My Dad, Marvyn Derwent Clark, was born in Freedom, Alberta on April 29, 1920, during the last big flu pandemic. It was a time, when almost a quarter of the earth’s population, was infected with a deadly influenza. The Spanish flu, as it became known, was responsible for the death’s of possibly 50 million people …
Before you were born you whispered to me, “be brave, let go, allow goodness to come.” And so I jumped and you fell from the stars into my arms. Ever since the world is a little brighter. Keep shining my beautiful Diamond Girl. ~Lee Reynolds~ I can’t sleep. A new day is dawning and I …
Happy New Year my dear blogging family. I know it’s the beginning of a spanking new year, but I have a secret; where it’s at is “OLD.” When I was a child, one of my favourite quilts was a patchwork creation. On one side was a soft flannel sheet and on the other, an intricate, …
Christmas is almost on our doorstep and I’m travelling down memory road once again, thinking of my father who has been gone for most of my life. I’m also thinking of my son Mitchell, who is on the other side of the world and will be celebrating Christmas in Australia this year. As I decorate …
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! Much pleasure thou can’st give me; O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! Much pleasure thou can’st give me; How often has the Christmas tree Afforded me the greatest glee! O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! Much pleasure thou can’st give me. ~Traditional German Folk Song~ Welcome back and Happy …
Have you seen those decorative Christmas pillows with whimsical quotes and images? Last Christmas when I was in Homesense I saw the throw pillow of my dreams. It was white and had the word, “Hope” in gold glittery letters. In my mind I had images of an all white farmhouse, with white walls, white furniture, …
Standing court around us, providing the air we breathe Observing humanities triumph, also our many tragedies We walk around unconscious, unaware of their power Never stopping to wonder, gaze or admire The magic in their branches, the gifts in their leaves When will light dawn, on all earth’s human beings That we are living among …
Welcome back and thanks for joining me in celebrating the season of light. On the heel of my last post entitled, “Unplugging the Christmas Machine,” all about my desire to create a simpler yuletide, I want to share a few things we’ve been doing to slow down and smell the roses,….. or rather the pine …
Can you believe it’s only a month until Christmas? It doesn’t feel as if we are moving any closer to the winter solstice, since in my part of the world, (Okanagan Valley, in southern British Columbia) we are experiencing a lovely, sunny November. Usually it’s rainy, sometimes snowy, and definitely cold this time of year. …
With a steaming mug of pumpkin spice tea next to me, I’m joining you once again. Two seasons have passed since my last blog post. I had material a plenty but felt I needed time to just be in the moment. Instead of capturing and posting life, or writing down my thoughts in words, I …
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. …
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 …
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 …
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 …
“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 …
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 …