Back from Ottawa ~ a last minute wonderful trip!

I got back from my beloved Ottawa late last night/

early this past morning.

Delayed flights, etc etc. 

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Last minute for Mr. Husband and I usually means

planned only 1 month or less in advance. 

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So I scrambled a few weeks back to email people

of my coming.

I was able to be at my Ottawa home parish for

the Feast of Transfiguration.

It was wonderful.

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I find that every time I return I process a little

more that I am not living in Ottawa or Canada anymore.

I had some tears and grief, after a long bit of not feeling this

part of things. But it also was processed and

I can honestly say I feel refreshed and ready

to begin my life here in New Jersey again.

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So some highlights...

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Stocking up on fair trade Camino chocolate and drinking chocolate.

The company is located in Ottawa; I am so excited to try the

hot chocolate! :)

My dear sister-friend and I went to the

Greek Monastery.

There were very cute kittens.

Future mousers.

And a dream come true for me was to hold

my almost 3 year old godson in church and

have him light candles with me and 

venerate the icons.

He kept asking me if the Mother of God was crying.

Quite touching.

Cleo on the other hand thought she should of been with me,

even though a dear friend and neighbour spent ample time with

her while I was gone! 

On my return I came home to flowers

I think from this dear friend's garden...

And wonderful soup and bread!

Mr. Husband was away for work and 

I got in just a bit before him and 

was able to rest, do laundry and get the house 

in order from the mess that unpacking always makes.

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I am so thankful for the time I had,

all the people I was able to see and visit

and for being able to go back to the Greek Monastery

that Mr. Husband and I have so many memories of together! 

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I hope to post more about my time in Ottawa next week

as well as more on our time we had recently in PEI!

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Now the last days of summer are coming near and 

even the outdoor pool that I love in our new town will be 

closing soon for the year.

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Thoughts of apple pies, apple cakes and baked bread are

nearby and I am already planning things for

the next months...

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Of course all we have is now and I must

remember to be in all things with God now, today,

which is the only time we know we have.

Ottawa and Home Again

Theophany was beautiful; the service the night before...

And the liturgy the day of... 

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I had been processing some homesick/Ottawa grief

before I came...

Being back in Ottawa, esp. at church,

felt very peaceful and I was really blessed 

and felt supported;

I was glad to have faced a lot of the grief beforehand;

I am sure I will feel grief again as I love my Ottawa parish so;

today I am listening to their CD and am glad I can 

still feel so connected.

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I am grateful for my life here in NJ 

and that I have been given the Orthodox church

and various churches as points of 'home' in this journey of mine... 

My three Ottawa munchkins got swords for Christmas.

Very Tolkien and they are very loved.

I have great pictures of all THREE of them doing

sword fights.

You should of seen my little godson, who is currently two years old,

with his sword,

so excited to take part with his older brothers.

Very dear and precious.

I had a very special meal with dear friends of mine.

The yummy cake ... ! ... I was given some to take home

and am loving it. 

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I was also gifted with some tea and chocolate;

my friends know me well! 

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Bridgehead, the Ottawa only fair-trade coffee shop,

now sells a tea they call 'minty love' ...

rose petals and mint.

I opened my bag of this tea today and the smell of roses

was so strong and lovely.

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I cleaned out and used the last bit of tea in a tin I got from

Hartmans in downtown Ottawa years ago... 

(Hartmans is an Independent grocery store...

I did not go there this time around... was trying to limit myself a bit, 

though perhaps I failed on that score.)

I love keeping tins that have memories for me;

I remember my sister-friend having some of the tea from that tin

and loving it... when I lived in my U shaped apartment, 

years ago...

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Now the tin has a bunch of the 'minty love' tea in it, 

ready to be brewed...

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I had a great time with my friend Mary.

Here is a picture of her cat Cleo! :)

Such a dear pet!

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Today is first day back...

running laundry, unpacking, being by my Cleo Cat...

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I love the Canadian store Smart Set and finally got a new black 

dress jacket that is long; 

jackets had been shorter for quite some time and I was so happy

to get one that was longer... 

there was a really good sale going on...

the scoop neck long sleeved 'Ts' that are so good for layering...

I had stopped myself from buying one for 10.00 in NJ a while back,

thinking how I don't really need it

and then bought three for 5.00 each. 

Do you ever struggle with the 

I really do have enough and all of a sudden buying more of 'enough'?

It's an ongoing battle for me.

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I must admit failure there.

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I have a lot on my mind that I am processing from my trip;

I am grateful for it and for Ottawa.