October 30, 2011

Sometimes...

Sometimes...life can be difficult.
It's been a little that way for us lately.

Our son has Crohn's Disease.
Crohn's is nasty.
No two ways about it.  Nasty.


We are using means.  We are not flying solo.
We are praying for wisdom.
We are consulting with physicians.
We are seeking the LORD.

The Great Physician.

What a blessing it is to know that HE is in perfect
and Sovereign control.
HE does not give more than we can bear.  Ever.
With His help and grace and strength, we can face anything.

God's Grace is evident in the life of our son.
He says that he has nothing to complain about!
He continues to be thankful.

What a rebuke.
What a blessing.


Today our Pastor preached from Philippians.
How encouraging it was!

"Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord."
~ Philippians 3:1a ~

We don't rejoice in circumstances.
Sometimes circumstances are hard.

We rejoice in the Lord.
We can always do that!
Think of what HE has done for us!

"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss
for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law, but that which is
through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which
is of God by faith:

That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection,
and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect:
but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which
also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."

~ Philippians 3:8-12 ~


How Precious HE is!

May the LORD give you the grace you need this day
to face whatever it is you must face.
HE is Faithful!  Look to HIM.

Many Blessings,
Camille

**Photos courtesy of Emma ~
Thank you my little love xo

October 27, 2011

Oven Baked Hash Browned Potatoes

Jennifer Jo and I seem to have similar taste buds.
I like her recipes.  And this was no exception.

And...it's EASY!

And...MULTIPLY-ABLE.
(Is that a word?)


You can make these for a few or for many.
It all depends on how many potatoes you begin with.

Oh YUM!!

Head on over to Jennifer Jo's
for her recipe for these fabulous

You won't be sorry you did.
Your family will thank you.

The End.

Blessings,
Camille

October 24, 2011

Just Us Girls

Auntie Beverley invited us to come for a visit.
She lives three to four hours away from us ~
depending on the ferry traffic.  We went.
We are so thankful that we did!


Just us girls.  Just the three of us.
Auntie Beverley stayed all cozy in her place across the lawn.


And we stayed within view in her sweet guest house.
Isn't it just A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.??


We arrived in time for a wonderful home-cooked meal last Thursday evening.
Then we ventured up to *our place* and my girl and
I snuggled in the big bed and watched "Sarah Plain and Tall"
on a little portable DVD player.  We ate popcorn.


Friday morning we got up and prepped for the day.
We had quiet time together.  We packed the van.


We took a few *self-timed* photos.



And then...we headed across the lawn to
have breakfast with our precious Auntie.
How lovely it was to be able to spend some special time with her!

Here we are...just the three of us
in Auntie Beverley's sweet sitting area just off the kitchen.


The view from the lower level
of the main house...isn't it AMAZING??


Auntie Beverley lives on a cliff and...she has beach access.
A little walk along the beach was in order.



Good thing I packed boots for my girl! :)


Emma enjoyed exploring.  We found some amazing shells!
This beach is relatively untouched ~
A wonderful sampling of God's glorious creation.


Back up the bulkhead...


We went into town and shopped.
We visited a lovely little bakery for lunch.
And then...


...we travelled home!
It was a W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L. 31-hour retreat.
Thank you so much for having us stay with you Auntie Beverley!

Lots of Love,
Emma and Camille XOXO

October 19, 2011

Dinner for One

Howie took the children away to
stay in his parents' basement suite
for three nights last weekend.

The purpose?

To allow me time to
plan and sort and purge.
A Blitz.

What a blessing!


I was alone for dinner two nights running.
The rest of the family had food sent with them.
They were set.

Me?
My plan was to just
*wing it*.

What to eat?
The answer for one night was....

A twice baked potato ~
stuffed with sour cream,
green onions and cheese.



Oh YUM!
It was good.
I ate. it. all.

What do you eat when
you are cooking for one?

Happy Weekend!
(I'll be back to visit with you
next week, Lord-willing.)

Blessings,
Camille

October 16, 2011

Love Letters

My friend Trisha shared the most
W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L.
idea a few months ago on her old blog.

Today, I am sharing her idea
with you here on mine.

I had planned on just linking directly to her post.
But, it took me so long to implement it since
her old blog is no longer available.

The links don't work.
So, I am sending you directly to her main blog.

I am sure you will be blessed by reading
whatever Trisha writes.  She loves the LORD.
She seeks to LIVE her faith.  By HIS grace.
She is a Sweetie.


Love letters.

We often just imagine them
to be between two who are courting.
But, have you ever thought
of writing love letters to your children?
Or how about your Spouse?


The idea is simple.

You get a journal for each child.
You write a note to them in it once in awhile.
Or every day if you like.

It might be on special occasions.
It might be when you notice
that they have done something sweet.
It might be *just because*.

Some ideas.

Compose a letter to your child
sharing a memory from their baby days.
Or, tell them what you think is extra special about them.
Write out a prayer that you have prayed for your child.
Share an encouraging Scripture passage.

Write from your heart to theirs.
It doesn't need to be long.
It is sure to be a blessing!


Thank you Trisha for sharing your
precious tradition with us.
May the LORD use this lovely idea
to be a blessing in the lives of others.

I am sure HE will!
Blessings, Camille

October 13, 2011

Finding the Balance

Just a little more than five years ago I was computer illiterate.
I didn't know how to send email.
I didn't know the first thing about creating Word documents or files.

I didn't want to know.

I'd had enough of computers in High School.
We had to create programs using DOS ~ 'Nuff said.

I figured I had enough on my plate
with little ones and family responsibilities.
Howie could accomplish whatever tasks were
necessary on the computer.

I communicated with friends and family the old-fashioned way.
I wrote letters.  I read the newspaper.
I kept a ledger book for our family's budget.
The calendar was on the wall.

Then, we began our homeschool journey.
It was a requirement to email the teacher once per week.
I thought maybe Howie could do that.
It was overwhelming.  But, I quickly adjusted.

About the same time as all of this was happening,
my sister moved away.  Far away.
She began a blog and invited her friends and family
to read it.  I did.

Then I ventured out online and *met* another blogger.
Her posts drew me in.  She shared her faith.
She shared her life.  It was a blessing.

These were the only two blogs
I read for about a year.
I was never going to blog.

You know how the saying goes ~
"Never say never."

I began blogging over two years ago.

At first it was just a big, unkown world.
I didn't know anyone. And no one knew me.
Before long I was visiting people.
And they reciprocated.

It was fun.  And addicting.


How quickly the computer takes on a life of its own.
How quickly a blessing can become a curse.  If it's allowed to.
There were many attempts along
the way to keep things in check.
Balanced.

I was accountable to my husband.
But, I still found myself going overboard at times.
I still blogged most days.
The computer was constantly drawing me in.
School.  Email.  Shopping.
Blogging.  Research.

It all melded into one big pool.
The pull was great.  Too easy to check the blog.
Too easy to lose track of time.
Too easy to neglect my first calling.

Wife.  Mother.  Teacher.

This past Summer I (mostly) took
a month off from the computer.
It was good.
When I came back I had a plan.
Please understand,
this plan is what works for me.
It may not be what works for you.

My system is simple.

I seek to limit my computer time to twice per week.
Email is sent and answered.
Blog posts are written, posted and moderated.
Blog friends are visited.  Online orders are placed.
Banking is done.

And then I am free.

Free to be a Wife.  Free to be a Mum.
Free to be a Teacher.
I find that I can think
more clearly.  More freely.  Free.

May the LORD help us all as we navigate this
online life in a wise and godly way.
He is Faithful.  He will guide.
He will give wisdom.

Finding the Balance.
By His Grace.  For His Glory.

Many blessings,
Camille


**Photo Credit ~ Calvin...thank you my love! xo

October 9, 2011

Not Just Once a Year...

Giving thanks always.

Not just once a year ~
(it's Thanksgiving this
weekend here in Canada).

Making it a practice to
give thanks.
Always.
In all things.

By HIS Grace.

"Giving thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father in
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
~ Ephesians 5:20 ~

To the ONE Who is the
giver of all things.
For HIS Glory.

And so...
I continue to count.
To number.
To record.

The blessings come daily.
If we will only take the time
to notice.

1501. Little girl's hair to cut ~
and save! :)


1502. A husband who is planning to take the children
away for a few nights (usually once per year)
so I can plan...and sort...and clear the cobwebs
of my brain! Thank you Sweetie! xo

1503. That Howie's parents are willing to host them!

1504. Have I mentioned that I *love*
my dishwasher?? ~

I ran it FIVE times the other
day and it didn't miss a beat!
(I don't normally run it THAT much)


1505. Young men who help!


1506. So thankful that the two
peanut-allergic (anaphylactic)
children in our family can have
the almond flour required for
*the diet* ~
What a blessing!!

1507. A *fresh* way of doing things...


1508. Window-sill ripening tomatoes
in a South facing window ~
The last of the *crop* came in...
it's October!


1509. Learning to say *YES*!


1510. Children that know how to
clean up after themselves

1511. The forgiveness extended to
me by the children when I lack in grace

1512. God's AMAZING Grace!


1513. Masterpiece drying on the line


1514. More masterpieces...


1515. Finding joy in the journey....

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

October 5, 2011

Esther's Greek Salad

My friend Esther has shared a number of recipes
with me over the years.

This Greek Salad is one of my favourites.
It's simple and....Y.U.M.M.Y.
Thanks for sharing Esther!


~ Esther's Greek Salad ~
(Slightly altered)

One Large Head Romaine ~ Cleaned and torn
One Long English Cucumber ~ Chopped coarsely
Two Large Tomatoes ~ Chopped coarsely
One Small Red Onion ~ Chopped
Four Green Onions ~ Chopped
One Small Tin Olives ~ Drained
Half Pound Feta ~ Crumbled

Put all salad ingredients into large bowl.

~ Dressing Ingredients ~

1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
1 tsp Dried Marjoram
(Substitute Oregano if preferred)
1 tsp Sea Salt
1/8 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Mix up the dressing, toss with greens and serve.
(I reserve the Feta and top individual portions with it).

Enjoy!
Camille

*Update 2016*
This is my new favourite dressing...altered from this recipe.

3/4 cup Olive Oil
1 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1 clove Garlic, minced
2 tsp dried Oregano 
2 tsp dried Basil
1 tsp freshly ground Black Pepper
1 tsp freshly ground Himalayan Pink Salt
1 and 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1 and 1/2 tsp Dijon Mustard
1 and 1/2 tsp liquid Honey

**To make this SCD Compliant,
just substitute Freshly Grated Parmesan for the Feta.

October 4, 2011

Fabulous Resource!

F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S.

We *love* us some history around here!
Presented from a Biblical standpoint and
delivered in a wonderfully engaging way,
these history lessons are definitely NOT boring!

History is interesting.
As it should be.


Diana Waring's History Curriculum
is wonderful.
We listen in the van as we drive.
We will listen again and again and again.
There is SO MUCH to digest.
SO MUCH to learn.

It's a beautiful thing
to witness God's Hand throughout
the history of the world.
It's a beautiful thing to give
HIM glory for the intricacies of it all.

And we are in the midst of
HIS great plan.
HE is still at work.
HE is accomplishing all that
HE set out to do.

What a blessing it is
to belong to HIM!

Happy Studies!
Camille