Randomness.

Bye bye Potato Bread. Fried up the last of it this week.

Savored every last bite. Now I need to find a local supplier where I can buy more of this stuff. I've decided I can't live without it.

Out of the blue this week, Miss Kayleigh informed me that only normal people can have their ears pierced. Jolted into focus, I quickly processed this brand new set of facts, wondering just where this conversation was going to end up. Asking her what she meant exactly, she replied, "Well, Mom, not everyone has earlobes." Stifling a grin, I said, "Oh. OK. Not everyone has earlobes?" With an ounce of disgust, she answered, "Mom, don't you ever look at some peoples' ears? Their lobes just go right into their heads." I must admit that right then, I did my very own personal "lobe" check. I think I'm normal. Did you check yours??!!

Refurbishing of Miss Alana's room is still ongoing. Out with the bunk beds, in with the queen. Et bienvenue, la salle pourpre.

I think my camera must've been out in the rain. Splatters all over the lens. Oops, sorry 'bout that. Will clean before the next picture upload!

Our apple trees are now nearly bare... all the juicy fruit has been plucked and transformed to various frozen states... apple sauce, apple slices, apple muffins... all safely stowed away in the deep-freeze for future reference. But here's a new recipe I stumbled on and tweaked a little... Harvest Apple Strudel. Been made several times around here. Totally yum. What you need:

Roll the Pillsbury into a rectangle, by simply pinching the seams together. Piece of cake. Piece of dough, actually.

Mix 1 tablespoon of the lemon jello powder with 1/2 cup cream cheese and spread down the middle of the dough. Then slice the dough into 1-inch diagonals, like this.

Peel and chop the apples. Mix with 1 tablespoon of lemon jello powder, 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Layer on top of the cream cheese.

Fold the dough into the centre to form a braid. Brush egg white over the dough and sprinkle with 1/4 cup sliced almonds.

Bake at 375 for about 25-30 minutes, until crisp and golden.

Dollop on some ice cream, et voila!

Bon appetit!

Goats. And Apples.

Two little girlies sitting on the fence. The bleating goats on the other side still seem to hold a certain amount of fascination for them.

Those little four-legged friends are being fed the apples that have fallen from our trees. Getting their daily dose of antioxidants and fibre.

Our apple tree is loaded this year. What to do with all that juicy, crunchy fruit? If you have any favorite recipes, please send them along.

I think I need some new ones. Muffins and pie are becoming too ordinary.

Or else the goats will most certainly be getting their annual dosage of Vitamin C.

Sizzlin' September.

We typically spend our Labour Day Mondays at the Arlington Conference.

This year we boycotted it.

Too impatient for the border line-ups.

Too lazy to pack for the weekend.

Too weary from an eventful summer.

So instead of dressing up, we beach-bummed it at Boundary Bay for the afternoon.

There's no denying it.

Chilled mango juice tastes way better chugged from the can on a beach, than swishing down brown-bagged sandwiches at your school desk.

Look at that scenery, I live here.

Not at the beach, no.

But surrounded by ocean and mountains, year-round.

Breath-taking, I know.

Here's something else that's breath-taking.

A couple of middle-aged folks relaxing on the beach.

Adding a last top-up to their summer tans.

And definitely increasing their current wrinkle count.

We've switched gears now, and are back to the routine of school and work.

Missin' the lazy holiday mode, but the hot summer weather is still sticking around.

Been high twenties all week. And I'll take all the sunshine I can get.

Here's my little sunshine girls.

Lookin' rather thrilled about the prospect of returning to school, don't you think?

This morning proved to be a different kettle of fish in the mood department.

Not so thrilled about getting up for school.

Definitely no cheering.

Tonight I think we'll enforce the old fable.

"Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, happy and wise."

The Wedding. And All That.

August 29th, 2011. The long anticipated wedding day of David and Stephanie.

Everything seemed to go according to plan, the weather was glorious. Van Dusen Gardens certainly made for a perfect wedding setting. The only hitch appeared to be that, after all these years, Dave and Steph themselves finally got hitched.

Congratulations to a wonderful couple.

 And just a few of the day's honoured guests...

Two little rascals delving in the multi-course traditional Chinese reception dinner... obviously these tasty noodles and juicy crab claws were a hit with them!

Bits and Pieces.

We recently hosted a rather overdue reunion of some besties. Whoa, these little people are growing up faster than weeds. Seriously, where does time go?

They've been best friends since the beginning of time.

Well, the beginning of their time, I mean. Which began just a decade or so ago.

They've learned and grown together over the years.

Shared childhood secrets.

Instigated and settled arguments.

Laughed out loud.





They used to look like this.

Cute, hey?

Stumpy little legs are now long and lanky. Ankle socks aren't so stylin' any more, I guess.

But they still hold hands.

Still adore each other.

Besties are the best.

We've been busy with VBS.

The Samaritan woman at Sychar's well was one of the lessons this week.

For snack, we ate the wells.

Graham Cracker, Kit Kat, Rice Krispie and Zangy Tangy Stick. Glued together with lots of chocolate.

A palatable little something for everyone.

Needless to say, I ate the whole thing.

Just one. Honest.

Somebody's got a new bedroom. Big brother moves out, little sister moves in.

I'd say she looks pretty pleased about the whole rearrangement.

When Irish Eyes Are Smilin.

Despite the fact that having to fly unexpectedly to Ireland was primarily for a tearful purpose, their Irish eyes were smiling when our girlies discovered they'd be spending a whole two weeks with their favorite first cousins.

Their five-star accommodations at Brookside included a limitless supply of fresh air and farm animals... free access to a pantry loaded with chocolate, crisps and other delectable goodies... and Fanta and Coca Cola on tap.

I'd say Alana and Kayleigh were living the dream.

They got out and about, too. Newcastle. Murlough Beach. Croob Hike. Dundonald Bowling. Newtownards. Petting Farm. Belfast City Bus Tour.

I managed to go on a few of the outings too. Here's some Ireland memories, 2011.

And some interesting signs and store-fronts...

Sadness. And Singing.

It was Wednesday, July 20th, 2001.

The news that came was quite unexpected.

Mom was seriously ill and had been readmitted to the hospital.

The doctors' verdict was grim. The cancer had returned, we were told, and nothing could be done. Mom's death was "imminent", they said, and she would have just a few hours, maybe a day or two at the most.

But we know that in His hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10)

We hurriedly booked flights. Arriving the following Sunday, we anticipated greeting sorrowful family members at the airport, bearing the news of Mom's passing. But instead we learned, although weak, her condition had stabilized, and she remained in the hospital.

I distinctly remember thinking right then just how vastly different our plans can be from God's plan. He is the One in contol. Everything in His time.

'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways', said the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

With emotions suddenly flipped upside down, we headed directly to the hospital. I'd be able to see Mom again. What a wonderful thought. Tell her how much I loved her. Just one more time.

The Lord graciously planned it so that, every day for two weeks, I told Mom I loved her. Those first few hospital visits were precious. We enjoyed many short conversations together. As the days passed and her frail body weakened, it became such a struggle for her to converse. Yet, as she lay helplessly on the bed, she was so very aware of everything going on around her. Towards the end, her speech became slurred and it was more difficult to understand just what she was trying to say. Being heavily medicated meant that she was pain-free, for which we are thankful, but it was heart-wrenching to watch her body succumb to that ravaging disease of angiosarcoma.

Last Friday was, unknowingly then, my final visit with Mom. Close to midnight, it seemed she was trying to sing, although the words were incomprehensible. I gently took her hand, leaned in, and asked her if she indeed was singing. Her response will be etched in my mind forever. In her weakness, she opened her eyes, and as a smile broke across her face, she softly whispered a mumbled "uh-huh". How beautiful, her last night on earth, and she was happily singing with what earthly strength she could muster. Merely a few hours later she joined in fervent song with the redeemed in heaven! What a precious memory.

It was so difficult to leave on Saturday evening and fly back home to Canada. How I would have loved to have stood there at the graveside with my family, and silently watched as Mom's remains were laid to rest. But it was not to be.

'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways', said the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

Instead I will look back and tearfully treasure those last happy moments I shared with Mom in this life, and look forward to the day when our tears will be wiped away, and we will be reunited forever on the beautiful shores of heaven.

Goodnight, my darling Mom.