Quebec City, Canada

Winter Vacation 2016, continuing with the cold destinations trend, we decided to explore Quebec City, Canada.  After playing 100 questions with border patrol they fortunately decided to let me in.

 Carnaval de Quebec was in full swing while we were there and the town was decorated with images of Bonhomme-the snowman mascot of the carnival

 We had a lot of fun  rode down an ice slide, and a crazy ride that brought you up about 3 stories and then drops you suddenly.  Felt like it took a solid 5minutes for my innards to settle back into place

 Took a carriage ride around the park.  Which would have been fine if we hadn't waited about 20mins for the rest of riders.  We were freezing by the time we actually got going.

 A few more images.  They had a lot of fun events happening. 

 

 The only walled city in North America.  Quebec has quite the history which we learned about at one of the museums.   Or at least tried to.   I was getting a little confused about who was being referred to at times.  The British or the French.

 Some images of old town Quebec. 

 Enjoying exploring the city and doing our best to not slip on the ice

 Looking thru the wall to the old city

 We stumbled upon this street while wandering around town.  It had cute shops, and enjoyed a nice lunch.

 

Having fun at the children's playground.  BTW climbing ice stairs not the easiest thing to do

 This is a shop in town with lots of lights.  Maybe I will find some inspiration for my own place.

 Inside one of the churches
We also went to a museum "Le Monastere Des Augustines."  A museum dedicated to a hospital run by a group of nuns.  It is hard for me to fathom that someone could want to give up all pleasures in life to join the "sisterhood"

 A picture of the Apothecary.

And a chocolate museum.  Where we each enjoyed an nice cup of hot cocoa when we were finished.  Mine was very rich and creamy.  Almost like a mousse.  Yum!!!

 Attempting to ice fish. 

Audra did much better than me.  We were 2-0.  They had a restaurant on site that cooked up the fish for lunch.  Thanks for sharing.

Our final day in Quebec we opted to go check out the Aquarium.  They had several exhibits of various fish, jellyfish, an artic fox, walruses, seals and polar bears.

We then decided to go see a movie "How to be Single"  Which played in French.  Am definitely interested in seeing it in English and seeing how far off my interpretation of the story line was.

Another great trip.  Au revoir. 

Seattle, WA

Spent nine days in Seattle orienting for my new job at Vera Whole Health.  We stayed right by the UW, but with the grounds around our hotel you wouldn't think it. It was great to get back to the Northwest and even had some time to connect with friends and and do a little sightseeing.

Unfortunately, I was not good about getting photos with people, but was able to capture this great memory enjoying a froyo. Wonderful catching up

There are not many places I haven't explored before in Seattle, but the EMP (Experience Music Project) Museum was one of them.  The museum had a lot more to see than I expected and there may be an embarrassing music video floating around somewhere. ; )

 Of course a trip to Seattle isn't complete without a trip to the space needle.   This time I actually went to the top for the first time.

View of Seattle from the top of the space needle.  I love city landscapes.

Snuck a shot of the Chuhuly exhibit. Wish I had time to actually go and explore it more.

And down to the Market.  Monorail made it easy to get from the Needle to the Market.  

 So many flowers and this is just one vendor! Enjoy the sites at the market-foods, arts, flowers and of course some fish tossing.

 Thanks to a recommendation we found this little hideaway right at the market.   Would have walked right past the Alibi room.  I'm pretty sure we sampled just about every pizza on the menu.  So goood.

A trip to the market isn't complete without grossing people out at the gum wall.  Yes.  That is all gum and yes it's gross

Til next time Seattle...

One Year Later.

Somehow a year has passed since we lost Sara.  It has been a year of major changes (moved away from Boston) Highs ( many fun trips) and Lows (not hearing her commentary on the Trump debacle).  Thought it would be nice to put together a post of some memories.

 Newport, RI.  Placed some of Sara's ashes in this spot on what would have been her 31st birthday.

 Many memories in Rocky Point as a family.  Think and laugh at the time that Sara started floating away into the ocean with the tide.  Thankfully we were able to grab her and have several more years of memories.  Another great spot for her ashes to be.

 Friends and family got together to remember Sara a year later at Buffalo Park. Not sure how only one dog made it into the photo.

 Enjoying a beautiful Sunny AZ day

Great day for a walk at Buffalo Park

Thanks Will for providing beautiful flowers from the Farmers Market.

 The super moon/lunar eclipse happened during this time.  Like to think she was enjoying the moon from her vantage point.

Side by Side.  Great of the hospice organization to make  this happen.

The garden at the Olivia White Hospice House is breathtaking.  I love that this is yet another spot in town where Sara is honored

a lovely sanctuary

So happy to have these fun memories with Sara.  Ready for battle.  Nobody mess with her

One of our last photos taken together.   When I was home on medical leave following my surgery.  Glad I got to have this time with my sisters

Love this photo of us all

My sisters so gorgeous in their tutus

memorial service for Sara.

Fortunate to have many fun pictures.  

Family snuggle time.

Blast to the past.  Memories with my sisters.  Enjoying a birthday dinner at Busters.

Congrats Lia on being the first recipient of the "Girls on the Run" Scholarship in honor of Sara 

 Yet another way that Sara was honored.  Thanks to "Thrive Athletics"  I know Sara was proud of all those kettlebell swings

 Bench at the Poore house in her memory.  Dedicated by friends in  Flagstaff Leadership class.

 Cowbells at the Flagstaff Marathon.  We all know she would have been there swinging her bell.

It's amazing how many people have honored her memory over the past year.   Thanks to everyone for your love and support.