Making Apple Cider
Making Apple Cider!
It is one of our most favourite days of year! The day we get to go the farm and help make apple cider from scratch!
David is the chair of the Environmental and Sustainability program at Acadia. One of his colleagues has a farm up on the South Mountain in the Annapolis Valley. Every year, we gather at the farm with the Acadia students from the program to make apple cider the old-fashioned way!
We have been going every year for the past 4 years, and it is the highlight of our fall! The boys love it, and know exactly what to do for each step of the process!
Here’s how we do it.
We start with a trailer full of organic apples. Theses apples are bought specifically for making cider, so it doesn’t matter how pretty or perfect they look on the outside.
The apples are dumped into a canoe, where we wash them off with a hose.
Then, the apples are sliced in two. This makes them easier to go through the grinder in the next step.
My favourite step is the grinder. The sliced apples are then dumped into the grinder (built into an old chair) so that they are completed shredded. Be careful not to put too many in at once as it will jam, and definitely keep your fingers away!
This is a video of this step.
Once the bucket is filled, you take the shredded apples over to the press.
Fill the press with the shredded apples.
Then, blocks are placed on top like a puzzle to weigh down the apples.
The juice starts to pour out the bottom into a bucket.
An iron bar is placed in the top to help winch it and press the apples further.
Once it cannot be pressed any further, the press is opened. This is called the “apple cake stage.” Everyone tries to get the pressed apples – in one piece – to the wheelbarrow without it breaking! No one is ever successful, but it is fun to try.
Once the wheelbarrow is full, it is taken to the field and fed to the cows. The boys love this part as well.
Then, the bucket of juice is then strained once more before filling the bottles.
Once this hard work and team work is all finished, you can finally sit back and enjoy a glass of apple cider – in its purest form, knowing exactly where it came from and how it was made.
Until next year!
Halloween Tree
Creating a Halloween Tree
There was a tired mommy who lived in a crowded shoe
She had so many Halloween crafts
She didn’t know what to do!
I know! Let’s make a Halloween Tree!
When the kids were little, we used to do a lot of Halloween crafts. This was for something to do, or to practice fine motor skills or just to make some cool decorations.
Then, the crafts started to compile, and I didn’t know what to do with them. This is when we created the Halloween Tree.
The Halloween tree has now become a part of our yearly tradition.
I went to the backyard and found a big branch – the more offshoots the better! We put the branch in a big vase, put strings on our crafts and started hanging them on the tree!
I make sure I write the child’s name and date on the crafts – especially the ones make with hand and footprints – so we can see how much they have grown year to year.
We don’t make as many crafts at home now that the boys are both in school, but we have fun decorating the Halloween tree each year!
The ideas for most of the Halloween crafts came from my Pinterest board on Halloween. As I am not crafty, none of them are particularly hard!
We also make a tree for Easter and Thanksgiving!
Happy decorating!
What are some of your favourite crafts for Halloween?
Robin’s Cancer Olympics
Robin’s Cancer Olympics
“I want to leave you with 3 main points,” says Robin McGee, author of The Cancer Olympics, and guest speaker at our first Talk Life Community Event.
1. This book is a love letter.
It’s one way that Robin is saying thank you to the many friends and family members who supported her throughout her cancer journey.
2. Democracy Works.
Write letters to your politicians. Social media can work to create social change.
3. Be vigilant about your own health care. Follow up on your referrals. Ask questions. Seek other opinions. Take responsibility for your own health care.
What Robin is talking about is her battle with colorectal cancer which began in 2008.
When Robin first went to the doctor with her symptoms, she was bounced around amongst 4 doctors – none of whom followed up with her, or gave her adequate care, or declared the severity of her symptoms when passing her on to another doctor. As a result, Robin went 22 months before having a scope and being diagnosed with Stage 3C colorectal cancer. It was almost too late.
“It was a perfect storm of medical mismanagement,” she says.
Robin then went through 2 brutal years of chemo, radiation and two surgeries.Now, almost 4 years later, Robin is cancer free and working on patient advocacy committees to ensure that the same medical mismanagement doesn’t happen to others.
Her entire story is chronicled in her book, The Cancer Olympics.
Journey with Robin through her cancer journey and her fight for a cancer drug to be approved in Nova Scotia.
This is a story of friendship and love. It’s a story of being strong in the face of adversity, and it’s a story of the power of love and friendship.
You can read my full review of the book here.
Talk Life Community
- On October 15, 2014, Robin McGee bravely stood in front of a group of 40 women to share her story. She was applauded for being a hero and a remarkable woman. We all had something to learn. In fact, several people have already called their doctors for either an appointment or to follow up on a referral (one of which had indeed been lost in transfer!)
Robin McGee was the perfect speaker to launch the new women’s group, Talk Life Community (TLC) of which I am proud to be a founding member.
Laura, Dr. Robin McGee, Lia and Vanessa
Talk Life Community (TLC) was created by three friends who realized how many accomplished women they knew, all with important stories and life lessons to share. The group consists of Lia Glover, Port Williams, and Vanessa Gennette and Laura Churchill Duke, Kentville.
Talk Life Community is a roaming cafe for women. It focuses on the joys and challenges of women of all ages and experiences. Our goal is to share stories from those who have been there, done that. With so many creative, courageous, intelligent and accomplished women in the Valley to tell their stories, we believe you will leave a Talk Life Community event, better than you arrived.
To find more about Talk Life Community and its future events email talklifecommunity@gmail.com or find us on Facebook
Trikes N Trails
Trikes N Trails: Trike Riding for Adults
*Although this is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own. It just meant that I got to try something new and plan a great event for my friends and me!*
Silly Rabbit! Trikes are for kids!
Not any more!
When Nancy Hurren approached me to talk about her new business venture, Trikes N Trails, my first thought was – When can I try them?
Trikes N Trails is a mobile adult eco adventure trike rental and events service that is exploding into the Annapolis Valley area! We offer group rental services, special events and guided tours of the beautiful trails throughout the Valley on our high quality adult trikes.
The trikes can also be used by youth aged 10+ (for insurance reasons).
It’s a bit hard to understand how it all works unless you go and try it for yourself! So, that’s what we did.
Trikes N Trails has 9 bikes to rent, so I gathered a group of 9 women who were willing and available to come out for a ride. I tried to get a group with different fitness levels and ages. Grace was our youngest at 12 years old, while Marge, in her 70s, was, as she called herself “the token old person.” (However, let me tell you that Marge soon left the rest of us in her dust!
We gathered with Nancy to get the low-down on the bikes.
There are two different styles. These trikes were designed by Urban Trike based out of Arizona. All of the peddle trikes are front wheel driven and the frames are made with high grade steel. They are also designed with the free spinning front wheel and pedals working independently of one another making them great for coasting. Finally with safety always being a priority, all trikes come with working front wheel brakes.
The Bailey has a higher seat and can accommodate up to 350 lbs. This one is great for those who have mobility issues and can’t get down as low. When using this bike, you can really feel it in your thighs!
The Atticus is the larger of the two models. Its longer frame gives the rider a more laid-back posture allowing for great pedalling power! It’s called the Low-Rider. Go on – sing the song. With this bike, you can really feel it in your bum! (This one was my favourite)
We were then let loose on the bikes, and took our time biking around the trail at Miner’s Marsh in Kentville. This path was mostly flat, had loose gravel and was wide enough to safely pass pedestrians.
“I feel like I am two years old again!”
“It takes you back to trike riding as a young child!”“This is so much fun! I love it!”
“I didn’t think I could do it, but I can!”
“The best part of it all is putting smiles on people’s faces,” says Nancy.
You could barely hear anything above our gales of laughter as we took off around the marsh. We couldn’t stop laughing and smiling!
It was a beautiful day, so lots of people were out walking. Everyone stopped and stared or asked questions.
“If I can do it, anyone can!” said another one of our senior women.
That certainly holds true for one friend who had had 2 major knee surgeries. The triking did not aggravate her knees at all!
“It’s a lot harder than it looks!” said another. Although low impact, and easier than a regular bike, you still get a good work out. The great thing is, you can set your own pace, put your feet down to rest, or coast along for awhile.
The overall analysis was that this was one fun way and unique way to spend an afternoon. Regardless of age, fitness level or ability, every single person could ride the trikes and had a great time!
“I would definitely do this again!”
“I would love to try this with my husband or a few other couples!”
Here’s how it works:
Contact Trikes N Trails to book a rental.
For a rental for 7-9 people, for 1.5-2 hours, it is only $20 per person or $15 for seniors (55+). Taxes Incl.
The trikes will then be delivered to the location of your choice.
There are 5 suggested places that are great for trying the trikes
- 1. Miner’s Marsh, Kentville
-Intermedite, Some small grades, hard gravel, 1/2 – 2 hrs.
2. KCA to Memorial Park in Kentville
-Beginner, Flat, Paved
3. Reservoir Park, Wolfville
-Inter./ Difficult.
1 1/2-2 hrs. Some Grades, hard gravel
4. Parking lot across from Willow Park to Acadia Gym, Wolfville
-Beginner, hard gravel, flat
5. Jone’s Rd. to Lockhart Ryan park, New Minas
-Beginner, Flat, Paved
-1 1/2-2hrs.
Adults love the trikes and are eager to try them. However, Nancy says that the pre-teens and the teenagers are the hardest sell.
As one friend said, “it’s hard to look cool on one of these bikes!”
This was certainly true with our riding experience. One of the girls brought her teenaged son along to help “push” if needed. He stayed on the sidelines for the first bit until he finally got on the bike. Unsure if this would be fun or cool, he was quickly won over. He was also the last to get off the bike!
Trikes N Trails also does birthday parties for youth aged 10+. These parties are either outdoors, or at an indoor location (to be discussed). Nancy and her crew have a whole set of activities up their sleeves including obstacle courses, playing hockey while on the trikes, glow parties, and much more that you need to see to believe!
“This would definitely make a great party!”
“I would love to use Trikes N Trails for a fundraising activity at the school!”
The possibilities are endless. Whatever you decide, everyone will have fun – even those who are at first hesitant!
Overall, we had an incredible afternoon together. We got to try something new and fun, spend time with friends, be in the great outdoors, and get some exercise. I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon!
Book your excursion today! You’ll never believe how much fun it is until you try it!
Thank you Trikes N Trails!
Here’s how you book your adventure:
Telephone : 902-697-2435
We Shared Thanksgiving
We Shared Thanksgiving!
I got an email from a friend of mine to promote an idea called Share Thanksgiving. Here’s what it said:
Engage Nova Scotia is calling on Nova Scotians to make this Thanksgiving, the most welcoming, community-oriented Thanksgiving in our history. Nova Scotia has a history of welcoming newcomers that dates back over 400 years to the Mi’kmaq, who supported European settlers with food and shelter. Let’s honour our long history of being a welcoming place by signing up to be part of Share Thanksgiving this year.
What a great idea! So, I sent out the information through my network, and left it at that.
Soon, I received a note from a fellow blogger in Halifax. Her husband was one of the organizers. Apparently, here in the Valley there was a great gap between people who had signed up to be fed and people who signed up to be hosts. Most of these guests were international students at our local university, Acadia, looking to join in a Canadian tradition.
“We have to do this,” said my husband, who teaches at Acadia.
“We need to do this,” said my sister who runs the English as a second language program at Acadia.
We already had 17 family members planning to attend our dinner, what was 2 more?
Besides, as we looked around our family, most of us have lived in another country. I lived in Japan for 3 years, my husband lived in Russia. My sister has lived in the UK and New Zealand, my brother in Belize, my aunt in Guyana, my sister-in-law in France, and my other two sister in-laws had just moved here from the UK. The list went on.
The point was, we know what it’s like to be in a foreign country, and how it feels when someone invites you into their home.
In 2015, We participated once again. Organizers at Engage Nova Scotia were looking for a family to video that would show chaos at Thanksgiving. I wonder why they chose us! Here’s the video!
When we were children, our family participated in the host-family program at Acadia. We were matched with international students and we spent the year(s) having them join our family. We were matched with 3 black South Africans – and we were the first white home they had been invited into. Remember, this was the 1980s! It was an incredible experience for us all!
Then, a few years ago, at my office at Acadia, we had a married couple from Italy who came to do research. We became close with them, and remain so to this day (my dream is to take a family trip to go visit them!)
Taking our Italian friends on their first sleigh ride!
All of this to say, we were more than happy to sign up to Share Thanksgiving!
The first year We were matched with two Acadia students from Germany. Funnily enough, they did know each other (they had met at the airport on their way to Acadia). Still they were brave coming into our not-so quiet family of 17!
We had a great feast, and great conversations.
The boys were very curious about Christmas in Germany and learned about the traditions there.
We followed the feast with a walk to view Kentville’s Pumpkin People (an annual festival that draws thousands of peoples to see these figures). This year’s theme was 80s movies!
We took them on a scenic drive on the way home, stopping at the “Look Off” to see the view of the Valley.
We finally dropped Christine and Elina back off at the university with promises of having them over again before their time here is finished!
In the second year, we Shared Thanksgiving with a family from Albania!
Who will we Share with next year?
This was a wonderful experience for us all! Next year, I encourage you to consider sharing Thanksgiving. If it’s not through this program, than think of someone who might be alone or in need of some company.
To learn more about the Share Thanksgiving initiative, visit their website.
Sign up today!
Learning to Run
Learning to Run 5K
“I’m going to take this learn to run program,” says my friend, Ann. “Do you want to do it with me?”
Do I want to run?
I couldn’t even run to the end of my driveway!
Ann was pretty convincing.
We are soon approaching 40. We need to get healthy. We need to prove to ourselves that we can do it. We need t set a good example for our kids: sticking to something even though it is hard.
We’d done Weight Watchers together a few times, and this was the next challenge.
Besides she’s been one of my best friends for almost 25 years. How could I say no?
Last year we walked the Run or Dye Run, but this would be taking things to the next level!
It was the end of August when we met with our instructor, Helen, who walked us (ran us) through what would happen over the next 10 weeks.
Over those weeks we would build up gradually, resulting in running the 5KM race in the Valley Harvest Marathon in October.
Helen gave us our first week’s assignment. We would start by running 1 whole minute in a row, walk for 2, and do this about 10 times. We would have to do this 3 times a week. One of those sessions we would be meeting as a group to run together.
The first time I ran a minute in a row. I nearly died. I am not unhealthy. I do yoga, bike a lot, walk everywhere, but cardio like this nearly killed me.
Over the next few weeks, Ann and I ran together in the group session and met on Thursday mornings to do our homework run together.
Helen told us that we shouldn’t be so winded while running as to not be able to have a conversation. We took this to heart.
We talked non-stop. The others in our group teased us about this, and called us the Bobbsey Twins! They enjoyed our stories, and couldn’t believe we had that much to talk about.
For me, that’s how I could get through the runs. The days without her were long and boring. Even though we’ve been besties for almost 25 years, in the past few years, living in separate towns, with kids in different activities, we hadn’t been able to spend as much time together. This was the best part of running for me.
Over the 10 weeks, we eventually built up to running 10 minutes in a row, making 1 minute seem like a joke.
We had a great group of women that we trained with. Helen was always there offering advice and giving us encouragement. She was the perfect trainer!
All of this culminated on the big day – the Valley Harvest Run – in Wolfville, NS. Thousands gathered to take part in one of the various runs. Our goal was not to time ourselves. Our goal was to make it to the end to prove that we could do it together.
The race day came and we gathered with hundreds and hundreds of people at the University track and lined up with the other 5km runners. There was a lot of camaraderie, as there were so many people that we knew! It was a great bonding time.
The morning was perfect. The sun was shining, it wasn’t too cold, and the scenery across the Wolfville dykes was breathtaking! The whole race was incredibly well organized which made the whole process enjoyable!
Best of all, we did it! We ran across the finish line at our regular rate! We did it! Ok, we came in 402nd – but we did it, and we weren’t the last!
Not sure what will happen next. Will we keep up the running? Probably. Will we aim for the 10km? Probably not.
But, we proved to ourselves that we could do it! Go us!
