Tuesday, 29 November 2016

The Lumbersexual

The Lumbersexual:


Are You???

Have you noticed the relatively new trend in male style known as the lumbersexual?My superficial research on the subject says the term "lumbersexual" was coined about 3 years ago. 
The Lumbersexual

According to Wikipedia, "A lumbersexual or urban lumberjack is a man who has adopted style traits typical of a traditional lumberjack, namely a beard, plaid shirt, and scruffy hair, substituting otherwise clean-cut and fashionable style choices. Denver Nicks described the trend as perhaps an attempt to "reclaim masculinity". (Wikipedia) 
Obviously, it's more than a fashion trend.

 You Can Do It!


The lumbersexual is not to be confused with the lumberjack. Lumbersexuals have probably never wielded an ax or hung off the end of a chainsaw. Many say the look is modelled after America's favourite lumberjack, Paul Bunyan.

Paul Bunyan: Lumberjack

Last week I  went to a 40th year anniversary reenactment of The Band's farewell concert The Last Waltz.

The Last Waltz

Local bands re-enacted the concert at The Boyce Farmers’ Market and it was crawling with lumbersexuals, most of whom were not born when The Last Waltz happened in San Francisco in 1976. Bob Dylan, Nobel Laureate, would probably fit the profile of a lumbersexual. Neil Young--definitely. 

The Last Waltz , 1976

I ran into a former student/teacher’s pet at this event. When I commented to him that the place was full of lumbersexuals, he told me that New Brunswick has always been full of men with big bushy beards wearing plaid. Now the look is trendy and it has a name. He has a point. My father worked in the woods and always wore plaid. No beard. Let me assure you, he was no adherent to fashion trends!

Lumberjacks or Lumbersexuals?

As I was researching the lumbersexual, I wondered if there was a “female” equivalent. I didn’t find much except a few pictures. Then again, the movement is about reclaiming a certain kind of masculinity.

Lumbersexual?


The Baby Lumbersexual might look something like this:


Baby Lumbersexual

Here we have an idea of what a woman might wear while hanging out with a lumbersexual. 
Sienna Miller and Tom Sturridge


Many celebs are “rockin’” the Lumbersexual look, such as Ryan Reynolds, 
Ryan Reynolds

and Ryan Titus.
Ryan Titus in Home-Grown Alpaca


As a Knitting Entrepreneur, I am planning to cash in on this fashion phenomenon. Take a look at my Lumbersexual Line. These coordinating mittens went to a lumbersexual couple in Toronto:
 
Toronto Lumbersexual Mittens

This pair adorns the hands of a New Brunswick lumbersexual.
NB Lumbersexual Mittens

Socks for the Baby Lumbersexual:
LumberBaby Socks

Mitts for the Toddler Lumbersexual.
LumberToddler Mitts

Mittens for the LumberFeminine:
 LumberFeminine


Let me know if you would like to place an order!!




...Until Next Time...

Monday, 31 October 2016

Norwood on the Washademoak

Norwood on the Washademoak

I bet you’ve heard this line before: “When I retire, I’m going to open a Bed and Breakfast.” Maybe you’ve even said it. Well, my friend Ines and her husband Doug have actually done it! Norwood on the Washademoak in Cambridge-Narrows!! Let’s pay a visit.

Norwood


This is a BIG house. Built by Saint John architect Harry Mott in the early 1900s as a summer home, Norwood is actually like two houses under one roof--the family quarters and the caretaker's quarters. Ines’ family bought this property in the late 1950s and operated it as a working farm and a vacation rental. In 2013, Ines and Doug purchased Norwood and began extensive renovations. Over the last three years, they have lovingly restored the house into a beautiful and welcoming Bed and Breakfast. 

Sideview

In October, my friend Janet and I booked an overnight visit to Norwood. I stayed in The Majestic, the room named for one of the riverboats that serviced the St.John River system in the 1800 and 1900s. Janet was housed in Furstenau, the room named for the birthplace of Ines’ father. 

The Majestic

The Furstenau


Ines and Doug have successfully integrated the historical with the modern in their restoration of this house. We spent a Jane Austen evening in front of a soothing fire in the parlour.

The Parlour

The Parlour Art Gallery 
Artist: Don Rigley



Original Kitchen Cupboards

The Front Stairs
(one of 3 sets of stairs)

And, of course, BREAKFAST is an important "B" of every good B and B. And ours was delicious and beautifully-presented. Fantastic coffee! Local bread, meats, eggs, vegetables and fruit. 

 
Breakfast at Norwood


Ines and Doug have two pet sheep, Dill and Dot, which add a certain novelty to Norwood. Ines has been seen walking them through the fields on a leash.

 Dill and Dot

Recently these two characters have been added to the grounds at Norwood. Ines claims Doug was a bit "bored" when he created them!

The "Bored" Couple

Washademoak Lake. Where is it? How do I get there? Not easy to pronounce or spell, research tells me that Washademoak comes from the Maliseet word "Wasetemoik" which means "unknown" or "the way to the other side.". Less than an hour’s drive from Fredericton, a visit to this hidden nugget is well worth the trip. 

Washademoak

And what do I do when I get there?  Take your imagination for a walk in the Robinson Conservation Area. 

 My Friends, Anne of Green Gables and Diana Barry
(aka: Janet and Ines)



 Lake of Shining Waters 
(aka: Dug Pond) 

 Lovers' Lane
(aka: Snake Rail Fence)

Pine Needle Carpet
(aka: Monoculture)


Go biking on fairly quiet roads...

Janet, the Biker

....if you can get the bikes off the car.

Extreme Bungee Biking


Visit points of interest.
 St. James Anglican Church, Lower Jemseg


"Peace": Pines Conservation Park
(Part of the International Sculpture Trail)


Mott's Landing Vineyard

Anthony Flower House Museum
 9J Antiques

Cambridge-Narrows Regional Library

Acacia Galley
Enjoy the outstanding scenery.

 HayBales

 Field and Shadows

Canada Geese on the Washademoak

 PeaceWater

 Norwood from the Lake


Vine-Covered Building




....Until Next Time....

Friday, 30 September 2016

The Real Bridesmaids of Northumberland Abbey

The Real Bridesmaids of Northumberland Abbey


The wedding has come and gone. Well, not quite gone, but it’s over. My daughter Emma is now married and I am a Mother-in-Law! The event was a booming success and there are many stories to share, but this blog is going to be limited to The Bridesmaids.
Here they are, seeing the bride in her wedding dress for the first time as she descends the stairs. Just read those expressions!

Ladies in Waiting and the Dowager

As they were dressing for the wedding, the bridesmaids labeled themselves "The Hateful Eight" (apologies to Quentin Tarantino)  but you must know they are all beautiful inside and out! So, who are these wonderful women and what is their connection to Emma? Let's play a couple of rounds of The Bridesmaid Match Game to get to know them a little better!

1: Name the Bridesmaid. Which one is:
Jennie?
Kate?
Ally?
Randi?
Julia?
Monica?
Lindsey?
Ruthie?


2: Bridesmaid Fun Facts. Which one:
Is a forester?
Is Emma’s cousin?
Is doing a post-doc in pharmacology?
Was born in Texas?
Is Emma’s sister?
Is a middle school teacher?
Is Emma’s sister-in-law?
Works in commercial real estate?


3: Bridesmaid Geography. Which one:
Lives in Long Reach?
Lives in Halifax?
Lives in Southwood Park?
Lives in Bethesda, Maryland?
Lives on McLeod Avenue?
Lives in Toronto?
Lives on Montgomery Street?
Lives in Denver?


4. Bridesmaid Significant Others. Which one:
Has a room-mate named Freddy?
Had a car named Bernice?
Has two sons named Will and Luke?
Has a cat named Cat Stevens?
Has a brother named Jarrett?
Has a dog named Molly?
Has a foreign exchange student named Daniel?
Has a daughter named Natalie?


5. Bridesmaid Photo Match: Which one is she in the Tableau?














How did you make out playing The Bridesmaid Match Game? Find the answers below.

Ladies in Waiting
From left to right:
Ally, Jennie, Ruthie, Monica, Randi, Julia, Kate, Lindsey
(Front Row Centre: Barb; MOB)


 Ally Works in commercial real estate. Lives in Halifax. Has a room-mate named Freddy
 Jennie  
Is a middle school teacher. Lives on Montgomery Street. Has a dog named Molly.
Ruthie Is Emma’s cousin. Lives in Long Reach. Has a foreign exchange student named Daniel.
Monica Is a forester. Lives on McLeod Avenue. Has two sons named Will and Luke.
Randi Is doing a post-doc in pharmacology. Lives in Bethesda, Maryland. Had a car named Bernice.
Julia Is Emma’s sister. Lives in Toronto. Has a cat named Cat Stevens.
Kate Was born in Texas. Lives in Denver. Has a daughter named Natalie.
Lindsey Is Emma’s sister-in-law. Lives in Southwood Park. Has a brother named Jarrett.
Bridesmaid Photo Match: Individual photos of the bridesmaids appear in the same order as they are named in the tableau.





 Jarrett and Emma


...Until Next Time...