A Great Concert !

Many thanks to Anela Kahiamoe for a fantastic concert at our Church last Saturday night.
What a treat :)
Mahalo !

Thoughts of Hawaii

Anyone who's ever been to Hawaii will have fond memories of sunny days , beautiful scenery , palm trees swaying in soft breezes and colourful luaus. But for me, more than anything , the beauty of Hawaii is evident in the welcoming spirit of its people and the mesmerizing appeal of its music and language.

On Saturday September 18th , I shall look forward to recapture and savour once again the magic of the Islands of Hawaii , as we listen to Anela Kahiamoe and his music.

Summer at St Andrew's

It's been quite some time since our last post on this blog, but we have not been idle!

The bark mulch in the gardens is still looking good, and smells as fresh as the day we completed our work. We've noticed that a few four legged friends have been admiring it also , and there's much evidence of their presence, especially under some of the larger bushes where I guess they spend the nights.

We've had a really good congregation throughout the summer so far , and I've really enjoyed meeting our friends and family at the end of each service. And as this month draws to a close, my thoughts turn to the last month of services at the 'little church on the hill '. I know that I will feel a little sad during the last service of the year at the end of September, as I watch the candles go out , and the fine smoke lingering for a while, before disappearing completely....

First service at St. Andrew's .

Yesterday , we had our first service of the summer at St Andrew's on Mission Hill . The service was officiated by Bishop Frame , and it was wonderful to see so many people of all ages gathered at the little church for the 8 o 'clock Holy Eucharist . And , following our usual routine after the early Sunday morning service , some of us gathered outside the Church to have a friendly chat......see group photo from St. John's website.

It was also a happy occasion for Margie as she was given the flowers at the end of the service .

Getting Ready

There were plenty of weeds and flowers too at St Andrew's Church garden , and nine volunteers gathered to tackle the weeding around the little church on Monday . We were fortunate enough to have a sunny break in the weather , and had just about finished what we had planned to do before the skies opened up.

Hoping to return tomorrow [ weather permitting ] and on Friday to complete the work. Couldn't help noticing these colourful poppies , and I hope they'll still be there to greet the congregation for our first service at St Andrew's on June 20th.

As busy as a bee...

Now that the weather's improved , I can finally have a look around our garden to admire some of the flowers which have been coping with the elements. I was so glad to see so many bees buzzing around the rhodos and the spanish lavender , and was fortunate enough to get a picture of one of them .

Tomorrow , some of the Friends of St . Andrew's and the Gardening Club will be busy too , as we meet up to tackle some weeding outside the little church .

Happy Buyers !

We had a really good time at the Annual Plant Sale yesterday, and before the day was over , we had two great responses from our friends. I was really glad about this since I was the one who had been going on and on about our Plant Sale for the last two weeks !

I had hardly been home an hour when one of my friends called me to say that she had just been phoned with the news that she was the winner of the door prize . She was very happy and was also pleased with the purchases she had made.

My neighbour was so excited with the plants that she had bought at St John's Plant Sale yesterday that she wrote about it in her blog . She also included some photos on Comoxian.
Thanks Joanna !

Time for Bluebells

Noticed some beautiful bluebells in our garden the other day. I was just in time to witness a shaft of morning sun settling on some of the flowers which are growing under our deck.
And I just had to take a picture .............

Busy Times

We've certainly had a busy April , with Easter activities , and all the preparation required for a Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction . The dinner and auction was very well attended on April 10th, and it was lovely to have a get together in the Church Hall !

May will begin with our second annual Plant Sale , and some of the Gardening Club members have been busy preparing decorative garden stones to be sold at the sale this Saturday . And that is not all.....we have a great variety of home made items on sale , as well as lots of plants and shrubs which have been donated.

Looking forward to another busy day at the Church Hall !

The Pine Trees Know

This piece of information was sent to me by a former parishioner, Bill Newman , who now lives in Sidney. It is called The Pine Trees Know When It's Easter.
I didn't know this .....did you ?

Happy Valentine !

Ar this time of year , it really is difficult to resist the beautiful creations of Hot Chocolates . Now which one shall we open first :)

A little bit of colour ....

On a dull and misty day.

"Can Spring be far behind? "

Still, silent throng.
Mute sentinels,
In white parasols clad.
Misfits of winter, waiting
For the distant hum
Of some diurnal chant:
That Spring is in the air.

Once again this year I made my pilgrimage to visit a little clump of snowdrops growing by the side of the road between Comox and Point Holmes.
It is an insignificant little spot with tufted grass, dead leaves and a piece of broken barbed wire.
Even so, this is the place where my snowdrops lie.
They have been there for as long as I can remember, and each year, while it is still winter, they fulfill their death defying act of revealing their gentle faces in the eye of the cruelest of storms.
I admire their persistence and resilience.
I have often asked myself why is it that these gentle little flowers choose to show their faces at the meanest and leanest time of the year.
I suppose there are many reasons. But for me they are reminders that even in the worst of times there is hope and with hope comes joy.

Another favourite

Here's another soup we tried from last week's Thrifty Foods recipe page .....Country Style Cabbage Soup. Tried , tested , and another favourite for the cold days of winter !

I like this !

A quote from our Church bulletin this morning :

'Peace starts with a smile.'