Warm Thoughts

Last year on this very day we were packed and on our way to Costa Rica

to celebrate my retirement and for a lovely warm get-away with friends.

Today my cupboard doors have been flung open and

I am packing for the RV kitchen pantry ... warm food coming soon.

Some meals on the menu will include:

Steak

Pineapple Chicken

Crock Pot Ribs

Rice Pilaf

Pasta Crab Salad

Spaghetti

Slow Cooker Apple/Fruit Crisp

Chili Dogs

I'm premixing some of the meat rubs,

dessert toppings, home made mustard ingredients,

etc. to make it easier on the road and also so I don't need 

to pack too many spice ingredients in their original large containers.

Also trying to be mindful of what foods we can and cannot

take across the boarder.

A grocery list for once we are at our destination is growing.

Can't wait to taste the fresh citrus fruit, sea food, and produce!

She is waiting patiently for us to fill her cupboards and travel somewhere warm!

Eek!  What am I forgetting???

Will the oncoming March Lion Winter Storm hamper our plans?

We'll see ......... thinking warm thoughts.

Till next time ......... looking forward to sun rises, high noon sun, and beautiful sunsets on the beach, and making many more warm memories!

Life is Like a Patchwork Quilt!

A couple of weeks ago,

a stunning bouquet of roses was delivered to my desk ...

I recognized the vase and knew immediately who had sent them!

The farmer has a lot of class!

The time went quickly that day - 3:30 p.m. arrived

and I was called to Carol's desk where a fragrant corsage

was gently pinned to my sweater.

We all walked together up to the gallery where some "busy bees" had 

transformed it into a beautiful reception area!

There were quilts on display,

fresh flowers in crown jars,

pretty tea cups and saucers,
on lace table cloths.

Cheri, you are amazing!

Sparkling drinks, coffee and tea

was served to the guests.

Cheri and her incredible kitchen team

had prepared delicious  finger foods
which was presented like works of art!

A keepsake signature quilt was being signed by friends and colleagues.

Sweet words by Sara,

the one who master minded this whole event and with whom I have worked closely in the accounting office for these past delightful years!

There were kind words read from former co-workers and a sweet note from our Becky.

I fought hard to hold back the tears.

On a lighter side,

Trevor, Derek and Fred - our very own blue grass trio - performing a revised version of Bill Monroe's Georgia Grebel Rose!!!

I heard someone say it was worth coming to the party just to hear this song!

I loved it!

Here is a snippet of the song .... 
youtube link - http://youtu.be/kMnyZPH_ski

Beautiful gifts were presented - all so unnecessary but greatly appreciated.

President Susan Schultz Huxman presented this Hebron Glass Pitcher.
Little did anyone know that it matches the water glasses that we
purchased in Israel a few years ago! 

A framed quilt block - I love this! Thanks Sara!

They saved the best for last - a stained glass panel designed after the Grebel Chapel windows - this was such a surprise!

Thank you Ruth - you are a dear friend!

And then there were a few words from Ruth.

It was she who gave me this poem by Elizabeth Ryan Decoursey - which set the tone for this party:

Life is like a patchwork quilt and each little path is a day. Some patches are rosy, happy and bright, and some are dark and grey. But each little patch as it's fitted in and sewn to keep it together, makes a finished block in this life of ours, filled with sun, and with rainy weather. So let me work on Life's patchwork quilt through the rainy day and the sun --- Trusting that when I have finished my block the Master may say "Well Done". 

There were even quilt decorated cookies!!!!

I shall miss you all ................. thanks for such a wonderful send off!!!

Found the perfect spot for the quilt patch!

A beautiful hand made "quilt" card that everyone signed - such a nice gesture!

There's a USB stick, thanks to Danielle, our Winter Term Marketing Assistant, 

who took most of these pictures - now I know why they call them "Memory Sticks"!

Till next time ........... looking forward to what life's quilt has in store for me in this next chapter.

  

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, Sugar Cookies, Curls, and Quilts!

Recently I read a post

from one of my favourite bloggers,

JoAnn from "The Gathering Place"

 who shared a delicious Sugar Cookie Recipe

She had a typo in the recipe - can you spot it?

I overlooked it knowing what she meant but 

when she put out the contest challenge on her

next post

I was the lucky winner!!!!

Today, I received my prize in the mail ...

What a sweet story - THANK YOU SO MUCH JOANN!

Now - I must make those Sugar Cookies - just in time for V-Day!

This weekend was full of activity.

A party to say farewell to our long time country neighbours and

a hello to the new owners.

A good old fashioned

Progressive Crokinole Party

is alway a fun time.

We've been on the farm for

35 years and they were 

in the neighbourhood well before we were!

On Sunday was our Curling Club's annual Bonspiel.

Lot's of good fun and food,

and much needed exercise.

The rest of my weekend included a bit of quilting and dreaming about 

my upcoming days of retirement.

Only two weeks to go till every day will be a Saturday - so they say!

Till next time - how was your weekend?