Where the Path Leads You.

The sun was shining and the air was warm one morning last week, so I skipped away from my normal routine and decided a walk at the lake was in order. I had it all planned - a slow, quiet walk with coffee in hand. Time to enjoy the vista, to stop and smell the roses. We have such a pretty view on our doorstep and I hadn't taken the time to enjoy it in so long.

The shoreline at Oakville, Lake Ontario

It was a morning of pretty scenery (which I'll share with you in a minute) and one of tranquility, but along the path there was more. A chance meeting with a woman piqued my interest more than the pretty landscape.

A brief morning greeting had me stopping to chat with the lady for awhile. We introduced ourselves to one another, spoke vaguely about our families - the basic things strangers share. Visiting the lake is her routine - wandering when the weather allows, sitting quietly to watch the birds skim only inches above the water (her favourite part) and to listen to the soft joyful noise of the church bells ringing. She has time to observe and take it all in, time to think - too much time. The woman is younger than me with a child half my youngest child's age. I would say her whole life is ahead of her, but life is hard and it will be shortened. MS limits her. She brings herself to the path in a motorized wheelchair.

Quickly our conversation extends beyond the view of the lake and becomes about life, kids, and God - it made me stop and breath deep.  After a bit of time I found myself standing there holding her hand and chatting. I don't think she could possibly know how incredibly bright she is - and how she changed my day.

Our conversation carried me throughout the remainder of the walk and the entire day. Well - and here I am, many days later still thinking about the real rose that I came upon. Suddenly the path was not just one along the waters edge, under the canopy of mature tree's. Sometimes the path leads you to look at a much bigger picture.

Shortly after I said goodbye and continued my walk, I received a phone call that was expected - but still unwelcome. A member of our family had passed away early that morning. I was walking along the rose beds at Gairloch Gardens and decided that I shouldn't just stand there and look at the blooms. The morning brought more of a need to actually smell the roses. While I was kneeling in the grass to breath in the scent of the roses, it was the perfect opportunity to say a prayer.

Roses at Gairloch Gardens

The bells at Saint Andrew's Church ring softly each morning.

Let the path lead you.........

SNOW

** I had this post in a draft from a few weeks ago. Although the snow is now gone and the lawn is showing her green again, I thought it really is too pretty not to show you. So for those who think Christmas isn't complete without a snowfall ... here it is.

For someone who is a real summer girl, I can't resist the first pretty snowfall of the season. We received a blanket of snow today that left the trees painted in white flakes. I love how quiet the snow is. I stopped several times while shoveling the driveway just to hear the whisper of the snow falling. It really is a picture of beauty.

Our church - Saint Andrews, is pretty at any time, but especially with a winter wonderland framing it.

I may need to look back at this post in February when I'm fed up with the snow. But today it is a pretty picture.


How about you - are you a lover of summer or snow?

The price of a Gentleman

When I announce to my Granddaughter that we have to go to the bank she gets excited.
You see, the bakery is right across the street from the bank.

We wander into the bakery and every time Kya captures the attention of the ladies behind the counter with her usual request.....

'Umm, excuse me lady. Can I please have a Gentleman'.

The girls chuckle and package up a gentleman - a'ka a Gingerbread cookie, in a little brown bakery bag.

The truth is Kya would rather have one of these colourful cookies, and occasionally Grandma breaks down and buys the iced sugar cookie. The iced cookies may look like fun, but the gentleman cookie is her favourite cookie.

Price of a Gentleman = $1.75. 

 When I hear Kya chirp out her request each time,
the value of a Gentleman is Priceless.

Renovation Road

I've been stalking following a house renovation in our neighbourhood for a couple of years. Yes, that's right - a couple of years. The house originally went up for sale in approximately June 2011 - after the sale the process of permits, approval of the historical society and rebuilding began.  The original post with details on the homes history is HERE.

But let's cut to the chase and look at the house as it is appears today {still not complete}. This is Point O'View located at the foot of Trafalgar Road at the lakefront in Oakville.

The veranda's look out to Lake Ontario.

This house is literally steps to the shore of Lake Ontario. In addition to the incredible views of the lake {think the beauty in the summer, the storms over the water and the snow-scape in the winter}, the house benefits from the micro climate conditions right at the lake.

The house was built in 1902 - this is the property as it appeared in 2010.

The house was listed for $2.8 M, and after the two and a half years of process, permits, plus design and build costs the investments far exceed that number now. When the home sold it was 4,000 square feet and I was told by someone on the project that it is now 7,000+ square feet. The new homeowners were slated to move-in in June, however the process seemed to be delayed and although much of the house seemed complete the interior walls were not insulated and dry-walled. When I wandered by a few weeks ago you could see that crews were finally given the go-ahead to close in the walls.

Work on the exterior proceeded and the property has already started to take on a settled appearance. Anyone who has gone through a renovation can admit that beautifying the exterior is usually the last thing to happen, but this General Contractor took advantage of the wait time developing the beauty outside too.

A wood burning fireplace/oven is housed in the small structure {top left of the image}.

The half stone wall allows sunlight and lake breezes to be enjoyed by the pool and still brings privacy.

Like the house itself the mature trees bring history to the property. New plantings have been carefully selected to work with the era of the house.

The plantings are settling in quickly. I love the parking pad with grass growing between the brick.

Things have got to get a bit ugly and scary before they get pretty. The underpinning of this house had me wondering if the old home would survive the process.

 

the house was open and exposed for months

Many of the houses in our community must pass the approval process of the Historical Society. Albeit that it is important to preserve the heritage of the buildings at times it affects the buying/selling process. This house was kept within the general frame of the original building with a full excavation and underpinning. Some of the original windows remained on the house while others were replaced.
The balance is that the house has kept it's original character and has become more energy efficient. I also think the house has gained a tremendous amount of charm that will surely increase as layers of garden are added over the next few years.

People walk along the path at the lake and stop to take in the view of the house. 7,000 sq feet over three floors and multiple levels.

This area is still being worked on and I'm interested to see if it will be a water feature. The plinths with the custom iron arch is generally the embellishment for a wishing well.

Maybe added to the top of a well like this one at Patina Farm. image via Brooke's instagram

via pinterest

This is only a small part of what the new windows and veranda's are about.

Lake Ontario

I'm looking forward to seeing the finishing touches of this charming historical property and hoping that one of the Canadian shelter publications gets the opportunity to photograph it.

Remembrance

They fought for the freedom of our country, and they served our nation proudly. 

A war Veteran walks to the Remembrance Day ceremony in Oakville.

We stood in the park this morning at Saint George's Square in Oakville to listen to the tributes paid to Canadian war veterans. It was already sunny, warm and glowing out, but when we turned the corner to walk across the park lawn and saw the generous turnout of residents, it felt even brighter.

The Maple Leaf forever.

We stood near a tree full of golden autumn leaves and the sun was peeking through on the crowd. I honestly felt like a kid back in grade school with the lessons about the meaning of Remembrance Day running through my mind. I couldn't help but remind myself that the reason we are all standing here in peace and safety is because of the sacrifices of so many men and women who serve Canada.

Richard and I watched our Granddaughter play on the lawn picking up the leaves and twigs. She's too young to understand the meaning behind it all yet, but even at two-and-half she was excited with the parade of flags, the bands and the man with all the stickers on his jacket. So she learned a new word today - Medals.

Three planes flew over the square as a tribute to soldiers who lost their lives serving our country and to the soldiers who thankfully returned home after the valiant battles. 

 Today we saluted the men and women who served in the military forces of Canada, and think of those who are currently serving.

 

Thank you for your bravery.

What the storm blew in

Old Oakville looking out over lake Ontario

At the end of a warm and sunny day today, the weather quickly turned blustery with great gusts of wind. I wouldn't have been surprised to see Mary Poppins herself land in the center of town. OK maybe not, but it was a serious blast of wind that instantly changed the landscape of our neighbourhoods.

When the rain came down to a trickle Richard and I decided to take a walk to the lake.

An hour before there was only a trickle of leaves.

I now have a better understanding of the saying 'look what the storm blew in'.

Lawns and streets were carpeted in leaves that had fallen in great volumes from the strong winds. The definition from front walks to lawns was lost with the thick blanket of golden leaves.

Looking east towards Toronto.

When we walked to the edge of the lake there was a stunning glow of pinks, blues, golds and greys that meshed together. I love these moments when you stand in the middle of nature and feel as if you are looking at a priceless painting.

And as we took a few more steps ......there is was floating over the lake......... a stunning rainbow.

These pictures were taken with my iphone and don't capture the intensity of the moment. And well let's all be honest, when you are standing there looking at the sky after a storm with the glow of the sun peaking back in and a vibrant rainbow that reaches to forever, nothing can capture the real vista.

When I finally tore my glance away from the rainbow and started to move on, we discovered that the setting sun brought a glow to the west end of town that looked like a fire ball.

What the wind blew in to town tonight was a gallery of paintings by Mother Nature. And her artistic skill is truly priceless.

untouched picture from my iPhone

summer long weekends

I believe half of the city was up north in cottage country for the Canada Day long weekend......... it was almost spooky how quiet it was in town. As the masses hustled back to town tonight on the highways, the city began to get a bit more noisy.

I was coming through our town tonight as the sun was beginning to set and caught this picture of the harbour. The summer long weekend is closing with the pink glow of the sunset and the moon beginning to peak out above the water. Like the boats, we are anchored here in the calm waters of home.

Here comes Santa Claus

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, 

right down Santa Claus lane............

Kya waiting for Santa

"Hey Santa, I know that I wasn't very happy when I visited your little house. 

And maybe the picture of us together this year was taken when I was crying. 

But I really do believe. 

Please stop at my house........there will be cookies."

Santa at the Oakville Parade