….thanks to Jez Braithwaite for hosting Fan of…..
I’m a big fan of the beach down from my cottage on Georgian Bay. Last weekend the beach was quiet. It was a beautiful weekend but most people stayed in the city. I’m not complaining because I loved the solitude and spending time with my dog, Frances.
…thanks to Travels and Trifles for hosting this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
Over the years I’ve had numerous ‘precious pets’ as have my daughters and sisters. Not all these lovelies belong to me but they are someone’s precious pet and I was privileged to have taken their picture.
…thanks to Xingfu Mama for hosting Pull Up a Seat Photo Challenge
From the rides on the kid’s midway at the CNE to the old and unusual seats at the Ancaster Mill.
….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.
…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).
….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.
….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.
….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.
Mama Cormier 