December days

Mr Marmalade

"Ya, this is my street"

Downtown

City lights, ambulance-- Water St downtown

Gingerbread house making

Christmas dinner at Mosaic

I don't have time to write anything cause we're leaving for the airport in T-30 mins.. yesssss. :)

just a couple pics

my favourite teapot

The desk that Brian made! I was impressed.

the month of December

 Cabin on Lake Louise, Alberta. My favourite from a series of awesome snow pictures found here: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/12/let_it_snow.html

There is no snow in St. John's right now. And to be truthful, I don't mind. Living in Victoria and Vancouver on the coast of BC got me liking the rainy winters. I do love snow, but not the snow of the Avalon Peninsula where we live here in Newfoundland.  Because it's such a funny piece of land stuck right into the north Atlantic, we get awful precipitation. It snows like crazy, but then it will be raining a few hours later, leaving a slushy, gross mess. That just piles up on the street. Getting anywhere by foot is a messy, dangerous, sloppy and dirty business. So, I don't mind this mild rain. If I was living somewhere that got powdery luxurious fluffy snow, that would be different.

The cabin above does look awfully cozy though.

For some reason this year I have been really struck by the consumeristic nature of Christmas. I remember thinking this last year too, that I noticed it more than any other year. And I think that a lot of it has to do with the people that I work with. Mostly just cause the demographics are different from those I worked with in Vancouver. It's also a different perspective from when I was in school. The majority of them are mothers with children. And there just seems to be a bit of a stressed out, perfectionistic attitude about Christmas and all it entails. 


Let me explain. First the kids have to write their letters to Santa detailing precisely what they want. Not a list of ideas, but the specific items that they want. Feel are absolutely necessary to their survival. Then, the parents look at these lists and begin the mad search to find absolutely every item on that list, down to the last detail. It doesn't matter if they are spending a few hundred dollars on each kid, if they go into debt, if they battle the two malls serving hundreds of square kilometres of Newfoundland, if they shop online. They must find these things or they will be bad parents. They also need to decorate the house absolutely perfectly, and buy gifts for the entire extended family as well. And get the kids pictures with Santa, because it's a yearly tradition and must be done even if they are waiting in the mall with said screaming kids for hours to do so. And through all this perpetuating the whole Santa thing. I heard some of the ladies talking once about "oh, he still believes" "what am I doing to do when she doesn't believe any more?" as though they were talking about something as serious as faith itself. But no, it was about a fantasy man who will bring their kids everything they want, but only if they are good. (It's a good thing that's part of the whole deal, so parents can threaten their kids with it for this entire hectic month when trying to keep them in line).

I know that this all probably sounds a bit cynical. And I am probably exaggerating. And in no way is everyone like that at work. I guess it's more just what I have been noticing more in life in general. I don't think that there is anything wrong with some harmless Santa in people's lives. He can even bring some of the presents, just for fun. Maybe even put out some milk and cookies for him.

As an aside, it's interesting when your last name is Claus. I don't think it does very much for the believability of the whole story. Brian didn't really have much to do with Santa growing up and I feel that it will be pretty much the same for our future children. Hehe.

But I just think that it's a bit sad. People are so busy rushing around that they don't even think about the real reason why we have this holiday in the first place. It is about giving and receiving, among many other things. About hanging out with family and friends and being festive. But, as cliche as it sounds, Jesus is the reason for the season. I can still hear that being sung in my head from elementary school musicals. 


What about that little baby in the manger, the star in the east, the virgin mom and shy carpenter, the humble shepherds and the travelling wise man and Glory to God in the Highest?

I'm all for celebrating. I can't wait to go back to Ontario and see family and just be together. And give them a few gifts. Not too many. Just a few carefully chosen and well thought out ones. Mum will probably have her classic box of chocolates labelled 'From Santa" under the tree. That's about as far as he made it into our house growing up. I look forward to the church services and the carols and the joyful faces on Christmas morning with handshakes- "Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!" "Ere Zij God"--- the classic Dutch hymn, one of the slowly dwindling remaining signs of my childhood church's heritage. Candles and thankfulness. Joy.

But may we quiet down our busy hearts. Look for the small joys and simple pleasures. Enjoy a glass of egg nog or mulled wine, apple cider and fresh cookies. Take joy in the giving and receiving of gifts. Look at those around us and show them that same love that the baby in the manger brought to us. Or try to, at least. But that's what grace is for.

So, that's what I think. 

Overall, though, the ultimate is this:


O Come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

In which we are just living our everyday life

I told you these were going to be just everyday life pictures. :) I love mason jars. And dried fruit. Especially dried apricots (right, Mum?) and prunes (yes, prunes). Oh, and brown sugar.

This is one of our kitchen cupboards. I took a picture of it... because I was quite proud of myself for a) the mason jars and b) the spices/ honey I got from bulk barn for screaming deals (take that, Sobeys and your overpriced-ness)

One recent Saturday afternoon Brian and I went on a Starbucks date. This is a cranberry bliss bar. It was good.

The view when sitting by the window of our local downtown Starbucks. There are 3 Starbucks stores in all of Newfoundland. I'm not obsessed with the place, but I would like to note that that is significantly less than in the city of Vancouver alone.

Mmm. Christmas drinks.

In which Brian is enjoying his Christmas drink

Us and the outside world

Making sugar cookies

Using pointy little knives as cookie cutters is serious business

Finished product... yummy.

This lovely gal is getting married in 16 sleeps! 

The beautiful bride to be Brianne and her Paris-themed cake

Lately, I have been learning about my camera while Brian works at his new desk (he built it from scratch? Nice eh?). So, I test out new photography techniques on him when he isn't looking. I think this was a longer shutter speed or something.

This was testing out the 'face recognition' setting- "Hey Brian, look over here for a minute". Serious faces only though.

We went to a Christmas Advent service at the Basilica, a beautiful Catholic cathedral just down the street. Didn't know any of the songs, but it was still pretty neat. The building is stunning.

Alex sent us a lovely wedding present. Vancouver coffee, Summerland jam and chutney, good chocolate, and spoon-fork-knife combos. Among other goodies. It was awesome.

Here's a blurry self portrait of us with the goods.

Enjoying the coffee smell?

There it is. Dear Vancouver, sometimes I miss your organic-local-fresh-hippyness. But that's ok. 

If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking

He is jealous for me

Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree

Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy

When all of a sudden

I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory

And I realize just how beautiful You are 

And how great Your affections are for me

Oh, how He loves us so

How he loves us

How He loves us so

- How He Loves Us- David Crowder Band

I've had some good time to think on my days off. It's been a good month for that. Lots of contemplation. I thrive on contemplation.

Brian and I have settled into a comfortable rhythm of marriage. I am content. It's a really special season in life, I think. The things we learn about each other continue to increase at an astounding rate. I can only imagine what it's like after many years of marriage. It's such a gift. The little things are special too. Shared Sunday afternoon coffee on the couch, I knit and he studies. Oatmeal in the mornings. The funny stuff and disagreements. Proud to say that we made it through a grocery shopping trip yesterday without bickering at all. The tortilla chips and salsa were the closest bone of contention, but still, we escaped unscathed. Waking up next to each other, the fabled event I always dreamed of, is just really nice. Sure, sometimes I am grumpy and he is a bear and the alarm is obnoxious. But most of the time, its just contentment. Sometimes I take a step back and marvel at all this. Almost 3 years ago now, I met these intriguing redhead 3 days after I moved to BC. Now he shares my house, my bed, my heart, my life. Our life. As long as we both shall walk together on this earth.

Have been learning a lot about faith too. Being part of a very small on-campus church has its challenges, but it is helping us both to grow. A women's small group is on the horizon (meeting to talk about it tonight-yaaaay for materializing of dreams), a kids ministry is just starting up, and we are forming lasting relationships with people there. I am thankful. 

Making pea soup. Dutch Shop style. Went on a run around the Battery. It's a couple of windy roads right on the edge of the harbour, with quirky cute little precarious houses. Newfoundland, I'm still getting to know you more and more. And I like it.

How He loves us.

Flurries

Well, we got our first snow last night/ today. It's pretty much all gone now, it was only a few centimetres... and the slight rain that started this afternoon kind of killed it (which is what usually happens in St. John's).
But still, it's been a lot colder lately.. cold enough to realize, at least, that our house is extremely non-heat efficient. Think sieve. Strainer. Holey jacket. Probably going to be some hefty oil bills for the next few months. Ah well, what can you do. We can always think back to these days in future.. "remember that house we lived in when we were first married that was built in 1903 and couldn't hold any heat in whatsoever?" Room temperature has now become 15 degrees. But i'm okay with that. It is winter, after all.

On another note, I did some of my favourite day-off things today. Baked blueberry bran muffins, talked to Mum, Dad and Chris on Skype, made good coffee, went for a run, and wrote in my journal. Also a bit of household chores. I just have to add reading and cooking a delicious supper for my husband to that and its pretty much the ideal day off these days.

Back to work tomorrow. But that's alright.

Hiking on the edge of the world...

Perfect road trip- Timbits and coffee.... brings back memories of childhood holidays (the 65 pack from the Barrie Tim Hortons :)

The Southern Shore Highway

  
Port Kirwan- East Coast Trail, hike out to Berry Head on Spurwink Island Path. Near Fermeuse.

Climbing up 

Glorious 

Woodsy path

My love

Lest we forget

I am very impressed by the deep, sincere appreciation that seems to come from the entire province of Newfoundland towards the military, both fallen, veteran, and present. Yesterday Brian and I walked down to the national war memorial on Duckworth St to watch the proceedings. And there were literally hundreds of people there. Remembrance Day is a holiday here- everyone is off school and work. There were people from all walks of life out to remember those who have sacrificed. The little redhead, exact miniature copy of his uniformed dad, clinging to his crisp blue pantlegs. The photographers with their cameras, trying to capture the emotion of the morning in their art. Eager university students. A local widow and her two young children, laying a wreath for the husband and father they lost to combat three years ago. And the elderly couple- wrinkled faces, hands clasped, likely with images flashing in their minds of memories past, friends and family lost too soon many years ago. Blessed to still have each other, been through so much.

The deep, resonant trumpet notes of the Last Post
That mark our place, and in the sky, the larks still bravely singing fly.
The true north strong and free.

Classic hymns, they even prayed. At a public ceremony, no less. That is the bright and special side of this province being a little behind the rest of Canada, in some ways-- they still hold on fiercely to traditions and for most, faith is part of that tradition. Bagpipes. Soldiers marched, one after the other- a living reminder of those all those lost to the crosses, row on row. Wreath after wreath laid in respect for the fallen.

Cannons were fired off of Signal Hill, the giant rocky promontory that stands at the entrance of the St John's Harbour. You could see a flame, a puff of smoke, and a resounding boom. Taking us back in time to the battlefields of old. You could almost see the ships coming through the narrows...

our little house

It's time to give you a tour of our house... 6 Howley Ave. It's not huge but makes a cozy nest... which is good for nesty types such as myself :)

Bathroom... it actually matches, somewhat- we were proud of ourselves :)

Old fashioned style pedestal sink, hot water radiators. 

Bedroom with knitted blanket from Grandma Vanderwekken, and 'his and hers' closets- haha. There aren't any built in closets since this used to be the living room of the house. Note the fireplace/ headboard...

Our kitchen.... with the shelf Brian built fitting nicely between fridge and stove for pots and pans. Also, I made freshly baked cookies right before I took this, like a good wife ;) 

I love the glass cupboard- and the cozy pine cupboards

Eating/ working area. The brick part is another fireplace. Door goes out to the back porch.

Shelf for recipe books, random papers, magazines, appliances, potatoes...also, note the tomato plants :)

side note- i finally figured out how to make the pics on here bigger- yaaay!