Thoughts As The Year Ends

Story is built into every single one of us. Your story matters, because it’s part of God’s story down through history, not because you punctuated everything correctly.  
Jennifer Dukes Lee

I've been missing from this blog lately but God's still working in me and my story continues to unfold.  It's amazing how He works, in ways mysterious and far more wonderful than I can ever imagine.  It's amazing the blessings He pours into my days.  And His plan for my life is simply amazing, even though I don't yet know what that whole plan will be.  I know that He holds 2014 and me in His hands, safe and secure and stunning in all His glory!
And what was marvellous about 2013?  
1.  Our beautiful grandchildren continued to grow and thrive.
2.  The growing season was long and produced bounty in fields and gardens.
3.  I was blessed with days of substitute teaching and professional growth.
4.  We shared evenings, games and conversation with many good friends.
5.  Creating with paper and fabric continued to make me happy.
6.  My kitchen was a happy place whether baking, canning or preserving good food.
7.  God protected and kept us safe while farming, working and driving.
8.  A new challenge of teaching confirmation class has the Holy Spirit working in my life in so many wonderful ways.
9.  Many good books were read and contemplated.
10.  My iPhone became my camera of choice and recorded many beautiful moments and precious memories.

(First set of photos taken on my iPhone)

I am looking forward to a new year, resting in His promises - I hope you are too!!

Family Olympics

It was family gathering time on New Year's Day and if you know anything about my family, you know that it's very likely we did more than just eat, visit and sit around!  Yes - my sister, the event planner and her husband, the 'rig everything up for the event' guy, planned a winter Olympics day for us.    Unfortunately, the weather was freezing cold and windy so they had to modify things but we still had alot of fun!

We did eat dinner all together and then we headed outside.

Everyone was dressed for the weather!  I love this picture of Esther and Larry,  our hosts.

First event up was biathalon - two people skiing together on 2 X 4 plank skis - this required some coordination - alot like a three legged race!  "Left, right, left, right!"  Luckily there were no broken bones!

I really like this picture of the spectators watching from inside the warm shop!

More ski competitors.

Then we moved on to hockey with everyone having a chance to shoot 4 balls and trying to hit the targets on the corners of the net.  We had to have a shoot-off because each team tied in points!  I think Will, Jen's husband, had the fastest shot.  This is my aunt who is a really good sport!

Next event was bobsled racing where 1 person from each team rode on the GT snow racer and 2 other team members pulled the rider -

on the sled around the loop on the driveway.  That's Melinda (Kelsey's sister) riding with Silas and Meadow on the other sled.  It was a good idea to pull the lightest team member!

Going downhill was pretty fast but coming up the hill on the other side took abit more effort!

Larry even carved the Olympic rings in the snow in front of their house!

After those events, we went back up to the house where the awards ceremony, complete with gold medal canning jar lid rings were presented to the winners and Esther played O Canada on the piano!!!  It was a great way to celebrate Christmas and welcome the New Year!!

Happy New Year!

(blue moon rising on New Year's Eve)

May 2010 be filled with light and  beauty for you!

Weekend with Friends

It's been a long time since we went up to visit some longtime friends who live about an hour and half from us so this was the weekend to do that.  We had soup and great fresh buns, visited and looked at photos while the guys watched the World Juniors Hockey game (Canada beat Russia 6 - 5 in a shootout!), and then cooked Chinese food together.  That was a first for us - I had the job of dipping chicken pieces in batter and deep frying them to make Chicken Balls.  Bob stirred the Ginger Beef, Don made stirfried vegetables and Darlene oversaw the whole operation while doing fried rice.  All of it tasted delicious and we'd definitely do it again.  We played dominoes (which Bob won), stayed overnight and then went to church together this morning.  It was a great visit except for the fact that I forgot to take the camera!  So I just enjoyed the moments and you'll have to imagine it all!

I hope your first week of January is full of peace and happy days!

New Year's Eve

We celebrated New Year's Eve with Jerry's family.  After supper, Meadow and Ali decorated gingerbread men - 

we played some games - 

and finished the evening with fondues and raclette cooking.  It was a  very mellow welcome to the new year!

Thanks for taking pictures, N!

Happy New Year!

Sun setting on the first day of a new year

At the beginning of last year, I did a little exercise that involved looking back at the first line of the first entry for each month and I thought it would be fun to repeat that exercise.

A Review of the 2008 Blogging Year 

January

We started the New Year with a visit to Airdrie and Calgary.

February 

We've got this wonderful view from our newly renovatged room at the Westin Bayshore (in Vancouver).

March

We are in the most beautiful, warm, tropical place today!! (from Iquassu Falls, Brazil)

April

I packed a few scrapbooking things and some pictures when I went to Heather's and this is what resulted!!

May

I have so much to be grateful for every. single. day!

June

Time for another question!  (part of the question and answer series I did to mark my blog-iversary.)

July

Our sweet granddaughter, Meadow, turned 2 yesterday!

August

Yesterday Jerry arranged a little quadding trip with his mom (Judy), Murray, Naomi, Bob and I.

September

Summer is officially ending and the temperature is reflecting that around here.

October

This week, the amazing Ali Edwards is creating a project called A Week In My Life to document her life with words and pictures.

November

This little one (Meadow) had fun emptying the box, gathering up all the green papers and putting the oranges in her basket - all while still in her pyjamas!

December

Outside my window - after a sunny morning, the wind is blowing colder air into our area along with a forecast of flurries and lower temperatures for the rest of the week - I guess winter is coming after all!

It was kind of fun to look back and have a quick glimpse into last year's posts.   I wonder what this year will hold - I know it's going to be enjoyable and full of things I can't even imagine!

As The Old Year Ends

May you be blessed with gifts of 

- gratitude for all that Heavenly Father provides

- health , strong in body and in mind

- peace that brings calm to your soul

- joy to fill your heart

- laughter that will brighten days and relationships

- friends and their support and encouragement 

- adventures to new places and new situations

- compassion for others

- ability and strength to act on your convictions

- family and the love they bring

Happy 2009!!!