Such Things

O Christmas Tree

We drove past farmland gently sprinkled with our first snowfall of the year,

past dream houses on acres of land with horses, and for the first time ever, we entered Alouette Tree Farm to cut down our own Christmas tree.  In the past, we've done the Ikea thing, but I must say, this experience was far, far more enjoyable.

free hot dogs and apple cider,

warming up by the open fire,

and picking out the tree.  We searched the field, and at some points I was running across the field from tree to tree, trying to find the right one.

and then there it was. 

there was a petting barn and a tractor ride,

and glorious snow.

I don't know what it is about the tree, but once it is put up, it seems like Christmas has truly arrived.  There's a feeling of joy decorating the tree while drinking eggnog with Christmas music playing in the background.

Bible readings, singing and Christmas treats at Advent,

Yes, the magic and peace of Christmas.  And here's our sweet little tree decorated and lit.

"The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death

a light has dawned.

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy."

Isaiah 9:2-3

Christmas at Grouse Mountain

Here we are heading into North Vancouver again.  The weather has been cold and sunny lately, my favourite winter weather (apart from a light snowfall). 

Every couple of years we go to Grouse Mountain around Christmas time to enjoy the festivities and this year, for us to see snow for the first time. 

 

My favourite is the outdoor rink.  When I think of skating in the winter, I fantasize about a frozen pond out on the prairies, skating outdoors in the crisp winter air with the wilderness as a backdrop.  The local skating rink doesn't quite fit my image of great winter skating. 

The only place close to that around here is Grouse Mountain.  It's a ride up a gondola and there's lots of great skiing at Grouse as well. 

We went mostly for the skating.

Myles was fascinated by the reindeer that they had up there.  Dancer and Vixen to be precise.

Yes, Santa brought some of his reindeer and they were waiting just outside his workshop.  We did get to visit with Santa as well, but I must say, he wasn't half as exciting as

the creatures that pull his sleigh. 

The girls had a blast just sliding on their bottoms down the icy hills.  They also discovered this "snow hole" that delighted them to no end. 

Sometimes it's hard to put into words just how wonderful an experience is.  Like running early in the morning on the dike with the sun piercing through the thick fog and the ducks on the channel in the background, or skating on the top of a mountain.  It's like being transported to a completely different place and time altogether. 

At Grouse, it didn't seem like we were only 40 minutes from our own home. 

Ah mountains, ah snow, ah winter. 

Chalet living is what I call this and I love it. 

Hello December!

Well, these might be the last of my photos with those beautiful autumn trees.  There was one Sunday afternoon when the rain stopped and the wind blew the clouds away, so we jumped in the van and headed out to the Abbey in Mission,

with the winding paths through rolling hills, then between tall trees with carpets of leaves to run through.  There were quiet places to sit and meditate in nooks in the woods and the sound of a cow mooing in the distance from a neighboring field. 

spending time together,

 

and catching the last of the sun before it set.

It was definitely a "right now" moment.  One of those moments that you don't even have to pretend to enjoy.

Peace, Joy, Freedom.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."  Galatians 5:1

Here's hoping for many, many more of those moments over the next month as we prepare for the Christmas season.

The Vancouver Waldorf School

There's nothing like a great weekend.  This was a "craft fair" weekend for me.  I ventured out with Martina, and Rosa, future blogger Little House on the Hill , to check out Make It Vancouver at the Croatian Cultural center.  Many impressive tables, and of course a night of laughs as well. 

On Saturday, our family headed to the Vancouver Waldorf School Children's Craft Fair and open house.  I have been fascinated with Waldorf, since I did my teacher training.  At that time we were introduced to the Waldorf philosophy and unique teaching methods which incorporate the arts, including visual arts, music and drama.  For years I'd had a desire to visit the school myself.  It was definitely worth the visit. 

The crafts, mostly children's items were beautifully made and very impressive.  Lots of felt craft.  My children were drawn to the wooden toys and sculpture by Eric Renken and Gabriele Schaub of Jalu Toys.  I was also excited to meet Ella, of The Little Red Caboose, who had her lovely crafts for sale.  Her son attends the school as well. 

The school had samples of student work, which my husband (high school English teacher) and I agreed were of a superior quality.  There was candle-making, nature crafts,

and "Strings Cafe" a warm retreat from the rain, where we had Christmas treats, apple cider,

and listened to our first Christmas carols of the season, played live, even by some of the students.  There was definitely a warm and welcoming spirit in the school and we enjoyed the experience.

I also must mention the TED lectures introduced to me by Martina.  My husband and I started watching a couple and in Mark's words we were "addicted after the first hit".  They are a collection of lectures by almost anyone you can imagine on a large variety of topics and very motivating and inspiring.  Much better than watching the tube.  Check them out!

Have a great beginning to your week!

Christmas Moments and Happy New Year!!

Well, I can't believe Christmas has come and gone so quickly again.  One of my gifts is that our Macbook is back after some lengthy and costly repairs.  It is so great to be able to blog with ease and to access google reader and photos.  I can't wait to get caught up with reading blogs and with new projects.  Christmas is my favourite holiday of the year.  It's the time that we celebrate Jesus' birth.

Love those mandarin oranges,

thoughtful gifts dropped by from friends,

wishes,

oats and magic dust sprinkled on the front lawn to bring Santa and his reindeer to our house,

 

treats put out for Santa and the reindeer,  anticipation,

 

excitement about giving,

presents, presents, presents,

And the most special ones are homemade.  Other things I love are going to church, watching It's a Wonderful Life, laughing with family, visiting with friends, dancing to Christmas music:  a new discovery this year was a Christmas salsa cd!!!  Lots of entertaining dancing to that one!!!  And just feeling the love, joy and peaceful moments of the season.

Hope you had a fun Christmas and have a Happy New Year!  We are leaving in a couple of days to visit our friends on their farm in Greenwood for New Years.  I'll be back after that!!

White Christmas

We haven't had this much snow this early in the year for as long as I can remember.  We've been out enjoying it as much as we can.  Have you ever noticed that there are different phases of the snow?   There's the cloudy days when the snow is falling, when it's a pleasure to sit cozy inside and watch the flakes pouring down. 

Then there's the day after when the sun is shining and the snow is just beaming, transforming the whole neighbourhood into a winter wonderland.

Myles is pretty curious about the snow.

We've made frequent stops to our special little place by the river.  It's a sight of pure beauty.

 

 

Walking, sledding and enjoying all the sport of the snow. 

 

As we were driving into Vancouver a couple of days ago to see Bright Lights, I was taken by the extreme brightness of the snow, how it was gleaming bright.  So bright in fact, that it was almost blinding as we drove on the freeway.

That brightness makes me think of glory.  The glory of the Lord. 

The glory of the angels filling the sky with proclamation. 

The glory of the star of Bethlehem. 

The glory of God shown in the birth of His son, Jesus. 

 "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 "Glory to God in the highest,
      and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."  Luke 2:8-14

A very Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones from the Smiths!!!!

Joyful Surprises

Give me an old-fashioned Christmas any day, the Little House on the Prairie way.

For years, I've wanted to visit Fort Langley.  And last weekend we did.  It was breathtaking scenery, farms, snow-capped mountains and the cutest little village that I've ever seen!  With antique shops, bakeries, bookstores and craft stores.  I felt like I'd been transported back to Cape Cod!  It's so strange to think that such a beautiful little place exists so close to home, and yet it was so new, it felt like another place altogether.   

We stopped at the Fort Langley historical site, along the Fraser River, which was one of trading posts of the Hudson's Bay Company and holds the oldest building in B.C.

Lots of history, some crafts and some hot cocoa. 

  

Mark and I both cherish these little outings as a family, and we love to explore alongside our kids.

  

As we were leaving Fort Langley,

we couldn't help but stop when we saw this live nativity with real animals, donkeys and goats,

and a real baby too!

Megan especially was fascinated by the "real baby" and talked about it for a long time afterward.  It brings a great sense of wonder.

And then today it SNOWED!!!  I get so excited about the snow and so do the kids, of course! We've already walked, played, and done some sledding, and there's more on the way!!  This is what I call Chalet Living.  Adventuring outside and having fun in the winter weather, and then warming up with some hot cocoa by the fire inside at home.  I hope to post some more snow pictures soon!

Goodness, goodness, goodness is all I can say.

The Heart of Christmas

I have barely been at the computer for the last week, due to our extremely busy time with school concerts (both for my kids, and where I teach, too), family get-togethers, dance recitals, parties, shopping, decorating, writing cards, making things and very late evenings for the kids and for us.  As I write this, it actually sounds like lots of fun stuff, but when there are too many of these activities, I start to feel drained and overwhelmed with not a minute of free time; throw in a throat infection, eye infection, stomach flu and a couple of colds.  I think the new Doctor at our office didn't know quite what to make of all five of us squished into one tiny examining room with Myles opening various cupboards and the girls taking more than their share of stickers at the end of the visit.

Here's a photo from Friday night, out at Ikea getting our tree.  We love to pay only twenty dollars and then get a coupon for shopping in the New Year. 

Putting up the tree is always a momentous time.  There's joy, delight,

excitement,

 

wonder,

and family.  Okay, and a bit of bickering and a few broken ornaments.  But overall, it brings a great sense of peace.

When I was a little girl, I loved it when our tree was up.  I would wake up early in the morning to sit and gaze at the tree, as if it were the most beautiful and magical thing I had ever seen.

That's what Christmas is all about.  Slowing down to notice the simple joys of the season.

 

One time, there was a church congregation was struggling to find meaning in its musical outpouring.

“There was a dynamic missing, so the pastor did a pretty brave thing.  He decided to get rid of the sound system and band for a season, and the congregation gathered together with just their voices. His point was that we’d lost our way in worship, and the way to get back to the heart would be to strip everything away.” Out of this experience came a well-known song:

 "I'm coming back to the heart of worship and it's all about you, all about you, Jesus.  I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it, when it's all about you, all about you, Jesus."

Let's get back to the heart of Christmas:

That  Almighty God sent his Son, as a helpless baby to become Saviour of the world.  Or as Miranda says it so well in a poem she dictated two years ago (age four), that Mark just rediscovered this evening, as he was cleaning a drawer full of papers: 

"Jesus, Jesus

Help me and save me

For you have come to save the world.

Mary, Mary

Have your Son be born.

Joseph will you believe

Your son will be a very special baby boy

and go out into the wild and go to die."

That's the message that I want to send out this Christmas!!

Here are the of words one of my favourite Christmas songs by Amy Grant:  "Love has come for the world to know, as the wise men knew such a long time ago, and I believe that angels sang and hope had begun, when the God of glory, who is full of mercy sent his son."

Vancouver Santa Claus Parade

I couldn't help but mention this fun, festive event that took place on Saturday.  It was absolutely pouring rain that morning and we were thinking we wouldn't go, when Miranda looked out the window and said, "I see a clearing in the sky!!" And there really was!  The wind suddenly blew away the rainy clouds and the sky cleared with sun!  We loaded up the van and headed into Vancouver.  I was most excited about going into the big city, which is proof of my suburbanism.  I love standing on the street with the huge buildings towering above us. 

 

There's something about a parade, isn't there?  Crowds, colourful floats,
dancing,

bands, including excellent ones from Washington State, playing every type of Christmas song that you can imagine.

There was a spirit of cheer in the air as everyone huddled together against the cold wind.  The kids raced onto the street to get hand-outs.  One cute little boy was smiling a huge grin and filling his pockets with chocolates until his mom directed him to pass them out to kids around him.

Myles was fascinated by the "neigh neigh"s.

And the parade ended, as is tradition, with the Roger's Santa Claus.
 
Ted Rogers, the Founder of Roger's Communications, passed away just recently.  His biography is on the above link, and it is very interesting to read.  He had drive and vision that turned his one small radio station into the largest provider of cellular, cable and internet communications in Canada.  I find people like him very fascinating.  Inventing, creating, building and leaving such a legacy.

Merry Christmas, Vancouver!!  And have a great week everyone!!!

Angel Ornament

I'm not one to encourage division of gender, but I am noticing a trend around our house lately.  The "ladies" are inside making Christmas crafts, while the "men" are outside building and digging.

  Each year the girls and I choose a craft to make and give as gifts.  I'll post some of our crafts from this year soon, but I especially loved this angel ornament craft that we made last year.

I got the idea from one of my most favourite books ever, which I've mentioned before, and it's in my sidebar. The girls painted the wooden heads and the tiny terracotta pots with silver paint.

 

This one was painted by Megan when she was three.  The raffia wings are twisted and tied; then they are secured by wrapping a sparkly pipe cleaner around them and the neck, ending in the shape of a halo.  And what a wonderful coincidence.  Just today, Miranda brought this terracotta bell ornament home from her school craft fair.

 Her school had a Christmas craft fair where parents and kids donated numerous crafts and also had crafting nights and afternoons.  Then today, the students had the opportunity to purchase the crafts as special gifts for their parents, friends and siblings.  Isn't that a great idea?  Miranda was so excited about it, but she was not actually as excited about the craft fair as she was about the ladybug that she proudly carried home in a "bugbottle" lent to her by her teacher.  Apparently, she and a couple of friends in her class caught it at lunch.  Now she's doing a report on ladybugs in class as well.  Anyways, back to terracotta ornaments.

They are cute, easy for kids, fun and lovely on the tree.  Enjoy your own Christmas crafting!