Pre-Bedtime Fun

Days are long when you wake up at 6:30am.
After dinner, we go through "pre-bedtime" angst. It's important to note that we eat dinner quite early, between 5:00 and 5:30pm, and that Margot hits the sack between 7:00 and 7:30pm.
What to do during those (sometimes long!) in-between hours? Sometimes referred to as "witching hour(s)". We try to have missions once or twice a week: go to the library to pick up/drop off books or go the store to buy something very specific. Other times, we stick around the house: go to the park, water the garden, etc.
My rule is: when the weather's nice, go outside!

This week, we discovered a nearby "rock" beach nearby. We often go to that park (Parc Moussette), but mostly stick to the grassy area where Margot has fun picking up pinecones and kicking(and throwing)the soccer ball.  But, this Tuesday evening, we ventured beyond the green, towards the water. Followed the rocky steps towards the river to discover a world ruled by families pickniking, young adults playing guitar, cyclists taking a break, individuals in their lawn chair reading a good book. A whole world was out there just relaxing and enjoying the breeze, the sunset and the geese flying by. We joined in.

Margot learned how to skip pebbles and rocks and inevitably got her shoes wet!

Moments

It's June. I began my blog on June 1st last year.
Here are a few random pics of the last few weeks/days.


If only my students knew who was marking their final exams...

Our new hired lil' lady:

(yes, she's "painting" the deck with water)

Here's a good way to spend a summer evening (pre-bedtime):

The Oasis Apple Juice poster girl in action:

Once you get the hang of it, sliding is fun!

A dragonfly said "hello" while on our hike last weekend: 

Showing Margot that when we throw a twig into the stream, it appears on the other side. We're watching for it!

Father and daughter looking for fish. And yes, there was tons!!!

Dressage competition at the Equestrian Park. An event in which I had no clue what was going on, but it was a fun and interesting (and free) outing on a sunny Sunday morning. Margot was more interested in the dogs in the audience.

Summer Cooking: Trout Amandine

Easy, tasty, healthy.

4 steps:
1. Grill trout in olive oil. 2 minutes each side. Set aside.
2. Melt a tablespoon (or two) of butter in same pan. Wait until it bubbles.
3. Throw in some sliced almonds (a handful or two).
4. Remove them once they brown.

Optional: add more butter to melt.
To serve: Put almonds on trout. Drizzle with extra butter (opt.)
Delicious with green beans, carrots or/and roasted potatoes.

Simon is not a big fish eater, but he will eat this meal. The butter and almonds are the selling points for him.
Thank you Rich for this recipe. It works!

Flowers in the Garden

Here are a few blossoms from our garden. Some of them greet us every year, while others add a burst of colour for a few months.

Late May is a fun time to be in the garden!

Clothing for the Courageous*

That is the motto written on the tag of Margot's butterfly dress, a present from her aunt "Ahli" a few months ago.
These pictures were taken on the same day, from 10 am to 6pm.

I wish to point out the following:
-As noticed, the dress goes with many types of footwear (note about the crocs: not my pick, but they are super useful: easy on and off, water proof, and comfy)
-This dress can be perfect for playing, eating, being cute.
-Margot was able to wear it all day and even nap in it. She usually goes through 2 or 3 "outfits" a day.
-I'm sure she felt extra courageous that day.

*Redfish Clothing

Journey of the Yogini - Part 4

Yoga is a practice. There's no end result. No time to beat. No destination.
One practices to become a "better"* individual:  more patient, more aware, more generous, more humble, etc.
A mat practice offers me a daily moment of being me; of dealing with myself in the here and now. And then of "applying" that me in the off-mat world.

Waterfall Trail on Mother's Day

* "by better" I mean a person who keeps on growing, on accepting , on changing.

Margot is Two!