MAPLE SYRUP

The sap is running here in Yarmouth County and we are going to take full advantage this year. On our property we have an abundance of Maple Trees and we are going to make Maple Syrup. Having never done it before we asked a lot of questions of our local backyard syrup making experts and today we tapped some of our trees for the very first time. I got so excited to see it actually working I was ready to tap every tree in sight, but my husband reined in my enthusiasm, reminding me that we need to boil it all down before we get the actual syrup and that this is the hardest part of the whole process. You need to boil off a lot of water to get the actual golden goodness. I can't help but be excited though. I love being able to harvest anything from nature and real maple syrup is a favorite of mine.

I'll never forget my first visit to Sugar Moon Farm in the hills outside of Truro Nova Scotia. I was enthralled with the old fashioned way they made their Maple Syrup. The kids had a ball making Maple Popsicle s in the snow and the quaint log restaurant with the fire roaring merrily made the snowy spring day magical. Ever since my visit there I've wanted to make our own, so today is very exciting for me.

Living in the country is the greatest gift. Being out in the sunshine today with my husband tapping trees as the dog frolicked in the snow warms my heart. The birds were bursting with song and the robins were busy rooting through exposed ground where the snow is slowly disappearing. Spring is on the way. The signs are everywhere. We only need to look around us to see them. It truly is a great day to be alive.

WHAT IS HOME?

This last month I have been planning a trip back to the West Coast. After 7 years we are finally able to make it happen. Up until now it just hasn't been possible and we have missed funerals, weddings, births and other special occasions. Living so far away you get used to missing these events, but it is always tough regardless. Because I grew up in a home where my extended family lived far away it doesn't seem all that unnatural to me to live far away myself. I'm the type of person who would have gone crazy living in the same place my whole life and I love the fact that I have lived in many communities and have had the opportunity to experience so many different people and things.

But planning this trip back has gotten me to thinking about what makes a place a home. The other day I was telling a colleague of mine that we were flying West this summer for a visit. They responded with, "Oh great! You're going home." It really made me pause. I realized I didn't think of it as home. I think of where I am right now as home.So of course in my usual fashion I began to step back and analyze what makes a home for me. Why doesn't it feel like I'm going home when I am returning to the place I grew up?

After much thought I have realized that I don't feel like I'm flying back home, because I am home. Right now. Here in Yarmouth. This is the place we have chosen to be our home for now. If I think of home, I think of the wood stove burning while we gather to watch a movie snuggled on the couch. I think of my woods out back and the stillness and peace they give me, even on the most challenging days. I think of the country roads that I love and the old wooden church that stands just down the street, it's steeple rising up through the trees to be seen from miles around. I think of the loons on the lake in summer and the owls in the forest at night. To me home isn't a place but a feeling. An inner peace of belonging. 

God's home

So when I fly out west this summer, it will be with a happy heart. I will be excited to see all the loved ones we have missed. I can't wait to wrap my arms around my family and hug close the ones that ensured that even though we have a geographical distance, our relationships have grown to become the most cherished ones I hold dear. But when it comes time to step on that plane to once again head East, even though I will be sad, I know it is then that I will be going home. 

MY SWEET VALENTINE

I don't think most men really like Valentine's day. I could be wrong, I mean I am basing this opinion on my brothers, my Dad, my two sons, my husband, and all the cranky faces I saw in the flower line up yesterday at the Atlantic Superstore.( Personally I wanted to let them know Valentines Day was today, not yesterday, but hey, they were getting a jump on things. That's good right?) But truly, all in all, I'm sure if  you gave men the option, they would choose to skip it.

My son has a girl friend this Valentines Day and he asked me my advice. "Mom," he said, "What should I do for Valentines?" The look of stress etched all over his face gave me pause for thought. In my mind I was thinking, do we really need flowers and chocolates and things to make us feel special? I told him, "Well, taking her for a nice romantic supper and flowers should do it." I could feel his wallet cowering in his pocket already. He is a student on a tight income and I know there isn't much in there to spare. "Ya, maybe, but that sounds kind of boring." And at that he left the house. I don't hold high hopes for his girlfriend today. Sorry hun, I tried.

That said, it really got me to thinking about Valentine's Day. I don't want my husband to be stressed, and to feel he has to achieve some sort of perfect, romantic moment for me. He just isn't wired that way. He may not bring me flowers and chocolates on Valentine's but I know he loves me. He shows me every day. I started thinking of all the things he does for me and this family. The little things, and the not so little.

- He phones me during the day if I'm at home, just to hear my voice.
- He brings me tea in bed when I'm tired
- He always cooks us a special Sunday morning breakfast
- He always builds a fire in the wood stove in the morning so we are warm when we get up
- He tells me I"m beautiful, even when I'm in 2 year old pajama pants, his T-shirt and I haven't brushed my hair or teeth yet, and he actually means it
- He knows what I'm thinking even when I don't know what I'm thinking
- He shares my crazy dreams
- He supports me in all my crazy dreams
- He doesn't let anyone treat me badly, and I pity those that try
- He doesn't say anything when I buy Cilantro every week at the grocery store, and then most of  it rots in the fridge, but next week I will buy it again, because I love it, but no one else does.
- He asks me what's wrong when I'm quiet because he knows if I'm not talking a mile a minute, there must be something going on
- He takes me down every country road I want, just so I can see what's around the next corner.
-He makes everything we do a good time, even if its just shopping at the grocery store

But most of all, he is my best friend. I can tell him anything and he won't judge me. He respects me and makes me feel special each and every single day. And even though it isn't always roses, he doesn't have to bring me roses to let me know he cares.

I love you honey, with every piece of my heart.

MY KEYS TO HAPPINESS

Well it's been a busy week around here and I finally have a moment to settle down and take a deep breath. We had a wonderful weekend that passed by much too quickly. We did some yard clean up, took down some more trees for firewood, and did some burning of the tree debris. The temperature was quite mild and we were able to sit around the fire, which is something we haven't done in awhile. Hubby built me a couple quick benches out of some of the trees we took down, and I must say, they turned out lovely.

 We also went on a lovely drive and got out for a much needed walk.By Sunday, almost all the snow had melted. Not the case now though, as another snow storm is giving me my much loved white stuff.

It's all the little things in my life that bring me so much joy.A hand made wooden bench to sit on in front of a cheery, hot fire as the old howl hoots behind me in a tree. Or walking down a path next to the ocean while my loved ones walk ahead hand in hand. I feel so lucky to be able to witness the love that flows between father and daughter. There are so many things to be thankful for in life. And they don't have to be big things. Really they aren't things at all, but moments in time. I feel our journey in life is compiled of hundreds upon hundreds of moments like these. We can choose to revel in them for all their worth, or fill up our lives with misery and sadness, disappointment and regret. 

Last night my daughter had a class to attend as did my son. I was tired from work and all I really wanted to do was go home. But the long evening of shuttling kids back and forth stretched ahead as it does most evenings around here. My husband and I dropped off the kids and decided to go for a walk as the light was fading away. We bundled up in our puffy coats and toques and headed out on the trail. There was no one around as we walked in silence. The crescent moon was above us as the stars began twinkling above. The sound of our boots crunching through the frozen pockets of snow seemed so loud in comparison to the hush of the evening around us. Then suddenly a great big owl flew silently over us, as he had been sitting in a tree watching us pass. I was in absolute awe. Holding hands we walked back to the car, both silent in our thoughts. If I had gone home like I so deeply wanted to, I would have missed out on the little things that made my evening so special. If I had given in to my grumpy feelings of exhaustion I would have missed out on that moment. 

Sure, when I got home, there were dishes to do, laundry to fold and a late night, quick supper to prepare. But my heart was light and happy. Just that. Happy. I will leave you with a couple of my favorite quotes, because I don't think I can say it any better than my childhood hero, Winnie the Pooh.

I truly believe, these are words to live by.

ENJOYING WINTER MOMENTS

Well we are coming up on the end of January and I can't believe how fast time is flying by. The fact that this winter has been a dream come true for me in the sense that it is snowing so much probably has a lot to do with it. I don't know why so many people feel the need to rush in to spring. Winter has so much beauty. And believe me, I personally am in no big hurry to move life along so quickly. I want to savor every moment in every season. Spring will be here soon enough and then we will be busy with gardening and mowing and all the busyness that spring time brings. Then we will long for the slower pace of those winter days, when all there was to do was go for a walk through the woods on a snowy afternoon where the silence of the powdery white snow brings a hush over everything. There is no quiet like that of the forest on a snowy day. I often stand still and listen, until I can hear the sound of the flakes falling to the ground. What immense peace these moments bring.

 

I always laugh to myself when people from other parts of the country feel sorry for us. They will be on the phone and say "Oh, it must be so awful, all that cold and snow." You can almost visualize the shudder as they can only imagine the immense suffering we must be enduring.The thing is, its not awful at all. It's amazing. Just as amazing as the first leaves in April or the smell of the grass after that first mow in May. I truly don't want to rush onward to any of that. It will come in due time. Life is so very short already. So winter, you can stay as long as you like, because I know before long it will be spring and then everyone will be hurrying and wishing for summer. Always rushing forward to the next thing, not taking the time to embrace the Now. Because if I have learned anything in this life, I've learned that there are no guarantees. There may not be a spring for me, or a next winter. There is only now, today. So what's the big hurry....let's hang around for awhile and turn our faces to the sky and feel the snow flakes melt on our eyelids. Or stand on the porch for a moment when its -15 and breathe in that crisp, clean cold air. You'll be glad you did.

 

 

 

THE SEED

I have one of those brains that moves a hundred miles an hour. I can be having a conversation and jump from one subject to the next in a millisecond and then not understand why people can’t keep up. In my mind I am always writing stories, having future conversations, thinking about what needs to be done, my calendar, groceries, cooking, cleaning, relationships and deep meaningful thoughts. And I do this in my mind almost simultaneously. Crazy, I know. I personally think it’s a Mom thing. As a Mother we have so much on our agendas that if we don’t think at warp speed, nothing would get done. But the thing is, a mind needs rest. So I am putting some effort  in to learning how to quiet my thoughts. My husband gave me the idea of The Sunflower Seed. He knows I love Sunflowers so it’s an appropriate symbol to choose. He placed the seed in my hand and told me to look at it. Concentrate on it. Push all other thoughts out except for the seed. So I did that. I stared at the seed. I started envisioning my glorious garden in summer, when the sunflowers tower above me reaching for the sky. And all my other thoughts died away except for that one. It wasn't long until the spell was broken, but I was able to clear out my thoughts for a moment. A great start. And now, when I start to feel stressed out, or I’m exhibiting signs of melt down extraordinaire, he just tells me to think of the sunflower seed. And I do, and it works. In fact the other day, I was feeling particularly overwhelmed. I felt him place something in my hand as we were walking along. I opened my palm and in it was a sunflower seed. It was a reminder. Calm my thoughts, take a deep breath and relax. He always knows just what I need.

 Having the partner that I do in life makes me feel so blessed. He is my best friend and confidant. He is my date on date nights and my other half.  He knows my thoughts and I know his. Each day I fall in love a little bit more and I know it’s the same way for him too. We are each other’s everything and I hope I don’t have to spend a single day on this planet without him here to share my journey.  What we share together as husband and wife I hope for everyone. Of course we have our bad moments just like everyone and some days I could scream at the top of my lungs he makes me so mad. But you see, no matter how mad I am at the moment, I know it will blow over like a summer thunder storm and we will be alright once again. Because that’s what two people in love do. You overcome the hurdles and learn from the mistakes. And let’s be honest, the making up part is always worth the thunder and the lightning.

CAPE FORCHU

I love lighthouses. They just make me happy. I always imagine what it must have been like to live in one. The seclusion, the wild storms and heroic rescues. Having lived on a couple of isolated islands myself I have had a taste of the lifestyle and I love it to this day.

We have our own lighthouse here in Yarmouth that I absolutely adore. We go out there at all times of the year to enjoy the spectacular scenery. I've been there in the height of summer, as the heat scorches down on the rocks, to the peak of a raging storm where the waves came crashing over the rocks to soak me through and through. Even the drive out there is a treat. You get to pass through a fishing port where the seagulls are as abundant as the lobster boats, and the barrels, ropes and fish shacks line the road. You then pass by two wonderful beaches which are great spots to picnic in the summer and beyond these beaches lies the end of the road where the tall red and white striped Cape Forchu Lighthouse stands tall against a stark blue sky.

The other day we decided to go out to the Lighthouse for a walk. It was crisp, cold, sunny and windy. The sky was blue, with large clouds piling up on the horizon. There was still snow on the ground left over from the previous blizzard and my husband and I held hands as we gazed out over the sea. It wasn't a calm day by any means and the waves reached far up the rocks as the tumultous seas splashed to and fro. I could't imagine being out in a lobster boat fishing these waters. We roamed the pathways and rocks and relished in the beauty around us.

We are so lucky to live in a place that is still so authentic. You can see the history all around you no matter where you look. There are no Monster Homes invading this little town. We are still small and hang on to some good things from the past. Change comes slowly to Yarmouth, and truly that's the way I like it.

The place where I grew up has lost that. There are highways and freeways, townhouses and condo complexes. The farms that used to be in abundance have made way for subdivisions. Traffic jams are the norm and pollution clogs the valley on hot summer days. Though still a beautiful place it is definetly not for us. We like country, we like quiet and above all we love nature. The raging sea or a calm clear day, the beauty that lies untouched by the hands of man is where I want to spend my time. It's how I feel when I walk in my woods and its how I feel when I roam the beaches that don't have a row of houses crowding the surfside. I don't want to look out over the waters and see sky scrapers and bridges in the distance. I want to see the open ocean and the glint of the sun reflecting off the windows of a fishing boat on the horizon. I want to walk a beach that hasn't been manicured, with the logs placed in position, crowded with people during the summer. I want natural. People often ask me, why Yarmouth. My answer, because Yarmouth is what Yarmouth was. An authentic fishing village perched on the edge of a magnificent province. It is a place filled with friendly people and dotted with communities that haven't changed much through the generations. I feel a part of history here and I'm thankful everday that my journey through life has brought me to this place. I'm also really thankful for my crazy, wandering personality that has given me the courage to try new things and places. I could never have been happy staying in one location my whole life. I'm much too restless for that and my soul longs for new things. Blessing and sometimes curse, it's what makes me who I am. And I'm truly blessed to have as a partner a free spirit who remains my most steadfast and willing adventure seeker. We are truly a match made in heaven.