Thanksgiving in Rosalind

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Alberta, Calgary, Camrose Alberta, Canada, children, daughter, Diana Schwenk, driving, family, friends, fun, generosity, grateful, growing up, laughter, living in the moment, love, parents, Relationships, Rosalind, thankful, Thanksgiving, turkey

Just how great was Thanksgiving in Rosalind, Alberta?

Glad you asked!

I have to admit that I was a bit nervous about driving to Rosalind by myself on Saturday because many of the roads I needed to travel on are so barren and have no cell service. But in spite of the cold, fog with iffy visibility and snow, it was a rather pleasant drive.

Seeing as this was my first visit there, Michaela met me at the Rosalind School parking lot so I could follow her on the gravel secondary highway eight-hundred-and-something to hers and Werner’s long driveway about 1 kilometer from the school.

We turned the corner on the driveway at around 4:30PM revealing the cutest little farm-house and property. It really is too bad that it got cold and snowed so early this year, I would have loved to have walked around the property a bit. But it was that wet kind of cold, you know? The kind that chills you to the bone in just minutes.

Anyway, after settling in, enjoying a nice cup of coffee and playing a few rounds of Macke Been, Werner drove us to the Brew House in Camrose for dinner. After dinner, we headed back to the farm-house, played a few more games, chatted about this and that and turned in early. I slept like a baby!

The next morning, Michaela made us a wonderful breakfast before starting all the food prep and cooking for the Thanksgiving dinner. We all helped out here and there, but for the most part, Michaela had it all under control. There would be five for dinner. Me, Michaela, Werner and his mom and dad, Claudia and Manfred, who I would be meeting for the first time.

It was fun.

Lots of laughter, lots of story-sharing and playful banter.

And what a feast it was, especially since this was the very first dinner party, Michaela had ever hosted!

So just how great was Thanksgiving in Rosalind, Alberta?

it was so great that I forgot to take pictures!

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

And how did you spend Thanksgiving? And what did you non-Canadians do this past weekend?

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A Camrosian Easter

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Camrose Alberta, daughters, Diana Schwenk, Easter, family, growing up, kids, love, peace, Ramada, Relationships, teens

I’ve compiled some tidbits for your reading pleasure on my Easter trip to Camrose, Alberta to see my daughter.

Riptors, their mating habits and other fascinating facts

I always stay at the Ramada in Camrose when visiting my daughter because they have a swimming pool and we both love the water.

We also both love making up stories.

The rare and elusive Riptor

On a previous visit I pretended I was a raptor while running under water with my upper body leaning forward and my hands looking like I imagine a T-Rex’s hands look, only I said Riptor instead of Raptor.

Michaela thought that was hilarious and immediately corrected me – a favourite pastime of hers.

So on this Easter visit we pretended we were British documentary narrators informing the public on the elusive and rare Riptors only our British accents sounded half Australian so we invented Braustralia a country where incidentally, the rare Riptors live and mate (rather brutishly, making the mating of sharks seem rather tame) and also commented on how they wean their young.

“What? Wait. Wean? Michaela Riptors don’t nurse their young!”

“Really Mom? Riptors aren’t real!”

The Feature Nail

I never paint my fingernails because the moment I wash dishes or do anything whatsoever they chip. But Michaela wanted to paint my nails because “they look fake” they’re naturally long.

“Why is that one nail a different colour?”

The Feature Nail

“That’s the feature nail.”

“Why can’t my middle finger be the feature nail so I can show it to people in this way…?”

“Mom!”

“Just asking…”

Timmy Run

I’ve never let Michaela drive my car, but on this visit I really wanted a Timmy’s coffee but I was already in my sweats and didn’t want to go out.

“Geesh Mom, I’ve been driving for a year, I’ll make a Timmy’s run.”

“Umm…OK.”

Well the earth didn’t implode and no one was maimed and I got a Timmy’s coffee.

Maybe I need to acknowledge my baby girl is all grown-up now?

TOMS

I bought Michaela and me matching shoes, TOMS to be exact. They are very comfortable and when you buy a pair the company also gives a pair to a child in Haiti or some other tropical place.

Yup, they even travel there and hand-deliver them – I’ve even seen pictures of smiling children wearing them!

It got me thinking…what kind of company could I start where I could charge somebody double for something and then personally deliver the same thing to someone else who lives by a tropical ocean?

Peace

Peace

My daughter bought a bunch of bracelets that all said different things on them and gave me the one that says Peace. “

Because Mom, I think that peace suits you.”

Easter Dinner

Michaela and I were invited to a most delicious Easter dinner at her Dad’s house.

Who says exes can’t get along, especially when there is a home-made meal involved!

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

You know…every time I see my daughter I’m struck with what a beautiful and smart young woman she is.

I just know she is going to make a mark on this world!

How did you spend your Easter?