Tuesday 29 July 2014

The Simple Woman's Day Book

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FOR TODAY, July 29th, 2014

Outside my window ...
The heat wave has broken, and whilst it is still warm, the mornings and evenings are nice and pleasant and just cool enough to enjoy!  My kind of weather! 

I am thinking ...
 ✻ღϠ₡ღ✻(¯`✻´¯) 
          ✻ღϠ`*.¸.*₡ღ¸.✻
"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."  D&C 84:88

 Thiswas a revelation given to Joseph Smith when the Saints were living in Kirtland, Ohio, in September of 1832.  I love the wording of this.  I love the thought that God has me covered and his angels round about me.  In a world that is ever increasingly going crazy, it helps me to feel safe and loved.

I am thankful ...
For the scriptures which I read and study . . .  and which help to bolster my courage, and inspire my days and ways.

In the kitchen ...

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In the kitchen today Summer Blueberry Tarts!   Tasty and pretty too!  Also very simple to make.  I am also giving away a set of these . . .

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Clong from Dreamfarm!  They sent me a pair to try out and a pair to give away.  I will send them anywhere, but you have to comment in order to be in for a chance to win them, so go on over and have a gander and tell me that you've been.   It could be YOU who wins!  You never know!

On my "To Cook" list ...























 These Cream Puff Doughnuts from Spoon Fork Bacon look pretty amazing!


I am creating ...






















 I love,LOVE this grocery bag with the drawstring top from Studio Clip.  It's in japanese, but there are diagrams which looks pretty easy to follow.






















I love this gadget holder from Buzz Feed.  It's made from an old hand lotion bottle.  I would never have thought of something like this!  I just love how very inventive people are!






















 I adore pin cushions and I just love this easy to make no sew cupcake pin cushion I found on Creative Paper Trail.






















 Tin Can Stilts from Lolly Jane!  I can remember making these when I was a girl.  So much fun!

I am going ...
We are going to the theatre with some friends on Wednesday which should be good.   Then the Missionary Elders are coming for their tea on Friday.   I am having both sets early in August as we have the student arriving on the 11th and I want her well settled in and a routine in place before we start having company.

I am wondering ...  
















August 2014 marks the centenary of the start of the First World War – a turning point in world history.

In collaboration with 14-18 NOW, Liverpool will host one of the UK's landmark commemorative events - a poignant and spectacular piece of street theatre which will once again see giant visitors embark on an emotional journey around the city.   It all happened last weekend.   How amazing it must have been to see these huge giants walking around the city!!  I love Liverpool anyways.  When I was a child I was afraid of Giants.   I am not sure how I would have felt in amongst them, even knowing they were mechanical.  It would have been a bit eerie I think, but amazing.  I am wondering at the technology that was used to do this.  You can read more about it here.  Those people in the red suits are called the Lilliputians.   They help to work the giants.  Pretty amazing stuff!

I am reading ...



Tapestry of Fortunes, by Elizabeth Berg
In this book four very different women delve into their pasts in order to share their futures, fates and fortunes.

Cecilia Ross is a motivational speaker who encourages others to change their lives for the better. Why can’t she take her own advice? Still reeling from the death of her best friend, and freshly aware of the need to live more fully now, Cece realizes that she has to make a move—all the portentous signs seem to point in that direction. She downsizes her life, sells her suburban Minnesota home and lets go of many of her possessions. She moves into a beautiful old house in Saint Paul, complete with a garden, chef’s kitchen, and three housemates: Lise, the home’s owner and a divorced mother at odds with her twenty-year-old daughter; Joni, a top-notch sous chef at a first-rate restaurant with a grade A jerk of a boss; and Renie, the youngest and most mercurial of the group, who is trying to rectify a teenage mistake. These women embark on a journey together in an attempt to connect with parts of themselves long denied. For Cece, that means finding Dennis Halsinger. Despite being “the one who got away,” Dennis has never been far from Cece’s thoughts.

I have only just started it, but you all know how much I love the writing of Elizabeth Berg.

I am hoping ...
I see great improvement in my thumb after two weeks.  I am hoping that it continues.  It is only clicking a little bit now, and although it still has a way to go I am able to use it again in small degrees!  Call me happy with that!

Makes me smile ...

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This is a picture I took last week of Sister Brimley and Sister Wagner!  Sister Brimley has been with us for quite a while now.   I think we were her first area on her mission.  She is leaving us today to go to Kendal in the Lake District.   These young ladies are such choice girls.  They always make me smile.  It is hard to see any one of them move on to a new area.  I always hate it when the missionaries move on.  You come to love each and every one of them.   But I know it's for their own good that they serve in a lot of different places and for the good of the Gospel, which also makes me smile.

I am learning ...
I am trying to teach myself to know the difference between being hungry, being bored or being just plain glutonous.  It's a hard lesson to learn when you love food.

Around the house ...


































 Repurpose with a purpose.  50 surprisingly new ways to make something new out of something old.  I love the idea of repurposing.   We have become such a throwaway society.  We need to stop that if we can.























I love the colourful site of this sofa table made with old pallets.   Found on I'm Making it Myself.   I love the brightness of it and the inventiveness as well!























I love the rustic look of this kitchen island.  You need a big kitchen for that however.  Doesn't stop me from liking it though!























What a novel way to use baskets!  I just may do something like this.   From BHG, of course!

 I am pondering ...
All of the conflict in the world at the moment makes my heart ache.   I really feel for Israel. It is difficult to be surrounded by enemies who want you dead and will not compromise on that.  I also feel for the innocents of Gaza who are being slaughtered.   They are being used as human shields by Hamas in my opinion. Why else put missile launchers in hospitals and schools?  They do it on purpose because they hope that Israel will not respond in bombing them, and if Israel does it will turn the tide of world opinion against them.   The real enemy here is Hamas, not the Palestinians or the Israeli's.  There are no winners here.

A favourite quote for the day ...  
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`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ..
(¯`v´¯)
 `*.¸.*´Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
  ¸.•´¸.•~♥♥♥~•.~      

Let us more and more insist on raising funds of love, of kindness, of understanding, of peace. Money will come if we seek first the Kingdom of God - the rest will be given. 
~Mother Teresa

All we need is love.

One of my favourite things ...  


Sam Elliot.  Any age.  Any way.  Any role.  He seems like a really nice man and a good husband.  He and Katherine Ross have been married forever.  A rareity in Hollywood.  Rustic looks, loyalty and steadfastness appeal to me.  The voice doesn't hurt either! Hubba Hubba!


A peek into my day ...





















I often go out and gaze at the pond.  There is always something new happening in it.   You can see a reflection on it now from the netting that Todd was forced to put around it to keep out the cats.   You can also see Goldie peering out from beneath some of the greenery.   That is our only pure gold fish and the oldest one we have remaining.   I love the lily pads and flowers.   I think we need to clear a few of them away though.  Although in this heat we have been having it does help to give the fish some much needed shade and respite! 

And that's my day book for this week!
  
⋱ ⋮ ⋰
   ⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small*´¯`.¸¸.☆
   ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆
   ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿
   ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬
   ░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░  


Wherever you go and whatever you do I hope there's a wonderful day planned for you! 

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░L░O░V░E⊰✿⊰✿⊰✿⊰✿⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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16 comments:

  1. Morning, Marie! YUMMY treats--your berry tarts an those cream puff doughnuts...mmm... LOVE that drawstring-top tote! Always so fun to see what you're up to. And not least all these fun finds & info... I have not idea how you find time to do it all! LOL! Enjoy your theater outing tomorrow! :o) Happy Week, my friend ((LOVE & BIG HUGS))

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  2. Thanks Tracy! I don't know how I find time either! Today I am re-scanning all of my artwork for the liscensing company. Not fun, but necessary! (not to mention very time consuming!) Happy Week to you too! xxoo

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  3. Sam Elliot has long been a favorite of mine, too. ;)

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  4. He is the whole package Laura!

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  5. Me three for Sam :)
    Lots of thoughts and ideas here.
    Wow..so happy about your thumb..
    And what LOVELY ladies:)

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  6. MOnique, it would appear we all have very good taste in men! xxoo

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  7. Marie - I had no idea what a clong was and so if for nothing else, I had to go to Dreamfarm just to see what a clong was....ha...really useful tool. Aren't missionaries just the greatest! Love having them in our home for meals.

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  8. First off, I'm only in my 30s, but I'm right with you on Sam Elliott.

    Second, I checked out the clongs, and I think they are a genius idea. Ours tongs are old and it seriously takes 2 hands to even operate them. I love the push button concept AND the fact that they don't have to touch my counters.

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  9. Marsha and Anna, make sure you go over and comment on the post so you are in for the draw!

    Marsha, I could have them everyday if it wasn't greedy of me to do so!

    I think Sam Elliot has an ageless appeal Anna!

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  10. Sam Elliot is one of my mom's big crushes. :) He does seem like a good guy. I love him in Mask especially.

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  11. I don't know of Sam Elliott, but I think Katherine Ross is very beautiful. Lucky man!

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  12. Hi Marie, just catching up on your blog. Glad to hear your thumb is feeling a bit better. Good luck with the Tuscany competion, I'd love you to win it! I love the idea of your dessert cookbook although desserts are my downfall! I'm one of those people who looks at the dessert menu first when in a restaurant! I'm off to Blackpool at the weekend to see Mama Mia. I got the tickets for a birthday present last September and remember thinking that's a lifetime away, can't believe it's this week now, the time just flies. Hope you and Todd are okay. much love xxx

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  13. Aww, what sweet faces the Sister Missionaries have. They look happy as they are serving the Lord and the good people in England.

    I love the glossy leaf lily pads, flower and the fish popping it's head out. Nice shot of that.

    Cream puff doughnuts...I would be in BIG trouble if I came to your house and ate the delicious food and goodies you make. You would have to roll me out the door. Heee! The trouble with me is that I eat when I'm mad, sad or happy. Bad habit I need to break too!

    I checked out Dreamfarm's Clong. I had no idea what it was. Thought it was something the OBGYN would use...oops! ;-) Nice to find out it's a very useful kitchen gadget.

    I love pin cushions too! The one you posted is just darling!

    Most of all I love your "I am thinking" bit for today. Touches my heart.

    Have a great time at the theater and tea with the missionaries on Friday. Wish I could join you all. :-> xoxo

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  14. Val, you are great! He was fab in Mask! One of my favourite films!

    Bunny, you are right Katherine Ross is indeed beautiful and he is a lucky man!

    Kate! I hope you enjoy Mama Mia! It will be great! I love the music. We have it on a cd and listen to it often in the car!

    Valerie, if you lived here we could keep each other on the line, go for walks together exercise together and indulge in chocolate together. You the ice cream and me the cake, lol. I wish you could join us too! xxoo

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  15. Oh Marie, I still hope you know what a favorite of mine you are. I would love to meet you. Lura certainly loves you too. I had lunch with her recently and it was awesome, of course.
    I always love the day book entries.
    You come up with the best items to covet or at least enjoy looking at. I liked the 50 ideas for repurposing. I need to do more of that.
    I like Sam Elliot too.
    I love the missionaries. Those sisters are so cute. You are so awesome to feed them all the time. I am sure they love coming to your house to eat; I know I would.
    Those huge giants would scare me. Wow, they are huge. Of course, going to an event like this would be awesome.
    Your pond looks lovely. I think we need to put one in.
    Blessings, love and hugs for you!

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  16. I think you would enjoy a pond LeAnn, but not sure how the fish would winter over there? You might have to bring them in for Winter. I don't know! Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I hope that we will get to meet one day as well. I love Lura too! She's been a blessing in my life in countless ways! xxoo

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Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!