Family – Page 13 – Just An East Coast Girl

Be BOLD with BEAUTY!

Today is a Shopper’s Drug Mart Gala Day! They have them periodically…Mother’s Day, Christmas time…and today. I have never attended one before BUT since my dear sweet daughter is a makeup artist there and since this particular gala she is in charge of ( the manager is on vacay) I decided to go for support, and also to get a BOLD NEW look!

I have always worn make up, nothing new BUT I don’t always wear bold eye makeup. I thought I would purchase something darker than normal and get Laura to give me a quickie makeover lol.

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And there are even treat bags!! How cool 😀

LOTS of fun!!! I sure hope David like my bold new eyes!!

PS~ Oh and I won a basket!!! Haha, Laura called this afternoon to come and pick up a gift basket that I was one of 3 winners!! Yay!!!

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A Party WITH PiZzA and PiE for the BiRtHdAy GuY

Today we will celebrate James! Our youngest son was 24 on Saturday. This is the summer that James and his friends have been having fun with PiZza. EVERYONE loves Pizza, right? Well, James and his friends have been coming up with some interesting and unusual topping ideas. Like these…

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Left, pesto chicken with artichoke hearts. Right, peanut butter Thai chicken with sprouts and spring rolls.

13669046_10154135030946858_2704569454757742576_n Top: Spicy perogie and salami pizza with sour cream and parsley topping. Bottom: Smokey chipotle bbq chicken pizza topped with sautéed red peppers, crispy onions, and mayo.

And eating pizza in cool places like this… ( a few of James’ friends)

The pizzas all looks so delicious!! So we thought it only fitting for his Birthday to have pizza. Nothing too crazy but another James creation. ( BBQ Chicken, and Hawaiian …pretty normal)

And a Veggie with Arugula and feta and black olives, and philly steak pizza

And of course pie, instead of cake, because he already had a Birthday cake when he was camping on his Birthday. And who doesn’t LOVE peanut butter cup pie!

Happy Birthday James! We love you tons!!!

Happy Natal Day!

What is Natal Day?

This is what Wikipedia says…

Natal Day in Canada. People of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia hold “birthday” parties for their province on the first Monday of August. Huge birthday cakes are prepared and distributed. Other events include communal meals, parades, sporting activities and firework displays.

Ok…so I don’t know about the huge Birthday cake part BUT I know Nova Scotia’s truly love a long weekend and fireworks. Enjoy your day however you celebrate.

Happy Natal Day Nova Scotia!

ACROSS CANADA DAY: 4 July 13~ Family & Falls

We have been in Niagara Falls! We are spending a few days with Martin & Rebecca, seeing their new home, enjoying Rebecca’s delicious cooking… and enjoying the beautiful Falls and sights that bring tourists from all over the world to their city.

Niagara Falls area is touristy! It’s beautiful though! Quite amazing really! We have been there many times, but in between visiting and quality time we had to pop down to see them…in the day…and at night!

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Niagara Falls…it’s been so wonderful but it’s time to move on…

ACROSS CANADA DAY: 3 July 12~ Niagara On The Lake

About 30 km from Niagara Falls is a beautiful town, Niagara On The Lake. Tourists often describe it as “the prettiest town in Ontario” It’s where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario and it is Ontario’s wine region with vineyard after vineyard. There are also markets and fresh fruits. There’s a lot of History and Historical places to see at Niagara on The Lake, however, knowing my husband’s “love” for history…we don’t tend to focus on that aspect, but there’s lots to see and learn.

Niagara on the Lake is my favourite place in this area. We always visit when we are at Martin & Rebecca’s. It’s a place that I can keep going back to, just to wander the streets and shops, peek in the art galleries, have a coffee, maybe a bite to eat and a glass of wine, watch the sights, watch people. It’s my idea of a relaxing few hours of my vacation. What a wonderful ( very HOT 35 degrees) day!

Here are some pictures of our lovely day…

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ACROSS CANADA DAY: 2 July 11~ Hello Mr. Prime Minister

Today is another travel day with a quick stop for bagels. Bagels in Quebec, especially Montreal Bagels are the BEST in the world. It’s all in the way they are prepared and baked. Oven roasted…YUMMOS!

And then on to Canada’s capital. It was a quick stop.Ok it was more of a pause and drive by… When the kids were younger and in school, we spend some time here exploring and learning first hand about Canada’s capital and city, Ottawa. Today we stopped for a few pics and to wave Hello to “Justin & Sophie” 😀 and have a picnic along the beautiful Ottawa River.

Every summer, artist John-Felice Ceprano, does some amazing work with rocks. Ceprano lifts stones and slabs to create “rock balance art.” Every summer he expands the collection of sculptures at Remic Rapids adding to his creations using only materials found on-site. Such a cool spot along our travels.

A quick diversion to my old home city of Port Perry. A few pics of my Uncle & Auntie’s farm. A few pics of our Manchester home. I lived there in the early 70’s before my parents moved to Nova Scotia in 1975. And since we were in Port Perry…dinner was at Haugen’s Restaurant where Mom ( & my cousin Peggy) used to work. And look who joined us? It was so wonderful that Peggy & Brian drove down from Lindsay to have dinner with us.

Driving down the busy 401…are we having fun? Just a wee bit tired!!!

And then it was on to David’s twin brother’s home…Martin & Rebecca live in Niagara Falls. We took advantage of the fact that we were a little late arriving to get a few night shots of the falls…

We just enjoyed their company at our home in Nova Scotia, and now they are back home. And it is here that we will spend a few days visiting, checking out their new place ( they moved last Fall when Rebecca & I were in China) and seeing a couple of our favourite spots before we move on to the next part of our travels.

It’s late…time for sleep in Niagara Falls Ontario.

Our 30th Anniversary Across CANADA Road Trip!

After all the planning…It’s here and I am so excited!!!! 3 weeks of FUN and ADVENTURE with my sweetie traveling across our beautiful country.

Originally, we hoped to have enough time to do it all by car BUT with only 3 weeks we will driving and flying and renting a car. Either way it will be fun! We will see some places we saw 29 years ago, and make some new memories, as well as stop at some places we have been wanting to see for a long time.

Itinerary is planned, suitcases are packed, and after a good night’s sleep tonight….OFF we go bright and EARLY in the morning!!!!!

Planes, Trains, Automobiles, Ferries…it’s gonna be a FUN Adventure!

Picturesque Places

I love when family and friends come to visit. It usually means that we get to show them the most picturesque places in our area. I never tire of this…

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We had a fabulous day!

Pool Party

Andrew & Kristina’s pool is READY for cooling off on hot summer days! They have actually been using it lots for the last couple weeks. They can’t imagine life without it!

I knew they would love it. We used ours so much when the kids were small.

With the family all visiting, they thought it would be fun to have a Pool Party BBQ Splashing & Grilling up some Goodies = LOTS of FUN!!

Thank you so much Andrew & Kristina for a wonderful afternoon!!

Family Days

These days are family days! GOODE family all together this weekend. A little bit hectic and crazy the more Goodes that are added to the list, BUT fun to be together.

Canada Day many of the Goodes gathered in Bedford at Glenn & Holly’s home to celebrate Canada Day. David worked so we didn’t get to go this year. Late Friday night David’s twin arrived. His brother and wife and youngest son will stay with us this week while other family are staying with David’s parents. Their son Jonathan is also here for just the weekend ( he’s working in NFLD for the summer) so on Saturday while David caught up on a few hours sleep they spent some time in the city and we joined them later to have some time together celebrating our son James and their son Jonathan. These two graduated the same day a couple weeks ago…

Maxwell’s Plum, always a favourite

And even a quick drive by SMU where James will study in September Some of the cousins with babies and little ones have also been enjoying quality time together.

Sunday was Goode Family Day in Mahone Bay at David’s parents. EVERYONE was there. Ok, not everyone ( it’s hard to get everyone together anymore) BUT lots of the “GOODE GANG”

Here is a pic of David’s parents with the GREAT Grandkids, yes, that’s right they have Great Grandkids! They’re so sweet!!!

But sadly…David & I didn’t make it again. David was up early this am and out washing all the cars in the yard ( it’s good therapy haha, he really enjoys it)

And while he was in the middle of that he got a call to go back in to work. A serious situation and something that took hours to get straightened around. That’s just the way things are when you’re on call 24/7. He got done in time for us to go visit for an hour and then it was home and to bed because 4am comes early!

Today I had Jeremy while David’s twin brother and his wife celebrated their 29th Anniversary in Lunenburg.

Everyone is around for the rest of the week so I am sure we will still have lots of time to catch up. At least his brother and family are with us and so we get to see them a little more.

But I have to say…I am really looking forward to our summer vacations with NO work interruptions!!!! Just a few more days…a few more days… 😛

Wishing you a great week!!! It’s a hot one here.