Kim and Brad Get Married!

On May 26, Janet and Phil did a little touring around the Annapolis Valley.  It appears to be very beautiful, but when being viewed through heavy rain, it can be difficult to tell.

They went to Grand Pre National Historic sight, which is a museum dedicated to the history of the Acadian people in Nova Scotia and their ultimate expulsion by the British.  Janet said it was really interesting and bonus!  It was free!  As this is Canada's 150 birthday, all National Parks are free.

Part of the museum is The Covenanter Church, which is the oldest extant Presbyterian church in Canada.  Extant!  Janet loves this word, but has to admit that she was forced to look up the meaning.  "Still in existence, surviving."  The church is two centuries old.

The pew boxes are original.  The best boxes were rented by families of means.  Farmers and other common folk were forced to sit in the balcony.

They passed some cute Nova Scotian cows.

They went to Lucketts Vineyard for lunch.  They have a British phone booth on their land.

Next up was Brad and Kim's reherasal reception and dinner.  Brad is a craft beer brewer, so it was only fitting they had "Betroth" Ale!

The dinner was great and lots of fun.

That's Brad, just to the right of the red sign in the window.

 Janet and Phil sat with Kim, bridesmaid Ashleigh and two other friends.

Out of focus Ashleigh is hosting a game with Kim's out of focus sister!

Finally, the big day arrives!

 Getting ready to go to the service.

 The service was in a yurt at Ross Creek Centre for Performing Arts.

Devon, Christine and Aunt T as well as Kim's family did a fabulous job on flowers and decorating the venue.

 Apparently, Nova Scotians are big on dancing.  They had Square Dancing!

Whilst Janet and Phil did not participate in the accommodation at Ross Creek (see previous post about Planters Barracks with heat and running water!), there were a couple of different options at Ross Creek.  One was an old farmhouse that had several bedrooms.  The other option were some rustic cabins.  The heating, is pictured below - one per cabin!

More of Brad's handiwork - Mead, whose origins are thought to be about 8,000 years old and predates wine.  It is an alcoholic beverage made with honey.

"Mead Me at the Altar".  Isn't that cute?

Nova Scotia!

Janet and Phil go to Nova Scotia!  We don't know where that is, but we do know how long it takes to go from Toronto to Victoria in the cargo hold, so we are likely to pass on Nova Scotia.

Amber's very nice Dad, Wayne is taking care of us.  It goes without saying that I am the model of doggie perfection.  Sherman, however, is a major turd head.  He now thinks he needs to go potty at 5:15AM, sharp, every morning.  Wayne assured Janet he was an early riser, but nobody in their right mind wants to get up at 5:15AM!  Poor Wayne!

They stayed in a lovely B & B in Port Williams, called Planters Barracks.  It was built in 1778 and has all the things Janet loves - uneven floors, crooked stairs and uneven door jambs.  The minute Janet saw the exterior photo (which oddly enough is better than Janet's photo!) and found out how old it was, it was a done deal!

Front of Planters Barracks.

Kitchen Fireplace:

The crooked stairs.  Their room was at the top of the stairs on the left. 

Their room:

This is Janet's version of a made bed - not that of the Innkeeper!

Their neighbours

First lunch out was The Port.  Lobster Risotto and Seafood Chowder:

They checked with the Innkeeper, Erin, about dinner.  Erin suggested The Noodle Guy, but said it might be tough as on Thursday, it's Beer, Burger and Salad night that is usually pre-sold out.  Erin, however, called and they were told to get their butts over there.

Generally speaking, Janet would not order a hamburger in a restaurant.  However, Thursday night is the only night they do hamburgers and they could always come back later to enjoy the rest of the menu.  Janet says it was a fabulous burger.  They make everything in house, including the hamburger bun!

Next up was lunch at Lucketts Vineyard.  The weather was incredibly miserable and cold so the outdoor patio was closed.  They make a variety of wines, which include Phone Booth White and Phone Booth Red.

The Acadians have a very sad and interesting history in Nova Scotia.  Janet and Phil visited Grand Pre - a National Park about the Acadians.  This is the Covenantars Church, which is related to the history and is the oldest existing Presbyterian Church in Canada.

Good night, cow guys!

One Whole Month Without A Blog Post!

Turns out, Janet is seriously lame.  It has been one month to the day since we made a post and dollars to doughnuts, she will cut this short.

Janet often makes a Shrimp Pesto Pizza which they really like.  She decided to make an "all meat" pizza that was so salty it was not worth consuming.  Turns out pouring salt in your hand and consuming it would have contained less sodium that this pizza!

Guess what?  It was Lolo's 60th birthday, so Janet and Stevo conspired to throw her a surprise party.  This sort of activity is not easy to do as precious little escapes Lolo.  Stevie's job was to rally the guests and Janet's job was to do the party preps.  It went off with out a hitch as Lolo did not have a clue.  As per the usual, Janet is low on photos, but Lolo was super surprised.  She was shocked to see Sean and Jason open the door and then everyone else.  She cried.  She cried some more!  Her reaction was so worth executing the party, both on Janet and Stevie's behalf.

Full on of Bruce, side of Monie, arm of Karen and back of John.

 Janet goes all "Martha Stewart" with the silverware.

Pretty cake!

Lolo and Stevo with one of their two very handsome sons!

 This made Janet really angry!  She wanted some flowers for Lolo's party and asked Phil to purchase some.  Phil asked how much and Janet said somewhere around $30 or so.  He came home with a puny bouquet from a local flower shop.  The price, one day BEFORE  Mother's Day - $25!!  Janet was shocked as normally a bouquet this size would be about $15!  Last ever purchase at Harry's - heathens who are prepared to rip off small tykes spending their hard earned allowance to purchase Mom some flowers!

Check out this little chain gang of kiddies!

Turns out our neighbour, Ron, pup sits his daughters puppy, Sally.  Sherman and Sally had some big time fun kicking each others puppy dog butts!

 Oh, oh!  What do you think happened to one of Phil's socks?

This is a trip down a bad retail lane!

Really, Phil?  OK. It might be 10 years old, but still!

Sadly, the stuffed ducky is done.

He has been on the edge for several years, but it's all done now.

Turd Head, AKA Turkey Head, AKA Sherman is starting to wear me down.  OK, OK we can try to be pals!

Good night!

Gettin' 'er done, Maui Style!

Shermie Wormie and myself are seriously missing Janet.  Not really, but it sounds good, right?  Phil is a never ending Wonderland of Doggie Free Time with no consequences!

This is how it rolls on Maui.

Need to secure a parking spot for a family member - no problem!  Throw a couple of chairs down and too e**ing bad for some random chump that may also wish to enjoy the beach park.

Buffing one's driveway:

Sidewalk repairs that take so long a path is worn into the grass:

Tree trimming:

Small children feel compelled to take their own coasters to a restaurant:

Small children, forced into servitude.

Small child being allowed a one and a half minute break:

Huli Huli Chicken, cooked street side:

It feels like every extended family on Maui goes to the beach with a huge spread of food and a bouncy castle.  Janet wants to be one of these families!

They caught a teeny tiny baby gecko inside their condo and set him to freedom out of doors.

The little baby is on the left hand side.  You can barely see him.

A delicious lunch out

Tubby time rolls home!

We want to be this pup.  Not only is he super cute, he gets to live on Maui!

Last lunch!  They are sad!

Poke tacos with Avocado cream.  Delicious!