He Asked - She said Yes

As I'm pondering a new chapter in my life, I've been wondering whether to write about it and decided that is just too significant not to  . . . it is, after all, another season to enjoy. So, allow me to tell it in "true story" fashion . . .


Once upon a time we were two families living in Vancouver. My very first friend in Canada became a close friend, and later my bridesmaid, due to the fact that our parents were best friends. Every Friday night and often on Sundays they would come over or we would go to there. I loved going to their house. Her mom was very hospitable and easy going about what kind of snacks we cooked up  in her kitchen. Our parents were the most relaxed when they were together ... playing card games and laughing. One thing I remember most clearly about visiting their house was the novelty of watching TV, since we did not have one at home. To this day, if I were to hear the intro theme music to  I Love Lucy, Gilligan’s Island, The Brady Bunch, My Three Sons or Bewitched . . . I know I would remember the feel of that rush of anticipated excitement, felt on that couch.


In the late 1970’s our parents, along with a third family, bought a joint property on Hatzic Island, a place to enjoy weekend get-a-ways. Over the years this has been a memory making place with many other guests as well.

My father passed away four years ago.  My girlfriend’s mother passed away last year. And somehow the lakefront property, with the two houses on it, has not had the same draw it used to have, as each family has experienced loss.

One can already guess where this is going. He lives in a big empty house on the lake and my mom lives in an apartment in town . . . but the phone line began to have a busy signal much too often, when we called. On both sides of the family, we began to clue in and observed, with smirks, love blossoming.

The invitation went out for this past weekend.  She wanted the children present when he would ask the big question . . . so we drove out to the lake and headed to his house. I could not help but take some pictures of this lovely lake and the trees with their fresh springtime growth.

The table was beautifully set for the occasion and we giggled our way through warm embraces from his family.

We enjoyed a wonderful meal and then we witnessed his profession of his love for her . . . and her acceptance of his proposal. When do kids get to do that?

Now we will let them plan for a Fall wedding and just be there when needed. I thought I was finished with wedding plans . . . but with a lingering premonition I wonder . . . why do I still feel like a mother of the bride?

Together - All Ten of Us!

I hardly know where to begin and where to leave off, when it comes to the events of this very full and wonderful weekend! Our "missing girls" came in one by one, starting on Thursday. Several book signings were planned for the weekend, but the highlight for us girls was a dinner hosted by Lovella and her beloved . .. as many of us know him by.

They set up tables in their shop and, although they did a lot of running back and forth to prepare, one could tell that they did it with joy as we were welcomed with big smiles. We were all so excited to be together and have our hubbies with us too.

As we are learning . . . Mennonite Girls Can Cook! We started on appetizers . . .

While Harv and Bev fried up the most delicious coconut prawns to add to the appies. Nothing like having them straight out of the pan. I have a feeling they will be served on all of our patios this summer.

The main meal featured Greek roasted Cornish hens and potato wedges, Greek style grilled vegetables, rice, Swiss chard rolls, green beans, several salads and warm toasted pita chips made from pita bread.

After being seated, Charlotte said a table grace in High German as well as in Low German. Ellen said a prayer in Russian and then we all stood to sing Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow in English. With the acoustics in that room . . . it was very moving. There is something about hearing the language that was spoken by grandparents and parents ... for some of us even as children . . .  and then the familiar doxology in four part harmony, that made for a beautiful common bond.

We ate. Of course there was dessert too! Pies and ice cream . . . Then we sent the guys to visit on their own as we went about some of our business... fun  business!

On Saturday the group did book signing shifts between Winks and Lepp Farm Market. It was a lot of fun to meet old friends and new friends, some of whom we have met through blogging. We made excuses for photos . . . here is one of the three farmers wives . . . at Lepp Farm Market.

There were those who had received books already and came just to get them signed. I was excited to see my sister come by.

And some special little visitors, one of whom wanted to join me in the signing department. I used to think that when people got their books signed it was a treat for the person getting the book signed, but now I realize that it's a treat for the one signing. Ah... this could be short lived... so we just made the most of it!

I'm still getting used to the fact that Shaun and Kristal are really living here now. They came to check out the Farm Market Place and enjoyed some lunch at the bar.

Tonight we will be at House of James. There will be a short little program and we will serve some freshly baked desserts from the book. I'm really looking forward to visiting with those who can come!

Mothers and Daughters

My thoughts have been turning to the ongoing relationships between a mother and her daughter . . . especially now, that my daughters are moms.

Is there anything like raising a child, that shows the lapse of time more clearly? A mother begins her relationship with her daughter feeling like she's her baby forever . . . cherishing the first  "mum-mum" and smiles to arms outstretched for her as a toddler.

From the day she brings her child home from the hospital, her life is a life selfless giving . . . maybe, for the first time, loving another more than her own life, by the sacrifices she makes.



She hopes and believes for the best in her . . . cherishing, if only, a contented nod.



Playing games and reading stories . . . the same ones over and over. The routines feel solidified . . . until one day her little girl dances off to school because she's convinced her that she'll love it.



In the meantime . . . her heart skips a few beats and she's counting the hours for school to end.

The years, they pass quickly . . . celebrations come and go with pride in the things that she's accomplished. Birthday cakes, French braids, first recital, back to school shopping, after school snacks. It's all good . . . yet, like reaching into a cookie jar, she's always reaching for more.
And one day. . . her heart skips a few more beats, when she realizes her little girl is not little any more.

Late night talks, braces, growing pains, driving lessons, misunderstandings, teachable moments . . . these years are busy and she learns that busy days fly! Soon there's talk about college. It's wonderful . . .  yet her heart threatens to stop . . . as she helps her settle in, hoping she's taught her well.

I was there last weekend, watching as my sister waved goodbye to her daughter . . . I felt the unspoken emotions as she proceeded to hold it all together. Life is precious . . . we give them life and one day we let them go . . . at least that's what they say. That's how it seems.

But in reality . . . you never really let go. You support, you pray. You let her go about her life . . . you let her be who she is meant to be, sometimes with grace, sometimes not.
And one day . . . your heart beats an extra beat or two . . . when you realize she'll always be your daughter . . . your best friend in many ways.

Today I look back on the relationship with my own mom and realize that a mother continues to be your lifelong cheerleader. She accepts you as you are and loves you unconditionally. It is this kind of love that, in the end finds out that by letting go, she gains . . . a relationship that keeps on growing.

 

I say these things today to you Jules, Kristal and Kari . . . to encourage you to enjoy each step and never fear the future. I'm so proud of the moms you are! Your loss of sleep and time invested is surely not in vain. I am observing and learning so much from you and I'm thankful for the privilege of being your mom . . . and know that I always will be.

Recipe Site Pot Luck

These are some of the girls I got to meet while in Indonesia . . . Sarah, (Julene), Rebekah and Kathy. Unfortunately not all could make it on  this particular day. All of them have a heart for the people there and are serving  in some way while living there . .  whether is be artwork, orphanage ministry or teaching, as well as supporting their husbands in practical and relief work.

One thing that they try to do on  a regular basis is to have a recipe party. The hostess prepares the table and chooses a recipe site or book, which the guests bring the goodies from. Julene hosted a party while I was there . . . and you can guess which site she chose!

She did a beautiful job of setting the table.

I felt honored and so privileged to be a part of this . . . but I did feel a bit for these young ladies . . . as they had to try a completely new recipe, all the while knowing I would be in attendance.
I need not have worried.
I was completely blown away by the beautiful presentations of recipes from mennonitegirlscancook.
I know it is difficult to get all of the ingredients in this country, let alone good quality, but these girls know how to adapt. I thought this Bavarian Apple Torte looked and tasted better than the one I posted on the blog. Sarah, sliced the almonds for the topping by hand.

Rebecca brought Lovella's watermelon and tomato skewers . . . she improvised with dried basil. They were delicious.

Kathy brought a pineapple dessert posted by Kathy on the blog . . . for which, if I remember correctly, she used fresh pineapple. A must try!

 

My contribution to this pot luck were Judy's savory cheddar scones, minus the herbs. I had a wonderful time getting to know these brave gals and would love to do something like this with my friends sometime.

The Wedding

This past week, the wedding that was anticipated and talked about in our family was not the same wedding the rest of the world was tuned in to. Instead, it was the celebration of the love and commitment between my oldest niece (on my side of the family) and a young man from Victoria. It was a wedding that included the participation of many friends and family . . . from making the invitations, sewing dresses, collecting jars and candle holders to making desserts and setting tables. An old fashioned, involvement by many . . . and a coming together of a beautiful wedding.  The little guest signing table in the foyer was adorned with photos of the couple's parents on their respective wedding days and an assortment of little jars filled with  sprays of wild flowers.

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Dad walked the bride down the isle to violin and piano music by the grooms sisters . . . but I'm not sure she noticed them. Her eyes were obviously on him.

The ceremony began with a couple of songs that included the guests, and focused everyone's attention on Jesus. Well . . . the photo shows otherwise ... so I should say . . . almost everyone.

The pastor's words spoke of a relationship based on love, trust, hope and endurance . . . and the marriage vows were exchanged . . .  as were the rings . . .

. . . then sealed with a kiss . . .

After the ceremony friends and family visited in the foyer for a bit and then dispersed in various directions, coming back a few hours later for the dinner . . . during which time the chapel had been turned into a dining hall.

It was so good to have more of our family here to share their musical talent and celebrate this day with us . . .

I think Natalie and Landon had a good "sneak preview" of what a wedding looks like.

Tim had one brother and four friends stand up for him, while Larissa had one sister and four friends beside her. They looked like they all enjoyed their time at the head table. The odd jars with candles and girls' bouquets lined up on the table added a vintage charm to the settings.

The wedding cake was the combined effort of Larissa and her Oma. Larissa spent a good part of a day at her grandmother's place last week, learning how to roll out and bake the thin layers for the Napoleon Torte . . . I think about 15 layers for this one. Oma filled them with chocolate pudding the next day and together they assembled it for the wedding day. The kissing couple cake topper was the one used for Larissa's parents' wedding, thirty years ago.

The cake was cut and served to the guests . . . this is a slice from the top part of the cake. It disappeared quickly and I think guests would have gone for seconds, had there been more.

Larissa and Tim . . . We are so happy for you both . . . to have found the one you can dream with, laugh with cry with and pray with.  May your love continue to grow deeper as you set up a home together and may the Lord bless and keep you.