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.

Brain Training

Research has shown that regular brain training can significantly enhance fluid intelligence, which is the fundamental human ability to reason, detect patterns and learn.

Daily training is important and I am realizing this more and more. My dear husband is 3 years older than me and I think our kids are realizing that their Dad needs (& likes) some puzzles to keep his brain sharp and exercised for his job.

This year for Christmas some items for Brain training… And since he doesn’t go back to work until tomorrow, it was time to start a puzzle.

And a real challenge…

and another fun one ( from his parents)

Lots of “brain training” for my Maintenance Technician!

I hope you’re enjoying these last days of 2016.

The last birthday…

Yep…it’s my birthday! The last one…

…the last one BEFORE the BIG 50 that is! 2017 is gonna be a HUGE year!

So I will celebrate this Birthday in a similar manner ( Birthday meal at my parents) as all the rest and remember the wonderful years of my forties…

This year we decided to have my Birthday dinner in the evening. It is usually at noon time BUT it’s kinda nice just to relax and veg with nothing planned ( and the kids all like to sleep in til noon on days off…hey they are shift workers so it’s understandable) And …James is taking off to Quebec today to spend a week’s vacay with friends and he made me a delicious brunch before he went…

Eggs Benedict topped with Maple Smoked Salmon

Birthday Mimosasand…Birthday celebrations at Mom’s. Turkey burgers, lobster sandwiches, cake with boiled icing…

screen-shot-2016-12-26-at-8-44-08-pm screen-shot-2016-12-26-at-8-41-11-pm screen-shot-2016-12-26-at-8-42-37-pm Birthday #49. I really can’t believe it! But next year is gonna be a hard one to swallow. I don’t feel like I could be of that age. Time sure flies…

BUT…I guess I’ve got a whole year to figure out what FIFTY is gonna look like for me. And there has to be a change!

If every day could be CHRISTMAS!

What a WONDERFUL day it would be…

This is a GOODE Fam Christmas!

screen-shot-2016-12-25-at-11-03-35-am screen-shot-2016-12-25-at-4-06-03-pm screen-shot-2016-12-25-at-4-14-37-pm And later…some time at Nana & Papa’s home…

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grands

We had a wonderful day! I hope you did too! From Our Home in Nova Scotia on the East Coast of Canada, Merry Christmas!

On this winter’s night…

…we will remember!

The birth of our Saviour!

It’s Christmas EVE!!! The MOST wonderful night of the year.

I love EVERYTHING about this day’s preparations of Family traditions…tortiere and yule log and steamed cranberry pudding

dressing up for Christmas Eve

our special church service and seeing dear friends and family that are home from away to spend Christmas with their loved ones

enjoying our Goode Family’s Christmas Eve Traditional meal. I have been making the same thing for 30 years…

Just the coziness and quietness only Christmas Eve brings

And now it’s time for bed…

BECAUSE Santa’s coming…tomorrow!

Sing 🎶🎶

Ahh…it’s Friday! The Friday starting Christmas weekend. December 23rd. The eve of Christmas Eve. I cleaned my house all day getting ready for Christmas so that all I have to do tomorrow is make my special foods for Christmas Eve. I’m feeling a bit better, it took me a lot longer than normal to get my stuff done today. Hopefully I’m on the mend. So much so that I just wanted to do something fun and different tonight.

I am not one to go to the movies. I actually don’t watch a whole lot of movies. If I do I’ll wait a few months until I can watch them at home. BUT just for fun I thought I would go see one this week. I love movies where there’s music and animation!

This one looked like a lot of fun. I knew David wouldn’t really like it ( Rogue 1 was more in his scope) BUT just maybe he would “endure it”…for me. And I promise I will go see Rogue 1 with him over the holidays.

TONIGHT we Sing!

I loved it!!!!

Under the weather…

Where did that come from? I just feel awful!!! I’m trying to get the last few things accomplished BUT…

I’m Just feeling a little under the weather yesterday and today…

haha, I like this definition. Good thing for leftovers!

It’s a rainy day here along the south shore and we are probably not gonna see a whole lot of white for Christmas.

But we’ll see…maybe just a light white dusting.

Only 3 more days til Christmas. Are you ready?

It’s Winter!

Today is December 21st and that means It’s Officially Winter!

The bulk of our snow is gone with the rain. BUT for the First Day of Winter we got a nice light dusting. We’ll just have to wait a few days or so until a new snowfall comes to build a snowman though…

Happy Winter or Happy Dongzhi ( December 21st marks the traditional Chinese festival of Dongzhi, the 22nd solar term. Dongzhi marks the start of the coldest period of the season)

It’s Magical at Christmas 🎄🎅🎁⛄

I love Christmas lights. One of my favourite things to do in December before Christmas is to grab a mug of my favourite coffee or coffee/hot chocolate and drive around to see the lights. I love it!

When we were away our kids went to a magical place and told us about it. It sounded just perfect and tonight David & I and James went.

It was like a magical wonderland…in the middle of the woods!

I just LOVE stuff like this. And after…a candy cane coffee with some treats!

It’s a wrap

I feel very productive! I actually think I am ready for Christmas.

I have treats baked for my family. Today I finished the last of my gift purchasing and everything is wrapped. I have lists and menus made and even decided to do my grocery shopping so that later in the week when it’s REALLY busy I won’t have to.

I’m feeling pretty great because NOW I can RELAX and enjoy this most WONDERFUL time of the year! No stress, no pressure…just enjoy the quiet moments. ( PS. I think the key is to do less…but to make it special)

In honour of feeling accomplished…Wraps for dinner it is!

One week til Christmas

I can’t believe it’s just one week til Christmas!

07-1e3m3xt December has flown by!!! I guess because there was just so much fun stuff happening for us this year. And throw China travel into the mix makes it busy!

Today was our Church’s Christmas Banquet. Last week was the concert and we missed it. I’m a little sad because this is one of the highlights for me of the Christmas season. I love watching the little ones do their program.

Tonight was a wonderful banquet dinner. And so many great laughs and fun with friends. I’m feeling truly thankful and blessed.