I`ve always enjoyed parades and the sense of community that I feel when watching them; looking down the long street and seeing fellow friends, acquaintances and neighbours lined up along the side, just as eager to watch the parade. This year my daughter was ecstatic to watch the Canada Day parade. She paced back and forth while waiting for the parade to start and when it did, she sat down on her little chair and waved her Canadian Flag back and forth. She was so amazed to see other people with flags on their shirts or flag tattoos and would point out each one to me; ``Look, Mommy! That man has a Canada flag just like me!`` Her favourite part during the parade this year was the marching bands and thankfully there were quite a few that went by. That child loves anything and everything that has to do with music. When the parade was over, I was happy, hot, hungry, and being informed by my preschooler that she wants to do gymnastics, just like the people in the parade who were doing cartwheels and standing on each other`s shoulders.

We might have a new adventure on our hands.

Means taking long naps in the grass

Over the course of the next few months, I’d like to show, in photos, what summer means to our family and what we’re up to now that it’s summer. We’ve already been on lots of adventures and spent a good chunk of time with friends and family. This is one of my favourite summers, by far.

I love summer, yes I do. 

Things around here are finally looking up. I was really sick a few weeks ago, up until a few days ago, but I’m on the road to recovery. At first I had a cold and flu at the same time, which had me in bed and calling in sick to work (something I’ve never done). Then, once that was almost gone and I thought I was in the clear, I suddenly had an inner ear infection and woke up with a really bad case of vertigo. I sat up to turn off my alarm clock and the whole room started spinning, as though I was hungover. I wasn’t able to get out of bed for 2 hours and when I did try, I vomited from the movement. I wound up going to the ER and I was able to get some medication to prevent the vertigo and it’s been smooth sailing since. I just can’t bend over yet without getting light headed and my right ear keeps popping, but other than that, I have my appetite back. I lost quite a bit of weight during the last few weeks, but I’m gaining it back. I’m now allowed to drive, which is a blessing.

My daughter’s school just ended this week and I’m super excited for our family to be going lots of places. Most places that I want to go involve being outside in nature and unfortunately the weather isn’t cooperating lately. It’s been pouring rain and thunder-storming for 2 - 3 weeks straight. It looks like it’s going to let up on Tuesday, so on Wednesday I’m hoping that we can go to the beach, as long as it’s warm enough.

I made my own raw cheesecake recipe last night. I took all different parts from all different recipes and combined them, nervously hoping it would turn out - and it did.  Oh, did it ever. It tastes so good and it’s filling, just like cheesecake.

For the crust:
2 cups raw almonds
2/3 cup dates, pitted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla

For the cheese:
3 cups cashews, soaked in water for 4-6 hours, then drained
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 cup agave nectar
3/4 cup coconut butter/oil, gently warmed in a jar surrounded by warm water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup water

For the sauce:
3 cups frozen raspberries, or any berry of your choice
2/3 cup dates, pitted
2 tablespoons agave nectar

To make the crust, in a food processor, process the almonds until they are finely ground. Add in the dates and vanilla and process for another minute. You want the texture to be crumbly, but when squished together, it sticks. Pour the mixture into a 9 inch springform pan or deep dish and press it down with your hands.

To make the cheese, in a food processor, process the cashews, lemon juice, agave nectar, coconut oil, vanilla, sea salt and water. Blend together until smooth. Pour the mixture on top of the crust and gently wiggle or tap the pan to help remove any air bubbles. Place the pan in the freezer for 2 hours, or until the cheese has reached a firm, cheesecake-like texture. Remove from the freezer and place it at room temperature while you make the sauce.

To make the sauce, in a food processor, process the raspberries, dates and agave nectar until well blended. Pour the mixture over top of the cheese and using a spatula, gently spread it around. Let the cheesecake sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cutting. 

Cherry blossoms make me happy.

Last night we discovered the amazing wonderland in our backyard. I had always known that this place was there, but I will admit that I never found the time to go there, nor did I know how spectacular this place was! If I had known how breathtakingly beautiful it was, I would have been there years before. Our city has this “trail” that stretches for miles and I always thought it was just that; a trail. This trail also has little pathways veering off from it that lead to a natural paradise; miles upon miles of woods, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Everything was so green and alive and untouched by man. I was absolutely in my dream world - I wished I could move in! It was so beautiful, that words cannot express it.

I did not get many good photographs, but I will be certain to be armed with my camera each time I go back. And go back soon, we will! My daughter was in heaven as well and was thrilled when I asked her if we could go there every night for a walk. I wish we could go back tonight but alas it’s currently raining and we have plans.

Now that the warmer weather is here, my daughter and I have been going for more walks. Sometimes good friends join us, but most of the time it’s just the two of us. We tend to go for our walks in the evening, when the sun is setting and the rest of the world is bustling around us. A sunset is one of the most beautiful parts of Mother Nature and I love walking towards the setting sun, watching the colours change in the sky and feeling the warmth around me.

I love walking and I can’t praise it enough. Once my legs get moving, my thoughts begin to flow. I can sort out any problem during a good walk and get in touch with my inner thoughts and feelings. We live in a very fast paced society and walking helps to slow us down. It helps you to get in touch with the world around you and you begin to notice the smaller details of things. For instance, this morning I noticed that there is a tree with beautiful breathtaking blossoms on it at the end of our street. I pass by this tree in the car, usually 4 times each day, and I had never once noticed it before.

This morning we walked to preschool; well, my daughter rode her tricycle while I walked. Once we arrived at the school, she was so happy, and I could tell how proud she was that she rode her tricycle all the way there. It made me ask myself, ”Why can’t we do this every morning?” to which my mind replied, “We can!” and we will. Getting up that extra 15 minutes earlier is worth it. It’s better for my wallet, it’s better for the environment, it’s better for my car, it’s better for our bodies, minds and spirts, and most importantly, it’s better for our relationship; it gives us time to talk as well as discover things together on the way to our destination.

So far, all of our outings have had a destination, but I want to start going out and walking with no destination in mind; just seeing where our hearts take us and where we end up.