The Retirement Celebration

I'm in recuperation mode from a month of planning

and seeing it all come together in a happy celebration.

One way I do this is to go through photos,

thankful for the ones shared by family.

I could not keep the party a surprise since he had to help me gather the guest list.

We went back over the past 49 years of staff,

and I tried to connect with as many as I could. 

It was wonderful even just to talk to numerous ones on the phone. 

We put many hands to work in preparation.

Stephanie, is a friend and decorator who not only gave me some good ideas, 

but also has a collection of frames, boxes, tables etc which she brought over to decorate our shop.

I simply had to collect the photos and memorabalia such as old newspaper adds,

plans, wallpaper books, wood, tile and carpet samples

and she made the shop look like a showroom. 

Frames, bunting banners and building plans are such a great idea to create backdrop!

Herb was not allowed in here until just before guests arrived.

It was a walk down memory lane, showing how times have changed.

Stephanie and I conspired together about centerpieces.

She proceeded to gather and put together what was needed. 

I am so thankful that we had a beatiful day to set up and celebrate.

Such a wonderful gift! 

Time just flew and all too soon the string quartette came along for a short concert

while guest were arriving.

I had talked to Dr. Calvin Dyck (Julene's violin teacher many years ago)

about getting a group together,

and when they arrived I was so excited to see that he himself came out.

I could not have asked for anything better!

In the meantime Kristal served punch as guests gathered.

One of my very favorite things was seeing people who had not seen

each other for years, suddenly recognize each other.

There was so much joy! 

Greek food was delivered 

and Monika and Bob took over the serving 

and later the clean up. 

I don't have much for photos, but they had all the kids

helping in various ways.

Even if just running the water down to the tables.

It's a day they will not forget ...

for as Jade commented on their way home

"Well ... that was a night full of work!!!"

Mics call out to kids.

A very different view of the pickle ball court. 

It made me very happy.

They're still smiling.

The dessert bar was a highlight, even if I do say so myself! 

I didn't hear any excuses about  not having dessert ...

At the tables we had some advice, memories and  wishes to be filled out. 

A night to remember.

Like I said in my tribute, 

it would seem that I am very happy to have my husband home and I am.

As we read the wishes and memory cards later

I was again reminded of the many who noted that they were thankful

for the chance that they were given ... often those new to the area or country. 

It was a night to celebrate all of these 

and a night to bless my H, for his integrity and faithfulness through 

good times and hard times.

A man I deeply admire and love,

looking forward to what God has in store for us.

 

The Flower Farm

For Mother's Day this year, I received a gift to look forward to -

and three months later - here we are at Five Acres Flower Farm 

It was a perfect summer evening and ladies from all over 

came out for this workshop ...

dressed for a special occasion. 

No memo on that ... but somehow the feeling was in the air. 

The owner gave us a tour of her fields, showed us how to cut stems

and then let us go cut as many flowers as we liked.

The dahlia fields were at their prime, but there were many other 

flowers! I had forgotten the wonderful scent of sweet peas!

We were shown how to incorporate eucalyptus and scented herbs as fillers.

Really, it could not go wrong. 

We took our buckets to the tables where vases were waiting to be filled.

As the sun set, the lights shone brighter,

and I could have just gone around taking pictures.

These sweet young women and the one in Indonesia

are such a blessing to me!

To love and be loved is the greatest gift! 

 

A Full House

This past week, and for a few more days, we've had the privilege

to have Lacey, Teddy, Jade and Jack here while mom and dad

are celebrating their 15th Anniversary away. 

We started the first day with baking cinnamon buns.

The kids decided to make super large buns.

Jade was proud to stir the icing.

We're all waiting to pick ripe fruit.

One day Jack called me over,

"Mimi, can you come, I need to show you something."

So off we went to inspect my petunias that I had

not dead headed to their full extent.

I found out that he is very good at it.

One day we hiked Teapot Hill.

We counted about 85 teapots and tea cups tucked into logs etc.

along the way.

 

Lunch tasted great at the top.

And this is what it looked like for part of the way down 

after Jack had a spill and needed some tears to dry.

Teddy knows how to fill a crepe ... and I love the smile that goes with it.

Papa got out his slingshot from when he was a boy ...

which, of course brings back heroic memories of killing snakes etc. 

One day Koen and Evy joined the table and I made the simplest dinner,

but one of their favorites, Rollkuchen and watermelon.

I guess we are keeping some traditions alive. 

A quick walk at Cheam Wetlands and the views.

We collected wild flowers for another pretty bouquet.

We've played games, looked at photo albums, read, 

told stories and lots of jokes, jumped on my bed,

had a popcorn and movie night, spent time practicing pickle ball,

played in the crawl space and 

I enjoyed a happy birthday serenade wake up one morning

with homemade cards to open in bed.

It's been busy,

but a gift we cherish, knowing we cannot ever get this time back.

Probably the most significant memories are not in photos,

rather, in time spent in random ways.

Maybe when I look back at photos, 

I'll remember those times as well.

♡♡♡

 

Garden Bouquets

One of my new delights since moving here has been to cut fresh flowers

all spring and summer long.

Such as yesterday ...

coming home from church and feeling like I fit the brown-eyed Susan look. 

The globe thistles have been growing almost wild for months now.

They got tall and burned from the heat, not so nice looking,

so I cut them down, thinking next year they are moving!

But they just grew back into healthy, less spindly looking,

 new plants with new thistle flowers. 

Two seasons in one is okay by me.

I do not know what these are called ... they bloomed a fiery red 

a while back and then turned yellow.

When we had that big heat wave I was so sad to see the hydrangeas wilt and burn,

but they soon forgot their troubles and blooms exploded ...

so many that the plants could not hold them up.

I wonder if it's because the plants  are quite young and fragile yet.

And, for the first time, maybe three months ago,  

I planted dahlia bulbs and they are blooming now.

I need to learn what to do in order to have them come back. 

Does one dig up the bulbs and plant again?

It would be so nice if they would just come back. 

I went a bit farther back into my photos and saw the lupines

that I already posted.

These also can be cut down once they get past their prime,

and they grow lush and green in no time.

Oh, and the lavender ...

I guess I don't have a picture on hand,

but there's lots to enjoy and it's been fun to dry it 

for long after summer days end.

There is so much to learn.

So much intricate beauty in just a flower or even a thistle.

The ones pictured above show the different stages,

from green and spiked, to light purple to a bright purple and 

lastly each tiny spike turns into a flower, reaching out to hold

hands with all the other flowers on the globe.

So amazing!

And if God so cares for the flowers of the field,

how much more does He care for us? 

A New Season

It's a strange feeling day, this day like no other. Last night Herb set his alarm for five or five thirty AM to get up for work for his last official day. It's been a steady, a norm, and possibly a part of life that we never really thought about coming to an end.

I met Herb when I was in Grade 10. He had graduated the year before and was, what he thought, working temporarily for his older brother who had started a floor and drapery business.  His brother had hired two floor installers and two seamstresses. My guy was the driver doing pick ups, deliveries and installing drapes. 

Now let me tell you about one of his first showroom experiences. Not the typical looking Mennonite boy, longish hair and flared pants, he remembers going to help some customers, who  happened to be speaking Low German. They looked at him and said to each other (in his mother tongue) Does this idiot even know what he's talking about?" With a straight face he replied, "Yes, he does." And he still laughs about it. 

Eventually more staff was hired and more services were added, such as area rugs, blinds, bedspreads and wallpaper, calling for a name change to Friesen Interior Decor. Herb became sales manager, then general manager and in 1985 his brother sold the business to him. We were a young family, just taking one step at a time, never having aspired to this, but it basically fell into our laps. In those days, the shop was doing retail with walk in customers. He had a later start than today and was able to drop off the kids on the way to school. 

In early 1990, as opportunities for home decor increased, we moved into a larger premise that included more home decor displays and warehouse space. Herb hired more design staff to assist customers with their  interior decor. We had numerous salesmen and I remember those days as being a lot of fun.

As time and demands changed, the nature and name changed once more. The need for custom made and design help slowly vanished as big box building stores added these elements and customers were given the choice to do things themselves, which is a good thing. With this shift, Herb ended up dropping a number of their custom services and narrowing down on just flooring. He moved into a smaller space, focusing on working with contractors in wholesale. 

Today, it is a small shop tucked into the side of a warehouse. Estimators sit at their computers working through plans for malls and high rises, while the main sales arrangements are made with building contractors, architects and designers who specify the covering of floors and walls. Tile and wood are the main items to source and installed by crews of talented artists. 

It became a career that he never would have dreamt and has been one that he's grown with. One that would have looked impossible back in that showroom with the German speaking ladies.

So, today I'm reflecting on what has been a major part of our lives. He's handing off his keys to another. We have a blank slate for the future. A new season. 

 

When the Designer Showed Up

Earlier this year I posted a tour of this little house,

but I thought it might be fun to do an update on that.

I want you to note what's on the porch.

Natalie texted me one day and asked me what my budget would

be to decorate the playhouse. 

I was a bit at a loss, no idea what would be needed,

but I figured $100 should be reasonable, 

happy to give her a project.

A little while later, she sent me a video, showing me what

she had bought for $98!

I couldn't believe what she had pulled together!

On the day she came over, Evy was with her, wanting to help.

I gave her a pail with soapy water and she was happy to scrub the steps.

I didn't stick around to watch the process

because I looked forward to the reveal.

So, coming in through the front door ...

I was asked to take off my shoes ...=)

There was a super soft carpet with a bean bag in one corner.

(that door goes right through to the back porch)

On the right side where the steps go up,

she had a catch all basket for blankets, etc.

(which came later)

and notice the framed pictures of cousins.

When you look up from that first floor,

you see the rope ladder going to the front loft.

With no electricity in there, she made use of

battery operated string lights.

The landing coming up the stairs.

And the loft, where she was just finishing up.

It's amazing how much fun a Dollar Store 

and some creativity can provide for a teen ager!

I'm not really sure who enjoyed this more, she or I, 

because I sure loved seeing how she took her job seriously.

She had a blank slate and made it a cozy, welcoming place.

We've enjoyed giving other grandmas and grandpas tours

and have come to see that there's a child that loves to dream -

still living inside all of us!

❤❤❤