Tiptoe Through the Rolled Oats...

Ah, yes, a cooking adventure gone wrong.....

Fibro hits again...

I thought I would do a few things this morning. I would make some squares for Dawn and the apple pickers......Oh yeah. Good idea, Bonnie. You are up to it today.

Plans set.....make two different sweets, and then make some fish chowder for the Captain.

        I haven't gotten to the chowder yet......I can't wait to see what happens. What will land on the floor?

I am aware that fibromyalgia sometimes causes me to lose my grip. I happens at the most unexpected times, like when you are trying to measure out 3 cups of rolled oats. It was supposed to go into the pot, not on the floor. Of course, I am thrilled to death. You can hear it in my voice as I yell,

                 "OH THAT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Poor Sadie. She just looked at the mess, then at me, then followed me around as I swept up so I could finish a very simple, 'no work' square. It's a good thing this was the second one, because I quit.

Why isn't anything simple in my life? Why am I so simple. I get so mad at myself I could scream. Maybe it wasn't the fibro, Maybe I am just awkward, a duffus. 

It's break time.....before I begin the chowder. I have vacuumed up the kitchen, the rug where I tracked the oats, to get the camera, and emptied my shoes. It was such a simple recipe.....easy, but the cleanup took more time than the making.

Was it just yesterday, I sat in my favourite coffee shop, enjoying the peace, my coffee, and a chat with Sarah? Yes. Lovely. I needed that. I wish I had it now. I almost had a melt down at choir on Thursday, because I let things pile up on me, instead of just letting go. My thoughts put pressure on me, and drive me a little around the bend. If it was a big deal, perhaps I could understand my emotions, but it was no big deal, I just can't get my thoughts organized. 

I have to go....I have said enough......I have let off steam.....now I shall continue with this day.

Be brave my soul

This too shall pass

On to new adventures

Can't wait

I am inspired........NOT!

McMaster's Mill with Sadie

A few days ago, on a beautiful early evening, Sadie and I went for a little truck ride, just down the road about 10 minutes, to a lovely spot called McMaster Mill  Historic Park.

This park was created on the site of the old mill.

 A lovely place to wander, listen to the rushing water, and

imagine what things were like back in the mid 1800s.

It was developed just 2 or 3 years ago.

There are nice trails and lookoffs, well maintained.

Sadie leading the way. Decisions...decisions...

Go left Sadie or we'll never make it back....

There are reminders of the buildings that once were there.

Looking down to the water

Standing beside the river 

There are places to sit and rest, or enjoy a coffee/lunch

Two boards tell the history of the mill.

The mill was in operation in 1913

There were lots of buildings as you can see.

In 1923 the business was renamed E.R. McMaster and Sons

It relocated to Kingston in 1954 after 96 years of milling

at Rockville Notch.

In the mid 1800s there was first a watermill, a grist mill

and blacksmith shop, that formed the Rockville Co., a

lumber business

Looking way down to the bottom of the falls

The upper part of the falls

In the spring the water really rushes over the rocks

It is much lower this time of year.

Sadie says it is time to head back up the hill.

Yes, and it only took us about 4 rest stops to get back to the truck.

It is so much harder going up, than coming down

but we made it!!!!!!

I thought I would just throw this in. 

It is a shot of the valley below from our road on the mountain

And that was our little adventure to Rocknotch.

I was bushed, but glad we had gone

so I could share this little place

with you.

Have a good week!

North Mountain Tapestry and North Mountain Coffee

     During my granddaughter's big weekend I was introduced to two places that I had never been to before.

The first was North Mountain United Tapestry, in Harbourville. It is a Cultural and Heritage Society, begun in 2013 when women in the area decided that they could re-purpose the United Church building, and make it a meeting place that would celebrate the "culture, commerce and quality of life of the surrounding North Mountain communities." This is the building where the Gala Days Opening was held, along with a desert contest.
      It is here that the community holds work shops, the North Mountain Market, and still holds the Christmas Eve Service and anniversary service in the building. There are still pews in place on one side of the building, and the other side has tables and chairs, a coffee kiosk with baked goods and North Mountain Coffee, and shelving. Their brochure says they have art classes, a regular knitting group and concerts. They can be found on facebook . The dedicated volunteers are researching the history of the church. I am going to keep my eye on their facebook page, and hopefully get out there for an event or two. The building is right on the coast of the Bay of Funday, not far from the Harbourville wharf.
     It is wonderful to see a church building still being used as a place where neighbours can gather and be united in community. Unfortunately I did not take any pictures when I was there, so I shall have to go back, if for no other reason than to get some shots.

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The second place is the North Mountain Coffee House in the town of Berwick. I have travelled a bit, and am always delighted when I come across a neat little coffee shop. There is one on Grand Manan, New Brunswick which I really liked, and could have spent more time there. Well.....here in my own backyard, 10 minutes away is a marvellous little coffee house called North Mountain Coffee. My daughter introduced me to it while we were waiting for the children's parade to start, and I am so glad.

There is history behind this building, and Sarah the server was happy to tell me about the building. I hope I have the facts right, but apologize in advance if they aren't exact. The building was first a bank, built in 1922, then a Fire hall, then the Town Hall/Library. It was the Town Hall in the early days of my time here. At least I took some pictures in order to share with others the atmosphere, if possible. There are lots of books on the shelves to purchase, which is nice since there are no book stores as such in Berwick. 

A comfy couch to sit on and enjoy the coffee

Friendly Sarah, and some goodies in the glass case.

Tables at the front of the shop

The structure on the left is the original bank vault outer wall

If the weather is nice, enjoy your coffee outside

Doesn't this look so nice?

So, a person can travel all over, and end up finding something delightful very close by.

Serendipity.......yes!

Gala Daze

  The big weekend is over, and I think I have one very tired granddaughter. There were 9 young ladies involved in the Princess Pageant (though I don't really think pageant is the right word here). Each was sponsored by a business or group, with Rae sponsored by her Community.

  It was a busy time for the girls, beginning mid afternoon Friday, a Grand Opening Friday night at The North Mountain United Tapestry (which I will talk about in a future blog), a full day Saturday, including the Tea, where the Gala Day Queen was chosen, then on to other activities the remainder of the day. All of the girls were involved in everything, being present for all the things that were going on. There was even a Teddy Bear Picnic.

 Sunday, the 'royal party' attended the service at our church which was very nice. Again there were other events through the day where the girls were present, a great fireworks display at night, and then it all culminated with the Children's Parade on Monday morning, and the Street Parade in the afternoon. I am pretty sure that all of the girls, who very nicely represented their sponsors were in a daze by that point. The float from the community was nicely decorated and won the title of the best over all of the entrants. Rae said that she really enjoyed it all, and that it was fun, but very busy. I am glad for her that she enjoyed the experience. I have a few pictures, which I will share. Let me say as a proud grandmother that she was a very poised young lady. I got so wrapped up in Rae, that I neglected to take any photos Friday night, and only took one at the tea.

Rae's father escorting her at the beginning of the tea

The Children's Parade - Rae and her 2 young attendants

The Community Float

Our very own Princess after the parade

I attended the opening night, the tea and the two parades. There were all kinds of activities 

happening, but for me, it was enough to support Rae. I am sure that it will be something

that she will always remember.......

Now...her last year of high school will begin on Thursday...

So hard for a Grammy to get her head around.