Luckett Vineyards

{we weren't on a date, but it would be a good place to go on one!}

Growing up in the Annapolis Valley I think I always had an inkling that it was a special place. Summers tasted like hot, buttery corn on the cob and fresh blueberries (or better yet, fresh blueberry grunt). The hot, dry summer weather meant lots of bridge jumping and tubing down the Gaspereau River. Even the winters seemed more fun. Lots of snow kept my siblings and I pinned to the radio every morning from October until April, our fingers crossed for a snow day -- which happened all the time. Best news every time! 

Small towns are a great place for kids – everyone knew everyone and backyards seemed to meld together and make one giant play area. I don’t think I could convince Jeff to live in Wolfville, but we sure do love to visit.

Yesterday we took his mum and sister to Luckett Vineyards. It was so lovely. There was a cool breeze, a great view and, of course, we had the best company. I couldn’t believe how nice the vineyard was. How have we not been here before, kept running through my head. The winery has a beautiful patio with a great view of the whole Gaspereau Valley. We grabbed a drink and laid low in the shade.

I would drive an hour just to have lunch there. Anyone up for a road trip? I seem to have a few options! 

xo

Em

{we miss you Pond ladies already}

{just up from a nap -- I forgot her sunnies -- she was not amused}

{Juliet for Julia}

{so pretty}

{have you ever tried to cook fresh artichokes? I haven't}

{these are in my fridge, and my belly!}

I wanna go back

{beach bum}

The smell of sunscreen and sweat, messy hair made crunchy by salt water, worn pages from hours of uninterrupted reading, watermelon juice running down a sun-kissed chin -- there is nothing quite like a summer holiday. A holiday is like a good night sleep on steroids. I feel better, I look better, I think I am even a better mum and a better wife. All it took was a week on a beach. I'll take one a month please and thank you. 

Wanna see some pictures?

Come on, you're bored at work, indulge me!

{the littlest jam maker}

The first day of our vacation we made strawberry jam, all four generations of Harris women lent a hand. Don't get too excited, Violet was the only one to go topless ;)

{she's still got those cheeks}

{private beach}

The cottage we stayed at was so sweet. We had a huge grassy lawn that overlooked this beach. Violet loved running in the clover. My mum, who is allergic to bees, not so much. Excitement with every step!

{action shot}

{how I spent a lot of the week}

{best nana ever}

{best papa ever}

{kindred spirits}

{mama's shades and lip gloss}

{fast friends}

Violet met a friend at the Murray River parade. I love small town parades. Lots of vintage cars, princesses in fishing boats and every under-12 hockey team that plays on our end of the island! We were in Brad Richards country remember. Hockey is king.

{break it down}

{fantasy land}

{this cracks me up!}

{not as fun as I remembered}

Fantasy Land is a playground my parents and my sweet great-uncle Keith used to take me to when I was a little girl. I loved it. It was magical. There were lots of nursery rhyme characters scattered in the woods. It was the best playground I'd ever been to. Walt Disney apparently made Fantasy Land change its name (it is now known as King's Castle) -- can't you see how people would mistake this awesome airplane ride for Disneyland? The park is in need of a major facelift and the mosquitos seemed worse than ever. Maybe you can't ever really go home...

{Lobster Supper}

Lobster suppers are the best deal going. I've been quite a few times growing up but I really wanted Jeff to experience it. The good folks of Murray Harbour prepared a delicious spread including lobster (duh), potato salad, biscuits, coleslaw, jello salad (yuck), rolls, various squares and strawberry shortcake. Everyone eats together at long tables in the rink. Everyone drinks copious amounts of very strong tea. It is awesome. After we bought our tickets I left Jeff for a minute to visit the ladies room, but I overheard someone say, "is she a Harris?". Jeff said I was and that I was Ron's granddaughter and Mark's daughter. The person didn't know my dad or my grandfather and he still knew I was a Harris! I think that deserves a yikes!!

{pretty canola}

{the way they are looking at each other melts my heart}

{profile picture}

{I am so lucky to have such great parents}

{feel the love!}

Back to reality this week. It is always nice to sleep in your own bed isn't it?

Did you miss me? I sure missed you!

xoxox

Em

go jump in a lake

{this is hard to beat}

When I left work on Friday I thought I was heading into a weekend of thunderstorms and drizzle. Not so, apparently. I'm definitely not complaining! Today was a perfect day to head inland and swim in a lake. My friend recently described herself as an "ocean person" and I tend to categorize myself the same way. Given the choice, I would much rather head to one of our gorgeous local beaches than visit a little old lake. (It isn't fair comparing lakes to the Atlantic ocean is it? It is like comparing a really nice backyard garden to a national park or something.)

There are some notable exceptions to my general "ocean trumps lakes" rule. If the forecasted temperature for the day is in the low-to mid-twenties a lake beats the ocean every time. It is always at least three or four (some times ten) degrees colder by the ocean, which can make for pretty nippy beach time! I have sat on beaches huddled together with my family enough times to know better.

Grand Lake, in Oakfield provincial park, is one of our favourite places to visit in the summer. We have been going since Violet was a baby. There is a huge grassy hill where kids can play and parents can serve sand free lunches (major bonus for borderline OCD mums everywhere). Here are a couple of my favourite pictures from our visit. Way better than sitting on a beach in a hoodie!

xo

Em

{checking out the scene}

{verdict: the scene is awesome}

{this is my man repellant bathing suit**}

{bubbles in the grass}

{brave girl, there is a lot less to be scared of in a lake}

** I am not being self deprecating. Apparently "man repelling" is a when you dress for yourself/ because you think something is stylish as opposed to dressing for a man. This bathing suit is not one of Jeff's favourites. I have a few other items in my closet that I really like, but that always get the thumbs down from my sweet husband (a maxi dress that has been described as "too little house on the Prairie", for instance). Who is up for a girls night where we all wear our most "man repellant"  outfit? What a stylish group we would be!

Check out more on man repelling here: http://www.refinery29.com/the-man-repeller

summertime and the living is easy

It finally feels like summer! It finally is summer! We celebrated by heading down to the waterfront after supper. We are lucky to have Jeff's mum visiting us this week. Violet is smitten. She told us she, "needs this time to really get to know her out-of-town nanny". Those were her words I swear!

It is funny how we only do "Hali-famous" things when we have visitors. Are you the same way? I can't remember the last time I went to Peggy's Cove and it has been years since I've had a Keiths. It is kind of funny how we show our visitors parts of the city that we rarely frequent as locals.

For the first time in ages we had Cows ice cream. It isn't as good as Dee Dees (sorry Island roots, it is true), but we got to watch tanned people in sailboats which you definitely don't see on Bauer St!

Here's to a perfect start to another great summer. May this be a summer of Graceland listening, twizzler eating, soccer ball kicking, early morning running, salt stained toe dancing, and ocean wave splashing. Sounds like heaven to me.

xo

{silly faces are best}

{Canada's Ocean Playground}

{the Ponds}

{post ice cream bliss}

{post ice cream sillies} 

Anne's Land

{daddy-daughter soft-serve}

There is something special about PEI. Every time I am there I ask myself why I don't make it over more often. This weekend the beauty of the island was enhanced by perfect weather. It was hot. Hot! In PEI, in May -- that is unheard of. We had the most relaxing visit you could hope for with a three year old in tow. 

Jeff went out fishing with a second cousin -- everyone is a second cousin in Murray Harbour (home of Brad Richards, but more importantly home of the Harris clan). He had the time of his life and brought back lunch to boot:

{we like our lobster cold}

{with potato salad of course}

This weekend my grandfather said to me, "when people look around Murray Harbour they see houses, but I see history." He was born and raised there, and he and a few of his brother's still call it home. I can see why they wanted to stay: 

{water like glass}

{not a bad day to be a lobster fisherman}

{home of the world's best clam strips -- or at least Murray Harbour's best}

{the apple blossom's were just coming out in town}

We spent the weekend reading (I started and almost finished The Corrections - finally, and on the recommendation of a friend - Jonathan Franzen is a man who can write); playing at the beach; and of course eating lots of food made by my grandparents and served in Midwestern proportions. I think a cleanse is in order.

{Uncle David's beach}

{not so little girl}

{treasure}

{Violet and her papa -- she looks like a little fairy}

I can honestly say I feel really relaxed, I still feel the red sand between my toes -- I am ready for a four day week. Gosh, I love long weekends. We need one every month, no?

xo

Em