Five on Friday

1.

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900); novelist, playwright

2.  Last week I bought corn at the Farmer's Market (ours needs a few more weeks to grow) and I wanted to grill it on the BBQ.  This post at Our Best Bites outlined 3 awesome methods, including one that did not require soaking.  I've done it twice now and it's. absolutely. the. best. way. to. do. corn!  Try it - I guarantee you'll love it :)

3.  The garden is still going strong with peas, beans, beets, carrots, cucumbers and cabbage all ready. I think the only thing we are still waiting on is the corn and it's coming!

4.  This morning I picked a small yellow squash, which was delicious steamed and served with butter and a hint of maple syrup for lunch.   The good news is there are lots on the plants.

5.  Photo of the week:

Roasting Marshmallows

(and really interested in how the stick was cut!)

Five on Friday

1.

Laughter is the fireworks of the soul. ~Josh Billings

2.  You. must. read. this!  Kelle Hampton writes about her beautiful daughter, Nella.  So, so precious - make sure you watch the video too.

3.  The weather for most of July and the first 10 days of August was cool, with highs in the mid-20s.  We had periodic showers and things grew slowly and steadily.  This week the temperatures have gone up - and everything is growing like crazy again!  The chickweed is taking over my garden.  So now I have weeding to do, right when everything is ready to pick and preserve.  My days do not have enough hours in them!

4.  I shredded the first big zucchini of the year and made muffins and chocolate cake today.  It. was. delicious!!

5.  Photo of the week:

Fun with Grampa

At the Playgroundgrand

Five on Friday

1.

“There is no such thing as a 'self-made' man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success.”

George Burton Adams (1851-1925); educator, historian

2.  This poor little blog has been majorly neglected lately!  I need more hours in my day and more days in my week.  There's so much to do at this time of the year and it looks like November might finally be quieter!

3.  Have you seen the movie Girl Rising?  Watch it on CNN on June 16 and 23.  Now I need to find a friend that has cable :)  I love this quote from the website!

4.  My idea of doing a Friday photo share from my iPhone pictures is going by the wayside - at least for now.  I'm taking about 100 pictures a week and the choosing and editing process takes a long time.  Right now there are so many things needing my attention that this project is way, way down on the list. I did like the reflecting and reviewing process so maybe I'll do it once in a while.  (I thought of a month in review but then that means I'm looking through 400 pictures - and the project got even more overwhelming!)  Kudos to those who can maintain this Friday Photo Dump!

5.  Photo of the week:

Grampa Gus and Helayna

(my Dad is so good with kids -

and they love the tickle fests!)

Five on Friday

1.  

(source)

2.  I planted some of my patio pots this week with these lovely "Queen Bee" petunias that Sprouts Greenhouse had this year.  Blake and Maëlle helped me pick lots of pansies which will fill more pots :)

3.  Big news from the Alberta government this week is that there will be a complete re-do of provincial achievement tests.  The tests will happen in September which means so many changes for teachers. More exciting times for educators!

4.  The great tomato adventure continues with more transplanting and 27 plants finding new homes recently :)  I've moved some into the greenhouse now and I hope they survive our low evening temperatures, which continue to persist this spring. 

5.  Photo of the week:

Leaving early in the morning for the airport

Five on Friday

1.

Do you want to be a power in the world? Then be yourself.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 2.  It's National Scrapbook Day tomorrow and I will be making wonderful memories with our family as we celebrate some birthdays and gather with all of our children and their families.  We are blessed to have both sets of great-grandparents coming as well.   And then I'm looking forward to doing some scrapbooking later with all the pictures we'll take! 3.  It's been a very full week of fun with Melinda, Samuel and Malachi.  I can't believe that they are going home in 4 sleeps!  Every time they come the days fly by faster and faster.  Our house is going to be some quiet when they are gone.  So, so thankful that they came for this visit. 4.  I made a little visit to my favourite greenhouse on the second day they were open this week.  Two little helpers were on a roll when we picked out pansies.  I thought 5 trays would do but we ended up with 10!  They were so helpful and so excited to get pansies.  My Gramma would have loved seeing her great-great-grandchildren excited to choose them - they were her very favourite flowers.   The greenhouse is  a place of happiness for me - I would not have said that 5 years ago.  Amazing how a person changes, even at my age! 5.   Two In A Treehouse

2013 Joy Dare

       
       
           
           
       

#251 - #299 (a sampling)

- chocolate covered almonds
- just a little bit of new fabric
- finding the next chapter book
- listening to a little one talk about saving his money
- little girl crawling away

- winter songs in the CD player
- a willing partner for card playing
- a tray of de.li.cious cookies
- subbing on a 'no busses running' day
- warm houses on cold winter nights

- a teacup and saucer and a set of pearls from my grandmothers
- afternoon nap with warm quilt and heat pack
- oil of oregano
- still 4 summer onions left
- feeding her first foods

- Bible studies
- last day of the week Fridays
- grocery shopping together
- fresh daffodils
- watching the grandkids play hockey
- little boys running hard

- snowball fights from the treehouse
- hauling wagon loads of wood with Blake and Meadow
- wagon races in the driveway
- feeling so filled with His blessings
- reminders of God giving His son for me

Five on Friday

1. 

“If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don't have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.“

Steve Jobs (1955-2011); Co-founder Apple Inc.

2.  It's February and time for a new list of photo prompts from Katrina at Capture Your 365.  I'm challenging myself to grab every one of these 28 prompts this month.  Want to join me?  I'd love to see your shots. 

3.   Oil of oregano + Kleenex + hot pack + tea with honey and lemon = trying to get rid of this sinus cold, once and for all!

4.  I guess it's time to pull out the seed catalogue and contemplate garden plans for this year.  The tomatoes will soon need to be planted - but it seems like I just picked the last ones!  Actually we used the last of our own tomatoes this week- pretty awesome, I say!

5.  Photo of the week:

Playdough Figures

by Silas and Gramma

(more than an hour's worth of fun!)

Five on Friday

1. 

“The best preparation for tomorrow is to do today's work superbly well. ”

Sir William Osler (1849-1919); Canadian physician, founding professor at Johns Hopkins Hospital

2.  This wonderful machine came gift wrapped from all of my family this Christmas!  Thank-you so much!  

We are busy getting acquainted after I watched the 2 hr. video explaining how to use it and showing recipes that could be created.  Stay tuned!

3.  It's still the Christmas holidays at our house!  Late nights, good food, time with friends, games to play, relaxing days - it's all very good.

4.  Looking for something fun this month?  Take this animal spirit quiz and find out what animal you are most like.  It's kind of fun :)

5.  Photo of the week:

Happy New Year!

Gratitude Gifts Today

#4832 - #4902

- Christmas pyjamas washed and waiting for the grandchildren
- little piles of sewing finished
- sifting through my bins of fabric
- a bed with warm covers
- getting better after being sick

- wheat pack on my toes
- cold ginger ale
- fresh pumpkin granola
- working steadily in the kitchen
- cleaning day

- friends gathered
- Beads for Life
- ibuprofen
- dusted shelves
- visiting with my sister

- Christmas mugs and plates
- slow cooker full of chai tea
- pumpkin hummus
- washed floors
- Christmas shopping - in my home!

- sun rising golden onto a frosty day
- full day of subbing
- wedding rings
- baked barbecue chicken legs
- picking Bob up at the airport

- sleeping fast!
- winter morning sunrise
- Bible study group gathered in our home
- long visits
- afternoon nap with Blake and Maëlle

- lunch with my sister
- childhood stories shared around the supper table
- celebrating birthdays
- online sermons by Timothy Kellor
- beautiful table settings

- Sunday afternoon visits with 1 grandchild at a time
- making things together
- sharing lunch, just us 3
- guitar worship music
- little ones going out to skate in the dark

- late afternoon call to sub in home ec
- red cranberries hanging on the trees for the birds
- shelves full of jars with summer produce
- senior high foods students making perogies and pies
- laundry folded

- bags sewed for Christmas giving
- planning gift giving
- napping in the fort made of quilts
- walking to and from school with Meadow
- pizza from the local restaurant

- making Christmas cookies
- snuggling in front of the roaring fire
- baking shortbread men, 1 for each cousin
- snowshoeing around the yard with Blake
- taking photos

- watching them at gymnastics
- shortbread and chocolate peanut clusters for the freezer
- a day to sleep in
- big pot of soup
- croissant sandwiches

- amazing health care workers and doctors
- leftovers
- reading "The Hobbit"
- more fabric cutting
- celebrating Christ the King Sunday

- Christmas baskets coming together
- getting out the Advent candles
- marvelling that He chose to give His only son
- reading Mary's story, prep for next week's Sunday School lesson
- making a conscious choice to spend less, make more, share often and love fully

Gratitude Gifts Today

#4795 - #4832

- safety while storms rage all over the continent
- cocooning at home and avoiding icy roads
- empty chicken house, just in time
- cleaned out deep freeze
- room enough for all

- little trick-or-treaters
- great big 'thanks' shouted back at me
- imagination - of littles and parents
- candles burning bright in pumpkins
- "This Little Light of Mine"

- sewing
- iPhone photos - amazing technology
- slow cooker ready meals
- garlic smashed potatoes
- leftovers

- chicken stock cooking after supper
- fresh pears
- mint green tea
- rescheduling visits
- little ones playing in the sandbox

- cords and sweaters
- down-filled jacket
- warm gloves and boots
- hot dogs for lunch at school
- colours of the rainbow

- sun shining while snow diamonds twinkle
- chickadees outside my kitchen window
- fourteen cups of pumpkin for the freezer
- first batch of poppycock
- filling shoeboxes to send

- 3 gifts that begin with 'N' - our daugher Naomi, nuts and nachos

- quiet night times

- gifts that only He can give

- words of hymns that speak straight to me

- my Saviour and His unfailing love for me

Five on Friday

  1.

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (1926-2004); psychiatrist, author

2.   Did you know that  within 72 hours you’ll forget 95 percent of what you heard? 

3.  This week I popped a lovely little chicken into my slow cooker, added a little paprika and garlic salt, filled the cavity with an onion and a whole head of garlic (following the ideas here) - and walked away for 7+ hours.  When I got home, the house smelled yummy and supper was nearly ready.  I cooked some potatoes, squeezed the head of roasted garlic into them and (s)mashed the whole lot together.  Some gravy from the slow cooker drippings and cooked creamed cabbage rounded out a  most delicious meal!  You should try it!  I'm so glad I took N's advice and tried this method.  

4.  I started a little sewing project this week - but I can't show you because it's going to be a Christmas present.  I like how it's turning out so far :)  Next up - some pouches for the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

5.  Photo of the week:

the birthday girl with her Olympic swimming pool cake

(her Mama is so creative!)

On Going Home

Dearest Melinda and Tyler,

It has been an absolute delight to have you and your two beautiful sons here at home for the past 19 days!  We have loved every moment of this precious time and the memories we've made together have been so wonderful.

 Tonight at supper you were talking about favourite moments and it got me thinking about:

- that special moment in the morning when a certain little boy pushed open our bedroom door and came straight to Grampa's side of the bed with the biggest smile

- "Grampa, do you wanna play baseball / feed the chickens / go for a quad ride?"

- "Gramma, are you gonna miss your daughter?"

- "Yes, I am - and I'm gonna miss my grandsons too!"

- "my very own work gloves!!!!" (and how they'd sneak on to little hands at meal times and even went to church with him on Sunday morning)

- baking cookies together and sneaking bites of dough

- the great treehouse building event

- how a pry bar, a hammer and a handful of nails can make a little boy so very happy

- sweet, sweet smiles and cooing from a baby

- how much Malachi grew and changed over the 3 weeks

- how long Samuel's hair grew too

- cooking favourite meals for you all

- Sunday's weiner roast

- the chickens - ah, the chickens - and all the trips to feed and check on them

- how a certain boy grew to be very brave in the chicken house

- "I'm gonna miss Cripply - he's my friend."

- sharing pictures and stories about Mommy as a little girl

- reading stories while Malachi watched the pictures so intently

- what a novelty he was while shopping

- evening games and cups of tea after the boys were settled

- hugs from each one of you!

I know that it's been a challenge some days but I am so very thankful that you came here for your summer vacation.  Please remember that you are welcome here any time - the door (and our hearts) are always wide open!  Travel safely tomorrow - we'll be praying that all goes smoothly.  And we'll be planning for next time too and praying that it comes very soon :)

All my love,
Mom  XOXOXOXOX

On Their First Day

Dearest Meadow and Helayna -

Today is the day that you are both starting first grade!  What a great day it's going to be for each of you.  There will be new teachers and new classrooms, new friends and some familiar ones, and a very long day ahead of you.  This is such an exciting year.  You are going to learn so much and do so many interesting things.

I pray that you will have a year full of kindness and encouragement.  I pray that your teachers will be patient with you and remember that you are just little people, on the first step of a lifelong journey of learning.  I pray that they will treasure your spirits and encourage you with every ounce of their beings. I pray that they will love reading and math and that they will challenge you to grow your skills.  I pray that they are curious at heart and encourage you to ask questions and explore your world and its people.  I pray that they will give you high fives and hugs and celebrate your strengths.  I pray that they will know when you are worried or nervous and gently lead you on.  I pray that this year will be spectacular!

I will be thinking of your Mommy and Daddy as they let you go out into the big world tomorrow.  It will be a bit scary for them too but they will be your cheerleaders every step of the way.  They love you so and want you to grow and learn everything you can.  I know they will be waiting at the end of the day to hear all your stories and see all the things you bring home.  Your brothers and sister will be so excited to see you too!

I can hardly believe that just six years ago you were tiny babies!  Where has the time gone?  How did you grow to be so tall and so beautiful, so strong and so energetic?  God has blessed you both and I am absolutely delighted to be your Gramma.  I am so very proud of you and all the things you can already do.  You always make me smile and your hugs are the best!  Thank you for being the best granddaughters ever!

All my love,
Gramma Crystal  XOXOXOXOXOXO

P.S.  I will be waiting to hear all about your day - please call me!

Five on Friday

1.

“Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.”

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894); essayist, poet, novelist

2.  At book club last night we had a great time discussing 

and catching up on all the news, including engagements!,  from everyone's summer.  Good times!

3.  Beet relish and zucchini relish on the work order here today.  I have 3 jars of each left from last year so that worked out pretty good. 

4.  I'm planning a little road trip for next week to get some of these lovelies. 

I can just imagine how good they are going to taste :)

5.  Photo of the week:

licking the whipped cream beaters!

Gratitude Gifts Today

#4552 - #4588 -  August 13 - 20, 2012

- 3 gifts in green: garden full of growing plants, green leaves + yellow sunflower faces, green walls in our kitchen
- our very own "Green" family!
- cucumbers from Mom K's garden
- a wedding gift sent
- my engagement and wedding ring set - a reminder of our partnership

- defusing a situation with a smile
- tomato globes slowly turning color
- more new baby chicks
- beans hanging heavy on plants
- cucumbers hiding in the leaves

- text messages to keep us informed
- birthday present shopping
- pictures at family gatherings
- an old, old car
- celebrating 50 years with my aunt and uncle

- my girls cooking supper
- cousins playing together
- raspberry jam on toast
- devotions with Bob
- a bit of reading, here and there in the day

- waking up with a grandson
- rocking Malachi
- words from Ephesians
- singing and reading with grandchildren
- keeping meals ready and the kitchen ticking along

- hearing exciting news about an engagement
- watering the greenhouse with a little cuddler
- friends for supper
- sharing travel stories
- playing games together

- weiner roast lunches
- all the good things our Father places here for us
- watching them read the Bible with Samuel
- his prayers at mealtimes

Five on Friday

  1.

“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get. ”

Michael Phelps (born 1985); American swimmer; most decorated Olympian of all-time

2.  In 16 hours this little family will be arriving to spend some time with all of us in Alberta!  The beds are ready, some meals are planned, the sandbox is waiting - just a few things like vacuuming and washing floors to still do.  We are so very excited to see them - and for Grampa to meet Malachi.

3.  This was the week of the bean!  2 more ice cream pails of cut yellow beans are blanched and in bags in the freezer.  There are still green ones but maybe we'll eat them this weekend.

4.  These little Mac and Cheese Bites are on the menu this weekend.  I think they are so cute!

photo from annies-eats.com

5.  I'm judging one more fair tomorrow and I'm looking forward to seeing what this little community has to show.  Watch for a blog post next week showing some of the great exhibits I've seen lately.  There are so many talented people out there growing, cooking and creating things - and showing them to the rest of us!

The Weekend Lens in July

Canada Day - the perfect day to gather as a family - and to celebrate a baby!  Our families gathered on July 1st and Peyton was the star attraction :)  Everyone got to meet her and hold her and love on her!

There were lots of presents - 

and cute clothes - 

and even some dress-up clothes!

Her little closet is filling up and she's absolutely adored by all of us!

Creating

Two days before Peyton's baby shower, I got the idea to make a little banner for her.  I have no problem dreaming up projects and thank goodness, I got this one put together in time!

I used 3 red cotton prints that I had in my stash, cut out the letters and zigzagged them on to the banner pieces.

The banner was hung on the "gift boxes" - crates from the John Deere dealership that our son might be able to re-purpose and use in his garage!

It's amazing for me to have two projects finished in one weekend!  It's a rainy, windy day here today so I'm heading to my sewing space for more fun :)