An Intersection in Life

In my own way, I'm processing these days gone by . . .

sorting photos, cropping, framing, keeping and deleting,

some in bright colors on my screen, others stamped in my mind . . .

from making up beds and meals

to holding the youngest babe in my arms

to sugar roll up pancakes and stories

to hosting care group friends

to pushing swings and playing games

to sending family off once more

to rejoicing at the wedding of a widowed brother

to a quick hike to the falls, the two of us,

to a breakfast and pedicure with a daughter

to lunch with mom, who took forever to make a ham sandwich.

And it's been one week . . .

Joy, delight, laughter, tenderness and pain

sweetness and tears

hopes and fears

combine to give purpose to this season of my life

where pictures may leave a thousand words unspoken.

My heart is full.

Jade's First Visit

This week marked a special moment as I watched the newest baby girls, being being held by the auntie or uncle, and introduced to each other for the first time. 

The rest of the cousins didn't skip a beat as shed toys came out to play . . .

 although I can only guess what thoughts may have been exchanged here.  

There is something about coming to Papa and Mimi's that is extra special
when cousins are there to play and eat with.

 Tender care for younger ones and admiration for older ones . . .

that is what I've seen . . .

 and it's so good to see siblings together! 

The evening was not complete without Papa getting his workout,

pushing five screaming kids around the yard!
There is a celebratory feeling in the air
that  may not come through in reading between the lines . . .

but if you could, you'd see that 

the most exciting part of Jade's first visit is that the goodbyes will be so much easier this time,

as plans are being set in place for a future move back. 

These Days

First swings and other backyard fun!

I'll be back with more!

Lunch Tribute to Kathy

On Thursday, last week, a number of us "Mennonite Girls" had the joy of following up on a beautiful invitation put out by Kathy's mother-in-law. It was a lunch party put on for no other reason than to honor her daughter-in-law. Who does this? I came away inspired!

This was the first time I met Eileen and her husband Bill.

They both greeted us at the door with such a warm and excited welcome

one could not help but be drawn into the warmth and beauty of their home.

I could tell this has been a way of life for them.

Eileen started us off with a toast to Kathy

by high-lighting the lovely characteristics she saw in her

and blessing her with a verse.

Someone had to hand Kathy a tissue . . .

The stemware that was brought out for this special day 

was over 100 years old, passed down in the family.

We were careful in our clinking.

The chairs were tied with sashes Eileen made for this day.

and not a detail was missed on the Victorian style table setting.

From stems of lavender tucked into our napkin rings

to garden roses adorning candelabras 

and petals strewn about candle stands with crystal pendants.

It was a table set for a queen!

After our delicious chilled raspberry soup, we filed into the kitchen to help ourselves to a variety of jello salads, fruit, vegetables and a savory sandwich loaf.

Have you ever had a sandwich loaf like this?

I believe they were popular to serve at showers in the 70's.

A loaf of bread is sliced horizontally and filled with a variety of fillings . . .

eaten with a fork like a slice of cake.

You could see her husband was proud of her, and rightly so, when

he said to me, "Ukrainian girls can cook too!"

For dessert we were spoiled with individual meringues topped with a custard and berries.

We were all spoiled on behalf of our sister/friend, Kathy
. . . acknowledged for being
Kind, Accepting. Talkative, Hard working and Youthful
. . . among other wonderful things . . .

 I came away encouraged by a woman who has decided
she is not too old to put out this kind of effort to

give of her time and gifts for the pure joy of blessing!

Early Summer Fruit in Season

Rhubarb was one of the first signs of summer coming from local gardens

and we've had our share of rhubarb bread pudding by now.

If you think you'd like this, check out the recipe on MGCC today.

We've also had a rhubarb bar that I have not posted yet and

since my rhubarb pie loving girl is coming next week,

I may need to make a pie yet.

I almost missed the strawberries this year as they were so early

but 80 pints of jam are now safely tucked away

to share amongst the family.

We love our strawberry jam!

Raspberries are now in!

As kids we were sent to the patch once school was done.

Lucky students probably get to do more interesting things now days.

I love them fresh in my cereal

but the main reason I picked them up

is to make raspberry syrup to drizzle on waffles with vanilla custard. 

Blueberries are also following the early lead,

and I need to get them yet.

They are actually quite fun to pick 

early in the evening, when the sun is not so hot anymore . . .

and they are the easiest berries to freeze to have on hand  to add to
salads, muffins, loaves, platz and crisps or porridge. 

I hope you get to enjoy some of this local goodness! 

Jam for the Next Generation

I don't think I could have ever imagined the day I'd be cooking jam with yet another generation of kids at my feet . . . or on my hip. When I tell my girls things like that, they look at me like, "what did I think?" I don't know what I thought. As young girls we dream of getting married and maybe about being moms one day, but I wonder how many of us dream further than that. Maybe that is the reason this stage has come upon me almost unawares - void of preconceived ideas - and it's nice to know the unexpected joys it brings!

She's Growing up too Fast!

I don't know if it was just the memory of the first time we made cupcakes together or the fact that she now moved about with purpose, knowing her mom's kitchen well; but as I observed Natalie in her "happy place" I could not help and take note of how she has grown!
We went to watch the kids for the evening and there is nothing they like more than when we have a plan . . . the plan on this night was that Papa would go to the playground with the boys and the girls would make cupcakes.

Now you have to know that making cupcakes with someone who knows that her mom makes the best and most beautiful cupcakes can be a slightly intimidating to someone who has kept to one recipe her whole life! Buttermilk chocolate cupcakes with plain chocolate icing and sprinkles. I told Nat that her mom's cupcakes are for parties, and these are for school lunches and that was okay.

After her shower, when the cupcakes were cooled, she helped with the icing. I had to add this photo only because it made me smile how she hugged that icing bowl like a little Oma.

When Landon saw what was happening in the kitchen, he was slightly put off and wanted to help too. I guess it will be his turn next time. Siblings are not too quick to give up their position when they know it's a desired one.

Setting each cupcake on its own little tray and sprinkling with a spoon was her idea. 

She was proud of her accomplishment and I'm proud of her!

And the recipe for these chocolate cupcakes (also posted on MGCC):

3/4 - 1 scant cup sugar
2 eggs
2/3 c oil
1 c buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
3 heaping Tbsp cocoa
½ tsp salt

Mix sugar and eggs well, gradually beating in the oil, then the buttermilk and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients all at once. Fill paper-lined muffin tins 3/4 full. Makes 12 large or 18 medium sized cupcakes. Bake at 350 F for 25 minutes for large or 20 minutes for medium. Do toothpick test.

Choc Icing:
Mix 2 cups icing sugar (approx),1 heaping Tbsp cocoa, with 2 Tbsp soft margarine and enough milk to make a spread-able consistency. Stir/beat until smooth. Sprinkle with chocolate or colored sprinkles. Allow for icing to dry before freezing. Once frozen, these can be wrapped with plastic wrap without the icing sticking to it.

Happy Anniversary Chris and Julene!

It is surreal to think that it's been fifteen years 

since the day your dad walked you down the aisle, Julene, 

toward your handsome groom and the future that now is yours.

I think back to the weeks before the wedding 

as we planted flowers at the lakehouse, built an outdoor stage, ordered white chairs

set up an arch - for the wild roses to be added on the wedding day . . .

only to wake up to pouring rain on this day, June 10, 2000.

Yet, as I sat in the church pew listening to the song the two of you had prepared,

 I knew in my heart that all was well - 

this most special day began as a picture of 

 handling disappointment with grace and celebrating what matters.

When I think about your wedding the words still ring true 

as they reflect your commitment and love

no matter the obstacles.

I wish I could hear you sing it today . . . as I imagine you will.

Tomorrow morning if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I... I will be here
If in the dark we lose sight of love
Hold my hand and have no fear
'Cause I... I will be here

I will be here
When you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to crying
Through the winning, losing and trying
We'll be together
'Cause I will be here

Tomorrow morning if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I... I will be here
As sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
So I... I will be here

I will be here
And you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you
And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here,

I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and to the One who gave you to me

And just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
So I... I will be here
We'll be together
I will be here

lyrics by Steven Curtis Chapman

May today make you smile at the romantic side of  young love,
making promises that have come to be tested and tried,

yet shining as gold refined by the grace and power

of the One who has led you all this way.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Sending love across the ocean,

Mom and Dad

The sun is shining here today!

Enlightening Mimi on Batman and Such

He sat at the kitchen counter for an hour, meticulously drawing squares and rocks . . . all the while talking and telling me about a video game which he has possibly never even played. I thought the squares would totally make sense to his mom when she came, but they did not, making me feel a little better.

The interesting thing is they made very much sense to him as he told me all about batman going in a spaceship and going after the bad guys. I asked him who the bad guys are and they are guys like killer croc, a zombie named Gandhi and a cheetah. "Did you know that there are these teleporters that take you through space to a different planet? he asked. He went on and on about names I had no idea about  . . . I started jotting down some things and he noticed. "You should write this down, Mimi" he continued, "about the guy who has electric stuff coming out of his ears. He breaks stuff with his laser and . . . "  I did not get it all and he said, "Oh, never mind about all that."

It was like explaining the internet to someone who has never used the computer. Maybe it was not what I felt comfortable with, but I enjoyed his enthusiasm and ability to express what was on his mind. In this foreign realm of superheros and crazy flights through space, little (and big) boys escape into a fight of good and evil in ways that I don't understand. And yet, in a crazy way, they make me realize there is something in a boy, calling to be a conqueror (he wants to be a fire fighter) and how I can tell him about David, Joshua, Elijah and Daniel . . . super heroes of faith in a God who is able to grant power to triumph over evil. May this be the legacy that we leave with him.

Good Morning Photos in my Inbox

A few days ago there was a successful trip to the Post Office on the other side of the world.

The photos in my inbox in the morning told the story

of the party that went on during our night.

Pancake mix, cereal, coffee, tea, jam . . .

Three months by ship and who knows what modes of transport . . .

but breakfast from Canada finally arrived! 

This is how we drop in.

Same Toys, New Face

The toy box in front of the TV cabinet/shelf in our family room has remained in the same spot ever since it came home with us as brand new grandparents. It has served it's purpose in a decorative, practical and necessary manner. I have always loved how, at a certain age, they remember and it will be the first place they head to when they come over.

The scene has been repeated numerous times now and I love how each new face lights up at the sounds coming from these toys . . . those first thrills . . . all over again! One can just never tire of that look that says, "Grammy, you have the coolest toys!" I think I will appreciate that sentiment while I can. Smile.