Thanksgiving

This weekend I've given thanks for Kristal and her family who, after many years of living in the US, are now around to share everyday life with.

On Saturday we celebrated Kristal's Birthday with a turkey dinner - a week early as we will be also be celebrating our Anniversary on her special day.



I'm discovering that preparing a nice dinner can be an all day kind of celebration as I prepare and reflect on the meaning of the day.

By the time the door bell rang, I'd already enjoyed so much of the process! Between dinner and dessert, after the sun had set, Papa went out in the back yard to play soccer with the oldest ones. And after dessert everyone went into the hot tub, outside, while I had the chance to have my own cuddles with the littlest Miss. So . . . onto my reflections . . .

I'm thankful . . .

• for Kristal's love for God and allowing that to be a principal guide in her relationships
• for her love and commitment to Shaun and her children
• for her talents she shares so willingly
• for the encouragement she is to me

I'm thankful . . .

• for Shaun's love for Kristal and his family
• for sharing/using his gift of music
• for his work with teen students through Young Life
• for his willingness to embrace the Canadian way of life

I'm thankful . . .

• for Natalie's shared love for baking
• for her hugs when she walks in the door and again when she leaves, even if she has already settled in the car, she comes back for more . . . just in case she forgot
• for her smiles and joy in continually anticipating the next fun thing to look forward to.

I'm thankful . . .

• for Landon's easy going, like-able character
• for his sensitivity to kids who may get laughed at
• for his tender love for his siblings

I'm thankful . . .

• for Koen's strong will, which will be used for good
• for his musical ear and quick jigs
• for his keen mind

I'm thankful . . .

• for Everly's easy fit into a busy household
• for her smiles coming so early in life
• for her total sweetness all around

Most of all I'm thankful to God for joy and contentment in this season of life and for knowing that the families that are not here are a blessing to us and others even where they are right now. I'm thankful for being able to share life through texts, emails, phonecalls, parcels and the bond of being family no matter where we are.

Rustic Pecan Tart

Sometimes it's fun to try the same old another way. I saw a rustic looking pumpkin tart in a magazine and decided to try this one pan method with my raisin pecan tarts.  For this tart I rolled out a single pie crust recipe on top of  "cut to size" parchment paper. (It helps to moisten the counter under the paper to keep it from slipping.) Transfer the paper and rolled pastry into an 8-inch cake pan and crimp the edges to suit.

Mix the same amount of filling as the recipe calls for, 

Fill unbaked tart and bake in lower third of oven for 50 - 60 minutes at 350 F.
One option I may try next time, just to have the bottom baked a little more,
is to freeze the unbaked shell (so the sides remain standing a tad longer).
 Later bake frozen tart for ten minutes, fill and bake 50 minutes more.

The parchment paper makes is easy to lift out once cooled.
Serve on a pretty plate or board. Have whipped cream handy.

This may just be the dessert to compete with the pumpkin pie at your Thanksgiving dinner.

The Reception Hall

I thought I'd post some photos of the reception at the Fort Langley Hall, 

mainly for the beautiful way in which it was prepared by the family.

The 1930's era building looked festive and charming with

greenery, flowers, lights and candles 

adorning the vintage paneling, ledges and window sills.

Long tables were set with navy napkins and

 notes for each guest tucked into a tiny black envelope.

An assortment of vases stuffed with white floral bouquets lined the window sills

as well as the tables.

I just loved these arrangements . . . each one a little different!

Some of the cousins of the bride (on the Janzen side) gathered at the end of our table.

Seated here are Katie, Nathan, Mark, Rosalynn, Kristal, Shaun and Darren.

Larissa must have been up and about (she came from Edmonton)

and Chelsea also missed the photo.

We missed Ben and Kari and Julene and Chris at this wedding.

Carmen's near favorite uncle and aunt . . .
(I see  the other near favorite aunt
talking to the missing Chelsea in the background.)

and everyone else!

Need I say there were thoughtfully written speeches and toasts by parents and friends,

games, wonderful food and a dance to end this wonderful day.

The Marriage of Carmen and Pierre

We've been waiting for this day for a long time and it finally came!

On Friday afternoon we drove out to St. Nicholas Parish

to attend the wedding of my youngest niece.

It so happened, we arrived at the church about the same time as my brother

proudly chauffeuring his only daughter to the ceremony.

I had to fight back tears of joy as it felt like a bonus little window into this special day.

Pierre walked his parents down the aisle, at the end of which they embraced 

and shared some private words and a prayer. 

The groomsmen lined up at the front and the bridesmaids came down the aisle.

Pierre's nieces as little princesses.

There are no words that fully express the wishes of

a parent for their child on this special day . . .

But I can imagine.

At the end of the aisle a stop to hug her mom and her step mom.

It was the first Catholic wedding and communion service for us,

 allowing us a glimpse into another way of expressing one's devotion to God. 

Rev Father John, made everyone feel welcome and comfortable 

by explaining the significance of what was transpiring

throughout the ceremony.

He had a short meditation, encouraging the young couple to take God's Word 

into their home and out into  the world.

The music was beautiful and familiar . . .

a mixture of old and new . . .

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

to Hillsong United's Oceans 

. . . so beautiful with the cello.

Vows were exchanged . . .

and the registry was signed.

For the first time, Mr and Mrs de Flouriot de la Coliniere.

Writing it out and maybe I will remember.

Permissions given . . .

And the first kiss.

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior.

Hillsong United - Oceans - Where Feet May Fail

Posted with much love for those in the family who could not be there.

Blue Journal of Thanks

A small blueish accent, to add to the last post, is a journal I keep out in plain view. . . because I need the reminder. When it was gifted to me for Mother's Day, I purposed to use it for the giving of thanks . . . my goal being 1000 things to give thanks for by next Mother's Day. 

With Thanksgiving Day approaching, Lovella has challenged us as readers to join her daily thoughts of thanksgiving this month and so I just want to say what a blessing it has been to focus more on things to be thankful for. It is sad to say, that sometimes, despite all I have been given, I sit and wonder what I could write down! Suddenly one thing brings me to more and then yet more. The best part is to read through the pages and realize how rich I truly am! 

Accents

I'm going back to the summer with these photos, but just wanted to share a very simple decorating tip. In looking at our family room I wondered how I could bring in a little spark . . . a tad more of a color that was not part of the original always autumn color scheme.
So, in the room we have the couches, a coffee table, the fireplace, a corner built in cabinet, a free standing black cabinet and a fireplace. What I did is put something blueish in each of these spots. I changed up the cushions to bring some of that blue in, got a bowl out of storage, (storing things for kids) and basically used a journal, some books, cards and a plaque I got for my birthday. A new potted plant with a hint of blue in the leaves also helped.

This just brought in a bit of the feeling I was looking for, without doing anything big. The idea is that no matter what you have to work with, a few matching items in hiding can be moved about and pull a room together to give it a new look.  Use any color you tend to gravitate toward and you will find you have hung on to some of those things. Last week I changed up our summer blanket into a throw across the duvet on the bed, moved about cushions, wall prints and framed photos from one room to another and the rooms have a new look. Nothing spectacular, just keeping things fresh.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue . . .

it works.