Hummingbird Bumble Bee

It's not what I had envisioned at all.
Immobile on a holiday Monday and wincing with every little turn of the back muscles.
Felled by the simple act of filling the kiddie pool with tap water, one (too heavy) pail at a time.
But look, not all is lost.
I am fixed to a comfy outdoor chair on the front porch.
Sans hurry and hassle, I've been able to spend time putting the final touches on my first ever blog book and I can pause randomly to marvel at the gardens before me with warm summer breezes on my face.
Moments ago, during one such break noting the brilliance of the purple petunia's cascading out of the urn, a very odd looking oversized bumble bee with an equally oversized beak suddenly appeared out of nowhere, relieving that same profusion of purple from some of its nectar.
I am amazed.  A bumblebee behaving like a hummingbird.
A quick google confirms that that is precisely what it is.... a hummingbird bumblebee.  The smallest bird in the world with a maximum length of 2.5 inches, is often mistaken for an insect.

Delighted to have witnessed this pleasure amidst the pain.  That is a wonder-full treat!

First Annual Chesley Coffeehouse

Without Mom that is.

She kept the tradition running for 35 years in a row.  

As torch bearers, unwilling to let such a fine tradition die an ignoble death, we held our first Sunday Coffeehouse in her honour.  Two precious family friends, Uncle Bert & Aunt Arien from Owen Sound  (who know our Mom better and longer than anyone of us) happily*bravely accepted our invitation to submerge themselves in our mass gathering & share in our time of remembrance.

It started the week before the wagon train set out, a simple mass e-mail suggestion.

Sunday Gathering moves from Crooked Cottage 26 
to Cottage 68 down from the Chapel.  

Coffee and Juice are on the house.  
Bring smiles and baked goods to share.  

If everyone brings a bit we'll have a lot.  

This was the Understatement of the Week.

Within 24 hours, the RSVP's were sailing thru cyber space at lightning speed, everyone spurring sparring each other on with the promise of a dessert 

more elaborate and sinful than the last.  

Citrus Cheesecake, Strawberry Trifle, Oven Fresh Cinnamon Buns, Mom's Famous Mocha Bars...

It was getting serious.  

As one nephew observed, "My inbox hurts".

The whole thing somehow spun itself into a bona fide Bake-Off Competition with official prize ribbons (designed by Cathy) and awarded by self-appointed family 'dignitary'  Sir William Casey the 5th and his faithful, taste-tester man-servant, Atchoo... 

??? ...yep.  

Clearly this family of ours was over-due for a reunion.

The next competition will follow a rule book 

(now in draft mode if you can believe it) 

and the one impeachable offence sadly but swiftly disqualified these contributions 

sans discussion OR apology.  

Hard core competitive. tsk. tsk.

Contributions in serious contention however....

 

Brittany said she'd bake three things and bring the best out of three or the least burnt.  She scored honourable mention despite her lack of confidence...   

Meanwhile, a thing of MAJOR attraction 

was going down on the dock below...

Uncle Case was offering personal guided tours 

of Chesley Lake in his motorboat.

The line-up was long and endless and
have the undeniable makings of a great Chesley memory.

A break for station identification while I pause for a 

gander at some of the most highly esteemed little peeps 

of my life:

*sigh*  - have enjoyed several quiet conversations with our sweetpea JB, 

the newest lamb-chop in the flock.

And now - the moment we've all gorged for.

Votes were tallied.  Sir William Casey stood -- a hush went thru the crowd.

Third place goes to Andrea for the recipe Mom's Mocha Whatchamecallit

Second place is awarded to Sarah for the 

instantly devoured Oven Fresh Cinnamon Buns

First place to (surprise, surprise) Michelle, 

whose reputation for home baking is legendary and 

whose Strawberry Trifle Delight was (yes indeed) incredibly awesome!

But wait!

What's this?  

Michelle carelessly leaves her first place ribbon behind?

Lying neglected in the crumbs?

Not to worry.  

It was promptly scooped up by Susie - 

purveyor of no less than TWO 

(albeit untouched) store-bought 

(i.e. ruthlessly scorned) desserts.  

Her very wide smile proves the proverb:

He who laughs last, laughs best!

You gotta love it.

I'm quite sure Mom would have approved.

Peeps of the Heart

The call this morning went out sudden and urgent ....
Cousinfest today ALL day - issued by grandparental decree - to commence as fast as your mums and daddy's can get you here.
      *******
It was sheer Delight.
Behold,
a Smilebox Slideshow to commemorate and demonstrate -
put to the strains of Here's to Song from CCS' first album:  The Music Within.
The Chorus:
Here's to Song, here's to Time.
Here's to both with friends of mine.
Here's to friends who raise their voices high.... 
Kings have riches widely lain
Lords have land - but then again, 
We have friends and song no wealth can buy.

By the way, the kids sport an eclectic array of clothing, requiring some clarification:  
A teensy inconsequential spill on the front of Rachie's shirt caused a break-neck charge to my cupboard of 'spare' clothing --- which is code for 'dress-up' --- which is a highly revered past-time here.  LOL.

Free photo slideshow made with Smilebox

A Summer 'like' Day....Imagine that!

Well, we finally had two summer days in a row. Sun with actual heat throwing rays! I enjoyed them with my blessings from above...

First, a jaunt to the new Dollar store in town for some dress-up stuff and little people chairs and then, a stop for the all important morning 'coffee to go' and finally - parking next to the local playground and waterpark.

What a great day!

There's a slideshow video at the end of this post capturing the day more remarkably than I ever could with words; another new trick learned simply by wondering aloud to my computer savvy friend who simply has to figure it all out herself and then coaches me thru it. *sigh* Too easy.

The next time I try one of these, I'm going to export the slideshow in 'large' instead of medium and see how that improves the viewing box.

Enjoy!

Below, an attempt at the same video/slideshow but saved as a movie in QuickTime and in the large format....

Beloved Blessings

Today my beloved turned 50. We marvel at this. We read Psalm 90 concerning our human mortality to 'celebrate' this day...

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world,

from everlasting to everlasting

you are God....

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom....

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days! ....

May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children....

May the favour of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us -- yes, establish the work of our hands.

My family planned a wonderful surprise party for this occasion whilst we were gone golfing for the day at Cobble Beach ... I will post a pictorial tour of those festivities next. What a great evening. Thanks so much for blessing us with a most memorable mark of this milestone!

Happy Birthday Barry. You are loved muchly!