By the lake

I have written before about my complete infatuation (is there any other kind?) with the place where we live, due to the amazing lake we have right in front of us. And even though I dont want to rub it in Cathy, I would love to express it one more time over here.

Lunette is definitely a water baby. Being born on an island I presume she has much affinity with bodies of water, and she does seem to be happiest when close to the lake. We took her camping for four glorious days and the whole time she was one happy trooper.

 

The first morning she and I got up before everybody, and put some water to boil so Dad could brew us some coffee with his steam-punk contraption (I refuse to go near that thing!). While we left the thing warming up, we went to check out the beach. Our campsite was just next to it, which made for the loveliest lullaby at night. The rocking sound of the waves is the best sleep medicine and the best balm for troubled hearts I suppose.

The day was just starting to look like a glorious adventure. Lunette enjoyed the wetness of the sand, the quietness of the beach, the smell of the breeze on the fresh grass.

We returned back to camp to enjoy the many activities that happen when we go camping. As it was expected, the Sun beamed on us and so we had to change Lunette's wardrobe. Her current overalls do not have (yet) sleeves and I was dreading the sunburnt shoulders, so we changed her (again) into some of our doll clothes. She seemed happy and did say something about looking pretty in pink. I believe she looks pretty in everything!

We took a shot at the Visitors' centre. People reacted quite funny to a crazy lady taking photos of a cute little doll on all of the centre's displays, but we did not pay any notice. We are soooo used to it. I am some sort of an oddball, with my dollmaking ways and funny things I do to take photos of them. Good thing Lunette seems to be oblivious to all of it too. Good girl!

She became quite interested on the pelts on display and asked the names of everything. I had to giggle thinking about her soon-to-be-hostess, and her aversion to hurting any animals, while I was sitting Lunette on some pretty dead ones. I hope she forgives me!

We also took a little hike, on the Dune trail. The part she liked the best was the alvears, and requested I took photos of how little she was against the tall grasses. I told her that even though these trees are not as tall or as chunky as the ones on the west coast, but Holy, are they ever ancient!. The growing season is so small in the boreal forest that it takes really long for these trees to reach the heights they've achieved, making them a sought-after material as their wood is the best hardwood there is. She didnt care about any of it, but instead said they "all smell so pretty Fabs", and I had to agree. The woods here smell sweet. Sweet with the smell of Cedar, Birch, Pine and Poplar.

Knowing that her mother really loves mushrooms, she jumped and giggled when she saw the most beautiful collection of amanita muscaria (variation formosa)...sorry but had to write it all in. This variation of the sempiternal red cap mushrooms that Berrie so loves, are huge, and Lunette took great pride in sitting right next to it.

Overall we had great fun, we roasted the traditional marshmallows, we built sand castles and lean-tos, we play hide and seek and took turns sitting on the hammock, we played tunes and ate good food. We rested under a beautiful boreal canopy, sung to sleep by the motion of the waters of Lake Superior. We love going camping and I think Lunette is definitely hooked.

Off we go!

To take sweet Lunette and yet another camping trip! except this time she will be in Canada and not in Alaska. We'll be by the lake, and not by the ocean, and we expect to eat lots of blueberries!

I made her a pretty set of overalls/sun suit. The weather is supposed to be glorious and I know we will spend a lot of time at the beach.

She has her super duper hat, and a few other clothes we are bringing just in case. We are also bringing books, wooden hoops to embroider, a set of cards, and lots of chocolate!

We will report our adventures when we get back!

Sunday Supper

As usual, Sundays are a day where we have supper with Bubba and Bumpa, my husband's parents. Reason number one we relocated to this beautiful place. As they have moved for a few weeks into the family camp, situated on a smaller (much warmer) lake, we headed out their way in the afternoon.

 

First we decided to bring a few things for supper, so we stopped downtown. While Dad was busy himself buying things, we played around town. We placed a visit to the lighthouse, which is just a look-out, but nonetheless provides with wonderful enjoyment and squeals of high-altitude terror (for me!). And let's not mention my sufferings when going up all those stairs. I'll spare you.

Finnie decided to be a kangaroo mama that day. She is very interested in all kinds of animals and their babies at the moment. Good thing she was wearing that shirt, as it has the biggest pocket in the world.

entrance to Camp...I always get so excited!

I finally made Lunette a hat, since we will be going camping she needs appropriate duds!

Living by the water, either by the Ocean or by a lake, does something very special to you. I have been trying to understand it and put it into words but I just can't. Water has always been a receptacle of energies, a transmutation agent, a cleansing and calming element. I have never lived by the water before, and I am absolutely in love. Since Lunette was born on an island, I think she is quite at home here, and you can see how happy she is when we are by the water.

The afternoon was lovely, we had as usual good food and the loveliest company. The girl went in for a little splash, and we grown-ups enjoyed the sunset. It has been a bit muggy, but we do hope that more sun comes our way, as we are planning a camping trip for Lunette. Reading her journal has told us so much about her, so we can't wait to show her another little piece of heaven in Northern Ontario.

Stay tuned for more adventures of this happy little doll.

A morning with us

Today we got up bright and early, don't ask questions. We don't normally do this. We go to swimming lessons every day, and we spend the rest of the morning fussing around town. Today, we brought Lunette with us. She goes everywhere with us!

While one of my little ones was in taking her lesson, her younger sister took Lunette to the playground. Showing her what a good swing is. You should have been there, to hear them both giggle and laugh and roar...and scream higher!

Then we moved to the slide...oh, how I remember the metal slide in my hometown. It used to leave my bum all rusty and quite scorched!

After the  lessons were over we headed to the local Library, for our weekly return and borrow of new reading materials. Ok, ok, so we actually forgot to bring the library bag, but who noticed? Finnie shows Lunette how to do puzzles, and we got her a book about Ladybugs...that's the one that seemed to caught her attention. We spend a long time at the Library, so Lunette decided to take a quick rest on top of Adica, who lends herself as human pillow most of the time.

Coming home, we changed Lunette's hat as the sun was pretty bright, and her blonde hair and blonde eyes make her a little susceptible to it.

Overall we enjoyed our slow day, and we are happy to report that Lunette has adjusted magnificently to our daily puttering and seems to be quite at home with us. Most of our days are quite simple, full of little adventures, nothing too big to write down or take pictures of. But that is the way we like it, and those are the moments that we feel are the most important for our family. Perhaps Lunette has greatly inspired us with her quiet demeanor to take the summer a little bit more slower than usual. Perhaps you will feel inspired to do the same. To putter and relax, let the lazyness of summer be your guide.

A trip around the hood.

Packed with two little girls on their bikes, and a very excited Lunette, we went for a little bike ride around the block, to pick up a little friend who was coming to play with us. We missed her birthday a few days ago, and we wanted to treat her to a day of doll play and tea parties. She has big brothers, so she doesnt get to play like that a lot. We are happy to oblige.

Finnie selected a very fancy and flouncy kerchief for Lunette to use as protection...she looked quite funny. I dont think her Mom would approve, but she is so nice and did not say a word. She actually smiled and looked very happy the whole ride.

We stopped by the little creek to enjoy the sun, and cut a few flowers for our tea party centerpiece. The girls know all their names and they were showing Lunette what each flower was.

Back at the house, the girls decided to go and play and Lunette and I explored our yard. It is in full bloom with all sorts of wild flowers (or weeds as some people call them). I feel so lucky to share Lunette with all these wonderful women, as she is such a good little doll. There is a quietness about her, a gentleness, she resembles to me an old soul. And I love having her here with me. Joining me in my sewing room, and letting me show her my hood.

I hope you enjoyed the pics from our small day adventure. More to come!.