Thursday Doors – Ancaster Mill

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Norm for hosting Thursday Doors

This week I celebrated another birthday. They seem to come faster every year. My husband had to make a trip to Hamilton for a quick medical procedure so I went with him. When he was done he surprised me by driving to Ancaster to treat me to a wonderful lunch at the Ancaster Mill. It was a very easy and short trip from the hospital and the scenery along the way was beautiful.

The Ancaster Mill is situated beside a creek, with a large dining room built out overlooking the falls. It is the third oldest building in Ontario and has quite the history. Check it out here.

The mill is situated on a hill to take advantage of the waterfall so walking from the parking lot to the restaurant can be an issue for people with mobility problems. There is, however, a driveway by the doors to the main entrance where passengers can be dropped off.

Before our lunch we walked around the grounds for a few minutes before heading up the stairs past the mill.

After a very delicious lunch we continued up another set of stairs to check out the new wedding chapel and pergola that was still under construction.

I can’t recommend the mill any more highly for a special occasion or splurge. It’s well worth the drive from anywhere in the Golden Horseshoe area or GTA.

A Photo a Week Challenge – What’s for Dinner?

Posted on August 23, 2019 by Mama Cormier

…thanks to Nancy Merrill for hosting A Photo a Week Challenge

My husband is wonderful cook and all of these meals were prepared by him in the last few months despite his ongoing illness (which is much better by the way).

A Visit to the ‘Turrets’ With My Little Princess

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….turrets is what Winnie calls the playscape in High Park

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with my granddaughter so that her mom could spend some time with her father in the hospital. She was very excited when she found out that I was taking her to High Park.

The Jamie Bell Adventure Park was a community built playground and very popular with families. In March of 2012 the place was torched by a suspected arsonists. The community quickly rallied and raised enough money to rebuild the structures and the adventure park was reopened in August of the same year.

When Winnie and I arrived there were ‘hordes’ (the word used by Winnie) of children there enjoying the space. Even though Winnie is not yet four she didn’t let the crowds deter her from having a good time. I got quite the workout running after her so I wouldn’t lose sight of her.

The only way I could get her away from the turrets was to bribe her with ice-cream.

Afterwards we headed over to the zoo to see Fred the peacock. She calls all the peacocks Fred but unfortunately none of them were displaying their tail feathers. She did like this goat standing on the rocks overlooking his harem.

Like the goat Winnie wanted to sit up high above the rest of us and she convinced Oma to lift her up onto this massive stump on the walkway.

After a very long walk back to the car she collapsed onto the cool grass and had a wee rest.

These are the special moments that grandparents live for.

By the way, my husband was released from the hospital and is now resting at home.

Foto Friday #49 – Return

Posted on August 9, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Rag Tag Team for hosting Foto Friday

Of all the places I’ve visited the place I’d like to return to is Venice. I loved everything about it.

Lens Artist Challenge #57 – Taking a Break

Posted on August 5, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Travels and Trifles for hosting this week’s Lens Artist Challenge

Last week my daughters and I took a break from city life and spent four days at the cottage with our dogs. Frances (my dog) and Olive get along very well despite the large age difference (10 years). I’m very much a water person and love living by large bodies of water, both at home and the cottage. The cottage is on Christian Island in Georgian Bay which is part of Lake Huron. We had a wonderful time swimming, playing with the dogs and trying to put together an impossible 1000 piece puzzle of the moon.

During our stay these two lovely ladies put together the new barbecue while I read the instructions. After it was completed Josie made us a fabulous dinner on the barbecue. I do all my cooking outdoors when I’m at the cottage. Great food, lots of wine and spirits (but not too much) and time spent with friends and family; I can’t imagine a better way to ‘take a break’.

When it was all over Frances needed ‘a break’ from all that running and playing on the beach. She is after all 12 1/2.

Which Way Photo Challenge – June 27, 2019

Posted on June 27, 2019 by Mama Cormier

…hiking around Sparrow Lake Camp

Last week our son and I drove up to Sparrow Lake to visit Brendan’s twin sister and her family who are living at the camp for the summer.

On our way home we stopped at Weber’s for dinner. We parked the car on the west side of the highway and crossed over on the pedestrian bridge.

Thanks to Son of a Beach for hosting The Which Way Photo Challenge

The Colours of the Pride 5K Race

Posted on June 22, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….today our son, daughter and daughter-in-law all took part in the Pride 5k Race

There is probably no race more colourful than the one that takes place during Pride Week here in Toronto. It was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine, warm temperatures and colourful decorations and runners.

All three of our children did very well. Of the three Andrea arrived first at just over 22 minutes.

Brenda came in next in just over 24 minutes. Not bad considering he hadn’t trained in over two months and only had four hours of sleep the night before.

Josie wanted to break 35 minutes and came in at just over 33 minutes. Congratulations to all of them for a job well done.

Next year I promised I would do the run with them. I better start training now. I’d be happy to break 45 minutes.

Why Three Year Olds Love the Crazy Uncle

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….maybe it has something to do with the fact that they can be as goofy as the three year old

Our granddaughter doesn’t get to see her uncle Brendan very often but when she does he makes sure that he gives her his undivided attention. Yesterday was no exception when we drove up to Sparrow Lake to visit Brendan’s twin sister and her family. From the moment we arrived he was placing banana peels on her head, swinging her in the air, playing pretend sword fighting with sticks, playing with balls and doing cannon balls into the lake. Here are a several examples of the two of them at play.

This Little One Brings Sunshine into my Life

Posted on May 15, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….even if the weather doesn’t want to cooperate

After a stressful morning on Tuesday my husband suggested that I drive to Hamilton to spend some time with the family. I had originally planned to go there on Thursday but my father’s CAT scan appointment came through and it turned out to be on the same day. On the weekend we didn’t see Gaelan, Brendan or Winnie because Gaelan came down with a stomach flu.

I was in desperate need of some ‘Winnie’ time so I quickly fed the neighbour’s cat (a story for another time), put the car seat back in the car (in case we decided to drive somewhere in Hamilton) and headed out for the highway.

Just before I reached the onramp for the QEW I remembered that I had left the dog outside and forgot to lock the front door. Back I went.

Eventually I did get to Hamilton and spent the day playing games and reading to Winnie. While I was there I noticed that the sun was trying to come out and it seemed to warm up. After much coaxing we finally convinced Winnie to go for a walk to the playground at Dundurn Castle.

We spent about an hour there and then we had a hard time convincing Winnie it was time to go home.