~Celebrating Mr. Husband Part 2~Cake~Candles~Joy~

Believe it or not, 

I kinda think the cake was even better this year!

*

I will try to do a post later on about how I did

this year's cake....

I love the moment when Mr. Husband comes

out to the dining room and I've lit the

7 candles... 

I lit one at a time with different prayers for him... 

His final 4 presents...

7 seemed to be a theme as that was how many 

he unwrapped this year...

*

He got two more bars of vegan chocolate,

one with ginger and one with chili

and some trader joes jelly beans.

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And two more books, shown below :)

I love our birthday table this year!

We had scrimp for his birthday,

with peanut sauce, rice, Indian junk food 

and salad.

It was such a joy!

Cleo decided she wanted to try sitting on one

of my knitting baskets.

I took the picture then took her off and 

gently explained to her that the basket

is really not strong enough for her to do that again... :)

First edition with dust jacket,

Chesterton on Dickens! 

And 4th printing first edition of 

Chesterton's book 

the Thing. :)

*

We are bringing cake and cupcakes to church

tomorrow to continue the celebration

and it's been a wonderful week of 

being thankful for my Mr. Husband and his birth! 

Pre-St. Nicholas Day Celebrations

Last night I baked my

St. Nicholas Cake

a vegan chocolate cake

for St. Nicholas Day

while Cleo supervised.

After liturgy we had our St. Nicholas fish

dinner and concert;

it was also a parishioner's birthday so we sang

happy birthday

and many more years.

"St. Nicholas" came and all the kids got presents...

*

Tomorrow is St. Nicholas Day

and I will be God willing

at liturgy for this day.

*

I love St. Nicholas...

The beginning of 34 has been beautiful

Today went as planned.

Matins in the morning;

breakfast with my Grandmother.

Lunch with family.

Not the best picture;

but I am glad I have it;

it is a lunch that my Aunt always has for us:

boiled egg

good bread, jams, peanut butter

roggebrood (a small dense Dutch rye bread), cheese,

milk, coffee

banana.

*

How we laugh at my Aunt's house;

talking about my Mom and Cousins growing up years;

and the grand-babies of two of my Aunt's grandchildren.

I made the roasted root vegetables for my family's Christmas dinner;

this time I added a parsnip;

it turned out really well.

*

I got some special gifts -

some small spoons and tea towel that were my Oma's.

An icon of the Annunciation from my Godmother;

my ever present composition notebooks

(always have one with me)

Dutch soup mix and some simple delft blue egg cups

(for lunches like the one my Aunt had for us).

I must remember to show you all a beautiful

hand painted ornament of the Nativity

that my sister gave me from Romania.

*

A most wonderful day full of seeing many people I love.

The first day of my 34th year.

I have no idea what is in store for me this year

but I know I will need God for every step of the way.

*

I am off to the monastery for a few days.

I thank God that I have this opportunity.

God is rich in mercy.

Praying that as this year draws to a close that God

will comfort all of us as we face a new year

with all that it will contain.

God is with us.

Today Tuesday June 22 2010 is...

My Mother's Birthday!

I often say,

explaining why I am so easily Canadian,

"I was born of a Canadian Mother"

but really there is something much greater to be said than this!

"I was born of a Christian Mother"

and I am so blessed.

My Mother still loves me today

and we talk on a very regular basis on the phone.

She still reminds me often of God

and of God's faithfulness,

challenging me to trust God

to not worry

to do things in God's strength,

not my own.

To seek God first...

My Mother is a beautiful flower in the garden that God

has created and founded me in.

*

My Mother's example of seeking God;

of patience

(she had me you know!)

and constant steadfastness in her love for all of her kids

of my Dad,

of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

is something I hope to grow towards

and be worthy of.

So Many Years to My Mom!