365 Days of Gratitude - Day 350

We're counting down the hours of 2015 with our best friends, yummy BBQ, a little of the Junior hockey tournament and a lot of laughs and great friendship.

(Disclaimer: none of us will make it till midnight lol).

Feeling exceptionally grateful for a wonderful year. Yes there were some difficult times - some I still struggle with (Mickael's passing), but all in all it's a terrific year filled with good memories.

Life is good. Feeling grateful,

Louise

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 349

It was a day of heartwarming grandmother/grandson moments.

First I visited with my dear best friend Janis and her daughter-in-law Ashley and grandson Jax. Oh my goodness what a sweetheart of a boy. Super happy lil guy! My heart was full watching Janis beam with pride as Jax happily helped take some 'selfies' with our phones.

Then off to dinner with my eldest son and my mom. Be still my heart when Eric grabbed my mom's hand when walking back to the car. I could barely see my phone to take a photo because tears were leaking from my eyes.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

Jax checking out his selfies with his Nan

Eric holding his Oma's hand as they walked back to the car

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 348

There are two distinct phases of my winter life. Before snow blower, and after snow blower.

BSB lasted 47 years and during that time I actually liked shovelling snow. I was one of those boastful types that bragged endlessly about the workout of shovelling, the fresh air, bla, bla bla.

ASB has been the last six winters, and I'm completely reformed! No more bragging about the workout from shovelling, after all it's nothing compared to the freaking awesome workout from snow blowing! 

Yup! Still like this wintery job of clearing the driveway. I like it so much I usually do the neighbours too.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

Fired up the beast today :)

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 347

With no snow on the ground and nothing but time on my hands I decided to get better acquainted with the trail system in the 4,500 acre Copeland Forest. It's a cornucopia of never-ending, unmarked trails that can easily get you turned around. I have found many a lost hikers/riders out there over the years.

For all the time I spend in Copeland, I rarely choose double track trail unless they're under snow and groomed for skiing. Today I decided to walk the dry red north ski trails (which, because it's December, are signed), to see the correlations between double track and single track trails.

I know. Obsessive behaviour. But damn fun - at least to me! Besides, our house-guest Radar seems to enjoy my forest jaunts.

Not only did I find a ton of singletrack trail I've never ridden, I also had the pleasure of a snowy owl sighting. I was completely taken aback as a heavy forest isn't the normal habitat for a snowy (at least in these parts where they spend more time in wide open spaces).

An all round great morning in the forest.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

My snowy owl photo didn't turn out well, so I borrowed this off the internet

Radar and I walked red north

My lovely companion

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 346

Having your adult children spend time with you is probably the greatest gift a parent can receive. We are on cloud nine as we recount our wonderful time with Eric and his girlfriend Daniela.

Feeling so incredibly grateful,

Louise

Daniela, Eric, Paul and Radar on our morning walk through Copeland Forest

Beautiful ice on the trees

A man in his element

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 345

There has been some new house construction going on this past year in our neighbourhood and it's created a little 'dirt in the air.' We haven't had to deal with that kind of air quality since leaving the never-ending construction of the Greater Toronto Area.

For the last 6 years we've enjoyed rarely having to clean the windows and rarely having to dust indoors. That all changed when the houses started being built in Sugarbush, leaving Paul and I looking up at our skylights with frowns, neither of us wanting to venture out onto the roof.

We're feeling quite grateful today after son Eric hoped up on the ladder and cleaned off all the gunk from the skylights.

Thanks son! Feeling grateful,

Louise

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 344

This beautiful Christmas Day isn't over yet and already we've had a few highlights. Thanks to the incredible weather, and mom's good balance, we were able to get her in the forest trails for a little saunter. It was nice to share a little of our slice of heaven with her.

The turkey is cooking, the sun has set, and as I set the table for Paul, mom, Eric and myself I can't help but smile at all our blessings.

Looking forward to talking with Sydney and Richard this evening. More blessings to come 😀

Life is good.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

Tonight's setting sun

Paul and mom in the trails

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 343

It's been an absolutely stellar Christmas Eve day and I couldn't be happier. 

Sending love and best wishes to everyone. Xoxoxo

Feeling grateful,

Louise

Yummy lasagna dinner with mom, Eric and my sweetie

Beauty ride in the trails today with Eric. Life is good!

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 342

It's impossible not to be reflective at this time of the year, at least for me. I think about the paths taken in the past 12 months. Some I chose, some were chosen for me.

I think, fondly and with kindness, of things I would do differently if given another chance, and things I'd do exactly the same.

I think of how my paths crossed the paths of others and how those interactions influenced my life.

I think about the things I've made peace with, and the things I haven't. I think about the latter and wonder what lessons for me may lie deep within.

Mostly I think about the endless blessings and the gratitude I feel for everything I've seen and done this year, and the people I've connected with.

As 2015 creeps slowly to a close I send loving energy heaped in kindness out into the universe with the hopes that it touches down exactly where it's needed.

Much love to all. May a wonderful holiday season reach each and every one of you.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

I snapped this photo today as we headed into the forest trails. Rather fitting for my post on paths.

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 341

The next best thing to having our kids home for the holidays (2 won't be here) is dog-sitting this awesome fella! Yippee - we feel like we won the lottery!

Radar is the handsome and easy-going canine son of our neighbours and dear friends Debby and Susanne. We're delighted to have a week of his gentle and loving company while they're soaking up the sun.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

Out for a walk in the woods with new buddy Chico 

(After 2 obstructed bowel surgeries Chico isn't given the chance to find more yummy stuff in the forest. Hence the basket)

Watching for Santa

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 340

Those of us that work at a regional level for Treetop Trekking don't actually share office space with each other. Between that, maternity leaves and seasonal contracts, having a Christmas luncheon takes organization, commitment, and probably some driving.

Although we missed a couple from our team (yes YOU Kevin and Ally), I'm thrilled the rest of us were able to dine and catch up over lunch. Stouffville turned out to be the perfect mid-point for everyone.

I'm lucky to work with an awesome team!

Feeling grateful,

Louise

P.s. Did I mention I got some more baby snuggle time in. Bliss bliss bliss.

Not gunna lie, snuggling this wee guy was a highlight. More for me than him, apparently

Mmmm...lunch was yummy! Thanks Gemma, Mike, and Jamie for making the trek!

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 339

Let's see, where do I start for today's gratitude post?

After our good friends Trish and Rob suggested catching the new James Bond movie and grabbing dinner we discovered the only local place showing it was the 'old' theatre in downtown Barrie.

Oh my goodness what a gem! I'm not sure what I liked best - the price ($16 for 2 including popcorn and water), the small audience (49 seats), or the fact that those seats were lazy-boy leather recliners!! 

Follow that up with food and flights of beer at a local craft brewery/eatery and, well, I'm feeling pretty darn content.

Great night. Feeling grateful,

Louise

Inside the Uptown Theatre

Whiteboard movie signs

I lost the bet - no one snored

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 338

I am extremely grateful for such a large, fun, loving in-law family!! Today was out annual Christmas gathering and Paul and I filled our hearts with so much great-niece/nephew, niece/nephew, and brother/sister time.

We're pretty lucky considering our family is so large and yet we all not only get along, we enjoy spending time together. That's 6 siblings plus spouses, 15 kids and 10 grandkids. Impressive I think. 

Feeling Christmasy, feeling grateful, 

Louise

All the great nieces/nephews

Dougie, Avery, Michelle, Miller, Kira, Sophia, Racheal, Kobe, Steven, and Smith 

Paul showing photos to MIchelle and Sophia

Lori and I finally getting Soph's seating instructions

Lori, Me, Dougie, Kris, Kira, Michelle, Racheal, and Miller

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 337

I love a good storm whether it's a thunderstorm or a snow storm. Easy for me to say as I have a warm house to come home to, unlike so many of my fellow humans.

I snapped this photo on my way home from town today. Not often we have a storm roll in from the east in these parts, but holy smokes it looks like it's packing a snowy punch! Let there be snow for Christmas! Woo hooooo !!!

Feeling grateful,

Louise

It's coming!

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 336

Nature always amazes me and trees always intrigue me.

Here's a beauty we came across today on our late afternoon walk in the woods. I'm left wondering what caused the pretzl-like growth. The tree sprouting from under a rock? Maybe it grew from decaying tree stumps?

Regardless of the how, nature sure created a beautiful now.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

The pretzel-tree

Giving perspective to the size

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 335

Today is one of those days my gratitude cup spills over. Great friends! Great forest walks! Great husband! Beautiful snowfall! ...

One of my funnier moments of gratitude came at the grocery store earlier in the day. This is the third time this has happened to me in the last few weeks and each time has left me grinning ear to ear.

Normally I pay very little attention to the price of the item as its scanned at the register. For whatever reason I noticed the item scanned in higher than what I thought it should be. And for whatever reason I kindly mentioned the discrepancy. 

Low and behold, for the 3rd time in 3 weeks the item WAS lower than what scanned in and I was given a $10 discount.

Nothing is more gratifying than an unexpected discount!

Feeling grateful,

Louise

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 334

No it isn't mine. 

Or Trish's.

But a bra hoisted and displayed triumphantly in the local forest trails begs for the imagination to run wild. Especially a bra that looks more like grandma's than a typical randy teenager's.

I'll put the feelers out in the 'hood to see if anyone knows the story, but in the meantime what do you think happened?

Feeling grateful after a stellar walk in the woods with dear friend,

Louise

My guess is a full moon forest romp

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 333

Today was one of those days where everything could go wrong, but didn't.

We (Ride Guides) had a school group booked for fatbiking on snow. It was +12 degrees, and not a flake of snow anywhere nearby.

And it rained. On and off all day. 

Well those teenagers rose to the occasion and had a BLAST! We hiked in the woods, played trust and team-building games that produced belly laughter that could be heard in the next county.

And then there was the biking. They ripped up the trails on their first ever fatbike tour that ended only because the bus driver was ready to go. The smiles, laughter, wipeouts, and muddy high fives were plentiful.

My favourite part of the day was watching the high school students encourage each other as they stepped out of their comfort zone and tried something new.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

A big ole pile of fatties

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 332

The key to travel? Counting your pennies!

Paul and I established decades ago that travel ranked highest on our priority lists. In order to ensure we could realize our adventurous dreams every year we learned to do things slightly different than many other couples raising young families.

Logic would dictate that in order to travel as much as we do, our combined income would have to be substantially high. In truth we found that the amount of our income had less to do with our traveling than the way we used that income.

Putting travel at the top of the list often meant choosing 2nd hand stores if the boys needed new hockey pants, or deciding to steer clear of changing out furniture just because. If it ain't broke - we don't replace it. If it is broke - we fix it. As much as we might have admired someone else's fancy new gadgets, we never desired them if it meant our vacations would be in jeopardy.

And yes - we count our pennies. Literally. Paul's annual roll up can net a few hundred dollars - which can easily cover 10-14 days of campground costs.

It might not be a way of living for everyone, but it sure feeds our souls! And we're proud we were able to introduce our kids to so much of North America, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean all by choosing adventure as our #1 priority.

Feeling grateful, 

Louise

Paul's annual roll-up. $277.50

365 Days of gratitude - Day 331

Oh my goodness where do I start.!?!

Tonight the Ride Gude owners/managers took their instructors and guides to Joyride 150 for a Christmas evening of fun.

If you've never been to Joyride 150 - it's the premier indoor bike park in North America. If you haven't been for a year or two - so much has changed that you better plan another trip! Look it up - SO ! MUCH ! FUN

I know I'll be exhausted in the morning and most muscles will ache, but I just could not stop riding!

Also super amazing cool - I got to hang out with/ride with/chat with one of my fav couples Mark and Leslie Summers and their awesome daughter Rachel. My heart is full! 

I'm so excited still that I'll never get to sleep. My brain is sure to recount every moment again and again and again.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

P.s. although Matt from Ride Guides took a million photos, I neglected to have my phone handy and was too busy riding to get any. Oh well...the memories are in my mind :)

The Ride Guides crew

Sara (owner of Ride Guides), me and Rachel. The awesome 3-some!

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 330

After a fantastic ride in Copeland Forest, and a number of housekeeping duties at home I decided to make a quick trip to the grocery store in town.

As I walked toward the truck I looked down and realized I was wearing my Birkenstocks. Normally that's not such an odd choice, but it's December 11th!!! I should be wearing winter boots and pre-heating my vehicle while I shovel snow off the walkway.

Mid December and I'm still riding 3-4 times a week (on dry trails), hiking and/or trail running the other days and most of that is without winter layers.

I'm feeling grateful for the super warm weather, but I'm also concerned with what we have done to our planet!

Louise

Socks in sandals. Cool in my world.

365 Days of gratitude - Day 329

Look at this beauty! It's actually a branch that broke off a large tree in the forest during our 3-day winter last week. The heavy, wet snow proved too much weight to bear and this branch, like many others, ended up on the forest floor.

My girlfriends and I were out for a walk when we found it, and I thought it might make a perfect Christmas tree. Marti was kind enough to help me carry it. For an hour. Through the forest. Lol. 

But look - indeed it IS a perfect tree. Now to decorate.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

It's impossible to get it straight because it's a branch, not a trunk. But I don't care. I love it!!

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 328

This world in which we live is changing drastically these days. What was normal last year is abnormal now. With a changing world we are given options to change ourselves and our lives as well. 

I was pretty happy to spend some time with this awesome (and cute) couple today as they head full blast into their new way of living. I'm excited for their adventure and look forward to the possibility our paths may cross out there on the open road in the future.

Feeling grateful, 

Louise

Best wishes Mike and Angel! 

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 327

My little holiday with mom and nephew Adrian wrapped up today with an incredible dinner at my brother's place. SIL Treese made an entire dinner out of mom's recipes. Oh my gosh it was like being at my parent's home again. 

So meaningful! So delicious!!

What an fantastic time we had with Adrian. An easier houseguest does not exist! With each passing year he becomes more and more like his dad (my late brother) in mannerisms, interests, and looks.

I dropped mom back off to her home tonight and she had tears of appreciation in her eyes. I hope Adrian realizes just how incredible of a gift he gave his Oma by saving his pennies for a trip to see her. She will never forget this week!

Feeling grateful,

Louise

Dinner at Doug and Treese's. Doug is missing from the photo (dang business call). 

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 326

Adrian and I helped mom finish her Christmas shopping today. Not before we had a yummy lunch and the super yummy Mariposa Market!

Shopping is not a favoured activity for me so I had to psych myself for it. Luckily the small shops in downtown Orillia proved to be perfect for mom's desires as well as for my patience.

Woo hoo feeling good. And grateful.

Louise

Yes those are chocolate eclairs. Eat your hearts out folks!

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 325

We had a wonderful family day that even included an outdoor fire. Gorgeous December weather! 

Feeling grateful,

Louise

Mom's all wrapped up nice and cozy. Eric, Paul, Adrian, and Daniela are keeping conversation and the fire nice and stoked.

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 324

My nephew Adrian came all the way from Calgary to visit with his 89 year old Oma for a few days.

My heart is full.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

Adrian and his Oma starting their visit with lots of conversation at our place.

365 Days of gratitude - Day 323

I love that my hubby loves Christmas movies. At this time of the year he always manages to find funny, sappy, inspiring, goofy, holiday-themed ones. 

Disclaimer: I think it's his way of saying 'thanks' for all the hockey, baseball, football, golf nights. Lol. What a guy!

Feeling grateful,

Louise

Tonight's sappy but fun story

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 322

The first in my family to leave the nest was my eldest brother Mark. He headed off to university in another province when I was 9 years old. Since that day (and because my parents were immigrants) Christmas wasn't necessarily a time when all family would be together.

That was our normal. Still is, and before anyone thinks 'aww, poor you,' we're OKAY with it! I would way rather gather the family at a non-holiday time where 100% of our focus is on our time together. It's how we've always rolled.

That being said, for as long as I can remember December would arrive and mom would put together holiday 'care packages' for the kids and family that lived elsewhere.

This is my new normal, and today I'm putting parcels in Canada Post for our western kids. I'm not sure what their holiday plans are as yet, but I do know they'll have a little of home as they open their presents on Christmas morning.

I'm not that sentimental of a gal and quite frankly I'm a bit claustrophobic of 'traditions,' but I do love gathering little gifts, writing silly messages on them, packing them up, and putting them in the post. 

Happy travels little boxes!

Feeling grateful,

Louise

The 2015 boxes

Box one goes to this cool chick

Hopefully this adventurous dude comes in from the mountains long enough to pick up box # 2

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 321

My daughter Sydney nominated me on Facebook to post 6 photos I feel beautiful in. It was an odd challenge for me as I don't necessarily equate beauty with physical image, but rather through the kindness that flows from our inner spirit. 

Regardless, here are 6 photos where I was feeding my soul. How can you not feel beautiful when wrapped in the arms of our majestic Mother Nature. 

I challenge all of you to look beyond society's definition of beauty and post photos where your spirit shines through.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

Kayaking in Ontario

Pausing to reflect in Sedona

Hiking to work in the winter

Hiking with friends in the Santa Catalina Mountain range

Deep in the backcountry of Banff National Park (that's my son with me)

Rocking the socks/shorts/long underwear on a hike in Blue Mountain