happy birthday

Although I'm late on the delivery, my nineteenth birthday was on Friday. I had a blast! The birthday gathering was small, but the company made the night.

The birthday girl.

The beautiful flowers my momma gave me, and a celebratory bottle on strawberry champagne.

My beautiful sister.



The cake...a perfect blend of chocolate and vanilla swirl, frosted with whip cream, and sprinkled with organic chocolate shavings. Mmmm it was divine!

The day was filled, with family, love, tons of laughs, good food, and good friends. I look forward to the year ahead with you all. Thanks!!!

Sending a ginormous thank-you to my momma and dad for a spectacular birthday. The food was delicious, and your generosity still astounds me. Although I'm growing up, I will always be your baby girl, no matter what. Thank-you for the years of love and Christian fellowship you've given me. I am the women I am today because of you. I am by no means perfect, and there is plenty, and I mean plenty of room, and ways in which I must change and grow, but you've given me a firm foundation, and for that I am forever thankful. I look forward to my future, and I await the opportunities God will bless me with, and it is my prayer, that I may continue to grow in the years to come, becoming the women God has designed me to be.

Daniel and Julia---Thank-you for making the effort to come home for my birthday. You know I am always excited to have you home, and it was the best gift you could give me. You are two very important people to me, and I am so blessed to have you as my siblings.

Christina, I wish you and Mike and my little niece of nephew could have been here, but I look forward to seeing you at Christmas.

Darryl, it was great having you!--I know you said you wouldn't miss my birthday for anything in the world---you're too special! Never fear, you know I love you, just like I love Julia;)

Tyler, I miss having you around. Thanks for coming over for the big day---I hope to see you around more!

a day to stay home

With an Alberta Clipper on it's way in, and the wind howling, and blowing snow every which way, it was a grand day to stay inside---meaing no work for me! Thursday afternoon held a long enough drive home through the snow packed roads, and white out conditions, that there was no way I was going back out on those roads---I wished to spare my life thank you very much!!!

A day at home, in all its glory, allowed me many extra hours of sleep, a long hot soak in the tub, multiple cups of tea, and an extra day with my sister---Thursday night I hadd a surprise note from my mother telling me that Julia had decided to come home for the weekend! How estatic was I? Well I was pretty darn excited. I even went out and shoveled the drive-way. That's A LOT of snow removal, let me tell you!

As the storm quieted in mid-afternoon (only to restore itself to full strength, come evening) we had a little visitor on our window sill.

The rest of our day, was filled good food, good family fellowship, and a sister bonding time of shoveling more snow---all to get Darryl safely up our driveway.

The afternoon ended with a beautiful winter sky, as the sunset, and the snow clouds came in off the lake ( I do wish that building wasn't there so I could show you the full beauty of the sunset).

a cup of childhood memories

my peter rabbit cup

Winter Wonderland

Relinquishing my warm bed to face the day set before me, I became aware of the foot of snow that had fallen so quietly, outside my window during the night. At first I was shocked and disappointed to see, that the glorious fall really was over. As I trudged down the driveway to put the garbage at the curb, the familiar smell of wood burning in a wood stove, and the icy cold on my face brought back that old familiar winter atmosphere.

As much as I am dissapointed that winter has set in, I will be thankful...thankful for the beauty of the crisp linen snow that covers the tree tops, creating a natural sparkle as the sun shines, and for the gift of Christmas.

Written: November 18/2008

overwhelmed with generosity

My parent's generosity absolutely blows me out of the water. As a surprise today at dinner, my parents presented me with an early birthday gift, and what a gift it was!!!

The surprise was: a new camera!!!! I've been looking at buying a new camera for a long time. Up until now, I have used my parent's Olympus, which they purchased when digital cameras first came avaiable on the market---we're talking stone age technology, nevertheless I was thankful for the oppurtunity to use it. This camera has allowed me to take some amazing pictures, but I felt it was time for something different; a new challenge. When my Mom asked me what I would like for my birthday, I responded by sharing my thoughts for a new camera, and I suggested that perhaps she could not buy me any gifts, but perhaps put a little money towards my purchase of a new camera. Obviously, my parent's contributed more than a little.

I love my parents, and not because they bought me an amazing camera, but becasue they saw a passion being sparked within me, they listened, and heard what I was looking for in a camera, and then they helped me pursue a dream. I didn't need this camera, but my parents have graciously blessed me with an amazing piece of technology, that was neither guilted on, or expected of them. Thank you Mom and Dad, and thank-you Lord for giving me such thoughtful and considerate parent's.

Mom and Dad, your gracious generosity truly leaves me speechless. I love you guys!

What camera is it you ask? I now am the proud owner of a Kodak Easychare Z1012 IS, with 10.1 megapixels, 12X optical zoom, with a 4G memory card, and a bunch of other cool stuff I have yet to discover!

I am so blessed!

PS: In my next post I want to share my weekend, it was AMAZING!

a long few days

Although I've had the last four days off from work, the work at home never ceases.

Sunday was church followed by an afternoon of pie baking.
Monday was a one of two days for running errands all about town, and making a meal for a friend in need.
Tuesday I had company for breakfast, an afternoon jam-packed with baking, followed by dropping off the meal we made, which then had me returning home to finish our dinner.

Finally, Wednesday(today) I had myself crossing the border to pick up car parts for my brother's BMW(oh...the things I do for that boy, but I love him so). Of course, you can't go to Michigan without shopping; it's just a well known fact.

Mixed into each day was the laundry...the never ending chore! However, I like clean clothes, so I deal with it.

Ironically, this past week's weather has turned from snotty, nasty, cold weather, to a comfortable, and greatly appreciated 72 degrees. This being the week that they start playing Christmas music in the mall, ha! It almost felt like I was in Florida!

All in all, even though these past few days have been busy and a bit hectic, I am thankful for the things I was able to accomplish. Tomorrow is back to work, and therefore back to a whole different kind of hectic!!!

Take care, and I look forward to writing more later!

PS: This whole time change has my body all switched around! On my regular days off, I tend to stay up a bit later the night before and sleep in until eight-thirty, now I've been getting up at seven, or seven-thirty...on my day off!!! Cah-razy! I never thought I'd see this day. Oh well, I still feel rested, so thank you Lord for another hour in my day:)

the blessed sun returns

The last few days have been dark and dreary, and very winterish, yuck! We had a flakey taste of winter this morning, and boy oh boy, what I did not to cry! (oh, how I wanted to hop on a plane and call that, that) However, this evening for the first time in days, the sun arrayed itself on the western sky and let its beams shine heavenward, adding a touch of warmth to the chilled Autumn air. I sure am thankful for the sun!

A side note on Halloween:

This year we decided to do caramel corn for Halloween.

Here's how it turner out:

What a lovely mound of yummy, yummy caramel corn!