When You Eat Dessert First

When late afternoon cupcakes, still on the cooling rack, are enjoyed with hungry delight . . . 

there is no point in thinking about supper any time soon.

So, when Papa came home from work, we took off on a walk, while dinner was warming in the oven.

The slight sprinkling of rain and sunshine had the kids wondering if we'd see a rainbow . . .

and, sure enough, its beautiful arch had us all in awe.

 Tehya, who just started a blog was busy taking photos.

We smiled for the photographer.

I took my turns as well.

Makenna, was happy that we'd taken, not just our umbrellas, but also the umbrella stroller.

While Paeton flew back and forth on his own wheels. 

The sun was setting as we left the park and we continued the slow uphill, back home . . . 

but not without being challenged to a race and getting a snowball in my face. 

I think I'll have another cupcake now.

Snow Day

On Monday morning, while dawn was barely breaking, 

my H left for his usual morning run, but soon returned when he found out how icy it was. 

We live on a hill, where no matter which way you go, there will be a downhill and an uphill. 

I heard a slight something by his night table, but went back to sleep 

trying to get the extra winks before 7:30 rolled around.

Turned out, I never woke up to any alarm. 

He had turned it off, 

called my walking friend's home,

talked to her husband

who turned off her alarm . . . 

and we both slept through our walking time.

She called me later, laughing at how sweetly our hubbies take care of us.

I opened the door only to answer it . . . once to  a neighbor and once to Kristal.

Oh, and to take a photo of this tree in front of the door. . .

with fluffs strewn about like cotton.

On my kitchen table I have a new bouquet of flowers given 

to those of us who helped cook dinner for the pastors on Sunday.

White tulips and pussy willows against the snowy background

add a nice touch to a snow day.

With Glowing Hearts

Who of us did not grow up being told, in one way or another, that when we go out we are representing our family. How we behave outside of our home is a reflection of it and the values we have been taught. Some fathers have been known to say, "remember who you are" or" remember you are a (family name)" instilling the value of bringing honor to your family.
As we have observed our away from home teams, our Olympians, these past two weeks, we have felt that same kind of familiar tie as they represent us, our country! When others see a Canadian, they see us. Many times this goes beyond the performance of the athlete and translates to character.

We've seen glimpses and heard stories . . .

One interview that found a soft spot in me was when skier Alex Bilodeau won gold in moguls and recognized his brother Frederic as the one who had inspired him all along, noting  that if his brother had been physically able to ski, he would have outdone him.

Then there was the ski coach, Justin Wadsworth, who came to the assistance of Russian cross-country skier Anton Gafarov after he fell and broke his ski during the Men’s Sprint Free Semifinals, allowing him to finish the race with a new ski.

And what about the gift our speed skater Gilmore Junio gave to his teammate, Denny Morrison, when he gave him his spot in the race? An unselfish act of more than just kindness, when you consider how hard he himself worked to get where he was.

Our hard working athletes crossed the ocean to do their best as the world watched and they have done us proud . . . not just in medal count, but also in integrity and honor . . . giving their home a good name.

A good name is more desirable than great riches; 

to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

 Proverbs 22:1

Winter Season of Life and Love in Palm Springs

This past week we had the pleasure of escorting my mom and step dad 

on a vacation to Palm Springs.

We landed around the time President Obama made his appearance at the same airport

 for President's Day and saw the procession of police cars whisking him away.

With mom nearing 80 and Abe a bit more, we had figured out that, 

as good as a vacation sounded, it was daunting, when thinking of air travel, 

renting a car, getting around a large city they have never visited etc.

So we flew down with them, showed them around,
got them settled into a routine and left.

The pool was a favorite place to visit and I had to laugh at how we were the young ones

when I know that next time we go with our kids we will be the old ones.

Mom takes swimming serious. 

She learned to swim close to the time she became a grandma and loves it.

It was cute to see how they take care of each other. 

I noted that the main reason they hold hands when they walk is for support. 

She has a tendency not to look where she is going and he has a bad knee. 

Maybe it is a good reason to keep holding hands.

My H enjoyed calling her Erika von Trapp. 

Even though I would not be caught dead in a swim cap and goggles, there is something I really like about this photo. My mom's beauty and no pretense kind of character cannot be hidden. Her innocent comments have inspired many a laugh within the family but, at the same time, I noticed on this trip that others are drawn to her as well. She hands out tracts. She talks to strangers and while I am already down to aisle or headed to the door, thinking we are done, she is still finding something to ask or something say to someone.  She has an interest, care and concern for others that is hard to resist.

Abe, whom my H fondly likes to call, father Abraham, is our in house celebrity that people smile at for other reasons. He and his beloved first wife were good friends of the family and shared the property with my parents on Hatzic Island. When Julene was still very little, she saw a magazine with Billy Graham pictured on the front cover and said, "That man lives at Hatzic."

We enjoyed listening to his stories which he is able to recite one after the other. I smile at his little laugh just before he is going to give us the punch line. One of my favorite stories one morning had to do with a Christmas tree. He told us of how they had just moved into a new house where they had planted a nice evergreen in the front yard when, one day just before Christmas, it was sawed off by an anonymous neighbor or passerby. All that was left was a stump which, in later years, grew them two trees.

We cooked breakfast and lunch together and enjoyed a few nice dinners out. 

It was not so bad having to wait outside at the Olive Garden on a warm evening. 

An interesting dimension came came into view

as we had time to take a drive or just sit and talk.

When we planned this trip, we thought that we were doing our parents a favor, 

but the truth that came clear to me was that the favor belonged to us.  

I'm thankful we did not wait for this kind of visit until it meant
sitting at a lonely hospital bedside.

This small get-a-away will for always be a precious memory.

Coffee Table Brightener

I found this beautiful cookbook on a reduced table and brought it home because I thought it may inspire some new recipes. It has remained on the coffee table and has, so far simply been a decorative item that blends nicely with the cushions on my couch - adding some brightness to a room with large sliding doors to the winter scene outside. One of these days I may even try some of those delicious looking desserts . . . but for now the cover photo alone makes me happy.

Easy Layering

 

Looking through Canadian Living I came upon this easy way to layer and thought it would be fun to do a copy cat version, using what I have . . . clothes you've seen . . . just a quick in and out of the cold. We had some good laughs between the two of us . . . it's harder to copy a model than you think. . . and sometimes I wished he'd tell me what I really looked like, but he just grinned and clicked. So go ahead . . . and do likewise . . .

 

 

Layering is a practical way to go.

The day after this hurried photo session he asked me if I wanted to go for a walk.
I was wearing a sweater dress and tights and didn't want to change
so I simply put a pair of skinny pants over my tights
and a down coat over my sweater and sweater dress.
He looked at me and said,
"That's what you call layering."
When the pond is frozen over you do what you have to do.
We did not meet too many others on the path
but we did see some sizeable rocks scattered on the ice,
settling the curiosity of some who had been there before us.

 

Happy Valentines Day!

Last week I posted the recipe for these heart shaped cinnamon biscuits.

If you are still looking for a quick surprise treat for someone, here it is!

 

. . . and the best recipe for love we find in 1.Corinthians 13:4-7

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Cross references:

1. 1 Corinthians 13:4 : 1Th 5:14
2. 1 Corinthians 13:4 : 1Co 5:2
3. 1 Corinthians 13:5 : S 1Co 10:24
4. 1 Corinthians 13:5 : S Mt 5:22
5. 1 Corinthians 13:5 : Job 14:16, 17; Pr 10:12; 17:9; 1Pe 4:8
6. 1 Corinthians 13:6 : 2Th 2:12
7. 1 Corinthians 13:6 : 2Jn 4; 3Jn 3, 4
8. 1 Corinthians 13:7 : ver 8, 13

 

Know that you are loved!

Celebrations

Yesterday was the kind of day we all look forward to as friends!

An invitation to tour Mathew's House turned into a little party at Lovella's first.

You can't just do a tour without enjoying some food.

As I stepped into Lovella's bungalow with my pot of soup, I noticed her beautiful table waiting.

 It was like a foretaste of spring with her sweet violets china and yellow daffodils.

 

Ellen was next at the door.

When a gal drives out for lunch from Seattle,

you know you've found a faithful friend.

 

The rest of the girls came from Chilliwack.

We missed Bev, away with her hubby

as well as our friendly Manitoba contingent.

These times together usually bring out some gift givers.
You come away feeling spoiled.

It's nice when no one minds one more smile for the camera.

After our roasted pepper soup, Lovella served a yummy quiche and salad,

soon to be on the blog,

 

and Judy helped us finish off lunch with her pretty pies in a jar.

 

She even brought sparklers for our February birthday girls.

In two carpools, we headed to Matthew's House.

It was an honor and pleasure to see the finished work of a project we've heard much about

as we volunteered our cooking classes for Lepp Farm Market and they, in turn,

donated the proceeds to equip the kitchen for this home.

Matthew's House is a home away from home dedicated to caring for children

who live with complex healthcare needs.

 It is a place where children can be left in the hands of experienced caregivers
and all of the medical equipment necessary to provide a safe place,
so parents can get some much needed rest.

 

This is a dream come true for Doug and Andrea Froese, who themselves experienced the day to day challenges families face as they cared for a child with physical needs.

We celebrate with them and know that many families will be blessed by the legacy left by a boy who brought great joy to his family and touched many hearts, despite his many challenges.

 

Morning Sunshine on a Winter Day

 

 

I love the way the morning sun filters through the blinds these days

and the lighting it casts in the room as we greet the day.

Both beauty and dirt are exposed to its rays

allowing us to see what we may not otherwise see.

Something like the Word of God,

giving us a new chance every morning.

 

Have you ever listened

to the words of the hymn written by Eleanor Farjeon

(made popular by Cat Stephens in the early 1970's)

I really like them . . .

 

Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world

 

Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from Heaven
Like the first dewfall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass

 

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day

 

Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world.

 

Add song meaning

 

If I Never had a Problem

 

Many years ago I picked up a little Bible Study workbook by Fran Sciacca, called To Run and Not Grow Tired. These studies tell of Bible characters going through times of trauma, hurt or depression and how they handled a specific difficult circumstance. For each of them it was a circumstance that could have spread its menacing shadow over every aspect of their lives. Instead, they showed us how we can surrender our hardship to the Great Physician of our soul for healing and growth.

I may capture the essence of some of these studies in the next while, but I wish to begin with the one that had a memorable impact on me during those years. It was based on the story of Hannah. Aside from her pain of infertility, she had a rival by the name of Peninnah who provoked her endlessly in order to irritate her.  This went on for years, leaving Hannah crushed and in great anguish. The Bible says that in bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord, gaining strength only in His presence. She sought God out as all knowing, her rock, her guardian and her deliverer,

In the discussion time of our study, I came to realize that any one of us can have a "Peninnah" in our life and it is how we respond and whom we take this to that makes all the difference. My greatest temptation in my relationship to the “Peninnah” in my life was to talk about my hurt to others, which I did. Many times I felt so insulted and became very angry. One day, in the midst of washing my floors, a song hit me with a truth not to be forgotten . . .

 

“If I never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that God could solve it,

I wouldn't know what faith in God could do.

Through it all, through it all I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,

I’ve learned to trust in God.”

The words of that song kept encouraging me and allowed me to realize that it is only through difficulties that we see what God can do - while growing us in character. It also helped me to understand how I might be a "Penninah" in some one's life. It took many years but, by the grace of God, today she is a different person. I know that God has worked in both of us, but I still see it as a miracle, to feel the difference in our relationship.

My experience taught me that God is able to change a judgmental heart, as well a heart of bitterness for feeling hurt. It could just be that I have learned just as much from the people who have hurt me than from the ones who have always been kind.

 

For the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.” 1. Samuel 2:3b

What I like About February

What I like about February is that I can put tulips on the table

without feeling like I'm rushing Spring.

They were the first item I looked for while getting groceries this week.

 

 

 

Turning Two

 

She wakes, a baby, soother in her mouth

standing, wadded blanket hugged against her chest

a ray of awareness settling in

Little legs run down the hall

checking to see who's ready for the fun

of a brand new day barely begun!

 

She knows what she wants

milk in a cup raised with watchful eyes

a spoon held tight to feed herself

She can do what big girls do

moments mixed with I can't and I can!

She knows how to change a plan.

 

She's a tease, tossing curls

giggles when tickled, begging for more

Chubby hands fitting puzzle pieces

eyes gazing in wonder as stories unfold

She's a tired mommy dragging her doll

Goes back to bed, a baby, suddenly not so small.

 

The days go by and you don't know when

it happened you spoke and she understood

A little mind grasping, communicating

laughing, responding, fully engaged

Growing from baby to little girl

is sadness and sweetness wrapped up in a whirl.

 

Happy Birthday to our sweetie! Sending hugs and kisses over the mountains, Papa and Mimi