People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your time has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season!

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

-Brian Andrew "Drew" Chalker

Lavender Tea for Two

Ahh, I LOVE lavender! It has many special memories for me. Interesting how a scent can throw you back... We were discussing lavender in our Sidney Eagle chat room the other day and someone had asked for the recipe so I thought "why not make a batch"? I must say, we (hubby and I) have enjoyed munching on them, so I hope you'll enjoy the shortbreads as well...

This wonderful lavender shortbread recipe comes from a local lavender farm here on Vancouver Island Happy Valley Lavender Farm. I tried this recipe for a cookie exchange a few years ago and haven't looked back.

If you enjoy the scent of lavender flowers and love shortbread, I can confidently say you'll love these!

Ingredients:

3 tsp fresh organic lavender flowers OR
1 1/2 tbsp dried organic lavender flowers (culinary)
Plus:
1 cup butter
1/2 cup (scant) cornstarch
1/2 cup icing sugar
1 1/2 cup white flour
1 tbsp lavender tea *

*lavender tea ~ place 1 tbsp dried lavender flowers in cup and pour 1/4 cup boiling water over it. Cover cup and let steep for 5 mins. Strain & measure 1tbsp for recipe and drink the rest (add some honey though), simply divine!

Preparation:

Set oven at 325f

Use food processor to blend chilled butter (not room temperature) plus lavender flowers, icing sugar & cornstarch. Add half the flour amount and lavender tea. Pulse gently until roughly cut in a "crumbly" texture. Blend in remainder of flour until it "balls" into a smooth dough. Roll in a wax paper log (like frozen cookie dough). Chill for 30 minutes. Cut into 1/2 inch rings, bake on ungreased cookie sheet until just golden on the bottom. Approximately 20 minutes. Cool before handling. Makes approximately 30 cookies. Store in air tight tin.

Voila and Enjoy!