january blues...

January is known as a gloomy old month.

The days are short and grey...

and spring is still far away.

People talk about January blues...

and how to beat them.

My little grandgirlies came for a visit yesterday.

 

They are a cure for the blues any time of the year!

Lucy  came wearing a blue dress that her mommy wore so long ago...

...and her sister wore, not so long ago!

It was a dress that my mom knit for Heidi more than three decades ago. 

An heirloom to treasure.

We have photos of Maggie in the same dress...

at the same spot.

Two peas from the same pod...

one with more hair.

She's a character...

our little Lucy!

Mischievous...

loving...

and full of spunk.

And rarely at a loss for words...

at eighteen months.

 

 If you are suffering from January blues...

you may just need some grands!

little peeps...

My pre-school grands stopped by in the last few days...

...and had a fun time making 'little peep' nests.

Micah is two...

Maggie is three.

This little Easter project suited them just fine!

I had to think of our other little granddaughter...
who would have been four years old yesterday.

She came to us briefly on April 4th...

and then returned to the arms of her loving heavenly Father. 

We planted a pink magnolia tree in her memory.

It is in full bloom right now.

Hannah Shiloh

April 4th 2008 ~ April 4th 2008

Never forgotten!

the candy shop...OPEN at long last!

We don't give up so easily!  After five trips to the candy store...we finally arrived on a day that they were open.  It all began in July two years ago when we had a family reunion in the little village of Clayburn...and discovered they had a fabulous general store and tea shop, with the best selection of candy in this part of the world.  We promised the grands a trip to the candy store before we left for home...only to discover the store was closed on Sunday.  Fair enough!

One month later, we returned...with all the grands and all the moms.  It happened to be on a Monday...and they were closed!

During the Olympics of 2010, we took Emme, Spencer and Ryder to watch the Japanese speed skating team practise in Abbotsford...and stopped by the Clayburn General Store for a treat on the way home.  It was a Saturday...and they were closed (for winter vacation, or whatever).

Last May we made one more attempt. Emme was convinced the store would be closed on our arrival...and I assured her that couldn't possibly happen again.  And it did!  This time they were closed for pre-summer vacation.

That was over a year ago...and the grands have never forgotten about the promised trip to the candy store.  Last week...as they completed their school year and were promoted to the next grade...I suggested we make another trip to the candy store to celebrate.  Yesterday was the day...

...and there were no disappointments this time!  Do they look in a hurry to get inside? 

They just had the best time!

So many choices!  Emme and Spencer stocked up on candy for their summer business...the neighbourhood candy shoppe that they set up every summer.  

And once all the purchases were in the bag...

...we walked across the road to the park to enjoy a sweet treat, or two!  We never stayed long though...since the mosquitoes thought we were sweet treats to be enjoyed.

Before we left for home...we made a quick stop at the little soap shop in Clayburn.  I had a Groupon that needed to be redeemed.  The kids got candy...I got soap...and we all had a good time!

Clayburn  is a secluded little village at the foot of Sumas Mountain.  With it's brick buildings, neat gardens and picket fences it has that turn-of-the-century English feel about it. It was desgnated for conservation as a Heritage Site in 1996.  I think it's well worth a visit...or even five!  Oh...and I have three more grands that weren't along on the candy store expedition yesterday...so I'm sure we'll be visiting again.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Bridal Veil Falls ~ revisited

Since Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park is just a few minutes drive from 'my front porch'...it is a favorite spot of ours and one we visit often. It is the sixth highest waterfall in Canada...with the water tumbling almost 400 feet over a smooth rock face, creating a bridal veil effect. At this time of the year...there is an abundant supply of water coming from the mountains and rushing to the valley below.

On Sunday afternoon...we had a little sunshine.  We thought we should take advantage of the nice weather...and a quick hike up to the falls seemed like just the thing.

The three grands from next door were more than willing to join us...and thought it was 'just the thing' as well.  Do they look like they are finding the hike a real hardship?

Emme always thinks there has to be a way across!

And there is...though it comes with wet feet on occasion!

The tourists were all busy taking pictures...and so we handed them our camera as well.  

Bridal Veil Falls...always a delight.  We'll be back before too long...I'm sure!

our children's children...

Children's children are a crown to the aged...

Proverbs 17:6

Children's children...that would be our grands.

The aged...that would be me.  (Really?)

The grands have a way of making the aged smile.

Maggie has a new obsession.

Everything seems to be about Mickey and Minnie these days!

Ranen celebrated her fifth birthday a few weeks ago.

Since her dad is laid up these days...

I thought Operation may just be the appropriate gift for her.

I was sure he would be more than willing to teach her a few surgical skills.
 I haven't heard how that is working out!

Micah...always with a ready smile.

Though we have noticed he is beginning to show his independence...

and even stands up to his sister from time to time.

And on the farm...the grands are only too happy to spend quality time outdoors with each other...

and with Bentley!

(For the record...this photo was borrowed without permission from Broni's facebook page.)

They will hold your hand only a little while, but will hold your heart for a lifetime. 

I have a new Grandma tool that I am loving.

I was in need of a new Bible...and decided this was the one for me.

It includes 365 devotionals...by the likes of Ruth Graham, Jan Karon, Corrie Ten Boom and Emilie Barnes.

It also has a place to record milestones in the life of my grandchildren...and suggestions on how to pray for them at each stage of their life.

The Grandmother's Bible...yes, that's the Book for me!

 Have a wonderful weekend!