Maggie in Newfoundland Again 2016: Day 45 Quebec

From the moment we start the day, evidence of spoiling is everywhere! Nancy knows that years ago, when David discovered Map-O (a maple flavored spread for toast) in Quebec he liked it. As well as the school cafeteria and the winery, Nancy and Jean-Francois also own a sugar bush (they are two of the hardest working people I know!) and they produce about 2000 gallons of maple syrup every spring. In addition Nancy as now producing her own real maple spread for David. She also knows that my kids only ever had (and loved) Nutella at Auntie Nancy’s, so while David’s toast is slathered in maple, Mary-Kate’s is concealed in chocolate! While they enjoy their coffee black, she remembers that light cream is my preference so while I am well prepared to take what I get, my coffee appears just the way I like it! Now this might not sound like much, a sister remembering that I like cream in my coffee, but it really is. The distance and business of our lives means we haven’t had huge amounts of time together in recent years. Last summer, for example, was the last time we spent a few days together and that was while she was hosting the entire extended family for Jean-Sebastian’s and Joanie’s wedding. Through all of that Nancy notices the little things, and scatters thoughtfulness like that liberally though the day!

Our morning passes, basked in comfortable laziness while everyone slowly eases into the day. After lunch we drive over to Trois Riviere and spend the afternoon wandering along the pretty waterfront. Enjoying the weather, the company, the sights, the ice-cream, just everything falls into place for a wonderful afternoon in a little French downtown! It is hot though so on our return everyone is back in the pool in record time!

Following dinner tonight the kids all head to the local park for Wednesday night volleyball. It’s a pick-up game but the locals know to be there at 7:00 and apparently enough always show for two teams. The big kids linger over their wine in calm of a fading day and then we go for an evening walk, eventually arriving at the park to cheer on our favourite team. As the full moon rises we wander back home for a final few games of cards before the day ends. Honestly, what an incredible blessing it is to follow the unbelievable holiday we have had with this as a travel home stop!