Marching On

March roared in like a Lion! 

Thankfully it is "marching on" and Spring is in the air!

I can't even tell you how much of a relief that is to me ...

February felt like a year.

The world seemed and seems to be spinning in the wrong direction

and out of control.

My dear ones said good-bye to their beloved Macie Merlot,

a faithful and gentle companion for 13 years.

It's time to think happy thoughts, get my motivation back,

and get out of the Winter "slump" I've been in.

And, perhaps, stop watching the news?

New wheels and bare roads - what more could a gal ask for?

Porch sunrises and watching the snow disappear - gratefulness and hope!

A second blooming of the Christmas cactus?

It's happy too ...

St. Patrick's day. A delightful time spent with friends at a cute little spot with live music.

Spring came one day early - too soon for the porch cushions perhaps

but so enjoyed non-the-less!

Sorry if I am to blame for the cold rain and SNOW that came the next day!

By the way, the snow melted and all is as it should be -

unpredictable Spring weather.

Thinking ahead for an upcoming two week adventure in May.

Laying out and trying on some summery clothes that hopefully still fit - eek!

Do you practice packing by spreading things out on the bed?

Much editing will be needed here in order to travel as lite as possible.

These two make Spring even brighter.

Thank you God for these blessings, for longer days, and sunshine!

The hockey season is coming to a sudden close.

A very good season for both grandchildren.

Much credit to their doting dad who creates a huge backyard rink each year!

It doesn't get more Canadian than this.

As March sputters out somewhat like a wet lamb,

it's time to look up and ahead

and maybe get some Spring cleaning and unfinished projects

completed too. 

Blessings to you as we reflect and prepare for these very Holy days before Easter.

God is so Good!

Till next time ... hug each other just a little tighter

May Daze

 May brought lots of sunshine and flowers ...

quilts, swim days, concerts, theatre, coffee on the deck, convertible ride,

Relief Sale, and bull frog watching!

I'll let the pictures tell the story here.

First batch of Rhubarb Muffins.

Keeping out the "wiley wabbits"!

The Good Lovelies came to our area and a lovely evening concert was enjoyed!

Rhubarb for Rhulief - we sold over $1,000 of fresh rhubarb at the Relief Sale!

My first ever quilt donation to the Relief Sale - sold for $325

Three girls in a Mustang!

Wendy and Peter Pan with the fam jam.

Till next time ... hope your May Daze were wonderful. Here comes June!

Where the Orioles Sing

 It's apple blossom season at the farm

and true to every year, the orioles return to play in the blossoms.

These beautiful elusive birds can be heard singing but hard to catch on camera.

Their song was once referred to as a Robin that's had singing lessons!

I agree!

"Waterlogue edit"

This time of year at the farm is so pretty and I am privileged to spend some time there.

Besides the Rhubarb that is growing so fast,

The ferns are unfurling and the white bleeding heart 

is as beautiful as ever.

What a week it's been!

A very rare witness to Aurora Borealis sighting here in SW Ontario

and I captured some of the colour right from my front porch in the city!!!

Did you see this too?

So amazing ...

Since my last post of another celestial event (the total eclipse)

my sweet Sully finished another trip around the sun.

He's SIX!!!

Yup - he love's hot wheels!!!

The Leis Fam Jam got together for dinner and an ear-splitting

Eric Clapton tribute concert.

It was a fabulous concert, however, I now appreciate my unplugged

CD version even more.

I am old!

A bit of quilting happened too.

So thankful for sister time creating a quilt for another one

of her granddaughters who will be heading off to university this Fall!

Hope I'll still be able to help when her youngest grandchildren 

are ready to head off to college - they are still toddlers - eek!

Maybe we should start now?

Mother's Day was delightful spent with family at the farm.

Rhubarb Pie was baked (of course) and a bowl of my mom's potato salad recipe

was added to the table.

Patrick served a mouth watering meal of smoked chicken sliders with

all the fixings!!

Till next time ....... stopping to listen for the oriole's song and keeping my eyes looking up!

Spring 2024 is Springing - as it should

February was mild and rather unpredictable.

 

March came and went (like a lamb both ways?)

April has arrived, with some showers

and even some snow!

It's been a busy almost 9 weeks since my last post 

and I can't tell you where the time has gone.

A sparse few pictures on my phone help remind me some of the highlights.

February brought warm sunny days with a few porch lunches,

even tho the porch cushions are yet to be put out.

Also a time for hockey games, kitten cuddles and sleep-overs.

These are a few of my favourite things 🎶🎶

My first ever quilt donation for the upcoming New Hamburg Mennonite

Relief Sale in May, was finished and safely delivered before the deadline.

Here is the quilt that was hand quilted by our church ladies, also for the May sale ...

A true beauty!

Beautifully pieced by Joyce Erb

February and March also caught me in the sewing room to work on

a few projects.

Here is a fun small quilt designed by our quilt club member,

Henny Bremer, who is becoming well known for her fabulous extra small scale quilts.

This was such a fun project.

It measures approx. 17" by 24" - the perfect size for hanging.

This quilt creates an optical illusion of curves!


This sweet little quilt might be hung in my slightly "refreshed" office space.
I purchased a new carpet and a wee display cabinet to make it more 
welcoming and comfortable.
I DO NEED to spend more time in here.
There is much work to be done ... the quilts are such a tempting
distraction and procrastination enabler - eek!

Am now in search of a nice office chair.
Should I go upholstered bucket type or perhaps a comfy wicker??
I hope I will know it when I see it!

Some crocheting projects were also a distraction this Spring.
Momma said the kids could use warm snuggly blankets so off to the wool shop
I went, with my dear friend Anita who is a crocheter extraordinaire!

Made just in time for Easter ...

Easter was very meaningful to me this year with a moving Maundy Thursday

evening service, Good Friday family gathering, Easter morning sunrise service,

and our wee family gathering for Sunday supper.

Complete with an exhilarating game of Bingo!!!

And of course, the annual butter lamb and onion skin dyed eggs!

And so, this is the beginning of Spring 2024.

So many dear ones on my prayer list right now ... humbled and praying!

Thankful for our Risen Lord ...

Till next time - being intentional and living this life one day at a time. 

My snuggle bunnies!!!!

Summer in April

 Spring has truly arrived.

The snow has melted,

the swans have been released and have begun nesting,

Easter came with meaningful gatherings,

the butter lamb made it to the table,

today we went from early Spring to mid Summer,

windows open,

sun umbrella is up,

garden Spring bulbs are popping!

And the Lenten Rose is abloom ...

I love it so much but am aware that cooler temps and rains are still to come.

For the weekend, tho, summer was here!

Record setting temperatures soared,

and 4 special friends came through my door.

We yoga-ed, shopped, ate amazing food, hot-tubbed,

and had many laughs, tears, and heart-to-hearts.

Then ... we had the privilege to see a live performance at the Festival Theatre.

RENT - wow!

"Five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes

How do you measure the life ...

... Let's celebrate

Remember a year in the life of friends"

                                            Season's of Love by J.D. Larson

Thank you Karen, Yvonne, Sandi, and Karen 

How did I ever deserve to have such wonderful supportive friends?

I will draw strength from the warmth of this special weekend.

Lemon Loaf was my small contribution to the breakfast table.

Here is the recipe ...

It's one of those tried and true ones - probably from the 1970s...

EVELYN'S LEMON LOAF

(my sister's recipes are the best)

4 eggs well beaten

1 pkg. lemon cake mix

1 pkg. lemon instant pudding

2/3 Cup Oil

2/3 Cup Water

Glaze:

1/4 Cup Lemon Juice

3/4 Cup Icing Sugar

Whisk the cake mix and pudding together.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, add the oil and water and mix that into the dry ingredients.

Mix well - 5 minutes till smooth and shiny.

Divide batter into 2 parchment lined loaf pans and bake for 45-50 minutes at 350F

Rest baked loaves in pans for 5 minutes, then poke holes into the loaves with a chopstick

or knitting needle. Pour the glaze over warm loaves and then cool for 

20 minutes before removing from pans.

Enjoy!

I forgot to mention, probably because no photos were taken,

that 3 or our "only" daughters crashed our little party on Friday evening.

What a nice surprise ... so great to see them all again and for them to see each other as well.

Easter Sunday afternoon - Lego time!

Till next time ... treasuring my friends and family.  Happy Springtime (or is it summer) to all!