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.

Leaving October

It's hard to believe the month I've looked forward all year long is coming to a close.

It's truly been a month of celebrating from beginning to end -

with Thanksgiving appropriately placed in the middle,

threading it's way into the everyday 

and the blessing of looking back over the past 40 years. 

I've overloaded on thoughts and photos,

taking this as a way to acknowledge these unmerited blessings -

my song of praise to God, who gives seasons

along with joy and strength to face them.

While on my walk with my camera,

I was reminded of seven years ago when I first began blogging

about being in the Fall Season of my Life -

a season of changes and vibrant with color,

and I am so glad that I ventured into this unknown path

of  writing, not just for myself but for whoever would read.

As much as it has caused me to be more aware

it has also made me realize that people are easy and kind -

willing to be friends along the way.

Now the thing about keeping this kind of a diary,
is that after a number of years, it makes one realize
that a lot of life is repetitive . . .
first days of school, holidays, vacations, dates, birthdays . . .
they keep coming again and again . . .
so much so, that it gets harder to see each occasion as new.
Where I used to have thoughts lined up about what to write
for weeks ahead of time,
I now take one week at a time - or maybe just a day
wondering when my first blank week will come around.
It just makes me wonder . . .
Maybe it's time - maybe not!
I don't think I'm ready to just lock it up and put it away,
but for now I'll give myself the freedom of a break.
And I'll write when I can't help myself.
In the meantime,
thank you so much for your every visit in these past seven years
I have tears in my eyes . . .
it's been so good to have company to travel this road with!

And - a Recap . . .

. . .  to commemorate that there truly is a season for everything.