Thursday 30 November 2017

My favourite things . . .

 

These are a few of my favourite things, maybe some of them are yours also.  Lets share! 


I love Turkish Delight, especially if it is covered in chocolate.  When I was a child we used to buy a candy bar called the Treasure bar.  It was like six individual chocolates joined together as a bar.  


I found a picture of it.  The turkish delight one was always my favourite one.  Todd loves chocolate covered turkish delight also, so I buy him a pack of the Fry's and he lets me nibble one corner.  I am happy with that.  I get to enjoy a tiny bit and he gets to enjoy the rest! 

  

When I was a child, Christmas meant a box of these to share together as a family!  We never ever had boxed chocolates at any other time of year.  These really were magic!  I have not had one in yonks. 


My brother used to send us a tin of Quality Street each year and that was a real treat!  My favourite always used to be the purple one with the nut and caramel in the middle, but now I kinda like the new honey crunch one better.  In reality I shouldn't be liking any of them! 

  

Yes, it is very naughty, but I have always had a thing for Cap'n Crunch.  He is my favourite sea-faring man.  I prefer him unadulterated by crunch berries or anything else.  I like him just plain with milk.  I am thinking its a good thing he is very hard to come by over here in the UK.  I have never tried Cap'n Crunch Chicken.  I have heard it is very good, but it is also probably very dangerous! lol


I love, Love, LOVE the Cruciferous Vegetable Family!  Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, etc. I have never met a Cruciferous Vegetable I wouldn't eat!  Brussels Sprouts!  What would Christmas lunch be without them!  Cooked properly all of these are a real treat, but they have so often been done so badly that they get a bad rap from a lot of people. Crispy tender is the way, unless you are talking cabbage, and then I like it slow cooked, butter/tender, melt in your mouth best of all. 

 

I am a huge fan of anything that crunches, and I don't mean belly crunches or bones. (Yuck!)  I mean things like potato chips, crunchy raw vegetables, crackers, etc.  If it crunches, I am on it.  Perhaps I do need to become a fan of belly crunches . . .  hmmm . . .  either that or have breakfast because so far today I am only liking food!

  

Blown Glass.  Remember when they used to have glass blowers in the shopping malls?  I could stand and watch them for hours. My ex bought me a little wishing well, but it broke before we could even get it home. I learned a long time ago to never mourn broken stuff or to place my treasure in things that break.  That way I am never disappointed when they do break as they so often do!  I do have a small blown glass rooster which was a gift from a lovely friend once upon a time.  I treasure it.  I do like blown glass.  But then again, I am like a crow, if it sparkles, I love it.


I have always loved Prince William and his wife, but this couple, they blow me away.  I love them to bits.  I am so excited that they are getting married.  They very clearly love each other so very much and I wish them many, many years of happiness together!  Have you seen the cottage they will be living in? 

  

Notthingham Cottage on the Kensington Palace Grounds.  Soooo adorable.  I think Harry already lives there actually, but what a sweet place to begin your married life in.  White picket fence and all. 

May they live happily ever after.


Oh to be thinner so that I could dress like this and not look like a bag lady . . .  sigh . . . I love all of this. The ruffles, the lace, the layers, the colours . . . 


Anything with pin-tucks.  Anything.  I love pin-tucks.

  

Lace curtains. Anywhere  . . .  I just love lace curtains.  


Potato Chips.  (Back to food)  It doesn't matter what flavour.  I love potato chips.  When I was a child there was pretty much only one flavour.  Salted, but then other flavours began to creep in.  I like Dill Pickle, which you cannot get over here. (Good thing!) But really I like them all with the exception of Prawn flavoured oned.  YUCK!  But then, I am not a fan of prawns full stop.  I only ever rarely eat a potato chip these days because I know my limitations and if I have them in the house I won't leave them alone.  So I only have them when we have company to help me eat them, or if I am out to a potluck or something.  Then I limit myself to two.   When I was a child my mother used to buy potato chips for my dad to eat when he was watching Hockey games on the telly.  She would get three bags.  Plain, BBQ and Salt and Vinegar.  She would hide them behind the dresser in the bedroom  We would each get a small bowl of them on Hockey night as well. What a treat that was.  Sometimes we used to sneak them and my dad would get the blame.  He was probably sneaking them too so we got away with it. 


Velvet.  I love velvet.  When my girls were growing up I made them several velvet dresses.  I did them each one of periwinkle blue velvet once with detachable white satin collars.  They were so lovely. 

  

I love this picture of our Amanda.  She was nine months old and wearing her first velvet dress. 


And here she is about 31 years later holding her daughter Maryn.  How the years flew by.  She will be 39 on the 9th of December, and our Eileen will be 40 on the 7th January.   How did that happen?  I still feel sixteen inside!

  

Making Rice Crispie Squares.  Happy memories.  Family times.  The best of times.


Amanda (2)  Eileen (4)

They were always getting into my makeup.  So one day I did up their faces for them and their hair and then took their picture together.  These two were such good friends when they were small.  They don't see a lot of each other these days.  They both lead very busy lives.   Getting to bring up my children is definitely one of my favourite things.   I don't have a lot of pictures of them.  All I have were gleaned online or given to me by others because I wasn't aloud to take any with me when my ex and I split up, so I really cherish the oned I do have. These pictures are another one of my favourite things! 


I love this picture of my sister and I which was taken in Gimli, Manitoba in the back yard of our two bedroom house.  I must have been about 6 and she would have been about 3.  Look at those nobby knees of  mine, lol  The sun must have been in our eyes.

  

Cam (4)  Maryn (7)

Blue eyes and brown eyes.  Beautiful grandchildren and very happy.  This makes me happy.


Having options to use that are cheaper than Royal Mail.  Four of them are ready to go.  Just waiting on delivery of the last two books, then I can send off two more.  This is costing me half the price that Royal Mail would cost.  At £66 for all four that is a bargain.  And they should get there within a week or so.  Yay! (Thanks Sybil for showing me the options!) 


Ohh, I just found this one.  It is our Anthony at 6 months of age at my parents house.  He is 42 now!  Look at that old car seat.  The fabric on my parent's chair.  The cute little crochet bobble hat.  That adorable baby.  Oh how I love my children.  So grateful. 

  

This man God gave me with his crooked smile and gentle ways and sweet sense of humor. How did I get so lucky! 


Mistletoe Kisses.  I love this little madame.  She had her checkup yesterday and the good news is she is in perfect health and has lost weight.  Yay.  We are doing the right things!  


Christmas fruit cakes.  It just wouldn't be Christmas without one. 


 
 The Essential Christmas Play List.  Actually I have been tuning in Mormon Music on the Mormon Channel each day.  We can bring it up on our smart TV.  They play a great selection of Christmas music, 24/7 this time of year.  I love it! 


The Big Bang Theory.  We both love it and have watched some episodes numerous times.  It never gets boring. 

  

Baking up goodies for the holidays to gift to others and to enjoy at home.  The smells, the tastes.  Its all good!

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

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

 *.˛.°
My mission, should I choose to accept it,
is to find peace with exactly who and what I am,
To take pride in my thoughts, my appearance,
my talents, my flaws, and to stop this
incessan worrying that I can't be loved
as I am. ~Anais Nin •。★★ 。* 。

Spiritual Enlightenment

  

BOOK OF MORMON CORNER - Today's Reading - 2 Nephi 4:1-27
Question -What have you learnt from the reading today? How can you identify with Nephi's psalm? 
 
My thoughts -   Nephi's psalm is one of my most favourite parts in all of the Book of Mormon because Nephi is a SUPER man. Up to this point we know the good choices he has made, we have seen just how much he relies and trusts in the Lord.  He was visited by the Lord, yet here we see Nephi's inner battle. (I'm paraphrasing here) ~If I have seen all these marvellous things and know the goodness of God, then why do I allow anger into my heart and get annoyed with my brothers?? Why do I lose power when I am afflicted?? Can I identify with this?! Oh yes!! I love Nephi for his honesty. It inspires me to know he struggled too.
 
Tomorrow's Reading (Day 42) - 2 Nephi 4:28-5:9
 Question - What do you learn from the way Nephi pleads with the Lord? Why do you think some blessings are conditional on fasting & praying and others are not?
 
  
 
In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Cardamom & Lemon Drizzle Loaf.  Seriously tasty!

Hope your Thursday is filled with  a few of your favourite things!  Don't forget!

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And I do too! 
 
 
 

 

 

8 comments:

  1. My fav candy bars are mounds, almond joy, pb cups, etc.

    My fav Christmas candy is 3 kinds of nougat that's individually wrapped in a box (toroni). There very expensive though. The flavors are lemon, orange, and vanilla. They're very hard to find now.

    Love all the pictures of your kids and grands Marie! They're so cute!

    My fav cereal is Lucky Charms, special k, and life.

    I love broccoli, cauliflower, and kale chips or in soup.

    Those two do make a cute couple. Megan is so pretty too!

    I love potato chips, pretzels, and tortilla chips. Veggies with dips are yummy too.

    Is that a real pig that ur Todd is on or a statue? Lol. Can't tell with this crappy phone.

    Oh Mitzie is so cute wearing that hat! Yay for a great check up too!

    I love baking anytime. I can't stop with just one thing baked, I have to bake at least 3 things at a time. Fun!

    I remember I was in my kitchen baking up a storm, not watching the time 3am. I had to be at work for 7am. What a dummy I was! I had just finished my dishes well waiting for the last batch of cookies to cool. All of a sudden I saw my door knob turn ever so slightly,then they pushed the door knob in! Thank God my door was locked! I just stood there frozen with my mouth open! I'm getting anxiety just writing about it! I never found out who it was either! It happened again after that, but I had long curtains, so I didn't see it that time! I just heard the door knob go in and someone quietly going down my steps. After that my screen door was locked too! I also put a chair there and 3 bells that dangle on the door knob. That's why my dog stays in the kitchen at night too, til I get an enclosed porch. I'm not taking any chances! Lol.

    Big Hugs!xo

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  2. That is great that you found an alternate mailing way! She was smart and nice to share..Oh your family will be elated..you are very generous to do this Marie:)
    I can stay away from buying anything sweet just like making them..if I di give in..it would be Lindt..the balls? I guess..I have not had a chocolate bar in oh 20 yrs at least..
    But I eat my share of salty snacks for sure.
    I enjoy Spotify and love gleaning from playlists..Kelle Hampton has quite a few..
    The cake looks abolutely yum..had no connection earlier on IG on my Ipad..could just like..

    cardamamom..yum.
    Hope my Xmas cakes are faring well..

    Love the made up little girlies..:) And the pic of u and sis:)

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  3. What is they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Old pictures or new just blow me away. So thankful that now we have new technology to be able to share them easier than ever before. What a gem that Sybil is ! She is ever giving the best of advice. Miss her blog.

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  4. I'm so glad you managed to get a good deal posting the books Marie...lucky folks that are going to receive them, just hope they appreciate all your hard work.....thank you Ma for saying you enjoyed my blog...life is really quite boring ( except our lovely holidays) and woudnt want to bore people!.....hope you have had a great day Marie, the sun has shone all day and although I had a spell of dizziness first few hours it went after a while though, thank goodness....take care. God Bless. Xxx

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  5. Oh Marie!

    I loved this post!! I have cried and laughed and my mouth even watered!! I don't think I have heard of any of those candies...but, I do love, Captain Crunch..it's just so yummy, even if it makes the roof of my mouth a little sore, why is that?!

    Yes, Prince Harry and his cute little fiance are so loved by the whole world...well maybe not all the world, but by most of it...;0) I think that little cottage is just adorable, they are so lucky!

    You would look adorable in any of those outfits, Marie. I don't look good in pin-tucks, but I love them too. My little sis wears them and she is fluffy like me, and they look so cute on her...you can do it! There is nothing wrong with the way we look, it is just the way we look, and we are beautiful!

    Lace curtains...love them...

    I'm not a potato chip eater, I'd rather have popcorn, not that it's more healthy, not the way I like it, I love butter too.

    Ok, Marie, you have the most beautiful children and grandchildren. Those older photos are just priceless, what a treasure for you! They even bring back memories for me, especially the car seat, I'd almost forgotten about those. precious...I couldn't look at them without being just a bit weepy.

    Isn't it wonderful to have such great men in our lives?! I can tell that Todd is a gentle soul, he had such a nice smile, and kind eyes. I'm sure that he is equally blessed having you as his eternal companion.

    I seriously could not make it through the day without a little sloppy kiss from my sweet, Cole dog. That hat is just too cute!!

    I need to make fruit cake, that's all there is to it! I love the Christmas song list, and the Mormon Channel, don't they have such good music?

    I love that, Nephi was just a man...he had downfalls and doubts just like all of us. I'm sure that he worried about the same things we do - I love the scriptures.

    Making the Cardomom and Lemon Drizzle loaf tomorrow, it's on my to-do list!

    I love you, Marie...such a sweet friend!

    Hugs and Love,
    Barb

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  6. Loved, loved your favorite things. I just love food no matter how you look at it. Chocolate and potatoe chips are a huge weakness of mine. The candy you showed looks delicious; although I don't think I have had these kinds. I'm sure I would love them though.
    I love the vegetables that you love.
    I love following the Royal Family. Very excited about the engagement and the home they will live in looks adorable.
    Maries, your children and grandhildren are beautiful. I enjoyed the photo of your sister and you.
    I loved your choice of music and the Mormon Channel is awesome.
    Again your choice of clothes is awesome. I would love the pin tuck for sure.
    Love the endearing photo of Todd and your sweet MItzie. Yes, you are blessed by them both. I feel the same way about my Roger and Sammy.
    My husband loves fruitcake. I should really try to make him a homemade one. I will think on it.
    Thanks aagin for a wonderful post just love you much! Big Hugs~

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  7. Oh, you gals are all so cute! Love your comments!

    Jan, that is quite a candy list! Those Toroni sound fabulous! I love dips too! That is a pig statue that Todd is sitting on. It is at an Abby ruin and garden we went to in Runcorn. A lovely place. Like you I like to multi-task when the baking bug hits. Love and hugs. xoxo

    PS- so SCARY about the door knob!

    Thanks Monique! Ohh Lindt, so yummy. I wish I could stay away from chocolate. It is my downfall. I will look up Kelle Hampton. I think we are a lot alike. Happy travels and lots of love.xoxo

    Thanks Pam! I miss Sybil's blog too. I never thought it was boring, not ever. Love and hugs to you and blessings too! xoxo

    Thanks so much Sybil. You were such a life saver. My last two books arrive from Amazon today and then I have to post them off. I hope they appreciate them as well. I know at least three of the five will, but am unsure about the last two. Todd says why am I sending them one, but I told him it doesn't matter if they do the right thing or not, it only matters if "I" do the right thing. So happy to see you got in no problem and were able to comment today! Love you! xoxo

    PS - You could never be boring.

    Thanks Barb, I love popcorn too, and with lots of butter, but my teeth and gums reject it. Sigh . . . yes Captain Crunch cuts the roof of my mouth also. I think it is the sharp edges! I feel like if I wore those clothes I would end up looking like one of those bath scrubbies, lol I hope you enjoy the cake, oh heck, I know you will! Love you too! xoxo

    Thanks LeAnn! You should make Roger a homemade one! He will be in seventh heaven I am sure! Love and hugs back. xoxo



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