Family – Page 8 – Just An East Coast Girl

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

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…

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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!