A Manic Few Weeks

I apologise for my lack of blogging these past months. It has been fairly crazy here. I completed writing and defended my MA major research paper, which was the last box to check on my Master's to-do list. Yup, that's me done! :)

Then, there was work. Life was pretty busy as we approached a major deadline! :) 

Then, Tony's parents crossed that pond called the Atlantic and came for a visit. First they came to Ottawa and my dear friend and Tony's cousin, Karen, came to join the fun. The weather was moderately cooperative and we checked out some fun stuff. 

We ambled about Gatineau Park a bit, taking advantage of the rainless weather while we could! 

Part of the trails were still closed, but we found some nice walking trails all the same :) 

Then we hit up the Museum of Civilisation. 

Here's the view from the museum across the Ottawa River towards Parliament

A canoe from the exhibit on Canada's west coast First Nations groups

The following weekend, we, save Karen, headed to Montreal to partake in some French-Canadian culture.

Here we are atop Mount Royal first perusing maps, then observing the city scape :)

Then, en route to the Botanical Gardens, we saw the 1974 Olympic Park

It was a lovely day to wander about the Botanical gardens. 

It was early for much growing, but the gardens were still lovely.

I got rid of my home and relocated! It was on very short notice. Yup, me and all the plants relocated to Kingston. This was certainly the most manic and chaotic move I've ever experienced, but we pulled it off!

Here are all the new plants recovering from the journey and settling into their new home! We are growing peppers, tomatoes, basil, thyme, and oregano, plus some house plants (not seen).
Don't worry, there is nothing illicit growing here! :) 

Here's Tony driving the big ol' country truck that I used to move (a big thanks to my boss for lending me the truck!). I felt that driving such a truck (complete with wood chips in the box) was a necessary Canadian experience for Tony! :)

Then, we had a day post-move to relax and ventured out to Little Cataraqui Conservation Area just outside of Kingston of a woodland wander. 

The birds coming home to Canada at long last :)

A couple of toad kicking it on a log. 

Different trails

Chickadees believing that we could have food to offer them. 

Poor dears will go hungry today. 

And a turtle checking stuff out :) 

We saw a representative from each animal group this day :)

A couple of stunning Red Wing Black Birds chillin' on the bridge

And a ground hog investigating some noise (probably us) :)

And, that's been my late winter-early Spring! Crazy, but overall, quite good :) The future holds a trip to Ukraine and whatever else the summer may bring! :)