The Trail

Her and I have walked this trail so many times that I've lost count. 

And since we've moved to town it became our weekly thing. And then... winter.  Which kinda slowed us down some. But thankfully that season is over and we can make more use of walking the trail again. 

And that’s exactly what my girl and I have been doing.

It’s simply wonderful! 

We can talk easily because there is no traffic except for the occasional fellow traveler or bicycle and it’s wide enough to push the stroller.

We can walk steadily with our dogs and sometimes we even let the dogs off-lead {shh, don’t tell} so they can sniff every tree giving them a good run. 

It’s perfect!  

With the trees budding, the grass getting greener, and the river flowing, it sure makes me appreciate even more how much I love being able to spend our time together walking the trail. 

Take Care

Are you talking to me?

Too often we’ll sit in a restaurant watching as one person would ask a question but because the other person was on their phone they never even knew they were being talked to and the potential conversation slipped away. Truth be told, we're all guilty of this from time to time. 

Conversation.

I think it's a dying art. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about communication. We have plenty of that! 

Technology has made it possible to talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere in the world. But, there's a downside to this culture of instant communication. I believe we've lost the art of face-to-face conversation. 

In an instant, we can see a selfie, read a tweet, follow their board, write a message on a wall or post a picture. 

But honestly, does it really enhance my life to know that she’s doing this or that and he’s going here or there? 

Social media is a thief, making you think you will miss something important. And you do. You miss what is going on right in front of you. 

Quick chats just aren't my thing… I want deep dialogue. 

Intentional. 
Personal.
Meaningful. 

Time is precious. 

So when we are together, let’s be fully present - agreed?!?

Take Care

1500

Who would have thought, that I’d be sitting here writing my 1500th blog post - yes you read that right fifteen hundred! 

It was in 2007, when a friend first suggested that I should start a blog. To be honest I had thought about it, since at the time only a few people actually did this.  But then these two thoughts immediately went through my head. 

One; what will I write about? 

and 

two; who will read it?

Obviously number one hasn't been too much of problem… and number two, while I don’t have a huge following that’s not the reason why I write. Sure it’s nice when people leave a comment, so feel free... 

But you know, I really do it because I need to get my thoughts, ideas, hopes and dreams out of my head and on to paper, where it's concrete.

I want my blog to be a place where I can recall times of laughter, be encouraged by God's faithfulness in difficult situations and feel a sense of comfort as I remember the special moments.

It can feel good to revisit the joys and even the struggles in our lives, because God is working in us and building our trust through every circumstance. 

Blogging... it’s an outlet for me. 

I’ll keep on writing!

Take Care

Romans 12:12

 Because sometimes we need a reminder!

Take Care

Spring

Spring is not my favourite season. 

In fact I have to say it’s my least favourite. Or fourth favourite if you will. I really don’t like it much at all, it's one of those must get through it kinda seasons. 

Sure it brings bursts of colour and bright skies and the fresh air smell when we open windows, but it also brings the rain and the mud and the overcast days. 

I just don’t like spring.  

It’s really hard on some days when it’s rainy, gloomy and gray. Take this week for example, we first started the week with the warmer weather and summer-like feel for a few of the days, giving me reason to almost say I like spring. Almost.  And then BAM! rain and gray for the next few days...    

I’m ready for summer. I know, I know, we’ve hardly had spring. But, let’s just be honest, if I could skip this season I likely would.

And since, I’m not much of a gardener either, {like, at all} 

that makes this season harder to enjoy!  

But as spring is blooming all around, it got me to thinking.  To be content we must make a habit of being truly thankful and looking for the beauty that’s all around us, in all the moments/seasons in our lives...  even Spring!

How about you? Which season if your least fav?

Take Care

Be Still and Know

This winter, I was in an active cycle of my illness… again.   Winter is the hardest time of the year for those of us with Fibromyalgia. 

On my best days, I was able to get up and move about and still do a few things each day. On my worst days, I couldn’t even hold my phone while lying down. Needless to say, it was a trying time. I was frustrated by how little I could do. Becoming more and more aware of my limitations. 

Naturally I would worry about the many tasks left undone ~ yet there was literally nothing I could do. Despite my own desires, I had to force myself into habits of rest, sitting down or going to bed early for the sake of my own well-being and recovery. 

During that season, the Lord impressed Psalm 46:10 upon my heart:

Being limited is inconvenient, but sometimes God limits us so we learn to hear His voice. I found that reading the Scriptures can bolster my confidence in the Lord. He doesn’t confine us to be mean. His power is made perfect in weakness {2 Corinthians 12:9a}. 

The world would rather let us believe that weakness is failure. That limitations equal incompetence. As a general rule, we don’t like being dependent. We would much rather prove to everyone else we’ve got everything under control. The truth is, we don’t. In fact, very little, if anything is in our control. 

I didn’t choose to spend the past several months unwell. And although I wasn’t overtly happy or content during the midst of my illness, looking back, I can see God’s provision. 

Have you seen His power displayed in the midst of your weakness?

Take Care

Gadget Girl Genius

Do folks think you’re “techie” because you use Facebook? Or know how to edit an image on PicMonkey or create one with Shutterfly? But, you know and I know, this isn’t techie at all… 

Ok, let's be honest and just say that I am not the most technical person there is. Yes, I can look things up on Pinterest and I know how to put together the basics, navigate and use editing tools and all the things that come with having a blog. I can even send things from Pinterest to Facebook if needed.  But when I wanted to make an Instagram account, so I can follow my kids and comment or like their photos. I knew I needed to call in an expert.

That’s where I find myself. This isn’t a complaint, just a fact. 

Take Care

#oneword

My word 

has unfolded in unexpected ways. 

As usual, I start the year with an idea of what I hope my one word would accomplish in me. And, par for the course, I've already been surprised to discover how much more it holds. 

We get caught up in "when" thinking ~ when I get married... when I have kids... when I get a certain job… when the house is paid off... when the bills get paid... when I get financially set... when I can retire ... when my health is better …when I get such and such ~ then...then I'll be happy, and only then! But the truth is once we get there, we'll just want something else.

Are you content with what you have? With how the Lord made you? With your wife or husband? With your children or lack thereof? With your job? With your limitations?

What does it mean to be content? 

Contentment doesn’t have anything to do with what is external ~ our circumstances. But it has everything to do with what God is doing inside of us.The good news is that we all can learn how to become fully content with who we are, where we are, and what we’re doing. 

The true meaning of contentment is being satisfied with what you have and with who you are ~ right now. 

So for today, let’s thank God for what we do have instead of focusing on what we don’t have. 

Have you learned the secret to being content? {Philippians 4:12}

Take Care

Fashion?!?

There are so many things I simply do not understand that I have had to have my adult kids explain it to me… 

Pinterest, Instagram, Selfies, Snap-Chat, Hashtags. 

Here’s a few more...

People who wear glasses, without prescription lenses. I have worn prescription glasses for over 40 years. So, WHY in the world would someone choose to wear glasses for “style” and “fun”? 

They aren’t that fun. I Promise. 

AND 

Women who wear leggings as pants. I can't help but notice so many women going outside in public wearing leggings instead of pants. Puh-lease. Nobody wants to see that… Women walking around with their butt showing thinking it is okay because they have leggings on. Seriously!?! go put some pants on. 

What about you? What current trends do you need to have explained? 

Take Care

Monday

A new day. 

A new week. 

We don’t know what’s ahead. 

It’s Monday! 

It’s quite possible you’re going through some tough stuff.  And you wonder how much more can one take? 

Just know that you are not alone.  

If the day feels stacked against you, and it looks like it’s going to be a tough day. 

Turn your focus back to where it belongs 

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 {New International Version {NIV}}

Take Care

Solitude

As the world spins faster and faster ~ we need to maintain some semblance of balance to our lives. Otherwise we feel overloaded, overreact to minor annoyances and feel like we can never catch up. 

As far as I'm concerned, one of the best ways to achieve this is by seeking, and enjoying, solitude. 

I can quickly become harried, growling discontented, waiting to explode. So I use solitude as a means to reflect and recharge.  

We all need periods of solitude, some of us more than others.  I am an introvert and alone time is essential to my well-being.

So excuse me if I seem antisocial or un-involved, it's nothing personal.  

I just need my solitude!

Take Care

Not Giving Up

I’m feeling a bit battered and bruised these days. 

Learning to accept where you are or being content with your circumstances is a process. It’s been a real struggle for me, I was definitely not ok with where I was and I was unsure of how all this would come together for good. {Romans 8:28} 

Giving up would have been a lot easier. 

Ever felt like that? 

Life doesn't always go the way we want; there’s financial difficulties, job changes, health issues, I’m sure you can relate... and yet we have to decide in those defining moments if we are going to crumble or not. 

It's been hard and tiring and wearisome.

There are days when I don’t feel like I’m truly okay…life is spinning fast and there are things to do, places to be, friends to see, and on and on the list goes. 

When we feel like giving up on whatever we’re dealing with, let’s cling to this scripture: "that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”. Philippians 1:6b {New International Version {NIV}}

With all the times I felt like giving up, looking back now, I’m glad I didn’t.  And so I'll keep pressing on ... I'm not giving up!

Take Care

hold on...

we all know the drill 

wait . . . wait . . . and then wait some more

we wait in traffic
in line at the grocery store
to see the doctor
for test results
on hold on the phone for anything and everybody
we all wait for something

as i was pursuing a reason for feeling so unwell, it felt like i spent w -a-a-a-a-a-y too many hours in waiting rooms ~ it seemed like such a waste of time, energy, and effort 

does finally getting a diagnosis make it all worthwhile?  not really, because now i just have a label to live with

but as i’m reminded in {Isaiah 55:8} that God’s ways are not our ways

and if when we let God turn our waiting into serving, it can bring such joy and purpose as we live out our lives ~ then it doesn’t seem like waiting anymore

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord”
{Psalm 27:14 New International Version {NIV}}

Take Care

Saturday Sticky Buns

This is one of those recipes that is a must try!  

I made them this morning and WOW ~ not only are they super easy they are SUPER yummy. You must, MUST make them!. You'll be glad you did.

Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring 

{photo credit and recipe website}

Ingredients:
2 small tubes refrigerator buttermilk biscuits 
3 Tbsp. butter, melted 
1/2 C. maple syrup
1/3 C. packed light brown sugar 

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 C. chopped pecans, optional

1/4 C. chopped almonds, optional

Directions:

Spray a fluted pan with non-stick spray.

Combine the melted butter and syrup in a small bowl and set aside.

In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts (if desired).

Place about half of the syrup mixture in the bottom of the pan.

Then sprinkle half of the brown sugar mixture on top.

Lay the biscuits on the bottom of the pan, overlapping edges (closely together) to form a ring.
Top with remaining syrup and sugar mixtures.

Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool for 1 minute in the pan, then invert onto a serving platter.

Enjoy!

Take Care

PS.  Pinterest for the win!

Schmoozed

Each year the landowners of the Bayfield and Stanley pool gas storage within the Tribute Resources Inc. are invited to an all-expense paid dinner. At this annual dinner the CEO’s and/or Director explains the new developments, any updates and contract renewals that we the landowners need to be aware of. 

Our dinner this year was again at the Little Inn of Bayfield, one of the finest restaurants in our area. We were treated to the most scrumptious beef dinner I’ve ever had, or you could choose to have the tuna, drank some wine, ate a very delicious caramelized pear with granola dessert served with tea and had great conversation! 

Since we’ve moved off the farm this was a great opportunity for us to visit with our former neighbours, get all the updates with everyone’s families and have a wonderful evening out. 

 Very much looking forward to next year!

Take Care