It's been awhile.
Here's what I've been up to...
It’s been a few months since I have published here on Substack. Perhaps an explanation is needed? Or do we all silently understand that there are periods of life where we feel stretched with responsibility and obligations and even contemplating doing the “fun things” (like writing on Substack!) seem irresponsible and guilt inducing? It’s usually during these moments of overwhelm that I remind myself that I am indeed an adult and with that, come hard decisions. Plus, (humble brag coming…) I’ve been on vacation, which took up three of my absent weeks. The good news is, I am back and feel slightly changed from who I was before, which in a way gives me a topic to write about and a jolt of inspiration to return to.
It’s been one month since returning from Cape Town, South Africa and I have a renewed sense of adventure and perspective. A world so far away from where I live but somehow feels just like home. Perhaps it was the comfort of staying with family in a quiet neighborhood just north of the hustle and bustle of the city center. Or the fact that the people were as friendly as I am, which is a compliment I get often, one of my favourites, in fact. The country was safe, as many people warned me it wasn’t, and diverse and the food was abundant and fresh. Almost everything we ate was made, grown or caught in South Africa. I think it was the only vacation I’ve ever lost weight on.
The holidays were busy, mostly getting ready to leave for the “trip of a lifetime”, which we affectionately called it. We left on December 27th so the Christmas clean up was necessary and chaotic on the 26th. I don’t think I’ve ever taken my Christmas tree down so early. Once everything was in it’s place, including the kids at their Dad’s house and Noodle, the golden retriever, at her grandparent’s, it was time to fly. Fly we did, for almost 24 hours to be exact, via Switzerland on the way there and Germany on the way back. We spent 48 hours in Zurich on the way and it was chilly but beautiful.
After finally getting to Cape Town we were greeted by my aunt’s tearful smile and my Uncle’s big bear hug. We became completely immersed in the culture, shopping at the local farmstall and visiting the “mall” (not really the same as ours) to shop for groceries and hitting the local bank for cash. We met locals when we attended the weekly summer food event at the most beautiful winery, only a 10 minute walk from our house. We had a favourite ice cream shop by the time we had to say goodbye. We greeted the local stray cat each morning. We knew the route to the walking trails in our beautiful neighborhood, walking by plants and bushes and flowers we had never seen before. We never missed the Friday gathering at our local microbrewery, who made the best pizza I have ever had. To say we enjoyed ourselves is an understatement.
In fact, we imagined what life would be like if we were able to enjoy this year after year and for longer than 3 weeks at a time. What would we be able to see and experience if we had more time in SA?
Since we’ve been home we’ve hit the ground running with full time childcare because my ex is working overseas and all the regular things that fill up your calendar and renew in the new year. Work is busy, life is busy and the world seems busy and scary. Despite all that, we’re moving ahead. I’ve recently become quite passionate about the Made In Canada movement and the message of “Shopping Local”, as I wrote many holiday gift guides for my small community in an effort to support their businesses this past holiday season.
Lately, I have been promoting the idea of purchasing Canadian Made products, everywhere in our great nation, however there has been emphasis on grocery stores, as it is a place we frequent often. In an effort to curb and influence buying habits of the big Canadian grocers with an aim to bring in less American products, I’ve been making videos on my Instagram that profile the challenges of doing just that. When you support Canada, you support us all. See one of my Instagram videos here.
You’ll see over the next few months, as tariffs loom and the fate of our economy becomes clear, that I will be happily promoting Canadian brands, products and things to do/vacation and see here on my Substack newsletters as well as online. Please join me in making small decisions that make big impacts for our country.
I can’t wait to show you what I’ve been working on!
With all that I love (and I sure love Canada),
Grace