A Farmhouse, Pontiac County, Quebec

As soon as we turned onto the road to my cousins’, we both relaxed. Our shoulders dropped, and our breathing became more even, deeper.

’ve been coming to visit my cousin in Pontiac County for nearly five decades. She has lived in this particular house for many, many years. It’s an old farm house, with all the traits of those classic farm houses from the mid-1800s – wood-frame construction,

gabled roof,

multi-pane windows,

sloping stairs because the house has settled into its position,

a delightful double parlour,

a repurposed summer kitchen,

a front porch,

a back stoop.

My cousin has created a screen porch which is an extremely comfortable place to relax for three seasons of the year. It is unheated, so in winter the room is not quite as accommodating. Nigel enjoyed reading the wide selection of magazines here.

The yard is full of mature flower gardens,

a vegetable garden,

and a pumpkin patch. A giant pumpkin grows there every year. Sometimes it is a prize-winner, sometimes it gets honourable mention at the annual competitions. The pumpkin is in early stages of growth during this visit.

Scattered around the yard are several seating areas

including a welcoming patio area from which visitors can enjoy the view over the back yard.

The Laurentian Shield Pre-Cambrian rocks extrude here, adding ancient undulations and a geographic bas-relief to the landscape.

My cousin has supplemented that natural sculpture with whimsical garden sculptures of her selection. In the gardens

at unexpected spots around the yard,

and supplementing the grace of the small fountain and pond.

And on the walls

When thunderstorms and lashing rain are in the forecast, the area still shines a welcome.

It is everything a traveller could want. We thoroughly enjoy a visit here – good conversation, very tasty food, and time with cousins.

Plus, memories of visits during years past are rekindled. Some years ago, during a visit to Canada, Catriona and two of her cousins posed for a snapshot on the back stoop. The smiles reflect the continuing pleasure that we all get from a visit to this warm and welcoming house. That includes those who grew up here and those who temporarily pause here.