Happy Thanksgiving

We have much to be

thankful for all year...

but Thanksgiving is that

one special day of celebration

when we consider

all that we have as a Nation,

and as individuals.

Where is Spring?

Does this look like Spring to anyone? We have a snowfall warning tonight for Northern New Brunswick for 20 cms of snow.

The view from the front door over our front yard and front deck, about an 1/2 hour ago.

Last night Paul and I talked about having a barbecue for dinner tonight. This is our back deck, and the snow is still coming down.....

My Spring bulbs are so confused, and so am I.

Remember to Remember...

Once again, we approach the time when, for several minutes of our lives, we are urged to reflect on the lives lost and injured fighting for the cause.

Remembrance Day - also known as Poppy Day - commemorates the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and civilians in times of war.

Remember...wear a poppy proudly and take the time to attend a Remembrance Day Service where you live, on 11 November. Our Soldiers and their families have given up so much for us.

Say "thank you" to our soldiers, past and present, for keeping us safe.

Canada remembers...

Red Fridays

Red Friday is a way to raise awareness of supporting our Canadian Troops in order to show a non-partisan Canadian Citizen support of our men and women serving our country.

Last Friday the Moncton Military Family Resource Centre held a barbecue fundraising event in Bathurst and we went along. It was a nice day to be in the park enjoying hamburgers, hotdogs and friendship. There was a lot of red in sight.

Canada Day (1 July) in New Brunswick

Canada Day, formerly Dominion Day, is Canada's national day, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the 1 July 1867 enactment of the British North America Act, which united two British colonies and a province of the British Empire into a single country, still within the Empire, called Canada.

For the past 18 years I have celebrated Canada Day in our nation's capital, Ottawa, which to me is an experience everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. It is difficult to put it into words, so take a look at some of the photos of the celebrations in Ottawa this year at this link. The crowd can number from 50,000 to 100,000 people near Parliament Hill, that day.

This was our first official Canada Day in New Brunswick. While celebrations were more subdued that we were used to, Paul and I enjoyed the afternoon at the Youghall Beach festivities in Bathurst. The sun was shining and we were dressed proudly in our red and white.

Many of the area people were happy to sit under the Canada sun umbrellas provided, to listen to a favorite local band, Wild Pitch.

One of the band members, Brian Kenny (left), is the New Brunswick Provincial Minister of Tourism and Parks. Wild Pitch entertained us with music from "the old days"!

Paul is always happy and appreciative of good live music.

Some people were returning to the marina after enjoying a leisurely sail in the Bathurst Harbour, near Youghall Beach. Something for everyone.

Paul and I later enjoyed a little "refreshment" on our deck at home, where we were flying our New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Canadian flags.

We are very proud to be Canadian

Hockey Again

My blog header photo is one that I took last winter and a favourite of ours.

This dad and his son would show most days at the frozen marsh behind our house, just after 3 p.m. when school was out. The dad would clean the snow off the ice, set up the goalie net and they would play hockey.

Well, this week we noticed that they are back again. It is nice to watch them spending time together outside, enjoying our great Canadian sport - hockey.

Olympic Torch Relay, Bathurst - 27 Nov 2009

We attended the Olympic Torch Relay in Bathurst last night and celebrated the lighting of the flame.

Our brother-in-law, Gordie Pitre is a torch runner in Campbellton this morning. We are all very proud of him.

Jeannine, Gordie and Paul waiting for the Olympic Flame to arrive at the Bathurst arena

The lighting of the Olympic flame on stage at the K C Irving Centre in Bathurst.

Some of the promotional items that were given out during the evening by the sponsors .

Via Webcam, here is Gordie carrying the Olympic Flame in Campbellton.

Best of luck to our Canadian athletes in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay continues on its journey across Canada and will be in our area on Friday 27 November 2009, with celebrations in Bathurst.


We will travel to Campbellton on Saturday 28 November to watch our brother-in-law, Gordie Pitre, carry the torch. He will be at the Big Salmon along the river in downtown Campbellton at 10:28 a.m.


Paul and I will be wearing our new red mittens (vancouver2010.com/redmittens), being proud Canadians. Net proceeds from every pair sold go toward supporting Canadian athletes.