Boxes and Story Time

 

It's not that I've made a point of collecting boxes but in one way or another they have become a collection because I've kept them.  I guess I like boxes!  The oldest box in the collage is a jewelry box that opens on top and has a drawer in the bottom. The grandgirls enjoy poking through it, especially since it's in the room they sleep in. Some of the boxes have significant meaning attached to them. The hand carved box is from Indonesia, the delicately crafted marble box with beautiful stone insets is from India and the smooth wooden lacquered box is from Russia. Others are simple inexpensive decorative boxes. Any one of them can hold mysteries and things I've long forgotten about. I think my favorite thing to put in boxes is cards, letters and notes.

In the back of my mind I had thought about doing a post about my boxes one day . . . or maybe not. (Random thoughts of a blogger.) Then, yesterday's story time with Landon and Koen brought my thoughts to the forefront again and after they left, I picked up my camera.

Max Lucado has written some stories about a wood carver named Eli and the Wemmicks he has carved to live in Wemmicksville. In You Are Mine, Punchinello notices that other Wemmicks are collecting boxes to the point that it becomes a race in who can acquire the most. The message he gets from what he sees is that good Wemmicks have a lot and not-so-good Wemmicks have little. Punchinello falls for the trap and goes to sell all he has in order to buy as many boxes as he can. He works overtime and he has no time to play or spend with friends. Things become even more intriguing with the possibility of getting boxes with names on them, so everyone can see what special store they came from.
Punchinello works himself to a frenzy and to a point where he crashes right at Eli's workshop. This is where he and Eli sort everything out and come to the conclusion that it's not what you have that counts, but who you are.

Now, I realize that the boxes in the story do not fit into neatly packaged ones such as I have shown, but that does not mean I do not have them. That is what I like about these stories. They are written for the adult as much as for the child.

The next story we read was called, If Only I had a Green Nose . . .

 

When Three is not a Crowd

The sun was out on a Thursday morning and they were happy to play outside!
One of them remembered that last year they got to eat lunch at a little table
 and thought it would be fun to do this again!
Looking at the fact that there were only two tiny chairs and three kids I thought
that this would maybe not be a good idea.

I was expecting a battle from one who did not care last year
 to one who cares to the extreme about where he sits today.
But they helped me take out what they wanted from the shed and
 I went inside the house to start lunch.
When I came out they had it all figured out!
I am almost sorry I missed the process of how this happened . . .
a table for two becoming a table for three without my intervention.
I count my blessings when things go smoothly.
because things are not always so.

Bride Wears her Mother's Dress

I'm not quite sure why I find family weddings rather emotional.

With this one, the tears threatened when I saw Rosalynn in her mom's wedding dress,

Here she is, my only sister, the one I stood up for in a Once Upon a Time land.

 

Being an auntie gives me some special privileges and I got to go and see Rosalynn  as she was waiting in the library before the ceremony started. I took some quick impromptu shots in case I would not have much of a view later.
Now, if you look at the back of this dress, I will point out some little changes made to it. The original dress had a zipper all the way to the top. Rosalynn wanted a lace up idea. Since the sweetheart neckline did not lend itself to a full lace up, the seamstress came up with a unique idea, using a tear drop opening. I was told that quite a bit of the lace at the bottom of the dress was removed and then the flounce part of it was picked up a bit more. The veil was switched up with a simple blusher.

 

 Our artsy, movie loving couple used old frames and chalkboard ideas for their props. Their guest book was a beautiful photo album that guests signed wherever they pleased.

During the weeks before the wedding, mother and daughter spent many hours making the paper flower bouquets for tables, bridesmaids and the bride.

The ceremony . . . I could have enjoyed it a bit longer! Such a significant covenant . . . so short
 . . . the bridal party came in . . . I could not even catch the flower girl and ring bearer as they raced by . . .the couple  made their vows . . . they signed . . . there was a grandparent's prayer
and they were pronounced husband and wife.

At the reception we enjoyed a catered Mexican buffet and then desserts made by the family.
There was a lot of chatter and family heading to different tables to catch up with each other.

 

I saw Bob and Monika still smiling after 33 years . . .

oh . . .  and it's their fourth and last to be married.

Maybe that plays into it.

The girl cousins came and asked if I'd take a photo of them . . .
Naomi, Chelsea, Kristal, Julene, Katie,
Carmen, Rosalynn and Larissa. We missed Kari.
And if you look closely . . . three babies are on the way.
So much fun!

 

The wedding cake was definitely eye catching!
So uniquely made for them by Erin Toews.

 

Rosalynn and Mark . . .
 thank you for allowing us to be part of your day!

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
 bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3

A Walk Down Memory Lane Visitor

 

Lilly was my Sunday School teacher when I was in Grades 10 and 11. Yes, about the time I was falling in love with my H. Isn't  she a beautiful lady? She now lives in Winnipeg, but she called me last weekend to let me know that she was in the area and would love to get together. ( She had seen an ad for the Mennonite Girls  Can Cook cookbook and recognized me in the photo.) What teacher remembers her students 40 years down the road? This one does. She came over with a notebook in hand in which she had all the names and numbers of the 143 girls she taught over a period of 16 years. (We each had her for two years, overlapping with the older grade first and then the younger, in essence, doubling that number by body count.)

If I would have had the time and energy to, I could have called any one of them . . .  but I kind of kept her to myself this time. Now, it may be surprising that 15 / 16 year-old girls would still go to Sunday School. In our church, at that time, they did and most of us wanted to be there because of who was teaching the class. She was single, allowed us to call her by her first name, showed interest in our lives, had us over for pajama parties and promised never tell our moms what we told her. 

Lilly taught truth from God Word but she did not only do that. She lived it and loved us in spite of how we behaved. At our coffee time now, she eluded to the fact that sometimes she'd gone home and felt like the time she had spent preparing her lesson had been in vain, because we'd get side- racked with other issues - but she always tried to bring things back to what mattered and I'm sure she had more of an influence on our lives than we even realize.

Lilly got married when she was 45 and moved to Winnipeg. I had moved away by that time and so I now enjoyed hearing the love story of one who found love later on in life. She was happily married for about 25 years. Her husband sadly passed away of cancer six years ago and so she comes out West to see family and friends on her own now.

 

 

I'm so glad we could do some reminiscing together.

Next time she will send me her list ahead of time.

Spring at the Lakehouse

May long weekend these days is about getting some spring clean up done at the Lakehouse.
Those who were around on the weekend, came out to help. We drove up the lane to the house and were greeted by a picturesque meadow of wild flowers.
 

Buttercups and various kinds of daisies graced the lawn.

I quickly took photos before the lawn mower drove over them.

After the winter, everything looks like it needs a little tender care

in spite of the fact that I also love the natural beauty of this place.

The youngest helper was my niece Larissa's one-year-old and the oldest worker was Abe,
who has eighty years on him. The men got busy with the pressure washer and when they were done, some of us cleaned windows, inside and out. Larissa got us started on cleaning out the kitchen cabinets. Rosalynn also came along a little later, as she was busy with bridal things.
It feels good to get these things done, especially as Bob and Monika will be hosting their upcoming wedding guests here.
 

Hy H and I each had a quick hamburger off the grill, while farmer sausage was just being put on.
My mom made her bean salad for everyone. I do have to post that one day.
We left after we ate, while the rest stayed on.

Where it all Began

It was a Friday after school on the May long weekend, 1973. My girlfriend had invited me to come camping with her church youth group. The bare essentials were packed - a sleeping bag, jeans, frayed cut-offs, t-shirts, flip flops - and my dad dropped me off at the church. He hung around a bit, to see which youths would be driving and who was in charge. I sensed his care about things I had no idea about as a fifteen-year-old. Today I wish I had a photo, but I'm thankful for images that become part of us in one way or another.

Little did I know the direction my life would take because of this weekend. Leaders packed tents, plastic tarps and the food while we were organized into vehicles and headed out to Hicks Lake. I'm not sure when it began to rain, but it had a big part in how the weekend played itself out. We set up tents and the guys actually dug trenches around them to keep the water from coming inside. A makeshift outhouse was built, because there were no facilities. In the center of the grouping of tents, a fire was kept alive to cook and keep us warm; but I remember it being so cool in the tent that I got a big cramp in my leg and there was nothing I could do as I did not want to wake the other girls packed around me like sardines. If anyone wanted to wash their hair, the lake was the best option. It's not the kind of camping I've ever fallen for again.

However, inconveniences became minor issues when I began to notice that someone was paying special attention to me.  Sitting around the camp fire, he made sure I got the fluffiest, perfectly toasted, marshmallows anyone had ever made. When the rains died down and we all went for a hike or a game of kick the can, I'd find orange peels stuck in my back pockets. He even offered to take my wind breaker,when I took it off, and tied it around his waist. I may have looked innocent, but I knew this was more than just making the new girl feel welcome. A flame was sparked.

I don't know how, but on Monday, when it was time to pack up and head home, some shifting of car passengers, landed me right beside the driver who I've now been driving with for forty years! Yes, I can drive myself, but the ride is still always more fun together. 

It was a rainy weekend in May that convinced him to convince me in whatever way and time it took.
A blend of spoiling, silliness and looking out for each other worked then and still does.

Put in it's Place

Little girls drawing rainbows is not a new concept in this house . . .
but what was unusual to me was how my name looked . . .



Before I could ask, she explained that the G was too far away so she added the arrow.
You can't help but love how a five-year-old mind works.

 

Spring Beauty

While I was away last week, my H brought out the lounge chairs and patio table,


 

and I came home to a spring garden in it's prime. 

A season of promise

a season of beauty

a season of needs supplied.

Lily of the Valley bouquets have graced our home with their
beauty and heavenly scent these days
and reminded me of how God, who cares for the lilies of the field,
has shown His care for me.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day 1983 - thirty years ago
Photo taken after church.
I know this because the girls are wearing
pink carnations to celebrate that they have a mom.
Things I love about this photo . . .
sisters holding hands,
 Julene's big sister smile and Kristal's best grin.
The upside down flower.
My baby boy relaxed in my arms . . .
and the smiling photographer (not shown)



"Being a mother is not about what you gave up to have a child,
but what you gained from having one."

~Unknown

 

Highlights of the Week

The view from our gate on Monday morning was awe inspiring!
We flew over the snow capped Rockies . . . then the prairies . . .
and the province flecked with icy lakes  . . . and finally over the
great lakes, landing in Toronto, a city sprouting forth in lush green and spring flowers.
The sun seemed to be shining across the country that day.

Tuesday morning at CTV was an experience we can giggle about now.
Rushing about preparing pie fillings in a warehouse on a roll away kitchen island
then rolling it into the studio and getting it camera ready.
Getting whisked away within the last few minutes to get make up touch ups . . .
there was no time to get nervous.
Now we laugh at what we said or did not say . . . but all in all . . .
we are grateful for the opportunity that was given to us.

Book signings at a couple of Ten Thousand Village stores were times to relax ant just enjoy
meeting people! I decided not to show photos because I did not take photos of everyone
that was special to me. We met some who feel like good friends through blogging, we met those
who are too shy to comment and also those who suddenly found out we are almost related.
I met two sisters, Esther and Sigrid, who were born in Uruguay and attended the same Sunday School I did as a little girl. I met  a lady who knew my uncle in Brazil. Boy, it's a small world!
A long time friend took an hour to drive out, only to find that the store had sold out of books . . .
but we were able to have a little visit.
 She will go back to pick up the book next week.

It was so much fun to see the goodies the staff at both places had made for their guests!
I have to say this is one of my greatest pleasures - to see the recipes at work.
Another pleasure is to know that each book will be providing clean water and better hygiene for children in Kenya.

It was almost ten in the evening, when we we got back to our room. We had not even had a chance to eat dinner but were given the liberty to just order to our room and enjoy going over the day's events.

Early the next morning we were taken to the Crossroads Communication Building where
100 Huntley Street gets taped.

Lovella was first to get her make-up done.

We were taken to the set where we were miked and able to watch the segment that came just before ours, which will be aired this morning.
 here is the link You may need to click on full screen mode to see it.

Meanwhile, let me add some words from Psalm 145: 1 - 7 which reflect our hopes and dreams
for the promotional work done for this book.

¹ I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
² Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

³ Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
⁴ One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
⁵ They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.^[b]
6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
⁷ They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

 

It was a Great Day!

Paola, our publicist, (does that not sound strange?) drove us through security at CTV at about 7:30 AM.
We took note of Lisa Laflamme's parking stall.

http://canadaam.ctvnews.ca/recipes/mennonite-girls-can-cook-turn-mason-jars-into-a-whip-cream-and-fruit-haven-1.1270396

I'd love to say more about the background scences... but this is a late night posting. Maybe another time.

After the CTV clip Paola, representing Graff Martin,, took us to meet Ellen Graff.
They took us for a nice lunch at a local Mennonite restaurant. We had such a great time chatting that we were slmost late for a book signing in Waterloo.

After Waterloo, we were taken to Ten Thousand Villages on Niagara on the Lake . . .

A beautiful heritage town!

We entered the store, close to the clock tower, being met by unkown friends,
and unbelievable connections that I will share about another time!

It was getting dark by the time we left . . . our hearts full and our tummies ready
to settle and have some dinner. It was a long, full day
and I am filled with thanksgiving for the prayers and support
sent in so many ways.

For more details and photos of wonderful people we met
don't forget to visit
http://www.lovella.ca/
who obviously had more to give left after all was said and done.