morning moments: snow in october!

It's true!

It's really true!

We have snow flurries in October, the same month as our first year living in the east. With one exception of course; after I snapped these photos early this morning, many more snow flurries began to fall!


It's snowing folks! Already though?


Dropping suddenly from temperatures of 16-18C (double and add 32 to get F temps) down to -2 overnight, it's a bit comforting to know it's also supposed to shoot right back up for tomorrow. Wow!


So how is your Friday going?

This is sure pretty, but after our wind storm two nights ago, trees vacant of their colorful leaves and all, it truly is beginning to look like winter out there.

Our Canadian Thanskgiving

Canadian Thanksgiving falls on the second weekend of October, Columbus day is its equal in the USA.

Believe me when I say, Thanksgiving in Canada is just as revered as it is in the USA, not a single commercial establishment was opened on the long weekend Monday. Except for the movie theaters. Oh, and a son having an afternoon ice hockey game.


As is commonplace in our family, we enjoyed our traditional thanksgiving dinner on Sunday evening, allowing us a more leisurely long weekend Monday the following day.

Good thing for opened theaters as we were able to take in a great movie altogether called; "Secretariat".


A lovely lighting ambiance isn't exactly conducive to great photo lighting opportunities. However, I'm not feeling too shy here, and will share these with my audience for they will end up in the family archives when the next blog book is published.

And besides, they are all I have.

blush, blush.

Trying hard not to catch anyone chomping on their food...

For the past three years my parents have shared and celebrated Christmas with us. Each year as we rang the New Year bells, they were here.

After being in the east and experiencing wild winter weather all three visits, the idea of celebrating in a different holiday together was quite welcomed by all.

What better way than to share Canadian Thanksgiving then with them here in the splendor of Autumn and all its blast of color, and a season this year so much better than last with sunshine and blue skies, let alone the panorama of fall's sensational hues.

Our first Thanksgiving with extended family members in our home to celebrate with us was special indeed.

Thanksgiving is...


Thanksgiving is anticipation...
the excitement of wonderful aromas,
golden, harvest-themed décor,
the best linens, china and silver.

Thanksgiving is...
platters of of special Thanksgiving foods
prepared only once a year,
mmn...mmn... mouths watering,
ecstatic taste buds quivering with joy.



Thanksgiving is...
the family all around the table,
clean, dressed, smiles all around,
recitation of what we are thankful for,
the saying of grace,
our special Thanksgiving prayer.
And now, finally, dig in!

We are thinking of you
at Thanksgiving, and hoping
your Thanksgiving experience
will be surrounded
by a special glow in your memory.
~By Joanna Fuchs

We celebrated and feasted together, giving thanks for all things - the good and even the not so good was clearly on my mind.


And this post wouldn't be complete without mentioning one tiny fact. WOW, was our thanksgiving meal EVER GOOD!

My husband decided to take over the kitchen for this evening.

His meal menu included;

• an organic grain fed turkey

• brussel sprouts (I've always hated these myself, but it's become a family tradition to have them alongside the turkey for some reason.)

• homemade stuffing (hubby's secret ingredients with fresh rosemary throughout)

• slices of fresh cucumber and cooked/sliced beets/fresh tomatoes

• homemade cranberry sauce (splash of orange juice, fresh cranberries, blueberries, and more hubby's secret ingredients - Chunky and Scrumptious!)

• homemade and most delicious gravy

• fresh baked croissants

and for dessert, but of course...

• pumpkin pie and whipping cream.

This was my hubby's plate.

(I needed a photo and he complied to allow me to snap this one)

After working in the kitchen all afternoon, those aromatic smells drifting through the house had its incredible temptation getting the best of him...smiling

The traditional meal was a feast for all to be sure, thousands and thousands of calories no doubt, but oh so yummy!


Last but not least, shortly before dishing out the pie for dessert, we had a faux singsong mini birthday celebration for our eighteen year old daughter, who chose to wait and officially celebrate the following weekend with out of town friends arriving from our former home area.

She was smitten with this itty bitty thoughtful gesture. See her sweet little grin?

Yes. She was smitten. :)

Wordless Wednesday - Autumn splendor edition

Welcome to our home in Autumn...

(My mother was my photo subject this day)

...And the girls arrived for birthday celebrations in this lovely Autumn splendor

horse talk

you know she loves horses when...

- the new hoodie jacket selection includes three pink horses trotting across the front.


- she decides to host a themed; horse ATC swap (artist trading card) with the girls from the barn and around the neighborhood.


- the small and perfect sized piece of driftwood becomes an instrument to draw horses and quotes in the sand.


- a friend gifts her with ultra suitable boots when the other pair became too small. (Thanks Jenna!)


- when inscriptions in the sand declare;

"I Love Horses"...

- and even when she is assigned the fattest pony in the barn for the country fair horse show, all is well because it's a horse...

Horses.

It's a girl thing I swear.

And both our girls here just love these beasts!

Still... and always.

The good ole hockey season begins anew

The team game huddle

Another ice hockey season is upon us, and my how these boys have grown since last season!

The team color is gold this year, the coaches are excited and so eager to get the action rolling with team bonding and very organized parental meetings right at the helm of the starting gate
entry.

I can't explain how appreciated these coaches are, handing over an entire hockey season calendar, right until playoffs.

Wow, they are so organized and how this is something of a golden nugget in our lives. We know where to go, which arenas to be at and the time of every game and practice right through the season.

Fantastic!

And now, GAME ON!

Digging for the puck

Action everywhere!

The coach has him playing center or defense this year.

Such a content dad to have ice hockey season here.

Great game!
Score; 4-1 in their favor