Author: Adventure For Two

I am from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada and I'm back from traveling with my husband on an expat assignment to foreign lands. 2011-2012 we were in Shenyang, China. Spring 2012- Spring 2013 we were in Resende,RJ Brazil then back to Shenyang, China in July 2013 until the end of July 2014. Expat life WAS amazing! Adventure abounds no matter where we travel to. We really enjoyed the amazing opportunity to live and experience culture and tradition in these places. BUT now we are finished and adjusting to life in our small town in Canada. Our days of travel and adventure are not over.

We’re in for some snow…

This weekend is a SNOW weekend!

Lots of it in the forecast tonight and overnight!

We got a bit Friday! Enough to make everything a beautiful white. Even the deer were out and enjoyed it, munching on the berries on my front lawn. There’s a path from my backyard to the front under the trees.

So today’s snowy Saturday projects…

David is refinishing the love seat to match the chair we did in the fall and I am redecorating some trees, crafting a winter wreath and making soup!

First up…my East Coast tree! ( with a hint of Canada for Canada 150) I snagged this tree after Christmas for a steal…( was $100 and I got it for $25) It’s tucked in a corner in my guest room for now but when Chinese New Year is over, I’ll bring it out…

And then some decorations for Chinese New Year the end of January ( it’s my excuse for keeping my tree up longer haha Christmas tree revamp)

In the meantime David got the loveseat done!

And it started to SNOW!!

So I made soup! Two kinds actually. Wonton soup and Potato and Leek soup. YUMMY!

And to complete my “to do list” for this snowy Saturday…

I made a “Wintery” Snowman wreath for my front door.

Now it’s time for storm chips ( and strawberries) BECAUSE it’s really coming down and we’re cozy inside watching a little hockey.

Wishing you a good night!

Some…BUT not ALL!

Today is the day! Friday is my cleaning day before the weekend and it’s January 6th so…it’s time! Time to take down Christmas and put it in a box until next year. This is always sad for me. Why? Don’t get me wrong I LOVE getting things all organized and clean and the house always looks that way after the Christmas decor gets put away BUT I miss the coziness of the lights.

There’s something about EARLY morning or the late evening sitting quietly and enjoying the lights. So…

I’m putting some away BUT…not all of it! lol It’s a work in progress because the end of January is Chinese New Year and so I decided I would Take down Christmas but redo and redecorate for Chinese New Year. Haha…fun!

Today we are getting snow so the lights look so nice.

A little under the weather…

There has been so much sickness this holiday season. It seems like it is just running through families, each one getting their turn at feeling under the weather 😛

This week was my turn.

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Hope to be feeling good and up and at it before long!

Good news is that our weather has been quite mild with no major snow storms or anything to deal with. Just a few wisps of snow in the air today.

I saw this the other day when I was browsing the internet. I was thinking I might start a project when I feel better. I’ve been keeping track of the weather… what do you think?

It would be colourful and a fun thing to do this year.

Wishing you all a great day!

A year of CHANGE

I LOVE January! Especially the first weeks of a brand new year!!!

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It is a month of reflection. It is also a month to make resolutions to organize, declutter and to make some changes. A few weeks ago David and I talked about this. We talked about 2017 and what to do? What it would bring? Goals and plans and what to accomplish. Some of the conversation stemmed from his back flaring up right before we went to China in December. It’s frustrating to have issues like that. You wonder if better health, and more REGULAR exercise could help these flare ups. We’re getting OLD!! Ok, older… and we NEED to look after ourselves…

Time for change

We talked a lot and decided that for us 2017 is gonna be year of CHANGE…physically and health wise!! We are not in bad shape. Neither of us is overweight, although I have put on a few more pounds than I like since returning from living in China where I walked everywhere. So…in 2017, we are gonna do our best to strengthen and tone some areas physically to see if that helps with overall strength ( and back issues for David) We are gonna change our eating habits a bit…tweak a bit…just to have better energy. And we may even enjoy a massage or two each month. We are gonna try to spend more time breathing in the “fresh air”. Lots of things to change and try this year for better health and longevity.

So…2017…Let’s BRING it, we’re UP for the challenge!

Lots of things for reflection!

2017- It’s gonna be a 10-25- 50- 75 -150 YEAR!!!

How cool is that? What do I mean? 10–25–50–75–150

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I spent some time this morning getting my 2017 calendar all mapped out. I am such a planner and mark everything down. I also look for holidays, special events, and opportunities to celebrate to do FUN things and have ADVENTURE in what is sometimes the mundane.

Guess what? There are some milestone Birthdays to celebrate this year!!!

Maybe I should start with the first!!

150– Canada, our amazing country will celebrate 150 years of Confederation this year!! Actually there are celebrations and special events planned for Canada all year long!!! So starting January 1, 2017…Canada’s celebrating!!

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75– On May 12, 2017 my wonderful Father will be 75

50– On December 26, 2017 I will be 50!!!! Whoa! Can’t be!!!

25– On July 30, 2017 my youngest son, my baby boy will be 25! How is this even possible?

10– On October 6, 2017 our Abby girl will be 10…that’s right she was born in October and given to me as a special gift for my 40th Birthday…10 years ago

So that’s why I say it will be a 10-25-50-75-150 year! There’s Lots to celebrate!!!!

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And besides the 10–25–50–75–150 Birthdays…theres’ a whole lot more to celebrate!

All things new… Jan 1, 2017

January 1, 2017…

The people you love… The places you’re a part of… The memories you hold onto… …and those unforgettable moments when you close your eyes and breathe in life with a smile… A new year is a reminder to celebrate and give thanks for all the things that are good in your world… 💙

With an annual walk on the beach this afternoon after the rain cleared a bit ( yes we went yesterday because it was such a nice day BUT January 1st Beach walk is a tradition and a MUST) …a reflection of what was ( yesterday)… and what is to come (today) And a delicious seafood chowder to warm us up ( FULL of shrimp, haddock, scallops, lobster, crab and a little potato)

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We are READY! It’s time to begin…

NYE

It’s the last of 2016. For us it will be a quiet one at home. As we anticipate a brand new year! It only seemed fitting to walk the beach and watch the waves…I LOVE the Ocean.

We did go out for Chinese food with my Mom & Dad. I LOVE Chinese food ( even if it’s not authentic) for New Year.

And then home to ring in the New Year ( with Miss Laura) watching TV and the celebrations in Ottawa and New York ( David’s sister and husband are celebrating in New York this year) and just enjoying a quiet evening relaxing.

WELCOME 2017!

2016 in review…

Today is Friday and everyone is gearing up for the New Year Weekend! I can’t believe in a few short hours 2016 will be just memories…

2016 was quite a year for us! Our oldest son’s wedding in Cuba! What wonderful time enjoying the sun and sand with our family. Our 30th Wedding Anniversary 3 WEEK Across Canada Trip! That was truly a highlight. And then to finish off the year A week in Shenyang, China. It felt like a trip HOME! I guess those were the highlights for me…because I love to travel. BUT at the same time there were so many small, special day to day moments intertwined in-between those BIG moments. Times spent with family and friends. Sad and happy moments…deaths…and BIRTHS. Jobs lost, promotions gained! Things to celebrate, blessings to be THANKFUL For! Yes…2016 was quite a year!

I’ve looked at a few of these fun little quizzes on social media this week…just for fun and thought I would share the results.

Well…these made me smile. Some truth. Some thoughts…I don’t know how they came up with it… Either way, as 2016 fades into memories…

I am thankful and looking forward to what’s ahead for 2017!

How are you spending your last days of 2016? What will you do to ring in the New Year?

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Sunrise…Sunset…Sunrise…Sunset 🎶

Sunrise sunset, sunrise, sunset,
Swiftly flow the days,
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers,
Blossoming even as they gaze…

Sunrise sunset…

Soon 2016 will be but memories…Good ones, Amazing ones!!!

My dear husband is back to work for a few days. Yesterday, today and tomorrow he has 12 hour shifts and is very busy overseeing some maintenance work during the holiday shut down. His long days working have been giving me time to do some things at home that I don’t normally get chance to do over the Christmas holidays.

During this time I have also been thinking a lot! Thinking of all the blessings of the past year…we’ve had many!!!! Thinking ahead to what 2017 will bring…

A lot of tragedy…a lot of death and uncertainty in the news the last few days… It really makes you stop and think and count your blessings!

Days swiftly flow…sunrise’s come, followed by beautiful sunsets. I’m not sure which I enjoy more. December has brought some beauties!

I hope you get a few quiet moments before this year is through to enjoy them. Here is one I took…

The rest are beautiful sunrises and sunsets captured by fellow photographers from Nova Scotia enjoying them too! ( Betty Meredith a local photographer is one of my favourites to follow)

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May EVERY sunrise hold more PROMISE

And every SUNSET hold more PEACE

I pray you are making the most of each day and the opportunities and adventures it presents…

( Sunrise, Sunset…from Fiddler on the Roof)

https://youtu.be/nLLEBAQLZ3Q?t=1m10s

What is happening here?

I am sad!!! VERY very sad!!!! Something is happening here along the coast of Nova Scotia in the last month…and no one can figure it out!!!!!!

Herring, Lobster, Bar clams, Starfish and more…

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In some of the photos it looks like things have been cooked.( lobster turns from black to red when it has been cooked or steamed)

A marine mystery is confounding residents of southwest Nova Scotia who are watching thousands of dead fish, starfish, crabs, clams, scallops and lobster wash up on the shore. Residents of Plympton, a small community in Digby County, say they have been finding dead herring on the shore of St. Mary’s Bay for more than a month, but recently other marine life has started washing up dead. Dead fish have also been found on the shores of the Annapolis Basin. This is extra concerning now that other species are involved.The Department of Fisheries and Oceans began investigating Nov. 22 after thousands and thousands of herring began washing in the eastern end of St. Mary’s Bay. But still no one knows what’s causing this!!!

I hope this mystery is solved soon!!! It is so very sad for our beautiful coast and all the marine life. What is happening??