Five on Friday

1.

(source: Write. Click. Scrapbook)

2.  It was a very busy week with 4 days of subbing and lots of work in the garden and greenhouse.  My kitchen counter was sadly neglected!

3.  I love bringing branches from our blooming trees into the house.  This week it was from the mayday and next week the lilacs will be ready.  I love how they look and the wonderful smell that permeates the house.

4.  I'm going to a high school graduation tonight.  I had 15 of these graduates in my grade 3 class and it's so cool to see them all grown up now.  This is one of the student events I most enjoy.

5.  Photo of the week:

Seeded field on a spring evening

Lists of 2013 - #13 - What I Love About Spring

Listography 2013 - #13 - What I Love About Spring

1.  Going outside without jackets, boots, mitts, hats - you know, without having to be totally covered because it's so cold out.

2.  Green buds and then leaves appearing on trees and bushes

3.  Flowers of all kinds from dandelions to mayday blossoms to apple buds and then bunches of lilacs.

4.  Long evenings of sunlight

5.  The fresh smell of the earth after rain

6.  Green growing tips on the evergreens

7.  The optimism that creeps into conversation and attitudes

8.  Pots of flowers on the patio

9.  Birds, flitting and flying and chirping

10.  New animal life - baby calves in fields, lambs in pens, chicks in brooders

11.  My birthday

12.  The first lawn mowing

13.  Revving up for farming

Five on Friday

1.  55 days until the Olympics begin!!

2.  This bouquet is on the table at my house today.  The evening sun makes it even more beautiful and the smell is divine!

3.  The baby chicks I got 1 week ago are growing by leaps and bounds.  It's really quite amazing!  They love getting new straw for bedding.  They scratch and settle in just like old hens - so funny to watch.

4.  The radishes, lettuce, peas and onions are coming up in the garden.  And some pumpkin seeds that got thrown out over the winter are sprouting all over the place.  They need to be moved tomorrow or they'll run right over everything else!

5.  On this week's wish list:  Barefoot Train Lithe Glove Shoes by Merrell

Hello, Monday

Hello, warm weather - I'm so glad you have finally arrived!

Hello capris and sandals.

Hello kids' wading pool - you are going to be well-loved.

Hello day and a half of subbing back in elementary school.

Hello favourite greenhouse.

Hello plants - I hope you will enjoy your new home in my pots.

Hello buds and blooms on apples and maydays and saskatoons.

Hello shovel - time to dig some flower beds.

Hello garden soil and seeds.

Hello seed drills - you are going to be kept busy in the field this week.

Hello lawn mower - your winter rest is over!

Hello phone - I'm keeping you close in case you bring a much-anticipated call.

Hello tomato plants - it's time to transplant you again.

Hello bigger pots - where are you hiding?  I desperately need more of you.

Hello first long weekend of the summer!

Dear April!

Dear April -

You have totally snuck up on me!
It seems like we were just celebrating Christmas
and now here you are with all your promises of spring.

You showered us with snow this morning
but by afternoon your warm rays of sunshine
had melted away all traces of the white stuff.
Puddles are gathered everywhere
and I am sure the kids will find everyone of them
on the school playground tomorrow.
Your sun rises by 7:30 in the morning now
and it lingers until well after 8 p.m. already.
And the warmth, oh the glorious warmth
of all that sunlight feels so very good!
Yesterday in the greenhouse
all your rays grew our potatoes
ever so nicely, in just one day.

I heard geese honking across the sky today
and I'm sure the robins will soon be here too.
The smell of earth fills my nostrils
when I go near the garden
and the first dandelions
will soon be poking up around the house.
There is so much promise as you unfold
spring for us.

Halfway through you we will celebrate
 Maëlle's first birthday - how exciting that will be!
It doesn't seem possible that she's been here
for twelve months already
but she is getting to be even more adorable
as she explores and expands her world.
I am most delighted to share my birthday month
with her - we will have grand parties together, I think,
especially with big sister and brother planning cakes for us!

So it's quite a pleasure to welcome you,
dear April -
even though winter wasn't too long or hard this year.
We look forward to all the glory of Easter
and our Saviour's resurrection this week.
Thank you for bringing new life
and the reminder of God's gift of salvation
into my life again.

Love,

Crystal

Wordless Wednesday

Gratitude Gifts

As this month ends and the days of spring go by, there are still surprises everyday.  The weather has been so warm and sunny - and then on Saturday night we had frost!  It went to -4 degrees C nearby and there were a few plants that were touched and have black top leaves.  I think our fruit trees were protected and the saskatoons were finished blooming.  Most of Alberta has had frost warnings for the past 3 nights.

Even amidst life's surprises and twists and turns, His goodness is constant.  There are no surprises from Him!  Or if there are, as in the case of Mary and Joseph from our Bible study this week, He has it all figured out and we only need to trust Him.  When I think of what was asked of Mary and her response, I see myself as severely lacking in so many ways.  May I be reminded of her life often - as I count on each day!




#2541 - #2564


- green, green grass without dandelions

- brownies
- playing along with the grandchildren's pretend games
- holding Maëlle
- supper ready at 10:30 a.m.
- first spinach salad from the garden
- promise of flowers to come

- sunny afternoons
- greenhouse tour
- seed potatoes
- pink Rocky Mountain Lavendar geranium

- wind that blows mosquitoes away
- unpacking new-to-us toys
- birthday cake in kindergarten
- fresh tulips from Naomi's garden
- plants safe from the frost

- praise songs while driving
- reassurance that a friend is doing okay
- sewing
- grilled cheese sandwiches
- phone call from my brother
- soft ice cream
- pictures in the flowers

"Two Pansy Friends"

Six on Saturday

What was supposed to be Five on Friday has now become Six on Saturday!  Still sounds good to me!

1.  The dandelion field that is supposed to be our lawn is currently being mowed down!  Seriously, after the rain last weekend and a bit of heat now, every. single. dandelion seed that was ever on the lawn has sprouted and bloomed!  The bright yellow is cheerful but the height was approaching "let's graze the cows" status.

2.  I was a lucky winner in the Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway last week!  This very sweet little diaper clutch is coming to me - thanks to Tiffany at twilltapeshop.com.   I think it will make a perfect gift :)

(photo from Tiffany's blog)

3.   I put together a birthday gift this morning and now I really don't want to give it away!  But I know it will be loved and appreciated where it's going too.

4.  Apple trees in full bloom this week make me very happy - so gorgeous!

5.  We had spinach salad, using the first volunteer spinach from the garden, last night.  It was delicious and I am excited to be able to use fresh lettuce and radishes soon.  You just can't beat the taste of picking something and eating it within an hour!

6.  My beautiful new barbecue (a wonderful birthday and Mother's Day gift) is making grilling an easy and enjoyable way to serve supper these days.  So far I've done asparagus, roasted vegetables, Italian sausages, pork chops, chicken thighs, salmon, burgers and steak.   Using the rotisserie is on the agenda soon.  Thanks, D & K, N & J, for this generous gift.

Wordless Wednesday

Five on Friday

1.  Today the neighbor walked his cows 2 1/2 miles down the road to their summer pasture at our farm.  There were no cowbells and I missed taking a picture of the drive - but I still feel like I'm in Switzerland when I say "summer pasture!"  Remember Heidi and her grandfather taking the goats up the mountain?

2.  Lots of grain is being planted these days.  And the dust blows and the mosquitoes bite!

3.  In the past 24 hours, suddenly all the fruit trees have started blooming.  They look gorgeous and the smell is divine.

4.  I noticed today just how many colors of green there are when the leaves first appear.

(poplar tree growing in the ditch)

5.  I spent a good part of the day planting, watering and rototilling.  It was wonderful to have a day outside to enjoy spring and marvel at how fast everything is growing.  Thank you, Lord - for the growing and for the day.

Wordless Wednesday

Gratitude Gifts

This middle part of May (goodness, how can that be already?!)  brings our grandson's birthday and I definitely miss being part of his celebrations.  He lives right across on the other side of the country, which is much too far away for my liking, but we were able to Skype with him on his special day.  It's just amazing to use all the technology that can keep us connected!  Last night I found some pictures of the day he was born and then some of his party with us last year - and I am amazed that this little bundle of boy has grown into a running, babbling, energetic, full of smiles little man!  Happy, happy Birthday, Samuel - we love you!

In both our Bible study and the pastor's sermon this week, I was reminded that the plan God has for us can often seem strange - think of the story of Joseph (Genesis 39 - 50).  And even though we believe in HIm, we are not guaranteed that we will be treated 'fairly' or that we will live a charmed life.  But I do know that He is my Gate  (John 10) and His is the path I travel because He is with me.   And I need Him there and He stays with me - and His grace falls on me daily.



#2489 - #2514

- Samuel's second birthday

- a mommy and a daddy who love their son with every ounce of their being

- Canada Post who delivers birthday presents

- barbecued burgers and a multitude of salads

- bird songs as I walk along the road

- Blake's smile and his arms reaching out to me (really it just melts my heart!)

- another visit to the greenhouse

- growing things

- mosquito repellent (it's essential right now)

- bumblebees and the promise of pollination

- Meadow's excitement at every plant in the greenhouse

- pansies - and the reminder of my gramma

- friends and late night conversation

- doctors and medicine for a friend

- Saturday morning with no alarm clock ringing

- fields drying

- plants for my pots

- telephone, email and Skype

- envelopes of pictures found

- memories, memories, memories

- chats with my sister

- the smell of cultivated fields

- learning more from His word

- welcoming a new couple at church

- living in Him, rejoicing and trusting

Wordless Wednesday

Gratitude Gifts

Spring is definitely being enjoyed with all its warmth and new growth here.  This morning I noticed that the trees have a definite green tinge to them and the lawn is looking very green.   I was thinking about how our lives reflect this change in the seasons too.  The last two Sundays I've gone to church with Heather and Jonathan, where the pastors are preaching a series on ICHTHUS (the Greek word for fish). Last Sunday it was about our Saviour and this week's topic was Sanctified.  It means set apart for God's purposes, after accepting Him as our Saviour.  Some of the doubts and worries that have troubled me lately fell away yesterday and I feel like new attitudes are growing in me.  How very blessed I am to experience His grace in this way and so I count His gifts to me!



#2456 - #2489

- sun shining brightly
- a rainbow as I drove out of the rain
- warm temperatures
- green leaves starting to peek through
- a day of creating

- an evening with my Mom, just us 2
- walking Helayna to Sunday School
- talking to our grandchildren on the phone
- scrapbook layouts that capture them right now
- lawn growing again

- supportive colleagues
- energy as I work for several days in a row
- a visit to the greenhouse (thanks, N!)
- beautiful growing things
- pussy willows turning to leaves

- chai latte'
- snacks packed along
- strong hands to open tight lids (thanks, J!)
- help transplanting 65 tomato seedlings (thanks, H!)
- mayday tree budding
- hearing frogs croak

- fields being seeded
- Mother's Day phone calls
- first watermelon of the season
- setting plants out for a bit of fresh air and sunshine
- watching my daughters become mothers
- my Mom and my mother-in-law
- water and plants

- the reminder of baptism and new birth for me
- to be loved unconditionally
- reading His word
- being taught what that word means for me daily
- God's promises for me

Wordless Wednesday

Gratitude Gifts

Another month ended and we are living in the days of Easter now.  These are the days of remembering that He took all our sins so that we might live forever.  These are the days that remind me that there is really no other way to heaven, except by believing and then thanking Him for taking it all from me.  All the good I try to do doesn't matter one single bit if I don't accept that He is my Saviour.  It's only through Him that I live and breath and have my being - and it's through Him that I have grace every day.




#2411 - #2456


- snowbanks reduced to nothing
- waking to sunshine
- hiking around the yard with grandchildren
- finding the first stalks of rhubarb pushing through the ground
- tiny purple crocuses blooming beside the snow
- planning for weiner roasts
- little hands clasped across carseats
- Sunday's message about our Saviour
- dads that cook Sunday lunches
- playing Cinderella and Three Billy Goats Gruff

- piles of folded laundry

- plants growing in containers

- a windowsill full of note cards
- blue sky and puffy clouds

- new shoes
- soup for lunch
- fresh bread
- a new barbecue (thanks D & K, N & J!)
- babysitting our beautiful grandchildren
- little boys playing

- summer plans
- greenhouse opening
- peanut butter chocolate cups
- Mother's Day
- colors
- the vacuum cleaner
- first bike rides

- last bags of summer fruit from the freezer
- the right and responsibility of voting
- bills paid
- turning the calendar to find new pictures
- finding birthday gifts

- learning more about Bible heroes
- healing for a broken body part
- tax returns filed
- buds on branches

- book orders
- dishes washed
- weddings
- sound of tractor starting after a complete overhaul
- my husband's pride in completing the job well
- delphinium growing

- encouragement
- thoughts of my grandma
- reading this:  
Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." John 11: 25 - 26

Spring Flowers

These spring flowers graced our home during Easter week.  Tulips, irises, daffodils - I love them all as harbingers of the bright and beautiful things that spring will bring.   And they are a reminder too of the bright and beautiful things that God will work in our lives when we accept that Jesus, our Saviour, died for our sins so that we might have new life!

"Flowers preach to us if we will hear."

Christina G. Rossetti

Wordless Wednesday