December 15, 2009

Christmas Trees and Such

My dad retired this past spring, and they are now reaping the rewards of their retirement plan... in the form of Christmas trees that they started planting in 2002. The Turner Family Tree Farm is officially open for business in Oyama, BC! We took a tree off the farm last winter, and here are some photos of our tree this year! I went out and picked a tree I liked in November, so that we could be sure to get one of the best. Mom and Dad have spent ours trimming and shaping the trees, and we couldn't be more pleased to have a tree farm in the family! They even have a "wrapper" for the trees so that they are easier to tie to the roof of your vehicle, it helps them travel well, and they're easier to take into the house!
Family shot!
This is the last picture I have with my parent's dog Belle. We got her in 1995, when I was in grade 9. She was such a fabulous dog, and just passed away this month. I'll miss you Bella!

I was taking photos of the kids yesterday, and Roscoe started to say cheese and made this goofy pose with his head tilted back! Every time I'd take a picture, he'd do this, so I couldn't get any natural shots at all! He must be picking up pointers from Aria because its super hard for her to give me a natural smile as well. What I've started to do with her is get her to tell me a joke (a three year old's version of Knock, knock or Why did the ____ cross the road), but as she's laughing at the end I can usually get some good pictures!
I stopped in at Walmart today to make an appointment FINALLY, to get Roscoe's one year old pictures done (only two months late!). Poor second-born child. Well, there's no reason to feel bad; at least its going to get done!
We took the kids to the mall yesterday so they could meet Santa, which we've never done before. Aria has been fairly Santa-obsessed this Christmas, and I figure, what's the harm? She'll probably only be this crazy for him for a couple years. I've tried explaining that Christmas is about Jesus' birthday, but she seems to think that means its Santa's birthday as well. So I said that Santa just likes to celebrate Jesus' birthday by handing out presents to everyone, because Jesus' birthday is SO important and exciting.
The other day when we came home from preschool she didn't want to close the front door. I asked why. She said so that Santa could come in. I explained that Santa doesn't come until Christmas Eve when she's asleep, and then he comes down the chimney. So she closed the front door, and promptly went into the living room and opened up the glass doors to the fireplace, so that Santa could get in! Funny girl! She's having a hard time distinguishing between the Christmas SEASON and Christmas DAY.
Cheese!

December 14, 2009

Christmas decorating

My friend Sherilyn was out last month and we went to the local Art Knapp for their Christmas Extravaganza... without children! It was so great to take our time looking around without worrying that some little set of hands would touch something they weren't supposed to. I found these fabulous cast iron urns for $25 each! What a steal. Normally they're $125, I think. Crazy. So, I decided to decorate them up for Christmas. I went to my parent's land and got my dad to help me find some cedar and some big pine cones. I then went back to Art Knapp and bought some orange twisted willow (so pretty!) and another kind of greenery for a grand total of $15. I then grabbed some leftover red plastic balls I had in my decorating stash and voila! Some very festive, chic (and cheap!) decorations for my front step.My husband was also being creative the other day while we were out at my parent's tree farm helping sell Christmas trees. My mom had started a wreath by cutting out a cardboard circle, and then cutting out another circle inside of it. She then wrapped string around the cardboard, fairly close together, and then tied it off at the end. Jeremy then added the greenery, tucking the ends under the string, which catches on the needles, holding the branches in place. I added a red bow that I had in my stash and hung it on our front door. My hubby's so crafty and he doesn't even realize it! I am super pleased with the result, and think I'll have to make some pine swags to match, and hang them on either side of our carport.

December 12, 2009

Starting Again

I think it might be fun to get serious about this blogging thing. But when can I fund the time to write? I'm sure I have lots to say, and maybe even an interesting point of view. But even right now, as I contemplate how this could all play out, I ought to be reading about Joshua entering the Promised Land, and prepping for my grade 6 class tomorrow morning.
And can I just say how excited I am for church tomorrow? We have Paul Young, the author of "The Shack" visiting our church this weekend, and doing an interview style preach with Stuart. I heard that it was excellent tonight. I've been madly trying to reread the book. I read it a year ago, and was overwhelmed by the freshness of his ideas of God and the Trinity. I can't wait to hear his ideas and thoughts tomorrow, and to read his prose with the perspective of his interview in mind. In reading the book last year I remember feeling as though what I knew of God being stretched outside of what I have experienced and learned. I felt as though Young coloured outside of the lines of who I think I know God to be. More on that to follow after I hear Young speak tomorrow.

September 13, 2009

Getting Things Going

Well, I've done it. Started my business. I've been busy crocheting hats in the evenings, trying to perfect the fit and choosing a couple styles that will appeal to people for the fall season that is slowly coming upon us. Definitely still enjoying the sun, but with slightly milder temperatures; makes walking a lot less work!
I sold my first hat to my girlfriend Sue on Saturday! Thanks for the support from all my friends and family! I appreciate it so much! I even have a few custom orders that I'm working on. I've been surfing the internet for good deals on the yarn I prefer to use, and working at designing branding and promo stuff with my husband. Its been fun so far, and hopefully will continue to be. I'm looking at renting a table at a Christmas craft fair sometime this fall. When I get more info about the dates and location I'll try to post them on here.