Summer, where is Spring

Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day,  that is the only way to describe all the day light hours with wall to wall sunshine.

The temp went up to 26*C not a record for the day but I am sure it was close to breaking it.  Windows open, balcony doors open to let in some fresh air.    

Over the Winter snow and rain had mudded up my balcony doors so badly I could hardly see out there, well maybe not quite that bad but, really dirty.   So, I cleaned them and the screen door as well, now I can see the coming and going for everything.

There was a flock of ten or more buzzards circling around looking for something to eat,  flies and bugs had all woken up and enjoying the time to do what flies and bugs do.  Even saw a couple of small butterflies.

I swear  you can almost see the leaf buds opening up, making the trees look green instead of a grey/brown colour.  

Today, Friday it is still warm, no need for a jacket today when I go out for a grocery shop, however, the brolly might be a handy thing to tote along with me as all that sunshine we had yesterday is now gone and grey clouds are all I see.

Must get ready for my Yoga class,  do the grocery shop, lunch, prepare something for the pot luck dinner tonight, then might sit down and do small cross stitch piece I am working on.

Have a great day

Cheers

Easter

A four day week was a busy one catching up on a couple of appointments, laundry for my vacation clothes,  a service for my car and a visit to the grocery store.   Suitcases now pack away in my locker until next vacation.

Easter weekend.

The visit from my son and DIL was postponed as family members were not well. 

DD2 and husband went to Peterborough picked up their DD2 and then on to Ottawa to DD1.   The two daughters and a boyfriend prepared Easter dinner on Friday.  Everyone returned to their homes late Saturday.

I went to DD1 for dinner on Sunday,  she decided it was time for a BBQ so chicken was on the menu.  It was a busy time with five of my great grands hunting for Easter eggs in the garden,  

Yesterday, I went and did my yoga class in the morning and then chat, coffee and craft in the afternoon.  

My new great granddaughter had a little set back a few days ago and is now doing well.

All of the spring flowers are now blooming, waking up from a very cold and snowy Winter.  It always amazes me, how these plants survive, freeze solid and come back looking so beautiful.  The grass is green and the leaf buds on the trees are swelling getting ready to burst open when it's their time.

Sunny day, but still cool at 9*C as I write at 9:30 a.m.

Have a great day,

Cheers.

Home safe and sound

My two daughters and I returned home on April 12 from a lovely vacation in the Dominican Republic.  

It was a first trip for my youngest daughter "E" and myself to this destination, my eldest daughter "B" had been there on a previous vacation with her husband.  

Everything  on the resort we went to was great, clean, friendly staff,  a large verity of food and of course drinks.  Evening entertainment for young and old, swimming pools also for the smaller guests and adult guests.

We decided to go on two tours off of the resort.  The first one started with a safari type vehicle up Mount Isabel de Torres.  At the top was the statue of Christ the Redeemer,  a botanical  garden and views as far as the eyes to see. 

Then the trip down, it was quite a ride.  Back down at sea level, we went to an Amber Museum, Rum factory, Chocolate factory, cigar making demonstration.   Walked along Umbrella Street where the colourful umbrellas and bougainvillea blooms above, protected us from the sun. 

Then on to Pink Alley, where everything was painted a vibrant pink.

Now, time for lunch we had a choice of chicken or fish,  E and B had the chicken along with the five other people on the tour, I decided to have the fish and we were all very satisfied with our choices.  Then on to the Fortress San Felipe,  by this time it was late afternoon, so time to head back to our resort.  A fun filled informative day which we all enjoyed, and pleased we decided to do this tour.  Now back for a cool swim in the pool before dinner.

The second tour again was a full day to Ocean World Adventure Park. 

This park has a rain forest where we could enter a huge area where we could feed Love birds, E loved doing this. There were also flamingoes, parrots and toucans.   Dolphins,  sharks and seals also put on shows to watch, there was also an opportunity to swim with the dolphins, we had all done that previously so did not want to do it again.    We all decided to snorkel in a man made coral reef, so we donned the required mask.  I am not a swimmer, I am not a lover of putting my head  especially the face under water.  I did it, however, was not the most graceful person in the water.  Seeing all the fish so close was exciting, just wished I could have relaxed a bit more.  B and E did a second time, I took photos of them though a glass part of the enclosure.  Buffet lunch and a short rest, then off the the beach area for a swim.  Some dark clouds were now present, so we decided it was time to visit the gift shop, got there just in time before the skies opened up.   It rained hard and was still coming down when it was time to meet our bus back to the resort.  We got wet again.

We had booked two al a carte meals, one Japanese Teppanyaki grill and the second was a steak house, both were great dinners.   All of our other meals were from the buffet.  

All of the other days, we were in the pool, at the beach, taking photos, reading or just relaxing.  We each had our own room, so it was nice to have our own private times too.

Unfortunately, our time here was coming to an end.   We had never been on a vacation with just us three before, it was a great  time, and thinking of doing it again.

My son and D I L were also on vacation with friends, at the same time in Mexico.

If you have read previous posts you know I had an accident on an escalator.  I am now petrified of them.  The airport  in D. R. had two, both of which we had to use, the first was a short one, I put my big girl pants on, took a step, I was so scared.  I made it to the top and had tears running down my face.  The second was longer, made it to the top  once again.   

Home, now just need the weather to warm up here.

Have a great day

Cheers

My week in review

We have had some good, bad and ugly weather this week.  A mix of everything Mother Nature can throw at us, sunshine for a couple of days, including today, Friday.  Then we had freezing rain, a couple of thunder and lightening storms, and lots of rain, which caused flooding and washed out at least one road.  Today is looking a little quieter, however, the forecast is predicting more rain tomorrow and in the coming week.

Monday, I went to the yoga class and the coffee, craft and chat in the afternoon, and did some much needed housework.

Tuesday,  I was in my sewing room most of the morning, late afternoon  a trip to London, to attend the first day of a month long Jazz  festival.  This one was really enjoyable,  seven musicians, and six singers for a two hour performance, great music so loved every minute of it.

Wednesday,  an awful start to the day with freezing rain which I thought would put a stop to the guild meeting, however, warmer temp and rain made the early afternoon trip safe enough to travel.   Did the yoga class in the morning and early afternoon the quilting meeting.  Several members decided not to come, however, there was some lovely quilts for the show and tell portion of the meeting.

Thursday,  Did some laundry and a quick visit to some shops for some things needed for next week.  Finally, the last piece of paperwork arrived in the mail for the preparation of my income tax, so delivered everything to the accountant.   In the afternoon I packed my suitcase, just some last minute items to go in later.

Friday,  Wall to wall sunshine,  not quite as warm as yesterday.   I am writing this in the morning, this afternoon I will finish packing.

Tomorrow,  I am leaving for a vacation for some sun and warm temperatures.  Feeling a little on edge, understandable I suppose after what happened last year while on vacation.  This time I will not be travelling alone, my two daughters will be with me.    

Have a great day

Cheers