Monday, March 31, 2008
Reflections
More than four years ago I would have never imagined that I'd be living on an island. I didn't know I'd be living in the countryside! A lot of things can change in the span of a few years.
For example:
I didn't know that this is what I would see when I step outside of our house.
I didn't expect to be married to such a hardworking, smart, fun, funny, all around great guy. Of course, a girl always hopes and wishes to find such a person, but Hubby surpassed all my hopes and expectations :)
I didn't think I'd see the day that my mom would take a walk (a real walk...not the kind you do in the shopping malls!) with me. She was so intrigued to see how we make maple syrup. I never imagined we'd be making our own maple syrup!
Hubby calls this the "holy" tree. Get it?
I didn't realize how happy my pooch would be living in the country. Having him in my Toronto apartment really wasn't fair to him. Now he enjoys running all over the property.
I didn't realize my father could walk on water. The lake was frozen, but it still freaked me out. One of my biggest fears would be to drown in icy cold water. Don't ask. I have no idea why that's one of my biggest fears. It's not like I make a habit of walking on frozen lakes.
A bunch of us went ice fishing on the weekend. We tried to make the best of the last weekend that we could do this. This was my first time out on the lake. I am not ashamed to admit that I'm a big chicken. Every time I heard the ice crack or shift, I'd get really nervous. The sounds the ice and water made just made me cringe.
This stinkin' hole took us TWO HOURS to drill with the ice auger. There were four of us at the time and we took turns drilling. The following three holes took less than five minutes each to drill!
More than four years ago, I didn't know I'd be the type of person who made and grew most of her food. I didn't know I'd be the girl who bought her baked goods and local honey at the farmers' markets. I also didn't know I'd be the type of person who grew produce during the summer and after harvesting, would freeze them for winter use. I actually bought a few loaves of this olive bread at the farmers' market and kept them in the freezer. I had company on the weekend, so I thawed a loaf, sliced it up and put it in the oven. YUM!
I didn't realize the soft afternoon sunlight filtering through the cracks of a barn would be one of the most beautiful sights imaginable.
I didn't think that scenes like these would forever be etched in my heart. There's something so special about seeing Dad and Chance walking into the sunset and enjoying our property so much.
I find it amusing how I see some of my family members far more now that I live so far away. Even if we lived in the same city, we rarely saw each other. Now, we see each other more often and our visits are quality visits. How odd!
I never imagined living here:
or seeing my pup so happy to be in my cousin's company.
For example:
I didn't know that this is what I would see when I step outside of our house.
I didn't expect to be married to such a hardworking, smart, fun, funny, all around great guy. Of course, a girl always hopes and wishes to find such a person, but Hubby surpassed all my hopes and expectations :)
I didn't think I'd see the day that my mom would take a walk (a real walk...not the kind you do in the shopping malls!) with me. She was so intrigued to see how we make maple syrup. I never imagined we'd be making our own maple syrup!
Hubby calls this the "holy" tree. Get it?
I didn't realize how happy my pooch would be living in the country. Having him in my Toronto apartment really wasn't fair to him. Now he enjoys running all over the property.
I didn't realize my father could walk on water. The lake was frozen, but it still freaked me out. One of my biggest fears would be to drown in icy cold water. Don't ask. I have no idea why that's one of my biggest fears. It's not like I make a habit of walking on frozen lakes.
A bunch of us went ice fishing on the weekend. We tried to make the best of the last weekend that we could do this. This was my first time out on the lake. I am not ashamed to admit that I'm a big chicken. Every time I heard the ice crack or shift, I'd get really nervous. The sounds the ice and water made just made me cringe.
This stinkin' hole took us TWO HOURS to drill with the ice auger. There were four of us at the time and we took turns drilling. The following three holes took less than five minutes each to drill!
More than four years ago, I didn't know I'd be the type of person who made and grew most of her food. I didn't know I'd be the girl who bought her baked goods and local honey at the farmers' markets. I also didn't know I'd be the type of person who grew produce during the summer and after harvesting, would freeze them for winter use. I actually bought a few loaves of this olive bread at the farmers' market and kept them in the freezer. I had company on the weekend, so I thawed a loaf, sliced it up and put it in the oven. YUM!
I didn't realize the soft afternoon sunlight filtering through the cracks of a barn would be one of the most beautiful sights imaginable.
I didn't think that scenes like these would forever be etched in my heart. There's something so special about seeing Dad and Chance walking into the sunset and enjoying our property so much.
I find it amusing how I see some of my family members far more now that I live so far away. Even if we lived in the same city, we rarely saw each other. Now, we see each other more often and our visits are quality visits. How odd!I never imagined living here:
or seeing my pup so happy to be in my cousin's company.
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About the Blog Author
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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24 comments:
Wow, what a gorgeous property you live on. And growing your own food. Ahhh... I won't show Hubby or he will be movin' us up to the Island too. He dreams of living or owning a farm, not sure why as he has never even worked on a farm. And Maple Syrup too!
Not sure if I will be up Northern Mom's way this summer, but surely if I am we shall visit. And next time you are coming my way let me know and we can meet for coffee or something :)
C, that was a gorgeous post ... your property is spectacular! And I absolutely love that picture of the hay in the barn. So peaceful, that.
It's great how your parents are so into it all too! My folks are very urban ... I could not for the life of me imagine them doing any of that LOL!
Four years, not a very long time, but what a difference!
Thanks for sharing these lovely postcards of your life. We definitely have to come and visit!!
HAH HAH HAH! The last pic of Chance and your cousin just crack me up - too funny !
I don't know why every one doesn't live like this.
The things that happen when you live on an island...
I don't like cold and ice and snow much but that looks and sounds like paradise.
That's brilliant, but it looks bloody cold! It isn't like that all year, is it?
Do go skiing where you live?
-Pete
Oh, sigh, it is even gorgeous in the winter. I don't know why Mike's company couldn't move a facility there!
I am trying to email you, things have been hectic!
Ellie xo
Beachmama:
LOL! My dad was the same way! He grew up on a tropical island, but has always been a city boy. He always dreamed of eventually buying a farm. I don't know why. I think maybe it's because as a kid he loved watching those old Westerns (you know, the ones with the cowboys and horses! LOL). He never did buy a farm, but now he and my mom have 10 acres and a lovely home just 4 minutes away from us.
Karen:
Awwww...shucks! You are so sweet! Yay! Looking forward to having you, Ian, Liam and Little G visit us! I keep thinking about how cute G was when we were all at Danielle's house! I think she was so shy, she didn't even look at me! She was really good at entertaining herself though! She just kept playing! Nathanial was a cutie too! I love the little dance he did! Giselle is ADORABLE!! What a cute little girlie she is!
t:
I know! The last photo is hilarious! The look on Chance's face cracks me up too. Crazy dog! I don't know what has gotten into him! He NEVER used to do that! Now that he's six years old, he has started 'mounting' certain people (he's selective! LOL!) and he has started molesting his pillow. Weird how it's only recently that he's started displaying that kind of behaviour.
Hubby:
:)
P.S. Did you figure out your password so you can log into Blogger? You'll need it to post on the Green Blog.
Pete and Jan:
It's actually not that cold here. We're considered 'Northern Ontario', but we're not really that north.
The snow is melting and the grass is already showing. It's pretty mild now.
Pete, we can go cross country skiing here, but to go downhill skiing one would have to drive a few hours for some decent sized ski hills. We have some hills here, but I wouldn't consider them 'ski hills'.
Ellie:
I know! Same here! I've been trying to send you an e-mail but haven't finished it yet! There's always something that gets in the way of me completing it. I hope everything with the move is going okay :)
What a beautiful post Chrissy - wonderful photos and comments.
It made me remember what captivated me when I sent my year in Canada - the breath taking scenery and atmosphere of winter.
C, you must print and frame some of those prints! They are beautiful! I can see how you could fall in love with that place.
We think our lives will be one way and every day (almost) we see little differences in how we thought it would end up.
What I sweet post. Sometimes I think we get wrapped up in "things" and forget to reflect on what we are so lucky to have.
Wow C
That is an amazing post. I've been away for too long.
I love all those amazing pictures. I like that "holy tree"! Looks like you have some serious woodpeckers.
I'm with ya on the frozen lake. I'm a little timid when it comes to going out on the ice.
That sunlight filtering through your barn looks like a wonderful place to take a nap with the Chance Miester.
I've heard of kissin cuzzins, but Chance is taking it to the next level ain't he?!!!LOL!!!
The look on your cuzzin's face is priceless!
Those look so beautiful and made me want to come see you. Will you make bread?
mrinz:
Thank you :) Your comment actually reminded me of how beautiful Canada is. I've traveled to so many countries and have seen more of the world than the country I live in. One of these days, I'd like to take a cross-Canada trip and visit each province. I've only been to four!
The island really is special :) This said, I'd also like to one day visit your country!!
Cherry:
Thank you so much :) You are so right about how we think our lives will be and finding little differences in how things end up :)
Annie:
Hey there! Thank you for your comment :) That is so true. How are those adorable kiddies of yours doing?
Jimbo:
Yay! You're back!!! :D
Yes, the woodpecker really made a few dents in that tree, didn't he?!?! It's quite incredible to see all that work it did trying to get its meal! I hope they were good insects for all the headache that woodpecker had to go through! LOL! ;)
Oh, and Chance is quite the character, isn't he? LOL! My poor cousin! Every time I look at that photo, I laugh.
Lisa Marie:
LOL! For sure! C'mon over! Bread will be in the oven when you arrive. That olive bread wasn't made by me though.
When I have students, I teach them how to bake bread. They get to practice their English and have fun too! When I don't have students, I don't bake much bread. I love the smell of freshly baked bread, but I've never been much of a bread eater. I think this is a result of all those years of being scared of carbs! I know...I'm weird.
Which do you prefer? Multi-grain, flax seed, raisin, cracked wheat?
beautiful post, beautiful property, beautiful life! i am so jealous! and chance is still absolutely adorable...even when he seems to be being a little naughty. :)
Deb:
Thanks! LOL! I seriously had no idea that this would one day be my life. Remember, I grew up in the city!!!
Chance is a cutie. I have nooooooooo idea what's up with him though. I get that it's spring now, but he's never been so naughty! He seriously would not leave my cousin alone!!! LOL!!!
Oh wow. That's incredible! I love the pics.
Mmmmmmm, olive bread. Now that's serious country life you got there.
miss you! hugs, CK
Lovely post. I can totally relate. There are so many things I'd never have imagined doing myself just a few years ago either. Canning green beans? Pickling beets? Baking bread?
Not me! Ha!
Sorry to hear about the twin calves disaster. It's heartbreaking. Sometimes I can't deal with tragedies like that either.
What a beautiful life you describe and a beautiful property - how big is it ?
Your photos are glorious and I love filtered sunlight and the snow. I think the ice walking and fishing would freak me too. Seen too many movies.
My Little Drummer boys
What a beautiful post! Your pictures are simply lovely. Nothing beats natural light! I'm hoping to start growing some of my own foods...but I have to move into my house first. This city girl is getting a green thumb.