Welcome back to my blog. Spring has arrived at long last and with it, came focaccia bread and inspiring sparks of joy. A few weeks ago, our children were off school for their two week, “spring break.” Boy, did we need a time out from our usual routine. During those two weeks, we accomplished a …
I took the picture of the bridge above, which is located in the Cathedral Grove park, near Parksville, B.C., many years ago. Cathedral Grove, is home to some of Western Canada’s tallest and oldest trees. I was awestruck, traveling through this gathering of wisdom and history. Walking this bridge, reminded me of my life’s journey. …
After trying to conceive for several years, and after the sad loss of our soulbaby (a 12 week loss), I turned to meditation and yoga. Slowly, I came out of the fog of depression stemming from that miscarriage. The dark days of winter grew lighter. I started seeing the beauty around me. The early signs …
The words “be safe, have fun,” keep reverberating through my brain. They were the last things I said to my two kids, who left on adventures this week. My son Mitchell, who will be off on a grand adventure to Australia at the first of March, left on a west coast road trip this past …
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice.”~ T.S. Eliot~ I started this post at the beginning of January but, alas, did not get around to finishing or posting it. Before I knew it. Chinese New Year had arrived, and once again, I lingered over the keys, …
Merry Christmas!….it’s good to be back. This year end blog post, is basically centered on the theme of Henry David Thoreau’s quote below. ~”Most of the luxuries and many of the so-called comforts of life are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to mankind”~ It’s timely is it not? After all, the weeks leading …
Have you ever noticed when you do one thing, several other things fall into place at the same time? It’s kind of like the above quote, “A Manifesto for a Simple Life;” when we stress less for instance, we laugh more. Recently, it occurred to me that by becoming a more sustainable family; growing our …
Triple Berry No Sugar Muffins and Five Easy Things to Help Our Planet Read More »
I missed writing my minimalist Monday post yesterday. Partly, due to the fact that our three youngest children were playing with their youth orchestra at a music festival out of town, and partly due to the fact that I’m oh so very sad. You …
Welcome to another Minimalist Monday post. In a few short hours, the last Monday of Spring break will be over and everyone will be back to their respective schools/jobs. It was a fabulous break in so many ways. No we didn’t go to Hawaii, or to Mexico, like many of our children’s friend’s …
Minimalist Monday~Letting Go of What Doesn’t Serve You Read More »
The Price of Anything is the Amount of Life You Exchange For It It’s been the wackiest first week of spring break. We thought the nice weather was finally with us, but then out of the blue, it started snowing. Everyone was shocked. Normally by the time that my sister J, blows out her …
My dear blogging family, With spring on our doorstep, I feel light and free; as if I could accomplish anything! It’s also the first Monday of spring break and I have two, glorious weeks to spend with my youngest children. The endless days spread out enticingly before us. We have a long list of …
“It is the first mild day of March. Each minute sweeter than before…There is a blessing in the air. ~William Wordsworth~ Guess what? As I knock on my wooden desk, I have to tell you that the last three days have been sunny and glorious. The snow is slowly melting and the birds …
Does this post’s title make you hungry? I know it’s a lot of food all in one place but we need serious comfort food around here. It snowed last night. Again! Now, don’t get me wrong, I appreciate living in a climate where there are four seasons, but this year, I’ve had enough snow. I’m …
Shepherd’s Pie, Cornmeal Muffins, Berry Coffee Cake Read More »
My mom loved to smile. Even though she was a child who lived through the tough depression years, even though she was a young woman during World War Two, even though she became a widow at 39, and was left to care for her daughters, she learned the art of smiling. Random Fact: If you …
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 …