men's breakfast, missions conference

 Hearing some of the missionaries at a men's breakfast gathering during a missions conference week, including a couple who have been very dear to our own church. 

the kitchen nook

Our kitchen leads to an eating nook, which was a smart extension added to our 1949 house by the original owner. It is the brightest part of the house, and is the site of many sunny weekend breakfasts and evening sketches.

siblings

As my own kids grow, the more I appreciate what my parents endured and rejoiced in during our childhood. I only wish that I could give thanks to them again today, but that must wait until I see them again in heaven. Ironically, it is in their absence that my heart grows even more grateful, giving further depth to the recurring Biblical command to be thankful...always.

kabocha in pastels

A try at some very soft and chalky pastels I found around the house... a completely different approach to the subject than what I am used to because I can no longer rely on texture, details and line, but on layers of colour, mass, and light.

The Lord bless you and keep you...

It has been a few weeks since drawing the kids while they sleep. I am reminded of this verse, which I pray while sketching... and realize they are often part of the answer to that prayer in my own life.

“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you; 

 the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.” 

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

kabocha

 A series of drawings of kabocha squash... a large store-bought kabocha that I later stewed (two views), a large kabocha from a friend's acreage with a store-bought orange Hokkaido squash (also called a Kuri squash), and some more squash from the acreage.

late season sunflowers

The beautiful sunflowers that were brought to us from a friend's garden are withering away, bowing their heads to the winter ahead. They still manage to warm up our dining room with their radiant colours. 

Ride for Refuge 2013: rural St. Albert

The outskirts of St. Albert, with some rolling, golden stubble fields-- part of the landscape where 240 cyclists (and many volunteers) participated in Ride For Refuge 2013 to raise money and awareness for a variety of charitable organizations working throughout the world. Our team (which included my daughter who still has training wheels!) participated to support Mission of Mercy Canada, an organization that seeks to help children in north and east India.