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- Writing by the sea
  
  Posted at 5:11 am by ashlynbrownell, on May 28, 2018
  My whole being is content
  
  The waves tickle my toes
  
  They caress my fingers
  
  Bring new sand to settle on my wrists
  
  And steal the grains from under my palm
  
  Each ripple pulling me closer to the sea
  
  To the never ending ebb and flow
  
  Deep blue in the Atlantic
  
  Shimmering in the Mediterranean
  
  Black as night in the arctic
  
  Water,
  
  the earth’s blood
  
  Feeds the diversity life has to give
  
  Rushing from mountaintops
  
  bubbling deep beneath the ground
  
  back to its home in the sea
  
  Eternal and ever changing
  
  I don’t want to wash away
  
  The salty skin given to me
  
  Because it holds the wisdom of the sea
  
  Agistri island, Greece
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  Posted in From the Daughter, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged poem, sea, wisdom
- If it Doesn’t Open……It’s not Your door
  
  Posted at 12:23 pm by denisebrownell, on April 19, 2018
  Life is full of opportunities…..doors.
  
  Young adults, seeking a purpose and path to guide them in life, probably encounter more doors. We often share wisdom and encourage new grads to go and seek those opportunities and follow their dreams. Go find those doors!
  
  When a toddler learning to walk falls…….we encourage them to get up and try again. It’s this encouragement that teaches young people resilience and enables them to grow throughout life.
  
  As much as we want our children to succeed all the time, it’s the closed doors, or failed attempts that really help them flourish. Instead of praising successes, we should be applauding them for trying and giving their best…….finding those doors!
  
  On a recent cruise on the Baltic, I found myself taking photos of the doors……they were so beautiful and ornate. I’m sharing some of these photos for Norm 2.0 and his Thursday Doors feature. I hope you enjoy them.
  
  Door in Gamla Stan Stockholm
  
  Oleviste Church
  
  Tallinn, Estonia
  
  Gdańsk Poland
  
  Gdańsk Poland
  
  Piwnica Piwa in Gdańsk
  
  Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn
  
  Copenhagen, Denmark
  
  Church near Eidfjord Norway
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  Posted in From the Mom, Uncategorized | 6 Comments | Tagged Copenhagen, Doors, Gamla Stan, Tallinn
- The Gaspé Peninsula on Snowmobile
  
  Posted at 10:29 pm by ashlynbrownell, on April 17, 2018
  Last month, over my spring break from university, I went snowmobiling in Quebec with my Dad, Grandfather, and a friend of my dad’s.
  
  The Gaspé Peninsula is a stunning place to visit. I was so happy to get to see it in the winter because it was completely different than when I saw it this past summer.
  
  We did a three-day run around the peninsula, starting in New Richmond, staying our first night in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, and our second night in Murdochville.
  
  My favourite parts were the views and the culture. It was so relaxed and fun. The mountains were beautiful, and in between every mountain along the coast, there were little towns nestled into the valleys and bays.
  
  We had lunch on Day 2 at a sweet cafe along the coast with soups, salads, and great cookies. It doubled as a vendor for local artisanal goods as well, it was great!
  
  Night 2 we spent in Murdochville: a tiny, odd town in the middle of the peninsula that looked frozen in the ’80s. There was a mine there earlier in the century, but it shut down, leaving a large gap in the local economy. They did have a very cool backcountry skiing tour there though!
  
  Overall, we had an awesome trip, and it was a great way to spend March break, exploring right in the backyard of our own province.
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  Posted in From the Daughter, Travel and Adventure Tales, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Gaspe, snowmobile
- Smile
  
  Posted at 11:16 am by denisebrownell, on April 5, 2018
  Smile
  
  It’s often little things in life that bring a smile to our face. Maybe it’s a smile from a stranger passing on the street, a laughing child or a kind gesture from a co-worker.
  
  Taking a moment to notice and enjoy these little things, being mindful or our surroundings, is thought to reduce stress. Serotonin is released in our brains when we smile or laugh, which elevates mood.
  
  When a friend or family member is having a bad day, getting them to crack even a slight smile feels like success.
  
  After a long, hard day at work, coming home to my dog always put a smile on my face. He’s always so happy to see me. Letting him go off leash on a walk brings me smile overload!
  
  What makes you smile?! Check out Daily Post for more thoughts on the “Smile Photo Challenge.”
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  Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments
- Finnish Pulla
  
  Posted at 4:22 pm by denisebrownell, on March 25, 2018
  Upon returning home from a three week trip to Scandinavia, I came across a newspaper article with a recipe for a Finnish Pulla. Although I had not tried the sweet roll while in Helsinki, conveniently I had picked up a small bag of cardamom seeds………..still in my unpacked suitcase!
  
  Cardamom Seed Pods from Estonia
  
  Piia Lintunen writes about her life in Finland, known for it’s coffee consumption, and sharing a family recipe for Finnish Pulla. I saved the article for a future memory invoking baking session.
  
  Today was a cold and snowy Sunday……..a perfect day to warm up the kitchen to allow rolls to raise.
  
  Cardamom is a fairly expensive spice, native to India. Norwegians have commonly used the unique aromatic spice in baking. I have made cardamom spice cookies several times before, and they were tasty.
  
  Using my mortar and pestle, I crushed the seeds into rough pieces.
  
  I used my stand mixer to make the yeast dough, and placed the covered bowl in a warm spot to raise……..I haven’t always been successful in my past bread and roll baking, but I was hopeful.
  
  When I travel I almost always bring home something consumable. Usually it’s wine, liqueur or coffee! We enjoy attempting to recreate meals or foods we’ve tried while traveling. I prefer these kind of “souvenirs” to factory made trinkets.
  
  My rolls didn’t brown up like the photos in the article. But the warm rolls were tasty with a cup of coffee on a cold snowy day……this time the coffee was locally roasted, but a toast to Finland nonetheless.
  
  Finnish Pulla
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  Posted in From the Mom, Uncategorized | 2 Comments
- Travel Momentos in the Home
  
  Posted at 9:21 pm by denisebrownell, on March 22, 2018
  Outside a nor’easter storm is blowing through……..inside I’m spring cleaning, and wishing I was somewhere warmer on an adventure. But as I’m dusting I’m reminiscing about past adventures, and thankful for each and every one.
  
  Since I’m not fond of clutter, when I travel I don’t buy a lot of souvenirs. Sometimes I may bring home an ornament for the Christmas tree, sometimes I bring a liqueur, or a spice, or a wine that we enjoyed and will enjoy again. But sometimes I find a painting or something I can put on display at home, to keep the vacation memories alive.
  
  If you’ve ever walked along the Seine in Paris, you will no doubt remember the artists lining the street, selling their works of art. The same can be said if you’ve wandered down La Rambla in Barcelona, or dined at an outside table on a piazza in Rome.
  
  On a trip to Panama, we brought home a painting of the French Quarter, one of our favourite places to wander, and to dine out. On the same trip we purchased a basket handwoven by the tribeswomen of Emberá, a traditional village of indigenous people. Purchasing from women who are helping to support their families is far more gratifying than buying factory made trinkets.
  
  The black cat has come in and out of the cupboard over the past number of years. It was a particularly memorable day, with some culturally eye opening moments for two young girls. Climbing upon the Great Pyramid of Giza while avoiding eye contact with the camel handlers will never be forgotten. And a visit to the Khan El Khalili Bazaar brought stares from men that made for a quick tour through the stalls of locals selling their trinket souvenirs. When we landed back on the bus for the caravan trip back to the cruise ship, my husband shared his purchase with us. It seemed like an odd purchase, considering his dislike for cats.
  
  In Barbados, we bought a large vase……..I don’t remember how I got this home! But it’s been on display in various locations through the house. A couple of small framed water colour paintings line the hallway between the master bedroom and bathroom. The bright colours remind me of the turquoise blue water.
  
  Provençal textiles are readily found in the Saturday market in Apt, or smaller markets of Isle sur la Sorgue and Coustellet. I picked out this neutral runner to compliment my transitional home style. It makes an appearance every now and then in my dining room.
  
  While traveling Provence with friends in 2016, I bought the small concrete lamp base. It wasn’t a well thought out purchase considering it has a European plug! My girlfriends and I had a good laugh over this one. At the time I thought it was a unique lamp that I hadn’t seen back home in North America (I’ve since noticed them all over the place……of course).
  
  While going through my closet today I realized I had several tea towels from Provence, as well as more purchased on our trip to Norway last fall. I decided that it was time to discard some of my ragged towels. After all, I can buy more on my future travels!
  
  Adorning your home in travel momentos is an easy way to add your own personality, a glimpse into your life and adventures. It’s a great way to bring aspects of style and decor that you admire in the places you visit. It evolves over time, which suits my personality just fine!
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  Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment
- Figuring It All Out
  
  Posted at 4:08 pm by denisebrownell, on March 14, 2018
  This week I’ve been painting…….walls and a furniture project. Painting puts me in a somewhat meditative state, thinking about all kinds of things as I swipe the brush across the wall. Catching a glimpse of the turquoise paint underneath the electrical faceplate, brings me back to parenting the 10 year old. From there my mind wanders to the many hats I’ve worn as a parent. Among them nurturer, disciplinarian, chef and listener.
  
  My mind has also been thinking about my blog, and why I’ve not been posting. I’m hoping it’s just a winter funk. But I’ve been doing alot of thinking about the purpose of the blog, and what I thought I would be sharing and questioning my “expertise.” I’m really just a working mother who enjoys working on projects, traveling and making memories as a parent.
  
  This winter I’ve been somewhat preoccupied with my new parenting role………parenting young adults as they find their way outside the family home. Even though we’ve raised independent girls, they’re still in that phase of still needing us from time to time.
  
  I’m often questioning if I’m doing the “right” things………am I giving enough advice, too much advice………do I text them too much, am I not phoning them enough……. should I be visiting them more, or less? It’s an endless battle in my head.
  
  Some might say that the hardest part of child rearing is done, and now is the time to enjoy the young adults in the family. But I can’t say I agree. These young adults are still testing the waters of life, they still have questions and still need the unconditional support of parents.
  
  The difference in this phase of parenting is that you’re just a bystander from afar. You don’t know what they’re doing, and you need to read the cues from texts and the short visits. You want to give them the space to figure it out for themselves, while still shouting encouragement from time to time, steering them to find answers and letting them make their choices in the marathon called life.
  
  As parents we go from phase to phase of child rearing, each phase seeming to be slightly easier than the last (at least that was my experience). Does surviving through to graduation unscathed make me an expert? I don’t believe so. I didn’t always have the answers, and I still don’t have all the answers. I guess that, in itself, is a great lesson to pass on………..
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  Posted in From the Mom, Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged empty nester, family, memories, parenting, stories
- Liebster Award
  
  Posted at 1:18 pm by denisebrownell, on January 17, 2018
  This week I was pleasantly surprised when a fellow blogger Julie of Empty Nest Adventures, nominated me for the Liebster Award. I think you will enjoy reading about Julie’s daring adventures on her blog……..she is not someone to let fear get in her way!
  
  The intent of the Liebster Award to encourage new bloggers to read more and interact with the online community. After answering the questions that Julie asked me, I then nominate other bloggers and ask them to answer questions. The rules can be found in the link above.
  
  Julie’s Questions:
  
  What is something that you have done that is totally outside of your comfort zone?
  
  I can’t say I’ve ever leapt outside my comfort zone (like Julie skydiving!), it’s more like baby steps. My family getting me to the top of Mont Saint Anne on a ski trip was outside my comfort zone. Hiking Mt Saksa in Norway was outside my comfort zone (well only at the top of the mountain). I am going to say getting on a Segway in Berlin was one of my more adventurous moments. This was not planned, but a spur of the moment decision to join a couple we met on the train. We didn’t really have a plan for the day, just wanted to experience the feel of the city, walk about and do some people watching. I had a bit of hesitation to jump on this “balancing” mode of transportation and find my way through the crowded city streets. We ventured to a number of the highlights of Berlin, including Potsdamer Platz, an historical and busy intersection, the site of one of Europe’s first traffic lights. And I survived!
  
  Where is your next adventure?
  
  My girlfriends and I just booked a weekend get-a-way at Fox Harb’r. Now this resort is only 40 minutes from my home, but this weekend is not about the destination. This is about old friends, and celebrating the good and the bad with three ladies I’ve known over half my life. These are the friends I graduated high school with, and have managed to remain connected with. We’ve lived in different cities, and have been at different stages of family life and parenting, so it’s been difficult. It’s been more than five years since we’ve all been together. We dreamt then that we would plan some elaborate trip together the year we turn 50. But life happens, and getting away for a lengthy trip was not in the cards. Don’t get me wrong, we are ecstatic about this weekend. We will eat from the hands of Chef Vikram Vij, drink lots of wine, and be pampered by the staff. But more importantly, we will laugh and yes, probably cry together.
  
  What is something you’d like to accomplish in 2018?
  
  My goal for 2018 is to try and learn how to relax. Honestly, this is difficult for me. Don’t get me wrong, I can relax on the couch in the evening and watch a movie, I can go to the spa and enjoy a pedicure, what I’m talking about is my mind and body in this constant flight or fright mode. I hadn’t realized how much tension I carried in my shoulders until last fall. I’m undergoing physio for tennis elbow, and she feels I’m not healing because of this tension. Although I already practice yoga faithfully, I can’t seem to eliminate this tension. My goal is to try and learn meditation. If I can learn this practice of being still, truly still, maybe I will relax.
  
  What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you while traveling?
  
  This question is tough for me, I am a person who is easily embarrassed. Sometimes I wish I was more like my husband, nothing embarrasses him! When we met other hikers on Mt Saksa (outside my comfort zone from the first question) and I was trying to talk myself into making the next few steps in a “risky” section of the trail, I was embarrassed. When I looked like the tourist in a store in Tallinn and I let them convince me to drink a shot of Pepper Schnapps like a viking. With my pinky finger out, while standing on one foot, and rubbing my head! But I think the time I lost my bathing suit top in the ocean in Bahamas has to top it all!
  
  What are you most grateful for?
  
  I am most grateful for the love 💕 of my family. My parents for all the love and support they have given for the last 50 years. And my husband and beautiful daughters for putting up with me and my forever worrying.
  
  My New Blog Nominations
  
  PaperyBox
  
  Escapetothe6ix
  
  LifeOneBigAdventure
  
  FridaBeMighty
  
  I enjoyed discovering these blogs…….I think you will too!
  
  My Questions for My Nominees
  1. If you could give $1,000,000 to someone, who would you give it to?
  2. What is your favourite room in your house?
  3. What is the most peaceful place you’ve visited?
  4. Have you ever climbed a mountain?
  5. What makes you happy?
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  Posted in From the Mom, Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged adventure, liebster award, memories, stories
- Holiday Traditions
  
  Posted at 5:33 pm by denisebrownell, on December 5, 2017
  Holiday family traditions in our home are a mixture of things my husband and I grew up with, and some new traditions we created with our own family. We go to church on Christmas Eve and put out milk and cookies for Santa (might have been beer and homemade bits ‘n bites last year!). The girls hang stockings for Santa to fill, but the adults don’t. Santa’s gifts are never wrapped and always arranged under the respective stockings.
  
  Except for a couple of years, (one year the whole extended family went to Disney World) we have always hosted Christmas Day dinner with both of our families. It was important for us to have both sets of grandparents share in the joy of Christmas with the girls. There is nothing quite like the magic of Christmas with children.
  
  When I was a new mom, my mother and I were browsing the displays in a local gift store. Upstairs in this old house they had several displays of Dept 56 villages, each with it’s own unique ambiance. Of course I was drawn to the North Pole series, the intricate details in the buildings and props made me feel like I was getting a glimpse of life in the North Pole. That day I purchased the Glacier Park Pavilion, a large piece complete with a Santa figurine and trees. This building not only lit up, but it had a magnet that moved two skaters in a continual figure 8 around the ice rink.
  
  Each year after that, my mother and mother-in-law, would each select a piece to gift to me. Some of my oldest and dearest pieces are the Hall of Records and Elves Trade School. I also have another moving piece, which is the Reindeer Rides………an elf sits on the roof holding a rope that is attached to a child circling the building on the flying reindeer!
  
  The collection grew quite rapidly, and at one point I had to ask them to stop gifting me the houses. It’s not that I didn’t appreciate them, but it was becoming difficult to find the space to display the village. I felt like I had completed my collection. And now each year as I unpack the carefully stored boxes, I am reminded of the thought that went into selecting each building.
  
  Over the years I have tried new display ideas and locations to set it up. The buffet in my dining room will hold the entire village if I position everything quite carefully. But the last few years I have split up the village into a couple of smaller displays. One year I hung a tree branch from the ceiling and strung cotton balls to create a snow effect!
  
  Some years I find I’m less motivated to unpack all the boxes and set it up. But if I’m a little late in getting it set up, my girls will remind me how much they enjoy it. Even though they are grown adults, it’s still a tradition that they look forward to. While they are studying for finals and writing papers, I have been preparing for their arrival home……
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  Posted in From the Mom, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged christmas, family, home, north pole village, traditions, village
- My Canadian Bucket List: The Top 3
  
  Posted at 8:00 am by ashlynbrownell, on July 2, 2017
  So, yesterday I posted about my favourite places in Canada in honour of Canada’s 150th birthday. If you haven’t seen that post, check it out here.
  
  Today, I want to share my top three Canadian bucket list destinations. I’ve been so lucky to have seen many different parts of the world, but there are still some corners of my own country that I’ve yet to explore, that’s my priority!
  1. Newfoundland. It’s time for a confession, I have a long-time love for Newfoundland, its culture, its people, its everything. The only thing is, I haven’t even been there yet. I’ve heard many stories (some good, some bad) and I can’t wait to experience it for myself. (Shoutout to my Newfie friends, make room, I’ll be stopping by soon!)
  2. The Territories. Anywhere in Northern Canada really, I just want to experience the less-known side of Canada. I want to see the culture and the landscape and experience the stereotypical Canadian life that people seem to associate with Canadians. I think the learning experiences available to those that make the trek up North are endless. Who’s in?
  3. Lastly, I want to touch the Pacific Ocean. I’ve spent my whole life playing and bathing in the ocean on this side of the country, I want to get my feet wet on the other side too. The beauty of British Columbia is endless, or so I’ve heard and seen in pictures. My third bucket list wish is to venture to the complete opposite side of the country. I’ve always idolized the East Coast as a cultural gem, a friendly paradise, and a beautiful escape. I think it’s time I checked out what the West Coast has to give. Any thoughts, East or West?
  -Ashlyn
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  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments
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