reflections of 2009

January always starts with a big batch of New Years Cookies for my extended family gathering.
Tomorrow we'll be holding the festivities in my beloved's shop.
He has been cleaning and putting away equipment and today is giving his floor a good wash.

Our wonderful friend John passed away suddenly the beginning of February.
It has been hard to really get our minds around the fact that he won't be joining us for coffee this week or next week.
If I have learned anything this year. . .
it is "you just never know" and I've tried to keep my accounts short.
So often we talk about John. . the example he was . .. what he would have said on any given occasion and we miss him.
In February I turned 50 and thus began my year of Jubilee.


I ate cake. . .and lots of it.
I'm not one to turn down a reason to celebrate and since I didn't want one big party .. .
I enjoyed several.
My beloved took me pussy willow picking to celebrate the near end of winter.

The end of March we headed to the Oregon Coast for two weeks.
We had just purchased a travel trailer and we were just itching to give it a whirl.
It was still cool out and we wore jackets most days.
At night we were cozy warm .. .
and we loved it.
We walked . .
miles and miles of glassy sand ..
and watched the stormy skies.


We rarely ate out. . . cooking in the trailer seemed like such fun.
We would go most days to the market to pick up a few groceries and he'd sit and watch me from his vantage point. . .and I cooked with an audience. . .
and I loved it.
When we arrived home the beginning of April . .
spring had sprung . ..
and I fell in love with my garden .. .
again.

Looking through the pictures of this last year . . .
I see again what really does matter most to me.
I love my Creator . .
I love my family . . .
I love my friends . . .
and . .
I love food.

Every season has its own foods.
Paska is for Easter.
Easter is new life . ..and the greatest gift mankind has ever been offered.

The leaves were starting to really come out in May . .
and the weather started to warm up . .
and the promise of a warm summer was hopeful.
We played outside this summer with the energy of two year olds. ..
oh wait. .no the two year olds had the energy and we ran to keep up.



My rhubarb grew like a weed and I baked one rhubarb bar after another doing my part to keep the garden under control.
By June . . .
we were loving the toddler pool.
It was waded in by young and old alike and motor boat noise contests ran throughout the summer months.

The strawberries ripened on the vine in June and I did my part to keep the juices flowing between flaky layers of tender scones.
In June we took our annual family weekend.
It was sweater weather so . . .
we lounged at the warm and hot pools. . .
and relaxed.
We've decided that the two nights away are worth every cent.
We are blessed to have our family live close by . . .
but nothing is like a few days of rest and relaxing as a family.

In July. ..the blueberries ripened . . .
Rollkuchen and Watermelon is part of summer and we bought our fair share of watermelon and I think we ate our fair share of rollkuchen in the summer months.

and the lil' farm hand became a big brother.
He picked blueberries . . .
oblivious to the fact that the next day . . .
he would see his little sister and love her instantly.
Kanneloni Macaroni was born on July 15th.
Her blog name was picked in honour of her grandpa who loves his pasta like nothing else.
We had a contest at the pool during our weekend away. . .
and he won.
We love this little girl . . .
all of us do.

In honour of Kanneloni Macaroni's birth . . .
I invited all the girls and women who are part of her life to high tea.
She loved it.

In August we went camping to Manning Park for two weeks.

We were joined by our friends Ray and Becky and their son Robbie.
Together we went for long walks and planned scrumptious meals . .
and sat under canopies while the rain fell.
We loved it.

We were joined by S and Kathy and the meal planning and walking and fishing continued on.
We loved it.


In August the peaches were ready for picking . .
and I did my part to peel and dice juicy peaches into pie crusts.
My mouth has done it's fair share of watering . .
in preparation for this post.
I can't believe how many food pictures I've taken this year.
I have so enjoyed being part of Mennonite Girls Can Cook.
What ever did I do before blogging?
In September we went for a hike up Mt Cheam.
It was a cloudy day and I huffed and puffed my way up there.
At the top . . .
I fell in love with my creator all over again.
The end of summer was still warm and plenty of outside days were enjoyed.
We were given a toddler outdoor climbing toy . .
and the lil' farm hand and his grandpa cleaned it up . .
and set it up.

October had me longing for cream pie. . .
well truth be told I longed for cream pie while making this post and included the picture . .
because I can.

Apples were ready in October so I made apple pie and apple sauce.
My extended family held it's annual wiener roast at Dwain and Lori's my niece and nephews home.
It is one of the highlights of the year for our extended family.
I grew up on that farm . .
and it's wonderful to have the chance to go back there.

In November . . .
it started to cool . .
and the winter hats and puffy vests came out of the closet.
and . .
we played outdoors.
In early November I started sewing and decorating the bungalow for the Christmas home tour.
It was something I have thought about doing over the years.
I enjoy fussing now and then . .
and the encouragement of friends had me convinced we could do it together.
It's been a good year.
There of course has been hard days . .
but through it all . .
there has been blessings.
You may not have a blog of your own but you can look through your own pictures and you can see where you heart has been.
It's a opportunity to reflect on the blessings we have.


My life is full.
I have friends who are so good to me.
I have grandchildren who love me with open arms . . .who are healthy and happy.
I have children who are a blessing to me by the lives they are living.
I have a husband who remains my dearest one and only.
It's all good here in the bungalow.
We talk about setting goals for the new year.
We strategize and plan for our future.
I have lots of small goals but I also have one important big goal.
I call it my end goal.
At the end of my life. . .
whether I live another 50 years or if I die this next year . . .
I will be with my creator . .
the one who gave me this year . . .
of Jubilee. . .
and because of that . . .
I have joy. . .
All for now. . .

 

Comments

  1. It was difficult to finish reading your post because of the tears...as I read along through your year of remembrances, I thought of my own year just past, filled with happiness and sadness...but the happiest feeling I have is that of thankfulness for all the blessings He has bestowed on us, and for that reassurance of an eternity with Him.

    Thank you for your faithfulness and encouragement...your blog is a wonderful ministry in itself and you are a marvelous hostess!

    Happy 2010 to you and yours!

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  2. I absolutely love your blog. I have been reading it since around your birthday. So inspiring!

    My little deckhand is a few months younger than Lil farmhand, and a new niece a few months younger than K.M.

    I wish you best wishes for 2010 to you and your family! God Bless.

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  3. What a beautiful post Lovella! Thank you for sharing..I laughed and cried with you through the highs and lows.
    Many blessings in the new year of 2010!
    Word verification: hikinglo (hikinghi would have been better..grin)

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  4. What an amazing post! A blessed year of jubilee! May 2010 bring you many more exciting adventures with our Lord!

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  5. Every single visit here has been a real blessing in my life! Reliving these events is another special blessing. Like I have told you many times, you have a way of drawing one in and helping them to understand just what you are sharing. This is a beautifully photographed and written post! I went from feeling deep sadness to feeling great joy and thankgiving. See...you know how to draw out those reactions in your visitors.

    Wishing you and your family moments of joy and blessing in 2010!

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  6. What a lovely look back over 2009 Lovella. ha...I think food would be right up there in my year, too. Walks, food, friends and family. Looking forward to see what God brings your way in 2010! A very Happy New Year to you and yours...

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  7. Thank you dear Lovella for your 'reflections', I was into your serious posting, then laughed at the part about.....loving food(LOL!) only because you were talking so serious and that seemed funny to me to say something like that, but you are honest, it seems and I like that.

    I was starting to tear up at the end of your post here. Thank you for "sharing" your reflections with the past year.

    Kind regards.

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  8. One more thing, and I hope you don't mind me asking? Do you keep a journal/diary(don't answer of course if your not comfortable to answer, I'm just curious, and was thinking to do this myself) through out the year and if so, in what ways do you feel it benefits you and your life?

    Kind regards.

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  9. You summed up so well 'what matters most'...with your reflections on the year about to end. Each year comes with it's joys and sorrows...but to know without a doubt that God is faithful...makes each day worth living to the fullest.

    Wishing you and Terry a blessed new year.

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  10. It's the treat of my day to read your blog, Lovella. Your love for our Creator shines through. I really enjoy your creative ability to share your blessings. GBYRG in 2010.

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  11. Lovella, I've come to the end of this post with a moist eye, a grin, and a growling tummy...I'm hungrier than the dickens. Thank you for sharing your year of Jubilee in review. A very Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  12. I enjoyed reading this review ... so much of it so familiar, like I almost lived it with you. Thank you for your friendship this pst year. It means a lot to me. Wishing you continued joy in every aspect of life ... private and public. =)

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  13. Thanks for letting us come along for the ride Lovella. It is always a joy and a blessing to read your blog. It is a nice little reminder of home as well. What a wonderful year of jubilee you have had. Here's to 2010!!
    Leana

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  14. What a wonderful way to review your past year...and it's so fun to see how your little grandchildren were reflected many times.
    It's always interesting to see each others reviews..Your 50th Jublilee is something we all remembered.
    May you reach many new milestones next year. More energy and health for the New Year

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  15. What a lovely post of pictures of your past year - so many blessings we have and so much to be thankful for - Wishing you and Terry a Wonderful New Year - lots of love, Flo (and Tim!)

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  16. i LOVED this post, lovella! what a wonderful way to end such a lovely year.

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  17. Your year definitely centered on 'what matters most' .
    A poignant post beautifully done as all your posts are.
    I wish you a year as blessed as the one just past!!
    Happy New Year, cousin!!!!

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  18. This post made my mouth water. Mostly at the Watermelon and Rollkuchen. Mmmmmm...
    Happy New Year!

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  19. As always, I am encouraged and blessed to read your post. Your world is beautiful, real, lovely. I imagine being part of your family would be a very special thing indeed. I am grateful for you and this blog, Lovella. Thank you, and many blessings for 2010...

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