RESAURANT MEMORIES

Returning home from vacation has been wonderful. We brought home some lovely PEI oysters and we have been having so much fun finding different ways to serve them. I have been creating different toppings and have even gotten my children hooked as well. It's been a lot of fun.

We have also been catching up on all the episodes of our favorite show Masterchef that we missed while away, and as we were watching the other night, the chefs talked about what their favorite meal was that they had ever experienced. It got me to thinking about the restaurant experience versus the home cooking that we so enjoy around here and if I had any special memories of my own best meals of the past. I also was thinking about how food is always instrumental in celebrations, and how scents and smells can bring a memory right back as if it happened only yesterday.

There are some people I have had experience with in life that absolutely abhor to eating out. They never do it, take pride in never doing it, and seem to pass a judgement on those that do. I also know people that eat out all the time, and therefore the exciting and special moments that are created by doing so are somewhat lost. I think the best balance are the ones who eat out once in awhile. It creates a special moment, a memory. You are able to savor the time, the food and the company.

I think experiencing different foods is so exciting. When I eat out, I try to never order anything I would make at home. I want to experiment and try new flavours. I love to explore different cultures through food as well. Thai, Indian, Greek, Japanese, whatever it is, I'll try it once.

So as I was thinking on this topic, I started going back in to my own memories, and what special food moments stand out for me from my past. And there are quite a few. I remember first trying Borscht in a restaurant in Konigswinter, Germany. I was only 11 or 12 but I remember it clearly. I remember the blood red soup as it was served to me and my first bite...unsure, but then happy. I loved it. With that memory brings back the memory of the town, and what we did that day. The sights and sounds. An experience.

I also have memories of eating frites with mayonnaise at a market in Holland. Gone was the ketchup of home and in its place was this creamy mayo. And I was hooked. With that memory I can still see my Mom and Dad standing with me, smiling as I took my first bite, and the hustle and bustle of the market place going on all around me. I can still see the church steeple, and the cobble stone paths, and all the bikes in the stands, row on row.  So now, whenever I dip a fry in mayo instead of ketchup, all that comes rushing back to me. But no frite will ever be as good as that first one.

I remember my first taste of Alaskan King Crab in a beautiful restaurant on the top of Grouse Mountain in Vancouver, BC, Canada and my first visit to a revolving restaurant that overlooked the city, before we went out to see the BC Boys Choir sing in a church in Vancouver. And one of my most memorable food experiences was trying Buffalo for the first time. I was on a trip through the Rockies on a Via Rail Train. It was the first time I had been alone without kids or a husband in years. Because I was alone I was seated for dinner with two nuns from Europe. They couldn't speak English, and I couldn't speak their language. But it didn't matter. We drank wine and ate the most amazing Buffalo. We laughed at our inability to speak to one another, but we were still able to communicate over food. And as I watched the beautiful scenery of Mt Robson and the waterfalls pass it was one of the most amazing moments in my life. I felt so peaceful and free.  It was a moment I will cherish for my entire life. All these memories weren't just about the food. But the experience. The excitement, the sounds, the adventure of something new.

There is nothing wrong with eating out once in awhile. I couldn't imagine going to Italy and not trying the pasta, or visiting France and not enjoying a glass of crisp white wine alongside a delectable Bouillabaisse in a café watching the world go by.

The experiences of food bring along with it an expanding palate as well as memories frozen in time. From blood red soups to fries with mayo to a Buffalo supper I enjoyed on a train through the Rocky Mountains with 2 nuns who couldn't speak English. These are the food experiences that will forever be a part of my life.

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND DAYS

So we are back from the wonderful, magical Prince Edward Island. We stayed in a wonderful vacation rental called Glistening Waters. What a breathtaking place to rest and relax after a week of camping. It was my husbands 40th birthday, and when we arrived at the home we were welcomed with balloons and a lovely birthday card, as well as treats for our Dog. The property was private and serene with a lovely shaded path through forest and past ponds to a lovely beach, where in an entire week we saw absolutely no one.

What I love so much about vacation rentals is that you experience what it is truly like to live somewhere different. For me it is ten times the experience of a hotel. We were able to cook our own wonderful food with all the amenities of home while gazing out the window at the glistening waters of The Northumberland Strait.

Prince Edward Island has so much to offer. From the beauty of its many beaches that range from white sand to the color of pink champagne, and its rolling hills and farmland, it truly invokes a feeling of what the locals call "Island Time." The seafood available is abundant with very reasonable prices and we enjoyed more than a few oysters this trip. We became very adept at shucking our own oysters and we only have a few band aids on after our impressive efforts.

Nearby to where we were staying was also our favorite restaurant on Prince Edward Island. Because we keep eating out to a minimum it is always a very special treat for us all to venture out to a restaurant. But we always try to visit at least one local establishment to try the local fair. The Brehaut's Restaurant in Murray Harbour is not only a favorite with the visiting crowd, but also with the locals, which is always a good indication the food is top notch. We had their award winning seafood chowder with a homemade tea biscuit and I can say from experience, its the best chowder I have ever had.

PEI has it all. Sun, sand, peace and tranquility. It is a slower pace of life that seeps in to your soul and gives you time to breath in the salty air and let it chase your worries away for a little while. As I was unpacking this morning, sand came sprinkling out of my towels and on to the floor and it made me smile. I brought a little of the island home with me. I hope its magic lives on for a little while longer.

CAMPING IN FUNDY NATIONAL PARK

Well everyone, I'm sure you were wondering where I've disappeared to for a week. I've been on the road camping in Fundy National Park. I had thought they had internet there, and they did, just not at our campground, and that was good. It felt nice to disappear from society and what was going on around the world for awhile. But now we are on Prince Edward Island, enjoying the amenities of an actual home, with electricity, internet and real beds, before heading back to reality, school, and everything else that comes along with it.

New Brunswick was our replacement trip for Newfoundland which had to be cancelled for quite a few reasons, but remains on my Bucket List for another time. But a fine replacement it was. The towering rock formations created by the highest tides in the world made for an amazing backdrop to beautiful, sparkling waters, cliff sides and scenic drives. We went to a music festival, did The Fundy Trail Parkway, went hiking every single day, and swimming in the Saltwater Pool located in the park, with amazing views of the water. We visited Hopewell Rocks where you can walk on the ocean floor when the tide recedes, and wander amongst the towering rock formations that are sculpted by the millions of years of tides sweeping back and forth twice a day. Absolutely awe inspiring.

The Fundy Shore is only a small part of New Brunswick, and it has made me long to discover more of this beautiful province. It's rolling hillsides, lush green landscapes and friendly people leave much to be discovered. I will certainly post more on this in the future. Now I must relish in a morning cup of coffee on the front porch of a home that has been here for over a hundred years and gaze out over the glistening waters of  PEI, my favorite island in the world. Its peace and magic work wonders, and all who come here are forever changed. It is the location of the famous novels by Lucy Maude Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables. When I read this as a little girl, I longed to see the red dirt roads, and champagne beaches, and to be here now as an adult, and know that all the magic created in the books is real, is such a treat.

LIFE'S A BEACH

It is no secret by now how much I love the beach. I love the sand between my toes, the salty smell in the air and the way my hair feels after its been blown around in the salty wind. When I'm away from the ocean for any length of time, I crave the sound of the waves, whether crashing to shore with ferocity after a big storm or the gentle lapping of the waves on a calm day. There is nothing better than standing in the surf as the waves pull in out, the sand disappearing under your feet, the cold of the water making your toes ache.

No matter what my mood might be on a given day, when I go to the ocean it washes everything away, and brings me the kind of peace that I can only find there. I can walk for miles along the sand, the wind and sun in my face as I look out over the shining sparkling waters. But I also love the kinds of days where the gentle, silent fog rolls in and wraps you in its cloak, making you invisible to the rest of the world as you walk through its mysterious mist, the wetness clinging to your hair as a fog horn drones its mournful sound in the distance.

And I love the beach at all times of the year. From summer, where you screech as you run over the hot sand burning the bottoms of your feet, to the winter, when you snuggle in to a cozy sweater and fuzzy toque as the wind whips its ice pellets and spray from the waves in to your face. Then when you've had enough you go to a local café and sip a hot coffee and enjoy a steaming bowl of seafood chowder, your hair a mess, your skin red and stinging from the cold. Really, it doesn't get better than that.

And I love how the sea leaves treasures, as its immense tides roll in and out twice a day. Many hours can be spent admiring the bountiful rocks and shells and seaweed that gets left behind for us to find.

I really don't think I will ever be able to live far from the ocean. It is just a part of me. It's vastness, power and beauty invoke in me a feeling of freedom and peacefulness, and to be far from that for any length of time would leave an empty place inside. I guess that's why I chose to live in Nova Scotia where there is 13 300 kilometers of coast line to explore. From the rugged beauty of The Bay of Fundy, to the white sands of the South Shore, there is endless opportunities for exploring. In Nova Scotia, Life's a Beach.

18 YEARS

When I was at the lake the other day, I saw a lovely young couple there. They were about 18 or 19 years old, and completely in love. With them, they had their little 6 month old baby boy. He was sitting in the stroller, wide eyed, watching us, kicking his chubby legs and smiling. I observed the couple as they took care of their little one, and took turns swimming and having fun. So young. So much responsibility. I looked at my husband and he looked at me, and we smiled. We were that couple almost 21 years ago. Young, hopelessly in love, and in way over our heads with responsibility. The thing is, everything turned out ok for us. We worked hard at life, and we worked hard at our relationship. Parenting isn't easy, no matter how old you are, but the rewards are bountiful.

When I look back to those years of being a young family, I realize how much we struggled to make it. Some people treated our situation like it was a "mistake." Something that had to be dealt with. When I watched the young couple at the lake I realized how far from the truth that attitude was. My little one was never a "mistake." Surprise? Yes. A big one. But looking back now at our happy family of 5, I know that every sacrifice and every hardship was worth it.

Yesterday was our 18th wedding anniversary, and we have been together almost 24 years in total. Amazing. I love him now more than I ever did. And that's not to say there were never bumps in the road, and that our lives were perfect. There have been times when I feel like jumping in my car and driving away. Didn't matter where, just away. But that's normal, and you work through those times. I am very lucky to be married to my guy. He is faithful and loving and a great father. Is he perfect? No. Am I perfect? Well yes! Just kidding.....far from it. But knowing our shortcomings is important in making a relationship work. Being able to say sorry, and know when you're wrong is essential to a long lasting marriage.

People have often asked me that if I could go back and change anything, would I? Well, no. If I changed one thing about my life, I wouldn't be where I am today. And I'm pretty happy with who I am, where I am, and who I am with. And for me there isn't anywhere else in the world I would rather be than with my husband and kids. They are my everything.

Happy Anniversary to the man of my dreams. I love you.



Our anniversary supper
 

SEPTEMBER COUNTDOWN

So I decided to sit down this morning and write my blog, but the kids were running around screaming at each other. Then an entire bag of sugar exploded on the stairs, and more crying and screaming ensued so I put the lap top away.  I decided I would write my blog later. Well, later is now, my inspiration from the morning is long lost in my mind, and the kids are screaming and fighting once again. The laundry I forgot on the clothes line last night got rained on, my vacuum is clogged and the couch I'm sitting on feels sticky. I won't even try to begin to imagine what that might be. It's August. Only 3 weeks left until the little darlings go back to school.

That said, having the privilege of having this summer with my kids has been amazing. I love them dearly and I know I will miss their screeching and hollering, wrestling and fighting so much when September roles around. I know when they hop on the bus that first day of school, with their new backpacks loaded down with supplies, new shoes and clothes and a healthy lunch ( because its always the perfect lunch the first few weeks ) I will shed a tear and long for these days of summer. I will wish for more swims at the lake, catching waves at the beach, and the ice creams melting all over my car seats on the way home. I will miss the car rides where we crank up the music with the windows rolled down and sing along, nothing on our agenda but sand and sun.

But I will also rejoice in my moments of renewed freedom. Solitude, and walks on the beach, all the sand pails, and boogey boards put away for the summer. It will once again be just me and the sandpipers enjoying the peace and tranquility of the ocean. The beach mine once again.

CHORUS OF DAWN

I awoke this morning with the first hint of light. I blame the Owl. He was hooting and screeching, making such a racket, it roused me from my sleep with a startle. I then cozied back under the covers to try to resume some semblance of sleep but it just wouldn't come. So I lay there for a long time, listening to the quiet of the house and letting some of my thoughts run through my head, as they will when all is silent and there is no interruptions.

I decided at this point to get up and enjoy the solitude that comes with early mornings. I crept downstairs and put the kettle on, ensuring that the whistle was disengaged. I went out and picked blueberries to go with breakfast, and startled a few robins that had the same idea. Hummingbirds were zipping around my head and my dog was sniffing around my feet, helping himself to the blueberries on the lower branches. But the world was anything but silent. The symphony that was taking place around me was breathtaking. There were birds everywhere, and they were giving their grandest performance. It was so beautiful, I started to cry. Not tears of sadness, but ones of joy that I am so blessed to be alive one more day. They say that the chorus of birds at dawn is to attract their mates and to defend their territory. My romantic theory is that they are welcoming the light, and singing their joy of the day. I don't care if my theory is unscientific, it makes me happy.

I came back in and made my husband a steaming hot cup of coffee with freshly ground beans. I scooped up a bowl of cottage cheese and sprinkled on the blueberries. I crept back up stairs and woke him up with a smile. The steam from the coffee wafted around him and he stretched out, his face breaking out in to a smile of his own. I told him to listen, and he did, to the chorus that was still in full force, and when I saw his face, I knew he felt just as I did. It is a great day to be alive.