Don't Give Up.

We all go thru tough times and it's easy to feel like some things are not survivable. But every rough day can be overcome. I learned many years ago that on those days, when it feels like my world is collapsing and there is no visible support, that I need to keep breathing, because the next day is always a little better. What ever I'm dealing with likely isn't completely resolved just because it's another day. But it's usually a lot lighter and more manageable. I find if I'm extra tired, then it feels like ti can't be worked out. And will feel like this forever. In time, it's better or I've managed to sort it all out. Life is a journey, a mix of triumphs and rough days. I do believe that rough days help build character. It can feel good to get through something difficult and come out on the other side with tenacity and strength to tackle future issues. Tough lessons and new tools create a stronger personality. I hate some of the things we've had to deal with. But often feel that we've accomplished something great when we get to the other side of a really big concern. 

How do you get through rough days?

What are your tools to feel better?

~ Chy

Pink Blossoms.

Sweet and tiny pink blossoms for the cherry tree in front of our old house. I'll miss these each Spring but happy the new owners will enjoy. At the cottage, we have lavender (4 in total), a bleeding heart, a lilac bush that grows each year but no blooms just yet. a healthy hosta, 2 rose bushes in addition to many Wild Alberta Rose bushes all over the forest, a limelight hydrangea, some thyme, phlox, sedum and a whole lot of plants that I don't even know what they are. One day I'll have it all catalogued. For now, I just enjoy!

Today, the 2nd day in a 3 day long weekend, we woke up to pouring rain and strong winds. We did weed and work in the garden yesterday, so the rain was welcome to keep everything so green. And to give us a day off of landscaping. We slept in a bit, with the sound of rain hitting the roof. Then we headed in to the Big City to visit Ikea (2 new plant pots for my cuttings that have outgrown their glass bottles), new Country Living U.K. and Daphne's Diary from Indigo (our favorite book store), a visit to the Antique Mall to look for more plant pots (no pots but I found a vintage Holly Hobbie tea pot), a stop at the hardware store to buy paint and supplies for our preschool, and then finally, groceries to fill our pantry and fridge. Lunch, a nap and tonight we've been watching Hallmark Christmas Movies. It is July! And now "Christmas in Connecticut" has just started. Tomorrow promises to be a warm and sunny day. Hoping to get some cedar chips moved and would love to sit on the deck in the sun and do NOTHING! I'm not very good at sitting still but working on it. One day, I'm sure I'll perfect it!

The rest of the week looks like a very rainy. I don't mind rain during the week but always hope for at least one sunny day on the weekend. I'd like to get the decks re-stained this year. And get the final bits of landscaping done so we can just maintain it and then sit back and truly enjoy all the hard work we've put in to creating gardens, play zones and seating areas. We're getting closer and closer all the time.

Wishing you a beautiful Sunday tomorrow and if you're reading from the U.S., a fun, healthy and safe July 4th!

~ Chy

Canada Day.

Today in our amazing country, we are all celebrating "Canada Day" and the festivities are happening across the nation. Here in our tiny hamlet, the day has begun with a big community breakfast, followed by family activities in the park until 11 pm, when the fireworks will go off to music. We have not only attended over the years, but we've also volunteered. However today, we're still recovering from our music festival (post to follow down the road) and we are heading in to the big city to see "Hamilton" tonight. So we'll miss the music and fun in the park but will celebrate in our own small ways here at home. I'm proud to be Canadian and feel privileged EVERY single day that I get to live in this beautiful country. It's not just the beauty that surrounds us though. It's also the compassion our country provides not just to our citizens but to the World. And the ability to give back to others in ways that are humble but meaningful. 

We let ourselves sleep in today and will soon head out to garden. With our trip to the U.S., Covid, selling our other house and then the festival (all in the last 3 weeks), we were not able to do as much gardening as we would have normally done. And the rain has been more than normal, so that didn't help. But today promises to be sunny and warm, so off we go. Once we've done as much as we can, it'll be time to shower and do some paperwork that we'd like to tackle, then dinner and we'll be off to see "Hamilton." Looking forward to relaxing and enjoying the music we listen to often. It's a long production, so hopefully we don't fall asleep.

I'm off to pot plants, dig holes to put blueberry and raspberry bushes in, weed the front gardens and move cedar chips from the pile to the beds. Before and after photos will be shared. Unless I feel the weed show is too embarrassing!

Happy Canada Day!!

~ Chy

Bed of Lettuce.

Snuggly and warm, tucked in a bed

of lettuce. Sweet bunnies and full moon.

~ Chy

Under the Eaves.

Watching "Escape to the Country" while we

are tucked in to bed, under the eaves, waiting

for the Summer rain to start again. And looking

at sweet cottages for sale in the U.K. Dreaming!

~ Chy

Garden Blooms.

The garden is becoming greener by

the moment. Loving all the scents!

~ Chy

Butterflies ....

~ Chy

Festival Eats!

Sometimes we forget to eat when planning our annual Outdoor Music Festival. Or we eat "easy" meals. Tonight's creation: short and sweet cheesy garlic fingers and caesar's salad. And sweet lemonade in my new water bottle from work. Isn't it sweet? The water bottle, I mean, not the dinner. Though that was sweet too! Next week: back to regular meals ....

~ Chy