Episode: Moparfest 2009

Our hosts the Bronsons provided the perfect vantage point for taking in Moparfest this year. Rascal Andy urged the passing vehicles to "Light it UP" ie. burn rubber ! The drivers did not disappoint and we only received one passing comment from the local gendarmes. A delicious bbq followed and as usual for this summer....it was a great day !

Episode: Fergus Scottish Festival

We've added this festival to our summer must-do list. To no-one's surprise we were greeted by a raging rain storm the Sunday we were going. Troopers as we are, Cam checked the weather on his Blackberry and as we were promised clearing skies we set out for Fergus. The rain went away and there was only a little mud here and there. We enjoyed a sheep shearing demo, some killer fish and chips and some musical entertainment. Kim & I got to meet one our our favorite authors Diana Gabaldon who wrote the Outlander series of books. She read an excerpt of her next book due out in September and answered questions from her fans. I am always amazed at people's stories and how they came to do what they are doing. We finished off our day with some ice cream and took in the massed band performance. Very stirring. I'll end this post with a scottish toast: Here's to the heath, the hill and the heather, The bonnet, the plaid, the kilt and the feather !

Episode: 1st Annual Gregstock - Peace everyone !

Despite the unsettled weather we trekked to Gregstock in August 2009 as our predecesors did 40 years ago to the original festival in upstate New York. We took cover in the outbuilding which served as a great venue and the kids enjoyed running around, playing frisbee and meeting some of the farm animals. Unlike the original Woodstock there were more than adequate "facilities" and food was in great abundance. Music was provided by Greg's sound system which he set up in his vintage 1969 truck - too cool or should I say "far out" Like Woodstock, some of the folks camped overnight and enjoyed breakfast the next day before heading home. It was an afternoon and evening of peace and love...a great time..Thanks Greg !

Episode: Here's some pics

Our vacation is Grand Bend this year was so wonderful. We had excellent weather, food, fun and good times. For those who haven't seen it the Grand Bend waterfront is the best I've ever seen with excellent facilities, a new kids splash pad and gorgeous boardwalk. Our cottages were right next door to each other and so we could visit back and forth as we wished. Perfection !

Episode: Blogging from the Bend

So here we are!
Our first official Grand Bend vacation! Here with us we have Kathy and Robert, Greg, Alexandra, Alison, Mary Margaret, Dave, Kim, Gabriella, Rui, Cam, Laura, Tierney, Everett and the fur-friends, Lennox, Bogey, Chip and Squirt.
Pictures later on!
For now - please enjoy this log of comments from each of our Bend-ers.
Cam says: Dos Equis! I once experienced an awkward moment just to see what it was like!
Dave says: Kim's HAWT!
Kathy says: WOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! (real loud)
Laura says: Come back to me in a minute when I have thought of something good.
Robert says: At the bend - girls rule boys drool!
Greg says: It's beer thirty - BEEEERRRRR thirty!
Alison says: No sunburn - so happy about that!
Aly says: Burnt legs - boooooo
Tierney says: Best part was going to Sauble beach (I guess we forgot to mention that we are at Grand Bend)
Mary says: FUN!
Kim says: More later - PEACE!

Episode: Garden, part two

Now that I know that the pictures show up in the opposite order that I download them I will have the descriptions work out. First we have a nice shot of my sunny part of the garden with the aforementionned Monarda "Bee Balm" I actually saw a hummingbird on it last week. Very Exciting ! Also in the shot is hanging basket of mini petunias and my bird bath I brought here from Brockville. I have cleome coming up along there too which puts up a good show of magenta blooms and usually reseeds itself. Next is a half barrel I have in back with some cheap and cheerful annuals. Love the bright green sweet potatoe vine. Finally is an adorable garden gnome named Everett. He's a doll !

Episode: Garden, July 15th, 2009

The garden which we redesigned in May is coming along well. Thanks to the rain, our new plants and old are growing well, the weeds are well, growing like weeds too but oh well.
My memory garden for my Dad has Solomon Seal and Azalea both of which have white flowers. There is a piece of driftwood from Honey Harbour in the background, and an angel stepping stone. I got a new statue for the garden of a Yorkie which I found on my Bus trip at Humber Nursery. I have never found one of those before so I had to get it. My Monarda "Bee Balm" is new this year. I've had it before but accidentally pulled it out thinking it was a weed. I've got a new Iris too which I like, it's doing well. I'd like more of these ! My old pond has water iris and water hyacinthe. There are five fish in there, two supumkins and three goldfish.

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Episode: Borden Golf Weekend

On June 27, the long awaited Pearson Golf outing came to pass. It has long been the plan to scatter Ed's ashes on the golf course in Camp Borden which he helped to build and played at as a young father in the late 50's early 60's. The older of the seven kids have fond memories of their childhood there and they love to return to see their old stomping grounds. The group arrived Saturday morning and had a lovely breakfast before heading to the old neighbourhood and then on to the course. They had beautiful weather and enjoyed a great round of golf, fellowship and lots of memories and laughs. It was so much fun they plan to return for the second annual in 2010 !

Episode: Horticultural Society Bus Trip & Mini Vaca

On June 13th, Mom, Wendy and I went on our annual bus trip. This year we went to Toronto where we toured Casa Loma, Allen Gardens and Humber and Kimglow nurseries. Lunch was at Mandarin Restaurant ...yum. The next day we drove to Niagara on the Lake where we looked through the shops and had a loverly dinner of prime rib at an olde English pub downtown. Monday we went up the parkway for a wine tour and tasting at Inniskillin winery. On the way home we stopped for a walk around the Niagara Botanical garden and because we hadn't looked at enough plants we stopped at Terra Nursery on the way back to my place. We hope to make this an annual event. Newcomers are most welcome ! Next year the plan is to go on the bus tour again, then to Toronto the next day, possibly to Woofstock dog festival.

Episode: Serious Countdown

We're getting down to the wire....only 25 more sleeps till we hit Grand Bend ! Ice cream...mmmmmm....! Coffee on the deck in the morning,long walks, picking out some fun jewellry, playing on the beach, watching the kids have a nap under a towel on the sand, frozen margueritas !

Episode: Happy Canada Day !

Even though I'm working on Canada Day I will still celebrate our great country ! We are so blessed to live here and I'm proud to be a Canadian ! Hope you all enjoy your Canada Day and have fun !

Episode: Laura's 30th Birthday

Happy Birthday Laura ! You are an amazing daughter, sister, mother, wife and friend. We always have fun when we are with you and if we need someone to talk to or a shoulder to lean on, you are there. Hope you have an awesome day today ! We love you lots !

Episode: Happy Birthday Randy

Happy Birthday Randy Pearson ! Not so old geezer with nine, (yes - 9) Grandchildren. Hope you have a great day !

Episode: 47 Sleeps !

...till we're where we want to be. Hope the warm weather is here by then. Our new venue "Grand Bend", new kids splash pad on the beach, cool new digs complete with outdoor bar, new shops to explore. A new adventure for the PMS's !