Felton Covered Bridge

When we traveled to Mt. Hermon, California for Ben and Kristin’s wedding we were surprised to see this great old covered bridge in Felton.We were early for the wedding so we took some time to walk across it.

 

Built in 1892-93 and believed to be the tallest covered bridge in the country, it stood as the only entry to Felton for 45 years. In 1937 it was retired from active service to become a pedestrian bridge and figured prominently in many films of that period. After suffering damage in the winter storms of 1982, it was restored to its original elegance in 1987 using native materials and local talent.

 

Plaque is located at bridge entrance on west bank of San Lorenzo River in Covered Bridge Park.

It was a desire of mine to see a covered bridge and I was happy to be surprised by this one. I’d still be interested in seeing some more on the East Coast.

I’m going to add this link to Outdoor Wednesday hosted by Susan at A Southern DayDreamer.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Minter Gardens ~

…my finale post from the beautiful Fraser Valley and Mennonite Girls Can Cook Summit!

 

Bev and I arrived to Minter Gardens in style in her cute little Bug!

 

We started with brunch at the Trillium Restaurant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what makes it easy for 10 women all together for the first time ever to be relaxed and enjoy each other? I think it begins with our  faith in God, our savior Jesus Christ, our common comfort food experience, our heritage, and our openness to new adventures. I am aware of what a gift it is to have made this wonderful connection with these beautiful girls.

So this post wraps up my posts of my Mennonite Girls Summit. Till the next time…

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Together for 67 Years!

Today is my mom and pop’s wedding anniversary. They are 87 years old. They were married in Tehran, Iran in 1943. Back then they called it Persia. They immigrated to the U.S.A. in 1947. They had 9 children but lost their first daughter to an illness when she was just two. She is buried in Iran.

We count ourselves blessed by God to have parents who are faithful to each other and to their children and friends. They love each other dearly and do everything together. Thank you to my mom and pop for being such a wonderful example to us!

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

A Special Monday in September…

Monday is my parent’s 67th wedding anniversary and my post for them will follow. In the meantime I’m posting a Mosaic and Blue Monday post from some of my photos from Minter Gardens in British Columbia, Canada.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

 

Visit Mary at the Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.

Visit Sally at Smiling Sally for Blue Monday

Purer in Heart, O God ~ Hymn

Purer in Heart, O God

Purer in heart, O God, help me to be;
May I devote my life wholly to Thee:
Watch Thou my wayward feet,
Guide me with counsel sweet;
Purer in heart, help me to be.

Purer in heart, O God, help me to be;
Teach me to do Thy will most lovingly;
Be Thou my Friend and Guide,
Let me with Thee abide;
Purer in heart, help me to be.

Purer in heart, O God, help me to be;
Until Thy holy face one day I see:
Keep me from secret sin,
Reign Thou my soul within;
Purer in heart, help me to be.

Words: Fannie E. Davison, in Songs of Gra­ti­tude (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: 1877).

Where Were You…

…nine years ago today? I will never forget.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Short Week Favorites…

When the ole girl parties downtown on Thursday night her Friday post comes late to the table! Never-the-less the party must go on…

Thank you to Susanne for reminding us to take a look back and see the favorites that came our way since last Friday.

1. My number one favorite was spending Dear’s birthday with our son Josh in downtown Seattle. We met Josh at a Park n Ride and then drove together to Seattle. We had dinner at the Wild Ginger Restaurant and then headed to Qwest field for the Seattle Sounders F.C. game against Real Salt Lake. It was fun spending the evening with our first-born. On Saturday we are going to have a family birthday celebration with Josh, Laura, and Katie.

 

It’s truly a blessing from God for me to be married to this man!

2. I got 2 new books in the mail this week. So for my #2 favorite I wanted to share my friend Sandy Coughlin’s new book with you. Sandy is a blogger at the Reluctant Entertainer and she’s had a book published about simple and gracious hospitality. It is well written with great ideas on entertaining that won’t break your budget. There are lots of recipes in the book, too. This would make a creative Bridal Shower gift! I ordered my copy from Amazon but you can click over to her blog and order it there, too. She’ll also sign a copy if you order it from her. You won’t be disappointed with the reluctant entertainer – every woman’s guide to simple and gracious hospitality

3. Speaking of books, I also ordered the new book in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter series by Susan Wittig Albert, The Tale of Oat Cake Crag. I really enjoy these mysteries surrounding Hill Top Farm. I’m looking forward to reading this new book.

4. I bought some granola that was good for you but didn’t taste good to me so I came up with a cookie recipe using it. It’s fabulous in the cookies. I’ll share the recipe later this month on the Mennonite Girls Can Cook blog. I’m calling them Granola Chews.

5. And last but not least I’m still savoring and remembering with contentment and joy my 3 days in Canada with these Mennonite Girls that cook!

 

So what have you been up to and what are some of your favorites?

Have a great weekend and NEVER FORGET!

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Comfort & Comfort Food

After our Harrison Lake Cruise and BBQ at Bev’s we headed to Marg’s for dessert and the comfort of a massage. Yet again we had 3 desserts which were each delicious.

 

Marg really knows how to make someone relax and have fun. The sign at her home is appropriate…

The following morning we all met at Minter Gardens for brunch and a stroll. I’ll show those photos on another day.

Our last evening together we had dinner at Julie’s clubhouse. She served us one of my all-time favorite comfort foods borsch. She even made it like my mom makes it with just a few subtle differences.

 

 

You can find my mom’s recipe for borsch here.

 

Julie set a beautiful table for us and before the evening was over she left us with a beautiful devotion to remember. I want to add to the  thoughts Julie spoke and share these verses.

James 1:16-18 (New Living Translation)

16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession

 

I drove off into this sunset headed back to the U.S.A. My welcome home at the border crossing was a random computer generated search of my car!

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Harrison Lake Cruise!

The day improved to perfection for our cruise on Harrison Lake. Bev and her husband have the perfect boat for cruising with a crowd on the lake.

 

Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale,
A tale of a grateful trip
That started from this tropic port
Aboard this tiny ship.

 

The mate was a mighty sailing man,
The skipper brave and sure.
Nine passengers set sail that day
For a two hour tour, a two hour tour

 

 

 

 

Oh no! Where’s Julie? It took me a while on the boat to notice she was missing from the boat tour…

 

The weather started getting rough,
The tiny ship was tossed,
If not for the courage of the fearless crew
The minnow would be lost, the minnow would be lost.

 

 

 

The ship set ground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle
With Bev and Ellen
The Skipper too,
Lovella, Betty, Char
Kathy and Marg…the Social Queens
with Judy and Anneliese,
Here on Gilligans Isle.

 

No phone, no lights no motor cars,
Not a single luxury,
Like Robinson Crusoe,
As primative as can be.

So join us here each week my friends,
You’re sure to get a smile,
From ten stranded castaways,
Here on “Gilligan’s Isle.”

Thanks for bearing with me in using the good ole Gilligan Island theme song in describing our trip. We were never stranded or in danger and were even treated to wonderful snack on board the “minnow” that Kathy and Marg put together for us. Cheese, fruit, crackers and refreshing drinks were served on board. Another memorable experience with the Mennonite Girls!


 

My Home Away From Home ~

Three of us girls at the MGCC summit were from out of town and we were graciously hosted by Kathy and Bev. Bev was my hostess and her home was my home away from home. We arrived to her house late on Tuesday in the rain and darkness so I really wasn’t sure of my surroundings. When I woke up on Wednesday morning this beautiful view greeted me.

 

Bev and her husband are in the middle of renovations on their home of 35 years. They have a wonderful piece of property.

 

On Wednesday evening after our cruise on Harrison Lake (photos to follow soon) we had a wonderful barbecue meal at Bev’s house.

 

 

Bev had also created a lovely place card for each of us with a personal Bible verse written on the inside. We sensed a confirmation from the Holy Spirit that the verses were meant to affirm each of us personally.

My verse was Proverbs 3: 3-4 ~ Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man.

We started our meal with a yummy shrimp cocktail. Then we enjoyed some barbecued pork loin, baby zucchini, roasted potatoes with carmelized onions and corn on the cob. Bev’s helpful husband barbecued the meat and the zucchini and made sure our glasses never went dry. I just have to interject here that all the Mennonite Girls husbands really contributed to making our time together memorable by helping out with babysitting, dish washing, photo taking and letting each of us take time away from our normal responsibilities at home. And they did it with joy!! The Mennonite Girls Can Cook have fabulous husbands!!

 

 

 

 

Bev kept talking about Mt. Cheam and whether or not the clouds or mist would clear enough for me to see it. On my last morning at Bev’s I think it showed up. Is this Mt. Cheam Bev?