Happy October, everyone!

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It’s finally October. Don’t get me wrong, I sometimes enjoy the hot weather, but truthfully, what’s better than colourful leaves, pumpkins, jackets and crisp air? Well, besides snow and Christmas lights …

I have a list of activities I want to do this year: Ajax’s Pumpkinville (let’s hope it doesn’t rain for a third year in a row), visit a pumpkin patch (to take awesome photos), and watch “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (best Hallowe’en movie ever!).

Last year, I posted a Fall Bucket list. And I found another fun one courtesy of Sarah Halstead. NOTE: I removed the date so it can be used for any year.

So here’s to 3 more months until Santa!

Fall Bucket List

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Downtown Orono

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I have been posting a lot of images of landscape, particularly from my adventures on the East Coast, but recently I grabbed my friend Kate-Lynn for a fun photo adventure to nearby Orono, On.

Orono is a quiet little village, located in the Municipality of Clarington, just a few minutes up Highway 115 towards Peterborough. The area is probably known for its famous yearly Chili Cook-Off, which takes place September 27.

The downtown is decorated with small, local shops – mainly antique stores and restaurants. It’s also a perfect place for photos, with a large mural depicting the village in the early 1900’s.

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Kawartha Country Wines

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I am a huge fan of Niagara vineyards, but this summer I had the opportunity to try something a bit outside my comfort zone from Kawartha Country Wines – an amazing experience, to say the least!

I am no wine connoisseur, but I’m generally a fan of Moscato and Riesling wines. Kawartha Country Wines offers a variety of fruit wines, suiting just about any tastebud  – sour, sweet to very sweet.

I suggest hitting up the taste bar – they let us try four wines and four fruit vinegars.

My favourites were the Rhubarb Off Dry (which I bought); it’s described as, “Delicate and fresh … with a subtle taste.” I also savoured a bottle of Wild Blueberry Social, which is  “A fruity blueberry nose leads to a pleasantly sweet, smooth and velvety wine with a bold blueberry flavour and notes of candied fruit.” 

Chances are, you’ll be hitting up the cottage this season. I’d schedule some time there; stock up for the family parties or the camping adventures. Not only are the wines great, they have a lot of local-made products, and the service was phenomenal: personable and friendly. I would go back just for the great conversation! It’s a 15 minute drive from Bobcaygeon. Click here for more information.

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East Coast Trip: Halifax, Nova Scotia

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I’ve been back from the East Coast for almost two months now. It’s hard to believe how fast time flies! After sharing four posts, Newfoundland and a three-part Prince Edward Island entry, I am moving a bit more west to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

I didn’t spend much time in Halifax, Nova Scotia but I can tell you the waterfront is gorgeous. It’s packed with bars, restaurants, high-end clothing stores, and of course … lots of tourists.

Locals tell me, Halifax, Nova Scotia has a large student community. Thousands head east to go to some of our country’s top institutions. My dad got his degree at Dalhousie University – a public research university, with three campuses in Halifax alone. He’s said many times, Nova Scotia is his favourite province, making it a place I just had to check out.

While I was there, I had lunch at Murphys (a boathouse styled restaurant), visited Alexander Keith’s (a NS brewery founded back in the 1800’s), and took a short stroll past the waterfront and down Lower Water Street.

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East Coast Trip: Prince Edward Island (Pt. 3)

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I still have so many East Coast photos to share! For this week’s Prince Edward Island instalment, I will focus on Skinners Pond (the home of Stompin’ Tom Connors) and just for Stephanie at This Wonderful Life, Anne of Green Gables’ Heritage Place – yes, we went there!

Let me start off with the picturesque setting in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s famous Anne of Green Gables. I initially wasn’t going to share these images because of the overcast weather, but for fans, you’ll see the views were outstanding. Rolling green hills and a quiet, serene stillness fills the property. According to Parks Canada, Green Gables Heritage Place was designated in 2004 and is also the site of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Cavendish Home.

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After our stop there, we headed onto Skinners Pond. This is a  place I’ve mentioned previously, following the passing of legendary Canadian singer Stompin’ Tom.

Seeing as family history is engraved at the site of Connors’ childhood home, I needed to see it; see what my mom and her parents saw many years ago.

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Skinners Pond back in 1973. Below, you will see the old farm house and a photo of Stompin’ Tom with my Grandfather. Read more about it here.

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