TULIPS GALORE AT NIAGARA ON THE LAKE ON A CANADIAN SPRING DAY

What a fun day. Visiting several wineries for the Sip and Sizzle.

Then to Niagara on the Lake to walk around and have a bite to eat.
But the tulips caught my eye.

Pretty orange. Interesting how they appear when they are opened.

Beds of gorgeous!

Love the pink.

So many in a row!!

Don't you just adore tulips?? Only problem they do not last long enough for my liking.
#tulipsinniagraonthelakeflowerbeds#tulips#pinktulips#orangetulips#tulipsinallshades#springflowersarebeautiful#lovethetulipsinthespring#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#visitingcanadaintownsisfun#goearlytoavoidthecrowds

A TRIP TO THE SIP AND SIZZLE IN NIAGARA ON THE LAKE

What a fun day to visit Niagara wine country.

A May event at the wineries. Sample some wine with a bite to eat. I went with my daughter Sonya.
She has written about it on her blog and facebook page.
House of Kerrs
The first stop was The Wayne Gretzky Estates. Lots of sport memorabilia. Wine, whiskey and beer.
We sampled a 2016 Shiraz Cabernet with Grilled lamb on a bun. Jim helped with the serving and we had a friendly chat. Lots of photo opportunities.

Wayne Gretzky Estates
Bought bottle of the rose. The clerk Rhonda was very friendly and attentive.

Walking around and some pictures outside then on to the next winery.
Trius just a short drive was next.
 Sampled Beef Kofta with a nice Merlot.

Trius Winery and RestaurantBeautiful spring trees all in pink.
Fun signs for pictures.

So I bought another rose wine, an appetizer and a summer hat.

So on to the next winery
Pillitteri Estates winery was another stop. We had done the full tour there last year so really went for the food. Lemon Chicken soulvaki with cucumber and yogurt with a Reisling Dry.
Pillitteri Estates Winery
Took our wine outside. Some photos with my new summer hat.

One more before heading to town.
Stratus Wines.
Stratus Winery
Sipped Wildass wine and munched on Grilled fennel and cucumber.

Loved the wood carvings by a wood craftier. Actually I have a piece of his work. I bought it years ago at the One of a Kind Craft Show in Toronto.
Stinson Studios
Going outside to enjoy and sip our wine.

All the fields are just starting to bloom. Oh Ontario wine country- have to love it.
the Sip and Sizzle was just a May event. So if you missed it this year, watch for it next year. Now on to the town!!
#sipandsizzle#niagaraonthelake#winecountry#wineriesinniagaraarea#wayngretzky#stratus#trius#pillitteri#winesipping#asummerhat#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#summergoodies#winetoursarefun#enjoyingcanadianbeauty#visitingtheniagaraarea#motherdaughteroutings.

WHAT DOES A CAREGIVER REALLY NEED TO CONTINUE

Firstly who is a caregiver. A mother. A father. A daughter caring for a loved one. A son caring for a loved one. A wife caring for a spouse. A husband caring for a spouse. Any family member or friend caring for someone. Sometimes a paid job. The job is easier. You shift off. A family caregiver can not shift off. 24/7. The person can be any age.

Caring for someone takes love, patience and sometimes lack of sleep. It is relentless. Tasks need to be done. Over and over again. Often there is a real boredom factor. Many of the tasks are boring.

Often and usually there is no thank you. There is an expectation that the jobs will be done and the way the person wants them.

So how to help a caregiver. Relief. Time off. Time away. A day out. An evening out. Someone to come to the home. Someone to take the person out. A day trip. A breakfast out. An ice cream. A check in by phone, email or text. Those little moments help.

Company. Talking and sharing. Yes a treat. Come for a meal and bring some of it. Spend time with the person. Bring something social to them. Watch sports or movies or shows together. Family times. Laughter really helps. The situation is serious enough so some fun. Some levity.

No patronizing. No words of how strong the caregiver is. There is no strength but just perseverance. A duty. A responsibility. And sometimes resentment. Sometimes peace for doing the right thing. Often just numb to be able to continue. Knowing and acknowledging what has been done already rather than advice on what to do.

Remember caregivers can be sad too. Seeing someone they love unwell tugs at the heart. If a young child, hope as she/he grows the demands will diminish. If a sick person, knowing the demands will increase.

Caring is tough. Caring is love. Caring takes energy and time. Caring is repetitive. It is a one way street. The person may or may not give back.

Caregivers are everywhere. So if you are one and see one, share, give a hug and give some real acknowledgement. If you were a caregiver and your person is no longer here, it is not a contest. Give support to the caregiver giving the care now and not compare to what you did. Your journey is over. The caregiver is in the trenches now and does not need your history lesson.

Caregivers.

#caregivers#familyhelpingafamilymember#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#helpingthecaregiver#theboredomfactorofcare#caringistough#caringissharing#nopatronizing#givesomerelief#timeoffisgood#besocial#laughterreallyhelps#shareameal#socialtimehelpseveryone#acaregiverisnotahelathcareprovider#hardtobeafamilymemberandacaregiver#talkingandsharinghelps#bringsomethingtothetable#caregiversperserve

TULIPS IN A CANADIAN SPRING GARDEN 2019

The variety of spring tulips seems almost endless. I love the garden with its array of flowers blooming. My only regret is tulips just do not last long enough.
Ottawa with its tulip festival is a must for every Canadian. Although I have seen it more than once, I plan to make another trip to our capital again in my lifetime.

Walk along any street and see the beauty in the gardens.

Single or in groups.

I love the colours.

Oh those 150 Canada special tulips that adorned the garden.

Well perhaps it is time to wander around the neighbourhood looking for more.
#tulipsinacanadiangarden#pinktulips#redtulips#purpletulips#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#whitetulips#thephotographerlovestulippictures#springincanadabringslotsoftulips#ottawatulipfestival#tulipsinclustersarebeautiful#doyouhavetulipsinyourgarden#orangetulips#150celebrationtulips