March 26th -- bag or purse

This is my favorite bag.

At one point, the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party was my favorite place to be. It still ranks pretty high on my list (at home with Jesse is now at the top). Add that to the fact that Michele Amy is like a mother to me... and oh yeah! This is definitely my favorite bag. It comes with me everywhere because (1: it's handy. (2: it brings back good memories.


  http://www.kenoseekitchenparty.ca/

March 20th -- flower

When I was younger, I collected china in all forms... unfortunately, as I grow older, my priorities have changed and I have stopped collecting for the most part.

However, on my 25th birthday, Michele gave me a beautiful cake stand (late 1800's) to add to my collection. I consider it among the most beautiful items I own. 

Each day, I look at it and revel in the beauty of friendship... and exquisite china 

Of Professional Images, Birthday Cakes and Mosquitoes: Among Other Things

Due to our renovations and the rather busy-ness of our lives, we have not been able to install our washer and dryer in our utility room. So that means we have to run over to my inlaws and wash laundry there. Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate their generosity... but I can't wait to be able to wash our laundry here, at our house. Because we are us, we usually wait until we have worn most of our clothing before we decide to do anything about it and this time was no exception. Yesterday morning I had a towering mountain of dirty clothes and towels and such. It took me awhile to maneuver it into my inlaws' house. Of course, when it was all in, down the stairs and sorted appropriately, you can only wash one load at a time. I had some hours to kill.

Taro, one of my students, turned 17 yesterday. He and his brother and sisters are involved in this year's Dickens' play. Since the play date is coming up straight away, we are having regular rehearsals.... one of them that very night. So, I consulted my mother in law and we decided a cake was in order for the evening. I had run out of eggs so I simply brought everything else over to their house and proceeded to make a French Vanilla cake. (Yes, from a cake mix. No, I'm not ashamed. It's good cake. ;-) :-)) Btw, does anyone know how to make a French Vanilla Cake from scratch? Usually white cake is so bland but this particular cake is really amazing.

When I finally got back home, it was 3:30 and my first students were due to arrive very soon. I rushed around the house cleaning up and was just at the tail-end of it when they appeared on my doorstep. I was still in my comfy paint be-spattered bunny hug and they were a few minutes early so after I greeted them, I went and changed quickly. The shirt I chose is one of my favorites: last year's Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party ladies t-shirt with a really clever logo on the front of it. It's green. My favorite color. :-)

Two students and their mother later, I was greeting two more students and running for the washroom for a little moment. That's when I happened to glance in the mirror. Something was wrong. It took me a moment to figure it out.... then, light bulb. I had my shirt on backwards; the clever logo was etched across my back, mocking me. As my oh-so-professional image went down the drain, I couldn't help bursting out laughing. It is always great to get a slap like that and it be that funny. So, I turned my shirt around and ta-da, clever logo was clever once again. But it still amuses me whenever I see it. I wonder what my students thought... and I especially wonder what my student's mother thought. Haha!!

Last night's rehearsal went quite well indeed. It was supposed to be a semi-dress rehearsal but Doug (director) said it was ok if we interrupted it a bit. I didn't know how we were going to present the cake to the birthday boy but when I started gathering in-tell, Michele had a great idea, as usual. She thought we should spring it on him when we were in a scene together. It appealed to my love of awesome surprises so I went around and whispered the plan to everyone else.

My line goes like this: "Please Mr. Scrooge [insert southern accent], it's Christmas Eve, do you really expect us to go back to those people now and tell them that you are condemning those buildings, that those families are going to have to move, that the neighborhood recreational centre is shutting down and the church is going out of business? I mean... [grabbing Scrooge's wrist and pointing towards Taro] it's his birthday for crying out loud!" Then as everyone came out with the cake we all started singing happy birthday. The look on his face was really surprised. :-) Such fun!

There are certain things I appreciate about winter. One is that it's easier to sit and relax on cold snowy days than to sit and relax on hot sunny days. Because when it's hot and sunny, you feel guilty for wasting it by relaxing. (Of course, I don't think sitting and relaxing is wasting time but sometimes my better, more responsible side gets to me.) Another thing is that snow is so beautiful. There are simply no words for it. :-) And the best thing is that there are no mosquitoes. At least there shouldn't be. So it's not fair that every night before we go to bed, I have to kill at least three mosquitoes. We have no idea where they are coming from. It's cold outside. They should be all dead. Jesse wonders if they were already in the house somehow. Or... my latest theory is that they are coming up from the drains. Regardless, I really wish they would all go back and hibernate... or die. Or something. ::hates mosquitoes::

Well, I have some housework to do and some Christmas decorating to begin. I hope your winter is progressing as well as mine is. I pray for love to reach each heart. Just a little love. I think it would make all the difference in the world. The more I work "in the world" the more I realize that non-acceptance is the most natural, human reaction. People do not love one another. They judge each other. And wow. Did I ever get on that apple box quickly. ;-) I suppose God has been showing me a lot about this lately. Whenever I find someone particularly annoying, my conscience pops up...

Thanks so much for reading. It makes my heart brim with joy. Come to Carlyle and enjoy the Dickens Festival!

Boring-ness That Makes Me Really Happy

Several times I have tried to sit down and write a post but something has always gotten in the way. But! Victory! Today, a student of mine had to reschedule her lesson to another day so I had an hour and a half before theatre. Perfect time to scratch out some emails and a much needed update for Treasuries. :-)

Major happenings? Not many of those. Just every day, beautiful life. :-) I think I prefer it that way.

 Lessons. 13 students. Progress. Happiness. I honestly cannot imagine anything more fulfilling than teaching music. It's like you're changing lives with every lesson. If I can keep these times full and interesting, fun and entertaining, hope-filled and progressive... well, these wonderful young people will go places. Not necessarily the stage but when you play  music, you are fulfilled. You can entertain and fulfill needs and desires... both yours and others. Each student is different... different home life, mind set, values, struggles and victories. But they are all important to me and music is becoming part of them.

Last night (15th) we went to a house concert in Forget and listened to Woody Holler and His Orchestra. It was such a treat. Daniel Koulack (he played at our wedding) plays bass in this band so it was another reason I really wanted to go. :-) They were amazing. It's a Western Swing band but they play all kinds of music. Some of it was old country (Woody sang in Spanish...), some of it was old cowboy (Don't Fence Me In, etc) and other stuff was very jazzy (Honeysuckle Rose). What a treat for the ear! Jesse video taped the second half of the show for them and in payment for his services, they gave us a cd. We got it signed by all the guys and promptly forgot it at Michelle's house. Lol! Thankfully we see M. often due to theatre practice so she get it to us sooner than later.

Speaking of theatre, it is going well. We have several of my students involved. Actually we have about five people who haven't been in our theatre group before so it has been interesting to try and find a place for everyone. But it is coming along great. The story is the usual A Christmas Carol but it has been Remixed. :-) Jesse is Scrooge this year. It's funny watching him be so nasty to everyone because he's usually so decent. Haha!

And then there's work. Two of the girls are leaving... one because of maternity and the other because... well, just because that's who she is. :-) I will miss her. Good news is that I *love* the floor manager (and she's staying!). She is an amazing human being who has problems like the rest of us but rises above them and treats everyone equally. She's gold.

They finished insulating the porch and tore down the door and wall the separated the kitchen from the porch. The house seems so much bigger. I love it. They plan to finish it when spring/summer rolls around again. I am  looking forward to the day when it is all finished and we have a brand new kitchen with all of our wedding gifts in it. Right now, most of them are upstairs sitting on one of the beds, waiting for their own little space.

Stuff keeps us busy: parties, Remembrance Day, picking up paintings from Jesse's Grandma's place, learning to live with the cold weather, trying to keep healthy.

I got the flu again a week or so ago. 11 days was how long the first one took... thankfully, the second bout didn't last as long. I actually started to write a blog post when I was down with it but decided not to. When I'm not feeling 100% I tend to complain about the fact. There is simply enough complaining in the world without me adding to it. (So say I bravely today!)

Those are some of the highlights of the life of Naomi. What has been happening in your life? Is the flu going down where you're at as well? What music has inspired you lately? Have you made a dish that you have been very pleased with?

Well, the evening is upon me so I should close this up. Cheers my dears! :-)

From the Queen of Randomness

The show went well! In fact, it went really well. Once up on stage, my nervousness vanished and I was able to play and sing and enjoy myself.

Several musicians and friends of Michele's are coming to stay the weekend and we have been preparing. Last night, Michele made turtle cheesecake (it's a new recipe and she made her own caramels, which are wonderful but didn't quite turn out the way the recipe said so she is worried about serving the cake to company and I wondered since she had enough ingredients to make another one if we shouldn't sample this one just to make sure but she said no. Twice.) (there, I knew I could write a run-on sentence! ;-)) and lasagne, which I am quite looking forward to. I get to make french bread to go along with it!! Yay.

Went to the theatre meeting yesterday for the Easter play. It looks like it's going to be a murder mystery of sorts. I'm not sure if I am going to have a part or not. I have never memorized so many lines (well, I've memorized entire books of the Bible but that's a little different!) and I've definitely never been in a play that required so much  from me. It could be a good experience. :-) That being said, with everything else going on, I might regret committing. We shall see.

I've been reading "The Princess Bride". And laughing. Interesting thing: the book is not better than the movie. They're both equally creative. And funny.

One of my students wants to learn how to play "If I Die Young" (The Band Perry) on the piano. So I have been trying to learn it so I can teach her. I like the challenge. And I like the song. It's a bluegrass number with really nice words. Kind of a Appalachian Anne of Green Gables song.

It was *30 F (-1* C) yesterday!!!! Wow. I ran outside with no long sleeves on and I was not cold at all. I love this weather.

I watched "Appaloosa" the other day. I was so annoyed at the end of it. :sigh: Seriously, three very good actors. Three of my favorites. You wonder if any of them had ever read any westerns at all. :-P Plus, Ed Harris' character randomly loses his temper for no real reason and nearly beats a teamster to death. Interesting. I wonder why he put that into the movie? Just because he'd always wanted to randomly nearly beat someone to death? Can you tell I'm still annoyed? ;-)

And while we're on the topic of movies, has anyone watched "Young Victoria"? Opinion?

Anyone a Doctor Who fan?

I should go eat something and try to stem the tide of my cold. Or allergies. Or whatever it is. I started getting a sore throat when I began dealing with all of deceased Yoda's hair. Now my nose is running like a faucet. Lol. I'm taking zinc in case it is a cold. Maybe I should be taking more stuff. Hmm.

I am so glad God loves me.

Anyways, this is my random-ist post ever. Enjoy, Bekah dear! ;-) (And anyone else who may read this.) 

Show Time

Show day. I am excited and a little nervous... the usual. ;-) Michele and I had a pretty intense rehearsal yesterday morning and I discovered how to fake some stuff on "Home Sweet Home". Lol. After the show, I would really like to figure out this rhythm, though. I need to learn it. Anyways, here's to fiddle music across Canada and the people who's dreams and efforts keep it alive.

Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated! :-) Have fun today, my dear readers.  

So much to learn...

The show is on Sunday. We're having one last rehearsal today.

It has been interesting to play so much lately. I've noticed a difference in my playing and I have come to the realization that there is so much for me to learn about the piano. I have been forced to take a good look at myself and have seen areas in which I could be better. I am so glad for this time of my life.

There is one thing I am concerned about. Among the tunes we are playing on Sunday is a medley of three. It is called "Home Sweet Home". The songs are amazing and I love them. Michele plays them really well!! But the piano accompanist style is different (and more complicated) than I have played before. I am feeling slightly panicky because I *have* to get this part down. If I don't, the song won't have it's electricity. 

If you think of me and are so inclined, your prayers regarding wisdom and rhythm are greatly appreciated. 

May your day be as glorious as mine. :-) (I get to see Jesse!) (And watch my friend Emily play in Seussical!) (And rehearse with three phenomenal musicians.) (Does life get any better?) :-) 

Rehearsing

Michele, Ben D. and I have been rehearsing quite frequently lately for Michele's January 23rd show in Redvers. Michele, fiddle; Ben, guitar; myself, piano. We have gotten Jesse to play on a couple numbers, as well. I am really excited about this opportunity to play and sing. It is such a awesome thing to share music.

(Jorgina and Marie Stang -- 1910 -- Norway)

But wow, is the time ever flying by quick! I always have butterflies. (Do I know the songs well enough?!) I have just mastered a few of the pieces in the past few days and I feel a little shaky. Michele and I have been meaning to play together for the past three days. Saturday, for both of us, tiredness took priority. Sunday, I got home later from my excursion with Jesse. Monday (last night!), I came down with a sudden case of stomach upset which had me stretched out on my bed until past midnight. :-P (I think it may have had something to do with me slipping when I walked earlier in the day.) (At any rate, I'm feeling much better now. :-))

So I'm hoping that the rest of this week, we'll not only be able to rehearse, but rehearse the show in the way that we're going to play it. This morning, I intend to get supper figured out, lesson prep and organize my music into the binder Michele got for me. I am looking forward to the day when I will be able to do everything by ear.

If you are so led, please pray that God will open my mind.. give me wisdom. Also, that He will bring joy to those I am around. :-) All things are possible through Jesus Christ. Including the Jerry Holland Set!! ;-)

All About Driver's Ed, Ozzie and other things that fill my life with color

Just to give my readers fair warning, this post is long and bitter and only slightly humorous. Read with discretion.

Sunday, January 16th, 2011

The alarm clock begins ringing at 6:45 am and my benumbed brain beckons to my fingers to turn it off. Finally finding the off mode, the annoying noise ceases and my subconscious state resumes for fifteen minutes. At 7 am, I promptly come awake and get dressed. I wondered what to wear exactly, then thought that good old denim wouldn't mind keeping me warm on this chilly morning...

Points of morning: 

getting foot stuck in leg of leggings and losing my balance. Thankfully, my bed was right there for me to hit. 

making sandwich for lunch.

eating the last piece of the leftover pizza for breakfast.

saying a sleepy good morning to Michele. 

feeling nervous butterflies.

wondering if I should have studied for the in-class instruction.

enjoying the drive down to Griffin.

arriving at the old school just a half hour after dawn had arrived. 

Six hours of instruction. The instructor is quite the lady. After she welcomed us to the class, she went through a brief list of things which are the leading cause of accidents. Then, she clicked on a video and left the room, leaving the class to watch in horrified fascination as two girls in a car were distracted by their cellphones and did not notice that their car was drifting until it was too late. Seconds later, one girl was dead and the other was injured for life. And it wasn't only their lives that were touched... in the end, at least five vehicles were involved and a little child in one of them whimpers, asking her parents to wake up. 

When our instructor came back into the room to turn off the video, I think the looks on our faces were satisfactory. Lol. I have never been in a major car wreck or even seen any terribly serious accidents (other than motion picture) and even though this was a staged video, it seemed startlingly real. 

The rest of our time, we covered drinking and driving, distractions and driving, drugs and driving, sleeping and driving, skids, skids, and more skids, road rage, seat belts, snow driving conditions, gravel driving conditions, accidents, etc, etc. Six hours. Hehe. My brain hurt. The last thing that was said was this, "So, you can do all of right things and accidents still will happen. My conclusion is that it's simply by the grace of God that we're all not dead right now." I appreciate what they're trying to do. I understand. But that didn't help me from feeling pretty depressed by the end of class. ;-) 

And when Michele came and picked me up, we hadn't gotten very far at all when we decided I should drive. You can bet that I was white knuckling the steering wheel for the first fifteen minutes. Lol!! But it was good. I drove the entire distance home and by the end, I was feeling kind of okay. Almost comfortable. Thanks to the excellent work of the class however, I was still a little depressed. So when the phone rang and it was Jesse inviting me to come with them to visit his Grandma, I was delighted. 

Jesse's Grandma is 95 years old and she still lives in her own little apartment. I really appreciate listening to someone talk who is that old and still has a mind as sharp as a tack. She is a tiny little thing and pretty quiet but when she would say something, you can bet that people listened. We ate supper there and visited for a few hours. Right as we were about to leave, she looked at me and said, "You seem happy." :-) :-) Sam, Jesse's sister, is back home now and it's been fun getting to know her, as well. And, of course, the happiest thing about the entire evening was spending time with my beloved. That cured any and all depression. Hehe. 

But I still had one remaining adventure of the day: Ozzie. That cat has been trying to decide whether she is Ozzie or whether she is a cat. Ozzie is a weird, alien cat shaped creature. I am being extremely generous in my guess that The Cat might actually be slightly likable. Because Yoda was suffering, Michele decided it was time to put her down. Ozzie has never been an only cat. This is really new for her. Therefore, she has been... annoying. She interrupted one of my piano lessons last Wednesday. She was scratching at the door and I was ignoring her. Then, another student arrived (a little bit early) and she mentioned it. Without thinking, I replied, "Oh, we had to put her mum down the other day so she's been acting.." I never got to finish my sentence. Immediately, two little girls were flying to the door and jerking it open, "Ohhh!!!! Poor kitty!!!! Can we let her in!!!!!" And I was sitting there with my mouth dropped open. I could have sworn that Ozzie winked at me. My thought, "Naomi, you are a first class idiot." Well, the rest of that lesson was ruined. And she only stayed for four minutes, max. How does she do that?! [Okay. So I admit that I'm smirking. It was funny. She is clever in her own stupid annoying way.]

Last night, while I was having my wee bit of a bath, Ozzie decided that she liked water and wanted in. Of course I said who was she kidding. So, she got mad and invaded my room. I had shut the door but it must not have latched properly. When I had finished, I found her ensconced on my bed, purring like a thousand cats were residing in her sinus cavity. I gently booted her off my bed (no cats were injured in the process) and prepared for my well earned sleep. Then, came the first scratching. 

She scratched at the door. First gently, then not so gently. 

She meowed. Loudly. Well, it was more like wailing. Btw, did you know that cats can communicate rather well? She was saying stuff like, "I am lonely. I am scared. You are a nice person. I know you'll let me in if you only knew how sad I am."

I ignored her. She went away. 

I was just drifting off when suddenly, she was scratching like a maniac at the door and the wailing resumed. "I miss my mum! Yes, I know she wasn't terribly fond of me but no daughter ever deserves to lose her mother!! Please let me in! I'll be good. I promise I won't sit on your stomach and cut off your oxygen, even though it's my favorite thing to do." 

I told her to be quiet and leave. She left. 

Again, I was just asleep and quite abruptly, it sounded like she was hurtling her body against the door, all the while, wailing, "Okay! So I'm bruising my fat side here trying to alert you to the presence of evil in this house. Like, a thief that's creeping around in the dark, which you can't hear right now because I'm making too much noise... but you know that sound in the office five minutes ago? I know it sounded like me but really it was Mr. Evil. He's stealing the magnets off the fridge!" ::silence:: Then, "You mother murderer! Yes, I know Michele took her away but you were the cause! The least you could do to assuage your conscience would be to let me in!" 

By this time, I was more than a little annoyed. I had been so startled that I'd nearly hit the ceiling when she had arrived this time and was frustrated with an hour and a half of wasted rest. I debated whether I should allow myself to talk back to her or not. I decided not. By that time, she was sounding a little hoarse and once again she abruptly left. I lay and listened for awhile but by that time, I was pretty tired out and fell soundly asleep. If she came back later, I haven't a clue. 

Right now, she's laying on my bed sleeping and occasionally meowing at me. I've turned off my cat translator and am still annoyed at her. Not terribly bitter but a little malicious. After talking to Michele this morning, I was given permission to put Ozzie downstairs, where she has food, water and litter box. So, if she comes prowling around my door again tonight, I am going to calmly get up and do exactly that. ;-) 

And that, my dear readers, is the end of a long post about drunk driving not being good, nice boyfriends and their grandmothers and Ozzie, the fuzz-ball alien creature who was sent into my life to test my patience. 

Now, off to prepare supper (mexican!) and practice music after. I need to learn "Farewell to Nova Scotia". I know it a little. I need to know it a lot. The show is next sunday. Yikes!! :-) May your day have been as good as mine was. 

Chicken and Lemon

There is a site that I always go to when I'm looking for good recipes and it is... http://www.tammysrecipes.com/. Today, I wanted to find a recipe for chicken breasts. Believe it or not, I've never cooked/baked/created deliciousness with just whole chicken breasts, so I needed some help. I found this recipe: http://www.tammysrecipes.com/grilled_lemon_garlic_pepper_chicken and loved the idea of marinating chicken in lemon juice. But I am not that experienced with the grill and being as the temperature was in it's normal frostbitten state, I decided that I shouldn't be that brave today.

So I went and talked to Michele. :-) Here is the recipe that she gave me and the one I intend to rave about to everyone I come into contact with in the next two weeks.

1/4 c. olive oil
1/4 c. lemon juice
2 TBSP chopped garlic
1 TBSP oregano
1 tsp salt
dash of cayenne
4 thawed chicken breasts

Combine the first six ingredients in large bowl with lid or bag. Pierce chicken breasts with knife and place in bowl or bag. Make sure the chicken breasts are coated with mixture, then seal it up and place in refrigerator for at least an hour (my schedule dictated 6 hours). When ready to cook chicken, cut each breast into thirds and place on a broiler pan. Broil approx. 4-5 minutes on each side, or until meat is cooked through.

I have never had chicken like this before. It was tangy and a little spicy and Greek all at once. We ate it with Basmati rice (which is, in my humble opinion, the best rice in the whole entire world) and green beans. I think I'm going to cut up the leftover chicken tomorrow and put it in a pasta dish. That sounds rather yummy to me. :-)

Because I'm Going To Enjoy Today

I woke up this morning feeling so much better. :-) I have discovered how hard it can be to force yourself to eat but how necessary it is. ;-) Yesterday, I ate supper and drank ginger tea afterwards. It seemed to help settle everything. Hopefully I'll soon kick this and have my usual dosage of energy!!

"...if anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will be the same again."  -- William P. Young (The Shack)

Random thoughts of the day:
1: I love Jesse.
2: How much God has blessed me.
3: God gives us a free will but wishes for our fellowship.
4: True happiness is found within that fellowship.
5: Making meals is awesome.

Yesterday, for supper, I made burritos (black beans, garlic, Thai Chili sauce, black pepper, salt, sour cream, cheddar cheese) and salad. I rolled them up, place them on a cookie sheet and baked them for 45 minutes or so.  They wouldn't have to be baked that long, it just happened that people weren't ready to eat until that point in time. (I was also making the salad/setting the table/etc.) Today, I have roast in the crock pot and Yorkshire pudding on the menu. It's a lot of fun experimenting. I also love that I can run and ask Michele for advice. She's such a good cook and so creative in creating meals! This is definitely the best way to gather experience.

I have always worked in the kitchen and know how to cook a lot of meals but we always used ingredients in different quantities ... and from different sources (i.e. in bulk, from the garden, etc). I want to learn how to cook economically but tastefully. What a challenge! However, this is something worth learning well.

Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you'll be able to see further. -- J.P. Morgan

I have been learning a lot lately. It seems that no sooner is one lesson complete, another begins. I suppose that it is either moving ahead or falling behind. I would rather move ahead. I am learning about love. It is such a little word but the world balances on it. Love is many faces. What can I do today that will cause God's love to be shed abroad in hearts? What will brighten the faces of those I am with today? How will love appear in lives I touch?

I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall always rest in hope. -- The Psalmist

This morning, I was feeling frustrated. I finally sat down and thought through what I was feeling... and realized my feelings were centered around myself. It was about me. Then, I began thinking about everything I had to be thankful for (not me!) and suddenly, I was the most blessed. Truly. I have so much to be glad about!

May each day find our hearts seeking and finding love... and enjoying very random blog posts from a much better Naomi who has decided she is going to enjoy today and the people in it.

Don't find fault. Find a remedy. -- Henry Ford

Here's to Life!

According to blogger, this is Treasuries' 273rd post. It seems like forever ago that I created this blog and tentatively began writing about my life. There have been a few people who have been very faithful about commenting and participating throughout the months since then. Thank you. As someone wrote to me, comments are a blogger's dessert. :-)

Here is a brief synopsis of my life recently:
Friday: My friends Nathan and Jenn (along with their three children: Gideon, 5; Isaiah, 3; Emmé, 1) picked me up in the afternoon and took me to their home in Deloraine, MB. Once there, we warmed up our very cold fingers and toes with some hot tea and Kettle Chips (I've developed a new addiction/craving thanks to you guys!!) and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. 


Saturday:  Lots of wonderful conversations, food (Jenn and Nathan are both excellent chefs as well as hosts) (we even made chocolate ice-cream which I'm still dreaming about....)


Sunday: ....and music (had a wonderful time "teaching" Jenn how to chord/accompany. She picked it up so quickly I don't think I can honestly term it teaching. Amazing. :-))


Being around their kids made me miss my siblings!! Children give such perspective to life. It's so interesting to hear their point of view and see their trust. I love watching them be creative and expanding their horizons. It can be art or even learning a new word... or their character develops suddenly as they realize something about life. 


All in all, it was a beautiful weekend and something I wouldn't mind repeating. :-) If you're reading this, thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality. I came away so blessed. :-)


Sunday evening, Nathan took me back to Carlyle because I needed to participate in the theatre practice. The time of the Christmas play is almost upon us and I have part. So, it's rather necessary to keep on top of matters. :-) The play is about a nasty old spinster named Esmeralda Scrooge who must learn about love. I am her niece. I have a solo and lines... and I also play a piece on the piano (which has me most worried...). It has been a very enjoyable and stretching experience being part of this. Just like "We'll Meet Again", except it's better this time since I kind of know the people I'm working with. :-) 


Monday: I worked at Dairy Queen and made... cakes. Surprise, surprise. ;-) :-P I made logs, Blizzards and designed gels. Plus, I washed all of my gel frosting bags and the container so they're all fresh and lovely for the next person who dares mess with them. ;-) One of the biggest benefits of working at DQ is that you get to make your own combinations of blizzards. They have a new size of Blizzard: mini. It's just right for me. I love Oreos, strawberries and cheesecake.. mixing them all together, then topping it off with strawberries. It's delightful. I kid you not. And yes, I have been eating a little more sugar lately. :-) 


For the record, I love Dairy Queen ice-cream. A lot. It's among the best. :-) :-) 


Tuesday: I got up early and went to write my test. Before I go on, I must say it: I am so glad to have that over with. How did I do? Well, I missed 2 on my signs test and 4 on the regular. Just passed. My errors were always on the side of caution. For instance, on an uncontrolled railroad, did you know that you are not required by law to stop before proceeding over the tracks? That is, you are not required to stop if there are no trains in sight... in the happenstance of a train, one might consider halting their progress in favor of life, law abiding citizen or no. :-P

The only other thing worth mentioning about yesterday was Michele almost scaring me to death in the evening. Will was asleep so it was all done very silently. :-P I was impressed with myself because usually I am very vocal about fear and being startled. I managed to scream without sound. Yep. ;-) I remember when my sister Ellie used to take great delight in leaping at me out of the dark like Michele did. (I foresee future episodes because she was so pleased with the reaction I gave. They just can't help themselves.)


Wednesday: Hasn't been lived yet. Or at least not much. :-) I woke up early even though I could have slept in. :sigh: Bad habits are hard to break. I made cheese bread yesterday evening along with a vegetable soup... it was lovely. Had a student arrive in the middle of the baking progress and had to have Will take over. He said it was stressful but he managed to survive. Thankfully the bread survived as well. :-) So I think I'll have cheese bread for my breakfast. 


Talked to my Mom, my sister Ellie and my sister Lydia yesterday. I might be going home around the end of the year. We shall see. 


Ok. I need to get off of my computer and prepare myself for life. Cleaning, teaching, music, theatre practice. Full day. I hope yours is lovely and joyous. I think mine will be. Cheers!!


Still round the corner there may wait, A new road or a secret gate. -- J. R. R. Tolkien

God, do you really want me to... what?!

Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. (2 Cor. 1: 24)

There is always someone annoying in my life. It doesn't matter where I go or what situation I'm in, there is that person(s) that I find distinctly irritating.

All summer, there was this little girl in my life. Normally, I love little girls. But this little girl... well, let's just say that she was not enjoyable to be around. For the record, I wasn't the only one who had a hard time with her. But mine was the conscience who stung when I found myself disliking her. I knew that I did not have the attitude towards her that God wanted me to. I never treated her poorly but whenever I was kind to her, it wasn't from my heart. I was basically lying to her and to everyone I was around.

But she wouldn't leave me alone! All summer long, my path kept crossing this little girl's path. I knew God had a reason but I did not ask for help. I did not want to like this girl. She deserved to be disliked. So there.

Then, Michele came to camp. The little girl acted up, as usual and I suddenly found myself pouring out my heart to Michele. What should I do? I knew I was not letting God work through me and through my stubbornness, my relationship with Him, and others in my life, was suffering.

Michele smiled at me when I had finished my tale of woe and said, "I find that if I smother an unloving child with love, it makes all the difference in the world. Yes, our initial reaction is to not love them and to give them what they deserve. But what they need and what will change them is loving them." It was like a light bulb flash in my head. Duh. What I've missed out on this summer! I couldn't believe how blind I had been.

Of course, God had prompted me to ask for help. Of course, He hadn't forced the issue. He just let my conscience make me miserable for weeks on end. :-) I realized suddenly how unloving I had been. I was no better than this little girl.

After getting my focus back in it's proper place and asking for God to help me love this girl like He wanted me to, my life got much sweeter. My heart was finally at rest and I was able to love this girl with a true, pure love that can only come from God. I prayed for opportunities to show her that I really loved her.

Two times. Two brief encounters that made us both smile and the happiness spread like ripples from a pebble dropped into a puddle. Then, she was out of my life. I had to smile at the irony of it. As soon as my heart was in the right place, God took the irritation away. Then, he replaced her with people I absolutely love being around. Lol. I love Him.

This lesson has seen me through some difficult experiences the past few weeks. More irritating people in my life? Yep! But I am not as stubborn this time. :-) When you begin thinking 'what can I give this person' instead of 'what can I get from this person', your entire perspective of these people is so different. You see more of their qualities, instead of just their irritating habits.

I was reading in 1 Corinthians (btw, I love 1 Corinthians. It has so many gems tucked away in it.) chapter 15, verse 41: "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory." Each person has their own purpose. I believe that each person needs comfort and help and love from God and other people to blossom into what they were meant to be.

I feel so overwhelmed at times. But there is no reason. I'm not the honey; with God's help, I am just the container. :-)

P.S. The girls in the picture are some of my favorites from camp. :-) Lexie and Cameron. If you think of them, please pray for them. Lexie especially needs all the prayers she can get.

Life Moves On

Three months at camp, away from my family and my old way of life, has changed me in many ways. I think they are good changes but you will have to judge for yourself over the next few months of blogging. ;-)

The first month was spent getting to know my sisters. You would think we knew each other before. Actually what we knew was the shells each of us had put up around each other. At home, we were the human beings our family had dictated we were to be. I do not mean this in a malicious way. I believe every family to a certain extent, decides who their children are and what role they must play. It took about two weeks for my sisters and I to discover that under our shell exteriors, we were different people than we thought we were. We were surprised about each other and shocked about ourselves. Our relationships with God and with each other blossomed and matured and became sweeter each day.

The second month was spent in the company of people who needed love and effort and blessings each moment of every day. They were wonderful kids but they were high maintenance. It makes me get a little sniffly sometimes when I remember how God always worked through every situation and how many people were able to experience (some for the first time) His love and joy that passes all understanding. I do not know how many... or if any... accepted the Gift at the time but the seeds were sown. We wanted their parched hearts to be filled and overflowing with something that is true and transparent and unbelievable.

The third month. What can I say? It was music day in and day out. :-) I love it. I love camp. I love the people. I love the music. I love the schedule. I love learning. I love jamming. But I love the people the most. They inspire me, comfort me, help me, shove me, lead me on to higher, headier mountaintops than I have ever dreamed of.

And that's one of the reasons I'm now living in Carlyle, Saskatchewan. Away from all the blood members of my family but with some of my family of the heart. Michele Amy and her husband Will offered me a place to stay (they, in fact, offered it to all three of us girls but other things came up for them, which I will write about later) and a way to support myself.

I am planning on teaching piano and cleaning house, so far. I have a cough (that seems to be getting better, thankfully!) so I didn't want to go to church and risk infecting anyone so I stayed home and cleaned part of the kitchen. Michele has been really sick the past month and the house suffered. But I can fix it. Cleaning gives me a lot of time to pray and think and meditate.

Music, on the other hand, has been something I am excited beyond reason about and dreading at the same time. I know when I get into it, I'll be fine and I will be able to see where I need to progress. But it's like a deep, dark hole that I am plunging into. I know I love teaching and I know I love music but it's a bit daunting! The good thing is that Michele is an awesome pianist who is willing to share her knowledge when I need it.

And another good thing is that Moses didn't think he could do it either. :-) I'll try to write more about that later.

Hannah is attending Nipawin Bible College.

Lydia is training horses and helping around the farm for John and Vicki Arcand at Windy Acres in Saskatoon.

Life goes on. (It's goings on are awfully exciting!)