Salt Spring Island in 2 hours :D

We had a little time to kill after our plane landed in Victoria on the Island and so we decided to ferry over to Salt Spring Island for a quick drive around.  It is a beautiful little island - and we could just imagine how it would come to life in the summer with the markets and artisan displays.  We picked up a hitch hiker and she gave us a quick snap shot of the island and her life there.  She rents a 400 sq. ft. cabin with a wood stove but she does not have a car.  If she has to get to town she just goes out to the road and waits for someone to drive by.  Like we did.  She moved there from Toronto several years ago and just loves the lifestyle and the community.

It was a lovely day for a drive in our blue Kia Forte rental car.

Eclectic Fulford Harbour where the ferry landed on Salt Spring Island

There was a little bakery behind this curtain.  We weren't sure what we were in for, but bravely went though the curtains into a very cold little shop.  Obviously not heated for a wet, rainy, and cold day.  The people that were behind the counter were dressed in very warm clothing with mitts and toques!  But alas! No cinnamon buns just very granola-y looking muffins :)  

Good for a meal later on in the day.

Another very interesting shop.  So incredibly chock full of stuff you literally could not turn around.  This was just the bead corner.  Everything else possible was for sale in this shop.

Lots to browse.... very, very old buildings painted wonderful colours!

We stopped in at a cheese farm.  We were excited that we were there just in time for cheese tasting.  But what we didn't realize was that it was a goat cheese farm.  ICK!!  We still tried a taste since this lady had gone to a lot of work on the presentation but it was still gag-worthy.  

My palette is just not that fine.

Ahhhhh..... green, mossy beauty

We drove to Ruckle Provincial Park.  Interesting history.

The park is actually the Ruckle farm preserved with this being the original home on the farm.

Brian saw this as we were cruising along and stopped 

so I could get a couple of pictures of these old guys.

We left the Island on the other side at Vesuvius.  

We will be back some summer to enjoy the markets for sure.

The Story Behind 'Love Note in the Sand'

We were walking along the shore line and I just HAD to go in - the thought of standing in water that might have touched countries like Korea, Africa, Australia just captivates my mind and imagination.

I finally convinced Brian to take his shoes off too.  It was a stretch for him, but he got into it, and next thing I know, he's writing all over the sand.  I was so pleased to see him in relaxation mode.

I had to get one in too.... :D  <3 p="">

I turned around and saw this:

*blush*

Later on in the day, when the tide was coming back in, 

we went to look and see if the waves had washed it away yet.  

We just sat up there and watched for the next hour and a half 

while the Ocean did it's mighty erasing.

Turn up the Volume - this sounds amazing!

Birthday Musings from FaceBook

Today I am 48 and am giving thanks to my Lord for the most wonderful past year.   I have so much to be thankful for.  

Thanks to all my FaceBook friends for making my life so much more interesting and for brightening up many a day with notes, encouraging posts, challenges and invitations.  Thanks to my husband Brian for sticking with me through another year of my life.  It’s been a good year.  Thanks to my daughter Faith for being the bright ray of sunshine, the energy and the youth in our home.  Thanks to my church family – you are a great source of encouragement to me, and together we have grown so much in our Faith this past year.  

We have had a tremendous year of excitement.  First I won a trip to Las Vegas (imagine that!), then Faith graduated from high school after being schooled in one way or another at home for 10 years.  Faith got her own car around this time too.  Next we took her on an Alaskan Cruise for her grad gift.  It was amazing.  In September Faith turned 18!  Another highlight.  We took her out for a special meal and the deal was, she was going to order her own alcoholic drink for the first time.  She forgot her ID at home!  Oh yeah – fun times!  Then we watched as she progressed through he rfirst semester of University.  

K,September and October were very hard months for me – rattling around in my house, trying to figure out who I was again. I survived, thanks to many, many of you and my church friends too and LOTS of Kleenex aka toilet paper.  

I have had my health, and started working more full time-ish with Brian.  I have a semi-monthly ladies group I go to to discuss a specific book we’re reading –but mostly we eat yummy soup and visit.  I have a weekly coffee date with my Bestie Diane.

Need I say more?  

It’s been a wonderful year and now I’m 48.  Wow – the time sure flies by, but according to FaceBook Quiz I still have another 53 years and 9 months left.  LOL!  I will take what God has in store for me because he is the One who is my Creator and He knows what’s best.  My friend Cathy is now with Him in heaven because this year God chose her to come home to Him.  (My heart breaks for those left behind, but this showed me once again that I can plan to my heart’s content, but God has the final say.) 

This morning I lift my mug of tea to all of you for being here with me – thanks from the bottom of my heart.  You're THE BEST!

January 2, 2015 Purely White

Yesterday we were working about an hour from home, 

way out in the county.  

Looking out of the ensuite window, I saw this lovely picture 

as the sun was desperately trying to 

override the snow, the wind, and the cold.

It made me think of how Jesus is the gate to Pure Life.

"I am the gate:  whoever enters through me will be saved.

They will come in and go out, and find pasture."  ~ Jesus (John 10:9)

"Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow."  

~ A promise from our Lord (Isaiah 1:18)

Seasons Change

Whoever thought the long summer days of trampolines and sprinklers would be gone?  The days of dollies and bedtime stories?  The 'hide and seek' when daddy came home or the 'riding of the horse' on daddy's back galloping all over the house?  The puppet conversations, the home school 'trip around the world'?  The piano lessons and ballet and many many hours of car chats to and from.  Who thought they would end?  I thought these days would last forever.  I know these years were in preparation but suddenly adulthood is here.  She is 18.  The girl I waited for for many long years has now moved out and is going to university.  I loved all those dress-up days and tea parties and trips to mini golf and go-carting.  Holidays dancing on the beach at Tofino, building sandcastles at Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park.  Long, beautiful, relaxing, lazy tube runs down the river.  The piano concerts, and dance recitals.  I could keep reminiscing about what were some of the best years of my life.  

But what's really exciting at this season of life is seeing what is happening today.

Faith is confident, sure of her relationship with her awesome God, she has a caring and serving heart - a lovely thing to witness.  The first time she drove the truck off of our property by herself with that huge smile on her face, and a wave, I knew she was going to thrive as an adult.  She held a job at the greenhouse and at the Royal Alex hospital, and even working for her dad at times, showing herself to be conscientious and hardworking.  And now she has moved in with Auntie and is a student at the MacEwan University.  What an accomplishment!  She pushed through a very difficult semester in Grade 12 and ended up acing her most difficult subject - Chemistry.... she sailed through and had her 82% average to be able to enter the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. 

 She is thriving in the city, another testament to her character:  making a friend with the 'grandpa' bus driver on route 111, talking with the homeless near her school, joining the Swing Dance club and volunteering with Circle Kiwanis International Club.

When we cleaned out her room of 'stuff' together it was a great transition time.  Watching her decide what to keep and what to give away was enlightening.  It also gave us a time to reflect on the past all the while realizing we were moving forward.

It is exciting to be her mom and now friend too; seasons change - we will not just survive, we will thrive.

October 18 Weekend 2014

Celebrating Jan and Mark's 25th Wedding Anniversary at Summerdale Hall, Barrhead, AB

October 10, 2014 Family Outings

Sitting by a quiet lake for lunch is very therapeutic.  So many geese just quietly honking and swimming by.  Lots of them were in family groups.

Then there was the Mother moose and her 2 young ones.  We've seem them around for awhile now close to our home.  Wonderful to see them out together like this.  Just hope they stay off of the road this winter!!