My Front Porch: May 2009

Saturday, May 30, 2009

when CBC came calling...

When a CBC news van shows up at my front porch...I would be more than willing to talk, right? A blogger always has a lot to say...and would jump at the chance to say it on the evening news...one would think. Not so.

The CBC news crew did show up here yesterday afternoon...and when I saw the cameraman setting up...I voiced my strong objections. I had my opinions all right...and I saw what was happening on the freeway next to our farm...but there is no way I would go on camera and tell all of Canada about it. Give me a keyboard and a computer screen and I'll talk...there's always the option of deleting if it doesn't come out right the first time. After a little begging and pleading on their part...the nice people from CBC realized they wouldn't be getting an interview from me.

Yesterday was rather like a 'hot day in July' over here...with sizzling temperatures...and not a good day to be stuck on a freeway...going no where. A serious traffic accident involving a semi-truck shut down the Trans Canada Highway adjacent to our farm again yesterday.

All afternoon the vehicles were stationary...and sometime mid-afternoon the CBC News crew arrived and set up just down from our place to get a piece of the ~~action~~ inaction. It is becoming a rather too frequent occurrence...with MVA's shutting the freeway down for hours at a time.

The people from CBC never totally struck out at our place though...the farmer drove into the yard just as I was sending them packing. He was more than willing to give them a piece of his mind...and so he did. I had to stay up to watch the late news last night...just to hear what he had to say.

I don't usually post on Saturday...but it's not every day I turn down an offer from the CBC...so I just had to post it...for the record. To all of you who are out and about on the roads this weekend...may you have safe travels...and may you arrive at your destination in good time!

Enjoy your weekend...

Friday, May 29, 2009

can you wait?

I love the enthusiasm and the excitement of kids! It's almost contagious. My grandson gets really excited about upcoming events...and is always looking forward to something. "I can hardly wait!" is a favorite expression of his. After repeating it to me a few times...he looked at me and said, "Grammy, can you wait?" I guess he was wondering if I get excited about things as well.

Even a few treats at a tailgate party out in the field are worth getting excited about! Lunch has been delivered to the field on a few occasions this week...as everything is about getting the spring field work finished.

Hubby was planting corn yesterday...something he's really good at...

...since he's been practising for almost four decades. He has one more field to plant...and then it's all done for this year (maybe even today).

Grammy can hardly wait!

Have a great weekend...

Thursday, May 28, 2009

think pink...

I know the route to my favorite garden shop well by now...and yesterday found me making my way there once again. And much as I enjoy all their beautiful plants...

...there's nothing quite like the blooms growing wild and free along the roads.

The wild roses are out in full force. They may be the official flower of Alberta...but they are the unofficial flower of my neighbourhood! Ahhh...the scent is exquisite...and a welcome addition to our 'country' air.

A touch of pink along the fenceline brightens up the landscape.

The rhodo's are at their prime...

...and the pink dogwood is just beginning to put on a show.

I came home from the garden shop with a trunk full of plants...and some local strawberries. They are being grown in greenhouses in our neighbourhood...and are so much better than the imported ones available in the grocery store.

The sun was shining and we had Mile High Strawberry Dessert for supper...I posted the recipe over at MGCC blog...if you are interested.

Enjoy your day...

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

it's a small world...after all

I just have a wee story to tell today...that is just too uncanny to keep to myself.

A friend showed up at the door last night...he had some news to share. He had just returned from a trip to Israel, Turkey and Kyrgyzstan (part of the former Soviet Union)...where he was a part of a delegation of business men who work with different levels of government officials of various countries to open doors for Christian organizations to work there. His group had twenty-four different meetings scheduled...but in the country of Kyrgyzstan they travelled high into the mountains and met with some missionaries who are doing a wonderful work in that country. One of the Kyrgyz men happened to know five languages...and was acting as a translator for their group. He questioned our friend as to what part of Canada he might be from...and when he heard the name of our city, he said he had a cousin that lived there. It wasn't long before they connected all the dots...and my hubby was the 'cousin' he was referring to. Now this is one cousin we have never met...and that he would even know of us is amazing!

In 1924 my father-in-law left Russia together with his parents and siblings...they escaped with little besides the clothes on their back in hope of a better life in Canada. My father-in-law's oldest sister was newly married...and chose to stay behind in Russia with her new husband. He was a leader in the church...and lost his life under the communist regime. All contact with the sister was lost...and for decades they all wondered what had become of her. It turns out...she raised a family of four children on her own....and did a fine job of it. She has gone on to her reward...and all four of her children left the 'former Soviet Union' to make their home in Germany in the early nineties. One of their children chose to stay on...and do mission work in Kyrgyzstan. He has been involved in translating the Bible into the language of the people. This is the man who met our friend on the mountain trails near Mongolia last week. How amazing is that?

There are things in this life that are just totally unexplainable. But to the One who knows how many hair there are on my head...

...and who can make sense of the tangled webs of our lives...there are no mysteries!

Have a wonderful day...

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

cowbells and rösti...

When I think of Switzerland...I think of lush green pastures and twisting country roads and high mountain passes...

...of cowbells ringing throughout the countryside. And mostly I think of our friends who live in the French part of the country. And I smile...as I think of the good times we have had when we visited them. They were excellent tour guides...and took us to places that no tourists go.

We picnicked on Mont Soleil...visited the caves where the Swiss Mennonites secretly met to worship in the 16th century for fear of persecution...

....and observed a Swiss wrestling match.

We saw glaciers...crossed lakes...and rode a gondola to the top of the Schilthorn.

We spent some time at the homestead where Pierre grew up...

...and met his mother and enjoyed produce fresh from her amazing garden.

The food we enjoyed while in Switzerland are dishes we will never forget...we had raclette, fondue and rösti...and cheeses that we had never before heard of.

Pierre's mother invited us for dinner...and prepared a traditional Swiss meal which included rösti.

She was a warm and hospitable lady...who bustled about in her cozy country kitchen to serve her Canadian visitors. When I think of true Swiss dining...I think of eating in the Boegli kitchen.

Rösti is a dish made of grated potatoes (somewhat like hashbrowns) and fried until tender on the inside with a crunchy golden crust.

I've tried my hand at cooking rösti recently...and if you are interested in having Swiss-style potatoes...I posted the recipe right here.

Thoughts of our time spent in Switzerland bring back many wonderful memories. Oh yes...and today I am remembering that Ute is celebrating a birthday....and sending birthday greetings her way...and wishing her all good things in the year that lies ahead.

Have a great day...

Monday, May 25, 2009

a sunday afternoon delight....

Not that long ago...we toured a few landmarks on the north shore of the Fraser River...not all that far from here. We have so many treasures nearby that many of my friends have never taken the time to visit. So...I organized a tour...and ordered some sunshine...and lined up a few vans...and took a whole gang along for the ride yesterday afternoon.

Our first stop was Westminster Abbey...home to a Benedictine monastery and Mission's most imposing landmark. The grounds are rather like a park...but are actually a part of a working farm operated by the self-sufficient monks.

The abbey stands atop a ridge overlooking the Fraser River valley....and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

The monks welcome people of all faiths...and the monastery is open to the public every afternoon. We entered quietly...and observed the beauty of the sanctuary...and respected the signs that indicated we were in a quiet zone. Someone suggested it would probably be acceptable for us to sing...and so we sang "Praise God from whom all blessings flow..." in four part harmony...in a building with amazing acoustics...and it was good!

We chatted with a monk...who told us about their facilities...their lifestyle...and their farm. They planned to make grass silage today...exactly what we are doing here on the farm today.

From there we all wandered down the trail...

...through pastures and woods...where the scent of spring flowers hung in the air...and the birds provided the music.

The trail ended at a viewpoint...overlooking the Fraser Valley and the farms of Matsqui Prairie just across the river. And the mountains...my favorite peaks...were all clearly visible.

Just a short drive away...we stopped by Nielson Park...along the banks of Hatzic Lake. People picnicked and water skiied...we watched and then carried on our way.

In a few short months, the new Golden Ears Bridge will be ready for use...and the last remaining ferry across the Fraser River will be pulled out of service. So we thought we would take the Albion Ferry one more time...for the record. We had not really counted on a three-sailing wait...but we were in good company...so even the waiting was good.

The actual ferry crossing takes only about five minutes...so I had to be quick with the camera.

The only other river traffic on this bright sunny Sunday...were the tugs pulling logs.

Our trip across was uneventful...and soon we were in Fort Langley...the perfect spot to find a bite to eat and end our tour for this time.

Next stop? I'll keep you posted...there's no end to things to see and do in the beautiful Fraser Valley!

Have a great day...

Sunday, May 24, 2009

the right path

You have made known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

May we know the joy of God's presence

...and the certainty that we are on the right path.

Blessings,

Friday, May 22, 2009

Roving Reporter Runs with R...

Since I've been busy visiting garden shops...and quilting stores...and having family time...I've recruited a little help over here.

A roving reporter from Trail, British Columbia (also known as my 'long lost cousin') took up Monday's letter meme challenge...and has agreed to be my guest blogger today. Before I turn 'My Front Porch' over to her...let me just make the appropriate introductions. Marilyn...as she is known to most...grew up just down the road from me...and we shared many good times together 'back in the day'. We had sleepovers...shared chicken pox...watched Amateur Hour together on Sunday afternoons...and attended the same school for many years. We even went to German school together on Saturday mornings. Life happens...and now we mostly see each other at special family occasions. Marilyn's life revolves around her family...her involvement in community musical productions...and she loves to travel. Here's Marilyn...and the Letter R Meme.

Things I like with the letter R...

Raindrops...