Reaching out to Walkers: One Bridge at a Time

A few Sundays ago, Simon and I crossed a new pedestrian bridge. And it was new: it had just opened one day before we walked on it!

It was a glorious, sunny, mild (for December!) and poncho-wearing-day and the bike path leading to the bridge was well-used by couples walking hand-in-hand, recreational cyclists, young parents with prams and friends conversing.

I love pedestrian bridges!
They bridge the gap between neighbourhoods, creating more diversity and options and encouraging people to walk more. They are convenient and often quicker to get to a destination.
Whether for commuting or a Sunday stroll, they are welcoming!

There is something gratifying about walking across a bridge and finding oneself in a different neighbourhood. The possibilities seem endless on where to walk to …. a whole city opens up to us.

Simple Pleasure: Sunday Evening

There is a quietude to Sunday evenings.
Here are some moments of my Sunday evening routine:
*Tidying up the kitchen after Simon's Sunday meal. note: I love how he cooks on weekends and I, during the week. It works with our schedules.
*Margot's earlier bedtime routine.
*Making lunches: chopping veggies, steaming broccoli (my lunch for Monday and Tuesday. I add grated cheese and pop it in the microwave for the cheese to melt. An easy lunch that makes me happy!)
*Organizing Margot's things for school: her class folder, her washed blankets, her lunchbox. I even lay out her snowsuit, mitts and hat by the front entrance. note: she picks her clothes before going to bed.
*Organizing my things in my work bag (marking folders, wallet, phone) Car keys nearby.
*Sometimes watching an episode of a show on Netflix. (We started watching Broadchurch a few days ago).
*Tucking into bed a bit earlier to catch up on a bit of reading. Delightful!

It's nice to have a slower pace on Sunday evenings. Once the work week begins, it quickens and we sometimes lose track of that Jazz and Candle soundtrack of Sunday evening.

Friday Frivolities: A Clown in our House

Winter in July during the heat wave!

Open Windows!

I love opening my windows and allowing the soft breeze to dance through my house!

Choosing flowers at the greenhouse

Exploring la forêt Boucher

Watering

Gardeners at work

Margot's Leisure Activities

Making an almost perfect row with her puzzle pieces:

 Making a straight row with the blue sides of her blocks:

Reading quietly in her room:

Reading quietly on my yoga mat and eating popcorn:

Reading quietly and demie-nue on the red chair:

Drawing:

Playing with playdough:

Eating muffins:

Cutting paper:

Watching Madeline ,Kipper the Dog or Mary Poppins:

Carrying large chunks of snow:

Wearing her bathing suit around the house:

Lil' Yogini

p.s. I swear I don't have anything to do with it ;)

Welcome April!

It feels good to begin a new month.
After a "yo-yo weather" March, it's reassuring to be back in the "right" month of April. Today, it rained...charming...

Yesterday, it was nippy, but we enjoyed the sunny afternoon by hanging out in our nearby park Brébeuf. We didn't cover a lot of distance. We rarely do with Margot. It's not about walking as much as we can and as quickly as possible. No. It's about meandering about (sometimes in circles), sitting on the ground,  picking up pinecones, pointing at dogs, soaking in the spring air and the sunshine, kicking the soccer ball, and having tickle sessions. Life moves at a different pace now, but we still have fun!

Leap Day!

February 29th should be a worldwide holiday. Don't we all deserve a random day off in February every four years? Of course, we do!
A day to play in the snow.

Here's Margot brushing her teeth (back in January):

Letter-Writing

Canada Post is back in business.
Oh, how I missed these last few weeks:
-going to the mailbox
-receiving amazon packages
-getting my numerous magazines and free catalogues
-letters
I love mail. I always have. I've always enjoyed letter-writing, which I seriously began when I met Trish at summer camp 18 years ago. We kept in touch for all those years, through our numerous moves and journeys. Our correspondence is now is a bit slower (every few months), due to life circumstances, but still active.
I also use to correspondent a lot with Bex. All those multiple-pages letters and a few tapes... Now we email on a weekly basis, have phone chats monthly, and send packages to one another.
Sitting with pen in hand on a rainy afternoon or on a bright sunny weekend morning was something I used to do pre-Margot and pre-Simon. Now, I don't have that luxury to write for an hour.
I enjoy sending cards (b-day/thank you/congrats/good luck), which is a quicker way to communicate with someone, sending them my love and hugs.
I think there's something so soulful, personal and thoughtful about putting pen on paper. It's a connection. I am now more grateful than ever whenever I receive a card or letter from a sweet sweet friend. It does take effort and care in this fast-techno-savvy world of ours. Nothing beats the sensation of seeing my name and address carefully written on an envelope. A breath of fresh air! It really does add sparkles to my day!
So, thank you for those who write, even if it's just a short note. Let's keep it alive!
Special Thank yous (because I think you read this blog): Sabrina, Sarra, Vicky. xox

Il pleut à torrents

"it's raining in lashes"
Il pleut des cordes = "it's raining ropes" (!)
Il tombe des clous = "it's falling nails" (ouch!)
Il pleut à sceaux = "it's raining buckets"
Il pleut à boire debout = "it's raining to drink standing up" (bad translation on my part)

All those French expressions describing today's weather.
Even though June isn't over yet, it was still a stunning month weather-wise. I guess the plants need a little lovin' ;)

On the first day of summer, in the afternoon, Margot went strawberry picking to Le Potager Eardley . We went with Noa (her cousin),  oncle Jason and grand-maman. It was not a rainy day. She knew what to do: one in the basket, one in her mouth. Come to think of it, I don't remember seeing her putting a strawberry in the basket. Most of them ended up in her mouth (often more than one at a time! Petite fraisinette!).

Morning Stroll

In the mornings, between Margot's breakfast and her nap (so roughly from 8:30-9:30 a.m.)  I go for my daily stroll with Margot. I have a few route options, which is really lovely. I like having choices when walking. It's all about making decisions. I remember a friend once sharing with me that when arriving to a fork on a woodsy path, she always chose the one that seemed the less traveled.
I have always enjoyed walking and  it's actually my favourite mode of transport. But with my sweet Margot, my walks are limited. She can only stand so much being strapped in her stroller. So, they average 45 minutes.  Without fail, she always gets restless. (with exasperation) Oh Margot!

Margot not looking too impressed. What a life!

Reading. Or rather, flipping pages. Margot's favourite pastime in the stroller.

A little snack. I never leave the house without a few slices of whole wheat bread.