Tag: Canada

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Cliff, Misty, and New Year’s Reflections

A big thanks to Shirley for this beautiful picture of Clifford and Misty. As 2012 is winding down, we reflect on all the things we are grateful for. I knew before we moved to the cottages that we were getting a great chance to start a new and fulfilling life. But I had no idea what that would look like. I am continually thrilled that it has meant making new friends like the George’s. Their compassion, their openness, their infectious love of Whiteway and art and animals and the Baccalieu inspire me and The Berry daily. So I hope all our friends – new and old – will enjoy a very Happy New Year.

And please remember! Today is the last day of our very first contest! The winner gets a free stay at the cottages, so please follow this link and enter. You never know – you might get one last holiday present this year! Good luck!

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‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

You know I like to keep this blog Ocean Delight-centric, but since it’s Christmas Eve I hope you’ll allow me this personal indulgence. If you know me, you know nothing compares in my life to my three beautiful children. And some of my dearest Christmas memories are of reading them ‘The Night Before Christmas’ on Christmas Eve. When they were younger, they listened in rapt attention – and when older, as you can see, I felt a little more free to add my own irreverent verses. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and that you enjoy your families as much as The Berry and I do and are creating some lasting memories. Merry Christmas from Ocean Delight.

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Budding Saturday: Awaiting Christmas

You may remember that I’m starting a new Saturday tradition of promoting Newfoundland art on this blog. If you’re an artist or know or love one who’d like to be featured, please email us! In the meantime, I’m sharing some pictures captured by one of the best Newfoundland photographers I know – Bud Vincent. I love how he’s able to capture the beauty in all things, big or small, winter or summer. And especially Christmas!

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Getting in the Mood

With the freshly fallen snow as the back drop, it’s been so fun decorating our home – especially now that my daughter is here to help. The moose stew, Christmas music and fireplace all make for the perfect Christmas around the bay.  Life is good.

 

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Yes, Laurelyn, It is Going in the Living Room

Clark/Jerry: We’re kicking off our fun old fashion family Christmas by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols.

Audrey/The Berry: We’re not coming all the way out here just to get one of those stupid ties with Santa Clauses on it are we?

Clark/Jerry: No, I have one of those at home.

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(Perhaps sadly), no movie captures my approach to Christmas quite like Christmas Vacation. What can I say – I like to go all out and for better or worse I’m a big family guy, so I identify with Clark! And now that we’re living in rural Newfoundland, I came one step closer to the movie – we cut down our own tree.

With The Berry, Joe and Murphy along, we set out to find the perfect tree. It is just a bit smaller than the infamous one from the movie, but still stunning. We’re waiting for my daughter to stay with us before we decorate – I can’t wait!And remember we still have a contest to win a free stay at the cottages – make sure you add your name to the list. Maybe you’ll be out in this winter wonderland with us!

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Tuesdays with Murphy: Bowering Park

Well, if you read Jerry’s Man Hands post last week then you know Jerry was busy with renovation work,  and believe me – the dust was flying.  And all the while I rested listening to Christmas music in front of the fire place downstairs – living the dog’s life. Those humans – have they got a lot to learn.

So I finally convinced Jerry to take a break and take The Berry for a walk in Bowering Park – very altruistic of me. It was supposed to be all about them, so I pretended I didn’t enjoy bounding through the trails, splashing in the Waterford River, and exploring where my previous humans used to take me. But I really couldn’t contain myself when I saw the ducks. I really wanted to catch some – must be genetic.

Ah! Bowering Park – it really is the jewel of St. John’s.

 

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First Real Snowfall

We have been decorating and running around taking photos after the first snow fall. Wow! It sure is gorgeous on a different level. It actually makes me appreciate winter – and that’s a very new appreciate for me! Everything crisp and pristine, everything Snow White. I’m even smiling while I shovel (for now at least!)

And my daughter came home for Christmas yesterday, so things are looking good here at Ocean Delight.

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Budding Saturdays: Our Island in Winter

Since moving to the Wonderful World of Whiteway, I have made good new friends, and many of them are artists. But one of the best artists I know is an old friend – in fact he got me my first job when I was 14. Bud Vincent has an eye for photography unlike anything I’ve seen, and a love for capturing the beauty of this province. He often emails me such stunning pictures (a few of which are scattered over this site), that it seems a shame not to share them. So he has inspired me to start a new Saturday tradition – of showcasing the wonder of this province through the work of our talented artists. I think mostly I’ll be featuring Bud’s work – but if you or someone you love have something to share, please send it along!

Thanks again to Bud, and enjoy these seasonal shots. Check out his site or contact me if you’re interested in prints. (And don’t forget our Win a Free Stay Contest – we have our own winter wonderland out here you could be enjoying this winter for free!)

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Man Hands

What do you get when you work you fingers to the bone? Boney Fingers!

Well, I got the hands my father always wanted me to have. Growing up, whenever we shook hands he would pull away and always say, “you have hands like a girl.” I liked that, probably because he didn’t. And besides, I always thought that smooth and soft hands were a calling to a lifestyle different from my ancestors.

But here’s a couple of pics after a hard day’s work on Project DIY (we’re renovating an apartment I rent) – we’ve been knee-deep in hard labour quite literally for over a week now. I look like the Chimney Sweep in Mary Poppins. I don’t have finger prints – they got worn off.

But there is a big reward for this kind of work. It is good for the mind, body and soul, and at the end of a day you can measure what you did. And then take some Advil, pour a bath and a Malbec, put on Christmas music, and soak the day away. I went from no finger prints to prune hands (not to be confused with these ‘Man Hands’). Life is good when you do that!