Henry Helper Meal

Last night was meant to be our Henry Helper night, but was not totally complete as some of the key players were unavailable (Will and Colleen).  But we still got a few helpers over and also Aunty Janice and Darcy who may not help with things like mowing lawns but do provide emotional support which is equally important.  We were super lucky that one of the two days that have been summer since I arrived was yesterday and we were able to sit outside for a while.

 I woke up at 6am to start on my lasagna, it was average.  I always seem to be just a bit off! I think I am lucky to now live in a country where it is really expected one never cooks.

 My wonderful God Mother, who I adore and am so glad I got to see.

Superman Fred, a great friend and neighbour.  

A really nice evening, even though I am not keen on cooking I do thoroughly enjoy having all over for dinner!

Pita Pit

The other day I went to the petrol station for some odds and ends and bought Dad a scratch card, I figured he was due a little luck.  He missed out on the $50 000 grand prize but did get five times the amount I paid which was just enough to treat his eldest to Pita Pit (one of my favourite things to eat here).  We had delicious pitas, but as the place was freezing with AC we decided to be super classy and eat in the car.

 Not fine dining in any sense, but lots of delicious toppings and a place that reminds me a lot of my after 'clubbing' nights back in the day

 Super yummy and got us prepared to attack the supermarket which was even colder.  We do not like to go out too much, why would we when we have a beautiful property to look at and everything all set up.

 As a sunny day I tackled the lawn with this antique mower.  I prefer this one to the electric one (mainly as it seems to be a little under the weather) and the riding one is just too easy!

  We ended the day with one of our walks, part of our daily routine.  It was the first real summer day since I arrived.  We had another lovely day, just hanging out the two of us.

Amy, Ryan, Ainsley and Carson

I have said this at least 1000 times and I will probably say it 10 000 more times, I am so lucky to have the friends that I do all over the world, particularly here.  My father made a speech at our wedding that included a blurb about families.  He mentioned three families that were key to my life and the Fabulous Five was one of them.  These women have been my best friends for at least 25 years (one as long as 35) and not only a great friend to me but this has extended to my family as well.  When I arrived last week I opened the freezer to see it stacked full of food from them.  He cannot tell me enough how much he loves Tracy's lasagna or Amy's cacciatore but most of all he loves their visits.
Yesterday Amy came with her beautiful family, Ryan who I have also known for 25 years and their kids.  Ryan is always full of fun and Dad just adores him. Amy is one of the greats and I am so lucky to have her in my life.  And then there are the children, whom I would kinda like to sneak back on the plane with me.  They are just amazing.

 I went to buy snacks but Dad told me that was all crap food but okay if I baked.  So for the first time in plus twenty years I baked cookies.

 Amy, Dad and Me :)

 Ryan showing off with his magic tricks, it was pretty amazing

 Dad with Ryan

 Ainsley and Carson, possibly the two most well behaved, polite, funny children I have ever met.

Maria and Doug

Yesterday we were lucky enough to host Maria and her fiance Doug, to a sunny brunch on the back patio.  Maria, was one of the first people featured on my blog 6 years ago, one of the very first people I met at my first job in Basel.  I vividly remember being taken to her flat for introductions as we were both starting at the school that summer.  I walked in to see this drop dead gorgeous Romanian women and thought 'damn I hope she is not single!'.  She was, and really it did not matter as that was trivial single girl thinking, either way I feel in love with her immediately and she has been a great friend ever since.  And just by pure chance the two times I have been in Canada this year so has she. Doug's family lives very close to my Dad and therefore it has been easy for us to meet up.  It is definitely a small world!

 Me and Maria

Dad was totally in his element, he told loads of stories I have never heard before and was in great spirits.  We heard all about hitch hiking through Europe and his Dad the spy.  For the rest of the evening I kept hearing how lovely and interesting they were (which of course I knew already!).

 After they left we had an afternoon walk.  It was much warmer on the patio which is such a sun trap but there was five minutes during the walk the sun was super bright.

Adventure 1

Yesterday me and Dad wrote a plan for the days that I am here, maximising our time together, doing some fun things and most importantly building some strength after a small operation.  Our outing yesterday was pretty exciting, a couple of hours in Acton, hitting some key places.

 First the post office.

 Then Shoppers Drugmart where I was so shocked to see the prices!  Even the most expensive places in Phuket the prices are not as high.

My favourite place of all, the supermarket.  I love getting some of my favourite foods that I cannot get where ever I happen to be living.  I must say though I always race home to cook them and am slightly disappointed.  First adventure a success!

Memories

After a 44 hour, four stop flight I finally landed into Toronto airport late Wednesday night.  It was a long flight but worth every minute to see my wonderful father.  We have our time together all mapped out, each day with an activity, nothing big but each one special as it is Daddy-Daughter time.  So far we have just been hanging out at home, enjoying our time together and catching up.  It has been great.
This afternoon I spent some time walking around what is one of the most beautiful properties around.  When I look long and hard enough around the property it comes alive.  Memories come flooding back, all of the sudden there are twenty people at one of the summer parties trying to get involved in a volleyball game, Mum is giving out her prizes, and all the kids are enjoying the pool.  It is an over whelming feeling, but a nice one.  I feel so lucky to be here and realise how lucky I was to be raised here.

 The big meadow, in the winter we use to ski and go sledging here.

 The volleyball court was down here, along with horse shoes and baseball

The pool and back yard.
The pictures of me and Dad are coming soon.  To be honest I have just been lazing around in comfy clothes that are just not blog appropriate.

A Year On..

Today I said goodbye to Cody, Luis and Lola to start my travels back to Canada to see my Dad.  I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband who is so supportive of me and such great friends who know when to just listen.  I was spoilt with both this summer and I feel so thankful for that.

I cannot say enough how wonderful it was to have the Ecua's here, they just make you feel so positive and happy.  They helped me search for flights to get me to Canada probably saving me half the cost.  Just such a fabulous group that I cannot wait to see again.

I am now sitting in a coffee shop in Bangkok airport, pretty much where I was a year ago today.  I cannot believe it has been a year; a great one but not without its challenges.  First year of marriage was easy (as married to Luis), learning the new job was pretty easy too (as an amazing staff), but being so far from all our family has been a huge challenge.  I have a new niece I have yet to meet, I miss all my family, and it has been especially hard to be away from my Dad during a year where he has faced several challenges.

I am so thankful now that I am able to go and spend time with the bravest most positive man I have ever met.  Despite facing some serious health problems this last year he maintains a spirit that most people only aspire too.  He is an inspiration to me and many more and I cannot wait to get there to give him a big huge hug!