Such Things

Happy Monday (and happy first day of February!!)

2010-02-01T21:13:14-08:00

I find I've almost been dreading certain days of the week, like Monday for example. It seems a bit dreary to head into Monday after a fun and relaxing weekend. There's cleaning, shopping, meals to be made and on and on and on... Anyways, I've decided to enjoy everyday no matter what, to notice daily pleasures and even to find joy in monotonous routines and I have to admit, it is nice that I don't have to work on Mondays.

So here we go, first day of a new month and first day of the week: Monday.

Here we are walking from the van to the Kindergarten room after dropping off Miranda at her grade two class,

Bye, Megan! She's going into her classroom, and what's that in the bottom right corner? Some of the kindergarten kids came right back out of the classroom to see,

Aw!!! it's a brand new puppy that one of the Kindergarten families just got on the weekend.

Okay, time to head off now...

Yep, it's time to grocery shop, just Myles and I. Now grocery shopping actually can be pleasurable (even if it is Superstore). There's the clothes section, the free sample from the deli for Myles,

we usually have a look at the crabs, lobsters and tilapia, and we often run into friends and chat too!

It's great to have a little help at the till.

As you can see, Myles thoroughly enjoyed his complimentary chocolate chip cookie...

And there's Myles running and running WAY down the ramp back to the parking lot. I am usually moving forward with my shopping cart at a very rapid pace to catch him because then he runs, yes right into the parking lot! AHH!!

After that, there's cleaning the fridge and putting away the groceries, while Myles played outside in the sandbox. Then we picked up Megan. The kids usually play in on the playground for awhile and I chat with the other K moms. Egg sandwiches for lunch, nap time and I got started on a bit of mending and scrapbooking while Megan played with play dough in the kitchen in her room. After picking up Miranda, I the kids did their chores: cleaning the hamster cage and recycling, while I made stirfry for dinner. I have to tell you the best sauce is: soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil. Mmmm!!!

Then one of my favourite parts of the day. It was my turn to do the parent and tot with Myles.

Go Myles!! I don't know what it was about photographing the day, but it made me feel practically giddy and I was laughing all day long. Thanks for joining me on this journey!

What do you enjoy about your Mondays?

Tune in next week for Tuesday!!

Cozy Place

2010-01-28T21:57:08-08:00

Beneath my bed,

a place to laugh and wrestle,

a place to read,

a place to cozy up together,

day and night.

On rainy weeks, I tend to focus on inside projects. We bought a loft bed for Megan from Ikea and after being inspired by this photo in the catalogue, I created the same kind of cozy space under her bed, using pillows and the star lights. Kids love to have special places to hide, to be alone and to play. We have all kinds of fun under there!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

January Joys

2010-01-25T20:56:29-08:00

I expected January to be a bit dreary and slow, but it has been quite busy (sometimes too busy!) with lots of unexpected sun and mild weather.

There's been cranberry suet,

exploring,

watching,

yard projects,

surprises,

play,

and outings. I definitely treasure these wonderful moments and everyday pleasures.

I have a lot of projects on the go, and with the Olympics and Valentines Day coming up, there are lots of exciting things to share.

The word "gladness" has resonated with me lately. Kind of a happy word, but a grateful word as well.

"Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Psalm 100:2

Hope you've have had a great start to your week!

Not to Worry

2010-01-18T22:05:39-08:00

I admit. I worry about my children. My oldest in particular. I know she's completely wonderful, talented, very smart, and yet I worry. Perhaps it's because she's the first. I worry about her when she's at school, I worry about her friends... I know this is not at all helpful to her or to me. When I start to worry, I head to my favourite parenting books. In his writings, William Glasser talks about success identity and failure identity. I definitely want to foster a success identity in my children, and in myself as well. Some other words I love are from Barbara Coloroso. She talks about six critical life messages to be given every day:

She says that "through love, acceptance, and encouragement, children's sense of self is recognized, valued and esteemed."

The opposite of worry is trust. I have to trust my children to succeed, to solve problems, and trust that God will give me the wisdom to know when they need my direct support and when they can work things out on their own. I do trust that God is working out all things for good. In fact for great.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear" 1 John 4:18

I just found a wonderful little video of Barbara Coloroso sharing her six critical life messages. Have a look!

Best Homemade Chilli

2010-01-13T22:34:36-08:00

One of my favourite meals for cold winter days, or even rainy ones, is homemade chilli. We do ours in a crockpot: fill it in the morning and scoop it out at dinnertime.

Like all our favourite recipes, this one has a bit of a story. Before we had kids, our Bible study group helped serve dinner for an Alpha course. The food was planned and prepared by a Singaporean woman with a passion for cooking. She shared this recipe for her chilli, which was the best we had ever tasted. It freezes well and it's easy for a large group meal. I think the secret is the brown sugar and cinnamon.

I'm still working away at my recipe book, and purged numerous old recipes over the holidays. I'm down to just a few favourites and looking for more...

Hope you enjoy some chilli this winter!!

Frosty Glory

2010-01-08T22:19:20-08:00

I must say, I just love a bright winter day, and you know,

thick frost can be just as beautiful as snow.

One morning I went out for a run, and then I headed back with my camera.

On days like these I can't help but think of God and his glory. I thought I heard a quote that said, the most important thing about a person is how they think of God.

A lot of people relate to God as Father, and I can see and understand that a bit, but what I really understand is God the Creator. When I get out into nature, I get a real sense of who God is.

I understand what it is to create something beautiful and to want to treasure and protect it, and that's how God feels about us,

our children and every person on earth.

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge."

Psalm 19:1-2

Ah, Chalet Living

2010-01-04T20:58:00-08:00

It was back to school today for my kids and for me tomorrow. It'd been such a great vacation.

I was playing around with the camera and tripod and took this photo of our living room before we left on our trip. Now the Christmas decorations are all packed away and the tree is ready to be chipped. My daughter needed to have a "moment" with it right after it was put outside. When you cut down your own tree, you can become quite attached:) And I must sing one more praise of a fresh-cut tree: no needles!!

We spent our Christmas holidays in the best way possible. Family, friends, fondue (this is my friend's recipe made with Toblerone--Mmmm) and some good old chalet living. I was laughing so much when a friend of mine commented, "ah, chalet living" on one of my posts. There is no better way to celebrate winter than to fully enjoy it.

We haven't had much snow our way yet, so we headed off to find it ourselves. We got out skiing on the only clear day. Myles was so proud of learning to ski for the first time. "Myles, you are so good at skiing!" "Yes I am!!"

The trail that we took had a few hills and amazing vistas. We even sat and ate our lunch in the snow overlooking the distant mountains.

It was snowing on the mountain when we left and raining below. A cup of mocha and a rich brownie from the Wake 'n Bakery (I highly recommend it if you happen to be in Glacier, near Mt. Baker) hit the spot.

We actually slept in our tent trailer with the furnace blasting. It was very cozy. The kids were so excited to have "sleepovers" every night and I loved hearing the rain pelting down on the canvas at night.

Now it's back to some of the more mundane routines, but we are going to get in as much Chalet living as we can this winter. The kids just started skating lessons tonight.

I have a lot of exciting ideas for the blog ahead this year, so stay tuned and enjoy the beginning of your week!

Merry Christmas to you and a Rip-Roaring Happy New Year too!!

2009-12-25T23:02:48-08:00

The last week just flew by.

crafting,

parties,

shopping,

much much celebrating, gift exchanging, family visits etc. I even admit to a few Scrooge and Grinch-like feelings emerging inside of me...

But then it just all melts away as the Eve of Christmas approaches,

After church, and the kids excitedly put on their new Christmas pjs, we spent a bit of time outside in the crisp winter air with the stars shining clearly and brightly above us. We talked about the star of Bethlehem and how the angels appeared to the shepherds and how baby Jesus was born on such a night (perhaps not as chilly). Here's Myles running and sprinkling the reindeer food on the lawn.

We spontaneously lit candles and sang some of our favourite carols.

Amid the frenzy, the joy, the gifts, the food, pause to remember the baby. Like the tiny baby peeking over his father's shoulder at us during the church service last Sunday. A helpless, vulnerable baby. That's how God came. When man had performed his darkest deeds, God responded by sending his own Son as an infant. It really does baffle my mind when I stop to think of such grace and such a gift.

"For to us a child is born,
       to us a son is given,
       and the government will be on his shoulders.
       And he will be called
       Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
       Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace
       there will be no end.
       He will reign on David's throne
       and over his kingdom,
       establishing and upholding it
       with justice and righteousness
       from that time on and forever.
       The zeal of the LORD Almighty
       will accomplish this."

Isaiah 9:6-7

I love that last line. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. God accomplishes with zeal. I have been trying to take time to meditate on passages from Isaiah over the Christmas season. It's amazing to think that these prophecies were made 500 years before Christ was even born.

A very and most Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. And a very Happy New year to you as well. We are heading off on a cross country ski trip to Mt. Baker and I look forward to posting about it in the New year. My theme for the up-coming year is More. Looking forward to more goodness, more adventures, more projects and learning more as well.

I may come by to visit you as I'm still giving holiday greetings to my friends on line, but until then,

Here's to 2010!!!!

Christmas Village

2009-12-18T13:16:03-08:00

I have been reading A Christmas Carol to my class at school. The movie is out right now, and I admit, I haven't seen it, but I thought it would be a great opportunity to read a classic novel to the students. They are enthralled. They are absolutely silent while I read and seem to have followed along when I ask questions. A Christmas Carol for me always brings up images of an old fashioned village all decked out for Christmas. Last year, my grandmother gave me her Christmas village that she had been collecting for many years.

We set it up in our living room at the beginning of December.

The kids looked at it with great fascination, moving the figures and playing with the little battery-operated train. Have you seen the inspiring village from Posie Gets Cozy?

In our traveling days, Mark and I visited Rothenburg ob de Tauber in Germany, a preserved Middle Aged city.

We happened to be there during the Christmas Market or "Reiterlesmarkt".

It was "simply enchanting" as it says on the website and definitely had the feel of a very old-fashioned Christmas.

Last year we created this gingerbread village, and this year I made them with my class as well.

A candy village.

The kids made a paper village too, complete with some modern influence.

Christmasy villages, get me into the spirit!

Enjoy your last weekend before Christmas!!!

O Christmas Tree

2009-12-13T22:32:09-08:00

We drove past farmland gently sprinkled with our first snowfall of the year,

past dream houses on acres of land with horses, and for the first time ever, we entered Alouette Tree Farm to cut down our own Christmas tree. In the past, we've done the Ikea thing, but I must say, this experience was far, far more enjoyable.

free hot dogs and apple cider,

warming up by the open fire,

and picking out the tree. We searched the field, and at some points I was running across the field from tree to tree, trying to find the right one.

and then there it was.

there was a petting barn and a tractor ride,

and glorious snow.

I don't know what it is about the tree, but once it is put up, it seems like Christmas has truly arrived. There's a feeling of joy decorating the tree while drinking eggnog with Christmas music playing in the background.

Bible readings, singing and Christmas treats at Advent,

Yes, the magic and peace of Christmas. And here's our sweet little tree decorated and lit.

"The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death

a light has dawned.

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy."

Isaiah 9:2-3