An Amazing Life

I've been joking the past week about the fact that we don't quite have a driveway, because we can't drive on it... but we have a way. Our property has opened up and is accessible from the main road. Wow!  (November 2, 2021) (March 16, 2022) What a difference 5 months hard labour makes?!? Plans are commencing for a driveway as that is the gateway to all things. We need a driveway before we can get a well in or septic or power or a building as we need access to be able to dig/deliver/pour etc. It's been remarkable to see this all come together.

So much progress has happened, it is slow and steady. The work is grueling and labour intensive. Things are taking shape, however and we should be sitting in a really good position for when spring comes and we need to start putting up buildings, putting in amenities or digging swails. I have managed to go out for a few hours and help justin, leaving Ruby and Sally with my mother-in-law. I was on branch stacking duty. It's uncomplicated and easy enough work, and it was awesome to get out and help in some small way. It was also nice to be able to get some physical activity in that wasn't just going for a walk. Things are looking awesome, the sunlight is coming through the trees now and our spot has revealed some truly beautiful views. It's amazing how a beautiful place can grow more beautiful with each passing day.  (before this week) (After this week... sorry for the finger in the shot) The weather has been interesting. Periods of wind and blowing sno...

Winter continues to be lovely here. The coldest it's been is -14. Sure, it's damp and super windy, but not all the time. Ok, so the power goes out from time to time and the wind blows so hard you think it will come through the windows, but we have a wood stove to keep us warm and it's all part of the adventure, right? And, most days the sky is gray and cloud filled and we don't see much of the blue sky or feel much sunshine, but when we do it's a glorious day and it's always one we spend out doors. It has been a fun winter with many walks through the wildness exploring and discovering. We have spent so much time with eachother getting to know our new space, how could it not be fun? We have had plenty of snow so there have been many days of tobogganing and sled rides. Sally has even tried snowboarding and she is pretty darned good. Justin has been taking this opportunity to clear our property - specifically where the driveway a house will ...

Two days ago, it was rainy and 9 degrees - Today, it is blowing and snowing and a real snow storm. It's supposed to snow between 30 and 50cm tonight and tomorrow. We are snug and cozy in the house with the wood stove roaring and Sallys mitts and hat drying beside it. This winter has been the mildest winter of my life..... I LOVE it here!!! (photo of our property 2 days ago) This week has been a good one. We've spent some real time outside. School is still out for the holidays for conventional school so Sally has been playing with her cousins in the afternoons once her school work is done. She's a quick learner and she loves talking about new things. This week we did a geography lesson using a puzzle of a map of the world. We also built a robot that sets up domino's and talked about gears and chain reactions. She is reading full sentences and is doing simple addition and subtraction. To say I am proud would be an understatement. It truly has been so much fun ...

We are just winding down from our first Christmas in Cape Breton and Ruby's first Christmas. It was a merry, festive and quiet event. We found that spending time with our little family refreshing and relaxing.  It's been windy but warm - hovering around 0 degrees - and there is no snow... our lawn is still green. To say it's the mildest winter of my life would be truthful. Even Italy was colder. I am waiting for the cold to finally kick me in my teeth.  It's hard to believe it's been 6 months since we landed here - time has marched on so quickly. We have so much to be thankful for and as we wind down 2021. From my family to yours - Merry Christmas and may 2022 bring you so much joy, adventure and laughter.

Just a quick update on the property. We got the tally back from the dumpster and Justin removed 4.6 tones of garbage. He also removed 2 cars, one truck (?) which I have named the Chevy Ford (thanks to my friend Larissa). His work has paid off and now he can just work on felling trees in January. The space has opened up a lot without those vehicles and it's nice to not just see garbage when you walk around the property.  The cars were removed on Tuesday. The truck will hopefully be removed next week. I  am hoping Justin can take a small break over Christmas once his contract ends so he can rest and recuperate. So much work is yet to come.  Onwards and upwards. 

It has snowed... over a foot of snow fell in one night grinding Cape Breton to a halt. No school, no post delivery, just beautiful fluffy snow. It came with some serious winds, but once that subsided, glorious snow for as far as the eye can see.  Today (Friday) we spent time playing in the snow, sledding and tobogganing, making snow angels and just playing. It's awesome.  Wednesday, we cut down our Christmas tree - from our own property. We have a little grove of small trees that once they grow up, they will make wonderful Christmas trees.  (This was the day before the snow dump.... what a difference a day makes.) We are loving it here. While we are missing some of the people in the East (particulsrly at this time of year), we don't miss much else.  It was an absolutely stunning walk in the wildness today and I got to fill my lungs with fresh, clean air. It's quiet, there is so much room, there are amazing v...