Is It Really That Simple?

Recently I was a spectator at a hockey game. Every time I watch this sport I am struck at the end of the game when the two teams line up after the game is over, to shake hands with their opponents. The poignancy and power in such a seemingly simple action moves me.
 I commented to the person I was with "this is my favourite part."" Because it's over," she  teased. " Maybe," I acquiesce.


But as I consider this further I decide it is more than that.

It can best be summed up in one word RESPONSE. 
Isn't that the critical element to what life doles out?
 Response; how is my response to that outstretched hand of life, 
         that may at times I feel have played harsh and unfair?
Can I extend my arm and shake the hand that has been playing against me for the whole game?

How do I respond to those sudden changes to my day that require a bit of grace and bending for someone else?

My response to a cutting remark from someone,  is the key to further pain or beautiful blessing.
I hope this makes sense, but response can make a huge difference to my day.

 I stand at the window of a new year, and look at all the footprints in the snow of children and dog and skis and sleds.
 I think about what may or may not come to pass this year and how so much of it is beyond my grasp.....
                   except for one  small but monumental reality,my RESPONSE.

I hold out my hand with courage and HOPE beyond my own.

New things, shiny things, have a certain awkwardness that I am not sure I am ready to embrace, but tentatively I stretch out my hand to accept the one being offered in a truce like manner,and
I gratefully accept the chance to get up and TRY and hope my response will be worthy.

                I just love the Serenity Prayer ,but it really is 
 all about the last line....so I have this plaque on my wall as a reminder 
 where to find wisdom.










Thank-you Susan for the book you sent, and this bookmark, which I will treasure, with the serenity prayer on it.






still gratitude abounds here:
275-sleeping in,276-daughter's who want to read  Bible through this year,277-having a campfire with friends in our woods,278-turkey soup,279- a fun New Years eve,280-skating outdoors on New years eve and admiring the lights in the city,281-impromtu invitations, 282-generosity,283-watching Ground hog day with hubby and laughing at the absurdity,284-Divine protection,( I say this a lot because I mean it a lot!) 285-cross country skiing,286-staying up late,287-observing characteristics in my children that make me happy,288-learning to tell them,289-libraries to visit,290-organizing and decluttering,291-hanging up the new calendar.

A Prayer For You

Sometimes I say a prayer for you,
I pray for what ever it is that you're feeling right now.
I pray about your unknowns ;and also for the knowns.
I pray about the bridges and dams that must sometimes be resurrected.
I pray that you never feel like you are walking alone.
I pray about the stormy seasons that are sure to come.
And I pray for the sunny weather times, when it's easy to forget to pray.

Sometimes I say a prayer for you,
I Want You To Feel Loved.
I pray that shadows never stay longer ,than the sunshine.
And I pray that although seasons come and go,
That your heart always stays open to love
And that your eyes always stay closed to faults.

I say a prayer from the bottom of my heart for you, and I thank God for you today.


                                                        via


I am celebrating my first anniversary of blogging! What a crazy, fun year. Thank-you for coming with me.

What A Decade Does

              this photo was taken ten years ago.my daughter found it recently and it stirred up memories of these days when everyone was little.A few look slightly out of sorts and I'm wondering why,? My two year old here is twelve now, when I found this picture I gave her a hug...'to make up for that day I said'...

Ten years, oh the difference they have made.
So much has changed, and so much has stayed.
I wish I could stop that hand of time
Before it steals from me more moments divine.

Ten years ago, your needs were small.
To be loved and cared for, that was all.
Now at times I wish I could stay
By your sides and keep all harm away.

Ten years have shown me loves precious face
As I watched you grow and explore your place
In this great, big world -  that is ever so small
And you fly a little and occasionally fall.

Ten years from now, I'll look back on this
With fondness, and cherish it's tender bliss.
I'll remember when you were all here at home
And I'll pray that your heart never feels alone.
                                                                Lucy~

Our Merry Familiar Christmas

              Merry Christmas, I trust you had a lovely day, celebrating the wonderful birthday of our King!

from left to right, the vintage paper dolls I found for my youngest,my youngest girls with their dolls from a few years ago,the outfits were sewn by big sister,hubby and oldest girl with gifts,my daughter gave me this lovely frame filled with photos she altered creatively,happy with CD,and sporting our knitted creations by my daughter. I love that they like to give as well.

We have extended family events this weekend, so Christmas day was spent here at home surrounded by each other. I so cherish these times, as it seems with older children now and the hustle and bustle of their lives, time all together is precious and rare.

I know I must adjust to this reality; as no doubt it will keep on that way for a while....(smile here)


We attended our beautiful Christmas eve service last evening at our church.It is always a very special evening,  which includes a candle light service and carol sing.

Christmas morning begins with very excited children waking up too early, and running downstairs to inspect the prospects.After suspense has reached its limit,one child is summoned to wake up Mom and Dad.
It really isn't too hard to comply, as we really are still children too on Christmas morning. (smile)

It has been a longstanding tradition in our family to read the Christmas story in Luke 2, before we open our presents.This year my youngest read it to us as she sat cross legged on the coffee table,this story always seems to bring out a new truth to me, this year I pondered the fact of Jesus being born in a barn, and how that alone is such a humble beginning to a lifetime of magnificent phenomenon.

The presents are opened, and hugs and thanks all around. I really try not to over do the gifts.A few gifts for each ,something that person will use and enjoy.
Christmas breakfast is fruit and cinnamon buns( always a hit) which I made yesterday.

The next few hours were spent engaging in any type of formal or informal activity of choice. Sometimes called chillaxing or veging or loafing , oh and also staying in your pajamas for far too long!
But really if you can't do this on Christmas; when can you?

(tiny blurp...this year I wrapped the gifts and put each person's into a plastic tote, for something different.Now they have this box to use for storage later on.)

My husband's gift to me was a KOBO reader.I am certainly NOT ready to replace books, but I look forward to learning this device. Actually I should say I look forward to having my husband learn the device and explaining it to me.( Yes, he happens to be the technological one of the two of us) I much prefer having him figure it out.(smile)
Later on in the day we played a fun new game called Apples to Apples.A gift from my daughter's boyfriend.
It is a fun way to laugh and learn,( I had fun reading the cards)and simply being together.

Most of us dispersed to the outdoors later on, no snow forts or snowball fights this year,simply clean, crisp, fresh air to inhale with much gusto.My daughter and her boyfriend took a few horses out for a jaunt, and since I had recently disclosed the fact that I had never even so much as sat on one of our horses, my daughter decided this was going to be the day! I don't have a picture for proof but I really did get up on the horse as she walked it around. Quite fun indeed. By the way, only one of the horses is technically ours, the others belong to someone else.

                                            my oldest and her boyfriend

We enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner complete with stuffing,and sweet potatoes and Christmas cookies for dessert. The red juice in the glasses is currant juice which I canned in the summer.
We all felt filled from the inside out, as we ended the evening with the wonderful,
 classic Miracle On 34th Street movie.



Tonight I am thankful for loving family and a peaceful heart and home.For many people Christmas brings much hurt and pain to the surface, as rifts in relationships are made obvious. I pray  those things  be averted here in this place; our temporary dwelling, and for healing and grace wherever they may be.