At the end of summer, we often have monarchs gathering here as they migrate. This year is one of the most beautiful shows ever. Our trees are literally orange with butterflies.
We stood outside for a long time, just watching them. I could take a hundred pictures, but you really have to be there to appreciate the miracle of it.
A big buzzing bee, warming up on the front porch. I may join him and soak up the sun.
What a difference a day makes! I even cut a bunch for in the house.
Tiny lilac beginnings. Probably my most favourite smell. I fill up the house with them every spring.
Flowering almond bush. Pretty blossoms, but short lasting.
Boston Ivy, I think. Slow grower, but I really like it. It's bright red in the fall.
My other ivy is just getting buds. Look closely! It has taken over the porch and half the side of the house. It's huge and grows fast. It's sort of awesome to think that one sprout coming out of the ground could be cut, and the whole thing would die. That would be sad.
Of course, my rhubarb patch. We are the rhubarb capital of the world after all.
This is asparagus. Takes years to get a good crop, which we have now. Good eating, but the plants are a big bush in the garden till November.
The apricot trees are beautiful in the spring. Lots of blossoms, and lots of buzzing of bees, means lots of apricots this year. I'm not a big fan of fresh apricots, and I hate canning. I'll let you know when they are ripe. Come pick them!
Want to know who was at the wedding? Here's the seating chart for supper. Zoom in real close, maybe you can read it!
Simon and I took the following random pictures after the ceremony. This, of course, is Simon!
Isabel Slingerland
Justin, with Jacob, Jen and Emily Pennings
Julianna Pennings, Lauren Pennings, Megan VanDyk, Bethany Naves, Lisa Pennings, Jen Pennings, Valerie Slingerland. The Sisters.
Bethany and Mark Naves with all the nieces and nephews on Bethany's side. Mark has a niece and nephew from his brother, Chris and Anneke Naves.
The Happy Couple!
Another happy couple, but dating only right now. Lauren Pennings and Tim Kielstra.
With Opa and Oma Pennings. (Henk and Gerda)
With Mom and Dad Pennings. ( Wilma and Herb)
The car is ready to roll. Different from all the Kleenex flowers we made for my wedding! That's when there were still coloured kleenexes.
Valerie with Izzy, Derek with Jack, Ryan in back, and Kaylie in front. The Slingerlands
Jack
Ryan
Izzy
Clara VanDyk, Kaylie Slingerland, Abby VanDyk, Emily Pennings.
Bridesmaids--Amanda Naves, Amy Luiting, Lauren Pennings, Lisa Pennings. And Pastor John and Mark. Waiting for the bride.
Pastor John, Mark, and the groomsmen. Adam, (forget his last name!) Chris Naves, Lawrence Pennings, Kevin Naves. Waiting for the Bride.
Herb, passing Bethany to her soon to be husband.
Rosalyn, from Chicago. Beautiful voice!
Bethany and Mark, husband and wife. Signing. Look pretty serious!
Mr. and Mrs. Naves. Still looking pretty serious. But very happy to be finally married.
The day has finally arrived! For me it started at 4:30, but I usually get up before 5 anyway. Soon the girls were getting up, and everyone had a few butterflies in their stomach!
Hairdressers and make-up people came at 8:00 and started doing their magic. This is Amanda, Mark's sister.
Amy Luiting, Bethany's lifelong friend, looks amazing with all those curls.
Tons of hairspray! Sabrina VanDyk took Bethany outside to spray her hair. That hairdo would not move an inch all day!
I'd say Bethany was happy this day has arrived. And she likes her hair!
Yes, tomorrow is the big day! Today we've been setting up the hall. The table rental place told us the tables seated 8-10 people. But the tables they delivered seated 6! So panic, cry, scream? Maybe a little. Added some big rectangle tables, all is good. Everyone can still eat and sit down doing so. Tonight, rehersal, pizza and finish up the centre pieces at the hall. Later the girls of the bridal party are partying! Movie, snacks, and probably not enough sleep. Who cares. There will be time for sleeping another night. This night is for fun. In the morning, early, hair, make up and lots of food for brunching. Than get all dressed up and head out to the church. I prayed for a good day and please some nice weather. Looks like the weather will be nice. And God is always there. Tomorrow is a very special day. I will have pictures of everything!
I really have been too busy to blog. Maybe if it didn't take 15 minutes to add 4 pictures, I would do it more often. But we have dial-up internet and have to put up with that. These daffodils are in my garden, and they are the real deal! I took this at 5:15 this morning. And I saw gold finches on my feeder yesterday. It really is feeling springish.
Countdown! Wow, it's getting close! Lots of last minute double checks going on. Ironing shirts, polishing shoes. Still making lists.
Lukes birthday was on April 5th. I made what he wanted for supper, lasagna and lemon pie. One spinach lasagna, of course, for those of us who don't eat much meat. But Luke loves the meaty one. There was even a piece left to bring to school the next day. They have a microwave in the classroom. The pie didn't set. I don't know why! Likely in my rushing, I forgot something, maybe cornstarch. Anyway, we froze it and it was pretty good!
Here's Luke, 15 now. This is where you can find him in his spare time. He didn't really get enough attention on his birthday. We'll make up for it some day.
