One of the great joys of blogging is experiencing how online friendships transition seamlessly into real life.
Another joy is realizing someone is willing to get up at 4 am, deal with airport security and customs, and fly to a different country to visit me.
That’s what Birchie did. And yes, she is exactly as I expected after reading her blog — funny, thoughtful, and adventurous.
DAY ONE: GRAND PRE + SUNFLOWER TRAIL + ICE CREAM
She landed mid-afternoon and arrived as the kids were getting home from school. She dropped her bags, got settled, and we headed straight to the living room for a chat.
Belle wasted no time giving us a full debrief on her day (complete with some eye-rolling about boys, because what’s high school without a little complaining?). John got home not long after (he’d been in Europe for the week) and we sat down to a quick supper of fish chowder and homemade cornbread. I was convinced the cornbread was overcooked, but Birchie and John insisted the dark crust was the best part.
We left the kids on cleanup duty and headed to Grand Pré. The evening was too beautiful to stay inside! Our first stop was the lookoff, where we took in the view of Blomidon. Then we drove down to the site and wandered the grounds, spotting a fox with a bushy tail darting across the field (I didn’t think to take a picture — bloggy demerit).
From there, we drove to a local farm market (Hennigar’s) to wander their sunflower trail. I’d never been — it was small but charming. We strolled, talked Seinfeld, and then carefully selected a few “happy” sunflowers to take home.
To finish the evening, we drove down the hill for ice cream. When I asked Birchie her go-to flavour, she answered without hesitation: caramel. I recommended Mariner’s Sea Salt Caramel, a true Maritime classic. She seemed to approve (she also sampled Rum & Raisin and gave it high marks).
We browsed the farm market store, both of us shocked at how dark it was by 8 pm (when did that happen?), then headed home. After tucking the kids in, Birchie and I chatted about books for a bit before calling it a day. She’d had an early start, and I was so grateful she was willing to get up before dawn to come hang out with me!
DAY TWO: MARKET + MEDFORD + THRIFTING + HITCHCOCK
Oops. That sudden onset of sneezing I thought was a random allergy attack on Friday afternoon? Turns out it was a bad cold. I woke up at 1:45 am sneezing and achy. Womp, womp. Oh well — it would take more than a virus to ruin my day (thanks for passing it along, Indy!).
We had a leisurely morning. I made Cinnamon Coffee Cake served alongside fruit for breakfast. Easy peasy.
Then came the serious business of deciding what to do. So many things, so little time. Also, living in a tidal area means certain activities depend on water levels. After much deliberation, we settled on a plan and set about executing it.
First stop: the Wolfville Farmer’s Market. Belle had a $10 gift certificate burning a hole in her pocket, so off we went. We wandered around for a while, Belle spent her money (cheese curd, a brownie, and a lemon “bomb” — all of which looked delicious), and we picked up a few grocery supplies.
Then it was back home to drop off Belle (keen to have some time to herself, plus she had chores to do), and pick up Indy and John. Next stop: Medford Beach. This place topped Birchie’s must-see list, and the tide times lined up perfectly for her visit.
To get to the beach, you trek through a field and then down a small cliff which is often quite slick and slippery. The lack of rain meant it was dry as a bone. One small perk of the summer drought in our region.
We spent the next hour exploring. It’s a bit of “last-chance tourism.” Over the years we’ve seen structures erode and break away, and every visit things look just a bit smaller.
Let the photo dump commence!
When I visited with Kyria, we spotted the face in Paddy’s Island (do you see it?). Now I can’t unsee it whenever I go to Medford.
We did our best to clean our feet but the stream that usually runs down the cliff was totally dry. So our feet were quite a sight when we made a pit stop at the Canning Meat Market for some of their locally made beef jerky. And then it was home again to wash up and eat din-din.
Lunch was panini-pressed curried chickpea wraps and leftover chowder. I didn’t take a picture of lunch, but I did snap one of our sunflower bouquet. The blue pitcher is a thrift-store find from over a decade ago. Speaking of which…
We left the lunch cleanup for John and Indy and the Dream Team (aka all three girls) headed off to thrift per Birchie’s request. Belle scored a pretty dress and two T-shirts, and I bought a black pantsuit (inspired in large part by San!). Birchie didn’t buy anything but she did spot a book that will be familiar to many readers and a mug that made us both think of Kristen (The Frugal Girl).
One final stop at Dollarama for a scribbler for Belle…turned into a “let’s find fun Canadian-only snacks.” Birchie walked away with Poutine Ruffles, Humpty Dumpty Ringolos, Ketchup Cheetos, Ketchup Lays, Coffee Crisp, and an Aero bar.
By the time we got back home my cold symptoms had peaked, so we all retreated to our corners of the house to read, relax, and shower. John whipped up a delicious supper of savoury waffles (homemade waffles topped with soft-fried eggs, smoked salmon, prosciutto, and his signature sauce — YUM).
Earlier in the day I had mentioned to Birchie that I’d never seen a single Alfred Hitchcock film, so we decided it was time to remedy that. We all piled onto the couch (minus John, who was still battling European jet lag) with blankets and individual bowls of our Canadian snack smorgasbord to watch Rear Window.
- What a great movie.
- I can’t believe I’ve never watched this movie.
- They don’t make movies like they used to.
- I can’t believe how much the kids liked it! Not much happens in the first 45 minutes (except killer dialogue — pun very much intended), but they were hooked.
- It was such a fun experience to share with Birchie, the biggest Hitchcock fan I know.
All told, this felt like the perfect way to cap off a full day of adventuring.
I’ll be back to talk about more fun (including our trip to Peggy’s Cove) another day.
Now it’s your turn…
- Have you ever met an online friend in real life?
- If you could only have one ice cream flavour for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
- What’s your favourite “classic” (say pre-1970’s) movie?
Discover more from The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Oh, what fun. This all looks great. I want Jon to come and whip me up some savoury waffles; they sound yummy. I have met a group of ladies I “met” online once. I caught the ferry across from my parents place to Sorrento for lunch with them. My daughter studied Rear Window for school and I watched it then, but I don’t often watch classic movies. I guess the main one would be Wizard of Oz which I watched as a kid and the wicked witch gave me nightmares. If I could only ever eat one flavour of icecream I would choose hazelnut/chocolate.
His savoury waffles are delicious! They are our go-to at-home date-night dinner.
I don’t usually watch classic movies, but I really should. They are in a class above most movies, today. Maybe my “fun list” for next year will be a list of classic movies to watch? One classic a month? Stay tuned…
The Wicked Witch IS terrifying in that movie.
Part One of the Trust but Verify Tour! It wasn’t that I didn’t believe all of the gorgeous pictures and NS adventures that you’ve told us about over the years, but part of me was asking “is it really that good?” Well now that I’m here, I can confirm that the answer is YES.
John’s savory waffles tho! Oh wait, I’m in your country so I need to spell it correctly – make that savoury. That is a meal that I will be day dreaming about/attempting to replicate at home for some time to come.
This weekend was everything – time with you, time with your amazing family, and NOVA SCOTIA!!! And the adventures aren’t over yet.
I absolutely love your name for the trip: Trust but Verify. I am glad I confirmed most things to be true!
Pictures never fully do a place justice, but I’m always nervous people will come and think I’ve oversold the province. I love it with all my heart (but am admittedly a bit biased!).
Bonus points for spelling savoury correctly while in Canada 🙂 They ARE delicious!
Looking forward to our final weekend of adventures together. What a great trip, and I’ll live vicariously through your time in PEI and New Brunswick.
The sunflowers are unreal- how gorgeous! Glad you two are having fun despite the cold.
I would probably take chocolate chip ice cream. And Rear Window and Casablanca are some of my favorites. My teen watched citizen Kane recently – oh my goodness, excellent and such good timing and tight shots- nothing wasted. Many movies now are at least a half-hour too long, and pacing stinks. Self-indulgent on directors part. And they have to treat the viewers as slightly slow and beat us over the head with themes.
Notorious is another very interesting Hitchcock film, and North by Northwest.
Thankfully my cold started to get much better on Sunday and it is all gone today. It was VERY intense but over quickly which, honestly, is what I would prefer. I wonder if it was a cold + allergies? So a double whammy.
I have never seen Casablanca but it is on my list.
Citizen Cane is incredible. So ahead of it’s time in terms of cinematography. John and I watched it a few years ago. Rear Window was excellent and we have plans to watch North by Northwest this coming weekend when Birchie comes back.
Oh, how fun! I used to follow Birchie! Not sure how we stopped following each other, but I’ll have to remedy that. Nova Scotia looks beautiful. It looks like you had a good time, despite not feeling well. I follow another runner from Nova Scotia on Instagram–@crystalrunsfree. So fun that I now ‘know’ 2 people from this lovely place!
In answer to your question, I’ve met quite a few blogger friends in real life over the past 10 years of blogging! My true bestie is a former blogger. She is from Alabama, and we visit with each other at least 1-2x/year. She and her hubs drove up for my son’s wedding! We took them to a Chicago Cubs game on Sunday and had such a good time. Blogging and running have brought the best people into my life!
I’m not on Instagram; I wonder where she lives in NS (looks like Halifax)! I’d love to connect !
I love to hear about bloggers becoming so close in “real” life. Lisa had a table full of bloggers at her wedding which is just SO FUN!
SO AMAZING!! I’m so glad you guys are having the best time, and it looks like you got some perfect weather!! Sad about your cold, but it sounds like you powered through and it didn’t really slow you down. I’m so impressed with how effortlessly you seem to host! I wish I had that skill… it honestly stresses me out more than I wish it did. Can’t wait to read the next installment!
The weather has literally been perfect. (Maybe too perfect? I got a sunburn at Peggy’s Cove!)
The cold was pretty awful on Saturday but is basically completely gone now. It was short but intense and we made the most of the days and I am so, so thankful to have recovered so quickly.
I’m not sure about effortless, but Birchie is very laidback so I didn’t feel pressure of high expectations. And things are so close in Nova Scotia, so it’s wonderful to be able to fill the days with fun adventures, but never be far from home base.
Birchie is absolutely lovely and I am so grateful to have been fortunate to spend this 1-on-1 time with her! What a gift. And you and SHU are next!!!
Oh, this was so fun to read and see!!! My heart is happy that you got to spend time together! It sounds like Birchie got the perfect balance of time with your lovely family, Elisabeth, and time in your gorgeous surroundings. Also, I love the snack collection Birchie amassed!
Even though I have been blogging for many years, and have had text/phone/holiday card exchanges with many people over that time, I have only recently felt brave enough to meet bloggers in real life. I have been super lucky to meet you, Elisabeth; Lisa; Anne; and Birchie in person. (I *feel* like I’ve known Nicole in real life, since we’ve hung out digitally so many times, but I know it’s not quite the same.) I really hope to continue adding to the list of bloggers I know offline as well as on!
Choosing a single ice cream flavor for the rest of my life is tricky! I guess I would go for chocolate, because it’s always satisfying.
It was a wonderful snack haul!!!
I am so glad we were able to meet in Paris, but it was NOT long enough.
I want to meet every single bloggy friend in the years to come. Fingers crossed I can make that happen. It’s such a special group and I feel tremendously blessed and fortunate to have so many amazing women in my life.
Bummer about the cold but yay Birchie! She’s great and is an awesome guest too. We had so much fun and I’m so glad you two are having a good time together seeing the sights (ugh get better, go away stupid cold!!!)
Rear Window is a really good movie – it’s been eons since I watched it but I love it.
I love ketchup chips as you know but my personal favourite is Old Dutch. It used to only be available in Western Canada – I wonder if it still is? It came in a box with two bags. Mmm. I haven’t had that in YEARS.
Yay Birchie, indeed. She IS great and she IS an awesome guest. Laid-back and I felt zero pressure to “perform.”
The cold did go away. Saturday was the worst, Sunday was pretty good, and by yesterday I was feeling basically 100%. Short but intense which is the best I could have hoped for, I think.
Rear Window was SO good. Why have I not seen this movie?
We can get Old Dutch in Nova Scotia, though I’ll admit it’s a brand I rarely reach for. I think Ketchup Cheetos won Birchie’s vote? I love ketchup chips; so yummy with such a great tang.
BIRCHIE IN NOVA SCOTIA!!! How incredibly fun- but what bad timing to get a cold, arg. Still, it looks like you guys are having a blast.
It’s been a very, very long time since I’ve seen Rear Window, but what a classic. I’m surprised the kids liked it- quite different from modern day movies!
To answer your question, why yes I have met online friends, including Birchie herself!!!
Can’t wait for Part 2.
I was a bit surprised the kids liked it too, but I guess the quality speaks for itself. Indy is VERY keen to watch more Hitchcock, so we’re planning on North by Northwest next weekend when Birchie is back.
Your name has come up many times in conversation this weekend, Jenny. Mostly my desperation to meet you in person (and my jealousy that Birchie has already had that pleasure) 😉
What fun for both of you! One of my closest friends is someone I met through blogging, though she stopped blogging long ago–but through our blogs, we learned we lived in the same city! And we’ve been friends forever now. I have met a few other people via blogs, but not in the same way, like would visit and stay with and all. I’m glad you and Birchie made that happen!
I didn’t know you were so close to a someone you met blogging. It’s such a wonderful community and it creates lifelong friendships. I could never have imagined any of this when I started blogging a few years ago and it’s been delightful!
Awwwww, you two!! This post really warmed my heart. You both look so happy! My goodness, those sunflowers are dreamy! Everything about this is dreamy!
I haven’t met an online friend, but I have a Japanese pen pal from when I was a kid. As adults, she came to see me, and I went to Japan to see her. We still write to each other! I have to admit that I would be very nervous about meeting my blogging friends in person. No offence to the bloggers – I’m nervous about meeting anyone in person! Ha! Ha! But I sure do love reading about blogger meet-ups!
You went to Japan so see her? Wow! That’s so cool, Michelle.
I get feeling a bit nervous about meeting online people in real life. There’s a fun mystique about NOT meeting, but everyone has been exactly how I pictured them online and I’m just so grateful to have had this opportunity!
That is such a bummer that you came down with a cold! I was sick when I hosted Kyria way back in 2011, I think? She was a good sport about me needing extra downtime. That was the fall that I had never-ending sinus infections and then got surgery in January.
I have met so many online friends in person, I’ve lost count. It’s probably approaching 20? I have made such wonderful friends through blogging!
For ice cream, I’d pick something with peanut butter cups in it, like Moose Tracks or something like that.
And I don’t really have a favorite old movie! My favorite movie of all is probably When Harry Met Sally or You’ve Got Mail. I have not seen any Alfred Hitchcock movies either! I really should watch on this fall or winter!
You are the Queen of Online Friends. I think it is so wonderful you had a full table of them at your wedding <3
I'm with you; peanut butter all the way!
I've never seen When Harry Met Sally. Need to fix that ASAP. I've seen You've Got Mail twice, but should watch it again. It would be increasingly hilarious to watch how the technology has aged!
I did meet an on-line friend. And she was the nicest and dearest friend I ever met on the internet. She was a real sport when I first met her. She and her husband went to a NASCAR race when it came to her state, Iowa. We drove from Upstate NY to Iowa to meet her and her husband and she suffered thru a NASCAR race for me. Unfortunately, she passed away and I never got to see her again until her funeral. I wish I would have gone to visit her 1 last time. I am making it a point to visit other people I’ve met on the internet, too, because life is too short. Glad you had a visitor from the internet visit you.
My favorite ice-cream is Mint Chip, or as we used to say when I was a kid, Chocolate Chip Mint. Can eat that all day, any day!
And I would say my favorite old movie is “It’s A Wonderful Life.” I can watch that any time of year. However, I did see “Wuthering Heights” and feel in love with that movie too.
I do love mint chip! It’s so refreshing so it feels like a treat but not cloyingly sweet.
It’s A Wonderful Life is a classic for a reason!
Oh I am so jealous of your Canadian snack haul! Ketchup everything!!! We can once in a while find Coffee Crisp here in the International food aisle, but it always tastes just a little stale to me.
What AMAZING adventures. And also – like “slice of Elisabeth’s life” adventures. It’s like all the amazing every day things about life in Nova Scotia that we read about on your blog, and Birchie gets to do them FOR REAL!!! I think that’s sometimes the best thing about visiting friends – just doing life things, you know?
I’ve never seen Rear Window! But I have seen lots of other Hitchcock movies. I think my favorite is The Lady Vanishes. The really suspenseful ones are too much for me. I think my favorite classic, pre 1960s movie is Roman Holiday or Summertime. (Oh I just realized both are movies set in Italy!) Or An Affair to Remember is great too. And all those movie musicals… so many!!!
Ketchup chips are just so good and tangy. I love them.
I tried to give her a slice of everyday life and showed her all our local things: where my parents rent when they come to Nova Scotia for the winter, the kids’ schools, grocery stores, our library, etc. All the things I talk about online and now she can put a visual to them.
I will have to add The Lady Vanishes to my list. Rear Window was excellent.
I’ve never seen Summertime, and I didn’t finish Roman Holiday (I started it, that much I remember).
“Look-off” is so funny to my U.S. English ears. . . it would be a “look-out” or a “vista point” in California.
You live close to a sunflower trail and have never gone??? What is the matter with you?!? Oh. You are surrounded by so much beauty that you can’t possibly fit it all in. Deep sigh of envy.
Ketchup Cheetos? Sounds like an abomination.
I have seen Rear Window. Superb!
Never met an online friend in person. Wait! I did! He read my blog because of all the stuff about the mountain area where our cabin is, wanted to buy some of my coloring books, and asked if he could stop by the cabin to pick them up. Hold on a minute—you know where my cabin is?? I decided he didn’t sound like an ax murderer, so I said yes. He brought his entire family and now, about a dozen years later, he is a great friend. We actually set him up to use a neighbor’s seldom used cabin each summer when they are here from the African country where they now live.
Mint-chip, preferably Breyer’s. . . could live on nothing but that forever and ever, amen.
I don’t know how I didn’t manage to get to the sunflower trail last year (I think this might only be the second year it’s been open). It was small but lovely and I will definitely be going back!
Mint chip is a solid choice. I never get tired of it, though something with at least a hint of peanut butter is usually my go-to!
Y’all look like you had a great time. So cool.
Have you ever met an online friend in real life? Technically yes. I accidentally ran into a blogger who didn’t realize who I was. This woman behaved in an insincere way toward me, and others, so I didn’t introduce myself. There was a conversation between us so I’ll count it as meeting her.
If you could only have one ice cream flavour for the rest of your life, what would you choose? Vanilla bean
What’s your favourite “classic” (say pre-1970’s) movie? The Thin Man. Can’t go wrong with that one.
What an interesting (albeit sad) interaction with the blogger 🙁 I think you chose wisely to remain anonymous!
I’ve never seen The Thin Man. I’ll need to investigate and watch it!
Glad you and Birchie are having such a good time together! Good for you to push through the terrible timing of a cold, GRRR.
I’ve seen several Hitchcock films. An interesting tidbit about his films is he has a cameo in 40 of them. I spotted him in Frenzy and once I confirmed that he did insert himself into some of his movies I would look for him and feel a little thrill when I was able to find him. Personal favourites from pre-70s would be To Kill a Mockingbird and 12 Angry Men.
Favourite ice cream flavour is the strawberry made at my local ice cream store. It won a Blue Ribbon for best strawberry ice cream in North America in 2023!
Jacquie, every single sweet treat you talk about from your “neck of the woods” sounds and/or looks INCREDIBLE.
I did know about the cameo appearances and we did indeed spot him in Rear Window.
This sounds so amazing. Lucky you and lucky Birchie. I’m laughing that you worry you’ve oversold your province. Not a chance. The sunflowers are incredible. Bummer about the cold, but it sounds like it didn’t slow you down at all. I love that you guys enjoyed a Hitchcock movie together. I love Rear View Mirror. That’s a great one.
Moosetracks is my fav ice cream flavor of recent years. It’s got it all – chocolate but not too much. Peanut butter cups – tiny ones. Vanilla. All my favs.
I’d prob have to say Sound of Music, but It’s a Wonderful Life is up there as far as classic movies.
I’ve met my sweet dear friend, Suz. She was so kind to drive up towards Tampa (I think, but I’m not sure if that’s where we were – it was about 4 years ago) when we were in Florida for spring break. She met Mini and Curly and I for ice cream. Lovely.
I’ve also met Kari for lunch, oh – maybe 6 or 7 years ago. The cray -cray thing is that Kari was AT MY WEDDING. I know, I know. This was before we knew each other as bloggers. Her ex-husband was my Coach’s next door neighbor growing up. She attended our ’96 wedding with her then husband and we figured it our years later. It’s a wild small world sort of story. Even as I type it – it never fails to blow me away. She’s in my wedding photos – the ones taken of each table. Bah ha ha.
Oh, I’ve also met a woman who doesn’t blog, but she reads my blog. She was in town for a work conference – well, she was in the city and I was like, Wait now? Where are you? So I took the train downtown and we met for an early dinner. Lots of fun.
Rear Mirror was fabulous. I will definitely be watching it again.
Anything with PB cups has my attention and love.
That’s so crazy about Kari! It reminds me of my parents-in-law. Turns out they had been in the same graduating class at university and have a group picture where they’re both in it together, but they didn’t even meet each other and start dating for quite a while after that.
What amazing adventures! I’m so glad you got to do this. I have so many wonderful online friends. The only one I have met in person was from the UK 🙂
So many heart eyes for this post! I’m so glad you guys had such a lovely time together, although I had no doubt that you would! I love Birchie’s name in the sand – adorable!
My favorite pre-1970s movie is The Sound of Music, although there’s not much competition because I don’t know if I’ve watched any others! My grandma tried to get me to watch My Fair Lady at some point but I was so bored. I probably would appreciate it a lot more now!
I used a rock to write her name in the sand/mud. My mom used to always do that when I was a kid. It was a spontaneous decision but I’m so glad I thought of it because it makes it an extra personal adventure.
The Sound of Music. What a classic. I loved that movie. Now it makes me a bit sad to watch it for some reason? But I watched it so many times as a kid. The music. Wow, Julie Andrews sure can sing!
I’m so glad that you guys had so much fun! I mean, how could you not?? I am sorry that you had a cold though, but at least you got to watch a movie. I think I’ve seen The Birds and Vertigo (is that a Hitchcock?) but I don’t think I’ve seen any of the others that I know of.
You are asking the wrong girl about what movies are Hitchcock. Rear Window was great. We might watch another one tonight. Birchie will be back in an hour.
I am learning it’s impossible not to have fun with bloggy friends <3
You have no idea how wide my grin is right now seeing you and Birchie together! I need these kinds of happiness posts right now. You really showed off Nova Scotia (not hard to impress with!) and I am not surprised you hit it off right away — these Cool Blogger meetups seem to always go off without a hitch 😉
San, I very much hope to give you the same tour one day <3
Birchie is sitting in my living room this very second. Squeal. It's so fun.
What a sweet visit…and this is just the first and second day?
Yes, I could see the face in Paddy’s Island!
The only AH movie I’ve ever seen is The Birds. I must watch this one!!
If I could only choose ONE flavor of ice cream, it would have to be chocolate almond. I know, not that wild, but I like what I like.
What a bummer to get a cold while having a visitor!
I’ve met several blog friends in person….Um, how many? Five? I can’t remember exactly, probably more than five, and (knock on wood) not one of them has been a murderer!
No need to be wild. Sometimes classic and “safe” is the best way to go!
Well, if you come visit me you can continue your streak of not meeting up with a murderer. (Or is that just what I want you to think ;)…)
I swear, you and Birchie look like you’re related in that first photo. I am envious but also so happy you were able to spend time together. I think Birchie might get the “met the most bloggers” award at this point. Hoping to follow in her contrail at some point.
Birchie has really crisscrossed North America this year. I’m jealous of all the bloggers she’s been able to see. But I have two more coming my way soon. I’m so lucky people are willing to come to ME!
We had a delightful time together <3
What an exciting visit. And so many things you get to experience.
I would most definitely go thrifting with you.
Admitting I have also never seen a Hitchcock movie.
Rear Window is a great place to start. I loved it!