A Room With a View

Today I got to do something I won't ever do again.  The beginning of this day was 29 years ago, and has
been looming in my future since that day.  It is a day filled with joy and memories.
A little blonde haired girl dress all in pink.  In a ballerina tutu, hair in the required bun doing her dance
recital.  That same little girl playing with her brother in the backyard pretending the new garbage can
was a hot tub.  The day her beloved Sonny flew away- all because she wanted him to enjoy the outside.
You see, she felt bad he never had a chance to fly free.  Oh, the tears, broke my heart.
She has accomplished so many things.  Hiked the West Coast Trail.  Became a nurse.  Became an
esthetician.  Now she lovingly cares for the elderly, giving them medical care along with her smiles and
love.
You see today I went shopping with this wonderful girl for her wedding dress.
Oh, those memories just came flooding through.
Every dress more beautiful than the last  UNTIL  The ONE!!
She is beautiful and even more she is a beautiful soul, loving, warm, sweet, kind, tenacious, strong both in
body and spirit.  She has a love for the Lord and all who are around her.
This is our Janice, I am honoured to be her Mom.

Stress.  It's a common occurance of modern life, right?
Well, let's just think about this for a minute or two.
In days past, people had some pretty major things to be concerned about.
Two world wars, the depression era.  And before that, in the days of homesteading,
mothers and fathers saw their children leave on a wagon, usually never to hear
from them again, let alone see them.
I know there are many major things we are concerned about today, but wait,
are these really what is adding stress to our everyday lives?
We used to have phones that stayed in one place-on the wall, now we spend
at least several minutes a day wondering "where's my phone".
Did I leave it behind when I order my latte?
I need it to be available 24/7 to my work, family and friends.
Then there is the whole environmental thing.
It would be "wrong" to take a box for my quiche, I'll just carry it in my hand
back to the office.
Hope it doesn't rain, or I drop it or some bird tries to peck at it.
I believe in respecting our planet because it was created for us to enjoy.
However, worship the Creator not the creation.
Stressed about food?
Is it gluten free, dairy free, vegan, grain free, sugar free?
I know there are people who have legitimate health concerns, but if you don't,
eat a variety of food moderately and for goodness sake ENJOY!

Rhubarb Chronicles

It's January.
Yes, it's January.

But around here.
Victoria.
We start thinking of spring.

And to me  - Spring means
RHUBARB

So begins the rhubarb chronicles.

The hunt will be on soon enough.

Until then I will have to be content
with small frozen packages in my freezer.

Soon, tho',  soon, the ruby red stalks
and the leaf green leaves will find
a home in my kitchen.

And a pie.  

Christmas Past and Present

Christmas comes in many different types of packages.  We have been married 36 years, and have 5 children so Christmas at our house has seen many variations.  Our first Christmas, we smuggled  a fresh tree into our apartment then went back over the stairs to pick up the  dropped needles. 
We celebrated Little Christmas (a week before actual Christmas) with friends from North Carolina before
they travelled home to their familes.
The Christmas with our first son, he had so many gifts we staggered the opening of them over a few days.
The Christmas my Dad died our three boys had cheerios for dinner because the turkey took forever to
cook.  It just wasn't a year for a full celebration.
We've had Christmases where the gifts have been plenty and some very little.
Those ones are the most memorable.
Those are the sweetest.
The reason for Christmas remains the same.
The King became a Child
coming to His world as the Gift for all who accept it
The gift of abundant and meaningful life.
This is the time of year we celebrate the first chapter of this Gift.
Last night we celebrated our 37th Christmas together.
This year we had one son in Wyoming, one son and his wife in Winnipeg,
so the gathering was a little smaller but no less sweet.
We had 4 precious angels in our midst, our 4 grandbabies.  One who just
turned 11, one 2 and celebrating their first Christmas. twins, 5 months old.
Oh, the joy, the fun, and the precious moments we will savour
until the season comes 'round again.

Ahh, nostalgia, isn't it great?  There are few places in town where I can walk into and immediately I am back to when I was a little child.  One of these places is the Dutch Bakery.  I always say I was brought up there as it holds so many memories.  The business started the same year I was born, so you see we have a special connection.  It was always our go to spot on Saturdays for lunch. 
My Mom and I would get dressed up (yes, you dressed up to go to town) early Saturday morning and do our weekly shopping.  The butcher, the baker, the green grocer, all of these businesses were on Fort Street.
We would then stop for lunch.
My sister worked at Murchie's Tea and Coffee.
She would meet us for lunch.
It was always the Dutch Bakery.
Hamburger for her.
Ham sandwich for me.
Oh, and
a
chocolate milkshake.
MMMMM!!
Dessert?
Of course.
Vanilla slice?
No, lemon pie, the best in the city.
My husband and I dropped into the Dutch Bakery the other day, to pick up his favourite, a flying saucer cookie. 
And again
there it was
that feeling of being a child again.
Today we will take our sweet little granddaughter and introduce her to the Dutch Bakery.
Thank you for still being there and as always declicious!