Fall 2014

 I love the fall season. I love the cooler weather, the smells of the forest, the many colours of the changing leaves.

So many colours in the bark of this tree.

Brightly coloured mushroom. The top 3 photos taken at Stephenfield Park.

The next three taken at the Hoop & Holler Bend close to Portage.

I love fall. Too bad it's such a short season!

The Note

Hubby & I were in Winnipeg for the past 2 days for medical appointments - for Hubby, not me - & we stayed at a hotel close to Polo Park.  Hubby left for his appointment early & I went for breakfast later in the morning. I thoroughly enjoyed  the coffee & apple pancake as I read on my Ipad. This is the note the waiter left for me when he brought my bill. When I left, the restaurant, I thanked him so much for the note & he said - "I just felt you needed that." & he gave me a hug. I was just so blessed by this young man & what I learned from this is - Oh, that I would be be just so open & listen to the guiding of the Holy Spirit that I would be used as a vessel to bless whoever crosses my path. My prayer for this young man is for courage to share his faith as the Spirit leads him.  

Summer 2014 - Part 2

 Crafting at Nanny's house.

 My 3 girls.

 Cousins

 Fountain at Bethel Heritage Park

 In my front yard!

Prairie Sunset.

Memories of Summer 2014 - Part 1

 Enjoying roll kuchen & watermelon with my mom.

 Canola field - a favourite prairie sight.

 The start of our screened sun-room.

 Albert with his Mustang.

 Stayed here with a dear friend.

 One of the flower gardens I visited.

 

 One of my projects this summer.

A few short blocks from my house.

Special Quilt for a Special Lady

 I made this quilt for my very good friend, Jolane. In early spring, I told her that I wanted to make a quilt for her & wanted her to chose the fabric. She picked the 2 main colours & I chose the cream & solid brown to compliment the brown/burgundy paisley & the brick tone on tone.

 

 The 2 pictures above, show the colour as quite scarlet but it is really more of a brick red. I hadn't worked with this combination of colours before & quite enjoyed watching these colours come together.

 I liked how the cream solid just popped out & enhanced the 2 other colours. This pattern was also fairly easy to sew. 

This is my friend, Jolane & myself. We have been friends for over 35 years & have had a lot of fun times. We have "had each other's backs" through family crisis, losing parents, kids graduating & getting married, grandchildren arriving, shopping trips & tropical holidays. Jolane & her husband, Harv, have been a huge support to us during this past year. I hope she enjoys this quilt for many years to come.

August 15

Have been thinking back to a year ago & remembering the events that happened that week. A year ago, on the 15th, was the memorial service. It was such a beautiful service - honouring two young men, taken too soon. Too soon in my way of thinking. The Scriptures say our days are numbered. The Lord knows the number of our days here on earth. He knows & He is in control. Some days that is easier to accept. Some days I sure do ask "Why?" The Lord knows my thoughts & understands my questions. Sometimes it's hard to believe a year has passed. Sometimes it seems like a bad dream, sometimes like it happened yesterday,  There is so much to think about, it's like a bad movie that goes on & on. The accident, talking to Albert on the phone while he was still at the accident scene, thinking that it can't be that bad, I spoke with Albert, riding to the hospital with my sister, waiting for news, so many details, so much to absorb. 

So many medical appointments for Albert, his injuries, when to help & when not to. 

Knowing that we could not have gotten through the first few difficult weeks without the One that carried us through, the prayers of many, many people who constantly & faithfully upheld us in prayer throughout this past year.

And so, time marches on, some days that is good, some days my thoughts are totally confused. The first year has passed, we have done all the birthdays, the holidays, the one year anniversary. How we all miss both Barry & Zach at family gatherings, it is just so empty, and so we must go on, we must celebrate life, each other, and one day, I'll see Barry & Zach again. In Heaven. And so, I'll take a deep breath, & with the Lord's help, live life each day to the best of my ability, being thankful for so many blessings, loving each of my family members, enjoying the many beautiful things in life.

August 8th

We little knew that morning

God was going to call your names

In life we loved you so dearly

And now we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you,

You did not go alone,

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.

You left us beautiful memories,

Your love is still our guide

And though we cannot see you,

You are both always at our side.

Our family chain is broken

And nothing seems the same,

But as God calls us one by one,

The chain will link again.

August 8, 2013

The day our lives changed forever.

Always in our hearts – Barry & Zach

Deeply loved & deeply missed.

Albert & Lillian Unrau

Allen, Lena, Jared & Brandon Unrau

Chris, Charlotte, Adam, Katie, Carly & Nick Unrau