Thanksgiving !

Our first Thanksgiving at our home, complete with a roasted turkey and trimmings. I truly love turkey.  

We stayed simple with the trimmings, opting for roasted carrots with brown sugar, nibblet corn, stuffing, and asparagus, of course, we also had gravy, mashed potatoes, and turkey.  

I think perhaps the turkey was the best part, juicy, evenly roasted, and it tasted even better the next day!  However, I feel it would be a huge disservice to take credit for the turkey.  While I did prepare the bird, I owe Laura Vitale at Laura's Kitchen on You Tube.  Her bird is amazing!  
Thank you Laura! Check out her channel on you tube and her website here http://www.laurainthekitchen.com/

Our Wedding

"Perhaps, after all, romance did not come into one's life with pomp and blare,... perhaps it crept to one's side like an old friend through quiet ways;... perhaps. . . perhaps. . .love unfolded naturally out of a beautiful friendship, as a golden-hearted rose slipping from its green sheath.
                                 ~ L. M. Montgomery

While reading the "Anne" books as a young girl, I remember thinking that if ever I had the choice, that I would like to fall in love in the above manner.  Although I assumed I would meet the dark, mysterious stranger and after a whirlwind romance be carried off into the sunset, I harboured hope of a long time friendship.  Today, I look on recently past years and smile how that very hope became a reality, and it did creep to my side.  Love & romance come in different ways and diverse manners, but for me it unfolded in a manner that best suited us.  I am thankful to be married to my best friend. 

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Tonight, Tonight may all be well

Dusk has fallen, clouds cloak the darkened sky, a raindrop splatters and silently continues down the pane. As a hilltop gives view of the landsceap, my view is not far different.  Tonight is a night that novels hold for tears, but real life seldom holds to novels, and tonight we are warm.

There is a warm and gentle atmosphere

About the form of one we love, and thus

As in a tender mist our spirits are

Wrapped in the of that which is to us

The health of life’s own life--

~Percy Bysshe Shelley

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Is 41:10

Yesterday.  Just one more of those days that feel like weight hanging around your neck.

When a friend of mine texted me this verse, I held back tears.  How much I needed to remember!

I think the part I noticed most strongly was "for I am thy God". 

~ Fear thou not.~

Autumn Colors & Projects

Today was especially overcast, almost looked like 5:00 pm in December by mid afternoon.  The rain came this evening, bringing with it the first hints of fall.  The smell in the air is amazing as the city snuggles up quietly in the dusk.  Only the occasional sound of swooshing tires can be heard, and the sound of a steady breeze.

As I sit in our warm, cozy apartment, I am continually amazed at how quiet this city is. (At least it seems our southeastern corner is quiet.) I am writing during a quick break before delving into food preparation.  Adventure awaits as I try turning grape nut cereal into something other than cereal, but that will have to be covered in a different post.

Some of you know of my current furniture make over.  I am please to announce all the chairs are stained and our entry-way table.   Aunt Nancy gave it to me before we were married.  The table top had big circle stains.  Here is an after shot :)

Touch ups of a Dining Room Set

Current project: touching up chairs.  I am currently working on 6 chairs from my husband's Grandmother's dining room set.  Hoping to make them look like new! (Well, old to match the china cabinet, and new without any dings and scratches.

A Little Nugget of Gold

Courtship consists in a number of quiet attentions, 

not so pointed as to alarm, nor so vague as not to be understood.

Laurence Sterne

But because the Lord loved you,...the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you.  

Deut 7:8

I was struck today by the gentleness, yet powerful purposefulness of our God.  When I read this quote on courtship, it reminded me of the quiet ways God works in our lives: "a number of quiet attentions, not so pointed as to alarm, nor so vague as to not be understood."   We tend to notice the big changes, traumatic events, whirlwind changes, failures, successes, and big miracles, but do we notice unobtrusive guidence, the gentle guidance?   The next time your life seems to be stuck, not moving, unchanged, uneventful, maybe even just boring, look at it as "a number of quiet attentions."

BELT

B.E.L.T

         Today, I decided to stop at Tim Hortons on my way to work.  When Daniel & I stop for breakfast at Tim Hortons, we usually get a B.E.L.T (Bacon, Egg, Lettuce, Tomato, and Cheese) .  (Yes, it dawned me that the cheese doesn't get significant reference, but more on that later....)   Somehow, whenever Daniel orders, the food is a-ma-zing,  but when I order, its average.  Grant it, I don't think Tim Hortons is to blame for that. 

         However, today, the food was average.   Good, but not estounding, and I almost had to pay double for it!  I like to order the B.E.L.T  with out egg, for $3.59.  Today, I place my order and there is some kerfluffle about how to bill it.  "We will have to bill it as a BLT, ok?"   I consented, slightly confused.   $4.19 came up on the screen.   "Wait," I asked the attendent, "Why is it more expensive?"  "There is more bacon on the BLT"  was my answer.   

         The thought of extra bacon made me want to cancel breakfast, so I protested.  "No," said I, "I order the B.E.L.T without egg, because I don't want extra bacon."   So, they re-rang it up again at $3.59.  As I pulled up to the window, I could see their puzzeled and unbelieving eyes.   Why couldn't she just have a BLT? 

           I drove away wondering that myself.  Why didn't I just get a BLT?  It has what, 3 pieces of bacon comapared to the B.E.L.T's 2 pieces?  I mean, it seems kind of steep to pay .60 cents for one piece of bacon, yet it's not the end of the world.   I took a bite of my sandwhich, enjoying the lovely taste of lettuce, tomato, bacon, and cheese.  

            Cheese.   In the same moment, I remembered the cheese.  The attendant said it was the same no matter how they billed it, but that's not true.   Tim Horton's regular BLT doesn't have cheese!!!!  I almost paid .60 cents for a piece of bacon and wouldn't even have the cheese!   Take about an expensive sandwich!!

           Techinically, it was only .60 cents without cheese, no big deal, right?  Well, this fiesty gal thought it was worth mentioning, but it was less about the money.   The big question really is about getting what you want.  When should we protest and get what we want, and when should we just let it go?   I'm not really talking about Tim Hortons, but more about abortions, gun control, internet censorship, social expectations, among a few.  Should we stand up for what we believe?  When is it right to fight and protest, and when is it just obnoxious?  

           

                                                     BLTC = Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Cheese

Early Morning Thoughts

Some days, my waking moments are hazy, befuddled, and generally nonsensical.  I wander around as I get ready.  I can't find anything - I'm generally lost in the morning fog.  

But other days, like this morning are clear, crystal clear.  A checklist is formulated immediately, and excuted forth efficiently.  Check, check, check and out into the peaceful morning air.  

Well sort of - today was raining.  Rain has been falling for several days.  I must confess the rain is a welcome change from snow, and the smell of fresh air is exhilarating.  Looking down at my brown leather riding boots stepping along the submerged stone pathway, I realize how much I am blest.  

Warm feet, clean air, much water, and lovely boots are just a shadow of the true blessings.  Freedom to be yourself and friendships trusted-true, now those are blessings.  A life guided by the Saviour, our Saviour, is more precious than anything. 

I think all these rambling thoughts came of thinking about coming changes in my life.  Recently, there came into my life one of the nicest surprises, my best friend asked me to share his life with him.  The wedding is scheduled for May, for which there is much anticipation. 

Now my absence is explained, and this is a wedding announcement of sorts.  In some near future, I hope to post a picture.  In any case, as the final count down begins, you will find me scurrying about, trying not to follow rabbit trails.... but  then again, adventures only take a moment, perhaps a rabbit trail is calling.

45 days and counting down....

Closet Inventory = HELP!

I find it very very hard to blog on the new blog-thing-document (whatever you call it).  Its so white and grey and orange.  GOOGLE what happened to the color in life? ! ?  Couldn't you have added a bit more color in the updates?.... blah.

Anyhow.... I have been wondering on how one manages to track closets?  My clothes are tumbling out of the shelves again, after having been tidied and straightened for the 100th + time.  (Due to trying to see what there is to wear.)

I would love a inventory system or something, but so far have not had much luck... If you know of a way, please share :)