Randoms

I was so happy that Patrice could get a bit of time with some friends during her stay.

Here she is with Kristen - a very good friend that she went to high school with who is now a mother of four under the age of four!

And I think there is another on the way...

So that's a whole different world, but it's so good to keep these beautiful connections. 

She also got to spend some time with Sara whom she has known most of her life.

And here are a few random photos to round off the month of June beauty and happenings!

The macro and the micro beauty of the Okanagan...

And here is Mom getting a foot bath on a rather hot day...

I'm not so sure if it was enjoyable or not, but we were hoping a bit of pampering might be a blessing.

Looks pretty much like she was melting in the heat.

Elsie's Delightful Domestic Domain

 

Elsie had a birthday!

We celebrated a day early since we usually gather on Sunday evening with Tante Hilda and mom for a meal.

We were all going to go to Spaghetti Factory so there would be as little fuss and bother as possible, but Mom was refusing to get out of bed  (she is getting weaker, therefore it's tricker to get her down Elsie's stairs) so we picked up the meals and had dinner in the beautiful atmosphere of Elsie's cozy kitchen.

Much more peaceful and enjoyable in the end. 

The food was fabulous and everyone enjoyed the feast.

Even Mom was finally convinced to get up and join in the festivities.

What a little cutie she is.

We are so blessed to still have her smiling face in our midst.

Elsie is also exceedingly cute.

Here she is posing with her delightful assortment of birthday gifts and cards. 

She is a gift beyond words and the older we get the more I love and appreciate her unique, amazing spirit and personality. 

She is true and noble, zealous and devoted to what is right and good... and to family!

She is one of my biggest life-long cheerleaders and friends.

We couldn't be more different, but we have a strong bond and see many things through the same lens.

We are also both dedicated to looking after mom so there is a lot holding us together right now.

With Patrice here to look after Mom, I am able to sneak out more often on my own, so

on Elsie's actual birthday (the next day)  I picked her up on my way over to Grace's house.

I had groceries to drop off and Elsie was so excited to be able to visit her friend on her special day.

Grace broke BOTH OF HER WRISTS about two months ago and her recovery has been very slow, very painful and exceedingly restrictive.

Originally she was in a care-home for about 6 weeks because she couldn't do anything for herself with both of her arms in casts, but finally she was able to move home and have support workers come in and help her once or twice a day.

She was overjoyed to have us come over and her biggest request was that someone would cut her hair.  Her apartment air conditioner barely works and with the heat gong up to 37 degrees and more she was desperate to get rid of some of her heavy mane.

Elsie did a great job and we had a wonderful time of fellowship together.

**********

Here are a few other little peeks into Elsie's domestic domain.

Mom gets a very different experience in both of our homes which is probably very nice for variety.

Sometimes we send pictures back and forth to each other of her.

I think Elsie also sent me this picture of some of her many journals.

We both have a need to write things down, but hers is a little more intense than mine! 

And here is a picture she sent me of Esther's spontaneous birthday party on Elsie's patio! 

So much to celebrate in the marvellous month of June! 

Venue with a View

Our bookish club managed to finally meet!!

Things were definitely disrupted throughout the restrictive winter season, but having an outdoor space with a breathtaking view is conducive to many gatherings for those who are so inclined. 

So we were inclined and the joy was palpable.

What a fun bunch of wild and wonderful women! 

I was treated to an incredibly beautiful bouquet simply for hosting - something I LOVE to do.

So that's a win-win. 

And God treated us to a spectacular heavenly display...

The ladies got up from their seats and stood to watch the show. 

He does deserve a standing ovation and so much more!

I'm waiting eagerly to be able to do that but until them I can praise Him from down here! 

******************

One of our Saturday night dinners was spent watching Henry & Sue's grand-daughter performing ballet and tap dancing at her year end production on-line. 

Dinner and entertainment all at once. 

When you can't gather at the actual venue we can still manage to party it up in smaller groups.

I can't remember who won, but I have a feeling it wasn't me haha!! 

Pups, Babies and a Full Moon...

                             

This is the miracle home that is being enjoyed by my beautiful friend Lisa.

She got her eviction notice in March.  

Due to the hot real estate market, her landlord was selling the home that she has loved and has been renting for many years.  This left her anxiously wondering how on earth she would find a home in her price range in before the end of June at a time when everything is so expensive, so we prayed for something amazing.

Of course God came through with flying colours!

This sweet little place came up in perfect timing at a very reasonable price.

It is her healing sanctuary and it looks out on a beautiful courtyard where deer often come to rest with their fawns!

The neighbours are lovely and Lisa is so happy.

It also happens to be across the street from the pool and Lisa LOVES swimming so there are good times ahead for her when she regains her strength. 

Faith is an uncomfortable but rewarding journey.

It's easier to believe for someone else's miracle than my own it seems, but I will keep holding onto His promises because HE IS FAITHFUL.

*******************

While Patrice is here with Willow I have a bigger audience when I am cooking at the stove.

It's serious business, this hopeful watching and waiting for tasty morsels to fall from heaven.

There is also a lot of happy sniffing around for the pups when we have backyard pot lucks! 

We combined a worship/prayer night with dinner and it was such a lovely evening. Even Mom was able to join in the merrymaking. 

This past year we have had a bit of a different group due to the restrictions but since all of us were on the same page we managed to keep meeting.

It has been very life-giving and fun.

Plus, some of the people who turned out to pray this last year were young pregnant couples! 

Interestingly, this gal was one of my Sunday school students way back when she was little.

We've come a long way baby!! 

Here she is with  her two brothers and husband. 

The other gal in the pic is also pregnant and will have a baby in August so our group is expanding from within! 

A loving gaze from a very proud uncle.  

I am endlessly grateful for the ability to host gatherings and enjoy the community that God provides for my extroverted self. 

Even though it is exhausting, it fills up my cup and there is usually fresh energy after a good sleep and long rest under this big full moon. 

Lakeside Reprieve

These two...

Forever friends for sure.

We've been through some deep waters together and we're all still treading and keeping our heads above the water, thanks to God! 

Dear Amber is in the midst of all sorts of suffering that has gone on for years now, but we keep believing and trusting for healing and help.

Meanwhile we seek out moments of beauty together.

With a side of pizza and something cold to drink.

Casting our burdens upon Him, because He cares for us and gives us these marvellous moments of reprieve. 

 

Downtown Lovelies and Loveliness !

With a downtown as lovely as this I don't know why we don't do this more often!

But then again, with restrictions alternately lifting and settling on us life is full of uncertainty and adventure.

So while there was opportunity - we took it!!

A patio lunch downtown for the ladies. 

And that's all I have to say about that.

Other than I'm grateful for beautiful people and beautiful places that abound in my life.

Because the goodness of God is constantly chasing me down!

Rescue & Revelries

Since Patrice was here anyways,  once I was feeling better we decided to have some fun.

The Smith's kindly invited us over for a lovely visit over a rather decadent breakfast on their back patio.

Our two daughters are the reason we are all friends as they met at Heritage back in 2007 when Steve was the principle there.

Such precious people with amazing servant's hearts - all of them! 

We brought brought the dogs, because we're all a little over the top that way... and Bernie and Winnie were reacquainted!  

There is always the possibility of puppies in the future so we want to keep the relationship ignited, so to speak. 

The possibility of what might transpire wore Winnie right out so she lept up to safety and had a little nap.

Warm June evenings lead to more patio time with beautiful people.  

This time two of the Gagnon grandkids came along.  One of them fell in love with Willow and the other one was freaked out by her.

Willow doesn't quite know yet how to handle little people so she is on a learning curve. 

But she seemed to be able to handle the loving quite well! 

*********************

Patrice and I used some of our patio time to hone our quirkle skills - I'm so excited to finally have someone around who likes to play games! 

Unfortunately as time goes on the scoliosis in my spine has increased limiting my sitting time, but an evening of games on the patio is definitely worth it! 

And since Patrice was here we decided to have Grandma up for a belated 90th birthday meal!

She's in great shape and is still keeping busy with quilting and other crafts in her basement.

She came with her bag of home-sewn goodies and we were all given a set of beautiful quilted hot pads on Martha's birthday.

What a remarkable woman.

This birthday definitely called for a sparkler and some lemon blueberry cake! 

Again, the month of June went all out in treating us to some lovely weather and the flowers sparkle with colour and joy... doing exactly what they were created to do.

Sadly, mom is not able to see them this year - somehow her vision has decreased again. She is sometimes able to see a bit of the colour.

But she loves the warm fresh air and being with us outside.

The pups are pretty spoiled around here, especially when Patrice is around. She is definitely a dog whisperer and all the dogs are happier when she shows up with Willow.

And the June flowers in my yard are exquisite...

God's creativity is boundless

We just give them water and they respond with smiles of beauty.

So I drink it all in with gratitude.

Oh the many, many joys of June!