Vacation Memories ~Summer 2011

I'm joining the Vacation Memories link party at WhisperWood Cottage by sharing some of our summer trips.





We had a very busy summer spending time with family and taking lots of trips around Ontario. Our boys were very busy entertaining their little second cousins and hanging with their cousins...



...digging deep deep holes in the sand on a cold and windy trip to Wasaga Beach...



...so cold and windy that we had all of Beach 2 and Allenwood Beach to ourselves...



...we spent a great couple of days of endless blue skies at a 4-H Beef Invitational show ...



...where all the care, washing, blowdrying and general fluffing of the Charolais show cattle had two young men placing really well...



...our boys have 4 annoying sister-like girl cousins who play rep field lacrosse and we took in some games...



...and two days at a 4-H Junior Dairy Show...



...lots of trips to spend time with cousins and family in our favourite Grey County...



...a day trip to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum...



...hanging out in my sister's family pool (fortunately only a 5 minute walk or two minute drive)...





...a wedding shower, lots of birthdays and bbq's,  rabbit club meetings, dairy club meetings, beef club meetings, tractor pulls, Elmira livestock exchange and quilt shops. We also took some time to just hang out at home and relax. No wonder I barely dented my list of diy projects!

I hope you had an enjoyable summer and be sure to stop by WhisperWood Cottage to see Vacation Memories from near and far.

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Vacation Memories ~Summer 2011

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A Trip to Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

This week the guys and I visited the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario.





That's our 12 year old beside me (growing like a weed!) The highlight of our trip, the Avro Lancaster Bomber. So very cool up close.








Our oldest is very interested in history, particularly WWII, and he could tell us lots about this night bomber. I had 5 uncles and an aunt serve in WWII so it was pretty awesome seeing all the planes and displays.
  






The volunteers are really knowledgeable and the guys got to climb into an Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck.





The CF-100 was a jet interceptor/fighter.





So many cool graphics on the restored planes.

















Hot Gen is a B-25 and the graphics were popular on souvenirs in the gift shop!





Great views from the upper observation areas, and an outside balcony area with views of more planes.





We really enjoyed our visit and if you are in southern Ontario it is well worth a visit.


Keeping all those in the path of Hurricane Irene in my thoughts this weekend. Stay safe!

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A Trip to Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

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Wind Turbines

On our route up north we pass these giant wind turbines. Modern technology in the midst of agriculture. Fascinating and controversial.




My husband's family and extended family live in Grey County, near Georgian Bay, here in Ontario and we pass through Shelburne and Melancthon on our two hour trip north and again on the way home. The turbines are sculpture-like and produce huge amounts of wind hydro, but there are concerns with locals with the noise and loss of farmland. I'm not picking sides of the debate, I just think they are fascinating.


We have actually had rain a few times these past two weeks and things are not as dry now. If you drive the roads between them as we do, no matter the season, you may find yourself totally surprised by their enormous size. I hope you enjoy the week ahead!

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Wind Turbines

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A Trip To Quilter's Nine Patch in Elmira

We took a trip to St. Jacob's and Elmira today. We stopped at one of my favourite shops, Quilter's Nine Patch in Elmira, Ontario.
 


It is attached to At The Crossroads buffet restaurant/gift shop and both the exterior and interior are very inviting. The photo above is from their shop in the fall. At this time of year the gardens and entry are overflowing with colourful summer blooms. I should have brought my camera!




 They have so many beautiful collections, but I was drawn to the civil war section to add to a collection I started.




I bought some civil war darks to go with the roll of lights I bought last summer. My plan is to make a log cabin quilt using the civil war lights/darks. Today I bought 4 fat quarters ($18) and I still need to pick up a few more darks when we make a trip back. I try to break up my purchases because I find fabric to be so expensive.




As soon as I finish organizing my hobby room and finish a UFO, I'm going to enjoy breaking into this collection of fabric.




They guys spent several hours in the livestock exchange and I browsed the market stalls and picked up fresh Ontario strawberries to make more jam. It was a beautiful, warm and sunny day. Perfect for enjoying Mennonite country. 

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A Trip To Quilter's Nine Patch in Elmira

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My Quilts ~ A Simple Picnic Quilt

We often pack a lunch, or stop for takeout, on day trips or trips to the beach. Having a picnic quilt really comes in handy.





I made this simple picnic quilt using red and blue twill, denim scraps and black cotton broadcloth. The coloured squares repeat in rows diagonally and it is bordered first in denim and then in black cotton. The backing is a blue bed sheet. It is very sturdy and easy to wash, perfect after a day of fun and sun. Do you have a favourite picnic quilt or blanket?

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My Quilts ~ A Simple Picnic Quilt

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March Break ~ Day Trips and Spring Cleaning

March Break is coming to an end this weekend and we have accomplished quite a bit.
We did some fun things like visiting the farm.





We took a day trip to the Mennonite area of St. Jacobs and Elmira, Ontario.


photo: via world66.com


We stopped at the Ontario Livestock Exchange (K's favourite), Picard Peanuts (J's favourite), and the Quilter's Nine Patch quilt shop (my favourite.) Hubby's favourite part is lunch and driving through the country. By letting the guys hang out at the livestock exchange to see animals and livestock trucks (apparently this is fascinating) for a couple of hours, they sleep in the truck are very patient while I stroll through the quilt shop. This time of year is so quiet compared to the hustle and bustle of market days during the summer and fall seasons.


 


We also accomplished lots and lots of sorting and organizing. We took several boxes and at least 7 large garbage bags of stuff to the thrift store. It is nice to start spring with all our closets organized and all the boy's too small clothes cleaned out. I was way too into it to take many photos, but I couldn't resist a photo of the mess in the entry hall cupboard. Embarrassing, but this was right after we emptied all the junk from a day trip out of the truck (looks like I need to fix the door panel too.)
BEFORE





AFTER





I already had the baskets and they fit much better than the cheap plastic ones in the before. Being heavier they don't tip over either. It's too early to put away all the scarves, hats and mitts but they are so much tidier now. The top left is for our dog Remington's stuff, and J, K and I each have one. When warmer weather comes and actually stays, all the winter gear goes in lidded plastic tubs on the top shelf of the hall closet. The baskets will then hold sunscreen, summer hats etc. Our home doesn't have a mudroom or side entry, so all traffic and stuff comes through our small front entry. This little pine cabinet is narrow enough not to get in the way but holds enough to make it practical. The cutout in the wall above the cabinet lets much needed light flow into our living room, but makes it impossible to put coat hooks on this wall. In lieu of that I added hooks to the trim in the first set of steps into the basement. My teen boys are allergic to hanging their coats and hoodies on the hangers in the more convenient closet, so hooks are the solution. Now I'm off to drool over some gorgeous mudrooms. SIGH! Have you started any spring cleaning or organizing?

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March Break ~ Day Trips and Spring Cleaning

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Summer, Summer, Summertime!

It was the last day of school today and the kids and I are now finished for the summer! 
We'll be doing lots of this:



(Camping 2008, Pinery Provincial Park, near Goderich, Ontario with our previous trailer.)
And this:

(Canoeing 2009, Six Mile Lake Provincial Park, Coldwater, Ontario~ Georgian Bay)


And this:
 
 (Wasaga Beach, Wasaga, Ontario 2008)
And this:

(Dairy Cows, Beef Cows, Fairs, Shows and more Fairs.)


Lots of camping, canoeing, cows, beaches, and swimming in sister and bil's pool two streets away. Hopefully I can fit in some projects around here too.

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Summer, Summer, Summertime!

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Springridge Farm ~ My post works this time

This beautiful home was featured in Style at Home magazine last year.

 This modern farmhouse is the home of Laura and John Hughes who own Springridge Farm in Milton, Ontario.  

 The views over the Niagara Escarpment would be spectacular from these windows.







Above Images: Style at Home magazine
 On the same property is Springridge Farm, a wonderful example of local agri-business. Springridge has seasonal activities for young and old and a gift shop, cafe, bakery, farm yard, and wagon rides to pick seasonal produce and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
All Images below: springridgefarm.com

I'm really looking forward to local strawberries in June. We ran out of homemade strawberry jam in December and our kids are really missing it.

The farm has special events including Harvest Festival, Christmas Open House, Easter Egg Hunt, school tours, birthday parties, Strawberry Festival and more.

I'm longing for flowers and starting my gardening!
The gift shop has so many neat home and garden accessories and unique gifts. The restored 19th century barn is nestled on the side of the Niagara Escarpment. The setting is spectacular. The farm yard is full of fun activities for kids. Straw mazes, a giant sandbox, farm animals, corn trails, straw bale jumping, straw bale pyramid, antique tractors and wagon rides. 
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The gift shop is located on two levels of an old 19th century barn. The main entrance to the barn is an enclosed deck with outdoor decorator items and gifts and the main floor has a wonderful assortment of home items, bakery, cafe, and preserves. I can easily spend an hour or more browsing while my husband and the kids spend time in the farm yard. I have even made trips by myself just to enjoy the cafe and gift shop.


 

I'm getting hungry looking at the next pictures!


Springridge has a 'green statement' and visitors can learn about the many many ways the family has run a green business and the history of their farm in this their 50th year. The washroom facilities are very clean, modern and are eco-conscious.

If you visit, let me know what you think.


Springridge Farm


7256 Bell School Line


Milton, ON L9T 2Y1
Open from April 1st to Christmas.


 
{Note: This is not an advertisement. I have received no compensation for this. It is a local farm our family has enjoyed visiting for many years and one I thought people in our area may enjoy visiting.} 

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