Wednesday, December 9, 2009

It's the big boss's birthday on the 10th....

Bob's look of pondering life's important questions...
Bob's look of an executive who is directing.....

Bob being a "ball player"......
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB!!!
Here's to your health, happiness and sanity in the topsy-turvy world of government and politics. It's not an easy job you have in these days of economic downturn in the forestry sector...not to mention directing a mish-mash of some willing and some not-so-willing employees.
Enjoy your day!!! You deserve a good fishing weekend or the equivilent thereof.


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

One by one.....









The various boxes of Christmas decorations are carefully opened....one by one....
Some hold Santa stockings, one from when I was a very small child, two belong to my children and now one that belongs to my granddaughter.
Other boxes display ornaments of hand-made creations made painstakingly by our son and daughter. One bent Hallmark original box from 1981 contains an ornament given to my parents by husband and I and another given to our daughter when she was just 4 years old. Some are made of delicate glass given to us by friends and still others made of paper or cloth or crochet cotton.
I enjoy bringing them out each year, carefully placing them one by one on the tree and allowing them to once again be a part of a grand celebration....the celebration of Christmas.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Fun and games...






The day began with the installation of pastors Seth and Stacia Michael by our Conference Superintendent, Jeff Anderson. We all had cake to celebrate after church.
Later we all brought more food, ate a potluck supper, had an Advent service and then played some games of Pictionary.
I'm bushed.
It was good to see the little tree (above) lit up with "Joy", "Peace" and "Hope" colorfully reminding us that yes, this is the season.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Balsam Fir.....


We went to Gaudet's Trees and bought a Balsam Fir.
It's tightly wrapped up so not sure how it will look.
It was either that or a white spruce.
The lovely smell of the Balsam won me over.
Ray Gaudet looked after us, as did his wife. It's their busy season and they certainly do the sales thing very well. They love their trees!!!
So this week will be a time of decorating the house and the tree. I look forward to it.

Friday, December 4, 2009

A full weekend...

It will be a good, busy weekend.

Not sure if I can keep up with the pace...

Sunday our pastors are being formally installed at Gateway.

Potluck supper at 4:30 p.m.

Advent Program at 6 p.m.

Fun time afterwards with games and stuff...coffee for sure.

Other things are happening too in our home....it will all be good.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Queen Sapora's first formal function

Some of the Forest Centre staff
enjoying the Christmas feast.
Katie played her lovely music for the gathering.

Innovation Place staff served the drinks....and my co-worker
came by to enjoy one.

This speaks for itself!

Queen Sapora Spruce reigned in majesty!
A few of the manager's of The Forest Centre were in town today to offer their appreciation to their tenants, of which I am a part.
It was a feast late in the afternoon in the atrium. Food and wine was consumed and piano Christmas music peeled throughout the entire building.
In the midst of it all stood Queen Sapora in all her loveliness. Folks stood around her and praised her decorations and the immensity of her branches....not to mention her soft spruce scent.
She did well for her first formal event......no fear, no tears, no sap.
I'm sure her dignitity will remain intact for the next several weeks as Sapora continues her reign in the Prince Albert Forest Centre.
Oh, and I heard her drinking softly and enjoying the water that Bruce has been giving her. She gets very thirsty especially now when it is getting colder.

Yes, Bruce is the one who brought her into the building....and no doubt will be the one who must remove her when her reign is complete in the New Year. Bruce is one good fellow!!!


Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The Queen Reigns...

Val's Floral Boutique made a regal Queen
out of a little Princess.
Details in her decorations.

Gazing towards her crown.

Queen Sapora in all her beauty.


A few posts ago I told you about Sapora (Sappy, for short) Spruce and her venture to The Forest Centre atrium. She sat awaiting her decorators and dressers, awaiting her transformation into the queen she knew she would one day be.
Val's Floral Boutique, a little flower shop in Carlton Court Plaza, was given the opportunity to use their creative gifts, and use them, they did! Boxes in hand they arrived one morning and one by one, out came enormous red-bowed sugar cones, white feathered birds of paradise, green and red sparkly bows, feathered straw clutching red poinsettias, shiny clustered golden balls, tiny glittered pine cones and a myriad of white and pale blue twinkling lights. They hovered like worker bees over their queen, bringing to her awaiting branches delicate ornaments and grand sweeps of colored bows and straw.
Sapora relished in the fuss they were making over her. Never in her young years would she have imagined how her life would have turned out. She knew she was destined for greatness but this was so much more than she had dreamed of. It was finally finished.....or was it??!!
It seemed like nothing more was happening. Sapora felt beautiful. She could see herself reflected in the surrounding glass windows and yes, she really was beautiful. But there was something more going on around her. Oh, yes....she was getting a crown....on top of her lovely head, she was being presented with her royal crown of several red poinsettias holding a three-pronged staff of golden colored Christmas balls.
Sapora was the reigning Queen of the Forest Centre and she stood proudly and beautifully for all to see. This was what mother had been talking to her about. This was her moment to shine and to humbly accept all the praise and admiration of all who came to view her gloriousness. She stood alone, proudly knowing that this was her destiny. Her remaining days would be ones of celebration and singing and happiness and she was up for it.
Sapora heard people comment on her beauty, some came and took pictures, and others said they would write down their thoughts on paper telling the story of how a princess became a Queen. She wanted to be remembered by all and she prayed that people would somehow enjoy the Spirit of Christmas as they stood around her branches.....that a Spirit of peace would settle on those who came to see her and too, a Spirit of hope, a belief in something larger than themselves, a Spirit that says to all...."We can be changed from what we are into something much more beautiful than we ever imagined!"
And so it was....from Sappy Spruce...to Queen Sapora.....a real Christmas transformation.
Then I remembered the reason we celebrate this season. Yes, it was for me to be changed into something more beautiful, more grace-filled, more humble and peaceful....from the inside out.
God, let it be so!