The Merry Month of May ...

 ... is in it's final weekend!

Many, many times I've said how quickly time flies.

Truth!

May 2026 for me was a month of the busiest and "bestest" of times.

A month filled with new possibilities, fresh leaves, wonderful concerts,

a sprinkling of operas, theatre performances, a weekend in the big city,

flowers, rhubarb, lilacs, bike trail riding, cottaging, and some sorrow to temper it all.

My backyard/pond bird list so far this Spring:

Orioles

Blue Jays

Cardinals

Robins

Starlings

Sparrows

Finches

Red Wing Blackbirds

Herons

Loons

Merganser

A bald eagle!

Hummingbird

Morning Doves

and

 Swans sitting on a nest with cygnets coming soon!?

There are no words to express my thankfulness

for a life that continues on with fullness and hope.

I have my moments but

am trying to do my best!

How were your May days?

Till next time ... here's to June and the beginning of a fresh new summer! Be kind to each other.

Rhubarb and Quilts

It's been awhile since I've posted anything ...

Many things for me to "journal" here!

A new King - did you watch the crowning?

I found it intriguing and, yup, I got up early to watch!

The traditional ceremony reminded me of the biblical stories of

how ancient Kings were appointed and anointed by God.

Made some tea biscuits to enjoy with my very early morning coffee ...

I have also been binge rewatching "The Crown" on Netflix

There was a heavenly birthday in April and I was smitten by all the feels!

At the same time I was smitten with a very good dose of Covid too - that certainly

didn't make things easier.

BTW the "Farmer's Daughter" Quilt is at the quilters.

Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Speaking of quilts .... I went to a most wonderful quilt show,

Piecemakers Quilt Show in St. Mary's, Ontario

I literally stood in awe of the talent and beauty.

This display was my favourite ...

The sponsoring Stonetown Guild challenged it's members to make a 

20" X 20" quilt, any theme, but using mostly Green and Blue fabrics.

I love these creative pieces

At the end of May the Mennonite Central Committee's annual Relief Sale

took place in New Hamburg - more quilts galore and more!!

(perhaps I should rename my blog to Rhubarb & Quilts?)

The Friday Evening 4 part Hymn Sing - so lovely!

Also, once again our church supplied the Rhubarb for Relief stand 

at the sale. We sold all the rhubarb and made a pure profit $1,065.00 for relief.

I think my rhubarb patch at the farm has never been as good as this Spring!

A few pies and a few batches of muffins have been made so far.

Last November in my "November Be Gentle"  I posted a photo

of something in a box that had arrived on my front porch 

from British Columbia ...

It's out of the box and I'm loving it ...

my new e-Bike made by RIZE.

Trail Riding with Family and Friends

The trails around here are awesome ... a Mother's Day Gift from

my dear son-in-law for his mom, Becky and I to go on a walk

along the trail, led by a local herbalist Evelyn Mueller The Lion's Tooth.

What a great experience ... we only walked a few metres it seemed and

identified so many plants that have medicinal, culinary, and historical significance

(i.e. dandelion, St. John's Wort, horsetail, cramp bark, raspberry leaf, garlic mustard,

and plantain). We enjoyed a delicious foraged dandelion summer drink, a creamy herb spread

on nettle infused sour dough bread!

We even made a plantain Tincture!

THANK YOU EVIE

My front porch needed some love 

so I decided to chalk paint this old chair.

It was from our old church building and used by the quilters

for many years. I was able to get one of them.

Also, notice the church bench that now sits 

on my back porch.

It too was from our old church and purchased at an auction

for approximately $30 several years ago.

Perfect for the back porch.

A light sanding, one coat of paint,

some more light sanding,

and wax was all it took.

I love it as my "fern stand" at the front door.

This past Sunday my sister and I had the privilege to host a baby shower

for my niece.

She had her first baby during covid - no shower, just visitor views

through their patio doors!

Now baby #2 has come along and we knew we had to properly celebrate these

two adorable new leaves that have been added to the Gerber family tree.

We are blessed ...

The chatter and fellowship was just what this heart needed!

Family!!!!

The summer solstice is nearing and there is always much to be thankful for

even tho a 50th anniversary is not to be ...

Till next time ... stay well and stop to admire the quilts and taste some wild herbs or rhubarb!

May and June 2022

 What happened to May and now June???

So thankful that I took a few pictures here and there 

to help me remember.

It's been a bit of a blurrrr

Things have become rather real - and not in a good way for the most part.

Sigh...

But I'm OK and God is Good!

Life continues to march on in spite of me.

I will attempt to do a picture parade to help me recall these last number of weeks.

Walks in the park - Spring sprang and babies were hatched!!!

So nice to be back to "in person" church

again and to enjoy a fun Mother's Day Tea

during Junior Sunday School hour!

Rhubarb season came with a vengeance this Spring

Pies and tortes were enjoyed

Our church Mission's Committee sold approx. $700 worth of fresh donated rhubarb 

at the MCC Relief Sale in New Hamburg!

It was so nice to be able to take part in the Relief Sale again after a 2 year pause.

The quilts were incredible and the feature quilt sold for $20,000 and then someone also matched that amount as a donation!

There is so much need in our world today and MCC (Mennonite Central Committee)

sure does their part in providing relief where it's most needed.

Best garden helpers any Nammie could ask for!

The patio got a new umbrella this year. I love the cheerful colour compared to the old faded black one.

Amazing what you can find on Wayfair and Amazon!

Another purchase made - probably the biggest one I'll ever make on my own!

Hope I made the right choice and no, it wasn't on Amazon - smile!

I did have Becky and Patrick help walk me through the whole process - thankfully.

I'm officially the little old lady that drives her car to church and to the grocery store ...

and to the farm of course!

Then this happened ... my sweet sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Glennis and Mark,

 signed me up for a quilter's bus tour to Hamilton, Missouri

to visit The Missouri Star Quilt Company,

a place I've always wanted to visit.

There is a great story behind this little mid-western town and I've been following

their quilt tutorials for many years.

My dear sister, Evelyn, came along too to share a room with me.

She has a good interest in quilting as well and is a superb travel mate.

What fun we had ... 20 expert quilters and the four of us on tour!

We were out of our league but it was fun to travel again and spend time with these dear people.

Caught in a down pour under the covered bridge

at Essenhaus in Middlebury, IN

We had to ditch our shoes and run bare foot back to the Inn.

I hope that I can fondly look back and glean much inspiration from this experience.

Thanks so much Glennis for organizing this and to Evelyn for coming along!

The bigger than life star of Missouri Star, Jenny Doan. Wishing I could have met her in person.

One of the thrills for me was to visit Shipshewana, Indiana and to 

stand on the Theatre steps where my famous friends (The Mennonite Girls Can Cook ladies)

viewed a production that was written about them.

Well now it's back to reality and this little sweetie

spent the day with me on what would have been mine and Jim's 49th wedding anniversary!

A welcome distraction to the day.

Strawberry Season has arrived!

7 months ...

Till next time .... welcome to Summer 2022. Wishing you good health and flowers ...

Family Picnic 2017

First Sunday in June is usually our Family Picnic time!

This is my side of the famjam and we are a very large group when 

everyone is together (upwards of 60 or so).
Our attendance this year was 37 - still a great turn out!

The old tent was up, the weather was holding and we were as ready as we could be

to welcome those who could come.

The theme was "let's celebrate Canada"

After all, this is Canada's 150th birthday year!!

The visiting went on during

the pot-luck picnic!

There was SO much good food and

of course, I didn't get pictures of the feast. There was pulled pork, pulled chicken, amazing salads, meat balls, croissant sandwiches, veggie trays, Kentucky Fried Chicken, baked beans and oh so much more ...

This bunch sure knows how to cook!

Sweet Kate was the youngest addition to the Gerber Family.
She's adorable!

Relaxing under the Apple Tree

Did I mention dessert? Oh my!!

There were butter tarts (of course), maple leaf cookies (of course),

brownies, watermelon, amazing pie, rhubarb dessert (recipe link below), and more!!!

Whew, we were filled to the brim.

Soon after dessert when the adults were FINALLY finished eating,

the farmer beckoned the children to a hayride.

All aboard!

And off they went - out the "bush lane" as we call it.

Noa came too and was greeted by some adoring cousins.

Sister with her daughter-in-law, looking at an old family picture album.

This is why we take pictures - so we can share and remember - right?

Nephew Matthew always entertains us - our very own "famjamboree".

Cousins doing some "catching up" and enjoying the little ones!

Bubbles!

She loves bubbles.

Dads teasing!!!

An absolute joy to see my siblings, their children and their grandchildren

on this lovely sunshiny day on the farm.

The farmer and I want this old farm to be a welcoming place and are so very 

blessed to be able to share it with family and friends.

This rhubarb dessert recipe was posted a few years ago on this post:

Till next time ......... celebrate!

Backyard Feather Music

The hills trees are alive

with the sounds of birdies ....

Indigo Bunting - so excited about this one.

I am loving my back yard these days!

Flocks of finches

Red Breasted Grossbeak

The elusive Oriole sits on top of the old apple tree

and sings like a Robin who's had voice lessons - so beautiful!
I just can't seem to get a picture of him .... maybe tomorrow.
The hummingbirds are swarming the feeder - it's wonderful.

The rhubarb is growing by leaps and bounds and I can't wait to make Lovella's "Roasted Rhubarb Scones" this weekend!

Loving Spring and all it offers! So thankful ....

Till next time - looking forward to some more birdwatching in a few short days at MacGregor Point with dear friends ...

A Pie for May

May's Pie of the Month

has to be Rhubarb!

My patch is at the right stage

for the pickin'

I tried a new recipe this time,

one with a "lid"

and I wasn't disappointed

even though I still 

love my favourite rhubarb pie recipe the best.

Old Fashioned Covered Rhubarb Pie

1 unbaked pie crust plus enough pastry for a lid

4 Cups chopped fresh rhubarb

1 Cup sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 Tbsp. orange zest

6 Tbsp. flour

A good knob (2 Tbsp.) butter

Preheat oven to 450F.

Mix the sugar, flour, cinnamon and orange zest

Put 1/4 of mixture into the bottom of pie shell

Top with the chopped rhubarb

Sprinkle with remaining sugar and flour mixture

Dot with the butter
(do this before you put the lid on so you don't have to peel back your carefully placed pastry because you forgot - don't ask me how I know this :-)

Cover with top pastry and seal the edges

Bake at 450F for 15 minutes and then lower heat to 350F for another 40 to 45 minutes.

Serve warm or cold with ice cream or custard.

His - he really liked it!

Her's - she was wishing for ice-cream to go with it.

Till next time ...... I can hear the Rhubarb growing !!