From the rising of the sun to its going down
the Lord's name is to be praised!



Friday, April 17, 2009

Crème Moitié-Moitié!

My sweet husband has some strange ways of communicating. If you know him, you will agree whole heartedly. If you are married to a VanDyk, you are likely living the same reality that I am. I have learned to adapt to some of these ways well, and to others, Dan has been forced to adapt because I go into 'shut down' mode.

Maybe this is a male thing but I am assuming that it is a 'Dan' or a 'VanDyk' thing. I'm not even sure how to describe it...perhaps and example is best.

We could be eating supper and Dan might need the ketchup. Instead of saying “Mel, could you please pass the ketchup?” he will say “Can I have the pickle juice”. I automatically reach for the ketchup, pass it to him and wait for his “yep” to affirm that I got it right. Sounds confusing but I think I've mastered it. I basically reach for whatever is closest to me and if I get it right the first time, I feel quite content, and if I'm wrong it becomes a process of trial and error.

Another thing VanDyk men do, is scream strange things randomly. Out of the blue they will say a new phrase or word that they think is cool, look to each other for confirmation and burst into raucous laughter. They all think it's very funny; I usually have missed the joke. Although, I have been affected slightly by this as I manged to give them a word to get glee from. The word is 'surprise' spoken with a Dutch accent (putting the emphasis on the 'SU', leaving out the first 'r', small emphasis on the 'p', rolling the second 'r' and changing the 's' to a 'zzz' ). It's a satisfying thing to say, and I'll be that you have just tried it and now have a smile on your face. Go ahead, say it! SU-PRRRIZE!

One random thing that Dan used to say while making coffee was “Crème de Moitié-Moitié!”. It used to make me smile and I assumed it was just a made up phrase. However, one day as I was making coffee (and probably spewing the phrase with a grin on my face) I noticed the words on the cream carton! I thought I was seeing things. It turned out, my husband was actually speaking French! WOW! He added a 'de' but that just means he was making it more French, right?

The words no longer appear on the cream carton-they have changed it to 'Crème 10%'. Boring and subsequently, my husband does not shout “Crème 10%”. But I bet, if I pointed out to him that the French side also states 'Toujours Fraîche' he might find some delight in that phrase. Since the lovely 'Crème Moitié-Moitié' is no longer printed on the carton, I do not have the pleasure of hearing it spoken by my husband. Truth be told, I miss it.

Do you have any quirky communication stories to share? Please feel free to leave them in the comment box.

Here is a picture of the old carton:
(Dare I admit, that it took me over 5 years of marriage and 2 years of dating to finally see those words on the carton?!)

Saturday, April 11, 2009

We Serve a Risen Saviour!!


"See, What a Morning" (Resurrection Hymn)
Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2003 Kingsway Thankyou Music


See, what a morning, gloriously bright, With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem; Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light, As the angels announce, "Christ is risen!" See God's salvation plan, Wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice, Fulfilled in Christ, the Man, For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

See Mary weeping, "Where is He laid?" As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb; Hears a voice speaking, calling her name; It's the Master, the Lord raised to life again! The voice that spans the years, Speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us, Will sound till He appears, For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

One with the Father, Ancient of Days, Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty.Honor and blessing, glory and praise To the King crowned with pow'r and authority! And we are raised with Him, Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered; And we shall reign with Him, For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
John 20:30-31