Ahhh … b r e a t he ….

A mother’s love crafted that crocheted afghan, a reminder of all her creations over the years for her family and grandchildren.  A cushion to rest your weary head, one of my earlier quilting efforts from a kit, as mother has always loved all things blue.  Martha the moose, a comforting friend when Mom was sick and had to have some bedrest, selected from a Clarenville craft show a few years back.  And the best of all … that beloved rocking chair.  I remember laying my proverbial “eyes on the prize” in the corner of the shop.  With no price tag that I could see, I asked the owner if it was for sale.  She wasn’t sure.  It was her aunt’s, she said, included with a few other old pieces she had just brought in to see if anyone was interested.  Was I ever.  I said I would like to leave with it, and so she made the call.
Now, had I been in Toronto, or anywhere else (where they could tell I was a goner from a mile away), the price likely would’ve tripled for this anticipating buyer, knowing it would be purchased without heed for the cost.  However … I remind you … I was NOT in Toronto.  She promptly advised me that $90 would be enough.  How fast can you say SOLD?  Still not quite sure how I fit it in the Jeep, amidst passengers human and canine, a dog crate, clothing and other travelling accoutrements.  Still not quite sure how it ended up in some other bedroom than mine either!

Salvage, Newfoundland always takes me back to the way it used to be when I first visited out east.  The blue sky, the wispy clouds, the bay’s reflection, the nets, the leaning stage, hanging on by stilts to the rugged rock below … love it…  Such a peaceful place, with friendly folks that will stop to invite you in for a cup of tea, tell you where the good hikes are, and offer their driveway for a parking place.  Outdoor chubby-cheeked boys that wave to you from their bike, and point out the ducklings that are hanging out on the shore.  Red-haired girls with freckled faces swinging with abandon in their yards.  The wooden sign that doesn’t require explanation of why the legal practice has opted for this locale over the business towers of Toronto.

Yup.  That’s the view from the homestead.  Maybe now you can understand why I say I LIVE and BREATHE here.  Seated on my bench towards the sea, purchased for next to nothing by a fellow up the road who milled the lumber, sawed and sanded same into comfortable form, complete with table between for the creature comforts of a “hot cuppa”, with nothing interrupting my view of the bay.  This evening glow was hardly captured by my camera as it was by my own two eyes.  And there’s something about seeing the water that still, with the freshness of the sea air filling your senses, and hearing the small splashes of happy fish as they ripple the water, coming up for the view themselves.  No small wonder.

We love our drives up the Northern Pen and around Gros Morne Park.  The fjords, the mountains, the grandeur of it all.  There’s something incredibly freeing, as you drive with very few cars in sight, the ocean waves pounding the shore on the left, and the wide open spaces all around you.  To see the caribou kneeling down and drinking, not bothered by the fact you’ve opened your car door to snap a shot, grazing in front of the mountains, in the muted hues of soft blues, greens and browns, all designed by our Creator to give us pleasure.  And so it does … indeed.

My dearest Foggy, we miss you very much.  You were the little heartbeat at our feet and the joy of our days.  I miss the kisses hello and goodbye, your greeting me at the door, your comforting presence through the evening, your big beautiful brown eyes looking up at me, full of love and loyalty.  I loved the way you curled into a corner at bedtime, and I will miss the sound of the closet doors knocking and waking me up while you repositioned yourself in the midst of your sweet dreams.  We are so grateful for all the years we had with you, and all the adventures we had in Newfoundland with you … hiking trails, swimming, Jeep rides around the coast, overnight trips to far off places on the island, picnics, visiting friends, or just hanging out on the deck.  All those memories forever etched on my mind and my life … happy, all of them.  Sleep soundly, my little one.  If ever a dog lived life to the fullest, it was most definitely you!

Driving the Northern Peninsula, one is always on the lookout for a moose, caribou or an eagle.  We’ve had lots of opportunities to see all three.  The night of this photograph however, we were caught up with the sun as it was slowly sinking beyond the horizon.  We kept pulling off to catch a glimpse of the beauty even in its reduced glory.  Interesting, how it seems at its most stunning, when it is drawing to an end.  (I have a feeling people are like that … we sometimes appreciate them as they age and we realize they will soon be gone).  These two red chairs set up in the “oh-so-perfect” spot beg you to just ENJOY.  Just breathe.  Just take it in.  Thank you Lord, for your awesome creation, from wildlife to whimsy to wonderful.  

I am so thankful for the sense of humour and joie de vivre when I get out and about in Canada’s most colourful province!  From stages and boats to houses and cabins, each choice by their owner has one wondering why THAT paint combination.  This little playhouse, perhaps for the grandkids, was just waiting to be photographed.  I had to hold myself back from trespassing and taking a wee look inside,  Thank you to the hardworking painters of Newfoundland, that spread joy in this way.  You captured my heart with your whimsy!

There’s nothing like handpicking your own blueberries in the Newfoundland sunshine and then heading back with blue-stained fingers  to pop the majority in the freezer for future baking sessions, while keeping some out for your favourite recipe … what will it be …. Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake?  Banana Blueberry Muffins?  Or a good old-fashioned Blueberry Pie!  With taste buds ready, I usually opt for the Tenderflake crust rather than a start-from-scratch pastry!   Here are the ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

4 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)

1 tbs butter, chopped

1 tsp lemon juice

1 egg yolk (optional)

Directions:

Place bottom crust into pie plate.  Combine sugar, flour and cinnamon in large bowl.  Fold in blueberries to coat.  Pour blueberries into pie plate, and sprinkle extra dry mixture evenly over blueberries.  Dot with chopped butter and sprinkle lemon juice on top.

Place remaining pie crust on top, seal and flute edges (or go for the extra effort and do the lattice top!)  Whisk an egg yolk in a small bowl, and brush lightly on top of crust.

Bake in 400 degree oven for 45 minutes or until juices begin to bubble, removing foil shield about 1/2 way through baking time (it helps the crust not become too brown).

Cool completely before cutting – the pie will hold together much better if allowed to come to room temperature.  ENJOY!

Oh the simple pleasures of the bay … driftwood and mussel shells, wave-carved by the sea with love …