Snowed In

Well my title says it all. We are officially snowed in. They haven't plowed our public road which means our private road cannot get plowed. Let's not even talk about our 500+ foot driveway. Here's a pic taken from my patio door. Yes, that drift is growing. I soon won't be able to see the Northumberland Strait.

That's part of the front cottage deck in the bottom left corner. When I arrived home from school yesterday I parked my car at the end of our driveway just in case there was school today. (There wasn't, thank heavens.) I trudged out to my car this afternoon to get a couple of things and the snow was over my Bog boots. But the good news is I am half way to March Break. Yippee!

Mainly Munching Muesli

Long, long ago I had muesli at a Swiss restaurant in London, England. Strangely, I had it for supper but it is really meant to be eaten for breakfast. I am not sure whether it's this wintry weather or what, but I decided to try my hand at making muesli this week. Oh. My. Heavens. Why have I waited all these years to replicate this yumminess? It is so good and it staves off the mid-morning munchies too. Apparently it was first "developed" by a Swiss doctor (Dr. Bircher) to get his patients eating healthy foods. You can search the web (where i found this photo) and find all kinds of different recipes. I don't think there's a a wrong way to make muesli, as long as it has some oats, fruit, nuts and yoghurt. I toasted my oats with wheat germ and almonds first, then added raisins, dried cherries and apricots. Just remember to soak your mixture overnight, then add yoghurt and fresh fruit when you are ready to eat it. Here's a link if you would like more muesli ideas. 
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2014/oct/23/how-to-make-perfect-bircher-muesli-recipe

Our Cottage, Oops I Mean "Home"

Well here we are, all settled in our cozy cottage. I still call it "the cottage", it's hard to break old habits. Some days I wake up and cannot believe that we have sold our home and are living here permanently. But the weird thing is I don't miss our previous home. Nope, not one bit. Well that might be a stretch...I miss two things: the laundry room and the attached garage! But other than those amenities I am quite content here at our cottage. It is wonderful to see the Northumberland Strait and all the changes every day. Sometimes it looks like it's all ice from here to PEI and then a couple of hours later the ice has moved offshore and the water is this rich, navy blue colour. Yes, the view is fantastic! But inside it's a little cramped. It's getting better though. I never thought that I could throw out, give away, sell or pass along so many belongings. But i did! That's not to say we don't have anything in storage, but I think we did well considering we down-sized approximately 60%. Let me tell you it was crazy at the end but thank heavens the weather cooperated and we were able to move on our closing date of December 19th. But enough of all that. Happy 2015! Let the cottage renos begin!

'Tis the Season

'Tis Elf On The Shelf season! You know, this guy...

I teach Grade 2/3, kiddies that are 7-8 years old. You would not believe the Elf On The Shelf stories they tell me every morning. Today one little guy was so excited. He told me that his elf decorated his Christmas tree and put his underwear on top ;)  All I can think of is how stressed out these parents are running around every night staging EOTS antics! I mean I had a hard enough time playing the tooth fairy, LOL. Probably most parents get their ideas off Pinterest but even so, it takes time to recreate these scenarios. 

I learned something tonight as I was doing some blog research. Did you know that the elves all return to the North Pole after the Yuletide season? True! This video explains everything about the elves. (I love the part where they are on the treadmill.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvmOKx5-wDw&feature=player_embedded&list=PL0AE14815201C29B0
News Flash:  Looks like we will be having Christmas at the cottage. Our house just sold, but guess what? That lovely, old farmhouse sold 10 days before we got an offer. Guess it wasn't meant to be...

False Holly Jackpot!

False holly grows in wet, swampy areas of Nova Scotia. That's what makes it so challenging to harvest. Confession here, I almost got a "soaker", LOL. But I persevered and cut some of the best holly that I have ever seen! Check it out...

Yes, that's a big bird's nest right in the middle of the branch. Surely that should bring some Christmas luck :).  I can hardly wait to get this in my urns with some fir boughs around it. Here's a close-up...

When I got back to the cottage to take these pictures I heard two gunshots! Good thing I had on my husband's red ski jacket and my hunter orange toque! Accidents do happen so you have to be pro-active. Who knew harvesting holly could be so dangerous?

100 Posts!!

I can't believe it! This is my 100th post on Summer Friends. It has taken me a while to reach this milestone, but Rome wasn't built a in a day, LOL. Lately I just haven't had much to write about. I never have any trouble talking, just trouble writing. Guess I'm not all that  different than the kiddies I teach, haha.
But I have been doing lots of "pinning". Oh yes, I (we) are still thinking about this old farmhouse. You know, the one that is so sweet but needs a TON of work. 

I have been obsessed with it for at least a month. I can picture the kitchen something like this...nice and bright with a big island and a farmhouse sink.

It all could happen. You just never know. It all depends on when our present house sells. But then again, this farmhouse could be gone by the time we sell. I guess that's when you say, "It just wasn't meant to be." :)

Confession # 8, I Love Old Houses

I have to say that I am a little disappointed that the cottage I featured last month sold, but it did. So, time to move on. We have been to look at another property :) Not a cottage this time, but an old farmhouse! Take a peek...

Tons of charm...hasn't had many renos over the years. There are four "outbuildings". Wouldn't this one make a cute little shop after you jacked it up and put it on a solid foundation?

And I'll leave you with the view to the south looking up the road with apple trees along the property line...

Wish I was 30 years younger. I have the desire but I don't think I have the stamina, LOL.