A week away...

Annie Rose and I just spent the past week visiting our Granny and Gramps in Grandview/Clear Lake. They just got a RV this year and are spending the summer in it!

We started off the trip with a short visit to the Duck Mountains where the trailer had been parked for the past 3 weeks. We arrived around 4:00 and got out of Subee only to be met with a wave of humid, unbearable heat! Luckily we had a date with a couple who own a pontoon boat and everyone was much happier out on the water.

The next couple of days were spent in Grandview. Definitely one of the top 5 places I love to be. We had dinner with my Auntie Sandra and Uncle Gerry and got to witness a double rainbow, which makes any day awesome.

In general when we are in Grandview there is just a lot of doing nothing. Eating, sleeping, reading, watching movies, loving each other, etc. One of my favorite things to do when I'm there is make up a bunch of trays of treats and deliver them to my favorite people. My heart, which is usually quite mushy and happy, is elevated to the next level when I make something and give it away. I love it.

Clear Lake was also so much fun, I hadn't stayed there for years and its such a beautiful part of Manitoba. The week went by at just the right speed!

I'm back in the city now and have 5 weeks left of vacation...The fun is only half over!

Si's 25th

This weekend/week we are celebrating my eldest brother's birthday, as most of you know our family loves to celebrate!

We started off yesterday with a brunch at The Gates on Roblin, at Si's request. We hadn't been for years and I was pretty excited to get fancy and eat well!

It was just the 5 of us and although I love spending time with our whole family there is something extra special about spending time with just us. It doesn't happen often and I definitely soak it up!

Si tested out the cake balls they had at the buffet and this was his reaction...

I so appreciate Si's honesty...especially when it comes to my food. You can guess who makes better cake balls.

After we ate we went and visited the horses.

After brunch we headed back to the city only to gather everyone up and head back out to the country...to Brenda and Larry's, the pool house.

The usual things happened...

It was comforting.

Oh, and if you want to know what trouble looks like...

They are watching water balloons get filled up. Dangerous!

And the celebrating continues!

Stay cool today!

And another one...

I came south with a few projects to finish...but I'm happily checking them off my to do list! Here's my first pair of socks!

Now onto the next project...a baby quilt!

My Buddy

I have been having the greatest time hanging out with my Cousin Annie Rose, most often called 'Coz'. We are only two weeks into the summer and the adventures are racking up. Sometimes they're little, like breakfast on the porch...

Sometimes it's errands. But most times it's just being in the same room together, doing what we do. I love you!

P.S. Thanks for being a frequent commenter Coz, ahem, hint-hint.

Another project done..

Zach's sweater is finally done....I'm pretty proud of this one!

Folk Fest

Last week was the Winnipeg Folk Fest, yes it now lasts almost a whole week! This was my 21st year going, I have gone every year since I was 2 weeks old.

To say that I get a little emotional the first night at main stage is an understatement, the festival holds so many good memories and a lot of comfort. As always it was spent with my life-long friend Zoe. And this year we camped together...

It was quite the experience! You are totally immersed in the festival, it's pretty neat.

I was laughing while getting ready as everyone else in the house was also getting ready...don't try to do anything with the Powell-Janzen-Daudet-Paton family during the second week in July, they're all at Bird's Hill. I love running into my people through out the day, visiting & hugging, then moving on.

This year we celebrated Annie Rose's birthday on Sunday night. Which means my mama came out! That made it even better. She brought along a delicious supper that had everyone on the tarps around us drooling.

I can't remember all the previous folk fest years but I'm pretty sure this one would rank pretty high!

Goodbyes

On Saturday night we had a Farewell party for Nathalie, she is off to Quebec for 5 weeks to learn French, really learn it.

How could we not miss this face...

She'll be back in August with lots of stories I'm sure! Good luck Nate! We'll miss you!

Happy Canada Day!

Even though I've only been done working for 3 days I've already lost track of the date, I feel like I've had 3 Saturdays in a row! But I knew today was special, my Uncle didn't go to work and the stores were closed. Oh yeah, and it was Canada's "birthday"! We did one of my favorite things, cheesy it may be, but I love walking places with my family. Especially spontaneous ones!

On days that are hot...but not too hot.

As quirky as we may be I couldn't imagine a better bunch of people to spend Canada with!

What did you do for Canada Day? Let's get the comments rolling!

I'm home...

I arrived in the city on Wednesday, my 21st birthday, yay! As I drove south my heart leapt at each prairie sight as it appeared...the first cows, then wide open, grassy fields, and bales. Even in the same province there is none of the prairie in the north. I'm happy to be here.

I even got to surprise my Mama with my arrival...4 hours early! That was a pretty good birthday present, so was this Boon burger with a sparkler!

And cake with these guys (plus some that were missing from the picture!)

Yesterday we had a bbq, despite the heat. Here are some moments from last night...

I'm here for a while, so I'll see you around.