Married 44 years today..

Good afternoon, dear hearts.. 

Today Terry and I are celebrating our 44th anniversary.. 

Can you imagine.. 

I think we must be old.. 

I remember when his parents were celebrating their 45th and I thought they were antique.. smile.. 

We are having a huge blizzard here in Maritime Canada.. 

The wind is fierce and you can't see across the street but it is warm and snug here inside.. 

All those years ago it was a rainy warm Spring day.. 

I was 17 and he was 20.. 

I woke up early and went and did some chores while my Mom and Terry's Mom prepared the food for our reception.. 

I think it was turkey and salads.. 

I remember taking Mom's car and picking up our wedding cake and how it almost fell over because as usual I was driving too fast. smile. 

My dress was simple but with lovely lace and I wore a wee veil over my bubbles.. 

Remember those?  grin.. 

And gorgeous pink roses... 

We were married at 7 p.m. on a Thursday evening.. 

The next day was Good Friday so we had a long weekend for our little honeymoon to Halifax, Nova Scotia.. 

It was rainy and windy.. 

It was and is still my favorite kind of weather.. smile.. 

My, how the years have flown.. 

 Today we feel so blessed to be together and enjoying our retirement years.. 

God has been so good to us.. 

He has blessed us with a wonderful family and love that has lasted down through the years.. 

We are having a lovely dinner here at home due to the weather.. 

We went to town this morning before the storm began and picked up a few things.. 

Lovely fresh scallops, shrimp, herbs and such to make my signature dish... smile.. 

Thank you for all of your lovely comments lately..

You girls are so sweet.. 

I will give you the recipe for the squares in the last post next time.. 

Ok? 

God bless you all... 

He is faithful.. 

Christmas Memories.. 2013,,

Greetings everyone.. 

Just a picture post for you today of our Christmas memories this year.. 

Above is Charlie and Peanut... 

Dustin's dogs.. 

They are watching the festivities through the window.. grin.. 

These are our sweet children..

Dustin, Shonda and Trevor.. 

We were laughing as it looked as if Duck Dynasty had invaded the Henry Household.. grin.. Camouflage here and there.. 

Two of our children had to work all night so they grabbed a nap when they could..  

I will get in trouble for posting this one but he posted one of me with a birthday hat on FB.. grin.. 

Love ya, Dust... 

My precious mother.. 

Enjoying all of her grand and great grandchildren... 

They could be found in every room.. 

Just enjoying the love of family... 

Something must have been funny... grin.. 

Cousins and more cousins.

Opening gifts  and having a good time.. 

The sun was shining and the ice was glittering.. 

We were all so thankful to be blessed with hydro.. 

Eh, Trev??? 

Cookies and more cookies.. 

Mom and Gerald... 

Wondering when dinner would be ready, I think.. smile..

Making some candy..

Walnut Caramels... 

Finally, Christmas Dinner.. 

They said they have a tradition that all the grandsons sit at this table.. smile.. 

Beautiful day, really... 

But so many people without heat.. 

So thankful for all of the hydro workers who have sacrificed their day to help others... 

Little boys and big boys.. 

Some having their pic taken with Grandpa... 

Yes, it was a lovely time.. 

Family is one of the most precious gifts that God has given us.. 

I am just so thankful for them all and for this celebration.. 

The one day of the year when we all try our best to get to the same place and just relax and enjoy each other.. 

The day is special but I am so glad that JESUS is still REASON for the SEASON in this family.. 

MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU... 

Saying Good bye and Hello ...

Hello my dears.. 

Welcome to the Blessed Hearth today..

Hope you are all having an awesome weekend.. 

Here it is almost mid August.. 

Can you believe it? 

We had Supper outside again tonight.. 

That is one of my favorite Summer simple pleasures, I think.. smile.. 

We have had a lovely but busy week.. 

Some sweet old friends have been camping here in St. Matins this week so have had a few fun times with them along with keeping the shop open most days.. 

At the first of the week our daughter, Shonda and her family finally got moved to their new home... 

Here she is last Thanksgiving saying good bye to us at her home then.. 

But this is the new one.. 

Not a very good pic, I am afraid but you can see it is totally different from the one they have just left.. 

We dropped by there to pick up a couple of things that Shonda had given me and her Dad walked down to the boys camp.. 

Can you see him down there by the trees.. 

I must admit that there was a tear in my eye as I stood there and watched the sweet family of Canadian Geese that have returned here for several years.. 

As I remembered the many beautiful times we as the Henry family have shared at this lovely place along with David's family, too.. 

We have watched our grandsons grow from wee boys to now being teenagers.. 

We celebrated several Family Days here with the pool and then Christmas and Thanksgivings.. 

Birthdays and just happy times.. 

As I stood there with the wind blowing off the lake and the drizzle of rain I prayed for the new family that would be moving in.. 

That God would bless them with love and joy and give them many happy memories that we have all shared in this dear house... 

We thought we would drop by her new one and were surprised to find Trevor and his family visiting, too.. 

When we left I snapped this one through the rainy windshield.. 

They are in there making more happy memories ... 

I am sure this will be a place of joy, also.. 

They have many different views of this lovely river and Shonda will soon have it all organized and beautiful.. 

When she does I will show you a few pics of inside.. 

We thank our Lord for all the blessings on our family and for each home of our 3 children that God will bless and keep them.. 

That each grandchild will be taught that God is the most important facet of their lives and that He brings joy and peace into a home.. 

Well, sweet ladies this is about all for tonight.. 

This is what we had for supper.. 

The days of enjoying the BBQ will soon be over so I keep it humming.. grin.. 

We seem to eat a lot of chicken and potatoes and salad, eh?  

I think I need to get a new menu.. 

Thank you so much for visiting and your sweet sweet notes.. 

I so enjoy them all.. 

Have a blessed Lord's Day tomorrow.. 

We are having a little day cation and going to 

Life at the Lakes.. 

I will tell you all about it next time, Lord willing.. 

God bless... 

Family Time...A long post..

Good Day Everyone.. 

This is what we woke up to this morning..

A lot of snow.. 

There are 30 - 40 cm. about in the province so far .. 

This afternoon it is still coming down.. 

Church services have been cancelled and such.. 

Yesterday, we had our wonderful family Christmas day..

Shonda and her family came Friday night and stayed overnight.. 

We had a lovely time and then woke up and had breakfast.. 

They enjoyed the no knead bread recipe that I share HERE..

I made 2 loaves on Friday and decided to make another one early on Saturday morning..

She was a great help.. 

Setting the tables and carving turkey and all those little things that needs done.. 

I love doing the cooking and she is a great organizer as her Dad told her.. smile..

Thank you, Shonda.. 

Her and I are a bit excited because we are planning a homespun Christmas next year.. 

And... 

They are planning on being here on Christmas Eve and staying over...

 Oh joy... 

On with the story...

Turkey was done and a ham was in the slow cooker.. 

Gravy , roasted root veggies, mashed potatoes, carrots, peas, stove top dressing and a big pot of fried rice..(the rice was mostly for my in-law children..smile)

Cranberry sauce, pickles, bread, and such.. 

Here is someone's plate.. grin..

I know it is Dustin's because of the end piece of bread.. grin..

There are 7 boys but their table was not quite so fancy, I see.. 

They seemed to be having a great time.. 

And then there was dessert.. 

AND a line up... grin..

This is their all time Christmas favorite.. 

Did I hear that someone was back 3 times.. 

A grandson....smile..

Homemade Ice Cream Cake.. 

Here is the recipe.. 

An extra large lasagna pan.. 

You need 24 ice cream sandwiches.. 

Put 12 on the first layer.. 

Then cover with a large container of cool whip.. 

Another layer of ice cream sandwiches.. 

Another layer of cool whip.. 

Spread around and swirl some good caramel ice cream sauce and sprinkle a half package of skor bits.. 

I always put in toothpicks.. 

Cover with plastic wrap and FREEZE FOR 24 HOURS.. 

Then we had some cheesecake from Costco.. 

And dear Veronique brought her blueberry cheesecake special..

Thanks, dear.. 

Some pumpkin pie, tea and coffee or punch.. 

That just about wrapped up the meal.. 

Taking our coffee or whatever to the living room we all opened up our gifts for each other.. 

So much fun.. 

It was the first Christmas with us for 3 of them.. 

I wonder what they thought.. grin..

Wrapping paper and tissue and laughter.. 

Such a dear family.. 

We all loved everything.. 

One lad got a huge bottle of French Mustard from Gramps.. 

You never know what might be coming your way.. 

Then it was time to relax although the dear girls did all of the dishes.. 

Thank you Tammy and Shonda..

Someone thought to bring Grandpa the paper..

And someone decided to enjoy the comic section.. 

Sweet, eh?

Then it was time for them to go...   

Good bye dear lads.. 

Yuppp.. 

You will remember this as the year that Mom fell off the chair... (That's another story)..grin..

And now today I am thankful.... 

Not for the presents..

 nor the trimmings on the tree..

 or even the food on the table..

Although..

 I am thankful for all of those things..

 But today I am more thankful for the dear memories that have been collected, labeled and stored away in the compartments of my heart..

To be taken out and looked at and to marvel upon whenever I need to..

Days when I miss my children and grandsons then I will remember..

The sweet hugs and kisses... 

the laughing and the chattering all through the house.. 

the sound of Grandpa teasing those boys.. 

the smell of the turkey and the clatter of dishes.. 

our bowed heads while the blessing is being spoken.. 

the sweet warmth of the fires... 

the feel of an arm on my shoulder and a whisper in my ear.. 

the look on my child's face even when they are all grown up.. 

my Mom being here.. 

even falling off a chair while my sons try to rescue me...

and for the love that is so special in a family.. 

Thank you my dear Jesus.. 

I do so appreciate it all.. 

Then when they had all gone.. 

Terry and I sat down and talked about our day.. 

What had been said and done  and how good it was to be all together.. 

And now today.. 

It is just Grandpa and I again... 

Oh, life is wonderful..

And a whole new year around the corner...

What are you sweet ladies planning?  

Sweet hubby gave me these.. 

He truly knows the way to my heart.. grin.. 

Now all I need is a cup of coffee and I can start making my list of projects and as my dear son -in -law mentioned we had best make our new year resolutions.. 

smile.. 

So from our house to yours may the richest of God's blessings be upon you and your dear families.. 

May he guide and protect you with his love.. 

And may he reign supreme in your lives..

Thanks for stopping by.. 

Leave me a note.. Please.. smile.. 

Luv ya all..