An Interview

As the author of a blog, I'm always working to improve my writing skills and vary the content of my posts.  Linds, at Rocking Chair Reflections, answered some interview questions posed by her friend Isabelle, a few weeks ago and invited her readers to request an interview too.  So here are my interview questions from her.

1.  What do you see as the greatest differences and greatest similarities in the children you teach today compared to when you started teaching?

Kids are still kids and they love to be around adults who have time for them, share experiences, have great expectations and genuinely want to help them.  They love to laugh, create and be read to.  They want to have friends, yearn for approval and like to be busy.  And they love to be recognized and master new things.  Those are the similarities.

I started teaching fulltime in 1995 which is only 14 years ago but still there are some noticeable differences in students then and now.  Our world is much more accessible to people today via the internet, constant news, and the ease of transportation.  More students have some knowledge about current affairs across the oceans and some of them have travelled to warm climates for vacations (Mexico, Disneyworld and other Caribbean points).    

Televisions, DVD players, Ipods, and cell phones can be found in many kids' bedrooms these days which often means that kids are able to watch programming without adult supervision.  The media has a huge influence on kids today, whether it's through advertising, violence or role models.  I wish there were more books and strong role models, especially for boys,  in our students' lives.  

  More families have both parents working now which means that time for conversation, meals and fun is at a premium.  Often mom or dad is working away and only comes home on weekends or for a week every month or every second month for the whole month.  You can see how time together is a precious commodity and can imagine how peers become a big influence in a child's life.   This also means that time to go to the library, to Gramma's house or  to visit cousins can be limited.  I think that time management is a huge challenge for families.  

2.  How and where did you meet your husband?

Bob and I have a unique family history!  Two of my uncles are married to two of his aunts so there were family connections before we came on the scene.  The first time I remember seeing him was when I was about 13 at a family picnic and soon after our church youth groups started doing activities together.  There were shared skating parties, bowling afternoons, tobogganing days and Halloween parties.   Our groups loved to get together because we had lots of girls and they had lots of boys - a perfect mix for teens!  

 My first real date with him was just a month before I turned 16.  (My mom had a rule that I had to be 16 before I could date.)  We went on a double date to see the movie "Love Story" with my best friend dating a friend of Bob's.  It was quite an evening!!  We dated a bit while I was in high school and then our paths diverged until we got back together at the end of my second year in university.  We were engaged just over a year later and were married within a few months.  

3.  What is your favourite school memory?

This one is hard!  I have several happy school memories and I really can't say which is my favourite.  Many of my best memories involve books.

My earliest one is from grade 1.   When school dismissed for Christmas holidays, Mrs. Fairbairn sent home the hardcovered Dick and Jane reader for me to practise my reading skills.  I think there were about 150 pages in it.  By mid-afternoon on the next day, Saturday, I had read the whole book!   I remember Mom busy rolling out pie crusts at the kitchen table and when Dad came in for coffee, I sat on his knee and read the last 2 pages of the book to him.  It's a happy, vivid memory.  

Later in grade 1 I was taken to task by my parents for chasing boys around the merry-go-round and kissing them!!

4.  Do you have any family traditions which have been passed down through the generations?

The traditions our family shares at Christmas have their roots in my grandparents' German celebrations.  Christmas Eve candlelight service and opening our gifts on Christmas Eve are the two most obvious ones.  Now that our children are grown and have their own families, I've had to adjust some of my expectations surrounding these traditions.  

The other 'tradition' that comes to mind is that I come from a long line of 'givers'.  As a child, whenever my grandparents came to visit, they brought a big banana box full of Gramma's  fresh doughnuts, still warm from the frying pan, for us.  Grampa always had a big box (the 2 dozen size) of revels (a rectangle of vanilla ice cream on a stick, covered with chocolate) in the deep freeze on the farm and shared them freely with us.  So it's only natural that my mom would always share food items and I find myself doing the same. Whether it's cookies, a casserole or something from the garden, I love to share  with family and friends too.  It's just a part of who I am, a tradition or habit that I've always seen modeled by the women around me.  

5.  How do you see yourself as a car, a flower and a food?

This one requires a great deal of imagination!!

As a car, I think a Chrysler Caravan (one of our current vehicles) with all its room for friends, family and 'stuff' fits the bill.  Dependability, good gas mileage and easy to drive translate to someone who can be trusted for the long haul and is easy to get along with.  There's room for lot of friends, family and treasures in my life.  

As a  flower, I think I  would be tulips for the way they brighten up a room and add such bright colors to a home.   I hope I bring the same brightness and cheer to my relationships. 

And food - well - - - I love most foods so it's a challenge to narrow it down to just one!  I could easily be a dessert because I love them!  Chocolate-y, rich in taste, specially presented - no, that's not me.  Maybe appetizers?  Tiny, diverse blend of flavours and time consuming - not so much.   I think my very favourite food pizza will be the one I use to describe me - a not too thin, not too thick base that's covered with layers of sauce, meat, veggies and cheese.  In non-cooking terms - stable, big pieces of family and friends, a blend of interests, hobbies and passions,  covered with time, energy and much love.  

If you would like me to interview you, leave me a comment saying you'd like to participate and I will email 5 specific questions for you to answer.  This is a great way to get to know people, improve your writing skills and challenge yourself to remember and describe your life.  

One Year Ago

We were on our way to Miami and then on to places like - 

the Amazon jungle -

downtown Buenos Aires -

a posada (inn) in Uruguay - 

the ocean in Florida - 

and amazing Iguassu Falls!

I think I might have to do some major reminiscing in the next few weeks :))

Playtimes

It's been a marvelous few days with visits to all 3 of our grandchildren!  And we were busy - - 

reading at 7:30 in the morning-

making music while colouring after breakfast - 

playing with Grampa and Uncle Darrin (thanks for capturing this action, Kelsey!) - 

going to the park with Grampa (while Gramma did some cooking and cleaning) -

just hanging out and trying to capture all the goodness - 

before he's completely grownup! - 

shoveling some snow - 

taking baby Avery (her doll) for boot skating rides on the rink - 

cleaning up the chalkboard creations - 

cooking beans and tasting them (according to her but in reality it was 2 squeezes from the chocolate sauce bottle before Gramma realized it!).

Life is good and we are blessed!!!  And now I'm going to have a rest :))

Ten on Tuesday

1.  I had a delicious pumpkin scone from Starbucks on my way home tonight.  I must try baking some of these soon.  And my usual grande' chai latte' was the perfect complement.

2.  Congratulations to Linds!!  Her brand new baby granddaughter arrived safely today.  And she wrote a wonderful letter to "The Bump" just hours before she arrived.  Be sure to have tissues handy if you go to read it - it's so, so sweet. 

3.  I'm just getting a special book ready to send off as part of a children's book swap and I have another swap in the works too.  I love sharing good reads with others.  

4.  Speaking of books, our book club selection for next month is The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.  I've already read it but I should probably skim it to refresh my memory. 

5.  These beauties are gracing my table today.  It's a sure sign that spring is somewhere in the not too distant future. 

6.  And another sign that spring is coming - the sun set at 5:48 p.m. tonight and the sunset colors were still visible at 6:30.  A huge improvement over the 4:30 darkness of December!

7.  Big item on the news today is the upcoming visit of US President Obama to Canada later this week.

8.  My friend, DonaMae, hosted our book club gathering last night where we discussed Those Who Save Us, the story of a German mother and daughter who survived WWII.  For snacks she served her delicious spinach dip inside a bread loaf and the loveliest European baked breads, cakes and cookies!  It's the first time we've had themed food to accompany our book.  And one of the participants said that reading about all the foods in the book made her mouth water!!  In the book, the mother works in a bakery in Germany where she makes Stollen, Sachertorte, buns and other baked goods.

9.  On the menu at our house this week are Moose Roast, Baked Salmon, Leek Soup and Pita Pizzas.

10.  The frosty picture in my blog header was taken this weekend and is the view out of my kitchen window.  

Simple Daybook #29

For Today . . . February 16, 2009

      Family Day in Alberta

Outside my window . . . -10 degrees Celsius, sunny and bright all day with a very red sunset 

I am thinking . . . how nice it is to be able to drive to Calgary and see our family there

I am thankful . . . for safe travel and good driving conditions - and for being able to finish reading my book while Bob drove home

From the kitchen . . . no cooking at our house today but I'm baking ginger molasses cookies tomorrow

I am wearing . . . grey jeans, black tshirt,  lime green corduroy shirt and black loafers

I am reading . . . just finished Those Who Save us by Jenna Blum - good thing because I finished reading at 4 p.m. and book club was at 7 p.m.!!  It was an emotional and poignant story - one every woman and mother could relate to.

I am hoping . . . that order is restored at Kelsey's condo, that Helayna and Silas get over their colds and that I can find a pair of shoes for the wedding this week

I am hearing . . . Sonny and Cher's "Babe" from the 80's

I am creating . . . week 11 layouts featuring 'type' from the Design Your Life class

Around the house . . . some of Darrin's furniture and electronics came home from his place in Calgary as he and Kelsey begin the process of joining their belongings in their home so some  rearranging is in order

One of my favourite things . . . beeswax candles burning and the wonderful aroma that wafts through the house

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . 2 afternoons and 1 day of subbing, a playdate with Meadow, book club gathering and the fish and game trophy night (DH is a trophy sponsor)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . . our beautiful grandson with his gorgeous blue eyes - it was delightful to cuddle him lots!

There are more great daybook entries over at Peggy's Simple Woman Daybooks.

Family Day Weekend

We are just a little busy having fun with these two!!




Be back soon!! Thanks to Heather for the pictures :)

Heart Day

Image from Valentineclipart.com

Skating

It was a nice sunny day yesterday so Meadow and I went out to do a little skating on the rink her Dad's made in the yard.  It is so cute to see her with the  tiny skates (size 6) and big helmet on - and going all over that rink!  

Her balance is so amazing and her little feet stay so straight

as she races from one end to the other!

The pail is her companion but she ventures away from it quite a bit too.

Of course she finds all kinds of ways to be goofy

including thinking that skating without mitts would be fun.  That lasted about 2 minutes and she started wondering why her fingers were hurting!

But the most fun of all is pretending she's a baby, laying on the ice while Gramma tries to stand her up!  Her imagination is seriously in overdrive these days!  All told we were outside for about an hour and a half and she was definitely tuckered out and ready to nap when we went inside.  

Creating

This week it's the tenth class of Design Your life and the focus was on COLOR!  

Assignment #1 - Find 4 colors in your photos and then narrow it down to find a color scheme that works.  The colors in these pictures were really dark but I worked with them to create something that I quite like!

Assignment #2 - Use your favourite color and then create with a triadic color scheme.   Part 2 was to use a title that 'skips the ditch' - or goes over the center divide between the pages, in layman's terms.   I modified the plan and used only 2 colors, which are really not typical ones for a winter LO.   I needed 3 small pictures for the LH page but only had 2 so I cut one photo into 2 pieces, which makes it look like 3 seperate photos.   And - the very LH photo was supposed to be 5 X 7 so I matted the whole column to make it look larger.  Clever tricks to remember - and use again, I think!

Assignment #3 - Use the 'find 4' colour method to find patterned papers.  This photo was left over from the previous LO (taken on the same day but no cones in it!) so it was perfect for a one photo layout.  The rounded corners on the big mat make me happy :)  and the stitching adds texture.  I remember the first time I stitched on an actual picture - I was so nervous but I love doing it now!  I wish I'd printed more of these gratitude journal pages because I could create a whole mini-album with them.  I might have to re-create it on my own.

Only 2 weeks to go!  It's been just a wonderful way to create and learn more at the same time.

Ten on Tuesday

1.  Wonderful news at the Edwards' household today!  Anna Caroline has arrived safely and is being adored by her mama  Ali, daddy Chris and big brother Simon.  I can just imagine the scrapbook layouts that are going to feature her :))

2.  I heard a report today that compared the cost of food in different cities across Canada.  Most astonishing was that 5 apples cost $1.95 in Edmonton and $5.25 in Calgary!!!!!!  The 2 cities are in the same province and only 3 hours away from each other.  My word!!  Something is wrong with a system that tolerates these kinds of difference.    Can you imagine what the difference would be on a full grocery cart?

3.  I spent a little time at Chapters bookstore tonight trying to pick out my favourite children's book.  I couldn't decide!!  There are just so many that I love.  I finally settled on Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Marten and Stellaluna by Janelle Cannon.  You knew I wouldn't be able to pick just one, right?!!

4.  Do you use Fair Trade coffee, tea and hot chocolate?  I bought some Kicking Horse "Kootenay Crossing" beans and I'd like to continue drinking those products.  Can anyone recommend some Fair Trade tea?

5.  It's Air Band time at my old school and I think I might have to stay for the competition on Friday afternoon.  The kids are so excited - and the teachers are even working up a number.  Should be fun!!

6.  I saw a few spring clothes for kids today.  Brightly colored rubber boots, splash pants and little dress coats.  Oh, my - they were so cute!!

7.  I cooked the last of our spaghetti squash today.  It's going to be a long wait until there are more ready!  

8.  I'm thinking that these might be the cookies I bake with the granddaughters this week.    

9.  The very talented Christi Snow is writing a weekly Exercise In Creativity that really is fun to do.   Even if you aren't a paper crafter, I'm sure you'll still find something to stimulate your thinking and doing each week.  I'm hoping to get deeper into these soon. 

10.  I did a little sewing that's on its way to New York City.  I hope Tyler gets lots of use out of his  new lunch bags - one for every day of the week!

Simple Daybook #28

For Today . . . February 9, 2009

Outside my window . . . sun shining, calm and  +5 C with cooler weather and flurries predicted for the next few days

I am thinking . . . about Melinda at home at night while Tyler is working at the hospital and about Helayna who seems to have croup

I am thankful . . . that God's love surrounds each of us, no matter how broken or tired or sinful we have been, each and every moment of every day

From the kitchen  . . . Pasta with Roasted Red Pepper Pesto, Orange Almond Salad, and Cranberry Pecan Muffins 

I am wearing . . .workout clothes because I'm going on the treadmill as soon as this is finished

I am reading . . . Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum.  For book club, it's the story of a mother and daughter who came to live in Minnesota after being liberated by an American soldier and after 50 years, the daughter begins to investigate her mother's life.  

I am hoping . . . to do some sewing this evening (I found the cutest material last week!)

I am hearing . . . Call on Jesus by Nicole C. Mullen - I love that song!!

I am creating . . .  some Valentine cards and treats

Around the house . . . some old wedding pictures that Kelsey's asked for, cards to mail, Naomi's sewing machine ready to return to her after I fixed a little tension problem, and the treadmill - waiting!

One of my favourite things . . . juicy grapefruit

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . another day and a half of subbing, playdate with Meadow (I think we're going to make cookies), Bible study, going to Airdrie to see Helayna, Silas, Heather and Jonathan, making cookies with Helayna too, helping Kelsey with some wedding things on the weekend, Family Day holiday in Alberta next Monday

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . . rows of hay bales stacked for feeding this winter

There are lots of daybooks to check out over at Peggy's Simple Woman Daybook blog.

85 Years of Living

Bob's uncle celebrated his 85th birthday today and I was thinking just how amazing that is!  He still lives on the farm, drives everywhere, chops wood for their wood heater, goes to his grandsons hockey games, and loves to play cards.  They live very close to us and we are lucky to see them often.  

They do so much visiting and have a large circle of friends and family who were happy to celebrate with him today.  God has been very good to them and we pray that good health and independence will be their blessings this year.

Here are some of the important headlines of 1923 -

- Time Magazine was first published

- Lenin retired from the Communist Party chair after having his 3rd stroke

- Mt. Etna in Italy erupted, leaving 60,000 people homeless

 - The Walt Disney Company was founded

 - Interpol was established

- Foster Hewitt announed his first hockey game

- Banting and Best received the Nobel Prize for Medicine for their discovery of insulin

Pretty amazing to think that these things happened 85 years ago!!

Book Discussion

Over the Christmas holidays, I read Three Cups of Tea - One Man's Mission to Promotoe Literacy One School at a Time , the true story account of Greg Mortenson's work building schools in Pakistan.  As a teacher, I'm always interested in reading about schools around the world, especially where girls are not afforded the same opportunities as our girls have in Canada.  And this book is the incredible story of one man's humanitarian work that really is making a difference!

This book provides details about the political reality of life for everyday people in Pakistan - and I had no idea about many of the details.  He talks about money not getting out of the big city and down to schools that are far out in the provinces.  He talks about local warlords and outsiders controlling the population and young people who are uneducated.  And he talks about how village fathers made a difference and provided hope for their own daughters and all the children in their communities.  

Mortenson's desire to get involved started after his unsuccessful attempt to summit K-2 in the Himalayas and his subsequent time spent convalescing in a village in the Karakoram mountains.  Near the end of his time in the village, he was trying to think of a way to help the villagers and asked to visit the local school, thinking he'd spend the last of his money to buy supplies or textbooks to send back.   He saw  82 school children (78 boys and 4 girls) kneeling on the frosty ground because they had no school building.  He heard that the government didn't supply a school teacher (the village couldn't afford to pay the salary of $1 a day) so they shared one with another village and he was only there 3 days a week.  He marveled that the students practiced lessons on their own while the teacher was away, writing in the dirt or using slates with a mud and water mixture instead of chalk or ink.  And he knew that he could do something more so he promised his host that he would build a school for the village.  

The book goes on to describe the subsequent fund raising, letter writing, evening presentations and enormous efforts that Mortenson spent the next 10 years doing  in order to raise funds and build 55 schools throughout the Northern Areas of  Pakistan.  Spending months every year in Pakistan away from his own family, he continues to find opportunities to help more villages realize the dream of educating their children and changing their futures.  Inspiring to say the least!

One of the things I loved about this book is that after the acknowledgements, David Oliver Relin (the journalist who collaborated with Mortenson to tell his story) presents 9 suggestions for readers who might be inspired to do more.  One of the suggestions is to blog about the book to increase the 'buzz' and awareness of education and literacy, especially for girls.  Please consider reading the book, visiting the website Three Cups of Tea and carrying the torch!!!

Happy Birthday, Melinda!!

She's got a birthday today and once again - for the 11th year in a row! - we can't be with her to celebrate!  We love the person that our daughter has become - a woman of God, studying His word, praying for His guidance and sharing His love.  

We pray that your birthday will be a special day and the year ahead will be filled to overflowing with God's abundance and His blessings.  We love you!!!

Good Food

Or maybe it should be - Food that's good for you!

A couple of times this week I've come across lists of foods that are good for you that you should be including in your meals.  Bob and I are always reading about food and he's the one who does extensive online research.  I think these ideas are interesting to consider and worth sharing with you.

1.  Onions - help with cholesterol levels, especially in elevating the 'good' HDL.

2.  Celery - for high blood pressure.

3.  Cinnamon - close to insulin in chemical composition, it helps your body effectively use the natural insulin.  I've known for awhile that cinnamon can assist with diabetes prevention.

4.  Cloves - help the body handle sugar and act like a blood thinner.

5.  Mustard - specifically the curcumin (the reason mustard is yellow) which may help prevent cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

And here's a list of some foods you should include in your diet several times every week:

- beets

- pumpkin seeds

- dried plums

- cabbage

- pomegranates

- blueberries

- pumpkin

- tumeric

- garlic

- onions

- oatmeal

- pears

So, how many have you used so far this week?  

Creating

Here are the week #9 layouts from the Design Your Life class.  Our assignment was to "Walk the Line" (remember Johnny Cash and June Carter singing this?!), using one of the elements of design (line).  

Assignment #1 - Create a layout featuring line and shape, using intersecting lines.  The pictures of Heather were taken in 2004 and have been on my desk for a very long time!

Assignment #2 - Create a 2 page layout featuring line.  The photos are all of Helayna, taken in 2007, within about 15 minutes!  Yeah for getting 9 pictures on this LO!

Real Life Color - Use orange and green ( changed it to blue!) in different hues.  The background was created using strips of patterned paper from the same line.  This picture actually has no blue in it but I like how it works with the papers.

Along with learning so many things, it's been extra fun to use so many of the things I have in my studio.  Whether it's patterned paper, pictures or embellishments, I'm thrilled to have them on my layouts.  And, sad to say, you can hardly notice that I've used anything - there's still alot left!!

Ten on Tuesday

1.  So very sad to hear that this magazine will no longer be published after the May/June issue.

I have always loved it and in every issue there was inspiration and ideas galore.  I'm sad that it's going but hopefully some bits and pieces will live on in Creating Keepsakes magazine, a sister publication.  The Simple Scrapbooks blog is still going for now.   

2.    The sweetest sound ever is hearing Meadow read stories while she's in her car seat.  Today it was "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?" and she made all the sounds as she turned the pages.

3.    I love mailing packages to family and friends - and I know the Canada Post offices in our local communities very well!

4.   Heather and Helayna called the other day and after I chatted with Helayna for a bit, I asked her if I could speak to Mommy.  In the clearest little voice, her response was "No, Gramma, I'm talking to you now."  So much for my request :))

5.   This little one was so funny today when she put my boots on instead of hers.  She started giggling and being very goofy.

6.  And she was carrying her doll around this morning and telling me "Avery is frus-trated." It was so funny!   I asked why and she explained that her Mommy, Auntie Anne (which is what she calls herself)  wouldn't give her any more milk and so she was frus-trated.  I wonder who else wishes her mom would give her more milk!!  It's a middle of the night request that Meadow makes sometimes too.

7.    Silas got a haircut and he looks so sweet.  But unfortunately I don't have a picture to show you - I'll see if I can get one from Heather.    

8.   If you are Canadian, have you been watching "The Week The Women Went Away" on CBC on Wednesday nights?  It's set in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia and it's very entertaining.  Of course it's a TV show but I like the basic premise that the women go away and the men try to handle everything for a week.  

9.   Meadow and I had fun punching, gluing and stapling heart shapes today.  She's hoping to go down to the post office tomorrow to mail some envelopes :))

10.    If you like sewing and new fabric, you should visit Anna Maria Horner.  Her little studio is being renovated and she's still shipping out beautiful fabrics.  

Simple Daybook #27

For Today . . . February 2, 2009  

     I've been doing this for 6 months now!!

Outside my window . . . partly cloudy, 2 degrees Celsius, calm - and there are icy streets and roads everywhere!  The rain last week melted the new snow and the wind on Saturday polished every surface with a slick layer of ice.  I was going sideways down the road for a few minutes this morning and you have to plan braking a long way ahead of every corner!

I am thinking . . . that we are halfway to the first day of spring, as the grade 1 teacher reminded the class I was in this morning.

I am thankful . . . that I found a dress to wear to the wedding!  It fits nicely, is a great color and the bride liked it too :))  (I'll share a picture after the wedding.)

From the kitchen . . . Asian Orange Beef, Rice Pilaf, Steamed Broccoli and Spice Pudding

I am wearing . . . navy cords, a black camisole, and the same red sweater as last week!!

I am reading . . . Canadian Living, February issue

I am hoping . . . to find the book I need to read for book club - only 2 weeks until we meet

I am hearing . . . Celine Dion singing from her CD, Miracle - A Celebration of New Life

I am creating . . .  layouts for week 10 in Design Your Life - working with color this week

Around the house . . . some sewing projects, a few packages to mail tomorrow, burning a CD of pictures from the garage party on the weekend

One of my favourite things  . . . new books - for kids and teachers - purchased at teacher's convention!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . a long day with Meadow tomorrow as her dad is going skiing with his kids and will be home later, maybe another day of subbing but it's the week of teacher's convention so there are only 3 days of school, an appointment on Saturday, some letters to write and mail off and Melinda's birthday to celebrate (sadly it will be a long distance celebration again).

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . . juicy navel oranges that are so delicious at this time of year.

I found a new photography challenge site with daily prompts!  Check out Her Space My Space His Space for lots of inspiration.  Today's challenge is to find orange in your space so the box of oranges I bought were perfect.

And be sure to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman to find more lovely daybooks.

Menu Planning

I'm trying to get organized and get healthy so I have magazines and a calendar spread out on the kitchen table and some websites bookmarked with ideas for this week's meals.  How do these sound?

Asian Orange Beef

Beet and Apple Soup

Southwest Surprise Bread (refried beans in this!)

Baked Barley and Wild Rice

Apple Cider Beef Stew (pictured above)

Italian Style Lentil Soup

Makeover Chicken Potpies (baked and served in great big mugs)

French Breakfast Puffs

Soft Lemon-Ginger Cookies

Frozen Pistachio Dessert with Raspberry Sauce

Gluten-Free Spice Cake

It's going to be a busy week in my kitchen, I hope!!

Garage Party

It's less than 2 months until Darrin and Kelsey's wedding and today his family got together to celebrate  and help them get ready for their life together.  It was planned as a garage party so once everyone was inside, the big doors opened and up drove this!  

Years ago Darrin bought an old car with the idea of restoring it someday and my brother and brother-in-law got the brainwave to get the thing running for today.  It took a ton of work, countless hours and was a project to remember!

Darrin and Kelsey's reaction was priceless!!  They couldn't believe it, especially the beautiful pink paint job!!!

On the icy driveway it spun donuts like a dream!

The sign along with the Oiler and Flames flags were perfect finishing touches.

We played some 'garage relay games'  like set up the tent, eat a plate of hot wings, set together a box of bolts and screws, and chug-a-lug.  Of course, the guys beat the girls!!

And then there were the gifts for the garage - and the house!

They even got matching customized tool belts, filled with all kinds of treats!!

And we took a group picture with the bride, her groom and the pink car!  What a great time and a wonderful memory for Darrin and Kelsey.  They truly are blessed to be surrounded by people who love them and wish them every happiness.