My Birthday

Today is my birthday. I am 28 years old, although in my heart I think I will always be 25. I am not really sure why but that is just the number that springs to mind when the question is asked.
On birthdays you tend to look back and then forward and some more one direction than others. But what of the moment? Most adults I know don't have birthdays anymore. At what age do we give up birthdays? And why? Is there any less to celebrate? If anything there should be more. One more year. Not just 8 years but 28 years. At 28 years, I know far more than I did at 8 years, I've experienced more, I am not feeling aftershocks of my parents divorce however I am living in three hills as opposed to on the beach in tsawwassen. YIKES! But all in all in this moment...I am blessed.

On the birthday Menu:

Homemade Dumplings
Orange and Soy Glazed Chicken
Rice
Green Beans

Chocolate Ganache Cake (made by my wonderful mother-in-law)

Can't wait!

Lent or lack thereof

Do you ever have those days where you just feel completely uninspired, lacklustre and down right grump for no apparent reason. I am having one of those days. I don't get it, I went to bed at a very reasonable hours last night, according to calculations, should not be PMSing and although chemical imbalances are a family trait we all savour I would like to think it is not that. So what? Is it because it is the first day of lent and the devil is trying to get me even though I haven't even decided what I am going to do.
Which brings me to lent. I want to love lent. And every year after Easter I have great hopes for what next year's lent might bring. It is almost like January 1st. Goals. It is all about sticking with something that will bring you closer to God.
One year I tried to memorize a piece of scripture everyday. Tried being the key word here.
This year, I thought I would give up meat but a.) Ben said that would be too easy for me and yet b.) I had some at lunch without even thinking about it.
I love the church we attend here but I do have to say that we do not give enough attention to the church calendar. I know that lent itself is a man instigated tradition but I appreciate the symbolism in things like lent, advent, epiphany whereas our Pastor admittedly has little need for these sorts of things.
uuuhhmmm, that's all I have to say about that right now.

Blessings on Valentine's Day

I don't really like Valentine's Day. In fact I would say that it is the most awkward day of the year. I am not intimate, affectionate or romantic so you can see why I would rather just skip over it. I told Ben that he didn't have to do anything and that I meant it. But yesterday I was blessed...three times:
First by my husband who bought me a new cookbook - one of my favorite things in whole world is in the simplicity of a new cookbook. This one is called Sunlight Cafe by Mollie Katzen. I haven't made anything of hers but have perused a couple of her books and am intrigued...she cooks with vegtables (novel, I know) I'll let you know how it goes.
Second, by a dear lady in our church who, goes by the name of Grandma Doerksen. Sometimes I think she adores Jakob so much just because he looks so much like another little boy she babysits but regardless, she makes sure he is well taken care of in Sunday School. She brought me flowers "to encourage me in my ministry and to keep going" - what an unexpected act of kindness.
And thirdly, by my "employer". I don't really consider her that - she is more of a friend because my "job" is more of a retreat. Valentine's Day at the Tea house is always hopping so I went in early to get a good start. When the night was well underway she told me the people at the fireplace wanted to see me. I glanced over and said, "there is nobody there." With some persuation I left my unfinished berry crepes and behold, there was Ben.
"Sit down and have dinner," she said.

Dear Freda,

This month we celebrate Freda's 80th birthday. Freda is my grandma...in the most intimate sense. You see, whether my grandma knows it or not she has been one of the greatest influences in my life. She has shaped who I am and speaks into who I am becoming. The memories that I have of my grandma are vast and moving. Memories of walking the beach, collecting rocks. Memories of painting my first watercolour, carving ducks and soldering stained glass. Memories of memorizing scripture in church. Memories of tending her chereished rose garden. Memories of identifying different birds in th ebay. Memories of trips to DressSew in Vancouver's east end and watching a parade from pigeon park. Memories of speculating on the eruption of Mt. Baker. Memories of watching Unsolved Mysteries, Jeopardy, Wheel of fortune and The Joy of Painting. The look on her face when she found out that I had pierced my belly button. Memories of tea...lots of tea.

You leave a great legacy Grandma. You loved with the love of God, and have been an example to the generations that follow. You have given so much to your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I always knew that my daughter would have your name, not to spite you, but to honour you. Thank you and Happy Birthday.