Just for Jim

Yes, yes, yes. I know the sporadic updates are irritating, but, c'mon. It's summer and my life just isn't that interesting. One reader in particular has been particularly verbose about their displeasure. So, for no particular reason (ahem) here is a post all about Jimmy! 

Now that it's almost September (GASP!)it seems like our N.B. adventure was about 7 years ago. That said, I have some very lovely memories of being there and hanging with the Higgys. 

Now, two of the things in this picture (below) rolled off the assembly line in 1946.  Can you guess which two?  And which one has aged better in your opinion??!

Ev, Poppa and an elderly yellow truck

Jimmy and Ev and I also had a jolly walk out to the lighthouse on one very windy day.  The waves were crazy and I thought we might just blow away.  Luckily, Poppa took action to ensure the lightest member of our party was safe.

Poppa and his G-D.  Is this an official fireman's hold?

Let's get a close-up of that glee!

And the lighthouse looking lovely, though it sorely needs a coat of paint.

So, there, finally is an update.  Poppa - we can't wait for you to get back to Ontario.  And we've heard through the grapevine how desperate and frantic you are to return too (insert heavy dose of sarcasm here)!  Let the countdown begin!

Horse-crazy kid

Evy has been horse-crazy since she first set eyes on a pair of giant Belgian workhorses pulling a wagon and called them 'doggies'. 

The flames of this obsession have been fanned by a yearly visit with Stormy, the handsome pint-sized miniature horse that lives on Al & Jim's neighbour's farm in New Brunswick. 

Being an elderly gentleman, Stormy is now retired from giving rides, but that didn't stop us for visiting him about 5 times this summer. Evy was raiding Granny's crisper and compost bin at every opportunity to find treats for him, and even picked him raspberries. (Yes, mini horses LOVE raspberries - I had no idea). 

Cruising (ahem, illegally) the 100 metres down the road to Stormy's farm

Stormy (r) and his buddy and a very gleeful little girl

A fence keeps them apart, but fate will bring them together!

So, the horsey-love is alive and well.  And all of this means that next week will BLOW HER MIND.  We signed her up for a Horsey Camp on a local farm.  She spends the full day there and they go on a pony ride each day.  I can't wait to pick her up every day to hear all about her adventures.  She's going to have so much fun.  What a lucky kid!  Stay tuned for photos and updates!

August? What??

Where has all the summer gone? Wowsers! Not only is it August, but we're already a week into it! 

What can I say? Jetting (and driving) around Eastern Canada and the US, 2 weeks at the cottage, and lots of quality summer fun can make time fly, I guess!

 The annual trip to Nooby was great. Al and Jim are hosts extraordinaire and worked their butts off keeping the kids (including me) happy, fed, rested, and entertained. 

The drive back from NB was a little less relaxing, with Henry deciding that he could not handle more than 2 hours on the road at a time. Oh, and waking up at 5am-ish just for kicks. Gaaah. BUT, the scenery was AMAZING and if you haven't done the drive down coastal highway 1 through Maine, I would highly recommend it. Have dinner in Camden! And lunch! And breakfast - blueberry pancakes... yummm! 

So, I have a million things to update on, but let me begin with a few shots of the 12 days we spent with Granny and Poppa. The weather was AMAZING and I think we had picnics 3 different days. Evy got so spoiled by the surroundings that she has been asking to go to the beach.  I don't have the heart to tell her that Ontario beaches aren't quite the same as the Fundy ones! So dreeeeammmy!

Hopping along the Salmon River suspension bridge

Brown's Beach with Granny

Al & Jim's neighbour's private beach.  Spectacular.

Henry is DOG CRAZY.  Luckily, this crazy-eyed St Bernard was VERY friendly.

A Bald Eagle (or a speck on my lens?!)

The spectacular West Quaco lighthouse

Striking an (unsolicited) pose on Duck Pond Beach

Yum!  Salty sand is soooo delicious says Henry.

I have SOOO many more pictures and will put them up soon, or at least before the end of 2012 - swearsies.  

We're now having a quiet week at home.  Henry and Ev and I have been fighting a nasty summer cold.  Hen's fever this morning was above 102 degrees, so we're taking it easy and just trying to get everyone feeling better.  

So that's your quick update from here!  Is everyone else's summer going by this fast?!

Happy Birthday Poppa!

Happy birthday to Jimmy!

Here's a birthday Haiku for you:

A cold walk with dogs
Porridge and a cup of tea
Get the sudoku

Pretty sure this is an a curate representation of your morning!

Thanks for being the best dad and poppa in the universe!

Poo with a view

> An inopportune time for Henry to fill his drawers, but a beautiful venue for a free-range diaper change. Note Poppa providing shade, Granny doing the dirty work, and Evy scoping the hike down to Duck Pond Beach.
>
> Only 2 more days in paradise (where other people change your kid's diapers!) Boooooo Hoooooooo!
>

New best friend?

This is Tom the Turkey, aka Evy's new best friend. Mini horses, llamas, geese, chicken, horses, sheep, and turkeys - all down the road. Kid paradise!!

Beach Babe

There are many beautiful beaches within a few minutes' drive of Alice and Jim's cottage - all of them fabulous. We hit one of my favourites today.

Madame E was in heaven and sobbed when it was time to leave. No doubt we'll stop by again to enjoy a few more moments like these:

Postcards from the edge...

...of the bay of Fundy that is!

Having a wonderful trip so far and I'm so glad to be missing the heatwave in Ontario. Here are a few snaps of the fun thus far.

Buoys at the end of the driveway

The view from Al & Jim's neighbour's cottage

Little sweet puffy cheek - bashed her face on the coffee table today, poor mite

Evening primrose - grows wild in the ditch here

Stormy rides again!

A great day in New Brunswick. The weather couldn't be nicer, and, the highlight for Madame E was a visit to her BFF, Stormy the mini-horse.

A great day was had by all! Lot's more fun to come, starting with the community-wide yardsale tomorrow. Woot woot!!