new

I am not much of a contemplative person. I don't often take time away, alone, to think. As the new year starts tomorrow I find myself resisting the thoughts that "should" accompany a new year. Resolutions, hope for change, fresh starts. It's not that I don't want these things... Maybe I'm worried that if I reflect on the past year and write down hopes for the new one that I will be let down.

Maybe underneath it all I am afraid that I won't grow and change, that longtime ruts are too deep to get out of... So I buck the trend of new beginnings with a new year. Because I doubt. But even as I write there is a twinge of hope in me.

And someone reminds me of some words

No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.

1 Corinthians 2:9

and

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesian 3:16-21

and

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him! Romans 8:15-17 (the message)

I took these photos today, in Alberta, where it is -18.

An unlikely place and time for new life. I like that.

Merry Christmas from the Odegards!

Some of you might remember last year's picture taking, well this year things went a lot better. Thanks to Terri for taking the pictures and Nelson for entertaining!

and some out-takes for your enjoyment!

I think the kids are perplexed by Nelson's wild dancing in the background while Terri takes the pictures.

starting to get the giggles

uncontainable laughter!

scatterbrained

The other night Lance left two doors on our van wide open all night...

This morning I boiled the kettle completely dry... it used to be red, now it's gold.

Do you think we have a lot on our minds?

Nothing a dark chocolate nut cluster can't fix right?

Progress Report

Last night I continued to work on the gift for Lance. It turned out alright. But seeing the finished product made me quickly realize that my plans for making two more of the same would never be realized. It just wasn't that great of a craft afterall...

Tonight I made caramel popcorn twists for some gifts... yikes... they were terribly good. And very bad for me. I had to sample a few just to make sure they were alright. It was my first time making them (in keeping with my theme!) but unlike all the other firsts this month, they were actually as simple as expected! Hooray. To try them just buy a bag of Old Dutch popcorn twists and follow the recipe on the back. And in no way do I support the nutritional non-value of this treat. I just thought that those I'm giving to would appreciate them more than something I would eat... like granola made with hemp hearts and apple juice.

But, speaking of what I would eat, tonight after the caramel twists, I made myself some treats for the holidays. I am finding that when I am around a lot of sweets I have a very hard time resisting and then I pay for it in headaches, irritability and exhaustion. So I made some dark chocolate nut clusters tonight. I melted a 70% dark chocolate bar (a huge one from superstore), a couple tablespoons of coconut oil, and mixed in peanuts, cashews, raisins and coconut. I think these will be a good alternative to forbidden treats that will soon be surrounding me on every side!

Also I would like to report that I got the cutest dress on Saturday. I hardly ever shop for clothes. I can't stand it. But my husband sent me out to buy something for Christmas. I walked down Main St. scanned the racks in 5 or so stores and then walked into Smoking Lily. And there it was. Cute cut, perfect fit. And great service. I get to go out to Christmas Presence tomorrow night and I think I'll wear it. If I remember I'll get my mom to take a photo!

Okay, off to bed.

Aimee

ps. I've done a couple posts recently on Artisan's Advent blog. Also there are some beautiful poems and reflections contributed by other members of our community. Check it out.

Word to the Wise

But really wouldn't it be a word to the foolish? Or perhaps the foolish become wise if they listen to this word?

Unless you have unlimited time, patience and supplies, Christmas (particularly the last 10 days before Christmas... or the last 5!) is not the time to learn new do it yourself crafty type projects and give them as gifts.

I don't know how I didn't realize this until today.

I already mentioned that I had sewed part of Eva's present THREE times. This was a mattress for a doll cradle. It is now done and turned out okay, but not perfect.

Last night I attempted what should have been a very simple craft -- felt superhero masks for Elijah - they turned out terribly, unusable, the felt easily stretches the eyeholes out of shape with even the slights tug, my sewing was pretty bad, and I can't seem to get the right elastic length, even with trying the masks on my sleeping boy!!! I am going to try again tonight, perhaps with sewing a firmer fabric between layers of felt? Any thoughts on this?

Then this afternoon, with Lance out in Abbotsford and the kids watching a movie I began working on a gift for Lance. It was supposed to be relatively simple as well... I was careful with the measuring and things were looking good for awhile. And after two attempts it looks terrible. I will try again tonight, using the current disaster of a gift to practice. Hopefully I can get it!

So this post is like a mental note to me. Learn how to do the crafts during the year. Then when December (or how about November!) comes I'll be proficient and ready to go. Less frustration, less tears, and more time for reading novels (or folding laundry).

Well I better go. Lots to do as you can see.

Aimee

baby Isaac!!

My brother and his wife just had a baby boy. You can take a peek on their blog! click here

Congratulations Steve, Carolyn, Anna and Laura. We are so excited for you all.

And welcome to the world Isaac!!!

Still Life

Eva drew her first still life yesterday. The flowers were from Auntie Melanie who brought them to the dance recital. Oh, and I need to say, this was completely on her own, she just excitedly came and showed me the drawing. This artist mama is pretty proud!

Just a bowl of cherries

Tonight the kids were asleep earlyish and I had great plans to get many things done. Those Christmas gifts planned to be finished by the 1st... yeah...

I tackled a skirt for Eva first. It was going quite well. No major setbacks (and this is good, I am a novice sewer for sure) just had to pick out an inch or so of stitches. Then, as I was pressing the hem before sewing it, I took a closer look at the pattern on the fabric. Darling red cherries on a black/white gingham background. And those cherries are all defying gravity and hanging,

UPSIDEDOWN.

I'm not sure anyone besides my mom would notice. And she's so gracious I wouldn't care. But now I've told all of you, because, actually it is funny. And the best thing of all is, it doesn't even bother me! That is a blessing of grace tonight. Another part of Eva's gift I had to sew THREE times, so an upside down pattern that isn't really noticeable on an overall darling skirt? No problem!

Photos to come another time -- probably when she is wearing it!

Oh, and what did I do after finishing the skirt - nothing, because of course it took longer than I thought. I'll keep chipping away at the rest of the gifts.

Goodnight.

Aimee

Dance Recital

Eva was in an intro to dance class (ages 3-5) this fall. Her recital was tonight. Their dance was beautiful. I cried. And that's not surprising to anyone who knows me. But I was not by any stretch the only one crying! As soon as the music began she started singing along.

What a beautiful girl you are Eva. So much exuberance! We love you!

A bit more Help-Portrait

There have been some photos and videos from Help-Portrait surfacing and I thought I'd share a couple links with you.

This video is a treasure to me. I almost cried when I saw B on the screen. She's the woman near the end wearing a santa hat and holding a photo of herself blowing a kiss. I had the honor of photographing her early in the day. She was so full of life. Striking endless poses and cracking me up. I think the beginning shots of me in the video are from when I was photographing her. To see her holding her portrait, and on the verge of tears... I'm so glad to have this little piece of her captured on video.

Help-Portrait Vancouver 2010 (Thank You) from Steve Tan on Vimeo.

Here are some candids of the day taken by Leigh Culpin. Click here.

Thanks for all your encouraging comments about Help-Portrait.

Me

I can't share, and don't even have, any of the portraits I took yesterday, they were all deleted at the end to respect the privacy of the guests. All that lingers are the memories of smiles and interactions with each person. But, our lead photographer (Leigh Culpin) from yesterday snapped some quick portraits of the Help-Portrait photographers. It doesn't look like I could get any happier does it!

If you click on the icon below you'll get to see a panoramic shot of the photography room, click "view full size" to see it bigger, you'll have to scroll sideways to see it all. There were 4 studios crammed into a small room along with make-up/hair and the edit/print station. It was crowded and hot and joyful.

Help-Portrait -- Update

Today I have the honor of being involved in something called Help-Portrait. Today at Union Gospel Mission, over 30 photographers along with tonnes of other volunteers, will be taking free portraits for anyone who would like one. There will be hair and make-up artists on site too. The portraits will be printed onsite and there will be a postage station where guests can mail one of their photos to family who may have not seen a photo of them in years. Most of the people we meet today would be unable to afford getting a Christmas photo taken. I am excited to use my skills to bless people today. Please pray for this event and that Christ's love and light would meet all of us there today.

UPDATE:

It was awesome. It was an incredible honor to get to be involved as a photographer today. To meet people (I met and photographed around 20 people), capture their smiles and individuality, and watch them light up when they saw themselves looking so great on the screen. There was a lot of joy in that little room. I'm so glad I got to be there. I can hardly wait for next year.

been awhile

Hi Friends, it's been awhile. Oh the days have seemed so full here. There have been delightful impromptu visits from friends and family. Wars against mice in the garage. Reading some incredible parenting books. Playing in SNOW. Staying in out of rain rain rain. Seeing the date "December 1st" arrive and breathing a sigh realizing that our Christmas gifts are not gathered and made as I had planned (but some are!)...

I have wanted to post many times. But life on the home front is calling for more of my undivided attention lately. But the kids are not awake yet so I thought I'd type a quick post.

I've been organizing our church's Advent blog and wanted to invite you to stop by: artisanvancouver.blogspot.com

Also, I discovered a new recipe to use up leftover oatmeal and have been enjoying it a lot. I always make too much oatmeal, and though the kids and I will eat it cold later in the day with yogurt and berries or jam and peanut butter, it is nice to have another option! Here's the recipe:

Peanut Butter Bars with Leftover Oatmeal

2 cups leftover oatmeal

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sweetener - I used agave nectar because it doesn't spike my blood sugar (honey or sugar would work too)

1 egg - one time I used two, since Anders grabbed the egg carton and they tumbled out, two were cracked so I needed to use them, it turned out great.

1 1/2 cups whole grain flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

2/3 cup peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter, sweetener and egg in a bowl. Add oats and other ingredients; mix well. Spread into greased 9×13″ baking pan. Bake at 350′ for 15 minutes or more if necessary.

I like to sprinkle some dark chocolate chips - just a few for me - on top when the bars are still hot (before I cut them) when the chips melt I spread them around, a nice impromptu frosting of sorts. It's not pretty but it tastes great.

I found the orignal recipe at here, thanks to googling "leftover oatmeal recipes". I altered it a little.

Here are couple links to some other delicious recipes I've discovered lately:

Tomato soup - never tried this before. Easy and delicious.

Quick Rye Bread - I discovered this because Cara and Andy and co were coming over for lunch. I had made soup and wanted something to go with it. The only flour I had in any quantity was Rye flour. Also I had no time for a yeast bread. It was perfect. yum yum yum. The recipe has no fat or salt listed. Seems like everything is better with a little fat and salt. So I added 2 tablespoons oil and 3/4 teaspoon salt.

Okay off to make some breakfast.

May the light of Advent sneak into all the corners of your life. (mine too.)

Aimee