FOODIE FRIDAY - COCONUT JOE'S

 

Mermaid Water and a Pina Colada

If you are ever in the Tobermory area, I highly suggest a visit to Coconut Joe's. I had researched places to eat before our trip to Tobermory last September, and this place did not disappoint. 

The restaurant has a tropical vacation vibe feel and is located on the harbour. The waitstaff were friendly, the food delicious, and they played feel good, party music. 

We went for an early dinner after our boat tour, and browsing a few shops in the town.

We shared coconut shrimp to start, we both had the cheeseburger in Tobermory paradise (a nod to Jimmy Buffett's Margarittaville) and for dessert, key-lime pie. They have a great cocktail menu and I enjoyed a couple Mermaid Water's and a Pina Colada. I may of gotten a little tipsy while there. The Mermaid Water was so good it should come in pitchers. Rob had his regular, Jack Daniel's and coke, AKA a "Lemmy", and he'll get it with Pepsi if he can. 

My only complaint about this restaurant is that it's not close enough to us to visit regularly!

   

  

ROB'S BIRTHDAY 2023

 

Birthday muffin to start the day.

Quick recap. May 25th I had surgery. I returned to work 3 days a week July 17 for two weeks, and then started back full time, though recovery was still ongoing. I was told it may take up to a year or more, and they were right. I still feel tightness and pain on my right side regularly. I get a specialized massage for the area and have physio exercises to do. Recovery is definitely still ongoing, but enough about that, this is suppose to be a birthday blog!

Needless to say I was feeling quite restless when our September vacation rolled around. We were off the weeks of Rob's birthday, as we usually are, and I was longing to visit an area of Ontario we had not been before for a couple days. 

After a bit of research we decided on the Tobermory area for a two night get away. We left the morning of Rob's birthday. I had packed a picnic and we stopped at Inglis Falls Conservation Area for lunch.

Inglis Falls

We stayed at the absolutely stunning bed and breakfast, Cee Cee North of the Bay. Bed was comfortable, breakfast was delicious and the views both during the day and starry nights were spectacular. This place was truly relaxing and we will stay there again.

What a view!

Hummingbird, Chipmunk and a fox around the B & B

Sunrise at the B & B

We spent our one full day in Tobermory. We took the Shipwrecks, Grottos, and Flowerpots tour with Tobermory Waves Adventures. The scenery was absolutely stunning. Next time we'd like to spend some time on Flowerpot Island. We enjoyed a fantastic meal at Coconut Joe's after the boat tour and exploring the town. 

Rock flower pots on Flower Pot Island.

Sandhill Cranes and Pipits seen on our travels. 

Tobermory is a fantastic area to visit and explore. We still have more to see and do there and we will do a return trip

BIRTHDAY BLOG

 

Lemon Meringue Birthday Cake! 

After Covid lock-downs, illness, and surgery messing up the annual birthday celebration the last four years, it was great to get back to normal this year. My cousin Andi's birthday is three days before mine, and we both look forward to celebrating together, as we have been doing for over a decade now.  

The staples of our yearly birthday get together are cake, lobster, and wine. This year the seafood was ordered from our home province of Nova Scotia via Clear Water Seafood, and we both ordered some extra goodies for the freezer.

Mussels to start.

The main course! 

Cheers Cousin!

My cake for my actual birthday.

Last year my cousin celebrated a milestone birthday, and a milestone birthday calls for a spectacular cake! I have taken care of the cake every year except my 50th.We celebrated in July due to my ongoing recovery, but it was worth the wait. 

Milestone birthday celebration in July 2023.

Here's to many more birthday celebrations together. 

  

ALBERTA 2023

 

The stunning male Mountain Bluebird

It's hard for me to believe that what I am about to blog about happened almost a year ago. I took an extended blogging break, but am feeling the need to catch up with them, though it may take a while. 

In early 2023 I had booked a vacation and purchased plane tickets for Rob and I to go to Alberta in June. Our youngest niece, Tayler, was graduating from high school and it had been five years since I had been to visit. I was medically cleared to take the trip, as I was still recovering from my surgery. My caseworker said, "what's the difference if you are resting at your home, or your brothers?" She also felt the trip would be good for my mental health. I had planned to stay a few days longer than Rob, but as I couldn't fly alone due to not being able to carry anything, I flew back with Rob. I had found out that the mass I had removed from my chest area on May 25 was not cancer, which was a huge relief. 

I watched Tayler's graduation via Zoom in their kitchen, but I was there for the big day, and that felt great. It was spirit lifting to spend a few days with them. 

Alberta 2023

Rob didn't know it, but I had planned a special surprise for him for this trip. I had hired a bird guide to take us out one day. I ended up telling him before we left, as I didn't think I'd be able to go. It was a surprise to me when the bird guide informed me that most of our day would be driving from spot to spot, and it shouldn't be a problem for me to go too! 

We had a great outing with her and saw lots of western bird species and a few mammals. We both added some bird species to our life list. We went out again the next day on our own for a little while and had another great day, and our mammal highlight of the year, if not our life, a big ole black bear! 

Mammal sighting of the year!

I spotted a Three-toed Woodpecker from the car, though we weren't sure what it was when I first saw it, but I knew it was something different. He was easily found, as he was very busy working on his nest.  

Another shot of the Mountain Bluebird, as it was our most desired bird to see while there.

Isn't he handsome?!

It was a short but meaningful trip, and I'm happy we made it.