Gaspereau and Winter Wonderland

Wanting a little adventure today we travelled from our house where there was no snow to Wolfville--about 75 minutes from our house to the pretty Annapolis Valley.  I bought some wool to knit socks at this unique wool shop.  This shop in the Gaspereau Valley (a few miles from Wolfville)  sells wool that is locally produced on the farm--they raise sheep.  They also market wool produced by the "Fleece Artist" from Mineville, Nova Scotia and other very exotic yarns--bamboos, merino wool, etc.  Being a rather "newbie" onto the knitting scene, all of this is exciting.  It is fun to experience new textures, new ideas to me about knitting. 

Christmas 2009

  Christmas celebrations began the first Sunday of Advent.  During that time we have celebrated St. Nick's Day (Dec.6) with our children and grandchild.  :)  The usual baking and decorating happened.  On December 16th we had Christmas Dinner with Lisa, Mike and Annika before they left two days later for Vancouver and Australia.

December 25th we had the privilege of having Glenda and Bill join us for our morning brunch.  We had a yummy feast and celebrative times.

Because we had no set family plans during the usual Christmas celebration time, i worked a few shifts at "The Birches"  long term care home located in Musquodoboit Harbour just twenty minutes from our home.

We have had the privilege of attending Handel's Messiah by the Nova Scotia Symphony, reading some books like The Story of the other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke., still reading Best Christmas Pageant Ever again, attending our church Christmas Eve service, volunteering with Feed Nova Scotia,  going for many walks with Stella, talking by phone to our children in Cebu and in Vancouver, reading many thought provoking readings by Henri Nouwen and from the Upper

Room devotional.

Conrad Beach.

Lawrencetown Beach.

Our hearts are full!

Be Still and Know that I am God...

Today as I was walking I could hear the roar of the ocean which is about five kilometres from our house--all was so still. 

The picture of Annika was taken five days ago.  She also knows how to be still.

A Prayer for Christmas

Yesterday we received a Christmas letter from our pastors.  It concluded with A Prayer for Christmas by Robert Louis Stevenson.  Here it is:

Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men.  Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.  Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.  Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.  May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.  Amen.

New Little Precious Grandaughter!

Isn't she gorgeous?  Annika is adjusting so well to her life within her loving family.   It seems that she is taking in all the sights and sounds in her environment.  Loves to eat!And good at sleeping!

Advent 2009

Yesterday, the first Sunday of Advent, we lit the first candle on our advent wreath.  This is a special tradition in our home.  The wreath was made about twenty five years ago together with our children.  Each year we have used it  together with readings and meditations for encouragement towards paying attention to God's presence in our lives.  Happy Advent Season to all!

"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.  If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.  What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'.  Mark 13:35-37

Happy Thanksgiving!

Because we lived in the United States for four years and because our children were born in the U.S. we have permanent fond recollections of previous Thanksgiving celebrations.  We gained a real appreciation for friends who showed us how to celebrate this "holiday" in grand style.  Even after we moved back to Canada in 1978 we have always celebrated two Thanksgivings every year.  The Canadian celebration in October and then again now in November.  Our standard reason for two Thanksgivings has always been that we have so much for which to be thankful we can't fit it all into one celebration.

Tomorrow the turkey is going into the oven in the late morning--and together with Lisa we are putting on a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. 

Maybe it will be a morning like this!!

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.  Psalm 34:8