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

She's 10!!

 She's Ten

She's sweet as pie

She's cute as a button

She's a budding artist

She's growing up far too fast

She's my Noa!

She looks like her momma

She made me a Grandmother!

I am so proud of this beautiful little person ...

Her cake request was hockey theme

because she LOVES playing hockey with her besties.

Ice cream cake

Stay sweet, stay lovely and always know

who loves you more than you could ever imagine ...

These young ladies are growing up too fast.

Until next time ... make every moment matter. Enjoy those moments!

The Courage to Love - Finale!

I know, this has been a crazy flurry of posts! 

So unlike me.

I needed to do it this way because I was afraid that it could all be forgotten

without this documentation.

This was an epic journey for me!

OK - here goes the last 2 days of this tour ...

Day 11

On to the bus and away we go to the Schleitheim Museum

Schleitheim is where the first Anabaptist confession was forged

in 1527 and a rare copy is on display here.

The museum has a room where the early Anabaptist history

of this area is well documented.

We spent time reading and learning from the Museum's guide.

Also on display were many interesting artefacts of Scheitheim's

early history.

The museum is in a former school house

Off we go to see the famous Rhine Falls.

We will grab some lunch there.

Umbrellas and raincoats were needed on this day.

From the Falls we travelled to a special secret place

for worship, communion and reflection.

Even tho we needed to walk in the chilly rain for about

an hour to get there - it was an epic experience.

This sacred place was truly a highlight and worth the effort to get there.

Along the way we were greeted and inspected.

We arrived, soaked and weary but exhilarated to find this amazing place.

We sang, we shared communion, sang some more, and 

felt the wonder of this special cave with tears in our eyes.

We did it! I so admire my new friend Nancy who inspired us all!

The warm and dry bus was most welcomed as we travelled

back to Zurich for a nice dinner at the Hotel restaurant - King's Cave.

Tomorrow will be another epic day for this special tour!

Day 12

Mennonite World Conference Gathering for the 

COURAGE TO LOVE

Assembly ...

I didn't get too many pictures from this day - it was a whirlwind!

We gathered in the morning at Predigerkirche 

for a greeting from TourMagination organizers.

They were responsible for all the logistics for many tour groups,

including ours, travelling during this time.

Some of us stayed to admire the antique quilt display (of course)

and then for some fantastic music group presentations as well.

And then it happened ...

We stood for hours outside of the Grossmunster church, not knowing

whether we would be lucky enough to get a seat inside.

The weather was beautiful and we were surrounded by

wonderful people from around the world anticipating this 

special worship service. 

What could be more wonderful?

Success - we got in ...

Those who did not were able to watch a live stream

from the Predigerkirche

or from anywhere around the globe!

You too can view this service now.

Here is the link:

Mennonite World Conference - The Courage to Love 2025

As we exited this glorious church and assembly,

the church bells pealed and hearts of bubbles floated overhead.

This was a once in a lifetime experience for many of us.

Goose Bumps!!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/d8gQFdW0xqg

One last lap around the beautiful Limmat River near our hotel

before being shuttled to the airport.

Time to say goodbye ... 

I'm not crying - you're crying!

One last important recognition:

This guy, Fred Martin, was the one who had the vision/dream to make this

Grebel tour happen.

Forever thankful Fred and Wanda!

THE END.

Till next time .... my heart is full! Thank you for bearing with me on this long stretch of posts.

                  Fact checkers - please forgive me and feel free to correct.