Silver Linings

Soggy and Sluggish - this Spring of 2019!!!

It's been awhile since my last post - perhaps the sluggishness 

has settled in far too deep?

It's been the wettest and coolest Spring that I can remember

and just last evening the farmer finally was able to plant his fields.

I don't think it's ever been this late here on this farm!

He is relieved - to say the least.

My vegetable garden remains seedless and ironically this was the summer

we decided to stay home to do some serious gardening - sigh.

All is not lost, however ...

It's been a busy time in spite of the rains and there have been many

bright days with Silver Linings...

We have been blessed with an unusual number of orioles, red breasted 

gross beaks, and beautiful finches.

What a joy to watch them and to hear their happy singing.

Fresh Oranges and Welch's Grape Jelly are their favourites

Then off to our nation's capital, Ottawa, for the annual tulip festival.

Except that not many tulips were blooming yet.

We did find some early blooming varieties and enjoyed biking 

along the Rideau Canal.

Ottawa is a beautiful city any time of year or weather!

A great way to spend Mother's Day

with dear friends on the bike trail.

The raging Ottawa River - many floods along its way this Spring!

If you could zoom in closely you would see the bottom path that

goes around the back of the parliament buildings, was completely under water.

Historical Byward Market area in the city.

"Maman" in front of the National Gallery of Canada

Silver Linings?

When it's sprinkling outside,

one must put on an apron

and do some sprinkling on cookies!!!

And during the sunny breaks - do some perennial transplanting ...

Mr. Sun did come out to play at times.

The annual Mennonite Relief Sale saw a few peeks of sunshine

before the down pours ... but the rhubarb booth sold out

and oh, the quilts!!!!!! 

How I wish I had more time to sit and watch them all sold.

So many gorgeous and stunning pieces of fabric art.

The Silver Lining to this day was when the crowd stands to sing,

"Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow" in four part harmony!!!

A long standing tradition just before the 125th quilt is sold - it brings tears to my eyes

every time!

We were blessed with a beautiful sunny Spring day (with a cool breeze) for our

Family Picnic in Stratford's Upper Queen's Park.

Sisters ...

And, this little sweetheart!

Then June arrived and so did my fragrant Lily of the Valley.

One of my all time favourite Spring flowers!

A Silver Lining to any dreary day...

In my Mom's vase. She always used it for this flower!
Today, June 13, would have been her 103rd birthday.

Then, the best part of all - my youngest niece's wedding day.

It was a beautiful day - we felt SO blessed.

Each and every one of my siblings and their spouses were in attendance

(a rare occasion indeed as one of my sisters lives in Northern Ontario and

doesn't make it to the South West very often).

I can't wait to see all the pictures ... here is a sneak peek of that 

beautiful sunshiny day:

My "baby" sister Evelyn and my BIL Richard, walking our youngest niece Elysia, down the grassy aisle!
Picture credit - our Becky.  God is Good!!!!

Our Becky!!

A commissioned butter lamb made the picture. It's a tradition and it's on Mom's bread plate!

Everything was perfect!

A Gerber Family Favourite - anytime, even after a huge wedding banquet!

Congratulations Elysia and Robbie!

We are all SO happy for you.

May God bless you in every way.

And so today, the rain has returned with gusto, 

leaving puddles and swollen rivers once again.

But, we will not fret, for many Silver Linings are sure to be in store.

Summer is just around the corner - right?

Till next time - enjoying each day - rain or shine!
And ------ WTG Raptors - history is made!!!! Talk about Silver Linings!!!

Happy Anniversary!

One year ago

we celebrated a very special day!

It was the day that our daughter

married the love of her life.

We couldn't be more pleased

and proud of this amazing

young couple.

HAPPY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
AND GOD BLESS YOU!!!!
Becky and Patrick

Photos by Red Umbrella Photography

Flowers by Stacey Nicholson and Becky Baechler



We love you
to the
Moon and back!

Easter Butter Lamb

A Butter Lamb for Easter

Today I made a butter lamb for

the Easter Dinner Table.

I've only ever made this twice before

and that was for our 

daughter's wedding table.

My mother made it a family tradition

to have a butter lamb made

for each of our weddings!

As I researched on line and questioned

my cousin who's mother-in-law

made them way back then, I found

that these lambs were created

for Easter too and not just for weddings.

The on-line Youtube video is the design I used:

• Start by cutting 1/3 off of a cold stick of butter (1/2 Cup stick) 
• Scrape some butter from another stick and use it to "glue" the 1/3 piece on top of the 2/3 piece - making an "L" shape
• Now carefully carve off the square corners of the "L" on all sides
• Scrape some more butter to create the nose and attached it to the upper part of the "L" as shown in the above collage. Mold it with your fingers to create a head and smoothing with your fingers
• To make the ears - scrape some butter onto the tip of a knife, smooth, slide off the knife and attach on back side of head on either side
• Take a room temperature stick of butter and put it into a potato ricer, squeeze till about 1/4 inch of butter comes out.  Use a turkey baster or skewer to scrape bits of the squeezed butter and place onto the lamb shape.  Keep squeezing and building the "wool" onto all sides, back of head, neck and a nice crown on top of the head till your lamb has a nice rounded and wooly shape
• Choose two matching cloves for the eyes. Make two small holes with the skewer and carefully place in the eyes
• For the nose and mouth, dip the skewer into cinnamon, poke two little holes for the nose and make a little mouth.
• That's it!  Place your lamb onto a bed of parsley or kale and serve.

Hints:

They all turn out just a little different. 

Use cold butter for shaping the body and scraping

Use room temperature but firm butter for the "wool"
Freeze till ready to use

I hope you get a chance to try this sometime

It's such fun and only takes a few minutes.

May each and everyone of you be blessed

during this most Holy week of Easter!

Till next time ...... have a great week!

The Arbor

The making of the Arbor

The Autumn before......

  ......Spring
of a much anticipated event!

A summer of preparing and waiting

The inspiration was
His daughter's wedding!

Wondering what 
future seasons may hold .....

Till next time ....... I'll keep watching out my front window.

2 Month Anniversary!

Two months ago today,

our wee Becky married the love of her life, Patrick

It was a most wonderful time

and I can't wait to see their 

sweet faces again soon - at Christmas!

Here are a few pictures taken by friends and

family on that 

lovely day.... 

oh and three that

were released as a sneak preview from

the photographer!

I can't wait to see the rest!!

Photo by Red Umbrella Photography

Photo by Red Umbrella Photography

Photo credit - Red Umbrella Photography

Till next time ...... blessings to this happy couple.  You are in our prayers each and every day!!!

Can you believe that 2 months has already passed????

All in a Pre-Wedding Week

The week before the wedding

was a busy and fun time!

I can't believe it was two months ago!!

The first shower was hosted by my sister and nieces

It was so great to see all the "big and little" girls.

Such a fun evening of reconnecting with aunts and cousins,

and great food - as always!!

Shower #2 was a Leis Family Spa night

What a great time - getting pampered

with a relaxing pedicure and snacking on wonderful appies

made by my amazing sisters-in-law!!
It was so great for Becky to see her aunties and
cousins - so rare these days!

Next was a practice make-up session
by Jen, bridesmaid and friend for many years.
Jen is a great make-up artist and wonderful Arbonne Representative.

Last minute decor items were finished.

Then all of a sudden it was the night before!!!!
The rehearsal went well,
our wonderful friends Heather and Steve,
my awesome sisters Ev and Marilyn came to get
all the food ready for the rehearsal party while we went off
to "practice".
It was a great night, the huge bonfire kept the
party warm, and a nice casual time was had by all!
After everyone left, the sauna was
preheated for a relaxing "night before" the big day.

Till next time ...... trying to organize some thoughts and pictures for a Wedding Day post!  Please bear with me on this.