It's Time

A time to decorate and a time to put everything back in it's place. I know, I know, that's not part of the Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 8 scripture, but after days of celebrating Christmas with the family, and having the house in Christmas chaos, it's time to put all the decorations away and get my house back in order. It`s also time to start to think about the New Year that's ahead. With this last day of 2011, I find myself thinking about the changes that I want to see in me. I think it was Mahatma Gandhi who said And while I am not one to make "New Years' resolutions" I do know that there are some things in my life that I want to change. Way back when I was in school, I remember for one my assignments in English class we were write our own obituary. I know that sounds kind of depressing. But when you think about it, what you want to be said about you at your funeral, well that's how you need to live your life now.

So as I write my final post for 2011, I want to leave you with my favourite scripture verse. From Jeremiah 29:11 "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." And while I do not know what 2012 nor the future holds for me I do know the one who holds my future.

Blessings

Making Memories

Over the past few days we've been busy with playing games, sitting in the hotub, eating good food, spending time together with our family, and of course taking many pictures. Trying our best to make each moment count. We had so much fun together and as always, the time went w-a-y too quickly.

Blessings

Storm Day

oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is mmhmm delightful, and since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

With this stormy weather, I am glad we are not on the road. Since we ended up taking Kyle back to Orillia yesterday because he needed to work we were thankfully not driving today through this storm. While I do love the snow and the slower pace it tends to bring, I hate driving in storms.

Days like this are good to be curled up by the cozy fire and read a book, or blog, or even start some soup in the crock pot. Since we both love potato soup, I decided to give the one that Krystle made for us a try. Baked Potato Soup - Slow cooker style
Ingredients:
- 5lbs Russet Potatoes, washed but NOT peeled. Diced into 1/2 inch(ish) cubes
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 10 cloves of garlic (you can use whole, crushed, or minced)
- 8 cups chicken stock
- 16 oz cream cheese (I used 8oz regular and 8oz lowfat)
- 1 TBS seasoned salt or all-purpose seasoning
Garnishes:
- Crumbled bacon
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Green onions
Directions:
- Add potatoes, onion, garlic, seasoning and chicken stock to slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours.
- Remove and puree the garlic cloves (if you used whole cloves) along with 1/2 to 1/3rd of the soup, and then reintroduce to the remainder in the crock pot.
- Stir in the cream cheese and allow to melt. Stir every 10-15 minutes until soup is well blended.
- Top with your choice of garnishes, serve & enjoy!

Blessings

Home for Christmas

Having everyone home for Christmas made my heart swell with love. And of course I couldn't resist taking a family photo. "maybe this can be my Christmas card for next year?"

Since the fall, Wayne & I have been empty nesters and over time we've gotten used to the quiet. Having the boys home for a few days and then celebrating Christmas with the whole clan, our house was full of laughter, good food and much love. Our time together was very special and I'm so thankful for each moment.

So from our family to yours "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Blessings

almost

We're almost ready to celebrate our family Christmas. There's only a few minor things to finish up and then we're ready! The presents are all under the tree. The baking is finished. The table is set and most of the food prepared. The stockings are hung waiting to be emptied and worn. er, um what? Yes, that's right. After our kids empty their stockings, they wear them. It's a silly tradition that Kyle started a few years ago and one I look forward to every year. It makes me smile when my adult son gets silly and it's encouraging that his siblings soon follow suit. Since our kids all live in different cities, it's hard to have everyone home at the same time. Needless to say I am bursting with excitement at having the whole family together tomorrow to celebrate.

Blessings

Winter Solstice

Today marks the winter solstice, the first day of winter and the darkest day of the year. It's all due to Earth's tilt, which ensures that the shortest day of every year falls around December 21. Making it the shortest day and longest night of the year, and thankfully only lasts only a moment in time. Dark days like this can be crushing if we don’t remember that the solstice heralds the beginning of a renewal. From this day forward, the world (at least in the northern hemisphere) will only get brighter. The light will return, slowly, but surely. But it can be tough, sometimes, to remember this simple fact. For many people especially those who suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) - like I do - this time of year can feel like a heavy burden of despair hanging over their heads. Especially without snow, I find that these short daylight days seem even more gloomy. Thankfully, tomorrow the days start to get longer - Yay!

Blessings

Snowflakes

With all the rain and gray weather we've been having, it's made me realize how much I love and miss snow. Did you know that Snowflakes form in a wide variety of intricate shapes, leading to the popular expression that "no two are alike". Although statistically possible, it is very unlikely for any two snowflakes to appear exactly alike due to the many changes in temperature and humidity the snowflake experiences during its fall to earth. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Complex shapes emerge as the flake moves through differing temperature and humidity. Each snowflake in unique in structure. Why then should I be surprised that I was made so uniquely. After all if God decided that no two snowflakes would be alike, it shouldn't surprise me that no two people are alike. We've all been given different gifts, strengths, weaknesses, abilities, likes & dislikes. Let's celebrate our own uniqueness, rather than trying to blend in with everyone else.

Blessings

Misfit

After more than 40 years, the 1964 holiday special Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer is still one of the best Christmas stories.

Narrated by Burl Ives, Sam the Snowman tells the tale of a young red-nosed reindeer who, after being teased and shunned by the other reindeer because of his beaming nose, teams up with Hermey, an elf who wants to be a dentist, and Yukon Cornelius, the prospector. They run into the Abominable Snowman and find a whole island of misfit toys. Rudolph vows to see if he can get Santa to help the toys, and he goes back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. But Santa's sleigh is fogged in. Rudolph becomes a hero when he guides Santa through the storm and enables him to deliver Christmas presents to children all over the world.

During one of the scenes Hermey & Rudolf sing their song about being misfits. We're a couple of misfits
We're a couple of misfits
What's the matter with misfits
That's where we fit in!

We're not daffy and dilly
Don't go 'round willy nilly
Seems to us kinda silly
That we don't fit in.

We may be different from the rest
Who decides the test
Of what is really best?

We're a couple of misfits
We're a couple of misfits
What's the matter with misfits
That's where we fit in!

Sadly, I can identify with these two. There are days when I too feel like I am a misfit. Not quite fitting in, not one of 'in' crowd, but desperately trying to find my place. If we all have our own different gifts, strengths, weaknesses, abilities, likes & dislikes, why then do I feel that I am such a misfit?

Blessings

that don't make no sense

This time of year it's not uncommon for me to be listening to Christmas music. I've found this new station on the TV that plays all the classics whether they are Christmas carols or the modern songs of the times.

But have you ever really listened to the lyrics of some the songs? Some make no sense. Tim Hawkins helps to explain:

Now, was I right? or was I right?

Blessings

Linus & Luke

I need a good dose of Christmas TV specials. I haven't seen any holiday movies or TV shows this season. This Christmas marks the 46th year of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and its shining moment of Linus reciting from the gospel of Luke. Since its original airdate, the special has become a classic to watch during the Christmas season. In a year where neighbours are objecting to private nativity displays, where Christmas trees are about to be renamed to a more "politically correct" term, and where commercialization is squeezing the last breath out of this holy day--here comes Linus to tell us all the real meaning of Christmas. In this day and age, it almost takes your breath away to think that ABC is willing to broadcast the precious words of Scripture on national television. What was once commonplace is now almost shocking because of the way Christians been marginalized in mainstream culture--and this just over the course of my own life.

I was fascinated to find out that a documentary filmmaker was at the bottom of it all, producer-director Lee Mendelson. He and "Peanuts" creator Charles Schulz worked with animator Bill Melendez to create this television special. According to the Post, "Charles Schulz was long viewed as a man plagued by anxiety, self-doubt and fear of rejection. Yet when it came to the production of 'A Charlie Brown Christmas,' Mendelson says, Schulz was the epitome of confidence and assured cool." He was also the one to hold the line about the show's focus, according to the newspaper. Schulz insisted on one core purpose: "A Charlie Brown Christmas" had to be about something. Namely, the true meaning of Christmas. Otherwise, Schulz said, "Why bother doing it?" Mendelson and Melendez asked Schulz whether he was sure he wanted to include biblical text in the special. The cartoonist's response, Mendelson recalls: "If we don't do it, who will?" To Coca-Cola's credit, Mendelson says, the corporate sponsor never balked at the idea of including New Testament passages. The result -- Linus's reading from the Book of Luke about the meaning of the season -- became "the most magical two minutes in all of TV animation," the producer says. Mendelson also credits part of the power of the scene to child voice actor Christopher Shea, whose tone of wise innocence, the producer says, fits the moment perfectly. Note how when he gets to the verse about "fear not," he drops his beloved security blanket. A wonderful example for us all this holiday season!

Perhaps there's a glimmer of hope to be found there, for what is now rare may actually carry more weight and meaning. Perhaps because it is so unfamiliar, the idea that a Savior was born will provoke curiosity instead of the contempt of the overly familiar. This is my prayer.

May the Holy Spirit impress that truth upon hundreds--even thousands!--of viewers this evening. Hallelujah, our Savior is born!

Blessings

No need to panic

With Christmas only two weeks away, to say that I am a little excited is an understatement. There was a time though at this point in the Christmas season that panic would start to set in. You see I don't have the presents all purchased, the baking isn't finished and I haven't even started to compile let alone buy the list of ingredients for our family Christmas dinner.

Now I hear you saying, ach Anita, there is still two weeks till Christmas, but you see my dear my friends I used to panic if I didn't have my Christmas check-list complete by now.

Either I've become more relaxed in my old age or I've learned there's no point to panicking cause when I think about it, there is still two weeks until Christmas. Besides that, Christmas according to my wise husband will still come whether I am ready for it or not. {he's such smart a**}

Blessings

Back to Reality

We've been home for almost one week and it's been back to reality for us. With work, laundry, cleaning, bookwork, cooking, the list goes on and on.

It was so wonderful to get away from everything, not only the work but all the stuff that has been weighing heavy on our minds. Since we've been back, it's all come tumbling back upon us. It's been tough too. While we were away we could totally leave the troubles behind us, unfortunately they are still there waiting for us when we returned, Really though, I think I'd rather be on holidays. Blessings

Winter Wonderland

It was quite exciting to wake up to the snow fall this morning. I couldn't resist taking my camera out and snapping a few photos. It seems my wish for snow came true.

Blessings

Dominican Christmas

While we were away on holidays in the Dominican Republic quite often throughout the day we would sit in the hot blazing sun, listening to Christmas music. er..um. ... what! yes that's right, Christmas music. After all it is/was less than a month away.

In fact there was Christmas lights and even a Christmas tree set up at the resort.

To be honest it seemed quite bizarre thinking about Christmas while I watched the palm trees blowing in the wind as I sat in my bathing suit by the swimming pool. But I guess if you grew up with that you'd think nothing of it. But for us we like to have our snow, somehow it seems much more like Christmas.

Here's hoping for some snow! {fingers crossed}

Blessings

Toes in the Water

a** in the sand,
not a worry in the world,
a cold beer in my hand,
life is good today, life is good today!! The Zac Brown band knows what they're talking about! I mean how can it not be good. After all we stayed at an All-Inclusive resort, with nothing to worry about, except perhaps.. .. . .. nope nothing to worry about. We pretty much ate when we were hungry, slept when we were tired, jumped in the pool when it got too hot, stood under an umbrella when it rained, and wore our bathing suits for most of the time. It's probably the best way to holiday. Although one can tend to come away from that type of holiday more than a little spoiled.

Blessings

Welcome Home

After traveling for more than 12 hours we arrived home safe & sound from our holiday in the Dominican Republic.

Nothing beats seeing your home after being gone for a week of holidays... the emotions it invoked for me were overwhelming. I guess you really do appreciate what you have when you've been away from it for a while.

It was good to see our kids {and we sure missed our puppy - read about her holiday here} and to catch up with them and their busy lives.

Tomorrow it'll be back to reality.. . .. not sure I am ready for that, I kind of liked being a lady of leisure.

Blessings

in T minus

12 hours, Wayne & I will be in the Dominican Republic for a much needed, long overdue, holiday vacation.

I'll soon be the one with:
I got my toes in the water, a** in the sand
Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand
Life is good today, life is good today just like Zac Brown Band sings

ah yes life is good! So until I return.. ... .. . .. ...

Blessings

Hang In There

I start each day with a devotional reading from the Max Lucado website. He has written so many books that are memorable, inspiring and quite often life-changing. There a few that are in my own personal library that I enjoy re-reading. His words are quite often timely reminders that I need. Such as today's daily devotional reading.

Hang In There
By Max Lucado
Is anything too hard for the Lord? No!
Genesis 18:14

Hang in there. Don’t give up! Is anything too hard for the Lord? No!

Just when you least suspect it—the God of surprises strikes again. God does that for the faithful. Just when the womb gets too old for babies, Sarah gets pregnant. Just when the failure is too great for grace, David is pardoned.

The lesson? Three words. Don’t give up!

Is the road long? Don’t stop.

Is the night black? Don’t quit.

God is watching. For all you know right at this moment … the check may be in the mail. The apology may be in the making. The job contract may be on the desk.

Don’t quit. You may miss the answer to your prayers.

God is faithful—He’s always on time.
I find the coincidence of times like this somewhat overwhelming. Not that I really believe in coincidence - someone once told me that "coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous".

Thank you Lord for another gentle reminder of your love for me.

Blessings

Christmas Time

With a cedar pine candle burning, Christmas music playing, the tree and the decorations, getting set up, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas out here on the farm... . ..

It's always exciting getting the house ready for Christmas. Bringing out the nativity sets, the Christmas candles, turning on the holiday music channel on and gearing up for a wonderful time together with loved ones and many friends.

Now if we could just get a little snow in the air, then it'll really feel like it's Christmas.

Blessings

Amazed by Grace

If someone saved your life, pushed you out of on coming traffic, grabbed you as you were falling off a cliff, jumped in front of a stray bullet headed for your chest...you'd be grateful right?

I mean, if they died but miraculously the surgeons were able to revive them, would you not do everything you could to get to know that person, who they were, why they did what they did for you at the cost of their own life? Wouldn't you want to almost kinda like follow them around and make them your new best friend? OK that almost sounds creepily stalker like but just being honest here. I'd kinda like to be tight with someone who saved my life....I'd be grateful for them and the second chance they gave me until the day I died (for real).

Am I that grateful to God, to Christ for taking my eternal death from me? Am I grateful for taking the beatings, the nails, the suffocation, AND the wrath and judgement of God from me? How hard am I seeking to know who He is and to follow him around and make him my new best friend?

I often feel so guilty about my lack of "awe" in my relationship with Christ. It's like I've taken for granted the new life he's given me, a new life, incomparable to my old life, I've just kinda said thanks and "let's grab a coffee sometime, it's on me"...no biggie.

I needed to be reminded of this again, how about you?

Blessings

Surprise Visit

Tonight, Krystle & I surprised her dear friend Catherine who was hosting a coffee seminar at Starbucks where she is a Coffee Master. As we sat at the table sipping from dixie cups some of the many different choices available at Starbucks we were treated to a caramel brullee, a peppermint mocha, and a pumpkin spice coffee.

mhmm mhmm... .. they sure were all quite tasty. But when it was time to pick up something for the ride home, I ordered my usual a Venti Tazo Soy Chai Tea Latte made extra hot.

Blessings

One of those days

Ever have one of those days?

Where no matter what you do or try, it seems like you've failed?

Or that you get overwhelmed/bogged down with the simplest of tasks.

But what if.. ... . It's all about perspective.

This is such a great reminder Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Blessings

Sunday Dinner

Who doesn't love going out to dinner? and what's better than going to our daughter & her husband's for a scrumptious potato/bacon soup, dinner rolls and ice cream sundae, Sunday dinner.

Why is it that time flies when you're having fun? Before we knew it or were really ready for it, it was time to head for home.

Thanks so much Krystle, for a super mouth watering dinner. Be sure to keep us in mind when you're wanting to try another new recipe. We're always ready and willing to be your guinea pigs, *cough* I mean guests.

Blessings

Solitude

Loneliness is marked by a sense of isolation. Solitude, on the other hand, is a state of being alone without being lonely and can lead to self-awareness. I am one of those people that solo time is essential. It helps me to think clearly, breathe calmly, and even give me a sense of contentment. Solitude is a time that I use for reflection, inner searching and/or growth of some kind. Deep reading requires solitude, so does experiencing the beauty of nature. As I walked around the farm tonight I was intrigued by the way the moon looked through the trees. It gave me that lonesome feeling - which of course gets me to thinking. As the world spins faster and faster - or maybe it just seems that way when an email can travel around the world in fractions of a second - we need a variety of ways to cope with the resulting pressures. We need to maintain some semblance of balance and some sense that we are in control. We all need periods of solitude, although temperamentally we probably differ in the amount of solitude we need. Some solitude is essential; it gives us time to explore and know ourselves. It gives us a chance to regain perspective. Solitude can renew us for the challenges of life; rather than having them run by schedules and demands from others. It helps to restore the body and the mind.

Blessings

11-11-11

Regardless of how you keep the date — year/month/day? month/day/year? — 11/11/11 is a rare day on the Western calendar when six of the same number line up, capturing the fancy of numerologists, conspiracy theorists and mathematicians. One fun mathematical oddity is the fact that 111111 multiplied by 111111 equals 12345654321.

Personally I don't put a lot of significance into all the hype about numerology or conspiracies that people place on dates like today. It's just when days, like today happen, I tend to think that it's pretty cool knowing that this will happen only once in this century and that I got to experience this phenomenon. Just Think - by Roy Lessin
Just think, you’re here not by chance,
but by God’s choosing.
His hand formed you
and made you the person you are.
He compares you to no one else.
You are one of a kind.
You lack nothing that His grace can’t give you.
He has allowed you to be here at this time in history
to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.

Blessings

Bookwork

It's time I was honest with you. Month after month I have procrastinated about getting my bookwork for the business done.

I've fallen behind a few months, okay, so it's 10 months. Yes I know that that means I haven't actually done any this year. So now today I sit here chained to my desk, under mountain of paperwork and I am not leaving until I am totally caught up.

But sometimes--actually a lot of the time, maybe even most of the time bookwork is pretty dull. At least that must be the reason, so I figure that I let myself get so far behind, each year.

{{several hours late }}

I am happy to report that after many hours of number crunching - cause I like to balance to the penny - several cups of tea and a numbness in my backside that I have completed the books right up to date. hurray for me!

Blessings

Dreaded time change

Last Saturday we changed our clocks back one hour to end Daylight Saving Time. It was not too long ago, the annual “fall back” of daylight saving time — when clocks are set back an hour — was a little gift that plopped into my life once every year.

Now, I dread it as the time villain that messes with my life.

Did you know that starting in 2007, clocks following the new North American standard for Daylight Saving Time are to be turned forward by one hour on the second Sunday in March and turned back on the first Sunday of November. This gains us almost another month of Daylight Saving Time.

I must admit though that I have been an hour early or late at least once in my life because I hadn't changed my clocks correctly. Honestly, I don't really understand the purpose of the whole time change twice every year. In fact, my internal clock is having a difficult time adjusting back to standard time. But until we either stay with one or the other, I guess I'll just have to conform.

Blessings

Indian Summer

The weather these past few days has been awesome, just awesome.

It gives us the much needed time to get the crops harvested, the garden cleaned out, and the yard work all done. Each year, Wayne & I disagree to when and if we've had Indian Summer. I would quite often think that we have it in October - you know around Thanksgiving when we have "summer-like" weather. He would always say that we can't have Indian Summer until it's snowed. Something to do with the old farmer's tales.

This is probably the only time I am thankful to be wrong. I am glad we didn't have Indian Summer in October, but rather to have it now. I love this weather! In fact, I could get quite used to it.

Blessings

DejaVu

Faithful readers will recall that three times each year, my brother Barry, sister Becky and I get together to celebrate our birthdays. Having recently just celebrated my birthday it was my turn to be the honoured guest.

We met at our fav coffee shop, Starbucks and each enjoyed our fav drink. We spent the next few hours catching up on each others busy lives. Before we knew it, it was time for lunch. There is this sweet restaurant called Fireside in Kitchener. As we drive up I get this 'I had been there before' feeling and as we enter I remember that I had in fact been there before and remembered it to be a pretty good choice for lunch. With great prices, huge servings and amazing food - we thoroughly enjoyed our time together.

Maybe my age is starting to show, but I really appreciate knowing that my siblings are always there for me, ready & willing to be a support as I continue through this life's journey.

Blessings

Pub Nite

In the small town of Bayfield there is a great pub call "The Docks" where they serve the BEST (at least we think so) wings. Having not seen Darcy for over a week and since he lives in Bayfield we invited him to join us for an evening at the Pub. what a great night! wings, beer and good company - it really doesn't get much better than that.

Blessings

Decisions

How do you make a decision? Do you flip a coin?

Weigh in on the pros and cons?

Pray?

Seek advice from family & friends?

What do you do to help you to make the best decision possible with the information available?

Or are you like me and search the Internet with "decision making" in the google search bar and make your decision after reading articles on how to make decisions?

Every day, we make hundreds of decisions. Most are so mundane that we don’t even think about them.
Like:
* Should we get up when the alarm rings or hit the snooze button a few times
* What to have for dinner
* What to wear to work
* Coke or Pepsi
* Which bathroom stall to enter

You get the idea ... decision-making is a common part of everyday life.

But what do you do when you have trouble with making a judgment and arriving at a decision? Sometimes you can be totally certain what you want to do, but other times, you don't quite know what path to take.

Blessings

Grey Ribbon

You see these ribbons everywhere.
These ribbons can help raise awareness for the different diseases, ailments or causes. I never knew there were so many and not knowing which ribbon went with what I did a little research and found out that:
Red: Aids, HIV, heart disease, substance abuse, pro-life, MADD, DARE, love, hypertension, Evans syndrome.
Pink: Breast cancer and childhood cancer awareness, birth parents, cleft palate, nursing mothers.
White: Innocence, peace on earth, right to life, victims of terrorism, anti-child pornography, holocaust remembrance, child exploitation, bone cancer, child exploitation.
Yellow: Missing children, suicide prevention, supporting troops, adoptive parents, liver disease, bladder cancer, a general symbol for hope.
Black: Mourning, melanoma, gun controls, anti-terrorism in Spain, anti-gangs, POW-MIAs
Orange: Cultural diversity, motorcycle safety awareness, leukemia, reflex sympathitic dystrophy, Prader-Willi syndrome, hunger and lupus.
Brown: Colon cancer and an anti-tobacco symbol.
Green: Tissue or organ donation, environmental concerns, kidney cancer, childhood depression, mental retardation, missing children, cerebral palsy, homeopathy and worker and driving safety.
Gold: Childhood cancer, COPD and breast feeding.
Lace: A symbol for Osteoporosis
Burgundy: Brain aneurysm, cesarean section, hemangioma, vascular malformation, hospice care, multiple myeloma, William's syndrome, and adults with disabilities
Purple: Homeless, pancreatic cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, ADD, religious tolerance, animal abuse, the victims of 9/11 including the police and firefighters.
Gray: Lung cancer, mental illness, MS, Parkinson's disease, allergies, brain tumor, diabetes, disabled children, end sex trafficking and slavery in UK.
Dark Blue: Child abuse prevention, victim's rights, free speech, water quality and water safety, arthritis, colon or prostate cancer awareness.
Teal: Ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancers, sexual assault, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and tsunami victims.
Silver: Brain disorders, strokes, elderly abuse, and stalking.
Lavender: Epilepsy, Rett syndrome, foster care for foster parents.
Pearl: Native American reparations, lung cancer, and multiple sclerosis.
Navy Blue: Polio
Periwinkle: Eating disorders, pulmonary hypertension, stomach cancer and GERD.
Jigsaw Puzzle: A symbol for autism.
Red & White: Bone Marrow Failure - Aplastic Anemia MDS.
Black and Gold: Platelet Donor.
Blue and Silver: Living and coping with cancer.
Gold and Silver: All hearing and ear disorders.
Rainbow: A symbol of gay pride and support for the GLBT community and their quest for equal right.
Pink and Blue: Miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death due to SIDS or other causes, and twin to twin transfusion syndrome.
Red, White & Blue Ribbon: Flag, National Support, Patriotism, 9/11 Heroes and Victims.
Pink and Teal Ribbon: A symbol for Hereditary Breast Cancer.
Red and Yellow: A symbol of Hepatitis C virus
Blue and Yellow: Down Syndrome and the Hero campaign - designated driver.
Fuchsia: A symbol for Feminism
Orchid and Orange: A symbol for Psoriasis
Purple and Blue: Rheumatoid arthritis, and pediatric stroke.

But the grey one; is a little more dear to me than others. You see my son is a Type 1 (formerly known as Juvenile Diabetes) diabetic. He was diagnosed 8 years ago when he was 13. It seems like a lifetime ago that we sat in the hospital taking class after class to learn how to manage, cope and live with this life altering disease.

With today being November 1 and since November is Diabetes awareness month, I felt I wanted to well, bring awareness to this disease. Check out the website here, and perhaps, consider giving a donation to help find a cure.

Blessings

Harvest

Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 2b "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to plant and a time to harvest."
and so it is time to harvest our corn.

With the beautiful weather today and on Saturday it made it super easy to get all the crop off. Hurray!

Blessings

saying good-bye

why is saying good-bye so hard? We just returned home from the long trip to and from Orillia. Kyle & Teya were here for a few days during their reading week break from school. We were quite busy while they were here. We moved Krystle & Gerard to their new home, Kyle played volleyball with his dad, we enjoyed our family Thanksgiving Dinner together, and Kyle spent time at his brothers studio apartment at the Inn. whew! To say it was a busy week is an understatement.

It was so wonderful having Kyle & Teya home for several days and before I knew it, {sigh} it was time for them to return. It's so hard to say good-bye. {double sigh} After hugging him twice we left and of course the tears are streaming down my face. Even after living apart for more than a year, saying good-bye doesn't seem to get any easier.

Thankfully it's only a few months until Christmas, when we get to do this all over again. >.<

Blessings

on a Wednesday?

The table is set, the food all prepared, the guests have arrived and it's time for dinner.

Thanksgiving Dinner! wait a minute isn't today Wednesday? With Scalloped potatoes, Baked ham, Butternut squash casserole, Green beans with sauteed red onions, Carrots with browned butter and Cherry Cheesecake for dessert, can you say scrumptious?, dinner was served.

As I was preparing dinner for my family I was overwhelmed with emotions. With all the kids scattered here an there it is rare that we are all home at the same time. I was so thankful that it worked out to have everyone home. It's time like this when I am reminded of the many blessings in my life.

Blessings

What are you living for?

This was shared with me and you know it really got me to thinking. I am definitely one of those people who tends to focus on the here and now. The one who looks at the red end of the rope and becomes consumed with all the decisions I make, not really thinking about the everlasting.

It's hard not to though - with all the drama surrounding our lives. Sometimes it feels like I am in a soap opera ^.^

Hopefully I can keep this visual reminder with me as I go about my day to day business and keep it all in it's proper perspective.

Blessings

It's her birthday!

and we're celebrating! Our little puppy turns 3 today!

For alot of people, it might seem silly or not important to remember the day your dog was born. But lately I've learned that life is way more fun when you celebrate all sorts of different things. Whether those events are monumental or fairly insignificant. Just celebrate!

How does one celebrate their dog? Well for Sasha, we'll take her for walk, go for a drive, and give her oodles of puppy treats when we play catch together. She's one of those dogs who just loves to be with you. In fact, she'll follow me from room to room as I go about my day. It makes me smile.

Blessings

To think or not to ....

There is so much whirring around in my head but I can’t seem to organize any of it into a well packaged blog post. There is everything and there is nothing. Sorting through it is overwhelming. I take a deep breath and keep going.

Everyday.

One day at a time.

Looking too far ahead makes the butterflies in my tummy start flapping. Reflecting on the past sometimes stirs up more pain than joy. So I try my best to keep my head and my heart in today.

To be present.

To savor every moment I have with the people I love. Instead of giving up on God coming through for me, I need to go to him and ask him what he wants me to change. I can start with me. And it begins with learning to wait.

We need times of quiet and reflection, times of inner peace and relaxation. If we are preoccupied with plans and a compulsive need to succeed and be appreciated, or if we are tired, tense and stressed, it is difficult to slow down and listen to reality and to others.

Our internal motor runs too fast. It is impossible to be silent and stand back from what is happening in order to consider our motives and fears. The heart's silence is blotted out by the noise of the motor. Growth demands that we are fit, well rested, and relaxed both in body and spirit.

There is this feeling of 'betwixt and between'? It seems that the way I used to define myself, my life, no longer makes sense. So it is important to find a healthy rhythm of life, and to know how much rest we need and the types of relaxation that give life.

Blessings

Pouting Puppy

Here's a picture I took of our sweet little puppy Sasha who, while I am running on the treadmill, goes into her crate all on her own and waits patiently until I am finished.

Blessings

Home Owners

It's Official.

Krystle & Gerard bought their first house. Nestled on a back street in the quaint town of Exeter; this three bedroom, two bathroom bungalow is perfect fit for them. With a full recreation room including a wet bar in the basement will give them lots of opportunities to host many a shindig. Having just got the keys today, the fun now begins, with packing, moving, unpacking and getting settled. This is such a super exciting time for them.

Blessings

Twin Pines

My friend Deb & I spent the day today at the Lambton Craft Sale that's held each year at the Lambton Heritage Museum.

On our way home we took a little detour to the Twin Pines apple orchard. If you've never been there, I would totally recommend taking drive over there. It is awesome! This time of year the cider house is full of pumpkins, apples & wine, oh my! Upstairs in the loft they were offering a wine tasting opportunity so we stayed and I tried a few. What an awesome way to spend the day! Thanks Deb!

Blessings