Author: Brenda Wood

Our congregation, Barrie Free Methodist Church, in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, is in the midst of building a new church. As a consequence, our services are being held at the local fairground building. Curling, walk-a-thons, and horse shows are all part … Read more

It's turkey time again, and I am up to my elbows in stuffing. As I season bread cubes, the label catches my eye: Poultry Seasoning. Ingredients: thyme, sage, rosemary, marjoram, pepper, and nutmeg! Little pinches of this and that, integrated … Read more

I wouldn't say that my house was in C.H.A.O.S. (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome), but I did have some trouble spots that needed work. My goal was organization and less clutter. Now a free Web site sends me daily messages … Read more

For years I was afraid of everything. I feared the dark, getting lost, being alone. I was even afraid of not having enough to eat. This last fear drove me to gluttony. I ate whole chocolate cakes, and stashed food … Read more

"I lost my cat in November," said the first neighbour. He's a long-haired gray male. "Really," replied the second. "I found my cat in November." He's a long-haired gray male! The participants hadn't figured it out, but the rest of … Read more

We had been living through a long, bad patch. Cancer, a broken back, a broken jaw, diabetes, our house struck by lightning… the list seemed endless. As a consequence, I became quite depressed. I allowed myself to develop a full-blown … Read more

My grandpa gave chocolate Easter bunnies to my brother and me. I gobbled mine as fast as I could swallow. My two-year-old brother, on the other hand, was still admiring his. Poke! "You don't want to eat broken bunny ears, … Read more

I was making do with my old plastic travel mug, even though it wasn't the least bit satisfactory. My coffee tasted funny and often it was cold. Finally, I treated myself to a stainless steel travel mug. I don't know … Read more

I have written fourteen cookbooks, but my favourite recipes are the still simplest ones, and I like to share them with my friends. The best peanut butter cookies are made with a cup of sugar, a cup of peanut butter, … Read more

The garbage has always been there, only now, it was very visible. Night after night, television news displayed the mess. It sure wasn't pretty. Toronto, Ontario, Canada, was in the midst of a garbage strike. Trash is hardly ever pretty. … Read more