Could This Be Spring?

 Well if you're in Newfoundland you're probably thinking that this can't possibly be it.  And even here in PEI it has been dubious by times whether spring was really showing up or not.  This weekend we got to enjoy not only icy cold rain showers but some snow was mixed in just to keep things interesting.  I am thankful though that the snow did not stick around like it has in Newfoundland--I can't imagine digging out from under 25 cms of snow on the May long weekend!!!  That being said we have been enjoying some warmer weather although somewhat sporadically.  We've had the kiddie pool out and the kids really LOVED being able to splash about in it again.  And we went to the beach for the first time of the season.  We didn't swim but, we did muck about in the waves and played in the sand.

Today we had a grand time of it doing outdoor work with the kiddos.  Marko finished the second section of fence for my veggie garden and he made my second planter to go in the front flower bed.  Emma-Lyn and I primed them and hopefully we'll get them painted this week.  We got the garage cleaned and because of that we were able to haul out the BBQ!!  Very excited about that.  I have some of my herb garden planted in containers  in the side flower bed which I'm really thrilled about.    As far as my veggie garden goes, I haven't got it planted yet.  I'm trying out something new to me, it's called a no till garden and it's a more organic way of growing veggies.  I put down a good layer of topsoil, covered that with newsprint and followed that up with a layer of dry leaves and grass clippings.  From what I have read this is a great way to keep weeds to a minimum and maximize the health and harvesting of my plants.  I have some seeds and hope to get some seedlings to put in the garden this week.

 I call this "Pure Joy!"

 And for me this is "Pure Delight!"

My little herb garden.

And this is the front flower bed--just missing my new planters--hope to get those in this week.

I Won An Award!!!

How cool is that?!!  And it's not just me, it's for my blog!  Yep folks, you heard it here first--I'm kind of a big deal!  LOL

Well, okay not really a big deal at all, but still someone I have never ever met and lives across the world --Singlemomof1 from Searching for Sanity nominated my wee little blog for the Liebster Award.  I know what you're thinking--what in the world is a Liebster award?!  To be honest I had never heard of it before I was nominated, basically its an award for bloggers from bloggers.  And really it's a fun chain letter passed from one to another.  If you are a lucky recipient of this award you get to share 11 facts about yourself and answer the 11 questions that your nominator asked you.  You are then supposed to send on the love and nominate 11 other bloggers with a following of 200 or less.  I'm not really able to pass on the award to 11 other bloggers as I don't follow that many blogs and most of the ones I do already have a huge following.  So really I can only accept this as an honorary award.

Now for my 11 facts:

1. One of my jobs as a teenager living in rural Nova Scotia was being Daisy the Talking Cow at Magic Valley Fun Park. 
2.  I was insanely shy and very quiet when I was in elementary school--I started to come out of my shy shell in high school--Now people have a hard time getting me to be quiet--just ask any of the homeschool moms!
3.  I've lived in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and P.E.I.
4.  I LOVE the beach--spring, summer, fall or winter are all perfectly wonderful times to visit the beach!
5.  I didn't get my driver's licence until I was 20.
6.  I was a Miss Canada Day Princess in Westville, Nova Scotia.  I even got to sit on the back of a beautiful blue corvette for the parade!
7.  As a kid I was pretty messy.  So messy that my folks got me a poster for my bedroom door that read: It's my mess and I love it.  Also a door knob hanger that read:  A neat room is the sign of a sick mind.
8.  My folks also kindly nicknamed me Calamity Jane as I was always falling over or into  or off of anything and seemingly everything.
9.  I once sat in the backseat of a police cruiser--when I was like 2 or 3--I vaguely remember the experience.
10.  At my highschool we had two lunch periods.  And one day I accidentally went to lunch at the wrong period--it took me awhile to realize it and I was too embarrassed to go to my English class so I snuck around the back of the school and hung out with the smokers--the Principal decided to come by that way--I tried desperately to avoid eye contact but we ended up discussing the weather --I felt so bad about skipping class I had my mom write a note explaining to my English teacher my faux pas. I was such a rebel!
11.  We moved to Nova Scotia on my 14th birthday--it was the most bitter sweet birthday I've ever had.  I had to say good bye to my bestest friend but I was also moving to a new place with new adventures.

And now for the questions:

1. What is the best thing about having children?  Being someone's Mommy.

2. What is your biggest pet hate?  It's gotta be plastic wrap--it's all CRAP! 

3. If you could have dinner with one person dead or alive, who would it be?  I know it says one person--but I can't pick just one.  I'd want to have dinner--specifically Christmas dinner just like oldtimes with my extended Hope family.  I miss them so much!

4. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?  The ability to transport myself to any place in the world in the blink of an eye.

5. What is your favourite place in the whole world?  The beach with my fam.

6. Finish this sentence: A perfect day for me would be...  to start this sunshiny and warm day sitting on my deck sipping my tea and reading then I would follow that up with some quality time at the beach with the fam and my hubby would have packed a wonderful lunch for us.  To finish up this amazing day with a date night with my handsome hubby at CapeLight where I would enjoy a tasty dinner of a half rack of ribs.

7. Are you a feminist?  Nope.

8. If you could be a celebrity, what would you want to be famous for?  My dancing--cause it is out of this world!!  Yeah, not really but it would be funny.

9. Do you believe in ghosts? No.

10. Who is your biggest hero?  My hubby.

11. Tell me a secret.  Baby # 4 is due in early November. :)

Easter Fun Part 2

 Finally, I'm sitting down to write out the second part of our Easter.  On Good Friday our church held an Easter Conference that both Marko and I were involved in.  I had nursery duty, while Marko was the worship leader for the second meeting.  And to add to all the fun my family was on their way over for the weekend.  It made for a bit of chaos on Friday but we got it all figured out and everyone was happy.

We finished up our stuff at the Conference and met my folks at our place. We had a lovely time of just chatting and catching up and then my folks headed back to their room at Lane's Cottages.  We got to keep Trooper at our house which the kiddos just dearly love and we all enjoyed walking her in the morning before breakfast.

My family popped in around 10 and we were all just standing around talking and trying to figure out what to do with our day when my friend Laura who lives on a farm called and asked if wanted to see some sheep get sheared.  Everyone was game so soon we were on our way to the farm.  We all just loved it.  The kids love it because they enjoy playing with their friends and getting to see the animals.  Gramma and Grammpa just LOVED being on the farm.  So many sweet little lambs to hold and pat.  And watching the sheep shearing was really quite interesting too.  Laura and her husband Robert are great sources of information on everything agriculture and beyond so not only did we get to see animals but we also got a better understanding of how farms run.  We could've stayed all day but we needed to get back home to get the turkey in the oven.

I think Gramma would have liked to take this little guy home!

Sheep shearing--what an amazing job!

Just such sweet little animals.

Nate giving kisses to the lamby.

Grampa Hope has always been kind of the "special" one in the family and this day he was in fine form!

Once we were back home and the turkey was in the oven Gramma and Grampa had a few Easter treats to share with the children.  The kids were delighted!

At first glance they thought they were getting lightsabres!  They were just as tickled to realize they had bubble wands in their hands that they could easily pretend were lightsabres.

They did blow a few bubbles before reenacting scenes from Star Wars.

Marko's mom and sister joined us for supper and we had a grand time talking and enjoying one another's company.

We don't do the Easter bunny here but we do hide some chocolate eggs for the kids to find.  We shoo the kids upstairs while we hide their colour coded eggs all over the kitchen and living room.  So funny to watch them scamper about looking for their eggs and when they discovered someone else's they would start yelling for that person to look over there.

Mr. Nate going in for the green egg on the lego roof.

My Thoughts and Prayers

Are with my Hope family again.  My Uncle Barry is in the hospital and we've been told he isn't going to make it.  I'm not sure how much time is left.  My heart goes out especially to my Aunt Mary Jane and cousins Mark and Kent as they go through this difficult time. My mom and dad and sister too, all send their love and prayers to the whole family.  Its so hard to be so far away and not be able to help, if only to be a shoulder to cry on.  Just reminds me just how precious every day really is, may we take the time to be thankful for each moment we have with our loved ones.  Love you all so much.

Easter Fun Part 1

 This Easter I tried changing things up by dramatizing some of the important scenes leading up to and including Jesus' death and resurrection.  It was a bit of work but so much fun.  The kids really enjoyed being a part of the scenes.  Before each scene we would pray and after every scene we'd sing a hymn.

 His triumphal entry.  The kids made their palm branches and threw down their garments for the "donkey" to walk over while shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!  The King of Israel!"  We played this out a few times.

 During the Last Supper Jesus washed the disciple's feet.  So I washed each child's feet. The kiddos thought this was quite the thing.

 Our version of the Last Supper.

The betrayal by Judas.  The money bag and a note from the Chief Priests.

Jesus and his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Jesus is depicted by the white cloth and cup at the base of the tree and the pillows are the sleeping disciples.  The angry mob (the kiddos with their clubs and swords) came for Jesus and led him to his trial.

 Here the priests tried Jesus and condemned him to death while Peter watched from the warmth of a fire.

 Here are the children warming themselves as Peter did.  They role played being Peter and denying Jesus.

 Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate.  Pilate offered the angry crowd either Jesus or Barabbas--The crowd wanted Barabbas and what of Jesus?  "Crucify Him!"

 He was scourged, mocked and beaten and finally crucified. 

He was laid in the tomb and a large stone rolled in front.

For His resurrection we made resurrection rolls.  Using crescent roll pasty dough, marshmallows, melted butter, and cinnamon and sugar.  The marshmallow represents Jesus, with the butter as the anointing oils on his body and the cinnamon and sugar as the spices. The marshmallow is wrapped up in the pastry tomb.  Place it in the oven for 8-10 minutes.

The finished product. Open it up and the white marshmallow is gone!  He is not here, He is risen!!

Stitching Up a Storm

 I can almost hardly believe that it is the second last week of March and we are expecting yet another winter storm!!  The snow is lovely and white and all but I am so ready for blossoms and grass and bikes and chalk on driveways!  In the meantime I picked up a knitting book.  I admit it was a beginners book for kids and it has been grand.  I had no idea I could actually tackle making a hat!  I've made lots of dishcloths and blankets but nothing too interesting and certainly nothing that you could wear.  When I saw the pattern in the book I knew I could do it.  The instructions were simple and easy to follow and voila:

 Emma-Lyn's hat.  She picked out the yarn.  She was super happy with her hat.

And this is Nate's hat.  He was excited to have me make him a hat but not so thrilled about having to pose in his hat for a picture.

It was so much fun to make these.  I think it really drove home to me the meaningfulness of handmade gifts.  As I made them I thought about the kids and different memories and then of course there was the anticipation of their response to their new hat.  Emma-Lyn's was just priceless.  She grabbed it right up and rubbed it against her cheek and told me she loved it and proceeded to wear it the rest of the morning--in the house.  Nate was all excited and threw the hat on his head and went tearing down the hallway to show it off to his big brother and sister.  I still have to make Sean's, he'd like a black hat and I need to go buy the yarn for it.  Maybe tomorrow we'll have to venture out for yarn before the latest storm blows in.

It's My Momma's Birthday

First thing you should know about my mom is that she would hate that I just called her 'Momma'  Next thing it's her birthday and since I did not send a card and she doesn't live close enough to take out to lunch or supper, I thought I'd write a few things down about why I love her and how great a mom/woman she is.

To my Mom:

When I was little I always loved when you would caress the back of my neck and gently comb your  fingers through my hair.  I don't know why, but I felt special when you did that.

Mom, you are an AMAZING cook!  I would love to be able to cook as well as you do.  I may not have been very appreciative of it when I was little and I remember feeding the dog some of my supper, but I LOVE it now. 

Nothing felt or worked better than a kiss from mom on any bruise or scratch--healing powers in those lips!

Mom, you love my dad and both of you have been such a testimony to what it means to keep a promise.  Life has not always been easy or fun, but you weathered it all together, and I and my family are so very thankful.

 I always loved your hands.  I want hands like those.  Ones that are hard working and yet gentle enough to hold a child's tear stained cheek to kiss it.  Hands that help when things get tough and hands that tickle and make giggles erupt from chubby cheeks.

I loved our trips to Scanalon Creek--I still conjure up the image of sitting in the back seat and hearing the car tires crunch over the gravel and seeing the tall trees towering above us as we made our way to the beach.

I am thankful that you had the patience to do "20 questions" with me when I was upset and didn't talk so very much.  I knew you cared to find out.


I am thankful that you were one of my guiders at Girl Guides.  It was great to be able to share that experience with you.

I am thankful for the time you put in getting us organized for our camping trips.  Never needed to get "ahead"  on those trips. ;)

Both breast cancer and a brain tumour have rocked your life and you have been able to roll with it, you learned new skills and made more friends and are there to help others through equally traumatic experiences.  You are a source of strength.

Growing older has not slowed you down one bit and I find that inspiring, you are still willing to see what else you can do, what more you can contribute.  Higher numbers in our age doesn't mean a shutting down of life but merely a change in direction.

If I ever need help to move another washing machine or other heavy appliance I'm calling you first!

You were so much my comfort after my babies were born.  When I called,  I didn't know my up from my down but you sat listened to my worries and helped calm my fears.

I'm so thrilled that you do the Smartie thing with my kiddos.  It's one of my favourite memories of my grandmother.  I'm sure the kids will treasure it too!

Thank you for all your "I love you"s , they mean the world to me!

I love my family, and I am so glad, so blessed to have you for my mom.  I love you so very much!!