One feature of visiting Ontario that I particularly enjoy is the relaxing familiarity of Pete's parents' house. Every year as I set my suitcase up against the south wall of the bedroom and flip open the lid, top-heavy with balled-up socks and wads of underwear, it's like déjà vu.
The kids quickly reacquaint themselves with the wonders of Opa and Oma's house. There's the marvel of a dog sleeping in his bed behind the stove. ("I want to pet his hairs!" Ariana said over and over.)
There's another Christmas tree, with new ornaments to discover,
puzzles to do at the kitchen table,
and grandparents with whom to cuddle.
As for me, I read Twyla Tharp's The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life, knit up most of the Morehouse striped vest for Leif, drew up lists for the New Year, roamed around with my camera and didn't have to cook a single meal.
And when my brother-in-law asked me about a pain in his knee, it required supreme effort to recall anything medical.
I love the 'relaxing familiarity' of their house as well which goes perfectly with the personalities of my dear uncle and aunt. And there is always something delicious being concocted in the kitchen!
Posted by: Hilary | 08 January 2009 at 05:46 AM
looks like you had a wonderful visit! i know the feeling...once you get away from medicine it is like your brain revolts and doesn't really want to go back :)
Posted by: StitchingSurgeon | 08 January 2009 at 07:11 AM
...And I had the great privledge of being raised in the old homestead. Your photos and writing make me feel a little melancholy.
Posted by: Janice | 08 January 2009 at 07:21 AM
I can see why you enjoy it so much.
When I was on my first maternity leave, Pat had gone into get orthotics. Paige fell asleep on the drive there, so I stayed in the car. When I went into the office, the tech said something like "your husband and I were just talking about you. What kind of nursing do you do?" My mind raced as I tried to figure out why on earth the two men would casually strike up a conversation about my breastfeeding! I enjoyed the laugh, uneasy though it may have been.
Posted by: Lisa G | 08 January 2009 at 09:10 PM
Previous comment referring to how quickly and easily your career can slip your mind--- it looked a little odd on review. Oops.
Posted by: Lisa G | 08 January 2009 at 09:11 PM
Sounds wonderful Martina. And I'm so excited to hear that someone else I know has read The Creative Habit! I was so impressed by how she made it applicable to such a wide audience.
Posted by: Rosa | 11 January 2009 at 12:24 PM
@Hilary: I noticed that on a few of these photos you can see Pete's mom in the background, a figure wearing a green sweater working wonders in the kitchen. While I'm lounging about taking pictures.
Posted by: FreshMD | 11 January 2009 at 03:39 PM
Wonderful memories being made for you, Pete and the children.
Posted by: JeanMac | 11 January 2009 at 09:53 PM