Welcome, April.

Welcome, April. I so, so, so long for Spring! We had such a mild Winter, with very little snow and absolutely NO blizzards in our region, though the southern part of our province has not had it so easy. So it's been a bit confusing to now be in the season of Spring, with snow that has been falling on and off thru the week. It's not super cold and it will melt. But it is an odd experience so far. I want to see blooms and buds on the trees, green stalks emerge from the dirt, and birds return to sing. For now, we wait for the snow to melt and the sun to return. I will truly appreciate Spring, once it finally arrives to warm our Earth. Soon!

~ Chy

Welcome May.

I love May. The garden starts to really bloom, we have our dd's birthday to celebrate, the school year is coming to an end, and the weather tends to be warm but not overly hot. We can sleep with all the windows open again and change out our flannel sheets for light weave soft cotton ones. And put all the sweaters in to storage and gather the Summer clothes we've missed! However, this year, we are surrounded by wildfires and unusually warm temperatures. Wait! Let me change that! Not warm but scorching hot. We keep hitting 30 C which is totally out of character. Usually at this time, we'll be around 18 to 20. Hardly any rain hit our region in April, so this is a huge worry. It's usually this hot in late July, not May! Hoping it all changes soon. We're not used to fires here and having survived a house fire, the thought of another experience is not something we wish to go thru again. We're well insured but we love our sweet cottage and beautiful location. Fingers crossed May soon becomes a rainy month and we can relax and enjoy it!

                     How is your May going so far?

                                     ~ Chy

Welcome Planter.

We found this tiny "Welcome" planter

at one of the greenhouses last year. It

was on a clearance sale and the most

amazing price. Couldn't resist. One of

the counselling clients I visit in her

home has the same planter. Love it!

~ Chy

A Warm Welcome.

When we bought our land 14 years ago, on a cold winter's night, we were told by the realtor and later by the neighbors that an annual BBQ, along with a huge bonfire, was held each summer. Over the years, as we visited our little piece of heaven and as we dreamed of one day having a home there, we also would talk about attending the bonfire each year. Our neighbor came to visit a few days after we moved in and told us that they hadn't done a bonfire the year before as the resident who planned all the events in our country subdivision had moved away. I was a bit sad to learn that something we were looking forward to, a small event that we knew would help us get to know our new neighbors was no longer something we could count on. But last Saturday, that all changed. A neighbor we hadn't met arrived at our front door, on her bike. to greet us, add our names to the master list of residents and extend an invitation to the "new" annual BBQ, along with a huge bonfire. We immediately said "Yes"! As the newest residents and as the final home to be built in the subdivision, she felt it was time to bring back the event so that we could meet everyone else. So glad she created this evening.

So tonight, after all our work was done, we walked over to the big field, freshly baked cookies in our arms to add to the desert table and happy smiles on our faces. 

We were greeted by the organizing neighbor and she introduced us to the others. It was a very warm welcome and we felt embraced by the genuine reception from everyone. Moving is never easy and it can feel so isolating but after tonight, I know our choice to move out here was clearly correct and we are finally HOME!!

Leaving the site, after lots of visiting, we walked back down the quiet lane with our new neighbors and their baby son. Invitations were extended on both sides to visit and we walked in to our new home feeling very accepted by this community. Can't wait for next year!

The tiny moon over the trees.

Do you live in a community of welcoming neighbors?

Does it feel safe, friendly and engaging?