Small and Wonderful Things . . .

 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny? It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. What you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard 

 A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best. 

So, this happened yesterday.  It was pretty much misting off and, on all day, but by the time I went to drive home from Cindy's place after supper it had turned into full on rain. I had to drive home with my windshield washers on. Our whole church stake had held a fast and prayer for rain and help yesterday. I am not saying that this was the result of that fast and prayer effort. Many people have been praying. I am saying this was the answer to many prayers.  We need more for sure, but this was a great boost. 

The update on the fires yesterday was still burning out of control, but they were gaining ground on it, which is encouraging.

A bad air quality advisory is still in effect for today.

These Guinea Hens have been visitors to the area pretty much every morning. I don't know where they are coming from, but you can pretty much count on them to show up without fail.  They usually head across the main road to the motel area. The big green colored house over there has some pretty large feeders, and they head right for those. I could see them enjoying themselves under it as we left for church yesterday.  I am surprised that none of them have been hit by a car as that is a pretty busy road. Let us hope that none of them ever do get hit. Fingers crossed.

 

(source)

The opportunity to attend church and partake of the sacrament, renewing my Covenants with the Lord.  To listen to the various testimony's being born by the members. To commune with the Saints and to fellowship together.  This is always a great beginning or ending to the week, depending on how you look at it.  A nice jolt of energy to my spiritual battery. I would add my testimony to the others that I know Christ lives. I just don't believe in Him, but I believe Him and all that He said and did. I know He will come again, and I hope to be ready for Him when He does. I love Him. I trust in Him and His teachings, and I try to live my life according to them. God is good.

 

(source)

I see signs of it appearing everywhere, not just the early Autumn imposed by the drought, but a sincere Autumn. More leaves are turning and starting to fall now. I love the Autumn. It is one of my favorite seasons. Not just because of the colors and smells.  I love the cooler nights and I love the feelings, the anticipation of cozy. And if there is one thing you all must know about me by now, it is that I love cozy.

 

(source)

Sunday dinner with the family.  I love to gather together around some good food and enjoy each other's company. It was good to see Dad back at the table. He had a really good day yesterday.

My sister made him a really good breakfast in the morning. Toast, bacon, eggs. He was very happy with that. Usually on Sunday's he goes out for breakfast, but this week he stayed at home. (I personally would not like to see him driving himself anywhere just yet.)  Then yesterday afternoon he would not stay home so Cindy took him to Tim Hortons for his cup of tea and donut. He was quite tired last night, but still ate a good supper.  Mashed potatoes, shake and bake chicken wings and corn and then some banana bread, buttered, for dessert. He is using the walker in the house. Thank goodness, but he didn't want to use it yesterday when he went out. 

He is doing good though and we are happy that he is out of the hospital, and back where he belongs.

 

(source)

This is a very busy week this week. I have my toenail person tomorrow morning and then I have the guy coming to detail my car on Wednesday morning. Thursday we are supposed to have lunch with my cousin and no doubt on Friday, dad will want to go to the mall with his friend Maryann.  Now that he has been to Tim Hortons anything goes. We will not be successful in keeping him down I don't think, not for long anyways. 

I believe there are fewer gnats in the house this morning, but I had a whole weekend of routing them out. I will persevere and keep at it. Hopefully in time they will all be gone. This can't last forever.

 

This little guy and the many ways he charms my heart daily. His sister too. They bless my life in so many ways. Would not be without them. 

They bring endless amounts of joy into my life.

Faith, family, friends, home, love.  I am living a life abundantly filled with the things that matter most.

And with that I best leave you with a thought for the day. I have a lot to get done today, and I want to go to the grocery store early. I also need to make an appointment to have my car safety done in October and I might as well have my winter tires put on at the same time.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*We can easily forgive a child

who is afraid of the dark,

the real tragedy of life is when

men are afraid of the light.

~Plato  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

Cooking in The English Kitchen today  . . .  Broccoli & Cauliflower Casserole.  Simple. Delicious. Great for company or for family.  Anywhere, any time. I am enjoying the fresh veggies that are available locally at the moment!

I hope that you have a lovely day.  Whatever you get up to, I hope it brings you joy and that you week ahead is filled with a multitude of small and wonderful things. Don't forget!

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════     

And I do too!    

   

All Things Nice . . .

 

(source)

O western wind blow softly here

Bring me the scent of sage and brier,

Wild mint round a brimming slough,

And blue smoke from a prairie fire,

Drifting like pale ghosts in the sky,

Where clouds of tufted wool go by.

O western wind -- blow gently here,

Bring to my heart the thrilling sight,

Of April skies serene and blue --

Wild Mallards in their northern flight,

Cleaving the sky in a long V

Calling to something deep in me.

O western wind -- I hear you blow,

Above the rooftops of the East,

Inviting me to come once more,

To share in some great pagan feast

Where wind and sun and everything,

Drink to the coming of the Spring.

O western wind -- that calls us home,

We -- who are prairie born and bred,

With music from a magic flute,

By some enchanted piper lead,

Down prairie trails to the world's rim

Where hearts beat high to follow him.

~Edna Jacques, O Western Wind

The Hills of Home, 1952

I kind of liked this poem this morning. It made me think of the wind and where it has been. All the people and towns and countryside it has caressed on its way to where I am.  The heads of hair it has tussled, the flowers and grain that have bent beneath its deep caress, the waves that it has dashed against the shore . . . the leaves it danced along the streets . . . all these things and more are born upon it's breathless wings, and as it passes it grabs a bit of me and takes me with it on that journey to who knows where it blows . . . the essence and memory of all that it touched along the way clinging to its soul.

 

(source)

Dad is home from the hospital now. I stopped by yesterday afternoon to drop something off and he was quite happy in his room, going through his mail, brushing his cat, Princess. Princess was very happy to have him back. She was laying on his bed basking in all of his attention. I did my heart good to see him back home and happily where he belongs. It was a long week and a half!

 

(source)

I think I will unpack the car today and my suitcase that I had ready to go.  I do not think the fires will get much worse but never say never. They have not been updating us as frequently as they were. I think it is still out of control, but I don't know much more than that.  An air advisory is still in effect in my area. Rain is expected with light showers tonight and light rain tomorrow. It is more than welcome. Bring it on and then some!

 

(source)

As summer gardens reach their peak, thoughts turn to preserving flowers. When I worked at the Manor my boss would have the gardeners cut and start to dry huge armfuls of the hydrangea blooms that bordered the mansion along the South side. These would be used in the weeks ahead to create dried arrangements to sit in the bit hall downstairs and on the sideboard in the dining room. Old sheets would be laid out on the floor around the big table for her to discard the last years bloom on and any bits she didn't want to use. This was a lot easier for the housekeeper to clean up.

 

(source)

The countryside grows golden now as the late summer's light ripens the grains and swells the fruit and vegetables ready for harvesting. Dahlias are at their best and people start to fill their porches with baskets of mums. The sun shines it's golden rays over fields of ripening wheat and barley and orchard fruits mature on the trees. A seasonal shift is in the air.  The wheel of the year turns and we become all too aware of summer's fleeting nature as the nights ever so slightly begin to lengthen and nature begins to sigh and slow down  . . . 

The earth keeps turning and the first flickers of autumn can be spotted. It has been really early this year due to the dry, dry conditions, but with these early weeks of September it is unmistakable, from the changing light in the evenings and the gradual golden transformation of the countryside to the first yellow leaves, fading flowers and drying seed pods. A whisper of the season to come.

The bed of our beautiful river is very low now.  Fish lay in small pools and rocks I have never noticed before are all too evident in places. It makes me sigh to see it so low and I hope and pray that we soon get all of the rain and snow that is needed to bring it back again.

Hunting season has been cancelled. I read this yesterday. Good news for the deer.

I got myself some window candles.  Every year I say I am going to and every year I procrastinate and when I go to get them, they are all gone. I am on the ball this year.  I always think it looks so welcoming to see candles burning in windows, be they real or operated by battery or electricity.  I love the look. It speaks of cozy and home sweet home to me. 

These are battery operated. They came with a remote and a timer. You can turn them on and off with the push of a button and you can also time them to stay on for a certain length of time upon which they will turn themselves off. Very handy.

 

(source)

The battle with the Fugus gnats continues. They are really doing my head in. I went to Home Hardware yesterday to check and see what they had.  I saw my cousin Sheri and my sister there.  It was really nice to now be living in a place where I can run into family happenchance like that!  Good times.

Home Hardware did not really have anything, but they have ordered me a lamp to plug in that will hopefully help.  I also ordered a new litter box for the cats that should be here by next Wednesday. You roll it over and it strains the litter into a little box that you can pull out and dump.  I fear that the litter box may be the culprit.  That and the kitchen sink drain possibly as that is where I am catching the most gnats in the traps I have made. A few in the trap I put in the bathroom and a few on the artificial fire in the living room. I have tried to place the traps all over the house so that I can catch them everywhere.

Today I am going to go out and buy a big box of baking soda and bottle of white vinegar.  I am out of those things and need more.

This has been a real nuisance to be honest, but I will persevere!

And with that I best leave you with a thought for the day.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
*Neglect not the gift that 

is within thee.

~1 Timothy 4:14

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Brown Sugar Quick Bread.  This is a simple quick bread that is really easy to make and tastes delicious.  Not too sweet, but a slight caramel flavor. You just know I had to butter mine.  It was lovely with a cup of herbal tea. 

I do hope you have a lovely weekend. Whatever you get up to I hope that it brings you joy!  Don't forget!

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═══════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════  

And I do too!    

   

 

Dear Neighbor . . .

 

(source)

 FRIDAY, September 5th, 2025

Estate Lane, Nova Scotia

15*C/59*F

Overcast, it says rainy days ahead

(Here's hoping)

Air advisory still in effect

Wildfire still burning out of control

Dear Neighbor,

We are in for a very warm weekend, but the temperatures are set to drop on Monday.  That is to be expected. I am still seeing two hummingbirds at the feeder, both females. No males. According to what I have read online, the males have already started their migration. Next will be the females, and finally the young. It is just fascinating how this happens year after year and all by instinct. They say to keep the feeders up until at least mid-October in case there are any stragglers.

Dad will probably be able to come home today. Everything is checking out fine and he was able to go up and down a set of steps they have at the hospital yesterday so that is great news! He can't wait to get back to his cat and home and we are looking forward to him being back where he belongs. Fingers cross all goes according to plan this morning!  And that with each day that passes he goes from strength to strength, with things soon getting back to normal. Your prayers and happy thoughts have been very much appreciated.

Nutmeg with his bottlebrush tail. He is such a little character. As Cindy has dropped me off here at the house each time after our visits to dad, he has come to the screen window in the door to look out and say goodbye to her.  She rolls down the window and shouts out goodnight, Nutmeg and he meows back, very aware that she is talking to him. It has become a bit of a routine these past days.

I think he is quite smart, but then again  . . .  I am biased.

 

Cinnamon really couldn't care less.

She has become very fussy about what she eats as of late. I have turned myself inside out trying to find something she likes. It all gets at best, a cursory lick, and then she turns up her nose at it all. Things she has always liked and eaten in the past.  She has always been a little bit on the fussy side anyways, but it has gotten way worse.

I just keep telling myself, she will eat if she is hungry and I make sure their dry food is topped up. She does eat that, but again, after Nutmeg's illness I have had to change the dry food. They don't like the expensive Vet stuff anymore, neither of them, which means I am saving a lot of money by buying the cheaper stuff, but a bit of a nuisance having to change over all the same.

Cats. They really do have slaves.

 

(source)

Big news! It just started to rain. It's not a heavy downpour, but it is rain all the same and very welcome. Who knows how long it will last. My fingers are crossed.

All the children have gone back to school now. My Facebook feed the last few days has been full of "first day back to school" photos of all of my friends' children and grandchildren.  Kayla did post photos of Josh and Jake, but I haven't seen any photos of my other grands.

I have been so busy these past two weeks with everything I haven't really had much time to call my two older sons and have a conversation. Now that dad is going home (good, good) then I will have more time. 

And it is still raining. I am encouraged by that.

 

(source)

The Guinea Hens just went through. I wonder where they are coming from? They seem to go through here most mornings. They are quite large birds.  Sometimes they venture across the main road to the other side next to where I lived as a child. Somehow, they manage not to get hit by any cars, which is amazing to me as that is a very busy roadway.

I think my vigilance with the gnat bait is paying off, but I have my fingers crossed when I say that. I don't see as many flying around this morning. In fact, all I have seen are one that are deceased. Dare I hope? Time will tell. I have been doing all the suggestions.  Having four bait stations placed throughout my wee house, pouring boiling water down my drains every hour or so, keeping my drains stoppered in between times, etc.

I even found them in my freezer, laying dead across the bottom shelf. That is how bad this infestation has been. I really hope that I have cracked it as I have not wanted to have people over for a meal or anything because of them. What a nuisance they have been.

 

(source)

I have a quiet day planned today. I say quiet, but I will be quite busy catching up on all of the things which have gone by the wayside since Dad has been in hospital. I want to dust and vacuum and wash the floors, change my bed, etc. I won't be doing any cooking today, I don't think.

Yesterday afternoon, after our visit with dad, Cindy and I took a quick trip up to Greenwood. I had to pick up some cat litter etc. We popped into Sobey's, and they had their instore baked individual chicken pot pies on special, so I picked one up and I am planning on having that for my tea today. 

We have been told that they are very good.

So a general tidy up is in store for this place today. I know I have not spent all of my time at the hospital but in between visits I had work to do and then at the end of the day I have been too tired to do much of anything. I am reminded that I am no longer a spring chicken. 

 

(source)

I was late getting up this morning. It was past 6:30. I had a hard time falling asleep last night. After I had gotten into bed, I experienced some vertigo which was a bit unsettling, I think it was after midnight before I finally slept, so I was a bit later.

I get that every so often and when I do, it always spooks me. It will come on all of a sudden. There is no rhyme or reason to it. 

I make it a point not to clean my ears out with Q-tips or anything as I have heard in the past that that can cause vertigo by upsetting your ear crystals. Not sure how true that is, but I avoid the ear cleaning now just in case. 

I have always had problems with my inner ear. I get motion sickness very easily. I can't really tolerate sitting in the back seats of vehicles. I cannot go on swings, or on rides at fairs, etc. I cannot read in the car or look at my phone.  All of these things make me very ill.

I wish it were not so.

 

(source)

Tis the season  . . . 

For so long now I have kept all of my furniture very covered up, with blankets, etc. I am thinking of taking some of them off and just seeing how I get on.  I have been super focused on the cats not being able to scratch the furniture, so much so that I keep it all covered.  What's the point in having furniture if you only keep it covered. I will probably still keep the seats on the sofa covered for when dad comes over, but today I may take off the back and arm coverings. I am debating it in my mind in any case.

Eileen is coming to stay with me for a week and a half or so at the end of the month. Tim is going to visit his brother with his parents and so Eileen is coming here for a staycation.  It will be fun. Maybe we will go up to Port George one day and watch the seals from the car. Or up to Margaretville for a picnic. I would like to do something together that is a little bit special.

I don't really have a lot else to write about this morning. My life has been rather dull as of late. Not a lot going on. Except that it is still raining, and that is a good thing.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
*She praised the timeworn byways, 

 The limbs of crooked trees, 

 A distant caw, October’s breath.

~Ava Morag, The Land Maid

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 

In The English Kitchen today, Cornflake Cookies.  These are similar to a chocolate chip cookie, but they are rolled in crushed cornflakes prior to baking, which gives them a nice crunch!

I hope your Friday is AMAZING!  Be happy. Be blessed.  Don't forget!

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═══════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════  

And I do too!    

   

My Favorite Things . . .

 

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens . . . these are some of the things in life that I enjoy, and which make me happy, inspire me, or put a smile on my face. Maybe some of them are yours too.  Let's share!

The gift of a new day each morning. How will I spend it. I hope wisely.

 

(source)

Quilts. I really love quilts.

 

(source)

Good Chocolate. I love a treat of a good chocolate every now and then. I used to love to pop into Hotel Chocolate in Chester every now and then. They had the nicest chocolates!

 

(source)

Stone walls and fences . . .  you see them a lot in the North of England and Wales.

 

(source)

Piano music. Especially Paul Cardall.  When I was a child, I longed to have piano lessons. I find piano music very relaxing.

 

(source)

Cowboys  . . .  I loved the miniseries Lonesome Dove back in the day.

 

(source)

Custard tarts  . . .  so yummy.

 

(source)

Kittens and warm sweaters. I love them both. 

 

(source)

Aga ranges  . . .  so cozy.

 

(source)

Farm fresh eggs. In England none of the eggs in the grocery shops are refrigerated. That used to freak me out a bit when I first moved over there.  Always refrigerate your eggs when you get them home.

 

(source)

Hot soups and stews  . . . 

 

(source)

Dried apples  . . . a healthy snack.

 

(source)

The smell of apples, orchards and farm markets in the autumn months  . . . 

 

(source)

September flowers and colors  . . . 

 

(source)

Blue eyes  . . . 

 

(source)

Puppies  . . .  they are so loveable.

(source)

Farm markets in the autumn  . . .  

 

(source)

Crochet blankets  . . . 

 

(source)

Old Cake Tins  . . . 

 

(source)

Country Mail Boxes . . . I had one in New Brunswick that I had painted with sunflowers all over it.

And those are my favorite things for this week  . . . 

A thought to carry with you . . . 

.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

 *.˛.°It is one of the blessings

of old friends that you can

afford to be stupid with them.

~Ralph Waldo Emmerson

.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Spicy Portuguese Potatoes. These were simple and delicious. I hope you will give them a go! Boiled potatoes with a spicy onion sauce spooned over top.

Dad is improving slowly and surely. He had a really good lunch yesterday and had a good walk around as well, although he does need a lot of support when he is doing so, and rests frequently.

I hope that you have a lovely day. It is very foggy out there this morning. Typical September morning. The wildfire is ongoing, but I don't think it is growing at an alarming rate any longer and some people have been let to go back to their homes. Whatever you get up to today, don't forget!

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════

And I do too!