Just a pic

from Miss Blue Eyes!

just in case you didn't notice..

I didn't want to crowd out my blog with Bronwen-related stuff, even though we love her dearly of course... she has a whole blog of her own! (mostly pictures). See the link at the top of the page.. 'Days in the Life of Bronwen"

thanks for reading, friends! Here are some pictures from what was probably our last beach fire of the season at Middle Cove Beach.

mmmm, salty!

fell right asleep- don't worry, she can't fall out :)

Harvest goodness

row 1- zucchini, onions and beans!
(that is another plot where things start to grow high again)

This year, Brian and I planted our very first garden. I remember having a little garden many years ago in our backyard as a kid. I think that we grew zucchini and watermelon. When I was really young in New Zealand we definitely grew sunflowers. Brian's parents have always been into gardening, his Dad particularly, so he definitely has the greener thumb of the two of us.

So we decided to take our collective gardening expertise, or maybe it was just nostalgia- paired up with an interest in growing things in Newfoundland, it was a good year to plant a garden! We applied for a plot at the university community garden. A few weeks later, we were assigned plot #35. Our gardening plans were a bit disrupted by our month long trip to BC in the spring- watering was a bit sparse, and we missed out on a big load of compost. But, it turned out pretty well after all! We planted beans, zucchini, peas, onions, radishes, beets, carrots, parsnips, lettuce and spinach. Most of those things ended up turning out pretty well. We have been eating salad every night with supper- there's nothing like fresh lettuce! Brian made zucchini chutney with our zucchini. 

row 2- peas, beets, carrots, parsnips and beets again

Also, one of the good things about living in Newfoundland is the wild berries! We have been blueberry picking a few times, and got enough to make 6 jars of jam which is now in the pantry... ready to enjoy in the dead of winter. Bronwen and I went one last time on Monday and got a couple more pounds to eat fresh... blueberries on oatmeal in the morning is the breakfast of choice lately. Or, just a handful of fresh ones for dessert. Yum!

I think that Brian and I encourage each other in our growing, picking and foraging tendencies. He loves to pick wild mushrooms... an activity which I had never really heard of before we met. Well, not besides 'medicinal' mushrooms.. but I think that growing up on Vancouver Island can turn you into more of a mushroom picker! He found some chanterelles on one of our berry picking trips, which are quite delicious fried with a little bit of butter (who knew!). 

row 3- lettuce! (and some spinach in there too)

There is something really satisfying about collecting food from the wild, and from the garden! I think that it's a combination of taking advantage of what is available to us, appreciating the seasons more, and the joy of being outside! If you take the time on a hike, you can see those little blueberries growing all over some of the hillsides! Having a garden gives you new excitement for spring planting, for watching things grow all summer, and for harvesting and storing them when fall rolls around. And of course, it is always nice to be outside when you're doing all of this.

So there you have it.. living off the land in St. John's. Sort of. One day I'd love to have a huge vegetable garden... with a big raspberry patch. Maybe even some hens for eggs. A nice long clothesline and some woods in the back. I'm glad to be married to someone who will go live on a homestead with me someday. Or at least, we can dream about it together!

last summer in Bonavista... but you get the idea!

A Lighthouse Adventure

A couple of weeks ago we drove down the southern shore to Ferryland and enjoyed lunch at the famous 'Lighthouse Picnics" establishment. Here are some pictures...

Walking down the gravel road to get to the lighthouse

You go in and pick what you would like for lunch (it's the original authentic lighthouse!). Then, they give you a  flag and someone brings out your lunch right to you! Also, blankets are provided :)

Our picnic. Mango chicken salad sandwich, Ham, brie & apple sandwich, Vege orzo salad, and jars of lemonade! Oh, and gingerbread and apple cake for dessert. YUM!

my little family

oh Dad, your hair is so interesting..

matchy matchy!

these colours are not altered in any way!

Beautiful Newfoundland! We are pretty glad to experience living here on the coast.

we parked the car back there, and then walked along this skinny gravel road!

What a lovely afternoon! Thank you so much Dan and Rebecca for your thoughtful gift!  (they gave us a gift certificate for the picnic last summer :)

what's in a name....

I just wanted to post a link to this blog post. I don't know this lady (yes, sometimes I read blogs of people I don't know.. but I think that is not uncommon!) I really like what she says here about the name we have commonly chosen for our daughters. I find myself agreeing with a lot of it, including what is said in the comments.

Oh, and here she is!

our Bronwen

Back on the Rock

We arrived back in St. John's late Sunday night (well, I guess very early Monday morning) after a long delay spent in the Toronto airport, and then a flight home that seemed rather short in comparison. The delay in Toronto was made a little better by the fact that we had meal vouchers from Air Canada to treat ourselves to some rather overpriced airport food. Bronwen bought lattes from Starbucks for her mum and dad with her meal voucher.

It was a great trip to Ontario. Lots of visiting and of course our trip to Rhode Island to see Ruth and Tom get married! It was very special for me to see Ruth get married as we have been friends for a very long time. We met way back in elementary school at John Knox. I used to go to her house every now and then and always came home with some cooked or baked concoction (Ruth still loves experimenting in the kitchen to this day- thankfully, so does Tom). The two of them very patiently waited until Tom was done his PhD to get married.. they have been dating for 4 years and it was awesome to see them tie the knot!

Also, we left Bronwen with my parents, aka Grandma and Grandpa B, so that also made this trip special! Although in some ways it just seemed a lot like last summer, when we were just the two of us, it was still a nice treat. We didn't have to worry about putting her to bed, or having her trapped in her car seat for too long over the long drive, or keeping her quiet and entertained during a wedding ceremony and reception. Also, we didn't have to carry a baby or push a stroller around! And she was in very good hands with her loving and doting grandparents. Though I can definitely say that Brian and I missed our little lady, and it was good to see her when we got back to Grimsby again!

Brian and I also celebrated our second wedding anniversary when we were in Rhode Island. On Monday, August 13- the day after Ruth and Tom's wedding. We had a nice relaxing day exploring the little town and beaches of Newport, Rhode Island. The day included yummy fudge, a picnic lunch by the water, ice cream cones, swimming, and yummy camping supper. Oh, and a nice sunset. It doesn't get much better than that :).

Sometimes I can hardly believe it's been two years already! I still remember the whole day pretty clearly. Going to other peoples' weddings also seems to make you remember your own, I think. And to think about those vows again. I think that being out here in Newfoundland is good for Brian and I as a couple. We have no family nearby, so we need to really rely on each other, and it also makes you really 'forge your own way'- you have to kind of figure things out on your own. Also, it is kind of neat to spend these first few years together in a place that neither of us grew up in (or even remotely close to) so we can explore all of its little nooks and crannies together! We will probably always look back on our first few years in NL nostalgically- and maybe come back here one day for a good reminiscing trip when we are old and gray (D.V!)


just because it's fun.. some wedding pictures :)

the ordinary things

Yesterday was a 'clean the house' day. Bronwen was napping and I found my old mp3 player. The little round one that I bought off my brother Jonny for $20 ages ago. (he was quite the salesman). It holds a grand total of 27 songs.

So there I was scrubbing the bathtub listening to some old favourites. It's amazing how music brings you back. I had made that particular playlist probably around my 3rd or 4th year at UWO. I listened to it when I ran around the Whitehills neighbourhood in London while living at the Pink Flamingo. Thought about and pondered where life was going to take me in the next few years, on the cusp of graduation and so many changes. Thought about treeplanting summers and relationships hoped for and lost, about where I would go for my fourth year clinical placement and if I wanted to work in obstetrics or outpost nursing. If I wanted to stay in Ontario or move to the west coast or none of the above.

And now, a lot of those questions are answered. I'm sure if we could somehow see into the future, we would worry an awful lot less. Though we might also worry more. And how would be ever learn to trust?

There I was yesterday listening to those same old songs. Living in St. John's, Newfoundland- I never thought I would have lived on the east coast. The very easternmost coast. Married to my best friend in the world, who is the salt for my pepper, the cheese for my wine, the love of my life. With a daughter named Bronwen who is already such a little character. Having worked almost 3 years in emergency nursing but looking towards labour and delivery in the future. Right now, a stay at home mum, homemaker, housewife, however you like to put it.

I was content, scrubbing that bathtub. Because I feel very blessed.