October Musings

 October is when the trees bloom

and also when the coming dark month looms ...

My Juxtaposition

The pumpkin shaped sourdough bread has been eaten ...

A successful church fund raiser beef bbq ...

Beautiful weekend in Toronto - Opera, AGO, good food and city views ...

Celebration of Life for my friend Kathy and news of another 

friend also gone too soon...

I will keep my head up as I brace for November and the 

memories of saying good-bye.

Jim Leis - went to be with his Lord on November 14, 2021

One of the darkest days I have ever had.

My heart is still broken and breaks further as I try to navigate

my new life, even tho there is also much to be thankful for

and happy times to come!

Till next time ... searching for the light, the music and happiness.

50 Years of Goodness

 More With Less by Doris Janzen Longacre

is celebrating 50 years !!

Menno Media put out the invitation for testing some of

the recipes and I was offered that privilege. 

My old tattered and splattered original copy practically

falls open on page #158 for my favourite Meat-Potato Quiche.

The recipe that was chosen for me was the 

Oatmeal Bread

Here is the recipe as copied from the Menno Media website:

Oatmeal Bread

Yields 2 loaves

"Widely cited as one of the favorite More-with-Less

recipes, this oatmeal bread is wonderful for sandwiches"

Oatmeal Bread

Combine in a large bowl:
1 c. quick oats
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 T salt
2 T butter

Pour over the above mixture:
2 c. boiling water

Stir in to combine.

Dissolve:
1 pkg dry yeast (or 1 T) in
1/2 c. warm water

When batter is cooled to lukewarm, add yeast.

Stir in:
5 c. white flour

Once the flour is mixed knead the bread for 5-10 minutes. (I used my stand mixer for 5 minutes or so. I think that it could have used longer so I will try that next time). Place in greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled (I think this took an hour or so). Punch down and let rise again (Once again I think it took an hour or a bit more).  Shape into 2 loaves and place in greased 9x5x3 pans. Bake at 350 F for 30-40 minutes. Cool and brush with butter. Eat this bread with your friends and family, good bread is meant for sharing.

I really enjoyed baking this bread - a huge change from

my typical sour dough and white bread recipes.

This bread is especially good as a breakfast bread - toasted

with honey is amazing.

Mixing the batter smelled and tasted like comforting warm oatmeal porridge.

I used my Mixer to stir in the flour before kneading. 

For the first batch I used 1/4 Cup of Rye Flour.

It turned out fine but I think the whole wheat loaves seemed

a bit lighter, tasting just as good.

Do you use the More-with-Less Cookbook?

I can't wait to receive my "50th Anniversary" edition.

Till next time ... enjoying these last gasp of summer days.

Mid Summer

Mid-Summer 2026

 Where did June and July go?

Where did my chutzpah go?

Seems impossible that the time has passed so very quickly these last 2 months.

Only a few sprinklings of pictures help to tell the story ...

One cygnet was hatched ...

But not the other one!

A backyard Paella Party

to celebrate some 

milestones!

So much fun and so delicious.

And then a jamming party ...

Ontario Strawberries were exceptional this year.

Hilda's Asian Chicken Salad and asparagus salad!

I could eat this on repeat.

Our quilt club took on a huge project.

One of the members passed away recently and left boxes and boxes of

fabric and all things quilting.

Some members decided to create a quilting "garage sale" with

all the proceeds to be donated to the hospice in

her honour.

The sale raised over $7,000.

In the midst of this material, a beautiful unfinished wall hanging was

discovered - pieced entirely from colourful silk fabric.

I couldn't resist to purchase and finish it.

It now hangs in it's perfect intentional spot!

Meanwhile Summer 2026 has begun and is in fact in

full swing ...

Fun times with my grandchildren.

Including breakfast on the roof top ...

FIFA watch party in the barn with relatives from Argentina.

Guess who we cheered for?

Orange smoky skies from the Northern fires ...

She turned 11 and only one measly picture of her ice-cream cake!!

My sweet Noa ... you are a blessing to me in every way.

I love you and pray that you will continue growing into a kind and beautiful

young lady (just don't grow so fast)!!!

Our attempt at making sun prints with very little to no sun.

Have you ever tried this?

It was fun ...

Quality time with Ruth and Ruby!!!

(and with Ruby's whole gang from Argentina).

Such a privilege and rare opportunity.

In the meantime ...

With a new Air Conditioner installed,

door lock pads repaired,

outside water tap repaired, 

we welcome August.

Please slow down dear summer of 2026.

Bring back some energy and chutzpah ...

Till next time ... enjoy the remaining summer "daze". These are the times to make memories.

The Merry Month of May ...

 ... is in it's final weekend!

Many, many times I've said how quickly time flies.

Truth!

May 2026 for me was a month of the busiest and "bestest" of times.

A month filled with new possibilities, fresh leaves, wonderful concerts,

a sprinkling of operas, theatre performances, a weekend in the big city,

flowers, rhubarb, lilacs, bike trail riding, cottaging, and some sorrow to temper it all.

My backyard/pond bird list so far this Spring:

Orioles

Blue Jays

Cardinals

Robins

Starlings

Sparrows

Finches

Red Wing Blackbirds

Herons

Loons

Merganser

A bald eagle!

Hummingbird

Morning Doves

and

 Swans sitting on a nest with cygnets coming soon!?

There are no words to express my thankfulness

for a life that continues on with fullness and hope.

I have my moments but

am trying to do my best!

How were your May days?

Till next time ... here's to June and the beginning of a fresh new summer! Be kind to each other.

April Showers

April showers bring May flowers ... so the saying goes.

Tho it's been more like "brings Spring flooding" to so many areas.

All that Winter snow along with heavy rains seems to be a huge factor.

So happy to welcome these two into my back yard.

A nice surprise.

2 of the famous Stratford Swans

Let the nesting begin!

I've nicknamed them Swanson and Delilah.

What a privilege we had to witness an organ duo rehearsal by

organists Peter Nikiforuk and Angus Sinclair,

in Kitchener, Ontario.

Concert goers are in for a very rare treat.

(copy the youtube link below the picture to listen - hoping this works since

I can't seem to make it play on the picture)

https://youtu.be/7kKn-yU_9Ws

Celebrated this guy in beautiful Niagara-On-The-Lake.

A milestone birthday!

Stratford's Festival Gardens are beginning to bloom,

chasing away the April Shower blues.

Also enjoying my front yard "Lenten roses" in the rain.

7 birthdays for my favourite little boy!!!

Seems to be a hot wheels, rock candy, and chocolate theme thru the years

Making wishes come true ...

And now he's 8!!!!

My sweet boy, my wish come true! How are you growing up so quickly?

You truly light up our lives ...

May God bless you always.

Till next time ... bring on those May flowers and stop to admire them. They grow so quickly!

Marching On ...

 March came in like a lamb and is marching on ...

It's hard to believe that January 4th was my last post.

I made it through the Winter bomb of 2025-2026!

In the meantime, most of that crazy snow has melted,

and a lovely 3 weeks were spent in sunny Argentina!

It was such a balm for me ...

to escape the snow and to spend time with and travel with Dan.

So wonderful to get reaquainted with his sister

and meet her beautiful family.

What a privilege!

She has lived there for many decades.

I can't begin to tell you what a difference she has made

to many, many lives in Argentina!

A week in Buenos Aires, 

A week in Trenque Lauquen,

A week at the incredible Mar Azul beach,

and a finale few days in La Plata.

Ruby - Most beloved "Abuela"

Long walks on the beach

Yesterday - it was time to get serious and have an

Easter Butter Lamb party!

What fun - some pictures may be blurry due to butter smeared

on the camera lenses - lol!

These are my former and retired Grebel co-workers.

We get together, almost every month, for coffee and fellowship.

The Grebel Gals - what a fun bunch!

And here they are ... a whole flock of them.

Does this mean March might be Marching out like a lamb too?

Till next time ... be blessed in this upcoming most Holy Week as we prepare our hearts

Picture by Cheri

Twenty Twenty Six

2026 ...

A quote I've heard recently that has resonated

with me:

"Entering 2026 with Open Hands.

Open Hands for Miracles

Open Hands for Endings.

Not gripping the past,

not forcing the future!

Because life flows better when you let it."

It's made me stop to think - why do I rush through my days?

I long to smell the good coffee and open my eyes

to the beauty there is to behold.

Why do I try to force the future?

2026 - Be Gentle:

Stopping to taste the goodness in my life ...

To not forget nor to hold on to the past ...

Acceptance that my life will never be as it once was ...

To be open to new possibilities and adventures ...

Spend more time with family ...

To accept the things beyond my control with grace ...

Focus on the good  ...

Travel when the opportunity comes my way ...

Make way for new friendships and relationships ...

Nurturing the old and precious friendships ...

See the "big picture" with an open heart ...

Pray for peace in the world ...

Strive to see the light ...

Opening my hands for what is ahead ...

So much to live for and be thankful for!!

When he brings delicious

NYE Salmon Lox on fresh bagels with a glass of Kir!

A "stop rushing around" day

spent with my precious grandchildren.

Ice-sickle Castles and playing in the snow

is what the day ordered!

Stopping along the way to admire the BEAUTY in all that whiteness ... 

Stopping to admire my "gand-pup" Frankie!

What a beauty she is.

Celebrating yet another trip around the sun!

Thankful for good health, a wonderful family, and dear friends who

make the years rich and happy. 

Till next time - Keeping my hands and heart open. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Be blessed and stay well ...

Winter's Solstice

Winter's Solstice

"A time to end cycles,

welcome new beginnings,

and release what no longer serves us.

The darkest day of the year,

on which we celebrate the journey

to regrowth,

rebirth,

and moving towards the light!"

This is his 5th Christmas in heaven

and I have yet to learn how to live life without him.

I have been waiting for the light to become

just a whisper earlier every day 

and now it begins ...

I don't know what life has in store for me

but here I am,

on the cusp of new beginnings.

Lord, give me the courage to step fully into this new light!

Till next time ... enjoy the sparkle, light and joy that Christmas brings!