Hope for the Season

 

First Snow!

November 14-16 held some "bench visits" with the Leis family,

to commemorate that day/week 3 years ago!

We miss him so deeply!

and a tombstone decoration was put in place...

... with me still trying hard to gracefully accept this sorrowful day!

Today is Sunday, December 1. The advent candle has been lit, 

giving much hope for the coming season and the joy of Christmas.

So thankful for "unto us a child is born"

The best kind of hope.

The decorating has begun, bit by bit and our first family gathering with my siblings

and much loved inlaws, gives me a warm kind of hope.

Love this bunch!

We don't gather often but when we have the chance it is so very meaningful.

All were able to come in spite of the weather being frightful!

We missed one sister and BIL who live too far away in the great white North to be able to come.

We managed to do a facetime with them, however, and sang Happy Birthday to the one

turning 75 today!

It also helped give me the "push" I needed to set up the wee tree

(on wheels, as my brother noted) for a time together at my house, apres dinner.

Has your decorating begun or been completed?

How are your Christmas plans and hopes for the season shaping up?

I have been practicing each morning to make a design

on my morning latte coffee.

It's not going well.

So far I have a tree, sort of a heart,

and an angel I think (that was supposed to be a tree).

I admire the baristas that can create their beautiful designs and make it look so easy!

Endless online tutorials just don't seem to help me.

But, I do love my morning coffee non-the-less.

Till next time ... stop to smell the coffee and may you feel hopeful and joy with the anticipation for this most holy season.

Full and Wonderfull!!

 Almost two months has gone by since posting

and also since reading other posts!

September and October have been full and wonderfull indeed!

The back yard has gone from this:

To this: 

 

So very many things have transpired.

I write this, dear readers, as a journal for myself as well.

I don't want to forget what a whirlwind it's been.

The pictures on my iPhone help me to remember.

Do you take lots and lots of pictures but don't print any?

I am becoming so aware of this and need to do better.

Two full moons and many, many glorious sunrises have been 

admired these last couple of months...

The annual visit from dear Kentucky friends Debi and Larry started off the month of September properly.

We had a nice "reunion" and time together along with our friends Jan and Dave.

Always a special time ...

We hiked to "Jim's" bench on the G2G trail

Sporting our newly crafted necklaces. Friends forever!

A quick dash to Northern Ontario (8-9 hours North from home)

with close to 50 folks was an informative and historical moment for many!

We travelled to Montreal River, which is about 1 hour North of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario,

to install a historical plaque commemorating the

Conscientious Objectors from our area during WWII, 1941-43

So many family stories and memories shared during this interesting project.

You can read more about it on this link:

https://mhso.org/content/montreal-river-historic-plaque

The quilt for our church's 75th anniversary was completed

and quilted just in time - whew!

The actual Anniversary weekend was full and so meaningfull

with displays in the church's foyer, a Saturday night Hymn Sing followed by cheesecake dessert,

a special Sunday morning service followed by a potluck FEAST!

It was humbling to be part of this very special event.

Wish you could hear the harmony!!

A bus tour to Lancaster, PA with some friends, came on the heels of the anniversary.

Off we went, me with a good case of laryngitis after all that singing and celebrating,

The weather was picture perfect.

We visited Lancaster's colourful downtown farmer's market,

the replica of a Tabernacle,

Hershey's Chocolate World,

Longwood gardens, and last but not least,

the famous Sight and Sound Theatre to see the spectacular production of Daniel!

My first time to Sight and Sound. Have you been there?

My favourite cookbooks (MGCC) at the tabernacle bookstore!

I soon got my voice back followed by a rough cough.

I guess it's all going around again these days?

Am feeling much better and as I write this am preparing a "better late, than never"

Thanksgiving dinner for my wee family.

SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!!!

Till next time ... enjoy these last full days of October. Stop and savour the aromas of Fall.

My heart is FULL

Fall-ing

 Is it "fall-ing" where you are?

I always forget how much I love this time of year!

Near perfect warm days

Evening Golden hours

Long shadows

Cool, open the windows, nights

"Sweater Weather"

No need for air conditioning nor for heating - perfection!

There were some end of Summer shanigans ...

Times spent in the park...

Some new decor - mirror finally...

Some sour dough baking and gifting ...

And suddenly it was "back to school" for these two cuties ...

My September calendar has exploded with meetings, some theatre,

coffee times with friends, sleep overs, a quick bus trip North, and summer

guests from Kentucky.

More details to follow on all these upcoming events as they unfold.

One cannot say I am not keeping busy - perhaps too much so?

Stay well my dear readers ...

Till next time ...  stop to enjoy these wonderfilled last days of our summer.

Waning Summer Feels

 After Day Camp Activities and Shenanigans ...

We tried some recipes from this Betty Crocker cookbook.

"Nammie's Cooking School"

A fun time and some of the meals were good but others were "Comme Ci, Comme Ca"

according to Noa - smile!

The zucchini fritters were a complete fail and Kraft Dinner Mac 'n Cheese is much favoured

over homemade!

Some preserving and baking going on ...

Pickled coloured beets, Mom's Sweet Dills, Peaches, Sourdough

Some sitting on the back porch and watching the 

Hummingbirds and Orioles

much to my pleasure!!!

These birds absolutely thrill me!

Thanks to dear friends for the awesome Oriole Feeder.

I truly am blessed.

Can you hear the rustling Poplar Tree leaves in the background?

A sure sign that summer is waning!?

Walks in the park never disappoint!

Doing my best to keep a sunny disposition after a life changing loss.

Miss him every moment!

Till next time ... how are you filling these last days of summer. Make them last ...

Smack-Dab!

 How is your summer going?

It's been hot and wet over here,

unlike hot and dry in some areas.

The unstoppable devastating fires in Alberta are sobering and tragic!

July is at it's end and I have not much to share.

It went by so very fast even though I really tried to slow things down.

I'll let these few snaps tell the rest of the story:

Saskatoon Berry picking with dear friends

There may be some jams and pies in my future?

Swan Lake - in my back yard!

Come with me on my walk ... beautiful Stratford

July kittens, swims, bird watching, and picnics on the deck!

The best of days!

Lavender Farm outing with a friend

And now she's NINE!!!

Family gathering at the "home" farm

Binding some love into this quilt for a beloved 

sister's granddaughter.

Ice-cream on the blue bench. A fun outing!

We are smack-dab in the middle of summer right now.

Looking forward to August with lots of Grammie time to come.

Let's have a "slow" August and make this summer last.

Till next time ... pausing to breath and to enjoy these summer days. What a privilege this is ...

Summer 2024

 Happy First Day of Summer!

It has arrived with a sizzle!

Super hot and humid with severe thunderstorms...

My porch cushions have been rained on twice now

for the first time ever.

Strong South-West winds drenched my back porch

twice now - have the winds changed??

There have been many beautiful rainbows posted on social media.

I have yet to capture one.

My little "snipping" herb garden has exploded!

From this ...

...  to THIS

and yes, the bunnies needed to be kept at bay.

There are some other "little" things growing exponentially around here as well:

A big 40th birthday was celebrated this month!

Patrick and his twin sister Kira, who arrived from Calgary, had a "barn" party!

So fun.

A siblings gathering at my sister Evelyn's "Lake House" was a highlight.

She prepared a beautiful luncheon and in spite of the cool rainy day,

we enjoyed being together immensely.

She even sent us home with a coffee cake - mom's recipe.

What a treat!

A third wedding anniversary without him was spent on a

Russlaender Bus Tour in the Niagara region 

with The Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario.

As we toured through beautiful Niagara-On-The-Lake, I suddenly

realized that we had been there 10 years ago, celebrating our 41st on this very day!

Sweet memories ...

There is another quilt on the go ....

hot, rainy and humid days are perfect sewing days.

This one has me nervous - sure hope I can actually accomplish 

it in time for a special anniversary!?

Time will tell.

The hot tub has been dialed down a bit and is where I'll be 

some of the time during this heat wave.

Also, anticipating some awesome theatre shows coming up.

How is your summer shaping up?

Till next time ... stay well, cool, hydrated and enjoy these summer days!

                                               Go Oilers, Go!!!!