Road Trip

We're experiencing August weather; that means warm days and cool nights. No frost in the forecast yet, which is good because so much of the garden hasn't reached maturity yet. The photo on Wednesday was the first tomato to be almost ripe - enough I couldn't keep from picking it! The pop can easily just there for scale...no secret meaning at all.

I'm posting this on Thursday because I'm heading to Alberta to visit a friend for the weekend. S had rotator cuff surgery in early July, and until recently she's been in a lot of pain. But she called on the weekend, saying she's bored and asked if I'd consider making a visit. Apparently, she's been spending her time putting together jigsaw puzzles one handed. She's now sleeping better and she's planning to go back to work in the next few weeks. This is my friend S, who "retired" a year after I did, but has been working on contract ever since. In any event, it is an 8 hour drive one way, so I'm leaving early today and will return home on Sunday.

This week, I did my shift at the thrift store on Monday. I was part of the cleaning crew, while others worked the sorting area. When I checked the donation bin on the way in, it was half full, and when we reached the outer doors of the thrift store we found more piles. AND when I left a van was pulled up and a couple were filling the bin again. We certainly never run out of new items for sale. I, being a good girl this week, came home with nothing. :)

Tuesday, D and Eli had a full day in NTO. He went to morning program, then to the splash pad with his afternoon group. After time for a quick snack, he had a session with his therapist. She was amazed at how he is reading - apparently he wanted her to see his progress. Meanwhile I used the time to be productive in the house; sweeping and vacuuming floors, mopping floors, cleaning the bathroom, and tidying my bedroom. Outside, I pulled the peas as they were drying off at the bottom, and planted the spirea bush. In the evening, I watered the garden and did some dead-heading.

I also worked on the Christmas ornaments for the important people at Eli's school; principal, teachers, EAs, and school counselor s. That's eight ib total.

It's hard to believe that the summer has flown by and Eli will be back in school in two weeks. I know school returns in August in some locations but here in Saskatchewan the return to school happens after the Labour Day weekend. Eli will be in Grade 4! Like so many kids, he's grown over the summer including his feet. Good thing his mom is prepared and has shoes for the next two sizes. She buys them on sale and tucks them away knowing they will be needed. No last minute back to school shopping required. 

Wednesday was pretty quiet. I made sure things were well watered, dead-headed, and got rid of a few more weeds. Indoors, I got my bag ready to go for my trip. In the evening I went to the library for Knit and Natter. I was joined by a woman who lives an hour away. That's seems a lot...though she said she'd come to town to shop and decided to stay for the group.

I should be on the road shortly after this publishes. I plan to stop about halfway for a break. D and Eli will be off to NTO for his morning program and then back home. He was invited to join the group from Tuesday afternoon at the swimming pool here in town. Another busy day for the two of them.

The only photos I've taken this week besides the tomato are these two: the removal of the wall next to the furnace and the after photo. The latter was taken after we'd set up the shelving and D had moved a lot of Eli's toys from the other areas in the basement.  Yes, he has a lot of toys!

Sorry for the different fonts. I'm using my phone and I can't figure out how to highlight and change it. So I'd have to retype it...and I'm too lazy to do that. :)

I expect I'll post again on Monday when I've returned from my road trip. Have a great weekend everyone!

Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg

We were all excited to leave the city of Halifax and get on the road. I was tired of battling traffic to get to the downtown area of the city. Bedford was better, though still more traffic than we're used to in our small town. As one of my readers suggested (thanks Kim), we chose the scenic route to Peggy's Cove, a winding two lane highway, rather than the main highway. Every curve seemed to provide another beautiful view, of the trees, water, and small communities.  Sadly, there are no photos - I was driving and my daughter was so fascinated by the scenery she took no photos!

We arrived in Peggy's Cove ahead of the crowd that would soon arrive. There were just a few vehicles in parking lot near the visitor's center. After a stop to pick up a map (though it wasn't really needed we made our way towards the lighthouse.

Eli was very interested in walking on the rocks, however we managed to keep him away from the ocean.

Unfortunately we were too early in the season for many of the shops, though likely by just a few days.

One of the buildings we had hoped to visit was the old schoolhouse but, it too, was locked up.

Leaving Peggy's Cove, we made our way to Lunenburg. We were able to find a parking spot just a short distance off the main shopping street, where D was lured into visiting. After dropping off her parcels at the car, we walked a little further down towards the water.

After a short walk down the boardwalk, we went to visit the Bluenose II. The original Bluenose was launched in March 1921 in Lunenburg as a fishing and racing schooner. It would reign as an undefeated racing champion until 1946 when it ran aground on a reef off Haiti. The ship is featured on the Canadian dime. Bluenose II was launched in 1963, and currently spends it's time in Halifax and Lunenburg. Open for on deck touring, one can also book a two hour cruise available twice daily. The price was a bit much for my pocketbook so we limited ourselves to a wander on the deck of the ship. Eli was quite disappointed to learn he wouldn't be sailing on it...maybe next time.

Another short walk brought us to the Fisheries museum which featured a restaurant on the wharf with an incredible view of the bay. (Pricey but good). While the temperatures had moderated somewhat from the two previous days, it was still quite hot and the shade of the patio umbrella was appreciated.

After lunch, it was time to visit the museum itself. I had not been there in 2015 and found it very interesting. There is a large room towards the rear of the building that was full of exhibits, ship models, ropes and other equipment, and several interactive displays.

A visit to the museum's gift shop capped off our afternoon, and we made our way back to the car to return to Halifax for our last night at the hotel in Bedford for a few days. 

A road trip to Baddeck was our plan for the next day!