Tag Archives: British Columbia

Afternoon and Evening…

…on Saturday in Chilliwack and Abbotsford.

Wendy at Winks along with her staff welcomed us with a most beautiful setting for our 2nd book signing of our weekend.

If you haven’t visited her store yet you really need to put it on your list and you won’t be disappointed.

Many books had been pre-sold and were waiting for us to sign so we got busy.

Anneliese’s daughters both played a part in our day here with one sharing cupcakes from her own cupcake business and the other blessing us with her lovely violin serenade.

It was so much fun to meet the “girls” families. Judy’s DIL brought her children to see their grammy. Anneliese’s granddaughter is sitting on the chair watching with interest. I’ll share more in another post of one of my sweetest moments at Winks.

The patio was filled with beautiful flowers.

How Great Thou Art was on my heart and mind all weekend.

Some of us stole away to do a little shopping.

As Anneliese’s daughter played her finale we packed up and headed to our next event.

This is the peaceful drive up to Sweet Dreams Luxury Inn in Abbotsford.

This is where we would wrap up our evening signing books for each other and for our publisher and then having a lovely dinner served to us.

We took some time to take a few more photos donning our new aprons that Julie sewed from material chosen by Lovella and Kathy.

On our way out we noticed that our Betty matched the beautiful flowers that were centerpieces on our tables at dinner.

Another full day complete we headed to our homes and hotels full of good memories of our day. On Sunday we had one more full day starting with a church service.

Today is Tuesday and I’m still trying to get back in my normal groove. Seeing how it’s noon already that groove seems to be escaping me. We started out today in a cloudy pattern instead of our several bright sunny days. The sun is breaking through as I finish this post.  Dear has one more full day in San Diego at a conference and I’m looking forward to him coming home tomorrow. Are you looking forward to anything?

Two Country Drive…

Have I ever mentioned I love being able to take in 2 countries on a drive starting from my front door? Two countries in one day with beautiful weather is a special treat. Having Katie along on this road trip was a delight for me. As we started out our trip we started singing “Oh Canada” and Katie managed to sing most of the words!

This wasn’t our best view but I found out that when I’m the driver on a road trip fewer photos are taken. Our views were truly magnificent and I don’t think a photo could have really captured the glory anyway. We saw our wonderful Cascade range of mountains starting in the U.S.A. with many more glorious views in British Columbia. An eagle flew over us on our way up and on our way back. We drove through a lot of country that these creatures call home…

The photos from the road that I took like this one were when we were stopped for road works or at the Border Crossing. Speaking of Border crossings, I am always appreciative of the kind courtesy we receive from Border Crossing Agents from Canada and the U.S.A. I am grateful for the work they do, as thankless as it might be, to keep both our countries safer.

Our primary reason for traveling to Chilliwack was to pick up a shower gift I ordered for our niece Debbee from Winks. Katie, Laura, and I will be traveling to California soon for her bridal shower. I was so excited about seeing Kathy (one of our Mennonite Girls) at Winks I forgot again to take any photos. Kathy did a lovely job of bagging our purchase. This photo was taken after we got home. Sorry I can’t show you the gift until Debbee unwraps it. We were only at Winks for a very short time as we had a very important date down the road.

Meeting up with these Mennonite Girls was the best part of Katie and my trip. It was fun for Katie to meet them all and to see Bev again. We chattered for quite a while over our nice lunch and then parted ways. What? You want to see what we ate? Wouldn’t you know I at least got a few photos of our food.

I was real happy to see the pickle spears on our plates. Here is another question for you. Do you eat the pickle or leave it on the plate? It seems Marg and I both enjoy eating ours and are willing to eat yours, too, if you leave it there too long!!

From lunch we followed Bev to Yarrow to check out a local pottery shop that her friend Ted Dreidiger owns and where he throws and fires his beautiful creations. Umm, it’s not food, so again my camera stayed in my purse. Oye! I did take a photo of my purchase when we got home. It’s a great piece that’s perfect to warm a round of brie in or to serve other hot or cold dips in.

It was fun to visit Ted in his workshop and to see all his great pieces. Thanks Bev for suggesting this stop on our way back to the U.S.A.

As we continued home after our nice chat with the U.S. Border Officer Katie was game to see the downtown area of Lynden, Washington. Can you guess what we brought home in that box?

Bumbleberry Pie! We wanted Dear to get a taste of our trip, too.

Look at all that yummy filling!

We will be having a nice quiet day at home today with more excitement starting on Friday. It’s good to pace yourself…

What have you been up to?

Forgetting What Lies behind…

…and reaching forward to what lies ahead

 

When I was in Canada at the beginning of September I stayed with Bev (she took this photo). We enjoyed zipping around in her cute VW convertible on one of the days I was there. It was fun and it reminded me of days gone by.

 

This was my car way back in 1971. It wasn’t a convertible but I enjoyed it and zipped around in it, too.

 

The picture quality is bad…an old faded Instamatic shot but some of the memories haven’t faded. I’m not a person who lives in the past or who wishes she was younger again. I’m happy that God keeps giving me new things to enjoy and think about. Sometimes he jars me into the present. It’s fun to remember but it’s good not to get stuck in memories. It’s good not to miss the new thing God is doing…

Philippians 3: 12-14

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 43: 18-19

“Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.”

Wondering what new things God will be showing me in the days to come. Hope you are enjoying your new day!

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.

Yard Art on Thursday ~

When I was in Canada a few weeks ago I spotted these on a farm next to the one I was staying at.

 

This is as close as I could get with my lens. They really caught my attention and made me smile. A new kind of scarecrow?

Visit Mary at Work of the Poet for more Yard Art or to join in.

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.

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).

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?

A Taggin We Will Go…

 

Thom was tagged and then he tagged 8 of us with a contest attached. I had till Wednesday to post and people had to guess how many of the 8 of us would post. It’s been ages since I’ve participated in a Tag so I decided to go with it. Thank you Thom!

1. Why did you start blogging? I started reading blogs and enjoyed them and I was sending out emails to family members regularly so my brother decided a blog would be a good platform for me. He brought his computer to a family gathering and made me start a blog. I’m glad he did because I’ve met some of the greatest friends blogging.

2. If you could travel anywhere in the world with no restriction of costs, where would it be and why? Great Britain and Ireland. I’d take my time going to every part of these great places. Since money is not a restriction I’d hire a sight seeing Chauffer to drive us wherever we would want to go. And why…I love the history, authors, and old architecture in this part of the world.

3. Did you have a teacher in school that had a great influence on your life? If so, what? I had a few great teachers that influenced my life in a positive way. The thing that is similar about them is that they believed in me and enjoyed having me in their classrooms. (I have plenty that thought I was a pain in the neck!)

4. If you could spend the day with a famous person, who would it be, and what would you do? It would be fun to spend a day choosing a menu, going to a local market to buy the ingredients, preparing the food, and eating it with The Naked Chef Jamie Oliver in London.

5. Toilet paper – over or under? Definitely over.

6. Name one thing in your life that you would do over if possible. I would love to delete some former boyfriends out of my life and memory :0)

7. Tell about your pets – if any. We don’t do pets at my house.

8. Do you live in a small town or a large town. (You don’t have to name the town.) Smaller then Seattle but larger then a bread basket.