A Review of 2014

 

2014 Review In Photos

 

         Jan-How-to-paint-on-fabric          Feb-Lassy Mogs Recipe                Mar-Flower Pillow Tutorial

 Apr-Sewing Vintage Style Aprons  May-A Cottage Bedroom Reveal   June- My Budget Porch

 July- Coasters from California     Aug-Moms Cucumber Pickle Recipe  Sept-Small- Home Series

 

Oct-Trip to the Yukon                                   Nov-Repurposed Wool Mittens

 

 

December-A Christmas collage of the youngest of our grandchildren.

And that, my friends, is a pretty good summary of my 2014 Year In Review!



Yukon Christmas Mass

 

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary-Burwash Landing Yukon

 

Tim and I were both thrilled when we were told by a new acquaintance  of mine that there would be a Christmas Mass held at the Catholic Church in Burwash Landing.

I have been in this church many times, as it is open to the public in the summer as a museum. It has an attached little school room and then a Priest living quarters, all which have long ago been abandoned.

However, once a year they hold a Christmas Mass in the building.

Interior-Our Lady of the Holy Rosary

 

Here is Tim with Charlie before the service.

The black Propane Heater is set up ahead of time to warm the building, but must be shut off before the services as the fumes are so strong.

The heater in the corner is broken. Since this church no longer receives funds from the hierarchy it will remain so. There was an electric heater (the white one on the left of this photo) but it still didn't keep my toes from feeling frozen, even in my Sorels!

The temperature outside that night was -26.5C.

 

After the forty minute service, we were invited next door to the caretaker's residence for fellowship and snacks. It was so kind of them, and we enjoyed visiting with them and hearing Andre' and Charlie talk about their many trapping experiences from a lifetime of living here in the Yukon Territory.

The caretakers name is Andre, he is a French fellow who still has a very strong, beautiful accent. His wife, Aggie, is a lovely Christian woman who drives the local school bus.

 

Andre' doesn't actually live in the home in the Winter as he is also a caretaker for a gold mine that is about 20 minutes west of their home. The owners of the mine find it more economical to pay someone to stay on site while they are away than to risk their property being vandalised or their equipment stolen.

As for regular church services, the Priest comes to Burwash Landing once a month. These services are held in the caretaker's home. They have a little nook off of the living room with an alter and long folding doors to open when they have services, then close at all other times when there's not.

There where only eight of us who attended the Mass; Tim and I, Charlie and Cecile, Andre' and Aggie, the Priest and his driver, Frank.

 

Side view-Our Lady of the Holy Rosary

 

I can honestly say that I'm thankful for this new way of celebrating Christmas. Although it is not the one I would have chosen for myself, I'm so happy that I now have had this experience to remember for a lifetime and to share with my grandchildren.

 

Again, God has shown me that He is with us no matter where we may wander!

 

~Kimberly~

 









Merry Christmas To All!

 

 

"God showed us His love for us when He sent His only Son

into the world to give us life"

1 John 4:9

 

For all of you, I pray that God will surround you with his love and comfort.

Some of us are not surrounded by loved ones and family this holiday season.

And some are not well or just trying to hold on as their loved one is slipping away from them.

 For you, I pray for His peace, in the midst of life's storm.

The Lord will be your ever present comfort.

Love to all-Kim

 



A Post of Christmas Past

 

Christmas 2011

 

Christmas 2011

 

This Christmas post was from my very first year of blogging.

I can remember just how exciting and fun it was to share my Christmas decorating with you that year!

You might remember we were living on Lake Superior, way out in the woods then.

I think this photos been repinned something like 69 times off of my  Pinterest board.

 

 Christmas 2012

                                                                   Christmas 2012

 

Okay, here we go again!

The porch decorated at Christmas 2012.

 I think this version might have only been repined 8 times.
Not that that matters, it's all about what we like, right?

 

Christmas 2013



Christmas 2013

 

Last years Christmas décor was all about the Polar Bears.

 

Now Christmas 2014, as you know, we are not spending in our home.

But stay tuned, because this is not going to deter me from creating a Christmas photo for this year too.

I'll just have to put on my furry rabbit thinking cap and come up with something unique.

 

I do have much of the holidays off now, so I am busy with last minute gifts I'm sewing for the staff here.
I know, it's crazy!

Wish me luck in getting them done......

I'd best be off to bed now, morning will arrive before I know it!
Tomorrow is the beginning of the days getting longer here in the Yukon.
 I wonder if that means sunrise will be before 9:30 AM now?
 

Blessings-Kimberly

 



 

 

Room In Your Heart For Jesus?

 



Do You Believe In Angels?

Do You Believe in Angels?

Silly question, I know you do!

 

Last night I had a visit from one....

I was working when a customer came in to dine at the lodge.

He and I were the only one's there at the time. He told me he was from Ancorage, Alaska on his way down to Washington state to move to help with the care of his elderly father now.

He ate and then when he had finished dining he ask if he might bring his cello in and play a few Christmas carols.

By this time my husband, the owners, and another employee had come into the dining room.

The owner, not a Christian, begrudedly agreed to allow him to play and then quickly left.

 

It was all I could do to keep myself from sobbing when this very quiet, humble man began to play all of the beautiful Christmas carols.

 I felt like the Lord had sent him here just for me.

 

You see, working in this remote area has been especially hard for me during this Christmas season. There are no churches here, very limited TV access to good programing and my Internet is so limited  I haven't even heard any of the Christmas carols that we often take for granted during this holiday season.

 

I requested 'Carol of the Bells', just because it's a favourite of mine.

Soon, everyone had left and it was just him and myself again.

Is it any wonder that I felt that the Lord had sent him there just for me?

He played several traditional religious hymns-it was a transporting moment for me.

This man's lone recital felt like a gift from The Lord's very Throne Room.

 

While I was busy with other work, he very quietly packed up his instrument,

  and when I returned to the dining area he was gone.

I didn't even get to tell him how much his spontaneous concert had meant to me.

 

I don't truly imagine that this man is really a heavenly being, but I do believe that he was sent from the Lord as a gift to fill a very empty spot in my heart at this time, and I'm so...grateful.

 

Anyway, hope you don't mind me sharing my sappy  little story with you today.

 

May this wonderful season be merry and bright for you-Kimberly



In God's Time...

 



Bathing Beauties

 

 

I just received this new bath photo of my Cutie Patuties, Reece and Brigam.

Don't they look like they are having a blast?

Yep, these adorable little guys are my bathing beauties, for sure!

 

 

Speaking of Bathing Beauties.....

If you have never seen this film, starring Red Skelton and Esther Williams, it is a must.

It is just so hilarious!

Even my children loved it when they were still living at home. In fact my daughter, Emily, would try to immolate the beautiful Esther Williams whenever we went swimming.

You know, I had never thought of Red Skelton as handsome before, but he plays such a sweet and charming role in this movie, that you can't help but fall in love with the guy!

So, if you are looking for a light-hearted Christmas present for someone, Bathing Beauty is definitely a gift to consider.

And "no" I am not getting paid by anyone to tell you this.

 This is just my own personal recommendation.

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As you all know by now, I am back to working full-time so I haven't had a lot of extra time for my favourite pastime-blogging!

I do drop by to check on many of you, but don't usually leave a comment, as I also have limited Internet access now.

Oh, bother!!

But that's just the way it is for now, no wining intended.

I do want to share a few photos I attempted to take last night. It was a gorgeous night sky and I did my best ladies, however it really doesn't do it justice.

But here are the photos anyway.......

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, we have a pretty heavy hoar frost on our trees right now.

It looks like a Winter Wonderland.

And it feels like it too with -30C here.

 

That's all the news from the Arctic North for now.

Hope this finds you well.

Kimberly

 



Love for God

 

Just Droppin By....

 

Hi Friends, I know I said I would be more regular in my posting and I'm trying-I really am!!

 

As you can see we have gotten a little bit of snow here and the lake hasn't frozen over yet, so I wanted to get some shots of the beautiful blue waters to share with you before it turned to ice.

 

 

Now this photo is for my MIL.

I'm sure she loves to see a photo now and then of her sonny boy-Ha!

He seems to look very deep in thought, doesn't he?

I hope he's not thinking about how he can throw me in that lake!!!

No, just kidding.

 I'm sure that thought would never cross his mind.

 

I did get a couple more mittens done this last week, as I have sold two in the gift shop now.

I am waiting now for an Amazon order to arrive with some Aida cloth to start  a cross stitching project I want to do . I can't show it to you because it is going to be a gift for someone who might happen to read this blog post!

It has been many years since I've been interested in doing any cross stitching, but I have found so many beautiful patterns on Pinterest now that I can't resist putting my hand to it again.

If you haven't looked at my Pinterest boards lately you might want to check my new Cross Stitch board out.

 

 

Here is an example of a very cute sewing cross stitch pattern that I've pinned...

 



And how about this beautiful deer pattern?

Now I know you're going to fly over to my board right now because you can't resist it....

The real problem for me is choosing just one, there are so many lovely choices these days.

 

Well, I'm all talked out for now.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Kimberly

 



In Remembrance

 

 

Giving thanks for all of the dedicated soldiers of the past and praying for those brave ones serving and sacrificing for us today.



Repurposed Wool Mittens

  Repurposed Wool Mittens

 

 

I promised I would show you the Repurposed Wool Mittens that I have finally completed, so here they are.....

(Oh my, I just realised my Deer are upside down)

Oh well, a little like me right now!

 

I think I like the underside of my mittens even better than the fronts!

Probably because of the patchwork of fabrics, versus the solid fronts.

Also, as you can see I did a little handiwork on them just to make them a bit unique.

 

 

 

The fourth pair of my repurposed wool mittens sold.

I do have another duplicate pair that I will show you when I finish the lining and cuffs.

They were my favourite pair!

 

What projects have you been working on?

Anything special for Christmas gifts?

I can't tell because someone I'm making a gift for may be reading my blog.

You never know.....

Blessing to you all-Kimberly

 

 

 

 



 



 



Hello Friends

 

 

Hello again from the Yukon!

A few days ago we had a beautiful sunny day here so I took the opportunity to get some shots of Kluane Lake where we are  presently living and working.

This is the lake that I gaze upon each day from the picture windows where I work.

 

 

We are located right on the Alaskan Highway, sandwiched between a mountain range behind us and the one that you see across the lake in front of us.

It is so beautiful....

We have recently been informed that buffalo herds have migrated to live across on that side of Kluane Lake now.

They were not there two years ago when we were here.

 

This is a photo of the mountain behind us.

 

 

The bird you see hiding here is a Magpie or camp robber as they are known here.

They appear to me to be even more plentiful than the Ravens are here on the lake.

In other words, they are everywhere!

 

 

This is a photo of a Golden Eagle that I was able to get a shot of a couple of weeks ago while we drove a short patch along the Old Alaskan Hwy.

There were also Bald Eagles, I often see them around.

Unfortunately they were not willing to land so I could get their pictures.

***********************************************************************************

Although I have been busy working full-time again I have managed to finish the lining for those wool mittens that I made so many years ago.

They are for sale in the gift shop here now.

When I remember to take my camera over I will get photos of them for you.

I do have a dozen more to make liners for, then I will sell them in the shops in Whitehorse.

Of course I have a million projects floating around in my mind that I'd like to work on......

 

Now that I feel that I am accustomed to working again (not dead on my feet!), I plan to get back into a more regular blogging routine again.

I have sure missed visiting all of you, so it will be nice to be able to drop by again and see what everyone has been up to.

Until next time-Kim

 

 

 





 

 

 



Yukon

 

Do you remember reading about the Yukon Gold Rush in school?

I do.

What always struck me was how many of these men had actually left comfortable homes and lifestyles to come out to the wilds of the Yukon to seek their fortunes in gold.

 

Wal-Mart lot in Whitehorse Yukon Oct-2014

 

Now having lived in the Yukon on and off for several years, I can tell you that men seeking their fortunes in gold  here has never really ended at all.

 

Wal-Mart lot in Whitehorse Oct-2014

 

Before travelling further east we stopped in Whitehorse's Wal-Mart Store and I snapped these three photos of  what are probably someones summer residences while in the Yukon or possibly Alaska.

 

Wal-Mart lot Whitehorse-October 2014

 

I would guess all are on stopped over here before heading on their ways home.

 

In the Eastern Yukon, where I have spent a couple of my summers, there are still many gold claims and many people who come back every summer to work them.

Although it's not unusual for the locals or summer visitors to pan for gold, the serious miners now use the heavy and expensive equipment that one sees on the ever so popular TV programs.

One miner told me that it cost him fifty thousand dollars just to start up his mining operation every year. This wasn't for the cost of any equipment either!

Many times the workers wages are a cut of whatever gold is found.

So imagine the risk that you may be working all summer for little or nothing....

 

I don't pretend to be an expert on this topic, but I thought I would share what I have learnt first hand with you, just to give you a wee glimpse of

 this aspect of the Yukon.

*******************************************************

 

On a personal note, I have been busy working full time again so my blogging will be sporadic.

Although I haven't had time to leave comments I still have been following your blogs when possible.

It's good to see all are well and enjoying Fall!

Until next time-Kimberly







Beautiful, Beautiful British Columbia

 

Hello Friends!

I wanted to drop back by and share my British Columbia photos with you.

Tim and I have been on the road again traveling across Northern Canada.

 

Although it is not the greatest time for beautiful pictures with all of the Fall leaves already on the ground and the dreary weather, it seems there is always something photo worthy here in Beautiful, Beautiful British Columbia!

 

 

Here is a photo that was taken just before entering Muncho Lake Park, British Columbia.

As you can see, there were still a few leaves on the trees here.

 

 

Even on a cloudy day the waters flowing through the mountain drive is still an amzing aqua colour.

 

 

I don't remember ever passing through Northern BC without encountering herds of Caribou.

This is just a small group, there were many more later on down the road.

 

 

And isn't this fellow gorgeous?

He is acting like I can't see him behind that scrawny tree.

Silly Wood Buffalo!

I noticed that he has quite a huge hump on his back.

This made me wonder if it wasn't some indication of prestige among the herd....

After trying to research why, I only came up with this Chippewa First Nations Legend.

 

If you are interested in viewing more Buffalo photos from our April trip through Northern British Columbia you may visit here.

 

I will be back in a couple of days to share a few  new shots from the Yukon.

I hope to see you then!

 











Beautiful Bird Books

 

Hello Friends

I am taking a short blogging break.

There is no particular reason, I just have a few things I need to get finished.

I will be back as soon as the deeds are done.

Take care!



SNOW

 

When my husband pulled the bedroom curtain back this morning and said, "You're not going to believe this", I knew right away that it had to be snow.

And sure enough it was!

I have previously lived on Lake Superior, both on the Southern shore in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the North shore here in Ontario, but I don't remember snow ever this early in the season.

My son had warned me that the weather forecast for this Winter was an early and a long one.

But really, this is ridiculous...

 

Now I have decided not to procrastinate any longer. I will

spend today going through those drawers and closets to switch out my Summer clothes for Winter ones.

Yes, I will!

 

And another thing on my mind... Has anyone started working on any Christmas gift projects yet?

This snow has certainly got me thinking that I should be getting started in that direction.

I'd love to hear your ideas!!

 

 





Favourite Small Living Home Chosen

 

source

The vote is in and the favourite home for my Small Home Living Series was House #3.

 Many of you could not make a decision on a favourite because you liked certain elements in all of them.
Me, too!

But unanimously, Small Living Home #3 was chosen as the favourite. 

 And I believe from your remarks that the porch seemed to be the clincher for most of you....

 

 source

along with its staircase. 

source
My own personal favourite was Small Living House #1.

There wasn't anything that I didn't like about this home!
 

 assortmentblog

If I had to choose what sealed the deal for me, it would have to be the loft.

As a mother of three sons myself (and a lovely daughter), I could visualise my own three boys having shared this space while they were growing up.
There would've been a lot of noise below from all of their wrestling, but still I'm sure that I could've lived with it! 

                                                                     tiny-house-family

 

Although my Small Home Living Series is complete for now, I do want to give a shout out to another tiny house that I stumbled upon.
This small home is owned by the Berzin family and I think you will enjoy their story and how they came to the decision to live in a tiny home themselves.
It's interesting...
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At 8:30 AM this morning it is 40F or -5C here and the sun is shining.
Since last week nearly every day was cool, dreary, and rainy the sunshine is a very welcome surprise.
I hope this first day of the week is a good one for you too!
Kimberly