Our Daily Red

Happy New Year etc

2010-01-01T17:05:00.006-06:00

Family Dance Party 2009 at the prestige Inn...showing the minis how its done!

Gingerbread Creation at Nana's December 27th

Christmas Turkey YOM!!!
-not sure if the faces give a true account on the yummy factor of this fabuloso meal!

Rosie donned in Wren's new Doc Outfit/Kit

Wrenny donned in Finn's new Black and decker Tool Set..

Unwrapping of the pressies on Christmas Day at nana's.
aside: Unfortunaetly I did not take out my camera during the entire time-andand so all these pics are from other peoples' cameras...hence no pics from the three day at Ian and JoAnn's :(

Fall coming on...crafty

2009-09-08T18:23:00.004-06:00

September means-new pics on out wall of fame in the kitchen!

Finn and Wren hard at work on their fall picture...

one of the little super hero ladies painted while at the cabin. I am calling them the "Super Domestics" for now..any other suggestions??

A few wishing wands to sell at the Farmer's market...

We have had such great days in this early fall...found a few community apple trees to harvest, had a number of great friends help get all our winter wood, made stew and pies, taking walks in the bluest brightest skies.
Where does all the Autumn energy to create come from???
Not sure..but...
Definately my very favourite season.

Kootenay Like Fun and more..

2009-08-17T21:11:00.005-06:00

sorry-family who has waited....for some semblence of helooo from over here.
We have been wonderfully summerish busy with all manners of visits and camping, cabin-ing , lakeing etc.
here is the footage:
above: a week in Calgary as my brother was in town for a few days so all us sibs gathered round and had a WONDERFUL evening my dad and Annemarie. SO fun!
papa made raclette and we laughed much! (not at the food...)

Next Pics of us at Kootnay Lake for our 9 day holiday with Nana and kids...
here Mike skips rocks...a fave pastime out there in Grey Creek.

Finn took a few pics of us..

Wren Swinging

Another photo Finn took..

After getting 3 days of downpourin rain-we hopped on a ferry and headed to Kaso-where the sun shone and we had such a great day..here is me and my hubby sans face!

Wren seems to take no time at all to make all time outside into nudey time outside...

(Longest Distance Free Canadian) Ferry Ride on the Osprey 2000-One day to Kaslo and one day to Nelson..

Light reading before bed

A Chicken Supper at Grandad and GrAnne's down the lake in their Cabin

oh Hello!

2009-07-24T10:10:00.003-06:00

Thought I should maybe write a few lines seeing as a VERY VERY exciting bit of events took place here not so long ago.
While on an overnight visit to Kootenay Lake: my Son Finn (at the ripe old age of "four and a quarter" as he says) Learned to ride his two wheeler!

We his parents are ridiculously proud. Really, its almost unbearable!

Funny

2009-05-20T22:00:00.003-06:00

A little something I got from Witty Hubby for mothers day..needed to share!
(if you can't discifer the small print:
its called the Marital Bliss Bar.)

Visitors, swingsets and bucket heads

2009-05-09T16:22:00.006-06:00

We have inherited a pretty amazing Play structure from our neighbours (2 doors east).
Every small child that come through the gate is quite delighted. AS are we!
Here we document the journey-we enlisted a few other neighbours to help out in the process...

And also-we have had a little fetish with putting large things on our heads...

Opa and Omi came out for a visit for 4 days and we had a great time hanging out together. Many good story times, and of course the "meal out"...One at a restaurant, and one down by the river..

And then Mike and I went out on a Mother's Day'/ 30th Birthday Night Out..and I got to get all dressed up...and so i had found a new violet dress for the occasion..seen here below..sorta.

Retreatin'

2009-04-26T22:17:00.003-06:00

I have just returned from a weekend retreat at a "Cabin"with 13 other lovely ladies.
I so relished the time away-including much good conversation while hot tubbing, sipping wine, chocolate fondue and some "chick flick" time.
I am highly recommending such a venture.
Mike took the kids to Lethbridge while I was gone. His dad took him to see Neil Young in Concert (amazing-is the report!) and kids had lots of Grandparent and friend time too. On the way home through the Crowsnest pass, the kids got to climb around on the Frank Rocks..seen below-my own little Rocky Mountain Climbing Chimps.

Drawing by Finn

2009-04-20T22:42:00.003-06:00

A drawing Finn did in the morning of Mike and I and Finn's beloved "happy love" stuffed animal. I think it is rather great. Especially on account of my hair and Mike's absolutely PERFECT red glasses!

2 little hippies jumping on the bed!

New Word

2009-04-14T18:24:00.001-06:00

Wren's word for Unicorns (which she was introduced to the other day ) is

"Corn Ponies".

pretty clever, says I.

Mike says-that's a great name for a band.
Funny little kids.

Happy Easter!!

2009-04-12T18:28:00.004-06:00

The Stone is rolled away..and so we celebrated today lustily!

With some good folk around a campfire in the early sun...

Singing Songs...

telling the Account of the first Easter....

Dressing up (Wrenny and I as Easter Eggs...)

Doing a hunt...

Finding the Goods!

Ein Froehliches Osterfest Wunschen Wir Alle!

ps. Today is also my 8 year engagement anniversary..Wow.
(insert here*the sound of time flying by*)

meet..the whoopie cushion!

2009-04-11T00:13:00.003-06:00

A Spring Makeover and other small events

2009-04-10T23:54:00.005-06:00

On a very sunny friday afternoon last week, with nothing but SPA on the brain, my Friend Leanne and I made our way to get facials at a local woman's home. We had such a wonderful time...and ended up deciding...a little make up might be fun every once in a while.

My recently turned 4 year old has decided-getting wood is a job he likes to do. Seen here as before and after (note: kid sized working gloves!!!)

Not to be left out..her is Wrenny at a baby shower we attended last week. Also in attendance was a friend who took these beautiful shots of my Wren in action!

Cousins upon cousins upon cousins

2009-03-31T21:51:00.007-06:00

We have had a wonderful week of cousins and Aunties just now.
Both my sisters came for a few nights last week..and after a brief intermission, my mother and brother in law and nephew came for the weekend.
This week, things seem oddly quiet.
chaos and quiet back to back is a lovely excersice in contrast.
And I don't mind either, really.

Tomi (2) wren (2.5) Kai (3) and Finn (4)

Here is where they all "slept".

Tomi is enamoured with her Lenin Shades.

Skye and my two enjoy the weekend movie...

...and a nightly story or two

Skye and Finn build a "house" in the backyard-with ALL the outside toys...
perfect to be hauled to the dump-says I!

Mike and Robby getting ready for their Gig at Finnegans Pub.

Who is this Blonde Rocker-none other but lead guitar and vocalist of
CHEERFUL CORPERATION
Mikey's new Rock and Roll pleasure.

Mike's Band opened up for Rob's "Darby and Joan Club"
we were alltogther most sufficiently Rocked out!

Holiday in White Rock

2009-03-24T13:51:00.004-06:00

We have just come back from a week long trip to vist our Wonderful Wall Friends (WWF) for the Annual Spring Break Visit. Much fun and fun and fun was had by all. Here a few pics of these days gone by....

Finn and Wren on the beach in Vancouver

Destination: Aquarium!!

Showing the Dolphins our "little Dolphins and Orcas" right before the Dolphin Show.

Day 3: Science World

Day 5: Ikea and Dinner with friends of Mike (the Lanteignes)
and a lovely romp through all their toys!

Speed Racer

Finn and his friend Gracie and new buddy Owen

A little Walk and shell colection on Crescent beach

Fish an Chips at a fancy restaurant after our beach walk

Day 7: Last Stop: Greater Vancouver Zoo

Some Good Times...keepin on coming

2009-03-10T15:39:00.004-06:00

Last night-on the eve of my 38th birthday, My good friends, the Plants, came over to warm their toes and clink their glasses by our woodstove. Sparkly lights still on, nachos to crunch, cider to drown and good conversation into a wintery eve. It makes a body appreciate this extended cold season!
And so, I have spent the day in nostalgia-realizing the wealth of friendships that I am fairly stewing in...Thickening plots and distinctively flavoured- better with time, and spicier too!

I am so very thankful today for my friends, and for my family-and for the friends who have become a family. Today I went back to a website to commemorate my friend Doug, and found a poem there that struck my once again about how life can be lived so very openly without fear, without worry or cynicism..by this one man...and maybe, by us all.
I am heading into a new year.
I am only hoping to be so open.

Dooger

Open Smile
Laugh Man

Open Life
Truth Man

Open Arms
Hug Man

Open Home
Share Man

Open Case
Music Man

Open Eyes
Alive Man

Open Fly
Comic Man

Open Mug
Coffee Man

Open Sky
Mountain Man

Open Valley
River Man

Open Earth
Sleep Man

Open Stage
Missing Man

Missing Man
Missing Man

Bernie Plant May 2006

Christmas come late..and stuff

2009-03-05T14:38:00.006-06:00

The kids beckoned me to come into their room yesterday and said "we are making christmas".
I came to see what they were up to and found this:

Here is Finn's rendition of a "fire-breathing dragon", and a Green Knight
(a gift for his buddy Levi)

Since Finn got a new joseph Coat, Peter was supposed to get one too...I was a few days late on that, but finished it last night..here he is....

....and here they are!

not to be left out.....

A Local Yocal extravaganza

2009-03-02T21:35:00.004-06:00

The Studio Stage Door, our local heritage small theatre and Dance Studio just had a weekend of Music inside its historic walls. Local Musicians spent Friday and Saturday Night playing their hearts out and were recorded by Siega Productions.

A CD is being mixed down as we speak, and sold all for the Stage Door--to keep the heat going and the building from disrepair.
It is a real gem of a place in our town..an we don't want to lose it any time soon!

Here a few pics of the night-provided by some friends..oops cant seem to get these images right..more to follow!

Van Redekopp-Minstral of Mayook!

Me and mine!

The Bowlers

2009-02-26T15:01:00.005-06:00

Here are the promised pics...we did have so much fun!

Yes, they do make bowling shoes that small and cute (only one pair at our alley, though!!)

Kayla showing us her expertise...

The Plot thickening, as we wait to go to the "Party Room"-where we introduced:

the Hockey Cake that Mike built..(chocolate on the bottom and cheery cherry chip on the top with strawberry Jam in the middle..yup, not just a pretty face, that guy!)

Clarky Reimer, the juniorest bowler of them all!

Kate W and Paul S..intent on CAKE!!!

Hopey looking very serious for this moment..

for more great pics see our friend Paige's account.

Finn is 4....TODAY

2009-02-25T14:16:00.005-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FINN PETER BRENDAN!!

We began at 7:00 am with The "Geburstagstisch"..One of my family's traditions...getting sung out of bed with a birthday song by the rest of the family, a candle ring, presents and a special breakfast...

the "whirleygig" Auntie Moni made for Finn! (it came in the mail-completely intact!) And hangs in a window proudly-and Finn is totally thrilled with the rainbow aspect. Thanks Guys!

A memory photo book from Nana. Thanks, we love it!

The "Joseph Coat" that I made for my favourite Son..with a lot of love..and a lot of colours! He requested this- because in his Children's Bible is a fantastic pic of this Jewish Story...

Finn amongst the party flags, and festivities (including a "sprinkle donut")

Wrenny gets in on the fun!

The loot.
(more came in the mail today-thanks COLORADO-we still have to go do our treasure hunt..tonight!)

Mike posing with Wren's upside-down crown.

more pics to follow of the Bowling Birthday Party!

A little rush of Creativejuice....at last!

2009-02-21T20:17:00.002-06:00

Wren's "Baby" needed Pygamas...and so I rooted through a loot bag of leftover flannel..and sewed a little here and there this morning...

Model Pictured here is "Beary", a recipient of much love and affection from a certain Scooterboy many moons ago. He is wearing a special birthday crown of felt and cotton I made Finn and Wren. The birthday sister needs a crown too!
I can't wait for them to be unwrapped at Finn's birthday breakfast!!

And now I am knitting fas and furious for Finn-he wished for a "Joseph Hoodie" (a rainbow colored knitted hoodie). I am half a sleeve and a hood short of finishing before wednesday morning. Finished pics to follow!

RedGirl's FIRST Gig

2009-02-16T10:17:00.004-06:00

setting up: The boy component of RedGirl
(where was the girl? you ask..sipping merlot with more girls!)

always a winning smile from Mikey..
when he is about to spend an evening PLUGGED IN to his guitar

Leanne and Cathy, two happy Valentining friends!

Me and my date.

our winsome, exuberant and spirited host: DEREK SITKO of the Green Pheonix (Our Dude)
(but oh how we missed his Fabulous Fabs :( )

ok, so its not the greatest pic, but is is all THREE of us...after playing our little hearts out!

my first ever CRAZY dye job... feeling groovy!

Mike was my hairdresser..gutsy he, gusty me, hee hee

A great night of Valentine-ing was had by all (at least that's what they said!)
We (our new band configuarion-RedGirl: Steve Jones, Mike and I) hosted a Sold out evening of live music, Tapas, drinks, heart-y conversation at our fave restaurant: the Green Pheonix in Kimberley. Amazing Food was had. Did I mention a gastronomical Wonder!!!!

Friends Van Redekopp, Dave Prinn, Garnet Waite, Steve Lungal (Potluck Steve) and Cindy Lou Muise joined in filling up the evening with plenty o tunes.
It was a regular music Buffet and we all left Stuffed.
Many, Many Thanks to all who supported us!

Mama Credo

2009-02-08T22:05:00.003-06:00

After a few late nights and many thinks, I have come up with this little credo.
Wanted to Share it with you.

What I wish for my Children

I wish for my children to understand gratitude-not be overwhelmed by STUFF!!

I wish for my children to anticipate a season or holiday or celebration, rich in traditions of all kinds

I wish for my children to feel a strong sense of identity by keeping connected to their community of friends and family and faith by these traditions and by making their own.

I wish my children to be about creating fun and general havok with homemade toys/crafts and simple rituals, learning to take care of them and fix them rather than dispose of them.

I wish for my children to love and take care of their home planet and live in ways to keep it 'alive and well 'in their lifetime.

I wish for my children to be allowed the innocence of childhood-without sexual innuendo, or a need to please the crowd as dictated by media

I wish for my children that I can guide them, and that they would have strong, clear minds to think and make decisions on their own as they grow.

"These are the days of the endless Wonder..."

2009-01-26T22:51:00.003-06:00

have always LOVED that Van Morrison Song...
And somehow it has been capturing these days of late.
I amin awe-on many levels, at the intensity and innate ability of small children to live in a realm of NOW and with it-
-glee
-fear
-marvel
-humour
-sparkle
-resilience
-freedom to be
-authenticity
-loyal and loudly proclaimed LOVE (and dislike, of course!)
-all things at break-neck learning curve.

Here is how the days have been unfolding...

to begin, a re-warmed "Oh Boy" Waffle (see Better Homes and Garden's Cook book 1964 edition, y'all) rejuvinated in the toaster.
Gotta love those "breakfast for supper " meals that leave you with leftovers that you can actually EAT for Breakfast.

A little morning drawing session with stamps and glue and colors and all things BRIGHT and beautiful...wearing SMOCKS, of course.

2 Sibs and their buddy:
Nuzzlin with Mausi
(our somewhat indoor-adapted barn cat, named for its function...not to be mistaken for its Pet-like qualities. We have decided we like Cats MORE than mice-so the cat stays, for now.)

The evening bath line up.

A little bit of stealing for the New year

2009-01-19T22:46:00.004-06:00

I hope it is ok.

that I have stolen this pome..(i know that is not how one should spell this word, but doesnt it just look plumper that way? more mischevious?)

Anyways-i have been following this blog for a while and just read the stuff below-and wanted to pass it on

Holy Moley -it goes in the category of "ThingsI wishIhadWritten" because it wraps up in words so well this incredible zest, this fierce and sacred flame of being and learning and growing along side my kids.

Teach Me in the Key of Life
by Mimi Chenfeld

I am waiting for you
I have been waiting all my life
to spend this time
with you.

I am full of questions, adventures, wonder, curiousity,
imagination.
I am full of fears, doubts, confusions, nightmares, dreams.
I am the Cowardly Lion. I need a badge for courage.
So do you.
I am the Tin Man. So tight. I forgot about my heart.
How’s your heart?
I am the Scarecrow. Hangin’ so loose my brain feels unhinged.
Does yours?
Sometimes I’m
GrumpySleepyDopeyBashfulDocSneezyHappy.
Sometimes I’m seven new dwarfs as yet unnamed.

I love to sing.
I know the words to 2,437 songs.
Teach me through songs.
Let me paint, doodle, scribble, draw, carve, fix, sketch - DO.
I can’t keep still.
I’m a spaced-out, far-out, Star Wars, Superman, rock ‘n’ roll, disco,
punk, psychedelic, tuned-out, right-on, cool age,
electronic, stereo, video games, computerized, technicolor, ten-speed kid!
I need action!
Keep it moving!

I love to read baseball cards, album covers, TV schedules, movie ads,
license plates, T-shirts, buttons, posters, cartoons, cereal boxes,
recipes, highway signs, historical markers, magazines, picture books,
sad stories, weird poems, animal histories, lost-and-found boards…

Let me ask my questions - even if you don’t know the answers.
Dumb questions, like who started numbers?
Do caterpillars know they’re going to turn into butterflies?
Where does the white go when the snow melts?
Why does time fly?
How do we see?
What do you see?

It’s not my birthday, but every day can’t we celebrate SOMETHING?
Colors, seasons, Tuesdays, Mexico, circles, houses, maps, our names, numbers, one seed, our journals, favorite books, inventions, rivers, peace!
Can we celebrate our country on the fourth of October or the twelfth of May?
We don’t have school on the fourth of July!
Every day let’s celebrate SOMETHING!
Life - the wonder and power and miracle of Life - of being here, learning together, with all our fantastic powers.

Surprise me.
Amaze me.
Startle me.
Challenge me.
Try me.
Laugh with me.
Love me.
Teach me
in “the key of life,”
and I promise I’ll
surprise, amaze, startle, challenge, try, enjoy and love YOU!

Superhero Week

2009-01-16T15:00:00.003-06:00

In the event that you do NOT know.it is, in fact, Superhero week.
So, if you have seen the Household Hepher out on the town with our capes..then you will know this important piece of info.

evidence below..

"SuperFly Finn" and "Supergirl" Wren showing you their muscles

The classic flight Pose

even our buddy Kayla got into the theme..sporting a fetching piece of fabric OVER her winter gear. She insisted..and she is two-and some battles are simply better left alone.

the superhero Block walk...and since all Hero's need a side kick-each hero BROUGHT their side kick..in their own tobbogan..or wine box..or whatever one could affix a string too.

It has been, a Super powered kinda week.
YOU?

Why I love being married to a Graphic designer...

2009-01-13T21:39:00.005-06:00

homemade Wall-E outfits.
who could ask for anything more!!!!

A busy day at the Butter-Yellow House

2009-01-08T17:28:00.004-06:00

Not that this happens very often, but I had to document it for posterity .

We had a pretty full morning this day.
7 kids and me..in just over 1000 square feet

and so's you know: all survived very well, had a good time, ate cinnamon toast and played all sorts of pretend games for the entire time. Seriously, I don't know why people dont have 6-8 kids in their family-they totally take care of themselves.
well, mostly..

finn wren kayla malayah hannah shiloh selah (what is the deal with the ending "h's!!)

Just for the record..it's ok..

2009-01-05T12:03:00.005-06:00

The other morning-
in a chilly house with fire still at the last-night's-burning-ember-stage, Wrenny informed me that Suzie (her dolly) had cold feet.
So I told her I would knit some socks for Suzie.
this is what resulted!

Happy New year!

2009-01-03T22:17:00.003-06:00

Another snowy day here and I love it-as my cross country skiis and have been out almost daily to the local trails..seen above (South Star-to you locals).
Finn now has some beginner skis and is impressive to watch...it goes something like this:

ski 3 steps, wobble, eat snow, look for "his friend the moon" :repeat. A good thinky pace.
Wren in backpack however...um, not so keen with this loping about!.

Went for my first-ever night ski with headlamps with some great twin buddies, and am completely hooked.
Now I need to find my Moonlight Partner some skis (He is a size 11 boot-if anyone has x-country gear to share about)

We had a great and quite unexpected New Year's Eve Party with about a dozen other friends...which turned out oh so loverly. We knew about the party for a eek or so, but couldn't find a sitter-and then the hosts said-we could bring the kids and put them to sleep in some quiet corner of their house. ..which is exactly what we did.
Beside a little bit of restless sleep for Finn at the beginning-all went swimmingly and it was truly one of the best new year's shindig's I have been to this decade.
Wow. Fun. yes, wow and fun...and "naked Grape" Shiraz. hurrah.

Then, New Years day at our fine Comrades Derek and Fabs , where inspiring conversation about simple and natural child-rearing and intentional living was had (over coffee and baileys-as if a German and a Mexican girl need ANY alcoholic supplement for discourse on matters that matter!)

And thus dawns the new year....
A quiet swoosh of a ski
A sudden thump of fallen snow from an overburdened branch
A little river of drips in the pantry from an iced and aging cedar roof
The last crunchy bits of the Gingerbread house (now candy-less)
Boxes full and at the door to be taken to Thrift
Woodpile half full
And desire for inspiration and deep, healing laughter and tears grows.
Lead on.

Finn and Mike begin to Jam...

2008-12-28T19:10:00.003-06:00

a little time of music making...we hope this will go on and on and on into our future as parents, grandparents etc.

Boxing Day and beyond

2008-12-28T17:41:00.006-06:00

We spent 2 nights Dec 26-28, in our friend Mike's "Wildwood Cabin" in Mayook..with Nana!
Here's what went on..

Biffy

Our Bass PLayer and Daughter came out to see us for some tunes...

The Cabin Next Door "eagles Nest" also one of our friend Mike's Projects..

Froehliche Weinachten-Christmas Afternoon!

2008-12-28T17:32:00.003-06:00

the masterpiece.. A GINGERBREAD TRAILER PARK...BY MIKE

FInn got a blue guitar from Skye..an awesome hand-me-down!!!

Wrenny's new bumblebee backpack...

finn and Skye wait for their turn to make Gingerbread stuff

Mama and Wren making Gingerbread dough

MERRY CHRISTMAS-Christmas morn

2008-12-28T17:21:00.002-06:00

A little Christmas Morning Caroling

Stokin the fire for Christmas Morn

Wrenny waits fro the Stocking Distribution to begin...

FInn's Doll "peter"

Wrenny's Dolly "Suzie"

Crafting at Christmas

2008-12-18T16:17:00.004-06:00

A few things we are working on these days..present for Kai and Tomi-a wood block puzzle.

Finn REAAALLY wanted to have a picture with the puzzle..

Potatoe Stamping began at 7:50 this morning.

At 8:04 am the clean up began-short lived BUT very fun.

We moved the drawing room into the living room in the last days as it was getting TOO cold to draw in the kitchen...

next time: a pic of what we were potato stamping for...

"Advent, Advent, ein lichtlein Brennt.."

2008-12-11T21:59:00.005-06:00

Here are a few pics of our nightly routine. We try to sing a few Christmas Carols with the kids each night around the kitchen table Advent wreath. yesterday ended smashingly well with a grand finale family parade- singing "Deck the Halls"-(with instruments!) all the way from the Kitchen to the sudsy bathtub-all 10 steps...Very fun!!! Who gets to have this much fun, I ask you. I am so freaking lucky.
Soon the Gingerbread men will be coming out-and their house...pics to follow

I have to say-I LOVE this time of year..and am so thankful for the two kids whom I get to show all these crazy Schwarz traditions!
I feel like the Wonder is all coming back.
Glitter and Sparkles abound.
Bring on the Halos, peppermint everything and chocolate before Breakfast.
Wow, I am an easy convert!
Mike is so great at getting into all this stuff too, although his does put his foot down on Herring Salad on Christmas Eve.
Sheesh,
spoil sport.

Also the updated version of the dolls which the kids have now named.

Soosie (prounounced "SSSoo-SSee" -Wrenny says it is NOT Suzie) and Peter (pronounced the regular way)

Finn and Peter

Wren and Soosie

Wrenny insisted Soosie has a "bum" I dont know what the future holds for us Hephers!

2 candles now!

Our Christmas Pyramid from Opa and Omi

December creeps on in

2008-12-06T21:37:00.003-06:00

The deal is: we let our kids dress themselves-except for VERY VERY important days (what ARE those hmmm-arent they all the very same important!!) Anyways-here is a little capture of Wren's backward pants preference and her way of stealing Finn's brand new Christmas socks and other items on any given day...

The other morning I was busy sewing (I will send pictures of my new sewing headquarters soon), and Finn called me into the kitchen. He showed me what he made with Lego. I was duly impressed!

We have a couple of lovely little girls that come over two times a week that we babysit-here the kids are making a placemat freeway. Ahh-the joys of the creative mind unleashed. Hurrah for Childhood says I once again!
This last night, in German Tradition, "Nikolaus" comes to fill the boots with small toys, nuts, chocolate and oranges of the Earth's "Good Kids"-lumps of coal for the scallyways!
My kids were delighted to be included in this Ominous First Category.
However, Finn thought for sure Nikolaus had NOT come this morning when he first woke-because Nikolaus had not stopped to talk to Finn. He cried about it until we showed him that Nikolaus had left him a little stuffed toy "Wall-E" (Mama and Baba's shocking Disney Purchase-what is next I say!!!Yikes.)
My Standards are slippin'- nothing organic or green about this purchase.
oh well, cant beat em all...

Wrenny is delighted at such a find in her fave heart boots!!

Meet Dolly

2008-11-26T22:27:00.004-06:00

Meet the new kids..heads only..

Dolly Hepher #1

the great limb cut out..

My Big MASTER plan is to make the kids dolls for Christmas (or Nikolaus-Dec 6-if I can't wait!).

Kids are aware of this, as they watch me sew, and are thinking of names for their dolls.
Wren really wants to play with her hairless, and unclothed doll, but I had to shoo her away as Dolly still has pins for eyes!

Today I asked Finn what he wanted to name his doll.
He said: it will be my "I love you Dolly".
I said, "ok, let's come up with some more names too, ok?"
(Ok, so maybe I do have an agenda, like:I want names less sugary than that.)
Mike is voting for "Wally" for Finn's Doll, but first I have to convince Finn that his doll will actually be a boy.
He is not really sold on the idea yet.
Alas, there is time...for convincing!

Ahhh, a winter's afternoon never looked better..

2008-11-24T13:44:00.004-06:00

After a busy morning with kids-ours and a couple of extra buddies, Wren announced it was time to get back in her "Jammies on" after being in clothes for 5 hours, and spend the rest of the day hanging out in the Living room. Finn followed suit...
Alas, Legos, trains, dolls, playdoh are the order of the day.
As for the Mama, first a double shot of espresso and then a session of Christmas crafting...

here below then are one of the perks of staying home that I can truly enjoy on a winter's morn!

The Golden Girls!

2008-11-24T12:32:00.005-06:00

Irene, Moni and I (and NO KIDS) met in Golden for a weekend to celebrate Irene's 40th bday! And Celebrate we did. Good food, good talks, great location, good sleep, and good thrift store finds!
What a great way to mark a Milestone..

Meeting up at Bacchus Books..coffee, used books, and fog out the window (is there a better combination?)
Supper at Eleven22 Lounge a lovely grown-up place to linger. Food very nice. But, I still prefer our local dude for Indian Fare

I have a store

2008-11-08T00:29:00.013-06:00

My batch of fresh "NUFFINS"

I am pretty stoked about being an Online Store Owner (hurray-no leaky roofs or loud tenants who may or may not hovel their side of the walk!) here i am : check out the very teeny tiny aisle of 4 products I have listed!!
It IS the thought that counts though, right!

Tomorrow I am in a craft Fair and I have been "hard at work" creating for about a month...three quarters of which I did this week. My poor house and family have been eating alot of beans and "cheesy noodles". BUT the creative Soul is fully LAUNCHED after almost 4 years of hibernation...My kitchen has been converted to a sewing room and every other room has been terribly affected. Not to mention other grown up family members.
no names to protect the innocent.

However the kids have been blissfully happy as they play lego in every room, and cause general mayhem whilst I am in a sort of sewing stupor, or rather a sewing euphoria.
Another thing I have long been working on is a little series of children's "dressy Drawers" (I know shameless self promotion, here we go!) I collected-for 2 long years) the tops of orange juice cans. Then I drew a a bunch of little paintings of children's clothing and have made some good use of velcro fasterers and..TADA..check out how happy my kidlets are! They can now find the right drawers to get dressed and to help their dear mother put away laundry..in theory!

New for this week-Wrenny is potty training herself, only wants to wear "unnerwear" and has a whole wall of stickers to prove it! Finn commented on Wrenny's hair the other day when seeing her pony's were lying straight down after a few hours under a hat.."your Pony's are sure sad today" said he.

Mike helped the kids build a real snowman this morning-with carrot-very charmed are the kids by the snow. No picture of the later on-fallen over-melted snowfellow and big Finn tears.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T19:29:00.004-06:00

A Horse and Purple Kitty Adventure begins....

..equipped with brand new, specially sewn candy bags...

driving to the Mall....

best seat in the house, hands down

racing through the stores....

and coming home with enough candy till at LEAST Christmas (Mama and Baba will help out)

Wren fell into bed after her supper, and Finn and Mike went out to circle the block.
Mike said, Finn skipped the whole time.

Introducing a new Nuffinn

2008-10-15T23:11:00.002-06:00

I have found a hemp fabric dealer.
So I have been happily dying fabric and scheming a baby collection of soft stuffed toys.
This is a not-quite-done prototype called a "Nuffinn" soon to be followed by a smaller soft and velvety "pocket Wren"...which falls down and can tantrum.
jokes.

The fabric is a 100% organic hemp fleece and terry-super soft and wonderfully attracted to bright colored fabric dye!
more to follow!
my sewing machine is grinning.

wren turns two

2008-10-08T16:10:00.007-06:00

WREN TURNS TWO

The birthday girl's new shirt

The "Geburtstagstisch" started early at 7:00 am this morning

A special cat named "Sebastian" came from Great Grandad

Birthday breakfast cake..mike said they were in the breakfast cake ailse...
i didnt know there was such a thing..

The piece de resistance..Wren's new kitchen finds it way into OUR kitchen

The Birthday Table with presents, candles and the Ladybug cake...

We brought the cake to our Mom's group and celebrated this 2 year old with good friends...

no words needed...

Finn and his buddy Libby enjoying their slice...

Most everyone had a good time!!!

My Brilliant Son

2008-05-27T14:44:00.003-06:00

Finn (3 yrs and 3 months) did a little after breakfast doodling and came up with thie: entitled

FINN GOING DOWN THE WATERSLIDE

I was pretty impressed.
hence the blog entry!

Calling of the tribe

2008-05-25T21:23:00.002-06:00

Today Mike and I and some friends sang the Bruce Cockburn Song "Mystery" at our little church. Complete with digeridoo.
And as verse built on verse, and harmony rounded out harmony, I was pretty overwhelmed by the moment. You know how you find yourself suddenly realizing that you are not alone.
That you are not only All together, but also involved in a Greater Scheme.

And as we sang the lines into this room of stained glass and wooden pews, there was some sort of Awe, I felt as though I was calling all my tribesman. This particular song is not in any hymnal I know; it is, as of yet, new to a "religious" setting (why, i don't know) and so it brings to mind my family's secret whistle.
Yep, we DO have one.
Anytime we get separated in a large crowd or room, one need only whistle the "Schwarz whistle" and one gets found by a family member.
Just so this song rang out in church today-and it felt like the little whistle to say:
hey all you folk who love the subtle parts of Truth, dangle on the edge of doubt at times, rage against the storm of dissapointment, hope heavily and freelance faith- because the religion of your forefathers keeps slipping through the cracks of your being:
you-hoo-over here...
you hoo-I GET YOU.
(or in the words of INXS: "......you're one of my kind"

And I think a few tribesmen felt a distinct heart swell of recognition as the Spirit filled his glass in their soul.

here a few choice lines:
You can't tell me there is no mystery
Mystery
Mystery
You can't tell me there is no mystery
It's everywhere I turn

Moon over junk yard where the snow lies bright
Snow lies bright
Snow lies bright
Moon over junk yard where the snow lies bright
Can set my heart to burn

Infinity always gives me vertigo
Vertigo
Vertigo
Infinity always gives me vertigo
And fills me up with grace

This feast of beauty can intoxicate
Intoxicate
Intoxicate
This feast of beauty can intoxicate
Just like the finest wine

-Bruce Cockburn (2007)

"And we'll all sing together"

2008-05-20T13:09:00.002-06:00

Well, we have had such a fantastic weekend!
Amazing weather, lots of time together as a family and with good friends...music, hard lemonade, kids dancing, deepening conversations, kinship bonding, bright moon overhead, first skinny dip of the year...who could ask for anything more!!!
For the first time ever, both our kids participated at a Mayook event-on stage!
Finn even got up to sing "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt".
exciting times these.
Here's our family shot.

sad

2008-05-13T22:22:00.002-06:00

on friday we are doing our second annual "Doogie Boogie" to commemorate the life and laughter of our Doug Erickson-who left us very suddenly in a freak tragedy 2 years ago. Music, food, stories-all the good stuff.

Well, today we had another crazy tragic happening. Helicopter crashed on 14th Ave in the middle of the road and 4 were killed. One of those killed-a family member of a good friend.
It is so over the top..2 days apart, 2 years apart.
I am so struck by the frailty of life again.
I walk that street all the time.
our "time" could be any old time.
I am feeling sobered, and worn out-for there is never a shortage of sorrow and suffering here below.
I guess I juat need to say-i am thankful-for another day-cause, I do like it here..alot.

My Mother's day Gift from Mike

2008-05-11T20:15:00.005-06:00

With some of my new ventures in Collage cards and children's knitting and sewing..I wanted a website to show and even seel some stuff online..so Mike gave me a domain name-and here is my little waddlin' Gal of a logo of said website...www.freckleduck.com
is coming soon!!!
Thanks Mikey :)

thoughts on Mother's Day..a litle message for tomorrow

2008-05-10T17:06:00.001-06:00

Mother’s Day has always been a bit of pickle for me.
Bit of an exclusive day somehow.
It has caused me some heartache.
I am pretty sure I am not alone in this.

There is much to be learned from the Mother institution-be it the “official day” to celebrate it, or not!
Since God is half mother-and since I was asked to pass along all my “nuggets of nurture”I will forge ahead-

And truly-I am happy to share with you about what I have learned about being a parent as a Spiritual experience.
It should only take a few moments.
I am a slow learner.
The lessons are pretty much all on a theme-only disguised in different daily experiences, and so I keep thinking they are new.
But I am only on the first chapter: Addition....(family addition) the subtraction, division and multiplication will follow I am sure.
So, here are three things I have been learning lately:

To preface: I never thought I’d see the day that I would be standing here speaking of lessons learned about being a parent.
Not that I didn’t want children. Quite the contrary.
Lets just say it all took a little longer that I would have ever guessed.
Marriage, pregnancy, delivery, and finally-a baby on site!
And I suppose in retrospect all this waiting and wishing, dreaming and unravelling of myself in hopes for a family of my own, came with one of the best lessons never to leave my heart..and that is:
Becoming a parent is not a reward for the person of greater faith or value in God’s eyes.
Pregnancy is not a demonstration of God playing favourites.
Childlessness, barrenness, infertility are not God’s stamp of displeasure or disapproval.
Children are a gift. Pure and simple. Healthy or unwell.
Some are welcomed as planned little bundles of scheduling somehow gone right,
some are welcomed as unexpected surprises.
Some are taken with resentment.
Some are held at a distance and blamed for being born at the wrong place and time.

In our society where success is seen as constant growth, and in a Christian culture that tends to revere parenthood to a status of some kind of arrival: I raise my little flag of caution. Let us be open-hearted to those who want, wish and can’t be mothers, those with children who have truly lost their way, those who are without family-emotionally or physically. Today’s “widows and Orphans” can come in many more faces: single, divorced, childless, -wrongly defined as being “have-nots”. We all possess the ability to pour our legacy out into our world. Be it into children, passionate work, abilities, gifts and lives so worth sharing.
No one is meant to be excluded in God’s Family. Everyone is allowed a true HOME in this family, a safe, nurturing, truth-telling, accepting loving place and a significant meat and potatoes kind of a role.
In God’s family, we are ALL siblings.

The Second lesson about myself as a parent, and about God as a parent.
is..Love is not an ability to control.
This is like a recurring dream.
Like the one where you can fly. Only very different.
For me it began in those first starkest, most demanding hours, blurry days and nights of being a mother to a newborn baby.
To put it lightly: Finn didn’t know what was expected of him as a baby, and I didn’t know what he expected of me as a Mama.
An intense misunderstanding had we.
He had the advantage of blissful ignorance.
I was overwhelmed by responsibility, fatigue and raw helplessness.
And so the deep understanding of God as creator began anew to awaken itself in our little household.
Everyone unsure of how it will work out in the end.
And now, past the newborn phase of mothering into the assertiveness of the two year old, and unrelenting lack of control one experiences as a parent of a 3 year old male potty resistant child.
Before I was a mother I never got what is was all about: The passion of the potty-mouthed mothers. I get it now. Potty training has the potential to bring every PHd to their knees. Just like the proverbial horse-you can bring a child to the potty-but you cant make him GO. And as I face this frustrating reality for oh-quite some time now, I HAVE to laugh about what it teaches me of God’s ways with us all. I Have to laugh, cause else I scream. God allows us to learn, in our own way and time.
True learning and thus real change comes from a willing and open and ready heart.
So, help me God.
So help me learn.

Last lesson of Late:
Here and now is the best place to be. (this simple addige can be applied to anytime)
I am so unbelievably grateful to be a mother to Finn Peter Brendan and Wrenny Mirabel May.

My friend Lloy had a baby about 6 months before me, and when I asked her about it all she said “it is alot better and alot worse than I ever thought”.
And I want to speak to the “alot better”, cause life is too short to get stuck in the mire of “alot worse”
I love to be a mother because I am amazed, mesmorized, captivated, soaring in cheezy and bears’ claw LOVE for my two children. They are the most compact little containers of energy, humour, emotion, resilience, mercy, creativity and independance.
And they so GET how to Love. They are fearlessly, wasteful about it, in a slathering till it drips off the toast kind of way. They don’t even care if I return it-they just don’t seem to know how to turn that switch off yet. In snuggles and in tantrums-they fight for my attention, for my constancy, for my affection, my protection. They are not about tomorrow or yesterday-they are RIGHT NOW. They are NOt in a hurry, they do Not have an alternate plan. They are the great lifejacket of our fast-paced-achievement-driven world-everybody swims the same kinde of kooky way when you got one on.
They demand my best, they forgive my worst. They WANT to be taught-even though it is hard to tell every once in a while..they open up their little hearts and minds to me and say-filler up-every single waking moment. I suspect every sleeping moment too. And I LOVE IT.
This has made me realize how God must just feel the same way about me. About you, about every crazy nut in this place. He is thrilled at everything we DO finally learn. He is totally enthralled. He loves us because we are each so different. He loves when we get along and sing and hold hands and stop fighting long enough to hug.
That is a big deal to him.
So-Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

To end.
a cheezy little poem i wrote for the occasion-because I am embracing the cheeziness that mothering is teaching me. Cheesiness is actually a form of godliness, in case you didnt know.

Recipe Box

2 parents
love LOVE love
wait wait WAIT
take out of oven and enjoy with the whole family.
easy peasy
serve with selflessness for the rest of your life.

*Optional: for best results add soother, sunscreen, playdo, sand.
keep fresh by placing in sunshine for a period of time each day.
tends to become spongey and lifeless without rest, careful handling and a thorough tickle.

A new card..coming soon

2008-04-01T12:51:00.002-06:00

I have started a new line of Collage cards for a local Children's store.
They are called the "Bumbletree Series".
Anyways-they are specifically for new moms, kid's milestones, grandparents etc.

Here are two-for new moms.

more to come...

Happy Easter!!

2008-03-23T16:14:00.006-06:00

...Complete with Campfire Sunrise Service, A visit from the Easter Bunny in the backyard, a church service and an afternoon of fun activities at Fort Steele.

It's only 3pm but it feels like I should be getting to bed soon! Phew!!
pics to follow..

Spring Break with the Walls

2008-03-21T17:53:00.003-06:00

What an awesome week had we with our friends the Walls..
4 adults,
4 kids under 4,
1000 square feet filled to the limit with fun fun fun.
We slept amazingly well, and enjoyed adventures and good food.
And now, on this Good Friday we eat fish and miss our awesome pals.

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T13:58:00.002-06:00

a little Valentine's Day Dress up.

Chocolate for breakfast..and thus we LOVE this day. Hendrix joined us at 7 am as he does each Thursday and was pleasantly surprised by the Kinder surprise...

The scene where the Baba leaves the house each day...

My Mama's Birthday

2008-02-09T22:50:00.000-06:00

Just a few things I loved about my Mama...and a candle for her BIG Birthday!
...from her most youngest child.

-her favourite blouse (10 blouses sewn from the same pattern with different fabric-a smart woman)
-her laugh-til-you-cry way of humour
-her crazy labeling the shelves thing (i get that now!)
-her love to "Make it by Hand"
-her ability to listen to all things at the end of a school day
-her rye sourdough "black bread" on weekdays and "white bread" for weekends
-her "let's make a new dress for this wedding" sewing in scantily clads
-her love for all things green and growing
-her afternoon Earl Grey ritual and weekend "Kaffeetrinken"
-her total eco-friendly way of reusing everything, wasting nothing, buying local-WAY before it became "trendy"
-her ability to laugh at herself
-her ability to love me

Matchy Matchy Hand-me-downs

2008-02-04T21:54:00.001-06:00

OPA turns 70

2008-02-04T19:56:00.001-06:00

We have just returned from a weekend in Calgary via Lethbridge.
Nana took the kids we dropped off in her cozy little house, and we travelled on to Calgary to celebrate my dad's big day.
Mike and I were the first to arrive @ Opa and Omi's on friday night.
Moni and Richard were a close second flying in from Salmon Arm, and with whom we shared accomodations. Christian and Shari flew in a few hours later from Colorado and stayed at Irene's house.
All came prepared for a good time-and all came sans enfants. So much fun!

And thus was spent a weekend-chatting and laughing over good food, planning and re-planning for our short evening "program" (where the four of us sibs got up and sang 2 songs and made a picture powerpoint and told stories of our Papa), getting food ready and dressing up for the big event.
it was truly a wonderful time.
Our kids kept Nana on her toes, and we became time millionaires for the weekend.
Ahhh- a short February reprieve-who woulda thunk!?

Opa preparing for his 30 guests!

All the prettiest girls on one couch

Many years have passed since this hike in Austria, 1975

Oh the weather outside is frightful

2008-01-26T16:48:00.000-06:00

so this is what we are doing.....getting into some good literature and "helping mama" with Laundry.

Pull up crisis

2008-01-15T20:39:00.000-06:00

I have FINALLY-after many tedious and agonizing months, decided to give in to "pull-ups" for my pee trained-but NOT poo trained son. I realize how petty this is to you who have no children underfoot, and franlkly I cannot myself believe I am ACTUALLY blogging about this. But perhaps it is the sheer volume of poop that I am dealing with these days-that causes me to write this rather desperate change in tactic.

I was so excited about the whole aspect of cutting down the disposable diaper waste-when Finn said he wanted to use the potty back in September. He definately has all the coolest underwear an almost 3 year old could have, for sure. And he is brilliant in the #1 department. But as we hit month 5 of "pooping in my underwear", the Mama here-who is trying sooooo hard to patient and say 'its ok, it is just fine, no problem'-is giving up her environmental moral almost entirely and is going to pull-ups fulltime.
very difficult for some insane reason, an thus this entry sounds like a confession.
another lofty ideal thrown away...ah, a loss of innocense..or shall i say naivity?!

So here is a post about poop.
no pictures.
arent you glad.

a little skating and such

2008-01-12T17:45:00.000-06:00

Every thursday our buddy Hendrix comes and stays with us. pictured here is "Curious George hour" when i drink my coffee and read and sit and meditate and do dishes etc.

Wrenny's new birthday poncho-handmade by Auntie Irene!!!

Finn has been thrilled that he has now a helmet for all occasions one for skiing (hand me down), hockey (thrift store special) , AND biking...so many helmets, not enough heads...so Wrenny helps out.

Finn, Wren and i just came back from a couple of hours of skating and sliding around the outdoor rink here in town. We came home ruddy and ready for some hot chocolate..and a treat. it was decided that today would be a good day for us to dine on the gingerbread house we made before Christmas. Here is the before picture...

Slip slidin' away

2008-01-09T22:49:00.000-06:00

backyard zippy fun..as kids barrel down the slide with snowsuits...
and some baking powder bisquit ducks that finn helped to make with supper tonight.
complete with raisin eyes.
a proud moment for he.

First weekend of the year....

2008-01-07T17:23:00.000-06:00

...included Finn and Wren's first swim lessons (Thanks Nana, Opa, Pops and JoAnn), a visit from Nana, some Potty Training Highlights as well as a brief visit for me to the hospital without any direct results (but good pain drugs!!) for some severe abdominal issues. Also pictured here is a painting Mike did this week of his office at the Elko train station, and a popcorn picnic in the kitchen today before and after pics!

happy new year!

2008-01-02T16:46:00.000-06:00

wrenny, my lion tamer..boxing day at the zoo..and then a pic of our whole clan.

a few pics of our (oh so beautiful) kids at Ian and JoAnn's wedding on the 28th

we started the year at the sledding hill with a wienie roast and good friends!!! weeeeeee

Christmas with the Schwarz's..and more!

2008-01-01T20:57:00.001-06:00

here are a few photos to start..strangely the rest keep refusing to load..hmmm..maybe i will try again tomorrow!
Happy New year!

The Hepher Clan..

a month gone by

2007-11-27T23:12:00.001-06:00

well here we are lately....Wrenny's first chocolate fondue and various bathrobe/bath poses as well as an afternoon in the snow with Auntie Moni and Kai...who aare visiting (and Tomi) for a few days!!

Trick or treat...a kitty and a chili pepper

2007-10-31T19:18:00.000-06:00

a poem by my hubby

2007-10-20T20:36:00.000-06:00

Mike wrote this last year right before Wren entered the world..I love it. wanted to pull it out for this season..

Peace to the season,
To the dying rays of the sun
To the valleys
Hidden, lost, and found.

Peace to the forests
To the leaves
To the trees
Sleeping, naked and unashamed

Peace to the neighbours
To the raking
To the woodcutting
Stacking, hauling and shoring up

Peace to the house
To the woodstove
To the beds
Tucking, cozy and warm

Peace to the Autumn
To the colours
To the air
Slumbering, reddish and cool.

Wren's bday weekend and all things Thanksgiving

2007-10-08T12:53:00.000-06:00

What a full weekend we had!
Irene and Nana came on friday night; Saturday Papa and Annemarie came.
On Sunday Pops, JoAnn, Rob Rin and Skye, Grandad and GrAnne all came...and then all trickled home on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. The house was full at all times with hot food, kids shrieking, dishing being washed and put away, conversations in the kitchen, backyard and living room, and tantrums on and off by finn and me! HA. It was so great to see everyone-we sure enjoyed having you all!!
Here are a few pics of the weekend.

Finn and Baba work hard on finishing the brick walkway-which, by the way, looks FANTASTIC!

Omi and Finn read Thomas the Tank Engine Stories before bed

Our babes get dedicated at Church-very meaningful for us..
Three generations of Hepher boys

JoAnn and Me and Wren at Wrenny's cake party on sunday Afternoon

The Birthday Girl in the sunshine

cute at every angle!
After all the rellies left-we hired a sitter and worked on our guest cabin-me as roofer!! I needed to pound some nails..its been too long. (I also got to use the drill to fix the gate and found great satisfaction in the completion of a project using a power drill...what is not to love!)

Van and Wren

Finn and Rosie in the Laundrey hamper

Rosie as "the gift"

Mike posing with extremely valuable mandolin,,,um, yup, a loaner!

Sunday's birthday celebrations-Wrenny with her Lemon Cake

Saturdays Thanksgivng Bird with friends and Family...Papa and Annemarie, Irene, Nana, Sheryl, Wendy and Van, The Reimers and all of us Hephers too! Little house seemed little.

been busy, been gone, been tired...

2007-09-30T14:23:00.000-06:00

those are the reasons for my almost 20 day delay of posts!
Alas we have been in the fullness of fall, which is my favourite time of year...except of course Christmas and the first crocus of spring and, a the first day at the park in the summer...HA!
The kids and I went for a 5 day Alberta tour to visit friends and fam, while Mike was working hard core on or guest cabin roof. All is well and it (the roof) should be done before the end of the month...I am busy envisioning summer guests or at least a playhouse for next summer. Pics on that later.
Wrenny is One in a week-and I can hardly believe how fast this year has gone!

Anyways...
here is what we were up in Southern Alberta (little puppy is Nana's cute little "rosie".

First Week of September

2007-09-09T22:17:00.000-06:00

We just came back from a weekend in Lethbridge-
Pops was celbrating his 60th year with a BIG Party...here are Skye and Finn at the Pinata festivities in the garage of Pop's and JoAnn's new house.

Finn takes a big swing with Baba's help

The evening ends in a song circle-pictured here with members of the Glenncoullee band and Rob Hepher

Our new sidewalk taking shape...

Daughter in Babushka

reluctant Lederhosen Model

Finn feeds Wrenny Applesauce

Navel Gazing after a weekend at CROW

2007-09-04T19:50:00.000-06:00

After being away for 10 years, i went to the gnarly rooted beginnings of my faith journey and spent a weekend at CROW Camp on Crowsnest lake Alberta. A highly packed event it was. Those in attendence (some 400!!) were there to celebrate 50 years of Camp being in existence. I discovered that there was much to be pondered from my ten summers at Crow (87-97) and my non crow summers (97-07). here they are...

Mainly, I just about fell apart, actually.
dont get me wrong. I do not have a hard time supporting camp and enjoying the wealth of memories and the fortitude it has brought on my person, but I guess 10 years do change a person. And Camp too. All for good, is my thinking.

In those 10 years, I moved to my now more or less settled "home".
I went from "single" to "engaged" to "married" to "infertile" to "mother of two".
I have gone from being a person highly stimulated by others and their energy and passions seeped into becoming my own:to developing a more clear idea of who I am- without a group of people-without husband, without children, without a hard and fast plan for the future career.
me at 26 is quite different than me at 36. where I once thrived on boundless activity and highly stimulating conversation, I now somehow seek out a more quiet way, still very relational just not as charged. It's not better or wiser, its just different. And the fact that everyone at camp that knew me from the past related to me in the way I formerly was, found me completely exhausted and insecure. Crappy. I felt utterly lost...which was totally weird in such a familiar setting.

it was a little bit of a hard reality to swallow, to be honest.
camp being the one place that felt like a true home to me, has grown into a place i used to love and a place i still cherish, but is not mine anymore.
It was sad. it was good. It was emotional. Holy Crap. i didnt know what hit me, but everytime I turned around I was trying to wipe a way a tear. And every other time I turned around the other way i wanted to hop back in the solitude of my own car with my two unruly chilluns and head home. listen to cbc. have a coffee and some black licorice.

However there were far too many good people to be with and enjoy the company of. The highlight being an hour or so (after all the kids were in bed) of an impromptu circle gathering of old friends, a bag of doritos, a handful of chairs dragged out of their lairs, and laughs about the times gone by.

And so the days pass. Days, months years, decades even,
God help us if we dont change.
God help us anyways.

August August

2007-08-24T23:25:00.001-06:00

Finn said" we are a family" and asks to have his picture taken..

A Photo taken at our friend Miriam Jones (and Jez Carr's wedding last weekend

Kai and Tomi while here on their visit 2 weeks ago

Mike and Kai and Finn

The many faces of the crawling and walking attempts of Wrenny Hepher...

a little self indulgent

2007-08-19T21:57:00.000-06:00

but it seems our camera only has pics of kids and hubsy.
so, for those who need a re-viewing of the author...
(Thanks Mrs Q.)

A weekend without kids

2007-08-07T19:40:00.001-06:00

although below are pics of the kids, Mike and i actually left them with nana at the cabin while we toodled off to see Bruce Cockburn at the Kaslo Jazz etc festival. An incredible concert-and festival-i was swept up in the songs and the whole mountain village-floating stage experience was wonderful. An excellent time except for my issues of gut ache that lasted for 24 hours (the same 24 hours that we were without kids, no less!)
We returned on the ferry and made our way back to the cabin and the next day met one of Mike's friends whom we haven't seen since our wedding 6 years ago in creston for breakie...Then back home for a Birthday cake Party for Mikey and few friends (photos to follow)
And today, the first coolish day since june it seems, i cooked a turkey Dinner. The pot is simmering with turkey broth, an unlikely smell in an August kitchen.

Back from the Lake

2007-07-22T20:39:00.000-06:00

Here are the pics to prove how much fun we had!!

A little History in the making

2007-07-06T20:36:00.000-06:00

read this story and read on with grin.

Bluebeettle Creative has officially moved

2007-07-06T20:15:00.000-06:00

yup.
the rumour is true.
our little business in the garage has expanded its lung capacity and grown into a beautiful office right beside the railroad museum. The phone line was hooked up tonight and the 3 office workers will be scuttling all their gear and more over there during the weekend so that the new week will find them comfortably (rather than the last 3 sardined months) industious in their new digs.
I am so pleased
I am so proud of my hunny.
and by the way:
the address you ask: 1 Van Horne Streeet.
Yes, I also think it is very cool!

The pics below are of the new location..
-one reno pic
-one pic of the outside taken recently
-one taken some time ago
-one taken somewhere in between
so very cool to be part of the story of an old building...

Canada Day Weekend

2007-07-02T15:12:00.000-06:00

While Mike went to Play a Canada Day gig with the band, Nana, who stayed and played all weekend, and I with kids went to "Dominion Day" at Fort Steele. As you will see below, it was complete with Wagon and Train ride and an Ass who ate grass.

This week Wrenny is wowing us by deciding to crawl and Finn is wowing us with his ability to stay up til 10 pm..with all that sunlight going on!

When at last ALL the children slept!!

2007-06-25T21:59:00.000-06:00

It took almost 3 days of camping , but by saturday afternoon all of our 4 children slept at the same time..here's what the grown-ups did!

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Sunglasses in the van

2007-06-25T21:51:00.000-06:00

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a camping we will go...

2007-06-24T20:58:00.001-06:00

We spent the weekend camping..3 twins and their spouses!
The number were as follows:
1 vw van (see our sleeping arrangements in follwing pics)
2 dome tents
6 adults
2 toddlers
2 babies
1 spilled beer in baby's bed (oops)
1 evening snack of banana boats
6 tubes of infant sunscreen at at any given time
3 meals out of cans (including :Dora Noodles)
1 singing toddler potty
4 days of incredible sunshine on a sandy beach 45 minutes from home!

new pics and happenings

2007-06-18T14:58:00.001-06:00

Finn has been busy learning to draw a happy face..as you can see-complete with irises and nostril holes!
we are so blown away by his attention to detail!!

No Baby Album is complete without....

2007-06-12T14:56:00.000-06:00

THE PASTA FACE!

Ants on a Log

2007-06-12T14:37:00.000-06:00

I have become re-aquainted with a snacking champion forsummer movie nights:
Ants on a log.

For me, the discovery of these during a Grade 3 "Health Week" at Mongomery Street School in Fredericton, New Brunswick, gave Cheez Whiz a reason to be noticed. Even celery was palatable if its cheezy sidekick was handy-by. It made the week of classroom aerobics to "Ra-Ra-Rasputin" as well as other Canadian snacks (Apples and cheddar-who would have thought?) so very memorable to my impressionable German immigrant mind.

This week also found me kneeling in front of my apple tree-unleashing it from the brick and rope I had weighed it down with 4 summers ago. Now that the branches were at a place I had hoped they would be (I had to "re-train" one branch as I had accidently snapped it off upon its first arrival in our garden) I felt as though I should have a little ceremony for it. Say some words, you know, sing some songs.... Instead, there I sat untying the wind-tangled knots of rope. And I was so happy to be in the sunny fresh air and wondered about the last time I could sit still for 5 LONG minutes IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY to untie a knot. It was, strangely, a blissfull state of being. A little kiss from God. So now the tree grows freely, Probation with Bricks over, in the smack-dab middle of the yard. Mike says we will likely have to seriously prune some of the aforementioned branches anyhow, because now they are too low.
well, whatever.
It might mean another freedom session.
And I am all over that!

A week in Alberta

2007-06-05T22:57:00.002-06:00

Spent the last week with irene and my Papa and Annemarie.
here are the latest pics..

2007-06-05T22:57:00.001-06:00

Anie Hepher --

[adjective]:

Having the texture of congealed cheese

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Rainy Monday Morning

2007-05-28T09:10:00.000-06:00

It's raining like vancouver the last 48 hours. So while Wrenny naps, I pulled out an old bucket of spelt kernels and Finn is pretty much lost in his own bubble of containers and scoops. I, on the other hand need to get started on some laundrey and floors and ....procratinating by blogging!

May long in Lethbridge-Happy Bday Queen Vicky

2007-05-25T21:44:00.001-06:00

We celebrated the late queen in family bliss:

Three (consecutive) sleep-in mornings (as Nana volunteered to take Wrenny for her daily 6:30am constitutional) and hanging out with the Lethbridge Fam for a few relaxing days. Eating, swimming, lounging in the park, eating excellent food...hmmmm. ahhhhh.
Some might contend with my choice of the adjective "relaxing" when, at times, the weekend included 5 adults and 3 small children in a 1500 sqft premise, but I would heartily disagee!
We also had a little visit with Pops and Joanne as they came through Cranbrook enroute the cabin...while Finn romped around in stellar form-performing his best version of the past-bedtime crazies!! All, including Wrenny, were duly entertained.

Here are pics of the last days.

She sits like a pro!

Before bedtime movie with Finn and cousin Skye

Uncle Robby. Uncle Cool.

Nana's home is transformed by a layer of trucks and blocks, pillows and crumbs.
Incredibly, she does not seem to mind!

A few pics of the Ladies in the morning.

Finn-the toddler.

The breakfast Club....

....followed later by the Supper Club-here with the Thiessen Hepher Fam.

After the bath-this is a quintissential Wrenny Grin.

overalls

2007-05-19T20:54:00.000-06:00

what's not to love about a kid in these fetching threads?

And speaking of over-all: my sis in law's blog informs me that you can save ALL your blog entries in book form for the sake of posterity.
how very awesome!
see BLURB

A Sad May Day

2007-05-15T15:06:00.000-06:00

Today marks the one year anniversary of my friend Doug's death in a tragic mining accident.
I miss him so often and so hard.
Tonight, we are all heading out to his property (where mike and I got married) and we celebrate the First Annual "Doogie Boogie" to remember a fella who knew how to live and love with grace and ease and laughter.
I raise my glass to you Doug.

End of an era

2007-05-13T21:36:00.000-06:00

This mothers day will go down with a few top stories including:

-sleeping in till 615am
-top of the morning with a poem and chocolate from hubsy on the kitchen table
-Finn and I walking home from church in the rain-him in all the puddles-all the way!!
-a band practice with my beloved Crows where I finally broke the news that I would be leaving the band-as it has become too much for me with this present adventure of child-formation to keep on in a "workin' band"!
Thats apretty big deal after some 15 years.

Now bathed and sleepy, decked in mismatched but cozy pajamas,
i feel a deep satisfaction in letting go.
The familiar is going to be a very rich and rewarding and lively memory.

Now the road takes a small turn and I await the creative pursuits that lie ahead.
For now-
its a whole lot of early morning walks with a smiling baldy perched on my back-drinking the world in with 7 month old eyes,
and the chatter of a boy who loves a laugh and goldfish cracker who loses himself in the Sandbox World every wakingday.
And its rediscovering a more complex connection to the man who saw enough in me to say-I Do.

Onward ho.
here's to the great (and daily) unknown.

Mother's Eve

2007-05-12T23:43:00.000-06:00

I am thinking of the women in my life that have mothered me.
besides the obvious. (Whom i will miss this day the most.)

my other mothers:
My sister Irene, who has always watched over me-as little mother
My Tante Ernel-who always prays for me and keeps my Mama's memory fresh,
My Auntie Dale Ann-who keeps the love of life and simplicity of Joy current in my days,
My Momo-who has never rushed in, but has always let love unfold itself in the mildest and yet fullest, richest way.

Thank you.

for looking after my heart when it needs tending,
for listening to my stories, because I do so need to tell them!
and for believing that i could indeed become a mother myself-
an incredible gift, at which I am still bewildered and beguiled!

We had a party to celebrate on the eve of.
Complete with chocolate, Gin and yes, several more good, nay GREAT mothers.

pics o' kids

2007-05-08T22:07:00.000-06:00

Not that our kids have changed significantly over the last days...but a few pics of them anyways, becuase they're just so darn cute on a daily basis!!

2007-05-05T15:12:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was Jenny's bday and we had a pizza party.
We had Jenny and her 2 kids and our 2 and our friends Nichole and Ken with their 2 kids...so our 1000 square feet were maxed. After supper we sent them out to the sandbox and they returned only when the sun was fading.

Note: jolly faced baby: Baby Jack, now 4.5 months!

Our buddy Paige

2007-05-01T22:34:00.000-06:00

..came over for the day as her parents were moving to a new house!!
We had a whale of a time, except for Wrenny..where it was more of a Wail: she is sick and crabby and busted out a new tooth yeaterday...

Last Weekend in April

2007-05-01T22:08:00.000-06:00

Nana visited us this weekend.
We did all the things that Nana and her grandkids and son and DIL do best:
the Park, The Pool, The Restaurant Lunch Out, A long leisurely trip to the Mall (by Mike and I) and best of all: The Sleep-In!!
We miss you Nana!

A Good Book

2007-04-30T13:29:00.000-06:00

is one that you wish you had written....if you were more articulate and clever and such. I have found such a book in "Eat, Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. Am about halfway and found such an inspiring quote, that I emailed it to a friend and now want to post it here...not just because it took me sooo long to type (7 fingers and all) but because it truly inpires me. Here it is then. Grab your teacup and plan for a short walk around the block to meditate after!!

"The search for God is a reversal of the normal, mundane worldly order. In the search for God, you revert from what attracts you and swim toward that which is difficult. You abandon your comforting and familiar habits with the hope (the mere hope!) that something greater will be offered you in return for what you've given up. Every religion in the world operates on the same common understandings of what it means to be a good disciple-get up early and pray to your God, hone your virtues, be a good neighbour, respect yourself and others, master your cravings. We all agree that it would be easier to sleep in, and many of us do, but for millenia there have been others who chose instead to get up before the sun and wash their faces and go to their prayers. And then fiercely try to hold on to their devotional convictions throughout the lunacy of another day.
The devout of this world perform rituals without guarantee that anything good will ever come of it. Of course there are plenty of scriptures and plenty of priests who make plenty of promises as to what your good works will yield (or threats as to the punishment awaiting if you lapse), but to even believe all this is an act of faith, because nobody amongst us is shown the endgame. Devotion is diligence without assurance. Faith is a way of saying "yes, I pre-accept the terms of the universe and I embrace in advance what I am presently incapable of understanding". There's a reason we refer to "leaps of faith"-because the decision to consent to any notion of divinity is a mighty jump from the rational over to the unknowable...If faith were rational, it wouldn't be-by definition, faith. Faith is belief in what you cannot see or prove or touch. Faith is walking face-first and full-speed into the dark. If we truly knew all the answers in advance as to the meaning of life and the nature of God and the destiny of our souls, our belief would not be a leap of faith and it would not be a courageous act of humanity: it would be just ...a prudent insurance policy.
I'm not interested in the insurance industry. I'm tired of being a skeptic. I'm irritated by spiritual prudence and I feel bored and parched by empirial debate. I don't want to hear anymore. I couldn't care less about evidence and proof and assurances. I just want God. I want God inside me. I want God to play in my bloodstream the way sunlight amuses itself on water."

Crazy little Talent

2007-04-25T21:25:00.000-06:00

I just received this as an email and it kind of made me beebop... this four year old accordian player with a big personality and sound.

Picnic Lunch 2 days in a row..

2007-04-24T19:39:00.000-06:00

First on our lawn and then at the downtown park today.
Little containers of tiny, sweet tomoatoes, pretzels, cheese and Landjaeger cut into toddler-sized bits, fruits and cookies and Ribena (Blackcurrant bevie) etc etc etc.

We are Kings and queens of the Sunshine over here in the Kootenays.
Wrenny even got a slight sunburn(her first) in her jolly jumper in the backyard-attatched to a little hook by the sandbox.
Doesn't get much better.
But now, I sound like I am bragging, and that never did any one a lick of good.

Hot Rocks and other mysteries uncovered

2007-04-17T21:43:00.000-06:00

9:30 am found me crying beside a rail crossing full of train. A sight Finn would have loved, but not me. I was driving up to a "hot rock massage" on the wrong side of the tracks, as it were..it was a gift certificate from friends when Wrenny was born. Six months later I was redeeming it. Babysitter lined up, raining like bilio, car seals leaking and me rounding the corner to a descending red and white rail arm, ding-dinging happily into place. I thought for sure I would miss 15 precious minutes of the already-been-paid-for-massage. I had anticipated this massage for MONTHS.
I said nasty words to the train, which of course, did nothing except make me feel very small and stuck beside many tonnes of rocking steel.

The good news? The Masseuse was a kind hearted woman who always expects delays due to the frequency of the trains. She saw me my full hour. The hot Rocks and massage and even the old movie intrumental muzak pouring out of the cd player all did their magic and 60 minutes later I was a puddle of endorphins. WOW.

if you ever get a chance, I recommend!

A calm wish a in a sea of Household chaos

2007-04-10T21:58:00.000-06:00

Feeling entirely overwhelmed by the household..
but here i sit anyways..thinking about what i really still would like to do before the decade is out.

knit more..small baby things out of excellent hand dyed or at least organic yarn..to sell and to put money back into my planet somehow.

sew more...also the same idea

feature the first composting toilet on my block..perhaps in all of downtown

make a children's album of original tunes that are silly and hip and use outrageous instruments like perhaps toothbrushes or jello with a spoon..amd have all my favourite musicians play on it

travel with my little clan to the east coast one fine September and campin ou r van..or someone elses.

those are all my wishes for now..

well, ok one more..

I want a chicken. actually maybe two or five..to have my own eggs.
but thats it really.
for today.