The Simple Woman's Daybook . . .

 

FOR TODAY, July 23, 2019

Outside my window ...

The sun has got her hat on, hip, hip, hip hooray! It will probably be miserably warm by midday, but who cares. A sunny day is a happy day. No rain! 

I am thinking ... 

About the kindness of others and how so often I am the recipient of it. I am not sure I deserve it most of the time. I hope that I remember to be kind with others in return. I like to think of good deeds and kindnesses as having a ripple effect that spreads. I am reminded of that inspirational thought that says, "In a world where you can be anything you want to be, be kind."   I love that. It is my goal daily to just be kind. 

I am thankful for ...

For everything. My life is richly blessed and embroidered with a fullness of joy. My cup runneth over. 

One of my favourite things ... 

Buttered potatoes and roasted beetroot. In fact that was our supper yesterday. I know  . . . very naughty.  Tina gave me a bag of freshly pulled beetroot and new potatoes from their garden on Sunday and I just had to enjoy some of them yesterday. I roasted all the beetroot, and cooked the greens and boiled some of the potatoes in their skins and that's what we had for our supper. Boiled potatoes with some salt and butter, the beetroot skinned, and of course the greens. It was delicious and very satisfying. 

In the kitchen ... 

 

I baked Todd a delicious Banana Bread the other day.  I used my stick blender to puree the bananas. It worked a charm. This is one very tasty banana bread. 

On my "To Cook" list ... 

 

How Sweet Eats.  Pretzel Crusted Chicken Strips with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce.  

Good to know ... 

 

Polished Habit. Good to know that is, good to know.  Haven't tried it yet but I am going to if I can find a Magic Eraser.

I am creating ... 

 

Hook and Bake. Complete Tutorial.  Very pretty squares. 

 

Ideas for DIY. How to make a Kantha Quilt.  

 

Hobium. Free pattern. So sunny and bright!  

 

Meusely. Baby Sock Christmas Ornaments.  

 

The Quilt Rack.  Themed Snowflakes, paper cutting.  

 

Linchainging on IG.  Inspiring.  

I am reading ... 

 

Nella Last's War the WW2 Diaries of Housewife 49

Next to being a mother, I'd have loved to write books...' Nella Last, Oct 8, 1939 

In September 1939, housewife and mother Nella Last began a diary whose entries, in their regularity, length and quality, have created a record of the Second World War which is powerful, fascinating and unique. When war broke out, Nella's younger son joined the army while the rest of the family tried to adapt to civilian life.

Writing each day for the "Mass Observation" project, Nella, a middle-aged housewife from the bombed town of Barrow, shows what people really felt during this time. This was the period in which she turned 50, saw her children leave home, and reviewed her life and her marriage - which she eventually compares to slavery. Her growing confidence as a result of her war work makes this a moving (though often comic) testimony, which, covering sex, death and fear of invasion, provides a new, unglamorised, female perspective on the war years.


I am looking forward to ... 

Lunch with Tina and Tony on Thursday. We always enjoy our time with them.


Dreaming about  ... 

 

Vintage Dolls  . . . 

  

Vintage house plans  . . .  just the right size. 

 

Pretty milk jugs  . . . 

 

Elie Saab . . .  but where would I wear it?  (As if!) 

 

Blues and Whites  . . . 

  

A picket fence on a tree lined street  . . . 

Makes me smile ... 

 

Belly snuggles  . . . 

Something to watch ... 

  

Stranger Things.  Season 3.  Netflix.  Spooky. 

A thought to carry with you  ... 

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

everything in God's hands,

will eventually see

God's hands in everything.  

•。★★ 。* 。•。★★ 。* 。 

Corners of my Kingdom ... 

 

A wonky cottage in Lincoln  . . . 

 

And that's my daybook for this week!



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



✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.• ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥
░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░ 

Have a beautiful day!  Don't forget!  

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

And I do too!    

   

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 from the past week which brought untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best.   

  

I do most of my baking at the weekend.  I only ever very rarely bake during the week. That's because it is too tempting and it gets in my mouth.  I'm trying to be really good and most of the time I succeed.  Whew!  Its not fair to punish Todd however and so at the weekend I usually bake him a treat or two. 

  

Yay, I've finally noticed some bees in the garden, honey bees and bumble bees.  I was getting really worried because I hadn't seen any!  Whew! Bees are so important to our planet and I don't like to see what is happening to them because of all the things that are going wrong with our environment, etc.  

  

Its been many years since I have experienced a firefly summer. I remember one in particular when I was a child. We were on our way back from Quebec, having visited my father's family, and we visited  overnight with a family that lived in a house along the banks of the Saint John River  just outside of Fredericton.  A ham radio friend of my dad's.  I remember that their house was only half built and they were living in part of it while they built the rest.  I don't know what the grownups got up to but we children spent an enjoyable evening chasing and catching fireflies!  

 

Homemade granola.  I've been a granola eater for years and I only ever eat homemade.  It is the breakfast and snack of champions. I hate storebought granola.  It tastes pretty awful in comparison. The real thing spoils you for anything else. 

  

Fresh garden greens.  We were gifted with some at church yesterday.  Beet greens and beets and new potatoes.  I adore beet greens.  Sauteed with a bit of butter and dressed with vinegar.  Its the way my mom always cooked them. Seriously yummy!  You never see beets with the greens attached in the shops over here.  Mores the pity.  They are missing out on a lot of goodness! 

 

Early morning cuddles with Mitzie. They are a great way to start my day.  She is such a playful loving creature . . . what would we do without her.  She brings us so much joy and pleasure, and . . . love, unconditional love.   Her brilliant personality and eagerness to please is a wonder to us.    She is probably one of the sweetest things in our lives and days . . . she is our baby we could not have.  

 

"It was only a sunny smile
and little it cost in the giving,
but like morning light it scattered the night
and made the day worth living"
~unknown  

Smiles, one size fits all and free for the giving and receiving.  There is nothing that can cheer a heart or light up a room like a genuine smile. I love them. 

 

Feeding the soul.  It doesn't cost much to feed a soul.  Only time, and not even a lot of that.  It can be fed by the comforting touch of a hand, or the broadening warmth of a smile . . . a fit word spoken, the colours of a delicate bloom, a few melodious notes of a song, a service given or a service taken, a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on . . . all free, and there are many, many more gifts such as these to feed your soul . . . 

   

Our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved.
~Thomas S Monson

Acts of service.   They do not have to be grand or for the whole world to see.  They are the small and simple gestures we practice every day, which help to lessen the burdens in another's life.  It could be something as simple as simply listening, or the squeeze of a hand, or a hug, a smile . . . we can serve others in a multitude of ways.  It is loving and it is selfless.  It is without expectation of anything in return.  It is being the Saviour's hands.  It is what makes a life worth living. 

  

 

Daily prayer, singularly and together as a couple.  If we had children they would also be included in this beautiful experience.   There is something so very wonderful in being able to pray together as a family.  There is a beautiful power in it and a strength that comes into your family by being able to go to the Lord together. 

I am truly blessed. My life is filled with goodness, so much so that it overflows, which isn't a bad thing really.  Goodness that overflows often lands on other people. How can that ever be bad  . . . 

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *“The true way to live
is to enjoy every moment as it passes,
and surely it is in the everyday things around us
that the beauty of life lies.”
~Laura Ingalls Wilder   ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 

 

Cooking in The English Kitchen today  . . .  low carb  Stuffed Buffalo Chicken for Two.  Deliciously simple. 

I hope your week ahead is filled to overflowing 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!  

 

Something for Sunday . . .

 

I hardly ever have enough time these days to do a proper post on Sunday mornings, so I am just going to post a picture, and then you can tell me what it makes you feel or think in the comments.  I will too.    

Saturday This and That . . .

 

So what's a picture of fish and chips doing at the top of my post. Well, since you asked, I'll tell you.  This is what I was doing last night at 7 pm.  Taking a photo of a quickly put together Beer Batter Cod & Chips for the Canadian Hello magazine spread. I got an urgent e-mail from them about 6 and they were wanting to know if I had any higher res images of my original photos and I did not.  That recipe was from quite a few years back and I don't have that computer any longer, and so I said to them, give me an hour!  So there I was at 7pm, standing in the pouring rain outside in the back garden beneath the umbrella while Todd shone a heavy duty flash light across it to give me better light, because lets face it  . . .  the natural light here at 7 pm inside the house is definitely a no go, and rain or shine, the show must go on.  Being featured in Hello magazine such a feather to add to my cap that I couldn't not do it.  It was URGENT, or so they said. Not sure if they liked the new photos any more than the old, but hey. I did try.  Guess what Todd is having for his dinner today.  You got it!  Beef Battered Cod and Chips!! 

 

(This is exactly what I see when I have one)

Good news on the eye front. My eyes have not changed in two years.  Still the same prescription although I may go back and get some newer glasses when I get some money to do so.  What I have been experiencing is an Ocular Migraine. (You were right Ruthanne!)  

An ocular migraines is a scene that causes extreme visual disturbance. These migraines can last somewhere in the range of five to thirty minutes. They might be joined by an agonising headache. This kind of visual aggravation is delegated a migraine since it is caused by changes in blood stream to the mind. Veins choke, which lessens blood stream to the eyes. I don't get any pain, just what you see above which means I can't see to do anything. So far they have lasted about 35 to 40 minutes and calm down once I go somewhere and be quiet.

I was so relieved.  I thought I had a brain tumour or something, or that I was going blind, my retina was detaching, about a bazillion other things had been flashing through my mind.  It had never occurred to me that it was a migraine because there was no pain accompanying it!

Typically I only get it in the one eye, my left eye and that was the eye I had my first PVD in, and I consider it to be my worse eye sight wise.  Good news is that my sight has actually slightly improved, which is weird, but hey ho!  I'll take it! 

 

(I hope my sister doesn't mind me sharing this. Work is

ongoing in the house as she deals with mom's

effects.)

Doug and his family have been in the Valley this past week and they have bee staying at my Sister's these past few days.  My dad was spending some time with them and this is (believe it or not) the best photo of them all.  LOL  why is it so hard to get decent photos of more than one person at a time! 

  

I mean seriously!  They do make me smile!  

   

Three generations there, with Doug, Dad and Jon at the back  . . .  and Jake and Josh at the front.  

 

They really crack me up.  Can't wait to hear how the

visit went.  I am so grateful to Kayla for sending

me these! 

And to my sister for putting them up!  

   

Getting to see Grace's new walking skills this week was another highlight of my week. She is such a beautiful baby. Her hair is getting more lush now and I can see that it will grow by leaps and bounds now that all the baby hair is gone and her other hair is coming in. 

  

 

She is such a delightful little baby girl.  I love her to bits.  I wish you could have seen her walking the other night.  She was going from one person to the next and she would stop half way and clap and do this funny things with her hands, like what's up and then continue. It was so cute, a bit wobbly (to be expected) but so cute.  She will be racing around before too long I am sure!  I am really looking forward to her Birthday BBQ next Saturday!  Its hard to believe she is  a year old. The year has gone by so quickly! 

  

Saw this on Mommy Mishaps the other day and wish I hadn't.  I immediately started salivating. Of course I won't make them, but boy oh boy, they epitomise everything I love  . . .  crispy, creamy  . . .  chocolate.   So tempting  . . .  I love anything with rice crispies in it . . . 

 

However  . . .  I remembered I had one of these in a drawer (doesn't everyone stash chocolate away in a drawer?) and so I went and got it out.  Three years out of date.  How bad could it be . . . 

One bite and I had cured myself of wanting anything with chocolate

and crunch in it.  For this time anyways.

YUCK! 

Just yuck.  Three year out of date chocolate

is truly the pits.  

   

Yesterday morning the rain was truly bucketing down at one point.  I remember thinking to myself, I am going to get totally soaked going in to town.  It was pouring off the shed roof in sheets.  Thankfully it stopped when we went to go into town and held off for that whole time period.  I call that a Tender Mercy as I don't have a raincoat (I know, who lives in the UK without one of those!) and we couldn't find my umbrella.  Note to self - FIND THAT UMBRELLA!  Its a really cute one too, with Scotty Dogs all over it. My friend Pat gave it to me.I love it!  

 

I had an e-mail from my Publisher's accountant last week thanking me for my patience and telling me they had sorted some stuff and that with any luck I should have some residuals paid into my account this week.  Didn't happen.  I haven't had any since last November, and by my calculations I am due a bit and then some.  Fingers crossed they come through soon. We could really use the dosh.  At least they are staying in touch with me, which is a good sign.  I just have to continue being patient.   

 

As well this week I was working on my next article for the Knives site.  I have been asked to do a couple of recipes, so in keeping with a summer theme I did my first one this week, wrote the article, etc.  Creamy Roasted Potato Salad.  They were happy with it and I think the photos turned out nicely.  I did step by step as well, like the PW.  Oddly enough I am waiting on my pay from them as well.   Oh well, when it all starts to roll in it will be like a feast I guess!  This week I am working on another recipe for them.  Watch this space! 

So  . . .  hmmm  . . .  stress.  They say stress causes migraines.  I guess I need to slow down.  Whoever said retirement was easy was full of it!  I am busier than ever!  And I have to get started on that doll for Grace. I only have a week to get it done!  Whew!! 

A thought to carry with you  . . .

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 * You can't go back and

change the beginning,

but you can start where you are

and change the ending.

~C.S. Lewis  •。★★ 。* 。 

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Blackberry & Lemon Eton Mess.  Seriously decadently delicious.

Have a great Saturday. There was supposed to be a family fun day at the chapel today, but its been cancelled due to inclement weather!  Go figure!  Whatever you might get up to today don't forget! 

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

And I do too!