Forever Young

 
 He's another year older...which gives him a total of six years.
He told me today that he's allowed to celebrate for the next six months.
He's definitely in the right family.

But what a joy to celebrate with this little one.
I picked him up from school and he's hollering..."HI OMA"
His school for sure, knows who Silas's Oma is and proudly so.
 
 The first question he asks?
"Do I get presents?'
And then he secretly whispers to me.
"My mom says that's not polite to ask for presents"

And yes, 'Doctor Who' is alive in our household.
(and no, I did not make the cake)
He was hoping for a Tardis...maybe at Christmas.

So I asked him what he wanted to do today.
Well it was simple...let's play "Hill Climb"
(his favorite computer game)
We laughed and giggled as I my driving record was terminated.
Then he wanted to read a chapter from Fablehaven.
Then he suggested to go for a walk and have races outside.
So you know who won that game.
But before that, he decided that we both had to wear scarves and jackets.
He checked his garden and was somewhat dismayed that berry season had ended.
Finding carrots brought a smile to his face.

And while we were walking, a loud honking noise interrupted our conversation.
I looked up into the sky...Yes, those were geese, flying in a V-shape,
just like all the books said.
"Are they flying to Hawaii?" he asked? 

And before long, he pointed out towards the sunset.
 
He remembered the beautiful sunsets in Hawaii.
"Did the sun really go into the ocean, Oma?"

Just recently he celebrated his birthday breakfast with the Disney Characters.
Mickey Mouse will forever be his friend.
It took him awhile to warm up to the characters.
So as you can see he's been celebrating for awhile already.
~~~~~~~~

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

I love his smile, his inquisitive spirit, his tender heart, his zeal to explore 

and I love being his OMA!

Calgarians Share A Warm Heart!

 


 Calgary greeted us with -15 degrees and decorated their streets for us.
I had the privilege of joining Lovella and Anneliese on our book signing tour.
at  'Ten Thousand Villages' on Crowchild Trail.
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..." is the tune that played through my head
all day as we enjoyed your special Christmas display dispersed all through your shop.
Thank you for  hosting us with your friendship and hospitality.
It may have been cold out, but these Calgarians knew how to warm our hearts.

Thank you to all my 'Calgary Cousins' who dropped by to say 'Hello'
Erika, Margaret, Ruth, Gabriella, Hanna, Joel, Gerri.
It was wonderful to see how you all showed up and we hugged, we chatted,
you bought books and we signed your books.
Thank you Margaret for sharing with us,  how when you get to your office every morning,
all the gals turn on their computers and go directly to the MGCC blog recipe site.
I'm glad that we can start your day with a new recipe.
What are your favorite recipes?
~~~~~~
On my last book signing trip to Winnipeg,
I was pleasantly surprised upon my arrival at  the Abbotsford airport.

NO ONE WAS THERE TO PICK ME UP!

Judy had taken me to the airport...so he assumed that she would be bringing me back.
Not so, as I stayed a few extra days in Winnipeg with my sister.

So I texted my wonderful group of friends this time and asked them to
gently remind the 'man of my life' the time of my arrival,
 at the Abbotsford terminal.

Looks like the girls did their job.

And he's responding also.

Way to go girls!

Finally John responded.....to the gals.
And guess what?
It paid off.

He arrived on time....

 Thanks to my friends for taking care of me.
I know I can count on YOU!
As you can tell, we don't only cook and sign books.
We love to have fun together.

The Bucks Paid Off!

Weeks ago...we were enjoying a warm sunny streak.
Today, it's still sunny, only with a crisp chill in the air.
We came together with our family, young and old and created family memories.
Unfortunately the 'teachers' in our lives could not take participate.
A day spent in the waves at Waikki with salt water, sand, and lots of spitting...
 Who doesn't like to end the day off filled with sand from head to toe?

Then we've got the real surfers....they enjoyed themselves.
Learning to surf is something new for both of these sports enthusiasts.

Now, here's a Dad who thinks he can still surf?
I don't think so...after one hour he came back and played on the beach.
This trip tweaked many memories for him as a child playing on the same beach.

And at the end of the day....
this little guy loved to count all the cash in my wallet.
He needed to know exactly how much money was left.
He knew the budget...
as long as their was money for shaved ice,
after all, that's why he wanted to earn those extra bucks.

FIND A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN ON EARTH,
AND RETURN TO YOUR DAY A DIFFERENT
PERSON - INSPIRED, REFRESHED, RESTORED.

The Oak Stands Strong!

Stand tall, Oh mighty Oak, for all the world to see!

Your strength and undying beauty forever amazes me.

When the winds are high and restless and
you lose a limb or two,

The OAK

Live thy Life,

Young and old,

Like an oak,

Bright in spring,

Living gold;

Summer rich

Then; and then

Autumn-changed

Sober-hued

Gold again.

All his leaves

Fall'n at length,

Look he stands,

Trunk and bough

Naked strength.

Alfred Lord Tennyson

My Walking Path!

Walking the trails has been so pleasurable for me this fall.
I have not missed a day for seven weeks.

Oops!  It's school time...
As teachers take a moment to show children the beauty of fall. 

 

"Autumn carries more gold in it's pocket,

than all the other seasons."

Jim Bishop

Blueberries Bid us Goodbye!

On a drive through the Sumas flats...along the freeway...it was almost hazardous.
The autumn colored blueberry fields showed off their vibrant red colors.
and I had no camera and no time to stop?
Time to slow down.
How many of you have ever picked blueberries?
I did for my first time last year and loved it.

"Blueberries as big as the end of my  thumb.
Real sky blue, and heavy, and ready to drum.
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come."
Robert Frost

Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,
Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come
Read more at http://quotes.dictionary.com/subject/blueberries?page=1#vJuDj9B1syla1skO.99

Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,
Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come
Read more at http://quotes.dictionary.com/subject/blueberries?page=1#vJuDj9B1syla1skO.99

Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,
Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come
Read more at http://quotes.dictionary.com/subject/blueberries?page=1#vJuDj9B1syla1skO.99

Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,
Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come
Read more at http://quotes.dictionary.com/subject/blueberries?page=1#vJuDj9B1syla1skO.99

 

Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,
Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come
Read more at http://quotes.dictionary.com/subject/blueberries?page=1#vJuDj9B1syla1skO.99

There's a Reason for My Garden!

There's more to farming than just having a garden.
It's worth lies in picking these fresh fruits in October.

Better yet, is watching this little fellow reach for his berries..
As he checks weekly.
"Oma, It's October..and we still have raspberries?"
This year has been exceptional.

They love to grab carrots from the garden....
dust them off on their jeans, and straight into their mouths.
Just like Opa would do it.

Now you know why we have a garden!

Hosta Colors!

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing with you my fall album of beauty.


The Hosta's greet me in the morning through my kitchen view.

They have bloomed and are now preparing for the winter season.

 

But before they depart... they glow back their colors to me in the eventide.

They have completed their work.

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."
Emily Bronte

Taking it Easy!

I've found the water...I'm enjoying my food.

Every once in awhile..I'll take a peak at my friends in blogland.

But I will be enjoying those refreshing dips in the warm ocean waters.
Dry myself off and head back to the beach to keep an eye on the cubs.
Or, maybe forget about them and read a good book.

After hibernation...you'll see me back.

And you'll be able to poke this bear again.

We Need Some Bucks!

It's time to winterize...
Even though the temperatures are warm, we know the winter is coming.

These little guys have a reason why they want to help us winterize.
They need some bucks!
You'd think he was in another "Amazing Race."

While one dashes madly back and forth....
The other tries to eat his cookies and carries two chairs at a time.

The competition is on!

Do I get bucks for watering your flowers, Oma?

And he's taking the kitchen slop out to the compost pile,
meanwhile trying to eat a carrot in one hand and push the wheelbarrow with another.

It was not an 'amazing race', just an afternoon to winterize.

These boys are joining us for a week in Hawaii...
And they needed some extra bucks!