October 9. 2011

giving thanks

Posted by Rachel Published in beautiful things, celebrations, out of doors, thoughts

It’s Thanksgiving here in Canada. We’re celebrating by enjoying this last weekend on the West Coast before heading back home next week.

There are wonderful smells as a chicken roasts with all the fixings, football on the television as Dan laughs in despair as his team loses yet again, a knitting pattern on the needles (perhaps the provisional cast-on has been conquered) and plans for an autumn walk while the bird cooks.

I am full of gratefulness as I reflect on this wonderful and blessed life.

Amongst other things, today I’m thankful for baby smiles, little boys, darling daughters, men in the kitchen, pitter-patter feet (and even their elephant clomp companions), grandchildren loved on by grandmas (and grandpas) and love. Love, love, love. There’s lots of it here and for that I’m ever thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you thankful for today?

15 comments

October 6. 2011

lonely in paradise

Posted by Rachel Published in beautiful things, out of doors, photography, travelling

We dreamed of celebrating in Paris but decided instead for Tofino. Good thing because Dan nearly had to drag me away…should have anticipated leaving five of the six littles with grandparents would cause tears and cold sweats (from me). Finally calmed down and enjoyed the drive although I couldn’t figure out what to do with myself once we arrived. Settling into needing to do nothing, we opted for beach. Beach walks, beach combing, beach wading, surfer envy (some day…), big waves, inching the capri yogas higher to enjoy more of the frigid surf, wimping out on the swim not because of the cold but to avoid being the crazy lady without a wetsuit (I get enough being the crazy lady with “all those kids”). A walk through the forest, a lookout discovered, secret tide pools, macro lens love, a little lady happy all day in her Ergo. And just because we could: a late night dinner overlooking the ocean which found me ravenous and heavy-lidded but not needing to rush for anyone’s bedtime (except my own); pizza on the beach, out of the box, without napkins; snacking in bed watching a movie because it’s not allowed.

Beautiful, wonderful, refreshing. But rather lonely, speckled with not too few “the kids would love it”s and “wonder what they’re doing now”s. Next time we’ll bring them.

Two sunsets. Two sunrises. Two grandparents who gave us a great gift. Two parents so happy to come back to the chaos, noise, responsibility and joy of this big family.

13 comments

October 3. 2011

we leave at dawn

Posted by Rachel Published in beautiful things, out of doors, photography, travelling

We left Calgary in the wee hours of the morning. The sky was dark when we left the city. Heads were heavy, eyes were drooping. As we drove west, to the mountains, light began to prick the sky. Incredible light blushing moody clouds. Suddenly the early morning held even more reward as a watercolour sky was revealed. Mom and Dad agreed the meagre three hours of sleep were worth it for a sight like this.

We’re enjoying our visit with the Grandparent’s Jay. Looking forward to sharing more postcards from our trip with you through the week.

xo R

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September 19. 2011

good to the last drop

Posted by Rachel Published in beautiful things, family, weekending

As I was looking through photos from this weekend I realized this has been the last weekend of summer. Next weekend, whether or not I choose to believe it, the calendar will tell us autumn has begun. I’m hoping we can still eek out a few more summery weekends but here’s how we enjoyed this one.