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3 In Adventures

An Exploration Roadtrip

It all started with a class project and my bucketlist.  Isn’t that how most adventures start?  Someone looking for a good excuse to explore?  Well, Lena’s assignment of ‘find a special rock’ meant I offered up a road trip to Scot’s Bay, somewhere I’ve been wanting to go because I’ve heard wonderful things about it and the rocks you can find there.  Kill two birds with one stone, right?

The plan was that we would get up bright and early on the Sunday of the long weekend and head down.  Slight change in plan meant I was taking Lena and her classmate, Hannah opted out of this one to stay with her friend for the day.  So, Abbie spent the night and we hit the road at 8.  I had also made arrangements to meet up with my non-axe-murderer roommate from my weekend at White Point Beach Resort { you can read about that HERE and HERE } at Scot’s Bay, too.

At 11 o’clock, we rolled into the parking lot, we were greeted by sunshine and wind and a sweeping beach that went on for what seemed like miles.  The girls ran off to start looking for their special rocks and I wandered along, looking down and not really knowing what I was looking for.  But I saw someone who did look as though they knew what they were looking for.  I spotted a gentleman along the waterline, stick in hand, sack over his shoulder.  I approached him and we started chatting.  Yes, he sure did know what he was doing and he was happy to teach me a thing or two about what to look for at Scot’s Bay.  If the rocks are wet, it makes it easier to spot the waxy looking ones, which are the agate and he collects them to polish in a tumbler which takes up to 7 weeks!  Apparently he belongs to a group that does this and offers tours, does class trips and everything!  I really did find the expert!

I loved geology in school and seeing the rocks and hearing him talk about the area and where you can find amethyst, made me thankful we had made the trip.  The girls found some rocks, probably nothing worth anything more than the memories attached to them.  But it was fun to explore.

There was crazy amounts of driftwood and fishing rope along the high water line.  Someone had even taken the time to create a sculpture of sorts along the shore with all the litter, which was cool but also a reminder of just how much garbage there is laying around our beautiful beaches.  Ugh.

Lunch eaten, it was time to say our goodbyes to Tracy and her son Cole, who made this part of our day even better.  There’s nothing like chatting with a friend at a picnic table with the sun shining.  We piled our rocks in the car and hit the road, off to do some more exploring….although our next stop wasn’t far down the road – the Look-Off!

The valley is so amazing.  Especially when you can take its patchwork of colour in from a vista like the Look-Off.  We spotted a fire, horses, loads of tractors working the land, and the rows of apple trees in full bloom.  I loved that the girls each wanted to capture the view on their i-things, made me think that exploring is a fun part of childhood, even if you’re 10.  Lena even made one of her picture her wallpaper. 🙂

I hate to even admit that our next stops were places I have never been and they’re surprisingly close to home.  I’ve seen the sign on the highway for Walton Lighthouse and Burntcoat Head Park.  But I’ve never been.  Guys, you need to go.  Seriously!  Both are amazing places.  How often to you get to climb to the top of, not one, but two lighthouses!  When we were there the tide was going out, so the sea floor stretched out for such a long way.  The coastline is jagged and rough, trees cling to the bank and the evidence of the years of pounding surf apparent.

Walton Lighthouse is perched on the bank and after exploring there, we wanted to go down to the bottom.  I wasn’t sure how to do that, it was a twisty little road without a shoulder and any obvious way down.  But I spotted a little lane that headed down, so I pulled the car in, hoping I was going to be able to easily get out later.  We hopped out of the car and headed down the rocks to what we thought was sand….but, nope, it was goopy mud.  Pretty typical for the Fundy Bay.  So we wandered along the rocky shore, staying out of the mud, and found the best rocks of the day.  They were worn in the most amazing ways from the continued exposure to the water.  Buried in some were crystals, some had deep grooves, some looked like they were striped.  It was amazing.  Each one unique, each one seeming to tell its own story.  The girls loaded up their arms and pockets until they could carry no more.  I admit I took a few home with me, too.

Our next stop was suppose to be Burntcoat Head Park, but along the way, we spotted the most amazing cemetery that was covered in phlox that were in perfect bloom!  It was stunning, we had to stop.  And take pictures.  Because, well, how could I not?  I love old cemeteries, they are so scenic and captivating.  I wasn’t sure if the girls would get out of the car, they don’t quite get the draw I have to some locations and the need to photograph them.  But they got out and took their i-things with them to take pictures, too.  Another win for mom 😉

Burntcoat Head Park is a must see if you live in Nova Scotia.   I had no idea.  None.  Never have I been there { that I recall anyway } but I can’t wait to go with Michael and the girls.  It’s incredible.  The tide was still out, so we were able to go down and walk around the island { flowerpot? } and explore the ocean floor there, too.  Seriously, you need to go but wear shoes that have traction and that can get muddy, it’s pretty slick in spots.  And again, there is the lighthouse you can explore, too, climbing way up into the top and getting an amazing view of the whole area.

I thought our exploring was done for the day.  I thought the girls would be bored with seeing these parks and exploring the shore.  But, no, at the next park, Anthony Park, they definitely wanted to go check it out.  So, out we hopped and walked to the end of the pier.  With the tide out, the pier stretches over the muddy flats, but when the tide is in, it would be so completely different.  We need to do our route when the tide is in, just as a comparison.  Tides along the Bay of Fundy are so extreme – so low and so high.  I guess that’s why we’re world-renowned for our tides.  😉

And they still weren’t done!  Next stop was the centre in Maitland and walked down the old rail bed to the pier over the Shubenacadie River.  We checked the tidal bore table to see when it would be coming in, but waiting until 9:30 that night didn’t sound like a good plan to me…the girls were game…

On the way out, they noticed a thick cluster of dandelions and gleefully stomped and kicked their way through.  I managed to salvage a few to try to get them to blow them….do you ever out grow that?  I certainly hope not.  That wonder, the awe and the fun of just exploring, I hope they never lose that.

We fell into bed, happy and tired, just the way you should be on a long weekend night!  I just hope the girls can decide on one rock to take to school to present to the class out of their bucketful 😉

To be continued,

Lori

In Adventures

Value In a Village

Last night I got to do something that I’ve never done and it was a blast.  What you might ask? Well, I got to attend a special sneak peek at New Glasgow’s new Value Village!  And guys – it’s a huge store!  And the staff is awesome – I mean, they were handing out cake! Does it get any better?  Cake, thrifting…yeah, I know, right?

But let me back up a little.  I think I have been in a Value Village….once.  And I’d peg it back in the days I was living in the city { the city being Halifax, Bedford, Dartmouth and Lower Sackville all lumped into one because that’s how us North Shore folk roll }.  Now, my friend, Janice, is an avid Value Village shopper, it’s the ongoing joke with her, every time I compliment her on an outfit, pieces, if not the entire outfit, came from Value Village. So, when I got an invitation to this event, I was all over it.  Catherine agreed to join me because there’s nothing better than thrifting with a friend!

We agreed to meet in the parking lot.  And guys, last night it was pouring rain!  Pouring!  I got there, parked and noticed a line forming outside the door IN THE POURING RAIN!  I texted Catherine to let her know that I’m there and there’s a line up in the rain.  She pulled in beside me and I hopped quickly into her van and we look at each other, knowing we are NOT hardcore enough to stand in the pouring rain for 10-15 minutes before the doors open.  Nope, no way, no how.

After the line of soggy people disappear into the store, we head in.  I had no idea it was going to be so big!  There are people going everywhere, with carts, baskets and cake.  It was interesting to me to see what people were picking up to take home with them.  I love ‘people watching’ in situations like this, people are interesting…very interesting beings. Some people are knickknacks people, some people are clothes people, some people are re-sell people.

I was interested in the home goods sections, I’m always on the look out for interesting things to decorate with and to use for photography for the blog.  And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! I scored a few aprons, a table cloth { which I actually think might be a towel? } and some plant pots.  And my most exciting score was the two toss pillow cases!!  Catherine also found a bunch of shirts for me to try on, but I only ended up taking two of those home with me.  And because I was invited to this event as a local blogger, they had a gift card for me 🙂 So the treasures I took home are compliments of Value Village – how awesome is that?  Thanks so much for that, Value Village!

I wish I had’ve snapped a picture of the doors hanging from the ceiling to mark each department by giant binder clips.  It was pretty cool.  I also loved the displays of items on the upper wall, like the giant teddy bear stuffed with teddy bears.  Great displays – I like a little fun in a store.

So, want to know what else is so great about Value Village? Well, you know I’m a huge fan of up-cycling and having another place to shop for treasures is always a win in my books.  But!!  They have a Community Donation Center on site which means people can drop off their items that they no longer want, so instead of things going to the landfill, they’re getting another chance at life.  And, when you shop at any Value Village, you are putting money back into a local charity, too!  It’s a win, win!  I think having a Value Village within our community is definitely a plus for our community.  Jobs, a place to donate household and clothing items to keep them out of the landfill, and a new spot to shop for more economical options – Value Village is definitely adding value to our village!

When I was looking through their website for information for this post, I was amazed at the stats – and that they have Macklemore on it, fitting, don’t you think? And if you don’t know what I mean…google it….except Mom, don’t do that….they say bad words…. ANYWAY! Back to the stats – they keep 700,000,000 pounds of reusable items out of the landfill each YEAR!  The average person throws away 81 pounds of textiles A YEAR!!  That’s crazy!  Why not donate it?  There are so many good reasons to!  Looking for something new?  Shop there first – they might have just what you are looking for!

I love their slogan – SHOP. REUSE. REIMAGINE.

Alright, I’m off to put one of my new treasures to use in the studio makeover, which will be wrapped up tomorrow – so stop back by!

To be continued,

Lori

{ I was given a gift card by Value Village but my take on the event and store is just that 😉 }

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 In Adventures

I Heart Snail Mail

I know I’m not alone.  I know I’m not the only one out there who loves getting mail – that’s not a bill – in their mailbox.

When I was younger, my cousins, Wendy and Tracy, and I would write to each other all the time.  We’d write one letter, send it to one, then they’d send it on to the next.  We didn’t see each other often as we lived in different provinces, but we always kept in touch that way.  Now, we have Facebook, so even though we don’t write letters anymore to each other, we still have an idea of what’s going on in each others lives.  But it isn’t the same as getting a fat envelope in the mail from one of them.

Last summer, Tracy and her family come east to visit us.  They have 4 kids, of which the two youngest are girls and close in age to my two.  They really connected during the visit and have exchanged a few letters, pretty sure we’re due to send something their way.  I want my kids to have that experience too, of waiting for mail, of sending something out to someone and of the way you connect with someone, even if they are miles upon miles away.

When I was younger, I spent a lot of time with the family who lived next door.  Next door as in where we live now…they were an older couple and I love them dearly.  We wrote letters to each other and left them in a saltines tin nailed to a telephone pole for each other.  We called it Porpoise Post.  I would hop off the bus and scramble down into the ditch to fetch the latest ‘mail’ for them.  It could be a long-winded letter or maybe a silly note or picture.  I wish now that I had kept all those letters and notes.  It would be quite the collection but they were treasures I enjoyed and then eventually tossed away.  The older version of me wishes the younger version valued them more and had hung onto them all.

I love being a part of the Art Swap, this year will be the third year…time…is it yearly….the third one I’ve been a part of.  You can see my other Art Swap posts HERE and HERE and HERE.  It’s fun to make something for someone and send it off, knowing they’ll appreciate whatever you send them.  The organizer of the swap started a Facebook group so as people finish their projects, they’ll post pictures without naming the recipients.  So you wait and hope that maybe this one or that one that caught your eye will land in your mail box.  And then when people do get their packages, its a great spot to send our thanks along to the artist.  I’ve recieved 2 packages so far and haven’t sent mine out yet….just keeping people in suspense! 😉  I’ll be sure to do a post about what I’ve recieved and what I’m sending out!  I have a gameplan, which always helps!

The other fun way to get mail is to sign up for a monthly box subscription.  I had recieved Olive Boxes for a bit, I blogged about a couple of the HERE, HERE and HERE.  I miss getting them and I know there are so many fabulous options on the market now from ones for your kids, your pets or for yourself.  I know a few people whose products are being used in this type of box, which makes me think I should look into subscribing to something with a local spin on it….hmmmm…..off to Google that…..

A blogger I follow, Fat Mum Slim, does a great thing, too, connecting people from all around the world with a penpal in her The Oh So Happy Mail Project.  I decided that this go-round of it I would sign up.  So I have a new friend to send some goodies to from Nova Scotia all the way to Australia!  It’ll be fun to see how that goes and what kind of packages get sent back and forth!  I have no doubt there will blogging done about my Happ Mail!

So, what do you love to find in your mail box?  I keep toying with the idea of organizing some fun snail mail deal, too….I’d love to connect some of my readers with fellow readers.  Let me know your thoughts on that…I’m open to ideas!

To be continued,

Lori

 

In Adventures/ Clear Day Farm/ Country Life/ Our Family

Meet Ebony

We have a new addition to our little farm and family!  Meet Ebony, our little Shetland pony, who just joined our family yesterday afternoon.  She’s a little firecracker who, I think, will fit right in around here.

Our girls are horse crazy and have been for quite a while.  But committing to a horse seemed like a huge step.  And honestly, we weren’t even looking for a pony.  But when my friend, Rebecca of Pearl & Daisy, posted a Kijiji ad about a sweet little pony who was looking for a new home, I sent the link to Michael and basically started to beg.  And then I played the winning card…..telling the girls about her….and that pretty much sealed the deal.  There was messages back and forth with Rebecca, asking questions and making arrangements for a visit.

As much as we wanted a pony, we need she had to be the right fit.  So our first visit to Ebony was to meet her and check her out.  And we told the girls if it isn’t a good match then we can’t take her.  Thankfully, it went well, even though it was a springy kind of day and Ebony was feeling it.  I took a few pictures during our visit and I love this one of Lena, sharing breath with Ebony.  This is how Ebony gets to know someone and be comfortable with them.  This was a special moment caught between the two of them, and I love Rebecca’s expression in the background.  Rebecca has two girls who have outgrown Sweet Ebony and so it seems quite perfect that Ebony should find a new home with two girls again.

I’ll admit I was nervous about trailering Ebony home.  But I guess I didn’t need to worry.  She was fine, freaked out, yes, but she did great.  Admittedly, it wasn’t the easiest task to get her on the trailer but with a ramp and some apples for bribery and loads of patience, we got her on.  Huge thanks to Gordon and Morris MacKinnon for the lend of the trailer { and not taking 2 hours to show Michael the cows 😉 } and to Dad for the truck.

When we got her home, we took her straight to her paddock behind the barn and let her run around a bit, showing her the fence line so she wouldn’t try to bolt through it.  I lead her in and out of the barn a few times, too, but she was more interested in grazing on what bits of green grass she could find.   The girls were in the pasture with her but still a bit nervous of her since they don’t know how she’ll react quite yet.  But each visit to the barn they get more and more confident around her and she is settling in quite well.

Today is blowing like mad and cold, cold, cold and we let her out in the paddock and she loves it!  We’re freezing in the barn and she couldn’t care less about the weather!  They make those Shetland ponies tough!  I think her outdoor weather is not going to be the same as ours!  She has a shaggy coat to keep her warm in weather like this!

I’m excited for our family to have this sweet girl in our lives.  I look forward to working with Ebony to get her settled in and hopefully ready to ride again.  The girls will have so much fun with her!  We’ve laid down the ground rules and fully expect no trouble, the girls realize the honour and privilege of being responsible for this precious pony.  I have fond memories of our pony Chestnut that we had growing up, and I’m happy that our irls will have these memories, too.  Chestnut was your typical stubborn pony and I think Ebony may have some of those some pony tendancies, but that’s what builds character, no?  But this face, though…..

I’m sure Ebony will be a popular face on my blog and Instagram.  I’m even toying with giving her her own Instagram account….but we’ll see about that – I’ll let you know!!

Now, we’re off to the barn yet again!

To be continued,

Lori

1 In Adventures/ Make Something

DIY by the Sea – Part 2

I’m not done going on about White Point Beach!!  How is it I lived here for 41 years and am just finally realizing this treasure!?!?!  In my last post, I talked about the projects we did during the DIY by the Sea, you can read it HERE.  So, now I’m going to talk about White Point Beach Resort and show you some of my highlights around the resort.  It is an amazing place, truly, it is.  I said on Friday night, shortly after arriving at White Point, that I couldn’t wait to come back, and I hadn’t even left yet!

White Point - DIY by the Sea

White Point Beach Resort opened back in 1928, with its start as a hunting and fishing lodge.  It’s the type of resort that I can envision the old cars rolling in, dropping off families and suitcases at the beginning of the season, and people summering there.  They would spend their days catching up with their resort friends and families over fine dining or along the beach, under a big beach umbrella.  The kids would be running around, boys chasing girls, summer romances blooming.  There would be sailing  and bonfires.  At the end of the day, everyone would tuck into their cabin but I suspect there would be a few teens who would sneak out and get up to no good, too.  I’m sure that was part of the charm of it all for them, too.  In 1980, they switched to being a year-round and became a great destination for conferences and business meetings, too.

Back in 2011, the main lodge caught fire and burned to the ground.  All that history, gone in one night.  The pictures are heartbreaking.  Flames surrounding the beach rock fireplace, a Adirondack chair with a wall of fire behind it…but they began rebuilding right away and within a year, the new lodge was up and in operation.  It boasts of the skills and materials of our province.  But also the belief that White Point has something unique to offer and that with hard work and determination, great things can be accomplished.

I, for one, am very thankful that they rebuilt and continued on part of our province’s legacy.  The history, the memories and the future are all tied to this place.  I feel like Nova Scotia has so much to offer and it is places like White Point Beach Resort that make this place memorable and make our mark in the tourism industry.

One of the things I love about being an interior decorator and working with At Home, is exploring this province, meeting its people and seeing the places we call home or enjoy visiting.  Like I said in my last post, I feel very fortunate getting to go on this DIY retreat, thanks to At Home.  Being freshly inspired changes everything, you see things in a new way.  And sometimes, a get away is exactly what you need to do that.

And I think that the owners of White Point understand that.  Not only did they create a place where folks can get away and connect and relax, but I think when they traveled and sourced some of the amazing artwork and artifacts throughout the resort, they experienced that and brought it back for us to enjoy and experience.  The artwork is so varied, a tin moose head beside stuffed pheasants, folk art beside Aboriginal artwork, carved antlers beside antiques.  Not only is it unique, it will speak to so many from such a wide range of walks of life.  There truly is something for everyone.

Now, of course the main attraction is the beach.  And while I was there in February, the beach was still a huge draw.  Anytime of day, there were people strolling the beach.  I can only imagine how incredible it would be in the summer! The beach at White Point is not like our beaches along the north shore.  The sand is different, the rocks are different, just the way the sand meets the shore is different.  It was so wonderful, chilly perhaps, but wonderful none the less.  Of course I had to check it out….on Friday, Saturday morning and then again Saturday afternoon.  All the in between times we enjoyed it from the main lodge, which is perfectly situated so you can see it from the dining hall, lounge, conference rooms, pool, hot tub…pretty much everywhere!

Friday afternoon on the beach…

Saturday morning on the beach….

Saturday afternoon on the beach….you just never know what you might find….

Sunday morning…..

The other fun thing about White Point is the bunnies.  If you’ve been, you know what I mean!  There are bunnies everywhere!!  And they love people { because they expect you to have treats! }  There are little brown bags of treats by the front door and we always made sure to have some in our pockets as we made our way back and forth from our room to the main lodge.

And the food….oh, the food!!!  Everything was so good and each meal it was hard to decide which to try out first!  The buffets for breakfast and dinner were amazing, so much variety and it was all very tasty.  I did snap a few pictures but it certainly didn’t do the food justice so you’ll just have to trust me and go out for supper, lunch or even breakfast there!  I love that the locals do that, Saturday night that place was  packed!  Lots of families, couples, groups of friends gathered to enjoy a nice evening out.  Chef Alan Crosby’s food is certainly something to rave about! And he even popped in to check out our DIYing 😉  Here’s part of our group, post-dinner on Saturday evening.  We lingered in the dining room for quite a while after the last bite was enjoyed.

All in all, it is an incredible place to spend some time, being creative, making new friends and exploring!  I’m looking forward to finding some excuse to go back with my family this time, I know they would love it here, too.  If you get the chance, I would highly recommend booking at stay at White Point.  You won’t regret it!

To be continued,

Lori