November Be Gentle

The month that I have dreaded so much has arrived!

The anticipated "dark" days of November have been surprisingly gentle so far,

unusually and almost eerily warm ...

expected waves of sadness and also with much happiness ...

PTL!

I pray the gentleness continues as my family and I remember ...

An unusually colourful October went by so quickly!

The Fall colours were especially brilliant this year.

My busyness was a welcome distraction once again.

At the end of September and first weekend in October I was

privileged to be involved with helping to set up some exhibits for the

BiCentennial celebration of the first Amish settlers in SW Ontario!

200 years ago, my ancestors came to farm and live out their lives here.

They came from the Alsace Lorraine regions in Europe to find a better life,

and freedom of religion.

Many were granted crown land on which to farm and live.

We heard many stories about how they co-existed with the First Nations peoples,

stories that were heard for the first time by many participants.

We sang soul healing "old" hymns from the German Ausbund and early hymnals!

I was moved and blessed by the whole weekend!

 Below is a collage of pictures of some of the displays.

It was a well planned and very interesting weekend plus ...

in addition to several Sunday evening hymn sings at various churches,

there were some well researched and interesting bus tours of the historical areas,

and a traditional bean soup lunch.

"Bona Supp" was a favourite meal in my childhood years!

 The tables were beautifully set

with the traditional bowl of 

apple butter to accompany the soup.

And - always - the cinnamon to

sprinkle on top!

My mom's recipe:

“Cook the navy beans till soft and tender”

1 Cup dried beans yields approx. 2 ½ cooked beans.  Overnight Method – place beans in kettle and cover with 4 cups water to 1 cup dried beans.  Cover and let stand overnight (at least 8 hrs.)   Simmer till tender in soaking water.  Quick Method – place beans in kettle and cover with 4 cups water to 1 cup dried beans.  Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.  Cover, remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour.  Return water and beans to a simmer and cook till tender.   Cooking time for navy beans is approx. 1 hour.  Tip – add 1 tbsp. fat to cooking beans to control foaming.

“Add milk and salt and pepper to taste – heat but do not boil”

“Pour hot soup over buttered farmer’s loaf bread cubes and several strands of saffron”. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

My sister remembers mom putting the buttered bread and saffron in the bottom of her large pickling crock and pouring the hot soup over the bread.  She served the soup right from the crock.

I don't remember that we added a dollop of apple butter to the soup but it certainly was slathered onto a generous slice of buttered bread!

What a treat!

October also brought ...

A sweet new kitten named - Spinach

Thanksgiving - so much to be thankful for ...

Glowing trees ...

Sunrises ...

A new something, something ... ?? Stay tuned.

Halloween with "Wreck-it Ralph and Venellope Von Schweetz!

All in all, October was good.

November has taken us to see the "Imagine Van Gogh" installation in nearby London.

What a treat to watch this 7 year old take it all in ...

Praying that November continues to be gentle as I go down this

sometimes very lonely path ...

Till next time ... be good to yourselves and live each day to the fullest!

Monday's Mood

 Today my mood matches the weather!

Might it be because it is Monday,

dreary, rainy and cold?

Is it because the "naked lady'' crocus is blooming,

indicating 6 more weeks till snow?

Some days are just so hard ...

However, I am warmed by emails from thoughtful friends,

messages on facebook,

and the memories from last evening's hymn sing!

For one of the first times in a long while, a large congregation

of folks gathered to sing favourite hymns.

This was in celebration

of the bicentennial immigration of 

the Amish Mennonites who settled in this area

of South Western Ontario 200 years ago!

Here is a wee clip of the acapella singing of "606"

"Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow"

dubbed as the Mennonite anthem.

We sang at least a dozen beautiful/soul touching old hymns and even one from the

historic old Ausbund hymnal!

Here is a picture of my Grandfather's copy (open book - printed in 1905)

 which is on display for

this coming weekend's continued celebrations.

September, for the most part was good.

We swam in the spa, had a fun sleep over, picniked on the balcony 

(until the wasps chased us inside), and then,

BAM - he had his first day at school!

I was saddened when I heard the news that Queen Elizabeth II had passed away.

She came to visit this very site - the Stratford Festival Theatre,

 at least 2 or 3 times during her reign.

The flag remained half masted in her honour.

Did you have a chance to watch the funeral?

I have to admit that I was very moved by it all and many emotions were felt!

The services were beautiful. May she Rest in Peace.

It IS possible for crowds of people to be peaceful and respectful after-all!

One small batch of salsa was made.

This has become my favourite recipe.

Have you ever tried painting with water colours?

There's a great online facebook teacher - Paint with Janet

 who gives free tutorials and I am enjoying

watching and trying my brush at it ...

First attempt at Scotch Thistles

My dear neighbours gifted me with these beautiful red bartlett pears

and since my paints were still on the table I was inspired to paint one.

Not good enough to share tho!

I think water colours are so difficult but surely if I keep practicing with Janet

there might be some success to be had?

My sister Marie is a beautiful water colour artist as well as my niece Shannon Leis.

I have always

admired their skills!

My sewing studio(room) has been sorely neglected all summer

and I hope to get back at some projects.

Need to start using up some of the fabric I purchased on the June bus trip

to Missouri Star Quilt Company.

So many possibilities.

Some of my favourite memories for this past month:

Bedtime stories,

Chocolate fudgesicles

Siblings breakfast

Sister's anniversaries

Apple Butter and Cheese Festival

Lunches and Coffee outings with friends

Successful Soybean Harvest at the farm

Sweater weather

Ahhhh - now my Monday doesn't seem quite as blue

I feel much better now ...

Still so much to be very thankful for!!!

Till next time .... stay well and enjoy these days of Fall!