O, CANADA!

Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. - Jack Layton

Lake view from my window

Happy Canada Day!  Today Canada celebrates its very own national holiday.  It marks the anniversary of the  joining of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to Ontario and Quebec to make a unified Canada, back in 1867.  The July 1 holiday was first celebrated in 1917...but, was done so, unofficially.  The Canadian Parliament began to pass a law to make it an official holiday in the late 1950's.  But it wasn't until 1982 that July 1...Canada Day received "official status" in Parliament.  Incidentally, that was also the year that the Canada Act was passed, "removing the final dependency that Canada had to the United Kingdom."

Here are 7 facts about Canada.

1. National Facts:
Capital City:  Ottawa
National Icon: Beaver
Tree: Sugar Maple

2. Canada's Flag:

Canada officially got its own national flag on February 15, 1965 — almost 100 years after it became a country (in 1867).

3.  The name:

Kanata is the St. Lawrence-Iroquoian word for "village" or "settlement."

4.  Population: 
Its population density is 8.6 people per square mile, making Canada the ninth-most sparsely populated nation in the world.

5. The Military:
Canada Launched a Secret Project To Build an Aircraft Carrier Made From Ice

The 1943 mission was to build a 1-to-50-scale prototype of an aircraft carrier using ice and sawdust. The site is now marked by a roadside plaque and submerged  monument.

(source: Reader's Digest)

6. The Wildlife:
Canadian Beavers Built a Dam Visible From Outer Space.  First discovered by an environmental researcher using Google Earth in 2007, the dam is located just inside Wood Buffalo National Park, the 2nd largest protected area in the world. The dam stretches 2,790 feet.

 (source: Reader's Digest)
  
7.  The Coffee:
Maybe in America you love Starbucks...but if you want to fit in Canada...you need to be holding a
Tim Horton's cup.

Happy Canada Day!

April Showers ( in Canada)

Though April Showers, may come your way

They bring the flowers that bloom in May...

So if it's raining, have no regrets,

It isn't raining rain you know,

It's raining violets...

-Al Jolson

 This morning, we woke up to an ice world....as we welcome the beginning of Spring.
Here is our world today.

 

 

Canadian Lemonade

You can only come to the morning through the shadows. - J.R.R. Tolkien

This is just something simple.  Perhaps, I even feel a little silly posting this...but sometimes something very simple...can be so very nice.  I found that one can survive winter, and in fact, enjoy winter if you try to see it with the right eyes.  I learned this from a very good Canadian friend.  She had come over one evening for dinner and had requested this drink.  She was shocked that I had never tried it...but honestly, I never had a desire for a hot drink down south.  I have called it Canadian Lemonade...because it is the same as lemonade...just hot....perfect for a Canadian cold Morning...

Canadian Lemonade

1 cup hot water
1/2 lemon
honey (to taste)

Stir all the ingredients together and enjoy!  

Lange Pioneer Village

You'll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut. - Dr. Seuss

Sometimes the nicest things happen when you least expect...they just come to be on their own.  My brother-in-law's family, my parents (visiting from Florida) and my family had a picnic in the countryside, followed by a trip to Lange Pioneer Village.  Honestly, we had no expectations...we were just enjoying the afternoon...but the moment the children walked through the gates, the buildings of the Pioneer Village captured their attention and filled their imaginations.   The village, full of actors/ historians, willingly answered the millions of questions our little crew threw out...
We took our time through shops, houses, the inn...but the children's favourite was meeting the teacher in the country school house.  The children all sat straight and learnt their lessons.
Our afternoon quickly sped by....(and never once, in our four hours spent, did we hear...."Can we go now?"....the only question asked was .... "Can we come back here for school in September?"...) Here is our day in pictures...

Lange Pioner Village Website

A lakeside beach

A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature.  It is earth's eye. - Henry David Thoreau

My niece jumping into the lake behind our house

Growing up in Florida...I expected to see one in five plates on the major interstates from Canada...mostly from Ontario and Quebec.  Florida is a popular destination for Canadians...all year round.  But, I wanted to say, that in summer, Canada' lakeside beaches beat out Floridian Beaches.

A sandcastle built on the shore of lake Ontario

Here is my personal list of reasons (as a former Floridian) to head North this summer for sand and surf:

1.  You will not get third degree burns while walking on the sand from your beach towel to the surf.
2.  You do not have to fear shark attack.
3.  You do not have to fear jelly fish bites.
4.  You do not have to worry about crab bites.
5.  You do not have to worry about sun stroke (well, it is more rare anyway) and can stay out at the beach for an entire day
6.  You do not have to worry about that horrible salt water taste in your mouth all day if you accidentally swallow the water.
7.  You will not feel sticky from salty sea air.

8.  Lake sand is not as adhesive as ocean sand (better for your car, not as much sand tracked in)
9.  You do not have to worry about ripe tides...(they are very real! be careful Florida swimmers)
10.  You only have to apply sunblock one time per day...not every fifteen minutes as in Florida to ward off eminent major sunburn)
11.  There will usually be a refreshing cool breeze blowing...



To find a nice Ontario beach follow this link:   Beaches

RCMP Musical Ride

I believe the world needs more Canada. - Bono

Yes, I have mentioned that I am American-born...Canadian by marriage.  Alright, honestly, the first time I did cross the US-Canadian boarder at Niagara Falls,  I shouted out to my future husband,"Oh, my God!  People actually do live here!!"  And my American grandmother upon meeting my Canadian husband-to-be asked if he said the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag (of the United States of America) up in Canada, too...(and was shocked that he did not even know the words, wondering what do they teach up there).

  I am always eager to learn more about Canadian culture...and to teach my children more about the land of their birth....so when I saw a poster in our small local convenience store announcing the arrival of the Canadian Mounties to town, I was excited.
  The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have been performing around the world...and across Canada....since 1887.  Their musical ride consists of a series of formations completed on horseback.  The origins of the formations date back to old British Calvary drills.  It was amazing to partake in a truly Canadian iconic experience. ( And  I could even sing all the words to Canada's National Anthem together with the rest of the crowd...see, I am learning)

My son trying to get a a bird's eye view of the Mounties

And now, Canadian Summer Begins...

And so, with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer. - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Today is Victoria Day in Canada.   The country roads around my house, which normally are peaceful, have become active with vacationers...Vacationers pulling trailers, boats, or canoes strapped to their rooftops.  I think today is one of the most anticipated holidays in Canada.  Sure,  it is to celebrate the longest reigning monarch of England's Empire's History, Queen Victoria, but, that is not what stirs the heart of a Canadian.  It is this Northern Land's unofficial beginning of summer. The first day when we can plant in our gardens...without fear of frost.  It is the day that we take the snow tires off of the car and pack away the winter boots.  No banks are open.  All stores are closed.  Everyone is on holiday.  Today, all Canadians stop and enjoy the first day of a short, beautiful, summer season.  Here is our celebration of Victoria Day...

Resting Canoe at Sunset

 

Canoeing 

Sunset

First bonfire of summer

 

Silhouette of a "summer " evening

Roasting marshmallows

Parliament Hill

May you live all the days of your life. - Jonathan Swift

Scene of Parliament Hill from across the Rideau Canal

We just had an unplanned adventure.  My children were not very excited on leaving the beaten path...and taking a jump.  They thought I was wasting their time, and forcing them on a needless car ride.  But what can I say, I like to be spontaneous.  So, sometimes you just need to buckle up and hold on for the ride (and I promise not to disappoint).  
My mother in law had a business meeting in Ottawa, the Canadian Capital ( My American friend's please jot that down in your notes...Ottawa, Canada's Capital...Canadians will be impressed if you know that fact).  She was to leave the next day.  I asked if she had room for my family.  Delighted to not be traveling alone, she instantly agreed.  The trip is three hours each way.  We live much closer to Ottawa than we have ever lived before. And to me, every child needs to visit their nation's capital.
So before the sun rose, I woke my sleeping children.  None had a smile.  None were impressed. (But of course I greeted them cheerfully...enjoying every moment of my sinister plan). 
First stop Parliament Hill...

Parliament

Centennial Flame

  Beside the entrance to the Parliament Building

 Still they were warming up to the idea of taking this adventure...But slowly, ever so slowly, they were beginning to smile...But, I needed some extra help to cheer them up.  A stop at The Cupcake Lounge was just the thing...with wall to wall delicious cupcakes to choose from...their adventure, just got a little more exciting...

The Cupcake lounge, located just a block from Parliament Hill

My children's selected favourites

The Canadian Capital boasts a stunning array of museums...all of them worth exploring.  With only three hours left...and my children finally agreeing to try to enjoy the day....we decided on  the Canadian War Museum. (What can I say...I have one teenage boy, one preteen boy, and a six year old boy...I think the art museum would not impress).

From start to finish...they were in heaven.  Reading every sign, studying every display.  I have to say, this was one of the nicest museums, to which I have ever been.  There were even volunteer WWII vets who were throughout the museum to answer questions.  In addition, there were many hands on activities and display tables set up throughout...encouraging children to ask questions and find out more...

By the time we finally reached the exit door of the museum, somehow, the sun was shinning brightly.  Lack of sleep did not keep them from smiling....and they were happy to have taken this unplanned adventure (I am glad I did not listen to their complaints).  I do think that life is full of possibilities and adventure...but many times we close the door...thinking we don't have time...or we will do it tomorrow.  But today only comes once...and "Tell me,what is your plan to do with your one, wild, precious life...( Mary Oliver)."