Telling Secrets

Greet, of Belgian Pearls writes a decorating blog from Belgium. A recent post was all about castles and triggered a fancy daydream I cherished as a child.

My mother told me once that a far-distant relative of her family served the royal family of Holland as a lady-in-waiting and went to England with William of Orange when he assumed the English throne. That's all I know, but it fed my imagination for years. 


I imagined that perhaps this lady-in-waiting had done some particularly brave service for the royal family, but was never acknowledged, and looking through the records, the royal family wanted to contact her descendants to honour her. (If this story sounds eerily familiar to the biblical book of Esther, I deny any resemblance, real or imagined. ahem)

Of course, accepting the honour would mean traveling to England and being invited to stay at one of the royal family's castles for a week or so.

Since growing up a little, my daydream evolved into desiring the free reign of a castle or chateau for about a week. Fully furnished, but without those pesky tourists (of which I'm one) and the freedom to explore at will, being able to say lightly, "welcome to my castle."

I'd like to trail down a staircase, explore the dark cellar recesses, wander through the kitchens and servants' quarters, climb to the tower, pour over books in the library, and in short, feel like a chatêlaine. 

Really, almost any castle would do, whether small (like Ludwig's in Bavaria), or grandiose like Versailles.

An island in Italy would be nice. I think most of all what I want is the sense of history, to absorb the life that was lived in that place. I don't want to go back, I know I'm romanticizing medieval and renaissance life, but hey, who says dreams have to be rational?

So, if you know anyone wanting to trade a week in a European château for a week in a modest home in one of the most beautiful parts of the world - my contact information is on the right sidebar.

A Snowy Walk

About the time we headed for bed on Saturday night I heard hail on the skylight in the bathroom. Curious I peeked out the window to see hail pelting down. By morning we awoke to a snowy white world. When Tim shoveled the driveway he said that the texture varied in the levels of snow - with some of it hard pellets. 

What better place to enjoy the snow than outside (since the temperatures were hovering just around freezing)? Boots and gloves donned we drove to Englishman River Regional Park, just below the falls we visited a week ago.

The road to the parking lot led down a steep incline for about a mile and we gave nothing more than a fleeting thought to driving back up. 

The trail meandered along the riverbank, where snow-laden branches brushed our heads. Blue sky beckoned above and melted the snow high in the trees, causing it to fall like rain on our heads.

Crunching footsteps. Gurgling dark water. Stark beauty of skeletal trees highlighted by white. Sunlight filtering through the forest.

 Scenes like this swell my heart. So much beauty to absorb. God's creation offers much to soothe the soul. 

Two unsuccessful runs up the hill and we put on chains. They didn't help much. Our progress was painfully slow as Tim rocked the car, tires spinning. Little by little until we were stopped short of the crest of the hill. Both chains (very lightweight) snapped, rendering them useless. Tim pushed and I drove the short distance to the top of the hill. A little adventure to end our walk. 

A Look Back

Looking back over the creations that came from my sewing/craft studio this past year provides a way for me to see into the future by answering questions like - what did I enjoy most? how would I like to improve? what can I leave behind?


Many things this year have crowded out time for being creative. And this year will be similar. But by the end of 2011 I'll have finished my degree (Lord willing) and will think about what's next. Actually, I'm already thinking about it and it scares me sometimes. 


But when I wish that I had more time for making gifts, sewing clothes, and just creating for the sake of my soul, I remember that there are seasons in life and that "there will be time." I was inspired by Rebecca Sower to make this mosaic. Her thoughts on creativity are worth exploring. 


I'm linking this to Mosaic Monday at the Little Red House. 

What Removing a Wall Accomplishes

Hammering and nailing, tearing down, ripping up - the renovations have been going on here for many months. They're not over yet, but we've reached a stage where the results are visible and, in my mind, beautiful. 


Above are two before pictures showing the wall that we removed. The staircase is altered as well. Here's a link to a picture showing the re-do. 

In reality, the entire wall was not removed, just the upper portion. Two arched door openings were removed and squared off. Now the kitchen is full of light, the dining room feels connected and when I'm in the kitchen I don't feel like I'm in an enclosed space, away from the action. The enclosed valance needs painting yet. Tim installed the pot lights and a light tube in the kitchen which provide wonderful light. He'll install under counter lighting when we do the cabinetry.

Here's a view from the breakfast nook. Before. Note the bit of red wall to the left, and the putting green on the floor. 

Tim tells me that I'm going to miss that green carpet one day, but I don't believe him. Not. at. all. The ledge on the left here is a temporary fix until we commence work on the kitchen cabinets. You'll notice we left the dropped valance around the kitchen perimeter. We debated about removing it but that would have increased the work tremendously. And we've been told that it defines the kitchen quite nicely.

The new dining room. The glass-paneled doors were removed. I took these pictures quickly one day while the sun was shining and didn't bother to make everything "picture perfect." But I'm pretty sure that all bloggers have messes in their homes once in awhile. 


Next is baseboard and finishing up some painting. After that, we'll tackle the kitchen cabinets and countertops. 


For me, changing the floor has made a huge difference. I walk through the rooms smiling. The dark green was almost oppressive, and there was so much of it! For now, I don't even want an area rug in the living room. Nope, give me wide open spaces!

A Very Little Crafting

Few Christmas presents were made this year. But I did manage a scarf for each of my daughters - and instead of making three identical scarves, each one is different. The above scarf is a knitted cowl. My knitting skills are elementary, at best, and so this simple knitted-in-the-round cowl was something within my ability. I used a chunky acrylic yarn since I'm highly sensitive to wools.

The infinity scarves I've seen intrigued me and I made one of those out of an "unknown fibres" fabric from Fabricland. It's some sort of man-made fabric, maybe with a bit of rayon. It stretches widthwise but not lengthwise. I thought the multi-colors would go with a variety of tops.

This teal velvety scarf is lined with silk and I love its rich color and feel. 

And for our brand-new granddaughter, I made something to add a little pink to the pretty nursery her mother and father created. 


I already have a list of things I want to create in 2011. I'd really, really like to diminish my fabric stash. The pillow was made using nothing but what I had on hand and I'd like to do more of that - using up what's already here. 

Sunny Winter Days

Mornings are frosty around here lately. But the upside of cooler than normal temperatures is clear sunny skies. This is the view from our breakfast nook. I could sit and look at the mountain all day. 

We had a wonderful weekend together. Now everyone is at home, back to regular routines. Towels and sheets have been laundered and folded. Beds are remade, the floors vacuumed. Christmas decorations have been boxed up and the tree and greenery await their trip to the garden waste center. 

While the family was here over the weekend, I asked my son, with his more powerful camera, to take another photo, zeroing in on the mountain itself  (Mount Arrowsmith). Isn't it gorgeous? Breathtaking. I'm enjoying these sunny days for I know they won't go on forever. In fact, snow is predicted for tomorrow. And that has its own beauty. 

For me, it's back to studying. My current courses are Medieval History II, Political Science (to fulfill a social science credit), Business French, and I'm finishing up a Literature of the Canadian West. I aim to finish this degree this year. I'm so looking forward to that accomplishment.

Winter in the Woods

The house has been full this past weekend. Our three children, their spouses, my parents and one sweet little granddaughter filled our home and our hearts. 

On Saturday morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we all put on warm coats, gloves and hats and headed to Englishman River Falls, about 15 minutes away. 

Hard rime lined the canyon of the falls and nearby trees. Ice-covered puddles tempted walkers to smash through with feet or rocks. Green moss softened trees and rocks. Sun filtered down to the forest floor and lifting our faces we felt its faint warmth.

 The stroller fared well and Adria slept through her first walk in the woods. Across the bridge, down along the trail, across another bridge and back up to the parking lot. Refreshed and invigorated we headed home, cobwebs cleared from our heads.

Mary, at the Little Red House is hosting Mosaic Monday once again. Her mosaic today is a beautiful 2011 calendar filled with breathtaking photos. 

Abundance in 2010

Last year at this time I was thinking about my focus word for 2010. We were in a hard place - my husband had lost his job and started up a small company while continuing to look for work in his field. 

The word that kept coming to me, in my reading and thoughts, was "abundance." I listened and accepted. Throughout the year, I made a conscious effort to look for abundance in my life, although there were many times when I just complained. 

Abundant provision:

*  Tim was hired into a new position in March. He loves his new job and there are all sorts of possibilities for the future.

* We found renters for our house in Victoria and were able to purchase a new home here.

* A new job for our eldest daughter 

Abundant sorrow:

* the loss of my 29-year-old nephew Colin in July

* the loss of a tiny still born great-nephew I never met in November

* the loss of my aunt Irene in December

Abundant change:

* moving away from family, friends, church, job

Abundant JOY:

* Our youngest daughter's wedding in September and welcoming Owen into our family

* The birth of our first grandchild, Adria, in December

*laughter and sharing good times and bad with family and friends

Abundant grace:

I think 2010 has been among the most difficult years of my life.  I've not shared all of the events of 2010 - many more joys and many more sorrows have occurred. But throughout the dark days and the bright days, God's grace has been very present in abundance. And because of grace, 2011 can be faced with hope, joy and confidence.


Happy New Year! 2011 is just around the corner!

It's not over yet!

There's been laughter, tears, lots of conversation, dancing, more than enough food, games, presents, travels back and forth across the water and there's more to come! 

I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas week.

Merry Christmas!

Presents are wrapped and under the tree. The freezer is full to overflowing with cookies, snacks and baking of all kinds. Today I'll tidy up the house and finish up a few last kitchen things.

Stockings are hung - not by the fire but along the stair rail. We had two new additions to our family this year - one by marriage, one by birth. These new stockings reflect my new, and somewhat unusual (for me) desire for a neutral, calm palette. They're made of canvas drop cloths and embellished with scraps of ribbon, buttons and rosettes - I didn't purchase a single thing.

The labels are stamped onto cotton, backed with fusible web, cut with pinking shears and ironed onto the stocking. Easy peasy. I had fun making these rosettes and I think more will be in my future.

Thank you to all my blogging friends for your encouragement and friendship over this past tumultuous year. I value each one of you. And my wish for you is that you will experience the love, joy, hope and peace brought to earth by the Christ Child so many years ago. Merriest of Christmases, friends.

Bûche de Noël

Anything that can be done ahead gets a star in my book. This dessert is one of them. I found it in a Good Housekeeping magazine from the early 1990s I think. It's become a tradition in our household, usually for Christmas Eve.

This year, we're celebrating with the family on Boxing Day, December 26. And the rest of the meal is going to be very untraditional - paella will be the main course. 

Today was spent in the kitchen - Bûche de Noël, stuffed mushrooms, crostini, chex mix and more. My freezer is jammed full. It's a good feeling. Next week, there will be little need to cook. The week between Christmas and New Year's is a week of celebration and relaxation. It's going to be great!

Click on the links for the recipes.

Mosaic Monday - A Different Sort of Christmas

What else could my mosaic this week be? Yawning, squawking, sleeping, stretching - our new little granddaughter enchants every which way.

Linking to Mosaic Monday at the Little Red House.

She's Here!

It's been a whirlwind around here. We zipped down to Victoria (2 hours away) yesterday afternoon, had dinner with our youngest (September's bride) and her husband, and as we were finishing dessert the phone call came - Adria Natalia had made her appearance. 

We rushed over to the hospital to sit in the waiting room with other family members for a couple of hours until everyone was ready for visiting. Here's Tim holding the precious bundle.

We spent the night with our eldest daughter and her husband, and spent today alternately visiting at the hospital, shopping and lunching with our daughters and one son-in-law. Then back to the hospital to help with Adria's first car ride - home. Here's the new mommy and daddy dressing her. Travis is putting on a sweater knit for him by his paternal grandmother 27 years ago. 

And here she is, all dressed up and ready for the big world. She's wearing an elf hat knit for her by a friend of Katie's. And the blanket was crocheted by Travis' maternal grandmother, again for his birth 27 years ago. Really, where did all that time go?

We're home now and I'm counting the days until I hold her in my arms once more. 

Counting Down

Each day passes and I hang a trinket on my grown-up girl's Advent calendar. Everything that needs to be done is getting done, other things happen if there's time. I have a list and everyday a few more items are ticked off, completed.

Exams are done and I have one more paper to complete. I'm having a hard time focusing on that...

because I think today's going to be a very special day! It might be the day our first grandchild will be born! Things are starting to happen! 


And on a different note: The lovely Tish of A Femme d'un certain âge asked me to take part in a series on giving gifts that cost nothing, zero, zilch. My contribution is being featured at her blog today. Tish writes with wit and charm touching on fashion, etiquette, life in France. Go for a visit, you'll love her too.

Third Advent Sunday - Gingerbread

Preparation. Heart and home. Waiting. 

On this third Sunday of Advent we enjoyed the company of our two daughters and their husbands. On Saturday we had dinner here - Roasted chicken with pears, roasted potatoes, broccoli, and for dessert Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Sauce. We then took a short excursion to see the Bethlehem Walk, an amazing production put on by the church we attend here that features the Nativity and the hamlet of Bethlehem. Home again for apple cider, popcorn and a movie - "While You Were Sleeping" - one of my favorites.

Another tradition we have is decorating gingerbread cookies. Years ago I wanted every gingerbread person perfectly outlined with neat eyes and buttons marching down the center of his jacket.

Tim would egg the children on to create all kinds of personas - pirates with patches and one leg, strange creatures, wonky characters. This year, everyone brought a batch of gingerbread cookies in their own shapes. Cristal and her husband made gingerbread frogs,princes, and stars. Ashley and Owen had sailboats, stars and people. I made hearts, camels, reindeer in addition to the traditional gingerbread men. 

And so, I've changed. These cookies will never decorate a cookie plate at a church or community function. Few will make it out of this house. It's not about the cookies - it's about the fun we have while decorating them. I don't really care what the cookies look like. The laughter around the table is more important.

But we missed Travis and Katie's presence. They stayed in Victoria since the baby is due tomorrow! 

This post is part of Floss' "A Pause in Advent" and I'm also linking to Mary's Monday Mosaic at the Little Red House.

There will be time

It seems like a number of us out in blogland are feeling a wee bit pressured. I know that I am. There are things that I want to be doing and things that I have to do. And the list of things I'd like to do is not going to get accomplished this year. And I'm learning that that's okay. 

It's more important for me to enjoy the moments that I can, to take time to sit, visit with my husband, think about what's important in my life, focus on the birth of Jesus and prepare my heart than it is to bake more cookies.

Whenever I think about running out of time I think of these lines from my favorite poem by Al Purdy that I've shared before and do so again in the hopes that YOU will take the time to breathe, to focus and to enjoy this most beautiful of seasons. Meanwhile, I'm off to write a French Literature final exam. Then just one more essay (for an English class) and I'm taking a break from studies.

from On the Flood Plain

"Whatever I have not discovered and enjoyed
is still waiting for me
and there will be time
but now these floating stars on the freezing lake
and music fills the darkness
holds me there listening
--it's a matter of separating these instants from others
that have no significance
so that they keep reflecting each other
a way to live and contain eternity
in which the moment is altered and expanded
my consciousness hung like a great silver metronome
suspended between stars
on the dark lake
and time pours itself into my cupped hands shimmering"


(and just to let you know - the photo is from 3 years ago because the angels are still waiting for their moment around here)

A Christmas Meme

I don't know if I've ever done a meme, but Vee had this one up on her blog and I thought it kind of festive. So here goes:

1. Hot Chocolate or apple cider?

2. Turkey or Ham?
3. Do you get a fake or real-you-cut-it-yourself Christmas tree?
4. Decorations on the outside of your house?
5. Snowball fights or sleddin’?
6. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping?
7. Favorite Christmas song?
8. How do you feel about Christmas movies?
9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?
10. Stockings before or after presents?
11. Go to someone else’s house or they come to you?
12. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when?
13. What do you do after presents and dinner?
14. What is your favorite holiday smell?
15. Ice skating or walking around the mall?
16. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day?
17. Favorite Christmas memory?
18. Favorite Part about winter?
19. Ever been kissed under mistletoe?

(It's an easy copy and paste.)

1. Hot Chocolate or apple cider?

Hot chocolate, please.

2. Turkey or Ham?

Turkey, with lots of stuffing, and gravy. But this year we're making paella.

3. Do you get a fake or real-you-cut-it-yourself Christmas tree?

Always real, but we go to a nursery to get it.

4. Decorations on the outside of your house?

A few lights and a simple Nativity scene but not this year - too busy renovating

5. Snowball fights or sleddin’?

Sledding - maybe.

6. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping?

I do, when I know what I'm going for and have time to enjoy the scene.

7. Favorite Christmas song?

Secular: Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Sacred: Away in a Manger

8. How do you feel about Christmas movies?

I like them if they aren't too corny. Borrowed Hearts was a made for television movie that I like. And some of the old classics like The Bishop's Wife.

9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?

Umm, Valentine's Day?

10. Stockings before or after presents?

Before. Upon waking. Then breakfast. Then presents.

11. Go to someone else’s house or they come to you?

Both.

12. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when?

Yes. To myself and together sometime when we're all together. 

13. What do you do after presents and dinner?

Play games. Talk. Go for a walk.

14. What is your favorite holiday smell?

The woodsy scent of a fresh Christmas tree, and cedar boughs.

15. Ice skating or walking around the mall?

Neither. But I'll go for a walk around the block.

16. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day?

Again, it depends when we're all together. I like to wait until Christmas day.

17. Favorite Christmas memory?

Opening stockings on Christmas morning with all the children piled on our bed.

18. Favorite Part about winter?

The first snowfall.

19. Ever been kissed under mistletoe?

I don't think so - I'll have to remedy that!

I'm also linking this post to Sharon's at My Country French Home. She's asking for those who have their tree up to "show that sapin!"

Mine's simple this year. And you can see that I don't have all the curtains up yet. And no tree skirt. But little by little we're getting there.

Reflections

We put up the Christmas tree last night. Always real. A Charlie Brown variety - no pesticides, locally grown. I turned the lights on the tree this morning to dispel some of the gloom of this wet, windy day and was struck by the reflections in the rain-spattered window.

Yesterday we received word that one of my aunts, my mom's sister, passed away, suddenly but not unexpectedly. And at the same time, we await news from our son and daughter-in-law about the impending birth of our grandchild. I am struck once again by the juxtaposition of life and death in this world we live in. One life diminishes, another begins. I am so thankful that I can put my hope and trust in the God who created heaven and earth, who counts each sparrow and who cares for each one of us.

Milner Gardens - Mosaic Monday

Milner Gardens is just a few miles down the road from our house. When we moved here, Pondside encouraged me to read Veronica's Garden, which tells the story of Veronica Milner who loved this garden and developed it. It's a fascinating story with connections to royalty and a world that I know of only from books. After Veronica's death the gardens were given to Vancouver Island University. 

On Saturday night Tim and I bundled up and went for a stroll in the gardens. Christmas lights decorate the pathways to the gardener's cottage filled with teddy bears, to Santa's den, and to the main house, seen above. Built in the 1920s and renovated extensively in the 1960s, the house is charming. Not a mansion, but delightful. And it's where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip once spent a restful few days. Princess Diana and Prince Charles have also visited, to stroll on the lawns and relax in the drawing room during a busy Canadian tour. It was fun to wander through the house and along the paths. Stars shone as we walked back to the car and we were glad to have a cup of hot tea when we arrived home.

I'm looking forward to going back in the warmth of a summer's afternoon to look at the plants and trees in the daylight.

Mary at the Little Red House is hosting Mosaic Monday once again.

Second Sunday of Advent

Advent - a time of preparation. In the heart and in the home, a time to prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth. What's most important is to ensure a balance - for me that means taking time to be quiet and still. And then to get on with the tasks I've planned. Stillness before activity works best for me.

Preparation around our house traditionally means lots of baking. Yes, it's just the two of us, but the children will be coming for visits and I like to have cookies and snacks on hand. I don't double the recipes as in years past, but there's still a good selection in the freezer.

My husband is one of the fortunate ones who hasn't gained a pound in over 30 years. And I do feed him well. But he has cookies everyday, so I bake year round. At Christmas I bring out special recipes, like this one. It's called Toasted Almond Chip Balls, but we call it Mary's grandmother's cookies because a friend of ours gave it to us and said it was from her grandmother. Whatever the name, they are delicious. And easy. And they keep well in the freezer.

Toasted Almond Chip Balls

2 cups flour

1 cup chocolate chips, chopped (or use mini chocolate chips)

1 cup chopped toasted almonds (toast for 8-10 minutes at 350 - then cool)

1 cup butter, room temperature

1/4 cup white sugar

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

2 teaspoons almond extract

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and knead well. Use two hands. It's lovely and therapeutic, and would work well with children, too.

Form into 1 inch balls. Place on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Roll immediately in sifted icing sugar, then place on a rack (or brown paper) to cool.

For more Advent posts please visit Floss at Troc, Broc and Recup'.

Christmas Mantel

Today a friend from Victoria came for a visit. It was a good excuse to clean the house. I know that it will soon be dusty again because as I write, Tim is pounding and sawing away on the hardwood. But walking through a clean and organized house is, for me, like taking a series of deep, slow breaths. I feel calmer, more peaceful, appreciative of the gleaming floors, the dust-free furniture, the shining taps. 

I had a few extra minutes before my friend arrived so I grabbed a bag and my clippers, went a little way down the street and picked up fir and cedar branches that were blown off the trees in our recent windstorms. 

After she left, I could have returned to my studies, but decided instead to turn on the Christmas music and do a little decorating. Just the mantel for now. I should be able to get to the dining room on the weekend. 

When Tim walked in from work I had the candles burning, the fireplace glowing, and a wreath on the door. He said it was beginning to look like "our" house at Christmas. A very good feeling. 

Mercury glass ornaments and tree toppers, pine cones from Ecuador, votive candles, cut paper trees, a silver jug filled with greens and behind it all, a chalkboard with Love written on it. Simple and pretty.

And a shot from further away. I'm linking to the Lettered Cottage's Holiday Home Party featuring mantels from all over.