It's Yellow Time at Willow Retreat.  Yellow is the first colour that shows up to let you know Spring is really here to stay. ( Read more )

Q. When do you know it's finally Spring at Willow Retreat?
A. When Mr. and Mrs. Moose and Junior Moose come for a family visit!

( Moose family this way )

As I sit here watching the snow falling from a grey April sky, I wonder if spring is really on the way, or if nature is just teasing us once again.  A couple of weeks ago, the daytime temperature hit 24 degrees.  It was truly bizarre to be sitting outside in summer clothes, sweating, and having to drink ice-cold beer to cool off (oh, the hardship!). ( Read more ... )

Hey friends!  Anyone at a loose end around the August Civic Holiday weekend?  Fancy a trip to Nova Scotia?  Want to come out and meet us and have a great fun time as well?  Check this out:

http://www.avalongathering.com

Yes, it's us!  We're holding a medieval-renaissance faire at Willow Retreat.  We'd love to meet some LJ friends.  :)

Shoot me an email if you're interested. 

So after a major meltdown over the last couple of days, with temperatures reaching 7 degrees C, I nurtured hopes of an early spring.  Foolishly, it turned out, as I woke this morning to a white world and a fresh layer of wet, heavy snow.  Undeterred, Molly and I ventured out. It was actually quite mild: 3 degrees above, and I brought my camera along for the walk:( Click for snow )

Hey everyone, I thought you might like an update on Molly.  She's growing really fast and is such a quick learner.  She already knows a few basic commands and is so smart!  I did have to install a baby gate because she's now able to climb up and down stairs and she had a bit of a run-in with our cat (who lives upstairs).  Here are some pics:( This way to the cuteness )

Back in the suburbs and cities, folks are walking around in shirtsleeves in their centrally heated, 21 degrees C homes, offices, stores and malls.  It's funny what you get used to.  In the days before central heating, our parents and grandparents had many cheap and efficient ways to keep warm.  I've listed a few below:( woollies this way )

There are times when the off-grid life seems idyllic.  There are other times when it's a royal pain in the ass.  One day, you're walking through a winter wonderland, marvelling at the pristine landscape and the sheer beauty of the snow-covered wilderness.  The next day, you're at the threshold of Hell. ( Read more )

Hey everyone, first of all, sorry for not posting for so long, we've been rather busy since Christmas! What I do have to do is introduce you to the newest member of Willow Retreat: our new golden retriever puppy, Molly. She is 9 weeks old and full of mischief and energy.

Here are some pics: ( Cute puppy this way! )

Hi everyone! Well, we are knee-deep (literally!) in snow here at Willow Retreat. We woke up to snow on Tuesday, and it kept snowing all day. The DNR crew turned up to finish off their surveying duties around the property.  I had to drive into town, which was fun - most of the journey I was driving in a whiteout, and believe it or not people were still whizzing by at top speed! Anyway I made it there and back in one piece. It kept snowing all day, and by the time it was done our deck steps looked like this:
( Read more )