Canadian Theme: Pic #2

An inuksuk is a pile of stones constructed to communicate with people in the Arctic. Inuksuit - the plural of inuksuk - are an integral part of Inuit culture and have come to represent Canada and the North. I came across this collection of inuksuit on a January morning a few years ago while our family was staying at a Blueberry Falls Resort cabin. Not only does this photo remind me of the beauty of that peaceful northern setting, but it also makes me think of the Inuit people and the diversity of cultures that Canada embraces. 

Week #18 Theme: Canadian

This week seems an appropriate time to post pics to do with Canada, since our fine country is having a birthday soon. Yes - on Saturday, July 1, Canada will be turning 150! This anniversary of coming into being is such a special celebration that there is a long and important-sounding word meant just for this year: sesquicentennial. This week you may see a fair bit of red and white on my blog, starting with a photo of the Canadian flag. This particular one can be seen flapping in the breeze in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart near our place.

Animal Homes Theme: Pic #7

Anybody know what insect dwells in this home? As far as I can tell by observation of photos on google, this blob of hardened foam is a praying mantis cocoon. Should I like to be around for the hatching phenomenon? One praying mantis can be fascinating, but I'm guessing a couple hundred mini mantises would be a bit much!

Animal Homes Theme: Pic #6

This creature's coloring helps it blend in with the spring grass surroundings. Mr. Groundhog didn't go undetected though; I saw his head come popping out of his home entrance soon after he had dived into the burrow for cover. The first wildlife sightings in the spring are exciting but this particular one didn't thrill me since I knew it meant pesky things ahead for the orchard. 

Animal Homes Theme: Pic #5

We saw this sand crab excavating its hole while we walked along a beach in southern Thailand several years ago. Yes, the little crab moved all that sand! And in an amazingly short time, too. He had a fascinating way of tossing clumps of sand out with his claws. I doubt whether his home was very permanent, but he seemed to be putting a lot into the making of it.

Animal Homes Theme: Pic #4

On Wednesday evening when we got out of our van in the church parking lot, a mama killdeer bird was screeching and doing the classic broken-wing act, like we had parked on her nest or something. This morning we parked in the same general area at church and when we came out to the parking lot after the service, the mama bird was "accusing" us again. So we looked for her nest and Kerra spotted the eggs on the gravel not far from our van tires. I marvel at the camouflage skills and protective nature that God has given the killdeer. 

Animal Homes Theme: Pic #3

Somehow this picture doesn't seem to be portraying a typical animal home - although the cows acted like they were at home in their field. Ken and I saw them while we were on our biking date today. We biked along the rail trail from Elmira to Guelph, 40 kms round trip. Yes, I have sore muscles, and don't ask about the cushion rating of my bicycle seat because there is none. But what a glorious-weather June day to be out in some of the most beautiful countryside in Waterloo County with my man! 

Animal Homes Theme: Pic #2

Every Spring during blossom season, a row of little houses appears in our orchard. (I thought the "beeline" looked so cheery this year!) It's a good thing bee homes are portable; when the bees spend a couple of weeks on the farm, the orchard keeper benefits from tree pollination in the nectar-gathering process and the bee keeper benefits from the delicious apple blossom honey. 

Week #17 Theme: Animal Homes

I remember reading about trapdoor spiders when I was in school, but I had never seen a real trapdoor spider's home until this year on our Trinidad Trip. During a trek we made through a rainforest, our guide stopped along the trail to point out this fascinating creation. He took his jackknife from his pocket and gently flipped opened the "lid" of this spider hole. The spider fashions its trap and sits beneath its hinged door, sensitive to movement above (made by its prey) and ready to pop open the door and lunge out to grab a meal. Our guide said we wouldn't meet the spider who lived here because it was resting that time of day, which was just fine with me, thank you very much. Still, I was highly intrigued by the features of its dwelling.

My Favorites Theme: Pic #7

My favorite June flower: the profuse and fragrant peony. I could call this particular gathering of peony blooms, A Bowlful of Memories. Mom-Eva's birthday was in June and the peonies she loved bloomed around her birthday time; to this day the sight and smell of them reminds me of her. She'd bury her nose into a peony bouquet and say, "These make the whole world smell good!" Thoughts of her beauty-appreciation perfume my world, too. 

My Favorites Theme: Pic #6

A favorite thing to do on a June morning is to gather with friends at a garden party. It's hard to say what is most appealing - the food, the scenery, the atmosphere, the catching up on each other's lives, the mutual encouragement...or the humor. This morning the laughter, if not appealing, certainly was pealing! 

My Favorites Theme: Pic #5

It's how they looked in their younger days. The detailed, caring, teaching one on the left and the strong, book-loving, visionary one on the right have impacted our family in countless ways, and I am grateful. These two influential men, my favorite dad and favorite dad-in-law, were on my mind quite a bit yesterday; I hope they both had a very happy Father's Day! 

My Favorites Theme: Pic #4

Church Camping is one of my favorite things to experience with our Grace church family. All age groups participate in games, meals, conversations, chores and activities. We get to see a different side of each other when we spend a whole weekend together. This pic was taken during group activity time yesterday. It's good the water-passing relay landed on a sunny and hot afternoon!

My Favorites Theme: Pic #3

Still on the birthday theme... Thursday night of this week, Ken took me out for supper at Golf's Steakhouse, one of our favorite restaurants in Kitchener. Our waitress Martha asked early into our conversation what brought us there. As soon as I mentioned my birthday her eyes lit up and she exclaimed, "Oh, good, I get to sing for you!" And she did. At dessert time she brought me a personalized plate with a delectable wedge of Snickers cheesecake and upon presentation, she sang Happy Birthday to me - the whole first verse complete with the "dear Danette" - on tune and seemingly heartfelt. At the end of our time there, Ken told Martha that she does so well at her job and she said she can't help it, she just loves people! I enjoy unique encounters like that; it will be a favorite memory of my birthday this year. 

My Favorites Theme: Pic #2

The daughter on the left is my favorite graduate from Countryside Christian School's Class of 2017. This week, we celebrated her achievements (and her 7 classmates) in a very meaningful service and a lovely grad reception afterward. When Kerra received her diploma, I joined the applause around me, but in my heart I was giving a standing ovation of gratitude to God who has brought about the fulfillment a dream. Ken and I longed for our children to have the opportunity to go through Grade 12 in a Christian school, and He made it possible. 

The daughter on the right is my favorite sister-of-the-graduate. Kayleen made the flower crown (from dainty real flowers) for Kerra to wear for some of the poses during the grad families photo session. Creativity with things in nature is another of my favorites. 

Week #16 Theme: My Favorites

This week I will post pics that reflect some of my favorite things. I will say right now that I won't be able to include ALL of my favorites and I won't be posting them in order of importance. I also know that with posting pics of people, I run the risk of appearing to be selective, to have some people as favorites and others not. For instance, you may never see your picture in my blog this week. Please rest assured that this does not mean you aren't my favorite reader. (For another instance, I should be posting a pic of Ken for my very first favorite. But I'm not, and we all know that that doesn't mean anything about who's at the top of my list.) Anyway, the photo I am posting actually reflects two of my favorites: birthdays, and the gal I share them with. June 14 is one of my favorite days of the year, and Annette is my favorite twin. Yesterday, we turned another year older and although we didn't get to be together, we celebrated each other, thanks to email. This picture of us was taken many birthdays ago...close to half a century! It looks like I enjoyed birthdays and my twin back then already.

Art Theme: Pic #7

When Kayleen was teaching school, she got a wooden tray of painted Mason jars as a handmade gift from a student's mom. There's a variety of ways to fill the jars that adds to the set's attractiveness, and this is the most recent display. If the sight of these tools doesn't stir your artistic inclinations, then...well, let's just say you're not like me!

Art Theme: Pic #6

This food art that I designed to sell at a dessert auction several years ago is now art in our home. I printed an enlargement of the original photo, framed it, and hung it up on my kitchen wall. It's a way of enjoying fruit pizza long after it has been eaten; maybe I should have titled the photo, "Fruit Preserves".

Art Theme: Pic #5

On a warm summer evening, a number of local Mennonites gathered in a dear old church named Zion for the last hymn sing to be had in that artful place. Soon the worn-out building will be taken down - after many of the beautiful pieces are removed and taken to the homes of interested members or are set next door for reuse - and the congregation will meet in the lovely new church building on the grounds. How we made Zion ring with heartfelt hymn-singing last night! 

Art Theme: Pic #4

Wish to add some interest and inspiration to your church's Sunday evening service? Ask the Primary and Junior Dept. children to talk about their favorites in nature. You may be quite amazed with their participation. A few young ladies in our church whose topic was "the ocean" also displayed their school art on the theme - sea creatures of all sorts. The admiration of their handiwork (and praise to Creator God for His) continued after the service.  

Art Theme: Pic #3

This towel and washcloth bouquet is some art I designed as a bridal shower gift for my niece-in-law a couple of years ago. (The "bow" is actually a scrunchie and another hair accessory!)

Art Theme: Pic #2

Kerra and her "little sister" fashioned a veggie character for part of their indoor picnic supper one evening last winter. Little Sister loves kitchen work that involves art.  

Week #15 Theme: Art

This pic shows a segment of an art bulletin board in a Grade Six classroom during this past school year. I would've loved this project in art class when I was a child. The teacher would've said to experiment with decorating the first initial of my name, using different textures and patterns, and my imagination would've gone on a delightful lark.

Red Theme: Pic #7

Here's how I would title this photo: "Pretty pleasing lunch, with a cherry dessert on top." Ken and I shared this piece of pie in a little red café on a pretty pleasing anniversary day last fall.

Red Theme: Pic #6

Getting to the heart of the matter: a close-up taken down the middle of a red hibiscus bloom.

Red Theme: Pic #5

Red in the morning: sailors take warning. Sunrise aflame: my soul, praise His name!

Red Theme: Pic #4

Does this line-up bring back Summer Bible School memories for anyone? Red juice at snack time brought both refreshment on a hot summer day and a telltale ring of red on the upper lip!

Red Theme: PIc #3

Afternoon sun highlights a branch of the red maple tree in our front lawn. We planted the tree when our oldest child was a baby. Now, more than a quarter century later, the tree is sturdy and beautiful, and our son is a fine and handsome man.

Red Theme: Pic #2

Continuing with the apples theme from yesterday, here's a shot of another aspect of harvesting. The apples are dumped (gently!) from picking buckets (like the one pictured yesterday) into 20-bushel bins. Many of the bins that Martin's Family Fruit Farm uses are red plastic ones.

Week #14 Theme: Red

How can I help but start off the red theme with the main theme at Martin's? Apples! Here are a red lot of them, made redder still by placing them in a red picking bucket from straight off the tree on a glorious harvest day.