Thankful Thursday

In the rollercoaster that is life, the ups and downs are more tolerable when shared with friends.  When we moved to the other side of the globe, I wondered how that journey would change, would I be taking those ups and downs alone, or isolated? 

I am thankful beyond words, and amzingly blessed, to discover that although I may be far away, I'm still surrounded and supported by friends.  There are still many hand offered to celebrate the good with us, or hold our hands through the difficult.  God is good.

Thanks to all the friends who shared in the excitement with us when Brenna was elected female School President for next school year!  Yes, I am extremely proud of her!  And thankful that she can see so many other excited for her achievement as well.

Thanks!

Wordless Wednesday

Trying to get in the spirit...

learning a new Aussie jingle...  ;-)




hope you enjoy it!
(and can see it!)

Finding the right words

I am not good with words.  In high school, I would frequently ask my Mom to help me find a word.  Actually, I just fired questions at her, trying to come up with the word I wanted... "I need a word kinda like...", "I think it starts with...", "It's a little different than..."  I don't know if she even answered, but eventually I found the word I was looking for.  Yeah, she even got calls from me during college to find help me find the right words.

Now, in a odd twist, the words have changed.  I'm still speaking English, my native tongue, but it's not all the same.  I recently had a chat w/ my daughter on the walk home from school.  She rattled off some of the highlights of her day.  I responded with a confused look.  :-/  She quickly 'translated' the Aussie speak that she had quickly incorporated into her vocabulary.  Obviously, I'm not there yet.

It's rather strange to know what I want to say, and not have the right words to say it.  Well, I suppose that's not too strange after all.  ;-)

Friday Flashback...

a priceless moment...

making mountian pies w/ Pappy in PA

a time honored tradition on our summer (and other) visits

it's warm enough in Oz to be thinking about mt. pies

Looks like D's going for some cherry... mmm....

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Thankful Thursday

It often amazes me how people can say or do something very meaningful to me when they think what they've done is ordinary.  You know, one of those moments when someone unexpectedly lifts you up when you're down, or gives you encouragement when you're feeling unsure.  I believe that God's hand is guiding, or perhaps prompting that moment.  But no matter how it happens, it makes me quite thankful for those moments and those friends.

Although we no longer live close to many of friends and family, I still get those unexpected, just-at-the-right-time encouragments.  But instead of a smile, a hug, or a kind word, they come in the form of a facebook post, an email, or a bit of mail. 

God has been good to me, by the friends and family I'm blessed with and their kind and caring hearts.  Thank you, God.  And, thank you, dear, sweet friends... each and every one of you. 

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday's Tangent...

If you know me well, or perhaps even at all, you will have noticed that I often talk in tangents. I move from one topic to another without a clear, understandable connection, well, at least not to the casual observer.

So here's a new weekly addition (i hope) to my blog... Tuesday's tangent... allowing you, my dear (but few) readers, to go on a random tangent w/ me. (it is quite an honour, i know).

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I have realized i have 'comfort clothes'. Clothes that I like to wear when I'm feeling a little unsettled or unsure. Some people do 'comfort food'... surely, 'comfort clothes' makes sense too.

well, it does to me! ;-)

........

oh, look! a chicken.

Turkey Time Down Under!

Oddly, there's no days off school or work on the fourth Thursday of November in Australia. ;-) To adjust w/ the lack of official holiday, we decided to create a new fourth-Thursday tradition... meat pies! (or actually, pie of your choice) Here's the family enjoying their yummy pies and drinks brought from home. mmm....

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And then, on to the turkey...



Despite the fact that the high for the day was in the 80's, I just had to cook a turkey for our first Thanksgiving in Oz... with all the trimmings. Looking back, that might not have been the brightest idea, but it did make for a memorable day! Thankfully, I was able to find oven bags, just not jumbo turkey sized ones. So a couple adjustments had to be made. But I was able to find some important elements like jellied cranberry sauce and close-enough spinich dip ingredients.

Shawn and Darian took apart the kitchen table to set up a grand dining area in the back room. It felt just like a Sunday dinner at Grams. :-)

Cooking in the kitchen... veggies ready to roast, two crock pots cooking, stuffing and cheesy green beans on the stove... all looking good... but why do I need a flash light??? hmm...

Passing or gathering food....

One end of the kids' table! The kids outnumbered the adults. I'm so thankful that Darian and Brenna had friend that were willing and able to come join us in sharing a bit of our culture. One of D's friends asked how often we did Thanksgiving.

The whole gang... all Aussies except us. And I think it's the first time I've worn a skirt. I'm sure it's the first time I've been so warm.

Brenna and her friends chillin' after dinner... and enjoying a healthy dessert.

Darian and his friends checkin' out some videos on uTube. Ya do what you can when there's no football on. ;-)

And time to play outside... all the kids together. It was a great moment to see!

A tasty end to a great day! The desserts were a hit. Even though pumpkin is ususally cooked as a 'savory' or side dish here (roasted or as a soup), several of our friends tried the pumpkin pie and a few even liked it!

Friday Flashback...

flashing way back....

June, 1991

my cousin Jill, me, and my little sis Jane

after my high school graduation ceremony

oh, how i loved that dress!