What a great day!!

Yesterday was one of my favourite days ever! Les and I got to sleep in a bit, then I made french toast cups with berries for breakfast...then I got to go to a scrapbooking class...then Les took me out for dinner...then we lingered at the bookstore...then a trip to Starbucks...and then we went to the observatory. (Romantic, no?!!) Well, we did decide that the moon, stars and planets are all a little more romantic with the naked eye than through a telescope, so then we went for a drive and enjoyed them that way! (...sigh!)

I have the best husband! (Have I told you that lately?) He builds me up and encourages me to do things that nurture my soul, and he was the driving force behind me signing up for the class I did yesterday. It was a glimmer mist class - and I *loved* it. I made this vintage album and box. I don't think the pictures do it justice, but what fun to sit and create for 5 hours straight. That's right, straight - I didn't even get up for breaks I was so into it! Anyone want to hire me to craft all day? What a dream job that would be!! Blogger wouldn't let me post all the pictures, so I might post a few more another day, but I did post the page the the quote on creativity on purpose. It goes...

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep."

Don't you just love that?! If you know me, then you know that I'm really hard on myself about mistakes, so this quote hit me so fresh...to allow myself to make mistakes is part of the creative process maybe...maybe that's why God didn't just make us all perfect?! Anyway, it's got me thinking...

Oh and one more great thing happened yesterday - at the end of my class I was given a membership to Just Scrap It! - a friend had snuck in and bought it for me while I was 'creating' as a late bday gift!! Does it get any better than that?!! It was a great day!

Spiral Notepad

I made this little notepad for my hubby's first day at his new job this week so he'd have something handy for notes. I think I succeeded at making it look masculine for him. Here's a link to the tutorial I used.

I'm so proud of my man for how hard he works and what an awesome husband and father he is! I love this man so much!

Post-It Notepad with Pen

Amanda's really on a kick for notepads/post-it-notes, so here another one I made for her using this tutorial. The image I used for this one is called teach-a-bella because Amanda wants to be a teacher... I wanted to be a teacher too when I was growing up, so I'd like to see her dream come true for her! Perhaps it's the teacher in me that likes everything about school/office supplies - so much so that my hubby sometimes teases me. Maybe that's why I've been on my own kick of making things with them - or maybe it's just that I don't have any July birthdays to make cards for?!

More Post-It Notes using Coasters

So in keeping with tradition, I had to make one of these post-it-note pads for my daughter, Amanda. Every time I make something for someone else that I haven't made for her yet, I get the look. So here's the one I made for my book-worm-a-manda!

We just got back from a spur of the moment trip to the Queen-city... We all had a couple of days off, and so on Friday morning I said we should do something special with it...so off we went!

Post-It Notes using Coasters

So remember the post-it-note holder I posted yesterday? Well, a friend at work saw it on my desk and loved it! She said this would be just the perfect thing and could I make one for each of her girlfriends so she could give it to them on their 'girls' weekend away'. I said 'sure' and asked about colours and images. She just said 'anything but pink' that pink was her, but definitely not her friends, so here is the product... The blue bayou ones are for her friends and the pink one is hers:)

Recipe-wise: the tutorial is the same as in my last post; the DP in the blue ones is SU-DSP and in the pink one is SU-Berry Bliss; the stamped image is Cosmobella (don't you just love Stamping Bella?!)...

I love having a creative outlet like this. For years I didn't take any time to create. I liked to scrapbook, but each page would take me hours. I like stuff like this that I can do in a half an hour or so - I can fit it in with life and at the end of the day I feel like I made something and so my creative side gets fed! What do you do to feed your creativity?

I Love My Bike!

She's pink with white flowers, has a basket with flowers, and her name is Lorelei. I enjoy going for a ride whenever I can - especially on a morning like this... The sun is shining and the sky is so blue and beautiful. I listen to a lot of worship music while I'm riding...lately I've been inspired on my ipod by Brian Doerksen and the song You Surround Me in particular has really been incredible!

So in keeping with how much I'm loving riding my bike, I made this post-it-note holder for my desk at work a week or so ago with the stamp set...Always Time for You. I bought this set because it had my bike in it and because the sentiment is something God's trying to teach me - to take more time for me (and for me and Him:)). Here's a link to the tutorial for making these note holders.

Tiny Mini Album

I made this tiny mini album this week using this tutorial from Splitcoast. The pictures are of Les and his Taylor - perhaps I should have titled it 'friends'!

Oh-so-pretty Post-it Note Pad

Lastest Creation!

I made this post-it note holder in a few spare moments using this tutorial from Julie (Star blogger, who I met - see previous post!) The stamp I used is called 'oh-so-pretty-bella' - and the best part about it is that my hubby says it looks like me! (I wish! - but isn't he a sweetheart for seeing me that way?!!)

I Met Someone Famous!

Yesterday on the way to my SU club I got to swing by the home of Julie of Paper Pleasing Ideas. I read her blog everyday and I get lots of craftin' ideas from her tutorials. How cool is that?! I met a stampin', scrappin' star right here in Saskatchewan? She was awesome, very warm and all. Her voice is just like in her tutorials... And I'm thrilled to get using the kit I bought from her. What fun!

Birthday

So tomorrow is my birthday - and, well, I'm not counting numbers ok - I feel like I'm 27, but I'm not -- and what does that matter anymore anyway?!

Today Les and I both had the day off and rather than doing all the dutiful things that we usually do, we got some Starbucks and headed on a little roadtrip! Not too far, just some small towns around Saskatoon. It was sunny and the sky was beautiful....the fields were green and we were holding hands - I don't need anything more than that!

And we found the most adorable quilt/scrapbook shop in Hague - reminded me of the ones we found in Canmore on our anniversary trip last fall. And we found a little ice cream shop too on the way back home - mmmm sweet indulgence!

I love today! No thoughts of work, no worries - just his hand holding mine as we drove along under the warmth of God's sky:)

Scripture Box

I have so much to update you on, but that will have to wait.. I'm making a new page for my scripture box. I *love* this project...

Incredible

Watch it for yourself (click to 'view the preview' and watch the whole thing!)

Merry Christmas!

Les left for work around 6:30 this morning . I enjoyed some quiet time with God by candle light and then did the shoveling. Made a treat for Amanda for breakfast (new recipe! mmmm), then got the turkey in the oven and made the cranberries. Everything is pretty much in order, so I made a last minute card. Soon both sides of the family will be here and Les will be home from work. Merry Christmas everybody!

Happy 5th Anniversary to Us!!

November 7, 2007 was our 5th anniversary - we celebrated 3 ways:

- first with an anniversary trip to Edmonton, Canmore & Banff since we never did get that honeymoon; stayed in a lovely inn in Canmore overlooking the mountains...we'll definitely do that again...this picture taken one evening around sunset in one of our trail walks around Canmore:)
- second with a date last Friday - dinner at The Granary; movie (Dan in Real Life); followed by a trip to McNally...
- third, last night with Miss Amanda - went for dinner to The Broadway Cafe and then went to The Mendal to see the painting of Les by Kathleen Robertson.

Can you tell where we've been?

Apparently this is me...


...and this is what that means.

Robin Mark & Paul Baloche

...an evening you won't want to miss

Hockey Night in the Brophy House!


Well, it's the first Canuck game of the season on HNIC, so we invited a few friends over and made the traditional parfaits for the 3rd period. What do you think of the new team colours?

The Name Game

Well I was tagged to play this name game! If you dont have a blog- try it in the comments section! And if you do have a blog - leave a link so I can read yours! It was pretty fun! I love reading them so leave a comment:)

Here goes!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) -Fancy Cavalier (yes, my first pet was a toy poodle named 'Fancy Pants')

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Rolo, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
(a close second would be - Chocolate Ginger...now THAT sounds more gansta like!)

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) S-Bro

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) - Pink Spaniel (OK - I'm not positive what my favourite animal is...I like dogs and cats, flutter-by's and even elephants, so I picked the type of pet I've often wanted but never had - a cocker spaniel).

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)- Marie Saskatoon

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) - Brosh

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put “The”) The Purple Macchiato

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)- Joseph Bernard

9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) Fruits and Passions, Cherry Blaster (mmm cherry blasters...do you know how many years it has been since I had a cherry blaster?)

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) Elaine Bernard

That was fun!

Now I must tag 5 people-Hmmmmmm, well I won't tag you, but I'd love to see what you come up with, so leave a comment...

We've adopted a new member into our family...



...Bella!

Allow me to introduce you to Lorelei...





..she's an Electra Hawaii with flower imprints on the tires and flowers on the body and seat. Could riding be any more fun?!

When does a hobby become an obsession?

...how about when the most relaxing thing you can think of to help you fall asleep at night is what project you're going to make next?!

I'm into stamping. There, I said it. Now before you all start worrying and reaching for your rolodex(es) to find me the number of stampers-anonymous, let me just say that it's not an activity I find a lot of time to do, but when I do have moments to be creative, that's my outlet right now...and when I don't...well, sometimes I just daydream about what I might make next...

...and, you see, I have this GREAT husband who encourages me to make more time for things I enjoy, so I've signed up for a monthly stamping club this fall...and I recently got back from a stamp camp at the lake even. Here's a peak at a couple of my favourite projects in the last month or so...

Les' Pivot Questionnaire

These 10 questions originally came from a French series, "Bouillon de Culture" hosted by Bernard Pivot.

They're better known as the questions that James Lipton asks every guest at the end of "Inside the Actor's Studio" show.

1. What is your favorite word? civilized
   
2. What is your least favorite word? war
   
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? a challenge
   
4. What turns you off? solicitation for money
   
5. What is your favorite curse word? "I spit on your haircut!"
   
6. What sound or noise do you love? a les paul through a cranked amplifier
   
7. What sound or noise do you hate? rap music
   
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? professional musician
   
9. What profession would you not like to do? labourer
   
10. If Heaven exists, (it does!) what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? hey, I know you.
    

Your turn.

Sherri's Pivot Questionnaire

These 10 questions originally came from a French series, "Bouillon de Culture" hosted by Bernard Pivot.

They're better known as the questions that James Lipton asks every guest at the end of "Inside the Actor's Studio" show.

1. What is your favorite word? sweet
   
2. What is your least favorite word? networking
   
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? music, discussion, my husband
   
4. What turns you off? self-righteousness
   
5. What is your favorite curse word? good grief
   
6. What sound or noise do you love? the sound of the garage door opener from inside the house
   
7. What sound or noise do you hate? alarm clocks before 8 a.m.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? teacher or pastor
   
9. What profession would you not like to do? politician
   
10. If Heaven exists, (it does!) what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? do hugs have sounds? ...I'd like to hear him say my name.
    

Your turn.

Inspi-READ

Last night Les took me out on a date. We had dinner at Kelsey's where I had some delicious balsamic chicken and then we saw 'Becoming Jane' (I *love* Jane Austin.) Afterward we did two of my favourite things...Starbucks and then book browsing.

Concerning the latter, if you ever find yourself at McNally Robinson and wonder why those big chairs are sitting side by side instead of back to back in a particular section of the store, you will know that Les and I likely sat there book browsing... Every so often we go to McNally and load up all sorts of books and magazines to look at, and then we turn the chairs so we can sit next to each other as we peruse:) Sometimes the chairs will even still be sitting side by side the next time we go...kind of sitting there holding hands, waiting for us:)

Amazing SIX-Year-Old Singer - The most amazing bloopers are here

Tim Hughes - Everything

Happy Mother's Day!

Allow me to indulge myself just a bit;) Amanda presented me with a book of poetry this weekend that she had written. I'll share just one. The style is such that whatever the 3rd thought of the 4th line is, it changes the rest of the poem to that subject...

FAMILY
Busy, small
Caring, helping, working
Grandpa, grandma, mom, dad
Cooking, cleaning, loving
Smart, pretty
Mom

Apparently it brought tears to the teacher's eyes when she read it. Can you just imagine what it did to mine (let alone my heart)?!

Out of the mouth of babes...

Oy, what a week I've had...and here I had all these great things to post about, but I'm so busy I can't. But I've popped in briefly to share what my brilliant daughter said tonight...

She said, "It's our imperfections that make us interesting - at least that's what I've always thought."

What a perspective! ...our imperfections make us interesting.

What do you think?

Do It Anyway Lyrics

The lyrics to this song are powerful and really capture what I'm feeling...

You can spend your whole life buildin'
Something from nothin
One storm could come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You could chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

God is great but sometimes life aint good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like i think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

This worlds gone crazy
And it's hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all you heart
For all the right reasons
And in a moment they can choose to walk away
love em anyway

God is great but sometimes life aint good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like i think it should
But I do it anyway
Yeah, I do it anyway

You can pour your soul out singin'
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yeah sing it anyway

I sing
I dream
I love anyway

You Are a Auditory Learner

You tend to remember what you hear, and you have a knack for speaking well. You excel at debating, foreign languages, and music. You would be an excellent diplomat - or rock star!

What's Your Learning Style?

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Living with a GRANDE Passion

I think this book sounds interesting! This is what the back cover says...

You don't stand in line at Starbucks just to buy a cup of coffee. You stop for the experience surrounding the cup of coffee.

Too many of us line up for God out of duty or guilt. We completely miss the warmth and richness of the experience of living with God. If we'd learn to see what God is doing on earth, we could participate fully in the irresistible life that he offers.

You can learn to pay attention like never before, to identify where God is already in business right in your neighborhood. The doors are open and the coffee is brewing. God is serving the refreshing antidote to the unsatisfying, arms-length spiritual life---and he won't even make you stand in line. Let Leonard Sweet show you how the passion that Starbucks has for creating an irresistible experience can connect you with God's stirring introduction to the experience of faith.

You can read more of an excerpt from the book here.

Les & Sherri's Tasty Travels

Yes, you are right, I've been missing in action...part of that is just busy life things and part of that is the recent trip that my hubby and I took to Edmonton. For the third year running, Les and I headed to Edmonton at the end of January for the Breakforth Conference. The conference was awesome again this year, and I hope to post more about that in the future, but I thought I'm mention first a few of the tastier parts of trip. You see Les I spent a couple of extra days in Edmonton to shop and relax after the conference, and we had a great time at some of our favourite spots, so here are a few of our tips that had us eating at way less than $40-a-day!

- What's a trip to Edmonton without visiting IKEA?! And did you know that they serve some of the best coffee that Les has ever tasted? Also they run a breakfast feature until 11 a.m. each day...breakfast for a buck! So one morning for $1 each we had scrambled eggs, sausage and a croissant. It was very good and totally fueled us for the next few hours as we shopped. We actually made it back to IKEA at the end of our trip too as we were snowed in in Edmonton for an extra day and Les had missed having his Swedish meatball lunch. They have a deal for somewhere around $5 that includes salad, a meatball entre (with lingonberry sauce) and coffee/tea. Did I mention that their tea is pretty awesome too?! Gotta love IKEA!

- The Old Spagetti Factory was where we had supper on the night the conference ended. This was a favourite of Les' family growing up and he still orders the veal everytime he goes there. So knowing that we might head there I checked to see if there were any deals to be had online before we left. And sure enough, visaperks was offering a promotion where if you paid with your visa you would get a free entree for every one you purchased..so basically, my hunter's chicken that night was on the house:) (And yes, I cheated and had the wee dish of spumoni ice cream that comes with your meal that night too:)

- White Spot - this is our favourite place to eat at from back in B.C., and thankfully there is one in Edmonton now. Many people here in Saskatchewan don't even know about White Spot, but trust me, you would love it. It's kind of like a Kelsey's or a Moxie's, but WAY better. The first time I ate there when Les & I were dating I had the cheddar grilled chicken and to this day I have not had anything else there. It's SO good, and I get there so infrequently that I always order the same thing...yum! Les's favourite is the double double (double the beef, double the cheese). And thanks to letting our server know where we were staying (just down the road), we got 15% off our total check!

- Starbucks! When Les and I travel (which isn't much), we try to go to as many different Starbucks as we can. One of our favourites is on Whyte Street in Edmonton...a perfect break for an afternoon of walking up and down Whyte Street and exploring the ecclectic shops there (including Avenue Guitars...the BEST guitar store ever!) It's upstairs in an old brick building that is now a Chapters...the view and the windows are completely charming. Another Starbucks highlight was at the downtown Starbucks one of the nights during the conference...we had a short period between our afternoon and evening sessions and both weren't too hungry so we indulged in the Starbucks-fair... I had a sugar-free cinnamon dolce latte with no fat (so basically skim milk and expresso, but it tastes so good) and a low fat scone. In Edmonton the Starbucks have French Toast Scones. Doesn't that sound good with my doce latte?!! Mmmm.

- Red Robin is another favourite of ours whenever we are in Alberta. We both are in love with the teriyaki chicken sandwiches. They grill pineapple and put it on the grilled teriyaki chicken breast. It's delightful! Since I was sure we would try to get to Red Robin at least once, I did some searching online for deals before we left and found that if you sign up for their newsletter, you get $3 off your meal the next time you are there. So, yet another deal!

- O'Byrne's Irish Pub - this is an Irish Pub on Whyte Street. We ate there on Tuesday night because on Tuesday nights they have a real Irish session. The atmosphere was so authentic...music was awesome (even though we couldn't stay later to see the dancers), and Tuesdays are all-you-can-eat fish and chip nights for $7.95. And let me just say, that neither of us could eat more than the initial portion they brought, but oh, the fish was so good (not all batter)...and what a treat to have chips!

My Favourite Monty Python Skit...

Presenting...THE LION TAMER!

The 2007 Blizzard

Well, by now it would not be 'news' for me to tell you that we had the worst blizzard I have ever experienced in my life this past Wednesday. Though I am a little late in writing about it on here, I still want to preserve the memory of that day...for it was the first time I've ever come home from work on snow-mobile!

Actually, the day started normal enough. When the alarm went off Wednesday morning, Les told me there was only a 'skiff' of snow, and later when I ate my breakfast, I looked out and thought, 'maybe the storm has passed us by', it was lightly snowing with just a bit of wind. Sure visibility was reduced a bit when I drove to work, but I had definitely driven through worse before. Once I was at work I was pretty much oblivious to what was happening outside...it's like that most days once I get inside our downtown offices. But after lunch I heard a couple of administrative staff talking about their bus routes being shut down, and then a little after 1:30, I got the message from the OMP, we could go home as the city was closing down streets, but we should make sure to take work with us. I called home and told Les that I would pick up Amanda on my way. A few minutes later Les called me back to say that the school had also called saying that they were closing too and that we could pick her up. Les told me to drive safe, and I said 'of course, you know me, I'll go slow...'

I have driven through a lot of things, but I have never experienced anything like the drive home on Wednesday. One of the worst parts being driving north on Circle Drive between 22nd Street and 33rd. I could see nothing. The only way I stayed on the road was to look for the green street light poles that were every so often in the ditch. Somehow I got through and made my way to Amanda's school to pick up my girlie. Somehow, that is, with a few tears and lots of prayers a long the way...

Now, Amanda's school is only a few blocks from our house and so you would think that once I got there I was home-free. Well, I only wish that was true. The residential street I had to pull onto to get her from school was aweful and I had to pull on facing north, so we could barely see anything. We navigated around cars, got stuck and unstuck...only to find ourselves 2 car-links form where we could turn west to head home. But there was no getting further. These cars were ultimately abandoned in the centre of the road (the front one of which I couldn't even see). We tried to go around them and got horribly stuck ourselves. I kept going in and out of the vehicle trying to dig us out the best I could...all the while facing the gusting wind and snow from the north (I've never been colder...eyebrows and eyelashes frozen with ice-crystals). Everytime I'd pop back into the vehicle to warm up, I tried to keep it together and tell Amanda that everything would be ok. Nobody helped us..we tried to help a couple of others...and then, at one point I thought this man who walked up to our car was going to help us, but he just shouted foul language our way while puffing on his cigarette. Once I accepted that we wouldn't get through there, I tried to get us back to behind the two abandoned cars (once a car that was blocking us moved). In the process, I managed to turn the car around to try going up the road the other way...only to end up getting stuck again because I had to stop behind a van that seemed to get stuck and unstuck every few feet. The van had numerous people with shovels helping them, but no one even made a motion to help us. Eventually though a man walked up to the vehicle and told me I might as well give up, that even if I got unstuck, that there were so many vehicles stuck ahead of that van that we weren't going anywhere tonight. He said to just abandon the car. I said that I scared to do so because I had my daughter with me and I didn't think she could make the walk home in this. He said we could wait it out at his home around the corner with his wife, and he helped to push me so I could get unstuck and then I pulled the car as far over to the corner as I could.

Amanda and I then tried to walk to this gentleman's house, but eventually Amanda couldn't walk into the wind anymore, and we ducked into a nearby driveway and knocked on the door of a stranger (so much for all my efforts at teaching my daughter not to talk to strangers). These were kind strangers though, and they let us in and let me use the phone to call Les. Les wanted to come and get us right away, but it was no use, he would just get caught in this all too. We'd have to wait it out a bit and try to walk a little further later. Our hosts made us some hot chocolate and then looking out their front window said it was getting worse, so we should just come upstairs and watch some TV with them, that we wouldn't be going anywhere for quite a while. Once upstairs the man of the house commented that he remembered a bad snow storm in the 80's when the police let them use their snowmobiles on the streets. He wondered if that would happen again, so he called the city police and got their approval to take his sleds out. The next thing I knew, he and his wife were getting their snowmobiles out and bundled us up and took Amanda and I home. I've never been so thankful for the kindness of strangers in my life! And thankful to God too, because He did answer those prayers and kept us safe...even taking us to the one house that could actually get us home before dark that night:)

How Ironic...

Today we took back a DVD that Les received for Christmas to one of the local Christian bookstores here. When we tried to watch the DVD last night, it skipped in several places and so we didn't get very far. So today we took the DVD back hoping to be able to exchange it for another copy.

Since Christmas we have been to a few different stores to do returns and exchanges. Most seem to have fairly generous policies and were only too happy to help us out. I suppose that is why I'm still thinking about our experience at this "Christian" store today. It was quite the opposite. You see, when we approach the counter and explained the problem, the clerk didn't immediately try to remedy our problem and obtain a new DVD for us or provide us with a refund or a gift card for that matter. Rather, the clerk's response was to ask exactly where the skips were on the DVD as she would have to view the DVD herself before doing anything else. I explained where the skips were on the parts of the DVD we were able to watch (after a certain point, the skipping was so bad, the DVD was unwatchable). She then took the DVD to the back of the store to the children's area where they had TV and DVD player that was currently playing a Veggie Tales video. She then said that she would have to view these skips for herself. After I helped her with her own technical issues in operating the DVD player, I then showed her some of the skips on the DVD. Satisfied that there were indeed skips on the DVD, she did not proceed back to the cash register as I had hoped to help remedy the problem for us. Instead she said she would need to review this with her manager and could not promise that they would take the DVD back. In the end, they determined that they would replace the DVD for us, but, of course, they didn't have any in stock, so they would order one for us and call us when one came in. In the meantime, we got no refund, no gift card or in-store credit on the DVD return, just their word that they would call us when our new DVD came in...

We took their word, but the irony of it stuck with me. They certainly didn't take our word that the DVD skipped, and I guess that rubbed me a bit the wrong way. We've never had a problem returning anything this season at the secular stores we went to, but today, at this "Christian" store, we were treated suspiciously when we were simply returning a defective product, simply wanting a working version of the exact same thing. And all this in a place where there are books and cds galore on topics like grace and love, it felt more than just a little bit ironic to me.

Making an Elf of Ourselves...

Sherri

and

Les

A Very Brophy Christmas!!



Every year we have both sides of our families over for Christmas, and every year Les works on Christmas day, so we have never had a 'normal' Christmas morning as just our immediate family...that is, until this year. Our Church held a candle-light Christmas Eve service on the eve of Christmas Eve, and so last night we did our normal Christmas Eve traditions with family over after the service...and then we carved out today for a 'very Brophy Christmas' which meant just the 3 of us - Les, Amanda and me. We had oatmeal cookie pancakes for breakfast, then leisurely shared gifts (instead of the usual rushing on Christmas day after Les gets home from work and before we have both sides of the family over and share turkey). Then we visited, played games, snacked and enjoyed our first Christmas alone together. Tomorrow Les will head off to work and when he comes home both sides of the family will be over and the turkey feast will begin, but I have to say that I like this new tradition...a little bit of peace that I'm treasuring in my heart tonight:)

Merry Christmas!

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Each year, you really get into the spirit of Christmas. Which is much more important to you than nifty presents.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Where Have I Been?

I haven't found time to check blogs much less post on mine lately (and look, it's nearly Christmas and this blog is still decorated for fall?!) On November 27th I started my new job...and the first week was, well, it WAS! Without going into many details, let's just say my partner felt the need to send me flowers at home by the end of the week which was a nice end to a...I-don't-know-how-to-describe-it...week! I'm working 3 days a week which doesn't sound like it should be so hectic as it is, but it is a very fast paced environment, and I dare say I haven't even had so much as a lunch hour to myself with out a meeting or a lunch and learn. Also I'm working much longer days than I used to (and remember Les does shiftwork). I used to be able to work my job around Amanda's school hours, but now my Dolly has to be a bit more independent (and that's a bit hard on me...she's doing fine with it though:) But overall, I have to say that things have been going pretty well. I'm now at the end of week three and find myself much happier at work now that I have some clients and some people stuff to manage. I love the people stuff about work...always have...anywhere I go, it's the people...the clients, the staff, the people who "make" my day...

On a related, but unrelated note, my Christmas party for work was last weekend, and it was very nice...and very well organized, just as you would expect for a bunch of accountants. Les commented afterward that you could sure tell it was a room full of accountants when the punchline to the big joke at our table was "QAR"... (QAR stands for quality review). Anyway, it was a lovely evening from the start (being greeted by the OMP with a glass of champagne) to the finish (learning about other countries and how they celebrate Christmas and then actually being able to participate in a meaningful tradition from Poland).

One more thing that I meant to post last week, and is related to the above in that it has to do with Christmas, is that Les, Amanda and I attended a "Cheer Party" at Starbucks last Tuesday. It was a blast! Free peppermint mocha's and eggnog latte's...live music...treats... Christmas at Starbucks is so good! I say, "On with the tradition!"

The Big Gummy-Bear Is NOT the Poster-boy for Gluttony

Warning: Rant ahead...

I've held my tongue on this one about as long as I can, but the big gummy-bear being used to symbolize the sin of gluttony this week in the announcements at church took me over the top. First off, let me say, that I KNOW it was meant to be funny, ...still, I'm not laughing...

Our Church is doing a sermon series on the 7 deadly sins. A couple of weeks ago it was gluttony's turn. The speaker was someone that I respect and that I have learned much from in the past (and I'm sure I will learn much from in the future), so I was looking forward to hearing what he would say on this one. He started his message with a statistic on how many Americans are overweight or obese...linking this as an example of gluttony. He did also mention in his message how things like shopping, excessive tv watching etc. could also be an examples of gluttony as well. But I couldn't get past his link right off the bat of overweight or size to this particular sin. Sure, it is true that there are people who are overweight who overeat, but this isn't necessarily true of all overweight people, and I am so tired of discriminatory comments like that. It wouldn't be acceptable on the following weekend when sloth was discussed to single out a particular racial group and use negative statistics about their presence in the workforce to illustrate sloth. And likewise, it wasn't acceptable, to me anyway, for overweight statistics to be used to illustrate gluttony either.

I would have been fine if we would have talked about overindulgence or overeating to illustrate his point, but to use size statistics as his hook to convince us that more than half the population has a problem with gluttony, well, it just wasn't credible to me. Probably most of the people in the congregation could have identified with gluttony in their lives without someone using their size against them. Food-wise, there were probably plenty of people listening who weren't overweight but had personal experience with over-indulgence. The size of a person does not tell the tale of how present or absent this sin is from their life. In fact, it is my own excessive focus on eating less food, counting and balancing carbs and proteins and exercise that is probably a more glutton-ous behaviour on my own part. When it all comes down to it, it is not what you see on the outside that tells you about the sin a person struggles with because really it is a matter of the heart, and so often it cannot be detected with the eye.

Perhaps I've taken the sermon illustration more personally than I should have, but it is a personal matter to me. I am someone who has dealt with size my whole life and who works ever so hard everyday to make sure that I eat healthy and exercise, and size-ist comments that have been thrown my direction over the years have made self-acceptance a very hard thing for me...and I have just fought the stereotypes too hard in my own life to let this illustration go... Besides, what do the pastor's statistics mean in any case? He was saying that some number over 50% of Americans are overweight or obese. Do you know what that tells me? Not much since reading that by BMI standards Brad Pitt is overweight and George Clooney and Russell Crowe are obese (obese?!!). You know, just the other night I caught a feature on CNN about the designer's creating a new size...a 00 (that's right, a size zero is no longer small enough, they've created a double zero). In the news story, a reporter wanted to get a sense of what is might be like to be a larger woman living in a world where there is now a size smaller than zero, so the reporter put on a fat suit and uglied themselves up to go out and see how it felt in the real world. First of all, I thought it was 'rich' that they couldn't just go out in the fat suit...they had to ugly themselves up too (bad hair, skin, teeth, etc)...after all, there ARE still people out there who think 'fat and ugly' are one word?! (Rich!, I know!) Secondly, I had to do a double take when they mentioned the size of the reporter after donning her fat-suit. It was a 12?!! Do you know that I have never in my adult nor teenage life been a size 12...NEVER! All the diet pills consumed, all the meals skipped, all the calories counted and fats eliminated, carbs watched and balanced, exercise...all of it and I have never made it down to the size of that reporter's fat-suit.... (ughhhhhhhh!!!!)

Anyway, later that night I was hungry (real stomach hunger) for a snack, and I gave in after watching that news story. The next day I felt bad and told my husband that I was a glutton for having that snack. He looked at me in disbelief. "Good grief," he said, "You had a bit of oatmeal. Most people watching tv on a Saturday night are ordering pizza in and you are feeling bad about a small bowl of oatmeal?!" What nonsense indeed! That being said, rant over... I'm just going to let this all go now... (breathe in, breathe out:)

A little over 4 years ago, I used to sing this song (see below) ...meaning many of it's words. And then God turned my waiting into dancing, and the "brown-eyed boy" in my future (from the song) appeared...and every day since his love have given me a bigger taste of heaven and taught me more about God's love.

Born To Fly

I've been telling my dreams to the scarecrow
About the places that I'd like to see
I say, "friend do you think I'll ever get there?"
Oh, but he just stands there smilin' back at me

So I confessed my sins to the preacher
About the love I've been prayin' to find
Is there a brown-eyed boy in my future, yeah
And he says, "girl, you've got nothin' but time."

But how do you wait for heaven?
And who has that much time?
And how do you keep your feet on the ground
When you know that you were born,
You were born to fly

My daddy he is grounded like the oak tree
My momma she is steady as the sun
Oh, you know I love my folks
But I keep starin' down the road
Just lookin' for my one chance to run

Hey, cause I will soar away like a blackbird
I will blow in the wind like a seed
I will plant my heart in the garden of my dreams
And I will grow up where I wander wild and free

Oh, How do you wait for heaven?
And who has that much time?
And how do you keep your feet on the ground
When you know, that you were born?
You were born, yeah, you were born to fly


Today is the 4th anniversary of the day I married that "brown-eyed boy"! And I love him even more today than on the day I said "I do". He and his love are teaching me to 'fly'!

Do I Really Look Like ANY of these People?

Everlasting God
(by Chris Tomlin)

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God You reign forever
Our hope, Our strong deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint, You won't grow weary

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God You reign forever
Our hope, Our strong deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint, You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

Our God You reign forever
Our hope, Our strong deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint, You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

God, You are everlasting

I Know an Author...

Last night I attended a reception for someone I used to work with a few years ago. He has definitely earned his 'lion-taming hat' (look back at July and August's posts if you are not sure of what I'm talking about there)! A few years ago he left behind the exciting life of a CA to explore his life-long dream of being a writer. And last night at McNally Robinson, he launched his 4th book!! He is the author of the Russell Quant mystery series of books. His main character is a novice private detective based in Saskatoon who travels about the globe too. This morning my husband read a few excerpts of Tony's new book to me, (which, incidentally, was presented to me at the reception by my soon to be new boss...who was, also incidentally, my boss once before, but that is another story..) and we both (that is, Les & I) found ourselves giggling about the descriptives we found in the excerpts of this place where we live:)

It was fun to get together with many of my former co-workers from a few years ago to celebrate Tony's success last night and to see where life has taken them. And seeing Tony, as always, was a good reminder to us all to "live life wide" ... (he's always saying that, "life is short, but wide!")

Pretzels & Chicken...Parmesan & Fish....

Oh my, this was delicious! I made it for supper the other night...yum! And if you are trying to eat more fish, then you'll love this one too...we sure did:)

"If Jesus appeared at your dining room table tonight with knowledge of everything you are and are not, total comprehension of your life story and every skeleton hidden in your closet; if he laid out the real state of your present discipleship with the hidden agenda, the mixed motives, and the dark desires buried in your psyche, you would feel his acceptance and forgiveness. For "experiencing God's love in Jesus Christ means experiencing that one has been unreservedly accepted, approved and infinitely loved, that one can and should accept oneself and one's neighbor."
Brennan Manning - The Ragamuffin Gospel

So I don't know if I like what I'm learning right now, but that's the thing about learning...once you know something to be true with your heart (not just your head), you know it...and you can stick your head in the sand and pretend you don't know it all you want... and maybe on the outside people won't realize you know better, but inside you do...you know you do.

So here's what I'm learning... I have to accept myself. You would think that in my thirty-some years of life I would have already learned that one and acted on it...and in some aspects I have, but if I'm being really honest, there is proof in my life that I hold myself to a different standard than anyone else. And though I don't doubt God's love nor grace toward me one bit, I don't have much grace for me. And while we're being honest, I might just as well admit that I am concerned far too much with pleasing other people, and I fear criticism.

Yesterday as I was in a changeroom trying on some jeans, I saw some dimples on my upper thighes..a most disappointing (and somewhat shallow) sight, but then I interrupted my thoughts on the matter with what I had read in a Brennan Manning book that morning... I need to just accept myself.

Later as I was talking to Les, I came to see that I can be aweful to myself. If I see something wrong with how I look, then I doubt I could possibly be pretty...if I have a moment of behavior that I think is not sweet, then I think that I could not possibly be sweet. I do not see the big picture when I look at myself, and I would never treat someone else that way.

There is a whole lot more that I could say on the matter...these are just a few simple examples, but I am learning the next step to walking in God's grace is to accept who I am... I thought I did that already?!

We went to the Carolyn Arends concert last night. It was most excellent, as usual. I found myself in tears in many of her lyrics though...this one, in particular, struck a chord with where I'm at right now. I don't know if I will work through all the things I'm feeling by the time I go back to work. The other day I found myself fretting about needing to fill each of the moments I have to the brim and at the end of this experience feeling like I needed to have something big and profound to show for it all. That would be nice (sigh)...or, I could just dance like no one's watching....

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

I am *LOVING* Google Earth...so far I've traveled to France (Paris & the Eiffel Tower), to Dublin Ireland (and the Irish country-side), to London (Westminster Abbey, Abbey Road and Buckingham Palace), to Nashville, TN (and the Grande Ole Opry), to Seattle (and the Pike Place Starbucks as well and the Space Needle). I've also checked out where we live (went across the University Bridge, along Spadina...checked out downtown and where I'm going to work starting Nov. 27th and then headed to our neighbourhood..finding Amanda's school and our very own house!) Well, if I can't fly away to all the places I've dreamed of, at least I can explore them this way! ...It's kind of like that computer generated map of the city in the opening credits of 'You've Got Mail' ... the user clicks within it to a finer and finer level of detail in New York City until they get to the main character's flat and then the computer generated image gives way to reality and the story begins...

The Puppy Song (Harry Nilsson)

Dreams are nothing more than wishes
And a wish's just a dream you wish to come true

If only I could have a puppy
I'd call myself so very lucky
Just to have some company
To share a cup of tea with me
I'd take my puppy everywhere
La la la la I wouldn't care
Then we'll stay away from crowds
With signs that say no dogs allowed
Oh we... I know he'd never bite me
We... I know he'd never bite me

If only I could have a friend
Who sticks with me until the end
And walk along beside the sea
To share a bit of moon with me
I'd take my friend most everywhere
La la la la I wouldn't care
And we'll stay away from crowds
With signs that say no friends allowed
Oh we...we'd be so happy to be...
We...we'd be so happy to be together

But dreams are nothing more than wishes
And a wish's just a dream you wish to come true
Dreams are nothing more than wishes
(Your wish will come true)
And a wish's just a dream (Your wish will come true)
You wish to come true (Your wish will come true)

Thankful

I'm finding myself especially thankful this year. Of course I'm thankful for God's love and grace (too great for words really)...for our family, my loving husband and darling daughter...for our home and the fact that in a few minutes both of our extended families will be here for our Thanksgiving feast...for so many friends and for what God is doing in our small group...for our health...and for this beautiful fall, full of colour and God's splendor. I'm extremely thankful for all of those things, but what I'm especially thankful for today is a husband who not only 'let' me quit my job, but who actually encouraged it...who practically insisted upon it, and who has championed me having some time off before starting the next one...who has not put one ounce of pressure on me about the loss of income for a time and who has been pushing me to take time for myself and listening to me as I've been working through all sorts of feelings. He is God's man for me indeed! Thank-You, Father and thank-you, Les:)

Oh-so-romantic...

I've probably always thought that going to the ballet would be one of the most romantic ways I could think of to spend a date-night. Well, last Saturday I got the chance to find out. Les took me to Romeo & Juliet and it did not disappoint. We sat in a third balcony box with a breath-taking view of the dance. We were able to hold hands and sneak kisses without anyone noticing, and at the intermission Les commented on how much he was enjoying it. Afterward we went to Starbucks for a night-cap.... an oh-so-romantic night!


Random after-thoughts:
- why don't I ever take pictures of us when we're out on the town?!
- Les noted that male ballerinas do not deserve the rap they get from guys
- our tickets were of the less-expensive variety, yet I think we had the best seats in the house!
- married couples need to date more...we try to go on at least once every month...I think every couple needs to have a date at least that often...maybe even more..
- my husband is quite a catch!

Guess what we did today?!



This is my beautiful family! ...My handsome husband, Les, and our living doll of a daughter, Amanda:) The picture is an early proof that we already received in an email. Donna Rae Friesen took our wedding photographs a few years back, and recently she approached us about doing a family portrait as she had just gotten a new professional digital camera. I love how she framed this shot with the fall foilage and the bridge in the background:)

What is it that I *LOVE* so much about Rachael Ray?

I don't own any of her books, and I've never bought her magazine, but yet I have to confess that I browse both of these when I'm in the market. I don't get the chance to watch her daily 30 minute meals show very often at all, and I've only caught a bit of her new talk show, but yet I have to admit that anytime that I've caught even a bit of these shows I've enjoyed them. If I'm being honest though, I'd have to admit that I find her a bit loud in her presentation, yet there is just something I *LOVE* about Rachael Ray. Maybe it's that Les and I have enjoyed the places she's taken us on "$40-a-day"... or maybe it's the fact that everyone of her recipes that I've tried has been a HIT! (DELISH bacon sloppy-joe's and YUM-O espresso brownies...well, I combined her and Martha's recipes on this one, but still, mmmm!) ...or it could be that she reminds me so much of Amanda's friend, Brianna (whom I adore), everytime I look at her... But whatever it is, I guess I'll just say it, I'm a fan:)

Living the Dream

Well, it's official, I am a stay-at-home-wife-and-mom...at least for now... AND that is something I have always very much wanted to be! And yet I find myself with mixed emotions and expectations. Part of me is elated and can't plan enough things to do AND part of me is nervous about what comes after this... Well that part has pretty much been narrowed down... I've talked with and been interviewed for several opportuntities and by next Friday I will likely have made my decision, but I won't be joining the ranks of a working wife and mother again until later in November...and so, finally, I can take a deep breath and live the dream. I'm hoping in the weeks I have ahead I can get to do some things around here that I never get time for, but also I want some time to recharge and refresh... I've never really had that. I started working when I was 15 and have never pressed pause on that one since. It's good to be out of the work situation I was in, but I find it's taking me some time to come down and de-stress...old thoughts and concerns die hard. For those of you who've been praying me through this, thanks...and keep on praying if you don't mind, I need ya:)

The Bestest Pie Ever!

...and that had nothing to do with the recipe or how it was made or its actual taste, it had to do with the heart that bestowed it! Last night our neighbour from across the street dropped off a fresh-made pumpkin pie that she'd made especially for us...and when she did she had her adorable not-a-baby-for-much-longer with her...talk about a double blessing! She was just thanking us for sharing some of Amanda's things that she was done with with their daughter Ainsley. It was totally unnecessary, but very sweet none-the-less. How neighbourly!!

EDIT ... strike the following post...thanks to Brian from the Blogger Help Group, this should be fixed and the blog should be viewable in both IE and Firefox now!
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My apologies to those trying to view my blog using Internet Explorer. For some reason the body of my posts is not appearing in Explorer (it does appear though if you use Firefox, so you might want to try that). The parts of the body of my posts that seem to appear in Explorer are the images and anything I put in BOLD...hence the reason this post is in BOLD. I have tried to research the problem with blogger with no luck. If any you have any suggestions they would be much appreciated!

Pike Place was the very first location of Starbucks in Seattle, and so for their 35th anniversary they have released the original Pike Place brew to commemorate it. Les and I had a date-night out last night, and the evening was concluded with a trip to the Starbucks on Broadway. After I had had my macchiato and biscotti (and Les his mocha light frap) the barrista made a french press of the Pike Place brew for us, and we did a sampling. It's a strong brew with a nutty aroma...very full bodied. As we sat there enjoying our lovely saucered-mugs of it, two thoughts went through my mind. First - 'I just love how Starbucks treats us', and second - 'I wonder if I'm going to be able to sleep tonight?!' (In the end I did!:)

It's Fall!!

The other day when Les and I were at Starbucks they were putting out their fall offerings, so it's official (even though it's not the 21st on the calendar yet), it's FALL! And what a better way to start it than having someone serve you samples of pumpkin lattes?!


The other thing that makes it officially fall around here is my darling daughter heading back to school. She's had two days under her belt already and has even come home with homework and not minded doing it! So far she loves her teacher and everything she does, but I'm not holding my breath just yet because there could be some classroom shuffling next week as they figure out the final number of students registered for each grade.

As we get into the swing of things, Les and I have started planning for our small group. We made calls last night and have been looking for materials to use for a while now. (Any and all suggestions are welcome!) I'm looking forward to small group this fall. One of the couples in our group is expecting in late October, so it's a very exciting time!

"Just Showed Up"
Sara Groves

Spending my time sleep walking
Moving my mouth but not saying a thing
Hoping the changes would take by working their way
from the outside in
I was in love with an idea
Preoccupied with how a life should appear
Spending my time at the surface repairing the holes in the shiny veneer

There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real

And I just showed up for my own life
And I'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright

I'm going to live my life inspired
Look for the holy in the common place
Open the windows and feel all that's honest and real until I'm truly amazed
I'm going to feel all my emotions
I'm going to look you in the eyes
I'm going to listen and hear until it's finally clear and it changes our lives

There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real

And I just showed up for my own life
And I'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright

Oh the glory of God is man fully alive
Oh the glory of God is man fully alive

There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real

And I just showed up for my own life
And I'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright