I will start off with a warning, there are multiple sexual encounters in the second half of this novel. They are rather detailed but not overtly rude. However, the relationship does require these encounters to occur for some progression and some of the conflict.
Anyway that is the warning… Bittersweet by Noelle Adams is an emotional piece based around the life of Zoe, a newly widowed mother of an infant son and her journey from the absolute devastation of losing her husband to becoming a woman ready to love again. With her husband’s cousin Adam (a friend prior to her marriage and even prior to meeting her husband) at her side emotional upheaval is inevitable but so is growth and healing.
What I love about this book is that you feel like the people are realistic (ok the cousin is VERY rich and Zoe herself very comfortable so some of the day to day concerns of most people do not apply) and the timeline feels like it would be possible. There is no sudden wake up realization that life is fine… no excessive and instant love occurring.
Bittersweet brings you along as Zoe works through her thoughts and emotions… You fall in love with baby Logan and you see the amazing man behind the facade in Adam. All in all a terrific read, if you can deal with some sexual content (again I skimmed and skipped myself).
Before one makes a life changing trip there are some memory lanes to drive down first… more about the trip later but first the trip down memory lane…
Cousin Veronika has moved back to a town that is dear to both of our hearts… her parents live there and it is also where the house my grandparents owned is. So of course we had to walk over there to see it. It was NOT fenced when Grandma and Grandpa lived there. I remember rolling down the hill almost into traffic at times… hollyhocks in the front in front of the large window (now gone)… but the bushes by the stairs were there when we were! That garage was Grandpa’s shop for wood working and the back yard housed apple trees and a deck we used to sit on… I remember the pop and beer fridge in the garage, the basement with its GIANT freezer…
I played in that backyard
Note the bushes
On the walk to the house we stopped where there USED to be a park I would play at with my cousins. Now all that is left is the climbing gym.
I remember climbing that
At the outdoor pool there is a splash park and these gym equipment. So of course our monkeys had to try them out!
Hmm not exactly how they were intended to be used?
Past the house was the small park so of course we spent some time there playing before heading off on the final leg of our adventure…
Bouncing
Sliding
Ice cream at the dollar store!
So yummy
Sharing
Oh and during all of this… exciting news… Veronika and Adam have chosen a wedding date and yours truly is the maid of honour! So we had to start thinking plans… In fact I am to spend a month in town with her before the June date helping out with girls in tow! Something that will be more of an adventure than you would think!! Check back in a few more entries to find out why!!!
We got back in time for lunch – Aunty Lorraine had a lovely spread with hot dogs and hamburgers. Adam did the bbqing and we all ate our fill with watermelon to top us off. After lunch and saying hi to Veronika’s grandma it was time to enjoy the splash park. Seriously every town that has one that we have been to we have splashed!!!
A little overcast
Lots of water
With puppies too
And the guys… napped while the kids had play time with the horse toys Veronika saved from her childhood.
So funny
After our visit with family and hugs and good-byes it was time to head to the city for the final leg of our journey. Esther was sweet enough to not only put us up overnight to shorten our trip to the zoo first thing the next morning but also made us dinner! Butter chicken and everything!!! YUM!!!
Esther in the kitchen
At the table
Of course there had to be some late night fun… accelerated Monopoly with Aunty Esther (it was plastic wrapped and everything so it was Esther’s first time to play as well!). Then bedtime for all late, well fed and played out.
MONOPOLY
I got to spend time with my cousin turned sister and a friend who means so much to our whole family. The day was a definite success!!
Cousins! No, SISTERS… note the last chance to have my make up done by a pro too
Christmas party had come and gone and was a lovely success… we filled our home with friends and some family, children and food… oh and PRESENTS!! Hmm guest list, I am sure you are all wondering! Lots of familiar names… first was Cousin Veronika and her Adam (nice and early – COUSIN TIME!), though of course the night before was Ted and Sean. Then Karyn, Kristen and Fydo… Alan and Xinny and their 3 (Izaac is so TALL!), Lauralee and of course ESTHER. Kathy called to send her regrets (she was getting over a cold) and He Chris was late (car trouble) while She Chris had to work. Definitely a FULL house!
Babies on the floor
Gavin and Alex playing on Uncle Ted's iPad
Pre present photo
Some of the girls
We did up a potluck and had a large variety of food – everything from candy sushi (made by the amazing Karyn) to “ducklings” by Xinny (Chinese dumplings) and two slow cooker items, a Japanese salad… oh and the chocolates and not to be forgotten deviled eggs AND homemade orange chocolate croissants!! We were well treated. I have to say the table was over full. Not a person went unfed, and I think most were OVER fed.
Candy Sushi!
Chocolate candy cane cake
Presents were the usual chaos of wrappings, squeals and confused parents. BUT it seems like everyone was well pleased. Veronika and Adam had Santa’s number and found out what the Christmas wishes were and got each kid the thing off of their list!!! There were hand made scarves and more chocolates… boardgames, oh the list goes on and on!
The inside joke present
Echo with jelly fish
Opening presents!
Lego! We were told Star Wars is the BEST Lego!
We had some stay later than others and left a lovely mess to face in the morning but it was all worth it! With less than a week until Christmas this was my largest and most exciting commitment. Every year we try to host a party and this year it was a full house. And now we work towards the next adventure – our first trip to Grandma’s in a long time! Months actually! It will be an interesting pack as we are going for multiple days and the current van (no repaired) is not a large one. I do miss my stow and go.
Hanging with Santa... Sheep??
Pre drive nap
This is one of Zander's favourite pictures
I got some interesting mail today… beyond the no loner lives here letters I also got a Christmas card from my cousin, his wife and their adorable baby boy! AND a package – another one from the UK!! This one was beautifully decorated by the daughter of the house. Another package to hide from the kiddos of course. But I feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends.
Such a lovely illustration
I love their family picture!
Now to deal with the rest of the month, the non Christmas related stresses, the Christmas ones… they all bundle together and have managed to wear me down. BUT some time with a wonderful friend (Karyn of course), a trip to mail an envelope, visiting the library and other random fun has helped the smile back on my face. The nap in the afternoon during the Uno tournament helped the stress relief along. Although choosing to nap on the couch in front of said tournament was not the brightest choice!
Pre Karyn Uno warm up
Post tournament dance party
It is odd not to have a million commitments to my time though a few rare things are outstanding. We have not done much by the way of homeschooling lately, just our Advent colouring BUT tomorrow we will probably catch up on our Bible verses. They were so over done from the day before’s party that really settling them to learning was not possible.
Of course I got lazy and chose bath and library book over resizing pictures… so this is being posted the next day (oops) and will be followed by ANOTHER blog post! Sorry all… Christmas is almost here and I am determined to squeeze some relaxation here and there anyway! Merry Almost Christmas! Enjoy the Christmas video! Sorry just one for two days!
