Saturday, January 19, 2008

Winter on the Island


Many people often ask me, "What is there to do on the Island in the winter?" or "Don't you get bored up there with nothing to do all the time?"

One thing is for sure. There is never a dull moment up here and if there is, you're doing something wrong! :) We're never at a shortage of things to do. With life on the farm and when we have students, we are super busy all the time. Even when we don't have students, there are always things to do.

This week, we made sure to fit some time in for some fun. It can't be all work and no play all the time!


I can honestly say that we are all addicted to Karaoke Revolution Party and Dance Dance Revolution! It isn't easy to sing and dance at the same time! Even my aunt was hooked! Let me tell ya, it's a really good workout! Check out Hubby and his fancy dance moves! What a cutie!My cousin, Wonder Boy was up for a one week visit from Montreal. The week was spent winter camping, snowmobiling, and ATV-ing (after all the farm chores were done, of course)!We also had a surprise birthday party for my gal pal, Super Girl! We had to introduce her palette to Filipino cuisine.The first photo is of lumpia, which is also known as a type of Spring Roll. The filling is bean sprouts, carrots, green beans, potato (or sweet potato) and shredded chicken. It's wrapped in a special lumpia wrapper, and then deep fried. It's soooo good!

The second photo is of pancit. It's a noodle dish with lots of vegetables and a bit of meat. There are different ways to make this dish, but they all require a lot of chopping and cutting of vegetables! My family says that we should always serve noodles on people's birthdays. You know, noodles for long life.

The third photo is of my mom's fried rice and the fourth is a dish called caldareta. It's a filipino beef stew. It's a family favourite in our house. My grandfather's caldareta was the best ever. My aunt pretty much has his recipe down. Whenever she comes up from Montreal, my dad always puts in a request for her to make it.

Super Girl got two birthday cakes! TWO!!!Just a cute photo of Hubby. I LOVE HIM!!! :)

All in all, it was a great week (with the exception of Monday's accident). I am truly lucky to be blessed with wonderful family and friends...and a beautiful place to call home.

24 comments:

AnnieM said...

C- i just was catching up and I am so glad you weren't seriously hurt! So scary!

Again, you and your family can cook for me anytime!!

Anonymous said...

you have such a lovely life and your hubby is such a sport! good on him for playing dance dance revolution!

Karen MEG said...

C, thanks for sharing these great photos, and a lovely slice of your winter wonderland. Your hubby has the moves... he really is too cute!
I love those kinds of evenings with the family that include karaoke etc... such a blast. I've got to get my hands on a Dance Revolution. And the food.... yummmm as always !

Anonymous said...

Hah! Hah! Chris still can't beleive you're a country girl now! The winter camping photos, skidooing and dance revolution look like fun. Who woulda thought you'd end up with that lifestyle! But somehow it all makes sense. We're coming to visit again n the summer hopefully. We just love your little slice of heaven

Rick Rockhill said...

C- how FUN!!!! Your family is so cool. btw- I love Filipino food

Anonymous said...

oh thanks for sharing these photos chris! i looks like lots of fun!we were thinking of taking the kids to a resort for some winter fun but we should just go over and visit you guys!

merinz said...

There is so much to do in the snow!!
Skiidooing (is that what it is called) looks to be fun.

I can't quite picture what winter camping is - surely not tenting?

Unknown said...

Annie:
Awww! Thanks for thinking of me. You're so sweet. Oh, and come on over anytime and I'll cook for you guys! ;)

anon:
He is a good sport, isn't he? We had a blast. I looked like a chicken though! I am the most uncoordinated person you'll ever meet! LOL! My feet just don't want to go where my brain tells them to!

Unknown said...

Karen:
I love that we get to experience all four seasons here. Winter is fun with all the outdoorsy activities. I love the snow and the fresh air! Spring is also nice with all the new growth and all the greenery. Everything smells so fresh too! Summer is fun up here because there are so many outdoorsy things to do (horseback riding, hiking, going to the beach, swimming, etc). Fall is also great because of the fresh, crisp air, the changing colours, hiking...

I have to say that I am addicted to DDR! We've only got a PS2, but it's still fun! I want to get a wii eventually, but in the meantime, the PS2 is still fun because of the karaoke and DDR! LOL! Hmmmm...I wonder who has more fun? The kids or the adults? LOL!

T:
I know! I know! Hey, let me know when you're coming up!

Unknown said...

Rick:
Thank you! You always leave the nicest comments! Come on over anytime, and I'll make sure there will be some Filipino food for you! LOL!

Hot Mommy:
BAH! Who needs to spend all that money taking the kids to a resort when you can come here? :) *hint! hint!* You'll have your very own Winter Wonderland! So much fun! This is what I'm talkin' about: good, clean, wholesome fun outdoors and then come in for some hot cocoa to warm you up!

Unknown said...

Mrinz:
Yes! There is so much to do in the snow! I'm looking at getting myself some snowshoes or cross country skis! It would be nice to ski around our property and admire the scenery (and check fences to see if the cattle have been behaving!). Plus, get some exercise that way too.

Winter camping...LOL! When my friend asked if Hubby and I wanted to go winter camping, I initially said NO WAY!!! I thought she meant pitching a tent in the snow and really doing some hardcore outdoor survival tricks!!! I used to do that when I was in college, but I am still a little "too city" for roughing it 100%! The winter camping we did was actually at my friend's cottage, which is winterized. It's a beautiful little wood cabin, fully equipped and in the middle of the woods. It's so peaceful and serene there. We even popped some popcorn over the old wood stove. The wood stove heats the cabin and you can use it to cook your food and boil your water. It was lots of fun.

Anonymous said...

How come there are never any videos of C ?

They seem to get deleted before being uploaded.

Unknown said...

Hubby:
LOL! That's because you're cuter than I am! :)

J said...

Lovely pics, and boy, the food and the ocean, so delicious.

Heidi said...

aWWWWWW -- such a happy family... so sweet! Wish I could be there for autumn and winter -- even just once. LOL

louann said...

The food looks so good! Pansit and lumpia! Yum!!! Very Pinoy indeed. I hope your friend di enjoy the food.

PinksandBluesGirls said...

You guys are just tons of fun! We have to hang out sometime... seriously!!

Jane, Pinks & Blues

Unknown said...

J:
Thanks! The food was good. I like checking out your recipes on your blog too. You certainly seem like a very good cook!!!

CK:
Well, you know that you're always welcome to pop by! We love your visits! You and another girlfriend of mine are the only two friends who have come to the Island to visit me every year since I moved up here! I know you may not be able to make it this summer, but we are looking forward to the next time we can sit by the water, rev up the 'ol BBQ and just chill with you again. Miss you! xo

Unknown said...

Louann:
YAY! Pinoy food is so good! LOL! Did I tell you that Hubby tried dinuguan and puto???? My friend really enjoyed the food and loves the lumpia! Hubby loves it all, but I think his favourite is lumpia Shanghai!

Jane:
Yes! That sounds great! You and Steve should bring your doggies up sometime! It'll be lots of fun! The doggies will love roaming around our property and being on the beach! Oh, and I think you and Steve may have fun too! :)

Anonymous said...

Oh that food looks so yummy and reminds me of my time in Winnipeg as I dated a Filipino boy. Man I miss those noodle dishes.

And you guys sure know how to make the most of winter, looks like lots of fun.

Uncivil said...

Hey C and the Dancing Farmer!!!
I'm catching up on my blogs and you're the first one I've visited in quite a while.
You guys sure know how to have a good time! Thanks for the smiles!

Nabeel said...

aaaa fried rice .. vegetable fried right right? I love 'em .. i kinda like shrimp friend rice even more ..

Unknown said...

Beach Mama:
You dated a filipino guy...in Winterpeg??? Very interesting! You never cease to amaze me!

Uncivil:
Awwww...shucks! You're the sweetest!

Unknown said...

Nabeel:
Thanks for popping by and leaving a comment. Yes, it was vegetable fried rice. You're right though...fried rice with shrimp is reeeeeally good too!!! One of my faves!

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City girl moves to the country, falls in love, and marries a farmer. She tries to incorporate her city ways with her new country lifestyle and blogs to keep in touch with friends, family & students who live far, far away :) Can this city girl go country? Watch as she learns all sorts of exciting things about life on the farm and in a small rural community. *UPDATE* We are now parents! Our baby girl was born on Nov. 11, 2008 (at 28 weeks gestation- 12 weeks premature, but she's quite the trooper)!!!
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