I'm Back!

I returned from France a few days ago, and I've been settling back into my life here. Tomorrow is the first day of classes for me so I have that on my mind too. I'm excited and nervous, it'll be better once things get going. I still haven't gotten around to uploading all my trip photos and sorting through the thousands of them, but it'll get done eventually.

Even though I was there, and I can vividly remember what I did, it still seems a little unreal. I really did have a trip of a lifetime. Traveling solo was a bit daunting, but now that I've done it, I know I'll be doing it again. The only person holding you back from adventures is you!

Little Creatures

I've already found several adorable little creatures in and around my garden, and I've found another. Garter snakes are such lovely animals and they're even sweet when they're tiny. This one was hanging out on top of my compost pile and I couldn't resist photographing it.



And here below is a final photo of my Grey Tree Frog. My parents' caught it back in 2009 and I kept it as a pet until this past week. I decided that after all these years in my care, that the little fella deserved to go back out in the wild. Maybe make some more little froggies. It was really hard for me to let it go, but that's just my nature with animals.



I actually acquired three more little life forms on the day I released the frog... Three little catfish, barely the size of my thumb. While walking along the lake shore in North Bay, I saw a large school of them doing their little fishy thing, and couldn't resist taking some home. They're living on my kitchen table in a little tank for the moment. I'll likely release them before the year is through, but I'm enjoying having them for the time being. Cheers!

Family Day Trip

Back on Saturday August 3rd, my parents, grandmother and I went on a little day trip. We took a route driving around Lake Nipissing. We visited Board's Bee Farm, two pottery places, antique shops and other such places. This post is essentially going to be a photo dump because my brain is exhausted from planning my Euro-trip, but at least it's something.



It was a really lovely day and I'm so glad we were about to go out and do this. Days like these make me glad I moved back home to be around my family. Time is precious, and all the more so with those we love. Cheers!

Back to my Roots

My ancestral French roots that is... Because I'm flying out to France next week!!! It's a very spur of the moment trip - something which I seem to do a lot this year - but I've got my plane and train tickets and hostels and hotel all booked and now I just need to get there.



Things I'm excited for are the Catacombs, the Nature Museum, seeing Jim Morrison's grave and eating tasty treats from traditional French pastry shops. I'll also be spending two nights in Brussels, Belgium. I'm extremely excited about the chocolate and beer. It's a solo trip, which is a bit intimidating, but I know it's also really going to help me grow as an individual and boost my self-confidence and show me what I'm capable of on my own... France and Belgium, woo! Cheers!

Static Growth

Things change. People change. But some things always stay the same.

Lazy Rainbow

It's been a long week, with a lot of ups and downs. It's not even 5:30am and I'm sitting here with a cup of coffee and House playing in the background, slowly getting ready for work. I've got a three day weekend and I am so happy about it. Hopefully I can make the most of every moment.

Dress - Purchased from Sally Jane Vintage on Etsy

Sandals - Thrifted from Value Village

 I'm nervous about school coming up in September, wondering if I'll have my uniform and kitchen kit all taken care of in time. Wondering if I'll be able to cut it in the course. But I'm excited too. Part of me wishes the month were already over so I could start. But I also don't want to watch the rest of my summer disappear either. I'm just really bad at giving my notice at work.

My toes have been rainbow-coloured since I went to the All Stars festival. I like their multicoloured joyousness - happy toes! But I should end this now and go finish getting ready so I don't wind up late. I hope you have a good long weekend. Cheers!

Dirt Under My Nails

Here are some photos of my garden as it progresses. I don't have a whole lot to say about it except that I'm very happy. The garden got a good weeding a few days after taking these photos so it'll look neater come the next round. Things are flowering though, which is great!

I had no idea a potato and green pepper flowers could be so pretty!

My yellow beans are climbing up the ornamental indian corn like crazy, this one in particular has this stalk in a death grip! That's why I planted them together though, and it's working wonderfully.

 

Even in the few days since I've taken these photos, the plants have grown tremendously. The changes happen in leaps and bounds, it always amazes me to notice the changes. It's almost more exciting at this stage than it was waiting for things to sprout and begin growing. I hope those of you who garden are enjoying things are much as me! Cheers!