Five on Friday

1.

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”

Albert Einstein (1879-1955); theoretical physicist, philosopher, Nobel Prize winner

2.    You must go to Starbuck's this week and order an Eggnog Chai!  They are absolutely delicious :)

3.   I have a stack of Christmas cards that are almost ready to mail.  But the printer ran out of ink so I can't print more copies of our Christmas letter.  The finish will have to wait until tomorrow.

4.  Are you still doing Christmas baking?  I have grand plans to make Butterscotch Confetti Bars, Raspberry Almond Thumbprints, Fudge Puddles and Chocolate Pinwheels this week.  I'll have to be super efficient with my time - wish me luck!

5.  Photo of the week:

Gingerbread House In The Works

Lists of 2012 - #49

Listography 2012 - #49 - Books I Read This Year

For book club:

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

Purge by Sofi Oksanen

A Walk Across the Sun by Corbin Addison

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman

The Virgin Cure by Amy Mckay

The School of Essential Ingredient by Erica Bauermeister

The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

Others:

The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

Earth's Children (re-read) - Jean Auel
       Clan of the Cave Bear
       Valley of Horses
       The Mammoth Hunters
       The Plains of Passage
     
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

7 : An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

Chocolat by Joanne Harris

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother  by Amy Chua

Ellis Island by Kate Kerrigan

Bloom by Kelle Hampton

The Girl in the Blue Beret by Bobbi Ann Mason

Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis

The News from Paraguay by Lily Tuck

In progress:

Priceless by Tom Davis

Julie & Julia by Julie Powell

24 - that's 2 a month!  Wow - I didn't realize I had read that many.  If I had to pick only one to take with me to a desert island, I don't know which one it would be!  The book club reads were all good. (There was 1 book I didn't read this year - long story - I moved on!)  And if you only read one book in the next year, pick The Five Love Languages - it's relationship changing.

Thank you to Shelfari for helping me to keep track of this year's list!  I don't think I would have remembered all of them on my own.

Christmas Inspiration

Thanks to Becky for sharing this Christmas joy!

Agriculture is Life

Some days it's just very good to listen, be encouraged and get pumped to continue on the paths we've been called to in life.  Today was one of those days for us.

Farm Credit Corporation, our agricultural lending institution, conducts 10 forums across Canada each year and we attended the one in Red Deer.  Unfortunately we missed the morning session presented by Amanda Lang, CBC's senior business analyst where she talked about innovation.  Her remarks were referred to by people throughout the rest of the day and we hope to hear her some other time.  Loading a B-train full of grain and sending it out took first priority on this day!

The afternoon speakers were fantastic - so happy that we got to hear them.   First up was Martin Latullipe, captain of Canada's 2001 world university hockey team (he was injured while playing), now working as a motivational speaker.  This clip from his website says it all:

"Martin delivers a high-energy, theatrical performance characterized by humor, lots of fun, and great takeaways. He inspires and motivates. After listening to Martin’s presentation, audiences will never see their personal impact in the same way. They will immediately begin looking in the mirror of success and start creating legacy in their personal and professional lives."

(from martintullipe.com)

His examples were profound stories of how people make an impact, realize potential and create legacy. And he was such a cheerleader for agriculture but I guess that's what motivational speakers do!
Here are a few of my notes:
Our response determines our level of success.
3 seeds to keep winning:
1.  Focus on the dream, not the doubt.  (This is the challenging one for me - and by the jab in my side when Martin spoke those words, someone else in this partnership knows it too!)
2.  Choose to give what you do and how you do it, great purpose.  Create a legacy in other people's lives. 
3.  Celebrate progress, make it your measure of success.  Focus on the 3% chance of making it, not the 97% chance of failing, based on a true story he told.  Believe in miracles and live in the moment!

The second afternoon speaker was General Rick Hillier, former Chief of Defence Staff and overseer of the Canadian mission in Afghanistan.  He spoke about leadership and shared many stories from his military career, as well as some including his wife.  The crowd definitely related to him and emotions in the room went from hilarious laughter to sobering tears-in-our-eyes as he talked about the men and women serving our country around the world.  

(from generalhillier.com)

Things to remember:
Communicating is hardest with those closest to you.  (Ain't that the truth?!)
Leaders are all about people.  
Inspire your people to bring body and mind to work.  
Draw inspiration from the people around you so you can keep going.  
Practice perpetual optimism and a passion for what you do.  It will move others to do and be better.  
Be inspired by recognizing the hero models right around you.  As a leader, share their passion with others.

I'm going to write more about FCC's "Agriculture More Than Ever" campaign next year.  


  

Gratitude Gifts Today

#4902 - #4947

- finding pictures from our South American trip, printed and in an album
- wrapping gifts
- ordering online
- pumpkin hummus
- December Daily scrapbooking project

- cuddling little ones
- happy mail
- banana bread
- school assemblies
- text messaging

- playdough
- afternoon naps
- leaving supper set out
- red Christmas fabrics, red poinsettias, red candles
- sharing snacks and laughter

- Bible study discussions
- white twinkling lights, white perogies, white Christmas trees
- visiting with friends while touring lovely homes
- special gifts from faraway places
- hard conversations worked through

- Advent candle, altar candles, sun shining
- hosting coffee after church
- watching movies - and staying awake!
- fresh veggies and dip
- lunch packed for tomorrow

- pinning the binding on a quilting project
- unpacking Christmas decorations
- boxes of nuts and fruit
- fresh, soft, melt-in-your mouth Mejdool dates
- Christmas programs

- carrot loaf
- great discussions with grade 6's
- 3 gifts silver - bracelet from Eqypt, tea kettle, ornaments
- sleepovers
- reading books in bed

- 3 gifts sweet - poppycock, hot chocolate, eggnog covered almonds
- baking bread and buns
- keeping kitchen counters clean
- warm hats and mitts
- meeting friends for supper

- long, long discussions with friends
- working hard on relationships
- all my sins covered every day
- grace, grace, grace
- celebrating the Saviour's birth again

Advent 2

Stir up our hearts, Lord God, 

to prepare the way of your only Son. 

By his coming give to all the people of the world 

knowledge of your salvation; 

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, 

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and forever.

Amen

Five on Friday

1.  This quote says exactly what's in my heart this year:

The way to see Christ in Christmas is to slow down — and see & be & do the small. 
 Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience

2.  Here's an excellent read, How to Lower Your Expectations, from in(Courage).   So good to read - and probably re-read! - as December goes on.

3.  I'm gradually accumulating Christmas gifts.  I'm so excited about the small purchases that I'm making and will share with loved ones.  I really must start wrapping some of them!

4.  Averie Cooks is a new blog that I found recently and I'm enjoying her daily posts.  I really will make these Cranberry Bliss Bars this month!

5.  Photo of the week:

Winter Sunset

Lists of 2012 - #48

Listography 2012 - #48 - Favourite Memories from 2012

1.  Peyton's birth, holding her for the first time and having a Canada Day baby shower for her - and watching our son become a Dad!

2.  Malachi's birth and holding him for the first time

3.  Going to New Brunswick for 10 days

4.  Our grandchildren and the chickens

5.  My Dad's 80th birthday

6.  Melinda, Tyler, Samuel and Malachi visiting for 3 weeks

7.  Taking a family photo with all 18 of us!

8.  Growing so many pumpkins and squash

9.  Having our grandchildren stay with us

10.  Maëlle's baptism

11.  Going to BC with my friend

12.  Garden and house tours

Right Now

Right now, I am...

:: drinking water - I haven't been getting enough lately.

:: hearing the Casting Crowns Christmas CD - my favourite again this year.

:: nursing dry skin, especially on my heels.

:: reminding myself that it's all about people and experiences.

:: thinking about gifts for those hard-to-buy ones.

:: doing lots of cooking, baking and cleaning.

:: keeping the baking I have done hidden. 

:: loving Advent devotions and candles.

:: wanting to get a tree but it's still too early for a real tree.

:: plotting the making of a photobook.

:: feeling peaceful and serene after an evening program at church. 

:: preparing a bag to stay overnight with the grandkids tomorrow.

:: looking forward to a visit down south next week and babysitting our granddaughter for the very first time. 

:: stitching the binding on a table runner that was started this summer - oh, my!

:: looking forward to mailing Christmas cards and getting lots in our mailbox too.

:: enjoying Christmas traditions, old and new.

:: loving the excitement and anticipation of this season.

:: hoping for good health and safe travels for all we love this month.  

:: wishing the very same for you. 

:: thanking Soule Mama for this very good blog post idea!

Once Upon A Christmas - House Tour

Today's feature is the last home that we saw on the Christmas house tour.  It was quite amazing!

The Snow Queen's Coach waiting outside

welcome sign

And then I didn't capture The Nutcracker drawing room 

or The Beauty and the Beast dining room.

Peter Pan bathroom

brown and gold tree in A Christmas Carol bedroom

Hansel and Gretel in the kitchen

(complete with a trail of lifesavers)

The Frog Prince bathroom

Rumpelstiltskin's Spinning room in the back entry

Tree of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland's room

The Mad Hatter's tea party

tree of birds and nests in Red Riding Hood's hallway

The Little Mermaid bathroom

The Three Bears in the playroom

with Goldilocks sleeping in the littlest bed

The Princess and the Pea bedroom

Snow White's bedroom

(the curtain rod has little stocking for the 7 dwarves)

kthe mantel as we passed by Little Red Riding Hood's hall again

I also missed Twas The Night Before Christmas room 

in the man cave - which is what the 'king of the house' called it

Anyone who loves children's stories and fairy tales would have enjoyed this home.  The attention to detail with clothes hanging up in each room and tons of props to embellish each story was amazing.  We were in awe!  And I just have to say it again - it was wonderful to visit each home - thank you to each of the owners for decorating and then allowing us to visit.  

House Tour

Here are some wonderful examples of Christmas decorating that I saw yesterday on a house tour in our local community.  There were 6 stops and each was so unique and very beautiful.  It was an awesome way to spend the first Saturday in December - and to be completely inspired!  My home will continue to be decorated with the items I love best but it was a great treat to see these homes, which were all worthy of magazine publication!

#1 - Ponderosa Poinsettia House

outside

main floor tree

the bathroom with a filled tub of presents

#2 - Icy Beauty of Winter

outside

dining room table

Mr. Snowman in the bathtub

#3 - United Church - which had a lovely collection of creches (Nativity scenes).  There were wooden ones, a knitted one, a stained glass set, several ceramic ones, a carved wooden one from Germany and a lovely quilted wall hanging.  (I didn't get any pictures here.)

#4 - Bringing the Outdoors In (I think this was my favourite)

an owl sitting on the bathroom chandelier

12 ft. tree in the master bedroom

opposite the tree

the dining room table

#5 - Victorian Christmas

outside

looking onto the main floor from the stairs

woodland bedroom

(of course the orange in the duvet and pillows grabbed me!)

white and pink little girls room

The last home had themed decor and I have so many pictures that I'm going to save it for tomorrow.  I hope you've been a little inspired.  I'm so grateful that the homeowners welcomed us into their beautiful spaces!

Advent 1

(Image from Patheos.com)

As we prepare for your coming Lord Jesus, 

come to us in the busyness of this season.
Come daily, that we may have calm.  

Come daily, that we may know your presence as
we do all of our preparations.  

Come daily, that our hearts and lives are truly focused on
you who are the reason for the season.  

We ask all this in your holy and precious name.
Amen.

(from today's church service)

Five on Friday

1.

“Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place.”

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (1922-2007); Writer

2.  Check out this video for a glimpse of Canada at its best!

3.  I got a Christmas present in the mail yesterday!  My niece, Jill, sent me a lovely picture book called "Great Joy" by Kate DiCamillo - thanks so much, J!  I will have fun sharing the gorgeous pictures and the message.

4.  I had a chance to spend a bit of time with a friend, making cards this week.  It was fun to create together, try some new techniques and revel in the colours, images and textures available.  Thanks, T!

5.  Photo of the week:

Colours of Winter

(rosehips beside a birch tree)

Lists of 2012 - #46

Listography 2012 - #46 - What's On My Wishlist

1.  New faucet set for the kitchen sink

2.  Complete painting for the inside of the house

3.  Bathroom reno (This is a no holds barred list!)

4.  Upgrade on the patio and outside landscaping

5.  Insert for our fireplace so it's more efficient

6.  Two accent chairs for the living room

7.  New coffee table for the living room

8.  Winter boots - dress and casual

9.  New sweaters

10.  Food processor

11.  New teapot for my Old Country Roses set of china

12.  Photobooks of our trips to South America and Africa

Lots of stuff but it's just a list, right?!

Favourites

Just a little idea today from my friend, Linds, who recently wrote about some of her favourites.

Favourite Movie: I have a few that come to mind:
- Mary Poppins was the first movie I saw in a theatre when I was about 8 years old.  It came to the old theatre in Wetaskiwin and I went as a guest of Daphne Ludwig, our pastor's wife, who was very British.  I loved everything about the movie - and going to the theatre for the first time - and can still sing many of the songs by heart.  
- Love Story was the movie Bob and I saw on our very first date!  There are so many things to remember and smile about when I reflect on that night.  It was a double date with our closest friends at that time (R died just a short time later after a motorcycle mishap) and we were even stopped by the police on the way into the city!!  Many, many years later Bob found a copy of the movie and gave it to me on Valentine's Day.  
- Dr. Zhivago still is a favourite with its beautiful scenery, dramatic love story and timeless music.
- Any movie that stars Julia Roberts is at the top of my favourites list whether it's Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovitch or My Best Friend's Wedding.  She's such an amazing actress!

Favourite vacation/holiday: If you know me, you will know that I love traveling and would be gone monthly, if I could!  And because I love it so, every trip is one-to-remember!
- When our children were younger, we took a two-week trip to southern California, going via Montana, Yellowstone National Park, Bryce Canyon in Utah, the Grand Canyon in Arizona and on to San Diego and Los Angeles.  It was truly the trip of a lifetime and we had so much fun together.  I'm looking forward to going to Disneyland with our grandchildren someday.
- When Darrin was just a baby we went to Jamaica for 10 days with friends.  That was the first of many great vacations with many sets of friends. 
- Visiting the Great Wall of China, the commercial district of Hong Kong, Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, Innsbruck and Vienna in Austria, Prague in the Czech Republic, Krakow in Poland, Manaus in Brazil, Iguassu Falls on the SA borders, and Buenos Aires in Argentina - we have been so incredibly lucky to see so many wonderful places in the world.  Each place had its own unique beauty and interesting people.  
- Traveling to Africa, driving on safari through Kenya and Tanzania, seeing Mount Kilimanjaro, cruising the Nile River and visiting temples and burial sites in Egypt, and then finishing in Zanzibar was an incredible month long adventure.  I still am in awe that we actually did this trip!

Favourite Book:  The list of possibilities is ever increasing in this category!  These come to mind:
- The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
- Earth's Children series by Jean Auel
- A Walk Across the Sun by Corbin Addison
- Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah
- Year of Wonder by Geraldine Brooks
- Still Alice by Lisa Genova
- The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
- The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rawling
- The Silver Chalice by Thomas Costain

Favourite Hymn:   The hymns learned in my childhood are mostly committed to memory from singing them for years and years.  Some of these were favourites of my grandmother too - she loved them and often sang in her native tongue, German.
- What A Friend We Have In Jesus
- Children of the Heavenly Father
- I Come to the Garden Alone - one of my Dad's favourites
- Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven - sung at our wedding
- Saviour Like a Shepherd Lead Me
- Just a Closer Walk with Thee

Favourite Colour:  I love colours - the brighter the better usually!  Sometimes when I look around a group of people gathered, I wonder about myself in that way.  
- orange is my all time favourite
- followed by yellow and green
- in combination, I love teal and brown, grey and yellow, and red and black.  

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

Five on Friday

1.  Quote of the week:

The duration of your life is of less importance to God than the donation of your life. Take what you’ve learned from God and pass it on to others  (Rick Warren)

2.  Naomi and I spent an afternoon doing some Christmas baking.  It was fun working together and tasting yummy Brownie Bites, Peanut Clusters and Shortbread.  Blake helped me roll, cut and decorate little shortbread people, all named for his cousins!

3. And that day Blake and I also went out snowshoeing for a bit, wandering through the yard, looking for tracks and mountains (a pile of dirt) and exploring! 

4.  Last night we went to the Winter Lights event at a neighbor's greenhouse and bought some poinsettias so I am all set to transform into Christmas decor around our house.  The Christmas mugs and plates came out last week and the mantle pieces will follow shortly.,  It's the most wonderful time of the year!!

5.  Photo of the week:

cuddled up in front of the fireplace,

reading books on a cold winter day :)

Lists of 2012 - #45

Listography 2012 - #45 - Things I've Spent Money on This Week

1.  Beads for Life necklaces and bracelets

2.  Sunday offering

3.  Christmas gift at Canadian Tire

4.  Candy canes for Christmas baking

5.  Milk, yogurt, bananas, oranges - groceries

6.  Magazine subscriptions

7.  Fresh ginger for chai mix

8.  Almonds to make poppycock

9.  Developing pictures at Costco

10.  Amaryllis bulbs for Christmas gifts

11.  Stamps to mail some letters

12.  Gift to Compassion for our sponsor child in Brazil

NaBloPoMo #6

NaBloPoMo #6 - Talk about the opening of your favourite book.

I have so many wonderful books that I could write about today.  Several years ago (actually I just looked inside the front cover and it was in 2000!),  the mother of one of my students gave me Ken Follet's first book, The Pillars of the Earth, as a Christmas gift.  She was a former English teacher who loved historical fiction - we were kindred spirits in that way.  All of this was long before the book became wildly popular.  I read it over the Christmas holidays that year and enjoyed every page!

The book is set in medieval England and opens with a prologue where in 1123 AD a hanging happens in the village square.  As a young man hangs, a teenaged pregnant woman places a curse on a knight, a monk and a priest, who were at the court when the young thief was convicted.  From this scene, the book jumps to 1135 and begins to trace the career of Tom, a builder and his son, Alfred.   Tom has a dream to work on a cathedral but suddenly finds himself out of work.   Moving on with his family, while travelling through the woods, they are attacked by thieves who steal the family's pig.  It's in the woods that they meet Ellen, the young woman who had delivered the curses earlier, now has a son and is considered a witch.

The novel continues to follow the paths of these first characters and the author skillfully interweaves their stories to give us a glimpse into the people who lived and worked in England at this time.  The  first theme we see is how the power of nobility and church resulted in much social inequality and hardship for common classes.  Another theme that the author creates is the development of trade guilds and the creative thinking of builders, using new ideas and ways of building.  The use of the arch revolutionized building techniques, especially in cathedrals being built at this time.   The story has several strong women characters and they are developed in ways quite contrary to the social norms of the day ( a theme that I always enjoy).

Follett is an excellent storyteller and always holds my attention, in this case through 983 paperback pages.  The word pictures he paints are vivid and full of rich imagery.  He brings his characters right to life and continually surprises readers with the interconnected weavings of people, events and buildings. To paraphrase the back cover, intrigue, power, passion and romance form the outline of the story.

I loved it 12 years ago - and I still love it!

Hello, Monday

Hello, day and a half of subbing.

Hello, two days of babysitting.

Hello, Health Advisory Council meeting.

Hello, watching gymnastics.

Hello, new week with Bob back at home.

Hello,  menu planning.

Hello, Christmas shoeboxes - time to ship you off.

Hello, quiet day at home - I am so looking forward to you.

Hello, December Daily building.

Hello, new week!

Five on Friday

1.  Quote of the week:

“Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?”

                                                                   Gandalf in The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

2.  New thing I learned this week:  how to change my profile and cover pictures in Facebook.  Yeah, me!!

3.  Have you heard of Beads for Life?  

This is the organization's mission statement:

"Our mission is to create sustainable opportunities for women to lift their families out of extreme poverty by connecting people worldwide in a circle of exchange that enriches everyone."

I was happy to host a bead party this week and I want to thank my wonderful friends who came, shopped, and supported the work.   Last year there were 3000 parties around the world - I hope you can find (or better yet, host!) one in your area.  I did some Christmas shopping but best of all, made a difference for some families in Uganda.

4.  Being sick for 24 hours is not fun!  

5.  Photo of the week:  

from Bob's time in NB

(thanks, M!)

Lists of 2012 - #44

Listography 2012 - #44 - Things I'm Feeling Stressed About (but really in pretty small ways)

1.  painting our main living area

2.  using up the rest of the tomatoes

3.  not having the garden completely cleaned out and rototilled

4.  the state of chaos in part of our basement

5.  what to give our son and son-in-laws for Christmas

6.  how much time to devote to a volunteer committee that's demanding alot

7.  re-doing our patio area (someday!)

8.  wrinkles!

9.  time to finish my sewing projects wish-list

10.  the causes to support this Christmas

11.  creating some photobooks

12.  farm accounting