Puzzling

My daughter is not that keen on jigsaws despite a family legacy of women making puzzles together; however during our season with my parents she learned that some of the best conversations happen with pieces spread out on a board and faces leaning in, stories of who was who and what they did and maybe…

What I Should Have Written

It’s the end of June and re-reading my list of stuff to get done this month had me frustrated and a little ornery. But then I realised the problem was that I didn’t write the right things on my list. I should have written: go to poetry workshops, buy poetry, read poetry, write poetry bake cakes visit…

Canada 150: 15 Ways to Experience Nanaimo Bar

In my post 15 Canadian foods you need to find and eat, I described Nanaimo bar: “Chocolate, butter, sugar, nuts, coconut: what’s not to love? This iconic treat is a celebrity in my hometown and deserves a post all on its own.” It’s been tough, but I’ve done it. Armed with my trusty Nanaimo Bar Trail brochure,…

Canada 150: 15 Great Canadian Destinations

  Second largest nation by land area, Canada ranked just 17th for annual number of international tourists (2014), before Macao and after Poland. Not known for sun holidays (though the summers can be amazing) or for huge casinos and massive cities, there is a vast amount to see in Canada – with the emphasis on vast. I…

Canada 150: 15 Canadian foods you need to find and eat

How can we celebrate Canada’s 150th without a feast? 1.Maple syrup: I know everyone’s waiting for this one, but you can’t have a list of Canadian eats and not include Sirop d’érable. When I was 17, my high school French class went on an exchange visit to Quebec and one of our day trips was…

150: 15 Things you might not know about Canada

  From the land that brought us insulin and peanut butter, electric wheelchairs and buses that would accommodate them, here are 15 things you may not have known about Canada: (just in case you were wondering) 1. We almost had a province called Buffalo. Instead we got Queen Victoria’s daughter, Alberta, and the tongue-twisting Saskatchewan, also known…

Nog and Nanaimo, the List

And to add some balance to my latest post, here’s a little list from where I am now: Eggnog! I have been thinking about this for weeks now. Sshhh – I put it on my porridge this morning. Yum! The amazing fresh air that hits you the minute you step outside. I don’t really think I’m…

Missing You Already

In this season of list-making, indulge me as I compile a list of what I will miss during my eight month adventure on other shores. The banter. On the Luas (Dublin’s tram system) recently my husband said, “I’ll miss the banter.” Of course we were on the Red Line, and you in Dublin can imagine…