Blueberry EVERYTHING!! 💙

Oxford Nova Scotia is the Blueberry Capital of Canada. BUT, you don’t have to go to Oxford to enjoy the tasty, delicious goodness of fresh picked blueberries. They’re in the stores, the markets, my backyard, my Mother’s yard ( she just brought me a whole big bowl full) Yummmm…. I LOVE this time of year!

It’s time for Blueberry EVERYTHING!!

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IMG_6818 IMG_6876 IMG_7009 IMG_7010 IMG_7011 IMG_7013 IMG_7045IMG_7062 IMG_7178 IMG_7179Yummy 💙

The Carnival’s in TOWN

Who doesn’t love carnival rides, cotton candy, and candy apples?

Gee, I think just about everyone would agree it’s lots of fun, especially if you have children or grandchildren to enjoy it with. It even brings out “the child” in people  as you recall days of excitement from childhood, waiting for that one week in the summer when the carnival would come to town.

We had hoped to get to “The Big Ex” in Bridgewater, however there was just too much happening this weekend! There’s always next year, right?

But this afternoon we did drive to Halifax to catch a couple acts of the International Buskers Festival down on the waterfront, see the newly painted Argyle Street, walk around the Carnival set up for Natal Day weekend and have fish & chips from a food truck. A great end to a wonderful weekend!

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I still can’t believe we’re in to August!

 

 

O Deer!

Backyard Visitors Take TWO

Well I don’t have the pics to prove it BUT I know exactly who what came! They ACTUALLY came VERY close to the house. Right up to my deck.

They LOVE the luscious green leaves that this summer has produced in gardens. I’m aware of their taste and I’ve been trying to keep them from enjoying their garden salad in my yard. We have been trying Iris Spring soap around the garden and in pots. It’s supposed to work, I guess it didn’t this time. Short of David going outside in the middle of the night and peeing on the garden ( I hear they don’t like male human pee) we’re gonna have to get some blood meal to try and see if that works.

So…the lovely green hostas on my step…

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IMG_6655 IMG_6656 IMG_6658Well you get the picture!

IMG_6657( And the flowers off the top in the garden) Yes, O deer!

Backyard Visitors

Sunday. Monday. Tuesday….It’s only Wednesday BUT what a rainy week! Our 2 week Nova Scotia summer is over and it feels like cool rainy fall weather. I am so very thankful for the 2 week vacation we had the first part of July…the weather was gorgeous!

We’ve been put on hold with our backyard garden project. It’s kinda hard to work when it’s rainy and soggy. We actually have less to do than we thought because we shifted our plan, a little more restructuring to make the best use of the small space, and some of it won’t be able to be started and completed until next summer. So that means less to do this summer!  But it would be nice to finish up what we have started.

In the meantime I am so pleased with how it’s coming along. I’ll soon post a few pictures. One of the goals I had was to make my garden bird friendly. I wanted to see and hear birds in the morning, I love watching them. So I put out a couple feeders and bird baths and the birds are coming! They found them and have been frequent visitors. I love them and of course Abby does too. She sometimes tries to case the birds and two chipmunks that have been visiting. It’s hard to get the pictures because they are still a little camera shy!

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This rainy weather is “for the birds” (and our new front lawn) Waiting patiently for the sun to return… Have a GREAT east coast day!

 

Just overnight…

It’s a short stay. L’Hermione the replica French frigate was in Lunenburg overnight and will sail out this morning to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon on her way back to France.

I love our Nova Scotia ambassador ship The Bluenose, she’s a beauty but to see this ship…up close…WOW!!!! She’s something else.

Saturday morning, one of the largest tall ship replicas ever built sailed into Lunenburg and lots of people were on the dock ready to greet her. The ship was led into the harbour by The Bluenose! I would have loved to been there ( totally forgot)  A few photos( not mine) of her arrival…

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L’Hermione is a replica of General Lafayette’s 18th century ship that carried him to the United States from France to announce his country’s support in the fight for independence in the War of 1812. The 65-metre long ship was completed in 2014, after 17 years of construction. The project cost $34 million dollars and was built using 18th century materials and tools.

Our youngest son James works at one of the restaurants at the Port of Lunenburg and got to serve the lunch, and dinner event on board the L’Hermione yesterday. This morning there is a brunch and then this beautiful French ship…one that you imagine from stories of old…will sail out of Lunenburg again ( it’s only stop this tour in Canada) and be just another wonderful memory for the people along the East Coast of Canada!

We did go see L’Hermione and Here are a few photos…

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IMG_6560 IMG_6565 IMG_6566 IMG_6577 IMG_6582 IMG_6589Safe journey L’Hermione. Thanks for stopping by!

 

Interesting History

Historic Properties also known as Privateer’s Wharf are warehouses on the boardwalk in downtown Halifax at the waterfront that were constructed during the Napoleon War by businessmen ( actually privateers, and smugglers) whose vessels defied the blockade to bring supplies to the British Commander, Duke of Wellington. These properties helped make Halifax prosperous in Canada’s early days by aiding trade and commerce, but they were also frequently used as vehicles for smuggling and privateering. The historic properties reflect the time period beginning with the War of 1812. The main contribution of Nova Scotia in the war was privateers. Over 35 Nova Scotian Privateers seized more than 200 American merchant ships and their cargo. Merchants and traders bought them at auctions in Halifax and promptly resold them. In many cases, they even resold the Americans their own goods. Privateering was a risky. Interesting history…

Today they are shops and restaurants and interesting architecture. Great places to walk on a beautiful day, grab a bite to eat and take some photos.

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Love this guy…

demonstrating how all the forms of public punishment were used for that time period.
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He’s my anchor!IMG_6218We had a FUN day! And today… we are celebrating our 29th Wedding Anniversary!

Overlooking the Harbour

High on the hill overlooking the Port, she was built to protect the Capital.

It’s obvious when you see the layout,why this strategic hilltop location with a commanding view of the Halifax harbour was chosen in 1749 for the fort destined to protect the city. The star-shaped Halifax Citadel is a MUST see destination for locals and tourists a like.

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IMG_6283 IMG_6285 IMG_6299DSC09448Take a step back in time, with a guided tour, changing of the guard, bagpipe music, period dress. Have a coffee and treat at the coffee shop, a walk through history in the museum…This is an experience you won’t want to miss!

She’s Called Nova Scotia

DSC07969My province. Such a beautiful place.

Ok something we NEVER do is stop at the tourist information centre between New Brunswick in to Nova Scotia. I mean, why would we? Nova Scotia is our home.

This vacation we stopped, just for FUN, and it is a lovely information centre and rest stop for tourists visiting our province.

IMG_5468 IMG_5470IMG_5471IMG_5472IMG_5475IMG_5467WELCOME to Canada’s Ocean Playground!

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YESTERDAY…Last day of vacation

It’s back to work early this morning for David. We had such a wonderful two weeks exploring our beautiful province. A place where tourists from all over the world visit and return year after year. We are blessed that’s for sure!

YESTERDAY, We spent our afternoon enjoying Lunenburg. One of our favourite towns very close to home. We had a leisurely lunch on the waterfront at The Old Fish Factory  with our youngest son ( he works there so it was nice for him to be off working hours and join us). Then we got dessert at David’s favourite spot, Sweet Treasures. And enjoyed strolling the streets browsing some shops and just enjoying the afternoon together.

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BEAUTIFUL LunenburgDSC08111And today it’s back to work, and back to routine for me.

Today is July 13th. 13 more days and it will be ONE YEAR since we’ve returned from expat. July 26th we flew home from China. I gave myself a year…a year to adjust…a year to eat and do whatever I wanted…because of what we missed being away…

That year is over…pretty much. NOW, it’s time to stop procrastinating, time to stop dwelling on the fact that China will always have a piece of my heart, and Brazil will always be fondly in my memories of our time there. It’s time! TIME to stop procrastinating and live my life to the “fullest” here and now and find what truly makes s me happy here!!!

Have a great Monday my friends and the start of a brand new week!