Blogtober: Day 27.

After our annual gala for baby loss, we meet to

share our thoughts on the event. I love hearing

how everyone enjoyed the event, and hearing

the final numbers and outcomes. This year, we

took some time to also tie little tags to the bears

for an upcoming market where shoppers can

buy bears in memory of a very precious baby.

A heartfelt way to support the event and others.

After the tasks were all done, we enjoyed a

lovely meal together. Good company, amazing

conversation, new ideas for next year and new

energy for the busy weeks ahead of us. Bravo!

~ Chy

Festival Week.

It's Festival Week here at our little

cottage in the big woods. It's a crazy

time as we ensure all the last details

are in place, the musicians are on

their way, and all the bills are paid.

Truly we love it, but this week is

always tiring yet exhilarating at

the same time. I'll write in July!

~ Chy

Carrot Cake Cookie.

I love great events when we get treats! A

sweet and very yummy carrot cake cookie.

~ Chy

Memorial Moment.

Sharing my words.

The candle is lit.

The treat on the way home.

The curls that lasted in to the night.

I had the honor of speaking at our Annual Hike

of Hospice on the weekend. My short but sweet

talk included not a "moment of silence" but an

opportunity to have all our attendees participate

by sharing their loved ones name out loud. I'm

very proud that this was well received. Making

an event meaningful is key to the success of it.

Thankful for the support of my team and all the

guests who were respectful of this "Memorial

Moment" and for our local community hospice.

~ Chy

Sunny Morning.

I love when we come downstairs in the morning how bright the nook is, even with the new shutters. The extra shutter just hanging out there still needs to be attached to the french door going out to the deck but a piece of hardware was missing. I need to get the install guy back as Thanksgiving is fast approaching! Can't wait until the windows we are doing this year are done. It's a slow process but looks so good! And keeps out the bright sun really well when we need a bit of darkness. Just the right amount.

All week, I've had a nasty bronchial infection. Not the best timing as we have a very large community event on Sunday. Thankfully, without knowing I would be so ill, we did a ton of work a head of time. Other than a few names to print and laminate, a couple of thank you cards to add to the pile and a decision on what to bring for our lunch potluck before the event starts, we're ready! Oh and load the  bins and the sound system in to the car will be our last task today. Later, after kids class and dinner. I have a interview with a local tv station but that will be done by phone and then they plan to send out a crew tomorrow to tape some footage for the news. Thankful for media coverage as it's not a cause that many people wish to talk about or think about but for those of us that live this every day, it needs discussion, compassion and understanding. And that's what our event is all about. What we need is nice weather and so far, it's looking really lovely for tomorrow. Sunny and 22 degrees Celcius. Fingers crossed for a beautiful day that will include both tears and laughter, love and hope, and sweet harp music. Wish us well that families leave feeling comforted and supported on their journey. That's our hope and goal.

~ Chy

Work Lunch.

I showed up for work at Hospice one

morning and a big tent was being set up.

The landlord of our building was treating

all the tenants with a catered lunch. It was

so yummy and a great time was had by

all. Love how the landlord is so amazing.

~ Chy

Media Call.

One of the charity's I work for has been invited to be part of an event that includes a movie premiere, a first showing in Canada. We are honored to be part of this amazing opportunity. Part of our commitment is to be available for things like a media call. I was asked to be on the radio and tv on Friday and brought along our little guy to the studio. I've done tons of media over the years, but he's never had a chance to come to a studio before. A big treat for our little guy.

The crew were amazing, even putting him right in the control room during the shoot. We discovered later in the day when we got to see the taping (it was shot and shown live but they keep a tape and sent us the link) that he was in a bunch of shots. They thought he was amazing and kept showing the control room where he'd peek out from his chair with a big grin and a thumbs up! He has great aspirations to be an actor and it's so much fun seeing his vibrant personality shine through. I have no doubts he'll be somebody one day. Too much character in this little body!! I can't wait to see it unfold.

A Warm Welcome.

When we bought our land 14 years ago, on a cold winter's night, we were told by the realtor and later by the neighbors that an annual BBQ, along with a huge bonfire, was held each summer. Over the years, as we visited our little piece of heaven and as we dreamed of one day having a home there, we also would talk about attending the bonfire each year. Our neighbor came to visit a few days after we moved in and told us that they hadn't done a bonfire the year before as the resident who planned all the events in our country subdivision had moved away. I was a bit sad to learn that something we were looking forward to, a small event that we knew would help us get to know our new neighbors was no longer something we could count on. But last Saturday, that all changed. A neighbor we hadn't met arrived at our front door, on her bike. to greet us, add our names to the master list of residents and extend an invitation to the "new" annual BBQ, along with a huge bonfire. We immediately said "Yes"! As the newest residents and as the final home to be built in the subdivision, she felt it was time to bring back the event so that we could meet everyone else. So glad she created this evening.

So tonight, after all our work was done, we walked over to the big field, freshly baked cookies in our arms to add to the desert table and happy smiles on our faces. 

We were greeted by the organizing neighbor and she introduced us to the others. It was a very warm welcome and we felt embraced by the genuine reception from everyone. Moving is never easy and it can feel so isolating but after tonight, I know our choice to move out here was clearly correct and we are finally HOME!!

Leaving the site, after lots of visiting, we walked back down the quiet lane with our new neighbors and their baby son. Invitations were extended on both sides to visit and we walked in to our new home feeling very accepted by this community. Can't wait for next year!

The tiny moon over the trees.

Do you live in a community of welcoming neighbors?

Does it feel safe, friendly and engaging?

Sweet Bubble Boy.

I forgot I had captured this sweet shot

of our little "bubble boy" at our event. 

He was so excited to send little bubbles

up to Heaven, in memory of his uncle

and his auntie, who he never met but

he loves just the same. Our sweet boy!

Capture December: Day Twelve.

Hi everyone!

I was a day behind with the Capture December Photo Challenge but with this post, I'll be caught up. The little boy and I spent two days lounging around with bad colds and pink eye but we're better now and back to life again. A short illness that could have been worse but thankfully, with upping our doses of Vitamins C and D, and a bit of homeopathics and eye drops, we healed very quickly. 

Today, in anticipation of our upcoming Candle Light Memorial Service, I made a couple of votive holders with mason jars. Easy peasy, with just two materials, in addition to the jar. Modge podge and epsom salts. And look what you can create! Perfect for the prompt "A Beautiful Sight":

Love the glow!

Have you been creative lately?

Could I ask you for a favor?

Hi everyone!

Could I ask you for a favor? 

Just a small one. 

Nothing big. 

Tiny request. 

Slight wish. 

All we need now is good weather on Saturday for our walk. 

Can you spare a blessing or two?

I feel like a Star!

Hi everyone!

I had the opportunity to be interviewed on TV today, so I graciously said yes and am so glad I did. The emails and registrations are poring in and the donations as well. Such a sad and difficult subject but we're so excited we can promote the work we do and provide a beautiful, healing day for all to remember their precious babies, together. Once I can figure out how to download the clip, I'll add it in here. 

And how was your day?

What is keeping us busy!!

Hi everyone!

We created this Walk to Remember in our community and it's keeping us pretty busy these days. It is on Saturday afternoon and we're doing really well with all our planning. Last year was the first year and it went better than we could have ever dreamed, so I hope this year will go just as well. It's an inspiring and humbling experience but so worth the time and effort to support these very special families. 

Wish us luck that the weather is beautiful!!

Celebration of the Arts 2014.

As artists and board members of our local arts council, we enjoy an annual Celebration of the Arts. Last night was this event and we had a very lovely time. Held at a local wine establishment, the event included tasting, appetizers, dignitaries, music and of course, locally produced and intriguing art.

Chocolates with our new logo

and oil infused popcorn.

Greenery from a local nursery

and a warm fire on a chilly night.

Wine tasting, art displays

and beautiful violin music.

Enjoying the evening with our County Mayor

and one of our councilors, along with our

MC for the evening, Ben.

The rest of our weekend is spent at the community centre (known as The Agora) where we have our artists represented with displays and demonstrations. A chance for our diverse population to experience the arts, up close and personal. 

I was so excited to find out last night that our Mayor has invited my guy and I to the very large Celebration of the Arts in the city next to our little hamlet in April. We are her special guests and as President and Vice President of our Arts Council, we will be representing our community on that evening. I see a big shopping trip in our future to choose new outfits as the event in the city is very regal, not like our much more relaxed occasion. 

What are your weekend plans this chilly February?