For our family vacations, we decided, this year, to explore New Brunswick.  I had wanted to see the Bay of Fundy for a long time.  It’s a gorgeous coast.  With its highest tides in the world, it’s a sight one remembers.

We went to Hopewell Rocks, a park where you can walk on the ocean floor at low tide and see the interesting rock formations shaped by the strong tides.  I would have spent a lot more time there.  Only downside to such a place, every tourist has to access it at the same time, before the tide rises again, and that makes it very crowded.  But definitely worth seeing! I loved the brownish tones of the rocks and water, they called one of the rivers there, the chocolate river, when all the water has gone, all is left is warm brown mud.  I wore kayak neoprene shoes, that was a brilliant idea, since you just have to rinse with water, and the mud is gone! Best invention ever those shoes!

You’re going to be 11 on St. Patrick’s  Day.  My little  good luck charm as I so often call you. It’s true, since you came into my life, you only brought smiles, light and so much love.  You still hug me as tight.  You still kiss me good morning and goodnight.  You are my serious and responsible one.  You always choose what’s right and fair, you put others before yourself.  You are wise for your age.  But, in all that seriousness, sometimes you allow a little silliness to show.  That’s when the light you carry shines the brightest.  The twinkle in your eye, the goofy smile, it’s all there, and it’s all good.

The joys of winter!  It does sound romantic to people who get snow once a year, they all wait anxiously to go out sledding, and take those perfect big chunks of snowflakes falling photos. In reality, when you do live in some parts of Canada, when comes February, the romance has long gone.  The snow is brown.  Mixed with abrasives and all the dirt from cars.  The ground is still frozen solid this year.  We’ve had a very cold one.  Trouble is you can’t predict winter.  It could be a mild one, and you get to see some grass by March or, you can freeze your butt off until the end of April.

You’re going to be 15 next week…  How fast the time has flown! I remember the moment you entered our lives, my advanced Christmas present. You had lots of spiky black hair, you were so precious and beautiful.  And tall.  You were already a tall baby, now looking down on me from your 5′ 11″ I’m the one feeling so small.  The doctor told me to expect you to still grow in the next two years.  Oh! My!  My clothing budget can’t follow your growth!

This is our last Sisterhood post for 2013…  This year has gone in a blur! I know the year’s not over yet, but when the Holidays come it’s also a time to reflect on the past year.  What were your goals for 2013?  Did you manage to reach them?  Did you have a word for this year, and how did this word inspire you through the year?  My word was Quietude, and although it hasn’t been too quiet, I feel like I’ve settled some issues.  I’m less anxious about my decisions and I feel like I found at least part of the sense of direction I needed in my work.  I enjoy every part of my life more, so that’s my progress this year.  I’ve also diversified my portfolio and worked on putting more work out there, on different platforms, so maybe next year, one of my dreams of having a photo of mine on a book cover will be a reality.  Fingers crossed x