Our New Life, As We Know It Now

Hi friends.  After a lengthy absence I’m back !

What has been happening in my world. Lots has transpired since my last post.   I appreciate you waiting out my hiatus.

Our oldest is expecting !  We will be first time grandparents come late fall.  I don’t really fancy the name Gramma. Or Baba. Or Omama.  So I am still on the search for the perfect name, although honestly this kid is probably gonna call me whatever it wants to or can say.  

We have lost a few loved ones.  A beloved nephew and a loved aunt.  

Dustin, you were the most gentle loving soul that walked this earth and I am comforted knowing you’re an angel watching over us and protecting us.  I’m saddened every day to think how we couldn’t help you while you were struggling, but I know you knew we loved you.  There is a hole in our hearts that will never heal and we miss you so xo.

Aunt Emily, you lived a long life and lost many so close to you before their time.  I know how broken your heart was.  But you were a strong woman, a force of nature and a talented artist. I will always remember you and my childhood fondly as we spent many family holidays together, summers on the tobacco farm and time at your cottage. I will look at our wedding gift hanging in my home (and shared above) and smile often at the remarkable talent and Aunt you were.  As I think of you, I can taste your mouthwatering torte, one of my favorite things you used to make whenever I asked.  You too will be missed but my heart is at ease knowing that you are reunited with those who went before you.  

We were posted to North Vancouver in July and are finding our way with our imposed restriction that has us living in two homes and in two cities.  We have enjoyed exploring our new surrounding and we will figure it out and see this new adventure through together until retirement just over there in the horizon.  We spent our house hunting trip and the week of our initial move checking out the local eateries in North Van.  Jagerhof (www.jagerhof.ca), this amazing German place out our back door with melt in your mouth schnitzel.   Actually another reminder of family and childhood, and I can’t wait to go back.  Farina a Legna (www.farinaalegna.com): this small and intimate spot with a modest but oh so delicious menu of pasta and wood oven pizza that serves up a divine expresso negroni.  (Stay tuned for a future post “I Should of Married into the Mob” as I blog about my love of Italian food, aka pasta!) And Anatoli Souvlaki (thegreekbyanatoli.com/location-north-vancouver), this lovely local Greek spot with an outdoor dining area where we enjoyed a happy hour experience. Looking forward to returning to a full on meal. . And while we haven’t been to the newly opened Jam a block down the street (jamcafes.com), I cant wait to dash out for brunch given I have frequented and enjoyed their Victoria location several times. Just a couple of the spots a stone throw away for our place.

It is still safe to say that love, family and food continues to dominate my life. Change has definitely been in the air in our life. A dear friend once told me its not about change itself, its about how we embrace the change (actually I think it was “embrace the suck”). Some changes have been difficult to work through, especially as we age, while others, not quite so hard. And when all else fails and the change is just a wee bit too much some days… in the words of Adele, “I Drink Wine”.

Until my next post friends, be well.