Call in Ugly...

Today is Ash Wednesday, and I would have to admit, throughout the 27 years of my life, very
little significance or emphasis has been placed on the season of lent. I think I would like that to change.
As today marks the first day of the lent season, I would like to take this opportunity and time
to remember my dust to dust existence, and reflect on my own life to prepare my soul to be a
better person in Christ.
As recently quoted in a devotional I studied regarding lent: “I’m gonna have to call in ugly on
this one.”
There are things (ugly) that need to be laid down, repented for and learned from.
I think I’ll have a list no doubt….

House Guest....

This week.... we have a house guest. His name is Rosco.

My sister and her husband took a winter holiday to Mexico, and so have the adventurous Rosco for 10 days.

Here is a shot from this evening. There is always an adjustment factor when there is "new blood" in the house - and poor Rosc misses his parents. However - it is somewhat entertaining to see the amount of dog toys currently occupying our living room, the amount of dog body slamming, and interesting sounds.

I think God smiles down at me, as I am exercising my patience muscles. I am trying....

But I also love the way the guys run along side each other on our walks, hurry to the door to be the first on in or out, or gently toss each other a toy (when there all fought out!).

Never a dull moment....

Always rewarding....

Manic Mondays

Last Monday, Mikayla and I jump-started our Monday morning with a Disco Dance Party! While pregnant, I tend to forgo the caffeine boost in my mornings and this provided a lively alternative! As we giggled and grooved, I was so very thankful for the laughter in our lives. What a great way to start the week.

THIS Monday, however, we plodded into our week with colds, ills and aches and pains. A lot less fun then the dance party of last week, that's for sure! And on days when energy and patience are in short supply, well I look to naptimes with that much more appreciation!! But you learn more about each other as you muddle through the day together, and at the end of the day, I can still squeeze my baby (and my husband!) and be truly thankful for the laughter that fills our lives.

AND I look forward to how the week will improve!!

Mmmmm Muffins..

Here is one - awesome recipe! I have shared this with only one person, and she was blood, but now I share with all. It's a goodie!


Rasberry Cocoa Muffins:
-4 TBSP Butter
-2 Cups All Purpose Flour
-1/2 Cup Sugar
-2 tsp baking powder
-1 tsp baking soda
-1/2 tsp salt
-1 egg
-1/2 Cup plain yogurt
-1/2 Cup Butter milk (or fermented milk- use reg. milk with vinegar)
-1 Cup Rasberries (fresh or frozen and thawed)
Topping:
-1/4 cup brown sugar
-2 TBSP Cocoa powder

preheat oven to 400F, and grease (or line) muffin cups.
Melt butter and set aside to cool. Cobine brown sugar and cocoa powder, set aside.
In medium mixing bowl combine dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) and stir to mix. Make a well - and then add wet incredients (butter, egg, yogurt & milk) Use spatula until just combined. Do not overmix, the mixture will be lumpy, that's okay. Fold in the berries.
Spoon batter into prepared tins, and sprink the topping mixture over top. Put ino ovento bake for 20-25 mins. until risen and golden. Turn out on a rack to cool. Wait 10-15 min before removing from tines.
Serve...

Ooooohhh yeaaahh....

I had a flashback today about a time a few years ago which all us Manitobans will remember quite well.

The "Storm of the Century" - April, 1997. I did not know that this was actually known as "Snow Storm Hannah" . Wow, we actually have a natural disaster with a name!

Anyway, I remember that on that particular weekend I was stormed in with Leah at the farm. We we stuck. Oh - we tried to escape, but our vehicles sat stuck one behind eachother on the long driveway. Snowed under.

This photo actually reminds me of the treck that we made to the barn and back a couple of times to feed the horses. It was quite a dramatic event. I think Leah helped me up more than once on the way back to the house.

By the time it was all said and done, when we opened the door to go outside, there was only a wall of snow. The windows were the same. On the main floor to look outside was a wall of white!!

But - I still can chuckle about the memories. When the only station on t.v. was terminated (bull riding) we resorted to making colorful fish and underwater life from construction paper and taping to the window. We thought our make-shift aquarium was better then the wall 'o snow!

Hey -- we were making lemonade from lemons - right?!?

I guess, maybe I can look back on that time and feel like a survivor.

But that is not to say that I would want another one! Not to mention the flood that followed that big mama!

But it kinda makes this -45C windchill that I walk to work in everyday a little more bearable.

Atleast the sun is shining...

Now its time for warmer thoughts....

I'll take a bottle of that!

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a smell evokes a million memories!!
Yesterday I went to get Mikayla from her high chair after lunch, and --- delightfully!! --- she smelled like winning combo of cheerios and fruit cocktail!! I breathed in that great, baby smell -- and wanted to bottle some up to keep with me for all time!
She grows and changes so much every day - it's hard to believe it as it unfolds before my very eyes.
The days and weeks go by so fast, my memory can't keep up with it all!!



So, if you find a way to preserve some of that fruity cheerio-y yummy scent - pass it along! I'll take a bottle of that :)!!!

A little compadre

Did you know that puppies have their own unique language!?
They DO!
It has taken us almost TWO YEARS to discover this.
What a source of frustration!! What a relief!!
Diggy arrived the week before we found out we were expecting Mikayla.
Not great timing, poor dog.
Since then, Diggy & I have had a love-love-grrrrrrrrrr kind of relationship.
Oh sure, he's cute and cuddly and very, very sweet...
He's been a great companion, a partner in crime and a good listener....
....BUT!!!
Yes, he's also been a "grace-grower" in my life.
Now that we've learned how to communicate, however, our relationship has opened up to a whole different level!
Now I can not only appreciate the Diggy that curls up with me for nap time or the Diggy that quietly sits at my feet at supper,
BUT I can love him in those hard-to-love moments.

Kinda reminds me of communication with God and others too!
When we learn to speak with each other in a way that is MUTUALLY UNDERSTANDABLE!!
How much EASIER it is to cooperate in those hard-to-love moments.

Ahhhh Diago, my dear little puppy.
You have been such a source of joy - and @(*#*(&@$ - in my life!!
I couldn't trade you for the world!!

Brrrrrr Manitoba! Ground Hogs Day?!?

O.k, so if anyone else had to walk to work this morning, or from their car to their workplace, you will know what I mean!
Give yourself a pat on the back!
Here we are: a bunch of hearty Manitobans! It is supposed to be -44C with the chiller tonight!
So, officially if you are out there for like more than a second - your done.
I think at this point most people just mindlessly function when they are driving around and going in and out.
But, by this time I think we should be accepting the fact that these cold - frigid days happen, and that we are equipped to deal.
I personally will drown myself in hot tea, coffee or soup, and think of the spring ahead.
Today is Groundhogs day. I think - if there was a sorry little groundhog kicking around in our province, and he dared to come out of his hiding place to sneak a peak - he'd drop dead - frozen! HOWEVER, it was sunny... so maybe he saw his shadow!
But - I take heart, spring and summer are coming....
And... I will appreciate our warm spring days all the more!