Outdoor Play in the Winter

Sometimes I avoid outdoor play in the winter. Mostly because of all the time it takes to get everyone dressed. But I have to say when we take the time everyone benefits. We all get some much needed fresh air, expend some energy and get a little exercise in the process. Pip loves to pull out his bicycle, no matter the season - he calls it his motorcycle. And Emi finds anything she can to climb. It's cute. I love watching them. And I always feel better after a little fresh air mid winter.

Did you get out in the snow today?

xox
Margot

Winter Fun for Everyone

This weekend we packed the family up and headed North. I know, some of you are thinking 'don't they already live North?'. Well friends, we went further North.

It all started with an idea. We heard about the ice trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park, and thought it would make a fun winter destination. So we found a place to stay near-by and made a weekend of it. We bribed the boys with the promise of ice-fishing, and off we went.

Photo Credit: Nicole

We arrive at the cabin around supper time, on Friday. Moved in, had some food and the boys headed out to set-up the ice-hut for the weekend. The first night proved to be difficult to convince the pre-schooler to go to bed. Pip was just too excited about everything we had planned and refused to go to bed until almost midnight (yawn). In the morning we relaxed, ate some food, the boys did a little more fishing, and we headed out to Arrowhead in the afternoon.

Pip is still just learning how to skate, and in the beginning he wanted Daddy to carry him. Finally, dad decided on tough love. He put Pip on the ice trail and stood to the side. After a minute or two Pip was standing on his own, and trying to move forward. One of the cutest things I have seen since becoming a parent!

The ice trail is 1.3km loop, on an ice covered road through a campground. It has only been open for the last three years, and has become quite the popular winter destination. We went on a Saturday, which (after a little late research) is the busiest day! If you are thinking about heading up there perhaps try for a Sunday afternoon. Even though it was very busy, it was a lot of fun. I would love to go back sometime, but I think we will wait until the kidlets are a little bigger.

Emi rode in the chariot (thank goodness for that invention). And after skating like mad to lull her to sleep, she slept the entire time! She also had a great time snuggling with everyone during our cottage time. On our way out, our friends noticed that Arrowhead also has tubing, and decided to return the next morning for some more outdoor fun. I figured our little guys were too small for that, so we stayed behind and had a lazy time at the cottage.

Snuggling with Daddy and smiling at Pip.

We ended the entire weekend with an awesome fish fry once we got back home. All the time the boys spent in the ice-hut resulted in a big pile of fish to clean, fry and eat! And then everyone in this house had a big sleep. It was an awesome, but extremely exhausting weekend. I understand why some people choose to stay close to home with babes, but I think the fresh air was good for everyone!

Here's to our next outdoor adventure! Spend time in nature, you will feel better :)
xox
Margot

Life Lately...

Things are busy around the NaH household. Pip is getting closer to 3 than 2, and just never stops. He even decided that afternoon naps are no longer a necessity, which sometimes makes for a cranky afternoon. And Emi is 3.5months already! I'm just not sure how the time is passing so quickly, but I better hang onto my hat, because it is going amp up even more.

I just found out recently that I am headed back to work early this year. Towards the end of March I will be back to work full time, and Emi will only be 5months old. This is proving to be a lot of work as she has absolutely no interest in a bottle, and without one she will be one little grump. But I am trying to have a positive outlook and hope that things will get easier.

 

The other business in this household revolves around outdoor play, crafting and teaching. I organized an outdoor play group for Pip and other children around his age. The first one was a pretty big hit. We all bundled up, and went into the back yard to learn about some of the animals that are awake and active this time of the year. It is so amazing to watch children exploring the great outdoors. I am hoping to run some more in the future, and keep these kids learning about the world around them.

I am also gearing up for some rug-hooking activities, as well as a baby food workshop I will be instructing. More on those activities later.

How are things in your neck of the woods? Have any fun outside lately?
xox
Margot

Sustainability Through the Eyes of a Meat Eater

Today I am sharing a little of my life experience over on Oh So Nourished. 

I tried vegetarianism years ago, but it wasn't for me, I was unable to maintain my busy extra-curricular activities without meat in my diet. So, I went back to eating meat. But I was never very excited about it, I didn't like the idea that animals were kept in unfavourable conditions and treated poorly throughout their lives, not to mention the hormones and antibiotics which are passed on to the consumers. I tried to find healthier, organic, free-range options but something still didn't feel quite right. 

Crab and Lobster Pots. Early morning on Bonne Bay, Gros Morne Mountain in the background.

Then I had the chance to live in Newfoundland, with a local family, and see how they practice traditional activities and self-sufficient living (for a little more on that subject click here). From small scale farming (beef, chicken/eggs, pork and veggies), to harvesting local abundant animals like moose, ptarmigan and trout, animals are an important part of their life and diet...

For the rest of the article hop on over to Oh So Nourished. 

xox

Margot

I blinked and then....

Two months had gone by....

My little baby became a toddling, babbling little boy....

Programming is into full swing at work....

Summer has arrived, and with it an intense heat wave!

Here is a glimpse into our last two months:

 

 

Spring walks in the forest, with red and white Trilliums!

Pip loves to explore the outdoors, he is watching Daddy cut the grass!

Playtime at the Park.

 Lately we've been beating the heat by putting our toes in the water, boating down the near-by river and drinking lots of ice cold drinks!

How is summer where you are? Are you finding good ways to stay cool?

xox

Winter Wonderland

Last week, on a couple days we had off between visiting family and one of my shifts at the store, Reggie, and his parents and I decided to make an adventurous trip into the family cottage. Now might I add that this cottage is not really set-up for winter visits. But armed with wood for the wood stove, some soup to warm up and lots of warm clothes and blankets we made our way in.

The walk in was long, but it was rather warm so we didn't mind. And Reggie took his snowmobile and made numerous trips dragging our stuff behind him. The next morning we woke to beautiful fluffy snow, and rather frigid temps - and as good Canadians we made our way outside!

 

Reggie decided to try out this Norwegian Fire Log, something he saw on a youtube video - seemed to work rather well for heating water.

Later on, as we got packed and ready for our long journey home, the sun came out. Who doesn't love a bright cold winter day!?

 

I didn't make it all the way out, Reggie picked me up on his sled and I got a ride for the second half. Boy was I happy to get home and have a hot bath! It was a great couple days, and we are already talking about going up again.

Are you a winter person? Or do you stay indoors with the heat and hot chocolate?
xox

Sliders and Sponsor Call out! :)

Remember I mentioned that we were headed to Orillia to get our new patio furniture (here). Well since we brought it home, and it stopped raining, we have been thoroughly enjoying it!

Last night we enjoyed some sliders! I never really realized why people got so excited about them... Until I ate them. You can dress them so many different ways, and eat them all without getting totally stuffed. And how cute are they!? (In my humble opinion, anything miniature is cute!)

And on a totally separate note. I am still looking for sponsors for July. Sponsor spots are still free. If you are interested in sponsoring Newfoundlander at Heart, please see here or e-mail me for more info!

Thanks lovelies!