Fourteen years ago today, I was at Enloe Hospital here in Chico, giving birth to Elias Timothy Holdstock Smith! Today has been much more relaxing for me... as fourteen years ago Eli was in fact huge for his age and not ready to participate in life on his own. Ironically, now he is the exact opposite! However, Eli hasn't celebrated a birthday in Chico since his very first day on earth, so we are excited to celebrate "him" here this year. On a previous visit we...

Happy Canadian Thanxgiving! It's tough missing this weekend at home as it includes mum and dad's 51st anniversary and Eli's 14th birthday. However, the celebrations must go on! Eden has made 10 pumpkin pies from a fresh pumpkin she plucked herself. Naomi baked over 40 triple chocolate chip cookies for her cousin's 40th birthday yesterday as well she and I helped prepare masses of scone mix with The Two English Ladies for the Farmer's Market. Thus we have gle...

I'd like to introduce my cousin, Claire Holdstock Stevens! We met for the first time yesterday, and she is absolutely lovely - of course. I met her mum and dad (Pat and Bob) Friday at the Chico Farmer's Market. I tasted of their wares at the 2 English Ladies booth which was amazing (as was meeting Chris the Egg Farmer, but that is another story altogether!). It will be so much fun getting to know "family" as I thought us Holdstocks were all but extinct. It wi...

Tim's Dad used to always say, "There are only two things I'm afraid of: the Devil, and a Mennonite during corn harvest!" ...and now we know why! lol

We are in Butte City, California, parked at Tim's brother's place.It's a great spot and right behind us is the very place where we used to live. It's more than just strange being here again for a longer term than just a visit.The "boys" are going to work for Uncle Jim during walnut harvest which will be about 5 or 6 weeks.The "girls" will be keeping busy with everything but work! We had a lovely "sibling" dinner at Kathy's place la...