The Mother of all Mother's Days

“On this day, O beautiful Mother
On this day we give thee our love.
Near the, Madonna, fondly we hover
Trusting thy gentle care to prove.”

Even after 50 plus years of hearing this hymn sung in our church on Mother’s day, I still hum this song on Mother’s day.  My Mom loved that hymn.  She loved her Mother beyond belief.  My Mom paid it forward.  

This year was a little different.  Instead of being spoiled on Mother’s day with a lobster meal cooked by my husband and the trimmings made by others, we changed it up.  We had to go out of province to attend a cousin’s funeral on Thursday.  Instead of driving over and back the same day, my husband suggested a ‘road trip’.  I love road trips.  Spontaneity is not a trait I possess; I am a planner you know!  But I am getting better.  

My job was to browse around and find some place interesting to spend the evening/night and return the following day.  It would be my early Mother’s day treat.  No problem!  It didn’t take long and I sent a text on the Wednesday before that reservations were made.  Done deal.  

We took the Confederation bridge to the mainland because we had a deadline for the funeral.  To take the ferry was risky in the off season and with crossing times not suiting our schedule it made sense to drive.  We did take the ferry back just to make it a ‘round trip’ so to speak.

The first half day was sad but the gift of personal presence at a funeral speaks for itself.  Shortly after we left Halifax we were off on our mini holiday.  Our travels took us to Wolfville, and along the way passed the familiar wineries we visited last year.  Not today.  My google app on my phone showed we would be arriving in less than an hour.  Wicked.

Blomindon Inn Wolfville NS

Approaching the Blomindon Inn in Wolfville I was amazed that this historic building was once a private home.  Built in the 1800’s it has retained its grandeur from the front and a large addition on the backside has accommodated more guests over the years.  The owner’s son is the Inn’s chef and with just a few guests in house that evening, we were the recipients of the ‘Captain’s four course candlelit dinner for two”.  The Chef’s brother is also the sommelier making it indeed a family affair.  The dinner was awesome with a salad dressed with the Inn’s own smoked bacon followed by an appetizer of smoked salmon which is smoked on site.  The main course was poached salmon with a lobster sauce and their own garden grown vegetables.  Dessert was a bread pudding or warmed chocolate brownie; both of which were consumed like there was no tomorrow.  You would think we would be stuffed beyond our imagination.  But no, we happily climbed the winding wood stairs (no elevator) to our room which was called the “Wickwire” room.  No room numbers here!

View of the Minas Basin from the 2nd floor Wickwire room

The Inn has the ‘atmosphere’ of a bed and breakfast, but offers the amenities of a regular hotel.  The hotel brochure clearly states that kids are welcome, but please keep them quiet as their guests come here for peace and quiet.  I had to laugh at that one!  It was quiet.  It started to feel like we were in the ‘Bate’s Motel’ and it was a little creepy.  However after a nice glass of chilled wine (or two) from their wine cellar, I quickly got over it.

The four poster queen bed dominated the room

The room was small and seemed smaller with all the furniture they had stuffed in there.  The bed was a queen four poster and it dwarfed the room somewhat.  The wooden trim and baseboards were so huge they took over the room.  The décor was definitely for the period and the hotel did a good job recreating what you would expect in an 1800- era homestead.  Along with the old furniture came the smell of old furniture.  There is a distinct odor with old furniture and when I closed my eyes I imagined I was in the old convent when I was a child.  Actually the Inn looks like a convent from the outside!

Our room had four windows plus another one in the ensuite bathroom.  That I loved!  I am a window freak and get rather ‘air hungry’ if the windows don’t open.  They did and offered us a view of the Minas Basin. It rained that day, so I didn’t get to browse through their famous gardens…maybe next time. I managed to get a photo between rain drops!

Spring flowers and shrubs in full bloom in the side garden

 We had breakfast in the main dining room the next morning with one other couple.  It was definitely a great place to feel special and ‘waited on’.  A Mother’s day treat for sure.  We were home by early evening the next day feeling rested, satiated and eager to host our little family the next day.  The ferry ride was uneventful and with the lingering misty rain we didn’t spend much time out on deck.  I did however brave that cold ocean mist to snap a few nautical photographs.  Our trip wouldn’t be complete without them!

Northunberland Ferry Pictou NS to Wood Islands PEI

PEI appears through the fog and mist

Our children along with their spouses, grandson and their little dog arrived the next day to celebrate Mother’s day.  I cooked.  And was happy to do it.  There was no lobster served as the local fishermen were staging a strike of sorts.  So to honor their plight I cooked prime rib instead.  

The cool rain did not deter our grandson from playing in the yard with Grampie

It was a great day...a Mother of all Mother’s days!