Our Anniversary Getaway

We celebrated 32 years of marriage this past weekend with an overnight stay at the Breadalbane Inn (pronounced "bruh-DAHL-bun") in Fergus. We drove there after work on Friday taking our Z4 convertible since the weather promised to be clear and sunny.

We started our evening with a complimentary glass of Prosecco. It was lovely sitting by the fire pit on the patio sipping on 'champagne' whilst contemplating 32 years together. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner of bruschetta and pizza with red wine. After dinner, we returned to the fire pit with our wine where we chatted with a nice young couple enjoying an evening out while their 1-yr old stayed home with Grandma.

The next morning we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the Inn while reading the weekend newspapers. Actually I read the comics, it's my husband who reads newspapers. 

After breakfast, we checked out of the Inn before strolling along the main street (St. Andrew St. W) in Fergus and along the river to see the sights. I was hoping to find a dairy free matcha tea latte - my brew of choice now that I no longer drink coffee. There were plenty of quaint little shops worth exploring but no matcha tea lattes. 

 

 

 

  

Our next stop was Elora where we found two shops serving matcha tea lattes. Elora is more touristy and popular so I wasn't surprised. We spent the afternoon happily wandering around town shopping plus relaxing with lattes and free wi-fi in cafes.

We were pleased to find these cool new squashy hats made of kangaroo leather and mesh. These hats are comfy, cool, sun protective and squash down for easy packing ... perfect for travel.

We also bought a beautiful round glass art piece similar to, but smaller than, the one in the photo below at Hanscomb Glass Studio. We hoped to hang it in the opening between our kitchen and family room and were thrilled to discover it fit perfectly. It makes me smile every time I look at it hanging there ... such a treasure.

After scoping out all the restaurants in town, we made reservations at the Elora Brewing Company where we met our son for dinner. It turned out to be a good choice - the food was delicious. My husband took this snapshot at the restaurant. He claimed I looked like an Argentine cow herder ... funny I don't see it.

We thoroughly enjoyed Our Anniversary Getaway ... so totally relaxing and rejuvenating.

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Our Christmas

Our Christmas was much like last year. We celebrated with our parents and son, just the seven of us. 

Our daughter and her family stayed home in Boulder for Christmas again this year. My husband's brother and his wife booked a trip to Punta Cana from December 21-28. We enjoyed their photos and daily updates on Facebook. Our niece and her husband spent Christmas with his family in Goderich. They celebrated with her parents the weekend before they left for Punta Cana. 

My parents joined us Christmas morning to open gifts. We served cappuccino. They brought muffins. This has become a fun family tradition since moving to London 15 years ago. Even our pets get excited about Christmas gifts. They know exactly how to rip into wrapping paper.

Our cat loved her new hand-knit doll filled with catnip. She chewed, tossed and drooled all over it. Our poodle loved her new squeaky toy. She took possession and refused to share.

Our son's pup thoroughly enjoyed his first Christmas. He loved all his new toys and treats. It was a joy to watch him play.

After gifts, my parents returned home to rest. They had been up late hosting their annual Christmas Eve Open House for family and friends. 

After my parents left, we hiked to the Sifton Bog boardwalk before heading home where I spent the afternoon preparing a traditional Christmas dinner of roast turkey, crock-pot stuffing, cubed squash (baked), broccoli with cheese (also baked), mashed potatoes (made by Mom), cream corn and gravy. I always fuss and worry about the meal, although I'm not sure why. As always, everything worked out and tasted delicious. It would be difficult to mess up turkey.

For dessert, we enjoyed trifle made by my Mum-In-Law... mmm so tasty.

I am so late writing about Our Christmas that it's New Years Eve already. Our son and his girlfriend joined us for dinner (barbecue steak) before heading out to a party at a friend's house. My husband and I are enjoying a quiet evening. He is reading while I write. We're almost ready to watch a movie and maybe stay up as late as midnight.

From our house to yours, we wish you all a Happy New Year.

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Celebrating April Birthdays

In our family, we celebrate two birthdays together - my Mum-In-Law's (Friday) and my Dad's (Sunday). We invited our parents for dinner on Saturday the day between their birthdays. 

We love celebrating family birthdays with dinner and cake. My husband barbecued despite frigid cold temperatures. Brrrrr .... it was unusually cold for this time of year. We gathered in our warm kitchen starting the evening with wine, sushi and conversation.

For dinner we served pork chops, potatoes (baked cut-side down in butter and Parmesan), broccoli and brussel sprouts (both baked with a sprinkling of cheese). Mmmm cheese really does make everything better.

This year, we selected a tiramisu cake from Real Canadian Superstore. The candles were blown out in one go, unlike last year when we laughed over a few failed attempts.

Cheers and Best Wishes to our parents for a fabulous year ahead.

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Finally Visited the Elora Gorge

Yesterday, we drove to Guelph to deliver our son's cell phone which was finally fixed. I suggested we drive to Elora to enjoy some ice cream and hike the Elora Gorge, something I've always wanted to do.

Our son, his girlfriend and Kevin were excited to join us. Smile!

First stop - Elora for ice cream. We admired pretty flowers, pet cute puppies, posed with a pointing statue and fed a horse before finally finding gelato ... mmmm it was tasty and totally worth the wait. 

 

We walked around wondering how to get to the Elora Gorge. Finally we asked. It was easy to find, but we drove, as it was on the far western edge of town. We reviewed the trail map before starting our walk.

One of many signs "WARNING Deep Gorge" and our son being silly!

Message posted on the map ... "Please note that warning signs are posted throughout the conservation area regarding safety around the gorge. Exercise caution during your visit, and stay on the trails. Stay away from the edge of the gorge and do not climb over the fences." 

Step away from the edge kids!

 We found the Hole in the Rock.

 Tree roots on rocks look cool.

Our son's girlfriend poses ...such a pretty tree hugger. 

Our son finds another hole and channels his inner Gollum.

It is an easy climb down sturdy steps through the Hole in the Rock.

 Lots of people enjoy tubing down the Gorge. It looks like fun.

 

 People are wading, tubing and having a good time. We keep walking. 

Somehow we end up on the wrong side of the fence. Rather than walk back, we decide to climb over. Who knew it would be so difficult for me? My son tried to help while my husband stood back and took pictures.

 

Everybody was laughing. My words ... "Oh, oh. I'm stuck. Something hurts. Take my shoe off. Nope. Put it back on. Don't touch me!" I resisted help and finally made it over on my own. Phew.

Some of us walked the logs to stay dry and clean. 

 

After hiking at the Gorge, we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at a new favourite Indian food restaurant Spice Roots. Our son and his girlfriend recommended it. Good Choice.

 

 

I'm so happy we Finally Visited the Elora Gorge. Thanks kids for joining in on the adventure and making it even more fun.

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