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 tru 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!

Let it Snow!

Let it Snow - Why not! 

Even tho Winter is officially 17 days away we are full on over here!

Temperatures dipping well below freezing,

The highways and byways are snow packed, slippery and

unpredictable for travelling. 

December 4, 2025

Brrr

At the farm - Misty

Looking the other way ... this view never get's old!

There is no denying that I don't do Winter well.

However, on the bright side of it all,

it's a time for wonderful concerts to enjoy,

heart warming soups, and favourite casseroles,

butternut squash soup

Mennonite Girls Can Cook - Mac and Cheese!

Theatre Wellesley's Fall Production of "The Curious Savage" wrapped up,

Well done all!

Porch decor done,

A young lady turned 42!

Celebration cake - a "Brookie" (brownies with cookies on top),

Christmas music, gatherings, and baking started

or perhaps all I will get done this year?

Wait - I still need to make the annual biscotti!

My special helper will be assisting me on this ...

cherry cheesecake tarts, ginger krinkles, short bread drops, peanut butter squares and balls,
and the Nuts 'n Bolts mix. 

"staying in" (in my pjs all day) is one of my favourite times of all!

"Smoker" scenting the house with Christmas

Till next time ... feeling the hope of Christmas and the courage to face the Snow!

Blessings to you as you prepare.

Stay warm ...

Seasons

 It's been a very long while since my last post!

The seasons have already changed from hot summer

to sciffs of snow and freezing temperatures.

I must make a few "quick notes" before the fast approaching Winter season is here.

First and foremost, today is my daughter's 42nd birthday!!

She is the one and only that has made me a mom and also gifted

our family with a wonderful son-in-law and 2 beautiful grandchildren.

Love you to the moon and back Becky!

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

And God is the one who has made it so.

He has made everything beautiful in its time."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

These verses have been very poignant to me of late ...

Since mid-August my "seasons" have changed a few times

and with much thankfulness I actually look forward to the 

seasons to come. 

Fall pickling, relishing and preserving happened ...

Sleepovers and fun with the grandchildren ...

Swimming, exploring, crafting and homemade ice-cream ... just to mention a few

fun summer things we did!

Those hot summer months flew by and before we knew it,

school was back in session.

Then a marvelous thing happened, just a few months after experiencing 

a wonderfilled tour with former colleagues to Europe, celebrating 500 years of Anabaptism,

I found myself going back across "the pond" to France and Germany

with a dear, new found, old friend.

I couldn't find a reason to refuse this invitation.

This was a perfect chance for us to get to know each other and to 

experience where he had studied in his early youth

as a professional bass-baritone singer!!

We visited some of his old friends and places he had lived 

but also discovered some new, to both of us, quaint and unforgettable

towns and regions.

The cathedral in Koln brought new wonder-meant as we attended a Sunday

morning mass and discovered the surrounding streets!

Most impressive cathedral I've ever seen!

We discovered ancient amphitheaters in Lyon,

ate traditional escargot in Dijon, and

frog legs (delicious) in the Beaujolaise region,

where we visited dear friends in Pommier and even played

crokinole with them one evening!

From France we did extensive travel in Germany ...

So many castles, colourful vineyards, delicious foods, markets, fountains, wines, German beers,

 friends, and speeding along the autobahns and many secondary roads

 to incredible places, sites,

 and discoveries!

It is impossible to capture all the emotions and beauty

we found and also the friendship we felt and are 

cherishing still!

He speaks fluent French and German which also was a huge bonus!

My "season to mourn" has new meaning and much hope.

Quilts were finished in the nick of time to present to

two wonderful young actresses who were cast in

this season's production of Annie at 

the Stratford Festival.

Congratulations to Olivia and Hazel (and their amazing moms)

for doing such a tremendous job this season.

It has been my pleasure getting to know you all and hosting you

sometimes in my home when the travelling was just too hectic for you!

I had so much fun making these quilts with swatches of fabric used 

for your costumes.

I will never forget this amazing troupe!

The days have shortened and the joyful season of Christmas is just around

the corner.

The house is "almost" decorated and the baking has "almost" begun!

Let us not forget,

the precious gift of Christ being born is the reason for this Season!

Till next time, slow down and enjoy this Season you find yourself in! 

Thank you Daniel!

Short, Long Story

This beautiful old fashioned summer with lots of heat and sunshine

is whizzing and sizzling by far too fast!

I have to say it's been one of my favourites.

When I think back to last January and February with all that

snow, cold and stormy days, how can I not love this summer?

Also, to be totally honest, this summer has enchanted me with

a wonderful new friend!

It's a short, long story that continues to give me much joy and hope 

for less lonely and more happy days ahead.

In other news - the bountiful harvest season has begun.

Cherry's inspired a Cherry Custard Clafouti

for our annual family birthday picnic in July.

Recipe in the highlighted link above.

Peaches have arrived and I had to make my annual 

Peach Custard Tart!!

I think I've shared this one every year - it's that good.

Just noticed that both these recipes are by Land O Lakes.

Other favourite things this summer so far:

Spending time with these two sweet little humans

A most wonderful visit from my dear Kentucky friends.

They have been coming here for a week of theatre and visiting for

more than 40 years!

Debi and I sunflower side in Stratford

Walks along the River in Stratford, spa days, and little farmer duties.

Summer Pleasures

Until next time - slow down summer of 2025. We love you!

Creek adventures

Still practicing