Beginning to look like Christmas!

This weekend, Abby and I went to the Open House at Fanningbank. Fanningbank is a large, ornate Victorian mansion overlooking Charlottetown Harbor. It is the Lieutenant Governor's residence. The Lieutenant Governor greeted us at the door, and we walked through the house, which was decorated in fine style for Christmas. While we toured the house, a women's a cappella choir sang Christmas carols. It was a great way to get into the Christmas spirit! Later, we walked around downtown Charlottetown and did a little Christmas shopping. We visited Northern Watters, a shop featuring handcrafted sweaters and other knitted items. Isabella, I hope you like your lobster claw mittens!

Our other stops were the Queen Street Outlet, my favorite clothing shop on the Island. I bought myself a pretty red jacket and a pair of leather gloves for Abby. Next we went to Luna's, a funky little shop featuring quirky gift items. It is a great place to find ideas and laugh at the funny refrigerator magnets. They also carry quite a few silk and Indian items. Last, we walked around the Confederation Court Mall, and looked at the shops. The sun was starting to set, so we left for home. Horse needed to be stabled for the night and fed.

Yesterday was a very windy, cold day. The ferry service to Nova Scotia was cancelled due to rough seas and high winds. Bridge traffic from New Brunswick was likewise restricted to car traffic only because of the high winds. Last time I drove up from Massachusetts, bridge traffic was closed to trucks and high-sided vehicles because of high winds. The speed limit was greatly reduced, and driving over the bridge was a very scary experience. There I was, high over the Northumberland Strait with the wind blowing my car left and right. I was never so glad to be off the bridge and safely on to dry land! I hope the seas and winds are calm for us on our trek south and on our way back to the Island.

First Snow and Christmas Decorating

Today is the first day of real snow! It did snow a few days ago, but just a dusting. Today we got about four inches of snow and it is still snowing. The roads had not been plowed yet when we went to Mass this morning, but the plow finally came in the afternoon. We spent the afternoon decorating for Christmas. We don't have a Christmas tree this year, since we have no room to put one up. We did put up the Nativity scene, though. It is in the kitchen, which is decorated with colored lights that run up the bannister. Puzzle the cat was very interested in the Christmas lights, and kept trying to hunt them. The other cats weren't all that interested. They are old cats and had seen it all before. Horse never made it outside today. Abby decided not to bring her outside in the snow. Abby was afraid Horse would get crazy in the snow and try to jump the fence. Memere, Alcida and Michelle went to North Conway this weekend, on our annual shopping trip, but without me!

Yesterday, Daniel and I went to Nova Scotia on the ferry to a judo tournament. He placed second in his weight class. As a white belt, he threw a blue belt for ippon! Not bad for his second tournament! We got up at 4 am, got on the ferry by 6:30 and got to Caribou by 8:30 am. The tournament finally got underway around noon. There were about 165 kids competing from Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario. Judo in Canada is much better organized and more popular than in the USA. We had a great time, and took the ferry back to PEI at 6:30 pm, and back home by 9 pm. The problem with living on an island is that it is expensive to leave; it cost $68.00 to get off the island, so you need to think about it for awhile before you leave. This keeps people on the island and it is a rare thing to leave. That is why island people are 'insulated' from the rest of the world.

In two weeks, we will be going to Massachusetts for Christmas. It will be good to see everyone again, especially Aaron and Kathryn. We will all be together again for a short time. I also am planning a trip to Lowell to pick up my artwork from the studio and see my old friends at the Lowell Fiber Studio.