Saturday, December 4, 2010

December 4, 2010

good for my soul

today i went to visit a friend in west end
as i walked along the sandy road, the sun was warm on my shoulders
i thought.. life is good!

it has been a very busy week 
so it was good to slow down my pace
enjoying the view
pausing to look at hibiscus blowing in the breeze
singing and praying as i strolled along

 it was good to be with a friend
relaxing, praying, sharing
grateful

December 3, 2010

high key

high key is a photography term where the tones are high
this was taking straight out of the camera 
(not post processing)
i love high key
it has such a dramatic look to it

this vase is a gift from bob's mom, bev
(thanks!)
i didn't bring many things from canada but i had to bring this
to display the flowers that grow profusely in the yard.
it is hand blown glass
vase made in bracebridge ontario



why did i shoot this high key?
because right now our lives are 'high key' as well
had such a fabulous week at the shop this week
we call this time
'high season'  because
we get a ship in every day
(as opposed to low season when we get a ship in every 2 weeks!)

since we are trying to help the islanders in our non profit shop
a good week for them makes us really happy
the minimal wage here in roatan is 12.00 a DAY!
sigh
so this week several of our artists made over a 100.00 for our 4 day week
that works out to double what is the going rate.
may not seem like a lot to you but it is really great for them!

oh happy day!  
i am very tired but happy
i didn't get to take this photo til after 11:00 pm because
i was literally on the go all day!
visiting with people, praying, at the shop and then had friends over for pizza at the house

good times!!


Friday, December 3, 2010

December 2, 2010

a clear patch


the clouds came rolling in late in the day just in time for
my photo of the day
i love the dramatic look of the clouds sitting heavy with rain
behind eagle ray restaurant, west end

usually it rains and rains and rains during this season
but all week the sun has been shining and it was
hot enough for me to have to apply sunscreen
and also get that 'roatan sheen' look
(sweaty face)

this was taken around 4:30 after a full day at the shop
we had to go see susana in west end 
to get more of her necklaces as we
we're pretty much all sold out at the shop!
which is a great problem to have!
we have had several 'repeat' visits this week
that means people who were 
on a cruise last year and back again
it was encouraging because  they came looking for the shop
saying it was the highlight of their trip!
WOW!
what a joy to see them again and visit together!
we thank God for their generosity in helping the island folk!
amazing!

happy friday
i hope your weekend has enough rest to revujenate you
and enough fun to make your heart sing!

xo

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

December 1, 2010

december's dawn

i never thought i would see a winter morning like this!
so blessed!

i was raised in northwestern ontario
where we would have at least a couple of feet of cold, brittle snow
everywhere by the first of december
as kids there was so much snow that we could walk up onto the roof
and then jump off into the snow
crazy, i know!!

we would put our tobaggan behind my brother doug's skidoo
and he would roar up and down the street - for fun!

i have froze many parts of my body:
nose, ears, toes, fingers!
i can still recall what it felt like as they began to thaw out -
tickly and painful all mixed up
and my mom would make hot chocolate
as i thawed

i once made a 'bobsled run' behind our house up in the rocks
and unfortunately hadn't 'banked' the corner with enough snow
and i flew OFF, 
soaring through the air with my little flying saucer under me
at the tune of 50 feet
my greatest mistake:  i let go of the saucer!
it meant i landed up to my neck in thick compact snow!!
 it meant my brother's to leave the hockey game to come  dig me out.
funny i don't recall anyone saying:
debi i am so glad you didn't break your neck!!
haha!

i have gone snow shoeing, cross country skiing, tubing, 
sledding, skating (which to me means falling alot!)
i have trudged through snow up to my thighs,
i have walked to school in freezing temperatures
without a hat!  (highschool!)

i have made snow tunnels, igloos, snowmen,
snow angels 
and all that time in the snow it felt normal

and now??
haha!
i have a new normal
that doesn't include cold, or ice, or snow
it means being able to go out to get this photo at 6:00 in my PJ's
it means never wearing socks,
it means being cold when the temps go down to 68F,
it means having sand in our car all year round,
it means carrying an umbrella to keep the sun off,
it means gardening all year round,
it means eating fresh fruit all year.. every day...

this truly is a dream come true for bob and i
our caribbean home
our tropical life
we don't take it for granted
we know He called us here
how could we say no?
(although i didn't want to come at first, but that is for another time)

we know we have been blessed
so blessed!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

November 30, 2010

lawson rock

we spent the day at the Made In Roatan shop
it was a wonderful day
as we drove past lawson rock the sun was low in the sky
lazily dropping into the horizon
so i decided to come back and watch it in all it's glory

so gorgeous!
it was worth the drive and worth getting eaten alive
by sand flies
normally they leave me alone but tonight i was dinner for them
i also went to collect some small shells that i am using
to make christmas ornaments
(which i am happy to say are selling quite nicely at the shop!)


Monday, November 29, 2010

November 29, 2010

meet moto

we are renting this place and moto came with the house
at first he was a typical island dog:
he loved to fight with any other dog,
would bark at anyone in his path,
jump up on people,
nip their heels or butt (i know, how wrong is that?!)
but over the months he has become more and more
domesticated
it is amazing what consistent affection will do
he gets lots of scratches behind the ears,
warm greetings,
bones,
treats,
and loving

and i am happy to say that although moto
is still a fantastic guard dog
he is also becoming a wonderful pet
who listens to me when i call him
who walks beside me
(without a leash)
the other day i went for a wee walk and he stayed
in step with my slow hobble the whole way
it was really quite precious actually

we are growing to love moto more and more each day
and he knows it!!

here is moto laying in the garden AGAIN!
see how his ears are back?
that is because he knows he is doing a wrong thing
but he loves laying on the soft dirt 
and right now carlo and i are moving around alot of plants
so there are lots of great places to lay.

moto, get out of the garden!
let's see now.. how many times have i said that today????  
:-)

he needs to work on obedience....

Sunday, November 28, 2010

November 28, 2010

refreshing

while this little boy was splashing and playing in the water
his brother and dad where collecting dry wood from the beach
to use for cooking.

oh to be young
to be able to splash 
and be carefree!

today is the first sunday of advent
i love this season so much
i enjoy lighting the candles because it helps me to focus on Christ
tonight we had some people over and the first candle reminded us
of Mary and her willingness and her surrender.


as we were sitting around the soft light of the candle
enjoying it's beauty and glow
i thought about the family who was on the beach
collecting wood for cooking

tonight we were both using fire
but for very different reasons
it made me grateful for things like
electricity and for having a stove

the poor always pull me up short
help me Lord to never forget
but to be like You,
a willing servant to help those in need.

this sack is full of wood and yet this young boy carried it for his dad