Weather Fluctuations and Power Outage

Nature rarely ceases to amaze me.

First and foremost-at how long she can drag out cold and dreary days for months on end! :(

But, this post has more to do with highlighting a number of extremes within a 3 hour period surrounding sunrise yesterday morning.

The winds were really high, the clouds were moving along fast-then slow...clouds, then sun- rain, then not, calm, then not calm... it was rather mesmerizing to watch and document.

It was the kind of wind that you wonder if you should really go outside for fear a lawn chair might hit you...but I did anyways. In and out of the house. Cuz that's what crazy photographers do, don't ya know! :)

Needless to say, we lost our power by around 8 a.m.-thank goodness I make my coffee before then! Unfortunately, it wasn't just for a short time, but for the whole day. Through that reality, we were reminded of just how much we use our electricity, water and telephones for. Yup, all three were gone. It's funny how your mind works. I still put toast in the toaster and flipped the switch in the bathroom every time I went in there-d'uh... Realized I couldn't do dishes, laundry, internet, photo uploading, talk on the phone, bake, cook, shower...and really I was too restless to play a board game or read a book. So, the kids, walked the dogs, played their games till the batteries ran out, played with their friends, did some house work and then we decided to venture into town to go to lunch with them and go with the flow. We parted and then the boys and I ended up going back to the trail we were at the other day at Guelph Lake. The lake was raging, but it didn't take long for shoes to be kicked off, trees climbed, snails found, photographs taken, an unidentified wildlife sighting :) and an invigorated, refreshed family! On the way home, we found places we'd heard about, but had never been to and now we know where they are!

Our power took even more time to resume and when it did we did a happy dance. Me especially because it meant my food was saved and I could make a cup of tea to warm up. The boys of course were glad to play with Ali on their new Wii game and then out they went to make a hammock from the netting of an old trampoline cover! Ah the life!

Glad today that things are back to normal-yet always up for an adventure around here! Looking forward to volunteering and more outdoor dicovery today...Have a great Friday!

Hike at Guelph Lake

While our hike did not last too long due to thunder and rain, this little trail left an impression. Lots of moss, funky-shaped old growth trees, blue wildflowers, fast-flowing lake and a lovely group of people. Oh, and snakes...I should have mentioned snakes- at least 10 were found today. Many of them literally hanging out in a tree! The boys were thrilled.

Crawford Lake Conservation Area: A Spring Visit

I will never tire of taking time at Crawford Lake or any other conservation area for that matter with the boys...going anytime, with anyone- is wonderful, but I do treasure our adventures together, just the four of us. It's a common interest between us-being in nature... I'm not into gaming like they are, but when we are out in nature, we are connected...inspired as we discover--as we: hike, climb, appreciate the beauty and spend equal amounts of time comfortable in silence and chatting with each other. Going to different places, different trails is exciting, but returning to the same place is also neat as we can see the changes from season to season, visit to visit...a nature study in and of itself.

We come away feeling a little tired, yet refreshed in spirit. I can't wait to go again...maybe with a picnic and on a sunny warm day!

Easter Weekend 2011

It's been quite a long weekend... Beginning with a full Friday including the African Cat movie on Earth Day with our friends, egg decorating, chocolate egg nest building, bubbles with Katie and Lisa, homemade pizza, fort building (and camping:) and of course time at the pond for the kids.

Saturday was the easter egg hunt at the Guelph Grotto. Not only that, but a surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa Goodman and both Josh and Matt won prizes this week. Matt got a chalk bag and Josh won some cool socks.

While they were away, I tidied around the house and connected with a wonderful homeschooling family who were offering to loan out some canoes for the summer. Turns out, it's a small world as they are friends of friends & Jeff had already met them at climbing AND they live so close to us. Looking forward to getting to know Nigel, Jan and their family. :)

So, Jeff and Lucas went over to pick up the canoe and brought it right back to use at the pond. Everyone had a turn and Jeff said it was just like riding a bike-getting back into a canoe. He liked the idea of getting everyone used to being in this canoe before we embark on our maiden voyage with our handcrafted canoe... I think he's putting off the inevitable first scratch on our canoe. :) While we were on the water, Ali joined in on his kayak, the peddle boat was brought out and the raft, everyone taking turns... it was nice to see all this boat action in one spot and right at home!

Sunday turned out to be another lovely weather day and it started early for us-well, for me and the boys.... Jeff snored through the scavenger and egg hunt by flashlight beginning at 5:19 a.m.!

Later, our family came for a luncheon. Most notably, Jeff's Grandpa was here...which is absolutely amazing to us and so special. He is 90 now and has been able to make the trip to our home twice and we are thrilled. Unfortunately, his Grandma was under the weather but we hope to see her soon. Of course the food was yummy and we enjoyed seeing Lynne and Rick's China pics!

After tossing a ball around with the boys, we found ourselves watching the sun start to set on the front porch-soaking up whatever warmth was left from the day. Loved hanging out with our boys and cherish these times... especially noting how fleeting it all is...as I looked at one of the scavenger hunt clues in the garbage this morning, I had to wonder how many more there would be in years to come. But, really, who am I kidding, everyone loves a good scavenger hunt-I bet they could be adults and I could still do one for them and they'd love it! hee hee

Hope everyone's Easter weekend went well... remembering years gone by, people who have passed, people who are with us-savouring growth, rebirth and of course lots of chocolate and the SUN....

Silly Scrabble

Today, Matt and me had fun playing scrabble. He beat me by one point-102-101-it was a close one. :)

I had to laugh at the image with Oliver-check out his expression! :)

All I could think when I saw the one of us together was, he'll always be my baby.

First Raft

After some fire building yesterday, the boys worked with Ali on a raft. Great job guys! Looks like fun!

Sugary Earth Day Cookies

Josh and I had fun making these sugar cookies that ended up looking like 'earth balls' covered in sweet sugar! Yumm!

A Huckleberry Kinda Life

Huckleberry was cordially hated and dreaded by all the mothers of the town because he was idle, and lawless, and vulgar, and bad - and because all their children admired him so, and delighted in his forbidden society, and wished they dared to be like him.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
Mark Twain

Many people comment that my images of the boys look Huck-Finn/Tom Sawyer-like-sometimes even Norman Rockwell.... I love that their childhood emotes nostalgia and a sense of freedom to explore in nature....of a time gone by yet is fully alive for them everyday in the present.