Favourite Canadian Things

This month's link up is about "Your Favourite Things" hosted by the lovelies; Kelly, Emma, and Rebecca and co-host Frankie, The Mischievous Mayfairy.

Last year, when I had first returned to Canada from living in England, I needed to remind myself of all the wonderful things that I had been missing out on. So today I thought I'd revisit my list of favourite Canadian things that still holds true a year later. These are the things I missed most about Canada (with the exception of the faces of my family and friends here)

1. Swiss Chalet

I know, I know. It's no gastropub, but damn that Chalet Sauce!

2. Wide open spaces

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Fields and fields not far from your door step where you can just imagine The Littlest Hobo trekking over, never settling for long.

3. my dog

Betty is my home girl.

helping me stretch after a run

4. proper seasons

There is a distinct change between each season. Winter has snow, fall has colour, spring has showers, summer has sun.

5. the familiar

It's good to be challenged. It's good to live outside of your comfort zone. It also can be tiring. Sometimes it's just good to know when I'm in need of hangers, antifreeze, paint and seasonal decor I can take my Canadian Tire money down to the local Canadian Tire and get all these things at once, including some street meat for lunch.

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6. driving

My mother was worried that I'd forget how to drive after having been gone for so long without a car. Thing is, driving a car "is like riding a bike". It's nice being able to hop in the car and drive myself, by myself from point A to point B. No transfers, no 'person on the track', no smelling the breath of others as we stand nose to nose (or in my case, nose to chest).

7. the quiet

In London I lived in a building off the A12. It was noisy. In Canada, I live in the suburbs. Ahh the quiet.

rainbow over the A12

8. fresh air

Take a deep breath. In. Out.
No odd smells. No black coating in my nose. No lung infections.

9. snow

I'm not super fond of the cold weather, but what I hate more than just cold weather, is cold weather with no snow. At least with the snow there is a point to the coldness. And with snow comes fun things too; skiing, skating, snow shoeing, snowmen, snow balls, snow angels ...

10. the politeness

Since returning, I've been getting out there. Running most days or taking Betty for a long walk. On this walk, people greeted me, smiled, and even said 'good morning'. And not in that creepy, I have an agenda kind of way or in a way that made me feel uncomfortable or threatened. Not that those people don't exist here, but we are generally a people that talk to strangers, make eye contact with unknowns, and even make small talk with passersby.  honestly, this has been the most difficult part of re-acclimating my self into Canadian society.

These are a few of my favourite Canadian things. What are yours?