It's been so long since I (Jaimee) posted, partly because I wasn't sure what to say about this... Most of you already know that we lost our baby to a miscarriage near the end of March. It's been kind of rough, but we've also been blessed in many ways. I'd like to share 10 of the thoughts or actions that have blessed me and helped me heal:
1. getting cards from people we didn't expect
2. being allowed to grieve
3. realizing that Lamentations 3:22-33 is true
4. writing in a memory album for our baby
5. reading a tiny book called Born to Fly
6. realizing that I'm not in control
7. painting a piece of pottery in memory our baby
8. realizing that our child is with Jesus!
9. getting a phone call from a friend when I was feeling lonely
10. having some really great couple time
We also received many delicious meals, thoughtful cards, pretty flowers and even a visit in the hospital. We feel loved and incredibly blessed.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
experimentation + pain
This is me after getting my widom teeth extracted. The pain after the surgery was not too bad. It was the infection that set in a couple of days later that sent me running to fill my T3 prescription.
After years of telling family and friends of my dream of one day making my own cheese, that day has finally arrived. My various cheese making products arrived a short time ago in the mail.
The Process:
heating the milk and adding the rennet...
straining the curds from the whey...
the final product... Mozzarella!
2nd final by-product... Ricotta (made from the whey)
My third attempt at cheese making was Monterey Jack. For this one I use an actual bacterial culture for innoculatind the warm milk. It was a long process (over 4 hours) until the curds were ready to be pressed.
my hand-made cheese press
The pressing took another 12 hours, then air-drying another 3 days. Once it was dry enough we sealed it in paraffin wax. Ideally, it was to age for 2-3 months like this. Unfortunately at about 1 month, we could see mold growing under the wax. I peeled the wax off and scraped off the mold, washed it and let it air dry for a while longer. The mold got worse and we deemed the project a failure. C'est dommage. Back to the drawing board.
After years of telling family and friends of my dream of one day making my own cheese, that day has finally arrived. My various cheese making products arrived a short time ago in the mail.
The Process:
heating the milk and adding the rennet...
straining the curds from the whey...
the final product... Mozzarella!
2nd final by-product... Ricotta (made from the whey)
My third attempt at cheese making was Monterey Jack. For this one I use an actual bacterial culture for innoculatind the warm milk. It was a long process (over 4 hours) until the curds were ready to be pressed.
my hand-made cheese press
The pressing took another 12 hours, then air-drying another 3 days. Once it was dry enough we sealed it in paraffin wax. Ideally, it was to age for 2-3 months like this. Unfortunately at about 1 month, we could see mold growing under the wax. I peeled the wax off and scraped off the mold, washed it and let it air dry for a while longer. The mold got worse and we deemed the project a failure. C'est dommage. Back to the drawing board.
It got a lot moldier after this.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
our winter getaway
We're not sure what we needed to "getaway" from (maybe the cat?) but we had a splendid weekend in February at Falcon Trails Ranch. We stayed in a real log cabin, with a loft and a woodstove.
We did lots of reading and relaxing...
...and we even got a bit of excerise. We hiked 5 kms in the snow! This pic was taken near the beginning of the trail, before we were exhausted.
Friday, February 09, 2007
our little fall project
Back in April of 2006 we purchaced our first home. We are now officially North Enders. It is a nice little house with good neighboors. In fall, we decided to build a garage out back. Here are a few photos of construction in progress...
Construction begins around 9 in the morning
First wall is up! The Constructors for the day (and in order of appearance on photo) are Stan, Julio, Jeremy, Dad Loewen and Alex.
Our busy back yard. What's with Jer's expression? Did you just step on a nail or what? Where is your tool belt? Are you the official stand-around guy? Are you busy keeping the wall in place with your foot? Good job, keep it up.
The sun is starting to set as we start the rafters.
The last rafter is put into place as the day fades to black.
Construction begins around 9 in the morning
First wall is up! The Constructors for the day (and in order of appearance on photo) are Stan, Julio, Jeremy, Dad Loewen and Alex.
Our busy back yard. What's with Jer's expression? Did you just step on a nail or what? Where is your tool belt? Are you the official stand-around guy? Are you busy keeping the wall in place with your foot? Good job, keep it up.
The sun is starting to set as we start the rafters.
The last rafter is put into place as the day fades to black.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
welcome to our 'hood
Some people may wonder why we moved to the north end. Here are just a few reasons in picture form
(more to come in the future).
(more to come in the future).
our humble abode
some nice entryways
character homes
the church on church ave
our public library
fort garry horse - hasn't been used in a while
alicia's - the best perogies in winnipeg
frequented by John Candy (in life) and only 2 blocks from our house!
ice cream shanty - can't wait for summer!
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