RAIN, SUN AND BUTTERFLIES

So another weekend has flown by too quickly. It was filled with good food, great friends, laughter and Post Tropical Storm Andrea which drenched us on Saturday. Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November here on the East Coast, and they are predicting it to be a busy season this year. We shall see. Saturday's storm brought heavy rain but very little wind, and was here and gone before you knew it. Sunday we were treated with a gloriously sunny and fresh beautiful day. We had good friends down from Halifax over the weekend and we took a drive to Yarmouth for lunch. The dam down the road was running full tilt, and as we drove over the bridge we couldn't resist stopping and taking in the tremendous power of water.

We were also treated to another type of visitor this weekend. The kind with wings. This little guy found his way in to my potting shed in to one of my planter pots. We released it on to the grass but not before getting a few pictures of course. It then flew off in to the wild blue yonder. A very happy butterfly indeed.

We also enjoyed the first swim of summer this past weekend. The sun was hot and the water was warm. The puffy white clouds reflected their beauty in to the dark depths of the lake, and we basked in the sun on the Granite rocks that dotted the shoreline of Greenwood Lake. There is only a few houses on this lake and so, as per usual in Nova Scotia, we had the whole lake to ourselves.

There truly is nothing more relaxing than dipping your toes in the water under a brilliant blue sky and basking in the heat of the beautiful sunshine. The rain that comes freshens and nourishes, and leaves us with an appreciation of the bright and the glorious. I feel so blessed in this life to have great friendships, a husband that enjoys all my crazy adventures and ideas as much as I do, and kids that fill me with so much joy and fulfillment. It truly is a wonderful life.

SHEEP OR NO SHEEP THAT IS THE QUESTION

So our next big decision around the homestead is if we want to take the next step in hobby farming and get larger animals. We were thinking maybe a few sheep or a goat or two. Now this would involve quite a bit of fencing around the property which is a substantial investment money wise so would the return be enough to make it worth our while. There are other factors to take in to consideration as well, like the fact that it's easy to get someone to come look after a few chickens when you want to go on vacation, but throw in a sheep and some goats, and you will have people running for the hills. Also, there is the cost associated with feeding them through the winter, shelter and equipment.

Many years ago we did raise sheep and I really miss the pleasure of holding little lambs in my arms or helping mama sheep give birth. I love the sound of them bleating in the pasture and I miss leaning on the fence rail watching the Ewes graze while baby lambs nurse from Mama Sheep. Now I know I'm letting my nostalgia get away on me, and in looking back we always seem to somehow haze over all the hard parts, like when Mama neglects the baby and you have to bottle feed a newborn every 3 hours, scours ( ewwwww ) The Ram knocking you over from behind when you turn your back (The rooster has nothing on a Ram ) and the inevitable having to eat cute little lamby when the time comes. This is especially difficult when you have bottle fed him and he comes to you when called. See, I'm still not over it.

So we have to decide, do the pleasures out weigh the pain? Does the monetary investment make it worthwhile? Should we just stick with veggies and chickens and call it a day? To me it seems like such a waste to have a really nice pasture that I mow with my ride on mower once a week. It doesn't feel environmentally friendly when I could have a goat naturally grazing the grass for me.

But whatever we decide we will think long and hard and crunch all the numbers. We rarely make quick decisions in this house so I'm sure we will over think it to death. But when we finally do come to some sort of conclusion you will be the first to know. And if anyone out there has good, economical cheap fencing ideas or an opinion in general, feel free to share. I would love to hear any of your experiences.

HENS IN THE PEN

So my chickens have been in their new chicken run for a couple of weeks now while I plant my garden and seeds. When everything is established and growing well we are going to let them run around free again, but right now, they would just eat every little sprout that comes up out of the ground. So, we built them a nice covered run attached to their coop.

To say they are unhappy with the situation would be an understatement. The rooster crows every time I come near as if to say, "Hey, let me out of here would ya?" I feel guilty even though they have plenty of space, nice accommodations and great food.

So this morning I had a conversation with them. I let them know this wasn't for always. Come late July, the pasture, forest and yard would belong to them once again. Think of all the lovely bugs and worms that will be awaiting you when you return, I told them.

Well Tipsy was giving me the eye, and Stoo the Rooster was looking at me with a distrustful expression. I can't really blame him, I did lock him in there. I gave them some lovely kitchen scraps which seemed to cheer them up a bit. But as I was walking away I could hear them squawking to one another, and then Stoo crowed as if to tell me to go to you know where.

I do want to say, it has been somewhat of a pleasant experience to be in the yard and not have to have eyes in the back of head, or to see Stoo launching himself at me out of the corner of my eye. But I do miss their company when I'm having a snack on the patio and they gather around as I throw them bits and pieces or they eat out of my hand. And I love watching as they make their circuit around the yard, scratching and pecking, so happy in their surroundings.

Yes, I am truly attached to my girls, and even Stoo, although I wish him and I could come to some understanding. I know they didn't appreciate our little conversation this morning. And I'm sure there is a level of distrust considering what happened to their turkey friend last Thanksgiving. But I will follow through on my word. The chickens will be free once again. But they better not eat my garden!

LITTLE PLACES TO SIT AND REST AWHILE

At the end of a long day in the garden I like to wander around and take in all its glory. A garden changes everyday and its nice to have a place to sit and reflect. So around the yard I strategically place chairs or a bench to encourage resting awhile. An inconspicuous place where you can view birds and butterflies go about their business. It is such a pleasure at this time of the year to be able to sit outside after a long winter of sitting inside in front of the fire.

There are many inexpensive ways to have creative seating. A bench made out of spare wood, built at the edge of the forest, or some recycled chairs that maybe someone else didn't want anymore. Hotels for instance change up their outdoor furniture every few years. If you can make a connection there you can get some really cheap or even free outdoor décor. I've used inexpensive plastic tables and covered them with a decorative sheet or tablecloth and secured it with clothes pins. It looks beautiful under a tree or large bush and costs next to nothing. Spring cleanup in your area can also be a treasure trove of unwanted outdoor furniture. I've gotten a barrel for a table, chairs for the yard, and many a planter pot that just needed a quick pressure wash. Whatever you have on hand can make for a wonderful spot to sit. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive, it just needs to be comfortable, so you can look out at the world and feel a sense of peace and contentment.

For me, the more weathered the furniture the more ideal. I love the rustic appeal of a wooden chair bleached by the sun. I also love a splash of color, and a fresh coat of paint can revitalize even the oldest chair or table. Whatever your preference may be, a special spot for reflecting is so rejuvenating. Whether its the corner of a yard under a massive oak tree, a stool on a sundeck or a park bench down the road, take a moment each day and take it all in. It will be well worth your while.

LIVING WITHIN YOUR MEANS

It is no mystery that we are living in a world of consumerism and instant gratification. We want it, and we want it now. Extravagant luxurious trips, expensive purses, brand name clothing, big houses and fancy cars. There are a vast majority of people that attach their worth and success by the size of their home, what it looks like, what clothes they wear and all the places they have travelled, instead of what their level of happiness and joy is. They constantly want to be better than the other guy. Have the nicer house or the better garden.

It is also no mystery that the big banks love this new generation of spenders. In my lifetime of 41 years I've seen it go from being almost impossible to get a loan, to the banks bending over backwards to lend me more money. And individuals fall for the bankers pitch. I know, I used to work in one. We were encouraged to sell sell sell credit products. And to do this we had a complete insight in to what a customers dreams and aspirations were, all at our finger tips while we talk to you on the phone or in the office. We knew how many kids you have, what you talked about in your last meeting at the bank, what kind of car you drive, if you have ever mentioned wanting to take a vacation. Every thing you have ever said to your Personal Banking Officer is in an electronic file that almost every banking employee has access to, while they are conducting business with you. This way we knew in which direction to steer the conversation to sell you the credit products. We were encouraged to offer people lines of credit against their homes and then sell insurance to cover the line of credit. I once asked if this wasn't in fact just a reverse mortgage, to which I was reprimanded. I was never to utter that statement. It may scare the customer. God forbid we tell the consumer the truth. We must never let them know that borrowing every cent that we have offered them, on their income, will be at some point impossible to pay back. They will in fact be in debt for their entire lives. And the banks love this. I have seen people take equity out of their homes to buy cars, go on trips or whatever it is they feel they NEED. They say they deserve it. But really what you are doing is supporting the banks with all your interest payments. Silly. So silly.No one needs anything, except for food, clothing and shelter. Didn't we all learn this in Consumer Education Grade 11?

Not too long ago I was having a conversation with someone who was lamenting about how their commute was so long, and life was so tiring. "We are never going to be able to quit work" they said.  As I was listening to them go on, it crossed my mind that they were currently living in a $750 000 home, debt free. If their life was truly so bad, wouldn't they just downsize? But during this conversation I was hit with a sudden clarity. Every one wants the good life of freedom from the burdens that needing money brings but they really want their stuff too. No sacrifices. The thing is, people are sacrificing their happiness and health because they don't want to give up things. Seems silly when you look at it that way, doesn't it? I'm not saying that having the house of your dreams is wrong, or if you can afford it, having luxurious things is bad. Not at all. In fact if  things have worked out for you that way, I applaud you because you made some very smart financial decisions. Good for you. I know some of you that are reading this made those wise choices, and all I can say is, you are a great example to others. You made those hard choices between vacations or paying of your debt. That is awesomeness. The key to all of this though and what I am talking about is affordability.

The amount of debt people are carrying these days is staggering. My philosophy has always been this. If you can't afford it. Don't buy it. Generations before us actually saved up to buy something. Strange concept, I know. There is also something called a budget. Live with in it. The thing is, it is becoming almost impossible to do this. Cost of housing is so large, we are forced to get a mortgage. Not too long ago the banks were offering 35 year mortgages to their customers. Now in Canada they have lowered it to 30 as the housing bubble was looking like it had no end in sight. Who in their right mind would get one of these mortgages? That would mean in all likely hood, when you retire, you still have a mortgage. Ludicrous. You are basically banking on the fact that your house will still be worth what it is now, when the time comes. But what if it isn't? And how much interest have you paid on that loan over the course of 35 years? The thing is, because we have all jumped on the credit band wagon, it has become almost impossible to reverse this way of thinking.

I have had people tell me, just borrow the money, you need that vacation, you deserve it. You've worked for it. Really? Do I really need to go for 2 weeks to a beach and drink margaritas and then come back, holiday over and now I pay the bank for the next few years. What? Why? I would rather be in a tent on the side of a lake listening to the Owls at night. That's what makes me happy. And it is super cheap too.

I know I'm coming off negative. I don't mean to be. I am just really passionate about becoming a debt free society. I want my kids to grow up in a society where you are judged based on who you are as a person, how happy you are, and how kind you are to others. Not by your fancy car or name brand clothes. I want to teach them that it is not ok to have massive debt hanging over you each and every day while the banks get richer, and we as a society become poorer.

There are so many great ideas out there to teach you a different outlook or view on society. I love the idea of downsizing. Tiny houses are a great way to do this.  The environmental footprint is so much less. I mean, I know so many people that talk about how green and environmentally responsible they are, but live in a house meant for a large family, not just two people. A Tiny House surrounded by veggie gardens and fruit trees is a goal of mine when the kids grow up and move on. Another great source of information of living within your means is Mother Earth News. A great wealth of information about everything from living off the land, to being off the grid to spending wisely.

I hope that one day, we can live in a time where money and banks do not control society, and where we aren't programmed by media to tell us what will make us happy and or have self worth. Maybe if we as parents guide our children in a way that changes this way of thinking, we can help to create a smarter and better generation than what we have become.

DRIVING ON HOME

Well every good trip must come to an end and we hit the road at noon to make it home for a concert. So there was no fun stops along the way, just a 5 hour straight drive home, although we did have a Dairy Queen stop for an ice cream and bathroom break.

The weather suddenly has turned hot in Nova Scotia and it was 32 degrees the entire way home and I was truly thankful for the air conditioning. It was a good test to see how our little girl and puppy are going to do on some long drives we have planned for Newfoundland this summer.

If these pictures are any indication, it will be a great trip. There's nothing better than when the kids and pets fall asleep for the ride. It means happy, relaxed parents chatting in the front the seat and enjoying the amazing scenery as it flies past the window.

I can't wait for more road trips in the future. In this province you can drive a little ways and be somewhere completely different. The Bay of Fundy was a marvel and we also happened upon a gem of a park in Truro the other night. It was called Victoria Park, and the only sad part was that we discovered it just as evening was falling, therefore we weren't able to enjoy it to its full potential. We will absolutely go back and check it out another time, and make use of its many trails, swimming pool, tennis courts and playground. Absolutely stunning place.

As the light was fading it was very hard to get any good pictures, and most turned out somewhat fuzzy, but these give a general idea about the beauty of the trees and river, with its waterfalls and walkways.

All in all, another great Nova Scotia road trip, filled with new adventures and lovely people. Can't wait for my next journey down the road.

TATAMAGOUCHE

So today my husband had to attend his conference so my daughter and I decided to go on another little road trip to a town by the name of Tatamagouche. To get there we had to drive thru some very nice hilly terrain which was full of lovely surprises of forests, streams and green pastures. This is an area where a lot of Maple Syrup is produced and is the home of Suger Moon Farm a wonderful, year round maple syrup destination, where you can enjoy lunch in their rustic dining room, complete with fireplace, wooden tables and country décor. We have been here before however so we kept on moving until we arrived in Tatamagouche, where we discovered a sweet little town, with quaint gallery's and cafe's, a Creamery, and our favorite, The Train Station Inn. This is the original train station that has been refurbished, and you can now stay over night in an authentic train car, as well as there being a Dining Car, Lounge Car, Café and Gift shop. Wonderful staff were on hand, and we truly enjoyed our time here. We will absolutely return one of these days and stay the night. How often do you get to enjoy a night or two in an authentic caboose?

We had an absolutely wonderful day taking in the sights, and just riding the roads. When on road trips such as these I truly can feel a motorcycle in my future. Nova Scotia has some of the best road trip journeys I've been on yet, and I think it would be just all that much better on a bike so I am adding it to the bucket list. Just don't tell my Mom, she'll worry.

Anyhow, the little one and I finished our morning jaunt with lunch back in Truro at the Saltscapes General Store and Restaurant, where we both enjoyed a big bowl of Seafood Chowder. A very fun day, just us girls!