Auntie's Angels!

Amanda had a sleepover at Aurora's on Friday night, and when they surfaced at church on Saturday, they were twins?! Well they might as well be twins, they are pretty much inseparable when they are together... only three days later and Amanda is already asking, 'when do I see Aurora again?!' ...precious girlies! **Big thanks to the Auntie-extraordinaire (http://www.auntie.blogspot.com) for blessing our girl as you always do!)

Happy Birthday Les!

Today is my amazing husband's birthday! He is working evenings all week, so we started our celebrating on the weekend. We are about mid-way through Les' birthday celebration week now!

On Friday night we went out for a wonderful supper at The Granary. Afterward we went for a drive in the country under the stars before settling in at home to watch a movie by candle-light. On Saturday we got the rare opportunity to do some shopping, just us two, and this was followed by sharing ice cream sundaes even! On Sunday morning our family had chocolate chip pancakes at Les' request and Amanda got to shower her dad with birthday wishes. Later in the day we headed over to Les' parents for a family birthday supper. Last night I tried to make things special for Les again when he got home late from work, and today we are meeting for lunch as he has to leave for work as soon as I get home from work (not only today but all this week). He's going to take the other half of the the chocolate peanut butter cheesecake I made him for his birthday to work tonight so he can celebrate there again and share it with his co-workers, but it won't end there, this weekend we will have another family dinner for Les with my folks and my brother.

Les is an amazing man and deserves all this attention and much more. He is loving and intelligent, strong and sensitive, creative and practical. He is a good father and a good son. He is a great husband and is my best friend...and he continues to capture my heart everyday!

Happy birthday Les! I love you more than words could say!

______________

In honour of Les' birthday, I thought I'd post a few of Les' favourite things (in no particular order)....

- guitars (Gibson guitars in particular...and more specifically the Les Paul)
- skies
- turtles (the chocolates)
- making music
- holding my hand (I think:)
- the colours orange and burgundy
- our home
- worship (especially with Robin Mark)
- peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
- our living dolly
- cranking his Marshall
- bowling shirts
- Porche test driving
- spending time together
- Celtic music
- making people laugh/smile

This list is nowhere near complete. It's just a few of the things that I thought of when I thought of Les today:)

Speaking of festive colours...

My last post got me to thinking about what I consider a festive colour and what I don't and why... Don't get me wrong, I have seen lovely white Christmas trees with pink ornaments, lovely, but they just don't say 'Christmas' to me. Christmas to me is rich greens, deep reds, country blues. Our neighbour across the street has their tree in front of their window as do we, and it's covered in white lights as is the fashion these days, but multi-coloured lights shine Christmas to me. Don't get me wrong, I love lights no matter the colour and am thrilled that more and more houses are lit up at night as I drive by these days...

I guess I have this folky, old fashioned idea of Christmas, and I don't really want to change it. I like green trees with coloured lights, angels or stars on top, homemade decorations, folky decorations, angels, gingerbread.... and of course, there has to be a navity underneath:)

(Note: credit for image above goes to... http://www.heartwarmingholidays.com/)

No hockey:(

Not only has the lock-out meant no hockey night in Canada each week, but it seems to have crept into the festive spirit at Tim Hortons this year. As I went through the drive-thru to get my tea on the way to work this morning, I received my first festive take-out cup of the season. Usually Tim's cups this time of year depict a Canadian winter scene of children playing hockey (on a frozen pond last year or in a rink in years gone past...) This year the festive cup is orange (orange? is that a festive colour? not saying it's not a lovely shade, but not exactly festive...) with some snowflakes and handwritten words about friendship randomly brokaid on the cup in a slightly darker shade. What's up with that?! I miss the kids playing hockey:( (Side note to the NHL-PA: would a salary cap really be so bad?)

Christy was right this tea is amazing!


See....http://www.celestialseasonings.com/products/holiday/gbs.php

Last night was a big grocery shopping night for us...we were out of almost everything, so we went to Safeway (10% Tuesday) and Costco. My reward for the trip was buying some 'Gingerbread Spice' tea that Christy (http://christy_z.blogspot.com/) recommended last week. Les and I each sipped on a cup after we got our haul put away and our dolly to bed.... mmmm, it does taste like someone melted a gingerbread right in your cup! Tea with my hunny, it doesn't get any better than that! :)

This is too cool...


Now you can build your own Gibson Les Paul in the Gibson Custom Shop online....see http://www.gibson.com/products/custom/flash/byo/byo.html
(It's kind of like some of the games on websites for kids, but this one 's for grown-up who like to play:)

Favourite things...
(in no particular order)

hearts
hugs
small gatherings of people dear to me
snowflakes
stars
walking at night, everything twinkles
sitting by the Christmas tree with only its light shining
sunsets
bedtime prayers as a family
worshipping
when my husband takes me in his arms
candles flickering
tea with Thee (or thee or even just plain old me)
country ragdoll angels
words
being swept off my feet
when God's word speaks to me
cuddling
music
my husband making music
dancing
romantic movies
romance
sentiment

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas...

...around the Brophy house anyway. Usually we decorate the first weekend of advent, but this year Les said we could do it one week early...so yesterday was spent decking the halls inside, and today Les and I ventured out to hang garland and lights outside. I love Christmas!

Last night was all about worship...

...and I was struck by the words to this chorus:

Majesty, Majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in your hands
Majesty, Majesty
Forever I am changed by your love
In the presence of your Majesty

"Empty handed, but alive in your hands"...wow, those words resonate in my heart... As I've posted before, the references to 'being' in God's hands throughout the Bible are so real and so personal to me.

One other song really affected me emotionally last night, and it doesn't usually affect me that way (well it probably should). We sang the classic hymn 'Great is Thy Faithfulness', and as always, the words are so true. Last night as we sang my friend and sister, Alana, was up at the altar during the song and I was kind of praying for her from where I was...and as we sang 'strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow...blessings all mine with ten thousand beside...', the tears just started streaming down my face. Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow was my prayer for Alana, and I was struck by God's faithfulness in the news she'd received about her health that day. I went and knelt beside her in 'the spot'..the spot I've prayed so many prayers that God has faithfully answered and I held her up to Him one more time thanking Him for His faithfulness. And as I did I was struck by how much I've learned about God's faithfulness through her...how I've seen His strength in her...and just how much I love Him and her...well I'm probably babbling now...don't know how to put into words what is in my heart...but God is faithful:)

A Few Favourites....

A few days ago Christy did a post about Oprah's favourite 'things' show where she gives a gift bag of her favourites to her audience. Christy posted her own list of favourite 'things' on her site (http://christy_z.blogspot.com/), and I thought it was fun. Now I don't watch Oprah, and my list of favourite 'things' would mostly be items that couldn't possibly fit in a gift bag (many would be quite intangible and not 'things' really at all...things like sunsets and hugs...I'll post that list on another day:), but I still thought it would be fun to think of some of your favourite products that you would include if you were able to give out a gift bag full of your favourite 'things' and small indulgences. Here are a few of my favourites:

Fruits and Passions Products (http://www.fruits-passion.com/en/index.asp)
I was a fan of Fruits and Passions before the store even opened here. Fieldberries is my scent. I love their perfume, bubble bath, lotions and room ambience sprays, and just walking into their shop is a feel-good experience. And I love how they wrap your purchases in pretty tissue that they spray with your scent!

Square necked black tee
Square necked black shirts are a staple in my wardrobe. I like the square neckline and how it fits under sweaters, blazers and other tops, and not only is black flattering, but it goes with almost everything!
Nutcracker Sweet Tea
This is a special indulgence available only at this time of year. You all know that I love tea...well this one smells and tastes like Christmas!

St. Ives hand cream
This is an inexpensive hand cream, but I love how rich and indulgent it feels...and it smells wonderful!

Home Companion
You knew Mary had to make my list, didn't you?!

Lindt Truffle Balls (http://www.lindtusa.com/chocomania-tasting.cfm)
Mmmm...these are my absolute favourite chocolates...decadent!

Tresemme products (http://www.tresemme.com/)
These used to be an indulgence. They used to only be available at salons, now you can even find them at Walmart! Great value for the money. I love the 'green' line! I use the shampoo, conditioner, mousse and spray.

Ivory body wash (honey)
Once again, a very reasonably priced item, but don't let that fool you, it leaves your skin like silk after your shower...and the scent...heavenly:)

Sheer pink nail polish by Sally Hansen
Lots of people ask me about what I use, and this is it. I paint my nails once a week with one coat of Sally's sheer pink polish (which is actually meant to go over a french manicure, but I skip doing the white tips since I don't have the time). I top it off with one coat of Sally's Quick Dry product and I'm good to go.

Eyelash Scarves
This past winter I was given a violet eyelash scarf from my dahling friend, Arilee. She made it herself and it's the best! It's soft and fun and pretty all in one. My friend Tami has eyelash scarves in almost every colour. I love my violet one, but I think I'd like a red/burgundy/fushia one too...decisions, decisions....guess I'll need to learn how to knit!

Donna (http://donnamnakrayko.blogspot.com/) has an awesome post today about her son coming home for a visit and what she wants for her kids...how it doesn't matter what they end up 'doing' for a living...here's my favourite quote from it:

"I want my kids to expand their hearts as well as their minds. (please note....heart first). I have invested much love and time into our children, when I leave this earth they will remember me for how I lived my life, not for the material things I gave them...There is the legacy I want to leave them with, to hand down to their children. "to love unconditionally"

...wise words from a wise-hearted woman...I couldn't agree with you more, Donna!

...and another thing....

...I ended my last post without telling you about the new site Amanda and I discovered this week...ME Kids (http://www.maryengelbreit.com/mekids/home.shtml)! That's right, Mary Engelbreit has designed a children's site with online games, colouring pages... It even teaches kids how Mary draws! And it looks like a paper doll section will be added soon! I'm not sure who will like this more...Amanda or me:)

It's out! It's finally out! ...


...the Christmas issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion (http://www.maryengelbreit.com/MEHC/index.htm), that is, and it is full of the most delightful things! There are gift cards from Mary to tie on your Christmas presents, an interview with Christopher Radko (I have to remember to call Nancy about that one), wonderful breads and spreads to make for Christmas, and even a link for making these adorable victorian paperdoll ornaments (http://www.victorianornaments.com/)! Now I just need time, time to explore it all! I've barely even had time to explore this issue and I'm already inspired! I want to decorate for Christmas tonight, but it will have to wait until the first weekend of advent as is our tradition...to begin preparing for Christmas when advent begins. Even though I'm not even half finished my shopping, maybe I could just wrap a few presents tonight though...afterall I just read that "in Japan wrapping is an art form. Gifts are symbolic of giving your heart." I like that! (but then again, you knew that, didn't you:)

Shall we dance?

Last evening, as we got home from Amanda's dance class and were bringing the groceries into the house (Les and I did a grocery run during Amanda's class), we had to pause because the sky was dancing for us. After we got the food into the house, we all headed out to our deck where the northern lights danced over our heads. How majestic?! The heavens declare His glory!

This was Amanda's first time seeing the northern lights...usually Les and I have caught them once she's in bed. I guess this is a true blessing of the sun setting earlier this time of year. Amanda made the connection last night of the northern lights being the auroras, and she had to call her bestest friend, Aurora from underneath them so she could see them too. Amanda thinks that Aurora is the perfect name for her friend because she so like the beautiful auroras dancing in the sky last night.

I then called my mother-in-law so she could see them for the first time too. Yesterday would have been a tough day for her. From what we saw, she did so well though. Yesterday was the anniversary of the passing of Les' brother. Yet somehow the stars seemed brighter and God made the sky dance. Perhaps it was a sign.

God has always done spectacular things in His sky that affirmed and assured me of His presence and love. The sky was one of the biggest things that Les loved about Saskatchewan when we were dating (before he moved here). I still remember the first time he saw the northern lights...t'was quite the romantic night for us! When we were engaged we kept driving out to the area we now live in at night, not to look at more houses, but more to see God's sky, the sunset, the stars and on special nights like last night, the nothern lights! My anniversary gift to Les this year was a telescope, something he's wanted his whole life, so he can explore it all even more. His love (and God's love through him) has given me so much, I just wanted to give him back a piece of the sky:)

Happy Anniversary Baby!


Two years ago today, I married the one who my heart loves, the man of my dreams, everything on my list, my handsome prince, my precious man...and today, I adore him even more than on the day I said 'I do'.

I Could Not Ask for More

Lying here with you
Listening to the rain
Smiling just to see the smile upon your face
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
And these are the moments I'll remember all my life
I've found all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more

Looking in your eyes
Seeing all I need
Everything you are is everything in me
These are the moments
I know heaven must exist
And these are the moments
I know all I need is this
I've found all I've waited for,yeah
And I could not ask for more

I could not ask for more than this time together
I could not ask for more than this time with you
And every prayer has been answered
Every dream I've had's come true
Yeah, right here in this moment
Is right where I'm meant to be
Here with you here with me
Yeah

These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
And these are the moments I'll remember all my life
I've found all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more

I could not ask for more than this time together
I could not ask for more than this time with you
And every prayer has been answered
Every dream I've had's come true
Yeah, right here in this moment
Is right where I'm meant to be
Oh, here with you here with me
No, I could not ask for more
Than this love you gave me
Cause it's all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
No, yeah
No, I could not ask for more

As you can probably tell by the small number of posts this week, my week has been very hectic. I've worked late most days, and while I haven't been pulling all-nighters by any means, when you put that into the mix of my life and those of my husband and daughter, it's been a full week. The auditors will arrive at work on Monday and I think I'm ready for them (prayers are always appreciated:)... Things will continue to be busy for a while, but I think that the biggest part is behind me.

In view of how much I've been running the past several weeks, what happened to me yesterday was extra-special. And in view of all of the changes in my life the past 2 years, what happened to me yesterday was precious and beautiful.

Les and I will be celebrating our 2nd Wedding Anniversary on November 7th and my handsome husband gave me an early gift yesterday. He sent me to Bev Ashdowns for a Chocolate Pedicure! Now I don't go for many pedicures, but let me just tell you that I think they are the most relaxing experience, and if you add chocolate to the mix...well, I've never been so pampered.

I arrived for my appointment, and they put me in a dimly lit room with soft music. The put a warm neckroll around my neck and had me recline back in a pillowed chair while the soaked my feet in a white chocolate milk bath. They served me a hot chocolate mocha and a small cinnamon roll pastry. After 10 or so minutes a lovely girl came in and pampered my tootsies. She used a coffee scrub that smelled so good and a white chocolate parafin wax wrap, but the absolute best was the massage...she massaged my feet and legs with this rich smelling chocolate lotion...I smelled like chocolate all day! ...and then of course she painted my toes...pretty in pink, of course!

I felt so pampered, and like such a princess in my heart! What a prince I have to spoil me so royally?!!

Mandolins Sing!


I love the sound of a mandolin. Thankfully, so does my husband, and playing the mandolin is his latest venture into music. He's got so many creative ideas and just a beautiful feel on the instrument. Mandolins are instruments that just sing! They are beautiful to look at and listen to, and they aren't just bluegrass instruments either...they are wonderful in folk and celtic music, and I think they are great in worship....(and knowing my husband mandolins can probably rock too!)
http://www.mandolincafe.com/
http://www.banjolin.supanet.com/
http://www.mandolinmagazine.com/

I've been working late a lot this week, so yesterday I missed Les jamming on mandolin with Carolyn Arends on this (one of my favourite tunes)...

Dance Like No One's Watching
Carolyn Arends

I want to sing just like the sparrow 'cause the sparrow knows
That your eye will be upon her everywhere that she goes
I want to shout out like the mountains 'cause they say those rocks
Love to lift up their praises and they never stop
I want to chase you like King David till it's all that I can do
To sing and shout and laugh about the way you made me new

I want to dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Nobody but you

I want to grow just like the lilies dressed up in your best
'Cause they stretch toward the sun and trust in you for the rest
I want to climb up like a daughter on her daddy's knee
Who is laughing 'cause she knows that she is loved abundantly
You said that I should come to you just like a little kid
And maybe even kick my heels the way that David did

I'm gonna dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Nobody but you

Well heaven knows I worry and those worries tend to keep me
Bottled up so tightly in my soul
So spill me like the perfume that was poured upon your feet
And then fill me till at last I overflow

That's when I'll dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Nobody but you

I want to chase you like King David till at last you capture me
And then I’ll sing and shout and laugh about the way you set me free

I want to dance like no one’s watching
Dance like no one’s watching
Dance like no one’s watching
Nobody but you

c 2001 Songs of Peer, Ltd / Mr. Marley's Music (ASCAP)

...oh I love those words!