Changes

Exciting times for us! High fives all around :)

We celebrated a belated Earth Day by enjoying the Sunday sunshine on the Sugarbush Trail. 

Sometimes, the best remedy for getting things done (and, boy, do we have a lot to get done in less than 6 weeks!) is to head outdoors, breathe a bit of fresh air and unplug.

Spending time on the trail allows us to connect, clear the cobwebs and play!

It also permits us to be courageous. 

Spring is in the air

Happy Spring everyone!

We celebrated this new season by taking a walk on a new-found trail: Jack Pine Trail.

We were pleasantly surprised to discover bird houses:

The chickadees were more hesitant than on the last walk. The song birds were very present on this trail and we were graced by their melodies, but they kept their distance.

Margot found her entertainment by walking on the logs.
She walked and fell and then started over until she crossed the log without a slip of the foot.

It was a lovely walk to welcome the new season.

On the Chickadee Trail

Hello faithful readers! Thanks for hanging in and being patient while I was on hiatus.

January was a busily crazy month! I don't really want to revisit it.
February has been busily crazy as well, but manageable…
I hope March is simply busy (minus the crazy).
And, by June, my life should be smooth sailing :)

I know you are all waiting anxiously to read about my Winter Manifesto. Alas! There is none this year. However, I'm hoping to jot one down for Spring (its content will probably be quite similar to previous ones).

Sunday morning, we enjoyed a family walk on the Chipmunk Trail (aka The Chickadee Trail). This was our first walk of 2016! I can't believe how long we've waited before hitting the trails!

We have treaded the paths of the Chipmunk Trail before.

I love revisiting familiar trails. There's something calming and comforting about knowing what to expect …and to not get lost!

Margot first started off putting bird seeds on her cat:

Can you find the Chickadee?
hint: the bird likes blue

Then, she placed the seeds on her mitt:

And finally, bravely,directly in her hand:

A chickadee in flight:

A Sunday Discovery

On a bleak November morning, we explored trail #36 in Gatineau Park. This trail has been on our radar for a few months, but we never seemed to have had the chance to hike it, until now.

Welcome to November in Canada!

Surprisingly, it was a really popular trail with dog walkers, Sunday trail runners and groups of families and friends. And we thought we'd be the only ones in the woods! :)

This trail is a highlight for two things:
#1 - Renowned spot for nude sunbathers

Not a problem in November!

I doubt that they walk the trail in the nude (!) We 'll have to come back in the summer to check it out ;)

#2 - The ruins:

You can read a bit about the ruins:
http://katharinefletcher.com/Books/HWsample.html

A few hours in the woods puts everyone in a better mood!

A happy, yet a bit cold, girl!

Reclaiming November

I have always had an issue with November.

The days are short, the evenings are dark, there are no holidays or celebrations. The novelty of the semester has worn off and I have a dip in enthusiasm and vibrancy.

It's often a time of year (and I keep track of those issues when I revisit my past journal entries) when I'm questioning my career, looking for more meaning, contemplating options, seeking projects, being restless… but then these feelings gently dissipate by December.

I started November 1st dreading the next 29 days.

What can I do to make this month more enjoyable?

-I started a daily meditation practice. Minimum of 10 minutes, usually in the evening. A time to reflect, to ground, to connect. So far, so good!

-Do knitting in the evening. I have a few projects in mind…

-Embrace the outdoors.

So far, the weather has been glorious, but rain is expected in the next few days… slump.

I have decided to see the beauty of this quiet month; to notice its unassuming grace, to be grateful for its  light, to listen to the earth.

A few people see November as the calm before the storm. A time to take it easy and rejuvenate. This doesn't really apply to me, as I don't really experience the frenzy of the holidays. I just ride the wave…

November is a poetic month.

4:00pm light in the woods.

The best place for kids after school?
The woods!

Simple Pleasure: Camping

We went camping this weekend. Nothing too complicated, nowhere too far. We booked our campsite at the last minute because we were keeping an eye out for the weather. There's nothing worse than camping in the rain.

Us + Dave (Simon's friend who joined us)

We went to Voyageur Provincial Park, about a 90-minute drive east. The weather was perfect and there were no bugs!!!

Camping is messy and smelly. It can be uncomfortable. I sometimes dream of this tent. I'm sure it would enhance my experience ;)

Our "3-person" tent was awfully small...

Yet camping is also strangely satisfying. You're outdoors, in touch with nature. You can eat as many sticky roasted marshmallows as you wish. The pace is slower. There's really nowhere to rush to.

A summer isn't complete without a camping trip, even if it's just for 24 hours.

Margot declared a few times: "I love camping!!!"

Simple Pleasure: Hiking

Last weekend we went on a proper hike (not a wander around city streets or a stroll in the safe woods) It was a hike laden with steep uphills, rocky and slippery terrain, malicious tree roots, and obstacles of water.

It was a hike worthy of hiking boots (and even walking sticks) and a litre of water. As you can witness from the pics, you'll notice that our attire wasn't "hike-worthy". I wore sandals, Simon wore jeans, and sockless Margot didn't have a hat. Nope, we weren't prepared for the challenges of the Blanchet Trail and looked quite amateurish to the eyes of the serious trail runners, the day hikers and the sporty walkers who passed us along the way. But we knew what we were doing and had so much fun!

Margot was a fantastic trooper and for 90 minutes enthusiastically led the way.

Hiking is very meditative and therapeutic. It feels so good to be in nature doing a physical activity which requires concentration (so you don't sprain your ankle), exercises all your muscles, allows you to appreciate tiny beauty, and breathe fresh air.

When there's a bit of tension in the house, the best way to release it is to go on a family hike. In nature, you can find your own stride all while keeping pace with your lil' gang, wash away negativity and "foggy-brain" syndrome, and you get a beautiful change of scenery!

Moving forward, exhaling deeply, putting things in perspective, truly living in the present; hiking is the best remedy!