Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Family Christmas

 Nick reading the Christmas Story from his own Bible.

 For Christmas dinner, the grandkids requested a fondue & that's what we had.

 Sometimes, it easier to see what's going on by standing up & on the chair, if you're not tall enough!


 So good!

 We cooked pork, beef, chicken, weiners & shrimp in oil. Chocolate fondue for dessert.
 The Unrau Men 

The Unrau Women

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Christmas Eve 2014


Christmas Eve 2014. Our second Christmas without Barry & Zach. It is so hard. Miss them so much. 
In the past Christmas Eve's, Barry, Sigrid Zach & Abby would have arrived during the afternoon & we would have supper together. A lot of chatter around the table. So much to talk about. Sometimes we would all go to church Christmas Eve. Sometimes, just Zach & Abby would come with us. Then we would have snacks later. 
Sometimes, Allen, Lena, Jared & Brandon would have arrived. Sometimes, Chris, Charlotte, Adam, Katie, Carly & Nick would stop in after church & there would be lots of food to enjoy. 

Things have changed. This year, our kids will all be home Christmas Day. Some will come for lunch, the rest will arrived early in the afternoon. First we'll open gifts, then we'll have coffee & some snacks. Some may go skating, some of us will visit & then start the supper prep. 
This year we are having a fondue & the grandkids are really looking forward to it. We will have a good time. We will miss Barry & Zach so very much. There will be times when it will just be too quiet. 
 
This is their second Christmas in Heaven. I'm sure their Christmas is alot more fun & meaningful than ours. Someday we'll join them & then we'll have the best Christmas ever. I wonder what Christmas in Heaven is like?

 

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Around the World - Part 2

I was quite intrigued by this train covered in moss & vines & grasses.

 Paperwhites give great contrast to vivid greens.

 Bright red pointsettas in many arrangements throughout the conservatory.
 
 Another view of the model train that kept going around the track.

 There was just so much to see & enjoy.


There were also several decorated trees in the entrance. 
Beautiful, relaxing visit to the conservatory at the Assiniboine Park.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Around the World in 80 Days

Spent some time at the conservatory at the Assiniboine Park enjoying the exhibit - Around the World in 80 Days - telling the story with various plants, trees & flowers.

 This is the Azalea tree.

 Orchid tree.

 Pots of different colours of poinsettas were everywhere.

 This elephant is made of plants, bark & trees.

 Beautiful contrasting colours.

 A train track with a working train surrounded in colour.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

The Annual Writing

Done. Finished tonight. The annual task/chore of sending Christmas greetings to friends & family, mostly far. Have been doing this for many years. Guess my mom trained me well. She sent cards until she went into the care home. Most of the time I write a summary of our year, sometimes long, sometimes short. I read on the web how some people hate these photo-copied letters of people's bragging about where they've travelled, what they've bought & how great their kids are doing. Well, I'd rather have a generic letter than none at all!
Oh, I did write a little about our trip to Red Deer. Oh, and I mentioned Mexico too! So if you get a card from me & don't want to hear about our travels, you can just throw it out. But then you won't see the really nice picture of the two of us! 
I do keep in touch with alot of friends on Facebook so some of you will read about me all year & see my pictures there. Guess I also just like to send a real card via Canada post. Also to keep in touch with my elderly aunts & uncles in Ontario.
Takes some planning for the perfect annual picture. Got a really nice one of the two of us beside the hubs fancy Mustang.
Huge job. Done. Didn't even count them so I can't brag about a number!!

Friday, November 14, 2014

November 2014

 Sunrise on an early drive into Winnipeg.
 
 Wall hangings that I'm working for the grandgirlies for Christmas.

 A forest of trees about a mile from town. 

 Beauty in weeds by a pond.

 These seed pods still hanging on.
 
Fall grasses, waiting for the cover of snow, winter winds will scatter the seeds to grow in many places & the grass will grow again in spring.

Friday, October 31, 2014

October Gratitude - Day 31

So very thankful for my wonderful country, Canada, where I enjoy freedom, beauty & a safe & comfortable place to live.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

October Gratitude - Day 30

 Thankful for good times with family & great food.


Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

October Gratitude - Day 28

Thankful for the beautiful & amazing world that God has created for us to enjoy.

Monday, October 27, 2014

October Gratitude - Day 27


So thankful that I have inherited my love of quilting from my mom.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

October Gratitude - Day 26

So very thankful for my 8 grandchildren.
Photo taken December 2012.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

October Gratitude - Day 25

Today I'm thankful that I am able to be back in my sewing room 3 weeks after surgery to repair the rotator cuff in my left shoulder. I'm working on a few projects that use precuts - fabric that I bought already cut into 10 inch squares & 2 1/2 inch strips. I'll sew a few tops now & then quilt  them when I have more mobility in my shoulder.

October Gratitude - Day 24

Thankful that as a couple, we have been able to travel to various places out of our province & country & enjoy tropical sunsets together.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

October Gratitude - Day 23

So very thankful for my church & the people in it - amazing, gifted pastors who preach & teach from the Bible, caring youth leaders & Sunday School teachers, many, many people who cared & prayed for us during these past 14 months. A place to worship in peace.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Monday, October 20, 2014

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Friday, October 17, 2014

October Gratitude - Day 17

Thankful that every spring, I can enjoy my favourite yellow tulips.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

October Gratitude - Day 15

Thankful for the many colours of Fall - my favourite time of the year.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

October Gratitude - Day 14


Thankful for the presence of prayer in my life.

Monday, October 13, 2014

October Gratitude - Day 13

Thankful for the gift of creating beautiful quilts for my family & others.