Overwhelmed by Photos

I've spent days and days viewing my summer pics - there are so many good ones, thanks to Cadence!

So, I'll begin at the start of summer, when my Mum (Muriel) was staying with us. We visited Vancouver Island and Buchart Gardens. This was at the end of June. I felt that the Gardens weren't really at their peak. Another month, and they'd be fantastic. I'm not one for lots of pretty annual flowers - planted en-mass. But I enjoyed the landscaping, architectural structures and watching people from all over the world:)

This was a girls day out - Craig had planned a fun day for himself and Curtis - a zipline adventure! Of course, there are no pics of them, but they had a blast!

Off they go to school - with a good breakfast inside of them

Well, I've just waived off Cadence for her first day of school. She's a "big girl" now! Eighth Grader (top of the school) ... next year, HIGH SCHOOL!!!

Curtis was picked up by a friend and they went to Starbucks for breakfast earlier. He's a "BIG BOY" now - Senior (top of his school)... next year, COLLEGE!!!

Curtis is now working at Arnies, here in Mukilteo. He's busing tables. We are banned from the place (by him). He knows us too well! He knows we'd heckle him:) He's really looking forward to getting paid on Friday :) He has the money spent already, as he needs a new (well second hand) bass amp.

So, last night after dinner, Cadence asks me if I made Sconuts for breakfast in the morning. It is a ritual now. I make them every year just before school starts, so that the kids have some quick breakfasts in store just in case they sleep in.

So, I get out all the "in-greedy-a-ments" and get to work. Curtis walked through the door after his shift at work, "Mmmmmm Sconuts"? So he had one for his supper:)

The problem is that they're so yummy and delicious that they get gobbled up within this first week of school, I make another batch ... and another ... and then the kids get sick of them! I sometimes add chopped apples, bananas or cranberries, nuts, flax meal - whatever I have to change them up a little. They freeze really well, and they are made in the food processor, so they're super easy - which is why I make them:)

Here's the recipe:

2 c old-fashioned oats
2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c brown sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 c butter, cut up
3/4 c buttermilk
1 large egg
cinnamon sugar

Oven temp 425 deg F.

In food processor combine sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Pulse to blend. Add butter, pulse until coarse crumbs form.

In cup, beat buttermilk and egg. With processor running add egg mixture and pulse until a dough forms.

Scoop dough by 1/4 cups (well rounded heap on a serving spoon) onto cookie sheet. The mounds should be 2 1/2 inches high and round. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and bake 15-17 minutes or until golden on bottoms.

I hope that you get the opportunity to make these and try them out on your family too!

Back to School Shopping

I've taken a couple of months off from this blogging malarkey - and now I hope I'm back. Having the kids around during the summer months keeps me away from the computer, or, at least, having to share it with them.

I'm still enjoying my summer and looking forward to the weather warming up again in the next few days. I hope to get to tell you some summer stories and share some photos of Summer 2009 over the coming months.

Today, we've been back to school shopping. This inspired me to search for a poem I wrote a couple of years ago. We were shopping today for school supplies ... and ... erm ... underwear!

Our church has just kicked off its annual Back to School supply drive called "Backpacks and Boxers". We gather together backpacks and school supplies along with new socks and underwear and donate them all to a local charity called Clothes for Kids in the city of Lynnwood.

The kids and I enjoy shopping for back to school items every August ... and I always feel so very blessed to be able to buy my own kids school items and new clothes.

I think this poem was birthed out of the kids and me laughing at silly cartoon character underwear in one of the stores ... it got quite out of hand and the result is a not very politically correct poem, which would struggle to make it to print anyplace else ... but on my blog :)

Enjoy, and it feels good to be back!

Smalls, tighty-whiteys, boxers, underwear
All for the kids – let’s show them we care
Bikinis, boy-leg, high-cut, but NOT thongs
Buying those as a church outreach would be wrong!

Little bums, big bums, it don’t matter
Pick some large if you wish for the bums that are fatter
Buy a pack of each size to cover your bases
Think about the kids as you’re shopping at Macys

They’re on sale today, for return to school
Buy boxes and boxes – now THAT would be cool
Flower prints, power rangers to name but two,
Buy one, buy all – its really up to you

Reaching out to families, locally, in need
It’s what we do here, so please take heed
Clothes for Kids will receive our briefs
If we don’t do this, we could see kids wearing … leafs?

Taking a deep breath ...

The next 4 weeks are going to be FUN - and we're looking forward to it all.

I spent this evening at the outlet mall. Naturally, we visited Starbucks, but by mistake I ordered regular coffee instead of decaf, so I'm going to be wide awake for quite some time ... here's how the first half of our summer looks ... on caffeine ...

TidyHouseFiddleClubByeCraigHelloMum(Tears)KidsOutOfSchoolHelloCraigHello
PortlandByeMegSeeYouInAFewHelloVancouverIslandHelloBrotherJonHelloSisIn
LawKarenHelloShep(GetDownShep!)LetsDoSomeSightseeingByeVancouverIsland
AndFamilyButNotMumHelloMegIMissedYouHAPPY4TH!Charley&Laura's???Lets
DoMoreSightseeing(andshopping)LetsGoHereLetsGoThereLetsDoThisLetsDoThat
I'mTooHotSkagitFiddleCompetitionCurtisbecomesACitizenPARTYIHOPE?ByeMum
LoveYou(Tears)What?ItsTheEndofJulyAlready?

OK ... well, I'm going to go off and do something productive with my late night, like ironing and paperwork, possibly sort out the spare room ... Everybody has gone off to bed - even the dog!

Cadence's Flute Recital

Cadence began taking flute lessons 3 years ago, through the Gene Nastri School here in Mukilteo.

I admit that I am living a part of my life through my kids! When I was her age, I got to "try out" for the flute at school - there was only one flute available (buying your own flute in those days was simply not an option). Several girls competed for this flute - whoever got a note out of it got to learn. Needless to say, I didn't get the instrument - I got the double-bass instead!!! I don't know how somebody decides - Lisa's crap at the flute - let's give her the biggest string instrument we can find - she'll do much better with that!

Anyways, Cadence is coming to a turning point in her flute playing days. She doesn't want to take part in school band again in 8th grade and doesn't want to entertain the idea of joining the Everett Youth Symphony orchestra (option B). She really enjoys her private lessons and the music she plays with her teacher (Kristie Wiant) ... we're not sure what's next for her musical career, but she says she'd be happy just taking lessons from Kristie for a while ... so, we will do that and wait and see what High School brings along in a year.

She's made some major progress this year with her breathing and 'embouchure' and she's sounding great!

Yes, she has spent many times trying to teach me how to make a sound on the flute - after all these years - I still can't do it :( I'll stick to my only musical outlet - very rusty piano playing.

One of the best kept secrets in Lynnwood ...

The name of the church I attend is The Rock Church.

(This sentence is such a weak description of my feelings - its more than "the church I attend" but for now, it will have to do).

You can find their website here. You can listen to past sermons, become a fan on Facebook and read the church's blog.

I LOVE this church! It has been so many things to me over the ... almost 10 years(!) I've been attending.

This is the place where I came to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. This is where I received acceptance - not judgement - for simply being me. This is where I went to grieve and ultimately began to heal. This is where I am planted and growing. I feel like I can be myself here and I am accepted - warts and all!

Somebody recently described The Rock Church as "one of the best kept secrets in Lynnwood" - and I whole-heartedly agree.

"Helping people discover a growing relationship with Jesus Christ" and "a church for the unchurched" are the philosophies of this place. Its a safe place to come and find out more.

Now, when I say "Church" what do you picture in your mind? An old brick building?, tall spires?, stained glass windows?, that old fusty smell perhaps?

The Biblical term for church is not the building - its the PEOPLE!

That is how our church is.

We meet in the great hall of a high school. Everything needed for Sunday mornings is stored in a huge trailer ... and stored off-site ... and trucked in every Sunday.

When I say I love my church, it is the people I love. We've pulled together when times got rough, we've prayed for families when their babies were dedicated, cried for joy when friends were baptized, supported families during their troubles and laughed at each other's misfortunes and mistakes ... We are a friendly bunch, big on get togethers and Life Groups (Bible Study groups), genuinely interested in people and doing life together.

We've dedicated time and money to important non-profit organizations in the Lynnwood area, national disaster relief and overseas and loved upon and welcomed new people, young and old who have walked through its doors.

If you have needs or are curious about the whole Church thing, you are welcome to come and check us out! No strings attached - honestly. Come grab a coffee, even pick up a welcome gift, and experience a unique Sunday morning. Please, don't wait for an invitation to come from me - if you read my blog (and you live in the greater Seattle area) - this is your personal invitation from me - just show up!

Wear your fave pair of jeans - no need to dress up - unless you want to :) Coffee will be good and hot and the music will be LOUD. 10 am start.

I look forward to meeting you there sometime soon!

If you don't know who I am, just listen for the dulcet tones of a Yorkshire accent - and you'll have found me.

By the way, next Sunday is Mother's Day - there's a special morning celebrating Mums starting at 9.30am - all I can say is that it will be "YUMMY".

Patience Strong

I'm a big fan of a little known English poet from the 1940's and 1950's.

I grew up reading my Mum's "Women's Realm" magazines. Each week, they'd feature a poem by Patience Strong.

I don't know much about her, but I have always enjoyed the simpleness of her poetry and her faith in God.

Tomorrow is Muriel's (my Mum's) birthday. So in honour of your birthday, Mum, here's a poem which, funnily enough is found in a daily poetry book I own ... for tomorrow, May 4th.

"Someone is Thinking of You" by Patience Strong

Someone remembers - and somebody cares.
Your name is mentioned in somebody's prayers ...
Keep the bright hope of the future in view.
Someone is thinking of you.


I love you, Mum. I'm so proud of you. I still hate being 4952.32 miles away on our special days. Take care of yourself, keep dancing, keep happy, keep healthy ... we're counting down the days!