It's only been four months ...

Hello blogging world!  

The other day I was reading a post from a well-know creative/artist blogger.   The first line she wrote caught my attention. 

Where has the time gone?  I haven't posted anything on this blog for an entire year!

 She went on to list the numerous reasons why blogging had been bumped down the list of priorities in her life.  I chuckled because I could immediately relate. The idea of  blogging seems simple, however it can be much more work than one might expect. 

Anyhow, all that to say, I'm back.  At least for today and this moment.

So, what to blog about.  Well, let's start with and update on the past four months, shall we?  Don't worry, I won't make this long and drawn out ... or will I?

It's true.  Have you heard the word on the street!?  I finally, are you ready for this, bought a cell phone!  Yes!  I'm not sure when it happened but the technical world sped past me at lightening speed and I was left sitting on the side of the road in its dust.  It came to a point where even my 'besties' were rebuking me weekly about my lack of communication power in this modern day world.  So, after some consideration, the cell phone was purchased.  

The first week or so was a bit daunting and I felt like I had just given birth to a new born.  My husband reminded me, on more than one occasion, that first week that I need to make sure I didn't leave it carelessly sitting somewhere and that I had to charge it up everyday.  He also reminded me frequently that I should make sure I NEVER use the actual phone itself to actually engage in 'real talking' because I only have so many free minutes.  As I was trying to wrap my head around that point -- have phone, but do not use -- he continued to explain the delights of free texting. 

It's totally free babe, and that is how you want to communicate now.  It's old-school to email and actually talk on the phone unless absolutely necessary.  Plus, if you don't want me to go into cardiac arrest when the phone bill arrives, you would be wise to follow those instructions carefully.  Phones are not cheap! 

The snow of winter has come and gone and spring is upon us. Most of those cold months I hunkered down in my scrapnook corner in the family room.  Maybe that is why I did not blog? I was scrapbooking! My scrapbooking prowess has its own seasons similar to blogging and one can easily tell when I've been MIA in that creative department.  The years between 2004 and 2006 are evidently very sparse on details, where as for 2011, I have filled up two albums alone.  As of late, I'm chuckling with some sinister sarcasm at the very fact that all these albums I've made will be left behind for my poor children to 'deal with' one day when I'm gone. I mean, let's face it, what will they really DO with all these albums? So, in light of this I have tried to streamline some of my scrapbooking.  Hmm ... maybe I'll post a few of my recent pages on the blog this week.

The kids are busy as usual and I'm glad for this.   And like anything else in life, the times of sand continue to move swiftly in the parenting and family department as well.  

The other day while walking into Walmart with my 12 year old son I noticed that he is now officially taller than me.  He is a tender soul and with out much thought on his part he lopped his arm around my shoulders as we walked and chatted away about his world.  I had to catch my breath.  One, because my heart is always a bit undone with delight and love for him when he does those kind of sweet gestures (he has no idea how much he made his mother melt in that moment) and two, because the weight of his arm was that of a young man ... heavy, strong and growing!  My 'little boy' is officially...gone.  Who knew the range of my emotions in that solid minute could have gone from melting goo to bittersweet breakdown.  Of course, he had no idea that was the case.  

My daughter is well onto becoming her own strong, independent self!  The worries and unknowns of high school are well behind her as grade 9 will soon come to a close in a few months.   Our relationship is filled with the normal 'teenage girl - mom' moments of all kinds!  A few weeks ago I decided to surprise her with a day out of school for some serious shopping ... one of the best days we've had together this year!  Let's face it, money + shopping + lunch out + silly people watching (one of our favorite past times together) = FAB day!  

Hmm ... let's see, what else to tell?  

Ah, yes, I can't forget my Davey.  Somewhere between November of last fall and this spring he was introduced and became obsessed with the world of the Duck Commander/Duck Dynasty.  The evening routine has become:  dinner, dishes, Duck Dynasty at 7 and Duck Commander at 7:30.  This new obsession has also lead Davey to invest in his very own, authentic Duck Commander duck call. Yes, a duck call.  Why?  I'm not sure.  I fear one day I will come home to a make-shift pond in the back yard full of ducks and my man in full head to toe camouflage hunting gear sitting in the bushes.  Yes, that is how much he loves this show. 

Well, I guess that is about all the new things I can really think of in our neck of the woods.  

It feels good to be back! 

The Cookie Jar

It was a clear, bright afternoon.  The kind with white fluffy marshmallow clouds dangling in an expansive blue sky. After an hour or so in the car from our drive in from the country, my Dad pulled our big red Jimmy into the narrow drive at 504 Hale Street.   I stretched my legs clad in their creamy white woolly tights and squirmed my feet around tucked in my toe-scuffed white winter boots with the big buckle.

 

My brother, sister and I grabbed our bags stuffed with crayons, colouring books and toys, shuffled our bottoms from the high black leather seats and plopped down on the fresh fallen snow.  It crunched under our feet as we made our way down the narrow cement pathway beside a small strip of frozen dirt nestled close to the house.  In the spring that little garden would burst with orange marigolds, one of my grandma's favorite flowers.

 

Climbing the back steps and opening the back door, I heard my mom give a holler, Mom, Dad, we're here! 

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa's house was always fun.  Not only did we get to sip on Vernors Gingerale that would sparkle and dance all the way up our nostrils until we coughed and sputtered something silly, but we were also guaranteed to find some kind of delightful treat in Grandma's brown cookie jar. 

It sat in the most perfect place!  A little shelf just high enough for a small five year old girl to reach, if she stretched her arm up high and balanced on her tippy toes.  I remember lifting the lid off ever so gently while watching my other pudgy little hand disappear down below.  My fingers would wrap around a small treat.  It was always a mystery what kind of cookie would come out!  My favorite by far was peanut butter, but any kind of homemade cookie from Grandma's jar was yummy! 

Even as we got older, into our teens and well in adult life, the routine remained the same.  We would slip over to the brown cookie jar and as always, something sweet and tasty would be inside. 

 One afternoon, not so long ago, while visiting my parents, my mom called me aside and said I have something for you.  She reached into the pantry and pulled out Grandma's beautiful brown cookie jar. Laur, would you like to keep this, she asked.  I'm pretty sure I exclaimed with sheer delight, would I? Oh, yes, I would!

Things are ultimately, just things, but they certainly do play a powerful part in helping us remember some of the most precious memories in our lives.

 I remember the way she wrapped me in her wonderful arms and squeezed me ever so tight.  I remember her silver hair tousled high in a bun, with wisps of it falling gently on her kind, warm face.  She would swoosh it back, wipe her hands on her apron and welcome everyone in; giving each one the same sweet embrace.

My Grandma's brown cookie jar sits on my kitchen counter.

Every day I smile when I see it and everyday

 I remember.

44 @ 44

Current Thoughts, Ponderings and Observations
on this 28th day of December.
My Birthday :)

oNe 
feeling peaceful and content

#2 
my kids are growing up very fast
and i'm so proud of them and feel enormously blessed to have them

three 

 there are more wrinkles and lines
and that's okay

FOUR
i'm sensing renewed passion for songwriting and
singing and collaborating with my friend Fraser

#5
 my soft woolly socks rock

six
  my new Tassimo brewer makes me happy

SEVEN
my hair is still thick and unruly,
but i'm learning to love it anyway

eight 
i'm considering a change in my decorating style - still love rustic country but maybe with cleaner lines 

#9
 2012 was all about the love of
sliced bananas on peanut butter toast..yum

TEN 
current favorite song is A Song for a Winter's Night sung by Reid Jamieson (great vocals and beautiful acoustic!), written by Gordon Lightfoot

#11
current favorite worship artist and song
is Steady My Heart by Kari Jobe 

twelve
 my husband just reminded me
that i actually forgot it was my birthday this morning
yes, i am forgetful 

#13 
on that current subject, Davey boy is awesome
and i love him more everyday

FOURTEEN 

all of the sudden this seems like a very long
list if i have to go all the way up to 44!

fifteen
are you still reading it? lol

sIXteen  
i have become addicted to Pinterest in 2012

#17
 i would like to scrapbook more

#18
 i still do not own a cell phone or mobile device of any kind. 
that's crazy, eh!?

nineteen 
and in saying that, my friends are rather annoyed that i don't have one as they have a difficult time getting in touch with me!

TWENTY
 maybe i will get one today for my birthday! hee hee 
probably not.  and that's okay.

TWenty-One 
i still really like my job and the people
i work with are super-terrific.

twenty-two 
i will continue to work at losing more weight ... my arch nemesis in life ...but i'll never quit trying to get healthier and feel better

#23 
oh man, we are only at #23, sigh

#24
 new years resolutions ... um ...pondering ... live in the moment and work hard at 'letting things go' that really don't matter that much

TWENTY-FIVE 
i am determined to learn how to play the guitar

twenty-six 
 all of the sudden i am getting weary of using a different font style for each number listed ... as you are too, i'm sure.

#27
 i need to drive my husband to work, but will return to my thoughts and observations -- 44@44 -- when I get back............ (that was my creative way of using up one of my numbers)

#28 
 i still am not a fan of facebook. 
however my husband and two kids love it.

#29 
i still enjoy blogging, however am considering a different approach for 2013

thirty 
 i am happy turning 44. 

THIRTY-ONE 

 i am trying to learn the art of aging gracefully but it is harder than i thought at times


#32
favorite quote i ran across this year is

found on pinterest


#33
one of my favorite scripture verses this year

found on pinterest

thirty-four
would enjoy taking horseback riding lessons
(I know, you weren't expecting that)


THIRTY-FIVE
still a lover of books ... you know,
the ones you actually touch and turn a page within it! :)


#36
my current read 

#37
i still prefer denim and a hoody to pearls and lace



#38
thankful for the dear friends who cross
my path each day in my life



thirty-nine
thankful for family



FORTY
favorite tv shows this past year

#41
okay, this is getting really hard now...
i made a coffee cake today


#42
after the big snowfall yesterday, there are four lovely snow people (careful to  be politically correct - lol) living on the front lawns on our street



#43
i love rosebud chocolates


forty-four
thankful this list is documented and done!!
PHEW

There is a natural rhythm in life.  Nothing ever stays quite the same.  And for the most part, we learn to adapt and embrace it.  

 This year was a year of change for the Phoenix side of the family.  With my parents announcing last spring that they were passing the 'turkey feast duties' on to the 'kids', we all approached this season with a mixed bag of emotions.  Who would host? ... What day would we have it? ... Who would cook the turkey!?...etc.  I will admit to having a lump in my throat and becoming a wee bit teary eyed that things were changing and so quickly, but I also knew in my heart, as bittersweet as it can be, change can also be good.

My wonderful brother and sister-in-law took on the challenge of hosting the entire clan at their beautiful home in London the Saturday before the 25th.  Yes, it was different in some ways, but I do believe there was a sense of new beginnings mixed into the wonderful normal we've always known it to be!  Does that make sense?   We enjoyed the same delightful turkey dinner trimmings, topped off with Grandma's traditional Cherry Chew Bars!  We opened gifts, enjoyed delightful conversation and possibly started a new tradition with a rousing game of Extreme Bop-It -- yes, all sixteen of us took part!

Which brings me to today - Christmas Day.  Another wonderful tradition has begun for our own little family.  This was the very first Christmas Day that we enjoyed waking up and opening gifts knowing we were not rushing out the door by noon. This would be, after almost 18 years of marriage, the first time we would sit down to our very own turkey dinner with all the trimmings in our own little home.  Not that we didn't absolutely delight in all the Christmas' years past and all the rush about it all ... in fact, we loved it all ... but it is good to start something new as well ... something fresh.  

What made this day even more special was having my parents drive from London to share in the day with us.  An opportunity for us to serve and share with them a meal! After all those years of taking care of us and doing all of the hard work of preparing their home, preparing the meal and having to clean up after all of us left for home ... finally ... we could do this for them ... and it was such a delight!

Tomorrow for boxing day we will head to Mom and Dad Lane's home in London - the other side of the family!  The absolute perfect way to wrap up this delightful time of year! No doubt, we will laugh and enjoy some wonderful conversation as we always do.  Another turkey dinner will be served and we will all stuff ourselves silly!  The cousins will play, the adults will linger in the front room and it will all feel complete.

My heart is very full and content this Christmas.  The change I feared might be the most difficult to endure has turned out to refresh my senses of what matters most.  Slowing down enough to enjoy the moments with the dearest of dear in our lives ... our family and friends ... and celebrating the birth of our Savior and Lord!

Merry Christmas Everyone!
 

 

A light precipitation fell from the sky as I heaved two large bags full of an assortment of baking tools and ingredients into the house of a friend.

 

It was the annual Christmas baking day.

 

It all began with high spirits with the positively bright promise of tables lined with baked treats from butter tarts to peppermint marshmallow brownies.

 

We measured and stirred, patted and pressed, poured and pondered, laughed and giggled and all the while watched a sweet clean kitchen turn into a flour spotted disaster from end to end.

 

Three of us were indeed, a well-oiled machine, hustling here and there, washing this and that, as trays full of goodies swished in and out of the oven with ease and all three of us moved in sweet harmony from one task to another.

SCREEEEECHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

That is me screeching this entire diatribe to a halt.

Really?

Do you think we looked exactly how you are picturing it in your head, especially in light of that very last paragraph?

Shake your head friend, for it was anything but.

 

Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of laughing and giggling, pouring and stirring, washing and cleaning but as far as being that well-oiled machine … we did more bumping into one another, managed to completely misplace both oven mitts, almost added salt instead of baking soda, over-baked a few batches of cherry chews and managed to run out of some important key ingredients such as brown sugar and coconut.

 

Despite this, I’m happy to report that we did indeed succeed in baking some tasty treats for our loved ones over the holidays.

 

Which makes one realize that this once a year activity is more about comradery and friendship than the expectations of perfection we all so often aspire to obtain! 

 

So, here is to burnt batches of cherry chews and over-done sugar cookies in kitchens all over Canada ... all made with love! And whether they are edible or not, they will get munched on by family and friends who will enjoy every morsel of homemade goodness.

Merry Christmas dear friends!

 

 

It Has Arrived

Name:  Flu Bug

Address:  Chest Congestion Avenue

City/Province:  Headacheville, All-Over-Body-Ache

Postal Code:  ICK EEE

For a few weeks we've all been a little bit sick in our household ... you know ... just feeling kind of ick, but still able to function ... somewhat. A slick of fog wafting through the head that makes normal easy decisions very difficult. Still able to plod off to work.   Okay to eat but waning in appetite. 

 

Then.

Saturday Night.

Flu-Bug.

Arrived.

In Mighty Fashion.

Today, my sweet daughter is curled up under her favorite quilt on the family room couch watching Christmas shows ... surrounded by Vick's vapour rub, a Kleenex box and a glass of flat gingerale.

Chicken noodle soup will be on the menu for lunch today.

Nobody likes being sick. 

It is never fun.

However, there is nothing more wonderful than that moment when you start to feel just a wee bit better.  When you feel the fog start to rise.  The moment you know the worst is over and you can simply REST. 

After a few rough days, I think we are finally there.

Ahhh.....

The Hum

Every once in a blue moon, I get an evening in the house

ALL ALONE! 

Not that I don't enjoy being with my family because I really do.  However, I have to admit when these random evenings come along, I get excited!

I begin to plan. 

I get a little giddy!

The options seem endless!

Hmm ... I could catch up on my scrapbooking; bake a few batches of cookies, maybe read that good book I bought some months back or watch one of my favorite movies (you know, the sappy - romantic chick flicks no one else in the household likes to watch).  Or how about I invite my 'go-to' girlfriends over for some good talk and laughs as we munch on chocolates saved for just such an  occasion. 

All good options.

Or I could put on my pj's and fuzzy slippers (at 5:30 pm), pull out some left-over lasagna from the freezer (some of the best lasagna I've ever tasted made by dear friend Beth), brew some good strong coffee with some vanilla flavouring mixed in,  plop on the couch with the i-pad and turn on the TV for random background noise and ...

R--E--L--A--X

Savouring the food.

Loving the coffee.

Surfing the net.

And watching good old rerun sitcoms.

P*E*R*F*E*C*T

Well, almost.

Do you here that?

Even with all this peripheral noise of the TV and buzz of the dishwasher in the next room

 ... it is still so very quiet.

It always happens.  The perfect night is never quite perfect because, and I fully admit it, I miss my family.

...the busyness, the noise, the coming, the going, the laughing, the silliness, the this and that ...

...the hum...

...the hum of family...

I know what you are thinking. 

 It's just one night -- one evening -- a few hours! 

 Enjoy it! 

And there's the rub.

Isn't that just the thing about motherhood. 

As much as I long for and wish for a little down time 

ALL--BY--MYSELF 

in the midst of the daily chaos -- it eventually comes and it is then in the silence alone that I remember more than any other time how thankful I am for all that wonderful chaos in my life of what is called...

FAMILY!