Broken Theme: Pic #4

In Ann Voskamp's book, The Broken Way, she keeps emphasizing how koinonia is always the miracle of being broken. I thought about that a lot this morning as we shared in the Communion service at Grace Church. Jesus' body was broken and His blood spilled out on the cross because of His great love for us sinners. When I accept that gift by faith, I am brought back into relationship or fellowship (koinonia) with Him. Also, when I live "broken" with my brothers and sisters in the Church, the Body of Christ, I experience rich fellowship with them. Again, the miracle is koinonia.

Broken Theme: Pic #3

I don't know if the hook broke the hat or if the hat was broken before and the hole simply made a convenient place for its owner to hang it up. I also wonder what made the owner leave it there on the tree. If home is where you hang your hat, perhaps someone was wishing the Bacolet Beach in Tobago was his home. I can see how the beauty of the place would be appealing to that end.

Broken Theme: Pic #2

Have you ever tried a pomelo? It is a citrus fruit that is a lot like a grapefruit, but is larger in size, thicker in rind and milder in flavor - if you happen to pick a good one, anyway. There could easily be neater, more efficient ways to break one open than my method, but I got results; we enjoyed the refreshing fruit sections in several meals.

Week #9 Theme: Broken

Found in the orchard this winter: One forgotten bushel basket. It was likely taken out there in the Fall after apple harvest when the workers were picking up drops, or it could've somehow gotten outside from storage and blown about by the occasional very gusty winds we've had in the last six months. At any rate, there it was in the snow, a reminder of the orchard work that once was and is to come.

New Things Theme: Pic #7

Egg cheese is an Easter weekend thing. It's pretty much a love-it-if-you-grew-up-with-it kind of thing. It is a Waterloo County native thing. Which is probably why I have never made it in all my 28 years of living in this community. But...this year, I had no excuse, what with the recipe and very helpful instructions plus photos that my food savvy SIL Rose posted on her new blog. So I made egg cheese. And it turned out! Ken said it was the best he'd ever had, but that opinion likely was a bit biased. (Awash in this year's maple syrup, though, it was quite good. That's the non-native's opinion.)

New Things Theme: Pic #6

I got a new perspective of our back yard one day when I viewed it through my mug of tea. Would you call that novel-tea?

New Things Theme: Pic #5

I don't always buy a lily plant at Easter, but this year, I did. I always marvel at the clean, elegant beauty of the blooms. The flowers eventually fade and fall off, but the new life in Christ that they symbolize never does.

New Things Theme: Pic #4

"Lord, Your mercies are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness, and I thank You!" Although this sunrise pic was taken from our front porch several months ago, I think of His new mercies whenever I see it. God is worthy of my gratitude for His faithfulness every single morning, brilliant sunrise or not.

New Things Theme: Pic #3

Last weekend, some artistic young ladies at our house demonstrated their creative skills by watercolor painting eggs. The messages they painted are comforting reminders this weekend as I think about the farewell to friend Beatrice King, who was killed suddenly in a car accident on Easter Sunday. Because Christ is risen, He is able to raise those who believe on Him. Yes, He is able...to give New Life...to grant us this marvelous Hope.

New Things Theme: Pic #2

Aren't these baby fern fronds just darling? We saw them at the Plimoth Plantation near Plymouth, Massachusetts last spring. To see new life uncurling in nature like this gives me a sweet little thrill. It's been like that ever since I was a young girl hunting for blooming hepaticas, the first springtime wild flowers to appear in the woods surrounding the home place in Hayward, Wisconsin.

Week #8 Theme: New Things

I'm so excited about my forsythia bush this spring! It has the biggest and yellowest bloomingest show ever. That's because I finally learned how and when to prune it. I do believe I was lopping off next year's buds with fall pruning, hence hindering its new spring growth. That, and some late-frost years kept it stunted, but now it's able to go full tilt and the results are amazing.

Black & White Theme: Pic #7

In lieu of salt and pepper shakers on the restaurant tables at our resort in Tobago, dishes like this one were available for our use during brunch. Never mind the open air exposure, the birds flitting about the rafters overhead on occasion and the fingers of previous diners who had dipped into the bowl. I freely sprinkled the seasonings on my omelette anyway - and enjoyed.

Black & White Theme: Pic #6

When our family spent a weekend in Niagara this past January, we walked down to the Falls after dark on Friday evening. I was surprised to discover that a fireworks display was included in the lights-on-the-Falls time in the evening. While the starry bursts of white in the black sky were impressive, they had only the duration and depth that manmade attractions can offer. I much prefer the natural, steady, unassuming beauty of the place that speaks of the Eternal.

Black & White Theme: Pic #5

Today's pic is black and white - with some orange thrown in there, too. These penguins are parked at the entrance of our nearest Wal-mart, since they are the logo for SmartCentres, a Canadian shopping center (centre, if you are truly Canadian) developer. I tried to find out the significance of using penguins, but I couldn't find anything, so we must speculate on our own. Meanwhile, I shall continue to think they are cute, especially the one in the bag.

Black & White Theme: Pic #4

Thanks be to God for sending His Son Jesus, who died for us and rose again to bring new life to all who believe in Him. The Lord is risen. The Lord is risen, indeed! Happy Easter 2017!

Black & White Theme: Pic #3

At first glance, these objects seem like big round bales of hay wrapped in black plastic, then in white. In reality, they are huge coils of black corrugated drain tile. They could end up in a farmer's field and be installed for proper water drainage in an effort to improve soil conditions...so they could (very) indirectly turn into big round bales of nice hay eventually.  

Black & White Theme: Pic #2

A ride on the Skywheel in Niagara gives a great overview of the Falls and the city. Two years ago, when Kerra and I were in Niagara on a weekend birthday celebration, we went on the ride after dark. I remember the lights-on-the-Falls scene was outstanding, but what stands out most in my memory was the fun mother-daughter time.

Week #7 Theme: Black & White

These black and white rectangles have been the key(s) to many a beautiful time and tune in our home. I'm so grateful to God for the gift of music, the means to put our children through piano lessons (not to mention the willingness and effort of both teacher and students) and this sturdy old upright we found for a song - ah, maybe more like a album - years ago. It shows some wear, including scratches from the dog of its previous owner. But you'd hardly notice, since my dad worked his carpenter magic with sandpaper, wood filler and mahogany stain. And you for sure don't notice when someone is sitting at the piano working musical magic on the keys! 

Children Theme: Pic #7

The three youngest boys in my cousin's family are serious vehicle owners, by the looks of it. Their mom said they play with this set-up for hours, almost daily. Just look at that organization and detail...impressive!

Children Theme: Pic #6

One of the smallest ladies at Grace joined us at the table the evening we met to work on comforter kits for CAM. Her mom cut fabric into squares while the little lass sat square in the middle of fabric - to taste the blocks, and to charm us with her sweetness.

Children Theme: Pic #5

Remember the fun and adventure a new physical challenge brought when you were a child? I think I would've tried slacklining, too - when I was her age.

Children Theme: Pic #4

Popsicle Day is always an exciting time for VBS youngsters, although I did seem to capture a rather solemn moment with this threesome. The gal on the right could be contemplating flavors, perhaps the little middle man is comparing the various amounts of popsicles remaining, and the young lady on the left is likely pausing to purse her pink lips. It all looks pretty sweet to me.

Children Theme: Pic #3

This little towheaded chap seemed to get a charge out of clomping around in shoes much larger than his own. Watching him reminded me of the fascination our own toddler children had with footwear, especially with shoes that didn't fit.

Children Theme: Pic #2

This trio of girl relatives paused on the playground long enough for me to take their picture after a family reunion meal last summer. Wouldn't you like to know what each of them is thinking?

Week #6 Theme: Children

Aww, doesn't the sight of a sleeping baby just make your heart melt? (What is it - their soft skin sweetness, their smallness, their vulnerability?) The cherub in this pic is one of my nephews, back in the days when he used his built-in pacifier to fall asleep. I love the way he hooked his finger on his nose, too.

Patterns Theme: Pic #7

This is a typical scene in some rural areas of Waterloo County - not this time of year, of course, but in July or August. When I see the patterned fields, I feel stability and comfort somehow...there are people around who have their roots deep in the land, their farms and their families.

Patterns Theme: Pic #6

Sometimes the things in my everyday view are not all that profound, but that doesn't mean they are unworthy of my notice and appreciation. In my life, the mundane and the outstanding weave their way into a delightful daily pattern of "one blessing after another".

Patterns Theme: Pic #5

Pick your pet pattern. My friend Rose makes animal booties and sells them, along with other crafts and sewn items, to support missions. She says the facial features of the creatures are the most time-consuming part of the craft, and I can see why. Those lion manes, though - too cute!

Patterns Theme: Pic #4

It's not Christmas and it's not baking day, but it is Patterns week so I'm posting this pic anyway. Chewy, crinkly molasses cookies dipped in white chocolate and decorated with icing holly sprigs and berries make an attractive addition to plates of holiday goodies.

Patterns Theme: Pic #3

I had a great time with a bunch of my church sisters last night. We took fabrics scraps from our stashes at home (in some cases, a many-years'-worth collection!) and cut them up into various-sized blocks for CAM comforter kits. Not only were there 4", 5", 12", etc. square patterns in use, but hopefully also a "pattern of good works" was involved.