Thanksgiving Weekend

Father and Daughter

This week I have pictures from - you guessed it - our lovely Thanksgiving long weekend.  I have to say, we packed it pretty full of fun outings, despite the fact that Clark was valiantly fighting off that same full-body cold/flu that I had a week or two ago.  Sometimes, however, the most potent cure for inevitable fall sicknesses is just blasting your body with fresh air and beautiful scenery, right?

So, without further ado, our "things for which to be thankful" list:

1. Awesome neighbours

Classic goodness

It was clear Thanksgiving weekend was off to a good start when Juniper and Linden stepped off the bus to an ice cream social.  Liam and Zoë had set up all the fixings, and we had a grand time eating ice cream and playing in the cul-de-sac, despite the fact that the bright sun very quickly turned to clouds and rain.  No problem!

Does it get any better than this?

2. Living in a stunning part of the world

On Saturday, we braved the hoards of people who apparently all had the same idea as us, and headed for a day of apple picking and general merriment in the Annapolis Valley.  Our first destination was Boates Farm  - one of (or perhaps THE) only organic u-pick around these parts.  We filled two 10-lb bags with Cortlands, and topped them up with some delicious pears.  The sun was high, and very very bright, so I didn't get nearly as many pics as I would have liked, but here are a few:

Linden, assessing the options.  It's much more difficult to find the good ones this late in the season

Happily posing with the high-reaching picker

The pears were perfect!

Choosing the juiciest looking ones (within arms reach, of course)

 Then it was off to Wolfville, to have some lunch and wander around the dykes.  Our original plan had been to go earlier in the day and also hit up the Saturday market, but Clark had not been able to get himself moving in enough time.  As it turns out, there was actually a marathon going on that day, so we would have NEVER made it in and found a parking spot in the morning, even if we'd been completely on the ball.  As it was, we sat in traffic for almost an hour before finally getting into the town proper. But it was, I believe, completely worth it:

Linden has been into practicing 3-d drawing these days, which helps with all of his "inventions"

Community piano!

Just a girl, snacking on her big English Cucumber, in front of the completely gorgeous dykelands

Whoa!  We clearly just barely escaped certain disaster!

A perfect spot for running races

Everywhere you turn on the dykes is stunning

Can you spot Linden?

Ones last scenery shot

I added this because I think it's pretty cool to see what the area would look like without the dykes

Oops - one final, FINAL scenery shot.  It's just so beautiful!

 3. A family who all loves outdoor adventure

I usually take it for granted these days that everyone is basically always keen for a romp in the woods, or along the coast, or basically wherever we decide to go.  But this is truly a gift - one that I think improves our quality of life more than we know. Certainly one to be thankful for! Our Sunday adventure this week took us to the Heritage path in Cole Harbour.  This is not a new trail to us (it is close and very easily accessible), but it never disappoints:

Just pre-fall. No children were hurt in the taking of this photo.

Just shooting the breeze while perched precariously on a thin little tree trunk

Crafting a sword out of wood.  I don't know how I feel about the weapons fascination, but it was pretty cute that Linden offered three of his hairs in return for the "gift" of wood.

4. Delicious, healthy food

This one, in particular, is always highlighted this time of year.  We basically spent all of Monday prepping and then eating a Thanksgiving feast.  Despite the fact that it was just the four of us, we went all out: a full turkey with all the fixings, with apple pie for dessert.  Also, everyone helped out at one point or another, especially when it came to processing that 20 lbs of freshly picked organic apples.  We ended up with 2 (and a half) pies, and two crisps, most of which went straight to the freezer.  We'll be reaping the benefits for weeks to come!

Somehow, the apple-peeler/corer just never gets boring

Diligently mashing potatoes

All the food (displayed, I only just realized, exclusively in my hand-made pottery!)

Juniper set the table. I think we each had about 7 different utensils at our disposal.

Whew!  A whirlwind of a weekend.  Next weekend is sure to be just as jam-packed, as a special little guy is turning 6, and our plan is to celebrate in Fredericton.  Stories to come!