Who cancelled summer?

Seriously. I want to know.

I have been waiting. Patiently. Expectantly. Certain that, any day now, this rainy season would end and summer would start. Summer has to start, right? And really, this rain can't continue. Where is it all coming from anyway?

Last weekend, when Nova Scotia Sister and I were hanging out, she remarked that after two weeks of being on vacation, she'd be back to work for a week and then it would be the long weekend.

Long weekend? Already?

Then it hit me. Summer is half over already! According to the calendar anyway. All along I've been seeing flowers bloom and thinking it seemed awfully early; now I'm realizing that time was flying by without my noticing. Because I was waiting. I think this winter is going to come as a nasty shock.

So - July's workouts. Started out strong with Boot-Camping. Then things petered off a bit at the end of the month - worn out and disorganized from being away 2 weekends in a row I think. Psyching myself up to get back on track next week.

July 31: Burn & Firm Pilates[45 mins]
July 30: Walk[35 mins]
July 29: Slow Treadmill Walk[50 mins]
July 28: Walk[35 mins]
July 21: Boot Camp Greatest Hits[35 mins]
July 19: Walk[30 mins]
July 18: Walk[20 mins]
July 16: Boot Camp Greatest Hits[35 mins]
July 14: Treadmill walk/jog[45 mins]
July 13: Boot Camp Greatest Hits[35 mins]
July 12: Treadmill walk/jog[45 mins]
July 11: FBBC Week 6 Workout C[30 mins]
July 09: Treadmill walk/jog[45 mins]
July 08: FBBC Week 6 Workout B[30 mins]
July 07: Treadmill walk[45 mins]
July 06 FBBC Week 6 Workout A[30 mins]
July 04: FBBC Week 5 Workout C[30 mins]
July 03: Treadmill walk + Gentle Hatha Yoga #1[65 mins]
July 02: Treadmill walk/jog[22 mins]
July 01: SiSS Warmup + FBBC Week 5 Workout B[35 mins]

It rained yesterday, early on in the day. By the time we got home after work the sun was out. Yay!

I went out to the garden for some lettuce and pulled a few carrots as well. The garden was mud.









Took a vacation day today for an extra long weekend. Slept in this morning, which I think I needed. Made a late breakfast; my favorite!





It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining. It was actually warm! Husband and I had to go out and about to do some things this afternoon, but I was looking forward to coming home and getting out to enjoy the nice weather.

Look what I found at the grocery store:



They still don't have the actual Coconut Milk, but I'm hoping we will get it.

Our errands took a little longer than I had hoped and then shortly after we got home it started to rain. Again. I do not know how much more of this I can take.

A couple more photos from earlier in the week - I think this was Tuesday night. I took Fred out for his walk up the hill. He got very interested in a patch of grass and weeds and the next thing I know there was a rustling disturbance moving away for us. I figured it was one of the gophers that live up on the hill.

There's a pile of gravel that has been sitting up there since before we bought our house. Fred tugged on the leash and up to the top we went. When I turned around I saw the gopher. I was surprised, it just stayed sitting there. I don't think Fred knew it was there. I was able to snap a couple of shots before Fred pulled me off in the opposite direction.





Happy long weekend!

Nova Scotia Weekend #2

Last Thursday morning we were up and on the road again. Hadn't been to Halifax for years and now two weekends in a row!



We actually beat my family by an hour, even though we had the longer distance to travel. Since it was around lunch time we decided to get something to eat. We ended up at Jack Astor's where I had a Chopstick Chicken Salad which was awesome.

Then we headed for Citadel Hill where we were meeting up with everyone. As you can see, it was a lovely day...



I have not been to The Halifax Citadel since I was just a youngun' - don't remember much about it other than the fact that I was there.

I snapped lots of pictures, but I think it is one of those things that is better seen in person.

However....





The library. I want it in my house.





There was way more in the museum than I expected - it seemed to just keep on going. We really didn't have time, definitely rushed through some of it, but I really enjoyed it.

There was a wall of regimental badges...



including the regiment that Husband used to belong to.

















View of the city as we were driving off the hill.



I kept trying to get a shot of the clock on the hill and finally snapped this one when we parked the car to go for dinner.



Dinner was here.



I'm sure that I probably have been to The Keg before, but so long ago that I really don't remember. I always hear good things about The Keg though, so I was looking forward to it.

Sadly, for me? The Keg? Not a hit.

I'm not a big fan of steak. I'll eat it. If Husband cooks it. Or if I go to someone else's house and that's what they give me. But I would never order it in a restaurant. "I think I'd like a steak" is just not something that ever crosses my mind.

They do have some chicken and seafood options on the menu, but most of it didn't appeal to me. Husband suggested I have lobster, since I like it and he doesn't, so I ended up having the lobster tails. Most expensive entree I've ever ordered I think. The lobster was ok, it came with rice pilaf but it had mushrooms in it so I didn't end up eating that. So not only was it an expensive dinner, I walked away feeling like I'd hardly eaten anything. Oh well. The glass of wine I had was really good.

And that was pretty much the day. My West Coast Sister and her entourage were staying in Halifax for the night and their flight home to BC left the next morning.

They all had a great time visiting and we hope they'll be back soon!

The rest of the weekend was pretty low-key. Hung out with my East Coast sister for the afternoon on Friday. We had lunch and hit the one store in Greenwood that I always want to visit. Greenwood is not exactly a shopping destination, but I love the Country Store. The carry bulk foods, vitamins, natural remedies and skin care products, organic foods...Just all kinds of stuff. So when I can I like to stop by there.

My haul:



Grapeseed oil (for skincare) Chai Latte scented soap (smells awesome), Maple Syrup, Coconut Oil, Agave Nectar, Amy's Refried Beans, Chipotle Barbecue Sauce and Coconut Spread.

Along with my sister and Bro-In-Law, we went to my parents for supper.

Driving up to my parents house.



Walking up to the front of the house.

=



And the newest members of the family - kittens!



My parents like orange cats.

And that's all I've got. Friday was rainy - Sister and I got pretty soaked when we were out and about, otherwise I might have taken some more pictures around my parents place, but there are some here from last year.

Saturday Husbands parents had a party for Husband's Grandparents 65th wedding anniversary. We did some running around for Mother-In-Law in the morning/early afternoon and there there was just a houseful of people.

Sunday we came home again.

It was nice to visit and see everyone, but I'm kinda glad to be staying home for a while now.

Food Blogger for a Day and Garden Report Vol. 5

I know I owe you pictures from the weekend, but I didn't feel up to sorting through all of those photos tonight. They're coming. I promise.

This morning, on a whim I decided to photograph my meals. So I'm playing food blogger for the day.

Breakfast & Lunch, all ready to take to work:



Liberte Mediterranee Mocha Yogurt and Strawberries for breakfast. I also had a coffee. Can't start the day without coffee!

For lunch, a salad of romaine, cucumber, red bell pepper, tomatoes and feta. I have bottle of Renee's Tangerine & Lime Vinaigrette in the fridge at work.

During the afternoon I had another cup of coffee and a Kashi granola bar (no photo).

Due to being away for the weekend, there was no grocery shopping and no meal planning. Last night we defrosted pasta sauce from the freezer. Tonight we stopped at the grocery store on the way home. As soon as we went in the store I saw these lovely, soft, multigrain Kaiser rolls. But since I didn't know what to do with them, I kept going. Then Husband's attention was caught by President's Choice Montreal Smoked Meat. And supper was decided.

We had Reubens! Montreal Smoked Meat & Sauerkraut on Multigrain Kaisers. Husband had his plain, but I never miss an opportunity to melt cheese on something, so I added Fontina and toasted mine in the toaster oven.



Along with some cucumber and red bell pepper with Renee's Cucumber Dill Dip. Club Soda with Lime to drink...



In my Winnie the Pooh mug.




It did turn out to be a sunny afternoon/evening.



After taking Fred for a walk up the hill, I went to check out the garden. Most of my tomato plants have green tomatoes now and my beans are finally shooting up.







The container plants are still the bushiest, healthiest looking tomato plants. And I have a little teeny bell pepper on one plant.







Mostly things are looking a little sad in the garden. Guess that's what happens when you don't get enough sun.





Still, there are bits of color to be found.









I took advantage of the nice weather and went out for a walk. When I came back, there was a deer up on the hill.



And a Fabulous Feline in the garden!