Black Pearl Life Style

 We have snow. And it's April. After a fierce storm, including freezing wind, high winds and snow, this morning brings turquoise skies, iridescent trees. It was truly uplifting sensation. Two more weeks of freezing temperatures and snowfall, Spring is on its way!    

We are having a cold Spring. There has been unusual activity on the Bay this year. Some may have heard of the 'Ice Wall' in Meaford. In Wasaga Beach, after having a relatively mild winter with reduced ice formation, the Bay is now frozen as far as the eye can see. Quite stunning with the clear skies we are having this week. Here's a link about the Meaford 'Blue Ice' https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/large-ice-wall-has-formed-around-the-shoreline-in-meaford-1.3831463

Spring is here and time to Spring Clean and Declutter. The blog listed below has a fantastic monthly declutter chart to follow. It breaks it down, making it way less intimidating with loads of tips....one kitchen drawer a day, purge your make up bags, discard old books, etc etc. There is always something to clean. Make it your Spring Time Resolution! Here's the link http://loveandmarriageblog.com/30-day-de-clutter-challenge/

It's the first day of Spring! We celebrated with a snowy walk. The Spring Equinox 2018 officially commenced at 12:15pm today but there were certainly no daffodils poking their heads out of the ground to great us this Spring. Snow suits are still hanging on the coat hooks but the sun was shining - A great boost for morale AND vitamin D levels. Life in Collingwood is still well and truly frozen.

This is such a fun activity with kids. Planting seeds provides so many life lessons as well as being exciting and engaging. After choosing and purchasing the seeds and potting soil, we planted Brussel Sprouts, Cilantro, Basil and Parsley. Still a little early, but Ella was keen. It's messy but well worth it and so rewarding for everyone to watch as the sprouts poke through the soil.  Here's a great resource https://teaching2and3yearolds.com/how-to-plant-seeds-with-kids/

We are a very active family and it's really important for me to get outside and get plenty of physical exercise, likewise instilling these important principles in our kids. This is an interesting tip I read recently, and should obviously be taken according to each individual's condition as sometimes, fatigue can be a sign of illness or something more serious. However, I like how they recommend exercise, even a short walk, after work, in order to revitalize senses,  mentally and physically. Particularly, if you have a sedentary job. "Everything we do uses oxygen, so when you exercise it helps you work more efficiently and you don't tire as easily," FYI - I'm heavily sleep deprived in this photo ;) Here's the link with the quote! http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20857218,00.html#exercise-when-you-re-tired

The Spring melt is here.. everywhere you turn, the sound of running water is prevalent. The melt can soon present serious concerns and dangers as rivers run high, with banks bursting and fields become waterlogged. We are also experiencing a freeze overnight, which explains why we have a sheet of ice off our back deck.. not for the faint-hearted. Stay safe outside folks!    Here's a link with more info https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/spring_melt