Reaching High

The rose bush, between our house and the neighbors, was starting to encroach on my washline space so I had to lop off about two feet.
It seems it was reaching high for sunshine. Is there a theme here?
Not all is lost, as I get to enjoy the blooms inside.
However, it will be a while until there are more to share.

The scent is heavenly!

Loving Clean Glass

After I gave the shower an above average scrub and the blinds got a good wipe . . .  slat by slat
. . . the window got cleaned with my trusted microfibre cloths.
Then I slipped the sheers on to the rod . . . to play with the summer breeze.

Truth be told, one tiny reason I knotted the sheers was
so that they would not hang too close to the electric heater under the window just yet.
It may still go on.

I did not notice the shower door was open
until I had photo on my blog!
What is with that?

Add to my moments of forgetfulness and disorientation,
obliviousness.

A New View and a New Look

Last weekend we celebrated father's day at the family cabin . . . and ever since we got home I've been wanting to check old photos of times we've spent there over the past thirty years, but I have not gotten to it . . . maybe for a future post.
It was 1978, when my parents bought some land with a horse barn on it. My dad's biggest dream was that it be a place for his grandchildren . . . his first granddaughter having just been born. Gradually, on weekend trips to the lake, the barn was made into living quarters, beginning with cleaning out the horse manure and pouring a concrete floor. It was years before we had a kitchen with running water and a bathroom in there. Final touches were done one summer in the early 1990's . . . when bathrooms got finished and the whole place got painted and wallpapered . . . country blue and red with red apple borders, blue doors and railings . . . you get the picture.

When Shaun and Kristal moved here this Spring, an interim job before paperwork gets completed was needed . . . so doing renos on a family cabin was a good answer to their need and our desires.

One of the best changes made was to move the kitchen table to another spot, making room for a bigger kitchen and putting the kitchen sink, that used to face a wall, by the window.

 

The old gas fireplace, which heats most of the house, got a new facelift, or should I say back lift?

The kitchen table got painted, new chairs purchased, and moved into a space created by tearing down a wall near the sitting area . . . a room that was basically junk storage... now ready for grander purposes.



You can still see the apple on the back of the newly painted old high chair.



Very old, saggy couches were moved out of the sitting area. It was easy to do when there was such a good deal to be had!

The bathtub got re-caulked, the toilet a new lid. A new curtain, bath mat and paint, finished the bathroom nicely.

Upstairs, the blue railing and the dark panelling got painted . . .

as did the bedrooms. Bedding and accessories were purchased to give each room a theme. Old dressers and tables were re-purposed or painted to match each room.

The rec-room got de-cluttered and room was made for two large couches. Lots of room to hang out now.

Even the space around the firepit has undergone some changes over the years, the biggest change being the size of the circle gathering around it. After all, when this all began there were seven people in the family. Now there are 32 going on 33 in the Fall and 34 in the Spring! I know Dad (Opa and Great - Opa) would have been very pleased with the efforts made to include more family . . . and keeping his dream alive.  It was a happy Father's Day!

Story Time

I'm so glad Landon loves reading stories as much as I do. Last time we read, he surprised me with how well he recognized numbers and colors.

In one of the books we came across two brothers and a sister . . . just like his family.

When I suggested that the sister was Natalie . . .

he vehemently declared, "That's not Sissy! She has another hair!"

Can you tell why it's so much fun to read with a three-year-old?

About Doing Good

 

In Outlive Your Life, Max Lucado tells the story of Ananias and Saphira in modern day parable fashion. Actually, I should not call it a parable, because it is a true story that happened in the early church. “Ananias – his wife, Sapphira, conniving in this with him – sold a piece of land, secretly kept part of the price for himself, and then brought the rest to the apostles and made an offering of it." Act 5:1-2

As the story goes, this was a free will offering, made under the pretense that they had sold a piece of land and were giving all of the proceeds to the church. In essence, they used their gift for self-glorification. Their punishment shows how God feels about this. In fact, much of Jesus’ teaching showed His contempt for hypocrisy and pride. (Matt 23:5-7,13-14, 25)

The definition of hypocrisy is to do something to be seen by others. An act. Lucado writes, “Hypocrisy turns people against God. So God has a no tolerance policy” The world is about getting to the top of the ladder, wannabe superstars etc … but the kingdom of God is not supposed to be that way. He lists three ways for us not to fall into this trap:

1) Expect no credit for good deeds – If no one notices, don’t be disappointed. The One who sees all, will reward you. If someone notices, give credit to the One who enabled you. The question to ask is, “If no one ever knows the good you are doing, will you still do it?”

2) Give financial gift in secret – “When you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” (Matt. 6:3)

3) Don’t fake spirituality – Be real. Don’t sit somewhere to be noticed. Don’t use the right words just to seem genuine.

“Silence the trumpets …If accolades come, politely deflect them before you believe them. Slay the desire to be noticed. Stir the desire to serve God.” Max Lucado
These thoughts challenge me, because I like to be acknowledged. I like comments! But I do not want to hang on to them too tightly, looking rather for my reward in heaven than here on earth. I pray the Lord helps me in this.


Some Pretty Special Dads!

I want to take this post to pay tribute to three special dads . . . dads to our grandchildren.
Chris, Shaun and Ben . . . you are the ones your kids look up to and rightfully so.
We observe your care for your kids in the way that you provide for their physical needs, their emotional, their mental and their spiritual needs.

 

It brings joy to my heart to see you care for their protection,

play with them, comfort them when they are sad and teach them by answering their questions in a way that they can understand. You discipline them in a gentle and quiet manner. I'm grateful for the example you are to them by not only taking them to church but going likewise and reinforcing those valuable lessons to them.

Ben and Lacey photo taken by sister-in-law, Jen

Our prayer for you is that as you experience the father /child relationship, you will know how much it is like God's love for you . . . a love that sets boundaries but also gives good gifts, always with the best in mind.
Thank you for being men of honor, for every sacrifice you've made and most of all for loving the wife God gave you to walk alongside with you in this journey of being parents.

Movie Mommy

One day at the beach, many years ago, Benji was applying lotion on my legs. As he was smoothing it out, he was thinking out loud . . .  and as only a four year old could put it, he came out with "you're a movie lady." 

For a split second there . . . I thought he was giving me a compliment! Wouldn't you think? My fancy assumption however was quickly put to rest when he added, "Yes, your skin jiggles when ..." Oh ... move-y . . .I don't remember the rest . .. but in spite of being put in my place, I tucked his sweet innocence into my "mommy heart ". . . treasuring the moment for what it was worth. After all, his voice had no trace of anything but admiration.

One day, just very recently .  . . when we were having our book signing at the House of James . . . after the crowds had left and the bookstore had run out of books to sign, Ben proudly approached the table and asked me to sign his Canucks towel.



Now I won't have any fancy illusions about what is more important in his life . . .

But I have to say that the fact that my family came to celebrate with me made me feel like a movie mommy.

And when it comes down to it . . . in the long run . . . the book may last longer than the memory of the final game OR there will always be a synonymous thought about 2011  . . . the year of the Stanley Cup AND the year of the cookbook.

I Do - Again

This weekend we witnessed the beautiful exchange of vows between a man and a woman.
 By the look on their faces, one would think that the world began and ended in each other's eyes. She found the one who would give his life for her. He found the one who saw him for the man he is and wants to be.
We saw the love and commitment of the extended families as their tears of joy mingled with memories of the past and hopes for the future.

On another day this weekend we also heard a sermon about God's plan for marriage.
It is a good plan . . . destroyed by our selfish desires. It wasn't a judgement on those whose marriage has failed . . . but an admonition to work things out as much as possible with the failed relationship and stay with the present spouse.

In combining the romantic beginning with the realities of life,
I have to say that it's about continuing to say "I do" . . . just as we promised . . . in the good times and the bad times. Remembering the "I do love you" when we don't get each other and the "I do honor you" when one of us would do it differently. Isn't this the test of true love?
Saying "I do" to putting each other first and not taking each other for granted . . . nurturing, trusting, upholding and forgiving each other. It's a love relationship akin to something holy, created as a gift by
the One who knows us best . . . for our needs . . . and to His glory.

 

Happy Anniversary Chris and Julene

Would you not have loved to have seen this eleven years ago? The picture does not look too different than what you were only dreaming of at the time. Having said that, reality has not always been easy, but you have been faithful. May your love for each other and for others continue to grow and blossom.
I did not send a card ... slow mail ... so our wishes for a wonderful day are sent via blog.
Happy Anniversary!
Love and prayers, Mom and Dad

He Talked About Amputating

 

Our pastor had a very sobering message last Sunday. What I appreciate is that he is not afraid to preach what the Bible says. If he is doing a verse by verse teaching, he does not skip a section because it is jut too controversial … but he helps us understand by expositing on the culture, the original meaning of the script and how it applies to us today.

Mark 9 :42- 50

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.  And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where“the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’Everyone will be salted with fire. “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

The sermon was delivered in two parts:

1) Beware of injuring the faith of others – this is what is meant where it talks about causing one of these little ones to stumble. He explained “little ones” as those in their formative time in their faith. I am challenged to be careful of how those who may be younger in their faith or not quite sure about things, see what I do. My life is not just about me. Jesus loves “the little ones” the way that I would stick up for my little ones being taken advantage of or bullied in any way.

2) Beware of injuring your own faith – this is reflected in the verses where it talks about cutting off your hand if it causes you to sin. I find it interesting that Jesus taught with such exaggeration, but He was definitely making a strong point about hating sin. We are to make no provision for sin, so much so that we remove any opportunities where we know we may cave.

We are encouraged to grow in our love for Jesus. With His love permeating our very being, we will be salt that adds flavor, heals and preserves.

A Good Memory of a Bad Game

Yesterday I got an email casually asking if we wanted to come and enjoy appys while watching the game in the tent.



Obviously an offer we could not refuse! And when I think of it some more it was probably a once in a lifetime chance of watching one of the final games toward, what we hope will be, the Stanley Cup for the Canucks.



The game started early .. so the tent was a perfect spot shielding us from the late afternoon sun ... and the farm flies.



Terry and Lovella are such great hosts ...



We sat down in our comfy seats and I must say I was more thrilled with the beautiful table scape and setting with good friends, than the actual game going on. What kind of a fan is that?

Nachos with fresh salsa and guacamole were served with high hopes of a desired ending . . .

but as we dug into the sombrero pizza from the grill, we began to wonder.

By the time dessert was on the table, we just rolled our eyes . . .  barely noticing what was going on any more.

The heater in the tent came on and we concentrated more on plans for the future. The joy of just sharing time around the table really turned out to be about What Matters Most!

The Natural Look

Recently an article in Canadian Living, called  She's a Natural caught my attention.  I read with a smile about the number of products it takes to get that natural look. So ... I wonder what you'd call that "first thing in the morning" look?  What is natural?  According to the article, depending on your skin type, you need about eight or nine products to create a flawless "no-makeup" look.

The products include moisturizer - possibly tinted - or a sheer liquid foundation, translucent powder and a hint of blush, a neutral eye shadow, a shadow eye pencil, mascara and lip balm and/or gloss.

I looked through the list and thought about what someone told me a very long time ago in response to  my grandmother's comment that people who wear make-up won't go to heaven. I realize that, today, that would be  strong statement to make... but aside from that . . . the advice given to me was that she does not have to know you are wearing makeup.

Funny . . . how this article reminded me of that. It is kind of humorous that I wear seven or eight products for the right look.  Not so my grandmother does not know . . . but to feel . . . what would you call it . . . natural?

Baked Oatmeal

Someone once told me that handwritten recipes are the best! Sometimes this is true ... so today you can choose between a handwritten recipe given to me and the way I mostly give out recipes now. If you have not just come from there, check out mennonitegirlscancook for the modern version.

Simple Pleasures

Natalie came over with a movie, a balloon and some artwork in hand . . .wanting to make me feel better.

Meanwhile, I had purchased some polish and . . . a magazine, just because.

We painted nails and she checked out my magazine while they dried. It was very hard to wait.

The smile says it all.

 

And the part that brought her the most pleasure was that it matched Rapunzels dress!!!

At the end of the day ... we both felt better.