Colleen is one of the sweetest people I know, and lucky for me she is also my cousin - our Dad's were brothers. We didn't grow up close, like I did with some of my other cousins - we really only saw each other a handful of times over our childhood years, and then not much at all until just a few years ago. We connected with each other at a family reunion and have kept in touch ever since. I am always amazed at how very much alike we are.
Colleen and her husband Cam live about 40 minutes away from us, up in the Riding Mountains. They have a beautiful place off the beaten path where one can really appreciate all that mother nature has to offer.
They invited us up to spend a day with them at their farm just before Easter, and it was an experience like non other. It was a mild end of March day, the snow was melting, but the scenery on the way up the mountain was so beautiful. I kept telling Gary over and over again how I couldn't imagine how beautiful the drive would be when everything was green, because even with snow, the images were wonderful.
We found their place and turned up a long plank fence lined drive to the most charming country home, complete with two woolly horses watching our approach from their paddock near the lane.
We had a wonderful lunch with Colleen's Rouladen as the main course, and Bee Sting Cake for dessert - talk about feeling like we were dining at a 5 star restaurant - it was all so delicious! And then we put our winter coats and boots on and went for a long walk on their country roads.
I had my camera along and got some nice photo's.
an old farmstead....
Chickadee's eating out of Gary's hand...
Gary and the horses...
Eagles...
After our walk we hopped in the truck and went for a long drive around the area. We saw where last year's tornado went through - not far from their home. We drove past lakes that I never knew existed and everywhere we looked - white tailed deer - in the fields, on the roads - everywhere.
I almost felt like crying when we had to leave for home. It had been the perfect day, with the most perfect family hosts.
I am so happy that Colleen and I live closer to one another now - I know we will have many many more such days with her and Cam in the years to come.
Another reason to love living in the country!
Happy Birthday Colleen - I relive that day over and over - Thank You both for making our memories so special.
Your post brought tears to my eyes and is a very touching Birthday greeting. I too feel like I have found something I have been missing for a long time, a family treasure, a friend and kindred spirit. Thank you so much for coming to visit, I too often remember that day that left me with a full heart XXXX
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