My Latest Finds!

I hate to tell you,
but I just made a mad dash out to purchase a new swim suit.
I found out that we were going somewhere warm.
Somewhere where I've never been before.
I am so proud of my new swimsuit.
Can you imagine me enjoying the warmth?
I'm just wondering what my husband will think?

Oh well, for now my friend...
I will be back in a blink of an eye.

Marg

A Back View!

I've been trying hard to join Fave Five,
and I noticed my current link is not showing on everybody's blog.
So I'm posting a quick picture of one of my Favorites this week,
in hopes that my blog is alive.....
Let me know if my link is working again.
I need a techy permanently.
Trial and error keeps us alive.
Scroll down to read my FAVE Five.

Marg

Friday's Fave Five #1

I'm joining Susanne from Living to Tell the Story.

I've checked this out several times and decided to jump in.

I think it's a great way to summarize the highlights of a busy week.

Sometimes there is so much on my heart but never enough
time to tell the whole story.

So I will share with you my Five Favorite highlights of this week.

1. Big surprise birthday once again, for John's father, Papa/Opa
He had no idea that all the grandchildren and
great grandchildren would gather together to celebrate his 97th birthday.
When he entered the door we all sang Happy Birthday, at least,
2 or 3 times. It's amazing to celebrate such a ripe old age.
Then we all stopped long enough to watch the launch of
STS - 119 Discovery at Cape Canaveral.
This was a real day to Celebrate.
The youngest 1/2 years.
The oldest 97.
Many years of traditions, celebrations, stories and experiences.

Peter, the oldest son is giving a tribute to Papa & Helen.


2. Appointments with my hair dresser.
He always says,
"Let's look deep into your roots."
I love being pampered and so today was the day.
As I walked into the shop he said,
"It's your day!"
What does that mean?
Someone had treated me...
My cost had been waived.
It was totally an overwhelming experience,
to be at the receiving end.
Thanks Alice.

3. Another surprise this week....
I received a package from a blogger friend.
The package contained a book called,
"Quiet moments with God."
How true, I never have enough of those.

I opened and looked at the first picture and commented,
"That pictures is totally me...."
We have not met, but she knew in her heart
who I was and the perfect gift.
Thank-you Char.

4. First Signs of Spring.
I love spring, watching the new buds form,


And better yet, watching nature take care of it's young.
I had never seen the lambing season.
It was such a highlight.
Cycling keeps me close to God's creation.

5. March 19th a celebration of Life.
Thirty eight years ago my husband was injured in a tragic farm accident.
He had his left leg severed and needed an amputation.
You can read his story.
He has been given a second chance to live life.
People ask, "Why are you celebrating such a horrific event?"
It's not with sadness, but it's truly living life with joy and peace.
His lifestyle was questionable at this time,
and today he expresses so much joy for having his life spared.
His faith became real to him.
We never know when it's our time...

I love this picture...I never met him with both legs.
He's as crazy as ever...
And he still loves skiing today.
I'm so grateful for this Day!

To share others Fave Fives, visit our hostess Susanne at
Living to Tell the Story.

Cycling in March?

It was a cool spring morning.
Fresh frost lay on the creeks edges.
But my teacher friend is happy.
It's Spring Break!

After cycling past the farmers fields,
who were all spreading fresh manure,
we were happy to smell the fresh aroma of coffee beans.

Let me introduce to you, "The Back Porch"
Dan & Lynda invite you to visit their pottery studio
or watch coffee being roasted in a circa 1919 Flame Roaster.

They are located on 6116 Golf Road, just off Hwy.#9
on route to Harrison Hot Springs.
1919 Flamed Coffee Roaster

These are specialty coffees from all over the world.

One can never stop by without purchasing a few pounds
of freshly ground beans or maybe some green beans?
Are you beginning to catch the drift?

What on earth do they want with green beans?

It doesn't take long, once we're home and I begin
to smell and see smoke coming from the shop....
I run out before calling 911.....
The Teachers are busy roasting their own coffee.

Already packaged, "Driftwood" named after the Teachers dog.
Patented and ready to go.
Stop by and taste some freshly brewed coffee.

It's my goal to cycle and discover new sites
on our Circle Farm Tour.
I will keep you posted.

Would of any of you like to join me on my bike tour?
By the way, it's snowing outside....
So we may have to postpone our next event.
I thought Spring had arrived.

I think I'll grind myself another cup of fresh coffee and hibernate.

Sock it to Em!!!

You need to know and understand the Life working out in the Gym.
For the last two years after I quit my formal work, I dedicated some time to looking after myself.
I have always enjoyed working out and the most fun is finding a group of gals who are crazy, who are silly, and love to have a good laugh. I've met Lisa, Steff, Corinna, Linda, Jenn, Amy. We all love to work out and know and feel the results regardless. It's really a time away from everything. It's pure Therapy.

This one week, I thought Lisa had left for Mexico, but I'm still getting emails from her.
I'm thinking.... "She's on overload, Don't miss your flight girl."

Her concluding email will make you LOL.
I opened it and laughed and laughed and laughed.

Lisa, is another farmers wife with a large family, she's a grandma, drives truck, tractor, cooks, you name it, Lisa does it....But she absolutely loves her family and husband dearly......
She's on overload most days.

She has no choice but to bring her kids to the gym.
She's driving from dentist to school, to the gym, to church,
to Costco, and preaching at most of us during her workout!!
We're even working out to Christian Praise Music.

She has given all the permissions for me to release this for anyone else wanting a good laugh, understanding the circumstances around packing for a family vacation.

Hi Friends,
Before I can carry on with my day...you need to laugh with me. You know the age old story of girls and socks in the front of their shirts???? Well .....Listen up. I started this morning at 6am...Brad made me coffee and not wanting to wast anytime I folded the white load from the dryers. Man, I should of gone to Costco this week, our white socks are gross....oh well...them I'm up in Riley's room packing his bag. (for those of you who don't know, we're leavin this aft for Mexico with all the kids) I'm snooping through his drawers and come across a brand new pair of WHITE socks...YEAH!!! those are for me!!!!I had my hand full, and no pockets in my capris so....hee.....hee...you know it already, I'm sure. I tucked those socks in my shirt.

OK...Our morning progressed quite quickly and before you know it, I'm racing off to school, but just a minute...I'll whip into Superstore and return those jeans of Cam's, then go to the mall. Would you believe I stopped at Sports Chek and engaged in conversation with two young female clerks? then off to West 49,...yes, even had a conversation with two young men about rap music, drugs and music vidoes.....all the while the socks were in my shirt, just a little on the left side.) Well I can't believe that one could giggle and laugh outloud at herself as I did this morning.
So please laugh with me....this has got to be the runner up like the glitter glue story.
Have a good day guys...
Love you,
Lisa.

For the record, It's not just one Crazy Place. When you come into this gym, you will be welcomed by our top notch Doctor and Assistant.

If you have nothing else to do, check this place out if you want an adventure.

What's the craziest thing you've ever done in public?
Let's here some stories.....

Do You Know HIM?

One day we celebrate a 97th birthday.

One day we celebrate the passing of another brother.
One day a new baby is born,
and the next day a beloved father, grandfather and uncle
have passed on to eternity.

I had the table set for Uncle Walter on Papa's 97th birthday.
His chair was empty...
But he chose to sit at the table of Jesus instead.

So we were gathered together on two occasions,
in one week to celebrate life.

Walter lived a humble life.
He was a man of deep conviction for his faith.
He served his church with loyalty.
He served his community generously.
He served his family with genuine love and respect.
He loved his wife and cared deeply for her.
'Till death do us part.'


He lived a simple life.

"Till death do us part"


At this little church people gathered together
to pay their last respects.

The pastor shared these words.

"The Lord has mercy on those who respect him,
as a father has mercy on his children.
He knows how we were made;
he remembers that we are dust.
Human life is like grass; we grow like a flower in the field.
After the wind blows, the flower is gone,
and there is no sign of where it was.
But the lord's love for those who respect him continues forever and ever,
and his goodness continues to their grandchildren
and to those who keep his agreement and who remember to obey his orders."
Psalm 103:13-18

Life is interesting.
Life does not come to us in a series of neat little packages.
There is never a convenient time set aside for joy or sorrow.
Life goes on and we can only do the best we can in the
mixed up nature of what needs to be done.
I am grateful to know God and can pray
to know God's wisdom in the choices
that are made and to trust in his
strength which gives us hope.

You too can know Him!

It's not Just Another Birthday!

Happy Birthday Papa!
Hans Bartel turned 97 years old.

March 2, 2009.
A Day to celebrate life.
It's not just another birthday.
It's a blessing to life, lived well.

Yesterday, I had the honor to host his birthday.
I have looked forward to this day for awhile.
His siblings/spouses and wonderful wife, Helen,
were invited with some of their closest friends.
There was a total of 15 guests arriving.

The morning preparations started early.
I loved fussing with the candles, flowers, and napkins.
Just to make it special for Papa.

We decked the table with nothing better than our linens.
My Victoriana Rose by Paragon was laid out carefully.
I'm not sure when was the last time I had used it.

They loved there wonderful German Torten.
This is their favorite.
This is their Tradition.
They were all dressed to a tee.
~~~~~~~
Throughout the following week thoughts raced through my mind.
Way back when, we knew that relatives were arriving from Germany,
to visit our farm, we were all sent about scrubbing.
We even had to distribute limestone powder throughout the barns,
giving it a clean smell and fresh appearance.

Do any of you remember these water bowls?
They were disgusting.
In those days we had to clean the old water bowls
with the old scrub brush.
We even had to lift the float to make sure there was no
hay or silage stuck inside.
Woe to us!!
We had to scrub down the milking parlor.
We did that every day, but I mean power washing.
Everything had to be Spic and Span.
The Germans were coming.

Well it's De Javu' the Germans are all coming to my home.
Am I really ready to start cleaning again?

Did any of them notice that I had washed all the garbage cans?
That I had cleaned my china cabinet?
I cleaned out the cutlery cupboard.
That I had washed the floors?
That I had washed all the fine china before using it?
That I had sewn a table cloth just for this purpose?
I washed the windows inside and outside....
Well I realize that probably nobody noticed.
What they did notice, was that we had food and fellowship.

He is our Papa, our Opa to my children.
He tells us that he's always praying for our children.
He has lived the faith and walked the talk.
It was such an honor to celebrate with him.

We shared his favorite verse from Psalm 103.
"Praise the Lord, O my soul;
All my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits."

Happy Birthday Papa,
It's not just another Birthday!