Family of Mine

Country life is definitely slower. There's still all the regular things, but the pace has felt calm and it's made for some moments to catch our breath and just be. I like that I've had moments to reflect on life, our journey and where we are headed together. It's a gift really to have the space in my mind to ponder the important things and nothing is more important than this family of mine. 

All in White for Halloween

 

Canadian holiday traditions are pretty great. I must say that I wouldn't mind if Australia cultivated a bit more of a celebratory spirit. Until such a time, I'm learning all I can from the pro's and plan to do my utmost to get into the spirit of the holidays that come along. I haven't always been a Halloween fan, but in Canada it really does make a lot of sense. The last leaves of fall cling to the tree's and there's a crisp nip in the air, it starts to get dark early which all adds to the ambiance of the holiday.

A Perfect Fall Day

 

When your time in a place is quickly drawing to a close, those would have's, could have's, should have's start to rear up. Nova Scotia really is so packed with beautiful things to see that I would have needed a good few more years to get through all I would have liked to see, but with just over a month to go until we would be leaving her shores a few old favourites and a few must do's became the focus. One of which was Victoria Park in Truro, best admired in fall when the leaves are just so and the air calls for rugging up in your finest.

Scarecrows and Apples

Fall in Nova Scotia is such a beautiful time of year. It's a wonderful time to go for drives and appreciate the changing leaves as well as visit small towns that don't let the beauty of the season pass unmarked. One such town is Mahone Bay, famed for it's much painted view of three churches and home to the Scarecrow Festival. 

Giving Thanks for the Bounty of Fall

Fall is definitely my favourite season. I think I love it so much because it is the most vibrant season and you never see or experience anything like it at home. The days are sunny with that crisp air ushering in the change of the season marked by the beauty of the leaves, all shades of red, orange and yellow. This year we picked apples, with apple pie in mind and visited Dill's Giant Pumpkin farm to marvel at the pumpkins and pick a few of our own to carve for Halloween.

Apple of my Pie

Apple picking feels like a Nova Scotia rite of passage. There are apples galore here, u-picks all over the place and lots of apples trees just along the side of the road. One cool thing I saw this year was that once winter comes, any apples that don't get picked or fall off the tree look like ornaments perched up in the branches - very cool, and yes at first I thought people had literally put ornaments up in the tree : ).

Unimpressed Children and Leaves

Fall in Nova Scotia is truly breathtaking. The seasons are a magical thing to experience and fall has to be my favourite. We only caught the tail end when we arrived last year so I waited with baited breath for this years show and it did not disappoint. Magical colours everywhere. What better backdrop to capture my beautiful children, against their will... well they started out pleased to be there but a few minutes in they were over it. I suppose they aren't being paid so I can't complain. So I give you 'Unimpressed Children and Leaves' by Jade Catton.

Pass the Pretzels

Blanche is brilliant. She should be known as Blanche THE Brilliant. One of the many reasons I love her is her commitment to throwing a party, an authentic party...no detail unthought of, no store unsearched, no hours unworked to create the real deal. I was lucky enough to attend the fourth and final Nova Scotia Oktoberfest party, which has legend status for authentic German food (handmade mind you by Blanche herself) and Blanche getting fairly drunk with 100% of the guests present being mormon - what a combo! This year did not disappoint. My favourites were the pretzels and fries. I bow down to you Blanche, queen of throwing a party xx