Come, Thou long expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s Strength and Consolation,

Hope of all the earth Thou art;

Dear Desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,

Born a child and yet a King,

Born to reign in us forever,

Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone;

By Thine all sufficient merit,

Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Merry Christmas

Hope you are all enjoying the season. Okay I know it is cold but we are hearty up here and besides we have heated parking at the malls - smart move!!

I am walking away from the computer now and the laundry and mess around here to go find the Christmas decorations and start moving furniture to make room for the tree. Tis the season and I am running a bit late. No I am running a lot late.

Blessings!
Julie
ps - watch where you are standing if you plan to catch snow flakes.

Update...ramblings...

So provincially we are booming! Meanwhile our federal legislature (opposition) feels that is would be democratically appropriate to form a coalition and oust the government of the day (albeit a minority) that Canadians just elected. huh???? because they want to stop the practice of you and I , the taxpayers, giving money to political parties so they can get themselves elected.

My analysis and what do I know??? Will this lead to possible financial disaster for a country trying to stave off the recession that our powerful neighbors to the south are now well entrenched in?

Just my cynical commentary of the day.

Sorry no pages to post for you scrapbookers - just haven't done any!! Although more cool paper and Prima flowers have arrived at the store. I am oohing and ahhing but no motivation. A new scrapbooking magazine perhaps???

Unfortunately despite some purchases and some wild Tim Holtz inking ideas, I have not really had the time or inclination to get creative. I suspect many of you are experiencing the same. It is cold out there, REALLY cold and the snow is yet to come and Christmas is coming along with all sorts of events and responsibilities. Daily hits on this here blog are down and I know it is because you are either at a Christmas recital or the mall. Yes?

David and I have had our share of bad news coming our way these days and life is throwing some curve balls at us. Do you find that things don't get done and life gets confusing and disorderly when you are processing sad and difficult news? That seems to be my life right now. Just disorganized with half finished lists scattered about my life.

Jesus said (John 16) that there would be difficulty in this world - he called it "many trials and sorrows". Yup, I can relate to that and I am sure you can too. He tells us to take heart though, because He has overcome the worst pains in this world. He promises me peace amid these trials if I am in Him. And that is good news. It is better than good news when you can grasp the infinite wisdom of that statement.

The next several days will be busy, and mix in with that the shopping "list"and sundry other things to do. And I WANT to make my Christmas cards this year!!! Yikes..is it December yet???

Okay everyone - I know you are just as busy as me and more so because of lot of you have busy, active, program involved little ones.

So let's all take a breath and remember that life is short on this earth and long in eternity. May we think and act accordingly. Embrace the season. January will be here in a blink and normalcy and all it's wonderful boredom will accompany it. But whether busy or bored let us remember to love our neighbor as our self. To reach out even when we feel tired and distracted. To remember those going through tough times at Christmas and to do a little something special for someone in need, or maybe not in need.

It always makes the season so much more enjoyable.

Blessings to you all,
Julie

Fortune Magazine raves about Saskatoon!

Saskatchewan - Where business is booming!
Read Jon Birger – November 4, article in Fortune Magazine....

No wonder the CEO of one Fortune 500 company - Jim Prokopanko of Mosaic, which has a potash mine near the town of Esterhazy - describes the prairie province as "the next sovereign wealth fund."

Now go buy shares in a Saskatchewan company!
How about Potash?


Blessings!
Julie

Girlfriend

This was a difficult page to do because it was all about a dear friend who died of cancer. It seems the past few pages have brought to mind challenges in my life (Harold's schooling) and sad events and losses. We often don't take pictures of these events but sometimes the pictures we do have remind us that we have come through some difficult times and we will come through more. But hey! I am woman!!

I prefer layouts about sweet babies or birthdays or fun events and especially traveling and the different places I have visited. But the realities of life is that we do go through hardships and losses and they hurt and they are part of life. I add this page and my memories about my dear friend because I miss her and I want to remember her and the fun times we had raising our children together. I am thankful that the good Lord has allowed me to see my children almost grown and Lord willing He will also allow me to see my grandchildren.

Not so for my friend Sharon. She was called home to the Savior she loves earlier then we wanted. But His timing is perfect. I don't fully understand this and all the hurts that resulted, but I trust Him completely and I know His will is perfect. We soldier on!

These photos are from Spring 2002 when I visited Sharon in Langley, B.C. The journalling was hard to do. I spent most of the afternoon writing, mulling it over, deleting, starting again and feeling sad.

I was also feeling really sick today too, so there was a nap in there as well. I haven't been sick in a very long time, and if any of you suffer from meniere's desease, you will know what my day was like. Haven't had an attack since that helicopter ride in Hawaii!! And I haven't been on any fun rides this week so I am not sure where this came from but it has improved with rest and drinking a gallon water. It was a quiet day despite the Grey Cup and so a good one to reflect and journal. But I digress.

This crate paper was perfect - from the 'lemon grass collection' and I am thinking I might just pick up some more for my stash - it is just nice paper not only to work with, but to look at. Some Bazzill flowers - which I am running out of, some bling from 'me and my BIG ideas' and a few prima. The bird in the top rt corner is heidi swapp.

If you want to read the journalling, double click on the page and it will get big enough for you to read.

Here it is..... another page from 2002.

Thanks for letting me share my day with you....
Blessings! He continues to provide and I give thanks!
Julie

You did it!

This page took 4 EVER to do. Probably because I have been working a lot lately and not had time. This had been sitting on my desk for a few weeks and every day I would spend a little time moving things about never satisfied with the outcome. I finally glued it down. It started as a one page spread..until I did some journalling, and then it became a two page. Two pages for two little pictures but then add Harolds graduation certificate and the journalling and it grew.
I am not happy with the outcome. It just doesn't feel right or balanced or something. I guess if I knew what it was I would change it. But hey they can't all be a masterpiece. haha

But I am happy that I was able to get Harold's graduation recorded. Home-schoolers don't go through all the hoopla that the public school system goes through here in Saskatchewan. High school graduation is lo key and I like it that way. We celebrated as a family without all the pressures of formals, ceremonies and worries about after grad parties.

What I love about my scrapbooking is the opportunity to look back at my children's lives, their struggles and their accomplishments, and see the big picture. It really blesses me to see what wonderful people they really have turned out to be...despite their parents! :)

This does help when I arrive home from work to a messy kitchen and dishes everywhere when I have just cleaned it up at 6:45am that morning before leaving for work! Big picture, look at the big picture!

Perspective.....scrapbooking gives us perspective and helps us focus on the important things in life; the good things and the meaningful things. Maybe that is why I love to stare at these old photos and put them is my scrapbook. Because even the tough times that I thought I would never get through, seem to always work out in the end. And it is good for the soul to recognize that. There is a scripture from Romans 8:28 that says "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." And He does seem to work things out and bring good out of even the most hopeless situations.

Have a blessed day today! And if you are walking through some dark times, know that He can bring good even out of these dark times. Just ask Him about it. :) He will show you the Light.

Saskatoon Music Festival 2002

Hey another 2002 page. It wasn't my intention to scrapbook today (I am writing this on Sunday) because I have been working on my photos from South Carolina and finished up a table top book today with 141 of my favorite South Carolina photos in it. It ended up being 36 pages and the coup de gras? The cover is alligator skin - okay - not real but looks pretty darn cool!! There are alligator pictures in that book! Can't wait until it arrives. I used a free shipping coupon too. Yeah!!

But these photos on this page below were in the 2002 queue on my desk today, they were black, red and white and they were about music. And wouldn't you know it, I was working at JSI on Saturday and this fabulous paper had just come in from Creative Imaginations! It was about music so I bought one. I didn't realize until I got it home what a perfect match it was. I wasn't thinking about these pictures, but in cleaning up my desk, I pulled them out and looked at the new paper and wow. I added some Prima flowers and bling, ink and glossy effects on a chipboard note, some journalling and it was done. About 20 min - not including glossy effects drying time.

This is Allison and her good fellow home schooled friend Whitney. They played a rather difficult duet in the Spring Music Festival. Didn't place, but they did well. And don't they look so sweet.

I think it has been about 3 weeks since I have done a page...spent a lot of time on the two acrylic projects before I was away. So it felt good to get a page done today AND my South Carolina coffee book. If you want to see my coffee table book try this link. It doesn't show with the alligator cover though, but it will be there when it arrives. Click on the pages to enlarge them and read the words on the page.

Whew - what a creative day today (Sunday) .... AND I also posted my Governor's House post today too - took a while to edit and shrink all those photos for my blog. So that means I will hold off posting this page until Monday night... I don't want you to bypass the Governors House. :)

And the rest of the week is work, work, work...to pay the VISA, VISA, VISA! LOL

Governor House Inn

We were primarily down in South Carolina to visit my sister and brother-in -law, but took the opportunity to drive into Charleston for a few days and stay at a fabulous B&B ~ The Governors House Inn.

In the late 1700's Governor's House was the residence of Governor Edward Rutledge, South Carolina patriot, statesman and the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence. Henrietta Middleton, his wife, was part of the prominent Charleston family who owned Middleton Place plantation and gardens. I will do a blog on Middleton soon.

The Inn has been recognized as the most elegant Charleston bed and breakfast and "one of the most romantic inns in America". We agree completely and will be back for another visit. It was fabulous! Fun! and Romantic!

We had St Michael's room on the third floor. It was perfect!

This is the view of the house from the back where we had secure parking.
Parking is scarce in Charleston because every piece of the downtown area is used.
So you always want to find a place with parking. Another plus of this Inn is that they provide bikes available and David and I spent a wonderful morning biking around the battery.


The piazza - the place to read the morning paper and have a coffee.
And they made fresh decaf for me every morning.

the living room

the front hall - love that grandfathers clock!


those ceilings are12 ft.(?)


the parlor


the dining room - the largest room on the house,
where we had a great breakfast every morning.

This mirror is probably 7-8 ft tall.
If I were standing in the doorway to the left
I would barely come up to the half way mark of the door.

The grand staircase. There was a servants staircase at the back of the house too.
Oh if the walls could talk....

the first flight of stairs.

another flight and we were up on the third floor - which we had all to ourselves.
Down this long hall was St Micheal's room - names so because you can see the steeple of St Micheal's Church from our window.

beautiful sheets....

and after a day of shopping, walking, taking pictures...we would be back at the inn by 4:30pm for libations..... tea, coffee or wine and cheese and sweets. This was an opportunity to visit with the other guests and we quite enjoyed meeting these very interesting people,
one being a retired Colonel in the US Air Force .



Then we would have a rest, freshen up and head out walking the dark streets of Charleston lit by quaint lamp posts. We would find the perfect little spot for a light supper.
When we returned, our room took on a whole new look.....

.
The bed turned down for us and chocolates left ....

I didn't see or hear any ghosts -
although they say many of these old homes are haunted.... :)
I slept like a baby!

If you are planning any time in Charleston - go see the Governors Inn. And if you can, book a room for a night or two....or three.

Thanks for letting me share!
Julie

Why Buy Expensive Toys?

The simplist things in life are the most enjoyable.
Blessings!
Julie

SNOB's

It is good to be home... and doing laundry, grocery shopping and cooking meals????? Somehow my home, kitchen, sheets, laundry room and wardrobe seem terribly inadequate. One of the pitfalls of a holiday in a very nice warm place with a sister who has an incredible house with guest quarters with a King bed and 600 thread satin sheets. I'm not coveting, just recovering and getting back to reality here. :) I am also freezing!
I thought today I would share one of our culinary experience in Charleston. A visit to SNOB!

We had a late lunch at SNOB's while in Charleston. There are quite a few good restaurants within 200 yards of SNOB, one being Magnolias (see previous post with pics), but our B&B had highly recommended SNOB. I thought the name had character so we gave it a try.

Slightly North of Broad was a nice place to have lunch although we arrived at the tail end of lunch hour and there was quite a flurry of activity about our table as staff hurried off the lunch settings and readied tables for supper. We almost felt like we were a little in the way. Who were the snobs here anyways!

Our waitress was lovely and courteous. I ordered a Gimlet and promptly received a Gibson but that was quickly remedied. I can get a very dry martini at home. This is South Carolina - something with lime was called for. And what a pretty drink to take a picture of. :)

Decor was very appropriately snobbish upper class too - linens and silverware. Okay no Waterford crystal but pretty nice stuff.



SNOB is named because it is on Broad street at the edge of THE most affluent area of Charleston (see previous post for some pics of multimillion dollar homes).

Between Broad Street and the "Battery" or Atlantic Ocean, are some of the most affluent, beautifully kept, huge, 100-200 year old homes that sell in the 1-3 million market.

We ordered the House Made Charcuterie - current and pine nut pate, pork rillettes, chicken liver mousse and ham.

We also shared an order of the Carpaccio of Beef Tenderloin which is thinly sliced raw beef with olive oil, Pecorino Romano and toast points. (that gave spell check a work out)

We felt down right snobbish!!

Both were tasty and perfect for the light lunch we wanted. The gimlet was the best part though...

I loved the old building that SNOB was located in, and like most of old Charleston it was steeped in history. There are ghosts everywhere in this town.

The back wall had a huge arched brick opening into the kitchen area and we could see many chefs and helpers busy preparing food back there.

I think next trip to Charleston, if we are ever so fortunate to visit again, we will have to try some of the other restaurants. There are so many places to eat (and shop but very high end). But do try SNOB if you are in Charleston . And there are other more normal things on the menu. You don't have to order raw beef or pate or other stuff that you don't know what it is.

Have you ever had beef tartar? Carpaccio? David loves it. It is actually very tender and tasty but I can only eat a few pieces...just on principle. And we had to order the pate because it is down right snobbish. LOL