Closing Statement, Counselor?

Twas the last Sunday before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even the turkey in the freezer. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, looking across at an oven that is out of commission. Oh, the problems take concern us in the developed world!

2013 has indeed been a kind year to us Bickfords, giving us many blessings through new friends and reconnecting with old ones. Although the winter weather has returned with a vengeance, 2014 is filled with promises of an even better tomorrow and hopefully some more interesting themes to share with you all.

I last left off telling my tales of my Catalan adventure, I will wish you all a “bon nadal i feliç any nou” to all of you. May 2014 be an opportunity to realize all your dreams!

Art For A Good Cause

This weekend, it’s time for something completely different from my regular blog entries. This may interest those in Ottawa and the surrounding area.

Marie-Madeleine Bickford, my mother has been hard at work these past couple of months preparing artworks which she is donating to a silent auction being held at Saint-Thomas d’Aquin Parrish in Ottawa, Ontario. Many churches from relatively any denomination are seeing their number of parishioners dwindle and funds are becoming more and more scarce. This lovely donation will certainly help in raising much-needed funds and will be a fun event for art lovers.

The bidding for the paintings (oil and watercolours) will be held at 1244 Kilborn Place in Ottawa beginning on the weekend of November 16 to December 7, which will be the final showing. The winning bidders will be able to pick up their new paintings on December 8, after the 11:30 AM mass. The bidding in the silent auction will take place on Saturdays starting at 4:00 PM and Sundays starting at 9:00AM. The works will be displayed at the main entrance of the Church and the day of the auction closing will also have a pastry sale.

Should you be interested in viewing some of her works beforehand, you may see these on her online gallery. Bring a friend!

3 Must-See Destinations in South America

Here is part 3 of 3 of John Gower's contribution on South American hotspots. This is one my personal favourites. Enjoy the read!

3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

From its colorful festivals to its melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, Rio de Janeiro is one of the well-known cities in Brazil and a must see for tourists. With the outgoing residents of Rio de Janeiro, every tourist will be able to unwind and have a truly fun time in the city. Along with its people, Rio de Janeiro has countless places to visit. One of the top places to see in Rio de Janeiro is the statue of Cristo Redentor, or Christ the Redeemer, that overlooks the city. To get a better view of the statue, travel by cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain and view the deep blue ocean water below. Travelers can also find exotic wildlife on the mountain by following trails. Sugarloaf Mountain isn’t the only area in Rio de Janeiro that has wildlife for tourists to see – at Tijuca National Park, known as the largest urban forest in the world, visitors can find a miniature version of the Amazon rainforest here. With the lush greenery and natural inhabitants, the Tijuca National Park is known for its Atlantic Forest, which makes for a fun tour of exotic plants and animals Brazil has to offer.

Not only is Brazil known for its landscapes and monuments, but also for its beaches. In Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana and Ipanema are the most populated beaches in the city. With vendors who bring food, drinks, and even clothing to beach visitors on these beaches, Rio de Janeiro knows how to pamper its beach guests.

Before traveling to South America, consider what environment you want to be in and what you want to explore or learn about. Be sure to plan ahead to ensure you have the best time in South America.

John Gower is a writer for NerdWallet, a site that helps you save money by “doing the homework for you.”

3 Must-See Destinations in South America

Without further delay, here is part 2 of 3 brought to you courtesy of John Gower at Nerdwallet. Enjoy the read:

2. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

As the largest salt flat in the world, Salar de Uyuni is a magnificent location for travelers to see. Not only is Salar de Uyuni of Bolivia a must on every tourist’s itinerary, but it’s also the top spot for photographers as well. Thanks to the incredibly wide and large salt flat, Salar de Uyuni presents a marvelous photographic background that creates optical illusions due to its extremely flat surface. Another beautiful phenomenon is when Salar de Uyuni is covered in water, the largest and perfect mirror is formed, which is also a lovely background for incredible pictures, even for amateur photographers. Even though Salar de Uyuni is known for its salty surface, animals, such as flamingos, inhabit the area, which can give visitors a view of nature during their visit.

Although Salar de Uyuni is a popular tourist location due to its scenery and reputation as the largest salt flat in the world, it also is a valuable resource. Salar de Uyuni not only has salt as a mineral, but other minerals as well are found here, such as lithium, which is crucial to creating batteries. From its scenery to its natural phenomenon, Salar de Uyuni is a top spot for any South American adventure.