Flashback to the Eighties

My little girl loved sitting on the counter beside my mixer and watch me 

as I added ingredients to the batter.

In those days we went through a lot of cookies.

So, as she saw me adding oatmeal, coconut, chocolate chips etc,

she asked me, 

"Mommy, when are you going to make the cookies that Oma makes,

the ones with nothing in them - just crumbs?" 

With the blog and cooking classes coming about,

I finally took the plunge.

Fast forward to this winter.

Evy decided that these were her favorite cookies.

When she talked about them, 

having taken home a container full,

Jade just said,

"I don't even know peppermint cookies.

I've never had them" ...

in a voice that betrayed her feeling left out.

Mimi had not given her a container of peppermint cookies.

Needless to say,

they're in the freezer as I type. 

Double the trouble,

double the fun!

Oma cookies on the way. 

♡♡♡

A Peek Way Across the Pacific (update added)

This past weekend Makenna turned eleven!
We sure would have loved to take her out on a date,
but what I am thankful for is that communication is so much
easier than it was when she was born!
This girl has started to email!
I just love her short sweet messages.

Today my thoughts are on Tehya and Paeton 

whom we facetimed with on Saturday

as they were preparing for their Outdoor Ed trip

to a village interior in West Papua.

The school plans a trip every year for the high school kids,
flying them (with MAF) into a remote place.

On these small planes, each student can only take 11 kilos.

This would be Paet's first time on this trip

and he packed his nine day supplies

 with great care ...

sleeping bag, mosquito net, towel, soap, 

TP, clothing, snacks, dishes, multi-tool knives ...

in pretty well vacuum sealed bags ...

ready to leave early Monday morning, 

(yesterday for us)

Tehya, our usual confident girl,

felt even more so, this being her third trip.

She told us about

 playing games with the children

and teaching Bible stories.

I know the children love the treats and the attention.

She was also quite excited about the 

aids awareness class she would be teaching. 

Brave girl.

They were not sure about what kind of conditions to expect,

but I know their dad has flown into this village

and most likely some preparations have been made.

Two cooks went along ... lots of rice on the menu.

You can imagine how we look forward to hearing of their adventures,

and praying for God's care and blessings on all.

I wish I could put on my rubber boots and spend a day there.

Probably not a night. =)

It's the end of the week and I've received some updates that have been passed along from a leader to the parents of the kids. They are keeping so busy there. Two MAF pilots are working with the students and locals to improve the airstrip. It is hard work, but said that there is good motivation to get the work completed as they would like the airstrip to re-open. =) 

The students are divided into groups to hike into smaller villages that can only be reached in this way. These hikes take about 3 - 4 hours. They are doing clubs and teaching simple math. Water tanks are being installed, the Jesus film is being shown and HIV/AIDS presentations are being given.  There has been great interaction. I have to ask how they communicate, language wise, as most probably speak their own dialect. Continuing to pray for health and protection. 

Dear Jack

You're barely two ...
wanting control of the spoon,
zip your own boots,
decide on whether or not you will wear a tuque,
or even take a nap.

But when you fought that dreaded sleep
I was gifted with a treasure.
As "Jesus loves me" came out in a hushed and broken tune
I felt my last baby grand relax and fall asleep.
Sweet sleep. Sweet Rest.

Life will have it's challenges,
things you will fight,
but my prayer is that you always rest
in the knowledge of the truth
that calmed you when you were two.

(February 2019)

♡♡♡

Accents that Make me Happy

This is my view from my kitchen eating area into the family room ...

and I want to share some small tweaks that came about over the past few weeks.

Maybe I should have taken some before pictures, but

I was just too eager to replace the old(er).

The family photo we had over the mantle was outdated, with three kids missing,

so I'd been thinking of getting a wall verse.

My only fear was that putting this light colored art on the dark painted wall

would look too stark,
but once I added the wreath with the dark berries

and scattered an assortment of light colored cushions 

on the dark couches ... it felt good.

This may sound easier than it is, but it took me several tries.
(It's a good thing stores are good with returns)
Marrying the colors and styles of an old home with updated accents
is harder than starting with a clean slate,
but it is still a fun challenge. 

A couple of plants made their way into my grocery cart 

and they were just what was needed for color.

For perspective ... the black cabinet is right behind the couch.

The huge clock in our eating area was added last year,

via a Hobby Lobby gift card for my birthday. 

This was the beginning of a switch in wall decor. 

And the plaque ...

well if it gets you singing it has fulfilled it's purpose. 

♡♡♡

A Visit to Papa's Shop

 The family flooring business is where my H started working,

when he graduated from high school, thinking it was a temporary fix.

He never left and took on ownership in 1985.

So, as it happens, most of our immediate family and in-law children 

have worked here at some time or another

as drivers, sales consultants, in accounting, in estimating or installing.

And all of our grands have had their visits to the shop

to see what treats Papa might have for them.

At this point in time
I wonder if Jack will have the memories that the rest share
so I'll add his first visit here to include him in the line-up.
Being intrigued with tools, he was shown how the fork lift and pallet jacks

are used to move stone and tile. 

 In Papa's office he helped check out the important stuff.

And, as with all the grandkids before him,

he took to drawing on that unique pad of paper -

a lifeline for hand drawing floor plans,

especially in days gone by.

Looking at him there I note

 that now they have all had their turn at drawing on that grid paper

which will likely always remind them of Papa's shop. 

Happy Birthday, Teddy!

Yesterday we had our birthday date with Teddy.

As we sat at Tim Horton's (her choice)

I couldn't help but remember a similar date

when her baby sister was born.

It's hard to believe how time has changed many things,

but with it also has given us so many precious memories.

Dear Teddy,

How we love your beautiful smile,

the twinkle in your blue eyes when you tease,

the way you like to have fun 

but also work hard to finish what you begin.

You are soft spoken, tenderhearted, creative

and have so much to give.
Happy 7th Birthday and

may God bless and keep you.

Love, Papa and Mimi

♡♡♡