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 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!