Pop in Five or More…

These two…always the best when they were together. Together for 70 years before our mom died. My Pop has been fragmented ever since our mom died on their 70th wedding anniversary, September 13, 2013. They could communicate well in Russian with each other. None of us kids are fluent so he’s lost that aspect of his daily life. We’ve all tried to support him in his sorrow. He would love to be reunited with mom and His Savior. But…until then we try to keep him looking up and staying in the light. Can you imagine sharing life together with someone for 70 years and then trying to live on your own?

Pop lives with our oldest sister’s family now. God bless her and her family for being there daily for our Pop. He has a special buddy in our dear niece Miss on the right in the photo above. Our sister Lana tries to visit regularly while she is in Southern California. I love the photo above of the 3 musketeers.

My Pop loves eating breakfast out but nowhere fancy please! He likes Denny’s or a similar spot where he can get his 2 eggs sunnyside up, with hashbrowns, sausage links and a cup of coffee. Oh yes…white toast only!

For lunch if you are going to take him out he enjoys a hamburger at the Habit. If you order or bring in a pizza he does not want thin crust healthy nonsense. Bring on the dough and all the good toppings, please.

Our best purchase ever was this recliner that he tells me every time he sees me in person that he loves. Thank you Lyena for my chair.

His latest sweet great granddaughter Eleanor. He thinks she’s the best.

No birthday cake just bring him a cherry pie!

His last sibling that is alive today. Aunt Anna and Pop live a few miles from each other. She lives in a senior care home. They talk most every day for about 30 seconds top. That’s another thing about Pop all you need is about 30 seconds a week to stay connected. He does not talk long on the phone!

These are some of Pop’s grandchildren with their spouses. He has many others and a very cool thing I’ll share about my Pop is that he gets down on his knees every night and prays out loud for each of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

My niece captured this image of our Pop on his knees praying. Although my Pop and Mom had a language challenge in communicating with us children and grandchildren they showed us all love in different ways. My mother expressed her love through her cooking and preparing meals for us. Our Pop expressed his love in working hard all his life to provide our basic needs. Both my Mom and Pop prayed for each of us every day. These days if our Pop feels his bank account has more money than he needs he gives us some extra cash. My parents always lived with the bare necessities. Another thing my Pop would want you to know is that he is a sinner like the rest of us and that he has been saved by grace. He’s not perfect but he loves God and is grateful for all that God has done for him.

My Pop turned 93 in May of this year. We thank God for Him and how God has blessed him and kept him all these years.

Although my post is not a clear 5, I’m linking up to Five on Friday with Amy at Love Made My Home and for Friday’s Fave Five with Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.

Here, There and Everywhere…

Here are some fences and signs and other things that Dear and I have seen together as we travel here, there and everywhere.

On the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State.

Signs from Fort Langley, British Columbia.

A fence along the river in Fort Langley.

All is well with our electrical at this old house. Today, Wednesday, is a shopping day with our daughter. The neighborhood kids are rising early for the start of school in our district. Thursday is the first day of an Estate sale at my neighbors so cars and people will be filling our street. Friday is Dear’s birthday and we are meeting our western Washington kids for dinner. So far the weekend is free. How’s September shaping up for you?

Linking with Lesley for signs, signs.

Also linking with Tex*Wis*Girl for Good Fences #129.

I is for Indiana

Later this month all the Mennonite Girls and many of their husbands are headed to Shipshewana, Indiana for …

This is all very surreal to all of us and we are excited to see the show and enjoy the experience. I’ve been reading up on the area and want to respect the people in this community. This article is helpful.

LaGrange County and Shipshewana are home to the third largest Amish community in the nation. This community’s simple way of life is the reason many people visit our area—to observe, learn about, pay tribute to, and purchase items from the Amish.

With the travel season upon us, here are a few things to remember as you travel to our area and interact with the Amish:

1. Upon your arrival, you will notice the roads filled with bikes and buggies; many people will be walking, and kids will be riding pony carts.

Please slow down and take extra caution as you travel. Buggies follow the same road rules as vehicles, so they are allowed to be on the road.

2. Please don’t honk at the horses pulling buggies. The sound easily could spook the horses.

3. The Amish in our area understand the fact that visitors come to get to know them. Within limits, they will visit some with you, but if they choose not to, that’s okay. Even if you don’t get into a conversation with them, they will provide a smile and a nod.

4. As part of their religious heritage, Amish believe photographs are “graven images,” so please do not take photos of their faces…grown-ups or children. It’s tempting, we know, but please honor their culture by not taking photographs.

5. DO stop in at their home businesses on the Amish backroads. Many of these businesses help sustain the Amish way of life. You’ll see many signs on our county roads advertising these small “cottage businesses.” When you see a sign, you’re automatically invited to stop in; you’ll be welcomed.

6. Most shops are closed on Sunday so the Amish can honor the Sabbath with a day of rest and spend uninterrupted time with their family. Plan your schedule accordingly.

Welcome to LaGrange County. We’re so glad you’re here!

After a few days in Indiana we continue on to Ohio for the second location of our play at the Ohio Star Theater (Sugarcreek). Somebody pinch me…but not too hard!

I wonder what items I will find to buy and bring home with me from these industrious people.

If any of you have been in this part of the country and you have a recommendation on what to see let me know in comments.

I’m linking up with ABC Wednesday started by Mrs. Nesbitt and carried on by Roger and a team of exceptional bloggers!

Seattle Treasures…

All these shots of the Seattle waterfront and other views of quintessential Seattle were taken from two Bainbridge Ferry Runs across the Puget Sound on August 28th.

The rounded tops are of Century Link Stadium where the Seahawks and the Sounders play and the further one is Safeco Field where the Seattle Mariners play.

Mount Rainier is always a treat to see even though it’s a dormant volcano and if she blows we’ll all be toast!

Linking up for Tuesday’s Treasures with Tom at The Backroads Traveler.

We are wrapping up our Labor Day with some relaxation. Dear trouble shot an electrical problem in our basement and all is well again. A handy man is a treasure to have around the house!

Courthouse Mural~

This mural is at the entrance to the Stevens County Courthouse in Colville, Washington. I broke it down into sections so you could see it better.

I took these photos in the middle of August and this was a very mild beautiful day.

Linking up to Monday Murals at Oakland Daily Photo.

Our electricity is off for I don’t know how long whilst Dear tries to find out what’s going on with some dead outlets. Hopefully there hasn’t been any critters chewing through wires. I’ll be late in visiting.

Mosaic Monday

Last Saturday Dear and I attended our very first Chinese/Vietnamese Wedding Banquet. We had a wonderful time and we were happy to be invited and introduced to this cultural experience.

Dear was the groom’s boss. The banquet was at a restaurant in the greater Seattle area called Joy Palace. We brought the traditional Red envelope with a money gift for the bride and groom. There were no gift registries that we could find. It was good to google Chinese/Vietnamese wedding manners that were very helpful in giving us an idea of how the evening would unfold and what to expect.

What a culinary experience it was. I tried every course except for the Steamed Fish. My favorites were the Shrimp Stuffed Crab Claw and the Walnut Shrimp. These were all dishes I had never experienced before. We had to leave after course number 9! We missed the dessert courses. The Fried Rice Mix was different from the local Chinese restaurants we go to. It had the added ginger ingredient that I enjoyed.

Have you ever been to a Chinese or Vietnamese Wedding Celebration?

I’m linking up with Maggie at Normandy Life for Mosaic Monday.

How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds

How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds

How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
’Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary, rest.

Dear Name, the Rock on which I build,
My Shield and Hiding Place,
My never failing treasury, filled
With boundless stores of grace!

By Thee my prayers acceptance gain,
Although with sin defiled;
Satan accuses me in vain,
And I am owned a child.

Jesus! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,
O Prophet, Priest and King,
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring.

Weak is the effort of my heart,
And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art,
I’ll praise Thee as I ought.

Till then I would Thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath,
And may the music of Thy Name
Refresh my soul in death!

Words: John Newton, Olney Hymns (London: W. Oliver, 1779).

Ht: Cyberhymnal

InSPIREd Sunday

I’ve posted this church before but on this day the light and the clouds and all made for a lovely view of it. I took this on our recent trip to our son’s home in August.

This is St. Mary of the Rosary in Chewelah Washington. Chewelah is a one signal town in Northeastern Washington on Highway 395.

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

Five or More from August…

Early in August the Mennonite Girls Can Cook had our book launch celebration at The Mennonite Heritage Museum in Abbotsford, B.C. The turnout was beyond our expectations. We all read from our stories or devotionals in the new book which was the scary part for me but I made it through without shaking too much. Our new book is called Bread for the Journey.

Mid August we took a trip across the Cascade mountain range to Dan and Jamie’s to help build a new pump house. The old smaller one had to be demolished which included getting rid of some significant wasp and hornet/yellow jacket hives. They are nasty and aggressive. My part in this project was to keep the dog occupied and bring out cold beverages. I also was able to escape for country drives, a farmer’s market, antique/thrift shopping, and Jamie and I participated in a Bubble Run in Spokane while the guys continued their project.

While we were in eastern Washington Josh and Laura were in the Los Angeles area and my pop was thrilled to get a visit from them. My pop turned 93 in May and he lives with my oldest sister’s family.

We finished our attic project, adding floor space, carpeting the floor and organizing our bins.

This past Sunday our family was together to celebrate our friend Dave’s life on this earth and to support the Dickinson family in their grief. Beth, Dave’s wife and our dear friend just sent me this photo of her with our son Dan.

dan-beth

Thanks for sharing this photo Beth!

There also were some recipe triumphs and failures during the month of August. The ones that worked have been or will be featured on the Mennonite Girls Can Cook Blog soon. The ones that flopped will just be forgotten.

The bottom right photo is an indoor picnic not a recipe and it never fails us. It’s nice to put a tray together with Charcuterie (cold cooked meats) cheeses, fruit, pickled veggies, roasted veggies, with crackers and a baguette.

So I’m thankful for:

My friends in Canada and our new book.

Our journeys to help our kids and to enjoy new scenery created by God for us.

My dear old pop and our kids honoring him.

That we can still work hard and improve things at this old house.

For the lives of dear friends who are resting in Jesus.

The bonus of good food along the way.

I’m going over the top and joining in with

Amy for Five on Friday

Susanne for Friday’s Fave Five and

Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday and Everything Else

We have had some steady rain showers now that September is here. It’s nice to get a good watering done without a hose. We are low key here with one celebration planned for Sunday dinner with a cousin from California that I babysat many many years ago. I hope everyone has a good Labor Day Weekend.

From the Other Side…

…of the Great Divide. The only side of Washington that is predominately red in their politics. The line between the blue and red counties cuts along the Cascade Mountain range. The blue side has the highest population, largest cities, with Seattle (652,405) being the largest. The red side has the most farmers and ranchers and many small cities. The largest city on the red side of our state is Spokane (210,721), then Spokane Valley (91,113) and Kennewick (76,762). All the population numbers I’m sharing are from 2013. The city I live in on the blue side of the state has a population of 21,611.

Dear and I travel across the great divide when we visit our son and daughter-in-law. We enjoy our time on that side. We find it refreshing. There are lots of great fences and barns to photograph. Here are some of those fences and barns all taken in Stevens County.

I’m linking up to Good Fences #128 with TexWisGirl and later in the weekend I’ll be linking up with Tom for The Barn Collective.

Happy First day of September to all of you! I started the morning off with fresh strong coffee in a new cup to me that I bought at the Habitat for Humanity Shop in Colville, Washington (population 4,668). It was half off and I only paid 40 cents for it. It’s Churchill made in England with a population of 53.01 million.

May September bring good things to us all.

“The breezes taste
Of apple peel.
The air is full
Of smells to feel-
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze.”
– John Updike, September

The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b.

To honor and encourage