Moon-lighting

I've been working at Huron Ridge Acres for the last couple of weeks. I had been talking to Lorraine and she mentioned how busy they are and were looking for someone to work afternoons & evening for the month of May when they are open from 8am - 8pm. I thought this might be something that I could do, since I had worked at the greenhouse off & on before. I worked there before I was married and during the busy season when my kids were all in school.

I started mid-May learning the cash register and re-familiarizing myself with the plants & products.


Pansies - Plants grow well in sunny or partially sunny positions in well draining soils. They can survive light freezes and short periods of snow cover. Pansies should be watered thoroughly about once a week.



Geraniums - which is one of the most common ornamental potted-plants, with over 200 varieties and are extremely popular garden plants, grown as annuals in temperate climates.





Osteospernum flower - probably my favourite! - These daisy-like flowers thrive in a part sun/shade environment. Needing well-drained moderately moist soil, they will continue to bloom throughout the summer season.












Petunias - A wide range of flower colors and sizes are available. If growing petunias, it's best to leave them in full sunlight and only water them when their soil is dry to the touch.




I've noticed that when I put on the greenhouse shirt, I somehow became an 'expert'. I mean I do know my stuff but I'm no expert, that would be Aunt Carol. Although, I was amazed at how quickly it all came back to me from working there before.
But in reality I'm just someone who happens to be in the greenhouse moonlighting, and it's been fun. I'm already looking forward to next year when I can work there again.

Blessings

Twenty-Something

We celebrated Krystle's 21st birthday today. It's official.....she's now gone into the realm of twenty-something.

As is our tradition, the birthday girl decided we would have BBQ'd hamburgers, tossed salad and potato chips for the birthday meal. We picked up her birthday cake the day before at the grocery store. Not only did it look awesome, it was very tasty too.

We gave Krystle a Willow Tree Angel - angel of light, a cup with the word believe etched in it & a Marble stonewithwords DREAM word.

It hardly seems possible that my little girl is all grown up. My friend Monica just had her second daughter on May 15, and as I was looking at her today, it seemed like only yesterday I was in the same place.

It's hard not to get nostalgic on a day like today. As I reflect on her life, I'm amazed at the beautiful young woman she's become. I'm honoured to have her call me mom. We've become such good friends too, I am so thankful for that. And I could go on...........but I'm afraid I'll start to cry.

We had such a wonderful day together and with the weather getting warmer it was so nice to be able to spend at least part of the day outside.

Blessings

Ticket to Ride

I picked up my 'new' car today. She's a 2005 Pontiac Sunfire Coupe with manual transmission, sunroof and only two doors. I put my personalized license plates "4 Spunky" on, which not only suits the car but the driver as well.

We haven't had a manual transmission vehicle since the first car that Wayne & I bought shortly after we were married. I had a little difficulty at first bringing her home as it took me a little while to get on to the shifting. It made for an interesting trip............definitely making it more fun.

So when you see a little black 'spunky' car speeding by....... give me a wave.


Blessings

Bloomin' Wonderful

I received a beautiful gift of flowers from my dear friend and cousin Sandra, we were supposed to meet for tea/coffee but unfortunately she double booked herself. "No worries," I tell her, "we'll do it another time."

I really appreciate having Sandra as a friend. Though there are a number of years between us, it doesn't seem to deter us when we're able to get together. I remember we used to come up to the Steckle family farm also known as Huron Ridge Acres every long weekend in May. Of course we came for the whole weekend as it was such a long drive. I have wonderful memories of playing in the barn, the playhouse, the fort and everywhere in between. Having Kevin drive 'tuffy' the van, and thinking how cool it was that my cousin was allowed to drive. only on the farm of course Those are some of my best childhood memories.

About 2 years ago, I was Sandra's photo assistant, that's when we really got to know each other again and begin a closer relationship. Sandra is an amazing photographer, she has such a unique way of looking at things and is so willing to try to capture those moments anyway possible. Her easy-going style is like a breath of fresh air, she is able to put people at ease and get those amazing photos that you end up wondering "how does she do that?" Check out her website.

But with the busyness of my life, I found that I wasn't able to commit to helping her anymore. I've been trying to make tea/coffee dates with her as I found that I really missed spending that time with her.


I am truly blessed to have Sandra in my life.

Blessings

Birthday Boy

We celebrated Darcy's birthday today.
Here he is with an Oreo cookie cake with 18 count 'em 18 candles on the cake,


and his presents!


It's so hard to believe that "my baby" is 18. Where did the time go? No more kids living in the house, we're all adults now. Well........sometimes I do wonder with some of the dinner-time conversations we have. Like the other night, somehow the conversation was about 'burping' and how most men are able to say a word while they burp. I know..... not the most intellectual of conversations.

One of the traditions in our house for birthdays is that, the person celebrating their birthday gets to choose the birthday meal. Tonight we enjoyed breaded chicken breasts stuffed with chipotle sauce, grilled vegetable medley, rice, mixed salad & bruschetta bread. Oh yeah and the cake. Quite tasty!

Overall it was a pretty good day.

Blessings

Freshly - Brewed

What is it about going out for tea with a friend? Is it the tea? Or is it something that goes deeper?
Starbucks is a wonderful place, the welcoming couches, the relaxed atmosphere and of course the great Tazo Chai Tea Latte's that they serve are just some of the reasons I'm hooked.

I've been reading a wonderful book called 'Fresh-Brewed Life' by Nicole Johnson. In it she says "Coffee is far more than a beverage. It is an invitation to life, disguised as a cup of warm liquid. Coffee is an experience, an offer, a rite of passage, a good excuse to get together." How often is it that when someone invites you out for coffee/tea it isn't because their thirsty but more likely are wanting to spend time with you.

What determines friendship? Could it be something in our soul that responds like a flower opening to the sun? If you have one close friend consider yourself blessed by God, two close friends, stand up and sing......

Most of us aren't looking for just any friend, we are longing for a special person with whom we can pour out our hearts. A safe place where confidences are held carefully. Girlfriends fill a role in our lives that no one else can. Husbands do not make good girlfriends, obviously. ^.^

"Reason, Season or a Lifetime" ~ Author Unknown
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

I love this poem, which when applied to friendships can help explain why some friends pass through our lives.

Blessings

Award

During the 2008 graduation ceremonies at Heritage Baptist College & Seminary, Krystle received an award. way to go Kryssi!

Wayne & I were honoured to be present. It's still exciting to be invited to the special events in my kids lives.


My mom & I were down to visit and got to see her new place, and we (or should I say I) had to get a picture of the three of us.


Here is picture of her new room for the summer:

Since Krystle is not moving home for the summer but was able to secure work in Cambridge and continue to live in dorm we have to make a little more effort to connect.

Blessings