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 ...

I'm OK!

Oh so glad we've passed the solstice!

These dark and dreary days have me in a state.

I know how thankful I should be for all that I have

and I know that a little sunshine and longer days will lift my spirits

as the long Winter hours finally turn into brighter ones.

It's just that ...

An unforeseen, and in the blink of an eye, event

before Christmas 2024 happened.

Front end - passenger side

Rear end driver's side (where my grandson sat)!

There really are no words to express how thankful we all are to have 

survived this crash with minor injuries!

Not so minor emotional injuries perhaps.

My first and hopefully last car crash ever ...

All the airbags went off.

The other two vehicle's passengers also escaped with minor injuries!

And most of all, Sully is OK!

His little voice "I'm OK" while I struggled to breath from the airbag punch - will never leave me. 

So thankful for the efficient first responders and for

all the concerned folks who witnessed the event!

We are trying our best to deal with this set-back and with the crush of Christmas

that is upon us.

I pray for patience as we deal with all the aftermath.

The Good Lord has protected us and I must carry on with hope and faith

that all will be OK.

I humbly write this, not for your sympathy, just to recognize another event

and gratefulness on this life journey.

Till next time ... I will be holding my family just a bit tighter this year! 

Update:

Christmas was spent with those I love and

arrangements are being made for a replacement vehicle.

Happy New Year to all my dear readers!

Rosella

Hope for the Season

 

First Snow!

November 14-16 held some "bench visits" with the Leis family,

to commemorate that day/week 3 years ago!

We miss him so deeply!

and a tombstone decoration was put in place...

... with me still trying hard to gracefully accept this sorrowful day!

Today is Sunday, December 1. The advent candle has been lit, 

giving much hope for the coming season and the joy of Christmas.

So thankful for "unto us a child is born"

The best kind of hope.

The decorating has begun, bit by bit and our first family gathering with my siblings

and much loved inlaws, gives me a warm kind of hope.

Love this bunch!

We don't gather often but when we have the chance it is so very meaningful.

All were able to come in spite of the weather being frightful!

We missed one sister and BIL who live too far away in the great white North to be able to come.

We managed to do a facetime with them, however, and sang Happy Birthday to the one

turning 75 today!

It also helped give me the "push" I needed to set up the wee tree

(on wheels, as my brother noted) for a time together at my house, apres dinner.

Has your decorating begun or been completed?

How are your Christmas plans and hopes for the season shaping up?

I have been practicing each morning to make a design

on my morning latte coffee.

It's not going well.

So far I have a tree, sort of a heart,

and an angel I think (that was supposed to be a tree).

I admire the baristas that can create their beautiful designs and make it look so easy!

Endless online tutorials just don't seem to help me.

But, I do love my morning coffee non-the-less.

Till next time ... stop to smell the coffee and may you feel hopeful and joy with the anticipation for this most holy season.

So That Was Christmas!

 

Christmas 2023

First and perhaps last attempt at making a Yule Log.

It was yummy though.

The vintage Nativity Set always gives me joy ...

Mom's China Cabinet truly makes it feel like Christmas.

Oh how she loved that cabinet and I'm so privileged to be the "keeper" for now.

My skinny tree on the antique wagon fits perfectly beside it.

Christmas morning at the farm ... so much joy!

Brunch was delicious too.

Tasting the delicious cookies that came from Germany.

Truly blessed ... Happy New Year Dear Friends!!!

Till next time ... till next year ... stay well!

Happy New Year!

A Fresh New Year!!! 

The tree and Christmas decor has been tucked away ...

the Christmas Snow Storm has melted ...

the Christmas baking, caramel popcorn and chocolate has showed up on my hips ...

but all in all - I look forward to this shiny new year of 2023.

2022 ended on such a very sad note.

One of the Farmer's very best friends,

his college room mate, his fishing buddy, his best man at our wedding,

travel mate, and all around dear friend,

joined him in heaven on December 21st.

Almost exactly one year apart!

His wife, my friend from as far back as high school, and I are stunned

that this is even real!

God must have a plan in all of this ...

December had it's very blue notes but the warm light

has begun to show through the brokenness.

The children's programs at church and at school were delightful.

(he's looking for us behind the letter "G" - so cute)

Survived the biggest storm of the year on Christmas Eve Day and 

Christmas Day.

I realized that this was the first time in all of my years to spend alone on those very days.

I was OK though, and remained extra thankful that I was safe at home and

had a warm cozy place to be!

No one was going anywhere till Boxing Day

when we all came together once again.

And then, suddenly it seemed NYE was on our doorstep.

What a pleasure and treasure it was to spend this special weekend with

the Leis clan at our nephew's beautiful northern Ontario cottage.

Just the very best way to begin this new year ...

This place is remarkable and so peaceful ...

We were literally blessed into a new year!

And then one more trip around the sun for this old gal.

We celebrated at "Swish" (aka Swiss Chalet).

Candy Floss on the cupcake - perfection!

Life is as good as we make it!

The Lord has been so good to me all of my days ...

I continue to live with the intention of being thankful and joyful.

Living my best life over here.

Here's to 2023 y'all!

Till next time ... Letting the light come in through the cracks!

Life Goes On

In spite of it all - Life goes on...

The new and uncharted chapter has begun

Christmas awaits

One month has passed

Still doing one day at a time - but without him!

Some decorating and a bit of baking has occurred

Mom's China Cabinet has some new decor and meaning in it's new home

A gifted "Vigil" will forever tug at my heart.

Thank you to my dear sister-in-law - Marilyn,

the kindest, most thoughtful person you could ever meet!

An overflowing keepsake box of love

I weep as I read the beautiful words of sympathy and encouragement.

Thank you each and every one for taking the time to 

write and send these love notes.

There are no words that describe my deep gratitude.

I will treasure these forever!

And then came the shock of the "home" farm barn fire

Within minutes it had burned to the ground

No one was hurt and the dairy herd had been sold 3 weeks prior

The house and sheds were saved.

Thankful and sad ...

This was where the farmer grew up - just down the road from our farm

and where Jim's brother Paul and Charlene live.

An unexpected find was this print.

Was I directed to this store by the Divine?

It is exactly what we had looked for and hoped to find one day.

Our honeymoon, the red canoe, Northern Ontario, one oar ...

I am busy ... which is good for now.

There is much to do and new routines to establish.

I know that we will all get through this painful period of grief

but how, I am not at all sure.

My joy comes in the small packages called grandchildren.

They and their parents, whom I could not do this without, sustain me.

May the blessings of Christmas reach you all, dear readers.

Stay well.

Be still and know the Reason for the Season.

"For unto us a child is born"

Isaiah 9:6

Till next time ... life will continue to go on.

Christmas 2020

 And so that was Christmas ... 2020!

A Christmas to remember in so many ways:

*on-line church services

*zoom and facetime gatherings

*on-line shopping

*non-traditional Christmas day menu

*Covid restrictions and lock-downs

*totally relaxed schedule (no parties or concerts to attend)

*last Christmas at the farm

*outdoor and porch gatherings

*a lovely snow fall on Christmas day

*hearts prepared for the reason for the season

A week before Christmas,

we enjoyed a bonfire gathering around the firepit

complete with hot chili, hot chocolate, mulled cider, and all the trimmings.

It was cold and dreary but so wonderful to see our Siblings/In-laws face to face,

mostly social distanced of course!

Thank you everyone for coming and for bringing all the yummies!

Hot Chocolate "Bar" ready to take outside

Pictures for our church's Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Youtube:

This was a good thing since we never seem to take any pictures of ourselves.

The on-line service was wonderful and brought tears as we viewed the sweet candle-lit faces

of our church family.

We miss them all so much!

Mom's Hoosier Cabinet in it's traditional Christmas Eve decor:

So happy this piece will stay here with the farm. I think Mom would love it being passed down to the next generation!

Final touches to the "new" mailbox sign.

The smell of paint and stain,

bringing back many memories of finishing up projects before Christmas in years gone by.

During my "Noah's Ark Studio" days the kitchen table was filled with such things!

Christmas Day 2020

Christmas day came and we are ever so thankful that our wee family was able to come,

since we are all in the same bubble!

They're here!!!

It was a lovely day, fresh white snow, excited children,

good food and fellowship.

Blessed beyond ... and thankful!

Pickle hunters,

High and Low!

Final Advent candle lit.

I didn't have the proper candle colours 

this year but just used what I had.

Christ is born!

Boxing Day Text Message Pictures ... Love them so much!

First Day of our Province's 28 Day lock down - eek.

Be blessed my dear readers ...

Till next time ... here's to a healthy and happy New Year.