Editor’s Letter

Celebrate the chaos

My youngest daughter has a tiny scar on her right cheek. It’s barely noticeable but every once in a while I see that little mark that becomes fainter every year and I wonder if someday it will just disappear. Fear not—there was no great injury that begot that scar. It was just a moment when an untrimmed razor-sharp baby fingernail met newborn fresh plump skin. A teensy gash on rosy, fresh cheeks from out of the tub, 17 years ago. My husband and I were getting the four kids ready for the Christmas Eve service at our church. All of the children had a role in the nativity scene that evening. One was a shepherd, one was an angel, the oldest boy would play Joseph and hold his new sister for the role of all roles, starring as the baby Jesus–with a Steri-strip on her face.

It was just one moment in a comedy of chaos that happened that Christmas Eve. By the time we left the church with our motley cast and crew from the sacred vignette, our boy with type one diabetes was having a low blood sugar reaction that needed quick attention. To complicate the situation, we arrived home to our Christmas tree tipped over in the living room, as if it had one too many rums and eggnog in our absence. A quick tending to the emergencies and the remainder of our evening of traditions when grandparents and neighbours arrived continued without further calamities— what else could go wrong on this night before Christmas?

After the rituals of putting out cookies for Santa, hanging their stockings by the chimney with care, and tag-teaming bedtime stories, we got the kids tucked in for the night. Just as my husband and I settled in to take stock of the magic that still had to happen before we put our own heads down, we arose to the clatter of hurried footsteps. We ran up the stairs to see our six-year-old son in his reindeer pyjamas running for the bathroom whilst losing the contents of his tummy with great flourish. I think you can picture how the rest of the night rolled out—we’ve all been there. It seems a little odd to be nostalgic about a scar on your child’s face but for some reason when I do catch a glimpse of the minuscule mark, it stirs something in me, and it takes me back to that night before Christmas when our picture-perfect family on our Christmas card were just us—perfectly imperfect. My husband and I have put a lot of effort in trying to create the quintessential Christmas for our family over the years. I don’t need to tell you that it never goes exactly as planned and, to be honest, I don’t think we really want it to. It’s the unexpected and, yes, sometimes even messy moments in life that are the greatest gifts. It’s not all visions of sugar plums and it’s not the rare times when all falls into place that are the most cherished. It’s the tiny little scars, the little imperfections that make life more beautiful, more real, and more memorable. Last year many of us experienced a holiday that was less festive than usual, but I think it was a year where we spent more time reflecting on what is truly important to us. This year as we begin a season that is a little more recognizable, I hope that you take the time to remember and to laugh at all the things that can and have gone wrong that make everything just right. Whatever way you celebrate this season, may you find and share the joy!

editor’s

LETTER

PHOTO BY NORTHOVER PHOTOGRAPHY

SARAH BUTLAND was delighted when she re-connected with William (Dann) Alexander. Now more than ever, it seems that connections have become more vital. His book Let Nothing Go To Waste sparked memories of years gone by living in Pictou County.

TRACY STUART Olympian Tracy Stuart loves a good competition. Late this fall she pulled out her training as a whole foods chef and competed in an on-line cooking challenge. She gives an ancient ingredient her own local twist with Forbidden Rice, A Meal Fit for Royalty...and her kids too.

TRISH JOUDREY, an ardent world adventurer, has uncovered some of her top hiking trails right here on Nova Scotia’s North Shore. Trish was especially drawn to the Six Mile Brook Trail because of its extensive history and charming public bothy. When her hiking boots are put away, she writes, plays the piano, or plans for her next adventure from her home in Halifax.

SHELLEY CAMERON-McCARRON has always been a believer in the joys of Christmas from the days of flipping through the Sears Wishbook to today’s penchant for holiday movies. In this issue, she’s happy to delve deeper into the magic of the season, speaking with a Wentworth couple who deck their halls—and everything else.

JANET WHITMAN Contributing editor Janet Whitman is a city- and nature-loving journalist who divides her time between Halifax and her cottage on the Northumberland Shore, when pandemic restrictions permit. She’s happiest digging in the dirt, picking up a hammer or messing around in the kitchen — she had fun connecting with artist Dawn MacNutt who lives just down the road from her summer haunt in Little Harbour.

PHOTO: STEVE SMITH,VISIONFIRE STUDIOS ALLISON GAUDETT is a local interior decorator, is pulling current design colour trends into this season’s holiday wrapping and décor pallets. Just as we all feel inspired by differing design styles, holiday décor can also be individualized to reflect personal styles. Whether it be taking a cue from your home’s permanent hard finishes, like the soft coastal blues in Christena and Rob Hubbard’s home in A Kitchen for Christmas, or feelings of merriment evoked my a jewel-toned colour scheme, like the wrapping featured in Thresholds, embrace that which sparks joy for you.

STEVE SMITH Welcome Winter 2021 At Home on the North Shore. From visiting Kim’s beautiful chalet in Wentworth that is our cover story, to a lovely kitchen renovation in New Glasgow by Allison Gaudett. Scones by the fire at Sugar Moon Farms, and artist Antionette Karuna in Antigonish. It’s always the people that make these stories shine. And this time people I call family. My son Cooper and his grandmother Anna Chow celebrating with noodles. There’s more to enjoy inside these pages, Happy Holidays to all!

NICOLE LEBLANC is a communications professional, a passionate community volunteer, and current town councillor who loves DIY. She lives in Trenton with her husband and beloved dog—and when she’s not getting crafty, she can be found exploring Nova Scotia, meeting new people, and being involved in projects that make our communities better.

LAURA LAVENDER is a gardener, calligrapher and illustrator. She made the move from B.C. to N.S. two years ago with her husband and three children, and they are now making a life in a happy yellow house in New Glasgow. Laura brings her passions for gardening and illustrating together in the story Winterproof Your Planters and shares her joy for trying new things in the kitchen in Noodles for the New Year.