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!)

Christmas Tales & A Party

It's a snowy December and beauty abounds.

Every landscape is transformed and the fresh crisp air and crunching snow are calling back good memories of winter fun.

I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to go sledding, skiing and skating when my legs were still working so I have wonderful recollections of fun times surrounding this snowy season.

Vic & Marcia arrived for a family holiday and they stayed with Mom at Elsie's place so I could rest and get over a cold that was trying to settle in.

Such good timing!

I took a few days to lay low and beat the cold off in time to enjoy a wonderful evening of song and storytelling with Graham Ord and his collection of musicians.

The unique storytelling ability of Justyn Rees adds a whole new dimension to a story that has been told a million times and I was struck again by the beauty and wonder of the coming of God to earth through Jesus.

It was absolutely fabulous and a good time was had by all!

Since Vic and Marcia were helping Elsie with mom I was able to enjoy a Christmas Party that was put on for various leaders in our church community.

I felt so spoiled and loved on - it was a full on dinner with all sorts of fancy drinks and snacks.

We've never had anything like this as the church was quite small when I joined in and it got smaller and smaller through all sorts of staff changes.  However, we seem to be in a much healthier space right now and there is energy and there are more people to make things happen!

There were games and a gift exchange and it felt good and right to be with these dear ones who are in the trenches together - fighting the good fight but also taking time to be refreshed and to stay better connected.

I almost didn't go and the thing that really got me to jump out of bed and head out on the cold winter night was the offer of a delicious dinner!

And so it was.

Peace in the Midst of...

Very recently there has been so much grief in our extended faith community.  I am attending two funerals this weekend, both for precious, well loved women who very unexpectedly died.  Patricia,  a 56 year old vibrant, life-loving, servant-hearted mother of three beautiful girls who ran an organization in town that looked after those who were disabled and struggling financially.  The other, Bethany, a beautiful 27 year old who was talented, loving, vivacious and part of an incredibly loving family. Both touched hundreds of lives in our city.

Therefore, on this Second Advent, where the candle representing Peace is lit, I attend the services along with hundreds who are grieving alongside these families that have suffered such a profound and incomprehensible loss. Praying for the "peace that passes understanding to guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus". 

I am grateful for the years where I was a part of a very large church here in town where I had the opportunity of connecting with so many beautiful people and their children.  And I am grateful that  in both of these services there is the powerful element of faith in Jesus and the promise of a beautiful "here-after" in Him where there will be no more tears or sorrow. 

But until then we walk gently along together, weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice.  Praying for courage to keep getting up on hard days for those who are grieving and waiting for brighter tomorrows...

As I lay here looking out over the orchard as the sky turns to the light of day I am pondering and praying.  Giving the Creator and Lover of my soul my longings, praying for those who are suffering, for my family and for myself.  The ongoing conversation between God and myself.  This conversation is so often one-sided; I'm not giving Him much time to respond to my heart's cry, but there is a knowing He is here with me, loving me and engaging with me. Stretching out His strong arm to heal and to save and to help.

I realize in my praying that even though I keep asking for so many things that are "tangled" and seemingly unfinished, there are so very many things that are right and good.  

As I've been sharing the care-giving responsibilities for Mom mostly with Elsie, I'm filled with immense gratitude for a sister who is unrelentingly loving and devoted.  There is such a sense of unity between us as we look after Mom's needs and enjoy this unique season of mothering our mother.  

I"m filled with an immense gratitude for a mother who is so easy to love and care for.  That I"m able to do this, even with my own limitations, all in this beautiful accessible home in the scenic country-side.  And sweet Tante Hilda is diligently and lovingly taking mom in for fellowship on a regular basis.  Our loving, overcoming, determined and courageous Auntie is another amazing gift.

I think about my children who love each other.  That they are kind to one another and look out for each other.  That's a gift from my Gracious Heavenly Father. An answered prayer...  I think about Daniel and Nicole who are happily married and who really love doing life together.  They are good to each other and they are good to me.  Amazing goodness.

The beautiful relationship of support and love between Victor, Marcia, Elsie and I is something not to be taken for granted.  It feels miraculous and wonderful.  And it is!  

Truly, I am "seeing the goodness of God in the land of the living" as I have often prayed from the end of Psalm 27.  

There are still unanswered questions and hard things that I continually bring before God and there always will be on this side of eternity.  This is "boot camp" as I often say, and we are here to learn and grow, to be conformed into the image of Christ.  The hard places seem to be the best growing ground for that.  Uncomfortable but good when we reach out for the Hand that is always reaching out for us.  

May Jesus, our Good Shepherd, continue to have mercy on us all as we journey along... sometimes stumbling, sometimes running and sometimes needing to be carried.  

His rod and His staff comfort us, He anoints our heads with oil and restores our soul.  His goodness and mercy are following us all the days of our lives, whether we recognize it yet, or not... 

Lord please give us all eyes to see and ears to hear what You in Your great kindness are saying to us today.