Happy Campers

This past weekend we took our kids up on an invitation 

to join them at Rockridge Canyon Camp where Shaun is working with Young Life.

I did not know what to expect and how it would feel to just be there

with a large group of high school campers.

The best way I can explain it is with photos . . . so be warned about the overload.

I have to say that getting up and just sitting down at a table was quite nice. 

Memories of my own days at camp . . . so long ago . . . came to mind.

The dining lodge is beautiful 

and the sound of  hundreds kids eating family style with their cabin leaders is wonderful

even if it's loud.

 I enjoyed getting such a nice smile from my table partner!

After breakfast, while the leaders were getting their kids ready for a volleyball tournament,

we hiked up to the Zip Line hut. 

On the photo it's the small fort, above the last lodge.

It is one of the longest continuous double zip lines in North America

and it was the first time I had a chance to do this!

The line comes down the hill, over the buildings and the lake towards the orange cone.

I loved it!

Natalie went tandem with Papa.

Love their smiles on their landing!

Heading back to the other side we saw the side view of the zip line crossing.

and still more beauty all around.

The tournament was a fun way for the kids to bond as teams.

Each leader had brought costumess for their cabin/team

and all of it was a surprise for the campers.

You might notice that my H volunteered for a role in the games.

It was fun to observe! 

My favorite team were the paper bag princesses,

playing like true princesses, trying not to lose their crowns. 

Lunch was brought outside and we had that before the finals were played.

In the afternoon campers had free activity time. 

We chose to take the three grands out in the canoe.

Meanwhile Kristal came around with Everly, who had just woken from a nap.

She got to watch the bunch of us from the shore.

There was a small ice cream parlor and a games room the boys enjoyed with Papa

while us girls went to the pool. 

We passed by Shaun hanging out with a group in an impromptu music jamming session.

In the evenings, all the campers participated in a "not so quiet" singing time and skits,

ending with a Young Life Speaker, for the ultimate purpose of encouraging the kids,

especially toward a relationship with God.

Being at this camp, we grew in appreciation for adult leaders 

who give of part of their summer and time during the year, to invest in the lives of students.

It was good to get a peek into the world our kids live in.

Sibling Date

As my H parked the car, I had my sights on Canada Place, 

zooming in on this prominent landmark in the Vancouver Harbor. 

We walked through part of the lobby of the Pan Pacific Hotel, 

exiting onto the view of a Cruise Ship anchored right beside us

and then watched as it set sail, possibly to Alaska.

Now I'm not sure if we started something new

when we decided to skip the gift giving for the guys' birthdays this summer.

In the end, we could not just leave it there and

decided to do something together.

The virtual flight ride, FlyOver Canada, is housed

in Canada Place and a great way to see our vast and gorgeous country from the air.

From up above we had a bird's eye view of the beautiful Maritime Islands, 

flew right into the real mist of Niagara Falls,

over the Prairies, inhaling a faint scent of farming fields,

over the Rockies, instinctively dodging the mountain peaks coming towards us,

hovering over the skiers as they flew down the slopes,

then coming in low over the vineyards of  the Okanagan valley,

over Vancouver and on to Vancouver Island.

I wished I could take photos

but they were not allowed, so

 I've probably said enough.

Thinking outside the box of the usual sibling time 

this was definitely a date to remember.

After our "flight" we had dinner on a patio

and all enjoyed that not one of us had to cook.

A gift we could all appreciate and share.

Reaching for the Light

When we moved into this house many years ago, we planted two peach trees on the south side, between us and the neighbor. They were out of sight and easily forgotten. At first the trees did fine, but after some years, the neighbor's hedge and tree got big and the fruit trees began to suffer. One tree died, but the one closest to the back yard, reached over to wrap itself around the corner of the house toward the back yard, facing west.  I never would have imagined peaches hanging right outside my kitchen window, but there they are!

Looking at it again, I came to realize how I've been surprised. When it's partner tree died, I thought this one would go as well, but access to light has proven otherwise. In the right conditions, it is the light of the sun that has allowed it to produce the energy needed to continue to bear fruit . . . a truth so easily carried over to the spiritual realm.

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world, whoever follows me . . . shall have the light of life." and "Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. Just as the branch cannot produce fruit by itself . . . neither can you." The fact that Jesus calls himself the Light becomes meaningful when I see this kind of an example in my back yard. And I pray that His life-giving power be evidenced in our lives as we reach for Him.

When you Wish Time to Stand Still

Her fridge is stocked up with shortening and lard to bake a truck full of cookies and pies,

just in case . . . as it always has been.

Birthday cards, carefully chosen for the youngest to the oldest, 

lie on the counter in semi confusion.

Her heart is full of wanting to give how she always has

but time is getting in the way.

Not time, as in how much time, but time as in 

what day is today

or even what month 

and did she send a card already?

The lucky ones get two to be sure.

She told me she was making jam rolls for Monika's and my birthday.

The fact that Monika already got her jam rolls earlier this year -

 in mom's mind last year - and my birthday is not here yet does not matter.

All I know is that

when she came by, my eyes teared up.

How beautiful she looked standing there in the door!

I told her I had to get my camera because . . .

and I realized this has not happened for a while

 and I don't know when she will think about it again.

Maybe I have not said so, but she makes the best jam rolls.

I've tried and they do not come close.

This was a good day for her and I thank God for it . . .

an early birthday gift.

Made me Smile

 One day we had a picnic in the back yard . . .

Lacey enjoyed about half of her bag of cotton candy popcorn 

when she announced that she would save some for mom and dad to taste.

To which Teddy promptly responded with,

"I'm not!" 

I find it fun to see how children just are who they are

and how it makes them the unique and lovable little people they are.
They may just both have a bit of me in them. 

Summer Burger Bar Potluck

Summertime is such a great time to host a get-together,

 especially when we can use the great outdoors as our kitchen and dining room. 

 For our year end Care Group barbecue we did burgers on the fire pit

and - to make it slightly different - there was no ketchup, mustard or relish on the table.

But we had an assortment of toppings that we could mix up

whichever way we pleased;

regular and spicy mayo

Havarti and Swiss cheese

warm roasted beets

mango salsa

sauteed mushrooms

crispy bacon

deep fried onion rings  

fried eggs

 I have a hard time deciding which I favor most . . .

the egg, bacon, avocado and spicy mayo

or the mango, cheese, lettuce and spicy mayo

I'd love to extend this kind of burger bar to include fish, chicken

and more options for toppings and buns . . .

but this was a beginning of something that was quite fun.

Everyone joined in bringing toppings and a variety of salads 

. . . so much so, that this hostess got off quite easy. 

Some easy twists and tricks to try

 . . . use sambal oelek (Asian section) to spice up mayo to personal taste

. . . use ripe mangoes for salsa to make it more like a thick spread

. . .  once egg whites are done, cover with lid to steam to desired done-ness

Spicy mayo:

1 cup mayo

2 Tbsp sambal oelek

1 Tbps soy sauce

2 tsp grated ginger

Mango salsa:

2 ripe mangoes, finely chopped

1/2 cup cucumber, finely chopped

1 very small shallot, finely chopped

2 Tbsp OJ from frozen concentrate

2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped

and/or 1 Tbps fresh mint, chopped

1/4 tsp salt

Fried eggs:

crack onto large non-stick pan

wiped with a tad amount of butter

and cook till top of egg is set.

Serve in pan.

Food and friends together make for good times -
they are opportunities to build a foundation
that will not crumble when hard times come along.