Don't Forget CANADA!

I've seen several people do a "don't forget" post on their blog. Well, rather than bore you with every detail of my 2 weeks in Canada, I'm going to take the lazy way out and use bullet points. :) Besides, I just gave all my writing gusto to my previous post.

CANADA 2014

-The delicious maple salmon at the hotel, perfectly paired with carrot-ginger soup. Note to self: Learn to make that soup.

-The very unfortunate trip to the hospital for my aunt, Patsy... no worries! She's okay! In other news, Truro, Nova Scotia has a very nice, quaint little hospital. My cousin Karen took pictures of it.

-The drive into Cape Breton, and the giant wave that crashed OVER the car as we crossed the causeway. Most thrilling thing of my life.

-Surprising my Grampy :)

-Then surprising Blair who forgot when we were coming. 

-Frico galore

-Terrorizing my Nanny and Grampy's poor, skittish cat, Hunter.

-Henry, the Pheasant. He eats crackers. Breakfast and Lunch.

-My first island storm, and walking to Nanny and Grampy's in it... then getting in trouble for walking in it. I got to wear my Nanny's PJ's while she dried my sweats ;)

-Naps. Oh the relaxation.

-HAROLDS BAKERY... The bread, people. Get the bread. 

-Tim Hortons, and the time a lady rolled down her window, said "Hey Lauren," and then rolled it back up. That's right. I became... A Regular.

-Church in Canada... Hockey. Canadians talk about just what Americans think Canadians talk about. Hockey. 

-Dinner with Blair and his girlfriend, and the biggest, fluffiest wolf-dog ever! 

-My cousin Danielle who kindly shared her sooky dog with me. Love my Schooner.

-Movie night with Danielle! 

-The trip to MA-BOU! Eating at the red shoe pub, and finding, what we are officially calling the mini cabot trail. Gorgeous view of the Atlantic Ocean. 

-The baby shower on North Street, winning prizes, and eating LOBSTER!

-Fish-n-chips. Lots, and lots of fish-n-chips. With fresh haddock!

-Sobeys girl... right here. Helping Nanny Peggy with the groceries... Did I mention Nanny Peggy makes the best banana loaf?!

-Bruce. Bruce and I understand each other. 

-Ohhh the trips to Wal-mart. The many trips to Wal-Mart.

-Meeting new cousins :) 

-Re-connecting with old cousins. 

-Meeting, and playing with my adorable 2nd cousins.

-Did I mention I have a lot of cousins?

-The absolute joy on my Grampy's face at his surprise 80th birthday party!

-Singing with Blair

-The beautiful Mira!!! 

-NERTZ! Teaching Nanny how to play, then watching her try to straighten the decks as we went. Then teaching John to play, watching him get better at me, and ultimately crushing my nertz-spirit. And, of course, the giant game we played with my cousins, Kim and Karen, where we could not stop laughing. 

-My Aunt Cathy has lots of friends named "buddy," only to find out that's just what she calls people when she doesn't know their name. I kept thinking, wow, this buddy fella gets around the island.

-Nanny hugs. 

-Ketchup Chips, Corn Pops

-My uncle Kenny teaching me how to brine a turkey the proper way and cracking me up every step of the way. 

-Oh, the ears. 

-Watching Blair perform at the Hawks club

-My Aunt Cathy! Love her.

-Slumber party with Danielle when the Pickfords joined us

-Looking through old pictures, reminding myself it's ok I wasn't in them. That I get to be in all the future ones. 

-Homemade ice cream by my genius cousin, Jacenta.

-The beauty of Cape Breton! Including the fall leaves changing before our eyes. 

-Spending the morning with Blair, getting his truck fixed, having breakfast, shopping... talking... bonding. 

-Canada Netflix... the best. 

-Not sleeping the night before the flight home, writing notes instead. 

-How sad it was to say goodbye to Nanny and Grampy... tears flowing.

-More tears saying goodbye to Cathy and Karen

-The cute cape breton boy at the airport. 

-Coffee-Crisp Candy!!!
-Cleaning up after a bridal party with Cathy. and NAILING it. 

-The flights home... ha! See previous post. 

-Getting to spend time bonding with my Aunt Patsy

-Making memories 

-Discovering my family 

-Getting to know myself. 

-Learning a little more. Hugging a lot. Becoming part of my own family. 

So much more! 

Canada was awesome! This trip was very chill, and relaxed, which was a-ok with me! I was thrilled to have a break from work. I got to spend time with my Nanny and Grampy which i'm determined to do while I can. I love that have so much family up there, and I love getting to know each of them as individuals and as a whole. Realizing God's plan for me, and how precisely he put it together. 

Understanding that I don't need to have someone my whole life for them to make my life whole. 

I love my family, and am blessed I got to spend time with them in "my home and native land." (That'll never get old.) Thanks, to everyone, for a wonderful time! Can't wait for the next journey to Canada!