I’m a big fan of the word “tapestry”. You know how certain words evoke richness and wondrous visuals and all sorts of possibilities? Well “tapestry” does it for me. Weird? Possibly. But here’s the thing—my article “A story of Survival: Mother of the Bride” was recently accepted into a local anthology, and they selected my suggested book title: “An Okanagan Tapestry”. Happy dance right here.

Where, oh where did the summer go? Are we seriously falling into fall already? This week I’m in limbo, lamenting the end of carefree, schedule-free, long, hot days of summer—yet desperately ready for structure, sanity, and cute boots. I love, love, love summer, it’s truly my favourite season, but I hyperventilate with excitement just a little at the thought of the family back to bustling and me having the house to myself again…

Anyone who knows us well, knows that we have really tried to be at one with nature. Embarking on our adventure from the tame UK to the wilds of Canada was bound to bring its challenges, and I like to think we have maintained a British stiff upper lip and embraced the differences, but this summer has thrown us a curve ball. The deer. Seriously.

Just to warn you, I’m fluctuating from reflective to rapturous here today as I share my special days and giveaways! My little guy (who is 5 foot 10) turned 16 last week. Sixteen years old. How can this be? He now has his “L” for goodness sakes and sits behind the wheel of a real vehicle. What happened to that bright yellow and red Little Tykes car he used to shuffle around driving with his pudgy feet? Is it really THAT long ago since I snuggled my infant close and lived in that crazy-baby-toddler-homeschooling-survivor mode? Admittedly, there are chunks from the cray cray years where I have zero recollection. None. But I do remember they were special days, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything…

The Candle Maker, my latest book-baby has been birthed and it’s a boy! Seriously, these books are like babies for us author-types and therefore after a lengthy period of gestation, the publishing release is somewhat euphoric. And this one’s extra special (I know, I say that about each and every one) because it’s my first completely un-girly book. Yes, this one has a male protagonist and can be comfortably read by boys. A quick shout-out to all the guys who actually read my other less-than-manly stuff— you are the best!

There I was on Saturday night, feeling pretty smug. I’d had my “Mrs. Organizational Skills” hat on and I was fully prepped for Fathers Day. My dad in the UK would have received his gift in the mail in a timely fashion (because I’m THAT organized) and my amazing husband was about to be dazzled as deserved with a fry-up for breakfast (don’t judge— we’re Brits), a surprise waffle iron (we picked up on his oh-so-subtle hints), a fun afternoon in the sunshine after church, and rib-eye steak and home-made chocolate Swiss roll with a glass of something delicious to finish the ultimate Fathers Day. Perfect planning all round. Until my eldest son wondered in at 11pm and on his way up to bed said, “Mom, you know Fathers day is NEXT week, right?”

Good grief— it’s been a crazy May so far and my expectations have been changed, met, derailed, exceeded, and everything in between! My apologies that it’s been a while but I did warn you I would be sporadic 🙂 I like to be a woman of my word. This is going to be a bit garbled, but let me start with my weekend of awesomeness in Seattle, where the theme for the Northwest Christian Writers Renewal Conference was “EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED”…

Yes, I am having a curious day promoting fairies and bulldogs— such is the life of a writer! On any given week I can be found writing about anything from angsty teenaged girls to wingless fairies to mischievous sea creatures to Bible stories. You could also throw in relationship issues and Dickensian candle makers on an extra special day. It explains much…

Right now I’m getting my books together for two full days at the B.C .Christian Home Educators Convention with my homeschool homies right here in Kelowna. I realize I’m now the mother of one married woman, one son about to start Uni, and another boy finishing up Grade 10 in high school, but there was a time when homeschooling was MY LIFE. For thirteen years actually. And I lived to tell the tale…