foodie country

So, I mentioned that we are in foodie country here. It's pretty amazing how people from all over the world are starting to flock here because of the slow pace of life, amazing wineries and cideries, local organic foods, and well, the scenery too. This is one of our favorite places to go. Merridale Cider. This cider is not to be mistaken for the liquor store cider. This is an estate cidery with heirloom apples that are all pressed and processed on their land. It is amazing. They also have a restaurant and in the summer months they have pizza night. We went again this year and had a great time. I should have taken a picture of the pizza but it is all wood oven baked and absolutely heavenly with a good glass of cider to go with it. Along with the other amazing places to eat and drink, I will take you here for sure when you come!

Too funny...

Just read both of your blogs. I am laughing out loud from the last one. So true, until she gets PMS or hormonally challenged or feels completely resentful that she is doing all the work.Until she starts wanting to be served breakfast in bed, realizing that there needs to be more balance... Then she goes on a rampage and leaves like Thelma and Louise...

wouldn't you love to have a wife?

She would cook and clean for you, do your laundry, remember all of your favorite things. The fridge would always be stocked, dinner on the table, children happy. She would keep the house tidy, remember what you told her about your day and never, ever forget a special occasion. Oh, and she would do nice things for you, just because. She would buy you flowers, for no particular reason and make you a cup of tea when you needed it most. She would let you sleep in, even though she had been up all night with the kids and happily send you on your way when you wanted to spend time with your friends. She wouldn't leave her clothes on the floor, because she would know how much that irritates you and she would love to take you shopping. When you go away on trips, she would organize everything, even the groceries the kids would like to eat and make sure that there was gas in the tank and cash in the wallet.

Today was our anniversary...I bought flowers, made a cake and cooked a pasta dinner even Jamie Oliver would have liked. As I was sitting down at the table with the words "but we went away for the weekend" still ringing in my ears, I thought to myself, it would be so nice to have a wife. Wouldn't you like one too?

Don't get me wrong, I love my husband, I really do. I can't imagine my life without him and I am so happy to celebrate this day with him. However, I would still like a wife, it must be nice.

I have the best friend in the whole wide world

Dear Diary:

I mean it. You really are. I am so glad that the fairy sent you a lovely package, you deserve it! I couldn't stop laughing at the idea of you having a tea party with yourself, well, us, well, maybe we both are "away with the fairies."

I hope you enjoy those cups, for whatever you put in them. Tea, water, a little nip whilst cooking supper...we all need beautiful things in our lives and we all need those exciting brown packages on our door steps from time to time. They are reminders of how much someone loves us, and thinks about us and knows how special it makes us feel. Don't we all want to feel special sometimes? I know that sounds so corny, but it's true.

This past weekend in Tofino, I say is my heart place. The place where, whenever I go, as soon as I can see the ocean and the surfers playing in it, peeking through the trees from the highway, I instantly feel elated. I love it there, like no other place. You are my heart friend, if you were a place, you would be Tofino. I can't wait to be with both of you, together next summer.

Thank you for listening to me today and for understanding. I really do love you.

A little fairy sent me the best package....

Dear Diary,
I just received the best package from my marvelous friend who lives in a far away land. But she doesn't seem that far, it seems as though I could just reach out and touch her-our energies are so in sync...Well, she sent me the most fabulous package a girl could ask for. I love it. I love the purse, love the owl. And love the pottery!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What gorgeous colors, I am going to make a pot of tea this afternoon and pretend I am British and have tea time with my gorgeous new cups. I am going to pretend that my friend is with me, and that we are eating chocolate and shortbread with our highly caffeinated tea. I am going to pretend that we are laughing, and gabbing, and laughing some more. My kids will think that I am nuts, having gone off the deep end laughing and talking to myself in the kitchen. Or maybe they will just imagine that I am having tea with my imaginary friend. That will be a suitable explanation for them. And I will be happy, drinking my tea, gazing out the window, imagining the time when we can meet in her far away land and laugh at all of the crazy hippies and waldorf nazis.

Breathe

Sometimes we're just tired. Just let yourself feel that way. Give in to it, feel what you need to feel. It will go away. You probably just need some good old fashioned alone time to give yourself attention...I love you. Most likely, light will be created from any darkness.

Love our idea

So the idea has been brewing. Steeping. Flowing it's flavor into my cup. I'm excited. I can see the article on those shiny pages in Mothering. It will happen if we want it to.

I think we should both start writing and then email each other what we have. Melt it together to make a great piece. You use your vision from your ruby slipper project and I'll use mine from my group.

Who knows? Maybe there is a book on the horizon...

did I deserve this?

Ok, your last post had me laughing so hard, I couldn't stop. Not that your misfortune or ridiculous camping trip is something to laugh at. But COME ON! That is an unbelievable series of unfortunate events! If I were there right now, I would bring you chicken soup, good juice and some really good movies.

So you asked about my weekend? Well, I've been feeling pretty burnt out and after last weeks parent meeting, I couldn't cope with one more thing. So, I decided that since it was a long weekend, we would do something we never do, the place with all the "M"'s There was something wildly liberating about going through the drive thru and a little nostalgic.

I got home and told Stefan that I had dinner and as I stepped off the concrete in front of his office, my right foot caught something unstable and I went down like a ton of bricks. The drinks and food went flying and I found myself curled up on the ground holding onto my knee groaning with blinding pain. What I had stepped on was a brick that Liam had taken out of the ground and left sitting there, after Stefan told him a million times to put them back.

So I hobbled into the kitchen and like a five year old, winced at the pain and felt so nauseous at the sight of the hole in my knee. Stefan patched me up, but it hurt so much I couldn't sit at the table. After a while I decided to go upstairs and get changed.

I thought I heard Stefan calling me to come downstairs and so, I hobbled down our twisty staircase only to fall down it. One hurt knee, one very hurt right side of body. Then I started crying. Oh, and did I tell you I fell down the stairs the night before at 1:00am while I was going to get Violet who was screaming? Is this all bad karma for giving my kids "M" for dinner?

My knee is better today, although in hind sight I probably should have gone to get stitches. I still wince at the sight of it, but at least I can bend my knee and walk a little better.

So yeah, this Mercury in retrograde....SUCKS! If it weren't for the Ruby Slipper Project, I would just want to sleep through the rest of the month. I hope you feel better soon, or at least have someone take your kids so you can take care of yourself!

Love you lots.

Important Lesson: Never go camping while Mercury is in Retrograde

Well. Camping is usually great. I love it. In fact, I love doing it with my kids. It's a lot of work to get there, but once we are we always end up having a fabulous time. No distractions. Just our family getting to really be present with each other.
We had this campout planned for the past few weeks. We were going with friends- two other families and their kids. Six kids in all, ranging from 9 years old to Isa's age. John was trailing up the boat because we were camping at a lake that allowing boating, swimming, fishing, you name it. Very exciting, one would think.
Well, I have to say I had bad feelings about going before I even went. I don't know why. Call it my sixth sense.
John left at the crack of dawn on Saturday to bring up the boat. The kids and I left around noon on Saturday for the 2 1/2 hour car ride. All went well with the ride, the kids slept and it was beautiful out.
Then we got there. The campsite was just ok, but we were practically on top of our neighbors. But what can one expect for Labor Day weekend, right? Then we see John and his friend. Uh oh. They did not look happy. Turns out, after riding in the boat for about an hour, testing it out on the lake before taking the small children, they had an electrical fire. The boat was toast. They were able to put it out but the boat was unusable. Not working. Dead as a doorknob.
So no boat rides with the kids. Bummer.
Then we wake up Saturday morning and we are all sick. Colds, runny noses, coughs, and I have a fever.
Then, John and Jack walk through a patch of stinging nettle and get it all over their legs.
Then, we go swimming in the lake and there are tiny leeches attached all over our feet and legs. There's something not right about having to peel leeches off of my two year olds feet...
Are you getting the picture?
Then I realize that Mercury is in retrograde and it all makes sense.
But, we rose to the occasion and still had a good time. The company was great. Our friends were fun and it was wonderful to spend time with them. The kids had a blast getting nice and filthy and were covered in a film of dirt and grime.
So... Needless to say, I got your message when I got back this afternoon but can not call you because I completely lost my voice. I woke up this morning, in the tent, barely able to talk, with a horrendous cough. So I'm sure it will be back tomorrow, and I will call you.
I love you , friend... Did you have a good weekend?

a party!

Dear Diary:

Today we went to a party. The little girl's name is also Violet and she was turning 4. It was the sweetest party. The mum, my good friend Devon (who is also the photographer), had made a little tea party for the girls (no boys at the party) with Fairy Tea, finger sandwiches, and pink shortbread cookies. She had brought out her wooden kitchen, doll house and ironing board. There was a place for the mums to sit on really nice chairs on the lawn. It was lovely. I love having a girl. What have you been up to?

Love you,

Catherine