Happy Valentine’s Day! A few nights ago, I was packing up care packages for each of our older children, who are all living in Victoria, on Vancouver Island. Our two sons, Mitchell and Harrison, are at University and our oldest daughter, Alyssa, is working as a …
Welcome February and welcome you. “Kids and Education” That’s what this post is about. If you’re not interested in listening to some of my thoughts, and just want to make some great banana muffins, then scroll down and I’ll meet you at the bottom of this page. If you ARE interested in hearing my reasons …
What does the wisdom of Gandalf, blessing today and carrot muffins have in common? Well hang in there and I will try to tie them all together. I’m sorry that I haven’t been writing more on my blog. I have been rather depressed since Christmas. Ever since everyone went back to their own lives full …
“New Year’s Day. A fresh start. A new chapter in life waiting to be written. New questions to be asked, embraced and loved. Answers to be discovered and then lived in this transformative year of delight and self-discovery. Today, carve out a quiet interlude for yourself in which to dream, pen in hand. Only dreams …
Pumpkin Cake Roll and a New Year, a New Day, a New Chapter Read More »
Our valley has once again been covered in a sparkling, blanket of white. Driving my kids to school this morning, I uttered the words I have said several times in the last two days. “Isn’t it breathtaking?” It’s so stunningly, beautiful, it makes me cry. As I write this post, it’s snowing again lightly. You …
My favourite month has arrived! Welcome December! Fa la la la la, la la la la! Oh the joy of season with the twinkling lights and carols playing, fills me with happy anticipation. I’ve always had a quiet faith in the magic of this season and this year is no different. But with only …
Winter arrived on my doorstep today With a frigid, magically stare, She danced on brilliant autumn leaves at her feet, And proclaimed she was the season …
Don’t you just love fall? I know I was reluctant to greet this season, since I felt I hadn’t experience enough summer…. But like any good friend who you haven’t seen for a long time, you connect immediately and pick up where you left off. Hello fall. I’m so happy to see you again! …
~The most powerful weapon in the Universe is Love~ Every day there is something horrendous happening on our planet. If it’s not from natural disasters, like the forest fires in my area, it’s hurricanes in the Caribbean, or earthquakes in Mexico, and if it’s not that, it’s man made atrocities, which are even more tragic, …
“Whoever hath a seed time of grace pass over his soul, shall have his harvest also of joy.” ~William Gurnall~ I won’t lie, the first day of fall was not a joyful one for me. It’s not that I don’t love the autumn season, for I do. Ah, the cooler days with the fresh smell …
“I blinked and you were gone, around the corner and out of my vision” The rain dropped meditatively against the windshield and dim light shone through the cab of the truck I was driving. The roar of the engine was white noise and the bouncing …
I’ve had him for eighteen years. You’d think that would be enough, but it’s not. And yet, I’m ever so mindful that I have been blessed. I am a blessed, beyond measure mom. I’m blessed, because I know there are women out there, who would have given anything for just one day holding their …
My husband David and I are building a wall. It’s in our back yard, behind the house we built twenty five years ago. Our house sits on a third of an acre, on a sloping hillside property above Kalamalka Lake, which National Geographic has claimed to be one of the ten most beautiful lakes in …
“Use for yourself little, but give to others much.” —Albert Einstein Isn’t free will an interesting concept? At its core level it can be a freeing experience, empowering even, but here is where the oxymoron lies, for some of us, having limitless choices creates stress and anxiety. I deeply appreciate …
“Love is the bridge to you and everything.” ~ Rumi~ We are off on our summer camping holiday tomorrow but before I go, I wanted to write a quick post to share something with my blogging friends and family. Tomorrow will be David and my 35th wedding anniversary. Yes, on July 31, 1982 we …
Welcome to my homestead! Gates are a big things around here lately. They keep things in and they allow others to move through them with ease. I hope your summer’s gate is opening gently. Gates allow us to enter an new experience…sometimes that experience is AHHHH! the chickens got out! I don’t know about …
Broccoli and Three Cheese Quiche, New Chicken Run and a Family update Read More »
Have you heard of the toys called, “Fidget Spinners?” If you are not in the kid realm, I’ll clue you in. “Fidget spinners” are small, ball-bearing devices that the user can rotate between his or her fingers. The momentum of the toy provides a pleasing sensory experience Originally the spinners were marketed as an aide …
Have you ever lived in a place, or has there ever been a time in your life when you felt totally grounded? You know that feeling of belonging, when everything is humming YOUR tune? Everyone is supportive, and even if there are those who aren’t singing your song, you are strong enough to carry the …
Welcome! So nice to see you…. Thanks for coming to visit today. I’m sorry I’ve been in ex-communicado. In the last month, A LOT of stuff has been going on at the homestead. Of course, Easter came and went. The kids above, William, Victoria and Kathryn with their eggs they decorated and my classic …
What I Know For Sure, is that HOPE sustains us. Have you been joining Deepak, Oprah and me in the 21 day, “Hope in Uncertain Times.” meditation series? If so, I’m so HAPPY! You are probably heightened to how the feelings of hope sustains you in your life. I can’t imagine life without it. …
Welcome to my homestead. After writing about Grandma Hulda and sharing our family’s recipe for old fashion pinwheel date cookies I thought I would share another great recipe and such a classic; Chocolate Chip cookies! Oh don’t you just love a freshly baked, still warm from the oven, chocolate chip cookie? It takes me …
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies and Hope for Uncertain Times (Part 2) Read More »
My maternal grandmother died 30 years ago in 1987, and yet as I did some research and started to write this piece, it felt like she was across the room, moving rhythmically in her rocking chair and sharing her story in her sing songy, Swedish voice that I loved. If you want to make a …
Pinwheel Date Cookies ~ Hope in Uncertain Times (Part 1, Grandma Hulda’s Story) Read More »
My dear blogging friends and family, are you getting tired of winter yet? I sure am! To me this time of year always feels like my 8th month of pregnancy, when I just wanted to meet my baby and have my body back. Although a part of me wanted to enjoy the last days of …
Happy Shrove Tuesday, dear blog friends and family! Did you know that Shrove Tuesday is also called Mardi Gras? And Mardi Gras is french for FAT TUESDAY???? I love learning new things. I always thought Mardi Gras was just a big party down in New Orleans (well it is) but it also refers to the …
Two weeks ago today, I said good bye again to our oldest daughter. For those of you who have grown up children, you may understand how hard this is. For those of you still sharing your child’s early years, hold fast and treasure every moment. For me this is tough. I don’t process things easily. …