Ten on Thursday

1. There's a canning marathon going on my kitchen this week! One more day of doing pears and tomatoes and then I should have the majority of it done. I've already had to buy more jars :))



2. 106 days until Christmas!!!

3. The carrots have finally decided to grow in my garden :))



4. And here's the spaghetti squash too! It's going to need some more time to ripen off so I hope the frost holds off.



5. I made homemade fresh tomato soup for supper - and it turned out pretty well.



6. If you like scrapbooking and creating, Ella Publishing is a new online company in town that you'll want to check out. They are publishing e-zines and the site is full of fun (like all kinds of ella-phant jokes!).

7. Today was the third day in a row that I rode my bike. It's great riding along the shore of the nearby lake, especially at this time of the year.



8. The geese are gathering and getting ready to migrate. I love hearing them "talk" to each other!



9. Check out this Happy Mail at Big Picture Scrapbooking! I think it's the coolest idea ever!

10. Autumn sunsets in Alberta are the best!

Thoughts on A New Box of Crayons

I read this very interesting post about a box of crayons on the in(courage) blog and I want to share it with you. I love her comparison to the different sizes of boxes of crayons and our lives. It's so, so true, isn't it?

May your day be blessed by all the colors of God's love - and may you share them with each person you meet!

Gratitude Gifts Today

- blue skies, green hills, majestic mountains, warm sunshine

- time with our son

- no bear - after seeing signs of a bear!

- snacks at the end of the trail



- sweet juicy peaches in abundance

- a warm bath

- pens with colored ink




- summer flowers lingering on

- a sweet and caring daughter-in-law who stayed alongside me, at the end of the line

- conversations during uninterrupted hours

- muscles that keep working

- birthdays, especially the first one




- fresh tomatoes from our plant

- a tomato plant that keeps giving

- quiet days of labour

- empty boxes

- inspiration to tell the stories and capture the memories

- bike rides

- telephone conversations - short ones and long ones

Simple Woman #58

For Today . . . September 7, 2009
It's hard to believe but the kids have been in school for 3 days already. I could concievably get called for subbing one of these mornings!

Outside my window. . . it was really cool this morning but it warmed up to be a great sunny, early autumn day. The forecast is for frost in outlying areas tonight so summer is definitely drawing to a close. I might have to pick the spaghetti squash and pumpkins soon!

I am thankful . . . for a day spent with our son and his wife yesterday.

And I am also thankful . . . that our daughter-in-law is such an amazing woman! God definitely blessed Darrin - and our whole family - when He brought them together.

I am praying . . . that Silas continues to grow in strength, wisdom and joy as he celebrated his first birthday this week.

I am thinking . . . that the 12 km hike we did yesterday was a bit much for my body. I'm exhausted today.

I am celebrating . . . canning 42 jars (14 small and 28 tall) of peaches. Only 13 peaches left to enjoy fresh!

From the kitchen . . . creamy shrimp and stir-fried veggies over rice and peach crisp.

I am wearing . . . black yoga pants, black and pink top, crocs - and socks (it was chilly this morning).

I am reading . . . Blood Upon Our Land (The North West Resistance Diary of Josephine Bouvier) by Maxine Trottier. It's part of the Dear Canada series, written for kids, and is based on a true story about the time of the Louis Riel rebellion in1885 at Batoche, District of Saskatchewan. I need to read more about this event.

I am hoping . . . to wash the kitchen floor - it's getting sticky!

I am hearing . . . the CTV National News - it's late.

I am creating . . . Peach Chutney tomorrow.

Around the house and yard . . . still plenty of growing things in the garden, some large zucchini to pick, jars to wipe and put on the downstairs shelves, dead vines and potatoes to dig, and onions to pull out.

One of my favourite things . . . filled jars of fruit lined up and marching along the shelves.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . canning tomatoes, making zucchini relish, finding more jars, cutting the grass for the last time this year, I think, and picking crabapples.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . . Silas loved the sandbox that Grampa made him for his birthday. Helayna wanted to put her swimsuit and play in it! Not quite sure why she thought it had to be her swimsuit!

Hiking

Yesterday we met Darrin, Kelsey and Kelsey's parents, Hank and Ron and headed into the back country to do some hiking. It was beautiful country with views of the mountains and wildflowers blooming everywhere. I took a grand total of 10 pictures during the 4+ hours we were on the trail! Something to do with huffing and puffing to keep up to the rest, I guess!



It helps to have long legs - Darrin was the leader for the whole way and Ron kept right up to him.





When we got out of the forest, there would be spectacular views like this.



This is definitely a favourite from the day - Hank looks like an explorer, I think!



Yeah - I was at the back the whole way! Thank goodness for Kelsey who hung back and kept me company. We had a great time visiting :)) It was definitely a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon on a long weekend. Thanks for planning, organizing and bringing lunch, D & K!!

Scenes from a Birthday Party

No explanations needed!!

Happy Birthday, Silas

One year ago they became a family of 4 with the addition of a son.



She took to being a big sister - helping, caring and always hugging him.



And a grandson was added to our family.







And now look at him!! Giggling, starting to talk, standing up and walking while holding on to your hand, totally interested in anything with wheels, hearing every dog that barks -




and so curious about the world around him.



Happy, Happy Birthday, Silas!! We pray that you will grow to be strong and wise, joyful and steadfast in the Lord. We love you, little man!!

Ten on Thursday

1. I'm looking for a peach salsa recipe - any suggestions and recipes would be welcome!

2. Gluten free brownies that I made for our little holiday trip were a huge success. You couldn't tell at all that they were gluten free.

3. This message was on our phone today: "Hi, Meadow (insert last name) - please call me back - Meadow (insert last name) - please call me back - Meadow (insert last name) - please call me back. Bye." It was the sweetest message that brought a great big smile to my face! She is becoming such a character! Three years old and leaving such business like messages!

4. If you are looking for some card making inspiration, check out Jen McGuire - she is full of talent and has great ideas. And I hope you have lots of time to create these days. I don't see much studio time in my future :(


5. I have my first subbing days of the school year booked! Thank you, good friends, for asking me to help :))




6. This was the evening sunlight coloring the mountains as we drove home last night. Such beauty - I am once again in awe of God's handiwork!

7. I found our bed and Breakfast accomodation in Vernon via the Hello BC website and as an added site feature there are several blogs to read. If you are planning a trip to BC, this would be a great place to get local tips and advice. Did you know Chetwynd has a walking tour of chainsaw sculptures in town?!!




8. This very fresh tasting Bean and Corn Salad was made in my kitchen last weekend. I omitted the peas, added more beans instead and also included 3/4 cup of feta cheese (because I love cheese!). It was just as delicious the next day and I'll definitely make it again! I love salads that will keep for a few extra days.

9. I have 14 jars of apricots ready to can - and the power has gone off for 2 hours! Patience, I am reminded, is a virtue!!

10. It is SO, SO dry here! The lawn is crisp, the pastures are very low and the crops are a fraction of what they should be. But at least we don't have forest fires, like California.

Today

Today I helped pack up and clear out of our bed and breakfast apartment.

Today I read my book for an hour while Bob and the B&B owner drove an hour up the road (and back), chasing down Heather and Jonathan who had left with our van keys.

Today I called Jonathan's cell phone 8 times in one hour trying to get through to them about the keys - and it went to the voice mail every. single. time!

Today I resolved to put an extra set of keys in my purse so the aforementioned drive, wait and phone calls don't happen again.

Today I washed the breakfast dishes at our B&B, while I waited.

Today I wondered what it would really be like to own a bed and breakfast business.



Today I thought about the jars I canned last year after our BC trip - and I gave thanks.

Today I watched the mountains come and go as we drove home through the Rogers Pass.

Today I mourned the fact that I do not have one single picture of all of us - after we spent 3 full days together.

Today I prayed that our daughter took more pictures than I did.



Today I smelt the summer sweet odour of sun ripened peaches (all 300 lbs. of them).

Today I watched the video of our grandson's dedication on Sunday at their church in New York.

Today I prayed that God will watch over Samuel, be a very real part of his life and work through him.

Today I thought about my friends and colleagues who are back at school with students for the first day.

Today I am thankful for inspiration about my prayer life.

Today I reminisce about summer and think ahead to autumn.

Simple Woman #57

For Today . . . August 31, 2009

Outside my window. . . warm but smoky because of the forest fires burning northwest of here.

I am thankful . . . that we are able to join our daughter and her family for a short vacation - and that I don't have to be back at school this week!

And I am also thankful . . . that there is so much good fruit to be purchased from local farmers where we are visiting.

I am praying . . . that my teacher friends (who are back at school this week) will have a wonderful year sharing the excitement of learning with their students.

I am thinking . . . about all the jars I will need in order to can and preserve the fruit that we've bought.

I am celebrating . . . our grandson's first year of life. What a joy it has been to watch him grow into such a little man!

From the kitchen . . . local sausage seasoned with sun-dried tomatoes and basil, carrots and potatoes baked in butter, Greek salad, corn on the cob and fresh peaches and cream.

I am wearing . . . black city shorts, green cotton top and no shoes.

I am reading . . . Oceans Apart by Karen Kingsbury.

I am hoping . . . to have some playtime with Silas and Helayna before we head home tomorrow.

I am hearing . . . Neil Diamond sing some of his hit songs.

I am creating . . . jars of fruit preserved for winter enjoyment.

Around the house and yard . . . beautiful flowers, chickens, and a swimming pool as we are staying at a lovely bed and breakfast home.

One of my favourite things . . . fresh corn on the cob, rolled in butter and sprinkled with salt and pepper.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . driving home, canning cherries (they are ripe!), sorting fruit, an appointment in the city and Silas' first birthday party.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . . plump and juicy peaches hanging in the orchard belonging to the nicest Hungarian man we met today.



I think Peggy at The Simple Woman may be back next week with her daybook links.

Gratitude Gifts Today

As this month ends, I am grateful for:

- vacations

- sun shining

- quiet, unhurried mornings



- walking through an old growth cedar forest and feeling the coolness of the forest, on an otherwise very hot day



- Silas' blossoming interest in walking and moving around

- a son-in-law intent on capturing the delight of his son and daughter



- animals that are available for little ones to connect with

- sharing moments of discovery with our grandchildren

- yummy ice cream, melting and mouth-watering



- the fearlessness of a boy, no matter his age

- traveling safely on busy roads

- chances to sit on a tractor, which makes a certain little girl so, so happy



- peaches picked from the tree

- slices of poppyseed ring

- remembering my grandparents

- quiet evenings talking with my parents as the sun goes down

- a bed and breakfast stay, up in the hills, away from the hustle and bustle and crowds of downtown

- sitting on the deck as night approaches and the light wanes

From My Window

Can you guess where we are and what we are doing??????