Friends for Life

Christmas Day is usually marked for me by a wonderful annual brunch the Gagnon's put on.   I've come to love my leisurely drive down the road on this peaceful day, usually accompanied by Handel's Messiah playing on the radio. 

It's one of the finest drives of the year.

Winter beauty, hardly any traffic, and the promise of very fine company and excellent food.

An oasis of love and deliciousness.

And this year Patrice and Daniel and Nicole were all able to attend as well!

Watching these kids who grew up together engaging and enjoying each other's pups and kids is a priceless gift.

So fun to have little people in the mix again.

Henry is a real hit with Matthew's two kids! 

And there is the endless presence of dogs!

Which multiply as well at these gatherings - there were 6 present including Penny who found a new friend in Huck. 

This is Huck's sister - she is particularly lovely, her name is Scout. 

A wonderful story that keeps unfolding and expanding, through good times and hard times.

Friends for life.

Daniel and Nicole headed back to Vancouver to celebrate the holidays with the Flemings.   I'm not crazy about the winter driving involved, but I just have to send them off with love and many prayers.

Patrice and Becca are still around for a few more days which is wonderful.  Not ready to have everyone leave in one fell swoop! Mom loves the activity of having people around the house and it is a joy for me as well. 

Lots of resting and relaxation.

While the snow kept falling...

and falling

 and falling.

There was a lot of shovelling going on to keep the paths clear.

Perfect weather for staying indoors and doing puzzles or drinking warm yummy drinks.

We did something a little adventurous one evening ... we took Mom to the movie "Little Women" and once she figured out she couldn't be talking out loud whenever she had something to say we all settled nicely into the big reclining chairs and enjoyed the movie. 

Here we are all cuddled in together! 

Anita arrived home from Iqaluit and brought Ollie up on New Year's Eve for dinner and drinks.

We we all sleeping as the new year rolled in since this crowd prefers to be tucked in very early.

The different seasons of life.

It's all good!

Christmas 2020 - ReCap!

“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”  Luke 1:7

Christmas Greetings Dear ONes!                                                           

I am writing to you from the little yellow house on the orchard which is presently nestled in blankets of snow… I love how Christmas happens to fall in the middle of winter – the dark, long, cold nights highlight the greatest gift this world has ever encountered… the LIGHT of the world and the ultimate hope of all mankind -  Jesus Christ. The Creator of all came down and dwelt among us and gave His life so that if we choose Him we can be born again and enjoy Him forever. Oh how I love HIM!   

 He is my EVERYTHING.  He’s the ONE I focus on in this short life I’ve been given.  He gives me perspective when all does not seem right, reminding me that this is all only temporary and the best is yet to come! My prayer is that you too will find hope, joy, peace & everlasting life in Jesus.

 This past year has been full of gentle rhythms as I look after my sweet mom who is now 92.  Elsie, Tante Hilda and I are all enjoying having this time with her.  Dementia has set in, but thankfully she remembers the important things in life and knows who we all are.  It’s a privilege to be able to give a little bit back to this precious woman who laid down her life for all of us. 

 Daniel & Nicole are still living in Vancouver.  Daniel finished 6 long years of school, wrote his BIG FINAL exam, and is now a certified Occupational Therapist!  He LOVES his work and thankfully there are many jobs opportunities available for him. Nicole is working very hard and has one semester left before she’ll have her degree in Social Work. They recently got themselves a cute, energetic spotted puppy named Penny who is trying to befriend their cat Leo and is keeping them hopping.

 Patrice continues to live and work at A Rocha, a Christian environmental organization in Surrey where she oversees the interns.  She has also begun to build herself a TINY HOUSE which will sit on the beautiful property out there.  When she comes home at Christmas Daniel and Ron will help her to get the cabinets built so that she can take them back in her truck and get them installed.  Nice to have so much handy talent in the family!

     

 Presently Victor and Marcia are here in Kelowna celebrating an early Christmas with us. They are always a tremendous help with all sorts of practical things for myself, Elsie, and Tante Hilda and we just love spending time with them.  Family is an incredible gift and Mom and Dad taught us how to love and honour one another.  I’m so grateful for this legacy of love and most of all that Mom taught us what is of eternal significance through her life of simple obedience to Jesus. It’s the one thing that will matter when we step across the thin veil separating this reality from the next…

 I have a beautiful life! I am surrounded by good friends, a wonderful church community, incredible scenery and God’s goodness – every single day. My sweet dog Ladybug turned 12 and is a faithful, loving little companion and our 2 budgies continue to fly around the house happily serenading us. 

 Thank you for being a part of my life…Sending big love & blessings as you celebrate and prepare for 2020!

 Love Karen

 

My 2019 Christmas Recap/Newsletter

“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”  Luke 1:7

Christmas Greetings Dear ONes!                                             December 17, 2019

I am writing to you from the little yellow house on the orchard which is presently nestled in blankets of snow… I love how Christmas happens to fall in the middle of winter – the dark, long, cold nights highlight the greatest gift this world has ever encountered… the LIGHT of the world and the ultimate hope of all mankind -  Jesus Christ. The Creator of all came down and dwelt among us and gave His life so that if we choose Him we can be born again and enjoy Him forever. Oh how I love HIM!   

 He is my EVERYTHING.  He’s the ONE I focus on in this short life I’ve been given.  He gives me perspective when all does not seem right, reminding me that this is all only temporary and the best is yet to come! My prayer is that you too will find hope, joy, peace & everlasting life in Jesus.

 This past year has been full of gentle rhythms as I look after my sweet mom who is now 92.  Elsie, Tante Hilda and I are all enjoying having this time with her.  Dementia has set in, but thankfully she remembers the important things in life and knows who we all are.  It’s a privilege to be able to give a little bit back to this precious woman who laid down her life for all of us. 

 Daniel & Nicole are still living in Vancouver.  Daniel finished 6 long years of school, wrote his BIG FINAL exam, and is now a certified Occupational Therapist!  He LOVES his work and thankfully there are many jobs opportunities available for him. Nicole is working very hard and has one semester left before she’ll have her degree in Social Work. They recently got themselves a cute, energetic spotted puppy named Penny who is trying to befriend their cat Leo and is keeping them hopping.

 Patrice continues to live and work at A Rocha, a Christian environmental organization in Surrey where she oversees the interns.  She has also begun to build herself a TINY HOUSE which will sit on the beautiful property out there.  When she comes home at Christmas Daniel and Ron will help her to get the cabinets built so that she can take them back in her truck and get them installed.  Nice to have so much handy talent in the family!

 Presently Victor and Marcia are here in Kelowna celebrating an early Christmas with us. They are always a tremendous help with all sorts of practical things for myself, Elsie, and Tante Hilda and we just love spending time with them.  Family is an incredible gift and Mom and Dad taught us how to love and honour one another.  I’m so grateful for this legacy of love and most of all that Mom taught us what is of eternal significance through her life of simple obedience to Jesus. It’s the one thing that will matter when we step across the thin veil separating this reality from the next…

 I have a beautiful life! I am surrounded by good friends, a wonderful church community, incredible scenery and God’s goodness – every single day. My sweet dog Ladybug turned 12 and is a faithful, loving little companion and our 2 budgies continue to fly around the house happily serenading us. 

 Thank you for being a part of my life…Sending big love & blessings as you celebrate and prepare for 2020!

 Love Karen

HOME for the HOLIDAYS

I was so very blessed to have the kids all home for the holidays.

And they got their wish - a white, snowy Christmas! 

Poor Nicole arrived with a terrible cold so she lay low for the first few days. Thankfully they had a whole week off so there was still time to play once she recuperated. I'm very grateful to still be living up here where there is lots of room for everyone to stay.  Ron and I are still getting our separation agreement details finalized, but in the meantime I am more than happy to "occupy".   Christmas Eve marked my eighteenth year of living in this house.  

Cozy days were spent playing games, baking, watching "Elf" and being entertained by the puppies.

Penny learned her place in the pecking order as you can see here! 

Shortbread cookies were made with the decades old cookie press. 

Nicole has now mastered the technique! 

Patrice was quite preoccupied with getting the kitchen cabinets built for her tiny home.  Daniel and Ron were a huge help in the planning and building. 

It's been a huge undertaking for her, especially since Ron and Daniel are not always readily availably but the Christmas holidays were a perfect opportunity for the three of them to utilize the shop and the manpower! 

Some wonderful bonding time. 

They came in for some lasagna and a little visit.  

It was such a treat to have Becca in our midst as well.

Actually, Penny is the one in the middle here...trying to keep her little spots warm.

Everyone went to church on Christmas Eve but I stayed home to prepare the "faspa".

Which was followed by merry making and music.

Traditional German and English carols were sung and there were instruments for everyone to play if they so desired!

Treasured moments with precious souls....

and a multitude of dogs. 

A Very Merry Christmas indeed. 

Mrs. Claus & Pfeffernusse

Mom had a photo op with Santa at her Senior's Club - the photographer must have been so excited to see "Mrs. Claus" that he shook while taking the photo!

Mom isn't always eager to go, but she enjoys the fellowship and often comes out full of cheer and eager for her nap.

It gives all of us a break and gives mom some much needed company when it's just her and I for a few days in a row. 

Marcia was a willing helper this year for putting together the gift bags for our renters.

I'm trying to get away from "big box shopping" but I'm not really sure if it worth the effort or if it is actually making a difference.

But I'm sure the renters don't mind a friendly little bag of goodies and a card.

This year we bought local chocolates, a tin of nuts and a little bag of gingerbread cookies.

We used to do the deliveries too and the renters especially loved it if I brought the kids along when they were little, but now I rely on our wonderful manager's, Jan & Coral to do the honours.

      I've also got a willing partner for playing crib when Marcia is here!

Once the lunch is cleared away and mom is tucked in for her nap we play a round while drinking something hot and yummy and snacking on Christmas cookies.

Such a cheerful season!

 On Thursday evening I had set the table for my bookish-club ladies who were coming for a Christmas party.  But one by one they started contacting me wondering about the roads as the snow started coming down quite heavily.   

We decided the party would have to wait till January.  Everyone was so disappointed as they had their little plates of goodies ready and we were excited to have a party this close to Christmas. However, not to let the evening be a downer I decided to do some Christmas baking - I got out my recipe and the spices and whipped up a huge batch of dough for Pfeffernusse!  It's one of the few Christmas traditions I have and we all love the crunchy little ginger cookies.  

They are quite a bit of work as I end up filling about 6 or 8 pans with these cute little bits of dough.

But once they come out of the oven it's all worth the effort!

Plus the house smells heavenly.

I gave one to Mom and she pronounced them "good".

Third Advent

It was my desire to have an evening while Vic & Marcia were here that felt like Christmas.

They have kids and grandkids in Calgary so they need to be there for the actual holidays but thankfully there is a whole season that is available for celebration!

So on the Third Advent we gathered around the table for a delicious roast beef dinner along with Esther & John and had ourselves a Merry Little Pre-Christmas dinner complete with Angel Food Cake, berries and whip cream for dessert. 

We sang happy birthday to Dad in case he was listening in since it would have been his 94th birthday if he was still earthbound.

We had such sweet fellowship.

Even mom (who got sick after I did) was able to participate and enjoy the family time even though she was still a little bit rough around the edges.

And dear Tante Hilda rallied herself and came despite suffering with terrible arthritic pain.

What a bunch of troopers! 

We gathered in the living room for carol singing where I played piano, Elsie played her flute and an assortment of bells and maracas were played by the crowd.

It was a cozy, absolutely delightful evening.

I love this precious family of mine! 

I'm grateful for a place and enough space and energy to host guests and dinners.

(with lots of help of course!)