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!

SUPER HERO FIVE

 Our blue eyed sweet boy turns 5 today!

A fun day celebrating with his school buddies at 

"Your Way to Play"

Today - we will see him for his super hero birthday supper.

The cake is ready to go ...

His mommy and daddy have planned a wonderful celebration

Bless you and keep you sweet always my little love, Sully!

You are loved - more than you can ever know.

Until next time ... feeling the sting of the second round of special days without my beloved Jim.

A quick update:

Such a sweet super hero boy!

Three days later was his Popa's 2nd birthday in heaven

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!

Farmer's Daughter

And "sew" it begins again ...

February,

doing almost exactly what I was doing last year this time.

Working on the shirt quilt for Becky and the fitting name of this block is

Farmer's Daughter!!

It went quite well until I got to the vague instructions on how to attach a border,

sewn with angle cuts and block finishing triangles, and the dreaded mitred corners - eek!

"needles" to say after much stitch ripping it is almost finished.

Not perfect by any means, but almost complete!

Perhaps the quilting can smooth out some of the imperfections?

The stormy days and some lovely bright sunny ones lent themselves

well to spending time in my sewing room.

It was a distraction from the thoughts of doing the upcoming income tax prep

(a task not quite as much fun).

The biggest storm of the year so far, thundersnow and all, hit us with a vengeance and left

deep and very heavy snow.

My poor shrubs and tall cedar hedge trees.

Their heads are bowed low and hopefully not broken.

In between storms and sunshine I was delighted to lend a helping hand

to my sister who scored these beautiful crazy quilt blocks from a 

neighbour at her summer Newfoundland home.

We just inserted the navy sashing to make this stunning wall hanging!

What an honour to spend some time with this special sister.

There were some sleep overs at their house and at mine...

So lovely to see that bay window sunset again

She's the best little companion

 

Fun times ...

Tacos for the win!

Oh and, one of my orchid's bloomed!!

March came in like a lamb but it's been "growling" in these beginning days.

Hoping this means it will go out like a lamb too!

Till next time ... watching for signs of Spring!

Love doesn't Die ... People do

 ... So, when all that's left of me

Give me away!

This quote from Merrit Malloy's Epitaph

When I read this, I was in need of windshield wipers on

the inside of my glasses.

On this eve of Valentine's Day I am mindful of the great loves

I've had in my life, from the unending love my dear

parents bestowed on me, the love from friends and family,

the love from my dear departed partner, the love from my child

and her children and husband, and from the unending love

from my Lord and Saviour.

How did I deserve so much love?

My loves

Jim and I were never ones to make much of a fuss on Valentine's Day,

however, we tried to celebrate by having a nice dinner together and

sometimes there were flowers given.

The steadfast love was all we really needed.

Ottawa 2019

Now I look for him ... in the flowers, birds, sunsets, butterflies, and

in the people he loved too.

This morning when I made my coffee - I thought of he who always

made it for me.

He was the early riser. The bed held me a bit longer.

And so it is!

Today I will buy myself some tulips to remember,

prepare a nice meal for dinner,

take a long walk along the river,

reach out to a hurting friend or two

(there are so many),

and set aside some time to sew, read or paint.

And, oh yes - I need to start preparing my income tax papers ...

the things he always looked after.

Much love to you all as you count YOUR blessings

this Valentine's Day.

Till next time ... hug someone tight today, on Valentine's Day, or any day! 

Happy New Year!

A Fresh New Year!!! 

The tree and Christmas decor has been tucked away ...

the Christmas Snow Storm has melted ...

the Christmas baking, caramel popcorn and chocolate has showed up on my hips ...

but all in all - I look forward to this shiny new year of 2023.

2022 ended on such a very sad note.

One of the Farmer's very best friends,

his college room mate, his fishing buddy, his best man at our wedding,

travel mate, and all around dear friend,

joined him in heaven on December 21st.

Almost exactly one year apart!

His wife, my friend from as far back as high school, and I are stunned

that this is even real!

God must have a plan in all of this ...

December had it's very blue notes but the warm light

has begun to show through the brokenness.

The children's programs at church and at school were delightful.

(he's looking for us behind the letter "G" - so cute)

Survived the biggest storm of the year on Christmas Eve Day and 

Christmas Day.

I realized that this was the first time in all of my years to spend alone on those very days.

I was OK though, and remained extra thankful that I was safe at home and

had a warm cozy place to be!

No one was going anywhere till Boxing Day

when we all came together once again.

And then, suddenly it seemed NYE was on our doorstep.

What a pleasure and treasure it was to spend this special weekend with

the Leis clan at our nephew's beautiful northern Ontario cottage.

Just the very best way to begin this new year ...

This place is remarkable and so peaceful ...

We were literally blessed into a new year!

And then one more trip around the sun for this old gal.

We celebrated at "Swish" (aka Swiss Chalet).

Candy Floss on the cupcake - perfection!

Life is as good as we make it!

The Lord has been so good to me all of my days ...

I continue to live with the intention of being thankful and joyful.

Living my best life over here.

Here's to 2023 y'all!

Till next time ... Letting the light come in through the cracks!

November's End

November 14 came and went.

I am thankful that I decided not to stay in bed that day...

Encouragement came from my in-laws to gather for coffee

and then to visit the graveside. 

After lunch with some very dear friends I felt the relief of

"getting through this day".

Later that evening, Becky and I had our first of 6 weekly 

watercolour painting classes.

A nice way to end the day.

Watercolour art is hard ... not sure I'll ever "get it".

Snow came rather unexpectedly near the end of this month

and brought with it the feeling of Christmas.

There were many Christmas Craft Markets one could attend and this

special night market at the Tom Patterson Theatre was so beautiful!

A crisp and energizing walk from my home ...

Regardless of the shopping opportunities however, 

my Christmas shopping is yet unfinished.

Most items that I need are still to be made or ordered online.

I just can't face the malls ... am I the only one?

A gingerbread train was created.

This was made from a kit purchased at Walmart.

Best tip I ever received was to hot glue the gingerbread pieces together 

instead of trying to stick them together with royal icing!!!

It's not all that edible anyway.

But, everytime I looked back - a few more gumdrops were missing - a mystery??!!

A really fun thing my friend Carolyn and I did was to complete making

sweet little bags from my bridesmaid dress worn 50 years ago at our mutual

friend's wedding!

Don't ask me how many 50 or almost 50 year old bridesmaid's dresses I have 

hanging in my closet - eek!

Carolyn is a confident sewer and offered to help me make them ...

This is us 50 years ago!!!

    

We boldly cut into the dress and the velvet over-dress/jumper,

using the dress as lining for the bags and the velvet for the outer fabric.

The velvet is just beautiful and I plan to save some of the pieces for the crazy quilt  

that is on my sewing bucket list.

Carolyn made 3 of these for us!

This one is for Lynn's Granddaughter!

I just love mine - my "theatre bag"

Happiest Anniversary Lynn and Jim!!

So glad to give this to Lynn this morning and to be back home while the snow and

wind rages outside AND while my furnace works again!

And so - November ends ...

My heart is getting ready for the Advent Season and for

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

Till next time ... wishing you many blessings as we head into the Christmas season.