More pics ....

It was clear and sunny today, but a little on the cool side. Larry and I went for a short walk to the ball park close to our house. It winds along the ocean and offers some beautiful, unobstructed scenery....so I decided to snap some pictures.




These next two show a bit of our house (click on the pics to enlarge it). It's the cream coloured one with the black roof. So while we're not right on the ocean....our property goes right up to the rocks.





Larry enjoying the view....

Woohoo...our snow is gone!

Some pics of our back yard today.... (Click pics to enlarge)






The rushing brook beside and behind our house. After it runs over these rocks, (which are actually quite high up) it reaches the rocks at the left-hand edge of this picture. It then tumbles way down over some more rocks to create our own waterfalls ----- which we've dubbed Pouch Cove Falls ;0)(see bottom two pics)---- before it eventually empties into the ocean.









Pics of 'Pouch Cove Falls' taken last year from a higher vantage point on our property. This shows the whole area...the flat rock area from above as well as the whole falls.






Sooo...with the full and rushing brook and the snow all but gone.....would it be presumptuous of me to think Spring has sprung?

Ya....ok....so I know spring is nowhere even close but hey...I can always dream...right???

Watch out Newfoundland and Labrador....

Tyler got his learner's permit!

Actually, he got it on December 23rd.....





but he didn't get out to drive until today.....(he was not impressed at the delay)




Ummmm....not sure if my nerves will make it through while he learns to drive. Hmmmm....and to think....he's the first one.....we'll still have two more to teach after him.

Oh my.... ;0)

The day after Christmas

Hard to believe Christmas is over for another year.

We started off with Jake in bed with us on Christmas eve as he couldn't get to sleep in his own bed. About 5:00 a.m. I woke up....to an empty bed. I could see lights flashing on the walls, coming from the living room. As I lay awake in that twilight zone, trying to decide if I should get up, see who was out here in the living room and what happened to Larry, Jake came into our bedroom. He was wide awake....talking his usual 200 words per second.

"DIDYA KNOW THERE IS A HUUUGGEE BIKE OUT IN OUR LIVING ROOM??? IT'S REALLY BIG.....I THINK IT'S 2 INCHES BIGGER THAN TYLER'S OR BRITTNEY'S.....IT'S HUGE....AND IT'S IN OUR LIVING ROOM!!!!!! AND IT'S FOR ME!!!....IT SAYS TO JAKE.!!!"

I said, "Jake....ummm...it's 5:00 ..... what time did you get up?"

To which he replied, "OH I COULDN'T SLEEP, I GOT UP AT 4:45...AND THOUGHT I'D WATCH SOME TV.....BUT I CAN HARDLY SEE THE TV BECAUSE THERE IS THIS BIKE OUT IN THE LIVING ROOM!!!!........."

I convinced him he should come back to bed and try to sleep a bit more....which he did. I'm not sure if he slept or not, but he came back to bed anyway.

All in all, it was a good day. Admittedly, I do have more than a little trouble with Christmases these days. As a child and right up into my middle adult years, I was used of getting together with aunts, uncles, cousins etc. and having a big celebration. But lately, everyone has been going off in their own direction which leaves us alone. It makes things seem really quiet and kind of lonely....but such is life I guess. I am thankful to have my own family around me not only at this time of year but all year long.

It rained most of the day here yesterday and temps were 8*C (46*F) here so most of our snow has now gone. The backyard is completely bare while the front still has a few patches of snow. I think I'll venture back to the ocean today and see what it has been up to. *grin*.

Merry Christmas!

Well....we've made it to Christmas Eve. Those of you who know Jake, know what his regular energy level is like. Throw in candy, chocolate and Christmas into the mix....and.....well....there just isn't the words to describe his energy level. I hope to make it through tomorrow ..... did I mention....he's excited????

We had our usual Christmas Eve here. Chicken Cordon Swiss and Chicken Fried Rice (from M & M) for supper. Our friend Paul and his grandson AJ stopped by for a visit after supper. He had presents for the kids.....which added to their excitement. Have I mentioned .... Jake is excited??

We followed that by some carol singing. It used to be just me playing the piano and the rest singing...but now the dc are able to play....we each take turns playing while the rest of us sing...even Larry gets into the Christmas spirit and sings.

All is quiet here now....the dc are in bed and we're hoping Jake actually goes to sleep.....although he's been out three times in 30 minutes....once to remind us to leave out some milk, once to get a drink and once to tell us he can't fall asleep in his bed and would it be ok if he slept with us.

Yep.....it's going to be a long night.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Out and about on our little Piece of The Rock (click pics to enlarge)

One of the many passing ships we see from our back yard




A passing ship....and next year's heating supply



Taken from the upper look out point








This spot looks a bit different in the summer time




Hmmm....I think the fresh air was getting to her...




On the way down to the lower look out






The view from the lower look out







It was such a gorgeous day here today on The Rock that Brittney and I thought we'd get out and enjoy it a bit. Also....with it being -7*C....it was one of (if not *the*) nation's hot spots today.

We journeyed out back for awhile....up to our favourite lookout point (which looks a bit different in the summer time). We watched the passing ship for a bit, before moving down to the lower look out.

I've been tagged...

by Linda over at Remote Treechanger in a Love To Read Tag

I must admit.....I'm not much of a reader....so I'll answer as best I can.

Who is your all time favorite author and why?

I've always liked Laura Ingalls Wilder. I first enjoyed the tv series and from there went to the books.

Do you still consider him/her to be among your favorites?

Yes

Who is the most recent addition to your favorite authors and why?

In recent years I haven't had too much time for reading just for enjoyment. Currently, most of my reading time is taken up with newspapers, magazines, books about homeschooling etc. I'm hoping in the future to get back into reading much more though.


If someone asked you who your favorite authors were right now, which authors would first pop out of your mouth?

I would still say Laura Ingalls Wilder.


Hmmmm....I'm not sure who to tag as there are so many blogs I enjoy reading. Sooo...if you're reading this and would like to play along, consider yourself tagged. Please let me know if you decide to play!

Our first snow fall

We had our first snow fall overnight Wednesday into Thursday. It wasn't a lot, but enough to cover the ground. More is falling today, so I suppose the white stuff is officially here. We've located boots and most of the mittens. Larry has dug the snow shovel out and tuned up the snow blower. I guess we're as prepared as we can be. I know....I have no right to complain when most of Canada and parts of the U.S. have had snow for some time now. Sooo...I won't complain....

*but*

I can't help but think....the shortest day of the year will soon be upon us and that means Spring is just around the corner.....Right?

This and that....

I can't believe how quickly Christmas is approaching. I'm almost done and was feeling pretty good about things this year. Then the kids had to mention, "But Mom, there are no presents under the tree." ...sigh

I've been busy with chocolate and school and everyday life. It would probably help too, if it felt more like Christmas. Yesterday, it was 17*C here (about 63*F). On our way into town last night, the van windows were fogging up. We had to use the cold air as it was too warm with the hot air. This definitely doesn't feel like Christmas weather.

Last weekend was our Christmas parade. It seems like some of those participants were wondering the same thing....not that I'm complaining. I know our turn is coming, but the longer it holds off...the better.

Best Salesman (click to enlarge)

Well...the Farmers' Market is over for this year. Saturday was the year end Christmas party and celebration. I didn't make it as I wasn't feeling so well...but Larry and the three children went.

During the evening they handed out awards. Best Food Vendor, Best Busker, Most Popular Vendor etc. were just some of the categories. Jake was surprised when they called his name....

He won for the category:

Best Salesman and Backrubber!

He was sooo excited but also felt bad for me because I didn't win any awards...oh well....can't win them all.

Congratulations Jake!

Forgot one thing

about what I like about Newfoundland :0)

The premier (leader) of our province, Danny Williams, does not collect a salary. He donates it to charity. Even though he has a lot of money already, I've never, ever heard of a politician who works for free. Article here.

Favourite things about Newfoundland

Most people seem genuinely surprised when we tell them we just packed up everything and moved to Newfoundland. They are really surprised when we tell them we have no connections here, no family, no roots....nothing other than we just like it here.

I was asked today, what my favourite thing about Newfoundland is?

Oh my....how can I possibly narrow it down to one thing?

There is the amazing scenery....the icebergs (betcha didn't know that we like the icebergs....did ya?? ;0)), the whales, the ocean (or should I say 'the water'), the massive amount of rock, the clean air, the wide open space, things are not over crowded, the beautiful drive into town (well...it's really the city but everyone here calls it 'town'), the way our garbage is handled (yes...it's treated as garbage here. One does not need a Ph.D. in garbeology just to figure out how to put their garbage out).

But also....there is the people. It's hard to put their friendliness into the proper words...one must experience it first-hand to really understand it. I'll try though through some examples....Today we were in a parking lot, sitting in our van waiting to exit our parking spot. A woman in a car was driving along and when she saw we were waiting to leave, she stopped and motioned for us to back up...which we did. Larry proceeded to back out figuring she was waiting for our spot. Nope, she was just being nice and letting us get out.

I am still amazed at how we can be waiting on the side of the road to cross to the other side. Cars will come to a screeching stop in order to allow us to cross the road.

When you hear a car horn here, it usually means somebody has saw somebody they know. The tooting of the horn is followed by a big smile and wave "Hello".

Then there is the weather. I dunno.....we just haven't experienced any of those year-round 15' snow banks we were warned we'd encounter here (by people who I'm sure don't even know where Newfoundland is, let alone ever been here.) Today it was 16 degrees (61 F)....on December 2.....amazing!!! The summers are beautiful....no humidity and no smog.

I guess if I had to narrow it down to one thing I like about Newfoundland, I'd have to say it is living life here.

Our day

When we began homeschooling (we're into our 7th year), we started a tradition of taking a day off to go Christmas shopping. It's our one and only PD day for the year (ya...that's right, their teacher is a mean old tyrant that only allows one PD day per year). The children look forward to it, as do Larry and I.

We decided today would be the day. Everyone was up early, had breakfast, dressed, washed dishes and ready to go by 8:00. This meant we were in town by 8:30. Walmart was the only store open at that time so we began our shopping there. From there we moved on to a few other stores....Michaels, Zellers and a couple that are unique to this area.

After we'd shopped for awhile, we decided it was time for lunch. This too is part of our 'tradition' and after a bit of a discussion on where we should go, we headed to the restaurant at Zellers.

After lunch, Larry had to head off to work. The kids and I had one more store to hit before we headed home.

It was a great day and we didn't have any of the usual questions we've been accustomed to on our one PD day (questions like, "What, no school today?" etc.). I think the reason being schools here seem to have many PD days (similar to Ontario before Mike Harris did away with them). Added into the mix, not all schools get the same day off....so people are probably used of seeing children out and about during school hours. We were ready just in case though (one year on our PD day, we were in line at Walmart....you know where there are lines all over the place. This is when we were still in Ontario. Anyway, just as the cashier started ringing ours in, the computer systems went down. There we were, along with all the other lines and cashiers just standing there....wondering what we were going to do. People were starting to get impatient, looking around and rolling their eyes. All of a sudden our cashier spotted our children and asked, "What....no school today?" When we said we homeschooled, that caused a lot of people to look....and the questions started coming at us from all sides....literally....people standing in line to the left and the one to the right, people in the line behind us and all the cashiers around us....All of a sudden we were centre stage having to explain the whole homeschooling thing. Eeekk...We did pretty good and were able to answer all the questions....but I sure was glad when the computers came back on-line.)

We all finished our Christmas shopping too, so that is a bonus. We don't go all out for presents....they each get $20.00 to spend and that has to buy presents for 4 people. (Jake even had $5.00 left out of his $20.00). It was interesting trying to get presents without the others seeing what we were buying for them. This too has become part of the game though and adds to the whole day. It was much easier when they were younger to hide what we were doing, but now not so much so. Tyler has been accusing us of "whispering" all day. Silly boy. ;0)

Oh well....back to the grind tomorrow!

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Yofed over at The Land of Cheerios, Sticky Fingers and Muddy Shoes I have to post six things that make me happy and then tag six others to do the same.

Soo...here goes.

1) My family and friends
2) Chocolate (surprise, surprise, eh?)
3) Coffee
4) Sunshine and nice weather
5) A warm house
6) Watching the ocean and all of it's wonders.

There are many more things that make me happy, but these are the ones that came to mind off the top of my head.

I'm not sure who to tag, so if you're reading this and want to play....consider yourself tagged!!

Check out my Chocolate Blog

I've created a new blog for my chocolate items.

You can check it out here... at Candy Box Creations

Welcome to the Tropics... (click pics to enlarge)

Rainbow near our house




Brittney and Jake before heading off to swimming lessons



Larry and Jake



A view of Pouch Cove and the Atlantic Ocean







well...ok...it's not *exactly* the tropics, but for Canada at this time of year, it's as close as we're going to get.


All week it's been up around 15 - 17 degrees Celsius (which is about 59 - 63 F). Today it was 12 C (52 F). All this 'warm' weather (lol) comes at a price though, we've had rain....and lots of it. Yesterday, it rained most of the day but it did manage to stop and clear out long enough for some blue sky and a beautiful rainbow, before it clouded over and started raining....again.

Mind you, I'm not complaining...it's a lot easier to drive in rain than snow....but some sunshine would be nice to go along with our warm weather. I know...I'm not asking for much ;0)

Happy Birthday, Dad! (click pics to enlarge)

Today is my Dad's birthday!

He's 82 today (I'm half his age and he has twice as much energy as me .... go figure)

Happy Birthday, Dad!