Tags
Canada, Diana Schwenk, family, friends, L'Acadamie Rue St. Denis, laughter, living in the moment, love, memories, Montreal, Ontario, parents, Quebec, Relationships, summer
Those were my brother Michael’s words when I posted on Facebook what a blast it was to visit with my family last week.
You may have been thinking that I was MIA but really I was at the Schwenkonsortium.
The only thing that could have made it even more spectacular is if my daughter had been able to join us.
She would have loved the impromptu photo session courtesy of neighbor Roberto. But more on that in a bit.
I arrived at the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport in Montreal early lastTuesday afternoon.
And was greeted by Uncle Arno who’d been on a business trip in Chicago and decided to visit The Schwenks before flying back to Berlin.
After making a quick stop to say hi to my brother and his family, Arno and I headed west to my parents place on the border of Quebec and Ontario.
There was a lot of catching up.
There was a lot of eating out at restaurants.
There was a lot of playing Mackebeen (not sure on spelling) with mom.
And there was a lot of reminiscing and laughing about the good old days like where Oma and Opa were born, how they met and when they got married.
I had the group in stitches as I read old German documents out loud with exaggerated pomp and loud stereotypical German authority in my voice.
I had the pleasure of meeting Pauline who comes in once a week to look after my dad. It takes a special kind of person to be a caregiver and Pauline definitely fits the bill.
Dad thinks so too, because on Thursday when she came and we sat down to eat together, dad didn’t hesitate to tell me that I was about to sit in Pauline’s spot!
On Friday night the kids – what mom calls my uncle, brother, sister-in-law and me – went to L’Acadamie on Rue St. Denis for an excellent meal prepared by Chefs-in-training.
The food was F A N T A B U L O U S !
And you can bring your own wine!
My brother and his wife had veal with pasta. Uncle Arno had yellow tuna and rice. Nephew Spencer opted for Salmon. And I went for grilled chicken with a pink pepper sauce.
Did I mention that I love Montreal?
After dinner Uncle and I headed back to the Schwenk homestead to reminisce and laugh some more with mom and dad (uncle’s brother).
On my second-to-last day, Uncle Arno and I headed to Mike’s place for a barbecue. Arno left for the airport to fly back to Germany after dinner.
The rest of us family, neighbours, friends sat outside in the beautiful 30c/86f temperature enjoying each other’s company.
It was a surprise birthday party for nephew Spencer, whose actual birthday is in July but was being celebrated in September because his parents are lame – Heather’s words, not mine!
As the sun set and the sky grew dark, neighbor Roberto set up his camera for a fun, somewhat visually experimental and creative photo shoot.
Brother Michael, SIL Heather and I stayed up until 2AM which seemed like a good idea at the time, but not so wise when we got up at 4:30AM to head to the airport so I could catch my plane back to Calgary.
All in all, it felt good to be home. I really should go there more often.
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
Do you cut loose when you’re with family? Do you see them often enough?
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Travel Spirit said:
Looks like you had a spectacular time! I need to explore more of Canada. I’ve only been to Vancouver.
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dianasschwenk said:
Vancouver is beautiful. Glad you got to see it! You’re welcome anytime to my neck of the woods. ❤
Diana xo
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Travel Spirit said:
That’s so sweet of you to offer. I’ve met up with a few people I’ve met from our mutual blogs. One guy from Cape Town, S. Africa, a man in Santa Fe, and a lady in Florida.
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earthriderjudyberman said:
Diana … I love all your family photos, especially the crazy ones. Looks like you had a blast. My German impressions usually involve mimicking Sgt. Shultz’ famous line from “Hogan’s Heroes:” “I know NOTH-ING!.” I’d love to hear your impressions. 😉
Love your photos of Montreal. It’s been years since we were there.
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dianasschwenk said:
I think I would enjoy your impressions very much Judy! Montreal is a vibrant city, I’d forgotten how much I love it. ❤
Diana xo
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Minuscule Moments said:
I enjoyed watching you goof off with family Diana, so gorgeous. Yes we have crazy times when we get together but my family is spread all over this state and so it is golden when we get together. With so many in my family it is rare to be together all at once and I guess only funerals and weddings manage to do that. Thanks for sharing your special times, they made me smile and feel a gathering is in order soon.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Kath. 🙂 I hope you get your gathering soon. ❤
Diana xo
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utesmile said:
So good to spend time with family they are precious! Specially when you have a fun time in your Schenkonsortium! 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes especially then Ute! Hope you get to spend time with your family often. ❤
Diana xo
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Jean said:
Wonderful to spend precious time with family. Great that your father is assisted with a good caregiver + your mother. I guess you were there for 1 wk. or less? Ah real problem, when family live thousands of kms. away.
I’m sure your parents and brother were thrilled to see you.
I will be visiting Toronto soon, family and close friends. (My latest blog post beats the drum about Ontario autumns.) I have a more introverted family, but yes, we enjoy each other’s company.
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dianasschwenk said:
I was there 6 days Jean. I’m pretty sure my family is the complete opposite of introverted, but you probably guessed that… ❤
Diana xo
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Sheryl said:
What fun! The pictures are wonderful. It looks like you had an awesome visit with your family.
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dianasschwenk said:
It was truly good to be home Sheryl, I’m so glad I went. ❤
Diana xo
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Wendy L. Macdonald said:
Oh Diana, you make an awesome Charlie’s Angel. ❤ So glad you had so much fun with your family. I like to let loose with my kindred spirits from my hometown. It's been way too long. You may remember that Kamloopsians know how to have a blast.
Blessings & hugs ~ Wendy
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dianasschwenk said:
I was going for angelic faerie doing liturgical dance but I’ll take that Wendy! 😉 ❤
Diana xo
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Wyrd Smythe said:
Schwenkapalooza! Looks like you had a blast! My family is scattered to the winds and not close, so we’ve never done anything like that. Way back in the day some sedate Scandahoovian Thanksgiving dinners maybe. No dancing. No liquor. No fun.
Also: Hubba Hubba, Lady Di! XD
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dianasschwenk said:
oh puh-lease Smitty! LOL As for the sedate, I don’t really do well with that. ❤
Diana xo
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Wyrd Smythe said:
Nor should you!
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jmgoyder said:
Wild child extraordinaire!
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dianasschwenk said:
You’d be amazed at how much I’ve calmed down over the years Julie! ❤
Diana xo
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joannerambling said:
Photos of happy faces make me happy glad to see and hear you had a bloody great time
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jo-Anne! ❤
Diana xo
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Chatter Master said:
I never see my family enough, not any of them. 😦 But I love them no matter where we all are. I enjoyed these pictures and the happiness in them!
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dianasschwenk said:
Here’s hoping you see them more Colleen and yes, we laughed and laughed – I love that! ❤
Diana xo
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f-stop mama said:
Cutting loose is good for the soul! Looks like you had a great time. Love the photos. I love my schedule and getting things done but sometimes I enjoy cutting loose. (As it seems tonight is that night :-))
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh? Well have a fantabulous cutting loose time! It’s so good for the soul. ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
You look gorgeous Diana and free to partay! Glad you enjoyed your family time and each moment. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Aww thank you so much Karen! ❤
Diana xo
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Graham With Hats said:
The original Abba dancing queen. I’m glad you had such a good time. 😀
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dianasschwenk said:
Haha I used to love that song! Thanks Graham, it was a blast. ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Diana, it sure looks like you all had a crazy good time! I LOVE the photos, so fun. 🙂
We had my sister and brother in law here for the long weekend, and also enjoyed a night of dancing around our living room. It is wonderful to get together with loved ones, isn’t it? ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
It sure is Jennifer and I suspect that no one has having a good time as down as Maritimers do! ❤
Diana xo
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vanbytheriver said:
What a fun family you have, Diana, it explains a lot about you. Looked like a great visit..and I’m not sure which photo is cuter…your parents or you and your brother…both adorable ! Thanks for sharing them with us. Yes, my family cuts loose, is more than a bit crazy and No, we don’t get together often enough. ❤️
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dianasschwenk said:
haha the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree Van. I think you may want to plan a reunion for your family? ❤
Diana xo
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vanbytheriver said:
There’s been a lot of talk about that, Diana, there’s a wedding coming up for a nephew, but it’s in Australia…a bit far for most of us. ☺
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dianasschwenk said:
Well another occasion perhaps, I’ll keep my fingers, eyes and legs crossed that you’ll figure it out. 😉
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elizabeth2560 said:
Oh Diana, I am So happy for you that you had such a F A N T A B U L O U S time with your family, friends and neighbours. Its great to go back to our roots.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks so much Elizabeth, you make a valid point there! ❤
Diana xo
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russtowne said:
So THAT’S where you were! Welcome back, my friend. I greatly enjoyed your post. If you CAN’T get crazy with family, who CAN you get crazy with? Some friends have a sign in their kitchen: “REMEMBER: Everyone thinks we’re a NORMAL family!” I love it!
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dianasschwenk said:
Hey Russ, thanks! I love that sign in your friend’s kitchen haha. ❤
Diana xo
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
Diana,
Looks like a good time was had by all. You, not excluded!! Wild Charlie’s Angels dance! God Bless your mom and dad; 56 years married.
-Alan
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Alan – it was good to go home. ❤
Diana xo
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
How fortunate for those who find it so.
-Alan
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes Alan! Indeed. 😀
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Don said:
You must have had so much fun Diana. Lovely pictures of your family. Your Mom and your Dad look very special. Nothing like spending time with family.
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dianasschwenk said:
Well it wasn’t all fun and games Don but I only take and pose for photographs during fun and games! ❤
Diana xo
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Nurse Kelly said:
Great post, Diana! You look like you had so much fun! And that top photo is great! You should use that on your blog 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Kelly – I may just do that! ❤
Diana xo
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Nurse Kelly said:
Definitely do 🙂
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wendy b said:
You have a lovely family or so it seems from this end..
… and best part is they like to have fun with each other. Nice….
Welcome home looks like it was a very spevial time.
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dianasschwenk said:
They’re pretty special Wendy – thanks! ❤
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
You cutting loose is more than fabulous, Diana. Beautiful, you are. ❤
You Schwenks all look alike, but you're the glamour girl. That's a compliment, Schwenkie. 😉 I'd love to hear you say it in German, authoritatively. 🙂
I hope you returned to Calgary with a lighter heart, my dear friend, refreshed despite the 2 a.m. Charlie's Angels photo shoot, refueled from all those restaurants and restored by the family connection.
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dianasschwenk said:
Aww thanks my friend. 🙂 It was good to go home Mark. Although eating out is lovely, I’ve been enjoying eating in since I got back. Did I ever mention that I took a stand-up comedy course once? If I ever make it out your way, you can bet I’ll entertain you with my German impressions. ❤
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
The whole world is your stage, Schenkie. 😉
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markbialczak said:
For some reason my dang fingers keep dropping the ‘w’ from Schwenkie, Schwenkie. Mea culpa. I’m sorry, too. 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
haha no worries Bialzak 😉
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markbialczak said:
‘c’ you later, Diana. 😉
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