New Beginnings

Took the kids this morning to an Old'n Day Village...the weather held out for us and the kids and I had lots of fun....we walked through all the buildings, had lunch at the  Ice cream Parlor...... Spent time in school at a One room school house...watched a blacksmith make hooks...sat in an old theatre and watched a movie with Charlie Chaplin ( he was hilarious) And to end day the kids rode the Old Fashioned Carousel.    I opted to stand on the side and watch as I knew, that throwing up was not an option for me their ride back home.

It was great to see how the Society for Heritage preservation had restored some of the old buildings and machinery. 

When we arrived home, this is what I found on the kids computer....Esther the cat taking a day off also. Even when the kids went on the computer, she stayed there...nice and warm I guess

Anika picked flowers for me from my garden.....aren't they beautiful?  Thanks my girl.

With the storm last night, came the rain...so it was a perfect day to stay indoors.  The kids had fun playing and Ethan who loves the computer needed to get his fix.  We are only allowing a certain amount of time each day for the computer as one of my sons would be there the entire day if we let him....

Tianna, Anika and I watched the original version of Fiddler on the Roof....have never seen it before...very interesting to say the least...  The history behind the movie was fascinating also.

Time does not usually permit me to be lazy and watch movies but today was the perfect backdrop for such a day.  As my daughter is now married, this past week has been difficult for me as I reflected on the past twenty years of her life.  I realized some important truths about myself and my life as I know it now....it's not about things or situations but about the here and now and family and friends.  I have had a hard time this past week, letting my daughter go...but the tears are less and I need to focus on "the right now" and  what is around me today.  And so thus warranted my day spent with Tianna and Anika watching movies and sipping Cranberry tea together....this day will never come again and I want to sigh and say..."we made memories", no matter how small. The boys and I played Webkinz and we laughed alot....we did manage to do five loads of laundry and make Thai stir-fry for dinner.... 

It's amazing how things in our lives make us stop and take stock of what is important...and our wedding did that for me.  My mind seems to be coming out of the fog, and hopefully the peace that comes with it will enter my heart once again.  And since there is no better time than NOW, God gave me this rainy day to begin a new chapter of my life...and one of the first chapters is as a mother-in-law and a daughter who will no longer be coming home, but going home to her new house and making a home with her husband. 

Dh and I spent the evening outside tying our blueberry bushes up as they were falling over from the heaviness of all the berries....our bushes are loaded this year.   This time working together also allowed us to talk about our feelings and "what now"...we have to move on and enjoy every moment...dh is also having a hard time letting his daughter go and trust that her new husband will now be taking care of her and protecting her (something dh use to do)....that part of our job is done...and we now quietly continue to pray for God's leading in their lives and that they will continue to serve Him with their whole hearts

As the day comes to a close I am grateful for many things....my dh, children, health, friends extended family, clothes, food, place to lay my head and the opportunity to be home with my children instead of having to work outside the home....and ultimately, my Lord and Saviour who loves me no matter what.

Blessings to each of you this evening,  

Daniel and his Indiana Jones hat...actually dh's hat which he purchased on a holiday to Barkerville...but fits Daniel now.  Isn't he just the cutest kid....wearing his Thailand shirt...afterall he is from Thailand and proud of it.

Last night we had the worst storm I think ever....the lightening started around 9:30 and went until 3:45am this morning....it was unbelievable.  The lightening lit up the whole bedroom and sometimes the thunder would come ten or fifteen seconds after the lightening and other times it came within a second of the lightening....just when we thought it was over....and then another flash and crash.  So thankfully I finally fell asleep around 4;00 and woke up to my son blowing his nose ( he has a cold).  Dh  had coffee ready....ahhh, the good life.

Made eggs on toast with sausages and fresh blueberries for breakfast...great way to start the day.  Stephanie had an ortho appointment...drove 25 minutes each way and were in the office a total of 5 minutes....just continuing to monitor the braces.

Came home and did nothing else.  The repair man came and fixed the dryer.   Audrey came over for coffee with her son.  He and Daniel swam in the pool while we visited.  Made lasagne, garlic bread and salad for dinner.... not a smart idea considering the house was already stifling hot...then watered my plants.

Happy Canada Day to all you Canadians out there....I am truly proud to be a Canadian.

And after being in Africa and at our Canadian High Commission (Canadian Embassy), watching people desperately waiting for a Canadian Visa...and some people leaving in tears because they were denied and asked to come at a later date.....I realized what people would do to get into Canada....I felt blessed (and humbled) beyond words that I am a Canadian citizen....we need to be grateful and not take for granted that we  live in a Free Country.....God Bless this great country of ours. 

There was so much to do in the vineyard yesterday, but  decided to do "nothing" with regards to work.  Instead, took the kids to the library......

 Then to DQ for ice-cream.....

Came home and we had a picnic outside on the blankets....I started reading a book I borrowed while the kids read some of their books.

 Then  took a nap while the kids played in the pool (well not really sleeping---just eyes closed and ears open)

Dh did a pork tenderloin on the barbecue for dinner.....

And to the end the day, family came over for coffee and a swim...."hit the hay" just after 11:00pm.  What a great day it was...and of course the work is still waiting for me...but who cares, we did "family time".

and I am doing better....I am still tired but getting my house back in order since the wedding and company.  Guess I'm not 20 anymore

Kids are out of school for the summer.  They all did amazing with their studies this year. Ethan and Anika both have made huge strides since their adoption.  I cannot even explain how much they have grown in all areas of their lives.  Their academic marks have soared....we are so proud of them both.  Daniel received an award for "most improved student"....he has worked very hard and also I think the teacher after receiving a talk from the new principal changed her ways a bit....the difference is truly night & day.  Tianna who finished grade 11, we are still waiting for her final marks to come in....so we'll see.  We are proud of all our children regardless of what marks they get....marks are not everything....but hard work and determination, how you treat your fellow students, a compassionate heart, giving your best no matter how hard the work is.....those things are what we teach our children.....you don't need to be the best, just do your best.

So what are our plans for the summer?  I have no idea...too tired to think about it....will take it one day at a time.   We are finally getting some hot weather after all the rain we received.  Today it was 37 degrees Celsius....and yesterday about the same.  The kids are having lots of fun in the pool.  Will post some pictures later.

Well, that is all for now....have a wonderful week everyone

......and I am back.  What a wonderful day we had....and I am exhausted.  All our company left this morning and now try and get myself and my home back to normal.

I will post more later about our dd wedding day, but here are a couple of photos.  I will post more as the better quality ones come in and those from the photographer....these two my husband managed to take during the ceremony.

This is going to be my last post until after the wedding....things are so crazy right now and I am tired. Woke up this morning with a terrible headache and a stiff neck. There is so much running around to do and spending so much time driving is not my most favourite thing to do.

Our daughters future MIL had a Pampered Chef Bridal party for dd last night....almost 30 people showed up...it was great.  I didn't stay to the very end, so not sure of what  things Karisa selected for herself...but I'm sure she will call today and tell me.  Most all the people there I did not know...but it was a fun evening.

Things still to do are:

Meeting with Wedding Planners this evening

Anika getting extensions in her hair----that in itself takes about 6-8 hours

Pick up boys tuxedo's

Anika needs final touch up on her dress

Manicure and Pedicure for "mother of the bride"

Stephanie getting foils done in her hair

Last minute grocery  shopping

Finish preparing food for the freezer so I do not have much to cook when company arrives from the East

Meeting with other wedding planner who is in charge of doing the reception and pay for reception.

Pick up programs from the Printers

Type out the seating plan for reception

Dh finishing up the slide show for reception

Laundry....and more laundry

Son's birthday party tomorrow

Help dh get the pool ready for the summer...

And if I thought hard enough probably a few more things I could add like cleaning, dusting, vacuuming and all the day to day things...but I will close as I need to get my kids ready for school. 

Look forward to checking back with all of you soon....Have a blessed week.

Praying that each one of you on HSB has a wonderful Lord's Day.

 It is now the time of year where I am trying to clean out my freezer of everything from last year.  I came across containers of sour cherries that I forgot I had and were down at bottom...so this week I have been trying new recipes to use  up my cherries. 

This is a simple recipe that I use all the time when I have leftover fruit in my frig or freezer.  (Daniel made this cake today)

1.  Make a simple white cake...pour into a greased baking pan

2. Put whatever fruit you have on the top

3. Sprinkle Streusel over top

4. Bake

This is the recipe I use for the White Cake.

1/2 cup butter or margarine

3/4 cup sugar

2 Eggs

1 tsp Vanilla

2 cups Flour

1-1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

3/4 cup Milk

This recipe is for a 9x9 cake pan...I always double it and put into a greased 10x15 baking pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for approx  45 minutes or until done.

Streusel:

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup flour

1/2 sugar

The streusel measurements are approximate...I never measure this.

** Also I do NOT use margarine for any of my cooking....

Here is my recipe for Sour Cherry Coconut Muffins

1 large Egg

14 oz --Can of light coconut milk

1 tbsp Grated Lemon Zest

1 cup chopped pitted Sour Cherries

3 cups flour

1 Cup sugar

1 cup unsweetened coconut

1 tbsp Baking powder

1/2 tsp Salt

Measure first 5 ingredients into large bowl.  Stir.  Make a well in centre.

Combine next 3 ingredients in medium bowl.  Add to flour mixture

Add cherries.  Stir until just moistened.  Fill muffin cups.  Bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes until wooden pick inserted in centre of muffin comes out clean and tops are golden.   Makes 12 muffins

** This recipe I also doubled and got 29 muffins. 

** Some of my family was not crazy about the coconut, so I made them again without coconut and without the coconut milk...I used buttermilk and 1/4 coconut oil....they were awesome.

Yesterday our three youngest children had their School Track Meet...It was a great day.  All my kiddos did awesome.  I was in charge of handing out the 1st place ribbon to all the winners as they went through the finish line. 

 Now I know that one is not to brag often about their children but I will make an exception to that rule today.  Because our kids are not in any outside activities these kinds of events become special to me their "MOM"....I also do creative memories and so adding these things to their books is important for me.  So here are a few pictures of their day....I was very proud of all the schools and their children.... everyone did awesome.

Here are a couple of photos I managed to get

Ethan coming in 12th in the 800 metre.  Ethan came home with 2-1st; 1-3rd and 1-4th....way to go my boy.

Anika coming in First in the 200 metre...she was way ahead of the other racers...it amazes me how she runs...her legs are like the wind and she runs with such ease. She came home with 4-1st, 2-3rd, 1-4th and 1-11....that's my girl....good job

Daniel coming in First in the 100 Metre....he came home with 1-st, 2-2nds, 1-3rd, 1-5th...good job my son.

There are only 15 sleeps till our daughters wedding and my nerves are starting to go.  I am having breathing problems just thinking about everything.  I am losing sleep as I run all the scenarios in my head.  Will be so grateful when this is all over.  There is still lots to do, but the wedding planners will be taking over for most of the last minutes things....which I am very grateful for....yes, we have to pay $40.00 an hour for their time, but definately worth my sanity.   If you think of me, please say a prayer for our day and a prayer for nice weather.

...how about Art in the Bedroom...I mean "kids bedroom"  This is the artwork my children did this afternoon while mom was having a nap and recovering from all the hard work yesterday.  Now I see why they were so quiet....such a genious bunch....makes a mom proud.

Can you guess what this art picture is about? 

My garden is in....finally....wow, hard work but so exciting. We had the perfect weather yesterday.

My boys planting potatoes...looking so industrious.

Anika taking pictures of "her" potatoes. These photos were taken on Thursday or Friday....cannot remember when I planted the potatoes....my memory is fading....or just a blurr because life is crazy right now.  As long as I remember to wear underwear

The neighbours are watching. Stephanie took this photo of her "favourite" animal...and I MEAN FAVOURITE animal.

My hard working bunch.  We also managed about 3 hours in the vineyard yesterday.  We were blessed with rain showers last night so our garden got a good drink of heavenly water.  Kids hoping to see green sprouts soon. Here is what we planted....potatoes, corn, yellow and green beans, red cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, red and yellow peppers, egg plant, zucchini, carrots and cucumbers.  I still have a little space saved for onions.  Will pick those up from the nursery this week.

Ethan is watching me type this and I am asking him why every photo of him he is standing around watching everyone else work...his reply to me is..."it's hard work making sure they are doing their jobs right". But for the record, he sweated like the rest of us.  Way to go my family. 

***Dh was not helping us this year as he was busy helping his nephew and family move...but he was there in spirit....but not quite the same.

It's amazing how much work one can accomplish when one stays home...I was so grateful to be home today considering the week I have had running around and trying to accomplish everything for the wedding...Other than taking my kids to and from school....my day was spend doing dishes, baked bread, cleaned the frig and freezer in my kitchen, organized my linen closet, cleaned out and organized master bedroom closet...planted our potatoes with the kids, made spaghetti for supper, did four loads of laundry, organized the shelves in my laundry room, picked up my hanging baskets from the nursery... and even had a forty-five minute nap.  Ahhhh, what a wonderful day filled with accomplishment.   God is good.

The above picture is Puff Pancake that I made for the family this morning.

2 eggs

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

2 tablespoons butter

Thinly sliced apples**

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  Blend the eggs in a blender (I use my kitchenaid) until foamy, then add the flour, milk and nutmeg, and blend well.  Melt the butter in a 9x13 pan. When the butter is melted, swirl it to coat the pan.  Put a layer of sliced apples ( or other fruit) on the bottom if desired, then pour in the batter all at once.  Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until puffed and golden.  Sprinkle sugar over all (if using apples, you may substitue cinnamon and granulated sugar) and bake for one miute more. 

**My gang prefers canned peaches...we have also done raspberries, fresh blackberries and blueberries...but peaches is the favourite around here.

** I also double this recipe and put it in my 10X15 pan, as the regular recipe is not big enough for our family.

...yes....Michelle over at Blueberry Eyes was my Ornament Exchange partner and she sent me these beautiful gifts ....you can see from the picture the package that says Peppermint Bark.  Michelle introduced me to White Chocolate again.  I have never liked white chocolate.  Maybe tasted some "not so good" before, but when I tasted this Bark...oh my goodness it was awesome.

Well today, I ate the very last piece.  I savoured every bite as it was going to be my last.  Hard to believe it lasted this long in my cupboard.  But the chocolate was so good that I only indulged myself the odd time and today was the finality to a beautiful relationship of me and my Peppermint Bark.

Thanks again Michelle.

My flower gardens are starting to blossom...here is my Azalea.  ....and yes,  another busy day of shopping  and errands,  including a Ortho appointment for Stephanie because of two broken wires that happened at breakfast this morning.  Had a coffee break at Audrey's house and then picked kids up from school.

I did end up taking my shoes back and found something much more comfortable and with a lower heal....maybe now I will be able to walk to the front of the church and not fall, or "look like I haven't been in high heels for years"

Tonight for dinner we are having a salad bar night....didn't feel like any more heavy meals this week.  Dh is going out for dinner with business people from San Jose and two others working, so I want to keep things simple this evening as I am bagged from this past week of shopping.

FYI...I spent $80.00 Cdn filling my van with fuel....it just keeps climbing and climbing with no end in sight.

But I am thankful we have the money to fill our van, always trying to  look at life as the "cup half full"

The last post was quite long with photos, so decided to divide the blog in half....this week has began with me not remembering what I did on Monday...so Audrey if you can remind me, leave me a comment telling me what I did since you were probably part of that, or maybe not.....but I do remember Tuesday....

Audrey and I went shopping for "mother of the bride" outfit....yikes, yikes, yikes....we went to the store Laura and tried on clothes for three hours...and yes, we both came home with our "outfits"....we both will look gorgeous for the wedding....then I came home and worked for six hours in the vineyard.  I was totally exhausted by the end of the night and went to bed after a long hot shower.

That brings me to today.  Audrey and I went shopping for....(now I know that most woman read these blogs but the occassional guy comes on also, so I apologize in advance)....bras....yes, you read right....we both needed proper fitting bras so that our "new outfits" would be done justice by something that fit right and actually gave lift to where lift was needed...if you know what I mean??  And we were successful again.  I also purchased my shoes.  But after coming home and trying to walk in them, I might be returning them for something a little more comfortable. But the colour matches perfectly to my outfit, so will see what happens. 

Then we headed over to the store to purchase dd Stephanie's outfit for the wedding.  We also found a beautiful ensemble for her.  This wedding is costing more than I ever imagined...and pray our other daughter gives me ten years to recooperate from this one before she decides to "tie the knot".

Oh yes, the picture above...one of my great finds this week....I love the colour.

The countdown is on to the "wedding of the year"...actually our "wedding of the year"

I have been so busy that time hasn't permitted me access to computer use lately...here is a run down of our last week....

Kids had fun day at school...they had a blast...I even had fun, but it might have been the free Tim's coffee served throughout the evening.  Firefighters played soccer my all the children...tour of a fire truck....had a viking sword fight....Anika's first experience on a circus ride "the Swing"...and too much cotton candy.

On Sunday Audrey threw a Bridal Shower for Karisa...we had such a blast...18 woman and children showed up and it was great fun...but one more thing accomplished and checked off my to do list.  My niece Grace made a Spinach Dip and Artichoke dip...the MIL to be brought a beautiful fruit plate.  I made chocolate covered strawberries, heart shaped Salmon sandwiches, stuffed mushrooms and cucumber finger sandwiches...we had Tracy cupcakes for dessert....and lots of punch.  Audrey decorated her house so beautifully and fun was had by all.  Thank you Audrey and Grace for all your hard work and for making that day so great.