Change

Change for me is never easy. I like change to a point, but find it hard to be brought out of my comfort zone. 

In the past several years there have been many changes in my life. There are been lots of finishes ~ things ending.  Some of those finishes have been good and necessary, others, well they have been harder.

My kids are growing up {okay, they have grown up} and are making their own way in this world;   people I always assumed that would be a part of my life have left;  and a new season of my life called menopause is making itself at home.

Many changes. 

There is the popular cliche of a new door opening when one closes and I think there is something to that.  Just as Ecclesiastes tells us ~ there is a time for everything ~ a season for all activies. When one thing ends ~ when it finishes ~ I believe there are and can be something new we are called to.

The writer of Ecclesiastes, right after the infamous “there is a time” verses said this, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”  Ecclesiastes 3:11 {New International Version {NIV}}

Change can be hard.

I don’t always want to let go of what was ~ the familiar.  But remembering that when one thing is finished in our lives there will be something else waiting for us.

As we turn the calendar over and say good-bye to summer, and hello to autumn may we realize that change is a natural process and may we be reminded there is a time for everything.   Life is to be lived and enjoyed to the fullest.  Enjoy each and every moment even when they change.

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~week # 35

These past few days I’ve been struggling with sleep.   So when the Farmer’s alarm goes off at 5 AM, I am usually awake but not nearly ready to start the day. However, we’ve been making the most of those early mornings by sitting together, enjoying a cup of tea and chatting about what the day ahead could look like.  

So many people seem to have misconceptions about what it actually is that farmers do all day…

We’re 3^rd generation farmers and have been blessed to have raised our family on the farm which has been in his family since 1927.  There’s something unique about country living, with each season bringing different challenges to deal with, to talk about and to work through together.  He has a heart for farming and couldn’t imagine doing anything else, giving us a laid back lifestyle with quite possibly the best view around.  

  

What was your beautiful thing this week?

Blessings

Sleepless in Zurich

It has been a long time since I have had nights like the last few. Perhaps you know the kind.

I was so tired. Not one ounce left in me. All I wanted to do was sleep and yet, sleep evaded me. I tossed and turned. I got up to walk around the house a bit, trying to keep as quiet as I could, had a cuppa tea, read my Bible, and sat there thinking that all this would surely help. It simply had to make me tired enough for sleep to come more easily.

All to no avail.

Why is it the nights can stretch long as if they have no end?

The dark and quiet enveloped me and all rationale thoughts had left. As the night stretches, longer and longer, my thoughts seem to go places I know they shouldn’t venture. Scenarios begin to raise up in my mind like a 3-D movie. Scenarios, which in the daylight I know are preposterous, and yet in the dark seem to become reality.  My heart pounds. My stomach tenses. The tears begin to roll.

There will be nights like these in my life. Seasons where the night is longer than a 24 hour day. Nights where the shadows seem to shout their “what if” scenarios in my head so loudly they seem to be fact. And thankfully, this is only a season and this too shall pass.

What do you do to help yourself go back to sleep?

Blessings

It is what it is

When you look at me I seem healthy and strong. I look like your average 40 something woman. 

But if you watch long enough you will see that I favour my right side. That I try and not lift things, especially over my head, and on some days you may see a slight {or pronounced} limp.  If you listen you would likely hear a loving if not determined man say to me, “No, dear, I will lift that for you”.  At those times if you look closely you will see my eyes fill up with tears. For I simply struggle with letting other do things for me that I should be doing, it just doesn’t seem fair.

What I see, is others giving me the what’s wrong with you look, without asking. The why you are not doing what you should.  What I hear, is the whispered words behind hands.  {Real or Imagined}

It’s simple, we don't know what to do with people who don’t look sick.

Whether it is with pain, depression or something else internal if it is not visible to those around “You must not be that sick!”  is the message that is pushed.

And yes your right, I could be a lot sicker. But it is still a struggle.

I truly do trust God. I know He has a plan for me {Jeremiah 29:11}  I am not alone. {Hebrews 13:5} I know that with every fibre of my being. I believe He is with me with all of my heart!

Sometimes life can be overwhelming. When those times come upon me, I tend to question:
“Where is God in all this?”
“Can He see all that is happening?”
“Does He care about all that is going on in my life?”
“Is He at work?”

While the answer to each of these questions is a resounding, “YES!!”, it is the last question that I want to address. At those times when God’s work seems hidden, may we remember then that He is always at work. He is never idle. Jesus Himself assures us: “Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” {John 5:17 {NIV}}  There is never a day that God is not at work in each one of our lives.

We need to open our hearts and minds that there are so many who struggle. And so many hide the struggle. Even though we may not be able to tell what the people around us are going through, we should still be kind. Because it is what it is...

Blessings

mhmm monday

From this website comes a unique way to make cookies.

Fudge Marble Patti Cakes

Ingredients:

1 package (18.25 oz) Duncan Hines Fudge Marble Cake Mix

1 large egg

1/3 cup vegetable oil

4 tbsp water, divided

1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Remove chocolate packet from cake mix box.

Combine dry cake mix, egg, oil and 3 Tbsp. water in large mixer bowl. Beat until smooth.

In a small bowl mix chocolate packet and 1 tbsp water until thoroughly combined. Add about 2/3 cup of the yellow cake batter dough to the chocolate mixture.

Mix the chocolate chips, if using, to the yellow dough thoroughly and then lightly swirl in the chocolate dough. Don't over mix here because you want to keep the marbling effect!

With a #20 ice cream scoop (or 1/3 cup measure) drop the cookie batter on to parchment lined baking sheets. Bake for about 14 minutes, rotating baking sheets at the halfway point. Cookies should be light brown around the edges. Let cool completely on the baking sheet.

Enjoy!

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 34

Does anyone remember that cartoon back in the 60’s called “The Jetsons”?

Well neither do I really, except that it aired through re-runs during the Saturday morning cartoons.

It was this “space-age” cartoon family sitcom projecting their lifestyle into another time period. The Jetsons lived in a futuristic utopia in the year 2062 with elaborate robotic contraptions, aliens, holograms, and whimsical inventions. It all seemed so futuristic with their moving sidewalks, flying aerocars and of course the PicturePhone Direct.

And yet, here we are less than some 50 years later with a few of these “futuristic” things already in place. The videophone or as we call it skype is one such item that I’ve certainly come to appreciate.

With our one son living in Orillia, needless to say, I am so thankful for skype. It gives us that opportunity to not only chat with each other but for me to see him as well; and this week we spent time together catching up. Sure we could just talk on the phone but seeing him, somehow, makes all the difference.

What was your beautiful thing this week?

Blessings

Choice

This was posted on the Max Lucado website and it really resonated with me and I knew I wanted to share it...

I Choose Love… No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I Choose Joy… I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I Choose Peace… I will live forgiven. I will forgive so I may live.
I Choose Patience… I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so, Rather complain that the wait is to long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I Choose Kindness… I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for that is how God has treated me.
I Choose Goodness…I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I accuse. I choose goodness
I Choose Faithfulness… Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My friends will not question my word. And my family will not question my love.
I Choose Gentleness… Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.
I Choose Self-Control… I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

We all have choices to make each day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace.

What choices will you make?

Blessings

What do you do?

“So, what do you do?” 

How many times have we heard {or even asked} that question, meeting someone for the first time at a party, a charity event, a church dinner? It comes almost immediately after the exchange of names and could determine how the rest of that conversation, maybe even that relationship, is going to go. That’s not the only defining question people ask us. In college, it’s, “What’s your major?” As a parent, it’s, “How many kids do you have?” {And before you have kids, it's often, “How long have you been married? When are you going to have kids?”} But no matter how it sounds, it all boils down to this: “What do you do?” Asking these questions seems like a quick way to get to know someone, but it’s really a quick way to place them in a box, placing them in and making lightning fast assumptions about who they are, based on what they do.

When all our kids left home {our daughter in June then both boys in September in 2010}, and then when I quit my job, I experienced a major identity crisis. Though I looked pretty much the same on the outside, all the things, all the doing, that I’d thought made up my essence were missing. It was as if I felt like I must somehow justify my existence, my worth.

We are not defined by what we do ~ or don’t do! What we do is not who we are!  

We are all in different life stages, different jobs, different families. And I want to appreciate my moments each day and thank God for all the ways He is providing for me, right where I am. I’m grateful for this life. I hope you are, too.

Blessings

mhmm monday

Looking for something new to dip your crackers in?  From this website comes this dip using regular kitchen ingredients most of us already have in the refrigerator.

Cheesy Tomato Basil Dip

Ingredients:
8 ounce Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened 
1 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated 
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated 
1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, sliced into strips {unpacked cup}
1 pint pint cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered 
2 cloves garlic, minced 
2 tbsp olive oil 
1 pinch each of coarse salt and pepper {to taste}

Directions:
In bowl with your favourite wooden spoon, mix together all ingredients.
Pour into small casserole dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
Bake uncovered in pre-heated 425F oven for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and slightly brown.
Serve warm with sliced baguette or crackers.
Enjoy!

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 33

Last week I wrote about the Gala that we were invited to with our daughter and son-in-law and it was at that event that I asked to have our {Wayne & mine} picture taken.  So when Gerard sent me the photos he took and clearly manipulated, they made my beautiful thing for this week.

 Beacause, clearly we were neither at Badwater Basin, nor at Mount Rushmore...

Alot of people talk about their "in-laws" usually in a derogatory way, and maybe I am biased or we're just incredibably blessed, because our son-in-law is a superb young man.  He treats us with such love and respect, he jokes with us, and truly treats us like family.

What was your beauitful thing this week?

Blessings

Liar, Liar, Liar

I lie to myself all the time. The thing is, I don’t even realize I’m doing it.

“You won’t ever measure up.” 
“You aren’t beautiful.” 
“You will never truly be loved.”

Or perhaps these are the phrases that taunt you.

“Maybe I should do more.”
“Maybe I should try harder.”
“Maybe I should perform a little better.”

Thoughts like these run through our minds, and in return we run through life never quite feeling like we are enough. What if we don’t live up to our potential? Wouldn’t that be the biggest waste?   Sometimes these sentences come from simple conversations with strangers, and sometimes the words come from the mouth of a loved one. But if I’m being real honest, most of the time these unkind words ~ these lies ~ they come from me.

Hear the lie loud and clear: You will never truly be loved. Who you are is not good enough. You see, it sounded like a lie until I had a reason to believe it. Those words went from being a passing thought to something I began to believe as truth.

Here’s what God says:
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
You are holy and without blame before Him in love. Ephesians 1:4
You are created in the very image of God! Genesis 1:27
You have been given the mind of Christ! 1 Corinthians 2:16
Nothing can separate you from the Love of Christ!  Romans 8:35
Your name is written in the Book of Life. Philippians 4:3
You can do all things through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:13
Your life is hidden in Christ! Colossians 3:3
He has given you a new name that no one knows except for Him. Isaiah 62:2
You are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14
You are greatly loved by God. Romans 1:7
You are forgiven of all sins and washed in the Blood. Ephesians 1:7

And there’s more, oh so much more…

Do we see ourselves as God sees us?

I struggle with self-doubt and I tend to be insecure, comparing my behind-the-scenes to everyone else’s front and center, believing that I don’t measure up and I’m not good enough. We have each been given talents and gifts and passions.

Having the confidence to believe in ourselves doesn’t come easily for a lot of us. We often limit ourselves because we don’t feel like our gifts or talents are good enough, or that other people are better than us. We don’t give things a go because we hold ourselves back through fear and lack of self-belief. Yet, God doesn’t want us to live like this. He wants us to have the faith to believe that we CAN do it and see us develop into the people He created us to be.

And yes, my friends, it will be enough.

What are your gifts? Are you using them or are you paralyzed by the lies? 

Blessings

mhmm monday

From this website comes this super yum easy pasta dish.

Pasta Primavera

Ingredients:
2 - 3 tablespoons olive oil 
1 bunch of fresh asparagus, snap off the tough ends, cut into 1/2 - 1-inch pieces 
1/2 pound fresh string beans, ends trimmed, cut into 1/2 - 1-inch pieces 
4 cloves garlic, minced 
coarse salt and fresh black pepper 
1 cup sweet peas, thawed if frozen 
2 plum tomatoes, diced, seeds removed 
1/2 cup half & half 
8 ounces linguine 
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving 
1 teaspoon lemon zest, just the yellow, not the pith 
1/4 cup pine nuts, for garnish, optional 

Directions:
In a large saute pan heat the oil over medium heat. Add the asparagus, string beans and garlic. Season with a couple dashes salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until tender about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile cook the linguine in plenty of salted water to al dente according to package directions. Before draining remove about 3/4 cup of the "pasta" water and set aside.
Add the peas and tomatoes to the pan and cook a few more minutes. Turn heat down to low.
Add the drained linguine, the half & half, and most of the pasta water, start gently tossing it together, adding the Parmesan cheese and lemon zest gradually. Add the remaining pasta water if needed, and once a light sauce forms and starts to stick turn off the heat. 
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of pine nuts. 
Enjoy!

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 32

Our daughter and son-in-law invited us to the 1st Annual Huron County Food Bank Distribution Center "Be Still & Know" Gala Dinner & Silent Auction. 

Where we dressed up fancy, were served a super scrumptious dinner, and I won a Gift Cerrtificate for lunch for two at Eddington's of Exeter and this sweet 'spa' package complete with scented candles. 

What was your beautiful thing this week?

Blessings

Pennsylvania 2014

My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past June and to commemorate this special occasion they took the extended family {-2}

to Lancaster Pennsylvania, to the Sight & Sound Theatre to see Moses.



We were also treated to supper at the Shady Maple Restaurant where we dined with the King & Queen.

 

 

We toured the Kitchen Kettle Village, where we had alot of photo fun!

 

Mr. Gingerbread Man & Mr. Gingerich

 

Being a Dairy Diva!

and needing help to get down...

Family of flowers

Practising his sweet jumps!

Just walking about,

 
touring the countryside

and having backseat fun!

 

Es war eine wunderbare gutes Wochenende zusammen.

{It was a wonderful good weekend together}.

 

Blessings

mhmm monday

What could be better than a refreshing sangria for the long weekend holiday?  From this website comes a sweet sparkling sangria loaded with luscious summer berries, and full of flavours. I can hardly think of a better summer moment.

Summer Berry Sangria

Ingredients:
1 pound strawberries, hulled and quartered
1 (6 ounce) package raspberries
1 (6 ounce) package blueberries
1 (6 ounce) package blackberries
½ cup granulated sugar
2 bottles your favourite white wine
½ lemon sliced

Directions:
Place berries in large pitcher and sprinkle with sugar. Stir to combine. Allow to berries to soften and release their juices for about 30 minutes.
Pour wine into pitcher, add lemon slices. Stir and refrigerate several hours. 
Enjoy!

Blessings
 

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 31

We’ve had a few busy days for the past several weeks. I had volunteered for the two weeks our church hosts a day camp and the farmer has been busy, busy. With wheat, hay and straw, {oh my!} add to that the milking, cleaning the cattle pens, plus there’s the garden, the lawn, repairs to the house… did I mention we’ve been busy?
 

Needless to say we’ve not spent a lot quality time together.

“Life moves pretty fast.

If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile,

you just might miss it.”

Ferris Bueller

We all want to live meaningful lives full of experiences we can be proud of. Real life doesn’t always happen like we see stories unfold in books or on the big screen. It doesn’t feel like an adventure most of the time. In fact, it can sometimes seem rather boring.

And as hard as we try to make it so, we are still occasionally stuck with less-than-remarkable moments. So what do we do with those? What if, instead of pining for the next big moment, we appreciated each moment? Learning to live in those so-called “boring” times with more intentionality?

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned these past few years, it’s this:

Be here, now.

 

If we wait for the experiences of a lifetime, we may miss the life in our experiences. It’s impossible live in the past or future; all we ever have is now.

The hard part is to be present, especially when it doesn’t feel that exciting.

So, having said all that, we took the opportunity this week to have an in-home date one night, picking a movie from our own library stash, made some popcorn, poured the wine and took the time to sit together and have a pleasant evening.

What was your beautiful thing?

Blessings