A Beautiful Day in The Neighbourhood

Well I think spring came and went in a flash. The meteorologists were commenting earlier this month on how this April was the coldest in many years. April may have come in cold but it is going out on a high note. They are calling for a high of 84 degrees F for today (for all my Canadian friends that would be 29 degrees C). Too bad the pool doesn't open until Memorial Day weekend. For those who know me (Sarah) personally, you are correct if you think I am complaining. One of the things I miss most about good ol' Nova Scotia is the weather. Chris, on the other hand, loves the warmer climate. At least one of us enjoys it.

Back in November, we decided it was time to get up off our ever-widening rear-ends and join Weight Watchers. Both of us had gained some excess body baggage since migrating down south of the Mason/Dixie line (some more than others - argh!) and our bodies were beginning to protest. Our weight loss journey so far has been commendable: Chris is getting super-slim since losing 47 lbs and I'm tagging along after losing 24 lbs. I am frequently told that men have an easier time losing weight. Go figure! We work twice as hard shedding poundage. Oh the crosses we women have to bear. Our trek to Skinnyville has just begun and we'll update you all on our progress.

More Photos 29 April 2007

Here are some more photos for you to look at.

(Click on the image for a larger view)

ENJOY!

Self Portrait

This was taken on an unusually warm January Day. We decided to go out and take pictures at a local park. We were both wearing shorts and T-shirts. IN THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY!!!!

Geese at Burke Lake

There were lots of people out enjoying the warm weather. Even the birds had a chance to enjoy it.

Squirrel at Occaquan

Even the squirrels were confused. (Not that you could tell)

First Snow Fall
This is what it looked like the next weekend!

Point Pleasant Park in Winter
This is a typical January day in Nova Scotia

Peggy's Cove
I think the best time to shoot pictures at Peggy's Cove is during bad weather for many reasons. The biggest reason is that it keeps the number of tourists down, so you don't have a lot of people moving in and out of the picture you want to take.

The weather also adds to the photograph.
High winds and waves before or after an Atlantic storm can add some drama to the photo.
You just have to make sure that you aren't in the splash zone. (it only happened to me once)

Stone Bridge at Manassas National Battlefield

The Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) took place during the US Civil War (There were actually two battles a couple of years apart).

Colonial Williamsburg
This is a streetscape along the main street in the historic section of Williamsburg.

This is another photo taken in the historic section.
(It's been slightly doctored to remove a tag on the lamp post and a person in the background)

Fall Colours
This shot was taken along the trail leading to Economy Falls.

Sculpture
This is a sculpture which sits outside the National Air & Space Museum's Dulles Annex

Spring Trees
A nice sign of spring just outside our door.

It IS pronounced ZED dammit!!!!!!

Postponed Trip Home

For those of you who don't already know, we've had to postpone our usual trip home in May this year. Long story short, we're waiting for paperwork to be processed, and it won't likely be done until mid June or July. We could still come home, but coming back into the US would require possible delays at the border. So rather than go through that hassle, we've decided to put off the trip until later. We're debating about making a short trip in the fall, and a trip at Christmas, or a longer Christmas vacation over 3 weeks instead of 2. (I have an extra 5 days of vacay this year, since I've worked here 5 years this year)

So, unfortunately, we won't be seeing our good friends and family next month, but we still have an open invitation for those who want to come down and visit us. Just call ahead to reserve your space, reservations are filling up fast. (Hint, Hint)

P.S. I would not recommend the months of June, July, August or early September if you don't like heat or humidity.

P.P.S. We do not have AC in the car. But the apartment has lots of it, and we have a pool on site.

P.P.S.S. We can even find Canadian beer in a couple of local supermarkets (Alcohol content undisclosed) so you can even say that you've had Canadian beer imported from Canada (Unless you've spent a summer in the Gagetown training areas).

Various Photos

Here are some photos Chris has taken over the past few years.
(Click on the photo for a larger image)

Bug on Tulip


Fall Colours


Old Bridge in the Woods


Forest Leaves


Whistler, British Columbia


Beulach Ban Falls, Nova Scotia


Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia


Squirrel in Tree


Beach Rocks


Newfoundland Sunset


Boats in Newfoundland


Sunset over Halifax


Mountain Lake, British Columbia


Storm Over Halifax


Economy Falls, Nova Scotia

Cape D'Or Nova Scotia


Balmoral Mills, Nova Scotia

Air & Space at Dulles




Newfoundland Beachscape


16 Ducks

Playoff Picks

It's a little late, but here are our first round picks as we selected on the first night of the NHL playoffs:

Chris
Buffalo over NY Islanders
New Jersey over Tampa Bay
NY Rangers over Atlanta
Pittsburgh over Ottawa (predicting another early choke by Ottawa)
Calgary over Detroit (predicting another early choke by Detroit)
Anaheim over Minnesota
Vancouver over Dallas
San Jose over Nashville

Sarah
Buffalo over NY Islanders
New Jersey over Tampa Bay
Atlanta over NY Rangers
Ottawa over Pittsburgh
Detroit over Calgary
Anaheim over Minnesota
Vancouver over Dallas
Nashville over San Jose

Not bad, we're both 6 for 8 in the first round.

Now, let's see how we do with our second round picks:

Chris
Buffalo and New Jersey
San Jose and Vancouver

Sarah
Buffalo and New Jersey
Detroit and Anaheim

As for the eventual winner Chris picked Vancouver and Sarah picked New Jersey back at the beginning of April. After seeing Vancouver's performance in the first round, We are both predicting the Devils taking the Cup.

New Photos 22 April 07

Just trying out posting photos. This is a photo Chris took over the weekend.

Welcome To Our Blog

Hi, Y'all!

Welcome to our Blog. This is our place to post our thoughts on our experiences living in a different country, and to share photos with family and friends, both old and new. Enjoy yourselves, and feel free to share your comments.