Thursday, November 04, 2010

Warning: Lots of Photos!!

I really, truly enjoyed my recent visit to Canada. It felt much more relaxed than last year when I was there, I had a lot of quality time with family and friends and loved the beautiful autumn weather. I took almost 300 pictures and did my best picking just some my favorites, although even those seemed to add up quickly when posting! Here's a few of my most favorite moments from my time at home...
...seeing frost on everything first thing in the early morning...
...soaking in the smells and colors of a Canadian autumn...
...enjoying my first Thanksgiving dinner with my family in 4 years...
...nice long chats with friends that are more like family over several cups of tea...
...a nice long walk with my Mom in the country...
...spending lots of time with my two fabulous sisters!...
...celebrating my Mom's 75th birthday with her, surprise party and all!...
...seeing my Mom's face when she realized the party was for her...
...being there to celebrate Steve's Mom's birthday and spending an evening playing cards, laughing and chatting with the lovely ladies in his family...
...visiting the house where my grandmother lived...
...hearing my Mom's stories of when she was young and went to school is this one room school house...
...touring the back roads of the south shore...so pretty...
...falling in love with this stray cat that now calls my Mom and Step-Father's house home...
...basking in the sunshine that was surprisingly warm for October!...
...day trips to pretty places...
...remembering that autumn leaves can be that rich in color...wow...so red!...
...laughing until we almost peed our pants trying to get this photo of me, my Mama and my sisters...
...visiting with great friends in Montreal...
...some who I haven't seen since we left Montreal 4 years ago!...
...meeting beautiful babies that were born since we left...
...and seeing how much these kiddies have grown in just 6 months!...

...visiting with my grandmother in the hospital and having a real special goodbye, before she passed away...

...catching up with my family in Ottawa before heading back to Australia...

Ah, yes, it was a wonderful trip! Just what I needed to restore balance and perspective back into my life. I can't think of anything better than family and old treasured friends to help you feel grounded, refreshed and yourself again!

Thanks again to everyone who made my visit so special. Love you all! xo

6 comments:

Unknown said...

What an inspiring post. I loved every single photo and story. So glad you're feeling balanced and refreshed, it's the way to be!!! xoxo

heather m said...

love your pics cari... glad you have a good time home.. hope to see you again.

Kristi Drennan said...

Gorgeous photos! I'm glad you had a good time :)

Lorianne said...

I'm so excited your mom kept the cat!!!!

Tracey said...

My condolences on the loss of your grandmother, but I am glad that you had the chance to say good bye. It is almost as if she were waiting for you.

Now, explain to me how it is you could have left this beautiful place and these beautiful people for an upside down place with Christmas in the summer and no canned pumpkin

Cari said...

Ha Ha! Tracey...I wonder the same thing sometimes! :)