Stuart McLean

Last evening, Paul and I saw Stuart McLean at the Imperial Theatre. The last time we saw him, he was at Harbour Station, but as far as I am concerned, the Imperial is a much better venue. Touring with him is a local singer, Matt Andersen, from none other than Perth-Andover. Emma and Jack had heard him at the ECMA's last year. Meaghan Smith is the other singer. She is from London , Ont. and following this show, she will be touring with Katie Lang. Meaghan writes her own songs and is sort of on the jazz side of music. It was a wonderful show, but I'm rather a fan of Stuart McLeans.

New Wine

While in Halifax, Paul and I ate at The Keg. It's a steak house and the food was great. I had a new wine and really liked it; it was called "Fetzer Gerwurztramiher". Now I'm not a wine expert and I don't know wine terminology but it was sweet, fruity and smooth. I wondered if either Anne or Natalie have tasted this wine. The waiter only knew of two places in the Halifax area that had it, Bishops and NSLC in Cole harbour. I haven't inquired about it in this area but it certainly has made it onto my "favorite wine list".

A Hint of Color in the White of Winter

I don't like to toot my horn, but today I'm going to. Our local paper "River Valley News", has a photo contest each week sponsored by Subway. I have been submitting pictures for the last couple of weeks. In this weeks edition mine was chosen as "picture of the week" because of "the beautiful use of color contrast". I won a "foot long meal deal"....maybe now I should go out and buy a lottery ticket.

Pier 21

Paul had meetings in Dartmouth on Tuesday and Wednesday, so I took the days off and went with him. We arrived in Datrmouth around noon on Tuesday, so he dropped me off at the ferry and over I went to Halifax. It was a good 15 min. walk to Pier 21 and thankfully it wasn't too cold. Above is a picture of the front entrance....it certainly didn't look that way 56 years ago when Dad immigrated to Canada. Notice the train on the left....this is how most continued their journey to their host families.

This is a picture of the ship "Rhydam", the one Dad came over on. He left holland on March 13th and arrived on March 25th, 1953.

This is the upper level that some would have entered through. They would have walked up a gangway to get from ship to building. Now it is all glassed in. To the left of the picture just above the bench you see a gray slab on the wall. On that slab are small green plaques with names of soldiers who came through Pier 21 during the war.

This is the original door that immigrants would have walked through. Inside is where their luggage would have been checked as well as their papers.

This is a view of the lower level. Now it's a gift shop and cafe.

Immigrants have donated the luggage they came with. It's all over the museum.

Cages that would have housed their luggage until they were cleared to continue their voyage.

During Pier 21 (1928-1971) Dutch Immigrants were the 5th largest ethnic group to arrive in Canada. Pre WWII most settled in Ontario....15,000 between 1918 and 1939. It largely halted with the onset of WWII and peaked again in the late 1940's and 1950's. One Dutch family did indeed bring the kitchen sink and another the rock that held their front door open, because the mother didn't know if such a thing was available in Canada. Brenna is the same age Dad was when he immigrated to Canada.

When you enter the museum, to your right and left are silver plaques with names of immigrants. We purchased one for Dad a number of years ago. I had seen pictures of it but this was the first time I had visited the museum.

11th Winter Storm...It Has to be More!

This morning "Cindy Day", said this was our 11th storm this winter. Personally it feels like a whole lot more. I was talking to Brenna this morning and she was wondering how much snow we had, so while Paul and I spent 2hours and 50 minutes cleaning the yard, I took some pictures so the girls could see what their home yard looks like. ( we will probably have to go back out this evening)

Three years ago on March 25th, I was hanging my first load of clothes on the line.....this year I don't think that will be happening.

Due to all the shovelling the snow is up to the deck on both sides.

I gave up trying to keep the back steps cleaned and now the bank is getting to high to throw the snow off the deck.

The result of todays storm. Notice the snow is up to the railing of the deck.

Weekend Fun

Saturday gave us another hint that spring is actually coming. Friends from work and I went snow shoeing on Saturday afternoon. Paul was out cross country skiing and met us on the trail......that's who took our picture.

Today, Paul and I are going out skiing again and this evening we are headed over the hill to Longwoods for supper....yummy!!!! Then we bunker down for another winter storm of 25-35 cm of snow.

Spring is in the air :-)

I was home today and spring was definitely in the air. It was mild and there was more bird activity. I captured some pictures from the back deck. Our local squirrel came right up onto the deck....possibly looking for food. It was a tease today because we are right back into nasty winter weather on Thursday with a predicted 10-15 cm of snow. The only consolation is we know there are more nice spring days ahead.

Our local squirrel.

Pine Siskin

Downy Woodpecker