An Amazing Life

More progress!! Justin has removed almost all the stumps that are in the way for our driveway. We can now put in our application for a permit so we can get our driveway put in. It's all coming together! before After I've even managed to put in some time this past week! Justin and I planted some boxwood Shrubs along one of the paths behind the shed. It's looking nice, I think! Small changes like this seem to all add up and we have a couple spaces that are nice where we can roam around with the girls. Sally and Ruby both like to be in our space and we try and spend sometime there everyday. Ruby loves to help. All our trees are blooming and the property is starting to come alive. We have frogs and tadpoles in our swamp (Sally calls it Mugwamp swamp). We are going to be putting in some garden beds soon for our food garden. I am also going to be creating a herb spiral so we will have all sorts of delicious foods to eat.  Lots happe...

Spring here is wet, wet and more wet with some wind and then more wind thrown in for fun. We are ready for better weather. It's coming I am told but we've been waiting all April for it so I am inclined to think that we will be wet for a while still. Ruby has turned 1! How fast that year went. It was filled with so much excitement and joy - we could not imagine our lives without our yelly, curious, growling, happy baby. She is busy as she is running and climbing but she is so happy, claps when excited and has a few words like ball and woof. She loves being outside, nursery rhymes and her sister. We had a celebration for her and she was surrounded by love - it was wonderful.  Easter was low key and quiet but we celebrated with family and it was nice. The Easter bunny came and hid so many chocolate eggs, Sally was pumped.  Work on the property hasn't stopped. Justin has been burning and chipping limbs (of which we have piles and piles). He has since put...

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.