by Charity Lee Jennings | Jan 18, 2017
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” Melody Beattie Winter in China is like a popcorn string of holidays. The cool of October brings Canadian Thanksgiving and in November, along with American friends, we give thanks again ushering in a season filled with...
by Charity Lee Jennings | Mar 9, 2016
“Monkeys,” my kids squealed as they ran to the enclosure. One climbed the chain-link, peering out at us, while another scurried across a beam. “Look, a baby!” I pointed. Their eyes turned to a mother gazing down at a miniature version of herself, who clung to her...
by Charity Lee Jennings | Feb 22, 2016
Brian humbly held our bag of sparklers as we stood, surrounded by boxes, massive fireworks, that must have been the equivalent of four months’ rent for the average person in our city. Our hostess emerged from a room that was papered gold, a massive, gaudy chandelier...
by Charity Lee Jennings | Feb 7, 2016
Buildings towered side by side and ours almost touched the chain link of an enclosed basketball court; gathering place and first stop for family firework nights. I enjoyed the shows, with one memorable exception. I watched the family arrive, place their huge...
by Charity Lee Jennings | Feb 3, 2016
When there is no central heating; when your whole family is huddled around one heater and you are wearing layer upon layer of clothing; when you can see your breathe in the bathroom and the pipes for the water heating system have frozen and burst; when all three kids...
by Charity Lee Jennings | Oct 7, 2015
Inspired by my favourite childhood picture, in which my younger brother and I are biting into cookies as big around as our own chubby little faces, I bought these three village-style mooncakes, one for each of my kids. They looked as delicious as the cookies! My kids...
