave and I make our way to the apple orchard way back of our property. The apple trees here have been left unattended for at least 30 years (some of these trees have to be over 100 years old) so you know what this means - no chemicals or pesticides added. ALL organic. Most of the village's residents don't even know these apple trees are still in existance... but we do. We don't know the names of the half-dozen or so apples but one kind we know the name ! We mainly go for the russets.

They aren't pretty apples on the outside but inside they are all nice and white. Russets aside, I will make applesauce with the balance.



Happy halloween night everyone !

Halloween 2009

This year I was an indian ''nerdy'' woman and my friend Clo was a firewoman. These two pictures were taken last night before we left her house for the dance.

The next picture is a little dark but you can see the reflector stripes on her outfit. She even had an inflatable water tank on her back.

I don't know about you but I love Friday afternoons. The anticipation of quiting time is so exciting. And how better to end a hectic working week than with a delicious caramel apple hand delivered by a very good and thoughtful friend. It was delicious by the way.