Focusing on Life - Week 21

Here is this weeks photo prompt...

'This week capture what takes you back to moments past and reminisce a little.'

I drive past this building every day on my way to work. The photo below was taken a couple of years ago. This was the church of my grandparents, and my great-grandparents before that. Several generations of my family are buried in the adjoining cemetery, including my father.

But, as with many small country churches, attendance dwindled over the years until finally those who were left could no long sustain the expenses to keep it open. It was a sad day indeed when it was announced that the doors would be closing for good, the congregation dispersed to other local churches and the building put up for sale.

I have many fond memories of attending Sunday school here as a child, weddings (and some funerals too), strawberry socials, euchre nights, church bazarrs, etc. It saddens me that I cannot go inside it's doors anymore. The spirits of my ancestors are embedded in the walls.

The building was eventually sold and it now houses a Jewish day school and community centre. There is a large menorah where the church sign used to be. An 8' tall solid wooden fence has been erected to separate the cemetery from the building. It feels like an insult to the souls laid to rest there. Their eternal view of church of their youth and old age, life and death is forever blocked.

Look What I Found Online This Week

I have not had a lot of time to surf the web this week. I've been busy making Tree of Life Pendants for our upcoming events but I did manage to find a couple of things you may find of interest.

Here is another wheat-free, gluten-free, yeast-free recipe. Looks yummy, doesn’t it? It is a grain-free, almond flour bread. I'm going to try this recipe out soon.

Did you ever want to know how to make a river stone mat? Wonder no more, you can find all the instructions you need here. They lost me at the E6000 glue. The ingredient toluene in that stuff causes me to have major asthma attacks. Please use it in a well ventilated area, preferably outside.

When planning your vegetable garden this year, here are 6 Reasons to PLANT and EAT Swiss Chard.

That's all for this week. Stay tuned next Friday to see what wonders I've found during the last week of May 2013.

Upcoming Events: June, 2013

As always, our busiest month of the year is June. Here is a run-down of where you will be able to find us next month...

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June 1st – Brantford Pagan Meet & Greet

My contribution to the silent auction this year

Come out and enjoy a great day of fun, music, vendors, workshops, & silent auction. HEATHER DALE has been confirmed as the headline performer. Check out the Facebook event page for more details and directions.

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June 8 – Robin in the Hood

This medieval festival in Elmira is always a fun event. We will be there, dressed in our period garb, peddling our wares.  Come join Robin Hood's merry band of outlaws and pull one over on the Sheriff of Nottingham again! For all the information you will need, go to their webpage.  

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June 15 - 16 – The Oxford Renaissance Festival

Experience live hand to hand combat and jousting. Enjoy authentic renaissance foods and family entertainment throughout the weekend. Plenty of wares for your hearts content at the merchant booths. For more information, please see the website. 

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June 22 - 23 – Faery Fest

On this midsummer's weekend, come to beautiful Riverside Park in Guelph, Ontario, because you don’t want to miss the opportunity to sample the sparkling lineup of entertainment, vendors, and activities planned this year. For complete details, go to the website.

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I hope you will be able to make it out to one or more of these great events next month. Stop by our booth and say hello if you do. We accept Canadian Tire money as cash.

Focusing on Life - Week 20

This week let's change our perspective and look up! 

There is a whole world above us that we sometimes miss seeing because we simply forget to look up.

When I read that prompt, the first thing I did was LOOK UP. I was in my office at home in front of my computer. Oh my, what did I see? I saw a thick layer of dust on the top shelves. And is that a cobweb up in the corner? Time for some serious spring housecleaning, I think.

Later, while driving in my car, I heard about some other people who were looking up...to Mars. They are signing up in the thousands for the chance to go on a one way trip to the red planet to colonize it. People of all ages from around the world are clamoring to do this. Really? Honestly, I couldn't make this up.

Neither of those two initial thoughts on this prompt seemed appropriate for a photo this week. As I stood outside enjoying the warm breeze and sunshine, I looked up at the trees. The trees, which only a couple of weeks ago were bare, are now bursting with new leaves. I smiled. I love spring.

Look What I Found Online This Week

Since I can’t eat wheat, yeast or gluten, I’m always on the lookout for recipes that I can make and enjoy without having an asthma attack.  This one for banana oat bites is perfect...quick and easy too!

You have to watch this video. This couple is way too much fun! I love it.

Eliminate harsh chemicals in your dryer with these wool dryer balls.

How would you like to make your own lip gloss? Not something I would have thought of either but you can check out this tutorial to learn how.

There are so many interesting things to be found online. I hope you enjoy these links this week.