Go Outside

Bouldering and Rock Climbing

2010-10-21T09:29:00.000-03:00

Our property is scattered with boulders that the children love to climb when they visit.

This one, which is in the garden, they all have conquered.

This boulder at the front of the house is a challenge that they are slowly conquering.

The big kids can make it but the little ones still have a bit of a problem.

And they are eying this one that is in the back yard. We call it the Mini Half Dome because it reminds me of another rock formation:

The Half Dome, a giant boulder in Yosemite National Park in California. I took this photo when we were hiking there last year. You cannot see it in the picture but there is a cable path and ladder attached to the top of the Half Dome that people use to climb to the top. You can learn more about it here. The video is a little long but worth taking the time to watch.

Needless to say, we did not go up there. I am a bit fearful of heights and Arch was very happy not to go :)
We are considering building a version of the cable path to the top of our Mini Half Dome so the kids can get to the top. What do you think?

The Halifax Waterfront at Dawn

2010-10-20T09:29:00.000-03:00

Yesterday morning I was lucky to be on the Halifax Waterfront. What a glorious spot it is at dawn.

This oil drilling platform is the last from the Nova Scotia offshore oil fields. It is in port while looking for a new place to work. Rather sad as it represents a lot of lost revenue for the province.

The sunrise over Halifax Harbour.This looks like a great place to go to work in the early morning hours.

The tugs are at work early getting this barge in place for the work day.

The first cruise ship of the day is in port and being resupplied for the next leg of the journey.

If you look carefully I think there is another cruise ship in the distance

Which this tug may be going to assist into port.

Sure enough. Here it comes.

This sail boat appears to be overnighting in port but no one is up to greet the dawn.

I cannot help but wonder about a sightseeing tour to the Titanic. I know it is to the burrial site but that is not what the sign says.

Amos Pewter brings a bit of Mahone Bay to the waterfront.

Historic Properties is still asleep.

But lots of people were headed for work at Purdy's work which was looking majestic in the rising sun.

On my way back to the hotel I ran into this gentleman fishing for mackerel just in front of the cruise ship. He tells me the harbour is "clean as a whistle" and he comes here to fish nearly every morning.

My Three Favourite Things About Golf

2010-09-10T10:58:00.001-03:00

This is Arch and his buddy, Norman, on a golf course in Palm Desert California. It is obvious from this picture that they love golf. So do I. I am not very good at it (truth be told I am downright bad) but I have fun and that is the main thing. To me golf is a great excuse to go outside and play.

My three favourite things about the game of golf:

It is a very social game. The game involves lots of standing around and moving from hole to hole so there is lots of time to chat and visit with your fellow players. And then there is the 19th hole....
You are really only competing against yourself. I know lots of guys like to bet on holes and create a competition but for me the only person I am playing against is me. Trying to better my score from the last time, sink a putt I missed on a previous occasion or drive the ball 10 yards further - there is always a challenge, but it is a personal one.
Each new hole is a new opportunity to do well (I am a glass half full kind of person). If you make a real mess of a hole you walk on to the next one and there it is, spread out in front of you, a brand new chance to excel.

PS Can you find the coyote in this picture?

Home Remedies for Treating Plantar Fasciitis

2010-08-18T10:09:00.000-03:00

It's been a very busy summer and I am afraid I have been neglecting this blog. I plan to be more active in the fall, when hammock season slows down a bit. In the meantime...

I came across this video on the blog Vibrant Nation and feel it is very useful information for anyone who likes to go outside. Plantar Fasciitis has been my nemesis this summer so I plan to follow these suggestions closely. Hope it helps any of you with the same problem. I am thinking that the stretchs might be useful in avoiding the problem in the first place so plan to do them on both feet.

Walking 18 kms

2010-06-20T09:34:00.002-03:00

Last January Lori Lang of recipegirl.com issued a challenge to get healthy in 2010. She called it the 10 in 2010 Challenge: Ten Weeks to Healthy on 2010. I decided that Arch and I should participate so we signed on and set goals.

By changing our eating habits, walking and, for me, yoga we met our 10 week goals (it took Arch 12 weeks but he made it). I decided that I wanted to keep going and lose another 10 pounds before summer. I walk each weekday morning with my sister. The church she attends decided to have a fund raising walk-a-thon on June 19 2010 - the distance 18 kms. So we decided that our goal would be to participate in that walk. After training all winter and spring the walk was yesterday:

It was a beautiful day. Fourteen of us started at out from St Paul's Church in Seabright. That is me with my ever-present water bottle dangling from my waist. We were joined by others along the way. The parish consists of 4 churches around St Margaret's Bay so the idea was to walk from church to church.

Here we are leaving church #2. St Margaret's in Tantallon after a coffee break. That is my sister Mary in the foreground. The first 9 kms of our walk were along the Peggy's Cove Road so we had a RCMP escort - you can see his car in the background. The group was beginning to scatter at this point as each person walked at our own pace.

There was still a long walk ahead.

At the half-way point we were able to move onto The St Margaret's Bay Trail. Built on the former rail bed this is a great walking, biking and hiking trail.

The trail was a very busy at the Bike and Bean. A great neigbourhood coffee and bike shop in the old train station.

A view from the trail

Shining Water's Marina in the distance. We walked by there 3 hours previous.

You can barely see the spire of Church #3, St George's through the trees. We walked by this one as there was no good exit from the trail in this spot.

And, finally, the end - a barbeque at St James. Took us three hours (not including coffee breaks) to complete the walk. After lunch I came home and rested in the hammock for 2 hours :)

But it is not the end of the 10 in 2010 challenge for me. So far I have lost 25 lbs and plan to keep going until I lose another 5 to 10 lbs. Any suggestions as to what my next walking challenge should be? I plan to take a bit of a break for the summer. Mary and John are going to Australia and New Zealand for 3 months in early September so I will be on my own this fall so don't make it too difficult.

And a special thank you to Lori Lang for getting me started on this project. I wonder how many lives you changed by issuing your challenge?

Diary of a Garden

2010-05-22T06:59:00.000-03:00

There is a small garden at the northwest corner of our house that I find very difficult to get looking just as I would like. It gets the early morning and late afternoon sun and is subject to the northwest wind as it whips off the ocean. In other words it is a tough spot for plants to exist. This year I am giving it one last chance to survive.

I purchased the annuals for this spot from Valerie at the Hubbards Farmers' Market. I know from experience that plants from Valerie are healthy and will grow well.

The plants pretty much filled the back of my Smart Car.

I chose begonias as they do well in part shade and make simple beautiful table centerpieces for dinner parties, etc.

I left in place a small bleeding heart and some sweet woodruff that seem to be doing well in this location. Moved a tall grass that grows well in another, very windy, spot in the yard and planted it at the corner the wind whips around. Finally I added a hosta plant a neighbour gave me. It will fill in the spot where 3 rather lonely daffodils are growing.

The tree stump is a permanent feature. I am not about to tackle that :).

I will post photos occasionally so you can follow the garden's growth and see how it does.

Summer is Here

2010-05-21T18:35:00.000-03:00

May 24 weekend is the official start of summer in Nova Scotia and most of Canada. Go outside and have fun

Reflections and Shadows

2010-04-21T12:02:00.000-03:00

Photography is a fascinating hobby and a great reason to go outside and have fun. For the past three weeks I have been participating in a fun e-course called the Sensational Snap Society Course. Each week Shelagh, our teacher, presents a new challenge designed to encourage us to see the world through different eyes. This week's challenge is to look for the hidden shadows and reflections around us. I thought you might be interested in some of the reflections I found in the various bodies of water that exist in mother nature's playground in this area.

Rain created an interesting effect on the reflection of this tree in the river.

Signs of spring: a reflection of a budding branch and rocks at the river's edge.

Electric wires and pole in a puddle.

Shadows and reflections on the ocean floor.

It was raining the day I took these photos so not too many shadows were to be found. It is beautiful & sunny today so I am off on a shadow search.

Rum Spill in Ingramport

2010-04-14T19:11:00.001-03:00

Today, during our morning walk along the trail, Mary and I noticed the side of a box car lying in the moss over the embankment. It looked like it had been there a long time, especially since they stopped running trains out here 20 or 30 years ago.

Then Mary remembered, back in the 1970s there was a train derailment and one of the cars that derailed was carrying liquor to Nova Scotia Liquor Commission stores along the route.

Needless to say, word of the derailment spread quickly and local people came out in droves to collect the spoils. Many returned their finds to the local authorities but many did not. Most of the rum went missing. Nova Scotians love their rum - sailors love to kick back with a Dark and Stormy (rum and ginger beer) and we all love a rum and coke, or, on a special occasion, a Cuba Libre (add a lime wedge to your rum and coke). Apparently there were lots of great kitchen parties in this area after the wreck :).

We walked a long way this morning (about 8.5 kms we think).

The road home looked very long.

But we are still here to talk about it. Our goal is to do an 18 km walk on June 18 to raise money for the Parish of French Village, the local Anglican parish. So we still ave a way to go.

Easter Egg Hunt

2010-04-10T04:35:00.001-03:00

One of the Easter highlights at our house is the arrival of the Easter Bunny and the ensuing Easter egg hunt:

He is a little large

But the smallest amongst us watch from a distance so as not to scare him.

Then it is time to find and share the Easter eggs

And take the time to savour them - one at a time

Signs of Spring

2010-04-02T10:20:00.002-03:00

One of the great things about the snow-free winter we had is that the trails are already dry enough to walk on. This morning Mary and I went for a dawdly (is that a word?) walk along the St Margaret's Bay trail searching out signs of spring. I took lots of pictures, some came out well, some did not. That's why I am joining Shelagh Duffett's Sensational Snap Society. :) The course starts today, actually.

Alder beards and buds.
Hubby, Arch is patiently waiting for the alder leaves to appear.
When they get as large as a mouse's ear it is time to go trout fishing.
Fishing season opened yesterday.

The maples are getting ready to bud

The crocus are peeking from the ground.

The lupins are not far behind

Roaring brooks are carrying spring snow melt down to the sea.

I love early spring. It is such a positive and hopeful time of year.

Two Extremes to Go Outside and Try

2010-03-30T20:00:00.001-03:00

It is hard to beat spring skiing and snowboarding after an overnight drop of fresh powder at Whistler/Blackcomb in British Columbia:

And then there is kite surfing and buggying at Conrad Beach in Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia:

Which do you prefer?

Sugaring Off Party

2010-03-29T05:53:00.006-03:00

This Grandma Moses painting, depicting a sugaring off party (prints are available for purchase here: Buy artwork by Grandma Moses at Art.com.) in Quebec reminds me of how much fun it is to go outside and head to the sugar bush during late winter and early spring. "Sugaring Off" refers to the tapping of maple trees to harvest the sap that runs freely at that time. Stands of maple trees suitable for harvesting sap are called the "sugar bush".

Here in Nova Scotia a favourite maple syrup producer is Sugar Moon Farm in Earltown. Sugar Moon is the Native American name for the full moon of the sugaring off season - the month of freezing nights & warm days that usually occurs in March/April (it is also called maple moon).

Sugar Moon Farm, owned by Scott Whitelaw and Quita Gray, is a member of the Atlantic EconoMusee Network, the same Artisans at Work network that The Bay Hammock Company belongs to. We are a network of shops that are 'living museums' where you can discover the history of a craft or trade, meet the artisans, and find out first hand how we are adapting traditional know-how to modern needs.

The sugaring off season is the perfect time to visit Sugar Moon Farm. At the farm you can hike (or snowshoe if there is too much snow to hike) to the sugar bush, follow the production process from tree to table, then sit at the table and enjoy a traditional sugar camp meal in the log Pancake House. Don't forget to purchaes some maple products to take home. If, like me, you are a keen hiker you could also hike the Rogart Mountain Trail - a 6 km wilderness trail that starts and ends at Sugar Moon's parking lot. Maps are available at the farm. Don't go without one. All in all Sugar Moon provides a great way for the whole family to go outside and have fun.

We are going to Sugar Moon in a couple of weeks when the amber maple syrup, which runs late in the season, is available. It is our favourite. My friend, Shelagh, attended the maple syrup festival in Earltown and dropped in at Sugar Moon last weekend. You can share her experience here.

Sensational Snap Society

2010-03-23T21:34:00.002-03:00

Even I have trouble getting motivated to go outside during the rainy, foggy days of a Nova Scotia spring.

So I decided to do someting about it. What I needed, I decided, was a great reason to go outside. Maybe something really interesting to challenge me. I was musing about what that might be when I read Alice in Paris' blog about the Sensational Snap Society - an photo e course where the author and great photographer, Shelagh Duffett, will teach folks to see and record the world around us in a different way. What a great idea. Maybe it will help me to see the world close up and appreciate the small beauties that shine through the fog and rain drops. It will be a challenge as I tend to be a soft focus, big picture kind of person but it will definitely give me a reason to go outside and play.

Sounds like fun, don't you think. If you would like to participate you will find more info here. The course starts April 2 so hop on over and sign up.

Winter Surfing in Nova Scotia

2010-03-16T07:23:00.000-03:00

I wrote about winter surfing earlier this year and a lot of people expressed an interest in the sport. This past Sunday the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation did a half hour program about the sport. You can view it here.

The Swap

2010-03-11T07:52:00.003-04:00

A while back Alice Griffith, author of the blog Fanciful Alice started a blog swap. I thought this would be great fun and decided to participate. Alice participated in a previous swap and loved getting a package of little gifts from another part of the world, so she started one of her own. Twelve people agreed to participate. I sent my gifts to Angela Lockley of Calne, England. As it has not arrived yet I will wait to tell you what I sent. My gift arrived from Debs Carrs in Jersey, Channel Islands. I was very excited when I learned that Debs was from Jersey as several of my ancestors were from the Channel Islands.
Here is what I received:

Sea shells from the Jersey coastline. A decorative tea towel and window sticker from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust which is a great gift for someone who loves to Go Outside. Also the Durrells were my ancestors so... The sachet filled with Jersey lavender has found a happy home in my Smart car and the sweet treats are tucked away in the pantry awaiting the end of my participation in the 10 in 10 challenge. - tomorrow, yeah! Thanks Debs for all the little gifts.

Go Outside, Have Fun and Earn a Living in Nova Scotia, Mother Nature's Playground

2010-03-11T07:07:00.002-04:00

Imagine being able to live where you want, do what you love and still earn a great living. That is called the Nova Scotia Lifestyle. For us the go outside activity is walking and hiking and we make hammocks for a living but the lifestyle is the same. The power of the internet.

A Late Winter Walk in the Park

2010-03-10T07:27:00.005-04:00

It's been a perfect winter where we live. Enough snow in the ski hills for the skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts and very little along the coastline, allowing those who love to hike, walk, etc. access to our favourite areas. The snow has pretty much left the forest around where we live but the trails are still wet in spots so last weekend we decided to go for a walk in a city park. It was a beautiful, sunny, warm (for March) day and we are lucky to have a very large, forested park in our city. There were lots of people outside having fun.

The park juts out into the ocean so we were able to enjoy part of our walk along the coastline. It was a beautiful day but I think these boaters are pushing the season. Unless they are moving the boat from winter storage and planning a trip south.

The park has a large "of leash"area for dogs so Tara made lots of new friends. She is a "country dog" and accustomed to roaming free as long as she stays on our property so when out in strange places she stays on the leash so she doesn't run out of our sight.

These folks look like birds on a wire. It was a great spot to sit on a washed-up log and enjoy the ocean.

Winding up a game of soccer.

Writing a song, perhaps.

It was a great day for a picnic

Go Cross-Country Skiing

2010-02-01T19:40:00.002-04:00

We are lucky here - the unused rail bed as been converted to a trail that goes for miles and miles. And right now the snow and weather are perfect for cross-country skiing:

photo from Chris Jones Thank you.

To add to the enjoyment the old train station in the background as been converted to a coffee shop: the Bike and Bean.

They also sell, rent and repair bikes. Very convenient in the spring, summer and fall when the trail is perfect for walking, hiking and biking:

After a full day of skiing (or hiking, in my case) it is great to come home and enjoy dinner while watching the sun set.

Raft the Tidal Bore on the Shubenacadie.

2010-01-29T06:23:00.001-04:00

I know that many people start planning their summer vacation now so today I want to tell you about a great way to go outside and play in Nova Scotia.

A tidal bore is a tidal phenomenon in which the leading edge of the incoming tide forms a wave (or waves) of water that travel up a river or narrow bay against the direction of the current. The Bay of Fundy, with the highest tides in the world, creates quite an exciting tidal bore in the Shubenacadie River in Nova Scotia. Rafting this phenomenon is a great way to go outside and play.

Looks like fun don't you think. You can learn more at Rafting Canada

You can learn more about all the fun things to do outside on and around The Bay of Fundy here.

Now about this weeks results for 10 Weeks to Get Healthy in 2010

I did not lose any weight this week. That is to be expected as I lost so much at the start so I am going to hang in there and see what happens next week. I find my body is changing. Clothes are looser - one pair of jeans is too big, I can run up two flights of stairs without thinking about it and I am much stronger. The walking is going well. Still walking about 20 kms per week.

Arch is doing really well. He is now walking about 35 kms per week and lost 2 lbs last week. How I envy men, they seem to lose weight so easily.

Tara, our dog, who walks with Arch is also losing weight. Not in the plan but she can afford to lose a bit.

I found a great interactive web site this week that has lots of great tools to help you in your goal to get healthy: SparkPeople

Not a Day to Go Outside

2010-01-26T17:25:00.000-04:00

Today is one of the rare days in Nova Scotia when it it is not nice enough to go outside. There was a wild storm last night - high and gusty winds and the rain was coming down sideways - that continued into the morning. When the wind died down in late morning the fog rolled in and now I can barely see across the driveway.

Last Saturday, Sunday and Monday were real beauty days though so I thought I would share a couple of photos from my morning walks.

Sea Fog on St Margaret's Bay Jan 24 2010. A cold morning causes this phenomena.

The air is colder than the water thus creating the effect of steam rising that we call sea smoke.

Dawn, Monday Jan 25 2010, Red in the Morning......

Tuesday Morning Jan 26 2010 - a wild wind and rain storm produces an angry sea.

Ten Weeks to Healthy in 2010 - Week 3.

2010-01-22T10:19:00.005-04:00

One of the key methods we are using to lose weight is to correctly portion our food at meal time. I have a feeling that how much we eat is more important than what we eat.

Portion size seems to be a big issue for people. I hear criticisms of restaurants that serve smaller portions, fast food restaurants super-size everything, even the restaurant critic for our local newspaper rates restaurants on the amount of food he is served – a lot is good, reasonable portions are bad.

It seems to hold true in the world of recipes as well. I was reading a recipe from Martha Stewart for macaroni and cheese the other day that included instructions to package and freeze it in individual portions of 1 ½ to 2 cups. That seemed like a lot. And it got me to thinking – how big should a serving size be?

So I checked Canada’s Food Guide. A serving of pasta should be ½ cup – so if I packaged macaroni in 2 cup containers that would be the equivalent of 4 grain servings – I should have 6 servings per day so that leaves only 2 servings for other grain products including bread (1 slice per serving) and cereal (30 g cold cereal).

Our goal is to create a way of eating that we can live with for a long time so I don’t want to eliminate the foods we love. That includes pasta, bread, ice cream, granola, pancakes with maple syrup, wine with special dinners, meals out with friends, etc., etc. So we are continuing to eat and do these things. I measure portions when we eat at home. When we are out we simply eat carefully.

We are eliminating what we feel we can do without long term – candy, butter, sugar, salt, processed and canned foods, snacks, store-bought bread, fast foods, etc. If we go out to restaurants we pick good ones that serve reasonable portions and will accommodate special requests.

So far it is working. The big challenge has been to get over the idea that we need a lot to eat. Another was to eliminate canned and processed foods from the pantry shelf – they have too much added salt and corn syrup. I’ve learned to make granola and bread, cook dried beans & make soups with home made stock.

Instead of buying canned pasta sauce, today I am making this simple Pomodoro Sauce to use on pizzas I'm taking to a party tomorrow night.

Pomodoro Sauce:

1/4 cup olive oil

2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped

2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)

5 - 28 oz. cans no added salt whole tomatoes

1/2 bunch fresh basil, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons pepper

Heat oil in a large saucepan over high heat, add onions and saute until very soft, about 12 minutes. Add garlic and saute until fragrant - 1 to 2 minutes -do not let it brown.

Add tomatoes and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add basil and cook 5 minutes more.

Season with salt and pepper. Place in food processor and process until almost smooth but still chunky.

Makes 4 quarts. Freezes well.

The results so far:

Arch is down 8 pounds in just 3 weeks (goal 20 lbs in total over 10 weeks). He is now walking 6 kms each day. He signed up for the health club but did not like it so has just added more distance to his walk.

Anne is down 8 pounds as well. I am walking about 20 km per week and 3 hours of yoga per week

So we are happy.

Sunrise Over the Bay - photo taken during my morning walk

Build a Snow Dragon

2010-01-20T10:02:00.001-04:00

It is beyond me to understand why people do not like winter. I love it. I just returned from my morning walk - a gentle snow is falling, the temperature is about 0 degrees C and it is very still out. So beautiful. If I were to leave Nova Scotia for the sunny south it would be in the spring when the rains come.

But then I would miss the birds returning from their winter home, the forsythia, azaleas and rhododendrons bursting into bloom, the scent of apple blossoms and lilacs in the air, the maple, birch, oak trees, et al coming into leaf, the garden coming to life for another year, and on and on.

So I guess I'll just stay here.

One family in our neck of the woods added to their enjoyment of winter by building a snow dragon. A very creative one I must say, but that is to be expected from the family of creative designers.

Showing off a Masterpiece

Snow Dragon Basking in the Moonlight

Thanks to Larry Burke and family for the pictures.

Nova Scotia Family Wins Salomon's Backyard Jib Contest

2010-01-12T19:13:00.001-04:00

I am not sure that I fully understand this sport but congratulations to the Stevens family of Hilden, Nova Scotia for winning this contest that was covered by Freeskier Magazine. You can learn more about the Stevens' entry and see lots of great pictures at the Freeskier website. It is worth a visit. What a great way for the family to go outside and have fun in our Canadian winter.

10 Weeks to Healthy in 2010 - Week 1

2010-01-08T11:02:00.004-04:00

The first week of the 10 in 2010 challenge is behind us. It has been a week of adjustments - no wine with dinner (a big one), portioned serving sizes, developing an exercise routine, and, the biggest of all, paying attention to our bodies. It is amazing how much we ignore what our bodies are telling us when we are busy with the activities of everyday living. Or maybe it is just that we have more aches and pains to take care of :).

Our goals for the end of 10 weeks are:

Anne:

Lose 1lb/week for 10 weeks.
Be able to walk uphill for 6kms in 1 hour. (that is from my sister's home to ours)

The results

Lost 5 lbs (this is likely an artificial reaction to drastic diet changes).
Mary (my sister) and I are now walking 6 km each morning but are only getting half way to my house before we turn downhill and head back.
I also go to yoga twice a week.

Arch:

Lose 2 lbs a week for 10 weeks.
Reduce upper end blood pressure by 20 points.

The results:

Lost 5 lbs (in his case probably real as he loses the first 10 lbs really easily.
He is also walking 5 km per day with Tara, half of it up hill. (they do 2.5 kms in the morning and again in the evening)
We won't have blood pressure results to the end when he goes back to the doctor.
Arch has joined a local health club and goes for the first time today.

We both walk before breakfast because it seems to work best for us. One of my favourite breakfast items is low fat yogurt (be sure to buy one with no added sugar)with mixed berry compote (recipe below). You can buy the bags of mixed berries to use in this recipe but we spent several days last summer going outside and picking our own so I use those.

Nova Scotia is a major blueberry producer and there are many berry farms where you can pick your own. Our favourite is Between the Bushes. It is well organized and easy to manage with small children. We arrive at their central processing area and hop on a bus that takes us to the berry fields. They provide pails for picking and boxes for the berries (there is a small charge for the boxes). When the bus dropped us off in the berry field the driver told the little ones that they had to eat berries until their tongue turned blue. Ruby, who loves blueberries, had us check her tongue every few minutes.

Berry Compote

1 tablespoon soft margarine

3 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Dash of ground cinnamon

1 (12-ounce) bag assorted frozen berries

Melt the margarine in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add honey, juice, cinnamon, and berries; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Store in the refrigerator.

Go Skiing

2010-01-06T19:59:00.002-04:00

Be it downhill or cross country, skiing is a great way to enjoy the winter. In our family, downhill is the choice. This could be expensive but a little creative shopping, attendance at equipment swaps and smart Christmas gift lists to grannies, grand dads, aunts, uncles, etc can really cut down the cost.

This family's mom and dad have been very clever and much to the kids joy, Santa managed to find everything they need to ski this winter. Goggles, helmets and mitts are new. Everything else was purchased at ski swaps or traded among friends, to be returned when the kids out grow them and/or new little ones are ready to hit the slopes.

Even the littlest member of the family (age 3 1/2) is ready to go.

Once the family is equipped the next expense is tow tickets. I suggest you shop around at ski hills within an easy drive from your home. Many offer season passes and family passes at greatly reduced prices. Also, you sould pick a hill suitable for small children - these are usually a lot less expensive as those with black runs, lots of moguls, etc. Save these for the few special days when Mom and Dad get to go on their own.

So Here's the Snow Build a Snowman Great Tree for the Birds

Surf's Up

2010-01-04T18:01:00.006-04:00

You have to be hardy to surf in Nova Scotia in January but lots of people do it. The picture above was taken by Reed Holmes after last Saturday's storm.

As storms pass by our Atlantic coast they stir up waves that are excellent for surfing. People travel from far and wide to take up the challenge of winter surfing. Are you up to it? If so you can find everything you need to know plus lots of great pictures at Scotia Surfer. Let me know how you get along:)

By the way, Lesley Choyce is a very popular local writer. He is also an avid surfer who moved from the US to Nova Scotia for the surfing, among other reasons. Most people would go to Hawaii. Or California. He writes very vividly about his surfing experiences on his web site. When you go to his site click on "The Surfer".

So Here's the Snow

2010-01-03T16:11:00.003-04:00

Finally, the snow has arrived and we are looking forward to going outside and having fun - skiing, coasting, throwing snowballs, etc. Might even try snowshoes this year. A local business rents them and I think it might be fun.

Tara especially loves the snow. You can see more pictures on her Facebook page. Lots of people have asked where Tara gets her name (for those of you who don't know - she is a dog). My grand niece, Hannah, named her. It is Hannah's favourite name.

Sea Kayak on New Year's Eve

2009-12-31T08:08:00.005-04:00

Eastern Archipelago Islands, Tangier, Nova Scotia

In early December I met an interesting couple at a party. They have a home near Tangier, Nova Scotia, the small fishing village where I grew up. The discussion quickly turned to the beauty of the coastline in this area and the opportunities to kayak out to the islands in the eastern archipelago, which lie just of the coast. It is a very popular area for sea kayaking as these pristine islands are easy to reach by kayak, have lots of beaches for landing and are great fun to explore. Nova Scotia's oldest sea kayaking company, Coastal Adventures operates from Tangier.

Our new friends told us they celebrated New Year's Eve in 1999 - the turn of the millennium - by kayaking out to the islands at midnight. There was a full moon and it was very cold. The sea water formed ice wings on their paddles as they slid through the silent night. Sounds wonderful doesn't it? I hope we have the opportunity to experience this some day. Not tonight though as we are hosting the neighbourhood party to welcome 2010. Happy New Year to all and all the best in 2010.

Hike in One of Nova Scotia's Hidden Gems

2009-12-30T21:26:00.003-04:00

Photo by Dave the Haligonian

Terance Bay is one of the hidden gems of Nova Scotia.

To find it you take route 333 on the northeast side of the Chebucto peninsula and turn left on the road to Terance Bay. It is signed. When you come to the end you are there.

Start your hike with a visit to the HMS Atlantic Interpretation Centre to learn the history of the wreck of that ship and the village's involvement it the rescue of its passengers on April 1 1873.

Then follow the path down to the boardwalk along the ocean's edge. Along the way you will see grave markers covered by brush - take the time to explore this area a bit - you will learn a lot about local history by reading the grave markers.

When you arrive at the boardwalk you will see stone cliffs across the bay. A lot of the older buildings in Halifax were built using stone from these cliffs. Ships were moored at the water's edge and the stone was cut and lowered directly onto the ship for transport to the city.

The gazebo that is part of the boardwalk makes a great picnic site.

After your picnic follow the boardwalk around to the end and then spend some time exploring the village and the coastline. While there are no formal hiking trails the coastline is part of the Terance Bay Wilderness Area and offers outstanding hiking opportunities. Just wander and enjoy yourself. You could call it "free-form hiking".

December Views

Go Outside and Get Healthy

2009-12-27T11:34:00.008-04:00

There is no snow here yet and it has not been cold enough for the local outdoor rink to freeze so we are still doing a lot of hiking. And planning ahead.

In January I will be participating in the the Ten on 10 Healthy Challenge and invite you to join me. I will write about our (Arch is joining me) progress once a week. On Friday. The rest of the time this blog will be about what it is always about - going outside and having fun. Not that this challenge will not be fun, I think it will, but you never know.

Arch and I are not young chickens but we do not think of ourselves as being old - he is 69 and I am 67 - and at this stage in life it is not easy to lose weight. At the same time, good health is the greatest asset we have and we plan to hang on to it. That means controlling our weight and blood pressure. Without pills.

Our goals are:

Anne:

Lose 1lb/week for 10 weeks.
Be able to walk uphill for 6kms in 1 hour. (that is from my sister's home to ours)

Arch:

Lose 2 lbs a week for 10 weeks.
Reduce upper end blood pressure by 20 points.

How we will do it:

GI Diet.
Walking.
Hiking
Yoga (Anne).
Gym (Arch).

Are you ready to join us. If so register here.

December Views

Christmas Day

2009-12-26T13:16:00.005-04:00

Most of the year we spend a lot of time outside. But not on Christmas day. That is a day to reap the benefits of being outside all year long - by eating whatever we like and capping the day off with a traditional Christmas dinner.

Many of our favourite dishes are of British origin, which is our heritage. We have turkey with all the trimmings, including bread sauce (recipe below), lots of well prepared veggies, and for desert, mincemeat tarts, fruitcake and plum pudding set aflame with brandy and served with both hard and custard sauce.

Bread sauce is a delicious but very underused accompaniment to turkey. Try it the next time you cook one - here is my recipe. I am not sure where it came from, the one mom used was simpler but not nearly as delicious. That happens sometimes, I guess.

Bread Sauce for Turkey

4 1/2 cups homogenized milk
8 shallots, peeled and left whole
1 garlic clove peeled
2 bay leaves
8 whole cloves
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
12 oz white breadcrumbs (I use 1 loaf Wonder Bread with crusts removed)
1/2 cup whipping cream

1. Tie the bay leaves and cloves in a small bit of cheesecloth and put in a saucepan along with the milk, shallots, garlic clove and nutmeg . Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
2. Remove the bay leaves and cloves an pour the milk mixture into a large bowl. Add the breadcrumbs and cream. Mix well.
3. Process in batches in a food processor until smooth. Return each batch to the pot when smooth and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thick but still pourable. Serve hot.

This sauce is best made a day ahead. The flavour improves if kept in the fridge and reheated just before serving. You may need to add a tiny bit more milk as you reheat it.

December Views

Great Tree For The Birds

2009-12-23T08:51:00.003-04:00

photo by Linda Monk Fahie

It is unlikely that you are going to select this lonely tree to serve as the family Christmas tree but it would be great to decorate for the birds.

For years my husband, Arch, and I lived in Ontario and drove "home" to Nova Scotia every Christmas. Beside the highway between Grand Falls and Fredericton New Brunswick, there was always a tree that someone decorated with an assortment of food for the birds and, I expect, the deer.

One year we stopped to peruse the menu. It contained quite a selection of goodies: Suet with seeds in cages, oranges stuck with sunflower seeds, peanuts in mesh bags, a couple of bird feeders with niger seeds, & corn cobs. There were even a couple of mesh bags filled with pieces of wool that the birds could use in their nests.

This would be a great project for the little ones with help from some adults to get some goodies to the top of the tree, out of reach of the deer.

December Views

Go Outside and Throw Snowballs

2009-12-21T20:41:00.006-04:00

Most of the year our dog, Tara, works hard as the official greeter at The Bay Hammock Company. But she gets the winter off - not many people buy hammocks after the snow flies. This works for Tara as she loves the snow.

We can learn a lot about playing in the snow from our dogs. Tara here was so excited by the snow this morning she refused to come in for breakfast. (that says a lot as she is a Lab) She raced around in circles, jumping up and down and barking with glee. Nothing would do but we had to go out and throw snowballs for her. We had a grand time, got lots of exercise and worked up a good appetite for breakfast.

December Views

Go Outside With the Nova Scotia to Boston Christmas Tree

2009-12-17T15:56:00.008-04:00

Photo published with permission of Nova Scotia Come to Life

During my teen years we lived in north end Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the centre of the area that was destroyed by the explosion that occured when two ships collided in the harbour on Dec 6 1917. I remember the stories the older folks used to tell of that event. They were horrific. I also remember them speaking very fondly of Boston, a city that was very quick to come to our aid after the explosion, sending much needed supplies and money. The people of Halifax and all of Nova Scotia have never forgotten this kindness.

Today, as a lasting symbol of our appreciation for this much needed assistance, the province sends a Christmas tree to Boston each year. The tree is selected with great care by a person whose job it is to travel around the province and find the perfect tree and ask the owner of the property the tree is on to donate it.

This year the tree came from the property of Floyd and Elaine Shatford of Fox Point which is not far from where I live.The day it was cut was a great occasion and an opportunity for all the local school children to go outside for the morning, see it chopped down and learn the story of the explosion and why we send a tree to Boston each year. A living history lesson. You can see a video of the occasion on the Nova Scotia Come to Life blog

The photo above shows the Shatfords and their grandson Josh Shatford reaction as the tree lights up in Boston on December 3rd.

December Views

As a footnote: We have a dining room table made of chestnut. It must have been made in Nova Scotia during the period when chestnut tree groves were common and obviously, not long after the explosion. A piece on the underside of the table that cannot be seen is made of part of an old crate that has stamped on it: Massachusetts - Halifax Relief c/o Fred Parsons, Nova Scotia. If anyone knows more about this we would love to hear it.

Rose Hips in December

2009-12-16T17:15:00.004-04:00

Wild roses grow in abundance in Nova Scotia. They seem to love the mild climate and ocean air. In the late spring, early summer the air is filled with their scent. In the fall their beauty continues when they produce seed pods called rose hips. In the winter months the gorgeous red colour brightens my morning walks.

I am now gathering some of them to use in a wreath for our front door and in flower arrangements in the house. A few fir branches and the rose hips make beautiful, long lasting table arrangements. I usually add a pine cone or two as well.

The picture above was taken by my nephew Paul. He did a great job don't you think?

December Views

December Picnic

2009-12-14T16:20:00.011-04:00

It is a beautiful day in our area today. A great chance for one last hike in the forest before the snow flies. And one more picnic.

I like to keep the food simple: hot soup, cheddar cheese, bread of some type and an energy cookie.

Each person takes a backpack, even the little ones. I pack the soup in individual thermoses, add a spoon, the pre-cut cheese, biscuits and cookies, all wrapped in a cloth napkin and drop them into each backpack.

This recipe for Super Immunity Soup from Susie the Foodie is rapidly becoming a family favourite and will definitely keep you warm on a chilly day.

Plain old Canadian tea biscuits are great with this soup and are very simple to make:

Tea Biscuits

Ingredients:
3 cups sifted flour
2 tbsp baking powder
34 tsp salt
2 tbsp white sugar
1/3 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups milk

Method:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Cut in the shortening with a pastry cutter to a fine meal. Make a well in the centre and add milk. Stir well.

Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead 10 times. you may need to add more flour if dough is too sticky. Roll or pat out to 1/2" thick and cut with a floured cutter.

Place about 1" apart on a greased cookie sheet and bake in preheated oven 15 to 18 minutes until nice and brown.

Go Outside and have a great picnic before the weather gets too cold.

December Views

Build a Snowman

2009-12-13T07:05:00.007-04:00

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Going outside to build a snowman is a great family activity. I suggest keeping a snowman-making kit in the closet so "good" hats, mitts, etc. do not get seconded to dress the creation: The kit could contain:

Hat, a secondhand clothing shop may be your best option here. We actually make snow women as women's hats are easier to find.
A colourful scarf.
As coal is hard to come by these days large buttons are great for eyes.
for the nose, a carrot from the refrigerator works best.
A good, curvy twig makes a great mouth. More twigs are used for arms.
An old pair of mitts for hands.
Small, round stones from the seaside make great buttons.

We are still awaiting the first "real" snowstorm of the season here so the wooden one above will have to do until then.. Or we may head to the beach and make one from sand like the one above right that was made on an Australian beach.

December Views

After a December Storm

2009-12-11T06:50:00.006-04:00

The night before last we had a storm called a Sou'easter. They are usually vicious storms that occur when one weather front (cold) meets another (warm) over our seacoast. The wind came up and the snow started about supper time, the rain at midnight, by morning it was clear and the snow was gone, and by noon the sun was out. This photo was taken late morning by my nephew, Paul, an amateur photographer who is now good enough to offer his services to the public.

December Views

Christmas Decor

2009-12-09T19:47:00.006-04:00

I remember tromping through the woods in rural Nova Scotia with my dad, brother and sisters looking for the ideal Christmas tree. We did not put our tree up until 1 or 2 days before Christmas and it was quite an event. First we spent days making ornaments. Then the walk through the woods with dad to find the perfect tree. We learned a lot about the various tree species on these treks and usually ended up with a tree we considered perfect. We also picked branches with red berries, some fir branches and some young shoots from maple trees to fill planters, window boxes and make a garland for the fireplace mantle.

After living for 45 years in urban centres where such excursions are not easily possible we are now back in rural Nova Scotia with two acres of land. We do not have any trees suitable for a Christmas tree yet (hurricane Jaun destroyed them all) but we do have lots of small trees, branches, berries and maple shoots suitable for planters and window boxes. So we spent the day outside on our property, gathering the greenery and decorating the outside of the house. The picture above is of a planter on our deck. It is great to get outside and relive these wonderful childhood memories.

December Views

Would You do This Job?

2009-12-08T20:24:00.007-04:00

There are lots of great jobs that involve working outside. In my opinion lobster fishing is not one of them. The lobster fishing season opens in our area on Dec 1 and lasts until May 31st. Trouble is, from early January to mid April the water in the bay is very cold and the lobster head to deep water and don't move very much, making them impossible to trap. Additionally a good part of the bay usually freezes over sometime in January making fishing impossible. So basically the season runs for the month of December and again in April and May. Not lot of time to earn a living. That is why, no matter what the weather, we see the lobster boats on the bay in December. I took the picture above on a blustery, gray day, not far from Peggy's Cove. The ocean was very rough and the boat was very close to the famous Peggy's Cove rocks. I love the ocean but there is no way you would find me doing this.

December Views

Last Leaf of Autumn

2009-12-07T21:11:00.008-04:00

This poor little leaf is telling us: it is time to put this hammock away for the season. It is in the Children's Resort at my sister's house. We all love to go outside and swing in it, but the time has come....

The signs of early winter are all around us - a light skiff of snow on the ground, late sunrise, early sunset, crispy cool mornings, etc. I love this time of year. Except, of course, putting the hammock away.

December Views

December Sunset

2009-12-06T14:46:00.008-04:00

Sunday night family supper is a ritual in our family. It is a time of the week when everyone gathers to discuss the past week's activities and news and make plans for the coming week. While are not a large family there are usually between 12 and 20 for supper so it is always nice when the 6 little people can go outside to play for a while and give the adults a chance to visit. As sunset comes early this time of year outdoor games can be a challenge. That makes flashlight tag an important addition to our games repertoire.

It is a simple game but the kids love it:

Somebody has to be chosen as "it".
This child gets a flashlight and hides his/her eyes and counts to 10.
Everyone else runs and hides in the dark corners of the yard.
The child who is "it"searches for them with the flashlight.
As soon as the flashlight spots a child he/she is considered found.
The search continues until all children are found. This is an important safety feature - we don't want to loose anyone.
Then the first one found is "it" for the next round.

This game keeps everyone entertained until supper is served.

December Views

December Dawn

2009-12-06T14:29:00.007-04:00

Walking is such a pleasant experience. Especially in the early morning. You get to go outside and see the day slowly come to life. My sister and I walk every day from 8 to 9 am (the joy of retirement). I took this picture from her house, just as the sun was coming over the horizon.

December Views

A December View of Peggy's Cove

2009-12-04T19:39:00.009-04:00

I am chairperson of the Peggy's Cove Region Tourism Association. We have a dream of creating a walkway along the ocean to the southwest of Peggy's Cove for about 2kms. We want to create an opportunity for people to experience the ocean in all its moods. Yesterday the ocean was very moody and another board member, Ron MacInnis from Oceanstone Inn and Cottages ,and I spent the day exploring possibilities for the walkway, including finding the best spots for photographers and painters to capture the extraordinary beauty and views of the ocean and the village. I took this photo from a knoll about 1 km to the west of the village.

December Views

The Last Apples of The Season

2009-12-03T21:31:00.007-04:00

Autumn is coming to an end in our part of the world. The signs are everywhere. I spotted this apple tree on my early morning walk yesterday. The sky was glowing pink but a fierce rain/wind storm started by the time I got home. Do not think there will be any apples there today.

December Views

Storm Arriving Over St Margarets Bay

2009-12-03T07:34:00.006-04:00

This photo was taken last summer. You would think it was not a good day to go outside but look at the boats in the bay. It is always a good day to go outside. We are expecting an awful rainstorm today so I am off for an early walk so I can enjoy the day before it arrives.

December Views

Visit a Christmas Tree U-Cut to Get Your Christmas Tree

2009-12-02T12:33:00.014-04:00

In our family Christmas is not a few days but an entire season which starts about December 1st and ends in mid-January. This coming weekend we will all be heading out to Rocky Top Farms just outside New Ross, Nova Scotia to cut the family Christmas trees.

As this weekend is the 16th annual New Ross Christmas Festival we will spend the day there, cutting our trees, taking in the craft show, walking through the village to take in the seasonal decor and visiting Santa at the New Ross Farm Museum.

Lunenburg County is the Christmas Tree Capital of the World (that's what their sign says). We really do live in the best place to cut our own tree :) There are 3 U-cut lots available so you have lots of choice of where to go. We go to Rocky Top because Nelson comes to the Hubbards Farmers Market to sell his products and we buy our Christmas and Thanksgiving turkeys from him.

As I'm participating in December Views this month, hosted by Darlene at HippyUrbanGirl , and have selected the Nova Scotia outdoors as a theme I thought the photo of the team of horses that took us into the u-cut lot would be a great start. Please check back each day to see a new photo.

December Views

Go Outside in the Peggy's Cove Area

2009-10-06T06:42:00.001-03:00

I am lucky enough to live in one of Mother Nature’s truly great playgrounds – the Peggy’s Cove Area of Nova Scotia. Peggy’s Cove itself is a tiny fishing village at the mouth of St Margaret’s Bay. Its lighthouse, which warns sailors away from the rocky shores, is world famous but few know of the wonderful outdoor playground that surrounds it.

First there is St Margaret’s Bay itself. The bay consists of 5x7 miles of unobstructed waters. The area is free of shoals, commercial traffic, and currents. It is aligned with the prevailing southwest winds and generates a 15+ knot breeze on sunny days. A perfect spot for boaters and its many islands make it a fun spot for kayakers to explore.
Then there are the rocks and boulders. Bouldering and rock climbing are popular sports in the eastern part of our area, around Prospect, Terence Bay and West and East Dover.
St Margaret’s Bay is a great spot for scuba divers with lots of sea life and kelp beds to explore.
Then there are the beaches – we have 10 – while they are busy with swimmers and boaters on warm sunny days they are virtually deserted at other times – perfect for exploring, picnicking or simply relaxing to the sounds of the ocean. Many of us enjoy a walk on the beach on a stormy day when the surf in up.
The bay is surrounded by small villages but there is plenty of water access and just behind the villages is the forest with miles of hiking trails and many lakes suitable for canoeing and fishing.
This area provides lots of opportunity for remote camping and hiking, all within Halifax city limits. The St Margaret’s Bay Trail runs from Hubley to Hubbards and connects to other trails at both ends. It is a popular spot for walkers, runners and bicyclists. By using the connector trails you can bike (or walk J )from Halifax to Lunenburg.
I love to golf and we have what I consider to be one of Nova Scotia’s most challenging golf courses in our area. Granite Springs, is near Peggy’s Cove and gets its name from the granite rocks and many springs and water hazards on the course. We have friends who come to visit year after year just to take on this course.
If you love photography or painting you will love the Peggy's Cove Area. There are endless vistas small and wide for you to portray. Mother Nature changes the landscape everyday so the possibilities are endless.
Recently, a group of photographers and bloggers toured our area. You can read about their experiences in our area here: Things to do For Two, With Bite, and you can enjoy a the pictures from their photo tour here. Kimberly of East Coast by Choice has an interesting perspective on our area.

If you love to go outside, plan a visit to the Peggys Cove Area and spend a few hours or a few days. It is truly a “locals know” kind of place so please ask local folks about the best spots to go to follow your interest. Everyone is happy to help. We own The Bay Hammock Company on the Peggy’s Cove Rd (highway 333) in Seabright and are happy to share our favourite spots, just drop in and ask. If you live in the Halifax area it is the perfect place to get away without going away. Check the Peggy's Cove Area Blog for special events and deals.

Go Exploring

2009-09-30T10:18:00.000-03:00

The little people in our family love to explore outside. There are so many amazing things to discover, especially in the fall when the leaves are on the ground. Here is a general guide to an exploration hike in the fall:

Take a book about the bugs, leaves and flowers you will see to assist in identification. We usually borrow one from the library - an adult should be its caretaker.
Each child will need a container for their collection. Discourage the collection of living things though, they seldom make it home alive.
One of our little ones likes to take a notebook and pencil to record his finds, another has an old digital camera to take photos of interesting items that should stay in place.
Find a not too well traveled spot with varied terrain to hike in. Somewhere that will enhance the sense of exploration and discovery. A woodland trail or path along a stream would be perfect.
After the trip provide each child with a way to preserve their finds- a scrapbook where they can write and draw as well as paste in items is a good idea.

A trip to explore usually requires a snack at the halfway point. These cookies from Two Peas and Their Pod look delicious.

Have a Picnic

2009-09-25T15:43:00.001-03:00

Picnics are my favourite thing to do outside. Growing up on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia, warm summer days were occasions to celebrate and we did so by going on picnics. I could write a whole blog on picnics so I will do this as a series, starting with getting ready to go.

Mom kept an old suitcase packed with picnic things - cutlery, dishes, tablecloth, napkins, etc. It was then easy to make sandwiches, a salad and a quick dessert to take along . With today's concerns about the environment many of the things we did then are relevant today.

We always used reusable dishes and cutlery - older items that were no longer considered presentable on the dinner table but were fine for picnics.
Tea towels, a wet cloth in a jar, and a round metal wash basin came along for clean up time.
A fabric tablecloth and napkins were always packed in the suitcase, again those just past their prime for dinner table use.
Sandwiches were wrapped in a damp tea towel then placed in a covered tin - usually one that candy came in at Christmas.
Salad was in a bowl covered with a tea towel tied in place with string from the ball of saved string. (Dad loved to save string)
Dessert was also in a metal tin, often covered with a piece of well washed flour bag or tea towel before the lid went on.

After our picnic there was no garbage to leave behind or carry out. Everything was packed up and taken home for use the next sunny day.

Hike Peggy's Cove

2009-09-22T16:14:00.000-03:00

Fall is my favourite time of year. And hiking the barrens in the Peggy's Cove Preservation Area is my favourite thing to do - especially in the Fall. If you go please obey a few simple rules.

Do not pick the flowers. It is tempting as they are so beautiful this time of year.
Do not stray from the paths - you will see several spots along highway 333 where people enter the area - following in their footsteps will preserve the beauty of the area for others to enjoy.
Leave no trace of your visit, take your garbage home with you.

Check out the Peggy's Cove Cam to check the weather at Peggy's Cove before you leave home. Weather out on the Ocean can be vastly different than weather inland.

Corn Mazes Are Fun

2009-09-01T14:46:00.000-03:00

Friday September 4 is Eat Local Day in Canada and the four Atlantic provinces have challenged one another to see which can get the largest percent of population to eat only local food on that day.

We took the pledge for Nova Scotia. What fun it will be. The menu is already planned and most of our food was purchased at the Hubbards Farmers' Market last Saturday. But a big part of the day will be to pack a picnic and head to Noggins Corner Farm Market outside Wolfville to have a picnic, buy corn and have fun in the Corn Maze. Later in October we will go back in the evening - the kids love the spooky flashlight maze.

This Friday is an adult day only (school, you know) but we love the maze also and can get just as lost as any kid. There are lots of other great outside things for the kids to do there but we old folks will just picnic, do the maze then buy some fresh corn at the farm market, stop at Grand Pre Winery (a member of our Atlantic EconoMusee Network) for some wine, then head home to prepare a family dinner that will include this favourite corn dish:

Fresh Creamed Corn

8 ears fresh corn
2 T.butter (we like the butter from Tatamagouche Dairy)
8 green onions, sliced diagonially, 1/8" thick
1 cup heavy cream (Farmer's or Scotsburn's)
2 T. chopped tarragon (from my herb garden)

1. Using along, sharp knife, slice the kernels from the ears of corn into a bowl and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add green onions and cook until just softened, about 1 minute. Add the corn kernels and cream andcook, stirring occasionally until the cream has thickened. About 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tarragon and serve.

Serves 6 to 8

Build a Fairy House

2009-08-26T10:11:00.000-03:00

Go outside and let your imagination run wild - build a fairy house. Fairy houses are whimsical habitats built by children, families, gardeners and nature lovers reflecting their creativity, joy and pride. These small structures are made for fairies to visit. Any material found in the garden, forest or beach can be used. These two were build by 5 and 6 year old children in the garden. They spent hours running around collecting pebbles, sticks, etc. and finding just the right location for their fairy houses - one under the lilies and the other in the ferns beside the pond so the frogs could visit. You can't see it, but there is even a small hammock (made with a leaf) inside the house in the lilies.

Have a Human Wheelbarrow Race

2009-08-10T21:32:00.000-03:00

Planning a picnic today? A human wheelbarrow race is a fun game and easy to organize. As long as you can find some willing "wheelbarrows".

Select an agreed upon start and finish line.
Organize the wheelbarrows and drivers at the start line.
Yell "GO".
Don't bother running to the finish line yourself as no one will make it - the last man standing will be the winner.

In this race Arch, the oldest driver, and Ruby, the littlest wheelbarrow, were the clear winners as they figured out that slow and steady wins the race.