One weekend in my annual calendar is permanently booked.
It's booked in a lot of calendars among my extended family members.
That special weekend is the first one in August.
Wherever we live, if we possibly can, my extended family heads
for Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, to join other family members who live there.
We may come for three or four days, tens days, or several weeks,
but however long our trips, we make sure they overlap that first weekend in August.
First Sight of Home!
Bear Island and Digby Gut
from the Bear River Bridge
Bear Island and Digby Gut
from the Bear River Bridge
Nova Scotia, Canada
July 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved
Parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, grandparents,
grandchildren, husbands, wives, and significant others,
we all get together and cram everything we can into the time we have.
It seems like one big, extended party with ever-changing activities.
A definite highlight among all the highlights is the lobster-scallop feast
my sister Donnie and her husband Martin host every year
for the descendants of our parents Don and Sara MacBeath
and all the significant others, relatives, and friends this event brings together.
My Sister Donnie
Smith's Cove
Smith's Cove
Nova Scotia, Canada
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved
Martin on Scallop Duty
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy BlueAll Rights Reserved
What we do doesn't matter.
What matters is that we are together.
The MacBeath, Mundry, Heembrock, and Barbour Branch
of Our Extended Family
Front: Left to RightSara, Susan, Barb, Louise (Me), Bertie, Natalie, Donnie
Back: Left to Right
Gavin, Roy, Terry, Peter, Martin, Krista
Photographer: Olivia
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Olivia, Honorary Sister, Daughter, Cousin, Niece
with Donnie, Pete, Sue, Roy, Terry, and Bertie
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
We all chip in for the lobsters and scallops and drinks,
and a number of us prepare special hors d'oeuvres or a side dish.
My claim to fame is my homemade guacamole.
Bertie's Claim to Fame: The Salad
with Martin and Terry
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Guaranteed the evening will include ferocious card games,
noisy yard and parlor games, a huge bonfire in the fire ring,
a fabulous playlist of music put together by Martin,
and way too much to eat and drink.
And of course, photographs.
We Five, my brother, my sisters, and I, always must get a photo of us.
The First We Five Photo
Donnie, Barbie, Me with Bertie, and Roy with Gretchen
Margaretsville
Donnie, Barbie, Me with Bertie, and Roy with Gretchen
Margaretsville
Nova Scotia, Canada
April, 1959
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
The Latest We Five Photo
Barb, Bertie, Roy, Me, and Donnie
Smith's Cove
Barb, Bertie, Roy, Me, and Donnie
Smith's Cove
Nova Scotia, Canada
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Some of the NexGen
Gavin, Sara, Krista, Natalie,
and Olivia
August 7, 2019
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
OurGen
Front: Left to Right
Susan, Barb, Louise (Me), Bertie, Donnie
Back: Left to Right
Roy, Terry, Peter, and Martin
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Here are some more photos from this highlight of my year.
Bertie, Krista, and Terry
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Barb
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Sara (standing) and Olivia
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Gavin and Krista
Donnie and Martin's "Children"
Donnie and Martin's "Children"
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Peter shows his daughter Sara how to prepare a lobster.
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Sara ~ I've got this!!!
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Martin relaxes for a bit.
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Louise (me) and Sue
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Barb and Sara
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Natalie
Bertie and Peter's Youngest
Bertie and Peter's Youngest
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Roy and Terry
My Brother and Husband
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Sara, Olivia, and Natalie
Three "Sisters"
Three "Sisters"
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Playing with a Lobster
Natalie and Sara
Natalie and Sara
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Lobsters to Eat
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Sue
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Digging In
Clockwise:Natalie, Krista (hidden), Peter, Gavin, Sara, and Olivia
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Did I really eat all this?
Yes, this and more!
Yes, this and more!
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Don't Even Ask!
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
I am so missing everyone, those I was lucky enough to be with this summer
and those who couldn't make it to Nova Scotia this year.
I am keenly aware of the passing of time and how fleeting and sweet life is.
Most of all, I treasure the love of those who love me for exactly who I am: my family!
Family is the best!
Roy and Me
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
Me, on Donnie and Martin's Deck
Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Personal Note: Sorry, but I'm still catching up. I had a spectacular fall earlier this week,
but I'm almost back to normal now.
For Map Lovers Like Me:
Location of Nova Scotia
Location of the Annapolis Basin
Location of Smith's Cove and Digby
This was so heart warming to read Fundy Blue. Lovely that you should all meet up. Superb photo's. May you have many more weekends like this.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Thank you, Yvonne! Wishing you a lovely weekend! Sending you a big hug!
DeleteA feast for a king of a family! That is great that you all get together. That's special.
ReplyDeleteAnd that was one heck of a giant salad.
Happy Friday, Alex! We were missing some very special people, but they were certainly with us in spirit. I suffer from serious salad bowl envy, for its size and beauty ~LOL It gets filled many times over the summer. Have a great weekend, my friend!
DeleteLobster!! Can I come?? I can be a cousin or something. ☺️
ReplyDeleteI love how your family gets together and likes it! Very cool.
Also, that salad is amazing...
Hi, Sandi! There's always room for more!!! I know our closeness is special, and I count it as one of the greatest blessings in my life, together with Terry, health, and living in safety and freedom. All the best to you!
DeleteOh dear Louise THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much for this treasure post :)))
ReplyDeletethese happy precious face made my eyes teary ,tears of happiness and gratitude that how blessed you are to gave them all at once !!!!
your sister and her husband are wonderful people and how hospitable
looking at little five and then older five was such beautiful thing my friend ,Lord loves you so much and he blessed you with his love .yes tfamily is sign of his love for us i believe that
hugs!
Hugs to you dear Baili!!! I am grateful for God's gift of love! It's what gives me hope! All the best to you, especially love! XOXOX
Deletei am sorry that i forgot to mention in my last day comment that this is sad to hear about your fall dear Louise!
Deletei pray that you are feeling fine my friend!
Thanks, Baili! My hand and wrist are 100% now, and my back is getting there!
DeleteLooks like fun for everyone except the lobsters! Sorry to hear about your fall -- did you trip on a rug or something? Rugs are the Devil Itself for we OlderGen people.
ReplyDeleteHi, Debra! At least the lobsters had a quick passing at the market before my sister picked them up and they were saluted and appreciated at our "feast." No, I did not trip on a rug or something like that. It was an unusual fall, and I plan to share what happened in the very near future. I was seriously banged up and very lucky that I didn't break something. Have a lovely weekend, and big hugs to you!
DeleteWhat a wonderful reunion. My stepfather's family always got together like that.
ReplyDeleteI'm already thinking of the next one! Have a great weekend, Diane!
DeleteNo crutches or stitches or plaster, thank goodness.What a gathering, full of love and laughter. This is a special time for you all, and shows that family love is the best.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness indeed! I don't know how I didn't break something, and I am grateful, let me tell you! Wishing you and Hugh a relaxing weekend, Jean!
DeleteOuch to the fall. Hopefully you are healing up fully.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. All look like they are having a grand time indeed. Nothing like getting together and just enjoying the time. None of you sure went hungry with those meals either. Saw your canoe out and about at the other place too.
Thanks, Pat! I'm doing much better. We were all joking that we'd have to go on crash diets and dry out! That will never happen! Now it's back to reality for everyone. Take care, my friend!
DeleteGreat post. Celebrate family! One of my nephews tried to arrange a Goltz family reunion this summer. The last one was in 1986 and I wasn't there because I was preggers. We are so apathetic that beyond my nephew's suggestion, nothing happened.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Thanks, Janie! It sounds like your nephew is someone who wants to connect with everyone. Hopefully that will happen in the future. It's lots of fun. Have an enjoyable weekend!
DeleteI think Daisy likes lobster, we certainly can't afford it to tell for sure.
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Adam! That's why I have one lobster a year, but only if I make it back home. Terry doesn't want anything to do with them. He always gets scallops. Daisy seems to enjoy everything. Wishing you both a great weekend!
DeleteWow, that meal looks delicious and the it appears everyone was having a great time!
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
Hi, Jeff! I'm so behind. I can't catch my tail. I was thinking of you a lot, because I went kayaking for the first time while I was in Nova Scotia: first on the Sissiboo River and then on in Kejimkujik National Park on the lake. I loved it, and I felt a hint of what you must enjoy and love on all your kayaking adventures. I hope all is well with you! I will get by and catch up very soon! Take care!
DeleteCan't help but think of your lovely parents when I see these smiling faces. Happy you could get together with your family! Great photos.
ReplyDeleteHI, Kay!!! Thanks for your kind comment. I am so beyond in everything. I haven't been by your blog in far too long! I hope all is well with you, richard, and Chris. I'll be by very soon, as I continue to dig myself out! Hugs to you!!!
DeleteI am suddenly craving salad and lobster, a glass of wine and some family time!!
ReplyDeleteHi Monica! What a delightful surprise to see your icon pop up! Thanks for visiting me! I'm sorry I'm late responding to you. I have been slammed more than usual in recent weeks. I hope all is well with you and your family. I was thinking of you while I was in Nova Scotia and wondering how "Nantucket Daffodil" was doing; also your daughter. I will visit you very soon.
DeleteHi Louise! Oh what fun! Such a great crowd! Oh THE SALAD looks awesome and I can't wait for my own lobster-scallop feast!!! Great photos!!
ReplyDeleteAs you can see, I'm not catching up, but rather falling behind further. I have this daydream that you and I go kayaking on the Sissiboo together. It wouldn't be hard to work a feast into the mix! I actually got my colored pencils out thinking about doing something for your art day, but I am going down in flames this week. LOL Hugs to you!
DeleteOh fun! I do hope we can find each other one of these days! We start the house search again next February...seems like a long way away. We're looking in NB and NS but leaving out PEI this time. There just isn't enough land there, people seem to be too close to each other. I like the idea of kayaking and feasting together! You could taste my cheese! :)))
DeleteI think it would be really fun if you joined in the art date! It's open to everyone and I'd love to see your creation!!!
DeleteThanks, Rain! I plan to in the very near future. I'm slammed for the next week or so, but after that perhaps I can get my art act together! I would love to taste your cheese! But even better to meet you!
DeleteThis was such a wonderful post, loved your photographs … and I so agree, ' What matters is that we are together.'
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you, Jan! All the best to you too!
DeleteTruly, truly, love this post!! Thanks for sharing your beautiful, special get together! My heart is smiling!! I hope you are ok from your fall?? (Sorry, I'm behind in blog land!) Big Hugs!
ReplyDelete