Perfection

Our afternoon and evening with my brother and sister-in-law was fabulous, thanks for asking.



They live in Chelsea, Quebec, a tiny hamlet of sorts nestled in the Laurentian Mountains, also known as the Adirondacks, with a history as rich as many of its current residents. The village has gone through many a transformation, and is now a very desirable area of residence for those who have lots of dough. It's about 20 minutes to half an hour from our house to theirs, and I don't know why we don't get together more often. It's ridiculous, really. Especially since Gee and Ess are the only family on my side that we have left. My younger brother, Leo, is incognito, and that's the way he wants it. Long story. Maybe someday I'll tell you about it. Suffice it to say that I pretty much had written him off for dead and gone about 10 years ago. I don't talk about it much because it's still very difficult for me to accept.


My brother and sister-in-law do not exactly fit the stereotypical Chelsian (is that actually a term?), yet here they live, in heaven really, surrounded by gorgeous trees, wildlife, and winding roads through the mountains. Their home, a cottage really, backs onto a lake, down a long hill. In the winter, you can see the lake, but in the summer, when the leaves grow on the trees, you're pretty much encompassed in your own little cocoon, which is really something more people should have in this day and age of busy lives and stressful days.

I envy them for their life, a life of simple, but good, things: each other, lots of love and acceptance, and the knowledge that material things don't mean a damn thing without the above. Their home is simple, but it's theirs, and theirs alone, and they live in the midst of heaven. What more could anyone want?






After arriving and allowing their dog, Agatha, to reconnaitre with Gryphon, we gabbed for a few minutes before Ess (my brother Gee's wife) told us dinner was ready. Good timing, you say? Perfect timing, I say. Especially since I had barely eaten all day, unless you count a few dozen chocolate Easter eggs, a few cups of tea, and an anti-inflammatory.

Roast pork with peaches on a huge platter, gorgeous fluffy mashed potatoes, boiled baby carrots and green beans. Yup, pretty much perfection. As well, Ess made this wonderful sauce to go with the pork, with maple syrup and Worcestershire sauce and other goodies that rounded out the dinner just so. And, Ess being Ess, she's selflessly given me the recipe! So
here's the link for the roast pork dinner, so that everyone can now make this deelish dinner for their loved ones. You are welcome.

The rest of the evening was spent jabbering and laughing, having conversations using our parents' accents, and watching the dogs attack one another. And then Gee went through his old Beta tapes and pulled out a few that showed me with a mullet (no, I do not have a picture of that, unfortunately so) and pregnant with Em, Em as a newborn, and Dee at age two. I didn't remember that I actually had a mullet (I am pretty sure Gee just super-imposed someone else's abhorrent hairstyle on top of my much younger face), and I didn't remember being so sickly and skinny after Em's birth. But that's the great thing about video. Or is it?

At some point, I pointed out all of Ess's gorgeous artwork that hangs on their walls, as well as Gee's amazing sculptures, to Mr. Handsome and the kids. Ess and Gee are such talented people, and are unknown to the general public as of yet, but not for long. I am starting to work at getting them both some publicity, because in my opinion, talent like this should not remain invisible and unknown to the world.

Because this:


And these:






And these:












... are absolutely gorgeous. Aren't they?

Do you see what I mean?

She's amazing, isn't she?

Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of my brother's sculptures, so you'll just have to take my word for it, but believe me when I tell you he's very very good. So far, he's completed a couple of our late father, one of himself, one of Ess, and other odds and ends. Now he wants to work on one of our mother, who recently passed away. I'm going to try and get some good shots so that I can post them here so that you can see what I mean and I'm not accused of being the liar that perhaps I actually am!

By 9 p.m., Gryphon was lying on one couch, fast asleep, and the rest of us were prostrate on various other chairs and couches, watching videos and oohing and ahhing over tape of Em's first days on earth, her first birthday, Dee eating birthday cake in his high chair, and Agatha as a puppy. By 10 p.m., we were on our way home, and within minutes of driving off, Dee was asleep in the back with his mouth wide open, Em was silent as she listened to her Ipod, and Gryphon was lying quietly with his head resting on my left arm as Mr. Handsome drove us all safely home.

I'm pretty sure no one had a better Easter Sunday than we did.

Comments

Unknown said…
What a beautiful area! I am glad you all had a great time.. maybe now you'll MAKE the time to go there! The artwork is STUNNING.. my favorite is the last one!

Too bad you didn't get pics of the sculptures, I would love to have seen them.
WOW. Those are amazing paintings, and the photos were great too!!

Glad you had such a great day, Mary!

Jay
ShanaM said…
Sounds like the best time. Great photos and
I LOVE the artwork!!!!!!
Looks like a great place for hiking!

I wish I had such talent :)
rachel... said…
Sounds like an amazing time! What a beautiful place to call home! I'm envious!
mo.stoneskin said…
Now I crave roast pork, nay, a full on spit roast!

Love the tree/mist picture. Beautiful.
Deb said…
sounds like a perfect easter. your words painted a lovely picture. and your sis-in-law is just amazingly talented.
Trina said…
I'm envious of such talent! I can't draw a straight line with a ruler. LOL

You are so right about their place being a slice of Heaven on Earth! Country life and country living in the middle of God's gorgeous creation are what I yearn for.
Wow, that sounds like an AMAZING Easter. Beautiful scenery, gorgeous art, good food and awesome company. How can you go wrong?
Sultan said…
Beautiful photos and pictures
Michel said…
So I'm guessing from the pictures that Quebec is nowhere near Sudan. But that is just a guess...

Sounds like you had a lovely time. Those pics are fabulous!
Beautiful scenery and GORGEOUS artwork....very VanGogh-ish!
I'm glad you had such a wonderful Easter! Ours was blessed as well~
We spent it with our daughters, son-in-law and our GRANDSON! To make it even better....he started WALKING!!! Perfect day~

Does your sis-in-law sell her art?
♥,Lilly
Unknown said…
It truly was the perfect Easter, someone else cooked and someone else drove
SweetPeaSurry said…
sounds like a perfectly lovely time was had!
I am so happy to hear you had a great day. You deserved it! What a beautiful part of the country they live in. I have never been to Quebec, (I haven't been to Ottawa either) I def. need to get out more often!!
Anonymous said…
I am most fond of the painting sylvia10 - Lovely work indeed
I am 200% sure we didn't have a better Easter Sunday than you did. What gorgeous pictures.
Pearl said…
Those paintings are incredible. Seriously. I would love to see those up close.

And I did not know that the Laurentians are the same as the Adirondacks.

I learn a little sumpin' every day.
:-)

Pearl
♥ Braja said…
Beautiful place, and yes, definitely amazing talent...
Gutsy Living said…
I loved your comment about materialism not being important but beauty of nature and love for one another being important. I totally agree. What beautiful paintings, you're right. I love the colors.
Jeff Tompkins said…
Wow. Those pictures are fantastic. Glad you shared them.

Popular posts from this blog

Gobble Gobble!

Just call me a dwarf

Gourmet Anyone?