The Harseverse

Hot Chocolate / Hot Cocoa Recipe

2012-01-10T18:10:00.003-05:00

We received some hot chocolate packets in a gift basket last month. It's been a long time since we've had hot chocolate, because I don't buy mixes, and I never think to try figuring out how to make it "from scratch." So here's my attempt. I think it turned out pretty tasty!
Hot Cocoa/Hot Chocolate

2 cups milk
3 Tbsp cocoa
2 1/2 tsp honey
1 tsp vanilla extract

Whisk all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, and heat until steaming. Pour into mugs and enjoy! You can also use the microwave. Try adding peppermint extract for a peppermint-patty flavour.

Reflections

2012-01-09T12:56:00.004-05:00

Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection from incourage

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

Getting a fresh start in our lives.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?

Deciding which teaching opportunity presented suited best my husbands' gifts and talents.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?

Not only that moving wasn't as hard as I expected, but seeing my husband loving his new career path was a great joy!

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?

Relearning patience - again....in a new place!

5. Pick three words to describe 2011.

Stressful, hopeful... Fulfillment.

6. What were the best books you read this year?

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Made to Crave - Satisfying our Deepest Desires with God, not Food by Lysa TerKurst, Ragman by Walter Wangerin Jr., The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones.

7. With whom were your most valuable relationships?

My husband to keep me sane, my children to keep me focused, and two wonderful girlfriends I got to know even better this past year.

8. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?

Stepping out of that comfort zone.

9. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?

I learned to rely less on people, and more on God.

10. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?

Every year seems to bring me closer to Him, especially after trials.

11. In what way(s) did you grow physically?

Through the realization that I am emotionally attached to food, I finally decided it was time to work on it.

12. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

Teaching (and still teaching) Callum how to read.

13. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

Still feeling uprooted, without a home. And with the busyness of a new school year, not having my husband "present" as much as before. Making decisions still is tough for me, as well.

14. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

Um...Procrastination?

15. What was the best way you used your time this past year?

Organizing a women's retreat! Learning about and raising two boys.

16. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?

What God has led us through the last couple of years prepared and grew us so that we were ready for a big change.

17. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2011 for you.

Waiting on the Lord may take years, but he always fulfills his promises.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T01:41:00.003-05:00

Wishing you a blessed Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Boys

2011-12-16T01:00:00.006-05:00

Potato waffles, anyone? Made by a little boy who always rummages around in the cupboards when Mommy's in the kitchen.Superhero goggles.
Hiding from the noisy noisy vaccuum.
Don't turn around for even a moment. Ever.
Ready to play outside!
Look, I came out of this box!
They've been playing together really well lately. A little bit at a time. :)
Bedtime story. Night-night.

Making Arrangements

2011-12-13T01:20:00.003-05:00

Floral arrangements, that is! Is it floral if it has no flowers? I suppose floral refers to flora, which means plants. And these are plants. Real ones. Well, bits of them that were chopped off, anyway.
We had a ladies' night and had fun creating these pieces on Friday. Now I have some lovely Christmas decorations, learned some skills and explored some creative talent. Of course the best part was meeting more friendly faces. Oh, and the chocolates... ;)

Christmas Chocolates

2011-12-10T21:06:00.004-05:00

Last week I got together with a friend for an all-day chocolate-fest! We used paintbrushes and coloured molding wafers to apply the details, and then filled in the rest of the molds with milk chocolate or white molding wafers. We even made some truffles and caramel-filled squares.
Some of these are too pretty to eat! Although I did eat too many of them already... ;)
It was so fun to hang out and do something crafty. Now I have a desire to run out and find some molds myself and go crazy with some ideas. Maybe she'll let me come over and use hers again....:D

The boys loved playing with a new friend, too. They even had a tea party. Something that Asher loved so much, he's carrying on the tradition at home. Whenever he sees a tea pot he asks, "Tea party? Tea party?" He actually likes tea and coffee and will sit at the table with me and mooch when I have my morning brew. ;)

Gingerbread Shack

2011-12-10T18:54:00.005-05:00

The first bake, minus the gingerpeople and gingertrees, which had to be sampled, of course!

One thing I haven't done with the boys yet is make a gingerbread house. They look like fun, but also a lot of work. This week I borrowed a cast iron gingerbread house mold from a new friend and we gave it a whirl. It was handy that I didn't have to do any measuring and cutting, or worry about warping this way.
I couldn't find my piping bags, they must still be packed somewhere. I just used a spatula to apply the royal icing. The house kept falling over. I wonder if next time I should trim the edges, making them even so that it sits flatter on the base. The boys had a blast decorating with haartjes, jelly beans, bells and ribbon-candy. Andes mints were the doors, and Callum was sure to apply one sideways for a special cat door.

Help....I would be saying that too if my house was this lopsided. ;)

The finished product, complete with many many icing-fingerprints. As a result of setting it back up many many times! :D It was so fun. I love making memories like this.

Sugar Free Banana Bread (or Muffins)

2011-12-01T00:00:00.005-05:00

Use dates instead of sugar to sweeten your banana bread!

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup pitted, chopped dates
2 eggs
6 large overripe bananas
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

If your dates are soft and squishy, you can use them as is, skipping to step 4. If they are hard, soak them for a bit in some hot tap water. Place chopped dates in a small bowl and cover them halfway up with hot water, placing a plate on top. Let them hang out in there while you get your other ingredients ready.

Whisk all your dry ingredients together, and mash the bananas.

Drain the water off your dates (don't worry about squeezing it out) and put them in a bowl with the butter.

Cream butter and dates together until thoroughly mixed. Add eggs and mix well. Mix in mashed bananas, then add the dry ingredients and stir until just moistened.

Fill muffin cups and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes. For banana bread, spread in a loaf pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. The bread freezes well, so I always double the recipe and pour into a 13x9 pan, cut into squares and freeze. The boys love it for breakfast!

Enjoy!

First Snow!

2011-10-27T15:27:00.002-04:00

Thanksgiving

2011-10-27T00:15:00.004-04:00

Thanksgiving morning walk in our neighbourhood
"I'm keeping my hands in my sleeves so they stay warm!"
Our church - just a five minute walk from our house!
A magpie - they are popular around here. I find that they are pretty birds - black and white with some shiny dark blue feathers.We went to friend's house for supper. The weather was perfect for playing in the backyard! I meant to take a photo of dinnertime, but forgot!

Why We Don't "Do" Halloween

2011-10-25T22:28:00.003-04:00

by Cassandra Dorman. Reposted with permission.

Every year, I look forward to the Harvest season. The apples, the pumpkins, the gourds, leaves changing and falling, Thanksgiving, crisp, cool days for walking along a painted path, the 'new' feeling that comes with September and the following months. It's all so wonderful - likely my favorite time of year.

And then, there's Halloween. I've actually had requests to write a post on the topic of Halloween - so I'm writing this. But I'm doing so with a bit of reluctance, as I know our family stands with only a small few in our stance against Halloween. (Wow, us? There's a shocker. Ha.)

I find it interesting that Halloween is one of the biggest holidays of the year, and yet, very few people know its origins, why we celebrate, and what the day actually acknowledges and glorifies.

The Origins of Halloween (in a nut-shell)

The celebration of what we know today as Halloween can be traced way back to the 700s (and earlier), to the practices of the ancient Druids. The Druids were a highly educated or 'priestly' class of the Celts of the time. The Celts worshiped many gods, including, the sun god on Beltane (May 1), and the lord of the dead on Samhain (October 31).

It was (and is) believed that on October 31st, "the lord of the dead would gather all the souls of the evil dead who had been condemned to enter the bodies of animals. He then decided what animal form they would take for the next year. (The souls of the good dead were reincarnated as humans.) The Druids also believed that the punishment of the evil dead could be lightened by sacrifices, prayers, and gifts to Samhain (the god of the dead)."*

It was taught that evil spirits roamed the earth on this night and the people had many practices to scare them away. They would light huge fires, dress in grotesque masks and costumes, and make both animal and human (usually infant) sacrifices in hopes of appeasing the gods and keeping their families safe. Sacrifices like these are still made today in many Pagan circles, although it is seldom talked about or revealed.

What about 'Trick or Treating'?

One possible origin for 'Trick of Treating' is the idea that many witches traveled villages stealing goods for their Halloween celebrations and festivals. It is also true that many ancient pagans would beg for and steal items for their great fires (which included sacrifices to the god of the dead). The Druids knew this day was sacred day for Pagans, Wiccans, and Witches alike, which still holds true for modern day pagans.

The idea of 'Trick or Treating' is also related to ghosts of the dead in pagan and even Catholic history. Among the ancient Druids, the ghosts that were believed to haunt people's homes on Halloween night were met with a banquet table full of 'treats' to satisfy them. At the end of their 'feast', masked and costumed villagers would represent the souls of the dead, and paraded the town, leading the real ghosts and spirits away from their homes.

Another connection to the practice of trick-or-treating is to the evil spirits who roamed the night, playing tricks on the living.

When children "Trick or Treat", they are taking part in the playing out of a very real Pagan belief. Evil spirits roamed the villages, going from house to house - if they were not appeased by 'treats' and sacrifices, they would haunt and torment the living. When people offer treats to the children, they are acting out the tradition of offering sacrifices to evil spirits, or, Satan.

What about dressing up on Halloween?

Along with many of the reasons listed above, Halloween costumes also originated from a time when costumes were used to hide one's attendance at pagan festivals or to change the personality of a person to allow for better communication with the Spirit world. The Celtic Druids also wore large animal heads at rituals, in an attempt to pull energy sources out of that particular animal. Costumes are most largely used in Halloween tradition to either ward off evil spirits, blend in with evil spirits, or appease evil spirits.

What about Jack-o-Lanterns?

There are a few theories about the origins of the Jack-o-Lantern. The first is that the idea stemmed from the tradition of Witches using skulls with candles in them to light the way to their coven meetings. Another is the Irish legend of "Irish Jack", a stingy drunk who tricked the devil into climbing a tree for an apple, but then carved the sign of the cross in the trunk to stop the devil from climbing back down. Jack then forced Satan to promise never to come after his soul, to which the devil reluctantly agreed. When Jack died, he was turned away at the gates of Heaven and was sent to the devil, who also rejected him. Jack was then condemned to wander the earth. As he was leaving hell, Satan pitched a piece of burning coal at him. Jack put the coal inside a turnip and was forced to forever roam with no resting place, holding only his 'Jack o' lantern' for light. The turnip was eventually traded for a pumpkin, and there you have the legend, passed down through generations.

It is important to note that many people think Halloween is actually a 'religious' holiday, linked to the Catholic belief in All Souls' Day. In the Middle Ages the Catholic Church tried to appose the paganism in the Samhain festival by making November 1st All Saints' Day and November 2 All Souls' Day. These days were dedicated to prayer for and to the dead Saints and souls and the dead still suffering in purgatory. The belief that the living can somehow aid the dead is still prevalent among many Catholics.

Why we don't 'do' Halloween...

Many people (including a whole lot of Christians) will argue that Halloween is "no big deal". They feel that by completely rejecting the holiday and refusing to celebrate it in any way, our family is being 'over the top' - reading too much into it, over-reacting. For us, the question lies in, "who does this holiday glorify?". The roots of Halloween are wickedly pagan, the past and present-day associations are directly connected to Satanism.

But, if that's not enough reason, we can look directly at the premise of Halloween. This is a greed-based holiday where children parade around, mimicking evil practices and beliefs. Halloween is the SINGLE most important day to many people in groups linked straight to the devil. We need to wake up.

I have given only a sampling of the truth behind the origins and present-day practices of and on Halloween. If you take time to do further research, there is no doubt that this holiday is incredibly evil. For us, it is vital we weigh Halloween with great care. Our family's spiritual health is incredibly important. In fact, it is everything. Our faith in Christ is what makes us who we are. He is our guide. He is the Light for our path, just like so many followers of Jesus.

Friends - if you are a follower of Christ, you need to be closely examining your involvement with this highly Satanic celebration. By celebrating Halloween, I believe we are mimicking evil practices, giving credence to (honoring) the most important day in the world of Satanism, and we are exposing our children directly to spiritual darkness. If this topic is confusing to you, I suggest getting in God's word and praying strongly that God would give you wisdom and clarity about Halloween.

Some scripture to consider:

"Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." Romans 12:9

"Avoid every kind of evil." 1 Thes. 5:22

"Do not imitate what is evil." 3 John 11

"Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deed of darkness, but rather expose them..." (Eph. 5:8-11)

Should your family participate in Halloween?
To help, here are 12 very good, straight-forward points to consider.
Taken from"The Facts on Halloween"

1. It is the most sacred day of many religions that are connected with evil spirits and Satan.
2. It was and is believed to be the day of the year on which the devil's help could especially be invoked for a variety of things; it remains a special day to Satanists.
3. Human sacrifice of children and adults has often been practiced on this day.
4. It has and will continue to encourage non-Christian spiritual activity on the part of both children and adults. Halloween is growing in popularity and decadence.
5. It is a special day to call on spirits through various spiritual practices that are often promoted as innocent and fun. For example, children try out a Ouija board or participate in seances.
6. It is a day historically known for divination.
7. It helps support pagan philosophies and practices such as reincarnation, animism, shamanism, and Druidism.
8. It is of help to the practices and beliefs of mediums and psychic researchers by encouraging people's interest in things such as ghosts and poltergeists.
9. It can unequally yoke Christians and pagans (see 2 Cor. 6:14).
10. It is likely that no Halloween activity or symbol can be found that does not go back to a non-Christian religious source.
11. Christian participation in Halloween can in many ways be dishonoring to God.
12. "Everything that does not come from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23).

I pray every person who reads this post will measure it with the Word of God and the convictions in their own hearts. (hugs) Cassandra

*Small excerpt taken from "The Facts on Halloween" by J. Ankerberg, J. Weldon, and D. Burroughs

Winner!

2011-10-17T21:50:00.003-04:00

The winner of the My Memories Suite Giveaway is...

Mrs. Bob! Congratulations, and have fun with your new software! For my other readers, you can still purchase My Memories Suite with my $10 off coupon code STMMMS23143 . With this code you also get a $10 store credit for any extras you would like to purchase!

Happy scrapping!

New Sweaters!

2011-10-13T22:30:00.005-04:00

Gorgeous sweaters made by one of our aunts in Ontario! As soon as I took them out of the box, I knew that a photoshoot was in order. Thanks, Aunt Johanna, for your time and talent in creating these warm and cozy sweaters for the boys! They love the toys you tucked in the box too.

I love at all the different textures and patterns - so neat!
One of only two non-goofy shots of Callum.
Looking at the neighbour's cat.
...then he came over to play.

Sour Cream Cake

2011-10-08T17:59:00.003-04:00

Yummy cinnamon swirl coffee cake.

Cake Batter
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sour cream (1 500ml tub)

Cinnamon Filling
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
2 Tbsp cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar

Directions
Combine filling ingredients in a small bowl, set aside. Beat butter with sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in sour cream. In a seperate bowl, combine the flour and baking powder and baking soda. Stir gently into sour cream mixture until just combined. Spread 1/4 of the cake batter into a greased bundt pan. Sprinkle with 1/4 of the filling. Continue to layer batter and filling, ending with filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 75 minutes.

Bye Summer

2011-10-08T17:31:00.006-04:00

Bye fresh flowers for my table and fresh BC cherries!
bye soggy beach bums...
bye dragonflies...see you next year summer robot pjs!
bye puddles!

See you later sunny park picnics!

Roast Chicken with Gravy

2011-10-06T00:38:00.007-04:00

You need pepper, salt, two or three cloves of garlic, split, half of a cooking onion, chopped, and your herbs of choice (rosemary, sage, parsley, etc... or "poultry seasoning")
Season the cavity with salt, pepper, and herbs, and throw in your garlic and onion.Cut a little slit in the skin on each side of the opening.
Tuck the ends of the legs through the opposing slits so it closes the cavity. Especially handy if you stuffed the chicken. Season the outside of the bird.

Place in a roasting pan. I add about a half of a cup of water to keep the chicken moist. Roast at 350 degrees for a half an hour per pound.I roast with the lid on, and still get crispy skin. I find that leaving the lid on keeps it moist. If you find that near the end of cooking time the skin is not brown, you can take the lid off and crank the heat up to 500 degrees, or broil, for a few minutes.
Remove the chicken to a platter and cover. Strain the juices into a saucepan. Carefully scoop off most of the fat (it floats on top) with a spoon. Taste the drippings and adjust the seasoning to your liking. You can fortify it with chicken stock, if need be. In a small glass mix equal parts cold water and corn starch or white flour. Whisk slowly to boiling drippings, just adding enough to thicken. Serve with roast chicken and mashed potatoes.

My Memories Suite - Review and Giveaway

2011-09-29T22:31:00.007-04:00

Scrapbooking has always been something I loved - the idea, of it anyway. I have a dear friend who does amazing things with stamps and papers and brads and buttons... but I can never seem to reach the levels of creativity she does. I love the look of scrapbooks, and I've bought some supplies, but never seem to have the space, or time to do it. Or other things that prevent getting down to it, like little fingers that love to touch things that you're trying to use, or littles that need to sit on your lap just when you'd like to get started on a project.Recently I was asked to review My Memories Suite, a digital scrapbook program. I jumped at the chance, thinking that maybe I could finally get all our photos organized into pretty albums. I don't know anything about digital scrapbooking, so I was a little nervous about it. Once I opened the program, all the buttons and gadgets looked overwhelming, but I discovered that it is actually very easy to use. Most of the buttons are icons, so it's obvious what the application is. I was impressed with the amount of attention given to each item that could be added to the page - (I can bevel and shadow and fill AND shape my text?? Wow!!)

Here you can see a couple of pages I made with the software. The first page is made from scratch. I chose the corrugated background paper, then added the photos, then embellished with the flower, button, ribbon, staple, and text. Adding photos to a page is easy: you just drag pictures from a folder on your computer, and drop them onto the page. The second image here is from a template in an Autumn-themed album. I just dragged and dropped the images into the spaces for photos, then replaced sample text with my own.
I'm excited to get to know more of the features in this program. For instance, you can add a video, or even background music to your album for a multimedia experience! I can see the albums made with all these features making great gifts for our boys' grandparents, who live far away. It's also nice to actually have a book in your hand to look at, so at My Memories you have the option of printing out a photobook as well, or even a calendar. Turn your pages into a jpg and get them printed as cards, photos, or put them on your blog, like I did!

Buy it!
My Memories has given me a special code for my readers to use towards their purchase of this software. Use the code STMMMS23143 at checkout to receive $10 off your purchase, plus a $10 coupon to use at the MyMemories.com store - a $20 value!

Win it!
One reader will receive My Memories Suite absolutely free! To enter, please go to www.MyMemories.com, choose your favorite digital paper pack or layout, come back here and leave a comment below telling me what it is.

For extra entries, you may "like" My Memories on facebook, follow them on their blog, or on twitter. Leave a seperate comment below for each like or follow, telling me that you did.

The winner will be randomly chosen Monday, October 17th.

Thanks, My Memories, for giving me the opportunity to try your software for free! All the best, dear readers, with the contest!

Eighteen Months

2011-09-14T16:26:00.003-04:00

A year and a half. He has his own will, and is not afraid to exert it. Demanding and grumpy if he doesn't get his way. Just the other day he actually stamped his foot when he was told "no." We love him though, and think we'll keep him. ;) He has the best giggles, and gets excited about pretty much everything. Always curious, wants to see everything that's going on. Climbs anything, as he is a little more adventurous than his brother. He loved slides before Callum ever did. He now uses two- and three-word sentences. Despite his independent nature, he doesn't like going to the nursery at church and clings tightly to Mommy, but is usually fine after a few minutes, as long as someone has attention engaged.

First Part of Our Trip

2011-09-09T00:30:00.008-04:00

I'm finally posting the rest of the photos from our family trip to Jasper. Hope you enjoy them!
Two eager kids, ready to go! (I won't show you the pictures I took of them after a few hours of driving - don't want to embarrass them too much...)
After about four hours later, we arrived at Tekarra Lodge, where we had booked a tiny cabin for the night. Much to the boys' relief there was a little playground about ten steps away. Then we stretched our legs on a trail that ran along the river.

The view from the trail. With conveniently placed Adirondack chairs.After our walk, Asher went for a nap, and Callum and I climbed down to the milky-blue ice cold river and skipped stones, watching river rafters go by.It took some convincing to get this photo. He wasn't quite sure about these totem pole creatures at first.
Our little cabin. The inside.
Miette River
That afternoon we went to Athabasca Falls and Pyramid Island. We could walk to the island on a bridge constructed over the lake.
Sitting on a bench on Pyramid Island.
I thought the mountain framed in the mirror looked neat...
On the drive down
Imagine seeing mountains every day, like the people living here!
Some goats crossing the road.
On the other side.

More Canning

2011-09-08T22:41:00.003-04:00

Apple Butter. After burning (scorching really badly because I was cooking a chicken dinner at the same time and forgot) the first batch on the stove I used a slow cooker another. For those of you without a Dutch background, it's basically applesauce that has been cooked down so it's nice and thick and spreadable. Flavoured with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and brown sugar. Delicious on toast. And it got the C-note's stamp of approval. Bonus!
Peaches! 16 half-litre bottles from a 9kg box. I haven't canned them before but it was pretty easy once I got the hang of it. Time consuming, but worth it.
I have only done jam before, and I canned tomatoes once, so I thought I would try my hand at a couple of other things. It's always satisfying to see the results of all the cooking and preparing. We don't have a big freezer, so I have to can rather than preserving them that way. I don't even have a canner (I just use a big soup pot) so if canning intimidates you, don't let it! It's so easy! I use Bernardin's Guide to Home Preserving, and the instructions are simple.

Brothers

2011-09-07T16:09:00.006-04:00

Apple Picking and Saucing and Baking OH MY!

2011-09-02T22:29:00.006-04:00

Me in a tree! Ah, just like the old days, when I was a young'un.
The kidlets "helping" pick apples.Pink! But it turned brown after canning.Apple crumble! A lot of it!
After all that cooking and mess-making, I am very thankful for my dishwasher. I LOVE YOU KEN(more)!

Four

2011-08-30T00:26:00.004-04:00

Yesterday Callum celebrated his fourth birthday. When he woke up we told him it was his birthday and he said "Oh! I'm four! But....I'm not big now..."
We had some friends help us eat his birthday cake. Thanks for helping us celebrate, guys. We all had so much fun, and he loves his new cars and stickers! He played with them all day.
Callum is into the "why" stage. Why do we have arms? Why do we walk? Why are there windows/grass/rocks/clouds? Each answer is followed up with another why question. I love seeing him try figure out everything.
Happy Birthday to my sweet, sensitive, sometimes-shy, not-so-little-anymore boy.

Athabasca Falls

2011-08-29T22:49:00.003-04:00

"Can I still see it?" He wanted to keep watching and watching.
My favorite part of the video? Hearing the amazement in Callum's voice while viewing this wonder!

Mount Edith Cavell

2011-08-28T00:25:00.006-04:00

We had to go see the mountains before school started! So off we went on a two-day road trip. Callum likes telling everyone how we climbed a mountain and had a picnic at the top. Right near a freezing cold glacial pond!
Dog came too. He took a ride on Callum's hand.

Lunch on the mountain.

The ride home

Hailstorm

2011-08-15T14:38:00.008-04:00

Sunday morning, 12:30 am. It was so loud I thought something was going to break. Like a window. Or the roof. Two sceaming boys ended up in our bed for a while.
Checking out the "ice rain."The backyard grass was flattened and covered with leaves shredded to bits as if they went through a food processor. Our hopeful apple crop is gouged and pitted by the hail. It also stripped off all remaining raspberries along with most of the leaves. There was a part of a burnt birch branch in our neighbour's yard. There aren't any birch trees around...
Amazing.Apples which are now wasp food.Raspberry bushesThe neighbour's bedraggled cat looked like it had gotten caught in the storm.

Birthday

2011-08-12T22:58:00.005-04:00

a door in the treehouse at the library

the kid's corner at the library

A trip to the library, playground, and then supper (and cake!) with old and new friends. Happy Birthday to my dear Stu. :)

Blowing out the candles
Yum!

Haute Couture

2011-08-12T22:48:00.003-04:00

Fashion. Style. The Look. Watch for this up-and coming designer on the runways this summer.

Blue Heron Parade and Fair

2011-08-10T21:54:00.002-04:00

Last Saturday we were out the door pretty early for the Blue Heron Parade. Even though it was raining, we figured we could watch it from our friends' balcony, otherwise we were prepared with umbrellas and boots. Well, at least the boys were covered in that area. The rain let up just in time for the parade to begin. Alas, I forgot my camera that morning, so I don't have any photos of the firetrucks spraying each other, or the weird-looking cat float bank made by TD, or the horses trotting by. Oh, and the handfuls of candy thrown by the float passengers!

Later that afternoon Callum and I went to the fair. Mainly for the animals, as you can see. There was a petting zoo with a bunch of critters including a baby pig who screamed like a banshee when anyone tried to pick him up. I put a cute lil' bunny on Callum's lap and that was it. He was absolutely smitten. He didn't want to hold the duck or pet the pups. Or look at the sheep, goats, or the soft baby cow. Even the forlorn-looking donkey and colt didn't get a glance. He only had eyes for Bunny:

Then we found the bouncy garden, which had a slide, a tree, a turtle and some bushes. It's the only other thing Callum wanted to try at the fair as all the other things looked a little too scary for him. Except for the balloon artist but the line-up was too long. And he wasn't interested in getting his face painted. He almost went on a pony ride but then changed his mind. So the bouncy castle it was! And just before we left there wasn't a line-up so he went six times in a row, with a "One more time?" after each one.

A Wake-Up Story

2011-08-09T00:06:00.001-04:00

Thunder Lake

2011-08-06T23:02:00.007-04:00

Thunder Lake is a Provincial Park about 20 km from our town. It's free for day use at the beach (yay!) which was quite rocky. It took a while for Callum (our sensitive boy) to get used to the rockiness of the sand, but was very excited that we went to the beach. He keeps asking if we can go back. We made some gravelly sand castles and had a blanket lunch. We had to pull little leeches off our feet after wading in the water (yeah, gross) but the water was warm. Not really a swimming beach with all the algae and leeches.

More Jam

2011-08-06T22:52:00.003-04:00

We've given them away, smoothied them, baked them in tarts, froze them and the bushes still keep giving us more berries! I can't let them go to waste. What else can I make? More jam.
I don't know what I'm going to do with all this sweet stuff.
Although it does make great gifts.

July

2011-08-05T18:47:00.007-04:00

My raspberry bushes runneth over.
Yummy whipped cream from Mommy's new mixer.
Sunday afternoon catnap (or kitten-nap, since he's been prentending to be a kitten for since we got here.) (Because of all the neighbourhood cats who think they own our backyard.)We love our people-powered reel lawnmower.
The grass before our lawnmower pwned it.
Glowing glass.
Fresh-from-the-garden potatoes from church friends.
Brothers
$1 umbrella + $1 rainboots = 1 prepared boy for the upcoming storm.The rainbow that followed the storm.

Athabasca River/Fort Assiniboine

2011-08-05T17:09:00.008-04:00

We packed a lunch and headed out to see the Athabasca River, and hopefully cross it on a ferry (if it wasn't still closed due to flooding.) Fort Assiniboine is home to the world's largest wagon wheel and pickaxe (due to its history as a fur trade post and a stopping point along the Klondike Trail.) The sleepy hamlet's museum wasn't open until eleven so we decided to drive on to the ferry and see what's on the other side.
The route to the ferry was winding and rugged. There were plenty of trails heading off the road into the forest. Someday we'll go back and do some hiking. With a lot of bug spray. Mosquitos are very much in abundance here. Even going for a walk to town or playing in the backyard bug spray is a must. Callum thought it was pretty neat that we were going across the river in our truck. When we got across we realized that we were running out of gas so we had to get some in order to go back to the museum! Well, there weren't any gas stations nearby so we headed home and had a picnic at a local park. The boys loved playing at the playground even though it was wet. All in all a good day despite the poor planning. We seem to be in canola country up here, so here's a glimpse of what we see whenever we leave town:

School

2011-08-03T23:50:00.004-04:00

Playing in the lockers
and in the huge gym!
I drooled over the kitchen. Good thing they had a mop.
I was so distracted I forgot my lens cap over by the stand mixers.
Stu's classroom.
The library!Two kids who will eventually attend this school! :)

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

2011-08-02T18:42:00.001-04:00

3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp water
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
3 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups raisins

Cream butter, sugars, egg, water, and vanilla together until light and fluffy. Combine flour, soda and cinnamon. Add to creamed mixture, mix until blended. Stir in oats and raisins. Drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto baking sheets. Press flat for crispy cookies, leave mounded for chewy cookies. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. Do not overbake. Enjoy warm from the oven with a glass of milk! :)

Jam!

2011-07-28T00:30:00.002-04:00

I know, Mr. Bunny, I can't help myself either...*sniff sniiiiiiff* ah, yum.

There is something very satisfying about seeing rows of just-made preserves on the table. Especially when the sun shines through the jar, causing the contents to glow while you gaze at the...er, clean up the big mess you just made. Ah, bask in the sun, my pretties... uh.... ahem. Where was I? Oh, yes. I made some jam. Some cooked, some uncooked. I think I like the flavour of the uncooked better, but of course it won't last as long as the processed jars. I also used a "light pectin" so I could use less sugar. I liked it and I think I will use it from now on, as I find that although homemade jam is so yummy, it is way too sweet. But the less-sugar recipe is just right. So long as you don't overdo it. (she says after making 14 jars of jam) Mmmm, strawberry jam! :)

Stormy

2011-07-27T19:24:00.003-04:00

It's been a rainy season so far out here. And a storm can whip up in a matter of minutes. It always surprises me how quickly the weather can change. The air will be still, with partly cloudy skies, then suddenly the wind starts blowing and clouds billowing in, and with a crack of thunder there's a sudden heavy downpour.

Rainbow Cupcakes

2011-07-26T16:10:00.002-04:00

We have met so many wonderful people in our new church community. We feel blessed to join them, and honoured that they are so welcoming. We've met some of Stu's fellow teachers, new friends who have helped with the moving in, and even had supper at a honey farm. These rainbow cupcakes are one of the many gifts we recieved since moving in. Aren't they fun? The beautifully decorated cake we recieved from another helpful "mover" was gobbled up so fast I forgot to take a picture of that... and the cookies we also recieved went into the freezer. I think we've been gaining some weight around here! :)
"It's all coloury inside!"

So Tired

2011-07-21T01:03:00.002-04:00

This photo was taken the day after we arrived. A combination of jetlag, lack of a good night sleep and a very busy few days took its toll on all of us. Asher even went back to having a morning and afternoon nap for a few days to catch up. Callum needed rests every now and then, too. Unfortunately after this one he was pretty sore!

First Haircut

2011-07-21T00:31:00.005-04:00

It was time. Although the curls were gorgeous, his hair was getting too long and poofy. And we were kind of getting tired of people calling him "she."
I don't really know what I'm doing when it comes to cutting hair with scissors so I just wung it. Winged it?
Anyway, after a few screams and a few minutes I gained some confidence while I completed the task. And now he looks like a different little boy.
I miss the ringlets, though.

Outside

2011-07-16T23:58:00.004-04:00

We have two apple trees in the backyard. The one at the back fence seems to be doing a bit better than the one closer to the house. I wonder what kind of apples they are...and will there be sauces and crisps and pies in our future...?

This branch is from the near tree. Half of it looks like this, with withered blackened buds and fruit and yellowed leaves. The other half of the tree has some nice looking apples:

Bringing outside in - some lovely blooms from the rosebush beside our deck. There is also a huge peony bush out back, but it is done blooming. It seems to be a popular plant around here. A giant rhubarb plant still had a few good stalks on it so Mom made us some yummy rhubarb sauce.Today I picked some ripe, juicy raspberries from some bushes at the back of our yard! There are many more that are still green as well. We'll have some yummy treats for a while, which is great as produce here is very expensive.
I gave one to Asher, who promptly smashed the poor berry...

Inside

2011-07-16T22:42:00.006-04:00

Cuddling up in the big round chair
Before-bed story
Using a tripod as a telescope
Chillin in the kitchen with Daddy
View into the bath...hey, there's a little boy in there!
Let's go into the livingroom...
Where a multi-tasking Gramma is reading a story...and talking on the phone?
Vacuuming - the thing he fears most, yet it's so irresistible when it's off.
Hey, that's mine!
What are these two scheming now...
Searching for the best deals...
Reading. It's magical!
Talking to "Gramma wif Charlie."

Having a Chat

2011-07-15T15:44:00.002-04:00

The Last Two Weeks

2011-07-14T23:46:00.008-04:00

You've all been eagerly waiting, so here finally is an update as to what has been happening in The Harseverse! The past two weeks have flown by, dragged on, stressed and exhilirated us!
First, our moving truck was packed. Thanks again helpers! Then we went to Gramma's and played with lots of cousins. Callum is really growing up this summer. He is getting a little braver and even got used to the pool. He began to love the trampoline so much we could barely get him off of it.Early Monday morning all our earthly possesions began the long journey to our new home, with Dad (an ex-trucker) at the wheel and Mom as navigator, so we knew our goods were safe. ;) Callum and I went to our "old house" during the week to clean it up. I vacuumed and washed while he swatted all the flies that had taken up residence already!I had to take a photo of the door that goes nowhere. I always hoped that it would lead to Narnia someday, but I guess I'm too old to enter that land.We loved staying at "Gramma and Grampa wif Uncle Piet"'s house and I think Uncle Piet did too. Especially when Asher discovered he could climb on his chair so he could get a better chat in.Friday was flyday. The children were pretty good on the plane. Callum was a little unsure about the take off and landing, but stayed calm with Daddy beside him. And he got to watch a lot of tv. Enough to last a year, probably. ;) Asher slept for about five minutes or so. Of course it's not as comfy as being in your own bed. And he's getting a little too big for holding in sleeping position in such a little seat. He did well, though, with little walks up and down the aisle every so often to break the monotony.Arriving in our new province!

Walkin'

2011-06-14T22:09:00.002-04:00

Go West

2011-06-13T21:52:00.004-04:00

This month is flying by so quickly with our move across the provinces looming large. In addition to all the packing we're getting all our visits in to friends and family we won't see for a long time.

I had to say farewell to a dear friend I've known all my life. In the early years we were just around the corner from each other. Then we both became "country girls." Later we had our first babies at the same time.
I was fine until after we left. The truck started up. Then this song came on. I had put an old mix cd in, not knowing what songs were on it. As it started playing, it hit me again that we're really doing this, we're really going to be far from everything and everyone we've ever known.

Including the little girl who used to live on my street, who now has a little boy who is friends with my little boy.

We'll miss you.

Fifteen Months

2011-06-10T22:02:00.005-04:00

...although it seems like he's always been a part of our family. He has a pretty big vocabulary and communicates well. He hangs out in the kitchen when I'm making supper and keeps asking for 'upper and whimpering 'cause he's hungry! We have muffim for breakfast, gackers for snacks and ahder to drink. Mommy uses the gakuum to keep the carpet clean, he knows he has to stay down! bum!, on his chair. He loves playing pee-boo and taking bafs.

My favorite words are his uv you, nigh nigh before bed. Then it is time for seep.

He's had his share of tumbles- off the picnic table, high chair, even his crib. He loves to climb, anywhere and everywhere- which is a source of stress for poor Mommy. He also knows how to do a good fake-cry for attention. But I'm on to that... ;)

Thunderstorms

2011-04-27T22:12:00.003-04:00

I love thunderstorms. Just rain in general I've always loved. Except when tent camping, of course... Yesterday we had a few storms here in southern Ontario. The boys and I watched through our livingroom window in between making date squares. April showers bring May flowers! Hooray!

The Best Way to Eat a Snack

2011-04-27T21:03:00.004-04:00

Is laying on the floor, of course. NUMs!

Music Monday - How Deep the Father's Love for Us

2011-04-24T20:36:00.000-04:00

Patience

2011-04-21T13:31:00.004-04:00

Another tired day.

Little one keeping me awake until 1:00. Then 4:00. Then 6:00.
I don't like mornings much, and the lack of sleep makes this one a bit of a trial. Although the children are cheerful at breakfast, I am not. I try not to let it show.

They want a bath. Sure! That will give me some quiet time for my morning devotions.
I warm up my coffee, which has gone cold waiting for me.

Screaming heard in the bathroom. One constantly pestering the other. I catch myself yelling again. Too many warnings. Two time outs. More discipline. Will I ever get my devotions done? Will I get anything done in the house with my hands pulling my hair out?

As I warmed up my morning coffee for the third time, I thank God for my two little blessings and ask for more patience.

Ah, patience. Why can't I always have you? Why can't you come to me instead of anger, which makes me say, "Why do I have to keep telling you....!!"

Lunch is made with constant interruptions for attention and interventions. One spills an entire cup of milk all over clothes and the floor, while the other one keeps standing in his chair and screeching for something he can't have. I catch myself being exasperated again.

Patience.

Lunch hour is over, clean up, (-ish) child washed. Again. As I warm up my coffee for the sixth time, I realize how patient God is with me and feel ashamed of my impatience. Instead of yelling "Why do I have to keep telling you?" our loving God constantly forgives, gently washing me clean.

I thank him again for my precious littles and pray for forgiveness. And my constant daily request -Help me become a better child of yours.

A crash and scream in the living room.

Patience.

Hendrie Valley

2011-04-20T21:39:00.007-04:00

Waiting patiently!

Snuggly warm.
Look, a duck!
Daddy's turn.
Disappearing into the reeds...

...and coming out with a new plaything.
A pretty bird! Watching the adventurers climb.

Walking Home

2011-04-19T16:27:00.003-04:00

For Dad's birthday during March Break we went to the Hendrie Valley in Burlington, part of the Royal Botanical Gardens. The area we visited was mostly boardwalk over marsh and is a great spot for feeding birds. I didn't get a lot of shots of birds, besides a woodpecker and a mute swan- which I will post next- but I did get this cute shot on the way back.

Music Monday - Love Them Like Jesus

2011-04-18T16:25:00.002-04:00

Family Collage

2011-04-18T15:15:00.004-04:00

Chili Cheese Fries

2011-04-16T19:43:00.000-04:00

3-4 medium potatoes, cut into evenly sized wedges
canola or olive oil
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp each garlic powder, salt, pepper

Put potato wedges in a bowl, drizzle with a little oil, tossing to coat. Combine the remaining seasonings and toss with the oiled fries. Arrange wedges on a baking sheet and bake at 475 degrees for 20-30 minutes, turning once or twice to get an even browning. Serve immediately.

Lemon Bars

2011-04-16T17:07:00.000-04:00

Shortbread Base
3/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup icing sugar

Filling
2 lemons, room temperature
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup flour

Mix together the butter, flour and icing sugar. Pat into a 8x11 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or just until the edges turn brown.
To make the lemon filling, wash and dry the lemons. Grate the zest of the lemons using a lemon zester or use the small holes of a cheese grater. You need 2 tablespoons of zest. Juice the lemons with a juicer or by squeezing them in your fist after cutting them in half. You need 1/3 cup. Whisk together the eggs and sugar. Stir in the lemon juice, zest and flour. Pour the filling over the shortbread and return the pan to the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the edges are lightly browned. Cool and dust with icing sugar. These bars can be frozen.

A Tired, Tired Boy.

2011-04-13T21:26:00.003-04:00

Coughing all night makes for a tired boy come suppertime. Both boys got fevers at the end of last week and ended up rash/cough/runny nose. Asher's back on inhalers and Mommy's got a sore throat and nose too. Thankfully Daddy's still fine!
Come on, summer! :D

Books Books Books

2011-04-07T14:28:00.004-04:00

We are a family who loooooves books. We're so happy that our love of reading has rubbed off on our boys! Anytime, anywhere, you can find them "reading" a book!
What are you reading?

Still Here!

2011-04-06T11:04:00.002-04:00

I hope to do some catching up on my blog, and getting into the habit of blogging more frequently. Everyone is healthy (for now) and I have no projects, so no excuses! As for the catching up at home...I think we're all in order now. Monday was such a write-off. Have you ever had one of those days when you're just way too tired to do anything but the basics? And to top that off you have a weather-headache? The boys didn't seem to mind that I passed some time on the couch. At least they still got to wrestle with their mama. All fun and games until someone gets a foot in the eye, though.

The reason for the exhaustion? A wonderful weekend of fun and fellowship! As part of the organizing team for the Women of Worth retreat, there wasn't much time for "retreating," as such, and, being busy, I didn't get as "into" the speeches as I hoped, but it was a blessing to be a part of, nonetheless. Just experiencing the emotional support we have in our sisterhood though Christ was amazing. Not to mention the tear-inducing drama talents of some of my dear friends Mrs. Bob and Mrs. A. And the hilarious drive home with the two of you...that was the best. I'll miss you both very much when we part ways...

That brings me to another subject: our year of change. After almost seven years of waiting and wondering what the Lord has kept in store for us, he has blessed us with an exciting new move...to Alberta! Stu has received a job offer at a school there starting this fall. Most of my readers (if you still read my pining blog) know already but I figured I would announce it officially. :)

I hope to write more on the subject, but first I must pelt you with pictures. I have so many yet to upload to bring this mostly-photo-blog back up to date.

Poor Baby

2011-03-28T18:36:00.004-04:00

Cold on top of a cold. Viral eye infection. Teething in addition to the rest of his troubles. Grumpy, snotty, clingy, sometimes pukey. Sleepless nights make tired parents. Was pretty ok waiting for 3 hours at the emerg and cool with all kinds of different medical personnel prodding with various instruments, though.

Get well soon, little boy.

All cleaned up...(which is a three times a day scream session) but still looking like someone punched him in the eyes. :(

White Buttermilk Cake with Vanilla Cream Frosting

2011-03-23T22:10:00.000-04:00

This makes quite a large cake, perfect for birthday parties! I have sucessfully halved the recipe, using a 8x11" pan. For the eggs I used 2 in the halved recipe. Recipe from Canadian Living.

Cake

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs, seperated
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups buttermilk

Generously grease a 13x9 inch pan.
In a large bowl, beat butter with 2 cups of the sugar until light. Beat in egg yolks, one at a time; beat in vanilla.
In a seperate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; stir into butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, making 3 additions of dry ingredients and two of milk.
In another bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; gradually beat in remaining sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold one-quarter into batter; fold in remaining egg whites. Scrape into prepared pan, smoothing top.
Bake in center of 350F (180C) oven for about 50 minutes or until cake tester inserted into center comes out clean. Crumbs on the tester are fine. Let cool in pan on rack.

Vanilla Cream Frosting

2/3 cups + 1 tbsp butter, softened
4 cups icing sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla

In a large bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Alternately beat in sugar and cream, making three additions of sugar and 2 of cream. Beat in vanilla.
Frost cooled cake. Tastes like vanilla ice cream! Yum!

*I've cut one third of the original recipe off, as it made way too much frosting.

Key Lime Pie

2011-03-23T21:56:00.000-04:00

Crust:
2/3 cup all purpose flour
2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
2/3 cup flaked coconut
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted

Filling:
1 10 oz (300mL) can sweetened condensed milk
5 large egg yolks
2/3 cup fresh lime juice
2 tsp lime zest

These are miniature versions I made for a party.

Topping:

1 cup whipping cream
2 tbsp sifted icing sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (180 C). Combine all ingredients until an even, crumbly texture. Press into a lightly greased 9-inch pie plate. Bake for about 12 minutes, until coconut browns lightly and let cool.
Reduce oven tempurature to 325F (140C). Whisk together all ingredients until smooth and pour into cooled pie shell. Bake for 20 minutes, until set. Let cool, then chill completely, at least four hours.
For the topping, whip ingredients until soft peaks form, dollop cream all over chilled pie (or use a piping bag) and serve.

Brothers

2011-03-15T21:40:00.002-04:00

...and friends for life - that is my prayer for them.

Conversations About Adoption

2011-03-14T10:54:00.005-04:00

Come hear from adoptive families, Christian adoption professionals and churches making a difference in the lives of adoptive families; then join the conversation as we talk about the many ways believers can respond to God’s call to “look after orphans . . . in their distress” (James 1:27).

Specific topics we’ll be discussing:

How to adopt
The facts on Canada’s waiting children
What it’s like to be an adoptive family
How to support adoptive families in practical ways
How churches can start their own adoption ministry
More . . .

I wanted to post this intiative from Focus on the Family Canada, if there are any reading this who have considered adoption but don't know where to turn, or want to hear testimonies from adoptive families, to have their fears stilled, to give them hope...

I believe it would be a great event to attend if you need questions answered from people with a Christian worldview. Check out the scheduled events and see if they are in your area:

Ottawa, ON – March 25, 2011

Woodvale Pentecostal Church
205 Greenbank Rd.
Ottawa, ON K2H 8K9

Toronto, ON – March 26, 2011
Queensway Cathedral
1536 The Queensway
Toronto, ON M8Z 1T5

Edmonton, AB – April 2, 2011
Evangel Pentecostal Assembly
4461 50 St. NW
Edmonton, AB T6L 7A3

Calgary, AB – April 3, 2011
First Alliance Church
12345 40 St. SE
Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6

Vancouver, BC – April 8, 2011
Broadway Church
2700 East Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5M 1Y8

Music...Thursday!

2011-03-10T10:51:00.002-05:00

Twelve Months

2011-03-08T21:55:00.003-05:00

Asher celebrated his first birthday today. Already! Family helped us celebrate Friday and Saturday as well. I hope I get some photos from Saturday! :)

Likes: His brother, walking around the kitchen pushing a chair, baths, books, bananas.
Dislikes: His brother being bossy, having his face wiped, napping in places besides home, meat.
Words and sounds: Bible, door, bobble, shirt, soozer, book, ruff, meow, moo, raarr. He's very good at copying any word you say to him.

More photos to follow... I have a lot of updating to do too!

Two Little Boys

2011-02-22T19:53:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to my sister and brother-in-law who were blessed last Tuesday with two healthy baby boys! Aren't they sweet? I bet their big sister adores them as much as their mommy and daddy. Wishing you patience (and hopefully some rest!) as you adjust to life as a family of five. Hope your recovery is going well. xo

Leeland
Luke

Music Monday - Tears from the Saints

2011-02-21T21:03:00.001-05:00

By Leeland.

I Wonder Who Made This Mess....

2011-02-16T13:46:00.001-05:00

The Seraphs' Call

2011-02-15T15:24:00.004-05:00

I opened the Bible for my daily morning read in front of the kitchen window, and a sliver of sun fell on this verse. I thought it was pretty neat...

Changing Me

2011-02-14T22:44:00.004-05:00

Frustrated, I open the door for the third time, bracing against the screams which immediately cease with a gulp and a whimper when I enter the room. I pick him up this time, instead of laying him down again, because that didn’t seem to work the first two times. I carry him to the living room, dim the lights and sit down in the rocking recliner.

He lies still on my chest, calm now. He turns his head up to look at me, eyes dark in the evening light. I wonder what he’s thinking, just laying there looking at me. Then I wonder why I was so frustrated and reprimand myself for my short temper again. Why should I get so flustered just because a tiny being wants a little bit of comfort? He lays a warm hand on my neck, still gazing up at me. I think about the impression I want to leave my children with when they grow up. I don’t want to be angry mom, short-tempered mom, exasperated mom. I want to be patient and kind, just the traits I wish for my children to have.

God is using my children to teach me. He didn’t bless me with children just so that I could help them grow. He gave them to me to change my heart as well. Learning humility. Patience. Selflessness. And, in wondering how to go about this monumental task of raising God-loving children, my spirit is challenged too.

Lord, help me as I learn and grow, as I help them learn and grow! Equip me with the right tools to guide and teach your children.

Music Monday - O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

2011-02-14T13:51:00.004-05:00

By Selah, from their album Hiding Place. Another favorite from this album is By and By, which I love to crank tp to eardrum rupturing levels while driving. Or cleaning. Cooking, even.

Summer in Winter

2011-02-10T10:45:00.006-05:00

The atmosphere is warm and damp. There is a rushing sound of a waterfall in the distance. Colourful flowers and butterflies abound. Where is this utopia in the middle of winter? In southern Ontario? Yes! The Butterfly Conservatory, located in Niagara Falls, is a little slice of summer in a cold and dreary winter. During the holidays, we once again made the trip out there for a feast for the senses. Well, maybe not taste so much, although this little guy seems to be enjoying this flower quite well...

It's tough to catch the Blue Morpho with their wings open. They are a beautiful brilliant blue, which you can only observe during flight.
I caught a tiny peek in this photo, after waiting and snapping quickly every time they so much as moved!
I am amazed time and time again when I consider how a mere caterpillar changes into a beautiful winged creature. How he shows his loving and creative hand in the tiny butterfly! How great is God!
I think the waterfall was the best part of the trip for Callum. The whole walk through he was asking if we could see it. The sound of it kept distracting him. He could hear it, but not see it! After many assurances that we indeed will see it, yes, soon, yes, almost there, pretty close, and finally! :)

Eleven Months!

2011-02-09T22:03:00.002-05:00

hiding under the couch

It's hard to believe so much time has passed already! He's getting better at eating real food, although the things you'd expect babies to like, he doesn't. Like yummy mashed potatoes. He loves to chew on celery and apples, doesn't like meat but loves cheese and peanut butter. No walking yet, but he's standing a lot (with a hand on something.) He adores his big brother and always wants to be near him (which big brother dosen't quite understand...) He recognizes a lot of words, and always points at things he wants saying "dis," or "da!"

I have so much more to post yet, I am far behind! It seems that one thing after another happens around here, but I hope to do some catching up soon!

Music Monday - Tocatta And Fugue

2011-01-31T21:13:00.002-05:00

I happened upon this video on someone's blog. This is Toccata and Fugue in D minor by J. S. Bach played on glass harp (musical glasses) by Robert Tiso. If you like this, you'll love to hear him play Canon in D by Johann Pachelbe l. Enjoy!

Ten Months

2011-01-14T21:26:00.004-05:00

Now crawling the proper way, with his belly off the floor! No more "swimming" around. He cruises and climbs, and claps his hands when we say "Yay!" Vocabulary includes: Momma, Daddy, amen, baf, and "mum-mum" is food, or an expression of yum while eating. He hasn't said his brother's name yet, really- he just gets an excited yell. He waves 'bye and gives big wet open-mouth kisses. Four teeth are coming in up top, all at the same time. More drool than ever. He loves to copy whatever his brother is saying or doing.

Christmas Holidays

2011-01-10T22:41:00.001-05:00

This year our tree was shortened and put on the trunk so Asher wouldn't be grabbing everything off the bottom branches. And that's the extent of our Christmas decorations! We don't have stockings or wreaths or anything...just a pretty tree to light up a dark corner on a drab winter month. Someday I'd like to get an advent wreath or something similar and begin a new tradition for our family. It would be a nice addition to help celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, not the one the world wants us to celebrate!
We gathered in Burlington for our annual family Christmas get-together. We played games and enjoyed plenty of delicious food.
Callum playing his new Silly Socks game with his cousins and Grandma.
Asher getting underfoot and underchair...At Grandma and Grampa's "up north" the children were spoiled with way too many presents. :) Asher recieved clothing, some toys and a teddy, and Callum got two games, washable markers, a colouring book and a big wooden train: Must not forget the olibolen...they only come around once a year! Well, twice for us 'cause we have two houses to visit and both my parents and in-laws make them! Yum. :)

The Hamilton Children's Museum

2011-01-04T16:29:00.001-05:00

Our trip to the Children's Museum in Hamilton. I wasn't sure why it was called a museum, as when I hear that word, I think "history," but I found out that museums can also be places that house items of scientific or artistic value. This museum is a hands-on, discover-how-things-work kind of place for kids!
There was a room with a board covered in loop fabric and pipes with velcro straps. You could position the pipes anywhere on the board by sticking them on, creating a ball run.Anticipating the arrival of the ball!Asher and I found a nice cozy corner to hang out in, with books, a mirror and a felt board to keep us entertained.
Playing in what used to be a closet or pantry.Callum discovered the felt board and gave it a go!
In another activity room there was a turtle swimming in a tank, much to the delight of a certain little boy!
And some fun mirrors!

Another room showcased a green screen with a monitor where you could imagine yourself in a medieval-type buliding. There were a few costumes on pegs as well. Callum is dressed in a centurion's smock and he's playing cymbals while Daddy plays the maracas. What a culture mash-up! And racket! ;)

Cheesy Chicken Burritos

2011-01-04T15:50:00.000-05:00

Wondering to do with your leftover roast chicken? Try this simple, savoury dish that's sure to please the whole family! These were devoured so quickly, I didn't get a photo. Maybe next time!

Ingredients

2 cups leftover roasted chicken, chopped
1 sweet red pepper, chopped finely (use 1/2 green pepper, 1/2 red for some colour variation!)
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp chili powder
1/2-1 tsp cumin
8-10 ten inch whole wheat flour tortillas

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Divide evenly amongst tortillas, about two heaping tablespoons each. Roll up burrito-style and place on an oiled baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees farenheit. Serve with sour cream and salsa for dipping.
*Tip: Got leftover rice too? Toss it in the mix with some extra seasoning!

Like Mary

2010-12-23T20:44:00.004-05:00

Flight into Egypt by Carl Spitzweg

In the days leading up to Christmas we have been dipping into gospel passages during the dinner hour, following our devotional, En Route.

Reading Joseph and Mary's story had got me thinking lately, about how thoroughly their lives were turned upside down. And yet they never wavered. They just believed. They continued on, not complaining. Not disappointed that their lives were not going to turn out the way they thought they would.

I want to be that way. I want to accept. Believe. Continue on without complaining or crying. No matter where he leads us, no matter how rough the road gets.

I want to be like Mary. I want to humbly say with her, “I am the Lord’s servant."

And at the end of that road, may I sing a song as beautiful as Mary's Magnificat.

Back to...Normal...

2010-12-23T15:47:00.003-05:00

Ugh. The flu. Who needs it? Apparently a number of family members took home the bug from a gathering we had on Saturday. I spent Monday in the bathroom and bed! Thankfully Daddy is home for the holidays, so he spent the day with the boys, and made pancakes for dinner, of course! Pajamas all day and pancakes for dinner? Callum was on cloud nine, I think.

It seemed that I was the only one in our house who would be suffering from this vile virus this year, which was fine by me! I wasn't going to make it to our church's Christmas program on Tuesday, since I was exhausted and still queasy from the day before, so Stu in Callum went by themselves. I got a phone call at 8:30 that evening and at first all I could hear was a wailing boy -of course immediately I imagined the worst- but them Stu's voice came in and asked me to get a bath ready for that little boy. Poor Callum didn't last the whole concert and ended up throwing up all over Daddy's shoulder! They made it out of the auditorium just in time, but what a state they were in when they got home...hair, clothes, coats, shoes, all needed washing. I hope the caretakers of the church will let us come back...

We've been enjoying some family time since Stu has finished his school year. Last week we went on a couple of family excursions. Going out as a family is always much more exciting, even doing groceries is fun! I hope to post pictures soon of our trip to the Hamilton Children's Museum and the Warplane Heritage Museum, as well as photos from our family gathering ((s) if I get some pictures from my sister...*ahem* hint, hint! ;))

Tonight I'm roasting a chicken for dinner! It will be a nice change from macaroni, frozen pizza and sandwiches. Wanna come over? Just don't look at the mess, k? ;)

Nine Months

2010-12-09T20:46:00.003-05:00

Our little redhead is now nine months old! One of his favorite activities is throwing things on the floor from his highchair and then gazing down innocently at the object, saying "Uh oh." I'm trying to get him to figure out how to drink from a cup, rather than blow bubbles into it. He shakes his head "no" if he dosen't want something...not sure where that came from. And like the rest of the family he loves books, especially lift the flap books. It's cute to watch him open flaps with his stubby little finger, squeal in delight at the picture underneath, and then carefully close it again. No other teeth have made their appearance, he still just has two little guys on the bottom.

Bouquet of Sunshine

2010-12-09T11:26:00.004-05:00

Callum was quite taken with the beautiful daisies I recieved from a friend! Thanks, Jenn, for relieving a little of my cabin-fever-sick-of-sickness-grey-day blues!

Four Loads of Laundry and a Box of Tissues

2010-12-02T15:43:00.002-05:00

There is very little to love about taking care of sick little ones. The exhaustion, loss of patience, the feeling that nothing is getting done, and did I mention exhaustion?
The little there is to love, though, is heartwarming, and sometimes funny.

Brotherly love: Callum sitting on my footstool singing "ABCs" and "Jesus Loves Me" over and over while I am rocking his moaning, fevered brother. The moaning would cease during Callum's serenades!

Tissue box discovery: "Can I have a Kleenex? I have a snot!" "Mommy is busy, but do you see that box over there? You pull a Kleenex up from out of the box and wipe your nose with it, ok?" He gets a tissue. "OH! Look! It comes out again!"
Ah, the wonders of childhood!

Nighttime woes: "I can't sleep, I have too many coff-ehz in my mouth!"

Probably the best feeling during illness is the feeling of being needed. Especially when a wimpering baby clings to you when you try to put him down. A normally non-cuddly baby quietly resting on your chest as you soothe him to sleep...

Oh, the laundry? Yeah, I got loads of it on my couch, but at least it's clean. There's not much room for sitting. I guess I had better fold it. Maybe tomorrow. Right now I need to sleep...

Music Monday - Great Are You

2010-11-29T21:24:00.002-05:00

A song from my favorite band, Downhere.

Stop Using Plastic Bags!

2010-11-29T21:13:00.003-05:00

The plastic bag is an accepted part of Canada’s shopping culture, but it shouldn’t be. Every year we use over 9 billion plastic shopping bags in Canada. That’s 17,000 bags a minute.

Here are 10 things you need to know about plastic bags:

Canadians use 9-15 billion plastic shopping bags every year.
Is that number too big to think about? Then picture this: if we tied 9 billion bags together they would circle the earth 55 times.
Plastic bags are made from non-renewable resources
Just 8.7 plastic shopping bags contain enough embodied petroleum energy to drive a car 1 km.
Five minutes versus 1000 years
The average plastic bag is used for five minutes to carry your purchases home, yet these single use plastic bags can take up to 1000 years to break down.
Plastic bag recycling is inefficient
The market price for recycled bags in Canada is $55 per tonne which is about 150,000 bags. The energy and funds required to collect and process plastic bags far exceeds the $55 market price after recycling. Recycling plastic bags just isn't worth it.
Plastic bags kill birds, wildlife, and livestock
Plastic bags are known to kill sea birds, sea mammals and fish. Turtles, dolphins, and whales can choke or starve by confusing plastic bags for jellyfish. On land, plastic bags kill birds, livestock, and deer.
Plastic bags block drains, leading to flooding
Plastic shopping bags have been banned in Mumbai, India, and in Bangladesh after they were blamed for clogging drains and sewers, leading to severe floods that killed over 1000 people in 2005.
Every piece of plastic ever made still exists
There are approximately 46,000 pieces of plastic floating in each square mile of the world’s oceans. In some places there's more plastic than plankton. Plastic bags are in the top 12 items of debris most often found in coastal cleanups.
Plastic bags don’t biodegrade, they photodegrade
Photodegradation is a chemical reaction between plastic and sunlight. It means that the plastic bags break down into smaller and smaller toxic bits contaminating soil and waterways and entering the food web when animals accidentally ingest them. Yuck!
Canadian plastic bags have been found as far away as Scotland
Because plastic bags are easily transported by wind and water they can travel great distances. Plastic bags are now common everywhere from Spitsbergen (78° North latitude) to the Falkland Islands (51° South latitude).
Not all litter is deliberate
Up to 47% of wind borne litter escaping from landfills is plastic, mainly plastic bags. These end up in our forests, grasslands, waterways, and oceans. Approximately 80% of marine trash is swept by wind and rain off highways, streets, and landfills, down streams and rivers, and out to sea.
Reusable bags are the solution
A sturdy, reusable bag will last for years, and only needs to be used 5 times to have a lower environmental impact. Buy a bag today! from http://www.greenerfootprints.com

And on that note, I have recently discovered a company called A Greener Way. It's a Canadian business owned by a stay at home Mom trying to help households reduce waste and provide products that can be used and reused. Each of their reusable snack, lunch, and deli wrap bags have the potential to take the place of hundreds if not more than a 1,000 plastic bags in its lifetime. Not only does this save all of these plastic bags from the landfill you will start saving money too. It is estimated that a family of four could save as much as $3000 a year by avoiding disposable and single serving packaging!

Right now, A Greener Way is offering a 30% off discount with a coupon code in honour of Black Friday and Cyber Monday! Use coupon code AGW30 until midnight November 29, 2010.

Click here to shop online at A Greener Way!

Green Friday

2010-11-25T21:08:00.004-05:00

Black Friday is the biggest holiday shopping day of the year. Many retailers offer deep discounts in an effort to entice consumers to buy products which are often poorly made, disposable or otherwise not very eco-friendly. This year we encourage you to shop sustainably by joining us for Green Friday; an eco-alternative!

Lunapads.com, Reuseit.com, Bamboobino, Natural Pod, Earth Mama Angel Baby, Peacekeeper and Rockin' Green have all partnered up to offer 20% off orders placed online using discount code GREENFRIDAY. Use this discount code on any of the participating websites and save 20%!

Avoid the Black Friday fever, skip the mall, save your gas money and shop online with these fabulous retailers. We love their products and think you will too. Give your friends and family something that will stay out of the landfill this year!

OFFER ENDS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH AT MIDNIGHT PST.

From http://www.motherofadeal.com

Budding Artist

2010-11-25T15:48:00.000-05:00

"Self Portrait," September 2010
"Ball Boy," November 2010

Fall

2010-11-23T15:55:00.000-05:00

Music Monday - Be Unto Your Name

2010-11-22T11:32:00.002-05:00

A song from Brian Doerksen's "Holy God." The album concludes with a song called "Your Love Will Find Me" which is a rendition of Psalm 139. It's another favorite of mine from this album, and you can click on the title to hear it on youtube. Enjoy!

'Snot Fun

2010-11-16T21:40:00.003-05:00

Cold #3 of the season. Many more to come, no doubt!

Our Family

2010-11-09T12:24:00.002-05:00

We finally have a family photo, thanks to Mrs. Bob. Thanks! :)

Eight Months

2010-11-09T11:10:00.001-05:00

Asher is now two thirds of a year old. He has two teeth on his bottom jaw, and drools more than ever. Although not officially crawling on hands and knees, he is still very mobile, getting around by pulling with his arms and pushing with his legs. He'll go from sitting position to crawling position, but not the other way around.
He dosen't like baby cereal, or my purees, but prefers big people food. He will eat blueberries, bits of cheese, sweet potato, cheerios, and bread, etc. He's a pretty content child, and usually can occupy himself with a few toys for quite a while. He loves to watch his big brother's silly antics, screeching with laughter!
He loves to play peekaboo, pulling a blanket or curtain over his face and yanking it back, saying "Aboo!" and giggling.

Music Monday - The Servant Song

2010-11-08T20:13:00.006-05:00

I was taught this song in grade school, and it recently came to mind after a conversation with a friend. I expressed to her that I always feel guilty after sharing my burdens, I think because I don't like to talk about myself. But she comforted me by saying that she was happy that I felt comfortable enough to share them with her. Thank you, dear friend, for holding your hand out to me.

Brother, let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant, too

We are pilgrims on a journey
We are brothers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load

I will hold the Christlight for you
In the night-time of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hear

I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh I'll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we've seen this journey through

When we sing to God in heaven
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we've known together
Of Christ's love and agony

Brother, let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.

Two Stinkers

2010-11-06T20:50:00.002-04:00

Oh sure, they look all cute and innocent...
...but they like to take Mommy's paper
...play with the furniture...(and get stuck in it, hence the helpless expression)
...and eat all the ice cream...
"ICE CREAM?? WHAT ICE CREAM?" *drip*
"Just you wait 'til I get outta here!"
Interrupting Daddy's important homework.

Hope

2010-11-04T10:55:00.004-04:00

Romans 5 verse 1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

I am currently reading Romans for my personal devotion. It is one of my favorite books in the Bible. It's so rich and full of assurance for us!

This text is so beautiful. Our hope, the hope of the glory of God, gives us the confidence that the purpose for which he created us will someday be realized. The glory that man had before the fall will again be attained through Christ. This blessed assurance of our future destiny is based on God's love, which is revealed to us through the Holy Spirit and demonstrated to us in the death of Christ.

Not only that, but we are reminded that the trials we face are not meaningless. Part of God's purpose is to produce character in his children. He lovingly refines, shapes and moulds us into the people he intends us to be. We can rejoice in our sufferings (not because of, but in) because we know it matures us, and makes us more complete, drawing us closer to him in the process. Suffering and grieving are not easy, but in our deepest valleys of hurt and pain, this blessed assurance gives us strength to endure.

Play

2010-11-03T21:00:00.006-04:00

Learning to share
Tackle time
The last chestnut harvest
Super soft eco dough!
Building towers
Construction site

Music Monday - Beautiful Things

2010-11-01T21:04:00.005-04:00

I came across this song through (in)courage.

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make me new, You are making me new