Fabric Paper Thread

Snowdrops

2012-01-29T19:32:00.000-08:00

"The snow-drop who, in habit white and plain,

Comes on, the herald of fair Flora's train."

Charles Churchill (1732-1764)

My garden suffered some neglect during the two years we lived a little ways north. I'm eager to get it back into shape, but will have to wait a wee bit longer for the rain to lessen. Until then, I wander around, poking around, seeing what's survived. Seeing these nodding snowdrops yesterday made me so happy. And in another spot, the very first tips of daffodils are emerging from the ground.

I'm linking this post to Mosaic Monday, hosted by the ever-gracious Mary at the Little Red House.

And on a different topic, Mater of Mater Familias Knits, tagged me in a meme. I don't participate often, but this one sounds fun. It's also long, so I'm taking extreme liberty with the rules and breaking it into two posts. Today, I'll post 11 random things about myself, and tomorrow I'll post the rules and answer Mater's questions.

1. I'm the eldest of three children.

2. My sister and brother insist that the only memories they have of me as a child is with my nose in a book. They exaggerate, but I have always devoured books.

3. Although our family was small, I have 17 pairs of aunts and uncles, and 56 first cousins. Both of my grandfathers fled Russia during the post-WWI revolution because of persecution against the Mennonites. My grandmothers' families had come to Canada earlier and were also of Mennonite heritage. I loved growing up as part of a huge extended family.

4. My favourite colour is blue, but I probably look better in pink tones.

5. I was married at 20, got my first degree at 22, and at age 24 my husband and I moved to Ecuador, South America to work with a Christian non-profit organization. We went for four years and ended up staying for almost 21 years.

6. Our three children were born in a small hospital on the edge of the Amazon jungle. When I went into the hospital with the first, I noticed a cockroach in the corner of the bathroom and wondered how I could ever give birth in a building that housed cockroaches. After a few hours of labour, I wouldn't have cared if a tribe of cockroaches broke into song and serenaded me with "La Cucaracha."

7. We returned to Canada in 2002, settling on our Island because my husband found work here. It's a great place to live.

8. I'll take salty and crunchy over sweet and mushy any day.

9. Dark chocolate is the exception to the above, especially if sprinkled with a little sea salt.

10. I obtained my second degree (a BA in French) at 54, just last fall. I love languages, and speak Spanish as well as French and English.

11. Creativity is in my blood. Making things with my hands, by sewing, painting, stitching, cooking or decorating is something I have to do.

This Little Light

2012-01-26T20:51:00.000-08:00

"Let me show you what I made." Last weekend, via Skype, our daughter in Italy showed us her version of a clementine candle. I thought it wonderful and later that day set about making one for myself. I followed her verbal instructions and came up with this adorable little candle, which I set into a glass dish and placed on the dinner table. It burned all evening, a friendly, non-toxic glow.

I thought you might be interested in making one, too. So I googled the idea and came up with this link to an Apartment Therapy Clementine Candle tutorial. A clementine (or mandarin orange) plus olive oil is all that is needed. So simple.

I'm stymied these days, unable to think of anything blog worthy to post. I'm really looking forward to moving upstairs into my home. That will happen early next week. (We've been in the basement suite for the past month, which is nice enough, but I want to unpack my stuff.) A lot of our possessions will still be in our house up island, hopefully making it look attractive to prospective buyers.

Two days this week were Nana days with our sweet little miss. She's chatty as can be although we're all hard-pressed to tell what she's saying. Full of giggles, inquisitive fingers, and a mind that observers can practically see working to figure out her world.

Wild Weather Week

2012-01-22T17:26:00.000-08:00

Our weather this week has changed from sunny, but cold, to cold plus snow, to warmer and rain with fierce winds. Today was no day for picture taking so this mosaic is from the sunny but cold day last Sunday. The Westsong Walkway begins in Victoria's Inner Harbour at Songhees Point and continues along the water to West Bay, curving around small bays and jutting rocky points.

The wind today made for an interesting experience in church this morning. Our pastor was speaking about technology and about how easy it is to connect via the internet, Skype, texting, or whatever, and suggested that every once in awhile we just need to take time to disconnect from technology and connect with people face to face. At that very moment, the lights, power, sound went out - no electricity. It was a total disconnect from technology that made me wonder if he had planned it!

So we went out for coffee with friends and connected face to face.

Connecting (or linking) to Mosaic Monday, hosted by Mary at the Little Red House.

A Bookish Sort of Day

2012-01-20T08:38:00.000-08:00

Grade 6. George Hilliard Elementary School. The library was my favourite place in the school. I read constantly. And re-read stories that appealed to me. One was Time At the Top, a book whose title I could never remember but located by its yellow hardback cover on the "O" shelf. (Note: I just looked it up on Google and discovered that it's by Edward Ormondroyd and was indeed published in a yellow hardback in 1963. And that it was made into a movie for television in 1999.)

But I digress.

On this particular day, our class is in the library, helping the librarian straighten bookshelves. Our teacher is elsewhere. Each student is assigned a section of books to straighten. Each book is to be pulled out to the edge of the shelf and lined up neatly with the others. All goes well until one of my classmates pokes her fingers at the books I'd already aligned. I redo them. Again. And again. Completely frustrated, I use both of my hands to shove all of her books back against the shelf. Rather violently.

At this moment, the librarian turns and looks at me. In shock (for I was one of those annoyingly good students who rarely, if ever, got into trouble), she scolds me and sends me back to the classroom in shame. I am so embarrassed that I pick up my things from the empty classroom and walk home, unwilling to face my teacher or my classmates.

I haven't thought of that day for many years, but yesterday, I filled in for the librarian at school. As I straightened shelves I remembered that sunny day so long ago. And I still felt, from a distance, the embarrassment and the injustice. Funny how memory works, isn't it?

The books at the top are on my shelf at home, arranged at random, not aligned.

The Poires Au Vin (Pears in Wine) that I made the other day were so good. And easy. I found the recipe on Sharon's site, My French Country Home. Here's a link to the recipe. I used D'Anjou pears, just three, and added about 1/3 cup of sugar to the wine.

Also, since I had no homemade marmalade to use in the recipe, I used Bonne Maman's. The label is so pretty. The pears were delicious, sitting in a pool of concentrated syrup and drizzled with a spoonful of salted caramel chocolate sauce (which I did not make).

Today I'm at home. Laundry, bread-making, cleaning. Hoping the freezing rain passes us by. What's on your plate for today?

A REAL Snow Day

2012-01-18T21:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's snow was nothing compared to today's. We woke up to a drift outside the door and snow still falling steadily. The world was transformed by white snowflakes.

The cheers of school children resounded throughout the region as schools were pronounced closed for the day. Many people chose to stay home and work via computer, or just enjoy the day off. In the afternoon, the snow ceased falling and I went out for a walk with my camera.

On a bench, this little snowman bears witness to someone's playful spirit.

"And still the snow falls in delicate stars

Covers the wide earth gently"

I read the above lines on a German blog (translated into English) last winter and copied them down because I like the imagery. They were credited to F. Stocklin, but I could find no information on such a poet. If anyone knows more about her/him, I'd love to find out.

This photo is taken with a special effect on my camera - it's supposed to look like a painting.

I spent a quiet day - sewing, reading, talking via Skype to one daughter in Italy and the other just a few miles away (also home because of the snow), making butternut squash soup and poached pears. This evening Tim and I took another walk in the snow, in the dark. How quiet the streets are. How muffled the noise.

Snow Day

2012-01-17T16:33:00.000-08:00

Snow has been falling in fits and starts around here for the past couple of days. We haven't seen much, sad to say. Winters here are so very mild that I'm happy to see a couple of weeks of snow. It never lasts long. This is the sum total of our snow. Not much.

But in other areas close by the accumulation is much heavier. In fact, I was called in to teach today because one teacher was stranded at home by the snow. I loved being back at school. I taught four lovely classes in the Home Ec room. The students did a great job and good smells wafted throughout that particular wing of the school.

Now I'm home again, with tired feet and a happy heart. Time for a cup of tea before starting dinner. And can I wish for more snow?

A Little Pink

2012-01-15T21:04:00.000-08:00

The temperatures around here are the coldest they've been this winter - hovering around freezing. Some areas have had snow. Last night I went outside and a few flakes twirled lazily to the ground. But that was all. I'm still hoping for a snowfall this week.

I bought a bunch of tulips this week. They were just tight buds but have quickly opened in the warmth of the house. I love the way they anticipate spring. I try to stick with seasonal flowers from the yard, but at this time of year nothing's blooming. I took them outside to photograph them and love the way the shadows fall across them.

Linking to Mosaic Monday, hosted by Mary at the Little Red House.

Doodling

2012-01-13T16:27:00.000-08:00

I signed up for Teresa McFayden's Letter Whimsy e-course. I've been practicing making block letters, with shadowing. And colouring them in. Such fun. And taking photos makes me see all the places I went out of the lines and where my lines are wonky. Oh dear. But still fun.

I've also been watching the videos on Strathmore Artist Papers' site. They have free workshops, the one currently on features Traci Bautista as the instructor. The course, called Doodles Unleashed, is all about having fun with paint, markers, pens, ink and whatever. I haven't done very much with what I've watched, but again, it's a lot of fun, and it inspired the flower in my practice lettering journal above.

Every day IS a gift. I need to remember that.

Quiet Days

2012-01-12T09:03:00.000-08:00

"And Winter slumbering

In the open air

Wears on his face

A dream of spring."

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

January begins with festivities and frolic that soon turn into quiet days of routine. While Nature slumbers, readying herself for great expressions of energy in spring, my own thoughts turn inward. There's a sense of blankness, not uncomfortable, that leaves me free to ponder plans and projects, goals and challenges. Nothing concrete has emerged from my tangle of thoughts, but in time, it will.

Husband: What are you knitting?

me: I don't know.

Husband: You don't know? What kind of knitting is that?

me: Well, I found this ball of yarn in Ashley's stuff and decided to start knitting. I just want to knit.

Husband: You don't want to make anything?

me: Yes, but we'll see what this turns out to be. If there's enough yarn, it will be a cowl scarf. If not, maybe a pillow top. I don't really care. I just feel like knitting.

Husband: Oh.

I am very much a beginning knitter. And I have not knit for at least a year. But I grabbed a ball of wool from a box, found a set of needles, cast on a few stitches and started knitting. As I knit I can feel myself relax and unwind - not that I'm riled up about anything, but the rhythmic click of needles and hand motions soothes any cares away and fills the need for me to do something with my hands. Knitting goes along very well with tea drinking, this time chamomile.

I'll let you know what this knitting turns into.

What projects are you working on these days? Do you have any plans for 2012 - not resolutions, per se, but hopes and dreams? Will you share them? Reading the goals of others helps stimulate the formation of my own, something I've found helpful in reading other blogs.

Shades of Blue

2012-01-08T17:32:00.000-08:00

Living as we are, in temporary digs, with much less than 1/2 of our "stuff," household chores take very little time. My husband has no shop in which to putter, my hobbies, other than my sewing machine are packed in boxes, and life is very simple.

So we take a lot of walks, good on several levels. Exercise is one benefit and we're walking off the Christmas cookies and chocolates we've indulged in. Another benefit is spending time together. We walk, we talk, we enjoy each other's company. A third benefit is that of reacquainting ourselves with this town we've grown to love. We're enjoying this month of quiet before we can move back upstairs into our home and the settling in will begin in earnest.

Although the days have been gray and often dismally wet, a hint of lightness in the sky this afternoon had Tim suggesting a walk along the breakwater. Here is where cruise ships dock, sea planes land, and other sea craft enter the protected harbour. The breakwater points a long finger out into the strait. Across the water we can see the Olympic Mountains of our US neighbours. The ferry boat in the top photo is the Coho, plying the waters between Victoria and Port Angeles.

Linking once again to Mosaic Monday, hosted by Mary at the Little Red House.

Italian Red Onion Soup

2012-01-06T12:19:00.000-08:00

The next best thing to traveling is reading about it. Since our traveling adventurers are currently in the south of Italy, I found a few books in the library to help me picture their life there. One of them is My Calabria, by Rosetta Constantino. Part memoir part cookbook, Rosetta chronicles her family's roots through the recipes her grandmother cooked.

Sharon, at My French Country Home recently wrote a post on French Onion Soup. Inspired by her post and by the recipe for Zuppa de Cipolla alla Casa Janca in Rosetta's book, I made Red Onion Soup for lunch today. The recipe's on my food blog, here. But just let me tell you, it's mellow, sweet, comforting, and perfect for a rainy (or snowy) January day.

On another note--

Have you ever wondered what other people REALLY think of your blog? Hopefully they like it, because really, with all the blogs out there, who would read one she didn't like, or even take the time to comment negatively? It's all about choice. But maybe there's something your readers REALLY like and something they overlook because the rest of your blog is so great.

Heather, over at Inspire Me Heather, has come up with a brilliant idea. She has a linky party going on throughout the month of January where she will assign you two blogs to critique, anonymously, and two bloggers will critique your blog. So go on over, sign up and find out what people really like about your blog!

Walk to Tod Inlet

2012-01-04T09:46:00.000-08:00

Monday was a holiday here so Tim and I puttered in the morning. Although rain was predicted we drove to the Tod Gowlland Park for a short hike. Tod Inlet is a quiet place, full of peace and beauty. Well, other than for one mean dog that was off leash (against regulations), wouldn't listen to his owner, and came so close to me, growling menacingly, that Tim got between us until the owner finally came and dragged the dog away.

Tod Inlet is directly behind the world famous Butchart Gardens, and was once the property of the Butchart family. From this inlet Portland Cement from the family's factory was shipped out. These pilings, perches now for gulls and cormorants, are all that's left of the docks.

There are a few foundations on the grounds, mute witness to the people who once lived here and worked making Portland Cement.

Overlooking the water, sipping tea (in new stainless steel mugs that I got for Christmas for just these occasions),

and nibbling on a square or two of dark chocolate - such delights. Those blue pads on the bench are one of my husband's brilliant ideas. They are cut from old sleeping mats. He keeps them in his backpack and they provide great protection from cold, wet, and/or hard places to sit. Just a little thing that makes life a teensy bit more luxurious.

Rediscovering these haunts of ours is a real delight - we've been away for two years, yet we are slipping back into life here quite easily.

Sewing Projects for Christmas

2012-01-03T10:17:00.000-08:00

I really enjoyed making some Christmas gifts this year. I was able to use up some of my fabric stash in the process, although I did end up buying the occasional piece to coordinate. The above set of placemats and napkins are now my eldest daughter's - they match her dishes. I did these along with the Holiday Sew-Along at Sew Mama Sew.

For a friend I stitched this table runner in greens and browns. I made a similar runner for my daughter-in-law, using lighter colors but many of the same fabrics. This was not a pattern I found anywhere, but somewhere, sometime, I had read about putting together a nine-patch block (9 patches each 5 inches square), then cutting the block in quarters and re-piecing it. I had fun figuring out how to put the squares back together.

For my mom I made these placemats - which are reversible. The other side is pink and white alternating petals. The top and bottom are finished separately, then the two are blanket stitched together with batting in between. The pattern came from a quilting magazine, which I would reference properly, but it's in a box somewhere.

And for someone sweet I made these stuffed toys. The pig is from Martha Stewart, the bunny from Chez Beeper Bebe, and the ball from my own pattern.

Now I'm thinking about the sewing I want to do this year. Some new clothes, definitely, and there will likely be house projects as well. And I'd like to continue to work at depleting my stash, so more quilty things are likely to be in the works. That's just the sewing ideas - then there's journaling and artwork - lots of things are mulling about my mind although nothing seems to be gelling yet.

What creative endeavours have you thought about for 2012?

A Good Start

2012-01-02T17:24:00.000-08:00

Six adults sat around our small table for Sunday lunch. Grandbaby had her high chair. We've more or less settled into our temporary digs and it feels quite cozy. Almost like being in the apartments we lived in as married students at college so long ago. Baked ham, Twice-baked potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower gratin and a coleslaw made for a good meal. A plate of Christmas baking rounded out the menu.

Mid-afternoon we went for a walk. We're enjoying a very mild winter so far and walking is very pleasant.

By the time we headed home the light was fading fast. The days might be lengthening, but progress is imperceptible.

It was a good start to a New Year. Family gathered together, good food, the enjoyment of nature.

Our travelers are now in Italy and were invited to an Italian home for New Year's Eve. They say one of the great wonders of Italy, alongside the Coliseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is the amount of food and wine Italians can put away. It was a fantastic experience for them.

Farewell 2011, Hello 2012

2011-12-31T17:48:00.000-08:00

Another year stretches ahead of us, each day tied to the next. For all of my readers, I wish you a year filled with the awareness of God's good gifts, of boundless peace, joy, hope and love, whether your circumstances are tranquil or stormy.

Thank you to all who stop by and read here. I wonder sometimes who you are, what your life is like. Some of you I know well, others slightly, and even more of you I know only via this blog. It's amazing to me how we can connect over great distances. You come from Canada, the USA, France, England, Ecuador, Spain, Germany and other locales yet we are brought together through common interests, a love of home and family, and beauty. I am honoured that you read my words.

The following quotation is attributed to Mark Twain, and is one of my favourites:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed

by the things that you didn't do than by the

ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbour.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore.

Dream.

Discover."

Happy New Year!

Looking Back 2011

2011-12-30T09:30:00.000-08:00

A glance back over 2011 makes me realize just how much living can be packed into 12 months. Time is one of God's good gifts to us - how we use it determines our quality of life, the things we value, and our relationships with others. Here's a fast race through 2011 from my perspective.

January brought a heavy snowfall that transformed a brown landscape into other worldly glistening white.

During February we spent a week in Mexico, enjoying sunshine, snorkeling, touring, and time to read and sketch.

In March we celebrated my beloved's birthday - all the children surprised him by showing up for dinner. Walks on the beach began. Grandbaby continued to charm us all with her sweetness.

In April signs of spring began. Trees showed hints of green. We spent a weekend on Pender Island with friends, enjoying good food, good company and beautiful scenery.

By May the fence was completed and we ate our first outdoor meal of the year in privacy. Cherry blossoms fell like confetti.

In June the house renovation was declared finished with the completion of the kitchen project. Roses bloomed and vegetables grew up in the garden beds.

We spent a weekend camping with the family at Englishman River Falls in the beginning of the month. Mid-July found us on Sonora Island, marveling at the untouched beauty of creation.

Company visited in August, including my parents. We spent an afternoon wandering through Milner Gardens, where this photo was taken.

During our trip to Alberta in September, we visited with family, hiked in Banff National Park, and enjoyed afternoon tea overlooking the magnificent Rockies.

At the end of the month we bade a tearful goodbye to our traveling adventurers. After spending almost 3 months in Germany, they skied in the Swiss Alps over Christmas, then spent three days in Paris before flying down to the boot of Italy today, where they plan on staying for a month.

At the beginning of October I wrote my last exam and completed my degree in French. We celebrated Thanksgiving with family, thanking God for each one.

The play of light and shadow highlighted November. Sunny days mixed with rain as we waited for news that would affect our future.

December days were lighted by Advent and the preparation for the coming of the Christ Child. I am so glad He came to earth so long ago and became my Lord. Christmas celebrations were filled with family, another of God's good gifts. And we moved!

As the year closes, my wish for each of my readers is to experience, in 2012, the Hope, Joy, Peace and Love brought to earth by the Christ Child so long ago.

Christmas Moments

2011-12-27T12:24:00.000-08:00

There were presents. Laughter. Sparkly lights and baby giggles. Good food, good conversation, and lots of love.

We missed our adventurers but on Christmas Eve, via the wonders of Skype, I heard the church bells ringing out across a snowy village in the Swiss Alps, calling worshipers to adore the newborn King. It was magical.

After our dinner we took a long walk to the beach. Crisp air, significant wind and blue skies helped us digest the turkey et al.

Yesterday, the guests all left. And packing began. I waited until this morning to dismantle the tree. But it's sort of sad. It doesn't look Christmassy around here any longer.

This move is a partial one. We're leaving most of our stuff in this house, staged to look good to prospective buyers. We kept our home in the city and will be moving there. For the first month, we'll be in the basement suite, then, when our tenants leave, we'll move upstairs. We'll decide then whether or not to hire the movers then or leave the house still set up. Hopefully, it will sell in January. It's all a bit complicated, but Tim's job is based out of the city, and I can begin teaching on call there, so it seemed best to move now.

Had we known what we know now we would have rented here. Instead, we spent most of our 21 months here in a flurry of renovations. Sigh.

I have the best husband in the world. On Christmas Eve I sent him to the store to get a pound of butter. He came home with the butter AND a bouquet of flowers. So, while the boxes and mess fill up the house, every once in awhile I look at the vase of white, green and red, take a breath and smile. There's a little pretty left here.

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T13:30:00.000-08:00

The fridge and pantry are full. Beds are made. Bathrooms cleaned. The fridge and pantry are full. The Bûche de Noel is assembled. Just a few things left to do before the celebrating begins. The children arrive late tonight.

Church this evening and time to reflect on the Babe, God's greatest gift to mankind.

Hark! the herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King"

Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled

Joyful all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With the angelic host proclaim

Christ is born in Bethlehem

Hark! the herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King"

Almost Christmas!

2011-12-23T09:32:00.000-08:00

Me: "I'd like to pick up this parcel, please."

Rummage, rummage. Looking high and low on shelves.

Me: "Um, I think it might be quite large."

Postal clerk: "OH ... It's THAT one"

"Are you feeling strong today?"

Me: "No."

I picked up this parcel from Berlin yesterday. It's full of presents for his family and hers, along with clothes and things the travelers decided were too heavy to pack around. We had been advised to open our gift as soon as it arrived, so we did. I was very tempted to open the parcel before Tim got home from work, but refrained because I couldn't lift it out from the car. It weighed 23 kilos (roughly 60 pounds).

And a little rant. That huge box cost about $120 Cdn to ship from Germany to Canada. I sent a box about the size of an Amazon book box (small) for $100 Cdn from Canada to Germany. They each arrived in roughly the same amount of time. Canada's very high postage costs are one reason I'm hesitant to open an Etsy shop.

However. Moving on.

Inside our parcel was this charming pyramid - that's what the German word for it is. Tim assembled it and I lit the candles. The carolers in front of the church whirled merrily, never once getting dizzy, although they are slightly blurry here. It's so pretty.

And silly me. I thought of the hands that wrapped the present and just wished that I could hold them close to me. Our adventurers are missed, and never more than at this time of year.

But they have left Berlin and are holidaying in the Swiss Alps, where snow is falling, falling, falling. Ashley is learning to ski and Owen is renewing his skiing techniques. They are having a grand time. Italy is next on the itinerary.

Around here, the cutest little mushrooms are waiting for me to assemble the Bûche de Noel, which will be done tomorrow.

The spiced pecans are wrapped up in a set of handled consomme cups I found at the thrift store, with snowflake cellophane and polka dotted green ribbon. These will be delivered tomorrow to our neighbours.

Bread is rising on the counter top for a chocolate filled babka recipe that I've been wanting to try. That, along with egg strudels (currently residing in the freezer) and fruit will comprise our Christmas breakfast.

I'll be posting sporadically for the next while. Because, in addition to Christmas, we're moving between Christmas and New Year's. It's a partial move for now so there's not an overwhelming urge to pack up the entire household. I'll explain more in the New Year.

Merry Christmas to all of my wonderful readers. I appreciate each one of you and pray that you will experience the Hope, Love, Joy and Peace that the Christ Child brings to earth.

Enough

2011-12-21T06:43:00.000-08:00

I love old things with meaning. I have no desire to purchase new Christmas ornaments every year, preferring instead the memories that we hang on the tree time after time. And this year, more than others, I'm irritated at the marketing I see everywhere to buy more, update, refresh, etc. Maybe I'm just getting crotchety. Anyway, I've had enough. Newspapers go straight into the recycle bin and television commercials are muted.

The pace has slowed around here. The shopping was finished weeks ago, the baking is done, and the gifts are almost wrapped. Days are full of pleasant activities like planning menus, sitting on the couch with some hand sewing, and today - ironing the linen napkins that were a wedding gift to my husband's parents in 1953, and making sure the candles are ready for the table.

On an entirely different note, with nothing to do with Christmas, the above arrived in the mail on Monday. It's my second degree - my first is a Bachelor of Religious Education completed when I was in my 20s. And now this one. Up until the last minute I was sure the school would discover that I needed one more course, or I failed an exam or something that would derail me. However. It's official. I finished.

Time to breathe. Time for a cup of tea and a cookie. Please join me, I'd love to find out what's happening in your world.

Christmas with Family

2011-12-20T10:40:00.000-08:00

After many years of living overseas in South America, we are teased by my parents that we still live "overseas." So, several times a year we make the trek across the water, via a 90 minute ferry ride, through the Fraser Valley, to the town where my siblings and parents live.

This past weekend we celebrated an early Christmas. Twenty-four of us made it, ranging in age from a sweet tiny 1-month-old to great-grandparents in their 70s. It was loud, it was fun, it was a delicious time. My sister and brother-in-law are wonderful hosts, and we all contributed to the turkey dinner.

Early Sunday morning my back had had enough of two days of sitting around. I got up in the half-light, put on my coat and went for a walk.

A fine mist fell and several times I stopped to look at the beading of water on bare tree branches. I didn't take my camera with me, but after returning to my parents' home, I noticed they had a similar tree. Each water droplet looked like a crystal bead.

Driving home through the Valley, a heavy mist lay on the land. Nearing the shore, however, the clouds lifted and sun shone. We had a beautiful crossing, mild enough that I ventured outdoors onto the deck for a walk.

We've been away every weekend in December. It's been so busy, but I wouldn't miss this particular trip, crazy as it is - I'm so thankful for my family.

Choosing Joy

2011-12-18T17:22:00.000-08:00

Have you noticed that Christmas movies almost always have a happy ending. And so they should, for the story that began on the first Christmas Day is one of ultimate joy. However, real life situations are seldom resolved in the time it takes to read a 200 page novel, or watch a 2 hour movie. For many, Christmas is a sad time of year in which loss is marked and difficulties are augmented. The glowing joy that we are led to believe are the norm throughout this season tend to come in often short-lived bursts, or not at all.

During the years we lived in Ecuador I missed my family fiercely. The distance was felt most keenly during Christmas when I knew that family gatherings were occurring without me. I imagined them all together, eating turkey, playing games, talking - together. And us, far away, just five.

A custom I developed when the children were very small helped me to cope. After the stockings were opened in a tumbled heap on our bed, everyone headed to their rooms to dress before breakfast, the gifts, and the dinner, and I took a few moments for myself. I thought of my family far away, I indulged in a few tears, and then, I moved into my day, choosing to be joyful in the moment, with the family God had given me.

We always had a wonderful time together. Christmas mornings we opened our stockings together in our bed, then moved on through the day, always with friends that became family. A lovely glow surrounds the memory of those Christmas celebrations.

Life is not perfect. For anyone. Some have more to bear than others. But this Christmas, I am, once again, choosing joy in the small and large gifts that come to me every day.

Linking to A Pause in Advent and Mosaic Monday.

Cozy Days, Busy Days

2011-12-15T16:13:00.000-08:00

I baked some of these today. Delicious morsels of pastry, dried raisins and cranberries, with a hint of cinnamon, lightly dusted with sugar. I used gold sanding sugar today because I found some in the cupboard. I got the recipe from my sister, a baker par excellence. Rugelach, they're called and you can find the recipe on my other blog.

On another note, I attempted to create stars in my tree photo by taking the shot through a tea strainer, as suggested by a comment on Vee's site, which she tried out today. I can see the mesh in the photo and the stars don't twinkle as much as I'd hoped. Chalk that one up to experience. I turned on the tree lights this morning while baking because it's so dark and grey these days.

My front door jangles cheerfully every time it opens or closes. I didn't make a real wreath this year, but dragged an old artificial swag from the box and hung this set of sleigh bells underneath. These bells come from my husband's grandparents' farm in northern BC. They had a horse named Prince, who would pull a sleigh in winter, or stoneboat in summer. Tim remembers these bells jingling merrily in days gone by. I'm happy to have them continue their sound on my door.

How are things going for you? Are you staying cozy on these busy days?

Tying up the Ends

2011-12-14T10:13:00.000-08:00

Last night, while watching the most inane decorating show (designers decorated homes for celebrities while sharing angst and ego), I stitched these cutie pies. They are for decorating my Christmas packages. I used burlap, quilting cotton, and cheesecloth. Each fabric type resulted in a different look. There are different tutorials around the web - I stitched mine rather than using glue. It's a very dull day around here, hence the glare of lights on the photo.

I used some of them for this card. A friend of mine has breast cancer. She has endured, and triumphed through 6 months of grueling chemotherapy. Next is surgery - on the 20th of December. After that, radiation. I admire her spunk so much. She doesn't live in the same town as I do, and I wish I was closer so I could help her. Instead, I can pray, and let her know I'm thinking of her.

Did you know blogging can save you time and money? I learned that just today. No, this is not a paid advertisement.

I planned on wrapping gifts today. So I sorted out my shopping and then started realizing that I did not have the gifts I thought I had. I assumed that I had only imagined buying them and have been rushing around the house intending to drive into town to complete my list.

As I was writing this blog post, I suddenly realized that there WAS another bag, in another location. I opened it up and voilà - there they were - the presents I really had purchased.

If I had not stopped to blog before going out, just think of the time I would have wasted and the money I would have spent foolishly duplicating the purchases hidden under the bed.

Yay for blogging!

Of Parties and Plumbing

2011-12-11T19:51:00.000-08:00

Family and friends gathered to celebrate a sweet little girl's first birthday today. The star of the show looked lovely in an oh-so-pretty gray and pink ensemble - which was removed for the eating of the cake.

The cake was fantastic; Adria's mother is a master at cake decorating, with wonderful and original ideas. The inspiration of the elephants marching around the side of the cake was taken from a favorite onesie Adria wore when younger.

On another note entirely, a phone call Friday had me calling plumbers for several hours, trying to find someone out to our home in Victoria. The district representative had read the water meter and informed our tenant that there was a MAJOR water leak somewhere. We finally arranged to meet a plumber at the house at 11:30 on Saturday morning. Meanwhile, the water continued to flow.

The plumber has been so helpful. The leak can't be located, so a new trench was dug and a new water main will be installed tomorrow. Today, before leaving town, Tim cut a huge hole in the wall of the basement suite (into which we are moving temporarily after Christmas). It was a lovely wall. Especially lovely because not more than two months ago I patched and sanded and painted it. But the new water main has to go along this wall. Sigh. I guess I know what I'll be doing in January.

Linking to Mosaic Monday, hosted by Mary at the Little Red House, where you are sure to find lots of Christmassy inspiration and not many plumbing woes.

Festina Lente

2011-12-11T05:27:00.000-08:00

Here we are on the third Sunday of Advent. Anticipation heightens as the days are marked one by one towards the celebration of Christ's birth.

Festina lente is Latin for "make haste slowly" and is attributed to Caesar Augustus who was displeased with the rashness of one of his military commanders. It conveys the idea of attending to the urgent with diligence, doing something thoroughly.

(Yes, that is the same Caesar Augustus who sent out the decree that "all the world should be taxed" that we read about in the biblical narrative of Christ's birth in Luke's gospel.)

So much needs to be done at this time of year - or I think it does. In truth, I like doing a lot for Christmas. And so, I must "hurry slowly," taking care that the things I do are worthwhile, that I do them well, in the proper way.

Another adage that I wish I held to more closely is "anything worth doing is worth doing well." No half measures. No just "good enough." Excellence without perfection - is it possible?

This year, with all that's happening in our lives, rather than do things halfway, some things are being left aside. No Christmas cards. Fewer decorations. Simple things like cedar cuttings in a silver jug instead of more elaborate arrangements. I'm liking this simplicity.

How about you? Are you making haste slowly? Or rushing headlong? I'd love to hear your ideas for simplifying and deepening this beloved season.

Joining in A Pause in Advent, hosted by Floss.

Gift Wrapping

2011-12-09T16:19:00.000-08:00

Back in October I wrapped a few Christmas gifts. They were lightweight, suitable for sending to Europe. Decorations had to be flat and not easily scrunched. So I printed off a couple of photographs from childhood days gone by (I had some scanned from the wedding slide show). I layered the photograph on the gift (above is wrapped in a brown paper bag), tied it with red yarn and added a sprig of cedar.

For this gift I used plain white paper, and stitched each end closed with my sewing machine. This photo shows our youngest riding a horse as a little girl in Ecuador. Instead of tying the yarn, I wrapped it round and round the gift.

Along with some baking and couple of smaller things, the parcel arrived in Germany and has been opened. The travelers are off to Switzerland next week, until the end of the year. We're missing them, but oh, what a grand adventure they are having!

Meanwhile, all of my other gifts languish in a closet. Unwrapped. I guess it's almost time to get going on that.

Mid-December Doings

2011-12-08T08:43:00.000-08:00

Who knew how hard it is to photograph fashion? Not me, until yesterday. Taking pictures of people wearing clothes is much easier than trying to style something flat and make it look reasonable. Here's my best effort. The arm looks a little scary - like a skeleton. This is part of what I purchased at Bamboozle the other day - for those who have asked. A cream sweater, soft fuschia scarf with silver beads, and a bracelet. Paired with black or grey pants/skirt, this will be my outfit for casual get togethers.

The sweater is made of viscose - also known as rayon. It's a quasi "natural" fibre - made from wood pulp. Since I can't wear even the softest cashmere or animal fibre next to my skin (I itch just thinking about it) I'm always on the lookout for good quality alternatives. They are hard to find. But I have another sweater made of rayon and silk and it wears very well.

I spent two happy days with this sweet face - she's taking her first steps, saying her first words, banging on a drum, learning "no," and generally delighting me.

And of course, there's baking. Gingerbread snowflakes. I took this photo in the dark, with the under counter lighting which accounts for all the glare. But I'm not hauling the cookies out of the freezer again just to arrange them prettily on a plate to take a photo.

And Linzer cookies - made with ground hazelnuts and cherry jam. These are posed nicely on a plate. But I was putting them together anyway for a plate that Tim took to work today.

Today I'm hoping to finish decorating the tree. It's been up for almost a week with just the lights on it. Very pretty, really, but I'm ready for a little more. Some sewing and baking (bread and mini quiches), and the beginning of phone calls and address changes for our upcoming move.

What's on your plate today?

Of Beaches and Boxes

2011-12-06T22:07:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that I love the beach here. It's my favorite place to walk. According to a study published in Nature magazine, walking increases thinking skills. I find that knotty problems and confused emotions often sort themselves out into manageable chunks when I take a walk.

Picking up pieces of flotsam and jetsam, be they shells, rocks, bits of driftwood, or sea glass, is a habit of mine. I sometimes discard my treasures at the end of the walk, and sometimes bring them home to remind me of the incessant rhythms of water and sky.

Last week I drilled some holes, broke apart a couple of old necklaces, and strung together this driftwood mobile that will hang outside on our deck to remind me of the beach.

But the deck it will hang from will not be here. My husband's new position (same organization) is taking us back to our home in the south of the Island. It's all happened suddenly. Very suddenly. To say I'm happy is an understatement. I'm overjoyed, thrilled, have to pinch myself to believe it.

So there are boxes. I'm unpacking Christmas decorations and packing books. The children are coming here for Christmas. And then, before the first of the year, we'll be on the move. Again.

On the first Sunday of Advent I wrote about cultivating calm this season. This is one of the reasons. So far, so good. Lists and working ahead are tools that are helping me cope. And now that my studies are finished, I have so much more time. But oh my, does it ever fly by!

Bamboozled

2011-12-06T05:54:00.000-08:00

My neighbour called me the other day. "Let's go out to Bamboozle - I need to pick up a gift for my daughter."

I'd never heard of the place, but it sounded interesting so I reluctantly ~~gleefully~~ abandoned my laundry and vacuuming, put on my lipstick ~~glad rags~~ and headed out the door.

Down a gravel road in an idyllic country setting is an enchanting store. Actually two stores - Bamboozle, and The House of Leaves. Both are family run, and they bring in wares to utterly delight the feminine heart. Unique jewelry and clothing, scarves and gloves a-plenty, displayed with panache.

Stepping into the House of Leaves was like stepping into a shop in Paris. Glass jars of tea stood on a long table. The shopkeeper offered us each a small cupful. I chose Chocolate Orange Velvet, and oooh la la - it went down so smoothly.

From the very moment we stepped onto the property delights met our eyes. Lanterns hanging from trees. Fat bows around iron crows. Artful displays everywhere. Lots of ideas for decorating. Only open from May through December, the shop does a roaring business. My only regret is that I didn't know it was here before this. But I'll be back. Oh yes, I will.

Did I purchase anything? Yes, I did. And that's all I'm telling.

The Enjoyment of Light

2011-12-04T05:19:00.000-08:00

With the flick of switch light is available in most homes around the world. We take it for granted, not realizing how precious light is. Can you imagine, in the not so distant past, how darkness pervaded homes, villages, and cities? Unless one makes an effort to get away from artificial light sources, we don't really know what true darkness is.

Yet we crave light. On our wet coast November and December are the dark months. When the sun does shine, I stand in admiration. Light not only makes things visible, it makes them beautiful. Without light I would be unable to see the faces of my children, my husband, my grandchild.

During this Advent season, I pause to enjoy the light. To drink a cup of tea while sitting in the rays of light slanting in through the window.

And I pause to light a candle. And to remember that the Christ Child came to be the Light of of the World.

A Christmas Fruitcake

2011-12-03T05:42:00.000-08:00

The Hostess of the Humble Bungalow posted a recipe for fruitcake the other day. I'm not a fan, but the man I love really enjoys it, so I make it for him. He doesn't like it too sweet, nor full of citrus peel. I have a dark cake I usually make, but this recipe sounded good.

So I chopped the fruit, poured the brandy over it, stirred it occasionally and let it sit overnight. I toasted the nuts (using almonds in place of pine nuts), and let them cool. I cut the marzipan into cubes and put it onto a plate and into the freezer. I let the butter soften on the counter top overnight.

I carefully buttered the pans and lined them with parchment paper.

The next morning, I creamed, measured, stirred and inhaled the wonderful scents of spices, brandied fruit and buttery goodness. I spooned the mixture into the pans and set them into the oven to bake. Ah, what a glorious scent.

When the baking time was nearly complete, I had a horrid thought.

Yes, Yours Truly had forgotten the marzipan in the freezer. And those marzipan cubes are what intrigued me in the first place.

The cake is still delicious - I had a piece myself. And the marzipan cubes are good for nibbling on. But I think I'll put them away for another use.

That Christmas Feeling

2011-12-02T09:56:00.000-08:00

In 1981 I spent my first Christmas away from my family. It was just my husband, our 7 week old baby girl, and me. Instead of snow, we had rain. Instead of cold, we had humid heat. Instead of pine and fir, we had palms and orchids.

No malls decorated with pretty lights adorned our tiny village. No Christmas carols played. No turkey. No cranberry sauce. The neighbours did put up artificial Christmas trees with lights that flashed - during the 3-4 hours in the evening when we had electricity.

It was a stark and lonely season for us. On Christmas Eve, Tim and I sat on our little couch, with our tiny baby between us and we both wept. And I knew something had to change.

I realized then that although the wonderful story of Jesus' birth was central to my Christmas celebration, I had relied on a lot of peripheral fluff associated with my culture to "get into the Christmas spirit." And I began planning.

Christmas, in order to be properly celebrated, must begin in my heart. I love the season of Advent because I take time to focus on the coming of the Christ Child - what that means to me personally, and to the world. Hope, peace, joy and love. These are the gifts of

Christmas, the essential core of why Christ came to earth. Mankind has often twisted and deformed the message of Christmas into legalism and dogma that lies far from God's intent of a gift given in love.

Returning to the center of Christmas, celebrating the presence of God in this broken world, is at the heart of my Christmas celebration. Once I prepare my heart for the joy of "Immanuel, God with us, God with ME" , the decorating, the baking, the presents, and all those peripherals of my cultural celebration can flow joyfully rather than dutifully into my life.

One of the first things I put up, on December 1, is our nativity set, purchased in 1982 in a small village in Ecuador. Each piece is intricately hand-carved from walnut wood. Today it sits on my mantel, not yet surrounded by greenery and lights. Because the heart of Christmas is Christ.

God with us. God with me. God with you.

Just 10 minutes

2011-12-01T09:44:00.000-08:00

So. It's December 1. How long is your list of things to accomplish today? Baking, sewing, coffee with a friend, and running errands are on my list.

This morning, while sipping my morning beverage, I watched this short video, found via Passage des Perles.
And I think you should find time to watch it too. Gratitude, Beauty and Life are discussed accompanied by gorgeous time lapse photography.

Take 10 minutes. You'll be glad you did.

The Winter Beach

2011-11-30T09:29:00.000-08:00

Monday dawned with no rain in sight. Although the tides are high and there is little beach, I wanted to be by the water. So off I went. The rocks which are high and dry during summer's low tides were nearly covered.

Most of the homes along the beach are year-round residences. This small beach house waits for the return of warmer weather. Recent storms combined with very high tides have beaten down the grasses and even deposited strands of kelp on people's yards. Many homeowners were out cleaning up their lawns and gardens while I walked by.

A gull swooped low, but didn't catch anything.

Black oyster-catchers, with bright beaks, hunted along the shoreline.

I glanced at my watch after taking this photo. 12:15 pm. Noon. The sun is the highest it will get during the day and yet long shadows fall across the ground. Three more weeks of shortening days until the solstice, and the return of the light.

Cultivating Calm

2011-11-27T01:31:00.000-08:00

Advent, the starting point of the Christian calendar, begins today. For the four Sundays preceding Christmas, Christians of various denominations around the world mark the time before the celebration of Christ's birth.

I, along with many other people and probably most of you, long for a Christmas celebration that isn't all about the presents, the shopping, the baking, the parties and so on. I want to take time to enjoy each day and not rush through the hours lurching from one "must do" to another. But often, I begin this season well, and then, as the days go by I think of more and more things I would like to do or should do. And I find myself hurrying and scurrying.

This year, in the midst of activity, I want to cultivate calmness. Just like a small plant that needs tending, I plan to tend my spirit. There will be baking, and presents, and lots of activity, but also, I hope, a thread of tranquility woven through the fabric of my days.

Here are some of the ways I plan to cultivate calmness:

* daily advent readings
(If you Google the above term you'll discover pages of resources - I'm using readings adapted from the Common Book of Prayer, found here)

* making lists and prioritizing the items
(I sometimes get distracted by too many things to do, and this year, I'm going to be intentional about finishing one project before embarking upon another)

* daily walks
(There's nothing like getting out in the fresh air to rejuvenate the mind and spirit.)

*recognizing when enough is enough
(Taking time to just stop, light a candle, drink a cup of tea, read a novel.)

Linking to A Pause in Advent where other bloggers discuss varying perspectives of Advent.

A Little Candle

2011-11-26T12:20:00.000-08:00

Saturday mornings are leisurely around here most of the time. On weekdays Tim eats his breakfast while I make his lunch, and I eat after he's gone. But on weekends I like to make something special, set a nice table, and even, on a grey morning, light a candle.

I want to point out those placemats - pieced and quilted by my talented mother. She gave me a set of 8. And she knows me well - blue and white are my colours.

On the menu this morning was a puffy omelet filled with sauteed apples, and whole wheat toast with honey, along with tea. Click on the link for the recipe.

Another storm blew in overnight. How pleasant to sit sipping my tea, warm and dry, while looking out at the trees swaying, rain pelting the street, and leaves flying like mad gulls.

Shakespeare wrote in The Merchant of Venice:

"How far that little candle throws its beams!

So shines a good deed in a naughty world."

When I savour small moments in the day, such as a mug of hot tea and a good breakfast, the pleasure seems to throw a gentle glow on the hours that follow. Whatever your day holds, I hope you discover little things to savour.

November Grey

2011-11-24T20:56:00.000-08:00

No sun - no moon!

No morn - no noon -

No dawn - no dusk - no proper time of day.

No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,

No comfortable feel in any member -

No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,

No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! -

November!

Thomas Hood - 1844

I copied the above poem from Friko's blog, written in England. It describes the weather around here, slightly exaggerating the bleakness, and neglecting to mention the wind and rain. A very good day to stay inside, where the grey light made electric lights a necessity all day. The above photo was taken at midday in a very well-lighted bathroom.

But one group of beings didn't mind the wet.

I had to make a quick trip to the library because my books were due and I was unable to renew several of them online. Driving by the duck pond I saw the ducks, pictured above on a drier day, standing stoically in the rain. They almost looked like they were enjoying themselves.

What's the weather doing round your way?

Food and Fashion

2011-11-22T08:44:00.000-08:00

This is not a post about fashionable food, or foodie fashionistas. Rather, it's two disparate subjects in the same post. A potpourri with just two ingredients, you might say.

I have a small (ahem) collection of scarves and love wearing them in any season except for the hottest days of summer. But how many ways can you tie a scarf? Well, more than I thought, apparently. Click on the video - Wendy shows 25 ways to wear a scarf in just 4.5 minutes. It's a fun video to watch and I know I learned a few things. If I can just remember them when I want to.

Moving on to food ...

Last night I made a pear cranberry crisp. I was feeling creative and made a few additions that I think made it more than just a crisp. Not that the basic crisp recipe is lacking in any way - but sometimes, it's fun to change things up. I'll put up a recipe on my other blog. (edited to add, here's a link to the recipe.) I added some candied ginger to the crumb mix along with freshly grated nutmeg (my new taste love) and of course, cinnamon. Warm and spicy, with a hint of cranberry tartness, it was just the thing for a very rainy ~~wet~~ west coast evening.

Brilliant Color

2011-11-20T19:26:00.000-08:00

My small Christmas cactus is outdoing itself this year. It doesn't pay attention to the calendar and blooms in November, not December. Large blossoms almost glow in the light from the window, especially on gray days.

The larger plant seen just to the left of this one has smaller leaves and is getting ready to bloom. I've had it longer and last year it didn't do very well. I'm hoping this year will be better. What amazing plants these are - brilliant, energizing color from South America when Canadian autumns turn dull. I'm thankful for color.

Linking to Mosaic Monday, hosted by Mary at the Little Red House.

Words to Inspire

2011-11-19T21:11:00.000-08:00

Each person's life is lived from an inner core of values and belief, whether or not the core is acknowledged. The beliefs that have determined my choices in life include belief in a God who loves and pursues relationship with individuals.

For the past few years I have not sensed much of God's love in my life. Loss, bewilderment, loneliness, and lack of purpose combined to make me think that God no longer loved me or had much of a purpose for my life. A hard frozen icicle seemed to lodge in my chest, twisting a little every time I experience joy, adding hurt to the happiness.

I don't like that feeling. I want to "deal with the problem" and "get over it." I pray, I read my Bible, I go to church - all the things I've done for years. Nothing seems to help much.

In September I was at my sister-in-law's house and picked up a book she had. "The Furious Longing of God" by Brennan Manning is a slim book that seemed to speak directly to me. Little by little the icicle is melting as I contemplate God's love.

Manning quotes from a book by Antony Campbell,

"Originally, I believed the acceptance of a loving God involved a sufficient but relative minor shift of attitude. After all, it was on so many people's lips. The more I worked with it, the more I realize that the acceptance in Faith of God's unconditional love was not only hugely significant, it required a major change of attitude ... the major shift may be the images we have of God and ourselves. How radically is our image of God reshaped if we take seriously the belief in God as deeply, passionately, and unconditionally loving us? How radically must we rework our own self-image if we accept ourselves as loveable - as deeply, passionately, and unconditionally loved by God?"

Manning quotes from the Song of Solomon, an allegorical tale of God's love and pursuit of his people.

"Come now, my love, my lovely one, come. "

For you, the winter has passed,

the snows are over and gone,

the flowers appear in the land,

the season of joyful songs has come."

These words, particularly those in bold, have been melting my heart. And they have been confirmed in other ways - in a sermon, casual conversations with friends and family, multitudes of stars in the sky, and the wind-tossed waves.

Manning goes on to say, "If we continue to view ourselves as moral lepers and spiritual failures, if our lives are shadowed by low self-esteem, shame, remorse, unhealthy guilt, and self-hatred, we reject the teaching of Jesus and cling to our negative self-image."

These days, the winter in my heart slowly melts even as winter in the world increases, and I reflect on the words of St. Augustine,

"Quia amasti me, fecisti me amabilem."

(In loving me, you made me lovable.)

Comments turned off for today.

The First Snow

2011-11-18T08:56:00.000-08:00

A wintry sight greeted us this morning. I grew up in northern BC where winters are interminable, lasting into April or sometimes May. Now I live where winters are mild, but still cold and grey. I enjoy the snow. It brightens the landscape. I hope I never become so hardened that the magic of the first snowfall never ceases to stir a sense of wonder and delight in me.

As soon as Tim left for work this morning I pulled on my boots and coat and headed outside to take pictures. I wanted to capture the snow before it disappears. The temperature is hovering around freezing and is expected to climb today.

Our daughter in Berlin asked me how much snow we had. So sweetie, this photo is for you - about an inch.

A couple of days ago I collected a few pine cones from branches that blew down in the windstorm. They were closed up tight, sodden things. Baking them at 250 degrees on a parchment covered baking sheet caused them to crisp and open right up, filled the house with a lovely resinous scent, and killed any lurking critters in the cones. (I did find a few corpses.)

Mia, in Norway, (who has a lovely blog, written in English) mentioned that she collected the moss for her bulbs several weeks ago. What a good idea, I thought. And so I went out with my little basket and pulled up moss from beside the roadway. Last night I spent a happy puttery hour planting the paper whites in gravel and covering the pots with moss. I saved the bulbs from last year so I hope they have enough oomph to bloom again this year. Have any of you saved paper white bulbs?

More puttering is on the schedule for today. Laundry, vacuuming, dusting, a few errands. How about you? What's on your plate?

Colour in my World

2011-11-15T18:40:00.000-08:00

Grey November weather has set in. Outside, all is dull greens and browns under wet skies. I was craving colour while playing with my new camera. A bowl of Clementines in the kitchen and a pottery plate from Mexico seemed to cry out to be together. Orange and blue. Almost Vincent Van Gogh-ish. Satisfyingly intense.

One of those Clementines tasted delicious, too.

Autumn Colours

2011-11-15T09:43:00.000-08:00

The predicted rain has held off for a couple of days, which cheers me up no end. Intense blue skies and sunshine beguile me outdoors.

Everywhere, leaves carpet the ground in mottled shades of warm brown, dull green, golden yellow and deep red.

Light dapples leaves, creating poetry for the eyes.

Golfers continue their games on the course across the street. I ignore them and focus on the grasses and trees.

This morning gave warning that the autumn colour will soon be a memory. Frost added its beauty to the morning, although it is quickly melting. I stood and watched leaves fall, one by one in incessant abandon from the ornamental cherry tree. Soon bare branches will stand stark against the sky.

These last silly roses, blooming in November, undeterred by the calendar, remain beautiful glittered by frost.

"Autumn ... the year's last, loveliest smile."

~ William C. Bryant

A Sunday Afternoon Walk

2011-11-13T19:20:00.000-08:00

Our first real November storm blew in on Friday afternoon. Great gusts of leaves combined with evergreen branches to litter the roadsides, topple trees and cause widespread power outages. We didn't even see a flicker at our place.

The weather forecast for this week is rain, rain, and a little more rain. So Tim and I went for a long walk this afternoon. The skies were grey, but dry. This train track is rarely used by trains, and we met several others walking there.

Pale yellow ferns are striking against the more colourful forest leaves.

We walked to the trestle before veering north. I'm ~~scared stiff~~ not fond of heights, but I ventured out to the first little platform. I just asked Tim what those were called - he came up with "escape pod," "lookouts," "places for people to be safe if a train happens by."

The lure of a good picture angle is what convinced me to go out there. And then I held his hand tightly walking back.

Some tall grasses caught my eye on the golf course.

Another 20 minutes or so brought us to the marina just in time to see the fishing boats coming in for the night. Sea and sky blended into blue-grey.

Off in the distance we saw at least 20 more fishing vessels. A walk to the seafood store at the marina tomorrow is sure to result in fresh fish.

As the sky muted into silver grey we turned homewards, chilled by the damp breeze. A warming bowl of soup awaited.

Linking to Mosaic Monday, hosted by Mary at the Little Red House.

These are the first photos taken with my new camera. Thank you for all your suggestions. After a lot of deliberation and help from Tim, I chose a Nikon Coolpix P7100. It's not an SLR because I prefer portability over lens options. And I've so much to learn with this camera. You'll be seeing a lot of experiments on the blog in days to come.

Lest We Forget

2011-11-11T10:33:00.000-08:00

I had thought of not posting today, just quietly remembering. There is nothing new to say about this day of Remembrance of those who have fallen in defense of the freedoms I now enjoy. But upon reflection, reminders are a way of keeping the faith, of testifying to the gratitude I feel.

And so, I'm reposting this from last year.

In 1976 I spent the summer in Belgium. I frequently wore a red zip-up hoodie with a Canadian flag on the sleeve. Frequently while traveling the countryside people stopped me to comment on my flag. Older and middle-aged people bore in their faces some of life's hard times. They looked at my flag and without fail said, "We remember the Canadians - they liberated us."

Those who lived with war's reality every day, in view of woods where soldiers fought and hid, in view of field torn still by mines and bombs, in view of buildings destroyed, and memories of lives lost never forget.

And we, so far from war's reality, would do well to remember. Today soldiers from many nations serve their countries, and we who remain behind are so far from war's chaos. Political rhetoric aside, let us remember.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you, from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

John McCrae, May 1915

Everyday Luxury

2011-11-08T22:09:00.000-08:00

"Luxury is not a pleasure, but pleasure is a luxury."

(Le luxe n'est pas un plaisir mais le plaisir est un luxe)

The above statement (in French) was on a billboard in France which someone had photographed for their blog. And I've been thinking about it ever since.

Finding pleasure and joy in the everyday is an attitude to cultivate. Is joy a luxury to you? Or something to take for granted, as a right? The more I think about it, the more I realize that discovering pleasure in life is a luxury that requires nothing more than an open heart.

I find pleasure in the color of dry grasses against a blue sea, of white specks that are gulls by the dozens on the narrow spit of land, of a blue sky on a cold day.

In what are you finding joy today?

On My Worktable

2011-11-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

Most of the things I'm working on are top-secret and can't be shown until after Christmas. But yesterday I started pulling apart old books to make some new blank journals. I left some of the covers as is, and others I covered with old nautical charts.

Here are the guts of the books. I have seen, in magazines and on line, bookshelves stacked with coverless books as a design element. I think it's their old look, combined with the creamy whites, that provide the appeal. I find the look contrived and pretentious. I suppose I could use these books in that way, but instead I'll use the pages for other projects. I like my books covered, not naked.

Here's a photo of some handstitched journals I made a couple of years ago. I sold them at a craft fair and in my Etsy shop. I've always wanted a little shop of handmade goods. But the timing wasn't right and I told myself, "if you still want a shop when you are finished your studies, that will be the time." Maybe so. I'm working on it, pushing through a lack of confidence and fears that I won't have a modicum of success.

Today involves a little cutting and folding, marking stitching lines, and some sewing on other projects. What's on your worktable today?

Things that Belong Together

2011-11-06T16:37:00.000-08:00

Birthday celebrations continued this weekend with a combined event for our eldest daughter, our daughter-in-law and me. All of our birthdays fall within 16 days. The family came up for the weekend and we had a house party. The highlight was a dinner cooked by the menfolk - a delicious dinner beginning with French Onion Soup, followed by Chicken Kiev, Scalloped Potatoes, Swiss Chard and Coleslaw, and a grand finale of Raspberry Chocolate Cake.

This afternoon we went for a walk - much needed after all the feasting. A cold breeze off the water made us glad for gloves. Golden leaves danced in the light. Ducks waddled beside a pond and a golfer's brilliant green pants caused us to chuckle.

If you look at the mosaic you'll see a photo of something that just doesn't fit. Yes, it's the palm tree. Incongruous, I think. But many people here on Vancouver Island take pride in the fact that certain palms grow here and survive our mild winters. For me, they just don't quite fit with the landscape. I'd rather, like Cristal, throw crisp fall leaves in the air and watch them tumble down around me.

Linking to Mosaic Monday, hosted once again by Mary at the Little Red House.

An Ordinary Day

2011-11-04T09:08:00.000-07:00

It's Friday again. The end of a week. The washer sloshes downstairs. From the kitchen comes the savory fragrance of roasting butternut squash and onions which will become soup. A bowl of yeast dough is rising on the countertop. Next up is a little dusting and vacuuming.

Ordinary acts for an ordinary day. This morning I watched the sky change from dark to pale gray to half-hearted blue dotted with clouds. I had hoped to capture the half-light in the photo above, but it didn't work. The picture is very blah. Ordinary. Still, the red is so vibrant. I have no idea what kind of bush it is - it's rather nondescript in the summer.

Irish poet Thomas Moore (1779 - 1852) said,

"The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest."

The simple acts I practice bring order to my home and by extension, to my mind and emotions. I like order. I like having food prepared ahead, ready for the weekend (more company coming - hooray!).

So, what ordinary things are you doing today?

Getting it Done

2011-11-03T12:14:00.000-07:00

Packages in the mail are so much fun. This week I received a package of fat quarters from Miss Make in a giveaway. They are the cutest things - all Heather Ross designs, with mermaids, cowboys, and even a frog prince sitting on a lily pad. Thank you so much, Devon (Miss Make). If you visit MissMake's blog you'll find a very talented woman who teaches sewing, shares recipes and enjoys life to the full.

I've posted the above photo for Reality Shot Thursday. These are hard shots for me to post. I don't like messes and I don't like sharing them. But this is my sewing corner. I have most of my sewing stuff in a big room downstairs, where there's no natural light, and it's a bit far away from the main living areas.

So a few months ago I moved my sewing machine to a corner of the breakfast nook, which we don't use for eating anyway since we opened up the kitchen. I'm thinking of changing it over entirely, with a few shelves and cupboards to hold more sewing stuff. The theory was that if the sewing machine were more accessible, I'd sew more. And to a degree, that has worked.

I used to think that when I sat down to sew it had to be all or nothing. Same with cleaning, cooking, gardening. But I've learned a few things - maybe these tips will help you, too, in getting things done.

1. If I only sew two seams (or clean one drawer, or chop one vegetable) because that's all the time I have, that's still two seams more than I would have stitched otherwise.

2. In 5 or 10 minutes I can accomplish a LOT:

- gather supplies for a project

- lay out a project, then cut it later

- thread my machine and clean out most of the lint

- organize my head so I know what to do next, ie: read the pattern instructions

3. Sometimes just getting started is all it takes.

Just last night I had a small project I wanted to sew. But I was tired. However, I knew that if I cut out the pieces then, I'd be ready to sew in the morning. Well, I cut, and then I sewed, and pressed, and I actually finished the project before I went to bed. I just needed a little push start.

4. Getting excited about a project is one thing. Getting started is another.

This is related to #3 above, but sometimes I don't start sewing because I'm certain that I won't like it, that it won't fit, that it won't turn out .... and so on. Yet I love sewing. When I tell myself (and myself listens) that all I have to do is the first step - it's easier for me. Soon I'm in the groove and sewing merrily away. And before I know it, the project is done.

Happy Sewing! Or Gardening, or Cooking, or Writing, or Cleaning, or whatever it is you do. Just start.

Thankful for family

2011-11-02T12:50:00.000-07:00

One of my aunts was over to visit recently and gave me a couple of old family photographs. This was taken on the back step of the home I grew up in in Kamloops. My grandfather and grandmother, along with two aunties and an uncle, stand behind my sister, my brother, and me. I'm flapping my hand - probably bossing someone around. As the eldest, I felt that was my responsibility, and according to my siblings, I did it well.

This must have been taken after church because look at the way we're dressed! Bowties for the gentlemen big and small, patent leather shoes and white socks for the little girls. My mother sewed for herself, and for my sister and me - beautiful dresses always.

I've looked at this photo many times over the past month since I've had it and what puzzles me is having no recollection of the event. None. I recognize myself but that's all. Yet, according to neuroscientists, this event is stored somewhere in my brain, I'm just lacking the retrieval system to access it. Perhaps it's blurred together with all the memories I have of childhood, which was a happy one, for the grand part. I can imagine my parents standing behind the camera, admiring their offspring, just as I have done in similar situations.

Although I don't remember the day of this photo, I do remember having fun with my grandparents and aunties and uncle (just one on my mother's side - but that's another story). I'm thankful for my childhood, for the family I was given, for love and security.

How They Grow

2011-11-01T05:49:00.000-07:00

Thirty years ago, in a small jungle hospital in South America, our first little girl was born. She was a little early, and I remember lying in my bed thinking how happy I was to have a child, and how sad I was that none of my family knew about her.

There was one telephone in the town, but it functioned rarely. No email, no Skype, no Facebook. Instead, we waited until the next evening when another expat had a scheduled Ham radio contact and was able to patch through a phone call.

We tried calling my parents, Tim's parents, one sibling and finally reached another. As soon as we connected with my sister, I burst into tears and Tim had to provide the details.

That little girl is now a beautiful woman, in love with her wonderful husband. Together they walk hand in hand through life.

But somewhere, deep inside my heart, she will always be my little girl.

Happy Birthday, sweet daughter!

October Afternoon

2011-10-30T20:40:00.000-07:00

Day dawned wet and gray. After church my parents took us out for lunch. As we sat at our table overlooking the ocean, patches of blue sky appeared until, after not much time, the lovely azure of autumn covered the sky.

We drove out to the fish hatchery and watched hordes of salmon, driven by instinct flinging themselves repeatedly at the fish ladders until they succeeded in making progress upstream. Other salmon had spawned and then, their life cycle finished, lay in the water, providing nutrients for the future.

Screaming gulls fought over fish while two bald eagles watched from high perches. Fish skeletons littered the ground here and there, a testament to the eagles' appetite.

Sunlight filtered through the trees, some still hanging onto green leaves, others almost bare. Shadows fell long on the ground, even at 3 pm, giving heed to the quickly shortening days. A lovely day to savour October joys.

Bon Weekend!

2011-10-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

I write in the dark of a quiet morning. Outside my window the sky is barely beginning to lighten. Treetops toss their heads in a dawn dance.

The furnace clicks, then hums and warmth fills the rooms. My cup of tea sits alongside the computer and from time to time a sip of chamomile/peppermint soothes my throat.

It's Friday. Tim's gone to work. My parents arrived last night and are not yet up. I hear stirrings from the guest room and will soon go prepare breakfast. During these quiet moments I reflect on the weekend ahead and my birthday on Sunday. Another year passes, full of the mixed drink that is life - a mélange of joy and sorrow, laughter and tears, hope and despair. Life is like that no matter what one's age.

Being with those I love and those who love me is the best way to celebrate. Quiet, everyday pleasures become more meaningful shared. I'm looking forward to this weekend. We have nothing big planned, just being together. I'm so thankful.

Reality Shot Thursday and Apple Pie Squares

2011-10-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

Here is is. An unadulterated photo of the front hall closet. Scarves dangling, shoes askew. In the bag to the right I keep my shopping bags, underneath is the earthquake emergency kit. That glowing thing in front of one of the baskets - I had to go look. It's a reflective strap for walking at night. A little tidying is in order.

But first - time for a break. I'd be happy to serve you a cup of coffee or tea and a piece of this apple pastry I just made.

Just give me a minute to tidy the front closet. And if you can't come today, well, you can find the recipe over at my other blog, here.

Joining in with other Reality Shot bloggers at Mockingbird Hill Cottage, hosted by Claudia.

A C*onfession and a Plan

2011-10-26T13:08:00.000-07:00

The C*onfession: These stacks represent only a very small portion of my fabric collection. Yes, I am a fabri-holic. There's something compelling about purchasing fabric. It's the hope of creating something, the dream of sewing a garment that will fit well, look good, and make me feel gorgeous. Or the satisfaction of stitching something to make my home pretty, or to give to a friend.

Since I have more time these days, I took all the quilting cottons, washed them and ironed them. It took a LONG time. And now, I'm sewing. Projects are not ready to be revealed yet, but I'm having a good time, sitting in my sewing nook, listening to the hum of the machine, snipping, clipping and occasionally pulling my hair out in frustration. It's all part of the experience.

The Plan: I've determined to enjoy the process as well as the product. And to let go of perfectionism. And to use up what I have before buying more. There. I've said it.

I love making things - do you?

Mosaic Monday - A Weekend in October

2011-10-23T18:51:00.000-07:00

We're getting together with family a lot recently. We drive, or they drive. I don't mind either way.

This weekend I spent lots of time playing with the grandbaby. We introduced her to stairs and she climbed them like a trooper. Going back down we'll leave for another time. I sat down at the piano with her and played Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. She was more fascinated by the lamp on the piano top.

It was a good weekend for walks. This afternoon we wandered down to the farm. Pigs, goats, sheep, llamas, calves, horses, ducks and pigeons were on view. Little Miss Blue Eyes liked them all. I couldn't resist this rakish photo of her, hat askew, with a big grin for Nana.

Joining in with other bloggers for Mosaic Monday, hosted by Mary at the Little Red House.

A Season of Waiting

2011-10-21T13:02:00.000-07:00

They sit on the porch. Blank canvases, waiting.

Planting in spring is full of anticipation. Some seeds sprout in a matter of days, all within a week or two.

Planting in autumn is a measure of hope. The long winter lies ahead. Yet hidden in ordinary brown soil lie coloured treasures. Spring will come again. And so we wait.

Grey clouds rush across the sky today. Rain spats against the windows. Fistfuls of leaves fly from the trees.

Their brief wild dance ends as they hit the wet ground and there they lie in a sodden heap, golden fading into brown.

Life is not a matter of whether or not we wait. Waiting is a given. We wait for seasons, for dinner, for children. Time passes and we wait. The question is, how do we wait well?

Finding satisfaction and joy in the everyday moments is one way. Looking for the good in life, and there is much good.

Today I bake bread, make soup, tidy my home and take pleasure in the mundane that is made meaningful by my attitude.

And so I wait, for spring to bring the brown earth of my pots to life, for whatever the grey clouds bring today, for sharing soup and bread with those I love.

How do you wait well?

Garden Cleanup and Thoughts on Self-Sufficiency

2011-10-17T15:26:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning dawned sunny and bright. Fortunately, I wasn't up in time to see the actual dawn. Getting up on weekday mornings in the dark is enough for me.

My self-appointed task for the day - garden clean up.

The petunias in the deck flower boxes did poorly this year. Lack of warmth and sunshine perhaps, until too late in the season. For whatever reason, I was happy to tug them out and replace them with dark purple pansies that will provide a bit of colour throughout the winter.

Next, I harvested all the tomatoes lingering on the vines. Three large shallow bowls hold green and semi-ripe tomatoes on the dry sink. I'm hoping they will eventually ripen.

After pulling the vines and the accompany weeds, I planted some fall starters - spinach, lettuce, and cauliflower. This is something new for me - fall gardening. I'm not certain that I like it. Autumn is usually the time to put the garden to bed for the season and take a break. However, in an effort to grow a little more of our own food, I've made the effort. We'll see what the result is.

I planted 6 lettuces in the beginning of September and we're now harvesting enough for a salad every other day or so.

Spreading compost over the garden in the spring means lots of volunteer plants. These are mostly tomatoes and squashes, but this year, I discovered a number of avocado plants. So I rescued three of them and planted two of them in a pot which I left outside all summer. It's still sitting on the deck. The other I found on Saturday and brought it into the house. The plants grow well although I have no illusions of ever harvesting an avocado from them. More's the pity since I do love avocados. We had them on our property in Ecuador, along with lemon trees.

We brought the table up from the lawn to the deck. Whoever planned this house didn't think much of privacy. The deck is in full view of two streets and I'm not about to have my dinner out there. On the other hand, there is a beautiful view of the mountain from the deck, easily visible over the tops of cars and passersby. Still - I prefer eating in privacy.

These herbs, rosemary, thyme and variegated sage, should survive the winter in their pots and they provide a little more life to the deck.

I recently read this book -

and it has me thinking about how we eat. We meaning my husband and myself. We've often joked that if our food consumption was dependent on our production of food, we'd be dead in no time. I love harvesting fresh food from the garden and eating it during the summer, but my focus is not preserving food for the winter, as my grandmothers and mother once did.

I do make jams and jellies from fruits in season, freeze large quantities of berries, can a few pints of tomatoes, dry a few more and so on. I like buying locally produced meat and cheeses, but only when convenient. (Right now it's a 15 minute walk to the Cheeseworks where a deep freeze also holds beef, pork, and lamb.) The thought, though, of relying almost solely on local or my own food production is daunting. It would be a full-time job for the spring and summer.

Have any of you read this book? What did you think? How much food do you produce or buy locally?

It's a Party!

2011-10-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

A glance out the window this morning revealed frost-tipped grass. The first frost of the season.

But the sun shone gloriously, beckoning and beguiling us outdoors. Englishman River Falls is beautiful in every season. The leaves are just beginning to turn color here and the forest is taking on the quiet browns and dull greens of a west coast autumn. It was a party of the quiet sort - no wind today, just the deep peace of the woods. Still, this poem came to mind --

October gave a party;

The leaves by hundreds came.

The Chestnuts, Oaks and Maples,

And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet

And everything was grand

Miss Weather led the dancing

Professor Wind the band.

The Chestnuts came in yellow

The Oaks in crimson dressed

The lovely Misses Maple

In Scarlet looked their best.

All balanced to their partners

And gaily fluttered by;

The sight was like a rainbow

New fallen from the sky.

~George Cooper

Linking to Mosaic Monday, hosted by Mary at the Little Red House

Autumn: a Time for Reflection

2011-10-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

"If winter is slumber and spring is birth,

and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection.

It's a time of year when the leaves are down

and the harvest is in

and the perennials are gone.

Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year

and it's time to reflect on what's come before."

Mitchell Burgess

Happy Day

2011-10-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

My world traveler daughter informed me that I hadn't put up a blog post today. Well, I had plans, but they haven't come to fruition yet - maybe tomorrow.

In the meantime, my talented daughter-in-law sent me photos of the graduation dessert and celebration. Isn't that a gorgeous plate? The dessert was scrumptious, too.

And here's a photo with me holding the dessert and the roses, and Tim holding grandbaby. We all look pretty happy. And so we were. And are.

A Blustery Day and a Question

2011-10-13T08:48:00.000-07:00

Yours truly lives in an area where wildlife is free to wander through yards (unless stopped by a fence), and where we have easy access to the ocean. We like the ocean more than the wildlife.

Mid-afternoon on Monday, after a quiet day at home, the rain had slowed and we decided to go for a walk. There was a bit of wind, so we put on light fleeces.

Just around the corner a wary deer stood in the road. As we approached he skittered into the edge of the forest, but stood obligingly still while I took his picture.

We meandered down to the water, about 20 minutes from home. The closer we got, the more the wind blew and the colder I felt.

On the breakwater the waves dashed in fine spray against the rocks. I stood on Tim's leaside to protect myself from the wind. It didn't help much. But it was a fine sea - turbulent and invigorating - just the thing after a quiet day.

These gulls seemed to be enjoying themselves. They didn't have to flap their wings at all to stay aloft - they turned into the wind and held themselves just so. A joy ride, I think.

Our tradition for most dinners is to enjoy a meal at the table, then clean up, go for a walk or play a game (or both) and then enjoy dessert later.

On Sunday, while I played on the couch with grandbaby, Travis brought out the camera, "to record Nana with Adria."

Then, I was startled to hear "Pomp and Circumstance" begin playing. Out marched Katie and Cristal with roses and a beautifully decorated plate with "Congratulations Graduate" written in chocolate around the rim. It was beautiful! Katie had made a pumpkin roll with a cream cheese filling, and topped it with whipped cream and a chocolate leaf. Yum! And Travis took photos - which I'll share later.

Tim gave me a card with a gift certificate for a new camera. I use a very simple point and shoot and am ready to upgrade a little. I have to do my own research, says he. So, I'm asking you, my readers - what kind of camera do YOU have for blogging photos? And what would you like? Which features are most important to you?

Fabric Pumpkin Tutorial

2011-10-11T16:41:00.000-07:00

I seem to have a thing for pumpkins this year. White ones. First, the paper book ones. Now these. I've been admiring the plushy velvet ones I've seen, but didn't have any velvet. What I do have is some silk dupioni.

So I thought I'd whip some up, and in the process, do a little tutorial in case any of you want to try them out. They are easy to make.

Supplies you will need:

fabric scraps for pumpkin

(I used silk dupioni, but you could use a print, or velvet, or whatever you have)

even smaller fabric scraps to hold rice in the bottom of the pumpkin

(tight weave - about 6 inches square)

thread to match

hand sewing needle

sewing machine

scissors

rice, flax seed, or barley

polyester stuffing

stem - either from a real squash or pumpkin, dried

OR a stick

wire for tendrils

paper for leaves

1. For three pumpkins, cut the following:

- three circles of silk dupioni (or whatever you are using for the outside of your pumpkin) with these diameters, 9 inches, 10.5 inches, and 13.5 inches

- six circles of cotton, two each with a diameter of 3.5 inches, 4.5 inches, 5 inches

NOTE: These numbers are not set in stone - I used plates, bowls and lids that were in my kitchen

2. Using your sewing machine, stitch the two smaller circles together, leaving about 2 inches open for filling. I drew a pencil line over the stitching so you can see where I stitched.

3. Using a funnel, pour rice, barley or flax seed into the circle to fill it. Don't overfill. This will sit in the bottom of your pumpkin to give it shape and a nice weight.

4. Shake the filling to one side and carefully stitch the opening closed. Don't run over the filling with your needle - breakage could occur.

5. Center the filled pouch on a pumpkin circle.

6. Using doubled thread in a hand sewing needle, stitch, using a running stitch, around the edge of the pumpkin, folding over the edge as you stitch.

7. Pull the stitches tightly to gather, leaving an opening for filling. Don't cut your thread.

8. Fill with fibrefill. Don't overfill the pumpkin or it will look stiff and unnatural. You want a soft, squishy look. Push the stuffing around the edges to plump them out.

9. Place the pumpkin stem in the opening and pull up the threads around it. When the stem is secure, tie off your thread ends and cut them.

10. Twist wire around the stem for tendrils.

12. Make paper leaves from an old book. My book was not old so I colored the leaves with a tea wash, letting them dry naturally which resulted in a bit of crinkling that I think adds to the verisimilitude of the look. Truth to be told, I used one of my French books - one that I didn't enjoy and will never read again.

Et voilà - you have a pumpkin! Or three! Play with them as you like.

If you make these, I'd love to hear about it!

Mellow Mosaic Monday

2011-10-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

It's Thanksgiving Monday. Rainy outside. Very mellow around here today.

Yesterday we were with our children - some in person, others virtually. For a few minutes while we ate dinner we had Ashley and Owen on Skype, sitting on the high chair since grandbaby girl was napping. The hour was late for them but we were happy to see them.

They are doing well. They looked up an English-speaking church on line, went yesterday, and met a lot of friendly people. In fact, they had a fellow Canadian and her friend over for a quasi-Thanksgiving dinner of roast chicken and stuffing, minus the cranberry sauce.

A walk in the sunshine, scuffling through crisp brown leaves, good food and even better company - simple things for which I'm continually thankful.

Joining in with Mary at the Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.

With Thankful Heart

2011-10-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

"I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends,

the old and the new" ~ Emerson

" ... that my heart my sing to you and not be silent

O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." Psalm 30:12

Being thankful is an attitude I try to cultivate all year round,

not just on a specific day.

I'm thankful for so many things - for the beauty of creation, for friends near and far, some I've met, others not yet, for food to eat and clothes to wear, for health and family - the list could go on and on.

God is good.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Some thoughts on cranberries, turkey, Thanksgiving and keeping it real

2011-10-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

First. This morning, Maggie at Normandy Life graced her blog with a picture of her ironing - that is, her UN-ironing. She joined in with others to provide reality shots of life in Blogland. So often I we ~~fuss over~~ stage our photos to show life at its ~~impossible~~ very best.

In untypical wild abandon I picked up my camera and shot a photo of my desk - as it is. I keep looking at that stack of papers and the basket of ~~photos, old lists and junk~~ important ephemera and think "I really should do something about that." But I soon sail off into something else.

For more reality shots check out Mocking Bird Hill Cottage. Oh, the sights you'll see!

Moving on. No, I do not strew fresh cranberries about my kitchen just for effect. This is a staged photo. Just in case you wondered.

Thanksgiving is upon us. This weekend. We're Canadians, you know and like to celebrate before the blizzards descend and the geese fly south.

Last night I made the Cranberry sauce that accompanies the turkey. It's easy, fast, and tastes so much better than the canned stuff. So. much. better.

4 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed

2 cups water

Bring to a boil in a medium large saucepan and simmer gently 20 minutes. There will be popping noises as the berries explode. Kind of unnerving if you're not prepared for it.

Add 2 cups sugar.

Simmer 5 minutes.

I poured mine into sterilized jars and sealed them so that I have more cranberry sauce to tide me over the winter. It's good with turkey, but equally good with chicken. Oh, I also added about 1 teaspoon of orange zest from an organic orange. At the end. This amount makes 4 1/2 pint jars.

And a little bit leftover. So I staged a shot with some leftover roast chicken. And then I ate it. At 9:30 am. And then, since there was more cranberry sauce than I needed with my chicken, I had a little more. Chicken. It was all very tasty.

Regarding Thanksgiving. I heard yesterday that the average caloric consumption of ONE turkey dinner is ... 3000 calories. No wonder we're all walking around in a daze and everyone wants the couch.

A Turn in the Road

2011-10-04T15:58:00.000-07:00

So. It's finished. The last exam. (And a particularly nasty one, at that.) An old dog can learn new tricks. I never imagined that I'd get my degree in French when I was in my 50s. Never.

Life is full of surprises. My 20-year-old self had no idea of what life would bring. That's a good thing. I might have run far and fast had I known.

Steps are taken one at a time. This particular path has ended. What will be next? I really don't know. After our relocation 18 months ago, things changed.

I do know that it's going to take awhile to find a new rhythm to my days. There won't always be that "I should be studying" gremlin on my shoulder. I think I'm going to miss him for a bit - but then again, maybe not.

There's a host of creative projects I've been saving up, stacks of fabric to stitch, novels to read for sheer enjoyment, a house that could do with some deep cleaning, and perhaps, later, a job. For now, I'll take it one day at a time. Today, frankly, I'm exhausted to the point of tears - happy ones, for the most part.

Thank you to you, my readers, who have encouraged me over these years of study. I am blessed by each one of you.

PS. These photos were taken near Banff, a couple of weeks ago. I think the colours are stunning - the yellow leaves almost chartreuse against the turquoise water.

Loving White

2011-10-02T18:00:00.000-07:00

"White . . .

is not a mere absence of colour;

it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red,

as definite as black . . .

God paints in many colours; but He never paints so gorgeously,

I had almost said so gaudily,

as when He paints in white."

G. K. Chesterton

Do you have days when you feel pale? Not blue, as in depressed, but pale and wraith like. I'm feeling that way today. Not sad. Just sort of ... pale. Drifting through the day. Mellow, but pale.

Company's gone. Husband's busy with a project. Church in the morning, then studying, a long walk, and more studying.

Uninspired and curiously unperturbed.

Linking to Mosaic Monday hosted by Mary at the Little Red House where you are sure to find more exciting and colourful mosaics than this one!

The Last Day of September

2011-09-30T12:16:00.000-07:00

There are still a few dahlias in my garden. I cut five of them yesterday and plunked them into a soup tureen, along with clippings from the yard (including lots of sage) and one bunch of purchased dark mums. It looks fall-ish to me, as does the gray sky.

Last weekend, when I cooked an early Thanksgiving dinner for our traveling children, I brought out my thankfulness rocks.

I made these a couple of years ago, when life looked rather bleak, as a reminder to myself of the many, many things for which I could give thanks.

I put them into a hand-carved wooden leaf-shaped bowl from Ecuador and remember that I am blessed.

And I realized that there was one big blessing who arrived this past year, for whom there was no rock.

I promptly remedied that!

This weekend's lineup - overnight guests (2 sets!),

a little studying,

a little cooking,

- other than that, things are rather mellow around here.

Seizing the Day

2011-09-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

Tis the season for apples. Via Pinterest I found this recipe for an Apple Upside-Down Cake. I made it last night for dinner, and took a picture, using a flash, which means it's not the greatest photo. The cake was good, not spectacular, but good, slightly spicy, juicy with apples. The sauce definitely made it. Here's a link to the King Arthur Flour site where the recipe originated.

I recently won a giveaway at the Hostess of the Humble Bungalow. It arrived yesterday, prettily packaged and accompanied by a lovely card.

As I contemplate going back to work, this book will definitely be useful. Time to ditch my usual uniform of jeans/cords plus knit top plus sweater/vest. Thank you, Hostess!

As I turned on my computer this morning, I glanced out the window and saw the lovely play of morning light on the Virginia Creeper outside my window. I enjoyed it for a few seconds, then sat down and looked at the screen.

The colours, shadows and textures drew me back, so I seized my camera and went outside (brrr) so that I could share this beauty with you.

What's beautiful in your world today?

Fall Mantel

2011-09-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

I've been itching to get at some fall decorating. We left on our vacation the first week of September when it was still summery and warm. Since our return we've had rain, wind and chilly temperatures. Today, however, the sky is bright and clear, with lovely autumn light that has a special pureness.

I turned in my final essay today. Final. I have an exam on Tuesday and then - I'm done my degree. I'm not certain what the future will hold, but I'm know that God will reveal it all in time.

To celebrate that essay I indulged in a little creativity. When I use old book covers for my handstitched journals, the guts of the book are left behind. I use individual pages for various things, but have a lot of coverless books lying about. I saw these pumpkins at Craftberry Bush and thought, "aha! just the ticket!" They were fast and easy to do. Keen eyes will note that one pumpkin's words are upside down. It wasn't intentional, but it gives a rather whimsical appearance, I think.

You can see I'm not really into orange, and very little yellow. I'd like to find a nice big red maple leaf to press and dry - but they are still green around here.

The twig wreath in the top picture was another crafty effort, but didn't turn out the way I'd hoped. I had it marked on Pinterest, from The Bungalow Blog. Then I saw Vee's wreath. And so I went out in the dark one night looking for sticks. Obviously, mine are too small. I want to do another one with a little more heft, but in the meantime, I propped this one up with a couple of feathers and a dried leaf. A corner mantel has a lot of space to fill.

Banff Stopover

2011-09-25T18:26:00.000-07:00

On our way home from Alberta last week, we spent a couple of days in Banff National Park. The mornings were cool and crisp, frost covered the rooftops and made us glad we'd thrown in our gloves.

When the Canadian Pacific Railway was being built, this stopover was known as Siding 29. Three railway workers discovered mineral hot springs nearby and in 1885 about 10 square miles was set aside by the government of Canada as a reserve. The land reserve was soon increased and formed the first national park of Canada.

I am so very glad that someone had the foresight to protect these lands. The beauty is astounding. People come from all over the world to see the Canadian Rocky Mountains and towns such as Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise.

The railway magnate William Cornelius Van Horne envisioned a series of luxury hotels along the railway to entice visitors. One of these is the Banff Springs Hotel. Set in the shadow of Mount Rundle, at the meeting of the Spray and Bow Rivers, the hotel is enormous, yet dwarfed by its setting.

We spent most of our time walking and hiking, in town and in the surrounding areas, around lakes, along streams, admiring the superlative beauty of God's creation.

As a treat, we enjoyed afternoon tea in the Rundle Lodge of the Banff Springs Hotel. Our window table looked out onto truly magnificent scenery. Our waiter brought us the tea cart, from which we sniffed and chose our teas. I started with Vanilla Orchid Black tea - it was wonderful. I don't usually drink caffeine and after several cups I felt like I was vibrating, so I switched to peppermint.

Accompanying the tea was a tiered server with dainty sandwiches (smoked salmon, watercress, egg salad and ham), fresh scones with Devonshire cream and strawberry jam, crème brulée, and a variety of sweets. We lingered long, soaking in the view, talking, and sipping, utterly relaxed.

When we were first seated at our table, Tim looked around and said, "This must be a woman's thing to do." A few more men showed up later, accompanied by their wives or girlfriends. So I suggested that afternoon tea is something that men who love their wives are willing to do.

And so, our holiday ended, we're home again. Tomorrow it's back to work for Tim and back to the books for me. But not for long!

I'm linking to Mosaic Monday, hosted by Mary at the Little Red House. Every week bloggers link up with the most interesting and beautiful posts. Click on over, you just might like it.

A New Season

2011-09-24T20:07:00.000-07:00

Last night I cooked a special dinner.

It was a mini-Thanksgiving. (Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks - so I'm not all THAT early.)

I made stuffed turkey breast, roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa pilaf, cranberry sauce, and apple pie. For just four of us.

This morning we said our good-byes - Ashley and Owen are off to Europe for a year. With their backpacks and computers. No, they are not flying as dressed above. After leaving our home, they drove to a wedding on Thetis Island. Tonight they will be at Owen's parents' place in Victoria, and tomorrow they'll take the 7 am ferry to Vancouver and catch a plane to Munich.

It's exciting and we wish them all the best. I'm so glad for Skype and email - nothing like that was available when we left for Ecuador 30 years ago.

But my heart hurts. After we watched the car disappear into the distance and we walked back into the house, Tim and I looked at each other with tears in our eyes. Tim suggested a walk on the beach. It was the perfect thing to do. As if echoing our hearts, the beach was misty, water hidden by thick fog. Yet, by the time we left, the fog was lifting and there was a patch of blue sky. Nature provides such wonderful solace.

God be with you both, Owen and Ashley.

A Beautiful Land

2011-09-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

Tim's mother and siblings live in Alberta. We spent most of our time visiting, catching up on what's been happening in their lives.

But there were times for walks - like this one around the pond near Tim's mother's place. Autumn's presence was foreshadowed in the cool mornings and yellowing leaves.

Graceful poplars leaned against the sky. I loved listening to the swishing fluidity of wind playing in the branches.

One day we visited Dry Island Buffalo Jump - a provincial park near Tim's sister's home. Here the native people used to stampede buffalo over the cliff to kill them, and then employed every part of the animal for their use.

The peace of the grassy cliff and the gray sky beyond belies its gory past.

High bush cranberries grow plentifully. We picked a big bowlful for Tim's sister to make into cranberry jelly. The berries looked easy to pick, but the thorns were fierce!

An abandoned barn in a field of wheat. Evocative of someone's hopes and dreams.

I found the prairie fascinating. It's so very different from the water, rocks and mountains of where I live. The vast openness of land and sky seeped into my heart as I absorbed the beauty of this land. Every region has its own beauty, unique from any other. I feel privileged to live in Canada.

Home Again

2011-09-22T14:10:00.000-07:00

Our vacation started two weeks ago with a birthday party in Victoria. Three of our children and their spouses have birthdays in September so we celebrate with one party. The efforts of the birthday boys and girl garnered a lot of laughter. I'm sorry I don't have a photo of the cake because Katie topped it with little Lego people representing each personality.

Our next stop was Chilliwack, on the mainland, where we spent the weekend visiting my family and eating my mom's good cooking!

Early Monday morning (you can tell just how early by the photo) we headed east, to Alberta.

Up, over the coastal mountains, then across the interior of British Columbia, past Kamloops. We stopped at Yard Creek to run around a little and stretch our legs.

On towards the Rockies. Lunch was a picnic at Hemlock Grove rest area in Revelstoke National Park.

The leaves were still green, but tired-looking. We soaked in the lovely warm sunshine, enjoying our food.

An inquisitive jay hovered nearby, hoping for some handouts. We kept our food to ourselves since that's what the signs recommended.

At first I thought the huge cloud I saw was just weather, but then we saw the smoke billowing up from the mountain. Forestry officials were conducting a controlled burn to rid the forest floor of debris. Controlled burns prevent larger forest fires from destroying even more territory. Fires are a natural occurrence, often caused by lightning.

Our day ended late, in Red Deer. I'll write more about our vacation in another post.