A Beautiful Walk to Work

We had heard that there was going to be some snow in the night, but were still very surprised when we opened our front door the next morning. The snow had drifted in the walkway between our car garage and our house and was beginning to pile up.

We knew when we stepped outside it would be a 'fun' walk to work, without boots!Starting down our driveway - what a fantastic sight.


Freshly fallen snow is soooooo beautiful, and since we see it so seldom, we wanted to enjoy each second that it lasted. (We had no idea at that time that the ground would still be white a couple of weeks later.) We have made the 'rule' for ourselves that we can never drive to work. That little bit of extra daily exercise is good for us. However, this morning it would not have been a choice - we could not have gotten our car out of our driveway.

Now we have started down the main path that leads to our center - usually just a 7 minute walk.

Enjoying the snow covered branches as we walked along.

Turning around to see the road we just came up.

Now we have come to the gate for the center where we work.

I think it could be put on a Christmas Card!!

The small building where we work in front of us (not the one on the right).

Kind of walking in Ragnar's footsteps.

More snow to greet us when we go home for lunch!

Our back yard.

Although we thought it was so beautiful, and enjoyed being out in the snow, it definitely was more difficult for others in our community. We didn't need to go anywhere, had food in the house and oil in our tank to heat the house.

Even when the power was cut for several hours, we had one neighbour offer for us to come over and cook our food on their gas stove, and another neighbour told us to come over and warm up by their fireplace. We were spoiled.

Lots of others in our community can't walk to work though, and had no way to get into town because the roads were not cleared for over a week. Even then, neighbours got together and planned how farmers could clear the road, making a one lane path.

Everyone is talking about the amount of snow and the cold temperatures. Many people have told us that although they have lived in this area all their lives, they have never experienced anything like this. No wonder they are not prepared to clear the snow and keep bus routes running etc.

November PFO

Our Autumn PFO

One couple from England, two single ladies from Germany and 1 single man from Northern Ireland. A great group - 4 of them are going to the same center in PNG - 3 in medical work and one a music teacher. The other lady is on her way to Home School in the Philippines.

We are super excited for all of them and the encouragement and help they will be as they do support work to help others on the front lines.

We had a great long week-end together, getting to know each other, and learning lots of practical things which will be helpful as they make their way overseas.
We always join them for their meals in the dining room - this night it was yummy pizza.

A few of them stayed until Tuesday morning. When we suggested we do something fun on Monday night, the German ladies asked if we could go out for fish and ships. So here we are - my first time too!!

Ugs for Abbi

We just loved the way Bekah used to pronounce 'hugs' without the 'h'.
Even though she has learned to put an 'h' in front of the 'ugs', Omma and Abbi haven't.

We recently had a fun day with Craig, Claire and their special girls.

Here is Ellie giving Abbi a big 'ug' soon after she got home from school.

Bekah's 'ug' always comes with a big smile too.
Lydia's turn for an 'ug' and kiss from Abbi.
By the way, Omma loves to get lots of 'ugs' too, but finds it hard to take pictures of that.

A Week in Spain

Two years ago we spent a week in Spain - basically a week of meetings, but we also had the opportunity to see a bit of the town we were staying in, Roses.

At the first of November, we basically had a repeat of that - same town, same meeting place, lots of the same people. Another great week of catching up with friends from all of Europe.

View of the Mediterranean Sea from our bedroom window. I loved listening to the waves roll in at night.
We enjoyed walking along the path by the ocean, that lead into the town.
I was awestruck by how they built homes right to the top of the hill.

Ragnar was drawn to the fishing ships that came into the Harbour.

One afternoon 7 of us ladies walked into town.

We had planned to try some authentic Spanish food in one of the Restaurants.

We set a place to meet at 6:00 and then began looking for a place to eat. We soon realized after trying several places, that none of them open until 7:30. At least we had a look at what they would be serving.

Lots of people were hanging around outside the Restaurants, but it was just for coffee and snacks. The meal would be served later.

So we went back to the place where we had been staying.

They served great meals there - guess we couldn't get much better than this paella anyway!!

Ragnar beginning with the Seafood Paella.

The chicken one could be sampled later.

Although most of our day was spent in meetings, we were thankful for the fellowship at meal times.

Morning coffee breaks were also a good time to soak in some sun.

Most of us ladies took some knitting along and got lots done. It was great having a Faroese 'knitter' among us to help with the more difficult things!

34th Anniversary in Flanders Fields

Whoever would have dreamt that when I was memorizing the poem, "In Flanders Fields" when I was in the 5th grade, that on my 34th Wedding Anniversary, I would actually be walking in the Flanders Fields where the poem, that is now on the back of our Canadian $10.00 bill, was written!! What a fun and informative day! We took the over night ferry from Hull, England to Bruges, Belgium.
Then spent the day walking around the unique town. This building was originally a hospital.

Lots of interesting buildings built right by the river that runs through the town.

Horse and buggies were kept busy taking tourists to see so many amazing sights.

The fish market drew Ragnar's attention.

Rows of restaurants with lots of yummy food.

We had a tour through the chocolate factory where chocolate was found in lots of sizes and shapes.

We climbed the 360 steps to the top of this tower to get a good view of the city.

Keyboard for the Carillon, in the Bell Tower.

View of the city from the top.

On a boat tour of this beautiful city. I think most of us thought we should duck down as we approached this bridge. The handsome guy I hung out with for the day.

The following day, our anniversary, we took a tour of the Battlefields, which were about an hour's drive outside the city of Bruges.

A museum which told the story with lots of artifacts.

We were standing under the Canadian flag, but the wind didn't cooperate.

One of the British bunkers that is still standing.

Recently renovated trench.

Canadian memorial.

"This column marks the battlefield where 18,000 Canadians on the British left withstood the first German Gas attacks the 22-24 April 1915.

2,000 fell and lie buried nearby."

One of the MANY burial sites of soldiers.

Thousands of names were engraved in cement walls. I kept looking for 'Furlong'.

A memorial for John McCrae who wrote 'In Flanders Fields' in this area.

The original writing.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.