365 Days of Gratitude - Day 46

Oh my gosh how wonderful it was to bask in the sunshine. The -10 temperature felt almost summer-like.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

The start to a perfectly wonderful day with our best friends

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 45

Teaching the next generation the importance of forests. Tree huggers in the making.  Gawd I love my job.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

My late father (forester) would be proud.

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 44

Apparently I set a bit of a blistering pace.

Today I took this group of students out snowshoeing for a couple hours. At one point late in the hike, after a section of particularly tough trail breaking, I stopped to adjust my snowshoe. 

This is what I saw when I stood back up and turned to check on them. I'm still chuckling. What an awesome group of grade 7 and 8's. It was truly a pleasure to hike with them. We even saw a coyote.

Feeling grateful, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

I guess I tired them out

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 43

My uncle passed away yesterday. Death always leads me to a reflective place.

To me he was my 'Big Friend'. A silly name created by a little girl who fell madly for her big, tall uncle. Although we lived on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean I am grateful for the time I did spend with him. Whether sailing in the North Sea, walking the dunes, sitting in the garden, or in later years chatting via skype, I was always captivated by his stories. 

Sending much love to my cousin Klara. You will be missed and always loved my Big Friend.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Farewell Oom Jaap, farewell. 

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 42

Grateful for best friends that are kindred spirits.

This morning my bestie Marti and I were scheduled to guide a school group in a snowshoe outing. At the last minute the school cancelled because of the wind chill/cold temperatures.

My conversation with Marti went something like this...

Me: School cancelled. Too cold. We're not needed.

Marti: Ok. 

Me: I'm already dressed.

Marti: me too.

Me: let's go fatbiking.

Marti: pick ya up in 5.

And what a blast we had. So grateful to have friends who are as nuts as me.

Feeling grateful,

Louise 

#365daysOFgratitude

Marti on this morning's ride. Bloody cold, but super fun!

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 41

Filling a day off with a little housework and a little relaxation.

Usually I am busting to get out and enjoy the day outdoors, but with the temperatures still ungodly cold (thanks Siberian express, or whatever this polar vortex is being called), I was quite happy to find ways of entertaining myself indoors. 

The house is clean and I feel rested. 

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Relaxing by the fire

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 40

This sky. So darn grateful for this beautiful sky.

At the end of a long weekend of working the Outdoor Show I stepped outside to load up the vehicle, looked up, and saw this. Oh my what a wonderful sight. I stood and watched the clouds dance and move for a few minutes, snapped a few photos, and thought to myself how friggin lucky I am.

Feeling grateful,

Louise 

#365daysOFgratitude

Sky porn

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 39

Grateful we could finish our 8-week ski program in style - with lots of games, laughter, hot cocoa, and roasted marshmallows.

Going to miss these wee munchkins!

Feeling grateful, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Everything happens with skis on, even getting pulled around in tubes by the assistant instructors.

Mmmmmmmm, hot cocoa and roasting marshmallows. Even moms and dads joined in.

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 38

Super grateful to be able to put my feet up after two long, busy days at the Outdoor Show in Toronto, Canada. 

So much fun kibutzing with my Treetop Trekking co-workers, and running the 200ft zipline over the show. (Www.treetoptrekking.com)

Feeling grateful,

Louise

P.s for the local folks - the show is on all weekend. International Centre by the airport.

#365daysOFgratitude

So awesome to catch up with this guy! Our Barrie Park's Site Manager Kevin Bozzo

Brampton Site Manager Ally Green coming in to the landing platform.

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 37

Sweet notes from my sweet husband.

I have a particularity busy work schedule for the next 4 days, and leaving the house this morning I find this wonderful message on my car. He always knows how to make me smile!

Feeling grateful,

Louise

P.s. He will be rather embarrassed that I posted this, but his little random acts of kindness are an inspiration to others!

#365daysOFgratitude

Front window

Side windows

Back window

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 36

Grateful for warmer weather today.

Let's be clear, it's still -9 celcius! But that feels almost balmy compared to the frigid temperatures we've been having this entire winter.

Also grateful the weather predictions are already cast for tomorrow, so no one can say I jinxed it when the temperatures plummet to -35 celcius again :)

Feeling grateful, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Look - I'm not even wearing a toque (knitted hat for non-Canadians)

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 35

Grateful for a fabulous lunch date with Wonder Woman.

Let me explain.

I love young people. I did when I was young and I do now in my semi-retirement years. I love connecting with them, hearing about their hopes and dreams. I love talking them through rough spots and helping guide them, if asked, in big life decisions.

In essence I am mamma smith to many. And. I. Love. It. 

Today my young friend Vanessa took me to lunch and we talked and talked and talked until the restaurant needed to start preparations for dinner. She is such a wonderful, happy spirit and I am one lucky girl!

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Vanessa working as a zipline aerial guide this past summer

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 34

This morning I am feeling grateful for being able to share Yukon Quest updates with daughter Sydney.

In short - she is a professional dog sled musher. She got me hooked on watching the incredible dog sled race the Yukon Quest (yukonquest.com), which is in the final leg of the 1000 mile journey. She also has me cheering for Brent Sass from Wild and Free Mushing. 

Because Syd is working today, I am feeding her race updates via text. Given that we live a few 1000 miles apart, I couldn't be more grateful for always feeling like we are connected at the hip.

Got Brent go! Wild and Free baby, wild and free.

Much love,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

A picture from Yukon Quest's Facebook page

Sydney with baby Gaia (nicknamed Tuna because she is a biggie)

Sydney training puppies in the summer (with the help of a few old retired sled dogs)

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 33

On days like this I am grateful for warm sunshine beaming through the windows, and a good fire burning in the wood stove.

Much love, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Drifting snow on our drive back from brekkie in town.

Beauty fire in the wood stove

The weather report

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 32

Paul and I are doing something entirely different for Valentine's Day. We are going to a funeral.

The father of our eldest son's best friend passed away. He was 2 weeks shy of heart surgery. Words cannot express the sorrow we feel for Anders. 

It is what it is. 

Moments like this always make me grateful. For life. For love. For being there even if all it means is that we are there.

Wishing everyone love and happiness,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

365 Days of a Gratitude -Day 31

Feeling grateful for the sporadic texts and messages I get from 'up north.'

My 'French son' Mickael is currently driving big rigs on the ice road from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories to Nunavut. The driving can be difficult and dangerous and there is minimal cell service along the way. But, as Mickael says, the nighly view of the northern lights is awe inspiring.

So, when I do hear from him I am riddled with gratitude.

Much love,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Setting sun (heading towards Yellowknife. 

Northern lights

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 30

Today I am feeling grateful for the inspiring kindness of my friend Bernie and the example she is setting for others.

Bernie knits. She knits and knits and knits. Always for pleasure, often for charity. She routinely makes piles of scarves and then gives them out to homeless people. She also makes up self-care kits and hands them out at shelters.

Her grandchildren help make up the kits, and help hand them out. Bernie even teaches the youngsters to knit so they too can make scarves for the homeless.

Thank you Bernie for being you and ALWAYS inspiring me to amp up my kindness and do good things for others.

Much love,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Bernie, her daughter Kelly, and grandkids handing out 'kits' at a homeless shelter

Young little grandson Coby handing out self-care kits

Piles of scarves to hand out

Granddaughter Maddie learning to knit scarves

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 29

Today I am grateful for any/all teachers, principals, school boards, and parents that value outdoor experiences as effective learning environments!

In the winter I work part time as a cross country ski instructor, specializing in young children and school groups.  There are many aspects that I love, but my 2 favourites are watching the kids laugh and enjoy being outdoors, and 2, learning independence and respect - with 75 km of trails they must choose wisely in their afternoon free-ski. We don't coddle them, and they always rise to the occasion!

So yes. Today I am feeling tremendous gratitude for the teachers that value outdoor education.

Much love,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Enjoying a break after a big climb

Working on climbing skills during their free-ski

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 28

Today I am feeling grateful for Blue Bird days...and for getting to spend the entire blue bird day outside, in the forest, and on the best ski trails in Ontario. 

Feeling lucky! Feeling grateful.

Much love, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Wish I had stopped to take more photos, but these 2 will have to do.

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 27

Feeling grateful for taking pictures and capturing memories.

This morning I was watching an interesting National Geographic video (see link below) on avalanche search and rescue and then I remembered I had seen (and taken pictures) of avalanche dogs in training while I was skiing at Revelstoke Mountain a couple weeks ago.

At the time I was mesmerized by the dogs - I always am when I get to see working dogs work. It can be quite inspiring to see their devotion and dedication to their job. So very grateful I snapped a couple pictures.

Much love,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

P.s. Keep scrolling down for the HILARIOUS comedy video I watched at the Banff Mountain Film Festival about Fernie's avalanche cats. Be prepared giggle. A lot! Same topic-ish. Had to share. 

National Geographic video:

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/exploreorg/avalanche-adrenaline-junkies-eorg?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_fb20150209video-adrenalinevod&utm_campaign=Content&sf7321439=1

Avalanche dogs resting between training sessions

Fernie avalanche cat video.

http://youtu.be/JAYQyrsX1HM

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 26

It happened so quick and so spontaneously I was just grateful to have been there to witness it.

On the weekends I teach wee ones how to cross country ski. It's an 8week program and my skiers are 3, 4, and 5 years old. I absolutely love it.

Yesterday my asssistant and I had just got them inside, jackets off, and settled into 'snack time' when a Special Olympic athlete came over to chat. Next thing I knew he pulled out his medals and was inspiring my little ones to reach for their dreams.

They were mesmerized.

I was so moved by his generous and kind little talk I had to wipe the tears of gratitude from rolling down my cheeks.

That moment was one of life's little miracles.

Much love,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

My little 'Bunnies' (that's the name of their ski level)

The Special Olympic medalist inspiring my Bunnies at snack time 

Playing at the fire pit after lessons were over

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 25

This morning I am feeling grateful for articles that resonate with me, and this link below is one of them. It's titled '10 things I want my daughter to know about working out,' and it's fantastic.

http://wellfesto.com/2013/11/19/10-things-i-want-my-daughter-to-know-about-working-out/

It's not excercise to me, it's activity. Fun, outdoor activity. And lucky me, it just happens to be uber healthy to boot. 

So, ya, today I am grateful for articles like these, and for friends and family who feel the same way. Thanks for sending this my way Jenn!

Much love,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Trish and I being active and having fun earlier this week. This is Trish.

Trish and I with another friend winter tubing.

http://wellfesto.com/2013/11/19/10-things-i-want-my-daughter-to-know-about-working-out/

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 24

Stories like these make me so very grateful. They restore my faith in humanity and remind me that solutions can be simple. I am reminded that kindness comes in all forms. Thank you Mason Wartman!

Much love, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Photo credits:LightInTheBox/Facebook

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 23

This quote/image says it all. I am grateful for looking back and smiling at the memories.

Today marks the 1 yr anniversary of the sudden death of the father of a young friend of mine. She and I work together in the summer months as zipline rescue guides at an aerial challenge park (check us out: www.treetoptrekking.com).

When my dad was in his final stages of life Bailey (my young friend), having only lost her dad a few months previously, became a big support for me. Sometimes we would talk about it. Sometimes we would just look at each other and know. That silent support of living life, finding beauty, enjoying laughter in our work, all with a heavy heart, meant the world to me. 

So this morning I am thinking about Bailey and her dad. I am remembering our shared journey of loss and feeling very very thankful we walked that road together.

Much love,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

I love this quote (even though I am ending my 'sitting' shortly to meet a friend to Fatbike)

Bailey and her dad. I never had the privilege to meet him, but given how incredible his daughter is I suspect he was a great guy.

365 Days of Gratitude -Day 22

Today I am grateful I still get to have sleep-overs at mom's.

Last summer my dad passed away. He was 90 and had led a full life. After Pop passed we moved mom to a retirement home and helped her sell the home they lived in since the late '70's.

Lots of change for mom.

Thankfully she has always been a glass half full person. She has journeyed into this new phase of her life with a positive attitude, good memories, and a wonderful zest for life. So, yes, I am grateful for that too. So very, very grateful.

Much love,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

My morning view at mom's

Mom's latest painting. Isn't she talented!

Mom asked me to help make her 'Valentine's Board' that gets displayed on Feb 14th here in the retirement home. What fun!

365 Days of Gratitude -Day 21

Wisdom. Oh my how I am grateful for that deep rooted, common sense 'knowing' called wisdom.

Although some people are born with inate amounts of wisdom (I call them Old Souls), everyone, even the wisest will continue to learn lessons throughout their lives that can make them wiser. The more you experience, the more you test waters, try new, discover and uncover, and colour outside your lines of comfort, the wiser you will become. 

Much love,

Louise