Saskatoon MCC Sale

On Saturday morning we fought the wind and rain running into the Hall
where the MCC Relief Sale was being held.

This is the third of its kind that we have had the privilege to be part of with a book signing
through TTV - who sell the cookbooks in lieu of our royalties going to MCC.
Each year in Canada and the United States, thousands of volunteers come together to raise money for MCC. In the months (or year) leading up to the sale, you will find women getting together to make quilts to be auctioned, others donate furniture, farm machinery, or a variety of crafts to be sold, often including crafted woodwork. The weekend event usually includes a Friday night dinner, a Saturday morning breakfast and lunch of traditional Mennonite and other ethnic foods.
Often times there will be a concert and fun activities for kids.
In 2012 over $5 million was raised to help MCC respond to basic needs and work for peace and justice around the world.

I don't remember who pulled up a chair for Lacey, but she made herself comfortable
 right beside me . . . and since it was only Bev and I at the table this time, it was quite alright.



One of the toys that caught both of the girls attention was this little cyclist made in Kenya.



They walked around with it like they were walking a pet

 

 and the legs would spin as fast as they were being pushed or pulled along.

After two hours of steady signing, lunch was calling, and I did not even have a chance to look around. I did hear the auctioneer behind the curtain beside us and took note of the long line ups for food.

Teddy enjoyed her watermelon the way a 16 month toddler does . . .

Don't know if this was her first try at eating it in such a manner.
Her smile came easily as I focused the lens on her.

Lacey, diligently cut hers up in neat rows

before pulling up the slices. The Rollkuchen were amazing!

 

 And I am so happy to tell Lorrie that I had my first Saskatoon berry pie!
It was delicious!
Naptime and a signing at Scott's Parable in the afternoon,
called us back through the rain to our truck . . .
but it was a very enjoyable morning!

Saskatoon Kitchen and Signings

It's a rainy day here in Warman. Kari and the girls have left for a Birthday Party and this Mennonite mom-in-law has been given free reign of the pantry to bake to her hearts desire.
I'm happy!

It's a perfect time to put some treats in the freezer and reflect on yesterday.
We had a special welcome with sample cooking (from the cookbook) at TTV.
I enjoy the feeling of familiarity that we have come to know with these stores by now.
We were given a tour of the MCC work that goes on in the same building . . .
the making of quilts and packaging of baby layettes, school supplies and emergency response pails filled with basic hygienic needs.

For dinner we met at the Prairie Ink Restaurant at McNalley Robinson.

The special feature on the menu was Lovella's salmon dinner and

complimentary blackberry drizzle cheesecake.

We had dinner together . . . Bev's daughter and grandsons from Saskatoon,
Terry and Lovella . . . and Ben and Kari with girls.
After dinner Lovella, Bev and I each had a turn at the podium to tie a bit of our story together. It was a surreal atmosphere as I realized the guests at the tables had come to join us and were looking through books and enjoying cheesecake.

Lacey figured out that something special was happening and she loved coming and standing beside me as we signed books and chatted. 

 The strangest thing that happens is that there as those who feel they know us and they do not get the feeling that we recognize them when we see them. It was so good to get better acquainted with blog friends such as Lorrie and Mardelle and their daughters, Jenny and Stephanie. I enjoyed seeing moms come out with daughters and cousins or friends out for a night.

Luanne has been a friendly face when we have visited Ben and Kari's church.
It was great to chat with her this time.

It truly is such a beautiful book and gift store
and I feel so honored to have been a part of an evening such as this!

The Abbey on the Hill

Last Sunday we decided to meet up with the kids at the Abbey,
perched on a hill, overlooking the highway we take from Mission to the lakehouse
on Hatzic Island.
 

The Westminster Abbey bell tower carillon plays at regular hours, and can be heard
in the surrounding areas, including Hatzic community.

Its melodious bells chimed as the kids climbed on the steps . . .
wishing they could go to the top.

A bit of co-operation here for a shot.

We took turns appreciating the serene quietness and unique architecture in the chapel

and then took the trail leading to the bluff on the Abbey grounds.

 We stopped at this fence overlooking the Fraser River . . .
 

a view, inspiring awe, much like the feeling in the quietness of a sanctuary.

Looking east over part of Mission and beyond.

We headed back to our vehicles, carrying on down the hill and back on the highway
for a Sunday Faspa at the lakehouse.

After dinner around the campfire, tire swings, climbing the apple tree
and chasing a ball around . . .
it was time to say goodnight.

And as usual, from the highway going home, we caught a few last glimpses
of the bell tower up on the hill.
 

From my Mailbox

My guess is that Maria never knew about bright colored packages sealed up with tape . . .
but these have become part of my song.

Like a ray of sunshine . . .
is a bulky decorated envelopee in the mailbox outside my door

or a photo sent to my IPhone.

When Lovella and I were in Toronto a few weeks ago, I got this big smile
from someone who was happy to see Mimi in her family room in Saskatoon.


And speaking of Saskatoon . . .
Some of us will be hanging around a few bookstores and such there this week.

Thursday,
 June 13th at Ten Thousand Villages 11 am - 1 pm
and
at McNalley Robinson (Prairie Ink Restaurant) 7:30 pm
Come and see what the Chef has prepared from the book for this night.

Saturday,
June 15th at the MCC Relief Sale 10 am - 12 pm
and
at Scott's Parable 3 - 5 pm

We would love to meet as many of you as possible
while we are there.

I get the best of both worlds this time!
 

Joseph's Brother and Company

There was a time I dreamed

about the possibility of one day cheering

our grandkids on at their music recital, drama production or game . . .
 

In my visions these dreams did not, by any means,

conflict with book travels and signings

because they simply were not even

in my sphere of possibilities.
 

This weekend I had to choose

between the two . . .
and

 

the scene of the choir and actors on stage when the curtain opened
gathered any apprehensions into pure happiness!

 

 My eyes followed the girl playing Naphtali
 and the chorister in the yellow pants . . .
(I saw the father in front of me do the same . . .
his viewfinder had a certain boy in it at all times!)
It's all good!


 

Flying to Manitoba

. . . $505.00 or 50243 air miles

 

spending time with friends

and meeting new friends

. . . wonderful!

 

Seeing my oldest grandchildren

in the Joseph musical,

attending a piano recital

and finishing off the year with a PMCC choir concert

. . . priceless!

 

It's my first real replay season of the like
and I'm all in!

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

Berthold Auerbach

 

 

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.

Victor Hugo

Canadians Love Target

Target has always been one of those must-go-to stores when we have vacationed across the line.
It's one of the places we made memories as we visited with family.
One memory that stands out, goes back to 2006,
when Julene was home from Indonesia
and we had a rare opportunity for a quick flight to visit Kristal in Phoenix.
We loaded three very little cousins into the cart and very literally shopped till we dropped.
Target, especially to someone living in Indonesia, was the place that had it all . . .
 and no crying babies were going to stop us as she loaded up for going back!
We made a bed in the cart with soft housecoats,
switched soothers / pacifiers from one to the next,
whatever worked!

It's in understanding the anticipation and excitement of this kind of obsession,
that you may get why I'm still in disbelief that . . .
sisters and Target have converged in Canada!
 

On Monday, with those three "very little cousins" in school now and the next three in childcare,
we decided to check out the new Target Store. The cart was soon covered with shorts and t-shirts for growing kids. We had lunch in the food court and then headed home.
 

 

It was like a mini vacation at home!