3D Night

It's not what you might think. 3 D night equals Destruction, Discovery and Dessert. Yes, I said dessert. That's definitely a 'D' that caught the attention of the boys-namely, Lucas. :)

We were invited to bring non-working appliances and electronics to our friend's house prior to their recycle day to disassemble said items in order to see what's inside-what makes these items tick!?

So many pieces!

Lots of learning along the way...kids and parents alike, sharing whatever knowledge they had about the innards of computers, radios, telephones etc.

Then, came the potluck dessert! Too delicious not to go back for seconds...although if you had a turtle square that would be quite a feat! Come to think of it, Miss Sarah had no trouble with seconds, thirds and possibly fourths! I'm glad she liked the fruit inside the tarts we brought so much! :)

A great evening with wonderful families and fabulous ideas for future gatherings geared for our young boys!

Thanks Karen, Kevin and kids! You have a rocking place!

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!

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!

Learn & Play ~ Play & Learn

As I'm posting these spring images of the boys, the pond, the gardening, new growth, social visits, kite flying, bike riding, fishing, turtles, dog walks and so on... it struck me that when someone asks where the boys are, what are they doing... I'm not necessarily going to say, they are out playing, but instead-O, they are out Learning...because, really- learning and play-play and learning, go hand in hand... they are interchangeable. the bonus with 'life learning' is that you can choose your own path, have fun-fill your soul and your mind at the same time without force or competition.

Great find boys!

Livin' it up at home!

Spring Trip to Moondance Organic Gardens

"You always get what you need in a day." ~Susan (new farm volunteer)

Nothing says spring like the first visit of the season to Moondance Organic Gardens in Angus. We have been volunteering there for several years now and no matter how far we roam, we always find ourselves going back!

I would say, first and foremost it's Kim, the owner, with her warm, nurturing spirit, who draws us in.

Everyone feels welcomed and comfortable at Moondance. It doesn't matter what kind of a day you are having or what is going on in your life-you always leave the farm feeling loved, valuable and honoured.

It's a safe place, brimming with the healthiest food around and gentle people who care about the Earth.

The kids can have the freedom to run around and explore, plant, transplant and harvest- gather eggs...they meet new people but always love being reunited with familiar faces.

On this day, the sun was shining and the temps rose to 8 degrees celcius. Perfect day to start to think about garden beds and the upcoming growing season.

I was struck by how we just slip back into the ways of Kim's farm. Also, learning from some new volunteers. I met a woman who had such calm energy it was astounding. As, I talked to her, she shared some of her recent story. She expressed that for the first time in her life after years of doing what she thought she SHOULD do, she is now doing what she WANTS to do-what she's PASSIONATE about. She's taking the time to photograph, learn about gardening, do yoga and focusing on growth and the earth. I felt happy for her. And, while I was talking to her, I felt happy for myself and our boys. Our boys have this JOY now...have the ability to experience freedom-to discover-to play-to learn from life whatever they are ready for, whatever they are interested in. I am so thankful to my husband for working so hard for our family-giving us these opportunities to live such a Wonderful Life. I am so thankful that our children don't have to wait until they are older, ailing or retired to have this or to recognize late in life its significance. What a gift!

Feed the Children

Our Guelph Difference Makers Group got together to pack hygiene and food boxes to help out the FTC (Feed the Children) program. We completed almost 4 skids of boxes on this day and everyone felt like they had accomplished something. The boys have been clamouring to go back and we will be this week.
Looking forward to it!

Webster's Falls

As this winter of ours goes on and on-the snow is still on the ground and the sun continues to keep to itself-I long for warmer days, road trips to beautiful places and water!

If you know me, you know I don't like swimming or water sports of any kind-but I do appreciate time spent near oceans, lakes, streams, rivers and waterfalls-as does my family.

There is something awe-inspiring, life-giving and calming about being around water like this and so I started to look up waterfalls.

While at Hilton Falls, people I met there recommended Webster's Falls in Hamilton.

I found out that it is one of the most visited falls in the area along with Albion and Tews. However, Webster's are fairly easy access-you don't have to take a major hike to get to them but you can enjoy a nice stroll around the park if you like. While researching, I discovered there are many 'types' of falls. Webster's is a 'curtain' waterfall that is 22 m in height with a crest of 24 m and is the largest in the region. It is located at Spencer Gorge/Webster's Falls Conservation area right in Greensville.

You can view the falls from a look-out point and get a decent photograph or you can go down several steps to wander around and also see Baby Webster Falls to the right if the water is flowing on the day you go. On this day the stairs were quite slippery, so my boys and Jeff ventured down the steps while I watched from above.

The water was gushing and rushing, fast and furious.... nothing calming about this! But, it was quite something to see. I'd like to go back in the summer and note the differences!

Incidentally, as we drove around Dundas in search of a Tim Horton's we noticed an old elementary school that was all boarded up. Quite predominantly, there were two entrances-engraved in stone at the top of each were designations- Boys Entrance, Girls Entrance. It was quite amazing to see that piece of history staring us in the face. We are so far removed from that type of thinking now... history can certainly teach us a few things: to show us how crazy we were, how far we have come and that there is so much more room for progress and effective change! I wonder, as we age, what we will look back on, shake our heads and ponder- man, that was archaic-what was society thinking? I can predict a few right now....:)