Bloom Spot for the Day

This was my view just a bit ago as our local garden tour was coming to an end. 

It's been a surprisingly fun day, visiting with gardeners

peeking into back yards of total strangers. We had about 125 people come by.

My H, who does not like signs on yards, had to contend with this one for today. =)

I might add that our yard was probably one of the smallest ones in the package -
not at all what I'd expect would justify being part of a tour -
but maybe some people were encouraged in some way by this.

This is coming up the driveway ...

and then along the right side of the house toward the back yard.

The astilbes are in their glory right now.

Coming into the back yard, this is a view from the right side patio toward the far left corner.

Close view of that corner, which you have seen many times ...

summer and winter. 

On the patio, beside the table two lounges provide
the perfect spot to read and fall asleep. 

Guests today commented about how our yard is not busy.
They felt relaxed.

Continuing on beside the lounges is this
curved garden bed.

The view from my kitchen window gives some perspective.
A retaining wall separates the yard from a lower patio.

From the same bed, a closer view of the hostas, looking toward the house 

and a bistro table under the kitchen window.

When the kids were small this lower patio was covered with outdoor carpeting

 to make a putting green

From here steps tie into the larger patio ... and we come full circle.

It has been a fun and relaxing day watching, visiting and replenishing the cookie stand.
I am glad we said yes to this invitation.

Meanwhile, trees have been climbed by barefooted kids and
flowers have been picked for dinner centerpieces,
as our house has had all the bedrooms filled for the past eleven days -
adding sweet memories to the laughter in these old walls.

Confessions of a Mennonite Girl Who Can Cook

Over the past months as we've chatted about how and when to close the cooking blog, I've been reminded of the wonderful memories collected over these 10 years. I'm sure each one of us MGCC has had at least one moment at the computer, getting teary eyed about another "last" because the whole experience has been such an unexpected blessing and gift.

I think back ten, eleven years ago, checking out Lovella's personal blog where she sometimes posted recipes, being in awe of her creativity in how she shared her life. When I was given the opportunity to join in an actual recipe blog, I was really quite taken back. Honestly, afraid of learning how, since I had no idea how to start. Yet, I was drawn ... and I've never regretted it for one minute.

One thing I quickly learned was that I needed to get a set of measuring spoons. When I learned to cook in my mother's kitchen, she simply showed me what  a tablespoon, a teaspoon or a 1/4 teaspoon looked like in the palm of my hand. And why use a "bundle of spoons" when you can pull out a regular spoon? I also had to remember to count the cups of flour that went into my yeast baking, such as buns, cinnamon rolls etc. Simply saying to add flour until the dough feels right would be just like the Mennonite recipe book I already had!

Needless to say, the blog evolved, all of us helping and cheering each other on. When the first comments came in, they were us, talking to each other, unaware that soon there would be many others. It did not take long, we started talking and planning via a joint email account. One person would start the day and the rest would join ... we laughed, we cried, we shared our desires and dreams. This group became the kind of friends to me I wish everyone had. A safe place to learn. I have grown and have learned so much from the examples of these dear friends and how they handle life, the sad and the happy.

Along with focusing on the basics, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge to do food photography, often with the camera in one hand and a spoon in the other. I liked to imagine what steps readers would want to see or just what might inspire them. I enjoyed pairing photos up with recipes, always reaching out for the right wording, then the gratification of getting it done and the anticipation of publishing. All of this leading to a cookbook or two, no three ... truly a far-out dream come true!

So many surprises came along the way! You, our readers, rejoiced with us as ways to raise money for orphans, widows and needy children came about through published cookbooks, sharing our story at women's events and  cooking classes. We accepted invitations to Global News, CTV breakfast television, Hundred Huntley, book signing tours that took us across Canada, to Virginia and other states and finally the trip to Ohio and Indiana see a play named Mennonite Girls Can Cook! Not being one to take big chances, I've often wondered what I would have done had I known ahead.

It would have seemed too lofty a plan. And yet, I realize that God has given me the desires of my heart, in ways beyond me, to share the love of cooking for our families and hospitality with the next generation. Our hearts and hands have been open and God has filled them to pass on.

As we have together decided that now is a good time to "wrap it up" I realize that the term helps me to think of it in a positive way. We are wrapping up a gift we've been given... may it continue to be passed on encourage and bless.

In the meantime I know that my H will enjoy the plate of food that has not been photographed before he can eat ... and I, like a true Mennonite Girl, will enjoy not using measuring spoons or counting my cups of flour, unless absolutely necessary, nor having to be concerned about poor lighting. I will enjoy trying the many recipes on the blog I've wanted to try - not needing to focus on the next recipe to post. And these are my true confessions today - a mix of joy bubbling over for what has been and, as well, for what will be.

(Written with thanks to all who have been a part of this journey)

Nectarine Season is Here!

And Jack loves them as much as I do! 

 

He's eleventh in the grand line-up 

but there's nothing ho-hum about him!

Together

We waited at the international terminal in anticipation for that first sighting 

and when it came it was just a blurry mess.

Maybe I was too.

Their arrival was in the evening ... a little late for the littlest ones ...

but the bigger kids were ready to party! They had waited for this day for 21 months.

I would venture to declare the arrival gate a huge contender 

for the happiest place on earth!

 Siblings.

Chris and Julene with family came to stay with us

and the rest all came over the next day.

 Evy had asked me earlier, if their family would come to Papa and Mimi's as well.

When I said, "yes," she said, "That's a lot of people!"

She wondered where everyone would sit.

Not to worry. It all worked out perfectly.

I was a happy Mama!

Some of the youngest ones were a little surprised about how big their cousins had grown.

Somehow in their minds they had stayed smaller ... 

but it did not take long to realize they were a big part of the family.

Presents from Indonesia were a special surprise.

We have had such a wonderful and full week here ...

even while laying low ...

kids sleeping across the hall from us,

parents in the basement,

trips to get their favorite groceries, 

excitement about cereal and real milk

and  everything else on the table.

It's so good to hang out ... 

and to know we are not strangers at all. 

Lakehouse Clean-Up

I saw that it's been a few years since I posted about our yearly spring clean up at the lake,

so here is an update on that front ...

It's grown to a four generations if we include Abe, who still loves to do what he can.

Not all the family can ever make it on the long weekend, 

but it's just right if only some can come.

Every family was represented.

This year we rented some fancy machinery,

one of which made the wood chopping job so much more attractive! 

The winter storm left damaged trees that needed extra pruning and removal of dead 

limbs that could come down any time.

Lunch break was welcomed ...

especially the dessert, I noticed.

And for dinner we had a pretty good pot luck too.

At the end of the day uncle Bob was asked if he could give rides.

And he's not one to say no if he knows he would have enjoyed that ...

You have to imagine the deep cleaned rugs,

spotless windows, 

bark-mulched flower beds and

wood piled up for summer fire pit use.

We are ready to enjoy the lake.

Mother's Day Joy

Today marks the 7th Anniversary of my H's mom's home going

and for some reason it gives me a gentle nudge to remember how she loved her family.

I know, because I'm a mom.

I love them for who they are, not for what they do for me.

Yet, being invited for a mother's day brunch  really was special.

Shaun and Kristal have been renovating an old house they 

purchased last year and it is so much fun to see the 

beautiful results of their dreaming.

 It was a glorious morning ...

the girls sat at the patio table

 and the boys made themselves comfortable on the chaises ...

except for this little precious youngest ..

who said my name for the first time. 

Yes, I know now how I was loved by my moms ...

how I love these girls and my family ...

and thankful that they love me.