These days...

My blog has been quiet lately, contrary to my plan. 

I scroll through the blog feed and notice there are fewer words… have you noticed? 

Hellooo… anybody out there? 

There are reasons of course, we are full into summer mode. Three different daycamp weeks which for us means 3 weeks of heavy duty cleaning.  But it seems to me that even “blogland” has been kinda quiet lately. 

Which leads me to wonder ~ is blogging dead? 

Most people agree that its *heyday* has come and gone.  That it's not quite as popular as it once was. I certainly know that many people I followed when I first started blogging have long since left. 

It can be hard to keep up with it. 

Inevitably, if you blog long enough, you'll face either writer's block or burnout, or both.  And of course life continues to happen. It can be overwhelming at times, and honestly, quite discouraging. It can get monotonous and we can fall into the trap of thinking that nothing is “blog-worthy”. 

There have a been more than a few times when I seriously have considered quitting. I feel like my words are dry, my inspiration is lagging, and I can’t seem to get it together.

But somehow I think that I’m supposed to stick with it…. like God wants me to continue. 

So I'm still here. 

Take Care

Extroverting

Extroverting (verb): temporarily focusing energy outward; adopting the behaviours of an extrovert for a short period in order to achieve a particular goal; i.e. meeting friends for coffee, volunteering at school, see also chatting and socializing. 
P.S. That’s not an official definition, in case you wondered. 

Extroverting, however, is a very real skill used by many of us introverts. It helps us survive in a society that highly esteems the qualities associated with our more outgoing counterparts. 

While extroverting allows us to achieve our goals and enjoy day-to-day life, it can be challenging at times. Our energy is a precious commodity and when we spend it too freely without taking time to recharge, we find ourselves drained and exhausted. 

I'm an introvert.

I've known it since the first time I heard the word, and truly understood what it meant. Reserved, quiet in groups of strangers, worn out by large groups of people, hater of small talk, harder to get to know, thought snobby by some, and completely overstimulated by noise. 

When I say yes to too much, the feelings of self-induced stress and pressure fill me all the way up to my chest. There’s been a lot on my mind lately. Much to sort through, to keep organized, to seek answers for and to understand. 

It’s summer and we should be kicking back and relaxing. 

It would be nice if we had 20/20 foresight - the ability to immediately see the end result of the decisions we make. 

As much as I want clear direction in my life ~ a flashing neon sign with arrows saying >>> GO THIS WAY>>> discovering God’s path isn’t quite so easy. 

I don’t always get it right. 

I go through cycles where I over-schedule, over-work, and over-committ myself into a corner; the sort of corner where you feel as though you can’t take one. More. Day. 

It’s in the middle of all that mess, that God teaches me some important lessons about myself, my priorities, and the way He created me to be. 

And then I realize I need to slow down... to rest.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” 

Matthew 11:28 {New International Version {NIV}}

Take Care

It's the most wonderful time of the year

It's that wonderful time of year again, where we say good-bye to our crop of wheat and say hello to the wonderful wheat cheque. 

And now is the time to harvest our wheat. The combines will roll, the tractor-trailer will be full, and soon the roads will be congested as farmers all over make their way to the mills. 

I always marvel at this farmer of mine. He'll put in more hours in one day than what's possible, because sometimes a man has to do what a man has to do. But deep deep down, he loves it.

After all he was born to be a farmer. 

With his patience, wisdom, and hard work ethic, this is the life he was meant to live.

Take Care

it was today

it was a few years ago, ......18 in fact, that our dairy barn burned down and we made the life-changing decision to sell the cows and do something different. 

looking back each year, and seeing how much has changed in our lives has been a good thing.  we're reminded again and again of God's faithfulness and goodness to us.  
yes His goodness!

not that we wanted our lives to be drastically changed from this one event, but how He has provided for us in so many ways.

Jeremiah 29:11 {New International Version {NIV} reminds us "I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give hope and a future."

that held true that day and it still holds true today.

take care

and we're back

After a fun-filled few days, we're home....

We enjoyed our time visiting Bronners Christmas Wonderland,

Zehnders for their famous chicken dinner, The Brewery, Birch Run Premium Outlet Mall, The Bavarian Inn, and all the shoppes in-between.

Making this a very busy, but memorable mini-vacation.

Take Care

#mini-vacay

He had a crazy, busy week, last week and there's two more coming!  So we knew we needed a little get away! 

So we're heading out for some much earned holidays.  Chat when we come back.

Take Care

Strawberry Banana Bread

With fresh strawberries in season, it's great to find new recipes to try. This bread is simple and easy and perfect for breakfast or as a snack! We love banana bread but when you add fresh strawberries it takes this bread to a whole new level of deliciousness! You're going to love it!

{photo credit & recipe website}

Strawberry Banana Bread 
Makes: 2 loafs
Ingredients:
½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened 
1 cup granulated sugar 
2 large eggs, beaten 
3 ripe bananas, mashed 
2 cups flour 
1 teaspoon baking soda 
½ teaspoon salt 
1½ cups fresh strawberries chopped & tossed in 1 Tablespoon of flour
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°F. 
Spray two 9x5 loaf pan with nonstick spray. Set aside. 
In a large bowl, using an electric or stand mixer with paddle attachment cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. 
In a small bowl, beat eggs using a fork. 
Add eggs to sugar mixture and beat until combined. 
Add mashed bananas and mix until combined. 
Sift all dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, and salt. 
Slowly add sifted dry ingredients to banana mixture and mix until flour is just combined. DO NOT OVERMIX! 
Fold in floured covered strawberries. 
Pour batter into prepared loaf pans and bake for 15 minutes. 
Reduce heat to 350°F and bake for an additional 30 minutes until edges are slightly brown or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. 
Let cool completely before removing from loaf pans.
Enjoy!

Take Care

Girl's Day

We spent the day together, being girls!  

Shopping, chatting, walking, laughing, eating, chatting, sipping,

 yep trying on hats, did I mentioned we chatted...

It was a super fun way to spend the day. 

Take Care

Friendship

Over the last few years I have been purposeful in pursuing friendship. And for this introvert, that took a lot of pretending to be braver than I am. 

Stepping out in faith or maybe that should read fear.

It scared me. Why did I find it so hard? 

I’m a grown woman after all. 

You see friendship isn’t a natural state for me. Making friends as an adult was much harder than I anticipated. 

When I was young I was always that kid on the outside looking in. I was the weird kid, the one that was never going to fit it. The one always picked last… And, I don’t know about you, but when I struggle with fitting in, it’s way too easy for me to move from thinking sad thoughts about the situation to thinking sad thoughts about myself. 

True friendship can been a real struggle. And here I am, at midlife, still learning the art of friendship.  Too often, friendship can become all about smiling, quick chats about the weather and what the kids are up to before we rush off to our busy lives again. But true friendship is looking at the two or three people God has placed in your life and choosing to live intentionally with them and watch as the beauty of our messy, unedited, imperfect lives overlap one another. 

I need deeper than chitchat and church talk. I need women who are brave enough to speak the truth in love. And walk together in this life-journey to become more like Him. 

There is nothing quite like friendship is there? 

When I spend time with my friends I feel better – a better person, better about myself and better about my life.

Have you been blessed in some special ways by your friends?

Take Care

Ch-ch-ch-chia

Looking for an easy and super delicious dessert?  This Lemon Raspberry Chia Pudding makes a refreshing and healthy snack recipe made with fresh or frozen berries and sweetened with just a touch of honey! 

Lemon Raspberry Chia Pudding 

{photo credit and recipe website}

Ingredients: 
2 cups milk 
4 1/2 Tbsp chia seeds 
zest and juice of 1/2 a lemon 
1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
1 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen) 
1 Tbsp honey (or agave or maple syrup if vegan) 

Directions: 
Combine all ingredients in a large, sealable container. 
Make sure all chia seeds are mixed in. 
Let sit overnight or for at least 8 hours. 
Serve cold with additional raspberries and honey
Enjoy!

Take Care

Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day!

While we didn't really do a lot to celebrate this day, we did take in the town's evening fireworks display.

Take Care