Thursday, 7 August 2025

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!


 


Doing anything with my sister. I just love spending time with her.  We haven't had a painting day in a while. I think we need one soon!


 

Summer sunsets. Lately they have been spectacular. The days are also starting to get a bit noticeably shorter.


 

Homemade bread, fresh from the oven  . . . 


 

Potted red geraniums  . . .  so pretty.



 

Pretty glassware  . . .  so lovely.


 


Queen Anne's Lace  . . .  I think that is what this is called.


 

French milled soaps.  I had no idea such a thing existed until I worked at the Manor.


 

Chocolate  . . . mmm . . .  I used to love to pop into Hotel Chocolate in Chester city every now and then for a treat. So, so, so good.


 

Window shutters  . . . 


 


Pretty bouquets  . . . 


 

A room with a view  . . . 


 


Bees . . .  love them.


 

Shooting stars.  I have never seen one in person.


 

Fresh apricots  . . .  so sweet.


 

Pretty florals  . . . 


 

Pearly buttons  . . . 


 

Checks  . . .  this is so pretty  . . . 


 

Bunting . . .  


 

This  . . .  love  . . .  that chair.


 

Cotton eyelet  . . . 



 

Old alarm clocks  . . . 


 

Front porch rockers . . . 


 

New beginnings  . . . 


 

An intimate setting  . . . 


 

Woodpeckers  . . .  well, all birds, really.




He's all better and back to normal.  Thank goodness  . . . 


And those are my favorite things for this week. Hopefully some of them are yours also!


A thought to carry with you  . . . 


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

 *.˛.°The intellect of the wise is like glass;
it admits the light of heaven and reflects it.
~Augustus Hare  
.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •


BBQ Chicken, Cheddar, & Pineapple Tostadas


In The English Kitchen today  . . .  BBQ Chicken, Cheddar, & Pineapple Tostadas. Simple to make. Quick.  Delicious. I know I say that all the time. But it's true.


Cindy and I both got nice haircuts yesterday.  I was happy with mine anyways.  I have an appointment to go back on Tuesday morning and see about a lash lift and tint. My eyelashes are almost invisible. Let's hope this makes a difference. I hate wearing mascara. 

Anyways, I hope that you have a beautiful day. It is sunny here again today.  Not quite as warm as yesterday. It has been cooling down really nicely nights. I like that.  Don't forget!


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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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And I do too!

 


Wednesday, 6 August 2025

Wednesday Witterings . . .

 

 Its going to be another warm day today, but again, not overly humid. We have not had any rain much to speak of for quite some time now and the province is in draught. What we need is some prolonged sustained rain. Slow and steady.  They have now closed any hiking trails provincially, and a ban on fires until October.

And still, you see people on Facebook arguing about how they see people throwing cigarette butts from their cars, and then smokers arguing about how there are no ashtrays in cars so what are they supposed to do. The answer is simple.  Have a container in your car for them, or better yet, don't smoke in your car. 

Trust me, I was a smoker for quite a while. I started when I was 17 and quit when I was 32. I am really not trying to pick on smokers here. 

I do think, however, that one of the best things I ever did for myself was to quit. It was also one of the most difficult things I have ever done, so I can totally empathize in many ways with people who smoke. But pitching your lit cigarette butts out the windows of your car when we are in a drought and the fire risk is high, is not one of them.



I saw this picture on Facebook yesterday and fell in love with it. I can't find the source of it. I tried.  this is the ideal life.  A kitchen wide open o the outdoors with chickens scratching in the yard. On that note my sister heard a rooster crowing yesterday morning from the place across the road that just had new people move in last month.  They have three big dogs, cats, chickens that they are raising for meat, I heard goats, and now a rooster. They are probably living their dream, and who can blame them. If I was young and able to, I would be living my dream as well.

I always wanted a small hobby farm, with chickens, etc. In reality I do not know how I would have been able to cope with all of that plus my five children and being alone most of the time. As he was in the military, my husband was away from home often. As much as I dreamt of having a hobby farm, I seriously would never have coped. 

But we all have our dreams.


 

I had a pretty busy day yesterday.  I ended up going to Greenwood to Walmart to buy cat food. My two have gotten seriously fussy all of a sudden. They don't like their dry food at all and are turning up their noses at the wet food I always gave them. So I popped up to Walmart with Cindy to get some cat food. I also wanted to pick up a small Birthday gift for my father's friend Maryann. I found her a nice little bracelet made from these natural green stones and there is a little charm on it which says lucky.  She is always buying scratch cards, etc. and hoping to get lucky.

After that we went to the Super Store.  I needed a few bits and bobs. And then we ended up in the Farmers Market buying more potatoes and beans. It was also the day they got their baked goods in and I caved and bought some cinnamon rolls, and a loaf of cheese bread.  They hadn't had any sourdough bread at the Super Store so we went to the other farm market, and I got a loaf there. Along with a few other bits I hadn't planned on getting.  They had the loveliest looking all-butter biscuits. Two in a pack. How could I resist.




This was my dinner yesterday.  Some rotisserie chicken, leftover potato salad and one of those lovely biscuits spread with softened butter.  Oh, it was all so-very-good!!   It's the simple things that really do bring us the most joy in life.


 
Pizza Grilled Cheese, looks really yummy.


I talked to my friend Jacquie on the phone for a bit yesterday after I got home. She was wanting to know when my birthday was as she wants to go out to lunch.  She would like to go to Farmer's diner.  I wouldn't mind going there either, for their turkey dinner.  We have not set a date yet. I know I want to drive when we do go. I am not really feeling very confident in her driving. She had those strokes a couple of months ago and I have noticed a huge change in her capabilities.  I know I shouldn't worry about this type of thing, but I think I would just feel better if I drove. We will see how it goes.

My birthday is on the Wednesday and that is the day my father always goes out to supper with his friend Hazel. He will never change his plans for anyone.  That's just him. He is a do or die guy. So I expect we will have to celebrate it on another day.  Not that we need to celebrate it. I am happy just as is.  Turning 70. In one way I am horrified that I am going to be 70, (how did that happen!) and in another way I am grateful. (I'm still here!)

I have gotten a few cards in the post from some sweet friends. I am waiting until the 13th to open them. I just know they are going to be super special.


 

One of these days I need to bring my sewing machine out and put it through its paces to make sure that it still works as it should after Nutmeg knocked it off the table that time. I have things I want to sew and I really need to check it out. I am hoping that it still works properly. I don't want to have to and really cannot afford to get a new one, especially where that one has been used only a few times.

I don't know what happens to my time. It just seems to disappear like water through a sieve. It seems like each day just evaporates and I don't seem to have all the time to do the things I want to do.  They say time speeds up near the end.  I think that is very true!  Perhaps it is a good thing because it means I am leading a full and a busy life.

This afternoon Cindy and I are going to go and have our hair trimmed. We are going back to the same place, but I am not having the same stylist. I don't trust her.  I think Cindy and I are having the same one, so we will be taking turns.  It shouldn't take too long with mine. I just want a trim.


 



I dare say that you could apply this to anything. You could just sit on your front porch and notice any three things. This is a brilliant reminder for us to take notice of our lives and everything in them.  All too often we rush through out days without noticing all the small and simple joys that are all around us. Not that a crack in the sidewalk is a joy, but it is there and is worthy of our note, especially if a flower happens to be growing up out of it. I was looking out my back window yesterday and noticed that a small Maple tree has taken root in the back garden. It is about 2 feet tall now. It's just at the end of what was a garden bed from the previous occupant. 

I hope that I will be able to get that girl to come again this year that I had the two previous years to clean up my gardens before the Winter. She did such a lovely job. I like to try to help support local workers like that if I can. Not big corporations. Just individuals who are doing their best to get by.  It is not an easy place for many and I know young people, especially those with families, have more struggles than ever financially these days. I don't know how they do it.


 


Well, I really haven't had a lot to say here this morning. I guess some weeks are just like that. I will leave you with a thought now for the day . . . 

A thought to carry with you . . . 



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

 *Happiness grows at our
own firesides and is not to be
picked in stranger's gardens.
~Douglas Jerrold  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ 


Green Bean & Potato Salad




In The English Kitchen today, Easy Green Bean & Potato Salad. Making the most of the fresh local produce at the moment.  This was delicious!

I really do hope that you have a lovely day and that you are happy and content.  Never underestimate the value of contentedness. It has a price above gold!  Whatever you get up to today, don't forget!


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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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And I do too!    

   


Tuesday, 5 August 2025

A Day Book . . .

 



FOR TODAY, August 5th, 2024


OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...


This is a photograph that I took from my front deck last night of the sun setting. We had a very hazy day yesterday. The sky was full of the smoke from the fires out West. I knew the sunset would be spectacular and it was. I think today will be more of the same. Warm, hazy. It's garbage day today also.


 

I AM THINKING ...

I've been asked to give a talk (kind of like a mini-sermon) at church on the 24th of this  month. 10 - 15 minutes long. I have been thinking very much of what to talk about. I have had something in my mind since before Christmas, but I am not sure if I will go with that yet or not.  It will be as I am inspired by the spirit. They don't give you topics here. They ask you to pray about it and then talk about that.




I AM ALSO THINKING ...

I am also thinking about how grateful I am that Nutmeg is feeling so much better. It is quite distressing when your animals are not well. They cannot tell you where it hurts or what they are feeling. You can only tell by their behavior that something is not right.  This was him lying next to me on the sofa last evening.  Such a little cuddler he is.


Easy Tuna Burgers


IN THE KITCHEN ...

Easy Tuna Burgers.  These were really delicious. With capers and red onion, some fresh breadcrumbs, an egg, pepper and of course the tuna.  I enjoyed one for my supper yesterday with some lemon squeezed over top. You could also enjoy them in a bun if you wished.



ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...

Light BBQ Chicken, Cheddar & Pineapple Tostadas. From The Creative Bite. These look fabulous! I love anything Tex Mex.


 

THIS I KNOW TO BE TRUE ...

It's only through the grace and strength of the Savior that I have been able to get through these past five years. My faith in Him has helped me in immeasurable ways. He helped me to draw from a well of strength I didn't know I had, and inspired me to keep going when I didn't think I could continue.


 

SOMETHING THAT IS NICE ...

I love this little collage of sweetness.


 

SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE ...

A pretty garden. My sister has a pretty garden.


I WOULD LIKE TO CREATE ...

 

Little houses  . . . 


 

Blooming flowers  . . . 


 

Little clay creations  . . . 


 
 


A little papier Mache house . . . 


 

Butterflies  . . . 


 

SOMETHING I ENJOY ...

The fresh fruits of summer  . . . 


 

SOMETHING ELSE I ENJOY ...

Blueberries, cream and meringues  . . .  This is so pretty.


 

OH MY GOODNESS ...

Is there no end to the charms of ginger cats?



I AM READING ...

WILDERNESS WIFE, by Delores Topliff

How do you continue living when life collapses around you in a single day? 

 Marguerite Wadin MacKay believes her 17-year marriage to explorer Alex MacKay is strong—until his sudden fame destroys it. When he returns from a cross-Canada expedition, he announces their frontier marriage is void in Montréal where he plans to find a society wife—not one with native blood. 

Taking their son, MacKay sends Marguerite and their three daughters to a trading post where she lived as a child. Deeply shamed, she arrives in time to assist young Doctor John McLoughlin with a medical emergency. Marguerite now lives only for her girls. 

When Fort William on Lake Superior opens a school, Marguerite moves there for her daughters’ sake and rekindles her friendship with Doctor McLoughlin. When he declares his love, she dissuades him from a match harmful to his career. She’s mixed blood and nine years older. But he will have no one else. After abandonment, can a woman love again and fulfill a key role in North American History?

History with a fresh perspective, this book captured me with the first two pages.


THINGS THAT CATCH MY FANCY ...



A field full of daisies  . . . 


 

Foraging from the hedgerows  . . .  hips, haws and brambles.


 

Misty mornings  . . .  they often precede a brilliant day  . . . 


 

A pretty porch to sit on  . . . 


 

A pretty breakfast corner . . . 



 

I AM GRATEFUL FOR ...

I have never known deprivation. I have always had a place to lay my head at night, clothes on my back, warmth, food in my belly. I have always had enough and then some  . . . I am blessed.



MAKES ME SMILE ...

I didn't really want to change the channel did I?  Of course not!  Cinnamon is so precious.




SOMETHING TO WATCH ...

Pit Pony on Prime.  I must have been living overseas when this came out on the television. In any case I am enjoying it now.


A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU ...

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

 *Don't let the hurt of today
blind you to the hope of tomorrow.
~Lysa Terkeurst  
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

And that is my daybook for this week!  Thanks always for being here!


  ⋱ ⋮ ⋰
⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small *´¯`.¸¸.☆
  ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆ 



✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•. ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥╬
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Have a beautiful day!  Don't forget!  

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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And I do too!