Capturing the Moments

What is life?
A vapour.

That's what the Bible tells us.

"Whereas ye know not what
shall be on the morrow.
For what is your life?
It is even a vapour,
that appeareth for a little time,
and then vanisheth away."
~ James 4:14 ~

When the children were younger,
I thought there was
SO MUCH TIME.

I really thought things
would go on and on
JUST AS THEY WERE.

I was stopped by Mothers
and Grandmothers
who encouraged me to
E.N.J.O.Y.

They told me it would soon be gone.
I smiled and nodded.
I didn't really see it at the time.

They were right.

Enjoy these moments,
these days....
they are fleeting.

And so,
I continue to count.

1361. Seeing the boys' Tonka Trucks
parked by the shed ~
and the memories of how they
used to play *chicken* with them!
When did they stop doing that?!

1362. How Emma sets bugs free...
and talks so tenderly to them while doing it! :)

1363. Calvin's new camera ~
He saved for a long time and got it on sale.

1364. Candles to blow out ~
More memories made

1365. Sibling friendships

1366. Growing together

1367. Raindrops to capture

1368. A boy to share the love of
photography with

1369. Provisions ~ over and over and over again!

1370. Health and strength day by day

It's easy to count.
It begins with noticing the *little* things.
Noticing the moments.
Entering into them and writing them down.
It's as simple as that.

My journal sits on my counter.

I list as events unfold.
Sometimes many all at once,
and other times in a trickle.

Would you like to begin?
Just grab a pen and a journal,
set them out on the counter,
and list out your blessings.
Find the joy in the moments ~
As they arrive.

Enjoy the journey!

Many Blessings,
Camille

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

There are some scary ingredients in
*regular* dishwasher detergents.

For awhile now I have been using
a more natural alternative.
BUT...it is prohibitively expensive!

And...now that I am making more
messes in the kitchen
than ever before ~
and running the dishwasher at least twice a day ~
I needed to find a more frugal solution while
maintaining my requirement that it be *healthier*
than the *regular* stuff.

Here is the solution I came up with ~
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent.
(Click on the link provided to find the recipe)

And, click here to find
Citric Acid for purchase.


Does anyone know if I've been led
down the garden trail here?
Is this stuff really better for you?
I can tell you for certain that it is cheaper!

MUCH cheaper!

One thing to note ~
It seems to *clump* after a few days...
so, you may want to just make a small batch.

If you use too much for your machine,
it seems to leave a little film on the glasses.

Ask me how I know.

Make sure you use vinegar in
the rinse aid dispenser and
turn the dial to release the largest amount
per wash load.

And, of course,
Do NOT do this! ;-)

If you give it a try,
please let me know what you think!
And, if you have any suggestions
or answers to my questions...
please share! :)

Next up on my *to try* list...
Homemade TOOTHPASTE!! :)

Some of You Were Asking...

What does one DO with Almond Flour?
How can it be made into something edible?
One of the answers to those questions is ~
Almond Flour Banana Cake.

But, that is not the ONLY answer.
There are so many more things that can be done with it ~
I hope to share another favourite with you soon.

But, for now...
this recipe is a good place to begin.
No grains. No dairy.
No sugar (except honey).  Intrigued?

Oh, and did I mention that it's so healthy
you can eat it for Breakfast??
What are you waiting for??

~ Almond Flour Banana Cake ~

Slightly adapted from the book

"Breaking the Vicious Cycle"

3 cups Almond Flour

(not coarse meal)

3 eggs, beaten

1/3 cup honey

(preferrably raw and liquid)

1 tsp Baking Soda

3/4 cup mashed bananas

(very ripe) ~ about two medium

1/4 cup melted butter

(if you are eliminating dairy,

coconut oil would substitute nicely)

Measure the Almond Flour and Baking Soda

into a large mixing bowl.

Stir to completely mix in the Baking Soda.

In another bowl, mix together all the wet ingredients.

Mix the wet ingredients into the dry

and stir until combined.

Spread batter evenly into a greased 8 inch square baking pan.

(I use a glass pyrex dish)

Bake at 350* F until done (about 30 to 40 minutes) ~

Check at the 30 minute mark...mine takes 35.

When done, the top should spring back when touched.

It goes quickly from done to overdone...watch closely.

It also is easy to underbake...don't do that either!

It's not too difficult, really. ;-)

Somehow, I don't think I'm very reassuring!

But, please believe me...LOL! :)

ENJOY! Without any guilt.

Many Blessings, Camille

**One thing to note ~

Almond Flour will go rancid if it's not stored properly.

Keep it in a sealed container in the fridge

or freezer for long term storage.

Lightening Up

I don't *DO* art with our children
as often as I *should*.

But...they are always drawing
or sketching or creating.

A.L.W.A.Y.S.

Recently, my Mom gifted a paint/art
set to each child for his/her birthday.

J.O.Y.

It really is MUCH easier
to keep it all contained now that they are older.
Interpretation ~ I don't go crazy in the process.

Or...maybe I have learned (a little)
to lighten up?

I surely do hope so!

And now...to continue on with my list.
Which (mostly) has nothing
to do with painting ~
But everything to do with
L.I.F.E.

1336. Watching Austin patiently
teach Emma to roller blade

1337. Spring showers, turned hail, then the
sky breaking to reveal blue and sunshine...
all in one beach walk!

1338. Puffy white clouds lit by the sun
from behind ~ Glorious!

1339. Distant islands blue on the horizon

1340. Beginning the day with #'s 1337 to 1339 ~
W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L.

1341. Thankful that I survived my first 30
minutes of driving with Austin at the wheel ~ LOL!

1342. Finding new suppliers for new supplies

1343. Most of my short list for groceries was on sale ~
by *chance*...again, nothing is by chance! :)

1344. Lunch out...and Supper out ~
On the same day...what a treat!
Thank you so much T & S and L & S! :)

1345. The acceptance and good attitude
that the LORD has given
to our child with Crohn's ~
God's grace!

1346. New freezer containers to use

1347. A whole batch of
chicken stock frozen for future use ~
Yippee!

1348. Rain pelting down and
none of it coming inside ~
It used to!!

1349. Wonderful sermons

1350. God's Word expounded faithfully ~
A blessing!

1351. Richness of the Doctrines of Grace

1352. The Resurrection ~ HE IS ALIVE!!

1353. A quiet morning all by myself

1354. Thankful that it's not always that way

1355. Children to welcome home

1356. French Cream ~ Oh. Dear. Me!

1357. My yogurt maker ~
Practically working for me 'round the clock!

1358. Homemade yogurt ~ YUM!

1359. Colour returning to our
sick child's cheeks ~ JOY!

1360. Painting supplies for the children

It's easy to count.
It begins with noticing the *little* things.
Noticing the moments.
Entering into them and writing them down.
It's as simple as that.

My journal sits on my counter.

I list as events unfold.
Sometimes many all at once,
and other times in a trickle.

Would you like to begin?
Just grab a pen and a journal,
set them out on the counter,
and list out your blessings.
Find the joy in the moments ~
As they arrive.

Enjoy the journey!

Many Blessings,
Camille

Darkest Before the Dawn

The disciples of the LORD likely were
confused and greatly discouraged.

The LORD Jesus Christ was dead.

They had witnessed it all.
HE was buried.

How dark a time that
must have been for them.
How they must have felt!
All hope seemed to be gone.

But, it was not Truth.

The LORD promised HE would rise again.
HE would be victorious over the grave.
Death could not hold HIM.

Early on the third day,
the first day of the week, which is Sunday,
the LORD Jesus Christ rose from the dead!

"And the angel answered
and said unto the women,
Fear not ye:
for I know that ye seek Jesus,
which was crucified.
He is not here:
for he is risen,
as he said."
~ Matthew 28:5-6 ~

How wonderful it is!

We serve a RISEN LORD!

Is HE your LORD?

How amazing it would be if
you would trust HIM with your
never-dying soul this Easter.

HE alone is worthy of all our praise.

~ Arise, My Soul, Arise ~

Arise my soul, arise;
Shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding Sacrifice
In my behalf appears:
Before the throne my Surety stands,
Before the throne my Surety stands;
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above,
For me to intercede;
His all redeeming love,
His precious blood to plead;
His blood for sin did once atone,
His blood for sin did once atone,
And now it pleads before the Throne.

Five bleeding wounds He bears,
Received on Calvary,
They pour effectual prayers,
They strongly plead for me:
"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry,
"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry,
"Nor let that ransomed sinner die!"

The Father hears Him pray,
His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away
The presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

I now am reconciled;
God's pardoning voice I hear,
He owns me as His child,
I can no longer fear;
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And, "Father, Abba, Father," cry.

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)


May the LORD bless
you each one this Easter!

In HIS Love,
Camille

What Seems to be Helping

One of our children was recently
diagnosed with Crohn's Disease.

We were told that there is no cure.

We were also informed that diet will
not affect the disease.
They said that the child can eat normally,
as long as the prescribed meds are taken.

Mercifully, a friend who
learned of our troubles recommended
"Breaking the Vicious Cycle".
She loaned me her copy.

I devoured it.

Then, I bought my own copy.

We are following the prescibed diet to a *T*.

Under the guidance of a natuoropathic physician,
natural supplements such as probiotics, digestive enzymes
and others are being given to help stabilize the child.

Am I devastated?

No.

All things
work together for good.
Truly.
All things.

Our hope is in God Who is
the Great Creator of the Universe!
HE does all things well.
It is to HIM that we pray.
HE faithfully leads us so gently along.

We are encouraged.


I'm sharing this information
with the desire that someone will benefit
from our experience.
We are new to this journey and have yet
to *prove* all these methods,
but we are very encouraged with the
initial results.

Many Blessings,
Camille

**Disclaimer ~ I am not a doctor and
cannot advise what would work in your particular case.
I am only sharing what it is we are doing for our child
in order that it may be a blessing to someone else.

What I've Been Up To...

It's been a steep learning curve.
A new way of doing things...
especially in the kitchen!

Since the diagnosis of Crohn's,
life has changed.

But, we are getting there ~
It's not so overwhelming any more.
The LORD is so gracious with us,
isn't HE?

I have made homemade mayonnaise
and homemade ketchup...

homemade yogurt...

homemade almond flour bicuits, muffins and loaves...

I've soaked nuts and beans,
and learned a new way of doing many other things!

I have been cooking with Almond Flour...
now, that's a new experience.

But, oh...is it ever yummy! :)

I imagine this is a *little* of what
it must have been like to live in the 1800's.

E.X.C.E.P.T...
I have a dishwasher,
a clothes washer and dryer.

I have indoor plumbing.

AND a fridge and a freezer.

I am able to buy fresh produce at the store.
I don't milk my own cow or raise my own chickens...
Although, I think it would be better if I did!

Our clothes are store-bought...
I do know how to sew and knit,
but I can do those things for fun ~
not because I HAVE to!

I suppose there really is no comparison, after all!

Oh...the blessings of the modern age!
I am thankful!

This week I record my thanks.
What a blessing to be able to!

1321. The smell of Spring!

1322. The grass is growing!

1323. A new Hydrangea bush to plant

1324. Another freezer

1325. The laundry/mud room is all one colour!
I painted it one day when a sudden motivation overtook me. :)

1326. Getting things cleaned, sorted and organised
in the laundry room

1327. How fresh it feels!

1328. New recipes to try, and finding some really good ones


1329. Learning it is possible to live without hot running
water for a few days ~ I boiled what was needed.

1330. The yummy smell of cloves

1331. More freezer space so I can stock up (see #1324)

1332. Budding cherry trees

1333. Spring days

1334. Getting organised little by little ~
it feels soooo good!

1335. Settling into a routine ~
oh how I thrive in it!

It's easy to count.
It begins with noticing the *little* things.
Noticing the moments.
Entering into them and writing them down.
It's as simple as that.

My journal sits on my counter.
I list as events unfold.
Sometimes many all at once,
and other times in a trickle.

Would you like to begin?
Just grab a pen and a journal,
set them out on the counter,
and list out your blessings.
Find the joy in the moments ~
As they arrive.

Enjoy the journey!

Many Blessings,
Camille

Day Unto Day

New Life.

S.P.R.I.N.G.

Each year it comes at its appointed time.
Ordered by God the Creator.

Each year it amazes us with its beauty.

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handiwork."
~ Psalm 19:1 ~

"Day unto day uttereth speech,
and night unto night sheweth knowledge."
~ Psalm 19:2 ~

"There is no speech nor language,
where their voice is not heard."
~ Psalm 19:3 ~

All the seasons declare the
GLORY of our Great God!
Praise HIM with all your being!

Blessings,
Camille

There's an *L* in the Family

In BC we have what is referred to as
a Graduated License Program for new drivers.

At 16 years old,
you can get your *L* ~
Learner's License.

One year later,
after 60 hours of practise,
you *graduate* to an *N* ~ Novice License.
This is after a road test,
and comes with restrictions.

After having your *N* for two years,
you can go for the full meal deal ~
Otherwise known as a Class 5 license.
At that time, another road test is required.

If all goes well in this process,
the teen of the family can be set loose
on the roads *L* and *N* free at age 19!

How times have changed.

In *OUR* day,
when you reached the ripe old age of 16,
you could get your Learner's License.
Thirty days later (with only 30 hours of practise),
you could go for the driving test.
If you passed it, you were set free...unhindered!

Aaaack!!

How glad I am that the times have changed! :)


If you live locally....get out of the way!
Don't say I didn't warn you. LOL! ;-)

Happy Travels!
Camille

And Life Speeds Along...

Counting.
Naming.
Numbering the thanks.

And Life Speeds Along...


We do not control how much time we have.
We are not in control of our destiny.

We rest in HIM.
And serve HIM.
And follow HIM.

Through the *everyday*.
Through the *extra-ordinary*.
Through the sorrows and the joys.

Numbering is my way of
documenting the gifts HE gives.

Day in.
Day out.

Joy comes when we obey.

"In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you."
~ I Thessalonians 5:18 ~

The numbering continues from
the last installment...

1292. "Little Pilgrim's Progress" to
read and read and read again.

1293. When they ask ~
"Please, just one more chapter!"

1294. Progress on the neighbour's renovation ~
knowing what a blessing those things are!

1295. Quick afternoon date with Howie ~
Planning the calendar together...what a blessing!

1296. Compliant nature of a child ~
God's provision

1297. "Morning and Evening"
March 3rd reading in the morning...
at just the *right* time!

1298. A note in the mail from Emma to me ~
P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S.


1299. The dishwasher has recovered! :)

1300. When the youngest uses words such as
*collapsing* and *suspected* in context...too funny!
I am standing here chuckling to myself.

1301. Hearing the first of the spring song birds...
what a lovely sound!

1302. A little warmth in the wind

1303. Dinner out ~ A Treat!

1304. Bike ride with the family ~
the first of the season!

1305. Flat on my bike repaired by my Sweetie...
thank you Howie! :)

1306. Uno with the two youngest

1307. Overnight adventure for the two oldest

1308. *FREE* desk for Emma found
at the side of the road at just the right moment.
(Solid pine ~ and it appears to have been made
by the same people that made our boys' desks...
WONDERFUL provision!)

1309. Shopping for groceries
and finding many of the things on my list
*happen* to be on sale!
I do not believe in *chance*...
this is the Loving Hand of our Heavenly Father!

1310. Reading more "Little Pilgrim's Progress"
and it blessing me over again!

1311. Hand-me-downs from a niece to me!
A new to me spring jacket! :)

1312. Renewed energy

1313. Another portfolio visit completed

1314. The sounds of geese honking
as they return home from their winter away.

1315. My MASSIVE (16 Quart) pot in which
I can cook quadruple the amount of
a recipe in order to have leftovers! :)

1316. Leftovers

1317. Birthday Balloons...a tradition

1318. A little girl that *dresses up*...


...Just look at those shoes and the BLACK tights! LOL!


1319. Creative pursuits of the children ~
this is a board game that was thought up by Austin...
it's fun to play! :)



1320. Quiet moments of drawing to enjoy



It's easy to count.
It begins with noticing the *little* things.
Noticing the moments.
Entering into them and writing them down.
It's as simple as that.

My journal sits on my counter.
I list as events unfold.
Sometimes many all at once,
and other times in a trickle.

Would you like to begin?
Just grab a pen and a journal,
set them out on the counter,
and list out your blessings.
Find the joy in the moments ~
As they arrive.

Enjoy the journey!

Many Blessings,
Camille

When the Bad News Comes

It's inevitable.  *Bad* News.
It often arrives unexpectedly.
What do we do?  Where do we turn?
Do we crumble and fall apart?

Or...
Do we recognise the Sovereignty of our Great God
and acknowledge HIS hand in the situation?
Do we REST in HIM?


As Christians, our first thoughts ought to be of
the LORD and HIS goodness ~
is it difficult sometimes to have that reaction?

Definitely.

But, God is greater than all our fears, worries and concerns.
HE really does do all things well.
What a blessing it is to REST in that fact!

What a blessing to KNOW this TRUTH
at the very core of our being.

Many years ago, a dear friend of mine came for a visit
and sat across from me and told me that
she had a terminal form of cancer.  She was going to die.
And, a few years later, she did.

But, she was not hopeless.
And she was not comfortless.  She did not despair.
It was encouraging to be with her!

God was with her in the deepest of valleys.
It was amazing to witness HIS care over her throughout the
very difficult days that followed.

We may not understand.
It may not seem to make any sense.
But that does not change this FACT.
God is SOVEREIGN.

HE does all things well ~ All the time!

A Psalm that has become very precious to us
in the midst of recent trials is Psalm 46.
May the words of this Psalm be a comfort to
your soul as they have been to ours.


~ Psalm 46 ~

"God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.  Selah.

There is a river, the streams whereof shall
make glad the city of God, the holy place of the
tabernacles of the most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:
God shall help her, and that right early.

The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved:
he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah.

Come, behold the works of the LORD,
what desolations he hath made in the earth.

He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;
he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;
he burneth the chariot in the fire.

Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.

The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah."

~ Holy Bible ~

May the LORD bless you each with
HIS peace and presence in whatever
it is you must face day by day.
HE does all things well.

In His Love,
Camille

Skating on Plastic?

Now, this was something new for us!
The children went skating outdoors
on a balmy, sunny day...
on some sort of plastic stuff!

It made the boys' skates
V.E.R.Y. dull.

But, they did enjoy the experience.

I liked it because it was close by.
And, best of all...
it was F.R.E.E.

Is it obvious that they had a great time?

Many blessings,
Camille