a peck and a cake....

Every day may not be good...but there's something good in every day.

I have no idea who said that...but it's so true. The sun is brilliant today...that's good. Today's temperature is not so good...it's -8 out at the moment and we are hoping that our grass fields which were already nice and green...aren't heavily damaged. Farming is all about weather...you know!

But we always have some reason to celebrate over here...and we've been eating cake with everyone we know for the last few days. Today we'll be having a slice for my niece, Gillian...who is having a birthday today...her first birthday as 'Mrs'! Now I really can't imagine Gillian as a Missus...the same girl who wore frilly dresses...and always carried a kitty...who played soccer or basketball with the boys...or took Emme and Spencer on adventures in more recent times. Where did the years go? We wish we could share a slice of cake with you today, Gillian...but we are having Manitoba weather in your honour...and we look forward to seeing you in the near future (somewhere warm). And I'll be posting 'your cake' recipe over at the MGCC blog soon...so if you want a piece of cake...you'll have to start from scratch!

So we send you our love...and a peck from your biggest fan club...and wish you many blessings today and in the year that lies ahead!

Have a wonderful day...

Pretending it's spring....

With a forecast of snow and frigid temperatures for the weekend...we decided to make the most of Friday's sunshine!

Emme and Spencer came for a sleepover...which started after school. It wasn't exactly balmy...but the girls were in spring mode and brought skipping ropes.

They needed someone to help turn the rope....Grandpa willingly obliged. Emme showed us it was possible to turn the rope at one end...and jump as well (boots and all)! Did we ever do that?

Oh to have that much energy!

And I was glad to see them playing 'Chinese skipping' (with an elastic rope) as well. That was one of my favorite games once upon a time...and I was surprised to see it is still around. I can hardly remember the rules...but know the rope kept moving higher until it was nearly impossible to skip over. Oh...the memories!

The swings which were in 'cold storage' all winter...are back where they belong...and the girls gave them a good workout.

They decreed that we were going to eat out on the patio...

...and so we did...although we were looking for jackets before we were done...and coffee! We had a fun time pretending it was spring...and now we are good and ready for the real thing. It sounds like we may just have to ride out a few days of cold weather first though!

We took in a local production of Joseph's Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Emme and Spencer on Friday night...and so it was rather a late evening for them. One would think that they would then sleep in on Saturday morning...but they awoke at the crack of dawn ( 6 AM) and came to join us in our bed. They used to beg for stories...now they tell the stories. What fun!

Once breakfast was over and done with...they had a little knitting to do. One of these days they will have finished their projects...although we don't actually know what they are knitting at this point. If you would love to knit...and haven't a clue...try a knitting loom. The girls are using Provo Knifty Knitters...which come with simple instructions for scraves, hats and more!

The sleepover ended...and so did all pretext of spring. We turned on the fireplace...and cooked soup....and played Rook...and visited with friends. It's all good!

Have a great day...

all things

And we know that in all things God works

for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 NIV

We took our granddaughters to see an excellent performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat this weekend. The life of Joseph is such a good reminder that even the troubles in our lives can ultimately be for our own good. Though his brothers meant to harm him...God used Joseph's suffering for a greater purpose. When we are looking through the rain...and the clouds...let's remember to keep our eyes on Jesus....and be assured that

all things will work together for good.