You are here: Home / Archives for Wellington County

ELORA MILL ADVENTURES

by Leave a Comment

Wellington County is such a wonderful place to live, work & play.  My Daughter’s friend was visiting us this past weekend from out of town.  We wanted to make her feel special so what better way than to take her for a meal at the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa.  It was her birthday and we went for a breakfast at the fabulous Elora Mill, they presented her with the yummiest fancy breakfast pancake.

The Elora Mill is a historic mill turned luxury hotel and dining destination located in Elora, Ontario, Canada. Originally built in the 1830s, the mill has been beautifully restored and transformed into a boutique hotel, featuring upscale accommodations, fine dining, and event spaces.

The hotel offers stunning views of the Elora Gorge and the Grand River, providing guests with a picturesque setting for their stay. The dining experience at Elora Mill is known for its culinary excellence, with a focus on locally sourced ingredients and innovative dishes.

We were so lucky to have a little tour of the Penstock Lounge wine cellar area.  There is this amazing little private wine cellar which we found taking the winding staircase downstairs to this magical private event space, the windows like the other areas of the dining room had the amazing views of the Grand River which were simply breathtaking.

In addition to its hotel and dining offerings, Elora Mill Elora Mill Hotel & Spa – Anything but Ordinary also hosts weddings, conferences, and other special events, taking advantage of its charming ambiance and scenic surroundings. Overall, it’s a popular destination for travelers seeking a unique and luxurious experience in Ontario’s countryside.

Driving home from our little adventure in the beautiful downtown Elora, my Daughter’s friend Kaileigh said to us, “I feel like I am on vacation.”  I told her, “it’s amazing what a couple of days away does for the soul!”  So if you are looking for a little vacation you don’t always have to go far, sometimes all you need to do is enjoy “Adventures in your backyard!”

Tall soon ~

Nancy

It Is Better In The Bahamas

by Leave a Comment

You may have heard that phrase, “It’s better in the Bahamas!”  Having visited recently I agree with a well known advertising slogan that continues to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Islands of the Bahamas that stretch like a “string-of-pearls”.

My family and I celebrated this past Christmas and New Years on the beautiful island of Freeport, Bahamas.  Freeport is just 1 of 700 islands in total that make up the archipelago special.

What makes these islands so special, below are 5 great reasons below to visit.

 

1.  The Swimming of Pigs of Exuma.  

The Bahamas has the most famous swimming with pigs  experience in the Caribbean.  We heard from families we spoke with how much fun they had on this day trip.  One women commented, “she never thought she would ever be swimming with pigs!”

2.  Fantastic scuba diving & snorkeling

The kids went snorkeling on Fortuna beach and it was awesome, we saw a stingray, fish, crabs, seashells and coral.  The most amazing part of the sea life was watching a baby conch shell move around on the beach, something I had never witnessed before.  We safely put the animal back into the water and it drifted away.

3.  Junkanoo Festival

Junkanoo is a real Caribbean party, with lots of partying and festivities.  It is held on Boxing Day and New Years Day annually.  Bahamas had finally celebrated their first Junkanoo since the Covid pandemic. There is a lot of music, bands, parades and floats which create lots of excitement.  We really wanted to attend the events in Town but an upset tummy prevented us from the festivities.

4.  Conch dishes & other Seafood

If you are a seafood lover you will enjoy a visit to the Bahamas.  I tried Snapper, Jonny Cakes, Crab and Lobster whilst I was there, all were truly delicious.

5. Pristine White Sandy Beaches & Turquoise Waters.

The colors where all shades of turquoise in the ocean, just a beautiful site while walking along the white sandy beaches.  Even on hot days the sand didn’t get hot to the touch.  The beaches were a little slice of heaven on earth.  It was a quiet oasis and we were ever so grateful to witness the beauty of this quaint island.

Amazing Sunset

One of my favorite things to do on the trip was early morning walks along the huge beach in front of our resort.  We stayed at the Viva Wyndham Resort in Freeport Bahamas. Here is a link to the property about the property, https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham/freeport-bahamas/viva-wyndham-fortuna-beach-all-inclusive-resort/overview?CID=LC:HR::BING:RIO:National:16317&iata=00093796   We had beautiful ocean front rooms with views I dream of on cold winter days.  It is a nice property priced reasonably along with great amenities on one of the most stunning beaches in the Caribbean.

 

Sun Dog

I witnessed my first ever “Sun Dog” on our second last day.  A sundog is a concentrated patch of sunlight occasionally seen about 22 degrees to the left or right of the Sun.  It was a really special site, something I will never forget.  I had thought sun dogs were only in cold climates, but here is a photo I captured from my lounger.  I could not believe my eyes, It was like an amazing rainbow and the sun was in the middle and I sensed I had just experienced a very special gift to end my holiday from Mother Nature.

I hope you will get an opportunity to travel this bit of paradise.

Talk soon,

 

Nancy

 

 

 

10 Things to Build Resilience

by Leave a Comment

  1.  Learn to relax – This thought sounds easier than it is.  My Dad gave me a reminder token which reads, “practice doing nothing is an artform”
  2. Practice thought awareness – My mind can be my greatest enemy.  I often struggle with making sure I treat myself the way a best friend would talk to you.  I try and practice positive thinking. 
  3. Choose your response –  Never respond when your angry.  I have done this in the past and it never works to your advantage.  I am now trying not to respond to things right away, trying to pause.  My Mom told me, “Don’t be angry”, I am trying to lighten up and not be so angry.  This has been a hard one for me.
  4. Clear your thoughts – I find going for a walk especially connecting with nature is a great way to clear the mind.
  5. Make Connections – Keep in touch with people that make you feel good about yourself.  Stay clear of negative people and negative influences.  I have let go of people that no longer fit in my life today.  I am realizing the old saying, “you are truly blessed if you have 1 true friend”.
  6. Should I take action to solve this fear – Understand fear and embrace it, name the fear.  Learning more about why I am fearful of something or someone helps.
  7. Make Everyday Meaningful – There is always something to be grateful for.  Start a gratitude list, always always there is something positive in a day!
  8. Remain Hopeful – Without hope we are nothing.  Hope keeps us going, always have hope in your future, I have found this to be most helpful in keeping going.
  9. Get to know yourself – Getting to know your strengths and weaknesses in your personality helps so much.  I try to embrace my weaknesses and try to find the positives in them.
  10. Be Present – I try to live in the now and in the day.  It is not always easy, but trying to stay present for yourself and others is a gift.  I try and stay off my phone when my children are talking to me.  I try and be more present with their day to day activities. I always ask them, “how their day went?”

 

Memories of Past Holidays!

by 2 Comments

The Holidays are coming upon us and like many I am sitting her reflecting on this past year and what will the holidays be like this year. 

My parents both had the same type of lung cancer and passed within months of each other this year.  My Mom died on March 12th, 2021 and later my Dad on August 25th, 2021.  I was blessed to hold both of their hands when they took their last breath.

I had to keep as healthy as I could, (in a pandemic).  This included mind, body and spirit to deal with all of this on my own.  Sadly my Brother passed 15 years ago so I had to weather this storm with the help of friends and family.   Illness, and tragedies bring out the best and worst of people.  I have found out who could stand by me this year and who I had to leave behind.  This was a whole other lesson which presented itself this year.

As expected my life has been a rollercoaster of emotions.  One minute it seems I am laughing at something only I find funny, the next I am teary  over something silly, or angry at the weatherman on TV.

My kids and I moved into my parents house full time after my Mother died in March.  We had many wonderful days with my Dad and through all of our sadness we still managed to create a multitude of memories together and grew very close.  My Dad, kids and I watched many of his favorite gold tv series, business and survival shows along with our daily dose of nightly news. 

He loved the simple things in life, a bowl of hot oatmeal, coffee in the morning and talk of what was on the menu for lunch and dinner. He would always joke “lets see what the talking heads are saying today!” 

My Mom and I always marveled at how smart he and my Brother were.  We always said, “if we had a question about world events, your Dad or Brother would know the answer!”  My Mom was the entertainment queen, she had a knack about knowing about useless random entertainment information.  I really wished I could hear her talk to my Dad about some silly fact now.

She also knew the history of our family connections, better than my Dad and I.  We always joked, “what would we do without her, we will not know how extended family members are related to us or their names now.”  I now find myself  asking, “how am I related to them?” 

People have asked me how I found the strength to get through this past year?  When I look back I think often I was on autopilot going through the motions of sickness, doctors appointments, administering medications, cooking, and all of the caretaking duties. 

Each of their deaths was a very different experience, planning their funerals, selling my parents house, (they lived in the same house for 57 years), handling their estate matters whilst being a Mother to two young children.

It is funny how life can change in a heartbeat.  During the Covid-19 Pandemic I lost both part time jobs, however this gave me the gift of time.  Precious beautiful time to be with both my parents at the end of their lives. 

I reminisce one year ago today and I still had them both.  We were planning a special Christmas celebration as we knew their days were limited.  I remember decorating the fireplace mantel with decorations galore and beautiful twinkling lights for my Mom.  She sat on the chair directing me to place each light, decoration just so.  One of our favorite things about Christmas was filling the outdoor urns with greenery and the soft glow of white lights twinkling in the night.  She loved opening gifts too, my Daughter and I made special advent bags for each of my parent to open, they loved it.

Keeping with tradition I baked dozens of her Christmas squares, the ones with the green and pink icing, the peanut butter balls, Laura’s brownies and the butter tart squares. I learned her famous pie crust recipe and couldn’t stop baking pies, tarts and Mom’s secret crust leftover recipe.

Grateful for the time I had with my Mom, I learned many of her favorite recipes.  The one thing she told me was before she passed was, “feed your Dad well and he will be happy!”  She was so worried and rightfully so about what would happen to my Dad after she was gone.  I can still hear her saying, “What about Paul, what will he do?”  It was heartbreaking to witness the fragility of the human soul and to watch both my parents be robbed of their dignity with how cancer stole their health.

My Dad was a real trooper after Mom passed, he was so happy with all of her recipes I made him when she was gone. Near the end, it was difficult for him to swallow and eat certain things but I fed him till the very end his favorites, keeping my promise to my Mom!

I am ever so grateful I had started a family recipe book with many of my Mom’s recipes handwritten by her.  She would sit on the couch and watch me cook, and tell me a to add a little of this or a little of that.  She told me special things she did with her recipes, where to buy the best beef for ribs, how to thicken the gravy and more. 

Funny since they both passed, I haven’t made any of her recipes or done any baking.  I am sure once I feel like it again, it will bring back fond memories.

I created beautiful outdoor big winter greenery pots on her deck, she loved them.  She always made her own bows out of beautiful materials.   I used to laugh at them when I was younger, but now I cried when I put the on my greenery display and wreaths this year.  

I remember like it was yesterday standing outside on the deck in the cold asking her if this is here she wanted the pinecones, dogwood, holly or move it to the left a little.  I remember her appreciative beaming smile and her thumbs up! 

My Mom loved Christmas, like her Mother.  Her Mother lived all year for Christmas, last year sadly was the last year we put up my Grandmothers Christmas tree at my parents house.  It had broke when I took it down last year, I never told my Mom.  I knew in my heart that would be the last Christmas we would be having at their house.

Their beautiful house of 57 years sold this past November,  I wonder if the new family will be decorating the fireplace mantel or putting any outdoor lights up.  So many memories of Christmas’s gone by.

This year my family and I are going to be spending a different kind of Christmas.  We will be flying to the Caribbean in one week.  I thought it would be good to go somewhere completely different this year, the kids are excited.

It has been one year since I have made a blog post, if you have read this far I thank you.  I know my heart is filled with more thoughts, memories and stories to come, they say writing is therapeutic. 

Love you Mom & Dad I know you are with me every step of the way, miss you everyday…..Merry Christmas in Heaven!

 

Talk soon,

 

 

Nancy

Virtual Babysitting during COVID-19 Pandemic

by Leave a Comment

The Covid19 Pandemic has forever changed our World as we know it.  It has brought some positive changes such as slowing down the pace of our lives, creating more family time and has generated many creative entrepreneurial opportunities. 

One of these new ideas that has really made a positive impact in our house is my daughter has been virtual babysitting since the start of the pandemic in March.

A family friend reached out to us wanting to know if my 13 year old daughter Meaghan would be interested in virtual babysitting her 8 year old daughter while she worked from home.

My daughter shrugged her shoulders and then immediately said, “Mom, what do you think?”  Honestly I didn’t know what to think.  Four months later I can tell you it has been a blessing for everyone involved. 

With all of us home, in person school cancelled, and jobs on hold we found ourselves with more time.  My daughter’s been a busy bee, getting up early helping to create a new normal for our household.  She has been virtual babysitting Monday – Friday 2 hours a day, (9am-11am). 

This opportunity has created such a bond between these two young girls which never could have been imagined at the start of this new year.

You may be wondering how this could possibly work? 

Meaghan connects online with her little friend with all kinds of activities such as making bracelets, cards, pokemon, and reading.  Often they will do their hair and nails along with a lot of giggling and laughter.

My Daughter loves the feeling of being able to help out and looks forward to babysitting everyday.  She says, they have really gotten to know each other and feels a really special bond with this young girl!

Just last week they have implemented a social distant babysitting visit.  They may implement this once or twice weekly along with the online visits.  It was so wonderful to see them together sharing a fun filled afternoon together. 

We are so very proud of the young women my daughter is becoming and I love watching her grow and blossom with her new responsibilities.  I think she would make a wonderful teacher someday.

 

Talk soon ~

 

Nancy

 

 

 

The Guelph Box

by Leave a Comment

The COVID -19 Pandemic has changed our world and how we do business.  Not being able to visit my parents in Guelph I wanted to let them know I was thinking of them. 

I first heard about the Guelph Box from an article in a local newspaper.  Immediately I googled their website, https://guelphbox.ca/ and ordered my first box for my parents.  My daughter and I were so excited when we ordered, we both agreed it kinda of felt like Christmas Morning!

Their second box should be arriving any day now.  Again we are super excited, as this box is filled with a lot of my parent’s favorite vendors, it will sure to bring them a lot of cheer and joy in these uncertain times.

I have always loved giving and really LOVE, LOVE the GUELPH BOX business on so many levels.  It really makes me feel good to support local business, and to know every box you purchase $5 is going to support local charities is amazing.

My parents keep telling me to stop gifting things to them, (I say yeah OK….) but honestly it brings me so much joy, I don’t think I can.  We cannot wait  once again to hear they have received their latest Guelph Box full of goodies I know they will truly enjoy!

I chatted with owners of the Guelph Box Josh Gray, (19 yrs) and Genevieve Sutherns, (17 yrs).

What is your business? 

Guelph Box is a social enterprise designed to help support local small businesses and charities.  We purchase products from a variety of local Guelph vendors and assemble weekly boxes of goods that are delivered straight to your door.  With every box purchased, $5 gets donated to a local charity and 10 local vendors are supported each week.

How did you come up with the idea?

The idea rapidly transformed from a “grocery delivery service” to the Guelph Box over the course of a few days.  Genevieve was travelling in France and was forced to come home due to the pandemic and Josh was studying at Carleton University when he was also brought home due to the COVID-19.  During a layover in Montreal, Josh FaceTimed Genevieve with the idea of starting a grocery delivery service for those unable to leave their homes.  After a few more conversations this quickly shifted into what Guelph Box is today.  Our goal has always been to help others and we found a unique way to do so in these times.

What is your background?

We always laugh when asked this question as teenagers we don’t have as much formal education as an older person.  That being said, our background truly is our upbringing and the mindset of making things happen!  We were both raised in local minded homes where going to the local Farmers’ Market or getting bread from the bakery was part of our routine.  This love for supporting local definitely helped shape Guelph Box and is the reason we have such a passion for supporting small businesses.  We are both very “make it happen” people and truly believe this made all the difference in the start-up of this venture.  It went from an idea to a business in 36 hours and we have not looked back since!

Josh is currently studying International Business at Carleton University with a major in global financial systems and a minor in German.  Genevieve plans to begin her studies at UBC in neuroscience in the Fall.

What have you learned operating the business?

What have we not learned? Seriously the learning curve for both of us has been incredible over the past couple of Months and we are so thankful to everyone who has stepped in to help us on this journey.  I think that the main thing we’ve taken away from it so far (beyond all the specific skills I’ve had to pick up), is how important community truly is in our lives.  Without the community of Guelph, we would not be able to support these businesses and charities.  Guelph Box has also built a unique community in Guelph when it was needed most, which is something we never imagined when we first launched.  Community truly is everything.

How has the Community welcomed your idea?

The community has welcomed our idea in a way that we could never have imagined!  We have been so overwhelmed by the positive response that we’ve gotten.  In our first week of operating our phone was going off non stop with people calling and offering to help, everybody wanted to be involved and lend a hand.  I think we screamed, “WE LOVE GUELPH” more times than you can imagine!

How do you stay inspired?

It really is the little things that keep us going.  It’s the voicemail, the emails, the smiles and the thank yous that seem to come when we need it most.  Knowing that we are not only relieving some stress for business owners but also spreading joy to so many households across the City is something that we don’t take lightly and remind ourselves of when we get worn down.

What is something people do not know about you?

(Josh)  Before COVID-19 I had planned to live in Vienna, Austria for 10 Months starting this September.

(Gen)  I went skydiving when I was 14 in New Zealand because I wasn’t legally old enough to go in Canada yet!

What is something you would like to share about the Pre-COVID-19, that you miss, and what is something you do not miss?

(Gen)  I really miss coffee shops and being able to hug those around me.  I spend a lot of my time working and hanging out with friends in coffee shops and really miss that so I eagerly await the reopening of some of my favorite Downtown spots.  Something I do not miss is how little I saw my family, there are seven people currently living in my house and it sort of feels like Christmas vacation for Months!

(Josh)  I miss the events going on around the City.  I love walking through Royal City Park near the Boathouse and seeing the Park packed and the gazebo filled with dancers and small festivals or stumbling on Street parties.  I do not miss the daily rush that we found ourselves in.  The change of pace has been a real eye-opener!

How often do you deliver your boxes, how you do you arrange for your deliveries, (respecting social distancing and the new COVID-19 measures)?

We deliver our boxes on a weekly basis and all our delivery protocols are contact-free.  We take multiple safety precautions to ensure that our volunteer drivers, customers and ourselves are not a risk in any way by delivering boxes.  As we started during COVID-19, we used these procedures right out of the gate and all of our drivers wear PPE and ensure social distancing when dropping off boxes.

Do you have new box ideas?

We definitely are full of some new box ideas and plan on doing some sort of “feature box” every couple of weeks going forward.  Our current feature box is the “Fitness Box” and they have recently introduced a “GO Play Box” for young children to keep them busy.   Moving forward people can look forward to our Father’s Day Box too.

How frequently do the items change?

Every single week is a new box!  We keep things fresh as we have many repeat customers and want to ensure that they are always getting new things to try, also this supports a wider variety of businesses.  We do have some vendors which remain constant, however, the products are switched up and over 80% of the vendors switch week to week.  There is always something new to try!

Tell us about the surprise element of your boxes and do people like it?

All of the contents in our boxes are a surprise, however we always ensure over $100 of value.  We think that the surprise element adds so much fun to the whole thing and allows people to try products that they many not actually pick but will learn that they love!  We have had a very positive response about the surprise elements hear things weekly like, “it feels like Christmas Morning!”  “It’s even better than I could’ve imagined!”

Thank you Guelph Box for your time, we too believe; “The Guelph Box feels like Christmas Morning”  Order your box for you or someone special in your life, https://guelphbox.ca/.

Talk soon ~

 

Nancy

 

Hope during the Pandemic

by Leave a Comment

Sipping my first cup of black coffee this morning I stared out the window.  The birds bring me so much joy during these dark days of the Covid-19 Pandemic. 

My father gifted us a birdhouse when I moved into my new house last year.  It was his old birdhouse and he passed it along to me.  I have glued it once already, I really hope it will stay together.  I will forever hold a special place in my heart as my parents are birders. 

“A feeling of expectation and desire for certain things to happen” Oxford Dictionary

It may have taken me a pandemic to understand their fascination with these little fluttering creatures.  Perhaps a slowing down of life to truly appreciate the simple things. 

I have always loved the mornings, a time of quiet reflection before the day starts, the kids demanding my time.  It is just me, my coffee and the birds these early mornings.

Excited about my sightings I emailed my Mom with a photo of the red cardinal that I saw at the feeder this morning and I told her about the yellow finches I saw the day before.  My Mom replied, “you will have them all the time now”.  

Nature never ceases to amaze me, maybe I am getting old to be so awestruck by the birds and their plight.  Perhaps we could learn from them?

Last night after a bike ride around the neighborhood with the kids my daughter mentioned to me, “Mom where is the chalk, we should write something?” 

I may have muttered something under my breathe as I wanted to go in and turn on the TV as my legs felt a little like jello from the first big bike ride of the season.

Prior to this pandemic you rarely saw people writing on their driveways, but now it is commonplace.  My daughter quickly created beautiful hearts along with rainbows at the end of our driveway.  She also wrote a big Thank You in her beautiful handwriting. 

My contribution was the word, HOPE. 

We all need to be reminded to have hope in times like these.

Chatting with my Dad yesterday he let me know he will be most likely beginning his second round of radiation in the near future.  It was so good to hear hope in his voice.

He wasn’t supposed to be with us as his this long.  Three years ago he had his first round of chemo and radiation for cancer.  We are so grateful for everyday he gets out of bed and watches the birds with my Mom. 

He is an amazing strong man as is my Mother who is fighting her own battles.  They celebrate 58 years of marriage this July.  Together they have have weathered and endured many storms along with their share of rainbows and sunny skies. 

Music is so good for the soul, I found a beautiful song about hope.  Click on the link to listen, Michael Franti: HEY WORLD (DON’T GIVE UP), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01FE9cPXE3M

Together we are all fighting our own battles in these unprecedented times.  This invisible disease is lurking all around us.  We cannot see it, touch it, smell it and yet it is killing us. Quarantined in our houses, many unable to go to work, jobs lost or put on hold while we all try to social distance and stay safe.

When we first heard of this virus in early January which began in Wuhan, China.  Never in a million years did we think, (well maybe the Scientists knew) that the whole World would be shut down as the virus has traveled and spread so quickly.

Luckily I haven’t known anyone who has had the virus yet.  I say yet as the experts say most people may get it eventually.  We are 18 Months from a vaccine or maybe sooner if we are so lucky.

The World is slowly opening up again. Like other parts of the World, Ontario is announcing a Phase 1 reopening of our Province today, I am sure many of us will be glued to our TV’s waiting for news of our fate.

Hope is what we have for better days, for science to come up with a vaccine to help us get back to normal.  But will we ever be normal again?  What will the new normal be?

We will get back to our jobs, our family celebrations, concerts, events and HUGS. 

During this crisis we have seen amazing beautiful people caring in ways that seemed unimaginable just Months ago. 

Truth be told, I haven’t felt like writing much lately.   I am a freelance writer and a couple of the publications I write for told me they are not accepting freelance writers at this time due to the changes with COVID_19. 

Chatting with a good friend yesterday she said “how sad, people need stories more than ever these days!”  We all need friends to motivate us and encourage us to keep going and give us HOPE on those dark days.

I hope to share some upcoming stories of people, business and organizations helping others in the upcoming Months.  

Stay safe, stay together and lets have HOPE FOR BETTER DAYS!

Talk soon ~

 

Nancy

 

How Many Days Till Spring?

by 1 Comment

How many days till Spring?  The answer today is 20 days and counting, (  I found a website that actually counts for you, https://days.to/spring/2020.

Perhaps you are like me and just done with Winter?  I have had enough of cold, blowing snow, dark days and just BLAH days.

Don’t get me wrong I like the festivities of Christmas, the decorating the time spent with family and friends, but come January and February I am completely done with “Old Man Winter!”

I like to have fresh flowers in the house, especially this time of the year.  It is one of my guilty pleasures is keeping my house filled with flowers. 

I also like to add more warmth using comfy pillows, blankets and lighting.  I love to have candles all over and little strings of white lights all over the house.  I use the battery operated candles so I don’t have to worry about any mishaps.

I keep my white lights up well beyond the Christmas season, to bring cheer to the outside of the house. Some will disagree with this, but I love the twinkle in the snow at night.

Here is a little tune called “White Lights”, from a new band I have discovered.  Check out the link below to watch this great band.

White Lights by The Rural Alberta Advantage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxRFf45knBo…

I really try to embrace all of the seasons since we are Canadian Eh!  However once January rolls around I know many others voice the same concerns about the length of our Winters.

So my top 10 tips for keeping positive in the darkness of the long days and nights!

  1. Chocolate
  2. White lights, candles, outdoor lighting
  3. Getting out to local events 
  4. Comfy blankets and comfort foods, and Movies
  5. Books
  6. Nature Walks with My Kids
  7. Naps
  8. Laughter
  9. Fresh Flowers
  10. Listening to music

 

Talk soon ~

 

Nancy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Polar Express Train Ride

by Leave a Comment

 

The Waterloo Central Railway Village Station in St. Jacobs hosts some wonderful Holiday rides.  Walking towards the venue, you could see the glowing lights from the Christmas decor. 

Bells could be heard jingling in the darkness of the evening sky. One of the smiling attendees from the previous Polar Express train ride said, “Enjoy your time, you will love it, it was so amazing!” 

Entering the warmth of the building, there were Children dressed in pajamas clutching hands with their parents some were browsing the Polar express memorabilia and perhaps wondering what the night would entail.

The lights dimmed, smoke began to fill the room and our evening at the Polar Express began as actors began to tell the story of the popular Christmas book written by Chris Van Allsburg.

Entering train C, there were festive Christmas lights decorating the interior of the 1950’s old style train.  We were met with the actors in costume greeting us all with smiles as we found our seating arrangements. 

The conductor said, “All Aboard, we are embarking on a trip to the North Pole, please have your tickets ready!”

Rolling out of the station we all knew we were in for a special evening as the conductor began to inspect the golden tickets, walking up and down the aisle performing his golden ticket duties.

Attendees can enjoy a 1 hour train ride to the North Pole in the comfort of cozy seating while The Polar Express is read, hot chocolate and treats are served, carols are sang and everyone receives a gift and visit from SANTA. 

The acting was really well done along with all of the details taken in to account to make the ride so memorable for Children of all of all ages. 

Tickets are limited so be sure to check out the website and pre book your ride, Waterloo Central Railway, https://waterloocentralrailway.com/the-polar-express-train-ride/.

One of the last impressions I heard on the loudspeaker was, “What matter’s most is not where you are going, but that you got on!” 

This annual family fun Polar Express train ride along with the Santa train ride experience takes place from Mid November only until Mid December, so get ready to make one of the most memorable experience’s your family will have this holiday season.

 

Talk soon,

 

Nancy

 

Is the Wellington County Museum Haunted?

by Leave a Comment

It is the eve of Halloween evening.  I sit here and reflect of all things that are spooky and go bump in the night as this time of year with all of the ghosts and goblins blowing in the wind.

My mind is wondering if there are really ghosts?  I think there is, and have encountered those shadow figures in my past walks in different locations.  If you have seen them, you too may know what I mean.

I have always believed the stories about the Wellington County Museum and Archives being haunted.  

This memory has been with me from a young age driving along the highway between Elora and Fergus and people saying, “that building is haunted you know!”

 

The building which is now the Wellington County Museum has not always been a museum.  It was a House of Industry and Refuge for persons who didn’t have anywhere else to go and had little monies or may have been abandoned.  

The grounds of the museum are home to a cemetery of many of the past people who lived there at one time.  It was referred to as the, “Poor House” of industry and refuge.

If you have never visited before I highly recommend you check out the display of the many photos, and stories on a permanent display.  They pay tribute to the many who did not have a place to live who may have been abandoned due to not having any other place to go, often the poor and neediest of the population.

The Museum often has ghost walks, tours and even had the Wellington County Paranormal Society.  Yes we have a group in Wellington County who investigate paranormal activity.   

They say yes it is true there is indeed some activity which has taken place at this and other locations in Wellington County.  Check out their link for information about their visit, https://wcpi.ca/

Talk soon ~

 

Happy Halloween, Nancy