Abundant Garden…

Our kids have a nice large garden and we’ve been enjoying some of it’s bounty while we are staying with them.

Last night we had potatoes, butternut squash and green beans from their garden for sides with our barbecued pork chops. Delicious.

Some of the squash is escaping the confines of the garden.

Dear and Dan are hard at work today getting ready to install a new pump and build out a new pump house for the well. This old pump house you see in the photo below is now demolished. The new pump and pump house will be twice the size.

I went into town to the Farmer’s Market and did some shopping at a couple other stores. I’ll share more on that another time.

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Doe and Fawn

This Doe and Fawn have been showing up on our son’s property each afternoon or evening. If you just go about your business and don’t make sudden moves they are content to graze with us in the distance.

If you look carefully through the chicken coop you can see them. The fawn is watching me and the doe is busy grazing. That black and white speckled cock a doodle doer is destined for the cook pot soon! In the meantime we are eating lots of eggs!

An Interlude…

…in the northeastern area of Washington State, where it is hot but no hotter than our western part of Washington right now. Why not sweat in a different location than our own for a few days?

This afternoon doe, a deer, a female deer and her fawn were grazing in our son’s yard. I’ll share those photos soon. We’ll be eating farm fresh eggs the next several days and we might have to put the rooster to rest if it keeps crowing at all hours and then we’ll have chicken and dumplings. Dear has projects to do with our son and I’m going to walk the dog in the cool of the morning. Hopefully I won’t meet up with any bears or cougars, oh my.

Are you having an interlude, an intermission from the regular?

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I’m joining Wednesday Hodgepodge again this week with Joyce From This Side of the Pond.

1. I read here four creative activities to try this month. They were-calligraphy, make your own cookbook, dance or learn a new type of dance, and letter writing. Which activity on the list appeals to you most? Will you add it to your August?

I’ve already had my hand in a few cookbooks and since we are having a hotter than usual August the only thing that sounds appealing in this list is letter writing.

2. Bertrand Russell is quoted as saying, ‘To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.‘ Agree or disagree? Explain.

Disagree. Having or not having things does not determine my happiness. I think happiness is overrated. Gratitude and contentment are things I’d rather focus on.

3. August 17th is National Thriftshop Day…are you a ‘thrifter’? If so, tell us about one of your best or favorite finds.

I did a lot of thrifting in the past but not as much these days. I’ve found many great treasures over the years. Here are some stand out favorites from years past.

Lomonosov China for $29.95

Oscar de la Renta for $19.97. This dress has ostrich feathers on the trim. We didn’t find a perfect match on their site but the dresses that were similar were in the $3900 dollar range. The dress fit Katie perfectly and she wore it out to her celebration dinner when she completed her studies at the University of Washington.

4. On a scale of 1-10 (with 1= almost none and 10=loads) how would you rate your sense of wanderlust? What kicks your wanderlust into high gear?

I think I’m going to have to go with a 10 on this one. Any thoughts of seeing something new gets my senses into high gear. I love to travel.

5. Has life felt more like a marathon or sprint so far this month? How so?

More of a sprint with several small projects started and finished and many small events that have nothing to do with each other.

6. What do you need to get a jump on before fall officially arrives?

I’d like to do some de-fluffing (dropping some pounds).

7. What’s the last thing you did with friends or family where you lost track of time?

Enjoying a meal and conversation together.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We are going to be on the road today and I’ll not be able to come around and see posts till later in the evening.

Fort Langley

I’m sharing more photos from our recent trip to Fort Langley. I’ve shared a couple posts on this area already.

Fort Langley Birthplace of British Columbia.

Fort Langley Community Hall.

This sign says: My name is Wallace Walnut, I’ve lived here a long time, I fear for my life.

The historic train station.

The railway velocipide that originated in England in 1885.

I have a confession to make and that is that we did not actually visit the Fort in Fort Langley. We walked a bit along the river and enjoyed some shops and churches and had an enjoyable meal at a new place in town called Trading Post Brewing.

We enjoyed the servers and the food that we were served. I’ve noticed that I use the word enjoy a lot and I’m not going to apologize for that. I will choose to have joy in the simple everyday things and the extraordinary things in my life.

I would visit Fort Langley again to see the things we missed. It’s a pleasant drive to this historic town and there are nice shops, a great local grocer, eating options and lovely places to walk. I still have some fun signs and fences to share in memes in the future. Time will tell if I will link this post with any memes this week.

Linking up to ABC Wednesday, F is for Fort Langley. Thank you Mrs. Nesbitt and the whole Fabulous ABC team!

Meanwhile at this old house we had a good weekend ending with a lunch gathering at Josh and Laura’s (first born son and DIL) and then a winning soccer game with the Sounders. I’ve enjoyed some Olympics, baking, organizing. If you don’t see something new here in the next few days don’t worry. Lord willing, I’ll share some new things that are happening around this old house soon. The Lord be with you and with your loved ones wherever your rails take you this week and in whatever you are experiencing!

The Solid Rock ~ Hymn

My Hope is Built

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain

Words: Edward Mote, circa 1834; first appeared in Mote’s Hymns of Praise, 1836.

InSPIREd Sunday

St. George’s Anglican Church in Fort Langley, B.C.

History of the church can be read by clicking on this link.

Dear and I spent a few hours in Fort Langley British Columbia on July 19th. We spotted this church and walked over to get a closer look.

There was a prayer meeting going on so I didn’t take photos inside the sanctuary. I did zoom in to get a glimpse of the stained glass window. “In 1908, St. George’s was consecrated and in 1912 the Good Shepherd window above the altar was installed.”

Canada new book launch 145

My Refuge and My Fortress Psalm 91: 1-4 (ESV)

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
    and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

I’m linking up to InSPIREd Sunday with Beth and Sally.

Our Friend David Dickinson…

Dave’s life on this earth ended on Saturday July 30, 2016. He died peacefully at home with his wife Beth and son Jamie at his side. Our family of 8 were seated around our patio table when the text came in to inform us of Dave’s gentle transition from earth. We cried and we prayed for the Dickinson family. We have been blessed to enjoy a friendship with the Dickinson’s since our two little guys, Dan and Jamie, met in 2nd grade. We lived on the same hill in Bothell, Washington when our friendship began.

This is a photo of Dear, Dave, and Beth in our kitchen on Norway Hill during Dear’s graduation party from the University of Washington in 1992. Dear had the privilege of baptizing Dave in the early 1990’s. (photos not necessarily in order)

Dave coached a few of Dan and Jamie’s sport teams over their youth sport years. Jamie on Dave’s right and Dan on the end on his knees opposite of Jamie.

Dan and Jamie attended camps together, the prom together, graduated together and Dan was a groomsman in Jamie and Sarly’s wedding.

The above photo was taken at a high school graduation party for Jamie and Dan at the Dickinson’s home.

The Dickinson family before the boys were married. Jamie is their youngest son, Aaron in the middle and Matt is the oldest.

The four of us outside our first rental on Norway Hill. We were snowed in but Dave and Beth could walk down to our place for some fun in the snow. This was in early 1997 or late 1996.

Jamie and Dan in 1999.

Dave and Dear working on our addition in 2002.

Laura, Josh, Jamie and Dan above the Columbia River. We had no idea at this time that Dan would be living in Eastern Washington close to the Columbia. Josh and Laura are the best of friends with Jamie and Sarly, too.

These two shots are from Jamie and Sarly’s wedding day in 2008. Above is Dave, Dear and Josh.

Dave and Beth

Beth and Dave with our Dan when we celebrated his move to Eastern Washington for his new vocation.

Our daughter Katie also has a close relationship with Beth and Dave and Jamie. We won’t get into how Dan and Jamie entrusted their rats from a science project into Katie’s care. A excellent con job if I say so myself.

Katie, Beth and I took a trip to Sequim for a George Washington Birthday Tea in February of 2012 just before Katie and Andrew’s wedding in March of 2012. It was a very windy day.

Dave, Sarly, Jamie and Beth at Katie and Andrew’s wedding, March 11, 2012. (photo credit to Jeremy Leffel)

Kathleen, Dave and Beth (photo by Jeremy Leffel)

Dave decided to try on Dan’s hat at the wedding. Dan wore his formal uniform at his sister’s wedding instead of a tux. (photo by Jeremy Leffel)

Dave with his granddaughter at the Thanksgiving table at our home in 2012.

Early in 2013 Beth and Dave stopped by to tell us that Dave had been diagnosed with Lung Cancer.

The Dickinson family photo above was taken on July 4th 2013 two years before little David Daniel was born and a few months into Dave’s treatments for cancer.

Beth and Dave in November of 2014 after returning from a trip to Europe with good friends. It was good to hear Dave felt well enough to enjoy this trip.

(Photo credit to Jeremy Leffel)

We were overjoyed that Dave and Beth could travel across the state for Dan and Jamie’s wedding in June of 2015. Things can get confusing with Dan and Jamie being best friends and then Dan meeting his bride who is named Jamie, too. Dave was also able to join our sons for a round of golf the day before the wedding. The next 3 photos are from that day, June 26th. Dave had a passion for the game of golf. I love these photos that Josh took of Dave and Dan together enjoying this special time before the wedding.

(Photo credit to Jeremy Leffel)

Dan and Dave at the wedding. Jamie Dickinson was going to be a groomsman in the wedding but wasn’t able to attend because his wife Sarly’s pregnancy was in crisis. Jamie and Sarly’s little son who we call the warrior was born at 25 weeks and only 1#7oz. He was born a few days after the wedding.

Our friend David and our son Daniel each holding David Daniel who was named after them. We found out at Daniel and Jamie’s wedding that this little warrior’s middle name would be given in honor of our son. It was decided early after finding out this child would be a boy to name him after his grandfather David.

There have been lots of prayers for these two Davids.

The Dickinson family Christmas of 2015.

dave with grands

This is the last photo emailed to us of Dave with four of his grandchildren. This was taken at a Mother’s Day Celebration in May of 2016. We were able to visit Dave and Beth before this photo was taken on May 5th and we joined hands and prayed together before we left not knowing when God would call Dave home.

Yesterday a little over a week since Dave’s death we were able to meet up with Beth for lunch. It was good to hear from Beth about Dave’s last days and last moments on this earth. It was also good to hear some plans for the future. We hugged, shed tears, laughed and thanked the Lord for his love and mercy, for friendship and especially for our hope in Him and our future.

There are plans being made for a memorial service that will be on a golf course sometime in the near future. Besides his immediate family, Dave’s brother and golfing buddies were a huge support to Dave over the course of his illness.

The Bayles family thanks God for Dave and his life and his friendship over the years. We will miss him on this earth but rejoice that he is with our Savior. We also ask the Lord to look after and guide and protect our dear friend Beth as she navigates her life without Dave.

1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14

Believers Who Have Died

¹³Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. ¹⁴For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

Summer Olympics Hodgepodge

I’m joining Joyce who blogs at From This Side of the Pond for Hodgepodge Wednesday. Joyce comes up with the questions and we come up with some answers. Thanks Joyce! I’m early this week…

1. Are you watching the Olympics? Your favorite summer Olympic event? I read recently a list of the most iconic Olympic moments in history…what stands out in your mind as a great moment from some past summer Olympic games?

We are catching some of the Olympics. Swimming, Gymnastics and Soccer are my favorite events.

The moment that will always stand out in my mind is watching Dear as a Torch Bearer in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Because he won the honor to run with the torch it brought the Olympics into our home in a special way.

2. Have you ever been to Rio? How about the place that started it all-Greece? Have you ever been to any of the Olympic Games in person? Is that something you’d like to do? Have you ever met an Olympian in person?

Never been to Rio or to Greece but I have been to an Olympic event at the 1984 Summer games in California. Our family and some of our extended family were able to attend a rowing event at Lake Casitas in Ventura County.

3. The ball’s in their court (tennis), cross the finish line (track and field), on target (archery), make a splash (diving), on a roll (gymnastics), out of one’s depth (swimming)…which Olympic-related idiom best applies to your life right now? Explain.

I’m going to go with out of one’s depth as Dear and I are thinking about the fact that he might be retiring earlier than we expected. He’s been unemployed for a couple of months and if nothing happens employment wise by his birthday we’re considering retirement and who knows what all that means! Yikes. We know who holds our future so we aren’t going down the anxious road but we are going down the unknown road.

4. What have you earned a ‘gold medal’ in recently?

My Gold Medal comes to me through blogging and the fact that God plopped me into the Mennonite Girls Can Cook blog through my personal blog and my Russian heritage and family recipes. I’m one of 10 gals who post on that blog and we have authored two cookbooks, a just released devotional book and unbelievably a play about us will be released the end of September. What? Our author royalties have all gone to help feed widows and orphans and to help provide clean water to families in Kenya.

5. What is it (or who is it) that motivates you to eat right, exercise, and do what you can to be healthy?

The mirror motivates me when I don’t let the mirror completely discourage me. It does help to have a partner in the endeavor to eat right and exercise.

6. Are you young at heart or an old soul? Explain.

I think I’m young at heart because I still want to try new things and learn new things.

7. It’s National S’mores Day (August 10th)…are you a fan? Will you celebrate with a s’more today?

Not a fan but I can provide the ingredients for anyone who wants them!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This post made me start singing that song from Sunday School that comes from Acts 3:6, a verse in the Bible.

Silver and Gold have I none/ but such as I have give I thee, /in the name of Jesus Christ/ of Nazereth rise up and walk./ Walking and leaping and praising God./ Walking and leaping and praising God./ In the name of Jesus Christ/ of Nazereth rise up and walk!

Cody, Wyoming in Mosaics

We were in Cody, Wyoming the last weekend of June. We stopped at the visitor center first to get our bearings. They were very helpful. Dear bought some boots at Wayne’s Boot Shop. When in the Wild West boots are a great souvenir for kicking around in. If you had any doubts that you were in the wild west there were many signs to confirm it.

Buffalo Bill helped found Cody, Wyoming, in 1895. In 1902, he built an establishment which he called “just the sweetest hotel that ever was” and named it for his youngest daughter, Irma. It was built to appeal to visitors from around the world — as a staging point for sightseers headed for Yellowstone, big game hunters, summers tourists, and businessmen investigating the ranching, mining, and other business opportunities. Buffalo Bill maintained two suites and an office at the hotel for his personal use.

We enjoyed breakfast at the Irma right next to this stone fireplace that Buffalo Bill had built in the hotel.

The fireplace is an assemblage of rock, ores, minerals, and fossils from the Big Horn Basin.

By the turn of the twentieth century, William F. Cody was arguably the most famous American in the world. No one symbolized the West for Americans and Europeans better than Buffalo Bill. Every American president from Ulysses S. Grant to Woodrow Wilson consulted him on matters affecting the American West. He counted among his friends such artists and writers as Frederic Remington and Mark Twain. He was honored by royalty, praised by military leaders, and feted by business tycoons. Cody was America’s ideal man: a courtly, chivalrous, self-made fellow who could shoot a gun and charm a crowd. Yet as Annie Oakley put it, “He was the simplest of men, as comfortable with cowboys as with kings.”

For the first time since her husband’s death a quarter of a century before, Queen Victoria appeared in person at a public performance.

Her attendance at the Wild West show was news everywhere in the English-speaking world, and the fact that she made her appearance in the context of the celebrations that marked the Jubilee Year of her reign only added more weight to the occasion. And what an occasion it was. When the show began and a rider entered the arena carrying the American flag, Queen Victoria stood and bowed. The rest of the audience followed suit, while British soldiers and officers saluted. As Cody described the moment

All present were constrained to feel that here was an outward and visible sign of the extinction of that mutual prejudice, amounting sometimes almost to race hatred, that had severed two nations from the times of Washington and George the Third to the present day. We felt that the hatchet was buried at last and the Wild West had been at the funeral.

HT: Buffalo Bill Center of the West

I’m linking up to Mosaic Monday with it’s new hostess Maggie at Normandy Life.

I’m also linking up to Monday Mural and signs, signs.

We’ve had a nice quiet weekend after all the excitement last weekend with our kids here and Reyna the dog. More excitement during the week with our book launch and dedication in Abbotsford, B.C. It was good to enjoy some Olympics and Netflix binging on Foyle’s War. We had not watched any of this series yet and are enjoying it from the beginning. Hope your weekend was a good one.

The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b.

To honor and encourage

Author Archives: Ellen

Abundant Garden…

Doe and Fawn

An Interlude…

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Fort Langley

The Solid Rock ~ Hymn

My Hope is Built

InSPIREd Sunday

My Refuge and My Fortress Psalm 91: 1-4 (ESV)

Our Friend David Dickinson…

Believers Who Have Died

Summer Olympics Hodgepodge

Cody, Wyoming in Mosaics