February Saturdays

There are some things that I really love about Saturdays.

I love the feeling that it's a free day, even if it includes baking Zwieback -

because it's relaxing and brings back happy memories.

I love that my H is home and we can, for the most part, sleep in

and have breakfast together.

I love that it's the day before Sunday, my favorite day.

Last Saturday I baked sugar cookies,

which were fun to drop off at a couple of places for Valentines.

The Saturday before that, we headed out to Manning Park again

to do some snowshoeing. 

We've been taking turns with the older grandkids and this time

we took Landon and Koen with us.

It was a perfect day out there.

Once I got my phone out of my pocked and mitts off,

I could hardly stop taking pictures.

Snowshoeing with kids is a totally different experience

and it was fun to see that boys can giggle too. 

Koen grinned every time he drew a face in the snow beside us as we went along.

There were many. 

We had our picnic in the snow ... peanut butter and jam or egg salad sandwiches, hot chocolate, cookies and oranges.

Feeling so thankful for the ability and privilege to have fun with our grands,

whether it's childcare, school pick up or outings. 

Not sure yet what next Saturday holds, 

but sometimes no plans bring about the best days. 

That's a peek into life today.

 

Valentines Vignettes

One definition of vignette is 

"a brief incident or scene" ... 

so I'll use that definition as a peek into our marriage.

The food on this platter is a symbol of tradition.

Faspa has been a tradition that has been important for us to keep,

partly due to childhood memories, and maybe more so

because it's relaxing and suits the day of rest.

It's a Sunday afternoon meal consisting of buns, cold cuts,

veggies, chips, salsa, cheese and whatever I can find in the fridge to round it out.

This was a random photo taken one day when we decided to use a large tray

and eat in front of the TV. 

We love to shop together. Yes, he does too!

One of our favorite places to go is downtown Vancouver.

The city atmosphere, the variety of shops

and dinner out is a special treat. 

We also like to go for long walks, either in our neighborhood 

or we drive somewhere to walk. 

This is in Fort Langley.

Last Sunday we found a new to us trail not too far from our house.

There are so many beautiful spots yet to find. 

We hope to get bikes this year to see even more. 

We love to dream and plan together. Before we built this new home,

we were on the lookout for everything from cobble stones to wall decor. 

This may be the reason this random photo was in my files. 

When it comes to work or responsibilities

our marriage works with each of us knowing our place. 

In some ways we are old fashioned but it makes our world go round.

Love and respect.

I iron his shirts, he washes my car.

If he would wish to iron or if I would want to wash the car, we could switch,

but we each prefer our job, no questions asked. 

A nightly habit we have is "coffee and dessert"

while we wind down.

Another nightly habit we began when we got married is

prayer before we go to sleep.

It is very hard to pray together if you are upset at each other,

so it's a good time to make sure everything is alright. 

And this photo caught my eye partly because well ... isn't he handsome! 

It's just one memory of anual spring trips down to California.

Something we can only dream about this year,

but once that privilege returns, we will sure enjoy that again!

Wishing you all a Happy Valentines Day weekend,

appreciating the ordinary small things of life. 

❤❤❤

 

Mom Jeans

When I named this blog, I didn't realize how much of life 

is truly defined by seasons.

Take for example ... jeans.

My favorite jeans in my teens were tight, flared, high waisted Seafarers.

Since then, between low rise, boot cut, boyfriend jeans, 

embellished, cropped, and stretchy fitted or legging style jeans ...

I continually find myself looking for that illusive perfect pair

that never stays perfect forever.

We see today's relaxed trend going high waisted, with a looser fit ...

a style that looks cute on young girls,

but maybe, if we try,  us older ones can work with it as well.

What I want to know is why they call them MOM jeans.

Which mom are they talking about? 

Certainly not the moms of today's teens

maybe not even their grandmas.

So I tried on these Mom jeans from H&M

 and they have a different feel,

a flashback to how I envision my mom in pants.

Simply put, they feel, "mom-like" ...

much like the plain old jeans of the past,

not fitted, stretchy - showing every curve. 

The only part they hug is the waist,

especially when cinched with a belt

which is why tuck in or cropped tops work well.

I went for the casual, comfy look

and then tried dressing them up just a bit.

A jacket, a frilly top, a scarf, different shoes ...

you can never underestimate the finishing effect of shoes.

Seeing options, gives one confidence 

and confidence goes a long way to feeling comfortable.

A new pair of jeans is good in every season.

I'll keep them.

PS ... This really is a good exercise. Put on a pair of jeans, pants or a skirt and shop your closet for as many combinations as you can find. Take pictures for future referrence. You may be surprised what you'll come up with when there is no pressure to go anywhere. 

Happy Birthday, Monika

Sixty years ago today I may or may not have been excited about a baby sister. 

I don't remember. 

I was three years old and I already had a baby brother.

But I have to tell you that today I'm so thankful for the gift of you,

my only sister.

One who shares my earliest memories,

rooted in the home we once shared

and the values we continue to go back to.

It's hard to believe how much of life has passed us by,

but always we have a reason to connect,

building on the memory blocks of yesterday

to make the most of the present.

Today I'm mindful of the season we're in,

and want you to know that facing hard days together

has deepened the reality of how special it is to have a sister.

I wish for you, your heart's desires,

sprinkled with extra wonderful surprises along the way.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Happy Birthday, with love.

🤍🤍🤍

Perishky

Time for a good "summer in winter" treat ...

A family favorite recipe that my  mom used to make is posted on the MGCC blog 

here

It is a pastry that gets mixed like a pie crust.

I used frozen plums here.

The pastry gets rolled out and cut it into strips or squares,

filled with fruit and a sugar/flour mix,

then pinched shut.

I pinch it in waves so it doesn't open as easily while baking.

I like to freeze these for a quick, warm, freshly baked dessert.

Some call it pie by the yard. 

And ... I finally found a way to import a video from my phone,

so here it is for a quick peek.

 

Where have all the Children Gone?

Back in August I shared about the beginnings of a treehouse

in a post called Of Treehouses and Growing Up

It's all a memory now.

This lonely treehouse ready, 

waiting for the children

who were waiting for it to be done.

I did my own little tour of it to take some pictures.

This is the view straight ahead,

coming into the front door, the back door open.

To the right there is a staircase going up.

At the top of the staircase there is a landing 

with a rope bridge to the loft.

The loft in the dormer

above the front entrance. 

Back downstairs, out of the back door,

you get to an outdoor porch.

And a view from the rope railing

looking toward the back door.

This treehouse was designed by my H and Chris, 

the pilot who became a builder on his furlough.

A childhood memory that stays with me is one of how I 

envisioned a playhouse under an outdoor staircase.

It was fun to plan and decorate it, even if only in my imagination.

Never would I have thought that real playhouses 

would become reality once I was too old for them.

But really? 

Maybe you never are too old if you can still dream.

The kids have their own plans about what they will do,

things such as having sleepovers or decorating it, 

oblivious to the virtual reality this becomes for their Grammy

who was once a girl with playhouse dreams.