Happy Halloween

Pumpkin picked. Check.
Pumpkin scooped out. Check.
Pumpkin decorated. Check.
Pumpkin seeds roasted. Check.
Costumes ready. Check.
House decorated. Check.
Count down over. Check.

Happy Halloween.

Happy Birthday Little Boy

It was three years ago tomorrow my little guy arrived bringing me as much joy as I had imagined.

It was three years ago tomorrow that my life became more complicated, but in a way that I am thankful for every day.

It was three years ago tomorrow that me time, means us time and for that I am grateful.

Tomorrow my little guy turns three. It doesn't seem that long ago that we drove to the hospital and my little guy was placed into my arms bringing with him daily joy and often worry.

Happy Birthday, little man. Guacamole and a campfire with marshmallows and hot dogs await.

Love Mommy

Dear Grandma,

Dear Grandma,

Despite my professional, words often escape me. Or at least words I think are good enough to honour a woman such as yourself.

Instead I will list some memories:

Accented names; red check; brown; sleepovers; warnings about Teddy; dislike of chickens (yours); those same chickens pecking at my shoelaces; oversized boots; straw hat; working Grandma; getting in trouble for sleeping in; the Look; handmade sweaters and skating outfits; church; Thanksgiving blessings; large family gatherings; laughter; oillenbollen on New Year's; Dutch hail both fruit and chocolate; chocolate letters; gas stoves; your laugh and smile; your acceptence and love for extra people; holding little boys; love; short jokes; silly bands.

I love you my Holland-travelling partner.

Love Lisa

My grandma, Geesje ter Steege, passed away Oct. 7. The head of the family, the one every child used a a marker for trying to be taller, was 85. As a note, the only one who almost didn't make it - other then the great-grandchildren of course - is my full-grown cousin S. Bad luck with the gene pool there, S.

OK, Now I am Ready For Fall

Before I can accept it’s fall and love the season for it’s beautiful colours, crisp days and woodsy smells, I have to mourn the loss of summer.

And this year I have been particularly sad to say goodbye to hot days, long periods of sunshine and a more relaxed pace of life.

But this weekend I have accepted summer is over and welcomed in fall.

It could be that this weekend was fantastic. The prediction of rain didn’t come true and instead it was blue skies and warmer temperatures.

Welcome fall.

Cinnamon Lovers Take Note

Finally there is a product out there that claims it has cinnamon in it and delivers.

I love cinnamon. When a recipe calls for cinnamon, I at least double it. I put cinnamon in my hot chocolate, cinnamon in my apple pies, cinnamon in baked goods and as I child I enjoyed it on toast.

You can never have too much cinnamon in my mind.

But apparently not everyone feels this way; particularly companies that claim to make cinnamon products but only but small amounts in.

I have not found a cinnamon raisin bread that actually tastes like cinnamon. I enjoy a coffee cake that claims it is cinnamon and while the topping succeeds, that cake does not.

But a couple of weeks ago, I discovered Oatmeal to Go Cinnamon Roll granola bars.
I was hooked after the first cinnamon bite and have gone through two boxes since.

Way to go Quakers.

It Must Be Fall

Because I am beginning to go into hibernation mode. I just want to sleep.

A Great Weekend For A Wedding

My brother-in-law got married on the weekend, and what a wonderful weekend it was.
The wedding was at Patterson-Kaye Lodge, a fantastic place for a weekend or weeklong getaway; kudos to the family who owns it.

The wedding took place on the beach, with my now sister-in-law arriving by boat. Of course, I didn’t notice this happening as I was busy chasing after two little ‘ring monkeys’ who thought running toward the water in their suits was much more fun than staying with their aunt and sister.

With toys and sand and little boys in the sand, the wedding, I am told, was as beautiful as the day – warm, but fall cool and lots of sunshine.

The reception was lovely, the food was fantastic and the details were perfect.

By 10 p.m., my guy was ready to go back to our cottage after an evening of playing with his new friends, and was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

The next day included more visits to the park, more turns on the zipline and 45 minutes spent in the hot tub with his dad.

Congrats to the happy couple. And congrats for creating a beautiful wedding.