Category: Canada

Soaking up some sun

I’m not the only one that NEEDS their Vitamin Sea  C. Someone else likes soaking up the sun.

This winter hadn’t been too bad…then…FEBRUARY! It’s the Snow month!!

Snowstorm on Thursday and NOW another BIGGER one again tonight… Yes, I live in the red area…60 cm. Yikes!!!

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE living in a place where we can enjoy all the seasons. But I do crave sunshine and blue skies. That’s why I take a few vitamins and eat lots of tropical fruit in the winter.

And usually plan a little getaway…

Ahh…

What helps get you through the “COLD & SNOW” months? Or is Winter your favourite season?

Wishing you a great week ahead!

 

 

It’s a Nor’easter!

Nor’easters form along the East coast as warm air from over the Atlantic Ocean clashes with arctic cold to the north and west. They thrive on converging air masses—the cold polar air mass and the warmer air over the water—and are more severe in winter when the difference in temperature between these air masses is greater.

A Nor’easter gets its name from the northeasterly winds that blow in from the ocean ahead of the storm. Nor’easters can occur at any time throughout the year, but they are most common between the months of September through April and are usually accompanied by very heavy rain or snow. They can cause severe coastal flooding, erosion and hurricane force winds and blizzard conditions. Nor’easters are usually most intense during winter in the Canadian Maritime provinces as well as the Mid-Atlantic and New England United States.

It started snowing last night at 6pm and snowed and blowed all night! Yep, textbook Nor’easter here in the Maritimes. David did most of the “digging out” early this morning before he went to work and James finished later.

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Now, It’s just your textbook February snowy day on the East Coast of Canada!

Photo courtesy of Town Of Bridgewater
Photo from Town Hall overlooking the LaHave River courtesy of Town Of Bridgewater

Another one is expected on Monday. Yep…February is “snow month”

EARLY Spring!

February 2 is “the day” they let the groundhogs out!

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Shubenacadie Sam, Nova Scotia’s most-famous groundhog weatherman, peeking out from his house at Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park in  Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, Canada.  Sam came out of his home and went for a little stroll this morning and didn’t see his shadow which means an early Spring! Yay!!!!!

Spring is on the way!!!!!!

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”

A new year is the perfect time to move out of your comfort zone and try new recipes and ingredients…NEW HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES!

I have been trying to eat a more “plant based” diet the last few weeks. Not ALL plant based, just MORE. I have been struggling with a few issues, most likely age related. I thought possibly eating more “green” and less “animal” even though I enjoy meat would help. I love food! All kinds of food! Here are a few things, along with the various soups, I have been enjoying…

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Yum! There are just so many fun and delicious things to make.

I was awake super early this morning, actually I didn’t sleep much. Today I went for a CT scan. My doctor and I have tried a few different things for this “reoccurring dizzy” that I seem to get, so we both figured it was time to test further…pray the results come back good! I have to say I was a wee bit nervous going in the scan even though I have used a tanning bed before ( a few people said it’s kinda like that) But I didn’t think it was at all like that. In fact because I only needed my head scanned, my whole body didn’t go in and it was very quick. In and out and finished and a quick walk home ( the hospital is practically in my backyard) before my actual appointment time. Now to wait for the results…

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img_5744And… I also went for my very first “full body massage” today. Sure I’ve had my legs and feet done, also neck and shoulders, but I have never taken the time or booked an “official” appointment for a massage. It’s usually something I decide on a whim when we are vacationing. My son and daughter in law LOVE their regular massage appointments and convinced me that I need to add that to part of my “health care” The problem is…if I enjoy it too much, I don’t know if my husband will be able to afford all the appointments? haha

And as I imagined…it was lovely!!!

Ahh…

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Well, that was my day. This year I need to concentrate on me ( just a bit) get some things changed ( fixed) that need changing! This is part of that commitment!

I hope you’re having a great day! What do you do to look after yourself so you’re healthy?

 

 

Made in China

I often hear people comment about EVERYTHING made in China and sometimes even hear “that crap” comes from China.

I guess I am a little sensitive to comments like that after having lived there. I love China and the culture and people and appreciate so much the labor and skill that goes in to much of what comes from China. There is so much we don’t know or understand.

I regularly get posts and news of artisans making, creating or perfecting their handiwork. There are so many unique things made in China. The Chinese people are VERY talented and highly skilled at what they do!

Here are just a few examples that I’ve enjoyed lately.

Spring Festival is right around the corner and 2017 is the YEAR of the Rooster so many things are rooster themed…

A rooster carving from butter!

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Rooster art made with colourful grains16114566_1414222311962915_5130117037883441562_n 16195115_1414222301962916_6631266697966417858_n

Roosters handprinted on eggs

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Rooster from palm

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16142313_1412036938848119_3179407608588392621_nA rooster in the snow on a football field at a University in Northern China

And then there’s the light festivals that are so elaborate

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And the snow and ice carvings that take weeks to do ( I have seen these in person and it’s amazing)

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How about this art work done with a ball point pen? I LOVE these.

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This is just a small taste…

I am missing China so much these days as I talk to my friends and see these pictures. Spring Festival aka Chinese New Year was one of my MOST favourite times to be there.

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It just keep going around and around…

I think my immune level MUST be low. I am picking up whatever is going… Last week David had a bad cold. Congestion, stuffiness and all that CRUD!! yuck!!

Saturday morning I woke up with that CRUD! Yuck! I can’t be sick again!

This has actually been a great winter for the most part. Different people you talk to say there isn’t the doom and gloom depressing feeling that is usually there in January. I agree!! It’s been great! I have been working on projects, getting them ticked off my list,  and the month of January is flying by….except for everyone you talk to has either been sick with the cold congestion stuff or the flu bug and sick to their stomach. Gee, I will take the cold over stomach flu any day but it’s not fun…I just feel miserable and achy, can’t breath, it affects my “dizzy situation” and I lose my appetite.

My sweet son made me a “tonic” last night! Ginger, Turmeric. cloves, cinnamon, lemon, honey and a bit of Chaga… who knows what else he threw in it!

img_5692It felt nice on my sore throat.

Here’s hoping to a healthy week ahead. Temperature a re a bit milder this morning, I may have to open the windows to chase out the germs. lol

Have a great week friends!

The World is watching 

January 20, 2017

Are you watching?

It’s the beginning of a brand new world whether you were watching or not.

I was watching…
An important day in history for our neighbours to the south of Canada. The Inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J Trump. The World is watching…🇺🇸 🏛

In the words of the new American Leader President Trump, “January 20, 2017…Will be remembered as The day the people became the rulers of this nation once again. ”

I rest in the fact that No matter who is President ( or Prime Minister for that matter) there is ONE greater in control…
In God we Trust!

Here are a few pics I took as I watched…

Vice President Oath of Office. Mike Pence

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Presidential Oath of Office. Donald J Trumpimg_3520 img_3521 img_3522 img_3523 img_3524 img_3525

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Inaugural Speech by President Trumpimg_3535 img_3536 img_3537 img_3538 img_3542 img_3546

Reverend Franklin Graham praying for the new president.img_3557 img_5663

Whether you were watching or not, whether he is your choice for President or not, he is your new President dear American friends…it’s time to get behind him, pray for and support him.