Friends… Family… Fabulous… Fun!

"Home is where you treat your friends like family and your family like friends."
-Author Unknown

"I have an appetite for fabulous, and I scrape the plate."
-Author Unknown

"People rarely succeed unless they have fun 
in what they are doing."
-Dale Carnegie

Saturday we had the grandkids here for the first part of the day
till Jana came for them.
We spent lots of time outside… lots of time eating, too!!!
I Love this FABULOUS photo of the two girls.
Beau loves his popsicles… and ate lots of watermelon too…
which he ended up having all over his white shirt!

We had some fun playing with my selfie stick…
but we still need practice!!! hehehe

Brian assured me he could do it better than me…
but I think neither of us quite have the hang of it just yet
if there are more than 2 people in the photo!

We had a fun little visit from my great niece JORJA
and her mommy, SAVANNAH.
We did a few attempts at some more selfless… but still need more practice!!!
Jorja was so cute… and the grandkids loved seeing her!

Saturday was National Dance Day…
and I asked the kids to strike a dance pose
but only Beau got into that request!

A while back we received some nice birth announcements and thank yous from
my Nephew Brad and Janelle with their baby, BRIELLE.
Savannah brought a very cute birth/thank you card on Saturday with JORJA.

I got this cute and fun photo in an email with my oldest Brother, Bob
PROUDLY holding
his two grand daughters… Jorja and Brielle…
he is loving being a GRANDPA!

My flowers are looking really fabulous and colourful…
I am not a green thumb… but they seem to be doing well!

Last Monday we picked up Beau from daycare on Monday…
he talked me into a trip to dollarama… because I seem to be the
"Dollarama Gramma!"
He chose flippers, goggles and 2 skipping ropes in a pack…
He is sitting on picnic table playing with his funny purchases…
what a kid!

Last Tuesday we did an impromptu supper with friends Ella and Vern.
Ella brought me a lovely rose too!

Thursday … another FUN and FABULOUS evening with FRIENDS!
This was a delicious meal at Vern's place
with Ella, Jacquie and Bob… and us.

Last week… good friends… Courtney and her dad, David popped by.
Courtney brought her adorable little two year old daughter, Lily…
and is expecting another wee one in September.
Courtney and Jana were such good friends growing up…
now Courtney calls us when ever she is in town…
as she now lives in Edmonton.
I love it when special friends who stay in touch.

Some more FUN and FABULOUS FRIENDS and FAMILY outings…

I was out for a lunch with friend, BRENDA to D'Lish…
I shared a STARBUCKS latte with friend, CARA…

and on the weekend… I was out to MOXIES for birthday drinks and appies
with sisters in law, BRENDA and BEV… (Who just had a birthday on the 24th).
The belini even had a frog candy floating in it!!!

All Fun... all Fabulous… all FATTENING too …
(oh well summer is short!)

Yesterday we had BEAU for the day… and he had lots of FUN…
Here with bubble wands to blow bubbles… and 48 colours of sidewalk chalk,
which we spent a long time decorating the driveway with...
Later it rained and washed away all our fun art work!

We also had our grand dog, JAZZ, here in the afternoon…
and Mariah brought her friend, Drew,
(which is who she spent her day with)
when they came to pick up Beau and Jazz.

Beau kept me busy with so much fun and lots of colourful things…
After a morning outside with the bubbles and chalk…
we did stickers… and button necklaces…
we also watched a few episodes of the tv show
BACK YARDIGANS… they are so cute!
There is really no down time with Beau…
he just goes from one activity to the next… but all is fun!

Beau came in a cute BATMAN shirt… and later we found a different
BATMAN shirt in my basement…
(I must have bought it for a gift for him
and forgotten I had it!… it was size 2-3… but luckily still fit him!)
Beau also found a winter toque which he wore lots yesterday, too…
a nice switch from the ball caps that usually cover his face!

Beau had a big appetite yesterday… and ate many snacks.
Between tv shows… we played many things…
 and also played with the dogs!

Shuffle and Jazz are starting to be good buddies now, too…
JAZZ is so calm so it helps SHUFFLE from getting too hyper!
But with Beau in the mix… things can get a little crazy at times!!!



Happy Tuesday to my blog readers!
I usually try to do up a blog weekly and often on Monday,
but this week… I babysat then, so now I am catching up.
Hard to believe another week has gone by…
and so much fun has happened since the last post.


As the pictures show… we have shared a lot of fun times with family and friends and lots revolved around FOOD too!
It is amazing how much tastier it is to eat out doors,
I love summer time for that… but it sure catches up to the waist line! It's a good thing I have had a chance to get to the gym in and around it all… maybe not as often as I should, though! I have taken Shuffle for more walks lately, too…
but not yesterday or today in this rainy weather.


Also last week I heard from a friend who was our neighbour years ago… Joan now lives in Abbotsford, BC…
she popped by last week… I didn't get a photo…
but we had a nice visit and drink on the deck.


In addition to all the above outings we have done…
we have had some appointments and other things to tend to. I also created a book for Beau's birthday which is coming up soon. I love to make books on the computer with all the fun photos I have… and believe me I have a ton of them.
Lots of my photos do not make it into the blogs…
even though I do try to share as many as I can here.
I just take so many!!!!!!


I had really hoped to get out to hear my brother, Brian, when he played with his old band friends last weekend. However… they did not begin to play until after 11 PM… which is way past my bed time… so brother, Bob and I chose to not go as originally planned. I checked with Brian, though, the next day and the gig went well apparently,
but he, too, found it very late at night…
hmmm… we must be getting old!


We continue to stay busy… and with Beau's daycare closed for this week and next… I am looking after him for some of that. Mariah may come here off and on, too… but she often goes to a friend's or her mommy's store
to help her with little jobs there.
I love my grandkids… but still do find it easiest to have them one on one… and then there is less competition for attention. We do enjoy doing fun things with each of the kids, but their interests are so different, therefore it is just easier, to focus on one at a time!


This weekend… my sister-in-law, Gail, and my niece, Emily, are coming for a little visit. I will look forward to seeing them.

We have a wedding reception this weekend to attend as well… so never a dull moment.
Always lots of fun and fabulous things to do.


My good friend Ella's dad made the Global news last night.
It was a "heart" warming story… about her dad who had a heart surgery at age 93… 7 years ago. His doctor wanted to celebrate him on his hundredth year… which he is on now. His doctor's little girl was born at the time of the surgery 7 years ago… so it was all about the celebrations revolving around those events.
Check it out on Global news coverage…
 under BILL MILLER, from North Battleford.


On that note…
here is my rhyme of the day.

It's hard to believe another week has passed,
We've sure fit in a lot, and also had a blast.
From hanging out with family… to dining with friends,
Having lots of beverages, of many kinds and blends.
Summer has been fabulous… in more ways than one,
As time goes by we live in the moment,
and cram in lots of fun!
From Fam to Friends… and Food to Fun,
and songs we like to sing...
We have surely made the most of every little thing!

DOGGONE HAPPY CAMPER!

"Happiness is letting go of what you think life is supposed to look like and celebrating it for everything it is."
-Mandy Hale

"Remember Happiness is a way of travel not a destination."
-Roy Goodman

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."---Roger Caras

Mariah was a really happy camper yesterday as she packed and got ready to
go off to a week at camp.
Although she will miss her doggie, JAZZ, I know she will still have fun!

Beau got out his suitcase, too, and was wanting to be a part of the action…
he was on a roll with his suitcase wheeling it all over the house yesterday
as his sister got ready to go to camp.

I think both Beau and Jazz will miss their big sister while she is
off to camp this week!!!

Our doggie , Shuffle got 3 new toys for her birthday last week…
but this was her favourite… she is such a happy camper playing
non stop fetch with this little tiger!

Mariah is always a happy camper when she volunteers her time
and passion at the "WANAR We all Need a K9 Rescue"
monthly held at Cowtown in the city.
This past Saturday she was loving the little puppies there,
and I think they loved her, too!!!

Friends Bob and Jacquie invited us along with other friends
for cocktails before going to the horse races on Friday night.
They are such awesome people and friends…
and seem like such happy campers always!

The evening at Marquis Downs was a fun evening out.
There were ten of us in our group… not all in photos…
but Jacquie so generously treated us all to drinks and supper.
Such a great night for all of us happy campers!

I am always a happy camper when I get some bargains and fun
scrap booking finds!!!
It's not like I am short of this kind of stuff… but
I love when I get good deals!!!
The photos show my recent purchases
 from Michaels and Homesense!

The fun of getting new scrapbooking stuff… is it makes card crafting
even more fun and exciting!!!
I am always a happy camper when I am crafting!



Happy Monday everyone!
I am a happy camper as I brought my laptop outside to write today's post in our back yard… so as I listen to tunes on my iPhone and hear the birdies joining in, it is almost like I am actually in a campground some where! My back yard is always enjoyable … especially when it is sunny out!
Shuffle enjoys being outside with me, too…
so she is a doggone happy camper as well.


Because I did a bonus blog post last week, on Thursday as well as on Monday… I haven't snapped as many new photos since then… so this week's post might be a bit shorter!


We have all been enjoying our summer so far… 
lots to do and lots going on daily it seems… and we are loving the new family member… the adopted dog at my daughter's house… the 3 year old standard poodle, JAZZ! He is fitting in so well, it is like his adoption was meant to happen. Jazz has become a happy camper at their house and seems to be feeling all the love!


I am excited for Mariah, who is off to a week of camp now with her little friend. She went to this camp last year and absolutely loved it, and could hardly wait to go again.
She also was at a hip hop camp the past couple weeks on Monday and Tuesday night each week… where she learned different styles of hip hop dancing at Def Sol dance studio.
It was fun for her and she seemed to learn some new stuff… she claims hip hop is her favourite style of dance… but I hope she will pick up her enthusiasm for
 Tap again come fall!!!
Mariah is also registered in another 
dance camp later on it the summer, too.



There was a group of ten of us who went to the races at Marquis Downs on Friday night… it is a fun way to spend time… and money! I think I won the most on my bets… 
or should I say lost the least! 
A person doesn't go to get rich I don't think… 
it is just a fun thing to do for entertainment. 
Thanks to our friend, Jacquie, for treating everyone to their food and drinks. We were all happy campers about that…and how sweet and generous of her to do that.


Yesterday we were treated to breakfast at Fuddruckers, too. This time our good friend, Steve treated us when he joined for our traditional Sunday morning breakfast outing.
It was nice to have a good breakfast group once again there.


I joined my cousin Gwen yesterday for a little impromptu coffee at Tim Horton's. We normally go to Starbucks… but switched it up this time! I didn't get a photo… but we had a good visit. I always enjoy times with my cousin… she has a birthday coming up next month too.
My friend Ella and I often go to Tim Horton's after our gym classes, and enjoyed one there on Saturday 
following our class.


I was thinking we were babysitting Beau this week… but apparently that is next week that his day care lady is on holidays. I know he will be a happy camper as he loves coming to Grammie D's house… he knows it will involve a few trips to dollarama for some treats, too!!! 
What a fun kid he is. I can't believe he I will 
soon be five in early August.
I have been working on a little hard cover book on the computer for his birthday… and keep adding more photos… I truly have so many of him, and have never created a book just for him. I enjoy doing projects like that, too, and although those are time consuming to do, 
I am always a happy camper when I create!


My good buddy, Linda, has been in New York for a week. Her friend, also named Linda, has been sending out a day by day journal to friends back home as to what they have done each day… wow… they have fit in so much to their week… including about 6 or 7 Broadway musicals. I know they will all return home as very happy campers!!!
They get home tonight.


I am looking forward to hearing my brother, Brian, play with a band this weekend at The Capitol Club on Friday night at 9 PM. Although it is late to be going out for me… I will enjoy it… it has been a long time since I have heard him play in a band. He is so talented… I am a proud sister.


My sister-in-law, Bev, has a birthday on Friday, too. She is not only a great sister-in-law to me, but she has been such a good great Auntie to both my grandkids. She is the one who has taken Mariah to the dog adoption each time she has gone… and she has been so enthusiastic about our new family addition with the adoption of JAZZ too.
Happy Birthday Bev.


I have to mention Beau and Mariah's other Grandpa, Arvid … who celebrated a birthday last week, too.
Sorry you were missed in a blog… 
hope your birthday was a happy one, too!


Mondays I am always a happy camper when SYTYCD comes on… really enjoying the two styles they have broken it into this year, STAGE and STREET
… makes for an interesting show. 
I am also loving AGT on Tuesdays…
lots of talent on both those shows.


Well before my laptop runs out of power and or over heats out here in my yard… I will wrap this blog post up 
with my rhyme of the day!


My summer has been a whole lot of fun…
I'm a happy camper when the sky is filled with sun.
And where would I be without all our dogs?
And what would I do without rhymes and blogs?
I know with those, I'm a camper who is happy,
Even my feet are smiley and tappy!!!
Enjoying the things and ones I love most,
Give reason to raise my glass in a toast.
Happy campers are all usually content,
When they can create and also invent.
Making the most while having such fun…
Within everyday until it is done!

CELEBRATE SUMMER FUN!

"Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make everyday a holiday and celebrate just living."
-Amanda Bradley

"I love how summer just wraps it's arms around you like a warm blanket. "
-Kellie Elmore

"Never, ever underestimate the importance of having fun."
-Randy Pausch

Summer has given us many reasons to have fun and celebrate this year so far!
Here we are enjoying time with the grandkids and
 celebrating their dog, Jazz, as well as our dog, Shuffle!

Before our trip to Montreal we attended a beautiful tea in honour of
our dear friend, JACQUIE, who celebrated her 80th Birthday in June.
I felt very honoured to be included for this event…and very flattered to see
all the many cards I have crafted her  over time, hanging on display too!

She is such a lovely lady... special to everyone she knows,
from young to old...
She even received a crown to wear from the little boy, Antonne,
shown in the photo above! 

The guest keyboard player at her tea was
my brother-in-law, Bruce's good friend, RAY
…and he played wonderful jazz tunes and standards
 as a background through the event.

Jacquie's daughter-in-law, Judy,
did a wonderful job of organizing and decorating for this big event.
There was a different ornate tea pot on each table with pastel pink balloons tied
to each one. There were over one hundred in attendance to honour Jacquie
that day at the tea held at St. Joe's Hall on Broadway.

Last week, upon our return from our little Montreal vacay,
we took Mariah over to visit her great grandma Blanche at her home.
We enjoyed our visit, and loved how beautiful all the flowers
 in and around her place were.
This is such a comfortable place for my mother-in-law to live .

Later that same day we attended the first day of the annual
2nd Avenue Sidewalk Sale downtown…
here we are at my daughter's store…
SWANK SHOE LOUNGE.
Jana said this was her most successful sidewalk sale
since opening her store 6 years ago… something else to celebrate!

We have made several trips to let out our newest family member,
our "GRANDOG", JAZZ!
With his family all busy and away from home,
he just needs letting out mid day, so we have been going there to do just that.
We are loving JAZZ… he is proving to be such a good addition to the family.

We have spent some time with the grandkids, too this past week or so,
Mariah attended a hip hop school, so was doing a little demo for me,
and Beau wanted to show me how he could ride his bike, but needed his helmet on!
When he takes off his hat or helmet… he sure has long hair,
but he doesn't seem bothered by it!

I always love it when my good buddy, Linda, is in town,
from her home townof Lanigan.
This past weekend… we did our traditional STARBUCKS
visit, followed by a supper at the restaurant called Milestones.
The peach belinis are so yummy there complete with little
animal buddies on top!…
(we got a monkey and a camel)

Linda was in town on route to New York … where she is now,
and she is having a fabulous time!

Last week, Brian and I went to watch our little great niece, JORJA,
at her swimming lessons… she was so adorable, and appeared to
be loving her swimming with her mommy, Savannah.

This weekBrian and I went to visit our other great niece,
BRIELLE… and her mommy, Janelle and daddy, Brad.
Not only did we have a nice visit, we loved how they have the baby
suite decorated… it was OWL so sweet!

Here is a blast from the past…
(I posted this on my Facebook page, too)
Brian and I got engaged on July 12th, 1976… 39 years ago.
We set up a camera tripod and took some photos of that event
that very day… and this is a picture of one of those…
seeing as I cannot actually
find the album with the pictures in it!

39 years later on July 12th…
Brian and I decied to take our "selfie stick"
and go back to the Labatte's Beer Gardens where we took our original
photos… but the tree we were in has now become a pond!!!
We did however snap some pics of us in amongst the trees that are there now,
in memory of that special day in our lives…
so hard to believe 39 years have gone by since then!

That same night we shared a yummy BBQ supper with our good friend, Vern…
and our neighbours, Cheryl and Floyd came and joined us for a piece of pie
afterwards… I love a little impromptu celebration!
Note Shuffle, hates to be left out… so I captured her and I
 in another " selfie!"

We went from a BBQ at our house on Sunday...
to a BBQ at Vern's condo on Monday!
We enjoyed another delicious meal out on his sweet little balcony,
and yes more strawberry rhubarb pie for dessert again! YUM!!!

Mariah spends a lot of time at her mom's store… yesterday
we went to pick her up and here we are modelling some of the
sunglasses Jana sells
… the ones I had on even had polka dots on the sides!!!

Mariah did a few poses for me at the store before we headed off
to her house to let out Jazz and then come home to Shuffle!

Yesterday, July 15th…
was Shuffle's 7th Birthday.
Shuffle is such a little diva, and loves any occasion to
dress up in a costume , hat, or ribbon of any kind.
This little photo shoot, was no exception…
she loved every minute of being in the lime light…
we love her to pieces and celebrate her every day!



Welcome to a bonus blog post from me this week! I normally only post only one a week on a Monday or Tuesday, but due to the fact I take so many photos, and have so much to share since being home from Montreal,
I decided to do an extra post this week.

I have actually written a total of 435 blog posts, and even though it seems like a lot, it has been over a course of 4 and a half years time . I began writing and sharing my life in blogs shortly after losing my mom, in 2010.
Originally it was as a way of keeping me on a positive track… and then it became a fun thing… and in fact I actually look forward to sharing my life journey here in the form of a journal of the positives things
 in my life from week to week!

Since I missed a week of blogging while in Montreal, I felt I needed to do an extra one to catch up with my masses of photos! I do like to capture every little thing in my life,
it seems…and later on in life I am hoping it will be a reminder of all the fun I had along the journey!

Speaking of journeys… not all things in our life are fun,
and usually I don't mention those… but for those who know the journey we are on at our house…you will be interested to know tat my hubby, Brian, is doing well and is heading into his 50th round next week. We do take life one day at a time, and continue to make the most of our best,
and least of our worst.


Summers go by fast but there are sure lots of things to enjoy about them. First of all the weather… has been warm and sunny… so for that I am grateful. However the forest fires up north have sure given us reason to be concerned. We hope for rain for their sake. Brian and I were very lucky to be away during the week of heavy smoke here in town, but sure heard lots about it while we were away.



I am so lucky to enjoy a daily walk or two with my doggie, Shuffle. We both enjoy the exercise and sunshine, but for me the bonus of the walks, is the music I enjoy on my iPhone on route. I have a new iPhone 6 which came with a fabulous app called "spotify". I can literally look up any genre of music and add songs I like to an ongoing list, and then play them on a random mix while on my walk.  I know while I enjoy the new shuffle of music each day,
 my doggie, Shuffle, enjoys her walk!

My brother, Brian, is playing in town next week at a place called the Capitol Club where Craw Daddy's used to be. He is playing with a local band, and I know some of my blog readers might be interested in seeing him play next Friday, July 24th. He said he has not played with a band for over a year, but I reassured him he will never lose his great talents and or skills. I will look forward to seeing him in action again!


There always seems to be lots going on and many things to celebrate in addition to the ones I mention in my blogs. I apologize in advance if I miss some of those special ones along the way, too… sometimes they go by before I realize it. But I did want to mention a few that have gone by recently… My Auntie Mary celebrated her 95th milestone birthday on July 4th. Her grand daughter, Elaine celebrated her 30th milestone Birthday just the day before, as well. Although we were in Montreal during those dates… I heard there was a fun celebration in their honour.My brother Bob and his wife, Arleen, celebrated their 43rd Wedding Anniversary on July 8th…
and my nephew, Brad and his wife, Janelle,
celebrated their 5th Wedding Anniversary on July 10th.
Also my best friend growing up…
JAY… and her hubby, John, also celebrated their milestone 40th Wedding Anniversry on June 28th. I remember that wedding and my brother's
as I was a bridesmaid for both of those weddings!


Next week, my sister-in-law, Bev, will celebrate a birthday, on the 24th, too… and I'm sure there are other celebrations I may be missing… but those of you I missed…
I'll say…I hope all of your CELEBRATIONS were and/or are HAPPY and FUN ones!


For me… life is really just one big celebration…
I like to live in the moment and celebrate when and what ever I can… Life is short…
so why not CELEBRATE it and have FUN!


Thanks to each and every one who pops by my blog
to catch up with my little journey of life,
I know I have no way of knowing who is reading and or looking at the pics, but I love to share the happy times with who ever stops by.


On that note… here is my rhyme for today…


I just love the summer time... so much to celebrate…
From the warmer weather, to all things fun and great!
I enjoy the celebrations and the little things,
I just love the season, and also what it brings.
It just goes by way too fast… seems we're half way done,
So I'll just try to take it in and soak up all the fun!

BEAUTIFUL MONTREAL… Artistic and Tasty!

"Some people look for a beautiful place- 
Others make a place beautiful."
-Author Unknown

"I feel there is nothing more artistic than to love people."
-Vincent Van Gogh

"If I must choose between healthy and tasty, I go for the second: having only one life to waste, it might as well be a pleasurable one."
- Yotam Ottolenghi

We met Caro's parents this trip…
here she is with her mom, Colette and her dad,  Jean Paul
at their beautiful home…
as well in craft room down stairs!
Such beautiful people…
 artistic and shared a tasty meal, too!

Colette's craft room was amazing and right up my alley…
even though her and I spoke different languages…
we really bonded with our common interests!

They shared a delicious bbq meal with their family and included
Brian and me… so we felt honoured to be a part of their special family.
All the paintings on the walls were done by Colette…and she even gave me a
BEAUTIFUL gift of some of her artistic crafted cards, too,
 in a special little gift bag.

This little visit was a highlight of our Montreal visit this time!

Our trip to Montreal revolved around lots of TASTY foods
and ARTSY things every where we went!

Many walls and planters were artistically painted every where…
these ones on Amherst off St. Catherine's.

Caro and I went to this cute little ice cream place too…
I loved the ice cream, the visit with Caro along our walk
and the Artsy decor, too!

We thoroughly enjoyed our times spent at Colin and Caro's place
and will cherish all the memories we made with them.

Whether sharing a Happy Hour on our B & B deck…
 or experiencing some of our favourite restaurants and or places
it was a tasty experience all round!
From "Papillon" in Old Montreal… to "Scwarttzs" on St. Laurent
and "Mangia" on Peel… and many more places!

This restaurant called PANDA… has some of the most delicious sushi
I have ever had… and so artistically displayed as well.

The breakfasts at "Sir Montcalm" (our B&B)
on Montcalm just off St. Catherine's…
were not only delicious but beautifully presented daily!

Here are some examples of the breakfasts we had while at Sir Montcalm!

We were treated like royalty at Sir Montcalm…
and served up something tasty and delicious daily!

The above photo shows how close we were to Colin and Caro's place.
The door on left is Sir Montcalm… and window on right is Colin's place.
Below…  are closer photos of the two places,
we found it so handy to be so close !

Colin and Caro's place is both Artistic and Tasty
…and so well suited to them,
and their cat, Filou!
Caro loves her plants, too!

We enjoyed some tasty meals with them on their little patio, too…
they both enjoy cooking!

Caro loves her cat, Filou… who was posing for me here!!!
He is a good cat and well loved, too!

Our B&B had a resident doggie named, Boogaloo.
Here is owner of the B &B, Andre  with his
sweet little doggie…
We enjoyed meeting not only all the staff
but all the guests staying there while we were there, too.
We loved how friendly every one was… and made some friends for life!

Some more photos of our home while in Montreal…
at Sir Montcalm.

The yard and deck at Sir Montcalm were as beautiful as the indoor decor .
We are seen here with some friends we met from Germany, Ramona and Marco,
 who stayed there for a couple days while we were there.

Here is the deck we spent some relaxing time on while at Sir Montcalm…
both comfortable and stylish!

Here are just a few examples of some of the artsy
wall paintings we saw when in and around Montreal…
I took many photos … so not sure where these ones were located.

I had so many photos to share…
it was hard to know which ones
to include in this blog!



Welcome to my second blog post since
returning from our Montreal trip.
Last week in my blog... I focussed on the JAZZ we experienced while in Montreal, as well as some we heard in town before leaving on our holiday.
I truly have so many photos from before we left on the trip as well as from the trip and since being home… 
so I may need to do a few blog posts to catch up!


Nothing makes a parent's heart smile more than seeing your children happy in life. We are so lucky our son, Colin, has such a gem of a girlfriend, Caro. They have been together a little over 4 years now and seem very happy and so well suited to each other. Caro brings out the best in Colin so we just enjoy being with them whenever we connect.


 We felt so very fortunate to meet Caro's parents this trip,  as well as her brother and his family, too. We enjoyed a delicious Canada Day BBQ at their lovely home in Repetingney, just outside of Montreal.
Although Caro's parents, Colette and Jean-Paul, do not speak English and we do not speak French… 
we managed to bond in spite of our different languages.
Colin and Caro were able to translate for us. Caro's mom is so artistic and crafty… and her and I share the common interest of card crafting. Colette showed me her amazing crafting space while I was there…and we could have gone on for hours enjoying that little bond! She made a few cards and had them in a cute gift bag for me to take home as well… such a special gift that I will cherish for a long time… 
I knowI will not want to use the cards, 
I want to save them all for me!



Our Bed and Breakfast named SIR MONTCALM only two doors from Colin and Caro's place was the most magnificent place for us to stay. Not only was it handy… to all the things we like to do… the people who ran the place were so friendly and accommodating.  The rooms were beautiful and tastefully decorated… 
and the yard and deck were beautiful, too.
Every morning I could hardly wait for the breakfast as it was so delicious every day. We shared food in the patio next to yard with the other hotel guests,
and got to know everyone while there…
it was just a perfect place for us to stay this trip.


I wrote about our JAZZ adventures last blog post… but it was a great part of the trip as well. I always love the Jazz Festival experience in Montreal each year.For more on that check out my previous blog post on my blog site!


Brian and I are creatures of habit and like to go to some of the same restaurants while in Montreal and this trip was no exception to that. We did go to some of our favourite spots in and around where we stayed. 
( as photographed above.)


I do find the style and art in Montreal 
exceptional where ever we go. 
I truly enjoyed our trip and 
hope to get back there in the near future.


Since home we have done many things and had many appointments to be at as well… 
so life keeps us busy always.
I do hope to get another blog done this week 
so my pictures do not pile up too much 
on my iPhone!!!


It is always good to get away and enjoy being some where different but as in all vacays… I am always happy to return to my comfort zone back here at home.
I felt refreshed and inspired by all the
BEAUTY, ART, and GOOD TASTE
in BEAUTIFUL MONTREAL once again!


On that note here is my rhyme of the day…

We love to go MONTREAL… it's a BEAUTIFUL place.
It's about the TASTY foods and the ARTSY space!
Everywhere you turn or look, you can see some art,
It is found in music, and their paintings all so smart.
Even food is presented … with a creative flair,
Making it more tasty, than any place out there.
Montreal is artsy and tasty , that's for sure…
We just loved our little trip, for us it was so pure!