COFFEE WITH THE CRITTERS

 

Welcome to the yard! 

Rob and I were on vacation the week of his birthday a couple weeks ago. It was mostly a stay-cation, though we did spend one night away, which I will eventually blog about.  

When I think back about our week off, it's easy for me to tell you what our favorite part of our vacation was, having morning coffee on the deck with the critters. It almost makes me laugh, because if you would of told me thirty years ago that I was going to find such a simple act so enjoyable, I would of told you, you were crazy. It's interesting to me, how we choose to spend our valuable time changes as we grow older. But, here we are, pass me a hot cup of coffee and some peanuts for our backyard critters and I'm happy.

One of our many backyard squirrels, this one is quite comfortable with us.

This is one of the Blue Jays favourite spots to get peanuts.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the critter feeding picnic table!

We are on vacation again in a couple weeks, and are looking forward to our leisurely coffees on the deck with the critters once again, though we may have to put on some thicker clothes.

2023 RECOVERY ROADTRIPS

 

Giant Swallowtail at the Royal Botanical Gardens

Recovering from a major surgery isn't all rest and pain medication. Eating healthy, washing, getting dressed everyday and walking a bit more weekly, all played a part. Surgeon approved little road trips with a girlfriend also played a huge part in my recovery last summer, as they were spirit lifting.

I always enjoy my visits to Springridge Farm.

My first road trip was just shy of a month after surgery and was to a favorite place to visit, Springridge Farm. We went in the late morning and had lunch there and came home with lots of goodies.

The Caesar was my drink of choice last summer.

Our second road trip was in July and a little further away. We went to Sutton, Ontario to take in the Purple Turtle Art Festival. We had lunch at The Boondocks Eatery. It was here that I had my favourite drink of all last summer, the Dill Pickle Caesar! I had a few Caesars last summer, one at every restaurant I visited, but this was the winner by far. I need to get there for another one.

Little frog friend at The Royal Botanical Gardens.

Later that month we visited the RBG and had lunch at a favorite restaurant out that way, Harpers Landing. It was Pat's first time there. I haven't been there yet this summer, I must make a point of going while it's still patio season.

We shared the delicious food and enjoyed the Bullet Proof Lemonade.

 

Shopping in Elora, Ontario.

Our August road trip was to Elora, Ontario. I had been wanting to visit the lavender shops. We did a bit of shopping. I purchased lots of lavender products and a gnome for the backyard. We had lunch at The Cellar Pub and Grill which is right on the river. We also had an ice-cream before heading home. It was a lovely day.

Lunch and scenery in Elora.

Grateful for my friend, Pat, for taking me on these road trips last summer while I recovered.  
 

FOODIE FRIDAY - CASCATA - LAST CHANCE

Vodka Martini, extra dirty with 3 olives, perfection!

Back in 2022 friends introduced us to a lovely restaurant called Cascata Bistro in Carlisle, Ontario. It was one of their favorite places for a meal, and quickly became one of ours. It became our “go to” when out that way.

 

Over the last couple years, we have visited many times, and have introduced other friends to the delicious food and relaxed atmosphere. Our most recent visit was the end of June and we were saddened to learn that the owner had sold the building and the restaurant would be closing.

First time there I couldn't decide between pizza or wings, so I got both! Rob had a burger.

The Cascata business will carry on with catering and private dining experiences, but I will miss the lovely patio where we enjoyed many wonderful meals with friends.

 

If you have the opportunity, I highly suggest a meal there before they close after Labour Day Weekend. We hope to get there one more time before they do.

Martini anyone?

Last visit, I enjoyed mussels and fish and chips. Rob had pizza. 

Thanks for introducing us to this fabulous restaurant Lara and Lisa!

MOTHER'S DAY 2024

 

A daily reminder of Mom.

The last Mother’s Day I spent with my mom was in 2011. I was home (Nova Scotia) because she had recently been diagnosed with brain cancer and was having some of the tumor removed at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax.

She was on the “brain floor” which is scent free. I bought her a little potted white flower at the hospital gift shop for her Mother's Day gift. The flower went with her to the nursing homes she stayed at after leaving the hospital.

 

Mom passed away eight months later. When I was home for her funeral, I brought the flower back to Toronto with me and placed it in a spot I see multiple times a day. It remained in that spot for just over twelve years.  

The plaque is packed away now, but the flower stayed in that spot for over 12 years.

I always knew that one day I would take the flower back and place it at my parents’ grave. This past May was that time. Rob and I flew to Nova Scotia on Mother’s Day. It was his first-time visiting Nova Scotia, and he understood the importance of going to the cemetery shortly after we landed so I could place the flower there. We also put birdseed on top of the headstone, as that is something I always do when I visit.

 

I knew when we left on that trip that I would be looking for something to put in “that spot” back in Toronto, and it needed to be something to remind me of mom. I didn’t want to buy just anything to put there, and I knew I would know it when I spotted it. I was beginning to lose hope as our trip was quickly coming to an end and after visiting various shops I hadn’t found anything that spoke to me. It wasn't until we were at the airport to fly back that I found it. A beautiful wooden hummingbird, crafted in Nova Scotia and made out of four different types of wood.

The perfect trinket to replace the flower.

 

My dad was a lumberjack and my mom also worked with wood to make lawn ornaments. But it was the fact it was a hummingbird that made all the difference. The last gift my mom gave me was a pair of hummingbird earrings she had made for me. I knew that was the perfect addition to go in that special spot!  
 
You can read more about why hummingbirds are important to me by checking out a blog I did a few months after Mom passed.

Another daily reminder of Mom. 💖

   

FOODIE FRIDAY - BRAMBLE GASTROPUB

 

Porn Star Martini

A family member of our neighbor recommended a restaurant in the Kingsway area and we went for the first time while we were on vacation last week. Bramble Gastropub was an absolute delight!   

We went on a Wednesday as they have "buck a shuck oysters".  We are early diners and we did not make reservations, though so many people called during our time there, I think I will make reservations going forward, no matter the day of the week or time.    

Since becoming such a huge Food Network fan, I am always looking for something new to try when we eat out. I started with oysters, and had the Beetroot Salad and Steak Tartare for my meal. It was my first time having Steak Tartare, and I loved it. I don't know if it is this good at every restaurant, but I will definitely have it again there. Rob had the burger, and he said it was the best burger he's ever had, and he's had a lot of burgers! He also loved that he could get a bit of salad and fries, and did not have to choose between the two. We shared Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert.

Delicious!

   

Loved the decor!

The restaurant has an upscale British Pub feel with whimsical decor. It is a lovely place for a date or evening out with friends. I look forward to returning and trying more of the menu. Very grateful for the recommendation. 

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.

AND NOW ON TO 54!

 

Wonder what 54 has in store?

My 54th birthday was 15 days after surgery. As I was told that recovery would take about 6-7 weeks, my cousin and I decided to post-pone our duo birthday celebration until I was feeling much better. Her birthday is 3 days before mine and we have been celebrating together for over a decade now. We did get together for a brunch to acknowledge her birthday and get me out of the house for the first time since coming home from the hospital. 

Three days later it was my birthday, and I did want to do something. I was feeling a little more confident about getting out of the house for a short period of time after doing brunch, so I invited a couple friends to join Rob and I at one of our favorite restaurants, Azarias for dinner 

It was good to see some friends and enjoy a delicious meal together. After dinner they came back to the house for birthday cake. 

My birthday feast!

Making a wish!

Beautiful roses from a friend. And I had to take a picture of Meadow's favorite bush, as it always blooms around my birthday.

It was a quiet, enjoyable and very special birthday. At this time I still didn't know what the mass was, and it was nice to really put that out of my mind for a little while.   

MY LITTLE ALIEN FRIEND - PART TWO

 

A note from the boys next door.

After 3 days and 2 nights at the hospital and passing the tests I needed to in order to go home, I was discharged from the hospital on May 27th. I was so happy to be home. I didn't see my surgeon again for almost three weeks, and during that time I really wasn't allowed to do anything, and I mean anything. I wasn't allowed to raise my arms, even washing was a struggle. I watched a lot of  TV and slept. I couldn't sleep lying down, so I'd sleep for a couple hours, be awake a couple hours. I think it was a month before I could sleep lying down, and even longer until I could finally sleep on my sides. I even tried to roll over onto my right side a few times while I was under anesthesia, as that's the side I usually sleep on.  

I got discharged on a Saturday, and it wasn't long until friends and family started making things easier for both Rob and I with food drop offs. The weekend went ok, Rob had to help me a lot with simple daily things but we found our temporary routine pretty quickly. 

When Rob went back to work on Monday I had "Angie Sitters" for the first week while Rob was at work, as I really couldn't be alone. Recovery was very slow but steady. I made sure to get up every hour for a little walk and when I felt a little stronger I started walking in the yard. I saw my family doctor after ten days to get my stitches out. 

Flowers from the boys next door who were my first visitors.

Did this every hour I was awake for weeks,  so happy when I could finally get all 3 balls in the air!

Homemade chicken pot pie from a neighbor.

Bouquet of  juice from work. 

My co-worker and friend, Steve, was in charge of getting the work card signed and sending flowers. Well, he wanted to purchase something to assist in my recovery so he showed up with all this juice. I did start my day every day with a glass of it.    

Nurse Molly on duty.

Molly had a hard time after I got home. She couldn't understand why she couldn't crawl all over me. I tell people I looked liked I was in a 70's slasher film. I had many incisions and bruising all over my chest area and was so tender and bandaged up. I was allowed to remove some of the bandages after a week, but had to wait for others. The iodine was a bitch to get off, and took weeks to get it all removed. 

She was so happy when she could finally get in my lap.

Our backyard helped with recovery.

I am so grateful that my surgery was in May. Having the backyard to sit in, and walk in, was really helpful in my recovery and with the backyard birds and critters to watch, it was good for my mental health too.

Boop was morning coffee company most days.

  

Rob taking a well deserved break from taking care of me.

I had my first follow-up with the surgeon on June 13th and let go of a breath I didn't even know I was holding. The mass wasn't cancer. It was a mass of glands that should of disappeared as I aged, but instead mine kept growing. It was giving me chest pains that I thought was heart burn, and in time would of caused double vision. What a relief. I still had weeks of recovery ahead of me because of how invasive the surgery was, but this was the best news.

Cookies I ordered as thank you gifts. 

It's been over three months since my surgery, and I've been back to work since July 17th, but recovery continues in the chest area. Those drainage holes seem to take forever to heal.

Again, a huge thank you to everyone for all the help, the "Angie Sitters", the texts, the phone calls, the comments on my daily Facebook posts, the meals. Everything helped in my recovery and Rob and I appreciated it.