Second Album Released Today!!

I love when he gives himself a great  lifetime Birthday gift!
4 years ago today the first album,

Still Hallelujah was released.

To hear the new album,

Let Someone Love You
Visit http://www.hereboymusic.com

 15 years ago today I met the man who would be my Husband.
It was his Birthday the next day, Oct. 21 and he wanted to invite us all to a fireside party in Three Hills.
I was getting rather familliar with this small town already, our dear friend Ranae lived there and we would visit her amongst other new friends at the Prairie High School.
It was still all new and when I saw him, for an instant, all I could see was his blue eyes lighting up the room.
 I was painfully shy, so very shy that his first impression was of myself~ just a flash of red hair, running away..

Thank you for being part of the soundtrack of my life.
Happy Birthday Daryl

Moments

For this one moment I need you near, in this moment please pray for me.

I feel the waves wash over me when ever the tears well up.

When all I can ask is why.

This moment you are seeing me, deeper.

Where my heart lies.

This moment I need a peace that will blanket me with the comfort of hope..

Poetry paints an image of tears falling free spilling over like leaves in the autumn season.

Inside I am renewing, and waiting, being apart of me in this moment.

Colors flare as the ground rests, lay my burdens down.

A moment, then forever when we touch the lives of those we hold dear .

"Mom you know that Banana Bread you like to make for after school?
Well it's basically Awesome!"

Oh so filling & very wholesome, here is our favorite banana recipe to share.

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup of (natural sugar cane), or raw sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp sea salt

2 big, or 3 medium over ripe smashed bananas

1 Tbsp ground flax seed mixed with 3 Tbsp water, and set aside to thicken for a few min.

1 tsp vanilla extract

a half cup of chocolate chips or substitute with:

(1/4 cup raisins &

1/4 cup chopped walnut halves or another nut you like)

To Make:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix 1 1/3 cups flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 
In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients. Add the wet to the dry. 

Pour into a large bread pan that is lightly oiled. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

Enjoy with your favorite Autumn cuppa!

This week...
I saw myself twice, once in the mirror and the next in a dream.
I asked for help, it was time to help me see the woman in the mirror and the child in the dream.
With Prayer and counseling the words lead me to and from Ephesians 5:26.. protected, healed, comforted, loved.
Intertwined with this life and once upon a time. I discovered that, in this peaceful transition, what I already knew.
I am not 'your' child anymore, no I am a Woman. With this, I am after a heart so pure, only my one true protector has it.
"Where were you when they told the news? Chances are you already knew."
This week someone stopped me in my tracks with a realization that for once I can say to myself this that for once I can actually hold and comfort that child. Through prayer of healing, this child is no longer, and it is blanketed by a secure comfort of a life now lived. A life of faith, of thanksgiving, of adoration, of love. Forgiven those with a wholeheartedness as I let go. Left behind are the burdens, and baggage dragged to the cross, with every emotion, every toy from a life of struggle. By the time it's up on that hill at the foot of the cross there are no handles left to hang on to, with hands achey and my back bent in strife. Down there.. where it will be laid forever, walk away, do not turn back to stare on the pile of mud, but rather think on the Forever Freedom.

A Giveaway

In the true nature of bringing in the harvest.
Of having a festive Thanksgiving meal,with Family and Friends.
"I want to share a giveaway."
During our time this summer with a local CSA I had the chance to also purchase wool. The fleecy sheep that run around in the fields are very well taken care of and free range.
The shorn fleece is then taken to an antique woolen mill, where it is washed & carded.
The fantastic lopi that I have in abundance has been part of our Thanksgiving feast this weekend as I am now done knitting a sweater..again.

Thank you for sharing your Thanksgiving moments. :)
-I left an announcement in the comments of this post.

Friends & Followings

The boys come home often from school with wild stories about how they are going to travel to far off places and bring back treasures. 

~They are going to do this when they are older and have lots more poles to build rafts out of. 

But first they need to go recycle bottles and plastics to help save up for their green fuel.~

It always strikes me how nostalgic this feels for me.  

Fortunately the clubhouse is in our backyard, and the trampoline launches each child into a universe of imagination.

Just in case they read this in 10 years, 'less or more' here's to you Brothers, following your friends, 

Thank you for sharing through your eyes a tremendous creativity that speaks volumes! 

This much I know for certain, the years sure fly by too fast!

Reflections of Thankfulness

Sometimes there is a grand adventure. Sometimes I just want to escape, to the great outdoors. hike in the mountains, camp in the trees, walk barefoot on the moss and lie down to look up to see the sky peeping out between the forest of treetops.

















alone.

















Sometimes when the night is quiet and there is a coffee in reach, while the quiet mounts and I feel a sigh of relaxing escape my body, I am thankful that it is late, there are no restraints and I can write, or knit or stretch for no reason.


When all that is building in my mind and soul finds its way to the top with no words to describe it, sometimes the hurt and the anger emerge. and I ask Why was I created.

I am thankful for the answers that whisper softly in my ears.
~I love you child and you are precious to me. The dear heart I have knit together is full of kindness and grace, you're


gentle and fierce. I love everything about you no matter how you say, Why am I here, why did you make me this way. Always know that I knew you through every minute of your life and you are welcome to ask why.
sometimes.


This year I counted some blessings too.

Music.
47 balls of yarn.
106 sets of needles and crochet hooks inherited from my Grandmother.
22 boxes left to unpack.
Photography & arts.
4 children & 2 parents that are happy to call this new town, and new home. Home.
5 weeks of falling leaves.
1 Husband who is following a dream come true.
15 eggs provided in a timely situation.
1 Kai build.
2 Asher portfolios.
1 Azaelea that dances for any song.
1 quizzical Ethan that loves numbers as much as his Mom.
4 boxes of art supplies.
5 beds for our family to sleep on.
10 blogs that I read regularly.
Friends.

A Little Time to Knit

Thank you Christine,
for capturing my love for knitting as I finished this sweater.

Thank you Friends,
who travel this journal with me.
Truly you are an encouragement.

Thank you Karin,

who has been reading from the beginning.
I have spent time reading and listening to all the responses,
not always with my eyes, also with my heart.

I hope that you know that your words are peaceful,
uplifting, joyful. I see your heart when you share.

Happy Birthday Kai

Three hours ago

I was sitting with my children, relaxing after a full morning of unpacking, just knitting away. As I paused and saw all their faces so intent on the project they were working on, Kai asked; "Mom are you going to take a picture of that sweater when you are done?" "Yes that would be a great idea Kai!" Then as I finished the last stitch and lifted it into the air, there was a gasp that escaped my chest. I had dropped a stitch about 6 inches from the bottom. "That's OK mom, Ethan reassured me, we'll keep you company while you re knit that part." I couldn't help feeling that sense of relief, like a big bear hug from his kindness, listening with my heart I heard the patience that was his gift.
It is completely knitted now.

I was reminded of three years ago.
We were waiting for the birth of our daughter, a little sister that had been an answered prayer for our Ethan. He had also asked Santa to please send him a little sister.
This was a long wait for him, and he learned that patience was a gift.

A little time to share my 10 delights for this season

 1. I finished another tiny sweater. It was lovingly knitted then given to our youngest niece.
A mini version of the original Shalom cardigan

I had been working on the first one and found somethings with my needle size challenging, so took the positive high road and made the mini version.

2. In our family we have many Birthdays to celebrate in the Fall. Kai will be first, he is very excited to be 6.

3. Summer is over and school has resumed. The quiet mornings have been tender times with my daughter. Sometimes on a rare occasion I can sit with her and knit while she snuggles in and watches a favorite video.

4. A new Home, A new job and it's a blank canvas starting over. With a new atmosphere and witty new projects.

5. Morning black coffee.

6. Sleeping soundly Saturday mornings.

7. Listening to the new Live Priscilla Ahn album.

8. There are plenty of trees in our backyard, with lots of playing, biking and new friends, the kids adventures outside are fascinating..they have grand ideas about changing our garage into their shop, or a theatre or a skate park.

9. Crunchy leaves, piles of leaves and blowing leaves, the crispness in the air is so refreshing.

10. Daryl & I took a temperament test from a great book 'Please Understand Me 2' by David Kiersey. We both had to take it twice. The second time it was truly eyeopening. A composer and a counsellor/healer have been living together seeing our lives richly emerge. Where with some new inspiration and information we can actually now understand each other in just those quiet moments more.

Please friends share a delight or two from your season, I would enjoy that.

Stay Here With Me

Found you up in your tree again
Tried to talk you down
Baby you know I understand
Sometimes you don't wanna be on the ground

Pretty little flower you are
Barely holding on in the wind
It's hard to see you falling apart
Paying the price for someone's sin

Well I can't see the future
And I can't turn back time
All we got is this moment
I hope it lasts a little while
So wrap your arms around me
Let me hold you til we sleep
Tomorrow will be a better day
Just stay here with me
Oh just stay here with me

Sometimes the tide comes in too high
And carries you away
Sometimes you can't see the sky
For all the clouds and rain

Well I can't see the future
And I can't turn back time
All we got is this moment
I hope it lasts a little while
So wrap your arms around me
Let me hold you til we sleep
Tomorrow will be a better day
Just stay here with me
Oh just stay here with me
Just stay here with me

Daryl Wilson

Missing Link

The pages of the book I was reading seemed to be just what I needed, in this small fragment of time, that I had to enjoy the ebb & flow as my mind relaxed.
Outside the wind had picked up and I could see the crispness as the leaves swished and swirled before they lightly fell to the ground. My green knitting lay beside my left hand and the book was in my right, while the steam from a fresh coffee caused me to pause all that I was doing and grasp it. The gentle smile I saw on my husbands face revealed that it had been placed there some time ago, quietly as to not disturb my thoughts.
It did not take long before I was lost in thought again. Are the trees that stand tall and sway in the wind the symbols of our strength? This is the time that we spend unveiling memories, gaining footing, trusting friendships, that are intimately and ornately intertwined with the loves in our lives.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing
that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its perfect
result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).

The thoughts continue as I begin the daily rounds, the recipes of comfort foods splayed out before me on the computer screen, new ingredients, more filling staples, additions to our pantry, and soups that will be hearty on chilly days. While our little daughter quietly goes about helping me throughout the day and we take time to play, and snuggle before her sleep time. I cherish the flow of the days with routine. It feels like the missing link when I can be in tune with my thoughts again. Then our boys will arrive home from school with flushed cheeks and cold noses, hoping for a cuppa hot cocoa and a cuddle or two.
I believe this is where I will go back to my knitting, enjoying fall.

It's that crisp wonderful time that I enjoy, Fall!

I decided it was best to recycle some thoughts from the same time last year.
After we moved again it felt more grounded for our family. Though more thoughtful, and silent at times. There was plenty of time to reflect on our thanksgiving.

Recycled impacts from a year gone by.

-A friend of the same cloth that has similar threads that have been sown close to yours, is truly still the most unique friend to have.

-Taking a step of faith is not as easy as cleaning house.

-To live laugh and love is the best medicine for the heart.

-Truthfully expressing my heart in my deepest thoughts, is prayers.

-Therapy by myself can include folding laundry and doing dishes. Even if it is time consuming at least no one else wants to do it with me.

-To believe I can/will lose a relationship is a heartfelt sadness.

-Farmers have markets that attract artists. I like to visit these markets and support the artists and the farmers. Where baskets are filled with their yummy creations that I get to take home.

-Writing without ceasing is going to form stories that need to be told.

-Secrets of the heart that dig deep into the core of a family, have been kept too long and they need to be shared after decades of silence.

-Quirky is as quirky does..

-4 children bring and have so many different love languages they are eager to learn.

-A family that is built on trust prays earnestly loves deeply and walks faithfully.

-Sometimes a whole season may pass without truly experiencing any element of your surroundings because there is so much going on, right there in your moments.

-recycling older posts is a reminder of how my years are full of memories.

Sweet Reminders

There are times when I find something that is in a search for inspiration. It speaks volumes to me simply through experience. I found one author who was writing about her angst now raising a daughter. She spent her own childhood being without a Father. Falling into endless downward spirals, and childhood abuses. In her writing she compared her seeking, to her blessings of having a husband that sees that need in their daughters life. She seeks reminders of her life as it is now. So joyful, blessed & full of life, with her husband that adores all the children in a true approach, that makes her heart skip a little. After sharing about her childhood & all the measures she took to be noticed through her years growing up, the author ended her blog with. "Do you have a daughter?"

Here is part of one Father's response;
"As a husband/father who has dealt with countless hours of counseling in the past, helping my wife to overcome “absent father” issues from her childhood, it has brought the following to light for me personally:
Little girls need their Daddy’s. Daddy’s need their wives to push them/encourage them to do one-on-one activities with their little girls.
It’s tough, trying to break a past generational curse of absentee-fatherism… But, I know deep inside that every little TINY thing that I do to encourage my daughter is ultimately building towards her future. Moms & Wives encourage Dads to spend time with your daughters. It can ultimately make all the difference IN THE WORLD in the future life of your little girl."

Staircases

Pause at the bottom. -When we really pause and share our thoughts are we taking a step of faith?

Taking the first step up. -A step on this new staircase that leads to a deeper trust.

Continuing a few more steps. -There is more appreciation for love than for food.

Running all the way up a full flight.-When there are times we runaway only to want to be found.

At the top & pausing again.  -Something like the lost sheep theory that strikes a chord with our faith.

Meeting a friend at the top & planning to go down. - Join me in this journey.

Carefully taking steps down, & trying not to trip each other. -You will see more clearly of what this life has to offer once the veil is lifted.

Counting every step as it reaches a new level. -Speaking truths, only to be quieted by questions.

Now at the bottom again.- It is a turn in our view when we see the whole picture.

Leaving the staircase. -This is a walk in the forest. A new relationship with time, with true searching.

I found you in this place again. -Peace.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." ~Martin Luther King Jr.

Everyday has minutes

I was reading a lot of blogs in the last day and was fascinated by the amount of life that is recorded. From amazing recipes, to giveaways, to stories of life in the mountains and in the prairies. I decided to pause and really grasp today in this very minute.
My house is quiet as I write, the children are sleeping in after a fun summer night. There are plans to discover a new hiking trail today, pack a picnic and soak in these last days before August is over. Our little girl and youngest has been learning big girl tasks and dancing more. It has been a short summer more because I am enjoying these 'last' baby days, savoring that this stage is also coming to an end. Though Fall is my favorite season of rest, this summer will be the last one that I have babies to raise up, last summer carrying a baby everywhere we are, last diapers. From this moment on everyday will be firsts in this big wide world for all 4 children learning from our careful instruction. This is an emerging moment, where I know close to my heart, this summer will be cherished and remembered for many years.

Living Water

Today is the day that I prayed for you.
Yesterday is past, tomorrow still has time to start.
I stood watching you in the glass reflection, you paused with me and smiled for a instant.
Today is the day I prayed for you.
Do you feel your heart healing, & your mind relaxing?
It's going to be in a minute that will pass, or perhaps an hour that comes and goes, please remember.
I love you to pieces and I am so pleased to know that you have walked this journey with me. You opened my eyes to the loving hands and hearts that surround my life, believe with me that this will only be one prayer, the rest has bathed you in waiting.
Notice this passage:

"On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.'" -John 7:37-38

Feel it now? Streams of living water for you~(for me).