July 2019 Memories Post

July 2019 is coming to an end at warp speed.

I'm really not sure anyone reads or even has the time to read my posts anymore

but I'm determined to do a "made in July memories" post for my own reference.

I admit, these summer days are so full and delightfully busy that I simply can't get

around to reading all the other blogs out there. 

Please accept my sincere apologies. Perhaps when the winds change and the air cools,

there will be time to look back.

Here is my picture (with a few words) post to remember this wonderful month ...

Fun days spent with this little man - oh, my heart!

First haircut without colour - what have I done?

Time to clean up and reseal the back patio! Done ...

Garlic scape pesto making time - so delicious!

First Vacation Bible School

for our 3 year old.

She LOVED it!

Sunday morning VBS interview/review

with her mommy teacher.

Nammie found some unpainted carvings up in the barn!

Ta-da - we painted a loon. She did a great job!

Another thing that came out of the barn for a spin out the lane and a wash. 1981 (I think) Land Cruiser/"Crusher".
No windshield, straw and critters in the back - needs a bit of work some day ...
Still purrs.

A precious gift from my sister. A piece of mom's begonia. Not sure what it's called

but I think she used to call it a turkey foot begonia. Does anyone know this vintage variety?

We were invited to a very special 60th birthday celebration

for our Hmong friend Bao.

She came to us with her husband and two very young children through the MCC "boat people" sponsorship program in 1979.

We have been so fortunate to have stayed in touch with her through her daughter Ka. Ka was 2 years old when they came to Canada from a Laotian refugee camp.

What a wonderful success story for this family!

Part of the celebration included a "Hmong hand tying" ceremony where

everyone was given a small piece of yarn to tie onto Bao's wrists.

It was a warm way for everyone to greet her and I just loved the symbolism

of not being able to tie this onto your own wrists but that it had to be done for you.

Just one of the many beautiful Hmong traditions we have learned from this family friendship.

Here she is with her children. Ka on the far left. Cher who was 1 at the time they arrived is hidden behind his sister in the green dress (sorry Cher). 4 children were born in Canada.

Bao's husband Chong, passed away 10 years ago at the age of 52, just days after 

Ka's wedding day.

What a privilege it's been all these years to still be referred to as their sponsors

and to be invited to their special family gatherings.

Leis Family Tradition - July Picnic at the Freeman's Pond

Every July we have a family picnic at the Freeman Family's Farm Pond!

It's something we all look forward to and can't even remember how many 

years we have been doing this (probably since about 1984 or 85).

This girl LOVES dessert. After the huge pot-luck meal feast and patiently waiting

for dessert to come out, she came to me and offered to help me put it out.

She is sweet through and through!!!

Nom-nom!

Just wait till next year for this little sweetie to dig in!

Best part was that we got to meet this precious newest leaf on the family tree!

The Leis Brothers playing the annual Bocci Ball Game.

Camp fire to end the day...

And then, just like that - she turned 4 years old!!!!!

Put your hair in the air and celebrate this adorable 4 year old - Princess Poppy Troll Cake

A quick birthday picnic in the park after spending the day with her mommy at the spa.

I can't even ... my heart is full ...

And he decided he was going to start walking on his sister's birthday!!!
Pure joy ...

The 35th annual visit from our Kentucky friends Debi and Larry!
What a great week we had with y'all. So glad you always include us in your plans!

Extreme hot weather brought some storms too.

Sultry July evenings on the back deck.

Sunsets on Lake Huron to end the month.

Thankful for each day that God has given me. I am truly blessed!

If you are still reading - thanks for bearing with me.

 Till next time - wishing you a fabulous August 2019. Let this Summer continue.

Mom's Strawberry Shortcake

The patch is old, the berries are small but plentiful,

the mosquitoes are hungry but a stiff breeze is keeping them at bay today!

The birds are getting their fair share but we are too.

It's strawberry season over here - yay!

It's time to make the annual batch of Mom's Strawberry Shortcakes.

Always a treat!

This is how she wrote the recipe and I copied it onto the back of an October, 1975 calendar page

while sitting at her kitchen table - oh the memories!

Tried and true, this recipe!

2 Cups flour – good and full

4 tsp. heaping baking powder

¼ Cup Lard (yes lard - the real deal)

½ Cup Butter

2 Tbsp. full sugar

Salt - 1/2 tsp.

1 Cup milk – I’ve used buttermilk as well with good results

Mix dry ingredients and cut in the lard and butter.

Gradually mix in the milk with a spoon.

Spoon into ungreased tart tins and bake at 350F for 30-35 minutes.

Remove from oven and brush tops with melted butter - an important step for that special flavour!

Serve warm and topped with sweetened strawberries and vanilla ice-cream.

Makes approx. 1 dozen.

Bake till slightly browned 

and crispy.

Brush the melted butter on the hot

shortcakes to soften the tops

and make them taste extra good.

The official taste tester!

And then this happened today ... our little schnigglefritz graduated!

Milverton Nursery School 2018/2019

Well done ........... Noa!!!

Till next time ......... savouring the strawberries while they last and spending the day with our graduate.

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!!!