#353 AdoptShawn

6 years ago today I was rescued by a 1.5 lb Chihuahua. I found him after volunteering at the SPCA in Montreal. It was instant Love.

I say *I* was rescued because to be honest, he healed my  heart. I was in a relationship that a few months later would dissolve after revealing itself to have been nothing but one lie after another, but this little guy (Santiago-de-Montréal) showed me that I could be loved, unconditionally, purely, so deeply; and that it was within my being to send that love back.

We often look for things in life to fill voids, food, drink, drugs, material things. These just leave more holes.

I decided that day I wanted to give something a better chance at life, give him a life beyond the crowded create he had spent the first 18 months of his life in, horribly mistreated in a puppy mill. What I didn’t know then was that in taking him into my life, he would do more for me than I could ever do for him.

Love for the small things. Love for the 4-legged things. Love for the sake of Love.

Now, years later I still have this little nugget of furry love in my life, and he helped me find another deep and true and lasting love with my Partner Marcel…  and months after I met Marcel he was rescued by a dog as well; Peanut.

We’re not your typical definition of a Family, but I’ll tell you this, you’ll be hard pressed to find another family as full of love (and a crowded bed), as ours.

If you ever think about getting a cat or dog, or other pet, please consider having your soul saved too; adopt, don’t shop.

The reward of that one small act, will impact you in ways your heart and soul could never dream be real.

#241 Exquisite NutriShawn

Tonight was our annual Lobster Dinner with my Mom and Dad. They insist on taking us out each summer for a lobster dinner, to refuse them would be the ultimate insult.

The last few years we went to Fisherman's Wharf in North Rustico, but Marcel was wanting to go old school and go to one of the more traditional and original Lobster Dinner Halls they still exist on the Island.

We opted for the New Glasgow Lobster Suppers. This was a place our family used to go to years ago.  They started serving Dinners there in the Summer of 1958. When a place has been serving the same meal for more than 55 years, you know it's going to be good.

Limitless Steamed Mussels, Seafood Chowder and Salad and Home-made Dinner Rolls (I had 3 bowls of Chowder and 6 Rolls, on top of 2 Salad Plates and a couple dozen Mussels). And then the mail course of a 1.5 lb Lobster. And for dessert some old school, home made chocolate cake.

We rolled ourselves out of there. Satisfied and sated. 

#152 Family RelaShawns

Well today was a change from the regular.

It's not often that we go out to eat, mostly because we tend to be great cooks (humble pie, anyone?). Let me re-phrase that. I'm a good cook, Marcel is an amazing cook! So, we don't go out often, but when we do it's generally for one of two reasons:
-Special Occasion (Birthday, Anniversary, Winning the Lotto)
or
-Out of Town Visitors. 

Today was  for the latter.

My Cousin Janet, her husband Jeff and son Ryan were in town for the weekend from Toronto.  They took a spur of the moment, a spontaneous get-a-way and came to Mtl.

Now I say family, really we're family by marriage only.  She is the step-daughter of one of my Uncles. Her mother was a widow when she met my Uncle and so when they married, he had an instant family.  The fun bit of this is that when they married my Aunt already had that same family name. Her first husband was an Ellis as well. It's not often I get a chance to interact with mine, given the small size, distance between and, well, a jerk brother who shall remain nameless. At any rate, when it comes to Family, mine is very small and so Family she is, and Family she remains.

We met them today for lunch. Breakfast Poutines at l'Oeufrier. So delicious. So so delicious. I mean Poutine, am I right?!  Add breakfast necessities like bacon, ham, or merguez, or in my case three cheeses: Cheddar, Swiss and Brie... I mean c'mon.  I tried so hard to eat at calmly. It didn't happen. I was still done a good 5 minutes before anyone else.

It's been nearly a year since we were last there...  Here's hoping someone else comes to visit soon!

#116 Perfect Cottage RelaxaShawn

Knock wood, (today isn't over yet but) no Septic explosions!

We had a wondrously, amazingly relaxing day.

Slept in, had Fruit Loops for breakfast (a guilty pleasure) and then Marcel made the most delicious lunch for his Mom, Sister and the two of us. It was a belated Easter dinner, so we has a roast Ham, with roasted veg (rainbow carrots, rainbow potatoes and asparagus). It. Was. Delicious!

After that we sat down in the living room and had a belated Birthday cake for his Sister. It was her often requested cake: a Cola Chocolate cake. It's unbelievably good! And this is either the 3rd or 4th time we've made it for her birthday.

There's something to be said for the comfort and familiarity of a the same meals, at the same times of years. With the same people and the fame food.  It might sound lazy, but to me it's in itself a tradition that you develop over time and make your own with those you love. Why else go through with it?

Then this evening, we took it easy and had some pea soup and a sandwich with left-over ham.  It could not have capped off a more perfect, lazy cottage weekend day. 

And we still have a day and a half to go.