Baby Jack

Our sweet boy, the youngest, the baby.

The last one to start First Grade. 

The last to still have his upper baby teeth, 

although wiggly, with clear signs of making room for bigger ones.

How I love his little personality!

Whatever you give him to do, he does with all of his heart!

The newness of life and all the things that can be done,

exude sheer joy in his sparkly brown eyes.

Just like his floral painting, 

uninhibited, wild and beautiful. 

Energy to spare, balls bouncing, flying high.

An age when nothing is impossible. 

I don't want to forget what it's like to see life through the eyes of a child. 

And for some reason, especially a boy. 

❤❤❤

 

Summer Scenes

It occurred to me today that we are only half way through a summer

that feels like it began by taking over our spring and just kept going,

pressed down, shaken and spilling over.

Soon after our Indonesia family came home we celebrated my H's birthday with everyone except for Tehya and Rahul, who are working at a camp. 

Ben and Kari hosted with a pool party. 

As siblings on my side we celebrated three birthdays as well. 

One Friday night friends of ours invited us to fly with them to Victoria for dinner. 

Chris and Julene set up their home  and we enjoyed a trip to the nursery. 

It's been surreal to see them and know that we don't have to say goodbye again soon.

Shaun and Kristal also moved into a new home that they've had an eye on for some time.

It felt like a big party as well! 

Just another family that loves to pass through our front yard.

We celebrated Julene's birthday with a breakfast out in Fort Langley. 

The grands nearest to us have enjoyed the pickleball court.

Of course it's not summer without Rollkuchen and watermelon! 

And with the heat, 

it's been fun to see a feathered friend  find this place to cool off.

Today we celebrated BC day with a trip across the line,

just the two of us. 

We walked the Boulevard Park boardwalk

and had Mexican dinner in Fairhaven.

The border security agent thought it sounded a lot better than sitting in her booth.

We know that around all these highlights there is work,

the mundane, the planning that happens before anything gets done,

the spills and the tears, 

but these are the peaks that show up in my photos,

reminding me how much I have to be grateful for. 

♡♡♡

Huli Huli Chicken Tacos

One of our favorite summer meals right now are these Hawaian Chicken tacos. 

Ingredients for Marinade, Chicken and Tortillas (serves 6)

1/3 cup pineapple juice

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 tsp better than bouillon (chicken)

2 tsp freshly grated ginger

1 crushed garlic clove

6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

18 mini flour tortillas

Ingredients for Pineapple Mango Salsa:

1 cup pineapple, tidbits

2 ataulfo mangoes, peeled and diced

1/4 English cucumber, diced fine

2 Tbsp fresh mint, chopped

2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

2 Tbsp frozen orange juice concentrate 

2 Tbsp lime juice

1/8 tsp sugar

1/8 tsp salt

1/8 tsp chili

1/8 tsp cumin

Optional Spicy Sauce to spread on tacos:

4 Tbsp mayonnaise

1 ripe avocado, mashed

1 Tbsp hot sauce (Sambal Olek) 

1. Mix marinade ingredients. Reserve about 1/3 cup for basting. Pour the rest over chicken breasts in a large bowl to coat. Cover and refrigerate for one hour. 

2. In a medium sized bowl, mix mango salsa in order given. Set aside.

3. Heat the grill to medium and spray with cooking spray. Drain the chicken (discard marinade) and place on grill. Cook with lid down for about 8 minutes per side, or until no longer pink. Baste occasionally with reserved marinade. Meat thermometer should show 165 degrees inserted in thickest part when done.

4. Serve chicken sliced into thin slices with mango salsa and warm tortillas. You can add spicy mayo sauce and/or sliced red cabbage. 

Hydraengea Season

The hydraengeas are loving these warm days,

showing off their blooms in several spots in our yard

and I've ejoyed cutting them for bouquets. 

This little bundle got placed on the nightable to welcome home our 

grown kids. 

Julene loves yellow roses, so I mixed it up a bit. 

This bouquet I picked for my sister, who had us for dinner last Sunday.

These have been in the house for over a week.

Sometimes they hang their heads immediately

and sometimes they go from lovely fresh flowers to perfectly dried flowers. 

My view from where I often sit.

And these I picked when we had friends over for dinner a few days ago. 

Hydraengeas in different shapes and colors ...

small joys to share with anyone who passes by,

even in a virtual way. 

 

Holiday Monday

This past Monday our neighbors invited us on their boat,

sailing out of North Vancouver to go for lunch to Bowen Island.

Everything about this invitation sounded wonderful ...

a little holiday that has no name. 

The day started out mostly cloudy, but it was warm,

with a forecast of sunshine to come.

I never tire of the Vancouver skyline with Canada Place front and centre.

We sailed the Burrard Inlet, past Stanley Park,

under Lions Gate Bridge

and past Point Atkinson Lighthouse - perfectly placed, jutting into the harbor.

Our sailor turned north and into a beautiful little harbor

called Snug Cove. 

His pretty deckhand knew exactly what to do, 

hanging fenders and then tying us down.

It was so much fun!

We walked through the Marina, admiring the beautiful boats

floathouses

and gorgeous window boxes. 

It's so interesting to see how people make their homes on the water.

As promised, we enjoyed fish and chips at the Copper Spirit Distillery.

Patio eating is the best! 

After lunch we walked through some fun little souvenier shops

and then headed back toward home.

It was a reminder of the beauty to enjoy in our own back yard. 

With ferry service to these islands, 

we hope to do something like this again soon. 

Actually One More Last

Chris and Julene were last to come ... and what a beautiful sight! 

Secretly, I hope to never see those red bags again. 

When words are not needed.

The happiest crew at the airport.

Chris' parents from the island joined us for dinner.

And our family the next day. 

Tehya and Rahul got time off from camp but we had to send them off with plates to get back.

The week started with a pajama party for two girls who couldn't wait.

Chris and Julene moved things in storage over to their townhouse.

Some furniture got set up.

Some of us enjoyed a pedicure,

and a trip to IKEA.

Jade came over early one morning and felt pretty special to hang out with her big cousin,

even if it meant coming along to the doctor's. 

The sight of cousins not concerned about personal space warmed my heart.

I don't expect all of the adjustments to be this easy,

but we are off to a good start.