How Could it be so Difficult?

My mother-in-law used to say, 

"Wer die Wahl hat, hat die Qual."

As idioms go, they never translate well, 

but the essence of this once speaks to the agony of choice.

In a round about saying that it's easier if you do not have a choice.

In recent years I've succumbed to the fashion industry's obsession with boots. It used to be that we wore boots when it snowed. That was it. Now we may not get snow all winter and I'm wearing boots more times than not. This winter I was set to add another color to my black boots . . . and it looks like I've collected a few to choose from . . . not to keep, just to prolong the agony of knowing I need to make a choice.

Besides the ones that got away at the store,

there were three contenders by the end of last week.

These rich dark brown boots with a bit of height added at the front

and a zipper on the inside . . .

these taupe colored boots with adjustable buckles on the outside

and a zipper on the inside . . .

 and these gray boots - taller on the outside 

with a zipper and snap down the back.

I did not know it would be so hard to choose.

But I've made my choice and two pairs have returned to the store.

All of them are leather and about the same price.

I wonder, which pair would you have chosen?

Tiny Christmas Boxes

Last week when the one family of grands stayed with us for a few days, I saw again how they love to work with paper. They can keep busy for a long time drawing and coloring. Natalie also loves it when I let her get into my boxed cards, so she can write cards to people.
Something reminded me of how, years ago, our kids made tiny boxes, using recycled Christmas cards, and somehow I knew this could still go over well today.

To begin, I showed them a video I found on line and then, with some 

reminders, they went to it.

First they cut the card at the fold. 

Then they marked an X across the inside page, drawing  diagonal lines from one corner to the next.

For the top of the box (the picture part) they

folded the edges of all four sides to the center of the X

(these lines should be as crisp as possible)

When all four sides were folded,

they cut into the short end along the vertical fold just  toward the horizontal fold.

Next, they folded in the ends, overlapping the center and folding it over the top of the box,

then taping it in place.

This was repeated with the inside page of the card to make the bottom,

this time folding the edges a bit past the center of the X, to make it a wee bit smaller.

To cover any written words, you can line the box with tissue.

They were very proud of their boxes

and in no time each box had something small tucked in and was assigned to a lucky receiver. 

From precious memories of friends and family sending wishes
to this present day of cutting and folding -
I'm reminded again of how the past and the present meet in a wonderful cycle of life.
There were cards in the mix that may have been 20 or 30 years old
and I never would have guessed that my grandchildren would be the ones to use them.
It was definitely time.

Kitchen Hockey

It doesn't take too much for the imagination

for two boys to set up a hockey game

in the middle of the kitchen

while I'm cooking dinner.

The high chair quickly became the coveted net . . .

with the only problem being 

that my stove became the catch all,

and supper making got put on hold to find the right stick

to retrieve those doughnuts from the back of the stove.

Koen lay on his belly beside me as I poked underneath

and said, "It looks old under there."

To which I replied, "It's dirty."

And he said, "That's what I meant." 

For the Beauty of the Earth

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,

this our song of grateful praise.

Thumbs Up Snacks

I saw this idea in a magazine while at the hair salon and

apparently, according to Lacey and Teddy,

they are the best apples in the world! 

I thought they'd be fun to add to a fruit platter 

but they make a great snack anytime.

Another favorite

I was surprised to learn they could be so eager to help with

are ham and cheese pinwheels.

  

They counted their slices and watched  as I rolled and cut . . .

then took their turns placing the cheese

and the ham

We did this four times.

Follow the pattern . . . kids love patterns.

Fold one corner, leave one corner . . .  and stick in a toothpick.

Bags of pinwheels got distributed between two families 

by one baker who took special ownership . . . with a big smile.

And just so I don't miss saying it,

 it's so good to have our Prairie buds back in BC!

When Betty Prayed

It was the day I was at the park with my camera, looking to capture some of the last of the Fall. My H and I had walked just a short ways past the bench, when we met up with a middle aged man coming toward us. I commented on the tiny dog he had tucked into his jacket, but surprisingly he did not want to talk about his dog; he was on a mission, checking out the ground along the path. He told us his special lady (up ahead of us) had just lost a very expensive diamond which he had given her two weeks ago.

I hardly knew what to say! How could anyone find something so tiny on a pathway in the park . . . a stretch of maybe 1/4 mile had gone by before she noticed it missing. We caught up with the distraught lady talking to some more strangers, also looking. She showed us the empty basket setting on her new ring and we talked about practical stuff such as insurance and going back to the retailer, when all of a sudden . . . oh ye of little faith . . . the man with the dog, joined by another couple, came calling his lady - his hand outstretched!

It was a miracle we had come to witness! We all watched the joyful exchange and then the lady who had found the diamond said, "I prayed in the Name of Jesus and He showed me where it was. We need to give thanks to Him!" Her sincere mannerism was such that it took for granted everyone would feel the same! We all pulled together in a circle in the middle of the path and Betty thanked the Lord Jesus for showing her where the diamond was and not just that, but providing a way of salvation for us. It was an experience I will not forget!

There are two things that come to my mind as I think about this story. The initial feeling of finding the diamond reminds me of some of the parables Jesus told - stories comparing the joy of finding something that was lost, to the joy felt by the angels in heaven when a lost soul is found.  The delight we witnessed on the faces of these strangers, was something that made us feel like family!  The grateful lady wanted to invite us all for dinner and celebrate - it was joy spilling over!  The second thing that hit home with me was that, although Betty and I love the same God, somehow she thought to pray and I did not. And I wonder how many times have I missed out on something wonderful because I did not even ask.