Back in February, I completed the main work for my application to Royal Roads just before going to Saskatchewan to surprise my parents and celebrate my dad's birthday. Jeff was so confident that I would be accepted (MUCH more confident than I was!) and cooked up a surprise of his own while I was away. When I arrived home, there was a mysterious path leading me from the kitchen.....




down the basement stairs....


past the laundry room renovation (check out the almost finished new linen closet).....
















around the family room....















and into our guest room.

















Jeff decided that my life in school would be simplified without reliance on my old ink jet printer. And he was right. Both my husband and my new "brother" have proved to be invaluable so far.

This week was one filled with a little more busy-ness and stress than usual so it was a particularly nice surprise when another cherry tree (this time, the fruit bearing one) burst into full bloom overnight. It was so lovely I couldn't resist marching around the yard with my camera the minute we got home from work.

Special project

While I've been rather quiet on the last few posts here, there actually has been lots going on for us behind the scenes. In addition to work, fun, friends, watching the garden come to life, keeping up with laundry, baking bread (or hockey pucks, as the case may be) and trying to cross off some of the many "to do" projects off our home improvement wish list, there has been a whole new other project that I have been preparing for behind the scenes. After much researching, document gathering, writing, thinking and ticking off checklists, I have some big news to share.

Jeff's response to this photo was, "Poor Fanie- she has a LOT of work to do in the next two years!" He's right. I'm going to sincerely hustle my fanny to successfully complete an MA while continuing to work 4 days a week. This program is actually designed for working professionals so I'm hoping to just make it work. That being said- I can't imagine a greater opportunity right now and I can't imagine there are many spouses out there who spend several months actively convincing their wives to take advantage of such opportunities. And pull out their checkbooks without question to help make these opportunities happen. He is undeniably, one of a very few.

This new chapter of life starts on Monday. Wish us luck.

Still spring

Happy Easter

Magnolia

As you can see, spring continues in full swing just out my front door. Last year at Easter, the blossoms on our magnolia trees were locked up very tightly, weeks away from blooming. This year, they have shown up in full glory and are inspiring me to dig out a large and bedecked Easter hat from my collection to wear next Sunday to church....

I'm just not sure my love of large hats is one shared by the collective fashion consciousness of Nanaimo. I may have to settle on just enjoying the magnolias.

Neighbourhood walk

On Friday, I walked downtown to meet a friend for lunch. The walk from our house is about 30 minutes and can feel quite miserable when it's grey and raining. On day like this, it's not a chore at all.

Difference of a week

Last weekend, this was the view out my kitchen patio door just after 10AM. Understandably, falling snow did absolutely nothing to build my motivation to start spring clean-up in the garden (not that it even takes this much for me to procrastinate such work).

Thankfully, the view outside was much more welcoming this weekend.




The plum tree at our front door seem to be much happier as well.