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The other day when I took a tour of our back yard I found this Easter lily blooming! I would say that is out of season. You can see the beautiful "burning bush" in the background with its glorious red leaves. This spring after the lily had bloomed for us inside, I transplanted it to the garden. And now it is blooming again. Fun!

Just a Couple of Things

Here is a new baby car seat. The significance of this picture is that it means there is an imminent change happening. In this seat our new grandbaby will be. Yes, we are really looking forward to this new stage in our lives and in the lives of all of our family.

Ah yes...Porter's Lake at its best. What a beautiful morning this was a few days ago. This land is our land. :) It was here that I picked wild cranberries this afternoon--about two litres of them. They are frozen now and ready for some addition to delectable feasts to come.

Fall

Fall is one of my favourite times of year. This photo was taken at the Porters Lake Provincial Park which is about two kilometers from our house. It is the same lake that is in front of our house. We walk here often. My soul is stirred by the beauty!

A photo taken along a "farm road" in Prince Edward Island. When i walk along roads like this i always wonder where it is leading me... an invitation to discovery.

Can it be Thanksgiving Time already?

An image from a perspective of a restaurant in New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island--taken last weekend when we travelled together with Lou's sister and her husband (Margie and Lloyd). Dinner by the way was spectacular. I loved the clouds. This picture was taken from the Halifax harbour.

This is the most recent book that i have read. What can i say about this book? Definitely gave me a new window of understanding in regards to slavery, the deplorable way in which people treated others, the outright exploitation that occurred in the mid 1700s, how Nova Scotia's history was affected by the black slaves, the strength, grace, beauty that emerged from a life of one young girl slave who suffered immeasurably, but gave so much to the world.

Art produced by the ocean along Lawrencetown Beach! God's presence is everywhere. It is intriguing and wonderful at the same time to watch for signs of his presence in our world.

And so, it is Thanksgiving Season. Yesterday when we were in the Halifax Market, we were reminded by all the beautiful fresh vegetables, the free range turkeys, fresh cranberries (which i have also picked on the lake front part of our yard). Thankfulness opens our hearts and minds to recognize and to receive the gifts that God brings into our lives. Sometimes the gifts are surprise packages.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Seasons

This past week I have had opportunity to ride my bike, often along the Trans Canada trail close to our home. Salt Marsh Trail, as seen below, is a section of the path that leads into the Cole Harbour area. Salt Marsh connects to the Atlantic Trail which is at Lawrencetown Beach. Bike riding is so very much fun for me...I love the freedom, kind of abandonment from daily anxieties when I am biking. It is a time when I pray for my friends and family, experience God's presence in the breezes, new sights, forestry smells.

These are rose hips connected to this bush, not tomatoes. Rosehips are one of the signs of fall that we are noticing these days. Other signs that the next season is upon us is that our warm, summery days become cooler at 5:30 or 6 p.m. The temperature dipped down to 6 degrees Celsius last night, some of the leaves on the trees are just starting to change colours, days are shorter. Of course, school has begun anew. I am learning anew to embrace all of these gifts that God gives. As a friend reminded me--

"Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him." Romans 12 TLB

Anniversary Celebration Tour 2009

Andrey walking with a young child in a Calgary stream.

Walking over the railroad bridge in Saskatoon.

Same bridge, different vantage point.

On the Rotary trail by the Vedder River in Chilliwack, B.C.

Earlier this year our children asked us to set aside August 16th as a day that they would like to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. (From an earlier post you know that our anniversary was on June 7/09) Being the obedient parents that we are, we complied with our childrens' request. We also decided to extend the celebration by visiting some friends on the West Coast, and in Calgary after the celebration of August 16 in Saskatoon

It was an awesome time of visiting with family and friends and at the end of the time it really feels like we have decidedly marked 40 years of marriage.

Some of the highlights for us were the one on one visits, walks, coffee times, dinner, karaoke production in Saskatoon. We saw some talent that had been rather hidden until now. Movie footage has been widely viewed in private homes and on facebook accounts. There was a re-enacted wedding processional with those who were in the bridal party some forty years ago. Some of the props were original wedding gear from that day of June 7/69. All of our siblings were present helping us to celebrate in some way. We are so thankful for that.

Home Again

A beautiful sunrise scene (taken just outside our front door).

Some produce from our little garden.

Evening at our lake--Lou and I were sitting out here a few nights ago, enjoying a campfire.

Since coming home from our "Celebration Tour" of our 40th wedding anniversary, we have been enjoying many moments of reflection and being so very thankful for all the gifts God has given us--including our beautiful children and their spouses, our extended families, fresh air to breathe, protection in storms, quiet moments by the fire, enjoying God's handiwork in the form of the heavens and stars, work, energy to take care of a yard, health, freedom to make choices about what we do from day to day, eyes to see...