Such Things

Happy Birthday Myles!

Another birthday has come and gone.  This time it was Myles' 5th.  We celebrated with a good old-fashioned house party ("H" party) with hot dogs, hot potoatoes, Hot Wheels, air hockey etc.  Happy, happy birthday to an awesome, special boy who is full of fun, excitement, ideas, and to loves to celebrate with his friends.  Happy birthday, Myles!! 

Snow Week

I'm reflecting on a great week of snow:

A beautiful winter view from our backyard,

transformed by the snow,

more skiiing,

and hours of sledding.  Now it's back to rain, but I'm still thankful for a fun week of snow.

Off the the Hills

We escaped some of the Vancouver rain by heading to Manning park after Christmas.  The kids were so excited to play in the snow!! 

We camped in our tent trailer with the little heater pumping away, but it wasn't nearly as cold as the last time we were there. 

We did cross-country and tubing on day one. 

We were happy to meet up with our good friends who brought their RV as well.  We all did some late night tobagganing together. 

On the second day we awoke to brilliant sunshine. 

The kids did downhill ski lessons for the first time! 

They all did very well and independently mastered the bunny hill and rope tow! 

Best of all, they loved it!

Welcome winter and Happy New Year everyone!!

The Magic of Christmas

I've been somewhat intrigued by the "magic" of Christmas this year, trying to go beyond the frantic shopping, activities and trying to "get it all done."  I must say, watching the Polar Express movie for the very first time brought a tear to my eye at the end when the main character says, "Though I've grown old, the bell (a bell from Santa's sleigh) still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe." 

What really is it that we believe?  The story of Santa?  In giving?  In buying?  Gathering?  Turning to a familiar story this Christmas has inspired my faith in the true spirit of Christmas.   There's Mary, "My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour." Luke 1:46, the shepherds, "glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen." Luke 2:20 and the magi "when they saw the star they were overjoyed."  Matthew 2:10.  There is something real, not just to spark the imagination, but events to ignite the heart, soul and spirit.  The more I read it, the more something else jumps out at me, and the more miraculous it all seems.

That for me, is the magic of Christmas, and in that, I am one who truly, truly believes. 

  

Here's wishing you and yours a magical, wonderous, peaceful and most joy-filled Christmas.

Christmas Moments

I haven't been photographing as much as I have liked, but I think this has been one of the most peaceful Christmases yet.  I'm not done the shopping, our cards aren't out and the baking isn't nearly finished,

but it has been so fun decorating our new house for the holidays and the weather has been incredible.  Sunny and mild.  I'm just soaking in every wonderful Christmas moment:

gingerbread decorating at my kids' school and the school that I teach at,

Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village museum with the grandparents,

Nighttime "lights" parade in New Westminster,

and a good ol' cup of hot apple cider by the fire at the Christmas tree farm.

Here's to more and more wonderful Christmas moments!

Christmas is about parties, great food and of course Jesus.

Every Boy's Dream

There's been a fair amount of road work on our street this fall.  Our driveway has also been removed as part of the road construction.  The great part is, Myles has lots of entertainment as the diggers come so close, it looks like the scoop is practically coming through our front door.  There are steam rollers, trucks and lots of friendly workers as well.  Makes a great place for an afternoon snack on a sunny day.

I'm working on my first "blurb" advent book, inspired as always, by Ali Edwards.

It's been quite busy too with work, home life and starting into Christmas, but it's these quiet moments at home that are my favourite.

Hope you are enjoying your week!

Good Old November

I've always had a bit of a fondness for November.  There's something about November that makes it a relaxing month.  It's an in between month, at least here in Canada.  In between Christmas and Halloween, in between festivities and start-ups.  A month of some sun but also rain and cold.

It's a month of leaves,

wind,

fall fires,

 and bikerides around our neighbourhood to see the local salmon.

It's a month that feels "settled", yet still looking ahead. 

Here's to enjoying November.

Happy Halloween 2011

We had a beautiful day for Halloween again this year.  We did our annual visit to the pumpkin patch,

which is always a favourite,

we did the carving,

and we were especially excited to decorate our new house this year in the hopes of getting trick or treaters!

We made our "pumpkin man" from years past.

Hope you and your family had a safe and happy Halloween!!!

Sockeye Salmon at Weaver Creek

It could not have been a more brilliant autumn day to drive through the countryside on the way to Weaver Creek, on windy roads lined on either side by orangy, red trees.

We made the trip out last year in November, but missed the peak of the Sockeye run.

This year the channels were bursting with bright red Sockeye.

There were row after row of channels to view the salmon swimming,

and jumping.

It was the first time I'd seen Sockeye in my life.

The kids were equally excited about the dragon flies, sour blackberries and leaves as they were about the salmon.

We stopped for a peaceful lunch at Grace Lake nearby, where a few people were fishing and camping.

Then we stopped at the Chehalis Hatchery to see the fry.

Do I ever love B.C. and sunny autumn days!!!  Thank you God!

Canning Antipasto

There's not a better a way to spend a rainy weekend afternoon than to make antipasto with the whole family, grandma and grandpa included. 

We used the recipe that Granny Barb has been using for years, and everyone joined in. 

There was chopping, processing and boiling galore.

It was the first time that I had ever canned anything, sealing the jars by boiling. 

Now we each have a dozen jars to enjoy for some time to come!

Antipasto

2lbs each of:  green beans, cauliflower, green peppers, red peppers and dill cukes

3lbs onions

2 (14oz) tins black olives, pitted

2 (10oz) tins mushrooms (stems and pieces with juice)

2(14oz) tins stuffed green olives

1 small tin anchovies

4 tins tuna, solid or chunk

1 1/2 cups white vinegar

1 1/2 cups olive oil

1 gal ketchup

Cut beans small, boil and drain.  Chop all other vegetables small or use food processor to pulse.  Put ketchup, oil and vinegar into a very large pot.  Add veggies and beans and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, then add remaining ingredients which have been cut small.  Heat through well and ladle into sterilized pint sized jars to withing 1/2 inch of rim.  Run knife around inside edge of jar to release air bubbles and wipe rim of jar.  Put sterilized lids and rings on jars and place in canner.  Add room temperature water to over and process 15 to 20 minutes from time water reaches a full boil.  Revmove from canner and let sit undisturbed for a few hours until lids seal.  Refrigerate any jars that do not seal and use soon.  Makes approximately 34 to 40 pints. 

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!!