SK 2019

I had my annual trip home to Saskatchewan for a big chunk of October (the reason why you haven't heard from me in so long!) and I had such a great time.  It was really my only chance to get there before my 3rd trimester and between all of my doctor's appts (I have more than more people because of some high risk aspects).  This trip was a little quieter than my trips usually are, as I didn't want to get worn down and end up sick, but it was still busy and went by far too fast.  As usual, most of my pictures are scenic in nature, but I managed to remember to get some fun friends and family ones too.  I didn't spend as much time outside as I would have liked, it snowed 3 or 4 different days, and when it wasn't snowing it was warmer but so windy, which obviously is nothing new for Saskatchewan, but it sure makes it cold!

I spent my first night in Saskatoon with Michelle, she picked me up at the airport when I got in Wednesday night late and we went and did some shopping at some of my favorite places (Hardpressed, The Bay for Canada apparel, Superstore for Loads of Ketchup chips etc)  I got myself a couple cool shirts, a lot of cute baby clothes and yes, some ketchup chips and a few other Canadian snacks. We went for a nice lunch and my parents and brother picked me up after that.  It was so good to see them! 

Once we got to the farm, we had a couple really nice days and of course had to go for a walk at one of my favorite places on earth, The Landing.  It is 7 miles from the farm and I grew up here.  It is so beautiful in the fall. 

On Saturday of my first weekend, mom, Cheryl and I went in to Swift Current to Fall into Christmas. This is one of my favorite trade shows ever and I have been able to attend it the last 2 years.  I got some of my favorite dips, some beauty products  I love and my favorite purchase was from Nancy Anderson's Living Landscape photography.  I don't have a picture of the beautiful metal print I purchased because sadly, I misjudged my suitcase size by about 1.5 inches, but it will get to me by Christmas (thanks mom!).  This is a similar metal print, but mine is vertical and about 2 feet high.  It is the North Landing School, we can see it from the farm, and Grandma Evelyn taught there when it was open: 

I also bought small print cards of these 2:

This is Horse Butte church, a couple miles from the farm. 

And Goodwin house, the visitor center at the Landing.

That night, I went out to White Bear with my BFF Miranda, Sean and Jesse.  They were so sweet to bring me gifts and even brought in some OJ and fake champagne so we could have our tradition of Mimosas.  We had a great supper and it was so good to catch up! 

That following Wednesday, I got to spend the day with auntie Lorri.  We don't see each other enough but always have such an amazing time together.  We went to see Mac the Moose and his new antlers, making him once again, the world's largest moose (Norway tried to take the title a couple years ago but it didn't last long).  this picture is in the visitor center beside Mac.

We also went for a delicious lunch and then desert at the Yvette Moore Gallery in Moose Jaw for one of the best dessert's I have ever had, a Saskatoon Berry crepe.

That night, mom and I continued on to Regina, to The Hillberg and Berk Gala, Nature en Nuit.  This was a gorgeous, fancy event with jewelry releases, great food and drink, and an awesome surprise performance by Brett Kissel.

Mom and I got some glamour shots done as well.

Brett Kissel

 Another surprise was a local hand poked tattoo artist "Of the Woods" was commissioning 10 unique tattoos. I hesitated at first, but was assured by her and several other people that it was totally safe.  The end deciding factor was that she had the exact west sheaf tattoo I have wanted for years to commemorate my life growing up on the farm.

We had such a great night, it was amazing experience, and we got these amazing swag bags worth over $300, including  beautiful Hillberg and Berk necklace and a coupon for an item from their new sparkle ball collect that actually was released yesterday.  I also got myself another necklace and mom's Christmas present.

On our way back, we stopped at one of my favorite pottery studios, Kim Undseth.  I always visit and buy way too much.  Normally I buy the beach theme stuff but I expanded my horizons this time. These wine glasses are amazing, this picture does not do them justice.

Jost one of the gorgeous sunsets while I was there.

Hanging out with the parents and the cats. 

Retard and Mama Cat.  Mama cat is actually Smudge's great great great great (maybe more) Grandma. She's very old.

On Saturday, when my parents went to a wedding, Jesse and I went on a road trip to the Great Sandhills, just over an hour from the farm.  We took a "shortcut", literally through a field but saw some cool stuff. Neither of us have been to the Sandhills since we were about 12 (many years part obviously) so it was cool to get to go.

This is thousands of Sandhill Cranes flocking up to head south.

Some of many antelope we saw.

An old school house. 

Literally through a field. 

The Sceptre museum and Sandhills visitor centre. 

At the Sandhills.

Sandhills in the distance that we were too lazy to walk to.

This place is so amazing, and so random.

We found a couple Geocaches along the way.

In Cabri on our way home.

Fiver the cat playing in a tub. Sadly, Fiver was hit on the highway on my last day.  He was the sweetest cat and reminded me so much of Jinx. 

A sunset picture I snapped one evening on the way home.

Willow and I out for one of many walks around the farm. 

Mama cat again. 

Some of the cats on the farm. 

Jesse and Fiver eating veggie sticks. 

We had Thanksgiving at the farm with grandma Jean, grandma and grandpa, Amanda, Christopher and Kyle.  It was so nice to see everyone and have my first Canadian Thanksgiving in Canada in 7 years. 

Amanda has always been on of my BFF and I miss her a lot! 

One of our snowy days.

Polly, thinking she should probably come back to Florida with me.

Some pictures I took at one of our other farms. 

Polly sleeping on the window sill. 

I was lucky enough to have another on of my BFF Erin come over and visit for a couple hours, of course we forgot to take a picture, but we had such a good visit. 

Mom and I went for one last walk at the river on probably our nicest day of my trip.

One last Tim's Chili, Cheese tea biscuit and Apple Cinnamon Fog. 

We stopped for a visit with Auntie Mavis, I just love her. 

Since I didn't get Miranda a birthday present, I took her to get pedicures.  It was a wonderful pedi and so nice to have some one on one girl time. 

My last day! Jesse took me to Saskatoon and we stayed overnight to make it not such a long day of travel for me. We stopped to take a picture of some Tundra Swans and Snow Geese by Rosetown.

We went for supper with my long lost friends Bryan and Cheryl and met their baby, Rhys for the first time. I also enjoyed my last real poutine!  Funny how the thought of fries makes me want to throw up but I can enjoy poutine! 

 Did I mention I had to get another suitcase to get all my stuff back with me?  I completely filled it with the stuff mom bought for baby (most of this picture) but thanks to Auntie Lorri, Michelle and her mom and Linda for helping me fill my wheel carry-on I had brought just in case. This picture also doesn't include all the stuff I bought for myself haha. I also brought back my mom's beautiful ceramic and wood nativity scene (keep an eye out for it in my Christmas pictures) that she painted many years ago, it will look so good by the fireplace.

 Thanks to everyone for making my trip so great and sorry to everyone I didn't have time to see.  Next time I'll have the baby, so it will be better anyway!