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2 In Adventures/ Our Family

Parts Unknown – Day 2

Cape Breton can’t be explored in a single day.  You don’t want to miss anything, and there’s so much to see! Join us for our second day of exploring!

Our first day filled with unexpected pit stops, fun and beautiful vistas, which you can read about HERE. When we headed to Cape Breton, we didn’t intend to do any hiking.  The stroll we took at Cape Smokey didn’t really count and we passed trailhead after trailhead throughout the Highlands National Park.  The Skyline Trail was calling my name so loudly, I managed to convince everyone we could do it and that it would be fun, too. It has been on my bucketlist for so long.

So after a tasty breakfast, and good restaurant coffee, we headed down the road to the Skyline Trail. Now, I’d like to pause here to say again we hadn’t planned on doing this hike.  So, we aren’t dressed in typical hiking gear.  And the majority of the other hikers look a little more prepared than us….but whatever….we headed out.  Michael wore my MEC bag so I could carry just my camera to take pictures, Lena had a backpack on and Hannah carried a doll the entire way.  When I see the following post floating around social media, I think, yep, that’s us…minus the crocs but that’s a whole other post 😉 { I pulled this image from Pinterest, but clearly credit goes to Jack Boot on Twitter }

 

Guys, if you have the chance to hike the Skyline Trail, do it.  The views at the end of the hike are amazing.  AMAZING! Quintessential Cape Breton vistas.  You can see out to sea, the twisting Cabot Trail and the valleys and peaks of the highlands.  And, if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll see a moose.  We didn’t, whomp whomp, but they are doing some interesting studies in that area about the impact of the moose on the landscape.

The handsome Mr. Byrne ventured further than the rest of us.  That tiny dark speck out at the end of the trail is him.  I can just imagine the views he had waaaaaay out there….I’m not sure I could handle it, I’m getting more cautious in my old age, lol!

When you are that high on the edge of the ocean, it’s a mite bit windy….

After our hike, we headed to Janice’s for a tasty lunch with her family and Barbara’s crew.  I love being welcomed no matter what time of day or who’s in the car.  That’s what true friendship is, right? Coffee, dessert, hugs and good conversation.  It was the perfect homey break in our getaway.

Our plan was to head for home after our visit at Janice’s.  But the girls wanted to go to the beach.  That was one request they made.  So we swung into the beach at Port Hood for a walk in the sand and a little wade in the water.

And this girl left a note or two on the beach….sound advice, eh?

Cape Breton remains a favourite of mine.  It never gets old.  I’ll never tire of driving up and exploring, or of not exploring and sitting at the table of my friends.

To be continued,

Lori

 

October 9, 2018 By
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In Adventures/ Our Family

Parts Unknown – Day 1

Cape Breton is beautiful and I do visit it quite regularly.  Last month, we went together as a family and explored further than I have since I was a teen.  And it didn’t disappoint! Man, I forgot how stunning it is when you really get up into the highlands.

Car loaded, phones and camera charged, we hit the road.  We had nothing really set in stone other than where we were staying and that we were having a meal with Janice on Sunday.  I wanted to go to Highland Village, Michael wanted to go to Meat Cove. The girls wanted to go home.  { Insert parental eye roll here… }

Sometimes traveling without a real game plan can lead to the best adventures.  Picking wild blueberries, eating famous fish and chips and catching stunning sunsets can be the reward for those unmade plans.  We could’ve stopped a hundred times over to snap pictures of the incredible view.  I do want to do it again when the trees are in full fall splendor, but that’s a whole other plan.

Our first real stop, not counting coffee and bathroom breaks, was Highland Village.  We love to explore historic sites and this one perched over the Bras d’Or Lakes was amazing.  It tells the story of the Scottish immigration to Canada and what life looked like for them.  I’m always amazed at how primitive life was for those first settlers and how they survived the harsh and brutal living conditions.

I, of course, took tons of photos, but I’ll only share my favourites…ok, only my top 4 favs…..

On we cruised, up switch backs and down along the bays. Along the tops of mountains and into the valleys.  We pulled into Cape Smokey and wandered down the twisting trails and picked berries warm off the bush.  We posed for pictures, the background hazy with the smoke from the fires that spread across this fair country.

We needed to fuel up and along our drive we saw all these signs for a general store.  And when you see a hand painted sandwich board on the side of the road, it’s intriguing, I’ll admit.  So, we stopped for gas and because we were rather curious.  And it didn’t disappoint, the staff was friendly, and the store was filled with everything from snacks to pyjamas to road signs and antlers.  If you find yourself along the Cabot Trail in Wreck Cove, use any excuse you need to pop by!!

I’ve never been to Meat Cove and now I can say that I have been.  It’s remote, rustic and well-worth the drive out to see the raw beauty of it.  Photographs don’t capture it.  We happened to be there as the sun was setting and as the western tip of Cape Breton, it appears to be a good spot to enjoy the sunset.  I’d like to go back again, and do a little more exploring, maybe some hiking and even perhaps camp perched above the ocean.

We weaved our way onto our hotel.  The landscape dipping and raising up to meet us.  The hills stretching on before us and closing in behind us.  The number of trails we passed by that beckoned me back to lace up my sneakers and explore….I still hear them calling my name.  But dangling the added carrot of the fall splendor now….

Day 2 will be coming – stay tuned!!

To be continued,

Lori

 

 

October 1, 2018 By
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In Adventures

Long Weekend Vibes

It’s a long weekend for some of here in Nova Scotia as we celebrate our province’s Birthday.  There will be lots of exploring, camping, getting together with friends and family, plus all the huge birthday celebrations happening throughout the province.  Everyone loves a summer long weekend, right?

This weekend we plan on doing some exploring, too, and probably hanging out poolside at Mom and Dad’s.   We’d like to explore some beaches, too and maybe take in a hike or two on some new trails.   Lena and Hannah both have their ideas of where they want to go and what they want to do, though, so we may need to take some votes or draw some straws to figure it all out.  Me, I just want to hit the road and explore with my camera in hand.

My summer staple is roadtrips and exploring and we haven’t done much yet and I feel summer running away without me.  Our province is so beautiful.  We don’t have to drive far to find that beauty.  In fact, with our views from home, we don’t even need to leave the house.  But, roadtrips are fun – just heading out somewhere and stopping wherever we want and not having a set schedule.  Yep, that’s how I like to roll.  Maybe we’ll pack a picnic.  Maybe we’ll stop for ice cream more than once.  Maybe we’ll make new friends or maybe we will keep to ourselves.  Maybe we’ll grab a friend to tag along.

It’s been fun having the pool and Mom and Dad’s this summer, especially since it’s been so hot.  A dip in the pool at the end of the day is just perfect.  Monkey in the middle, chicken fights, or simply floating around, makes no difference, it’s just so much fun. Hanging out with family and friends there has been so enjoyable.

Isn’t this hat from Beck and Boosh the best thing for summer? I love it!  Perfectly floppy and boho for whatever this weekend, or the rest of the summer throws at me!  Keeps the sun off, hides the pool hair or the curls that I can’t fight thanks to the humidity!!  You know it’s in the car, ready to go!

I’m off!!  Follow along on Instagram to see what we get up to this weekend!!  Hope you are having way too much fun, too!

To be continued,

Lori

Disclaimer:  I was provided this hat from Beck and Boosh for free, but my take on it is just that

 

 

August 4, 2018 By
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1 In Adventures/ Make Something

Fibre Share – Part 2

New friends & new yarn?  Sounds like fun, right?  I had my doubts about taking part in Fibre Share after  I had signed up but it was one great big win, in the end!

I talked a bit about taking part in Fibre Share HERE so I thought I would let you know what I sent and what I received.

When I first found out who my partner was, we chatted back and forth on Instagram and got to know each other.  Brittany lives in the states so I wanted to send her some goodies from the East Coast of Canada.  When I think about Canadian things, I knew I had to include some Maple products and something related to the ocean.  So, I swung into Earltown General store and bought up some fun things for her – LURE Caramels, East Coasters, and some Maple Candy….I figured that was a little safer to ship than syrup!  I also wanted to include something related to weaving that wasn’t actually fibre so I had Matt of The Spoonery Woodenware & Needful Things make a fork and needle for her….and since I was ordering one set, I got one for myself, too!  I also packed up some authentic Nova Scotia driftwood because driftwood makes a great rod for a weaving!

When it came time to buy wool and other fun fibres for B, I hit up a few of my favourite wool shops.  First stop was Lismore Sheep Farm just outside of River John.  There I bought some fun colours of wool in mini skeins because she loves colour, too!  My next stop was Water Street Studios for some yummy Cobweb Woolies fibre! I could’ve spent a small fortune on wool – some for her, some for me…..you know how it is!  I also sent her some for my own stash, too, it’s fun to share!

I wanted to tuck some other fun things in the package for her, too, so I made her a bracelet out of a belt and an old spoon, because that’s just what I do!  It’s a nod to Makers Gonna Make but it said ‘Weavers Gonna Weave’!  Fitting, right?

I sent her this sneak peek of it – in B&W so she wouldn’t be able to tell the colours!!  Aren’t I cruel??

I had saved a shoe box to pack everything in but it was too small!!  So, I searched for a bigger box and packed it to the gills and sent it off!  And finally it found its way to her!  It’s hard to wait and follow the tracking, knowing they’re waiting on the other end, too!  When it arrived, I got a message, well, three in a row, bing, bang, boom…’Sooo I just opened my package and I am floored’ followed by ‘I love it all!!!’ and finished up with “Thank you so much for putting so much thought and effort! I can’t wait to play!’

I’m thrilled she loved it all, but I’m especially thrilled to have made a new friend who loves to weave, too!

And then one day I came home from work and found a box on my doorstep!  It was like Christmas!!  The packaging, the thoughtful treasures tucked into that box from my new friend, Cindy.  And I have to say, I think she has changed the direction that my weavings are going to go….I’ll explain in a minute, but first, here’s a look at all the goodies!

Can you tell what my favourite colour might be??  I love all the turquoise!  She did such a fabulous job of collecting goodies for me.  And here’s what I especially love, she totally stalked me and tuned into my love of thrifting and my farm life, too.  And the hand written notes she included on each thoughtfully wrapped package along with a long letter was so special!  I love that she included some of her favourite weaving Instagram accounts, too, so I could follow along and get inspired, too!  Wooden sheep, a pink pig, vintage cloth measuring tape, a pom pom, a hoop so I can do a round weaving, so many ‘lisious fibres – it was like Christmas!!!

One of the bundles she sent was filled with goodies she bought at a local craft store that sells thrifted supplies.  This really struck a chord with me.  I love upcycling.  And I know our local Value Village has a craft supply section so why not upcycle some of that??  I think living a second life in a weaving is a good way to spend it, don’t you?  So, now I can’t wait to shop for some fibres to upcycle into a weaving.  And denim, too, because why not – and some t-shirt yarn from favourite old shirts that probably have paint splatters on them….so many options!

I did a weaving with just fibres from the treasure box.  I especially wanted to see what I could do with that silky stuff.  It was a mystery to us both what that may have been for.  And it was all tied off by colour gradient…I will say it wasn’t the easiest thing to work with, but it sure is pretty and makes for a pretty fringe!  It was fun working a bunch of different yarns, camel hair, red vintage bias tape and even some of the string she used to tie up my packages into one weaving as an ode to Fibre Share.  I still have a ton of goodies to work into future weavings, and I just warped a branch to do my next weaving on….so many ideas, so little time!  And this little beauty is being shipped off to its new happy home in the next couple days where it will be loved and appreciated.  It’s fun to be able to spread the love via random Instagram conversations, eh, Peady?? 😉

I certainly hope that down the road, if you have the chance to take part in a swap like Fibre Share, you put yourself out there and go for it.  I have no regrets!  Well, only that I probably won’t even get the chance to meet both my wonderful partners in person!

Happy weaving, folks!

To be continued,

Lori

 

July 31, 2018 By
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3 In Adventures

Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo

If you’ve been to the ‘Tattoo’ in Halifax then you understand the mesmerizing power of it and if you haven’t, then you need to get yourself there!  We were very fortunate to be able to introduce our girls to the power of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo last night due to the generosity of the Tattoo.

I have been to the Tattoo a few times in the past and have always been very impressed by the incredible performances from around this world.  The timing, the precision, the sheer magnitude of the work that must go into it by the organizers and performers – mind-blowing!  So when the opportunity for tickets came up through ECM Media to attend the Tattoo, I knew it was time to introduce the girls to the wonder that is the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo.

We had to try to explain exactly what the Tattoo was to the girls, clearly I should’ve just turned to Wikipedia from the get-go, they do a much better job of explaining it than I managed to stumble through…

“A tattoo is a military performance of music or display of armed forces in general. The term comes from the early 17th century Dutch phrase doe den tap toe (“turn off the tap”), a signal sounded by drummers or trumpeters to instruct innkeepers near military garrisons to stop serving beer and for soldiers to return to their barracks, and is unrelated to the Tahitian origins of an ink tattoo.

The tattoo was originally a form of military music, but the practice has evolved into more elaborate shows involving theatrics and musical performances. It is also used to designate military exhibitions such as the Royal International Air Tattoo.”

We were excited to head down on Wednesday evening after I finished off work for the day.  I knew there were a few fellow bloggers heading there for the event, too and we had made rough plans to text each other our seats and maybe say Hi.  But, as it turns out, we couldn’t have planned it better – we all rolled into the Box Office at the exact same time!  So, we took a selfie, of course! { Meet Heidi of Itsy Bitsy Haligonians and Kerra of Eat Drink & Be You } Then we all scurried off to find our seats and the show started.

Guys, this is an experience unlike any other.  It is powerful, moving, exciting and  so entwined into our heritage and culture.  The bagpipes, the marching bands, the rich military history – very much a part of our history as a province.  And so beautifully displayed with such precision.

I love asking the girls about their favourite parts of any event we attend and this was no exception.  Lena’s highlight was the BMX team from Germany who were doing flips in the air  on their bikes and wowwing the crowd with their stunts.  We are used to seeing bikes fly through the air, but usually they are motocross bikes at my brother’s track – so these guys were pretty impressive!

Hannah’s favourite acts were any of the ones in which the highland dancers were involved in.  And lucky for Hannah, they were involved in quite a few different acts.  There is just something so magical about watching them dance together as a mass in their tartan and velvet.  I really enjoyed their Irish dance with Heather Rankin, too.  Plus, we all love the song, “Tell My Ma”  so it was a toe-tapping hit, in my books.

Michael loves the rich military history and loves hearing the stories.  So, clearly, the Tattoo is perfect for him.  And this year’s theme, Heroes and Legends, told the stories of epic battles, heroes from the past and celebrated those who served our great country.

I can’t pick a favourite.  I loved watching the dancers from around the world, the way the marching bands move with such exact motion and in perfect time.  But the thing that really gets to my heart is when they ask all those who have served our great country, in service in the military or police, fire to stand so we could applaud them, man, gets me in the feels every time, these people give so much of themselves to serve.  They deserve so much more that a round of applause.

I wish I had caught more about the statue of drums, I was so busy watching it being built, I missed the story that went along with it.  So, if anyone can help a girl out, I’d appreciate it! I only caught a glimpse of the old black & white photo of a similar stack on the screen!

The other part I love is the grand finale when ALL the acts are on the floor together, filling the Scotiabank Centre’s floor and choir loft.  It is incredible to think about the precision that goes into that alone, let alone the whole entire performance. And to hear the crowd join together in the singing of our national anthem, so powerful.  I just looked around the stands, watching all the men, women and children joining their voices together.

The Tattoo is over for another year, but when it rolls around again next year, I would highly recommend you take some time and sit back and marvel in our rich history.  There is something so powerful, incredible and awesome about it.  I feel like every Nova Scotian should attend at least once….if not yearly!!

To be continued,

Lori

PS Even though I was provided the tickets to the Tattoo, the opinions I express here are my own.

 

 

 

July 3, 2018 By
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