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Well - here it is Tuesday already! I must admit I took some extra time Monday morning to sleep in. The time change and the road trip did me in. Alas, I am writing this today instead. This might just turn into a Tuesday blog folks if this keeps up!
The trip to Lethbridge really brought home to me, yet again, how powerful a force women supporting women can be! I did the show on my own for the first time and while it was lonely at times and I missed my booth buddy (Sister Kathy), I had incredible support and made it through with some help from my fellow EWI members.
Huge thanks to Lynn from EWI of Lethbridge for volunteering on Friday afternoon! It was great to really get to know this remarkable lady that I had only met a few times before. Everyone has a story in them and to hear the journeys of others is always so inspiring to me. As well, I must thank the other Lethbridge Chapter members who pre-ordered or stopped by; Michelle, Cathy, MaryAnn, Beverly, Ronnie and Jessie. Your support means the world to me ladies! If that were not enough, their Chapter is also going to sell my book as a fundraiser at their upcoming Christmas market on November 14th.
When I left my hotel room the first day to head to the show, I noticed a sign hung up beside my door. It said, "Let your light shine!" It was a great motivation for me each day. While I knew being in Lethbridge was going to be a friendly time because of all the people I know there, I also made two great new friends with the vendor beside me and across the way from me, David and Heather. Learning the stories of how they each came into their crafts and ended up doing what they love for a living was amazing to hear!
In addition, pleasant surprises awaited me ... one of the first ladies that bought my book was a gal whose friend had bought one in Medicine Hat two weeks ago and told her that she must get one! Nice! I inscribed it to, "Ava & Ethan, with love from NuNu" as that is what her grandkids call her.
Inscriptions this week and the stories behind them moved me yet again! A grandmother bought one for her granddaughter Nevaeh. When I commented on it being a unique name, she took my breath away when she explained it is Heaven backwards. Other unique spellings this week were Emerie, Aaliyah, Wanita and Kadin. Wanita wants to make something special for her grandkids to go along with the stories ... she thought she would find 24 inspirational thoughts to tuck into an Advent quilt she was making. I hope she sends me a picture of it!
And then, there were the "Anne's!" A mother along with her daughter and granddaughter - all named Anne. We started talking about the recipes and she asked what my heritage is. When I explained that most of the classic recipes are from my Grandma Hein, a German woman who immigrated from Russia with her husband and toddler, the connection was made! Her grandparents had had a very similar journey to Canada from Russia.
Like my grandparents who had a baby en route in England, her Mom was born en route in Winnipeg. Her grandparent's sponsors never met them just like my grandparents whose sponsor had moved to another province by the time they got off the train in Rosthern, Saskatchewan. Anne Sr. was so eager to try the recipes because she too had fond memories of her grandma's baking, but did not have any of their recipes saved. Passing down recipes is such a great way to share your past and for those loved ones to live on!
When I think of what our ancestors went through as new immigrants, my heart breaks a little but I am also truly humbled by their courage and strength. I cannot imagine what they, or those who are now fleeing countries, face, just to survive. I feel so blessed to be living in this country which is such a mosaic of nationalities and cultures.
There is so much dialogue now about immigrants having to conform to their new country. So much of my own personal heritage could have been wiped away, but it was not. Were people more tolerant in the 1920's because there were so many immigrants? I don't think so. I remember my Aunties telling me stories of what is was like to be of German ancestry, living here. Especially during WWII. I feel so blessed to be able to not only have & know my families different histories (my Dad's family were from England), to draw upon and inspire me but to also share with you in this book and with these recipes.
I am going to post photos of the recipes that I bake this Christmas on the website so you can see them before you try making them yourself. I know I prefer to see a picture of a recipe and just wish we could have included them in the book.
I have also decided to find out how we can get a chat going after each story. That might be easiest on The Shining Star Facebook page. I think it will be fun to have a daily "review" session so that we can all share the experience!
Thank you all for your support! Last week the book was #9 on the top 10 sellers list at Friesen. Has dropped down off the list again though. Remember to order by November 15th so that they have time to ship them to you!
Shine on!
-K
The trip to Lethbridge really brought home to me, yet again, how powerful a force women supporting women can be! I did the show on my own for the first time and while it was lonely at times and I missed my booth buddy (Sister Kathy), I had incredible support and made it through with some help from my fellow EWI members.
Huge thanks to Lynn from EWI of Lethbridge for volunteering on Friday afternoon! It was great to really get to know this remarkable lady that I had only met a few times before. Everyone has a story in them and to hear the journeys of others is always so inspiring to me. As well, I must thank the other Lethbridge Chapter members who pre-ordered or stopped by; Michelle, Cathy, MaryAnn, Beverly, Ronnie and Jessie. Your support means the world to me ladies! If that were not enough, their Chapter is also going to sell my book as a fundraiser at their upcoming Christmas market on November 14th.
When I left my hotel room the first day to head to the show, I noticed a sign hung up beside my door. It said, "Let your light shine!" It was a great motivation for me each day. While I knew being in Lethbridge was going to be a friendly time because of all the people I know there, I also made two great new friends with the vendor beside me and across the way from me, David and Heather. Learning the stories of how they each came into their crafts and ended up doing what they love for a living was amazing to hear!
In addition, pleasant surprises awaited me ... one of the first ladies that bought my book was a gal whose friend had bought one in Medicine Hat two weeks ago and told her that she must get one! Nice! I inscribed it to, "Ava & Ethan, with love from NuNu" as that is what her grandkids call her.
Inscriptions this week and the stories behind them moved me yet again! A grandmother bought one for her granddaughter Nevaeh. When I commented on it being a unique name, she took my breath away when she explained it is Heaven backwards. Other unique spellings this week were Emerie, Aaliyah, Wanita and Kadin. Wanita wants to make something special for her grandkids to go along with the stories ... she thought she would find 24 inspirational thoughts to tuck into an Advent quilt she was making. I hope she sends me a picture of it!
And then, there were the "Anne's!" A mother along with her daughter and granddaughter - all named Anne. We started talking about the recipes and she asked what my heritage is. When I explained that most of the classic recipes are from my Grandma Hein, a German woman who immigrated from Russia with her husband and toddler, the connection was made! Her grandparents had had a very similar journey to Canada from Russia.
Like my grandparents who had a baby en route in England, her Mom was born en route in Winnipeg. Her grandparent's sponsors never met them just like my grandparents whose sponsor had moved to another province by the time they got off the train in Rosthern, Saskatchewan. Anne Sr. was so eager to try the recipes because she too had fond memories of her grandma's baking, but did not have any of their recipes saved. Passing down recipes is such a great way to share your past and for those loved ones to live on!
When I think of what our ancestors went through as new immigrants, my heart breaks a little but I am also truly humbled by their courage and strength. I cannot imagine what they, or those who are now fleeing countries, face, just to survive. I feel so blessed to be living in this country which is such a mosaic of nationalities and cultures.
There is so much dialogue now about immigrants having to conform to their new country. So much of my own personal heritage could have been wiped away, but it was not. Were people more tolerant in the 1920's because there were so many immigrants? I don't think so. I remember my Aunties telling me stories of what is was like to be of German ancestry, living here. Especially during WWII. I feel so blessed to be able to not only have & know my families different histories (my Dad's family were from England), to draw upon and inspire me but to also share with you in this book and with these recipes.
I am going to post photos of the recipes that I bake this Christmas on the website so you can see them before you try making them yourself. I know I prefer to see a picture of a recipe and just wish we could have included them in the book.
I have also decided to find out how we can get a chat going after each story. That might be easiest on The Shining Star Facebook page. I think it will be fun to have a daily "review" session so that we can all share the experience!
Thank you all for your support! Last week the book was #9 on the top 10 sellers list at Friesen. Has dropped down off the list again though. Remember to order by November 15th so that they have time to ship them to you!
Shine on!
-K