Then and Now

It's hard to believe that one year ago we got our new little furry friend, Sasha.

She was such a bundle of furry fun. Still is in fact! While opening presents on Christmas day, Sasha decided to give Darcy a hand or should I say paw, opening one of his gifts.

Smart little puppy!
It's been an awesome year watching her grow and become an integral part of our family. So much so that we even included her on our family Christmas photo to family & friends. Blessings

Blurred visions of Sugar plums

ahh Christmas, what a wonderful time. A time to gather with family and friends, a time to eat all you want and watch all the calories melt away. I have it on good authority that the following foods and situations have no calories to speak of. You can eat all you want with a clear conscience!

Calories That Don't Count
1. Food On Foot - All food eaten while standing has no calories. Exactly why is not clear but the current theory relates to gravity. The calories apparently bypass the stomach flowing directly down the legs, and through the soles of the feet into the floor, like electricity. Walking appears to accelerate this process, so that an ice cream bar or hot dog eaten at the state fair actually has a calorie deficit.
2. TV Food - Anything eaten in front of the TV has no calories. This may have something to do with radiation leakage, which negates not only the calories in the food, but all recollections of having eaten it.
3. Uneven Edges - Pies and cakes should be cut neatly, in even wedges or slices. If not, the responsibility falls on the person putting them away to "straighten up the edges" by slicing away the offending irregularities, which have no calories when eaten.
4. Balanced Food - If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, they cancel each other out.
5. Left-Handed Food - If you have a drink in your right hand, anything eaten with the other hand has no calories. Several principles are at work here. First of all, you're probably standing up at a cocktail party (see "Food On Foot"). Then there's the electronic field: a wet glass in one hand forms a negative charge to reverse the polarity of the calories attracted to the other hand. It's not quite known how it works, but it's reversible if you're left-handed.
6. Food For Medicinal Purposes - Food used for medicinal purposes NEVER counts, such as hot chocolate, brandy, toast, and Sara Lee cheesecake.
7. Whipped Cream, Sour Cream, Butter - These all act as a poultice that actually "draws out" the calories when placed on any food, leaving them calorie-free. Afterwards, you can eat the poultice, too, as all calories are neutralized by it.
8. Food On Toothpicks - Sausage, cocktail franks, cheese, and crackers are all fattening unless impaled on frilled toothpicks. The insertion of a sharp object allows the calories to leak out the bottom.
9. Children's Food - Anything produced, purchased, or intended for minors is calorie-free when eaten by adults. This category covers a wide range, beginning with a spoonful of baby food custard, consumed for demonstration purposes, up to and including cookies baked to send to college.
10. Charitable Foods - Girl Scout cookies, bake-sale cakes, ice cream socials, and church strawberry festivals all have a religious dispensation from calories.
11. Custom-Made Food - Anything somebody makes "just for you" must be eaten regardless of the calories, because to do otherwise would be uncaring and insensitive. Your kind intentions will not go unrewarded.

aahh if that were only true ^.^ and since it's not, I'll be joining Jazzercise again this winter.

Blessings

Girl Friday

um wait a minute, isn't today Thursday? Yes it is, but oooh I am so thankful that Krystle was willing to come and help me today. With the shorter week due to the holiday, I needed all the extra help I could get. luv ya Krys

Krystle is such a blessing to me. She's home for the next couple weeks to have a bit of a break over the holidays before her last semester of school. We're hoping to get a few more wedding details organized, should be fun. ^.^

Blessings

The Office

It's hard to believe that today is my 3rd anniversary as the Administrative Assistant for the Zurich Mennonite Church. When I got the call offering me the job, I remember I was so excited. Even after 3 years, I am not only thankful for my job, but I still love my job. Yep, yep I do!

I've heard it said "Find a job you love and you never have to go to work again." For me, this is as close to perfect as one can get. This a place where I use the gifts & abilities that I have in an environment that promotes grace to one another, with a great bunch guys.
(Tim, Tom, Phil & Jamie) I am blessed to work with these guys who appreciate me not only for what I do, but also for who I am! I'm looking forward to many more years at the office.

Blessings

because it's christmas

It's only at this time of year that we get to watch all those wonderful Christmas classics, like Charlie Brown Christmas or Rudolf the Red nose Reindeer, Santa Claus is coming to town, Frosty the Snowman and Mickey's Christmas Carol. Most of the time I end up watching them alone as my kids don't find them to be as interesting as I do. I'm sure as they age they too will learn to appreciate the classics like I do!

Of course each year new movies are added to the mix; The Polar Express, The Santa Clause, and Elf but there's something about those old classics that keeps drawing me back.








Blessings

Baking with Bliss

My sister Becky & I, through our growing years affectionately referred to one another as bliss. Why? I cannot remember, but it has stuck with us all these years. Being 15 months apart in age has helped us become such good friends and I'm thankful for her friendship.

Today Becky came up and we did our Christmas baking. We made church window squares, butter tarts, hello dollies, snowball cookies, reece's peanut butter squares and chow mien noodle cookies. Mmhhmm! super yummy!

Next week Krystle will be home for the holidays and we'll finish our baking by adding sugar cookies to the rest of the goodies made today.
Blessings

Bird's eye view

Wayne had an awesome opportunity to go in our friend Doug's plane to get a bird's eye view of our place. In the bottom left corner is Huron Ridge Acres and our place is at the top right of photo. This 100 acre farm has been in Wayne's family since 1927 and Wayne & I are the 7th owner.
What a different perspective it gives.

Blessings

Tribute

To John Lennon.
Today marks the 29th anniversary of his death. Leaving behind his family, a multitude of fans and a legacy of music through which his memory lives on.

I am a Beatles fan. I love their music - from their earliest recordings right into their solo careers. I admire John's ability to write songs that said what was on his heart and that he was willing to take a stand for what he believed.

This is one such song:

The quote "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” from Dr. Seuss, I think can be applied to the life of John Lennon.

Blessings

'tis the season

finally the Christmas tree is up ~

Krystle was home for the weekend and we spent time together reminiscing about all the Christmas decorations while we decorated the house. She makes it so much more fun, because she exclaims at each piece "oooh - where shall we put it this year?" It definitely helps garner a little more Christmas cheer.

So now our home looks a little more Christmasy. Listening to the CD's helps the house sound a little more Christmasy. Next week my sister will be up to get our baking started and then the house will smell little more Christmasy.

Blessings

1929

1929 marked the end of a period known in American history as the Roaring Twenties and was a time of wealth and excess. After the Wall Street Crash of 1929 a worldwide Great Depression ushered in.

Famous people born that year were:
January 15 – Martin Luther King Jr., American civil rights leader, Nobel laureate (d. 1968)
May 4 – Audrey Hepburn, British actress (d. 1993)
July 2 – Imelda Marcos, First Lady of the Philippines
July 9 – King Hassan II of Morocco (d. 1999)
July 26 - Joseph Jackson, Father of the Jackson Family
July 28 – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, American First Lady (d. 1994)
August 24 – Yasser Arafat, Palestinian leader, Nobel laureate (d. 2004)
September 5 – Bob Newhart, American comedian and actor
September 10 – Arnold Palmer, American golfer
September 25 – Barbara Walters, American journalist
November 12 – Grace Patricia Kelly, American actress and Princess of Monaco (d. 1982)
November 30 – Dick Clark, American television entertainer
December 16 - Nicholas Courtney, British actor

Not overly famous to the media but pretty important to us - Wayne's dad (Keith) and his identical twin brother (Uncle Ken) (photo coming soon) were born on December 5, 1929 to Pete & Irla Gingerich. They were born in the small front room of our house or as we like to call the 'man room'.

We celebrated their 80th birthday with both families gathering together for dinner and an afternoon of visiting. We looked through the book that Grandma (Irla) had put together of the boys growing up and enjoyed listening to the many stories shared by Dad & Uncle Ken. These days twins while still special, is something seen a little more often than what you would have had in 1929.

Blessings

Ready or not...

I love the story "How the Grinch stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss. It's the story of the Grinch, that lives on snowy Mount Crumpit, just north of Whoville, home of the merry and warm-hearted Whos. His only companion is his faithful dog, Max. From his perch high atop Mount Crumpit, the Grinch can hear the noisy Christmas festivities that take place in Whoville. Envious of the Whos' happiness, he makes plans to descend on the town and, by means of burglary, deprive them of their Christmas presents and decorations and thus "prevent Christmas from coming". However, he learns in the end that despite his success in stealing all the Christmas presents and decorations from the Whos, Christmas comes just the same.

The point of this post? Christmas will come, there is nothing we can do to stop it, but there is something we can do to be ready. I don't mean buying presents, decorating the house, or even listening to Christmas carols, I mean having our hearts ready to receive the ultimate gift ever given.
The gift of Jesus sent from heaven above.

Blessings

Countdown

The countdown to Christmas has begun. Without snow so far this year I must admit I am finding great difficulty getting into the holiday spirit. Hopefully, once I begin the special Christmas baking, start our Christmas shopping, get the house cleaned & decorated while listening to Christmas Cd's it'll help get me ready. Each year I look forward to watching all those Christmas specials on TV and noticed that even commercials can help get the holiday spirit moving.

Like this commercial I found on youtube that aired in 1970 - love it!

Blessings

Advent

With today as the first Sunday in Advent I thought it might be good to be reminded of this.


As we begin to ready, not only our home, but our hearts for this Christmas season, let us all remember that:
We can easily get caught up with the craziness of the season, but I hope to be able to set that all aside. I don't want to become overtly worried about whether I get the baking done, the shopping started, the Christmas cards sent early enough, the house decorated. As long as we're done by December 24 we still have time. ^.^

It seems that people become consumed with the to do and for my family I want, to be..... together; eating, playing, baking, laughing, enjoying our time making memories that are worth more than any gift.

Blessings

WHY?

Have you ever wondered why? Why are leaves green? Why do cats purr? Why aren't we happy?

Why is probably the most singularly asked question that our world has revolved around. When you have a question where do you go to find the answer? I use the Internet most of the time, books second and asking lastly. I go onto the net to find out everything from medical advice to how to clean something. It's no wonder then it's nicknamed "The Information Highway". I have marveled at the information found on the net. One day I just started typing in random words to see what would come up from search and ended up learning a lot of new things. The Internet these days is kind of like a school; where you learn the newest and most up to date info without having to buy all the textbooks.

I love to read and cuddle up with a good book but when I want info in a hurry it's to the computer and surfing the net for those quick answers. It's certainly interesting and it is like having every book on the subject at your finger tips!

When you have questions, where do you go for the answers?

Blessings

Library Club

I've joined the local Library Club at the Zurich Public Library. The book to read and discuss was "Stanley Park" by Timothy Taylor.
From the Jacket
A young chef who revels in local bounty, a long-ago murder that remains unsolved, the homeless of Stanley Park, a smooth-talking businessman named Dante - these are the ingredients of Timothy Taylor's stunning debut novel - Kitchen Confidential meets The Edible Woman.

Trained in France, Jeremy Papier, the young Vancouver chef, is becoming known for his unpretentious dishes that highlight fresh, local ingredients. His restaurant, The Monkey's Paw Bistro, while struggling financially, is attracting the attention of local foodies, and is not going unnoticed by Dante Beale, owner of a successful coffeehouse chain, Dante's Inferno. Meanwhile, Jeremy's father, an eccentric anthropologist, has moved into Stanley Park to better acquaint himself with the homeless and their daily struggles for food, shelter and company. Jeremy's father also has a strange fascination for a years-old unsolved murder case, known as "The Babes in the Wood" and asks Jeremy to help him research it.

Dante is dying to get his hands on The Monkey's Paw. When Jeremy's elaborate financial kite begins to fall, he is forced to sell to Dante and become his employee. The restaurant is closed for renovations, Inferno style. Jeremy plans a menu for opening night that he intends to be the greatest culinary statement he's ever made, one that unites the homeless with high foody society in a paparazzi-covered celebration of "local splendour."

Sounds like an interesting book - wouldn't you agree? Going to my first meeting of the Library club, I was quite nervous. For one; I didn't know anyone, two; I didn't like the book and three; I struggle with saying anything negative, in case no one would like me. Thankfully as group discussion started the lady to my left began and it went clock-wise, leaving me till last. whew! Each person shared their perspective on the book which ironically was the same as mine and out of the ten of us, only two (I was not one of them) actually read the whole book. My fears were totally alleviated as I realized everyone felt the same way.

These are an interesting group of women, various ages, stages of life but we share at least one common passion, our love to read. So I am looking forward to next month's meeting; when we gather to discuss "Children of my Heart" by Gabrielle Roy. I'm looking forward to not only getting to know those in the group better, but also to discuss the book, whether it's liked it or not. ^.^

Blessings

um...w.h.a.t?

Many of you already know that I am in a group called w.h.a.t. which is an acronym for women's hearts always together. It's a group of women of different ages (as I believe we have alot to learn for those older than us and can teach others younger than us - based on Titus 2:3&4) who gather together to intentionally build relationships and study together. To be a support to each other as we struggle through this maze called life.

This group decided to read the book "Love your Life" by Victoria Osteen. It's not that I do not love the life I'm living, but I want to embrace life and live it to the fullest. Because of the title of the book I was hesitant to join; however, I'm so very glad I did. Not only am I'm getting to know Ruth, Deb & Annie alot better, but I'm learning to gain a little more perspective on things. I'm very thankful for each of my fellow w.h.a.t. women and the insight they pour into my life.

Blessings

Blooming awesome

This past summer Krystle convinced me to spend the extra money required to purchase a Hibiscus plant. I've enjoyed the awesome blooms all summer. Early fall I brought the plant indoors hoping with fingers crossed that it would continue to thrive in the house. Despite the fact that I do not have a green thumb the plant it is doing amazingly well. Beautiful, absolutely beautful.

Blessings

Chess

Chess is a board game played between two players. A game of strategic thinking, not much dialogue, but great times with another person.
Taking alternate turns moving one piece at a time (with the exception of castling, when two pieces are moved simultaneously). Pieces are moved to either an unoccupied square, or one occupied by an opponent's piece, capturing it and removing it from play.

My dad taught me the game of chess. With White always moving first, I usually took white, hoping beyond all things that would give me the advantage. =)

Learning the moves of each of the pieces which have their own unique way of moving was a lot to remember.
• The pawn can only move forward one step at a time except the first step it takes can be a two-stepper. It captures the opponent by moving diagonally, then continues forward one step at a time.
• The Rook (castle) can move forward, backward and sideways as many spaces wanted.
• The Knight (horse) moves either two steps forward with one step sideways, or one step forward with two steps sideways, of course it can can forward or backwards.
• The Bishop can only move diagonally either forwards or backwards.
• The Queen can move forwards/backwards/diagonally/sideways and as many spaces as needed.
• The King can only move one space at any time in any direction.
The objective of the game is to checkmate the opponent. This occurs when a move places the opponent's king in check, and there is no way to move the king into a 'safe' space.

Over time with my Dad's great patience, I became a good competitor for him. I too have taught my kids to play, making them good competitors for me & my Dad. Darcy is the one most taken with the game and he & I have played Chess many times over the last few years. We're pretty evenly matched, making each game interesting, creating great memories together.

Last night was one such time. We danced around each other on the chess board moving our pieces in hopes to catch the other's king for about one hour. We made several attempts to place each other's King in check and then whoosh, I had Darcy's King in checkmate. Blessings

Finding Balance

I've been struggling recently with just how busy I am. Everyone is busy, I get that, but for me it's been overwhelming. It's good stuff too; w.h.a.t. (ladies bible study), Jazzercise, studying Kingdom Culture (Pastor Phil's book), babysitting for friends, helping at the churches Ten Thousand Villages sale, Library Club, work - both at the office and at home, and on and on it goes. While it may be good stuff, is it the right stuff ~~ for me?

It tends to go to the extreme. I become super busy, realize the craziness of my life, quit everything, become bored and allow myself to become super busy again, only to start yet another cycle of craziness. How then, does one find balance? "Easy" you say - choose a couple things to focus on, things you're good at. But, how do you know that you know that you know you're on the right path or if you've somehow fallen into a ditch?

Life is all about choices. Good choices and bad choices. The more choices I make that fulfill my purpose the better. In a perfect world we could plan everything in advance, but often life does not go the way that we plan. The challenge then is to be more purposeful and to not let life just happen.

So, the secret? Slow down. Be centered, strategic and intentional. Plan the best use of my time that I can. Stay centered. Be conscious of the choices that I make by weighing them carefully in terms of where I ultimately want to end up in life. Because every choice I make, will either assist me on my journey or ultimately end up working against me. Time is valuable and I need to use it well!

I don't want to become one of those people who look back at their life and think 'if only'. I want to live a purpose-full life, so that at the end, I hear these words "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
Blessings

ba-da-boom-ba-da-bing

East Side Mario's is a great restaurant. Not only for the delicious menu, but for the atmosphere. It's become one of the favourite places to meet up with my brother & sister. When my brother celebrated his 40th birthday; he came up with the idea that we (just the siblings) get together to celebrate our birthdays. The birthday person picks the restaurant and the next person in line pays for lunch. (ie:I pay for Barry's, Becky pays for mine and Barry pays for Becky's.) So for three times a year, we get together, just us, a place to catch up on the busyness of our lives without interruption. It's kinda cool!
I am so thankful for his brilliant idea.

Blessings

The Kaufmans

We gathered together to celebrate Mom & Dad's 45th wedding anniversary. We were a few months late to celebrate as their anniversary was in June and we got together in September, but with every one's schedules it gets harder and harder to get together.
I have been blessed with an older brother and a younger sister and two wonderful parents.

After enjoying a delicious brunch at the Crossroads Restaurant in Elmira we went to a parkette to take family photos. We had a lot of fun, putting different poses together, here are a few of my favourites:


Even though the Gerber's & Gingerich's out number the Kaufman's in name we're still family =) Blessings

post 200

wah hoo ~ my 200th post to my blog.

This is an awesome milestone to celebrate. I feel that I should post something really profound...mmhmm...um...well, since I can't think of anything overly profound, I guess I'll share my favourite scripture verse.

Probably my most favourite verse of the Bible is: Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".

This verse has been dear to my heart for many years. In 1998, after our dairy barn burned down, our dear neighbour shared it with us and encouraged us, that yes, this was a tragedy and even though this happened, God still has plans for us. This scripture has helped me through many situations throughout my journey. Through job loss, kids moving out, health issues, and the many ups & downs we walk through, I've claimed this scripture many times. Especially as I walk through the valley.
The way I figure it, since God can make something like this so beautiful, how much more will he make, not only my life beautiful, but the lives of those He created.

As the song goes:
Beautiful, beautiful,
Jesus is beautiful
and Jesus makes beautiful
things of my life.

So no matter what's happened or is going to happen I am so thankful that God has HIS hand on my life, and that he knows the plans that HE has for me. While I may not know what the future holds, I do know the ONE who holds mine.

Blessings

Decisions...decisions...decisions

Plans for Krystle and Gerard's wedding are all coming together, from the photographer to the florist; from the caterer to the rental company and everything in between. So many decisions are being made.
It's exciting watching this young couple plan the day that begins their life together. While they are excited about the actual wedding day they're more excited to begin life together. Krystle says it perfectly in her blog "Yes, we love and are getting excited about our wedding. But, we are even more excited to begin married life together as husband and wife!"

I'm really proud of these two, putting the focus on the rest of their lives together not on the one day it begins.

Blessings

Birthday puppy

We celebrated our little Sasha's 1st birthday yesterday. No, we did not have a cake, nor did we sing happy birthday to her. She didn't get to choose the menu like the other members of the family do for their birthdays. (although the longer this little bundle of fir lives with us, she's becoming more and more like a member of our family.) I just wanted to recognize her special day.

Her exuberant greeting each and every time I come home is a wonderful display of her affection. She's learning to sit on command, to come when called. She barks to be let out and barks again to be let back in. She loves going for car rides whenever we can take her with us and sits at the window watching us leave when she can't. She's learning to love walks and she enjoys sleeping at the foot of our bed. It's a bit of joke at how spoiled Sasha is, but I guess that's the way it is with the 'baby' of the family.

Blessings

Eulogy

Dolly
February 14, 1998 – October 13, 2009 Dolly joined our family in April at 8 weeks of age as an early birthday present for Krystle. She melded into our family quickly gaining the love of the whole family. In July she saved our lives when our dairy barn was engulfed in flames, it was her barking that awoke us in time to call the fire department to save the house and the rest of the buildings.

It’s hard to put into words all the emotions we feel at this time. Wikipedia describes a best friend as: someone with whom one shares the strongest possible kind of friendship. It's no wonder then that I feel I've lost my best friend. There are so many memories: walking with her, sitting in the house with her by my feet, playing tag, camping trips, her boundless energy, and her greeting each and every time I came home.

Time can be a funny thing, when looking forward 11 years can seem a long time, but looking back, it just wasn’t long enough. Dolly gave me her unconditional loyalty and love, knowing without fear that my love would never be withdrawn. My gentle guardian ~ I miss her!

Blessings

happy birthday

to me!
Another year has so quickly gone by. I find myself looking back more than looking forward - true sign of old age

Birthdays have always been a big deal to me, not only my own, but those that I am closest to. I enjoy making memories out of these special days, making a special dinner, decorating the cake. In our family the birthday person gets to decide what's for supper, so tonight, we're having Swiss Melt Chicken, Fettuccine Alfredo, Garden Salad and of course the cake I have yet to make. side note: it somehow seems unfair to make your own birthday cake

Throughout my years having a birthday meant I was growing up, now it just means I'm getting old, ^.^ but when you really stop and think about it....

Blessings

Thanksgiving

Dictionary.com describes thanksgiving as 'An act of giving thanks; an expression of gratitude, especially to God.'
I am thankful to God for many things: my family, (photo courtesy of Anneka Zehr Photography) my puppy, my friends, my country farmhouse, (yes, I am thankful for it despite the fact it needs some work) plenty of food, my job, to live in a country with religious freedom, to have had the great opportunities in life I've had; and the many more I've yet to pursue, and ooh so much more. Thanksgiving Day is a good reminder for all of us to be thankful.

Blessings

They're gettin' hitched

Krystle & Gerard's engagement party was today. They decided to go with a country theme, cowboy boots, hats, the whole deal. yee-haw

I love the shirts they got for themselves and the wedding party.
Krystle, Gerard, Emily Maid of Honor, Kyle Best Man, Janelle Bridesmaid, Jesse Groomsman, Marcia Bridesmaid, Kya & Kiera Flower girls, the only one missing is the other groomsman Kyle, who is in Colombia.
The rootin' tootin' gang.

What an absolutely wonderful day and what better way to end the evening, than with fireworks!!
Congratulations guys...only 8 more months, till the BIG day!

Blessings