July highlights...

Even with a relatively relaxed pace these days it's hard to believe July is almost over! Here are some highlights: I started the month by attending the Evangelical Mennonite Conference annual convention at Providence College/Seminary and saw many familiar faces that I hadn't seen in years. It was good to reconnect with the EMC post-seminary. Approximately every-other weekend Carrie and I spend the weekend at her parents' farm near Altona. It's necessary for my mental, emotional and physical health to get out of the city during the summer and dig in the dirt! I've also been on a run of really good books lately. Thus far my summer reading list has included: Evolving in Monkey Town by Rachel Held Evans, Things Seen and Unseen by Nora Galligher, Almost Amish by Nancy Sleeth, Still by Lauren Winner, and A Woman Called by Sara Barton. Here are some additional highlights with photos...


Now this is how it's done...

My parents gifted me with a hammock from Paraguay for my seminary graduation last year and with few trees in the yard but plenty of space in our basement suite I decided to enjoy my hammock indoors. I hung it in our living room between two door joists. Imagine Carrie's surprise when she came home one day to find a hammock in our living room! I spend many evenings relaxing, reading, and over the next several weeks watching the Olympics from my hammock.

Renewing a Tradition

Prior to moving to Elkhart Carrie and I had a tradition of celebrating my birthday at Ballet in the Park. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet offers a free performance in the park every year near the end of July. I love the casual feel with everyone gathering on the grass in front of the stage to take in the 2 hour show.

Not a fabulous picture, but you get the idea. This year we arrived an hour early so that we'd get a good seat and enjoyed a picnic supper of steak salad, fresh blueberries, kettle chips and sparkling raspberry beverage.

My birthday cake. Another delicious creation by Carrie: rich citrus cheesecake with an almond crust and fresh raspberry topping. Who needs grains anyway? SO GOOD!

Can't Beat the Commute!

I have just under a 10km commute to and from work each day. When I first started at Mediation Services in winter I took Winnipeg Transit to work but now that it's summer I'm taking advantage of the beautiful weather and saving myself some dollars by cycling as much as possible. There's a great cycling culture in Winnipeg and every year in June they hold a Bike to Work Day, which I have now participated in twice. This year they have over 4000 participants who registered for the event and next year they're planning for Bike to Work Week. Having approximately 40 minutes (depending on the wind, which is a major factor in commute time on the prairies!) of uninterrupted time in nature is my consolation for no longer working outside all day, every day in the summer as I have for the past three summers. I've really lucked out with my route too, as you can see:

Hitting the open road at 7:30am on Ol' Faithful (my bike)

Part of the Trans Canada Trail

Path in the Assiniboine Forest

Past my alma mater

Through the Assiniboine Park

Assiniboine River

Path along the river

Across the river on the railway bridge that's been converted to a bike/foot bridge

Omand's Creek Park

Wolseley, one of the bike-friendliest neighbourhoods in Winnipeg where you'll see signs posted, reminding cyclists that vehicle traffic has the right to use the road too!

And suddenly I'm at work on one of the busiest streets in Winnipeg - thankfully I don't need to bike in that traffic at all

So that's July. The highlight of August will be my brother's wedding which is two weeks from today. I'm so looking forward to Andrew and Pearl's big day!