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What else has been going on around here…
- We Made It! December 22, 2025
- We Make Do, So Can You! November 2, 2025
- Twice in 3 Days October 31, 2025
- Processing Day October 26, 2025
- Raspberry Saskatoon Mead October 18, 2025
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Tag Archives: Faith
Somewhere around this time, half a century ago, my existence in this realm began. Newlyweds and Valentine’s Day and all…
This being a milestone year I’ve been thinking a lot lately about things like accomplishments, unfinished business and future things. Thinky things.
I like to think about this being the time that my parents were happy.
It was the only time, so far, that I’ve been to Canada. And with Canada’s draconian behaviour of late, I’m not planning on going again.
I was born in the snow and cold. (Well not literally, like my mom was inside the hospital.) But is that why I’ve always loved the snow? Is there a genetic reason why I love the snow? A geographical one? Or just a generic one?
I loved the mountains, even before I ever saw them in person. They were the subject of many of my juvenile drawings and again in my adult art class experience with Beverly years later. Mountains with pine trees with a log cabin. I need to live near them.
Is all of this coincidence?
I’ve been on a health kick recently. Which has been building for quite some time. Trying to improve my overall feeling of wellness, increased energy, etc. They all say everything is harder to do after 50, so… Best get to it!
This phase of life has me seeing my first born graduating highschool and eventually moving out on her own. Of course I knew this day would come. I’ve tried teaching her all necessary skills and instilling what wisdom I have to impart. And yet I find myself wondering how we got here, quite so fast. It’s hard for me to imagine daily life without her right here, with me, in my house. At the same time I’m looking forward to having an adult child to experience life with. I’m excited for her and all the new things she will get to experience.
Then the second one will follow in a few years… And before I know it, they all will be out in the big world on their own. Whatever will I do with myself?
Oh, I have plenty of ideas.
But I’ll think about that tomorrow. Along with those other inevitable things I don’t want to think about right now.
So thanks to my Mom & Dad for giving me life. Thanks to G-d for bringing me to this season, and with HaShem’s help, I’ll get through it.
Spending time with Niki during her visit in September we talked of many things but one very important concept was living a life of gratitude. Not just simply being thankful, which in and of itself is a good thing, but acknowledging others, being kind and realizing how much we have to be thankful for. Meditating on it.
As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness — just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm.
Laura Ingalls Wilder
When we live a life of gratitude it changes things. It changes how you think and act, even how your brain is wired, how you view the world, and how others view you (that’s not the goal but a side effect of sorts).
An important aspect of gratitude is expressing it. Telling others that you appreciate them and why, otherwise they may never know. Don’t let your moment of gratitude expression be at their memorial service. Tell them now.
Won’t you join me in practicing gratitude and post something every day for the next 30 Days? Begin the habit, if you’re not already, of expressing thankfulness in your own life.
#gratitudeattitude #thankful #grateful #givethanks
Well maybe not 10,000 but certainly a lotke of latkes.
We had our favorite everything bagels latkes, plain latkes with sour cream, Reuben latkes, pizza latkes and chili cheese latkes. Plus tater tots, which are basically mini latkes. And more plain latkes.
This was the year for latkes for us. And donuts, don’t forget the donuts.
Happy Hanukkah!
#AKlife
#hanukkah
#winter
Yesterday we were preparing for our Rosh Hashanah service, and having all these fresh local apples, we decided to make some apple prints!
It was chaotic, messy fun. In other words, normal arts and crafts time around here.
Each kiddo, and me too of course, printed two cards. We had fun being creative. And it’s always fun to see how each of the kids has a different interpretation on the assignment.
For my student taking botany (Lil Bit) this is her instruction on how to do specimen prints (with ink instead). I’m sure she’ll have an entire notebook filled with leaf prints by the end of the school year.
We went on to create some delicious salads to share at our service. I made this one because I love quinoa salads and this salad with kale instead of spinach (because that’s what I had!). Both were delicious and will be added to our regular menu.
Our service was lovely, adorned with beautiful sunflower bouquets! And delicious food of course. And we begin another year! L’Shana Tova!
If nothing else, the last month has reminded me of some of the most important things in life: family, friendship, faith, fun. And why do they all begin with the let “F”?? lol
Family: I miss my family greatly, my Mom and Richie. It’s hard not being able to jump in the van and drive down for dinner or just to say “Hi”. I miss those fuzzy mustache Richie kisses. My Seester is missing from me. Her vibrant love of life, her sarcasm. Her flamboyant style, hot pink and all. 🙂 And I miss John too, and his cooking. Don’t miss his farts tho. Nope. I miss my buddy Ace too.
Friendship: Elizabeth. Yep, miss her greatly. Our weekly visits and kid’s play time. Her brownies… 😉 Her smile and gentle spirit. I miss Teresa and Greg. Our Monday night Bible studies, our “Like-mindedness” in so many areas. Miss our fellowship times and camping fun.
Faith: I haven’t lost my faith by any means, but being here sort of isolated at the moment, I feel a little lost. We have tried to keep some semblance of routine with Torah readings and blessings, but with working long hours and being gone so much, it is really hard to do. I miss our fellowship and Bible study times with our friends. And I miss having the internet so I can watch/listen to weekly lessons. I hope that’s remedied soon.
Fun: ha. All work and no play makes Brandi a dull girl instead of a “fine” girl. Hiking, fishing, camping, 4-wheeling, bike riding… all these things I’d hoped to do A LOT of, well, we’ve done a bit of it, but not near enough here lately. Gonna have to work on that! More beach trips, and hiking trails are in our future. 😉 With only about 2 ½ months until freeze-up, we’d better get a move on! Then we’ll be ready winter fun activities. Snowmobiling mostly… more trips to the cabin, lots of cabin time I hope! A toasty fire and some hot cocoa.
If you’re mentioned above, I hope you know how much I love and miss you. If you’re not mentioned above, I hope you also know how much I love and miss you in my life as well. Just had to limit it to the highlights you know? 😉
Alaska on my mind... 