Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About the Benefits of Moving to Canada

I have been writing since April about Canada - I wrote about each of the Provinces/Territories, the amazing National Parks, and some of the unique things about Canada. I have also been writing about the steps to take if you are a "Lost Canadian" if you want to be able to become a Canadian citizen. It is important to keep in mind, if you live in the USA and are a "Lost Canadian" and decide to get your Canadian citizenship, it does not mean you have to move to Canada. It is a very positive thing to have duel citizenship.

But, if you are a "Lost Canadian" and receive your Canadian citizenship, moving to Canada is something you will be able to do if you decide to do so. With this in mind, what are the benefits to moving to Canada . . .

Chihuly Cattails & Copper Birch Reeds at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

For the past couple weeks I have been writing about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park's special Dale Chihuly exhibit which you are able to enjoy now through November 1st just outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I thought it would be interesting to share with you some information I found online about each of the pieces/displays which make up Chihuly at Meijer. While there is a gallery of Chihuly pieces which you have to buy an extra ticket to see, most of the exhibit is available for you to enjoy with the purchase of your admission ticket - or if you have a membership, you can go see it as often as you like throughout the exhibit! Today I am very happy to let you know about Chihuly Cattails & Copper Birch Reeds at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park -

Today is National Root Beer Float Day!

  

Today is National Root Beer Float Day - absolutely a day to celebrate for sure! So, let's look at some Root Beer Float fun facts . . .

Today is National Wiggle Your Toes Day!

  

Did you know if you were to lose your thumb you could have it replaced with one of your toes? "When your big toe gets attached to the rest of your hand, it can accomplish many of the same activities your thumb could, including holding a pencil, eating food, and opening doors." I found this toe fun fact at the following  link and since today is National Wiggle Your Toes Day, I thought it would be fun to share some "toe facts"!

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Receiving Your Canadian Citizenship

I have been writing about learning I am a "Lost Canadian" and the process of finding the documents I need to receive my Canadian citizenship. I have also been writing about all the wonderful things I have learned about Canada and the incredible place it is. Today I'm going to share some helpful information about Canadian Citizenship by Descent which I've learned from the Canadian Immigration site -

Chihuly Chartreuse Icicle Tower at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

I have been writing the past twelve days about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park special Dale Chihuly exhibit which you are able to enjoy now through November 1st just outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have three more parts of the exhibit to write about - today  I thought it would be interesting to share with you some information I found online about Chihuly Chartreuse Icicle Tower at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park -

Civic Holiday - a Wonderful Canadian Celebration!

Apparently, and most sadly, I missed a Canadian holiday - Civic Holiday - which is celebrated on the First Monday of August. The idea for this holiday is to, "unite communities across Canada every first Monday of August, though its name and traditions vary by region. This unique observance fosters local pride and offers a chance for relaxation and local festivities. Discover the diverse ways Canadians celebrate, from historical tributes to outdoor events, and find out how you can join in the spirit of community."

Upcoming Anniversary & an Important Example

My husband and I are just two days from celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary! We met on an active volcano (Mt. Lassen in Northern California) and were married on my grandpa/ma Fullmer's 55th anniversary - both sets of my grandparents and my parents had long committed marriages. They all set the example for me of loving, honoring and cherishing my husband. I never one time heard my grandparents or parents say anything negative about each other - I think this is what the vows mean - or part of it - when we commit to love, honor, and cherish the one we marry. (This is an engagement photo of us on Mt. Lassen where we met, and a wedding photo . . . we were SO young!!!)

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About How Much I Appreciate Canada's Compassion

I have family members who are part of the LGBTQ+ community - you likely do as well. I have been paying attention over the past year to how often our elected officials here in the US demonize these dear people and have been appalled to watch as states pass laws to make their lives not only more difficult, but in some States (such as Kansas), nearly impossible. I have listened as some people talk about passing laws to do away with LGBTQ+ marriage and even some have talked about sending these dear ones to detention camps in their so-called Project 2025 writings.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families and friends are rightly concerned about what the future may hold, but Canada takes a different view of these dear people - Canada welcomes them! Not only does Canada welcome them, but Canada will even expedite their applications for citizenship in Canada. I will share a bit of information with you on this so if you have someone you love who is LGBTQ+ and are applying for citizenship, you will have some details which may help -

CHIHULY Float Boat at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

I have been writing about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is a place where there are so many beautiful and amazing things to see all year long, but this is even more true now through November 1st as the Dale Chihuly exhibit is able to be enjoyed throughout the Sculpture Park on the edge of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I thought it would be interesting to share with you some information I found online about the beautiful sculptures you are able to see throughout the park and a bit of background on each piece - today I'm happy to give you a closer look at CHIHULY Flori Boats at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park . . .

Don't Forget the Most Important Back-to-School Supply - Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children

The children we love will be returning to school shortly. A new year of school brings with it new relationships, new learning, new experiences, new challenges - some positive, some not so positive. Of course we want to do all we are able to do to equip the children we love so they are able to face these new things with confidence and are able to grow because of them. One of the most important things we will ever do to help them is to teach them to talk with God, but how do we do this? Clearly, if we want the children we love to become people of prayer, this takes more than praying at meals.

Today is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!

 

While chocolate chip cookies are a treat to enjoy any day - especially fresh from the oven, today is actually National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! Of course this means I need to share a recipe or two with you, so I chose the first one from when my oldest grand was young and we were going to make cookies, so I asked what kind of cookies we should make and they said, "Chocolate, chocolate-chip!" So, we sat down with my computer to find a recipe and, "Yes! This is the one. It has cocoa and the other one didn't. We need cocoa to make chocolate, chocolate-chip cookies!" We made the chosen recipe, with just a couple "tweaks" which I'm sharing with you. The cookies turned out quite delightful - after all, they have cocoa, chocolate-chips, peanut butter, and sour cream in them, so how could they be anything but delicious and delightful? 

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Gathering Documents to Receive Your Canadian Citizenship

Yesterday I wrote about how four months ago I learned I am a "Lost Canadian" - I have at least one ancestor (in my case I have closer to a dozen ancestors) who were born in Canada, so with the passing this past December of Bill C-3 in Canada, I am now able to receive my Canadian citizenship through citizenship by descent. Today I want to share with you some of the documents you need to gather to receive your Canadian citizenship if you, like me, are "Lost Canadians".

CHIHULY Flori Boats at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

I have been writing about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is a place where there are so many beautiful and amazing things to see all year long, but this is even more true now through November 1st as the Dale Chihuly exhibit is able to be enjoyed throughout the Sculpture Park on the edge of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I thought it would be interesting to share with you some information I found online about the beautiful sculptures you are able to see throughout the park and a bit of background on each piece - today I'm happy to give you a closer look at CHIHULY Flori Boats at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park . . .