Pictures of our summer this year......

Dan built a tree fort!

Jonathan's robot model of Dr Who's K9

First motorcycle ride!

Fun with friends in Quebec

Rebecca's grade 8 graduation

Highland games!

First week long sleep over camp

Hollywood!

American Beech

     Yesterday I abandoned my usual lazy morning to join a daughter and my husband on a hike in Case Woodlot.

It was lovely.

      I must admit that I started the morning out of sorts, a poor sleep can do that, but the quietness of the morning, with its trees and well laid paths, won me over. I was delighted by the sight of a young American Beech standing alone in a grove of still bare trees. It had kept its leaves over the winter and they had turned an ethereal off white, fluttering in the light breeze. They almost glowed against the dark grey backdrop of evergreens and winter cold branches of its neighbours. Victoria, my daughter turned botanist, agreed with me that the moving leaves looked just like fairy wings.

      I have plucked two leaves which I hope to press into a journal. My guide to edible plants told me that The American Beech has nuts which may be harvested for food and I want to document that I have actually identified something. My usual method of identifying nature's population resembles a visitor in an art gallery. Comments like,  " That's pretty! " or the famous,  "What's that green thingy over there? Beside the tree? No, the other tree?"are my normal contribution. But yesterday with the help of my biologist husband and my trusty guide book I had actually identified something. Outstanding!

Christine

Cool Breezes

This afternoon I am thankful for the cool breeze coming in my kitchen window,
afternoon light illuminating the leaves of a kitchen herb on the counter,
medieval music piping through my workspace
and bare feet on the deck after months of winter snow.

What are you thankful for?

Christine

Stillness

     Sometimes God brings me back to the basics, the fundamentals and my rudimentary needs in life. My life can become so complicated, so full of details and necessary clutter that I forget the need to breathe. I forget to feel the softness of a blanket, to listen to the cardinal, to call a friend and to remember that most of all...... every breath...... every relationship, every smile and every good thing are beautiful miracles given to me by my heavenly Father.
     Instead I just spin, like a hamster on a treadmill, convinced of the importance of getting somewhere, anywhere, moving determinedly forward ........not quite noticing the absence of a destination..... or worse, not being satisfied with the destination when I get there.
     Today I have slowed down, not all the way, I am still too busy with my daily clutter. It is hard to let it all go, the daily demands are so convincingly immediate, all must be done now, actually yesterday would have been preferable.
     Still, I am slowing down ..... still ..... two meanings, ....... without motion........ still .........noticing the joy........ quiet .... noticing the humour, the laughter......... the sunshine .......the softness of a blanket ....... a child's excitement ....... and in thankfulness

                            I breathe........

Blessings,
Christine

Thankful

" From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. " John 1:16 

Today this resonates with me. I am feeling particularly fallible this morning, too aware that I do not have enough of me to go around. Everything seems like too much. The morning needs to be taken in small bite size pieces to be endured. I am thinking of my thankful list.....ugh. So I read a blog entry by Ann Voscamp.

Jesus must have known I would.

I cried through the whole thing and was reminded again that I don't have to do it all. That I am not perfect and that is OK. That Jesus, my wonderful, complete, perfect Prince Charming loves me with all my outbursts, unfinished lists, piles of laundry and missing gloves. I am reminded that I can't do it all, that I never was expected to.....and I am reminded of my need for grace.

Giving up has always brought me enormous freedom. Not giving up trying to do my best...giving up trying to be perfect. Trying to do it all, with no mistakes, all the time and in all places...... for everyone! I run myself into a wall time and time again. Smash. Against the brick, and it always hurts! You would think I would learn, I hope I will! The wall never gets any softer.....

That's where His grace comes in, when I realize I can't do it and I need Him. That I am not perfect ( I never was! ) and I will not travel through this life successfully without His grace. To accomplish all my tasks, value the people around me as His creations, and be in a place of Communion with Him, ready to do His will as He calls me.....is more than I can do alone.

And I was never meant to be! His grace is the fuel to my day...His love, my life preserver. Without Him I fall flat. I remember this and ....

I am thankful

1. For the bright sun this morning....
2. For a shovelled driveway
3. For my Jesus
4. For His grace
5. For His love
6. and for His patience with me everyday....

" From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. " John 1:16 

Blessings,

Christine

Snow Day

     I can't believe it has been a week already! I have celebrated my 20th wedding anniversary this week, a milestone that brings joy to both my husband and myself. We stole an hour to go out for a nice meal and rejoiced that we had both chosen to tough out the hard times. The choice to stay together and fight for our marriage was a decision I am very thankful for!
    We are having a snow day today, my bird feeder has a white tower growing on its roof. The cardinals and chickadees must use their wings like brushes to find a spot to sit and eat their breakfast. I am humbled that they visit the feeder as often as they do in the storm. I am hesitant to go out at all, nor do I need to with a full fridge. They have more fortitude than I, out of need perhaps, but I am still impressed.
    My youngest two are outside armed against the snow with enough layers to enable them to survive sub-artic conditions. This is my doing not theirs, one has already come in puffing in his mother induced heat, off comes the scarf and a lighter hat goes on.

Things to be thankful for today....

1. The happy smile on my son, going outside, tongue sticking out and skipping as he went..
2. The slower pace the snow has brought today...
3.  my husband...
4. 20 years of marriage..
6. watching my daughter hold her brother while they share the reading of a book together

The Blanket

I'm sitting on my love seat, feet up and tucked under a warm plaid blanket that my mother made me years ago. It is has an authentic Stewart plaid blanket, the red plaid not the white one, on one side and a white Stewart plaid on the other side ( the dress plaid maybe?).

It's very cozy.

It's special to me because my mom made it. Not just because of its origin but because she is not an avid seamstress. She has made many things in her day, for herself and others, but the love of sewing is not hers. For her to make this for me was a special effort, one I appreciate each cold day

I'm facing out towards my bird feeder where a male and female cardinal are enjoying a late breakfast. They are beautiful, eating together.

My fireplace houses a crackling wood fire which warms my room and my heart.

It is a good moment.

Things to be thankful for today, gifts from my God.....

1. the loving cardinal couple sharing their breakfast outside my window in the snow
2. the warm fire
3. writing my blog
4. thoughts of my mother
5. my blanket

Blessings
Christine

My Gift List

    Last night I went to a book club. I've always wanted to host a book club, with a beautiful table, teapot and teacups and a wonderfully Victorian assortment of tea sandwiches... all with the crusts cut off, stuffed with watercress and cucumber. The choice of book always intimidated me. Maybe that's why I've never hosted one.
   This club is hosted by a woman with a big heart for people. She doesn't get distracted by the accessories the way I would. The book we are reading focuses on learning to receive God's gracious gifts to us, to look for them every day.
    The fact that when I first opened the book, I was too grumpy at the thought of being asked to be grateful to read it, was probably a good indication that this will be good for me! I've decided to take the concept to heart and start a thankful journal. Each day noticing and recording God's gifts to me....

Today:

1. the beautiful pattern on the journal I am writing in...
2. 1 hour carved from my day to write
3. The memories of an old friend.
4. the light coming in my family room window, falling on three of my children who are contently occupied with school and play.

until tomorrow ( hopefully)
Christine