the thrill is ...

it's my blog & I'll post more geranium photos if I want to ;- thanks for your geranium patience

To change one's life,
start immediatley
& do it flamboyantly

William James

the thrill is going away...
and I do want to leave this place before the thrill is completely gone.

My friend from NuT and her Team of 6 recently asked me to explain, again, just why is it I want to leave my perfect little seaside village and my much loved brick house at 29 Black Street with it's surrounding (& newly cleared) terracotta woodlands & gardens. Home to a bevy of wild & tame plant and animal life including several protected species of earwig ??? All of this with an ocean view, steps from a tranquil harbour lined by more park and moments away from a sandy beach* Why ??? Pour quoi ???? What ?? Are ya nuts ???

A change is as good as a rest

or I'm still too young to just rest so the next best thing is to change. I'm ready, we're ready for a wee change in scenery etc... and that tiny(ier) life I've often spoken of.

* I will admit, here in the fine italic print, that it 'tis true - there is a possibility that our grand exercise of looking & scouting out new amazing places may have us stay right exactly where we are ... and appreciate it even more !!



Our goal is to move in the Spring of 2013. Two more years here fixing this lovely old home up until she shines like a diamond, clearing and pruning, mowing & planting until the surrounding extra large double lot with a harbour view is beautifully park like in stature. We're happily scouting out new Maritime locations in all three provinces and with Oliver's blessing we're planning our next foray out into the world of new locals at the beginning of July.

We'd like to live out in the country (no more hustle & bustle of village life), on at least a secondary road (no main highways or roads please), with another view and easy walk to the ocean, a more rugged coastline preferred and ideally a crafty/artist summer tourism type community. Hmmmmm ... well that narrows it down to thousands & thousands of places. We'll keep you posted on the new potential & prospects list as it grows. Thank goodness for the internet as so much research and planning can be done ahead.

Who likes granola ?? Hands up please ??

This is my second time making this easy as can be Mark Bittman crunchy granola recipe

nutty crunchy granola (adapted from Mark Bittman)

6 cups old fashioned oats
2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut
2 cups slivered almonds (toasted lightly in oven first)
1 cup pumpkin seeds (toasted lightly in oven first)
2 heaping teaspoons of cinnamon
3/4 cup maple syrup (or honey or brown sugar)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract

add extracts to maple syrup and heat in microwave 30 seconds. Toss cinnamon, oat, nut & coconut mixture together well. Slowly pour maple syrup mixture over everything stirring well. Spread equal amounts onto two large baking sheets. Bake stirring often at 350 for 30 minutes or until browned & crunchy. After the mixture cooled I added 1 whole box of Fibre 1 original and a box of Fibre 1 honey clusters helping to turn this delicious granola into a high fibre feast. YUM